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34THCoNeKESS, >1st Session. \

'

SENATE.

.

( E x . Doc.
/ No. 2.

REPORT

THE, SECRETAIY OF THE TREASURY,

STATE OF. THE FINAI^OES,

THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1855.

WASHINGTON:
. F E I N T E D BY B E V E E L E Y T U C K E R .




1856.




A 5-0
UU

REPORT
OF

.

THE SECRETARY OE'THE TREASURY
'

•'

ON .

.

,

T H E STATE OF T H E FINANOES.
JANUARY 3, 1856.—Eead, and ordered to be printed, and that 10,500 additional copies be
printed, 500 of which to be for the use of the Treasury Department.

• '

..

^

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, December 3, 1855.

SIR : In obedience to the act supplementary to the act entitled ^ ^ An
act to establish the Treasury Department/' approved May 10, 1800,
the following report is submitted:
The balance in the treasury on the 1st of July, 1854,
was...
..:
$20,137,967 50
The actual receipts of the first quarter of the fiscal year ending
the 30th of June, 1855;,, viz: the quarter ending September 30, 1854,
were: .
,
Fromcustoms
....:
$18,639,798 45
Fromlands.:
..:.....
2,731,654 12
Miscellaneous
.:'
149,850 28
21,521,302 85
The estimated receipts for the other three quarters were : v
From customs......
$36,000,000 00
From lands
'
:
6,000,000 00
Miscellaneous
500,000 00
•. ,

-

'

42,500,000 00

This, together with the actual receipts for the first quarter and the
balance in the treasury on the 1st of July, 1854, made the aggregate
sum estimated of $84,159,270 35 for. .the service ofthe fiscalyear ending the 30th June, 1855.
'
The actual expenditure for the first quarter of said year was
$16,169,330 62, as follows, to wit:
Civil, miscellaneous, and foreign intercourse....
$6,241,749 31
Interior....
2,175,737 13
War
3,367,039 92
Navy Department....................-;
,..............'..... . 2,508,791 09
Eedemption of public debt and premium
1,876,013 17



:3m

""•VoJ

4

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The estimated expenditures for the reniaining three quarters of th^
year were as follow :
Civil list, foreign intercourse, and miscellaneous
Deficiency in the Post Office Department......
Interior
War
.....-...;
Navy
Interest on the public debt,

$15,066,931
2,719,464
3,133,655
'.. 13,628,350
11,258,095
2,370,093

13
00
25
90
71
60

48,176,590 59
MaMng the actual expenses for the first quarter and. the'estimated
expenses for the other three quarters $64,345,921 21 ; and leaving
an estimated-balance in the treasury on the 1st of July, 1855, of
$19,762,046 29.
The actual receipts into the treasury for thefiscal year ending 30th
June, 1855; were, for the
1st quarter.—From cnstoms
Fromlands......
. Miscellaneous....

$18,639,798 45
. 2,731,654-12
149,850 2.8
21,521,302 85

2d quarter.—From customs.....
Fromlands.....
Miscellaneous

f
•.

$10,317,364 41
3,873,939 80
87,558 12
14,278,862. 33

3d quarter.—From customs......
_ Fromlands.....
Miscellaneous..,

$12,646,068 04 •
1,763,644 41
157,210 1.9

• ^.

14,566,922 64

4th q i i a r t e r . - F r o m customs
Fromlands..
Miscellaneous
•^

•

.

Making............
..,..;.........
Balance in the treasury, 1st July, 1854.

;

$11,422,563 31
3,127,810 74
8.6,468 68
14,636,842 73
$65,003,930 55
20,137,967 5,0

Total sum for theservice of the fiscal year ending
J u l v l , 1855
....."
85,141,898 05




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The receipts from customs were
The receipts from lands were
Miscellaneous................

5

$53,025,794 21
11,497,049 07
481,087 27
65,003,930 55

The actual expenditures of said year were :
1st quarter.'.
2d quarter
3d quarter......;..
4th quarter

..:

•
•• •

$16,169,330
17,477,814
,.. 15,572,349
16,990,427

62
74
65
03

• 66,209,922 04

The expenditures were as follow :
Civil, miscellaneous,^and foreign intercourse
$24,183,487 43
Interior...
..........-.......:
4,126,739 00
War...............
:
14,773,826 36
Navy
:
.^..
..,
.,....:... 13,281,341 01
Eedemption of public debt, interest and premium,..!. , 9^844,528 24
66,209,922 04
Balance in the treasury 1st July, 1855, (as appears in
detail, per statement No. 1)
$18,931,976 01
It will be seen, by reference to statement No. 1, that the sum of
$9,844,528 24 was expended during the year in payment of interest,
premiums, and redemption of the public debt, making the expenditures
upon other objects $56,365,393 80.
In my last report, the estimated receipts for the fiscal year ending
the 30th of June, 1856, "were as follow:
From customs
Fromlands
Miscellaneous

.'.
.:

.:.... $56,000,000 00
6,000,000 00
500,000 00

62,500,000 00
Add estimated balance in the treasury, July 1, 1855.. 19,762,046 29
Total estimates for the service ofl.he fiscalyear 1856.. 82,262,046 29
The estimated expenditures for the same were as follow :
Balance of former appropriations to be expended this
year.
.,..,:......
.;..........
$11,212,905 20
Permanent and indefinite appropriations to be expended.
c.
..v..y..v.v....:.,,..v;....v.........v..o.
7,934^411 70




6

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.Appropriations asked for

»e....

$41,722,516 47
,

60,869,833 37

Leaving an estimated balance in the treasury on the 1st of July,
1856, of $21,392,212 92.
The actual receipts into the treasury for the 1st quarter of said year,
viz: the quarter ending 30th of September, 1855, have been as follow :
From customs......'..
Fromlands....'....
Miscellaneous..,....,,.,..^.,.......:

,

$17,085,238 28
2,355,725 87
333,495 98
19,774,460 13

The .estimated receipts for the remaining three quarters are now
set down as follow:
',
From customs
$42,000,000 00
From lands
5,644,274 13
Miscellaneous...:......
500,000 00
48,144,274 13
Making the actual receipts for the first quarter, and
the estimated . receipts for ,the. remaining three
quarters
.'...
$67,918,734 26
Add balance in the treasury, 1st of July, 1855
18,931,976 01
Making the estimated aggregate sum of 86,850,710> 27
for the service of said year. '^ '
. '
'
•
The actual expenditures for the first quarter of said year™that is,
the quarter ending the 30 th of September, 1855—have been as follow :
Civil, foreign intercourse, and miscellaneous
$5,117,860 25
Interior, pensions, andlndians.....
1,799,642 19
War,.
...,
5,142,111 38
Navy
:
4,282,292 57
Eedemption of public debt, interest and premium ....
252,209 71
16,594,116 10
For the actual receipts and expenditures of first quarter of the fiscal
year ending 30th September, 1855, see statement No. 2.
The estimated expenditures for the remaining three quarters, are as
follow:
Civil, miscellaneous, and foreign intercourse
$18,651,974 85
Deficiency in Post Office Department.....
,
2,669,368 00
InteriorDepartment, (pensions and Indians) ..........
3,532,033 92
War Dep^Ertment.............
8,773,523 31
.Navy Departmento,00.0,..0.0...0.....00.0000................. 10,956,030 73




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Interest on public debt.,...

7

$2,299,800 00

Eedemption of publicdebt.......

7,750,000 00
54,632,730^81

Making the actual and estimated expenditures
71,226,846 91
and leaving an estimated balance in the treasury on the 1st of July,
1856, of $15,623,863 36.
. ' .
The estimated receipts into the treasury for the fiscaf year ending
the 30th of June, 1857, are as follow :
From customs
$64,000,000 00
From lands
7,000,000 00
Miscellaneous
500,000 00
71,500,000 00
To which add the estimated balance in the treasury
. on the 1st of July, 1856
15,623,863 36
Making the estimated sum for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1857.........
87,123,863 36
The estimated expenditures for said year are as follow:
Balance of fornier appropriations to be expended this
year
..,,.....
'.
:.
$16,696,689 99
Permanent and indefinite appropriations to be ex. pended this year....
'.. ' 7,639,910 14
Appropriations asked for
,. 45^114^765 45
69,451,365.58
Less $12,000,000, which' it is estimated will not be expended
,
12,000,000 00
'

57,451,365 58

Leaving an estimated balance in the treasury on the
Istof July, 1857, of.
$29,672,497 78
The public debt on the 4th ofMarch, 1853, amounted to the sum of
$69,129,937 27, which, under the authority of the appropriation act
ofthe 3cl March, 1853, has been reduced, up to and including the 17th of
November, 1855, to $39,969,731 05, as per statement No. 3, accompanying this report. The sums expended in payment ofprincipal, premium,
and interest, in making this reduction, amounted to $30,100,512 62.
In addition to the public debt, as above stated, there is due, under
treaties with various Indian tribes,, pay able upon time, the sum of
$19,253,522 13, as per statement No. 4, accompanying this report.
Besides which, the United States hold stocks in trust for various
Indian tribes, to the amount of $3,822,700 57, and $726,184 85 invested for the Smithsonian InstitutioUj as per statement No. 5. The




8

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

United States hold the principal of the Smithsonian fund, amounting
to $515,169/under the act of 18th August, 1846, and is bound to pay
the interest annually, for which the stocks, stated in the table, are
held as an indemnity. In addition, there was in the treasury on the
1st of July, 1855, the sum of $683,373 66, balances of various trust
funds, as per statement No. 6.
The estimated receipts for the fiscalyear ending 30th of June, 1855,
based upon the actual receipts of the first quarter, together with
the actual balance in the treasury on the 1st of July, 1854, were
$84,159,270 35, and the actual receipts were $85,337,898 05, and in
excess of the estimated receipts $1,178,627 70, and the estimated
expenditures for the same year were $64,345,921 21, and the actual
expenditures were $66,209,922 04; making an excess of expenditures,
over the estimate, of $1,864,000 83; but nothing was estimated for
premiums, and paymentof the public debt, for the last three quarters
ofthe year, nor was anything estimated for appropriations by private
acts of Congress.
The actual receipts for said year were $1,614,004 .24 from customs
less than estimated,- and $2,765,394 95 more from lands than estimated, and $168,763 01 less than . estimated from miscellaneous
sources. The causes which it was then apprehended would affect.the
receipts from customs for the remaining three quarters of the fiscal
year had a more stringent operatiori than was calculated, whilst the
proceeds ofthe sales of the public lands exceeded the estimate.
The actual receipts into the treasury, from customs, for the first
quarter of-the fiscalyear, to end the 30th of June, 1856j, have been
$17,085,238 28, and $1,554,560 17 less than the actual receipts of
the corresponding quarter of the preceding year, arising from the
same causes that aifected the receipts from customs for the three
quarters of the preceding year; and the receipts .from public lands
have been diminished by the use of land warrants under the bountyland bill ofthe last session of Congress,
•^
It will be seen that the receipts from customs for the remaining
three quarters of the fiscal year 1856, have been advanced from the
estimated receipts submitted in my last report. This has been done
because the abundant agricultural productions in all sections of our
country will justify larger, exportations, and'because of the demand
for provisions in .Europe, caused by the war and limited crops; but
with the expectation of less demand for cotton, and diminished prices,
and also the return of American stocks under continued stringency
in the money markets of Europe, growing out of the demand of money
for the war, and for breadstuffs, and the withdrawal of money from
circulation, under an apprehended scarcity, and its effects upon the
money market in the United States. The advance may not be realized, but it is believed the estimate is a fair one; and, at all events,
the receipts from custonis and lands will meet the estimated expenditures as far as they will be called for, and allow a considerable sum
for the redemption of the public debt, should the holders be willing
to part with it.
- .
The table exhibiting the amount of gold, silver, and bank-notes in
circulation at different periods, gives the amount of gold and silvei*




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

9

in circulation for the fiscal year 1855, at over $250,000,000, and'
t h e b a n k notes in circulation at $187,000,000 ; making a total circulation of $437,000,000, and showing that the bank note circulation was reduced from that of the preceding year about $17,000,000,
but which we may consider it has more' than recovered.
The
table of coinage; for the same year exhibits gold and silver bullion, received at the mint .and branches, to the amount of
$70,017,007 82, and the table of exports exhibits the export of gold
and bullion to the amount of $56,247,343 ; showing an excess of receipts over the exports, of $13,769,664 82, The table'of exports for
the same fiscal • year, in addition to the. export of gold, exhibits
$30,427,187 of manufactures exported, and $26,158,368 of foreign
goods exported, exclusive of specie, and $162,323,948 of all other
articles; making the whole exports $275,156^846, against $261,468,520
imported, showing the excess of exports $13,688,326 over theimports.
There' is no return or estimate of the gold imported by emigrants,
and no return or estimate for the freights of our vessels that have
contributed to our imports.
, .
• The table of tonnage for the sam.e year exhibits our tonnage a;t
-5,212,001 If tons, an excess over that of the preceding year of
410,000 tons ; but it is proper to remark, that the tonnage measurement of American vessels, under the.present act of Congress, makes
the measured tonnage less than the actual tonnage," whilst the unreported lost vessels may more than counterbalance the difference..
The table upon the currency justifies the belief that there is not less
thari 250 millions of gold and silver in the country, whilst there is no
reason to doubt the continued yield of the mines of California, and
that the demand for our exports will 'enable us to exchange as largely
for the productions of other countries as in former years, without parting with our gold and silver in larger quantities than we produce it.
The demand for our agricultural products for export, and the consequent good prices, will, to some extent, stimulate our importing merchants to bring in foreigii goods, because of our increased ability to
purchase them abroad and consume them at home.
It is believed the. check to importations and consumption from
short crops last year will, to some extent, continue through this
year, and, with other causes, prevent extravagant importations on
American account, because the' war demand and short crops in Europe will lessen European consumption of manufactured goods, and
the makers will seek the American market for their surplus ; consequently a large supply of foreign goods on foreign account may he
expected in the market, interfering with the profits of the Am.erican
importer. Moreover, if the,war shall continue, considerable stringency in the money market of Europe may be apprehended, . deranging more or less the money market in the United.States,
according to the intensity there. This apprehended money crisis in
Europe will operate to repress importations of European goods on
American account, and new enterprises at home, whilst the continued
tide of emigration to, the States and new Territories of the West
will induce large investments in the public, doniaih, thereby absorbing the land warrants, and creating a considerable deinand for money.



10

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.^

The aspect presents a prosperous year for the United States and its ,
revenue, yet calls for prudence and caution in expenditures.
Herewith is submitted statement No. 7, (taken from the most reliable authorities, with years and amounts blank where no such authority could be found) of the gold and silver coin and bank notes
in circulation in the United States, from 1790 to 1855, showing
the increase of banks, bank, capital, and bank note circulation, and
containing explanatory remarks upon the subject.
Also, statement No. 8, exhibiting the coinage at theUnited States mint and
branches, since their establishment, to the 30tli June, 1855. Also
StatementNo. 9, of the receipts of gold and silver at the mint and
branqhes, from, the 30th June, 1854, to 30th June, 1855, and imports
and exports of the precious metals for the same time. Also statement No. 10, exhibiting our annual imports and exports fromthe
31st of December, 1789,. to the 30th of June,. 1855. Also statement
No. 11, exhibiting the tonnage of the United States from the 31st of
December, 1789, to the 30th of June, 1855. Also StatementNo. 12,
exhibiting the receipts into the United States treasury, from customs, lands^ loans and otherwise^ from the 4th day of March, 1789,
to the 30th of June, 1855. . Also statement No. 13, exhibiting the
prices of flour in the cities of Boi^ton, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Oiieans, and St. Louis, from the most reliable sources,
for the years stated i n ' t h e table. Also statements from No. 14
to 18, inclusive, exhibiting the population of the several States and
Territories, with certaiii statistical information, taken from the censuses of 1790, 1800,: 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, and 1850. Also table
No. 19, recapitulating the previous statements, and giving the population of the United States, according to said census returns. Also
Statement.No. 20, exhibiting the population of each State and Terri-,
tory, according to the census of 1840, and the amount of the agricul-'
tural and manufacturing productions of each, as taken from the census
returns of that year, to which is added a column exhibiting the
amount said productions would give to each person in the several
States aiid Territories, and another column exhibiting the amount of
duty-paying imports for that year,.and another column showing what
each person in the several States and Territories would consume of
such imports if thei. people of each consumed them in proportion
to the agricultural and manufacturing productions of each. Also
statement No. 21, making the same exhibits from the census returns
of 1850. Also statement. No. 22, exhibiting the value of United
States manufactures exported from the 30th of June, 1845, to the 30th
of June, .1855. Also statement No. 23, exhibiting the value of
foreign nierchandise annually imported,, re-exported and consuined,
from 1821; to the 30th of June, 1855. Also statement No. 24, exhibiting the total value of imports, and imports consumed i n t h e
United States, exclusive of specie, during each fiscal year from 1821
to 1855.; showing also the value of foreign and domestic exports, exelusive of specie, and the tonnage employed during the same periods..
Also statement No. 25, exhibiting a summary view of the exportation
of domestic produce from the 30th of June, 1847, to 30th of June, 1855.
Alsostatement No.26, exhibiting the value of certain articles, viz: wool-




REPORT ON THE FINANCES. ,

11

ens, cottons, hempen goods, iron and manufactures of iron, sugar,
hemp unmanufactured, salt and coal, from the 30th of June, 1844, to
the 30th of June, 1855, (after deducting the re-exportations,) withthe
amount of duty which accrued on each during the same periods
respectively. Also statement No. 27, exhibiting the value of foreign
merchandise, and domestic produce, exported annually from 1821 to
30th of June, 1855. Also StatementNo. 28, exhibiting the quantity
of. wines, spirits, &c., imported annually from 1843 t o t h e 30th of
June, 1855. Also statement No. 29, exhibiting the value of imports
annually from 1821 to the 30th of Jurie, 1855. Also statement No.
30, exhibiting the value of dutiable merchandise re-exported .annually
from 1821 to the 30th of June, 1855, and showing, also, the value
re-exported from warehouse, under the act of August 6, 1846. Also
statement No. 31, exhibiting the aggregate value of breadstuffs and
provisions exported annually from 1821 to^the 30th of June, 1855.
Also statement No, 32, exhibiting the quantity and'value of cottou.
exported annually from 1821 to the 30th of June, 1855, and the average price per pound. Also statement No. 33, exhibiting the quantity
and value of tobacco and rice exported annually from 1821 to the 30th
of June, 1855. Also statement No. 34, exhibiting the value of iron,
and manufactures of iron and iron and steel, steel, wool and manufactures of wool, manufactures of cotton, silk and manufactures of silk,
flax, linen and linen fabrics, hemp and manufactures of hemp,
manilla, sun and other hemps of India, and silk arid worsted goods,
imported from and exported to foreign countries, from 1840 to 1855 ;
also showing the export of like articles, the production of the United
States; Also statement No. 35, exhibiting the value of iron, manufactures of iron and iron and steel, steel, sugar, wines, and'all fabrics
of which wool, cotton, silk, flax, or hemp is a component part, imported
annually from 1847 to 30th June, 1855, with theduties which accrued
thereon, in each year respectively. Also statement No. 36, exhibiting
the amount refunded up to 1st November, 1855, under'the. act dated
the second day of Marchj 185.5, for carrying into effect the reciprocity
treaty; and also the amount ofbonds cancelled, as required by said. act.
Also statement No. 52, exhibiting the custom-houses purchased, those
constructed and in course of construction under appropriations, with
thenumber of hospitals constructed, in the course of construction, and
appropriated for. Also statement No. 54, of the number of' lighthouses constructed, with the names of the several keepers. Also the
explanations of Messrs. Morgan and Shannon of the tables upon the
several censuses, &c,, submitted by them.
The foregoing statements prove the past and present condition of
our currency, our tonnage, our imports and exports, with the increasing receipts into our national treasury from customs, and our progress
in population and industrial pursuits; also, that^ we have derived
from the customs the principal fund to pay our annual expenditures,
and from which we haye discharged the debt of our war of Independence and-the war of 1812, and are now discharging the debt created
during the Meiican war. They furnish a reliable guarantee that we
shall be able,to draw from the same source, in future years of peace^
more than an economical administration of the government will




12

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

require, and authorize a reduction of duties to the amount of some
ten or more millions of dollars; so arranged, that, by its own operation, it will be gradual and continuous on. some articles of
present importation, and perhaps, in time, produce the necessity
of drawing the revenue required for our annual expenditures from
other sources.
In carrying into effect the tariff of 1846, considerable difficulties
have been encountered under the eight schedules of that act, impos-.
ing different rates of duties on the merchandise embraced in each.
These difficulties, instead of diminishing, as the adjustment of the
questions arising at the treasury, and in the courts, takes place, seem
to increase, owing to the ingenuity of foreign manufacturers and merchants, in mingling materials, and modifying fabrics, and giving
them new names, until it is not possible to have uniform action in
levying duties at different ports, or correct classifications at the same
port. Tariffs or tax laws should be so plain and explicit in the terms
used,\as to make it impossible for right-minded officials to misappre- '
hend what it is lawful to collect, and the importer what the law
requires to be paid.
In remodelling the tariff act of 1846, I think it would be proper to
retain schedule A of that act, and constitute another schedule to
include iron, manufactures of iron, steel, manufactures of steel,
sugar, wines, and all fabrics of which silk, wool, cotton, flax, or
hemp is a component part, whether manufactured in whole or in part,
and to impose a duty on the same of twenty-five or thirty per cent.,
except flannels and cloths costing less than two dollars per yard, and
blankets, and to reconstruct the free, list, so as to include all the raw
material used in our manufactures, as proposed in my last report;
and to impose on all articles not in the above schedules, or in the
free list, a duty of not less than fifteen, nor more than twenty per
cent. Under a tariff act so constructed, there would he little or no
difficulty in carrying it into execution in the same way in all the
ports, and in properly classing the articles under the schedules'in the
same port^ nor in the collecting officers understanding exactly what
duty was to be levied upon each article, nor the importer the amount
required to he paid; and it would certainly take less time at the port
of entry, and require fewer officials to execute the law. The rate of
duty under the proposed schedule, and of all other articles except schedule A and the free list, could be so fixed as to make the necessary reduction, and leave the annual revenue to increase or diminish, as the
imports of duty-paying merchandise should increase or diminish.
In recommending, fbr the third time, the remodelling the schedules
of the tariff act of 1846, and the reduction of the revenue from customs, I have felt constrtiined, by a conviction of its propriety, again to
recommend, as one of the modes of reducing the revenue, that the raw
material used in our manufactures should be admitted free of duty.
Under laws of, great wisdom and foi'ecast, all manufacturing countries, except the United States, now admit the raw material used in
their productions free of duty, thereby giving constant and profitable
employment to capital and labor, and enabling their factories to furnish a cheaper article, and better command both the home arid foreign




REFORT ON THE FINANCES.

