luting tlie next year, will, H is believeJ, be
"sufficient to enable llie Governruont to meet
every engagement, and leave a suitablo bal
ance in Uo Treasury at the end of the year,
if the romedial measures connected with the
customs and tho public lands, heretofore re
commended, shall be adopted, a.id the new
Appropriations by Oongiess shall not carry
me cxpeuurures beyond mo ollicial csti
mates.
The new system established by Congress
for tho safekeeping of tho public money,
prescribing the kind of currency to be re
ceived for tho public revenue, and providing
additional guards and securities against los
ses, nas now ueen several months in opora
tion. Although it might bo premature, up
on an experience of such limited duration,
to form a definite opinion in regard to the
extent of its influences in correcting many
evils under which the Federal Government
and the country have hitherto suffered cs
pecially those that havo grown qui of bank
ing expansions, auepreciaicu currency, ana
official defalcations : yet it is but right to
say that nothing has occurred in tho practi
cal operation of the system lo weaken in
the slightest dogreo, but much to strengthen,
the confident anticipations of its friends.
The grounds of these have been heretofore
no fully explained as to require no recapitu
lation. In respect to tho facility and con
venience it affords in conducting the public
sorvice, anil the ability or the Government
to discharge throur'li its agency cvorv duty
nttendant on the collection, transfer, and dis
bursement of the public money with promp
titude anu success, l can say, Willi conti
nence, that ths apprehensions of thoso who
felt it to be their duty to opposd its adoption
nave proved to be unfoundod, On tho con
trary, this branch of tho fiscal affairs of the
Government has been, and it is believed
may always be, thus carried on with every
desirable facility and security, A few chan
ges and improvements in the details of tho
system, without affecting any principles in
volved in it, will be submitted to you by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and will, I am
sure, recoive at your hands that attention to
which they may, on examination bo found
to be entitled.
I hare deemed this brief summary of our
fiscal affairs necessary to tho due perform
ance of a duty specially enjoined upon me
by the constitution. It will serve also, to
illustrate miro fully the principles by which
I havo been guided in reforence to two con
tested points in our public policy, which
were earliest in their developeroent, and
have been more important in their, conse
quences, than any that have arUcu under
our complicated and difficult, yet admirable,
system of governments allude to a national
debt, and a national bank. It was in these
that tho political contests by which the
country has been agitated ever since the
adoption of tho constitution, in a great me.v
sure, oiiginated: and there is too much rea
son to apprehend that the conflicting inter
ests and opposing principles thus marshall
ed, will continue, as heretofore-, to produce
similai, if not aggravated consequences.
Coming into office the declared enemy of
both,I havo earnestly endeavored to prevent
a resort to either.
The consideration that a largo public
debt affords an apology, and produces, in
some degree, a necessity also, for resorting
to a system and extent of taxation which is
not only oppressive throughout, but likewise
so apt to lead, in the cud, to the commission
of that most odious of all offences against the
principles of republican government the
prostitution of political power, conferred for
the general benefit, to the aggrandizement
of particular classes, and the gratification of
individual cupidity is alone sufficient, in
dependently of the weighty objections
which have already been urged, to render
its creation and existence the sourcos of
bitter and unappeasable discord. If we add
to this, itu inevitable tendency to produce
and foster extravagant expenditures of the
public money, by which a necessity is cre
ated for new loans and new burdens on the
people; and, finally, if we refer to the ex
amples of every' Government which has ox
isted, for proof how seldom it is that tho
system, when onco adopted and implanted
in tho policy of a country, has failed to ex
pand itsetf, until public credit was exhaust
ed, and the people were no longer able to
endure its increasing weight.it seems impos
sible to resist tho conclusion, that no benefits
resulting from its career, no extent of con
quest, no accession of wealth to particular
classes, nor any, nor all its combined ad
vantages, can counterbalance its ultimate but
certain results a splendid government, and
an impoverished people.
If a national bank was, as is undeniable,
repudiated by the framers of tho constitution
ns incompatible with the rights of the States
nnd the liberties of the people; if, from the
beginning, it has been regarded by largo
portions of our citizens as coming in direct
collision with that reat and vital amend
rnentofthe constitution, which declares
that all powers uot conferred by that instru
ment on the General Government are re
reserved to the Stales and to the people; if
it has been viewed by them as the first great
stop in the march of latitudinous construc
tion, which, unchecked, would render that
sacred instrument of as littlo value as an un
written constitution, dependent, as it would
alone be, for its meaning, on the interested
interpretation of a dominant party, and affor
ding no security to the rights of the minor
ity; -if such is undeniably the case, what
rational grounds could have been conceived
for anticipating aught but determined oppo
eition to such an institution at the present
day?