13

market, with beneficial employment to their tonnage in making the
exchanges!
'
'. •
The United States, under the federal constitution, enjoy perfect
freedom of trade with each other, in all their agricultural, manufactured, mineral and qther productions'. As to the raw material produced in-the United States, and used in the factories of other countries,
those countries, under their laws, obtain the raw material free, whilst
we deny to the raw material produced in those countries, and used in
our factories, the same freedom ; thus failing to allow the same constant and profitable employment of our capital and labor, and the
same beneficial occupatiori of the home and foreign market with cheap
articles, of our own manufacture, andthe sairie beneficial employment
of our tonnage in.making the exchanges,
Thq proposed reduction, of the revenue, b y t h e admission ofthe raw
material used in our manufactures free of duty, has the sanction of
Congress in the admission of guano, garden seeds, and animals for
breed, free of duty, being raw materialfor the use of agriculturists ;
also copper ore, felt adhesive, junk old, oakum, plaster of paris unground, platina unmanufactured, sheathing copper and sheathing
metal, and' in the return duty allowed on the exportation of refined
sugars, which gives the raw material used by sugar refiners free of
duty, to the extent the manufactured article is exported. The prin- '
ciple is recognised that taxes should orily be levied for the purpose of
revenue, and I think it clear, inasmuch as the duty is not needed,
that the principle would notbe violated by authorizing the admission
of the raw material used in our manufactures, as proposed, free of
duty. It is suggested, in contravention of the Jegislation of other
manufacturing countries, and as an indirect reduction of taxes on the
consumer of the home manufactured article, and may well be considered a step in a,dvance towards free trade.
The tables extracted from the census of 1840, and that of 1850, exhibiting the amount of our manufactures for those years, and the
table ofthe import of foreign manufactured goods for the same years,
arid the table of the export of the manufactures of the United States,
offer ample evidence that we are already a great manufacturing, as
well as commercial and agricultural people, enjoying a profitable
home market for many of our productions, and a fair competition in
foreign markets for some of them'.
The census of 1840 was taken soon after the commercial revulsion
of 1837 ; which involved the fortunes of'qur'merchants, our manufacturers and agriculturists, and indeed all classes, to such an extent, that the tables, combined with the returns of our imports,'do
not give either the agricultural^ manufacturing or commercial business
of that year, the favorable aspect they are justly entitled to ; but the
census returns of 1850, taken during a period of increasing prosperity
for all branches of our industry, exliibit fairly our progress and the
condition of all pursuits a t that time, and prove our continued increase in population, in agricultural, manufacturing and commercial
exparision.
.
' An examination of the agricultural and manufactured articles,
taken and returned under the census of 1840 and 1850, will satisfy
any one that there are many articles of domestic production and man


14

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

ufacture not taken and returned, and which greatly increa,sed the
capacity of the producers to consume, and enlarged their fund of exchangeable articles. It will be seen that there is no account of the
labor employed in improving and clearing lands, in building canals
and railroads, houses, manufactories, steamships, and other vessels, nor of the labor in transportation, on the ocean, the rivers, lakes,
canals, railroads, &c,; nor of the labor employed in our coal mines;
all of which may be estimatejd at half the valu'e of that engaged in
our agricultural and manufacturing productions.
In examining our tables of exports and imports, we find that^ in
most years our imports exceed our exports; and that fact affords t o '
some, the argument that our foreign trade is ruinoxis to the country.
The commerce of nations is based on the exchange ofthe commodities
of one for those of another, Avhether the exchange is made by barter
or upon sales for money and purchases for money. The exchange
may not be between the same two nations, but the general result of
equivalents on the trade of each with all. The exports exchanged
for the imports, and the difference the fair profit and loss on the
whole. It may be, and often is, that in time of war, or years of short
crops, one n.ation will import more than she exports, that is, purchases
more than she sells, for one of more years, and that the profits of one
year go to pay the losses of a previous or previous years; but no^
country can afford to pursue an impoverishing trade for a long series
of years. That the United States have not, is manifest, because, notwithstanding this excess of our imports over our exports, we have
constantly increased in population, in productions of agriculture,
manufactures, ando.in all other pursuits; and added largely, year
>after year, to the fixed capital of the country. If we consider our imports, as taken in exchange for oiir exports, the State producing the
export is entitled to' credit fbr the import, although the export may
have been made by citizens of other States, or by foreigners, who-paid
money for the article exported. Neither the census of 1840, nor that
of 1850, nor any other data known to the department, furnish evidence
of the exchange of the productions of each State with the other States,
nor of the amountof foreign goods consumed by the people of each
State. It willbe seen that the agricultural and manufacturing productions of all the States and Territories, according to the census of
1840, amounted to $1,006,133,599, and that the importation of fbreign goods did not exceed one-twentieth of the amount, whilst the
agricultural and manufacturing productions, according to the census
of 1850, amounted to $2,012,520,539, and the importations of goods
riot re-exported to only $148,051,575; and if we estimate the succeeding five years since the census of 1850 to have added fifty per
cent, to our agricultural and manufacturing productions, we have
$3,018,780,808 of such productions, $1,^83,393,898 being articles of
manufacture, whilst our importation of fbreign goods, after deducting the
exportations for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1855, only amounted
to $233,020,227. This large amount of our agricultural and manufactured productions is consumed in the several States and Territories,
except what we export, and for which we take in exchange an equivalent of foreign productions and manufactures, also consumed in the




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

15

country. , These are all considered annual productions, annually consumed, but are not all strictly so, there remaining always a stock on
hand for the consumption of the coming year, which is more or less,
according to the home and foreigii demand; also some machinery and
other articles, that last niore than a year.
If the free list shall be adopted, establishing free trade in the raw
material, our mariufacturers using this raw material, and thus placed
in equal competition with the manufacturers of other countries, will
gradually and more and more possess themselves of the home market,
exclude the foreign article, and reduce the revenue. Let it be considered that we manufacture all our furniture, all our carriages,
wagons, steam-engines, machinery for our factories and machine-shops,
most of our leather and shoes, boots, hats, door-butts and bolts of all
descriptions, bells, balances^ buckles, brads,'wood-saws, horse-cards,
castors, curtain-pins, curtain-bands, metal cocks, jack-screws, currycombs, coal-hods, candlesticks, gas-fittings and burners, coffee-mills,
cauldrons, heavy edge-tools, hay and manure forks, gimlets, hat and
coat wardrobe-hooks, harrows of all kinds, hoes, hollow-ware, planes,
ploughs, sad-irons, tailors' irons, door-kriobs,. furniture knobs, brass
kettles, locks of all kinds, iron latches, lines, lanterns, lamps, levels,
lead, cut nails, clout nails, pins, pumps, punches, pokers,'sand-paper,
rulers, iron and copper rivets, ropes, rakes, oil-stones, wrought iron
spikes, wood-saws, door-springs, window-springs, steelyards, scales of
all descriptions, steel and brass scales, trowels of all descriptions, spoons
of all descriptions, thermometers, tacks, vices of all descriptions, axes,
wrenches of all descriptions, iron, brass, and copper wire, with a long
list of other articles, to the exclusion ofthe like articles from other countries, and then take the six articles proposed to be embraced in the new
or additional schedule with a duty of 25 or 30 per cent.-, and observe
the amount of revenue heretofore derived from these articles, and that
expected under the proposed revision of duties, and examine the
American manufacture aud production of these articles, according to
the census of 1840 and that of 1850, compared with the imports of
those years, but more particularly take the first article of iron named
in the list, and see that the Americari production and manufactu.re
for that year was $60,485,655, and the foreign import.of iron and
manufactures of iron for the same year was $16,333,145, and consider
this fact in connexion with our increasing population, and the fact that
each State and Territory, with perhaps one exception, has more
iron iirib.edded in her hills and valleys than would meet the most
extended use of the article by her citizens for centuries to come, and
the conclusion is inevitable, that the production , and manufacture of
iron in the United States, withiri a very short period of years, will
exclude the foreign production and manufacture. Then examine the
second article of cotton, in connexion with the fact, that already the
American manufacturer is in possession of the home mar.te^.t, and
competing successfully for the foreign market, as to all the ..coarser
fabrics, and heginning successfully the manufacture ofthe finer-fabrics;
then take the third article of wool, and give the same consideration
to the home production in connexion with the foreign import, and the
proposed free entry of the raw material, and; so proceed with the other




16

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

articles ofthe schedule; and there will hardly remain a doubt of the
gradualreduction of therevenue on the importations of all those articles, and also on many of the articles in the general schedule ; and if
the government shall continue to draw its revenues from customs,
other articles of taxation must be resorted to. In order to • obtain
yaluable data as to the extent that American manufactures possessed
the .home market in whole or in part, to the. exclusion of foreign
manufactures, amongst others, letters were addressedto the Hon. C. T.
James and the Hon. Philip Allen, of Ehode Island. Mr. James furnished most ofthe foregoing enumerated articles, and Mr. Allen the
statement and letters marked No. 57, and has allowed me to annex
them as part of my report. They are highly interesting, and tend to
establish t h e conclusions at which I have arrived. Most, if not all, of
the articles proposed to be included in the new schedule, and particularly
iron and manufactures of iron, and cotton and woolen fabrics, are
used to about the same extent, according to the circumstances of the
people^ in all theStates and Territories, and the tariff, or tax, falls as
equally and fairly upon all sections, as it is possible to raise revenue
from customs. The statement No. 35 shows what the annual reveriue
upon these articles has been for the last eight years, and that the,
average of the last five years has been $35,960,313 25, whilst the
average of the annual revenue from all other articles, except in schedule A, for the same time, has only been $15,762,258 45. 'This shows
that the necessary revenue could not be raised by a tariff upon imports,
without taxing those articles ; and it is believed the proposed tax of
25 or 30 per cent, upon them would be levied more fairly and equally
upon all sections, than if one rate of duty was levied upon all importations without discrimination. An examination of the non-enumerated
articles proposed to be taxed from 15 to 20 per cent, would render it
obvious that there is a propriety in not attempting to levy the same
duty upon them as upon the articles proposed for the new schedule, because they are not all of as general use, some being used in one section
and some in another, although some may be used in all.
It may be assumed that all duties, to a certain extent, raise the
price ofthe imported article to the consumer; and where similar articles are produced or manufactured in the country imposing the duty to
the extent to which the tax raises the price of the home article, it is protective, although revenue and not protection is the object of the law.
Therefore, a tariff should be levied upon articles not produced in the
country imposing the tax, unless for some counteracting reason. I t
may be, and no doubt is often the case, that the consumer does not
pay the whole tax—as when the foreign producer, rather than lose
the market, submits to a diminished price; and it is often the case
that a reduction of duty does not diminish the price to the consumer—
as when the supply ismot more than sufficient for the markets of the
world, or when an export duty is imposed, equivalent, or nearly so,
to the reduction; and a duty imposed upon the foreign article is often
affected by the state of the currency, particularly when it is a mixed
one of gold and silver and bank notes.
If Congress had the control of the currency of the United States, that
is to say, could prohibit the substitution of bank notes for gold and silver




EEPORT ON THB FINANCES.

17

in payment of debts and commercial transactions, the imposition of
duties by Congress Vould have the effect to leave the home market
to the home article to theextent to which the tax prohibited the import
of the foreign article, or raised its price.
. An examination of the several tariffs enacted in this county, in connexioii with the increase of banks, banking capital,'and bank-note
circulation, will afford evidence that the increased duty has, almost
in every instance, to some extent been counteracted, within a short
time, by the increased circulation of bank notes.
The United States, with its mixed currency of gold, silver, and
bank notes, has been a good market for the sale of foreign productions
and manufactures; and, in the general, a bad market for the sale of
our own—the foreign article taking the gold and silver, the better
part of our currency, with the increased price given by our bank-note
circulation, and raising our productions to such a price as not to allow
of their exportation., unless in times of great foreign demand.
In connexion with a modification of the tariff, in my first and second
reports, a repeal of the fishing bounties was recommended, for the
reasons stated in the first report. A more perfect knowledge of the
operation of the act satisfies me that many foreign seamen enjoy its
benefit, and that it is otherwise fruitful of frauds on the treasury, and
fails to operate as a nursery for American seamen. The repeal ofthe
act is again recommended to the consideration of Congress.
The reports of the First, Second^ Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Auditors of the Treasury, the First and Second Coiriptrollers, the Commissioner of Customs, who acts as Comptroller of the revenue collected from
customs, the Treasurer, Solicitor, andEegister of the Treasury, accompanying this report, and marked from 37 to 48 inclusive, give a satisfactory statenient of .the condition and operation of their respective
offi-ces since the date of my last report. In my first report it was
stated, that onthe 1st of April, 1853, there was $132,521,154 50 outstanding balance on the hooks of the treasury, and that up to the
date of that report the amount hadbeen reduced to $102,021,549 59 ;
and my second report stated the same, up to its date, had been rereduced to $27,5-83,148 62, Since my last named report this balance
has been still further reduced to the sum of $24,739,133 '41, which
includes all outstanding on the books of the treasury from the organization of the government to the present time. Of this sum
$9,304,706 39 is under judgment, and $2,910,306 83 in suit not reduced to judgment, leaving the sum of $12,523,520 19 in the course
of adjustment and collection, so far as the same is collectable, by the
action of the Auditors and Comptrollers, respectively, in charge.
The department has m.ade, and is making, efforts to enforce the
^ collection of these outstanding balances, and for that purpose has
restored the former practice of having the collections attended to by
the Auditor and Comptroller whose duty it is to settle the accounts
in which these halances arise, not considering the, establishment of
the Fifth Auditor as agent of the treasury for the collection of these
balances, followed by the substitution of the Solicitor for the agent,
as exonerating the Auditors and Comptrollers from the duty of seeing
2



18

REPORT ON" THE FINANCES'.
,*
that the suits are duly prosecuted, collections made, and the accounts
closed on their books. The Solicitor of the Treasury is held to be an
official aid in the prosecution and defence of suits, under the direction
of the executive department in which the litigation arises. Alette?
from the department to the President, and his order, No. 49, upon
the subject, accompany this .Teport, and place the business of the
Solicitor's office, in connexion with the several executive departmentSj
in the proper light for the consideration of Congress.
The system of accounting at the treasury of the United States is
that of accounting in an action of account in a suit at law, or a suit
in equity, by reference to an accountant or master in chancery, with
or without instruction, as ithe parties and court deem necessary, for a
full exhibit of the facts. The accountant or master states the account, for and against the parties, plaintiff and defendant, and makes
report in writing of the items allowed and disallowed, with reference
to the evidence and the law applicable to the same. The parties
appear before the accountant or master,'in person or by attorney,
and furnish the evidence relied upon, and also references to the law.
The practice is, to file the aecount and report in court, and give a
day to the parties to except, which is done in writing, and afterwards
the case is heard by the court, and the exceptions^ sustained or overruled, and judgment or decree regularly enteredo The same course
is pursued where no exceptions are filed. The court has power to
recommit the case to the same or another accountant or master for a
re-statement of the account, upon such principle as is thought essential
for justice between the parties. Before judgment or decree, these
accounts and reports are examined and considered by the court, from,
which an appeal or writ of error is generally allowed to a tribunal
composed of other judges, whose office is to adjudge cases that have
liad the action of inferior tribunals. The points ruled in these cases,
at law and in equity, are preserved in printed reports, and are important in establishing the construction of statutes and contracts, and
the principles of the common law, the principles of equity, rules of
evidence and practice for the guide and in restraint of courts in
analogous cases.
The accountants in the treasury make their stated' accounts upon
the evidence produced by the claimant or person required to account,
who acts in persoii or by attorney. The accountant, under the authority ofthe Auditor, acts for: the United States, in the ascertainment of
all counter demands or set-offs which the United States have against
the party, and takes the necessary proof to establish the same, and to
countervail the proof of thq claimant or accounting party.
The first question for the decision of the accountant when a claim
or account is presented, is, whether, under the acts of Congress establishing the auditorship to which he is attached, the case presented is
under its jurisdiction^ in whole or in part. The second, as to the sufficiency of the account returned under the law and regulations, the
legality of the items claimed, and the sufficiency of the proof offered.
The third is, what demands or set-offs the United States have against
the claimant or person accounting, andthe proof to sustain the same.




EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

19

I n the progress of his work, the accountant counsels with the chief of
his division or with the Auditor.
When the account is stated, it should be accompanied by a written
report, succinctly stating the items charged against the claimant or
party accounting, and the credits allowed, referring to the law and
regulations that govern them, and the proof that sustains the same.
I t should also exhibit the items disallowed, and state the reasons why
disallowed ; and then it should be examined by the head of the division and have the endorsement of his approval, and then be examined
and adjudged by the Auditor, and, if approved, should be signed by
him.
The Auditor has the right to recommit the account to the same or
another accountant, with such directions as to the items of the account on the debit and credit side, and the law and evidence^ as he
deems requisite to the justice of the case.
The reference of the case to the accountant is the act of the Auditor,
Just as the references in cases at law and in equity are the acts of
the courts. They are considered as made under the general rules in
force in the office, but in some cases are referred with specific instructions. In all cases of extraneous proof—that is, proof not in some of
the accounting offices of the treasury—the Auditor should be consulted, and authorize the proof, before it is taken.
When the Auditor has finally acted upon the account, and affixed
his signature to the same, the account, with all the original evidence,
documents, arguments and references, is passed to the Comptroller,
who, by lav/, is vested with authority to re-examine and re-judge the
same, in all particulars^ not only upon the case as presented or made
before the Auditor, but as the party, claimant, or person accounting
may make it before him, or as he sees proper to cause it to be made
for the interest of the United States. The Comptroller, therefore,
examines and adjudges the account, not solely upon the account and
report made by the Auditor, and the evidence hefore him, but as the
evidence presents the case at .the time he decides it.
The practice in the Comptroller's office is, to refer the accountsand
reports, &c., as received from the Auditor's office, to an accountant
in the former for re-examination and report, and this reference is made
under the general rules of the office, or v/ith such special instructions
as the Comptroller may choose to give. If the Comptroller's accountant finds the account and report of the Auditor correct in all particulars, he so reports to the Comptroller; and if he, on examination,
approves, he does it by endorsement under his hand. The account is
then closed, and forms the hasis of a warrant upon the treasury, if
the halance be against the United States, or a call for payment, if the
balance be against the claimant or person accounting.
In cases where the account of the Auditor is ndt approved, and
in cases where additional evidence is taken, the accountant of the
Comptroller should restate the account, and make a succinct written
report of the same character of the one the accountant of the Auditor should make, and the Comptroller, if he approves the account, as
re-stated by his accountant, should attach his signature to tile same.
' The account thus re-stated forms the basis of a warrant, or call for



20

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

payment, in the same way as if the Comptroller had approved the
account as stated by the Auditor.
The Auditor is entitled to an independent judgment, and should
exercise it in all cases; and the Comptroller is entitled to a like independent judgment, and should also exercise it; but the decision of
the Comptroller, like that of all appellate tribunals, prevails over
that of the Auditor. In cases where they differ, the Comptroller
should have the account re-stated, in accordance with his judgment,
as upon appeal, and upon the new state of facts as presented before
h-im.
The practice grown up of late years, of the Auditor's changing
his account so as to conform to the opinion of the Comptroller, is in
violation of the principles of accounting established by Congress, and
should be abandoned, and the practice made to conform to the intention of Congress, and the principles of accounting as established and
originally practised.
The decisions in the Auditors' and Comptrollers' offices are not
preserved in printed reports, as a guide, and in restraint of themselves and their successors, in analogous cases, but exist in tradition,
or a sort of treasury common-law in the memory of experts in the several offices. I t is true, that some of the Comptrollers have kept a
record of their decisions in cases of difficulty, and these have served
as precedents in like cases, and cases involving like principles. The
decisions of the Auditors and Comptrollers, and particularly those of
the Comptrollers, if they existed in printed reports, would give more
uniformity to the action of the treasury. The Auditors and their
accountants, and the Comptrollers and their accountants, are left to
these unreported decisions, the traditions of the treasury law, and
their own sense of what is right in the particular case. I t is, therefore, not surprising, that uniform action has not been had in the
accounting offices of the treasury; and that the departures from
uniformity have been greater than those which usually take place in
the decisions of courts of law and equity. Moreover, in the extension
of the business of accounting, the examination of the accounts stated
in the first instance, bythe Auditor, and then b y t h e Comptroller, on
appeal, has, in many cases, been omitted, the Auditor and Comptroller
signing their names on the faith of the account stated by their respective accountants; thus opening the door, and increasing the chances
of departure from correct principles in the action of the departments.
I n practice, the written report accompanying the account stated, and
proving the ability of the accountant, has been abandoned, but haa
been recently restored in accounts stated for suit, under the authority
of letter No. 59, which accompanies this report. It would certainly
be desirable to have each stated account accompanied by a succint
written report, referring to the law and the evidence, under which
' the debits and credits have been allowed and disallowed, and each
stated account and report examined and adjudged, first by the Auditor^
and then by the Comptroller; and the principles of accounting at the
treasury, as established by law, fully and fairly carried out. The
acGounfs stated of moneys paid into the treasury now amount to over
$70j000,000 annually; and of the moneys paid out and expended, to




IIEPORT ON THE FINANCES,

21

about the same sum; all of which is passed upon, in the first instance,
in the offices of the six Auditrs of the Treasury, and afterwards, as
upon appeal, by either the First or Second Comptrollers, or by the
Commissioner of Customs. To constitute a good Auditor and a good
Comptroller, requires legal ability of a high order, a special knowledge of our fiscal and disbursement laws and regulations, coupled
with unabating industry, unbending integrity, and promptitude of
decision; and scarcely less can be required ofthe accountants in their
offices. The Auditors and Comptrollers, and the accountants under
them, constitute the safe-guard of the National Treasury, and have to
withstand the whole army of claimants, and their interested clamor.
I t is submitted, with their increased business, and the change in the
value ofmoney, that the Auditors and Comptrollers do not receive an
adequate compensation for the high qualifications they ought to
possess, and the onerous duties they have to discharge. In my
former report, the attention of Congress was called to the fact that
the duties of the Auditors, under existing laws, were not properly
divided; and inconveniences existed in the present distribution of
duties, and particularly in the army accounts, part of which were
settled in the Second Auditor's office, and part in the Third, to the
certain delay in the adjustment of accounts. This could be remedied
hy giving the Secretary of the Treasury authority, with the sanction
of the President, to make the proper division and arrangement of
business amongst the several Auditors and Comptrollers, and report it
to Congress.
The system of accounting at the treasury is easy of comprehension,
and as well calculated to prevent frauds, correct errors, and secure a
proper execution of the laws, as any that could be devised, and might
be extended to all the operations of the governirient, without inconvenience, and to the greater security of the national treasury and national domain. There would seem to be no just reason why the fixed
salaries of all the officers of govei;nment should be passed upon
by an Auditor, and then by a Comptroller, before a warrant can be
issued for payment; and that the Commissioner of Pensions ,and the
Commissioner of Public Lands should have the right to pass upon
the evidence, and grant pensions out of the treasury, and bounty
land warrants for so much of the public domain, without subjecting
their action upon the evidence and the law to the examination and revision of a Comptroller. It may be that this want of revision has
been the cause of many of the frauds practised in obtaining pensions
and bounty lands. It is believed that the action of two departments
should be required, as in the treasury, in all cases where the national
treasury or public domain is to be reached or to be affected, and that
no accounts, however created, should escape the usual and customary
examination and re-examination.
The Independent Treasury act still continues eminently successful
in all its operations. The transfers for disbursement duringthe fiscal
year, to the amount of $39,407,674 03, have been made at a cost
of $19,762 35, whilst the premium on the sale of treasury drafts
has amounted to $30,431 87. The receipts and expenditures during the.fiscal year, amouriting to $131,413,859 59, have all been




22

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

in the constitutional currency of gold and silver, without any perceptible effects upon the currency or on the healthy business operations of
the country. The vaults of the office of the Treasurer of the United
States at Washington, constructed with the appropriation made by
the last Congress, may now be said to be both fire and thief 23roof, and
a safe depository of the public money, and that intrusted to the'disbursing agents of the government, who are so situated as to avail themselves of the advantage of making their deposites with the Treasurer;
and the office of the Assistant Treasurers, and other public depositories, are as represented in the report (No. 50) of W m . M. Gouge, who
visited them during the past year under the authority of the department; and although some of them have not allthe guards against fire
and thieves which such depositories should have, yet there has been no
loss, and with care and diligence there may be none for years to come;
but, to avoid the possibility of a loss in those depositories, the department has estimated for fire and thief proof vaults, and guards at those
places where they do not exist, and in the cutstom-houses now being
constructed. It is hoped Congress will see the propriety of making
the necessary appropriations, and have the depositories of the public
money of the United States as secure as such vaults and depositories
should be. Public convenience will, from time to time, require
that the number of public depositories be increased, and so located
as to give the advantage thereof to all sections of the country,
and Congress, when necessary, should make provision for all proper
safeguards for the public money. The table No. 51, which accompanies this report, exhibits the deposite accounts of the various public
officers and disbursing agents who have availed themselves of the
right of making deposite of the money intrusted to them for disbursement, with the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurers, and public depositaries of the United States, during the past year. The money thus
deposited is, for all practical purposes, in the treasury of the IJnited
States, for on the resignation, death, or removal of any of these
officers or agents, the amount is no longer subject to his draft, or
that of a representative, but by warrant is placed again in the treasury, and is applicable for the purpose for which it was appropriated.
The notes of banks chartered by the States continue to circulate in
some sections of the country, to the exclusion of gold and silver,
except in government transactions; and more particularly where the
banks circulate notes under the denomination of five dollars. These
small notes are mostly circulated by banks of doubtful solvency, at a
distance from the place of redemption. They constitute a depreciated
currency, which no one is willing to hold, and this leads to hasty
expenditures, in order that the loss may fall on others. The evils of
a depreciated currency are attested by the experience of all countries
where such a currency has been tried, and in none more certainly
than in the States of the Confederation. The legislatures of the several
States and the Congress of the Confederation, all issued bills of credit
during the revolutionary war, and all felt and acknowledged the evil
and the ruinous consequences. The constitution of the United States
was framed by the men who had felt all the evils thereof; and when
provisions were inserted in that instrument, that no State should emit




REPORT ON THE. FINANCES.

23

bills of credit, nor make anything but.:gold.-and-silver a tender in;
payment of debts, and the coining ofmoney was given to the general
government, they believed they had provided for a hard money currency, and against the evils of a depreciated one; but these provisions
were nullified when the courts held that the States had power to charter banks, with authority to issue and circulate notes as money. It is
now too late for fhe courts to retrace their steps, and give a broader
construction to the prohibitions of the federal constitution, whilst it is
hopeless to expect the States will refrain from granting bank charters,
with authority to issue these small notes; or that the States will concur
in enlarging the constitutional prohibition in respect to bills of credit,
so as to prohibit this power to banks. The same local and individual
interest that induce the granting of bank charters v/ith this privilege,
would induce the legislatures of the States to refuse to Congress the
power of prohibiting the use and circulation of bank notes. The thirteen hundred banks nov/ in existence under State charters, and the
circulation of over $200,000,000 of bank notes, as money, in constant
competition with the constitutional currency, attest the magnitude of
the evil, and justify the worst apprehensions for the future. The
gradual increase of banks, hanking capital, and bank-note circulation, calls for repressive action under appropriate State legislation.
When these thirteen hundred banks shall be increased to some two,
three, four, or five thousand, it may be feared their aggregated power
will not be easily overcome, until a suspension of specie payments and
universal bankruptcy shall call for a suppression of the evil, and a
restoration of the constitutional currency. If the States shall continue the charter and multiplication of banks, with authority to issue
and circulate notes as money, and fail to apply any adequate remedy
to the increasing evil, and also fail to invest Congress with the necessary power to prohibit the same. Congress may be justified, in the
exercise of the power to levy an excise upon them, and thus render
the authority to issue and circulate them valueless.
The accounts of collectors of the customs continue to be rendered
at the close of each month, and those on the Atlantic settled within
the succeeding month, and those on the Pacific coast within about six
weeks, with rare exceptions. Their disbursement and emolument
accounts are rendered quarterly, and it is intended to have them settled within the succeeding quarter. The benefits resulting from the
prompt rendition and settlement of the accounts manifest themselves
more and more from the test of experience ; accounting is better understood ; the accounts in better form; the vouchers more correctly
taken, with fewer improper items, give less trouble, and take less
time in their adjustment. It is believed the disbursement and emolument accounts could be rendered monthly with advantage to the busi-ness of the ports and the finances of the country, and monthly
accounts might he advantageously required in all branches of the public
service. All officers and disbursing agents are required to keep a book
of accounts, and record in it all money and property received, and
all money and property disbursed, and take proper vouchers for
the same, and disbursing officers of the army to render monthly
statements of their expenditures. The monthly account would be a




24

REPORT ON THE FINANCEa

transcript of this "book, showirig the amount received, the amount
disbursed, Vv^ith the balance on hand for the succeeding month, and
could be as easily rendered at the end of tlxe month as at the end of
the quarter, and as readily transmitted with the vouchers by mail, or
otherwise, to the proper department; and, if the vouchers were talien
In duplicate, and one set accompany the account and the other retained
with the account book, there could be no difficulty in supplying a lost
account or voucher. Monthly accounts would be better for the disbursing officer or agent, as he would be compelled at the close of the
month to close his cash and property account for the business of the
succeeding month, and procure his vouchers when the disbursements
were made; and should he make any improper disbursements, the
proper department would be able at once to apply the correction:
before the error was extended. The disbursing offieers would necessarily become better acquainted with the business confided to them, and
in all respects better discharge the duties, whilst the adjustments
would take less of the time of the accounting officers. The greatest
difficulty encountered is with the accounts of disbursing officers and
agents who have failed to render their accounts regularly as required
by law and regulations, and to accompany the accounts with proper
vouchers ; and the greatest loss to the treasury is in the insolvency
of such disbursing officeis and agents. The arrearages of nearly
$25,000,0.00 in the accounts in the offices of the six Auditors
attest this. Authority shoukl be given to require and enforce
inonthly accounts and settlements. It will take less labor and require less time to settle monthly than to settle quarterly accounts,
give greater safety, and secure more economy in the disbursements.
I t will be seen, by reference to the circulars of the department, that
efforts have been made, and are being made, to have the accounts at
all the custom-houses kept upon the same uniform principles, and
the same forms and routine for 'the entry of goods at all the ports,
with the like advantage of warehousing, exportation, and transportation. The collectors, in practice, rendered no account ofthe goods in
warehouse until they were entered for consumption and the duties
paid, when the receipts appeared in the monthly account of duties
received. They have been required to render accounts of goods in
warehouse at the close of each month. The statement No. 58, rendered of goods in warehouse at the Atlantic and internal ports on
the 1st of July, 1855, exhibits goods in warehouse to the amount of
$21,549,427, on which there were duties unpaid, to the amount of
$6,881,826 ; also the merchandise entered for consumption, for
warehouse transportation and exportation during that month, with
the duties on the same ; the second part of said statement gives the
like information for the month of August.
The department will,
in due time, have the data to exhibit the monthly operations during
the fiscal year.
The revenue laws consist of various acts of Congress, enacted
during a period of near seventy years, with conflicting and inconsistent provisions, sometimes with and sometimes without repealing
clauses. There have heen judicial constructions of some of these acts,
and constructions by the department, in form of circulars^ of most of




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.25

tliem, and these circulars conflict. The collectors are to be guided in
the discharge of their duties by these acts of Congress and these
circulars, and find from them a systematic rule of action for all the
cases arising under them. Under a resolution of the Senate, the
department caused a revision of these revenue laws to be prepared and
laid before the last Congress ; it was printed by their order, but only
the chapter relating to passenger ships was passed upon by Congress.
Had Congress corrected and passed the other chapters, it was intended to have revised the circulars issued by the department, and
made them consistent with the act of revision. Had this been done,
the revenue laws would have been better understood by the officers
of the customs and by the importers, with advantage to the system
and the revenue. This revision is recommended to the favorable
consideration of Congress, with the hope they will see the propriety
of considering the subject, and passing the act, with such amendments
and additions as, in their wisdom, may be deemed proper.
The report No. 52, of Captain A. H. Bowman, engineer in charge
of the construction and repair of buildings, under authority of the
Treasury Department^ gives in detail all necessary information to
place before Congress—the progress made since my last report, and
the condition of the several works up to the 30th September, 1855.
The effort is being made to have all the work done with the best
materials, and in the best manner the appropriations will allow, and
as near fire and thief proof as possible, with provision for warming
and ventilation. Iron beams and girders, with brick arches for the
floors, iron sash-frames and window-blinds for the windows, with galvanized iron roofs, constitute part of the plans for these buildings.
The success that has attended the use of iron in the construction of
fire-proof buildings, has induced its more extended application to
building purposes, and might justify Congress in recognising iron as
one of the materials to be used for the exterior of hospitals, customhouses, &c.^ when suitably located. The report is accompanied with
a list ofthe custom-houses purchased and those built, and those appropriated for by Congress; also, a similar list of the marine hospitals;
and there are estimates for constructing the custom-houses at New
Orleans and Charleston, under construction, by the days' work.
The report of William M. Gouge, who, under the authority of the
department, visited the several marine hospitals during the past summer, gives much valuable information upon the subject; and table
No. 53, made out from the hospital returns, exhibits the number of
sick sailors who have received the benefit of the hospital fund, and
the pro rata expense at each. It seems to be unquestionable that
hospitals have been, and are to be constructed, under appropriations
now made, at places where such sailors could have been as well and
•more economically provided for under contracts with local hospitals
and individuals, as now done at the cities of New .York, Philadelphia, and some other places.
The collectors at the several ports where there are hospitals under
the directions of the department, superintend the hospitals, and their
.supply, and the care that is taken of the sick; and, where the United
States have no hospitals, make contracts with local hospitals»or



26

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

with individuals,.and superintend them in the same way they superintend the marine hospitals of the United States. The contracts with,
local hospitals and individuals are to furnish everything necessary foir
the care, comfort, support, and medical treatment of the sick at so
much per capita. It is recommended to the consideration of Congress, whether the contract system might not he advantageously extended to many places where the United States have hospitals, allowing the contractor the use of the hospital, with the right to the United
States to terminate the contract at Avill, on the report of the collector
of the port, or some other visitor appointed by the Secrefary of the
Treasury. If Congress should deem expedient an extension of th^
contract system, as recommended, there should be a law providing
for it. The table showing the expenses of the sick at the several hospiitals, will point out the places where the contracts ought to be made.
The Coast Survey continues to progress favorably under the management of the Superintendent in charge,* and the appropriations
appear to be carefully and economically applied. The work is again
recommended to the continued favorable consideration of Congress^ in
order that the fullest and most reliable information of our extensivie
coasts and numerous harbors may be obtained at the earliest practicable period. The report of the Superintendent in charge, when
made to this department, will,, as customary, be transmitted to Congress.
The report No. 54, withthe accompanying documents, will give the
operations of the Light-house Board since the last report, with tbe
present condition of the work in their charge, and affords satisfactory
evidence of the attention and ability given to the service confided to
it. The report and documents are more voluminous than could be
desired, but the magnitude of the service, and its great interest to tho
commercial world, has prevented its abridgment. It is again recommended to the continued favorable consideration of Congress, on
account of the facilities afforded to commerce and navigation.
The report of the supervising inspectors of steamboats, under tha
act of the 30th of August, 1852, and a letter of W m . M. Gouge, tli©
agent ofthe department charged with collecting information upon
the subject, and attending the meetings ofthe board, marked No. 55.,
accompany this report. The attention of Congress is again called
to the operation of the act, as stated in the reports, and in the report
ofthe supervisors for the last year, and the letter of Mr. Gouge which
accompanied it. There can be no question but that the operations of
the act have been beneficial, and might be made more so, by a mora
energetic and uniform enforcement of its provisions, and by extending
the same to the Pacific coast. The law requires some modifications.,
amendments and additions, as recommended to the last Congress, and
should be placed under the direction and control of one of the executive departments; without which, the necessary and proper direction
and control cannot be had.
Which is respectfully submitted.
JAMES GUTHEIE,
Secretary ofi the Treasury.
The PRESIDENT pro tem. ofi the Senate.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

27

Errata iii statements fiurnished by Senator Allen.

.,

At page 660, 14th line, for manufacturers, read manufacture.
> At page 669, immediately after the table of Quicksilver, for imported, read exported;
showing that the article was exported in both the years 1854 and 1855.

L I S T OF P A P E E S
Accompanying the Annual Beport ofi the Secretary ofi the Treasury on
• the Finances.
No.

Page.

1. Statement of receipts and expenditures for the year ending June 30,1855
30
2. Statement of receipts and expenditures for the quarter ending September 30,
1855
84
8. Statement exhibiting the amount of the public debt redeemed from July 1, 1854,
to the 17th November, 1855, inclusive; the premium and interest paid on the
same; and the amount outstanding at the latter date
35
4. Statement exhibiting the amount due from the United States under treaties with
various Indian tribes
36
5. Statement exhibiting the stocks held in trust by the United States for the various
Indian tribes, and for the Smithsonian Institute
—
45
6. Statement exhibiting the balance of various trust funds held by the United States.
49
7. Statement exhibiting the gold and silver coinage of the Uhited States, and the
bank notes in circulation from 1790 to January, 1855
51
8. Statement exhibiting the coinage of the United States Mint and branches, from
their establishment to June 30,1855
72
9. Statement exhibiting the receipts of gold and silver at the Mint and branches, for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, and imports and exports of the precious
metals for the same time
74
10. Statement exhibiting our annual imports and exports, from December 31, 1789, to'
June 30,1855
77
11. Statement exhibiting the tonnage of the United States for the sanie period:.-—..
78
12. Statement exhibiting the receipts into the treasury from the customs, lands, leans,
and otherwise, from March 4, 1789, to June 30, 1855
»
80
13. Statement exhibiting the prices of flour in the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and St. Louis, from the most reliable sources,
for the years stated in the table
'
83
14 to 18, inclusive. Statements exhibiting the population of the several States and
Territories, with certain statistical information, taken from the census of 1790,
'
1800, 1810,1820, 1830, 1840, and 1850
89-96
19. Statement recapitulating the previous statements and giving'the population of the
United States according to said census returns
97
20. Statement exhibiting the population of each State and Territory, according to
census of 1840, and the amount of the agricultural and manufacturing productions




28

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No.

21.
22.

23.
24.

25.
26.

27.
28.
29.
30.

31.
32.
33.
34.

35.

36.

37.
38.
39.

, Page,

of each; to which is added a column exhibiting the amount said production would
give to each person in said States and Territories, &c., &c., &c
Statement making the same exhibits from the census returns of 1850
Statement exhibiting the value of the United States manufactures exported from
June 30, 1845, to June 30,1855. Also the explanations of Messrs. Morgan &
Shannon of the tables upon the several census returns
Statement exhibiting the value of foreign merchandise annually imported, re-exported, and consumed, from 1821 to June 30, 1855
Statement exhibiting the total value of imports, and imports consumed in the
United States, exclusive of specie, during each fiscal year from 1821 to 1855;
showing also the value of foreign and domestic exports, exclusive of specie,
and the tonnage employed during the same periods
Statement exhibiting a summary view ofthe exportation of domestic produce from
June 30,1847, t o J u n e 30, J855
Statement exhibiting the value of certain articles: woolens, cottons,Jiempen goods,
iron, manufactures of iron, sugar, hemp unmanufactured, salt and coal, from
June 30, 1844, to June 30,1855, (after deducting the re-exportations,) and the
amount of duty which accrued on each during the same periods respectively..
Statement exhibiting the value of foreign merchandise and domestic produce exported annually, from 1821 to June 30, 1855
Statement exhibiting the quantity of wines, spirits, &c., imported annually, from
1843 to June 30,1855
Statement exhibiting the value of imports annually, from 1821 to June 30, 1855..
Statement exhibiting the value of dutiable merchandise re-exported annually from
1821 to June 30, 1855, and showing also the value re-exported from warehouses
under the act of August 6, 1846
Statement exhibiting the aggregate value of breadstuffs and provisions exported
annually from 1821 to Juue 30, 1855
Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of cotton exported annually from 1821
- to June 30, 1855, and the average price per pound
Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of tobacco and rice exported annually
from 1821 to June 30, 1855
Statement exhibiting the value of iron and manufactures of iron, iron and steel,
' steel, wool and manufactures of wool, manufactures of cotton, silk and manufactures of silk, flax, linen and linen fabrics, hemp and manufactures of hemp,
manilla, sun and other hemps of India, and silk and worsted goods, imported
from, and exported to, foreign countries from 1840 to 1855; also showingthe
export of like articles the production of the United States
Statement exhibiting the value of iron, manufactures of iron, and iron and steel,
steel, sugar, wines, and all fabrics of which wool, cotton, silk, flax, or hemp is a
component part, imported annually from 1847 to June 30, 1855, with the duties
which accrued thereon in each year respectively
Statement of the amount of bonds cancelled, and duties refunded under the act of
2d March, 1855, for carrying into effect the reciprocity treaty, up to the 1st of
November, 1855
„
,
Report of the First Comptroller on the operations of his office
Report of the Second Comptroller on same
Reportof Commissioner of Customs on same




98
100

102
104

105
106

107
109
Ill
113

114
115
116
117

118

132

135
138
139
14^

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

-

29

No.

Page.

40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.

145
147
149
159
161

Report of First Auditor on s a m e . - . - . - . .
o».«.r=......
Report of Second Auditor on s a m e . . .
....oo
Report of Third Auditor on same
=
Report of Fourth Auditor on same
»
Report of Fifth Auditor on sanie
Report of Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Ofiice Department on the operations of his office
46. Report of Solicitor of the Treasury on same
47. Report of Treasurer of the United States on same
48. Report of Register of the Treasury on same
49. A letter from the department to the President, and his order, placing the business
of the Solicitor's office in connexion with the several executive departments...
50. Report on the condition of the vaults in the treasury depositories, and on the constitutional treasury system, by W. M. Gouge
51. Statement exhibiting the deposite accounts of the various public officers and disbureing agents who have availed themselves of the right of making deposites of
the money intrusted to them for disbursement, with the Treasurer, Assistant
Treasurers, and public depositaries, during the pastyear
52. Report of Captain A. H. Bowman, engineer in charge of the " office of the Construction of Buildings under the Treasury Department," with statement exhibiting the custom-houses purchased, those constructed and in course of construction, under appropriations, with the number of hospitals constructed, in
the course of construction, and appropriated for
53. Report of W. M. Gouge on marine hospitals, wdth accompanying statement
54. Report of the Light-house Board, with statement exhibiting the number of lighthouses constructed, with the names of the several keepers
55. Reportof W. M. Gouge on steamboat act
56. Set of circulars issued since date of last report
57. Statement of Hon. Philip Allen on the production and manufacture of certain ar- '
tides in the United States, &c., &c
58. Stateraent exhibiting the goods in warehouse during the month of July, and also
for the month of August, 1855, with the amount of duties accruing thereon
59. Instructions to the accounting officers relative to the preparation of accounts for
suit
...„.,„„„..




163
166
172
173
203
207

213

216
244
248
423
477
659
682
683

30

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
No. 1.

Statement of duties^ revenues^ and. public expenditures, during the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, agreeably to warrants issued, exclusive ofi trust fiunds and treasury notes fiunded.
The receipts into the treasury during the fiscal year ending June 30,1855,
were as follows:.
From customs, viz:
During the quarter ending September 30,1854
$18, 639,798 45
During the quarter ending December 31, 1854
10, 317, 364 41
During the quarter ending March 31, 1855
12,646, 068 04
During the quarter ending June 30, 1855
11,422,563 31
—'.
•
$53,025,794 21
From sales of public lands, viz:
During the quarter ending September ?0, 1854
2,731,654 12
During the quarter ending December 31, 1854
,
3,873, 939 80
Duriug the quarter ending March 31, 1855
1,763,644 41
During the quarter ending June 30, 1855
3,127,810 74
11,497,049 07
From miscellaneous and incidental sources
681, 087 27
Less amount before reported
200,000 00
481, 087 27
.

Total receipts
Balance in treasury July 1,'I854

65,003,930 55
20,137,967 50

Total means

85,141,898 05

The expenditures for the fiscal year endiug June 30,1855, exclusive of
trust funds and treasury notes funded, were as follows:

Legislative, including books
Executive.:.::.....:...
.--...
Judiciary.........
Governments in the Territories of the United States
Surveyors and their clerks, &c
Officers of the mint and branches, and assay office in
New York
Assistant treasurers and their clerks, &c

$2,207,880
1,890,572
1,033,797
234, 329
167,163

40
97
37
30
92

115,2.25 00
35,527 41

Totalcivil..

$5,684,496 37
FOREIGN INTERCOURSE.