Could n different result Lave been expec
ted, when tho consequences which havo
flowed from Its creation, and particularly
frpm its struggles to perpetuate its existence
had confirmed, in so striking a manner, the
apprehensions or its earliest opponents!
when It had been so clearly demonstrated
that a concentrated money power, wielding
so vast a capital, and combining bucIi incal
culable means of influence, may, in llioio
peculiar conjuncturea to which this Govern
ment is unavoidably exposed, prove nn
overmatch for the political power of the
people themselves! when the truo character
of its capacity to regulate, according to ita
will and its interests.and the intorests of its
favorites , tho value and produotion of the
labor and property of every man in this ex
tended country, had been so fully and Tear
fully developed; when it was notorious that
all classes of this great community had, by
moans of the power and influence it thus
possesses, been infected to madness with a
spirit of heedless speculation! when it had
been seen that, secure in the support of the
combination of influences by which it was
surrounded, it could violato its charter, and
set tho laws at defiance with impunily; and
when, too, it had become most apparent
thaf to believe that such an accumulation of
powers can ever be granted without tho
certainty of being abused, was to indulge in
a fatal delusion?
To avoid tho necessity of a permanent
flfll,, ntlfl ifB !MA(.!t.1.tH ' . . T I
-I,., iuuii.iuiv i-onacqueur.es, i nave
anvocatea, anu ondervored lo carry into ef
fect, tho nolicv of cnnfininir thn finntunriq.
lions lor the public service to such objects
oniy as are cieariy within the constitutional
authority of the Federal On vnrnmnnl nf n v
eluding from hs expenses those improvident
uiiu unauuionzeu giants ol public money
for works of internal
were eo wisely arrestotl by the constitution-
"v,iu3iiiun ui my prcuecessor, nnu
which, if they had not been so checked,
WOUld lontT before this limn Inm Snvnlvnit
the finances of the General Government in
embarrassments far prealcr limn il tfiRf which
arc now exnerienced liv anv nf ihn simoo-
or limiting all our expenditures to that sim
ple, unostentatious, anu economical admin
istration of public affairs, which is alone
consistent with the character of our institu
tions; or collecting annually from the cus
toms, and the sales nf nntilin l-inila n ran.
ue fully adenuate lo defrav nil ihn pvnonoo.
thus incurred, but, under no pretence what-
soeuer, to impose taxes upon the people to
a greater amoullt than was nnlnallv nivwtn.
ry to the public service, conducted upon the
principle? i nave siatcu.
In lieu of a national bank, or a depen
dence upon banks of any description, for the
management or our fiscal affairs, I reccom
mended the adoption of the system which
is now 111 successful nnflratinn.Thiit arctnm
affords every requisite facility for tho trans-
action oi tito peouniary concerns ot the Go
vernment, will, it is confidently anticipated
produce in other respects many of the ben
efits which haw been from time to time ex
nected from tho creation nfn n:itinn.-il haul.'
but which havo never linen raliVH? -mmiJI
the manifold evils inseparable from wich an
inMitution, diminish, to a greater extent
than rnillrl lin minmnlilisrl l. .i
w "vtHjuwitwu n y l l i j UWICI
measure of reform, the patronage nf the Fed
eral Government a wise policy in all Go
vernments, but moro especially so in uns
like ours, which works well only in pro
portion as it is made to rely for its support
upon tho unbiassc'l ar.d unadulterated opin
ions of its constituents; do away, forever.all
dependence on corporato bodies, either in
tho raising, collecting, safekeeping, or dis
bursing the public revenues; and place the
Government equally above the temptation
of fostering a dangerous and unconstitution
al institution at home, or the necessity of
adapting its policy to tho views and inter
ests of a still more formidable money-power
abroad.
It is by adopting and carrying out these
principles, under circumstances tho most ar
duous and discouraging, that the attempt
has been made, thus far successrully, to de
monstrate to the people of tho United
States that a national bank at nil limcs.and
a national debt, except it be incurred at a
period when the honor and safety of the
nation demand the temporary sacrifice of n
policy, which should only bo abandoned in
such exigencies, are not merely unnecessa
ry, but in direct and deadly hostility to tho
principles of their Government, a nd" to their
own permanent welfare.