Salaries, outfits, and return allowances of ministers and
charges des affaires
/.
Minister resident to Turkey
Dragoman to Turkey
Salaries of secretaries of legation
Commissioner to reside in China
Interpreter and secretary to mission to China
Commissiouer to the Sandwich Islands
Clerk to legation at London
Compensation for certain diplomatic services
Consul at London
Clerk-hire, office rent, &c., of consul at London
Consul general at Alexandria
Consul at Beyrout
Consuls at five ports in China
Office-rent of Consul at Basle
,




$176,311 94
6,000 00
2,500 00
13,544 76
7,000 00
2,500 00
5,000 00
800 00
62,055 54
2,000 00
2,800 00
5,000 00
2,000 00
1,584 24
70 86

31

EEPORT ON THE FIKANCES."
OfTice-rent of commercial agent at St. Martin's
Contingent expenses of all the missions abroad
Contingent expenses of foreign intercourse
'.
Intercourse with the Barbary powers
Interpreters, guards, and other expenses of consulates in
the Turkish dominions
„o,
Relief and protection of American seamen
Relief of sundry consuls for expenses incurred in protecting American citizens, &c
To reimburse E Riddle amount expended by him at
Industrial Exhibition, London
Purchase of blank books, stationery, &c., for consuls of
the United States
Purchase of 500 copies of Wheaton's Elements of International Law,for ministers
To defray expenses in complying with the resolution of
the House of Representatives of December 14, 1853,
calling for a statement of the privileges and restrictions of forein intercourse with the United States, & c .
Awards under article ISth of treaty between the United
States and Mexico, of February 2, 1848
Instalment and interest under article I2th of treaty with
Mexico, due May 30, 1850
To enable the President to conclude a treaty of peace
with Mexico
Contingent expenses of the late board of commissioners
under treaty with Mexico
Compensation of commissioner and agent of convention
for adjustment of claims between the United States
and Great Britain
To carry into effect convention on the subject of claims
between the United States and her Britannic Majesty.
Expenses in acknowledging the services of masters and
crews of foreign vessels in rescuing American citizens,
ifec. from shipwreck
Payment in relation to certaiu French seamen killed or
wounded at Toulon, and their families

$263
40,143
74,869
9, 000

33
65
50
00

1,099 46
137,256 47
22,790 62
'
'
13, 000 00
...
10,000 00
2,500 00

5,000 00
55, 337 49
2,307 10
1,000 00
40 > 00
."
24,000 00
275,035 42
1, 000 00
• 500 00
$964 310 37

Total foreign intercourse
MISCELLANEOUS.

Mint establishment
Compensation of one-half per centum to each designated
depositary
Contingent expenses uuder act for collecting the public
revenue
:
Compensation to special agents to examine books, &c.,
in the several depositaries
Expenses incident to loans and treasury uotes
Survey of the coast of the United States
Survey of the western coast of the United States
Survey of the Florida reefs and keys
Fuel and quarters of officers of the army serving on the
coast survey
Publishing observations made in the progress of the survey of the coast of the United States
Results and accounts of the exploring expedition
Establishing an assay office in New York
Purchase of lots or parcels of land belonging to the Bank
of Commerce and State of New York
Payment for horses andother property lost, &c. in the military service of the UnitedStates
..=»..
Claims not otherwise provided for,.
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, per act August
10, 1846




559,709 63
3,839 93
37,877 63
7,101
3,075
' 205,995
130,000
30, 000

10
00
11
00
00

10,000 00
20, 000 00
9,000 00
87 283 39
531,758 47
5,427 20
3,654 82
30,910 21

32

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Payment on account of Cherokee Indians remaining in
North Carolina
Colossal statute of Washington
:-.'
Historical paintings for the rotundo of the Capitol
To purchase copj^-right of new method of ascertaining a
ship's position at sea
Purchase of building corner of F and Seventeenth streets.
Salaries of nine supervising and fifty local inspectors,
with travelling expenses, &c
Expenses incurred by provisional government of Oregon
in defending the people of the Territory from the
Cayuse Indians
Expenses of removing to the States whence they fled,
fugitives from service or labor
««
For mail service performed for the several departments
of government, per section 12, act March 3,1847
For further compensation to the Post Office Department
for mail services performed for the two houses of Co;igress, per act March 3, 1851
To supply -any deficiency in the revenues of the Post Office Department for the year ending .June 30, 1855...
For a tri-monthly mail, by steam-vessels, between New
Orleans and Vera Cruz
Erection of public buildiugs in the Territories.
Expenses of collecting revenue from customs
Repayments to importers pf excess of deposites for unascertained duties
Debentures or drawbacks, bounties or allowances
Refunding duties on foreign merchandise imported, per
act August 8, 1846
Debentures and other charges
Refunding duties paid into the treasury from military contributions in Mexico
»
Refunding duties paid by colleges, &c., per act August
12, 1848
Refunding duties under the act to extend the warehousing
system
Proceeds of sale of goods, wares, &c., per act April
2, 1844..„
Salaries of special examiners of drugs and medicines...
Additional compensation to collectors, naval officers, & c .
Four additional revenue cutters
Fuel and quarters for officers of the army serving on
light-house duty
Eefunding duties on fish and other articles, under reciprocity treaty with Great Britain
Support and maintenance of lighthouses, &c
Building light-houses, &c
Marine hospital establishment
-.
Building marine hospitals
„
Building custom-houses
Life-boats and other means of rendering assistance to
wrecked mariners and others on the coast of the United
States
Purchase of metallic surf-boats to rescue lives and property
Continuing the system of protecting human life from shipwreck on the coast of Massachusetts and New Jersey,
by life-boats and other means
To procure the necessary machinery and to test practically the plan for distinguishing lights by occultation,
&c., in Oregon
Making permanent the signals placed by the Coast Survey
along the Florida coast
Expenses of collecting revenue from sales of public lands.
Surveys ofthe public lands
Contmuing the survey of the islands on coast of California.




$2,819 84
5,000 00
4,000 00
10,000 00
200,000 00
79,152 71
47,120 28
7,537 30
200,000 00
500,000 00
2, 344,464 00
3^,350 00
68,191 57
2,801,797 82
979,688 45
540,812 08
51,911 27
20,419 01
5,553 80
'

227 78
137,558 49
642
5,583
18,778
4,900

79
38
38
00

5,926 47
432,775
1,002,124
843,686
345,987
124,807
1,836,240

88
50
74
46
62
92

26,992 10
8,931 25
25,994 00
4,957 00
10 000
400,502
447,987
30,000

00
84
81
00

RERORT ON THE FINANCES.
Continuing the survey of the Keys on the Florida coast.
Expenses incurred in geological explorations in Oregon
and Washington Territories
Compensation to surveyors and other agents required in
Illinois, &c
.:
Repayments for lands erroneously sold
„.
Refunding moneys where certain lands have been entered
in Greensburgh district, Louisiana. ^
Services heretofore performed by registers and receivers
ofland offices
Preparing unfinished records of public and private surveys, to be transferred to State authorities
Collection of agricultural statistics, and procuring and distributing seeds and cuttings
Expenses of settling land claims in California
^.
Purchase of books for territorial libraries
Running and marking the boundary between the United
States and Mexico.....
Compensation of commissioner and surveyor employed
on boundary betweeu United States and Mexico
..
Engraving maps, views, sections, natural history of survey
of boundary between United States and Mexico
Expenses of taking the Seventh Census
Preservation of the collections of the exploring expedition
Patentfund
East and west wings ofthe Patent Office building
Furnishing rooms in the new wing of the Patent Office
building, &c
Purchase of site and erection, &c., of an asylum for the
insane of the District of Columbia
Penitentiary in the District ofColumbia
Support, &c., of insane paupers in the District of Columbia
Support of transient paupers
To complete the grades in the city of Washington
Potomac and Eastern Branch bridges, compensation of
drawkeepers, &c
Bridge across the Potomac at Little Falls
Public buildings, grounds, &c., in the city of Washington.
Compensation ofpublic gardener,gatekeepers,laborers,&c.
Compensation and contingent expenses of Auxiliary Guard
Three per centum to Ohio.
Three per centum to Indiana
Three per centum to Missouri
•.
Two and three per centum to Mississippi
Two and three per centum to Alabama
•.......-.Five per centum to Louisiana
•^..
Five per centum to Arkansas....
..J^......
Fiveper centum to Florida
Five per centum to Iowa
-.
To settle certain accouuts between the United States and
Alabama, per acts of March 2,18I9, and March 2,1855.
Relief of sundry individuals
Sundry miscellaneous items
»
Total miscellaneous. . . . . . - . . „

33

,20,000 00
23,560 00
3,812 50.
73,415 45
1,179 21
2,790 84
13, 319 93
34, 000 00
156,930 66
1,500 00
185,128 30
4- 10,900 00
4,500
12, 477
2,522
175,067
208, 319

00
00
27
41
27

21,000,00
57,809
22, 656
12,853
4,250
1,200

00
68
15
00
00

15,642
15,000
127, 092
13,570
18, 473
8,268
3,689
23,178
11,657
16,647
8, 357
18,501
2,811
54,441

28
00
12
00
25
41
98
25
35
63
27
84
83
59

128, 336 42
719,077 40
7, 587 37

=

$17,534,680 69

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

Indian department
Pensions, military
Pensions, naval
Claims of the State of Virginia..
Relief of sundry individuals.,.

„ . „ =.
,
,

Total under the Department of the Interior

3



2,676,682 15
1,309,591 20
134,296 17
4,013 00
2,156 48
„

4,126,739 00-

34

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
UNDER'^THE DIRECTION OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

Army proper
Military Academy
Fortifications and other works of defence
Armories, arsenals, and munitions ofwar....
Harbors, rivers, roads, &c
Surveys
Arming and equipping the militia
Pay of volunteers, &c
Relief of sundry individuals, and miscellaneous...-.. . . . .
Exterision ofthe Capitol, &c
Continuing Post Office building
Washington aqueduct
Total under the War Department.,».I

$9,397,801 54
179,586 47
1,519,968 63
726,963 53
805,053 25
264,814 93
183, 945- 58
105,843 97
814,848 46
650,000 00
40,000 00
80,0000 00

-=

$14,773,826 36

UNDER THE'DIRECTION OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

Pay and subsistence, including medicines, &c
Increase, repairs, ordnance, and equipments ..-.~.
Six steam-frigates
...*,.
Contingent expenses
Navyyards,&c
Hosijitals
Magazines
:
Relief of sundry individuals, and miscellaneous
Marinecorps

4,479,237
2,618, 047
l,801,9r'4
730,402
1,471,692
44,490
21,754
517,172
411,852

89
29
52
99
59
31
57
81
20

Total under the Navy Department

13,281, 341 01

PULLIC DEBT.

Interest on the public debt, including treasury notes
Redemption of the stock of 1842
Do
do
1843
Do
do..--..1846
Do
do
1847
1
Do
do
1848.......
Redemption of Texan indemnity stock
Rederaption of the debt of the cities of Washington,
Georgetown, and Alexandria
Reimbursement of treasury notes issued under acts prior
to July 22, 1846, paid in specie
Presmium paid on stock redeemed..--.-.

2, 314, 374
882,525
27,900
955,990
3,556,150
848,650
384,000

99
00
00
86
00
00
00

4,100 00
50 00
870,787 39

Total public debt

9,844,528 24

Total expenditures...

_„

Balance in the treasury July 1, 1855

=

.-

66,209,922 04
18,931,976 01

F. BIGGER, Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, November 17, 1855.

•

•

N o . 2. -

Statement ofi the receipts and expendiiures ofi the United States fior the
quarter ending September 30, 1855, exclusive ofi trust fiunds.
RECEIPTS.

Fromcustoms
sales of public lands
miscellaneous sourceSo-.o-o =o- = »o.«




-

...^........
„_
„„

$17,085,238 28
2,355,725 87
333,495 98
19,774,460 13

35

EEPOET ON THB FINANCES.
EXPENDITURES.

Civil—miscellaneous and foreign intercourse
Interior—pensions.
,
Indian-department
'
War—army prpper, &c
fortifications, & c - - - - .
miscellaneous

$5,117,860 25

,
«-.

$624,548
1,175,093
—
3,969,392
.700,934
471,784

Navy
Redemption of stock of the loan of 1842
Redemption of stock of the loan of 1846
Redemption of stock of the loan of 1847
Redemption of stock of the loan of 1848
Redemption of debt contracted by Washington, Georgetown,
and Alexandria
Premium on stock redeemed
-.

64
55
1,799,642 19
76
49
13

'
5,142,111 38
4,282,292 57

72,900
127,300
11,600
22,300

00
00
00
00

2,400 00
20,821 75
257,321 75

Deduct excess of repayments on account of interest on the
public debt, being amount refunded for advances on that
account
—

5,112 04
252,209 71
16,594,116 .10
F. BIGGER, Register.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Qffice, November 17, 1855.

No. 3.—Statement showing the amount ofi United States stoclc, &c.y
redeemed firom the 1st ofi July^ 1851, to the l^th ofi November, 1855,
inclusive ; the premium and interest p a i d on the same, and the amount
ofi the public debt outstanding this day.
Loans.

Outstanding
July 1, 1854.

1842
$5,217,420
1843...
27,900
1846
2,647,213
1847
16,745,350
1848
12,839,741
Texan indemnity.. 4,480, 000
Texan iudemnity
not issued
5,000, 000

Redeemed
since.

Interest
paid.

Outstanding
Nov. 17, 1855.

81 $924,125 00 $103,209 25 $17,380 49 $4,293,295 81
697 50
27,900 00
00
38,333 00 22,047 32
1,368,213 26
26 1,279,000 00
00 3, 657, 450 00 596,767 00 69,648 96 n 3 , 088,800 00
996,350 00 162,321 00 17,527 99 11,893,391 80
80
7,181 94
23,760 00
384,000 00
4,096,000 00
00
5, 000, 000 00

00

47,007,625 87 7,268,825 00
Treasury notes
outstanding. . . .
Old funded and
unfunded debtDebt of corporate
cities.
...

Premium .
paid.

113,261 64

924,395 25 134,484 20

t950 00

112, 311 64
114,118 54

114,118 54
7,200 00

39,739,700 87

3,600 00.

47,242,206 05 7,273, 375 00

t500 00

...........

924,895 25 134,484 20

3,600 00
39,969,731 05

F. BIGGER, Register.
TTEASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, November 17, 1855.
* This amount includes $900 of treasury notes funded.
t This amount includes $900 of treasury notes funded, and $50 of treasury notes redeemed.
t This amount assumed as preinium.



No. 4.—Statement exhihiting present liabilities of the United States to Indian trihes, under stipulations of treaties, i&c.—
(See report ofthe Secretary of the Interior-, November 1, 1855.)

CO

>• L ^ '^
:; " ^

CD

- lo ^ . ^_ oE QJQ.

Description of annuities, stipulations,
&c.

N a m e s of tribeso

References to laws.

Number of instalments yet u n a p propriated, explanations, &c.

<« -S ' - t ^ CCS

o «

°"^^ o^ ^ c«^ ='
OJ 5 2 ' ^

n O Vi

K5

£ t^ .5:5 S - i -S a

3 o »H
o w S
fl QJ O

O n CT3

m => ^
S O "5

<3

hj
Camanches,
Kiowas,
and Apaches, of t h e
Arkansas river.
Do

F o r the purchase of goods, provisions, 2d session 33d Conand agricultural implements; per 6th
gress, page 166,
article ofthe treaty of July 27, 1853.
.do
do........

Chippew^as, of L a k e Superior.

Money, goods, provisions, and tobacco. Compare ^d article of treaty
of July 29, 1837, and 8tl) article of
treaty of September 30, 1854.
Money, goods, support of schools,
provisions and tobacco. Corapare
4th article of treaty of October 4,
1842, and Sth article treaty Septem-ber 30, 1854.
T w e n t y instalments, in coin, goods,
implements. &c., andfor education ;
4th article of treaty of September
30,1854.
T w e n t y instalments for six smiths
and assistants, and iron and steel;
5th and 2d articles treaty of September 30,1854.
Five instalments for the Bois Forte
b a n d ; 12th article treaty of September 30, 1854. Transportation and
expense delivering goods.

Do.

Do.
Do.

Chippewas, of the Mississippi,

Money, goods, provisions, and tobacco. Compare 2d article treaty
of July 29, 1837, and Sth article
treaty of September 30,1854.




Vol. 7, page 536, ahd 2d
session 33d Congress,
page 221.
Vol. 7, page 592, and 2d
session 33d Congress,
page 221.
2d session 33d Congress, page 220.
2d session 33d Congress, page 220.
2d session 33d Congress, page 221.

Vol. 7, page 536, and
2d session 33d Congress, page 221.

Ten instalments, of ^18,000, provided ; eight instalments, of
^18,000 each, yet unappropriated.
Total of future appropriations required
Transportation of goods and provisions the eight years, at ^7,000
per year.
T w e n t y i n s t a l m e n t s ; two-thirds of
the last of twenty instalments only unappropriated; two-thirds is
Twenty-five i n s t a l m e n t s ; eleven
yet unappropriated ; two-thirds is
^18,000, and is payable to these
Indians. Total of future appropriations required
T w e n t y instalments, of ^19,000
each ; nineteen unappropriated,
^i'otal of future appropriations required
Tvventy instalments, estimated at
6,360 e a c h ; nineteen unappropriated. Total of future appropriations required
Five instalments, of ^2,000 e a c h ;
four nnappropriated.
See l l t h article treaty September
30, 1854, transportation, &c.,
' ^5.000 per year, 19 years.
T w e n t y i n s t a l m e n t s ; one-third of
the last of twenty.

af144,000 00
56,000 00

o
w

20,666 66

198,000 00

O
Ul

361,000 00

120,840 00
8,000 00
95,000 00
10,333 34

Do

Do

Do

Do.
Do...

Do
Do
Do
Do

Chickasaws
Chippewas,
Menomonies,
Winnebagoes
and JV. York Indians.
Chippewas of Saginaw.

Do..
.

Do..

Choctaws,

Money, goods, support of schools,
provisions, and t o b a c c o ; compare
4th- article treaty October 4, 1842,
and Sth article treaty September 30,
1854.
Support of three blacksmith s h o p s ; 2d
article treaty July 29, 1837.
T w o farmers and sraiths and assistants, shops, iron, and s t e e l ; 4ili article treaty October 4, 1842, and Sth
article treaty September 30,1854.
T w e n t v instalments in m o n e y of
$20,000 each.
Money, $10,666 6 7 ; goods, $8,000;
and purposes of utility, $4,000 ; 3d
article treaty February 22, 1855.
F o r purposes of education ; same article and treaty.
For support of smith s h o p s ; same article and treaty.

Vol. 7, page 592, and 2d
session 33d Congress,
page 221.

Twenty-five i n s t a l m e n t s ;
yet unappropriated.

Vol. 7,page 530, and 2d
session .33d Congress,
page 221.

Tvventy instalments of $3,000 each;
last unappropriated ; SUi article
treaty September 30, 1854; onethird due.
Twent3'-five instalments ; eleven
unappropriated ; one-third payable to these Indians, viz : $1,000
per year for eleven years
3d article treaty February 22,1855;
nineteen not yet appropiiated.
Thirty instalments, $22,666 66f;
twenty-nine unappropriated; total of twenty-nine instalments of
$22,666 66f each.
T w e n t y instalments $3,000 each ;
nineteen unappropriated.
Fifteen instalments, estimated at
$2,120 e a c h ; fourteen unappropriated.
Five instalments, $600 e a c h ; four
unappropriated.
Expenses necessary to deliver
annuities—say $5,000 per year
for ten years, $3,000 per year
for next ten years, and $1,000 per
year for next nine years.
Act Feb. 28, 1799; $3,000 per year.
5th article treaty August 11, 1827...

V o l . 7 , page 592, and 2d
session 33d Congress,
page 221.
Pamphlet treaty, page
5, section 3.
Pamphlet treaty, page
6.
.do.,

...do.

.do..

...do.

Powder, lead, shot, &c.; s a m e article
and treaty.
Transportation and expenses ; see
5t.h article treaty.

...do

do

...do

do

Permanent annuity in goods
Education, during the pleasure
Congress.

Vol. 1, page 6 1 9 . . . .
Vol. 7, page 3 0 4 . . . .

of

Pernianent a n n u i t i e s : treaties of 1795,
1807, and 1819. ,

Vol. 7. pages 5 1 , 106,
and 204.

4th article treaty August 3,
1795
$1,000
2d article treaty November
17,1807
800
4th articletreaty September
24,1819
.^
1,000

Permanent provision for smiths, implements, cattle, labor, &c.
Education, during the pleasure of
Congress.
Permanen t annuities

Vol. 7, pages 205 and
530.
Vol. 7, page 291

Sth article treaty of 1819, and 7th article treaty J a n . 14, 1837, $ 2 , OOU.
6th article treaty August 5, 1826,
$1,000.
2d article treaty November
16,1805
$3,000
13ih article treaty October
18,1820
600
2d article treaty J a n u a r y 20,
1825
3,000




Vol. 7, pages 99, 213,
and 235.

99,000 00

1.000 00

11,000 00

380,000 00
657,333 34

o

57, 000 00
29. 680 00

o

,400 00
,000 00

w
$3,000 00

$60,000 00

$1,500 00

o
m

2,800 00

56,000 00

2,000 00

40,000 00

6,600 00

132,000 00

1,000 00.

CO
.1^

STATEMENT—Continued.

CO

oo
,-^3 >> >> I O
' o ci JJ = ' ^

) G

N a m e s of tribes.

Description of annuities, stipulations,
&c.

References to laws.

Number of instalments yet unappropriated, explanations, &c.

c s o

•

C ; rt C ^ 5

^

QJ ' o •.;:3

"

- -

fc C a

Provision for smith, &c

Vol. 7, pages 212 and
236.

Christian I n d i a n s .

P e r m a n e n t annuity

Creeks

Permanent a n n u i t i e s . . .

Vol. 4, pages 58 and
183.
Vol. 7,pages 36,69, and
287.

...

Do..

Smith shops, &c

Vol. 7, page 287

Do..

Smiths, &c.—two for t w e n t y years .

V o l . 7 , page 368

Do..
Do..

Vol. 7, page 287
Vol. 7 page 368, and
vol. 9, page 822.

Delawares
Do..
Do..

Wheelwright, (permanent)
Thirty-three instalments ior education ; 13th article treaty Mar., 1832,
and 4th article treaty J a n . , 1845.
T w e n t y instalments for education;
4th article treaty January, 1845.
Allowances during the pleasure of the
Pre.sident.
Life annuities to two chiefs
Interest on $46,080, at 5 per cent
Eight instalments of $1,250 each

Florida Indians, or Seminoles.

Fifteen instalments in goods, of $2,000,
and fifteen in money, of $3,000.

Vol. 7, page 369, and
vol. 9, page 822.

Interest on $57,500, being the balance
of $157,500.

Vol. 7, page 568, and
1st session 33d Congress, page 147.

Do..
Do..




Vol. 9, page 822
Vol. 7, pages 287 and
419.
V o l . 7 , page 399
Vol. 7; page 327
1st session 33d Congress, page 142.

«

52 ri

^

rt

cr S S

rt^=

^

lO =5 -

•rs !
*J C £

«, ° r„ 5 '

.^s

QJ O QJ

$920 00

6th article treaty October IS, 1820,
and 9th articletreaty J a n u a r y 2 0 ,
1825—say $920.
Acts May 6, 1824, and May 20,
1826, $400.
4th article treaty of August,
1790
$1,500
2d article treaty J u n e 16,
1802
3,000
4th article treaty J a n u a r y
24, 1826
20,000

$18,400 00

w
>lj

o

8,000 00

o

Sth article treaty J a n u a r y 24, 1826,
say $1,110,
L a s t of tvventy instalments to be
appropriated.
Sth article treaty of J a n . , 1820, $600.
Thirty-three instalments of $3,000
each ; eight yet unappropriated.
T w e n t y instalments, $3,000 ^ach ;
eight yet unappropriated.
5th article treaty February 14,1833,
and 8th article treaty Jan. 24,1826.
Treaties of 1829, 1818. and 1 8 3 2 . . . .
Resolution of Senate,'Jan. 19, 1832.
6th article treaty May 6, 1854;
eight instalments of $1,250 e a c h ;
six yet to be appropriated.
4th article treaty May 9, 18-32, and
6th article treaty January 4,1845;
three yet to be appropriated.
2d article treaty October 19, 1838,
and 9th article treaty May 17,
1854.

OJ
C c
.::; C rt .-(

o '.^^ OJ 2 %
a

Choctaws—Continued...

- ^ ffi >>

24,500 00
1,11.0 00

490,000 00
22,200 00

a

600 00

12,000 00

O
tri
Ul

2,304 00

46,080 00

2,875 00

57,500 00

$2,220 00
24,000 00
24,000 00
$4,710 00
200 00
7,500 00
15,000 00

Kansas
Kaskaskias and others
Do
Kickapoos

Interest on $200,000
Six instalments—three of $13,000 and
three of $9,000 each.

Vol. 9, page 842
1st session ,33d Congress, page 160.

Five instalments for smiths, &c

1st session 33d Congress, page 160.
1st session 33d Congress, page 155.
1st session 33d Congress, page 155.

Interest on $100,000

,..

Graduated payraents on $200,000 . . . .

Do

Pay of miller fifteen y e a r s . . . ,

Menomonies
Do

Support of smiths' shop twelve years.

Do

T e n instalments of $20,000 each
Fifteen equal instalments to pay $242,686, to c o m m e n c e in 1867.

Vol. 9, page 95.3, and 2d
session 33d Congress,
page 195.
Vol.9, page 953,and 2d
ses.sion 33d Congress,
page 195.
V o l . 9 , page 953
2d session 33d Congress,
page 195.

Do
P e r m a n e n t provisionsfor smiths' shop
and miller.

Vol. 7, pages 191 and
464, and 2d session
33d Congress, page
205.

T w e n t y instalments in raoney, 2d article treaty of 1840, and 6th article
treaty of'1854.

2d session 33d Congress,
pages 205 and^ 206 ;
vol. 7, page 583.

Miamies

Do

Do
Do
Miamies of Eel r i v e r . . . ,
Navajoes
Nisqually, and
other
bands of Puget's Sound.
Do
Osages....

,
,




. 200,000 00

40,000 00
2,820 00
5,000 00

2d article treaty May 18, 1854 ; forty-five thousand heretofore appropriated.
3d article treaty May 12, ,1854,
$9,000; heretofore appropriated,
S2 400.
T w e l v e instalments, of $916 66f
each.

155,000 00

4th article treaty of 1848
T h e paymentof the $200,000 begins
in 1857 and ends in 1866, tiien
payment of $242,686 is to com• raence ; the two suras to be paid
in twenty-five years ensuing.
5th article treaty October 6, 1818,
5th article treaty October 23,
1834, and 4th article treaty J u n e
5,1854—say $940 for shops and
$'600 for miller.
$12,500 per year, five yet to be appropriated—total $62,500. This
araount is subject to a reduction
of $6,218 52; see act August 30,
18.52, and treaty J u n e 5, 1854, 6th
article.
4th article treaty J u n e 5,1854; four
yet to be appropriated.
3d"article treaty J u n e 5, 1854

200,000 00
242,686 00

2d session 33d Congress,
page 205.
2d session 33d Congress,
page 204.
Interest on $221,257 86, at 5 per cent.. 2d session 33d Congress, Senate's a m e n d m e n t to 4th article
pages 205 and 209.
treaty of 1854.
Vol. 7, pages 57,91,114, 4th article treaty of 1795, 3d article
P e r m a n e n t annuities
treaty of 1805, and 3d article treaty
and 116.
of September, 1809, aggregate.
10th
article treaty of Sept. 9, 1849 ..
Vol.
9,
page
975.
Presents to the tribe
Graduated payraents extending twenty Parnphlet treaty, page 4, 4th article treaty December 26,
1854; the sum of $3,250 having
years for payment of $32,5(50.
been appropriated, hereafter required
P a y of instructor, smith, physician, Pamphlet treaty, page 5. 10th article sarae treaty, estimated
at $4,500 per year; nineteen incarpenter, &c., for twenty years.
stalments yet to be appropriated.
T w e n t y instalments of $20,000
T w e n t y instalments, 2d article treaty V o l . 7 , page 576.
e a c h ; one to be yet appropriated.
J a n u a r y 11,1839.
Six instalments, of $31,739 11 each,
to Miaraies residing west.
Interest on $50,000, at 5 per cent

Do

10,000 00 I

2d article treaty January 1 4 , 1 8 4 6 . . ,
6th article treaty May 30,1854—one
of $13,000 and three of $9,000, to
be appropriated.
T h r e e yet to be appropriated, say
$940 each.
2d article treaty May 18, 1854

100,000 00

6,600 00
11,000 00

Pi

^^

O
1,540 00

30,800 00

O

"^

m
56,281 48

a
a

126,956 44
2,500 00

50,000 00

11,062 89

221,2.57 86

1,100 00

22,000 00

Ul

5,000 00

29,250 00
85,500 00
20,000 00

CO

STATEMENT-^Gontinued,

o
rt—

o-"

§^^ a o - ^ J- «

rs?
Description of annuities, stipulations,
&c.

N a m e s of tribes.

References to laws.

Number of instalrnents yet unappropriated, explanations, &c.

QJ = ~ " ' ^ ' ^ 3

M a

.— J- t s 02

2
*gillis
3 *^ ^« QJ .ti rt a^ >>

Vl rt . 5 ;>> 3

crt

<^' c S =

^ 5 ^ ='

&-sl i l l l l

;^s

b n & c y a i i CD o <a
T w e n t y instalments of $2,000
each ; one to be appropriated.
Senate resolution of January 19,
....do
do..
Do
1838, in paymentof fifty-four sections of land spt apart by treaty
OfJanuary, 1825.
Forty instalments graduated, ($840,- 1st session 33d Con- 1st instalment paid ; see 4th article
Omahas
gress, supplemental,"
treaty March 16, 1854; to be ap000,) extending over Ibrty years.
page 136.
propriated.
do
d o . . . . Sth article of treaty, estimated at
Support of smith shops, miller, and
Do
$2,140 per y e a r ; nine years to
farmer, ten years.
be provided for.
Ottoes and Missourias... Forty instalments graduated, ($385,- 1st session 33d Con- 4th article treaty March l o , 1854 ;
one instalment paid; to be apgress, supplemental,
000,) extending through forty years.
propriated hereafter
page 131.
Support of smith shops, miller, and 1st session 33d Con- 7th article same treaty, estiniated
Do
at $2,140 per y e a r ; one paid; to
gress, supplemental,
farmer, for ten years.
be appropriated
page 132.
Vol. 7, pages 54,106, 4th article treaty August 3, 1795,2d
P e r m a n e n t annuity
Ottowas
'
' 179, and 220.
article treaty November 17, 1807,
4th article treaty September 17,
1818, and 4th article treaty August
29, 1821.
Resolution of Senate of May 19,
Ottowas and Chippewas Interest on $200,000, at 6 per c e n t . . . . Vol. 7, page 497
of Michigan.
1836; per year, .$12,000.
Education, $ 5 , 0 0 0 ; missions, $3,000; Vol. 7, page 492
Do
See 4th article treaty March 28,
medicines, $ 3 0 0 ; during the pleas1836.
ure of Congress.
Do
,....
Three blacksmiths, Sec, one gunSee 7th article treaty March 28,
smith, &c., two farmers and assist- Vol. 7, page 493
1836; annnally allowed since the
ant, and two mechanics and assistexpiration of the nurnber of years
ants, during pleasure of Congress
named in the treaty; aggregate,
and President.
$5,440.
Pawnees
Agricultural irnplements during the
See 4th article treaty October 9,
pleasure of the President.
1833.
Vol. 7, page 488,
;es—Continued-

S m i t h s ' establisliment for twenty
years, same article.
I n t e r e s t on $69,120, at 5 per cent




bd

$2,000 00

V o l . 7 , page 576

$3,456 00

$69,120 00

o
O

800,000 00

>^
W
tei

19,260 00

a
365,000 00
19,260 00

$8,300 00
6,440 00

1,000 00

4,300 00

86,000 00

12,000 00

240,000 00

Permanent annuities in money..

Vol. 7, pages 51, 114,
185, 317,320, and vol.
9, page 855.

4th article treaty of 1795. . $1,000
3d article treaty of 1 8 0 9 . . . .
500
3d article treaty of 1818
2,500
2d article treaty of 1 8 2 8 . . . . 2,000
2d article t r e a t y J u l y , 1829.. 16,000
iOth article treaty J u n e , 1846
300

Do

Life annuity to surviving c h i e f s . . . .

Vol.- 7, pages 379 and
433.

3d article treaty Oct. 20,1832
3d article treaty Sept. 26,1833

Do

Education during pleasure of Congress Vol. 7, pages 296, 318,
and 401.

Do...

P e r m a n e n t provision for three smiths
and assistants, shops, &.c.

Do

Perraanent provision for furnishing salt Vol. 7, pages 75, 296,
and 320.

Pottawatomies

446,000 00

Do
Pottawatomies
Huron.
(Quapaws
Rogue Rivers

of

the
,
,

Shasta, Scoton,
and
U m p q u a Indians.

Vol. 7, pages 318, 296,
and 321.

Interest on $643,000, at 5 per cent..

Vol. 9, page 854

Perraanent annuity....".

Vol. 7, page 106

Provision for e d u c a t ' n , $1,000 peryear, Vol. 7, page 425
and for smith and shops and farmer,
during the pleasure of the President.
Sixteen instalments of $2,500 each..', 2d session 33d Con,' gress, page 171.
$2,000 annually for fifteen y e a r s .

Pamphlet, page 4.

Do

Support of schools and farmer fifteen
years.

Pamphlet, page 5 . . . . .

Do

T w o smiths, &c., for five years ; physician, medicine, &c., ten years.

Pamphlet, page 5 . . . . . .

Permanent annuity

Vol. 7, page 85

Sacs and Foxes of the
Mississippi.
Do

Interest on $200,000, at 5 per c e n t . . . . Vol. 7, page 541

Do

Interest on $800,000, at 5 per cent

Vol. 7, page 596

Do

Thirty instalments, of $20,000 e a c h . , ,

V o l . 7 , page 3 7 5 . . . . . . .

Do

Provision for smith and shops, gunsraith and shop, and for tobacco and
salt.

Vol. 7, page 375




200
700

3d article treaty Oct. 16,1826,2d article treaty Sept. 20.1828, and 4th article treaty Oct. 27,1832—$5,000.
2d article treaty Sept. 20, 1828, 3d
article treaty Oct. 16, 1826, and
2d article treaty July 29, 1829—
three shops, at $940 each per
year, $2,820. •
3d article of treaty of 1803, 3d article treaty of Oct. 1826, and 2d article treaty July 29, 1829—estiraated $500.
7th article treaty of J u n e , 1846, annual interest—$32,150.
2d article treaty IMov. 17, 1807—$400
3d article treaty May 13,1833, $1,000
per year for education, and $1,660
for smith, farmer, &c.—$2,660.
3d article treaty Sept. 10,1853, fourteen instalments yet to be appropriated.
3d article treaty of Nov. 18, 1854,
fourteen instalments yet to be
provided for.
5th article same t r e a t y ; estimated
for schools, %1,200 per year, and
farmer, $600 per year—$1,800 per
year for fourteen years.
S a m e a r t i c l e ; four years, at $2,120
per y e a r ; nine years, at $1,060
per year.
3d articl etr eaty of November, 1804—
$1,000.
2d article treaty of October, 1837—
$10,000.
2d article treaty of Oct. 11,1842—
$40,000.
3d article treaty of Sept. 21, 1832,
six to be yet provided for.
4th article treaty of Sept. 2 1 , 1832,
six to be yet provided for—annually estimated at $2,880.

900 00
5,000 00
2,820 00

t=j
500 00

10,000 00

O

32,150 00

643,000 00

o

400 00

8,000 00

W
35,000 00

tei

28,000 00

a

25,200 00
Ul
18,020 00
1,000 00

20,000 00

10,000 00

-200,000 00

40,000 00

800,000 00

120,000 00
17,280 00

M^

STATEMENT-^Continued.

i4^

iP
-= c

a^ £ o - ^ b »
a

5 " "

._ ..J — c (- _^

^ ^

O CJ

Q J : ^ ~ ! « * ^ 3 M C

Description of annuities, stipulations,

N a m e s of tribes.

&c.

Reference to laws.

;••

N u m b e r of instalments yet u n a p propriated, explanations, &c.

•.i-j .£3 >- i - c " ^

5 S S. P g

2 ^ I ^ u^ I I

S.

° *! = ° c 5 >.o

^

a; ^ - a ^

C « " • " rt -C -73 «
5 QJ ^
QJ — QJ

CO rt =

^

g,.o-j|Qrf5

tJO'C 3 = S K i H t o

CM

t U C C ' S ' p J ^ J QJ O QJ

Sacs a n d Foxes of Missouri.
Senecas.

Interest on
$48,000.

$157,400;

Permanent annuities.

balance

of

Vol. 7, page 544.

2d article treaty of October 21,1837

1st session 33d. Congress, page 151.
Vol. 7, pages 161 and
179.

2d article treaty of May 18,1854; to
be appropriated
4th article treaty September 29,
1817, $ 5 0 0 ; 4th article treaty
September 17. 1818, $500.
4th article treaty Feb. 28, 1831—
say $1,660.

Provision for sraith and smith shops^ Vol. 7, page 349
and miller, during the pleasure of
the President.
Vol. 4, page 442
, Act Pebruary 19, 1831.. .$6,000 00
S e n e c a s of N e w Y o r k .
Perraanent annuity
•
Act J u n e 27, 1846
3,750 00
Vol. 9, page 35
Interest on $75,000
Act J u n e 27, 1846
2,152 50
Interest on $43,0,50 transferred to the . . . . d o
do
treasury frora the Ontario Bank.
4th article treaty Sept. 17,1818.
Vol. 7, page 179
Senecas and Shawnees
Permanent annuity
Do
4th article treaty July 20, 1831..
Provision for support of sraith and Vol. 7, page 352
shop, during the pleasure of the
President.
Shawnees
Permanent annuities for education . . . Vol. 7, pages 51 and 161, 4th article treaty August 3, 1795;
4th article treaty September 29,
and 2d session 33d
1817; and 3d article treaty May
Congress, page 156.
.10,18.54.
Do
3d article treaty May 10, 1854
Interest on $40,000.
.do.,
.do.
3d article treaty May 10, 1854;
Pavments for lands, eight instalments,
.do..
.do.
Do
$200,000 appropriated heretofore;
&c.
six payraents remaining.
6th article treaty November 11,
Six Nations of N e w Yorki P e r m a n e n t annuity in clothing, &c. . . Vol. 7, page 46.
1794, $4,500 per year.
Sioux of the Mississippi. Interest on $300,000
2d article treaty September 29,1837
V o l . 7 , page 539
Do..
. : . . Fifty instalments of interest on Supplement to L a w s 4ih article treaty July 23, 1851;
$1,360,000, at 5 per cent.
$68,000 p e r y e a r ; forty-five in32d Congress, page
stalments to be provide d for.
Do.
Fifty instalments of interest on Supplement to L a w s Senate's amendment to 3d article ;
$112,000; being 10 cents per acre .
forty-five instalments of $5,600 to
32d Congress, page
for reservation.
| 53,
be provided for.
Do




£ rt S3 .^j C C!

$7,870 00

o rt > ^ S
$157,400 00

tei
O

$18,000 00
1,000 00

20,000 00

O

$1,660 00

w
11,902 50
1,000 00

238,050 00
20,000 00

1,060 00

teJ
teJ

>
Cl

tei
m

5,000 00

40,000 00
589,000 00

3,060,000 00
*252,000 00

4,050 00

90,000 00

15,000 00

300,000 00

Do.

Fifty instalments
$1,160,000.

of

interest

Do..

Fifty instalments on $69,000; being
10 cents per acre for reservation.

S u p p l e m e n t , to
32d Congress,
.57.
Supplement to
32d Congress,
59.

on

Do.

T w e n t y instalments in goods

Vol. 7, page 539.

Do.

T w e n t y instalments in agricultural
implements, &c.
Tvventy instalments for p r o v i s i o n s . . . .
Tnterest on $16,500
T e n instalments, in goods, provisions,
&c.

,...do

Do
Stockbridges
Treaty at Fort Laramie

Creek

Umpquas, Calapooias,
SvC, Oregon.

.do.

....do
do.
Vol. 9, page 957.
Not published...

T w e n t y instalments, of 550 each .

L a w s 33d Cong., supplement, page iSO.

T w e n t y instalments, payments graduated.

Pamphlet treaty, page 4.

Do.

Support of teacher, &c., t w e n t y years, Pamphlet treaty, page 5,

Do.

Physician, fifteen years

Do.

Smith and shop, and farmer, ten years

, ,

Utahs
Presents
Willamette Valley bands. T w e n t y instalments', graduated payments.
Do.
Winnebagoes .
^

Laws
page

Expense of .transportation

Do.
U m p q u a s , Cow
band.

Laws
page

Do

do

do

.do.

.do. .

Vol. 9, page 985
Pamphlet treaty, page 4.

Physician, smith, &c., five y e a r s .

Pamphlet treaty, page 5,

Interest on $1,100,000

Vol. 7, page 546

Thirty instalments
$85,000.

of

interest

on

Vol. 9, page 879

Do.

Annuity of $18,000, thirty instalments, Vol. 7, page 323

Do.

Annuity of $10,000, twenty-seven instalrnents.
Salt and tobacco

Do.

Vol. 7, page 371

,

,

Vol. 7, pages 323 and
372.

4th article treaty August 5, 1851;
$58,000 per y e a r ; forty-five instalments y ^ to be appropriated.
Senate's amendment to 3d article
treaty August 5, 1851; forty-five
instalments of $3,450 to be provided for.
2d article treaty of 1837; one only
yet to be appropriated.
do
do
do
— do
do.
do...
9th article treaty November 24,1848.
7th article treaty September 17,1851,
as amended, $50,000 per year; five
instalments unpaid.
Same article, estimated at $20,000
per year.
3d article treaty September 19,1853,
eighteen payments to be appropriated.
3d article treaty November 29,1854;
one instalment appropriated ; 19
to be provided for.
6th article treaty Noveraber 29,1854,
estiraated at $700 per vear.
6th articletreaty Noveraber 29,1854,
estiraated at $1,000 per year.
6th article treaty November 29,1854,
estimated at $1,660 per year.
Sth article treaty Decern ber 30,1849.
2d article treaty January 10, 1855 ;
one instalraent appropriated—balance
3d article treaty January 10, 1855,
estimated at $2,260 per year, four
years.
4th article treaty November 1,1837.
4th article treaty October 13, 1836,
$4,250 por y e a r ; twenty-one instalments to be yet appropriated.
2d article treaty of August, 1829;
three instalments due.
3d artic le treaty Septeraber 1.5,1832;
three instalments due.
2d article treaty of 1829, and 5th
articletreaty of 1832; three instalments due—say

2,610,000 00
*155,250 00

10,000 00
8,250 00
5,500 00
825 00

16,500 00

250,000 00
100,000 00

tei
hj

9,900 00

O

H3

35,500 00

O
13,300 00
14,000 00

td

14,940 00

a

5,000 00

\>

140,000 00
9,040 00

fe!
o
fc=l
55,000 00

1,100,000 00

54,000 00
30,000 00

3.600 00

* T h e Indians having accepted and removed to the reservations, which the Senate had determined they m u s t relinquish, and Congress having recently authorized the President to
confirra those reservations to them. After such confirmation is formally made and accepted, the question may arise whether the United States is longer bound to pay these items to the
Indians.




Ul

CO

STATEMENT—Continued.
•clJ

.> QJ c i

CJ- C

•->

in in

Q
i J; -= C~r. t„S* 2" "=o ^i io^ ^
=5 C

Names of tribes.

Description of annuities,-stipulations,
&c..

References to laws.

Number of instalments yet unappropriated, explanations, &c.

life's

c: rt .5 ;>>-3 «^ S 5^

G rt

>, O =
^ •- rt
.-•3
-^ ^ =
•QJ ^ E
r3 3 ra

^ C "^ S
> £ . « -iS
o .-2
i^O 3 S
3 ^'C 3
,- tf O S

lllf|.g1S
tJJ a

O^ S: -.3 QJ tJ QJ

g.| o

= £« « rt > IS fi

<5

Winnebagoes—Contin'd.
Do
Wyandotts

T h r e e smiths and assistants, laborers,
Education, agriculturist, and physician.
Three instalments to pay, $380,000...,

3d article treaty of 1829, and 5th
article treaty of 1832; say three
years to be provided for.
4th and Sth anicles treaty SeptemVol. 7, page 372
ber 15,1832, $5,900 peryear; three
payraents to be provided.
Pamphlet treaty, page 6, 6th article treaty January 31,1855;
two instalments yet to be paid.

O
&d

17,700 00

O

fel

253,333 34
$44,430 00

Add for Indians paid by the Treasury Department—
Cherokee Indians remaining'in North Carolina under act of July 29,1848, to w i t : 1,516 Indians, at $53 33 e a c h -

tei
hj

$9,550 00

Vol. 7, page 324

, at 6 p e r c e n t . .

12,590,200 60 .$311,3;:5 59

$6,226,707 86

fej
l>
fel
o
tei

12,671,048 88
This expenditure annually diminishes as the Indians die.

RECAPITULATION.
Annual amount necessary to meet stipulations, indefinite as to time, n o w allowed, but liable to be discontinued
Aggregate of future appropriations that will be required during a limited number of years to pay limited annuities till they expire, and amounts incidentally necessary
to effect the pay rnents
A m o u n t of annual iiabilities of a permanent character
.•
A m o u n t s held by the United States on which 5 per cent, is annually paid; and amounts which, invested at 5 per c e n t , would produce the permanent annuities

$44,430 00
12,671,048 88
311,335 39
6,226,707 86
19,253,522 13

\.
O F F I C E INDIAN A F F A I R S , November 1,




1855.

tei

80,848 28

-—

:

45

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 5.
Statement exhibiting stoclcs held in trust by the Secretary ofi the Interior
fior Indian tribes, under sundry treaties and laws, "(exclusive ofi the
Ghickasaio fiunds.)
Rate per
cent.

Amount.

Creek orphans—2d article treaty of 1832.
United States loan, 1842
State of Virginia
State of Kentucky . ,
State of Missouri
State of Missouri
State of Tennesse

»
--

•
- — . , . .^..

6
6
5
6
5

$49, 900 84
73,800 00
1,000 00
28,000 00
28,041 76
20,000 00
' 200,742 60

Menomonies—article treaty of 1836.
UnitedStates loan, 1842
United States loan, 1847
State of Kentucky
State of Tennessee
State of Missouri

..
„ -...
„... .
-..- = -.