The progress mado in the developemcnt
of these positions, appears in he preceding
sketch or the past history and present stale
or the financial concerns of tho Federal Go
vernment, The fads there stated fully au
thorize) the assertion, that all the purposes
for which this. Government was instituted
have been accomplished during four years
of greater pecuniary embarrassment than
were before experienced in time of peaae,
and in the face of opposition as formidable as
any that was ever before arrayed against the
policy of an administration; that this has
been done when the ordinary revenues of
tho Government were generally decreasing,
as well from the operation of the laws, as
the condition of the nountry, without tho
creation of a permanent public debt, or in
curring any liability, other than such as the
ordinary rosonrces of the Government will
speedily discharge, and without tho agency
of a national bank.
If this view of the proceedings of the
Government, for tho period it embraces, bo
warrented by the facts ns they are known
lo exisl; if the army and navy have been
sustained lo the full oxtent authorized by
law, and which Congress deemed sufficient
for ttie defence of the coiinlav and the pro
tection of ita rights and its honor; if this ci
vil and diplomatic service has been equally
sustained' jf ample provision has been made
for the administration of justice and the ex
ecution of the laws; if the claims upon pub
lic gratitude iii behalf of tho soldiers of thu
Revolution have been promptly met; and
faithfully discharged, if there havo been no
failures in defraying the very largo expendi
tures growing out of that long continued and
salutary policy or peacefully removing the
Indians to legions of comparative-safely and
prosperity, if the public faith has at all
times, and every wherei been most seruptt
I I.. !...-!) I .1-1 '
uvery wncrcf uuuu must 6i;rupti-
ilaincd Jy a prompt discharge) of
jus, extended, and diversified
1 'P... .... tfnll fl.AA I
luusiy luuiiiiaii
tho numerous
claims on the Treasury; if all theso great
and permanent objects, with many olhcrs
that might be slated, Jiave, for a seiios of
years, marked by peculiar obstacles and dif
ficulties, been successfully accomplished
without a resort to permanent debt, or the
aid of a national bank; hnvo wo not a right
lo expect that a policy, tho object of which
has been to sustain tho public service indo-
Dendeillly of cither nfllincn fruitful sniirnnn
of discord; will roceive tho final sanction of
a people whose unbiassed and fairly clici
teujuagment upon public affairs is never
ultimately wronir ?
l hat embarrassments in the pecuniary
concerns ot individuals, of unexampled ex
tent and duration, have recently exiatsd in
this as in other commercial nations, is un
doubledly truo. To supppse it necessary
now to trace thfisn rniprspa In llinir rntmir-
ccs, would bo a reflection on the intelligence
oi my lellow-citizons. Whatever may
liaVO been the nharriritv in tvhin.li Ihn cnh.
isct was involved tlurlnf the earlier slairep
- c ..... . . . ; a
oi tnc rovuision; mere cauuol now be many
by whom tho whole question is not fully un
dcrstood.
Not deeming.it within the constitutional
powers oi tno uoneiai Government lo re
pair private losses sustained by reverses in
business having notionnexion with the pub
lie service, either by direct appropriations
from the TreaBmv.,nr .menial lnirialntinn
designed, to secure exclusive privileges and
immunities to individuals or classes in pref
erence to. and at thefrennrmn nf. ihn irrnnt
, , ' ' -'
majority necessarily debarred from any par
ticipation in tnem, no alte,mpt to tlo so lias
been eitlor made, recnmmendnil. or.r.ncnnr
aged, by the present Executive.
it is ueiitived, howexer, that the great
purposes for tho attainment of. which the
Federal Government was instituted have
not boen lost sishl of. Intrusted rnlv with
certain limited powers, cautiously enuniera
.... , o V. J
ted, distinctly specified, and defined with .a
precision anu clearness winch would seem
: . -. i , v .. . ,
10 ueiy misconstruction, it has been my
rnnslnnl mm tr rnnfinn mt.uolr itifin,i tLa
limits so clearly marked out, and so careful
...... .., .u uvj,..M, III 'dbll I. , .11111 (IIU
jy guarucu. Having always beeit ot ,opin
ion mat tno nest preservative n t in linmn
of the States is to be found in a tolal abstin
ence from the exercise of all doubtful pow
ers on the oart of the Federal Government.
rather than in attompts to assume them bv
a'looie construction of ihc constitutinn, or
an ingenious perversion of its words, I havo
i t . i
enuoavoreu to nvoiu recommending any
measure which I had reason to apprehend
would, in the opinion even nf a considera
ble minority of my fellow-citizens, bo re
garded as (trenching on ihn rights of the
States, or tho provisions of the hallowed
instrument or our Union. Viewing the
aggregate powers or the Federal Govern
ment as a voluntary concession of the Sta'es,
it seemed to me that euch nnlv Almnhl lm
exercised as were at the time intended to be
fiven.
J have been strenrnliunpd. inn. in iho nrn-
priely of this course, by the conviction that
an eiioris to go beyond this lend only to
produce dissatisfaction' and ilUtrnct. in pv.
cito jealousies, and to provoke resistauoo.
insieau oi auaing slrepgtt) to the Federal
Government, even when "successful, thnv
must ever prove a source.of incurable weak
ness oy alienating a portion or those adhe
sion ig indispensable td tho great aggregate
of united strength' and whose voluntarily
attachment is, in my 'estimation, far more
essential to the efficiency of government
Strong in the best of all nnssihln nfrennth
the confidence and attachment of all "those
who maku up its constituent elements.
Thus boliovinrr. it h:iR hnn n nurnnsn
n ' -
to socuro tn the wholo people, and tp every
momoer oi ine conieueracy, by generul, sal
utary, and eciual laws alone. iIih hi mfit nf"
those republican institutions which it was
the ond and aim or the constitution to es
tablish, and the imnartial infl nonnn nf ivliir.1.
is, in my judgment, indispensable to their
perservation. 1 cannot bring mvair to be
lieve that the lasting happiness iir the peo
ple, the prosperity or tho Stales, or the per
manency of their Union, can be maintained
by giving prefforenco or priority to any
class of citizens in the distribution of Imnp.
fits or privilcees. or bv the adnminn nf
measures which euricli one portion of the
Union at the oxnenso nf nnnilifr- nn, i. r
see in the interference of the Federal Gov-
ernmont with tho local legislation and re
served rights of tho States a remedy for
present, or a security against future dan
gers. J he first, nnd assurdlv nni tho inct ;m.
. . , ..... ,,,w ,wu.,,(
portant stop towards relieving thu country
iruiu mo conuuion lino which it hail been
plunged by excesses in trade, bankinir. nml
credit of all kinds, was to nfaee thn Imci.
net's transactions of Gdvemmnnt haoir nn ..
solid basis; given and receiving in njl coses
value for value, and neither 'countenancing
nor encouracimrin'oihnfs' thai rlnh, ' .,!
tern of credits fiom which it.has been found
So diflirull lo escape, .and which lias left
nothing behind it but wrecks that, marl; its
fatal caiuer.
That the financial affairs of the Govern
mcnt,arc now, and have been during the
wholo pefiqd of these wide-spreading diffi
culties, conducted' with a strict and invaria
ble regard lo this great fundamental princi
ple, and that by the assumplion'and main
tenance or tho stand thus taken on the very
threshold or the approaching crisis, moro
than by any other cause oi causes whatever,
tho community ol large has been shielded
from the incalculable evils or a general and
:.l.r...:. !.. r
iiiuuuiiiiu Dupcuaitiii ui specie pay HIGH Is,
and n consequent annihilation, for the whole
period it' might have lasted, of it just and
i M .... I.I n alnniln -.1 f ,,..- . 'It 1. I
lie
umuuuiu akrtiiuaiu ui vamu, will, It IS UC'
levcd, at this period, scarcely bo question
cd.
A steady adherence on the part of the
uovernmeiu, to the policy which has pro
dnced such salutary results, aided bv iudi
cious Stale legislation, and, what is not less
important, by the industry, enterprise, per
sovcranco, and economy of tho Ameiican
people, cannot fail to raiso the wholo cnun
try, at an early period, to a fltatft of unltil
and enduring prosperity, not subject to bo
again overthrown by the suspension of
banks or tho explosion of a bloated credit
syatem. It is for the people, and their re
presentatives, to decide whether or not the
permanent wolfare of the
alt good citizens equally desire, 'however
widely they may differ as to tho means of
its accomplishment) shall be in this way
secured; or whother the management or the
pecuniary concerns 01 the Uoverment, nnd
by consequence, to a condition of tinners
which fostered those contractions and ex
pansions ol the currency, and thoso reck
less buses of credit, from the baleful effects
of Which the country has so deeply suffer
ed a return that can promise, in the end,
no better results than to reproduce the em
barrassments the Governraont has experienc
ed; and to removo fiom the shoulders of the
present, to those of fresh victims, the hitler
fruits of that spirit of sneculativn nnlnrnrisn
to which our countrymen are bo liable, and
upon which the lessons of experience are
so unavailing. The choice is an important
one nna i sincerely nope that it may be wise
ly mado.