6
6
5
5
6

26,114 88
21,321 10 ^
77,000 00
19,OOO 00
9,967 60
153,403 58'

Ottowas and Chippewas—Uh article treaty of 1836.
United States loan, 1842
United States loan, 1847
State of Virginia
„
State of Tennessee .-.= :,„=.«.„
State of Missouri „o..„oo i,
=

:
,
-

--,

-

6
6
6
5
6

4,588 97
2,274 47
3,000 00
1,000 00
10,062 30
20,925 74

.

Chippewas of Swan Creek—article treaty of 1836.
---

6

5,587 42

.-.-c.—

6

1,571 13

State of Missouri
Ottowas of Roche de Boevf—article treaty of I83I.
State of Missouri

,o»»,

Ottowas of Blanchard's Fork—article treaty of 1831,
State of Missouri

„

•

8,473 22

Chippewas, Ottowas, and Pottawatomies—mills and education—3d
article treaty of 1833.
United States loan, 1842
United States loan, 1847
State of Missouri
State of Maryland
State of Indiana... o.o




o.
-

-.

» / . . . ,.
^^........o...........

7,478
8,317
150
130,850
68, 000

64
37
00
43
00

214,796 44

46

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
Rate per
cent.

Amount.

Senecas and Shawnees—acts of June 14, 1836, and January 9,1837.
State of Missouri...
„o
State of Missouri
„
State of Kentucky
-.

-

-

6

$3,466 10
7 000 00
^^6,000 00

^^^^
-

5

16,466 10
Kansas schools—article treaty of 1835.
United States loan 1842,
„
United States loan, 1847
State of Missouri
State of M i s s o u r i . . . . . . . . . . . .

."

6
6
6

-

4,444
1 540
2, 570
18,000

- -.

66
06
28
00

26,555 00
Choctaws, under convention with Chickasaws—February 17, 1837.
United States loan, 1 8 4 2 . . . . - - . .
State of Virginia
--State of Missouri
=
„

1-

=
...^

6

.

1,734 71
450,000 00
2,000 00
453,734 71

Delawares—education—article treaty of 1829.
United States loan,.1842..„= = =

..^...............

6

7,806 28

6
6

24,679 56
7, 044 46

Osages-—education—article treaty of 1825.
United States loan, 1842- = = .
State of M i s s o u r i . . . . . . . . . . .

..

.^....
......

=0 = 00

==.

31,724 02
Stockbridges and Munsees—article treaty of 1840.
United States loan, 1842=

===00........

6

5,204 16

6
6
6

60,893 62
18,026 97
19,471 20

Choctaws—education, article treaty of 1830.
United States loan, 1842
»
....1......
United States loan, 1847
0-0000.....
0= . . .
State of M i s s o u r i . . . . . . . . . . u . . . . . . . . . a . . . . .
a»oo=. = .




98,391 79
j

EEPORT

ON

THE

47

FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
Amount.

R a t e per
cent.

Wyandotts—Senate amendment to treaty of April 1, 1850.

$105,000 00
1,594 53

State of Tennessee .
State of Missouri . -

106,594 53
Cherokee schools—1819.
State of Missouri
State of Maryland
United States Loan, 1847

$10,000 00
41,138 00
5,800 00

-.

56,938 00
Cherokee—article treaty of 1835; supplement of 1836.
State
State
State
State
State

of
of
of
of
of

Virginia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Maryland
Michigan.

--

$270,000 00
250,000 00
94,000 00
761 39
64,000 00

<»c = oo
„-

-.
--..

678,761 39
Senecas—acts June 14, 1836, and January 9, 1837.
State of Kentucky

5,000 00

RECAPITULATION.
Creek orphans
Menomonies
Ottowas and Chippewas
Chippewas of Swan creek
.^
Ottowas of Roche de Boeuf.
Ottowas of Blanchard's F o r k
Chippewas, Ottowas, and Pottawatoraies
Senecas and Shawnees
Kanzas schools
Choctaws, under convention with Chickasaws
Delaware education
„
Osages, education
»
•
Stockbridges and Munsees
Choctaws, education
V^yandotts
Cherokees, schools, 1819
Cherokees, treaty 1835-'6
Senecas
o. o . o . . , _ _ _ _ _ _ » .




'.

-

.--

-

_.
o....

$200,742
153,403
20, 925
5,587
1;57I
8J 473
214,796
16, 466
26, 555
453,734
7,806
31,724
5,204
98, 391
106,594
56,938
678,761
5,000

60
58
74
42
13
22
44
10
00
71
28
02
16
79
53
00
39
00

2,092,676 11

48

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 5—Continued,
List ofi trust fiund bonds in custody of the Treasurer of the United
States for safe-keeping, fior the benefit ofi the Chickasaivs,
141 Indiana five per cent., for $1,000 each, payable in 1857, interest January
and July
--.
61 Indiana five per cent., for $1,000 each, payable in 1856, interest January
and July
1 Maryland five per cent., payable after 1849
. . ..^
1 Maryland five per cent., payable after 1844
1 Maryland six per cent., payable after 1870
1 Maryland six per cent., payable after 1890
104 Tennessee six per cent., for $1,000 each, payable in 1890, interest January
and July
:
L.
3 Ohio sixper cent., payable after 1856
50 Missouri six per cent., for $1,000 each, with coupons to July, 1856
17 Illinois sixper cent., for $1,000 each, payable after 1860
100 Richmond and Danville Railroad six per cent, for $1,000 each payable in
1876
:
512 Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, six per cent., for $1, 000 each, payable
in 1881
20 United States loan of 1842, six per cent
oo....
1 United States loan of 1846
21 United States loan of 1847
6 United States loan of I84'8
o...
90 Arkansas six per cent., for $1,000 each, payable in 1868
Five and a quarter per cent, bonds of the State of Tennessee, in custody
of the depository at Nashville
^
„
...o

$141,000 00
61,000 00
13,000 00
11,233 00
6,149 57
8, 350 17
104,000
100,000
50,000
17, 000

00
00
00
00

100,000 00
512,000
124,970
51,913
135,250
37,491
90,000

00
00
26
00
80
00

66,666 66
1, 630, 024 46

Smithsonian Fund,
Amount of stocks purchased by the Seeretary of the Treasury:
Stateof Arkansas
..--.'
--=
Stateof Michigan
=
="«
State of Illinois
....-'
Stateof Ohio
......o.o..
United States loan.... o . . . . _ . . . . _ _
_ =...................

$538,000 00
8,000 00
56,000 00
18,000 00
106,184 85
726,184 85

RECAPITULATION.
Stocks held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior for Indian
tribes, (exclusive of Chickasaws)
,
$2,092,676 11
Trust fund bonds in the custody of the Treasurer of the United
States for safe-keeping, for tho benefit of the Chickasaws..-. 1,630, 024 46
3,72.2,700 57
Amount of stocks purchased by the Secretary of the Treasury
for the Smithsonian fund... _ o

726,184 85
4,448, 885 42

OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,




November 1, 1855.

REFORT ON THE FINANCES.

49

No. 6.
Trust or special fiunds on the books ofi the Treasury on 30^A June,
1855,
Smitlisonian Institution....................
$55,219 48
Unclaimed merchandise..
94,981 85
Eefunding surplus proceeds of property, sold for direct
tax..
,
4,476 43
Claims on Spain, (old)
2,427 31
Claims on France, (old)
11,731 02
Awards under first article of treaty of Ghent
4,112 89
Awards under the convention with Denmark
2,453 53
Awards under the convention with the Two Sicilies
166 67
Awards under the convention with the Queen of Spain,
11
Awards under the convention with Peru.,..
.c.
19,588 79
Awards under the convention with King ofthe French,
4,945 94
Awards under the convention with the Mexican Eepublic
...,
2,250 47
Awards under the convention with Brazil
16,672 95
Carrying into effect treaty with Chickasaws of October
20, 1832, per act of Aprii 30, 1836...
110,531 87
Chickasaw orphans, under eighth article of treaty of
July 1, 1834...
2,341 04
Incompetent Indians, under fourth article bf Chickasaw
treaty
'
3,653 56
Cherokee schools.....
."
11,909 35
Kansas schools
,.
13,340 09
Choctaw schools......
,
670 86
Navy hospital fund
,
,
89,630 44
Navy pension fund
70,615 60
Privateer's pension fund......
505 80
Prize fund—a fund arising from captures, paid into the
treasury under act of third March, 1849, but which is
. payable to captors......
49,472 21
Cherokee orphans...
,
1,035 00
Cherokee treaty, 1835-6.
.'.....,...
18,557 38
Chippewas, Ottawas, .and Pottawatomies; education....
15,660 23
Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawatomies; mills
20,091 14
Chippewas'and Swari Creek
1,642 00
Choctaw orphan reservation
...o...,
5,550 26
Choctaws, under convention with Chickasaws
,
15,848 62
Creek orphans
<.
7,650 10
Delawares
,..,
...„
356 41
Menomonies c
,..
3^722 11
Osages; education
<...,
,
13,850 99
Ottawas of Blanchard's forks...,
,
104 07
Ottawas of Roche de Bo3uf.......
433 58
Ottawas and Chippewas
,,,,....,.....,..
2,326 76
4
.



50

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 6—Continued.
Shawnees
Senecas
Senecas of New York
Senecas and Shawnees......
Stockbridges and Munsees
Wyandots......
,.....,,....,,..............,.0........




$1,438
125
108
446
156
2,672

10
00
21
48
12
84

.683,373 66

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

51

GOLD, SILVER, AND BANK NOTES.

Totalofspecie
in the coun.try.

Statement ofi the amount ofi gold and silver supposed to be in circulation,
ofi the^amount supposed to be in thc banks, ofi, the whole amount supposed to be inthe country, and ofi the amoiint ofi bank notes in circulation in different years, according to the authorities quoted in the
margin.
. "o •

Years.

.s§

•el

P-,

• cu

m
Millions.
1790.
1791
1792
1793.
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800
, 1801
T802
1803
1804
•1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816.
1817
1818
1819
1820
I82I
1822
1823
18241825
1826'
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835

Millions. Millions.
^.
9
16
18
• 20
211
19 •
.16^
16^
14
17
-

••

m
20 .

'i5.*4

"""{fi'

iJ"

19




22!i

Authorities.

Millions.

^

..

11.6
11
104
10"
9
10
10|
11
10
11
14
15
17 •

18 '

Blodget
...'....
. . . . do
....do
' " "
....do...
**•
...do
'
...do.
' "*"
...do
.;
;•
....do..
*
...do....
.........
...do.................
'
...do.
....do;
••"•
...do..
;
do
..'.'. do.*.'.".'..'.". '.'..*.';
....do..
...do
....do
*.'.'*.*..'.*.*.'.*.;!

28to'36" Gallatin.**.*.'.'..'.'*.'.' .".'.*.'.! !*. [ [[[ [] \ [ ]
** "
• • •" • 2gi •. 45 to*47*' G a l l a t i n . . . . ' . ' [,', '.'*..'.".*
68 to 70
Gallatin
* * *.'.".*.' ] [ " [ [ '

""'"ig.'s

io"

o

. ^

1 7 | -

17
I6i
16
174'
18"

. . . . . . . . i .

CD

44:*8 Gallatin... . . . f i . . ! *. '.**.'**** "*.'.' \ \ '

32.*i

61*.* Gallatin

94** Congressional rie.ports
103 . Treasury report

.*.*.*.*!'!"*

!!!°I
...,...,,

52

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 7—Continued.
.2 i
Years

Authorities.

.2 ^
CD

a,"

PH

Ul

Ul

1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855

Millions.
25
35.
52|
42
50
35 to 45
50
52
55
85
66
77
109
138

PQ

Millions. Millions. Millions,
40
.65
140
38
73
149
35
87 i
116
45
87 ^
135
33
83
107
35
107
70 to 80
28.^
83.7
33|
.58.5,
50
100
75
44
96
90
42
'97
'
1051
35
120
1054
46
112
. 1284
43
120
ii4':7
45
154
131
48
186
155

191

59
54

204
236
250

Woodbury
".....
Woodbury
Woodbury
Hazard, (Commercial Register).
Woodbury
Gouge, (Journal of Banking)...

Hunt, (Merchant's Magazine).
Estimates.
..do....;
..do
:
..do
..do.....
..do
,
..do......;
..do
..do
204.61 ..do
..do
187

Mem.—The amounts of specie in the banks and of bank notes in circulation from 1835 to
1855, inclusive, have been taken from the annual treasury reports on the condition of the
banks. The araount of specie supposed to be in circulation in different years is according to
the authorities quoted in the margin. The estimates are from Doc. 34, (page 280,) appended to the Report on Finances of December 4,1854, except that for 1855, which has been
completed from data more lately^received.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.

For the sake of convenience, the. years in the table will be divided
into different periods:
First period, from 1790 i^o 1804. • - ^
The only estiniates we have of the amount of specie in the country, "
and of bank notes in circulation, in this period, are those offered by
Blodget in his Economica, for the years from 1790 to 1804, inclusive.
He was an ingenious and intelligent man; but his estimates must be
regarded as mere conjectures. In those days, no account was taken
at, the custom-houses of the amount of gold and-, silver exported and
iinported; and the banks published no statements of their affairs.
The South American mines yielded^ in this period, a fair return,
and great part of their produce found its way to Europe through the
United States. The suspension of specie payments by the Bank of
England in 1797, and the free use of paper money on the-continent
of Europe, diminished to some extent the.demand for specie in the
eastern hemisphere, and had' a tendency to increase the amount in
this country.
. . . / . , . ,



53

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The mint at Philadelphia commenced operations in a regular way
in 1793. The aggregate coinage of gold and silver from that time
till 1804, was $4,138,204 25, or less than-$350,000 for each year.
The coin in circulation was chiefly Spanish and Portuguese.
In the year 1790, with wliich Blodget commenced his table, the following named banks were all that were in operation:
Name.
Bank
Bank
Bank
Bank

of
of
of
of

North America
New York . . . .
Massachusetts.
Maryland

Location.

Began
'Capital. operat'n.

Philadelphia.. $750,000
New York.... 400,000
Boston
400,000
Baltimore . . . . 400,000

1782
1784
1784
1790

In the year 1791, the first Bank of the United States was instituted,
with a caj)ital of ten million dollars. Except for a short time: after
its conimencement, it issued no notes of a less denomination.than ten
dollars. During this period, few banks, except perhaps those of New
England, issued notes of a less denomination than five dollars.
As a consequence, gold and silver were, as iis seen in Blodget's
tables, and as is confirmed by other, authorities, more abundant than
bank notes.
Acommittee of the United States House, of Kepresentatives, Campbell P. White, chairman, say, in a report dated March 17, 1832:
^^From 1783 until the late war, (i. e. the war of 1812-'15,) the
quantity of gold and silver in circulation was very large—amply sufficient to maintain a salutary degree of regularity in the total amount
of currency, and calculated to secure, as far as legal regulations can
secure, the very desirabl.e object, that,'every person who has coins of
either silver or gold, may easily exchange them for coins of the other
metal, and that the people m.ay enjoy the advantages of using either
species of co,ins, according to convenience or pleasure."'
A committee of the United States senate say,- in their '^ Eeport on
Coins,''February 22, 1831:
' ' I t may be af&rmed that our currency, at the adoption of the Constitution, was almost entirely composed of gold and silver money: the
Bank of North America was in operation, but its notes had not likely
much circulation. In 1791, the first Bank of theUnited States was
instituted; but it is presumed that its issues were neither very great,
nor perhaps intended to be of that denomination which passes into
wide circulation, as General Hamilton, who projected that institution,
-was of opinion that 'bank circulation is desirable rather as an auxiliary to, than-as a substitute for, that of the precious metals. It is
believed that, so lately as the year 1800, coin constituted the bulk
of the circulation, and was the chief instrument used for effecting
exchanges of small amount.' Bank notes were rarely seen south of
the Potomac, or west of the mountains; and having had probably a
restricted circulation in the interior of any State, it is not unlikely but
that the people of the United States, until that period, (banks being
too few and distant to be used as general depositories,) did enjoy the
advantage of "using either species of coinS; according to convenience
or pleasure,"



54

, REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

A Virginia writer gives the following account of those times :•
" F r o m the adoption of. the federal Constitution iri ,1787 down to
1804, banks were unknown 'in Virgiriia, with the exception of a
branch ofthe old United States B a n k i n Norfolk, about 1799 or 1800.
The paper of this, bank scarcely found its way into the interior of the
country; and it may be truly said, the currency of the country was
metaUic. Until the year 1798, no people enjoyed, more happiness or
prosperity than the people of the United States, nor did any country^
ever flourish more within the space of time. The desk of every .
agriculturist in Virginia had some gold or silver to spare, if he was a
prudent, industrious man; or he had something like money to spare
in the hands of his merchant, who, in the days of which I am speaking, acted as a banker to his prospering customers. Nor was any
interest paid upon such moneys as might be deposited in the hands of
the merchant; because both planter and merchant considered themselves accomniodated by the arrangement.;" the planter in haying his
money safely kept for him till he wanted to use it, and the merchant •
in having the use of the money until it was called for. Under such
circumstances none will doubt .the happy condition - of both planter
and merchant; and if the view be. somewhat extended, it will be
found that this state of prosperity was not confined to one or two
classes of society, but extended to all. The man. embarrassed mightreadily sell something and to advantage, to pay his debts.. The cur. rency of the country, being specie, was widely scattered through the
land, and in diversified hands, so that its coricentration at any particular point was impossible; and consequently its removal from the .
country could not happen to any great extent. .
" I know there are many who, in order to effect present objects, •
insist that commerce could not be carried on without the aid of banks.
To this I answer, how was commerce carried on before we had banks?
Will anybody deny there was any commerce in the country at that
time? No one will ^be found hardy enough to take this ground; for
every intelligent man of forty years knows that before there were any
banks in Virginia the foreign commprce of the country was greater,
than it has ever been since, and the country far more prosperous. Nor
was there the. least inconvenience in transmitting money from one
point to another through the merchants, whose credit then was as good.
as the credit of the banks now, if not better. Banks have destroyed
the credit and confidence which men had in one a^nother.
" No people had more cause to rejoice than the people of Virginia;
but, alas, the banks came, and all things became changed. Like the
Upas tree, they have withered and destroyed the healthful condition
of the country, and inflicted on the people political and pecuniary
diseases of the most deadly character."
According to Blodget, the number of banks, and the amount of their
authorized capital, in the different years of this period, was as follows:




55

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Years.

Capital authorized.

1T90

11,950,000
12,950,000
17,150,000
18,000,000
18,000,000
19,000,000
19,200,000
19,200,000
19,200,000
21,200,000
21,350,000
22,400,000
22,600,000
26,000,000
39,500,000

mi
1792
1T93
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800,
1801
1802
1803
1804

But a sniall part of the capital of the State hanks was paid in, so
that, prohahly, during the greater part if not the whole of this period^
the capital of the first Bank of the United States exceeded the paid
Tip capital of all the State hanks put together.
According to a table which Mr. Woodbury, as Secretary of theTreasury, appended to his report on the banks, of January 4, 1837, the
banks were, in diiferent intervals of this period, distributed as follow:
1792.

1805.

I80I.

States.
cd '-d

13 .S

Maiue
New Hampshire
Massachusetts.......
Rhode Island.r
Connecticut
New York . , ,
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware.
Maryland
District of Columbia.
Virginia ,
Nortli Carolina
South Carolina
Louisiana
Kentucky

poo, 000
2,200,000
400,000

500,000
1,260,000
2,000,000

poo, 000

$1,100,000
,100,000
7,425,000
1,728,000
2,000,000
5,430,000
1,000,000
7,000,000
110,000

400,000
3,850,000
1,070,000
2,000,000
4,720,000

500,000
500,000

5,000,000
110,000
1,600,000
1,500,000

675,000

•3,000,000

8,935,000
10,000,000

23,550,000
10,000,000

18,935,000

33 33,550,000

'5,800, ooe
2,000,000
1,500,000
450,000
3,000,000
500,000
150,000
200,000

Ohio

Total of State banks.
• United States bank . .
TotaL




12

40,493,000
10,000,000

76

50,493,000

56

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Second period, firom 1804 io 1812.
In a copy of his Economica, at present in the Eegister's Office, Mr.
Blodget inscribed in his own handwriting estimates of the amount of
bank notes in circulation, and of the aniount of specie in the country in
1805, 1806 and 180Y. There are inserted in the table, together with
an estimate made by Mr. Gallatin in 1830-'31, of the amount of notes
in circulation and of the specie in the banks at the commencement of
1811. They are the only estimates on record, or at least the only ones
worthy of attention, of the amount of specie and bank notes in this
period.
At this time the mines of the precious metals were very productive.
" T h e annual supply of the mines of America, Asia and Europe,''
says Gallatin, "reached its highest point in the years 1803-1810, and
amounted then to fifty millions of dollars, or to about one and one
fourth per cent, of the whole quaritity of the precious metals then
existing in Europe and America." A goodly portion of this treasure
reached the United States, but a very great part of it was exported,
almost as soon as imported, to China and the East Indies. There was
little demand for it in England, as inconvertible paper was then the
money of that country.
The coinage of gold and silver at the mint at Philadelphia
amounted^ from 1805 to 1813, to a little more than eight millions,
or an average a little more than |900,000 a year. The coins in use
continued to be chiefly Spanish and Portuguese.
Notes of a less denomination than five dollars were in free use in
New England, and perhaps in parts of New York and New Jersey;
but not much in the other States. The Bank of North America is, it
is believed, the only bank in Pennsylvania that issued dollar notes.
The Bank of the United States issued no notes of a less denomination
than ten dollars.
The charter of this last named bank expired in March, 1811.
According to a report made by Mr. Gallatin, as Secretary of the
Treasury, in March, 1809, the average amount of the circulation of
this bank and its branches was four millions and a half of dollars,
while the average amount of specie in its vaults was five millions.
At that particular time, the specie in'the vaults of the bahk and its
branches exceeded the average by several million dollars.
Mr. Crawford says in his report of Eebruary, 1820:. ,
'
" F r o m a return ofa former Bank ofthe United States^ made to the
treasury in 1808, it appears that with $15,300,000 of specie it circulated only 14,787,000 of notes. Another return made in 1810 shows
that its condition was not materially changed."
The policy of the banks in New England was widely 'different.
They pushed their issues to the very limits of their credit, some of
them issuing notes for even fractional parts of the dollar. The result
was, that there was in 1808-'9 a grand explosion among the banks
of New England, by which most of them were shattered, and some
of them totally destroyed.
The directors of the Bank of Soutii Carolina^, in a report dated October 1, 1819, give the following view of the condition of the banks up
to 1812:



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

57

"During a long period of that revolution which, for a quarter of a
' century, has convulsed and desolated Europe, the United States enjoyed the great advantages of a neutral nation. As long as a state
of war existed between Spain and Great Britain, the citizens of this
country became the carriers and- commercial agents of Spain^ and
nearly all the nietallic treasure of Mexico passed through our hands.
During this period gold and silver were abundant, and there existed
no difficulty in procuring S23ecie for any demand, and to any amount,
which our financial and commercial arrangements required. The
vaults of our banks are said to have overflowed with silver. From
the peace of Amiens, (in 1801,) however, this influx'of silver abated;
our commerce with the Spanish colonies, which had been the accidental result of war, declined; and the wealth of that country was
restored in a great measure to its current channels; and when the
invasion of Spain by Bonaparte, in 1808, threw that ill-fated countr.y
and her colonies into the arms of Great Britain, a new direction was
• given to their treasure, and almost a new monopoly created for their
commerce. At the commencement, the embargo (which our disputes
with the European powers induced our government to impose on our
commerce) began to act with great effect on the specie capital of the
country; for, when our produce could he no longer exported, all who
had any engagements to meet in foreign countries, all to whom remittances abroad were advantageous, if not indispensable, transmitted
specie as the commodity most easily concealed and transported. From
thi^ time the amount of specie rapidly diminished. The unsettled
state of our commercial and political regulations with foreign powers,
.during the three succeeding years, prevented a new accumulation, and
soon after our declaration of war against Great Britain, in 1812, the
'banks throughout ^he middle and southern States, which for some years
had been paying specie reluctantly and sparingly, suspended altogether their specie payments.''
Third period, firom 1812 to 1820.^
1812. War with Great Britain declared in June, and an attempt
made to carry it on by loans of bank credits and bank notes. ^
1813. The banks of the middle States lend liberally to government,
and as a consequence increase their issues. The banks of the New
England States lend sparingly, if at all; and by diminishing their
issues cause specie to flow from the other States into New England.
Part of this is exported in payments for foreign goods.
1814. . The banksin the middle States continue to lend their notes
and credits to ^government, and specie continues to flow into New England, whence part of it is exported. There is also an export of specie
through Amelia island, on the coast of Florida, adjoining Georgia.
In August, the.banks of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore suspended specie payments, and the suspension became general throughout the Union, with the exception of the banks of New England.
Through the residue of the year, specie bore a premium of from 14
to 20 per cent, in the bank notes of the large cities of the middle
States.
1815. The news of peace was received in February, only six. months.



58

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

after the suspension of specie payments, and specie, which had been at
New York at 15 per cent, premium in January, fell immediately
to 2 per cent. But the banks did not resume specie payments, and
instead of diminishing their issues, increased them, being encouraged
therein by the United States government, which continued to receive
their inconvertible paper in payment of public dues. From- June to
I)ecember, specie was at New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, at
various rates of premium, from 9 to 22-1 per cent.
., The exports of specie increased, not so much to England, which
continued to use inconvertible paper, but to the East Indies, China,
and other countries. The author of a pamphlet, signed Publicola,
published at New York in 1815, says: "Those who believe that bank
paper is redundant, may fairly urge that the rej)ort of the real scarcity
of specie has been industriously circulated; that it was as firmly maintained four months since as at the present moment; and, in the interim,
upwards of six million dollars have been exported. Certain-English
houses in New York and Baltimore can corroborate this fact."
• 1816. The banks coiitinue to issue abundantly, and the export of
specie continues accordingly. In July, American coin was'at 16 to
17 premium at Philadelphia, arid Spanish at 18 to 18^. Afterwards,
chiefly in consequence of.a resolution of Congress, prohibiting the
receipt of inconvertible paper in payment of public dues, after the
20th of Februray, 1817, there is a reduction of the amount of paper
in circulation, and a fall iri the" premium on specie. It was at Philadelphia at 6 to 7 per cent, premium in December. The coinage of
gold, and. silver this year was only $28,000. In 1815 it was only
$20,000.
•• fi
1817. The Bank ofthe United States opened its doors at Philadelphia, January 1. By the 20th of February there was a partial resump-"
tion. of specie payments. The banks in some of the States diminished .
their issues considerably. But the vacuum thus created was fully
supplied by the United States Bank, so that at the close of the year
there appears to have been as much paper in circulation as at the
beginning.
1818. In the,spring of this year the local bank mania reached its
height. More than two luindred new banks appear to have been projected in various parts of the Union. The united issues of the United
•States Bank and of the local banks drove specie from the country in
large quantities. The directors of the United States Bank (Strove to
arrest this evil h j fiorced importations of specie. Between July, 1817,
and July,' 1818, upwards of seven millions were imported at a cost to
the bank of about^ $500,000; but as the original cause of the efflux,
namely, an excess of paper currency, continued to operate, those millions went out ofthe country almost as fast as they came in. " I myself have seen," said William Jones, the first president ofthe United
States Bank, "a.detailed statement of five million dollars exported
from the ports of Boston and Salem alone in twelve months, and from
this data the aggregate amount exported in twelve months from the
United States could not have been in the same period short of twelve
millions of dollars."
•The directors of the Bank of the State of South Carolina say: " I n
the first six months of 1818, it is probable that upwards of $800,000



59

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

in specie were thrown into general circulation in the city of Charleston. It is probable that by the first of November in that year not
$50,000 remained in the State; we are confident that not $10,000
could have been found in the city of Charleston."
.1819. During this year the .contraction began in July, 1818, was
continued, and multitudes of banks and individuals were broken.
The amount ,of paper currency was greatly reduced, and yet specie
did not flow into the country in any great quantities. This appears
to have been owing chiefly to the following causes:
First. The diminution in the. supply from the mint in South
America.
Frpm 1803 to 1810 they had yielded, according to
Gallatin, fifty. milliohs a^year;. from 1811 to 1830, embracing the
period now under consideration, they^ according to the same
authority, yielded only twenty-seven millions a year.
Secondly. The preparations inaking for the resumption of specie
. payments by the. Bank of England.
These greatly increased the
demand,for the precious metals in.Great Britain.
Thirdly. .Tihe efforts made by som-e of the governments of Europe
to supplant their, paper currencies with, specie. The gold and silver
imported by Austria and Eussia,. with that yiew, are said to have
amounted, iii one year alone^ (1818,) tO: nearly one hundred million
dollars.
'•
/ '
1820. This year was much, as 1819; but, towards the close of it,
the banks settled down into what Mr. Niles, in his Eegister, calls
" a state of regularity," but the effects of the disorderly banking of
previous years were severely felt through the land.
' -,
According to Mr. Crawford's computation, the whole amount of
specie in circulation at the commencement of 1820 was only four
millions and a half. .
"
Of the amount of bank circulatiori, arid of specie iri the vaults of
the bank, for any of the years of this period, we have no estimates,
except those made by Mr. Crawford in 1819-'20, and those made by
Mr. Gallatin in 1830-'31.
:
As Mr. Gallatin had fuller data to guide him, his estimates are
inserted in the table.
^
•
Mr. Crawford's estimates are as. follows, in round millions:
Capital.

Specie in.the banJi.

Millions. "^

Millions.

1813
1815..
1819.

;...

65
,
88
125

•

28 •
16i
21

Circulation.

Millions.

62 to 70
99 to 110
45 to 53

Mr.^ Gallatin is confiderit that the amount of bank note circulation
could not have exceeded thirty millions iri 1811, forty-seven millions
in 1815, and seventy millions in 1816, and he believes that the
amo.unt was but little below forty-five millions in 1819-'20. , Yet he
thinks these variations in the country quite sufficient to cause all the



60

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

pecuniary and commercial evils with which the country was afflicted
for many years after the close ofthe war.
According to the table appended to Mr. Woodbury's report of
January 4, 1837, the bank is were, just before the commencement of
and at different intervals of this eventful period, distributed among
the States as follows. Their capital is "estimated."
January, 1811. January, 1815. January, 1816. January, 1820.
State.

1^
O

0-^

Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey....,
Pennsylvania
Delaware....,...,..
Maryland
District of Columbia.
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Alabaraa
Louisiana
Mississippi
Tennessee
•
Kentucky
Missouri . .•
Illinois..
Indiana
Ohio
•„..

.|1,250,000
815,250

Total of State banks
United States Bank..

42,720,601 20c,82,259,599 246-89,822,422 307 102,210,611
1 35,000,000
10,000,000

Total

8^1,380,000
10, 941,152

§1,860,000
998,121

2111,050,000
14 2,027,000
10 3,655,750
2618,946,3181
l i : 2,121,932
4215,068,818
5! 996,990
7,832,002
4,078,295
4,121,097
1,576,600
3,730,9001
623,580

11,650,000
2,317,320
4,017,57.5|
18,766,7561
2,072,115|
15,384,597
974,500
8,406,782
4,294,013
4,512,177
2,776,600
3,823,758
1,502,600

100,000
240,260

1,432,300
100,000
212,9621
959,175

1,422,300!
100,000
815,281:
2,059,0001

895,000

12 1,434,719

21 2,061,9271

6,292,144
1,917,0001
1,933,000
7,522,760
739,7401
6,153,150
110,000
4,895;202
2,341,395
1,500,000
1,576,600
3,475,000
210,000
754,000

15 §1,654,900
1( 1,005,276
ll
44,955
28i 10,485,700
30| 2,982,026
8 3,689,337
33 18,988,774
14 .2,130,949
36 14,681,780
6
974,900
14 6,708,131
13 5,525,319
4 5,212,192
3 2,964,887
5 4,475,000
4 3,401,510
3
469,112
4 • 2,597,420
1
.900,000
• 8
2,119,782
42 8,807,431
1
250,000
21
140,910
2
202,857
20 1,797,463

89 52,720,601 208,82,259,599 246 89,822,422 308 137,210,611

Fourth period, firom 1820 to 1830.

'

The only estimate we have of the amount of paper circulation in
this period, after the commericement of the year 1820, is that of Mr.
Gallatin for the 1st of January, 1830. The increase ofthe number of
banks, in these ten years, was, according to the same authority, only
twenty-two, of their capital only eight millions, and of their circulation only sixteen millions and a. half; yet, from the accounts of such
of the banks as have made returns, and from the evidence of contemporary writers, there were, in this period, ruinous fluctuations in the
amount of our paper currency.
• With the year commencing October 1, 1820, the usage began of
requiring at the custom-houses accounts of the amount of gold and
silver imported and exported.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

61

In the two years ending September 30, 1822, according to these accounts, the export of gold and silver exceeded the imports in nearly
ten millions. This was a heavy drain from a country in which there
was, in 1820, according to Mr. Crawford, only four and a half millions
in circulation, and, according to Mr. Gallatin, less than twenty millions in'the banks.
The main cause of this great drain was the resumption of specie '
payments b y t h e Bank of England in 1821, with the simultaneous
suppression in that country of all notes of a less denomination than
five pounds sterling.
" During the four years which immediately followed the resumption
.of specie payments in England," says Mr. Gallatin, " t h a t occurrence caused an extraordinary demand of more than twenty millions
sterling in gold, or about twenty-four millions of dollars a year^ being
near three times as much as the annual supply of that metal; and
this dema-nd was met without any difficulty or sensibly enhancing
the price of gold," i. e., as estimated in silver.
England, being the creditor of all the world, did not find it very
difficult to collect as much .gold as she wanted; but the demand pressed
heavy on the United States, a debtor country. During this pressure
our gold coins all left us.
After this pressure abated, others, having their origin in various
causes, took effect, so that, althpugh in the eight years ending with
September 30, 1828, the imports.of gold and silver were upwards of
fifty-three and a half millions, they were exceeded by the exports in
the sum of nearly eleven millions.
Mr. John White, the cashier of the Branch Bank of the United
States at Baltimore, in a letter dated February 15, 1830, and addressed to Mr. Ingham^ Secretary ofthe Treasury, gave the following
striking view of the condition of things in this and part of the preceding period:
" Congress fixed the relative value of gold at one for fifteen of
silver ; and, under the natural presumption that gold and silver coin
would compose a portion of the general circulation, it has also been
enacted that a tender of either of these metals should be the only legal
mode of discharging obligations. In practice, hoioever, and in fiact,
our currency consists' altogether ofi paper. In this State, (Maryland,)
and in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and perhaps some others, the fractional parts, of a dollar circulate in sufficient, quantity to purchase
with coin marketing, or other low priced necessaries; but in the
Carolinas, Georgia, and all that great district eastward of Pennsylvania^ comprising 'the States most distinguished for commerce and
manufactures and for wealth, there is no transfer of the value of the
established unit that is not effected by paper; this bank paper is
sustained by public confidence, on a specie basis, considered sufficient
to liquidate balances accruing among the several States, and to supply
the demands of foreign commerce. *
^
^
*
^^
" The banks; which furnish the circulating medium, find their interest, as they conceive, in sustaining the necessary issues by the
smallest amount of metallic coin, consistent with their ideas of
efficiency and safety.
*
*
. *^ .
^K ' *
^K
" I t is a practical truth, uniformly realized, that paper and coin,



\

62

REPORT ON THE FINANCESo

ofi the same denomination, will not circulate together; and my assent to
the correctness of that principle convinces riie that the laudable intention of the committee of the Senate,- in recommending the coinage of
dollars, with the view of iniproving the currency, by placing and •
maintaining them in general circulation, will, without doubt, be
entirely frustrated in all those States where notes of one dollar are
issued. Entertaining the opinion that the banldng system, judiciously administered, confers many and important advantages upon
commercial and manufacturing communities, and conceiving also that
the progress in prosperity of every nation is intimately interwoven
with a wise regulation of pecuniary concerns, I have been accustomed
to advert with interest to all important vicissitudes,
"Looking back to the peace of 1815, a short period, fresh in the
memory of every man, the wretched state of our currency for the two .
succeeding years cannot be overlooked. The disasters of 1819, which
seriously affected the circumstances, property, and industry of every
district of the United States will be long recollected. A sudden and
pressing scarcity of money prevailed in the spring of 1822. Numerous and very extensive failures took place at New York,- Savannah,
Charleston, and New Orleans in 1825. There was a great convulsion
among banks and other moneyed institutions in the State of New
. York in 1826. The scarcity of money among the traders in thatState, and eastward, in the winter of 1827 and 1828, was distressing
and alarming. Failures of banks.in Ehode Island and North Carolina, and amongst the manufacturers of New England and of this
State, characterize the last year ; and intelligence, is just received of
the refusal of some of the' principal banks in Georgia to redeem
their notes with specie ; a lamentable and .rapid succession of evil and
untoward events, prejudicial to the progress of productive industry,.
and causing a baneful extension of embarrassment, insolvency, litigation, and dishonesty, alike subversive of social happiness and.
morals. 'Ever)^ intelligent mind must express regret and astonishment at the occurrence of these disasters in tranquil times and bountiful seasons, amongst an enlightened, enterprising, and industrious
people, comparatively free froiri taxation, unrestrained in our pursuits,
possessing abundance of fertile lands and valuable minerals, with
capital and capacity to improve, and an ardent disposition to avail
ourselves of the advantages of tho^e great bounties.
.."Calamities of an injurious and demoralizing nature, occurring
with singular frequency, amidst a profusion of all the elements of
wealth, are well calculated to inspire and enforce the conviction that
there is something materially and radically erroneous in our monetary system, were it not that the judgment hesitates to yield assent
when grave, enlightened, and patriotic senators^ have deliberately
announced to the public, in a recent report, that 'our system of
money is in the main excellent, and in most of its great principles no
innovation can be made with advantage.' "
In 1829 and 1830, the last two years of this period^ the imports of
gold and silver exceeded the exports in the sum of • nearly eight millions and a half of dollars, exhibiting a remarkable contrast with the
preceding eight years.
. ' .




REPORT O.N THE FINANCES.

63

This excess in the imports of gold and silver appears to have been
owing mainly to the following causes :
First. The measures taken by Virginia/Maryland, and Pennsylvania for suppressing the circulation of small notes within the bounds
of those States. . The.act of Pennsylvania, which proved most effective, went into full operation January 1, 1829.
Secondly. A practice adopted by the Bank of the United States of
drawing bills on England for the accommodation of the merchants
engaged in the trade with China and the East Indies. Previous to
this the usage had been to export silver directly to China and.. the
East Indies in payment for our imports from those countries. The
new system of bill drawing, adopted by the United States Bank,
deferred, though it did not remove, the demand for specie for exportation.
- Fifith period, I'&^O to i m i .
Near the commencement of this period estimates were made by>a
committee of the Senate, of which Mr. Sandford was chairman, and by
Mr. Taney, as Secretary, of the Treasury, ofthe amount of specie and
bank notes in circulation; but as these estimates had refererice to an
average of years, rather than to any particular year, it is thought best
to insert them in the notes rather than in the table, as, without the
explanations offered by the authors, they might mislead the reader..
Mr. Sandford says in his report of December 15^ 1830:
" T h e coins now in the United States, and the bank notes now cir- .
dilating, are estimated to amount to about 100 millions of dollars.
The coins are estimated to amount to about 23 millions of dollars, of
which sum it is estimated that about 15 millions of dollars are held
"by the banks, and about 8 millions of dollars in circulation among the
people.. The bank notes in circulation are estiinated to amount to
about.77 millions of dollars. The sum of 15 millions of dollars of coin
is the estimated average, of the coins held by the banks. The banks
in the principal seaports have, at this time, an increased quantity of
coin."
A committee of the House of Eepresentatives, of which Mr. Campbell P. White was chairman, in a report dated March 17, 1832, made
an estimate that the circulation of the banks had increased, from January 1, 1830, to March, 1832, in the ratio of nearly fifty per cent.,
without any increase of the specie in their vaults. To guide them in
this estimate they had returns from the United States Bank, 'and from
the banks in Massachusetts, Ehode Island, New York, and Pennsyl. vania.
• Mr. Tany, Secretary of the Treasury, offers the following observations in a special report, dated April 15, 1834:
" Judging from the best information which the department has
been able to obtain, the paper of the various banks (including the Bank
of the United States) in circulation, in ordinaryfii^niQ^, amounts to at
least 80 millions of dollars. Of this sum the Bank of the United
States furnishes generally less than 20 millions, and the various State
banks more than 60 millions; the specie in the vaults of the same



64

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

banks, to support these extended credits, does not, probably, exceed
25 millions.
" I n estimating the amount of specie, I confine myself to the coin
supposed to be in possession of the banks. In some of the States the
circulation of notes below five dollars is prohibited by law, and in
those States there is a considerable amount of specie passing from hand
to hand, and forming a part of the ordinary circulation. It does not,
however, probably exceed four millions.
" Gold and silver will never circulate where banks issue notes which
come in competition with them; for it will invariably happen that
when the circulating medium is composed of different kinds of money,
and one of them is less valuable than the other, but not sufficiently
depreciated to be discredited, the inferior will, after a time, become
the general currency, and the more valuable will entirely disappear.
" T h i s is obvious in the States where the banks issue notes as low
as one dollar; for silver dollars are never found in circulation where
paper ones are freely issued by the banks. In order, therefore, to
bring the precious metals into use, the rivalship of paper must be
effectuaUy taken away. , We must not only remove thc notes ofi the Bank
ofi the United States, but also those ofi the State banks."
A select committee of the Senate, in a report on coins, dated February 21, 1831, and a select committee of the House, in a report on
the same subject, and of the same date, both estimate the amount of
silver in circulation at five millions of dollars. This is one million
less than the estimate of Mr. Taney offered in 1834, and five millions
less than Mr. Gallatin's estimate for 1830.
On the 10th of July, 1832, the House of Eepresentatives, on
motion of Mr. Wild, of Georgia, adopted a resolution directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to lay before the House,, ut the next and
each successive session of Congress, the best accounts he could collect
of the condition of the banks throughout the Union. This was the
first and the only action ever taken by either branch of Congress to <
have the accounts of the banks collected annually and regularly
arranged.
From the reports made under this resolution, and from a report
made by the clerk of the House in 1834, have been inserted in the
table the amount of notes in circulation, and the amount of specie in
the vaults of the banks, in the different years from 1834 to 185,5,
inclusive.
In 1831, the exports of specie exceeded the imports in the sum of
$1,708,986. In 1832, there was a small excess of imports, viz:
$251,164. Without looking further, the causes for this may be found
in the great increase of paper currency adverted to in Campbell P .
White's report.
In the next four years, 1833 to 1836, inclusive, the imports of gold
and silver exceeded the exports in the enormous sum of $36,023,759,
beirig as much and more than half as much again as, according to the
report of the senatorial committee of 1830, was the average of the
whole amount in the country.
This great increase in our stock of the precious metals was owing
chiefly to the following causes:
1. The increasing productiveness of the mines of the precious metals



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

65

in various parts of the world, particularly in the gold mines of Eussia
and the silver mines of Mexico.
2. A succession of good harvests in England, which enabled the
banks of that country greatly to increase their issues. This raised the
price of cotton and of other American products, and thus increased
our ability to buy gold and silver abroad. At the same time English
capitalists increased in various ways the credits they granted to the
people of, the United States.
3. The measures taken by Gen. Jackson to have the amount of our
foreign indemnities brought home in gold.
4. The "specie circular," which forbade aught but gold and silver
to be received in payments for the public lands.
5. The act of Congress of 1834 provides for a new issue of ^ gold
coins, and correcting the under-valuation of gold at the mint.
6. The increased supply of gold from our own mines in the southern
States. From 1804 to 1829, a period of twenty-six years, the whole
amount was only $296,000. From 1830 to 18.36, the amount was
$4^595,000. This was so much in addition to the imports.
7. An increase of our trade with Mexico and a decrease in the
exports of the precious metals to the East Indies and China. From
1821 to 1827;, a period of seven years, these exports to China alone
were $25,202,521, being on an average $3,600,000 a year. From 1828
to 1836, a period of nine years, they were only $4,428,999, or an average of $472,111 a year.
8. The acts passed by nearly all the States (unfortunately soon
repealed by most of them) to prohibit the circulation of small notes.
9. The loans to the amount of twenty million dollars, negotiated
iri Europe by the United States Bank, in order to sustain itself in its
operations, after so much of its capital as consisted of public stock had
been redeemed by the government.
10. The rates abroad of State stocks and other securities, with the
view of obtaining the means of making railroads and canals.
11. The desire to establish new banks, which led, especially in
South Carolina and Louisiana, to importations of'Specie, expressly
with this object.
12. The war between the United States Bank and the deposit
banks, which made it politic, not only to the parties immediately
concerned in that war but to all the banks in the country, to increase
their reserve of specie.
The House committee of 1832, of which Mr. C. P . White was
chairman, speaking of the liability of banks to redeem their notes
with specie, say:
" T h i s liability is a powerful restraint on issues during an adverse
balance, of payments with foreign nations; biit at all other times it is
nominal. There is no example in history of a currency similar to
that of the United States. It is bank notes issued without restraint,
except when a high rate of foreign exchange prevails."
On whatever side may have been the balance of trade or the
balance of debt, the balance of payment was, during these years,
greatly in favor of the United States. The bank, consequently,
issued notes "without restraint." Each import of specie increased
the issue of notes by the old banks, and each increased issue of paper
5