A rCDOrt from the Rpprntarv nf IVi, nrn.
senting a detailed view or the affairs or that
ucpanmuni, accompanies this communica
tion.
The desultory duties- connected with the
removal or the Indians, in which the army
has been constantly engaged on the north
ern and western frontiers, nmt in P.nrwtn
have tendered it irripracticsble to carry into
iuii cueci me pian recommended by the
Secretary fot improving its discipline, In
every instance where- the regiments have
been concentrated they havo made great
progress; and the best results msv lm nmi.
cipated from a continuance of this system.
During the last season, a part of the troops
have been employed in removing Indians
from the interjox to. tjie territory assigned
uiein in ins west a uuiy which they have
performed efGoientlv. and nraisa wnrthv h.
manity; and that portion-or them which has
been stationed in Florida continued active
operalio'ils there throughout tho heats of
summer.
The policy of the United fltatPR in rnrrarrt
to the Indians, of which n succinct account
ia given irirny mossage of 1838, and of the
. v.vuiniv,j ij vri.iuu i am mi
ly sausncnas oeen continued in active op
eration throughout the whole neriad of
administration. Since the sprinff of 1837.
moro than forty thousand Indians have been
removod to their homes west of tho Missis-
sinni: and I am haunv tn a Hi!, tlmt nn an
counts concur in representing the result of
ti;is measure as eminent v beneficial in Urn
people.
1 he emigration of the Seminnlpn nl nnn
has been attended with serious ilflirnliv
and occasion bloodshod; hostilities having
ueen commenccu Dy me Indians in Florida,
under the appichension that they would be
compelled, by force; to comply with their
treaty stipulations. The exoculion 0r the
treaty or Payne's Landing, signed in 1832,
but not ratified until 1834. WHS nnclnnnorl
at the solicitation of tho Indians, until icir."
when they again renewed their agreement
to removo peaceably to their new hnmn in
tho west. In the face of this snln
renewed compact, thoy broke their faith,
and commenced hostilities hv thn
ere of Major, Dade's command, the murder
oi tueir agent.uenerat ihompson.and other
acts of cruel troacherv. When th!
ming and unexpected intelligence reached
me sent oi uovernmeni, every eflbit ap
pears to have been made to reinfnr aBn.
eral Clinch, who commanded the troons
then tn Florida, General Euan's was dc.
patched with reinforcements from Charles-
ton; troops were called out from Alabama,
i ennessee and Ueorgia; and General Scott
was sent to lane the command, with ample
powers and amnle moans. At thn firm
' 1 ... .... UIBIIHI
Geneial Gains, organized a force at New
Orleans, and. without waiting for orders,
landed in Florida, wficm lm HpU
the troops he had brought with him to Gen.
ori'ti.
Governor Call wassubseniiRnilv-mnintPfi
tn conduct a summer campaign, and at the
close of it, was replaced by General Jesup,
These events and changes look place under
the administration of mv nrpclppptsnr
Notwithstanding the exertions nf ih rn.
rienced officers who had commaiulH ihprp
for eighteen months.
.-administration of the Government I found
the Territory nf VlnriiU i.
...... w. - " vj v iiiuiun
I
' atrocities. A slrenunus effort was mt.,u.
ately mado to bring these hostilities t0
closcjand tho army under General Jesui,,
wa? reinforced until it amounted to ieij
thousand men, and furnished with abund
ant supplies of every description, In t,
campaign a great number of tho t-nemy
were captured and destroyed! but the char'
acter of the contest was only changed,
The Indians, having been defeated in ere
ry engagement, dispersed in small bands
throughout the country, and beeamc an cu
terprising. formidable, and ruthless banditti,
1 General Taylor, who succeeded General
Jesup, Used his best exertions lo subdnd
them, and was seconded in his efforts by
tho officers under his command, but ho ton,
failed la protect thu Territory from their
depredations. Uy act of signal and cruel
treacln ry, they broke tho truce made with
them General Macomb, who was Rent from
Washington fiir the purpose of carrying in
to effect tho expressed wishes of Cohgfeis,
and have continued their devastations ever'
since. General Armistead, who waB irf
Florida when General Taylor left the army
by permission, assumed the command, anil
after active summer operations, was met by
propositions for peace; and, from tho fortti.
nale coincidence of the arrival in Florida,
at the same period, of a delegation from
the Seminoles who are happily settled west
or tho Mississippi; and aro how anxious to
persuade their countrymen to join them
there, hopes were for sometime entertained
that the Indians might be induced to leave
llie Territory without further diflicultw
These hopes have proved fallacious, "and
hostilities have been renewed throughout tho
wholo of the territory. That this contest
has endured so long, is to be attributed to
causes beyond the control of tho Govern
ment. Experienced Generals havo had
the command of the troopsj'oflicers and sol'
diers havo alike distinguished themselves
for their activity, patience, and cnduiing
courage; tho army has bcon constantly fur
nished with supplies of every description;
and we must look for tho causes which havo
so long procrastinated the issue of tho con
test, in tho vast extent of tho theatre of
hostilities, tho almost insuimountablo ob
stacles presented by the nature of tho coun
try, the climate, and tho wily character of
the savages.
Tho sites for tho marine hospitaloon iho
rivers andakes, which I was authorized to
select and cause to be purchased, havo all
been designated, but, tho appropriation not
proving, sufficient, conditional anangemenO
only have been made for their acquisition.
It is for Congress to decide whether tlioio
conditional pucfinses shall bo sanctioned, and
tho humane intentions nf the law carried in
to full effect.
The navy.aa will appear from tho accom
panying report of the Secretary, has been
usefully and honorably employed in tho
protection of our commerce and citizens in
the Mcditeranian, Pacific, on the coast of
Brazil, and in the Gulf r Mexico. A small
squadron, consisting of the frigate Constel
lation and tho.Sloop-of-war Boston, under
Commodore Kerney, is now on its way to
the China and Indian seas, for the purpose
of attending to our interests in that quarter;
and Commander Aulic, in the sloop-of-war
Yorktown, has been instructed to visit tho
Sandwich and Society islands, the coasts of
New Zealand and Japan, togother with
other ports and islands frequented by our
whale-ships, for the purposo or givin them
countenance and protection, should they bo
required. Other smaller vessels havo boon
and still arc, employed in prosecuting llie
survoys or tho coast or tho United Stales,
directed by various acls or Congress; and
those winch have been eomploted will
shortly be laid before you.
The Exploring expedition, at the latent
dale, wns preparing to leave the Bay of Is
lands, New Zealand, in further prosecution
of objects which have thus far been success
fully accomplished. The discovery of a
new continent, which was first seen in lati
tude GO dec 2 min. south, lonoituda l!i4
deg. 27 min. east and afterwards in latitude
90 deg. Gl min. south, longitude 153 dec.
,40 min. east, by Lieutenants Wilkes and
Hudson, for an exteiit of eighteen hundred
miles, but on which they were prevented
from landing by vast bodies of ice which
encompassed it, is. one of the honorable re
sults of the enterprise. Lieutenant Wilkes
bear testimony to the zeal and good conduct
of his officcrB and men ; and it is but ius-
tice to mat oiucer to state mat he appears
to have performed the duties assigned to
him with an ardor, ability, and perseverance
which gave every insurance or an honorah!i
issue to the undertaking.
The report or the Postmaster GetioraL
herewith transmitted, will exhibit the snr-
yice of that Department the past year, and
its present condition. The transportation
has boen maintained during the year to tho
full extent authorized by the cxistine laws;
some improvements have been effected,
which the public interest seemed urgently
to demand, but not involvine anv material
additional expenditure; the contractors havo
generally pefouned their engagement? with
fidelity; the postmasters, with few excep
tions, have rendered their accounts and paid
their quarterly balances with promptitude:
and the whole service of tho department hau
maintained tho efficiency for which it has
for several year been distinguished.
The acts of Congress establishing now
man routes, and requiring more oxnensive
services on others.and the increasing wants
of the coriutrv, have, for three vpnru nasi.
carried the expenditures something beyond
the accruing revenues; the nxcess having
been met, until tho paBt year.by tho surpluu