66

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

led to the establishment of new banks; the result was that the State
banks, which, according to Mr. Gallatin, had, in 1830, numbered
only 329, with a capital of 110 millions, increased, according to the
treasury reports, by the 1st of January, 1837, to 624, or, including
branches, to 788, with a capital paid in of 290 millions. In 1830
there were no local banks in operation in either of the States of
Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, or Arkansas, only one in
Tennessee, one in Mississippi, two in Alabama, four in Louisiana,
eleven in Ohio, and one in Michigan. In all the western and southwestern States there were, in 1830, only eighteen banks, with capitals
amounting to $9,462,268. By the 1st ofJanuary, 1837, the number
of banks in these States was increased to 161, including branches,
with paid up capitals ofthe amount of $88,699,974.
In May, 1836^, the Bank of England found it necessary to change its
policy, and require payments from the " American houses," to whom
it had, up to this time, granted credits so abundantly. So powerful
an impetus, however, had been given to the banking movement in the
United States, that notwithstanding this check, the banks continued
to increase in numbers and in the amount of their issues.
^ VVhile things were in this condition, the Congress of the United
States passed an act to take " t h e surplus revenue" from the selected
banks and deposit it with other banks and with " the States." If the
"surplus revenue" had existed in the form of "surplus specie," in
the vaults of the banks, the measure would have been a wise one.
B u t t h e "surplus revenue" never had any existence, except in the
form of inscriptions of credit'bn the books of the banks. These bank
credits Congress ordered to be suddenly and violently transferred from
bank to bank, and from place to place^ without any regard to the
laws of trade.
The combined action of the Bank of England, and of the Congress
of the United States, was too much for the banks, as if by common
consent they all stopped specie payments in May, 1837.
Sixth period,-firom 1837 to 1843.
During the residue ofthe year 1837, specie bore a premium at Philadelphia, of various rates, up to 12 per cent., and the notes of the
banks of the different States were at various and fluctuating rates of
discount, in some instances as much as 20 per cent.^ when measured, not in specie, but in the paper oi the Philadelphia banks.
The banks of the city of New York immediately took measures for
the resumption of specie payments at the earliest day possible. But
the banks to the south and west adopted an opposite course of policy.
In the course ofthe year, there was, according to the treasury reports,
an increase of forty-one in the whole number of the banks and their
branches.
The supply of specie in the various markets of the world being
abundant^ the imports of the precious metals exceeded the exports, in
1837, in the sum of more than four millions, and in 1838 in the sum
of more than fourteen millions. In the two years ending on the 30th
of September, 1838^ the stock of specie in the country was, according
to the custom-house books, increased in the amount of nearly nineteen



67

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

million dollars. The main cause of this increase was the action ofthe
New York banks in restricting their own issues, and thereby those of
the banks of New England and of some of the other States. Part
of these imports of gold were from shipments made by the Bank of
England, with the express view of enabling the American banks to
resume specie payments.
In May, 1838^ the New York banks resumed accordingly, and their
conduct was immediately imitated by the banks of New England.
In August, 1838, the banks of Philadelphia professed to resume
specie payments, and by the first of January, 1839, there was at least
a nominal resumption throughout the Union.
In little more than a year, or on the 9th of October, 1839, the
banks of Philadelphia suspended specie payments for the second time,
and were followed therein by all the banks to the south and west
of that city, 'and also by the banks of West Jersey and Ehode
Island. The bank of the State of Missouri did not, indeed, stop payment on its own notes; but, as it traded on the notes of other westem
banks, it became an issuer of inconvertible paper. The banks of Ehode
Island soon resumed specie payments. The banks of South Carolina
resumed in June or July, 1840. All the other banks, to the south and
west of New York, (with the exception of those of East Jersey and a few
others scattered in different places,) refused to pay specie on demand.
After this second suspension had lasted for about fifteen months the
banks of Philadelphia made another effort to resume specie payments,
but continued it for only twenty days, namely, from January 15 to
February 4, 1841. They then, for the third time, suspended specie
payments, and did-not resume them effectively till the 18th and 19th
of March, 1842.
During the years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, and part of 1842, the
notes of the banks to the south and west of New York were at various
rates of discount, from 1 to 5, to 10, to 15, and even to 80 per cent. ;
and specie bore various rates of premium, up to 14 per cent., as
measured in Philadelphia paper.
The number of banks and their branches, the amount of capital paid
in, and of notes in circulation, near the 1st of January in each of
these years, was^ according to the treasury reports, as follows:
No. of banks.
Janu ary I, 1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1853

758
829
840
907
784
692
691

Capital paid in.

Circulation.

Millions.

Millions.

290
317
327
363
313
260
228

149
116
135
107
107
83
58

From this it appears that, for several years after the general suspension of specie payments in May, 1837, the banks continued to
increase in.number and in the amount of their capital paid in.
Between the first of January, 1837, and the first of January, 1838,
i h e j reduced their circulation from 149 to 116 millions, and in the
year 1838 the specie imports exceeded the exports in upwards of
14 millions. Between the 1st of January, 1838, and the 1st of




68

-

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

January, 1839, they increased their issues from 116 to 135 millions,
and then the exports of specie exceeded the imports in the sum of
upwards of three millions.
The resumption of specie payments by the banks of Philadelphia,-^'^
in March, 1842, was a coerced one, suddenly brought about by the
action of the legislature of Pennsylvania. The alternative was presented to them of resuming, or else of issuing an additional amount
of small notes, called "relief notes/' in aid of the State's finances.
The banks had not made suitable preparations for resuming ; but
they chose to make the attempt, rather than be more deeply involved
in the fiscal embarrassments of the State government.
The resumption of specie payments by the banks to the soutii and
west of Pennsylvania was also a coerced one, but brought about more
by force of public opinion than by legislative action.
Having made no suitable preparations for resuming, they were
forced to make sudden and great reductions in the amount of notes
issued and credits granted. The distress thus produced reached its
highest point in September, 1842, when there was a tremendous convulsion ainong the banks at New Orleans, the effects of which were
not confined to the south and west, but were felt throughout the
Union, not excepting those States in which specie payments had been
sustained since May, 1838.
On the 1st of January, 1837, when the banks all professed to pay
specie, their circulation, was, according to the treasury tables, 149
millions. By the 1st of January, 1843, it was reduced to 58 millions,
or, making allowance for a few banks for which no returns were
received, about 60 millions. In the short period of six years, the
bank currency was reduced considerably more than one half.
A ruinous fall of prices was the consequence, and many business
men found it impossible to comply with the engagements they had
entered into on the previous paper money inflation.
Some parts of the country were left for a time without aiiy circulating medium. The bank paper they had used became worthless,
and sufficient time had not elapsed for gold and silver to flow in and
take the place of the paper.
Seventhperiod, firom I M i to 1^^^.
The banks, to use a popular speech, did not fairly "touch bottom"
till the autumn of 1842, and they remained at the bottom till the
spring of 1843. From that time they began to improve in their condition.
. Owing to the vacillating conduct of the banks, and to the extent in
, which specie was supplanted by inconvertible paper, in the four years
from 1839 to 1842, the exports of the precious metals exceeded the im- .
ports in nearly eight millions and a half. So effective a demand,
however, was created for specie by the reduction of bank note circulation in 1842-'43, that, in the nine months ending June 30, 1843, the
imports exceeded the exports in the then unprecedented" amount of
twenty millions.
As the banks of New York and New England (with the exception
of a short intermission on the part of the banks of Ehode Island) had
paid specie regularly after May, 1838, they soon recovered from the



69

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

effects ofthe great revulsion of 1842-'43. The banks in the great tier
of grain growing States, extending from New Jersey in the east to
Missouri in the west, did not fully recover themselves till 1847, when
the great demand for breadstuffs in Europe caused an influx of specie
to the amount of upwards of twenty-four millions, and' as less than
two millions were exported, the balance in favor of the country was
upwards of twenty-two millions. The banks in the southern and
southwestern States did not fully recover till some years later, when a
new demand sprung up for cotton.
According to the treasury tables, the number of banks and
branches, the amount of capital paid in, and the amount of notes in
circulation, was at the commencement of each year of this period as
follows, excepting 1852 and 1853, for which no reports were made :
N6. of banks. Capital paid in. Circulation.

MiUions.
1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854.
1855.

Millions.

691
696
707
707
715
751
782
824
879

228
210
206
196
203
204
207
217
227

58
75
89
105 .
105
128
114
131
155

1208
1307

301
332

204
187

From this it appears that from 1843 to 1846 there was a.gradual
decrease of bank capital, and that though there was afterwards an
increase, it was annually so small that the bank capital of 1851 was'
one million less than that of 1843. In all this time, however, there
, was an increase of circulation.
The most noted increase was in 1848, when the banks suddenly
expanded their issues from 105 to 128 millions. This was the consequence of the prosperous trade of the previous year, 1847. In that
year our exports of domestic produce were swelled to 150 millions,
being 49 millions more than they were in the year preceding. Fortunately the constitutional treasury system went into operation in
1847. But for the check it imposed the amount of bank issues would
have been greatly increased. As it was, the check it imposed was not
strong enough. By a necessary reaction in the next year, the bank
currency Avas reduced in the amount of 14 millions, and the exports
of specie exceeded the imports in upwards of nine millions.
Iri 1849, the first considerable deposit of gold from California was
made at our mint. Since that time the quantity of gold we have
sent to foreign countries has greatly exceeded the amount we have received from them; but, notwithstanding this, our own mines produce
so abundantly that the amount of the precious metals in the country
has gone on increasing continually, while the amount of paper money
has, as a general rule, increased also.
Between 1851 and 1855, a short period, there appears to have been



70

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

an increase of four hundred and twenty-six in the number of banks,
and of one hundred and five millions in the amount of their capital
paid in. This is owing, mainly, to the widening of the specie basis,
through the supplies of gold bbtained from California and elsewhere,
and to the action of the constitutional treasury system in retaining a
large portion of that gold in the country, to the large sales of our
produce in foreign countries, and to the improved state of our credit
abroad, and to the spirit of speculation which has in consequence
overspread the land.
Since California and Australia began to pour forth their riches^
there have been ruinous fluctuations in the paper currencies of many
of the States ; but the only backward movement in the banking interest generally was that which took place between January 1, 1854,
and January 1, 1855, when the bank circulation was, in defiance of
an increase of thirty-one inillions in bank capital, reduced from two
hundred and four millions to one hundred and eighty-seven millions.
This was a natural reaction, the result of many banks having lent
their circulating credit for a purpose to which their circulating credit
is not adapted, namely, making railroads and other permanent improvements. The reaction was more sensibly felt, owing to the war
in the East having caused capital to flow from Europe to Asia, instead
of taking its natural course from Europe to America.
Such "squalls in the money market" as we had in 1854 are inseparable from a system which, as it rests on a confidence artificially
created and artificially supported, is liable to be affected by every
great change that takes place in the political or commercial world, if
not by every wind that blows. But so long as the constitutional
treasury system is faithfully administered, it may, at least, be hoped
that we shall escape such awful tornadoes as occurred in previous periods of our histoiy.
If it should ever be the wish of the community to enjoy the advantages of the banking system without suffering from its disadvantages,
the way to effect this object is a very plain one. It is simply to prohibit the issue of dollar notes, and then gradually those of higher denominations. With our own mines and those of other countries,
yielding the precious metals in as great quantities as they now do,
this object could be readily accomplished, without interfering with the
operatons of regular commerce, or even with those of legitimate credit.
General remarks.
To give a coniplete account of the changes that have taken place in
our paper and specie mediums, would be to write a complete history
of banking, finance, commerce, and maniifactures in the United States^
including views of the changes that have taken place in the political
and commercial relations of the foreign countries with which we have
intercourse, and of the variations in the supply of gold and silver
from the mines.
Such a work would employ years, and fill volumes. Even if years
of labor were bestowed on it, it would be impossible to state exactly
the amount of gold and silver and of bank paper in circulation at any
one time in any one year. This is owing chiefly to the following
reasons:



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

71

. 1st. No attempt has been made in any census to ascertain the amount
of gold and silver in the country at any one period, either in the form
of coin or that of manufactures, and if any such attempt should be
made it would prove unsuccessful.
2d. Previous to 1820-'21 no account was required at the customhouses of the amount of specie exported andlmported.
3d. From prudential reasons many merchants, especially those of
foreign origin, are disj)osed to conceal the amount of their transactions
in bullion; and till very lately no effort was made to ascertain the
amount of specie brought in by immigrants.
4th. Much silver has been brought in overland from the Mexican
dominions. Of the amount we have no returns that can be depended
upon.
5th. The annual loss on coin in circulation by abrasion .is matter
of conjecture.
6th. The amount ofthe precious metals annually consumed in gild" v,ing and plating and other branches of manufactures is not known.
7th. The returns of the mint are no criteria of the amount of coin
in circulation ; because, for a long period foreign coin constituted a
large part of our metallic currency, and, (owing to the free use made
of paj)er money,) the chief business of our mint and its branches has
been that of fabricating coins for exportation.
8th. As the banks make their returns on different days, or different
hours in the same day, the same pieces of gold and silver may figure
successively in the accounts of different banks. In this way one million may be made to appear as two millions, and five millions as ten
or fifteen millions. .
9th. Previous to the year 1834, no efforts were made by the United
States government to collect and arrange annually the returns of the
banks. In some "'years their returns have been very imjoerfect, the
confusion that reigned among them being such, that they apparently
hardly knew how to make returns.
10th. The returns of the banks in the different States are made in
different months, from January to Decenaber. Thus we have not the
exact amount of paper circulation on any one day, in any one year.
The estimates of the amount of gold and silver in the country from
1845 to 1854, have been taken from one ofthe documents appended to
the fiscal report of last year. They were formed by taking for granted—
1st. That the amount of gold and silver in the country in 184^ was
one hundred millions, as computed in Hunt's Merchant's Magazine.
2d. That it increased or decreased annually, as the.amount imported and received from our own mines exceeded or fell short of the
amount exported.
3d. That the gold and silver brought in by immigrants and others,
and not reported, and that brought in over land, from Mexico, would
balance the amounts clandestinely exported, and also the amount
consumed in manufactures and the annual loss on coin by abrasion.
A rigid examination would probably show that the amount of S23ecie
in the vaults ofthe banks has been less, on the average, and that the
amount in possession of the people has, been more than is stated
in the table; and also that the variations in our paper currency
have been much greater than they would appear to have been from
the bank returns and estimates.



72

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 8.
Gold and silver coinage at the Mint ofi thc United States in the several
- years firom its establishment, in 1792, and including the coinage ofi the
branch mints and the assay office, {New Yoi'k,)firomtheir organization
to September 30^ 1855.
Years.

1793 to 1795.
1796
1797
1798....:...
1799
1800
1801
•.
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806........
1807
1808
1809
1810
I81I
1812
1813
1814
1815
,
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820..
1821
1822
,
1823
1824
1825
•1826
1827
1828
,
1829.......
1830.
I83I.,
1832^
1833,.
1834..
1835.,
1836.
1837.
1838..
1839.
1840.
1841.
1842.
1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.




Gold.

^71,485 00
102,727 50
103,422 50
205,610 00
213,285 00
317,760 00
422,570 00
423,310 00
258,377 50
258,642 50
170,367 50
324,505 00
437,495 00
284,665 00
169,375 00
501,435 00
497,905 00
290,435 00
477,140 00
77,270 00
3,175 00

242,940 00
258,615 00
1,319,030 00
189,325 00
88,980 00
72,425 00
93,200 00
156,385 GO
92,245 00
131,565 00
140,145 00
295,717 50
643,105 00
714,270 00
798,435 00
978,550 00
3,954,270 00
2,186,1X5 00
4,135,700 00
1,148,305 00
1,809,595 00
I,.375,760 00
1,690,802 00
1,102,097 50
1,833,170 50
8,302,787 50
5,428,'230 00
3,756,447 50
4,034,177 50
20,221,385 00
3,775,512 50
9,007,761 50
31,981,738 50

Silver.

$370,683 80
79,077 50
12,591 45
330,291 00
423,515 00
224,296 00
74,758 00
58,343 00
87,118 00
100,340 50
149,388 50
471,319 00
597,448 75
684,300 00
707,376 00
638,773 50
608,340 00
814,029 50
620,951 50
561,687 50
17,308 00
• 28,575 75
607,783 50
1,070,454 50
1,140,000 00
501,680 70
825,762 45
805,806 50
895,550 00
1,752,477 00
1,564,583 00
2,002,090 00
2,869,200 00
1,575,600 00
1,994,578 00
2,495,400 00
3,175,600 00
2,579,000 00
2,759,000 00
3.415.002 00
3.443.003 00
3,606,100 00
2,096,010 00
2,315,250 00
2,098,636 00
1,712,178 00
1,115,875 00
2,325,750 00
3,722,250 00
2,235,550 00
1,873,200 00
2,558,580 00
2,374,450 00
2,040,050 00
2,114,950 00
1,866,100 00

Aggregate.

$442,168 SO
181,805 00
116,013 95
535,901 00
636,800 00
542,056 00
497.328 00-"'
48l',653-'0'0
345,49/5 50
358,983 00
319/756 00
795^,824 00
1,0;3"4,943 75
968,965 00
876,751 00
1,140,208 50
1,106,245 00
1,104,464 50
1,098,091 50
638,957 50
20,483 00
28,575 75
607,783 50
1,313,394 50
1,398,615 00
1,820,710 70
1,015,087 45
894,786 50
967,975 00.
1,845,677 00
1,720,968 00
2,094,335 00
3,000,765 00
1,715,745 00
2,290,295 50
3,138,505 00
3,889,870 00
3,377,435 00
3,737,550 00
7,369,272 00
5,629,178 00
7,741,800 00
3,244,315 00
4,124,845 00
3,474,396 00
3,402,980 00
2,217,972 .50
4,158,920 50
12,025,037 50
7,663,780 00
5,629,647 50
6,592,757 50
22,595,835 00
5,815,562 50
11,122,711 50
333847,838 50

73

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 8—Continued.
Years.
1351
,
1852
1853......
1854.

1

.-

1855, (to September S O ) . . . . . .
Total

Silver.

Gold.

0...

.

$62,614,492
56,846,187
55,213,906
52,094,595
41,166,557

50
50
94
47
93

385,505,545 34

$774,397
999,410
9,077,571
8,619,270
2,893,745

•
00
00
00
00
00

99,552,404 90

Aggregate.
$63,388,889
57,845,597
64,291,477
60,713,865
44,060,302

50
50
94
47
93

485,057,950 24

F. BIGGER, Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24; 1855.




No. 9.
Statement ofi deposits and coinage at Mint of the United States, branches and assay office, cluring the fiscal year 1855, (ending June 30, 1855.)
DEPOSITS.
Description.

Mint of U. States, Branch Mint, N.
Orleans.
Philadelphia.

Branch Mint, San
Prancisco.

Branch Mint,
Dahlonega.

Branch Mint,
Charlotte,

Assay office, New
York.

Total.

$144,669
161,198
200
24,048,935

$205,919
440,624
3,317
63,574,032

GOLD.

65
00
50
80

$7,422 42
6,877 60

$13,568 79

511,164 56

16,142,177 14

$199,123 26

$250,138 06

22,738,418 95

525,464 58

16,155,745 93

199,123 26

250,138 06

$58,827
258,980
3,117
22,422,493

United States coin, ( O S )
United States bullion
Total gold

'

05
11
00
72

24,355,002 88

12
50
50
54

a

United States bullion roarted'i
Total silver

2,747,769 78
149,843 60

2,546,192 61
2,339 15

88,611 90
39,145 67

2,897,613 88

2,548,531 76

127,757 57

89,203 02
180-, 008 48

5,421,777 31
371,336 85

219,211 45

5,793,114 16

^

>
Cl

RECAPITULATION.

Ul

Total gold
Total silver . .
Total deposits




o

64,223,893 &(^

SILVER.

Payable in bars
Payable in coin

o

22,738,418 95
2,897,613 38

525,464 58
_2,548,531 76

16,155,745 93
127,757 57

199,123 26

250,138 06

24,855,002 88
219,211 45

64,223,898 66
5,793,114 16

25,636,032 33

3,073,996 34

16,28.3,503 50

199,123 26

250,138 06

24,574,214 33

*70,017,007 82

13,804,845 32
10,769,369 01

..

'
Of this araount about $11,000,000 were redeposited from the assay office at New York and the branch mint San Francisco.

24,574,214 33

No. 9—Continued."
COINAGE.
Mint of United States,
Philadelphia.

Branch Mint, New Branch Mint, San Fran- Branch Mint, Dahlonega.
Orleans.
cisco.

Branch Mint, Char- Assay office, NewYork.
lotte.

Total.

Denomination.
Pieces.

Pieces.

Value.

Value.

Pieces.

Value.

' Pieces.

Value.

Piece .,

Value.

Pieces.

Value.

Pieces.

Value.

GOLD.

Dollars
Fine b a r s .
Total gold

622,251 $12,445,020 00
139,387 1,393,870 00
211,056 1,055,280 00
73,295
219,885 00
455,860 1,139,650 00
1,548,751 1,548,751 00
2,521 8,363,732 95

3,000
20,000

3,053,121 26,171,188 95

118,000

$60, 000 501,150 UO, 023,000 00
758,000 00
20,000 75,800
72,000
52,500
50,000

24,000
21,000
50,000

12,200
3
2,033

12,200 00
15,199 03
4,739,258 78

434,500 591,186 15,547,657 81

38,176
1,120
1, 613
4,746

45,655203,018 50

Total silver

^..

00
00 8,566,666
00 1,288,000
640,000
00
00 1,020,000
00

45,658 $228,265 00
3,677
9,803

9,192 50
9,803 00

59,133

247,260 50

1,126,401 $22,528,020 00
235,187 2,351,870 00
294,885 1,474,425 00
98,415 • 295 245 00
482,150 1,205,875 00
1,625,500 1,625,500 00
3,509 $10,493,557 12
6,033 18,877,489 10
2,033 4,739,258 78

26,000
1,409,500
.6,393,000
4,725,000
3,250,000
410,000

26,000
704,750
1,598,250
472,500
162,500
12,300

16,213,500

2,976,300 00 6,448,000 2,187,000 187,200

1,756,666

36,*200
322,000 151,000
64,000
51,000

is, 166 66
37,750 00

55,850 00 None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

26,000
4,945,700
•7,832,000
5,365,000
4,270,000
410,000

26,000
2,472,850
1,958,000
536,500
213,500
12,300

Total copper

2,217,647
56,500

22,176 47
282 50

2,274,147

22,458 97

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

None.

22,848,700

5,219,150 00

2,217,647
56,500

22,176 47
282 50

None.

.

None.

2,274,147

22,458 97

RECAPITULATION.

Total gold
•
Total silver,.."
Total copper
Total coinage

8,053,121 26,171,188 95
434,500 591,186 15,547,657 81
118,000
16,213,500 2,976,300 00 6,488,000 2,187,000 187,200
55,850 00
2,274,147
22,458 97

45,655 203,018 50
1

59,133

247,260 50

3,509 10,493,557 12 3,870,604 53,097,182 88
22,848,700 5,219,150 00
2,274,147
22,458 97

21,540,768 29,169,947 92 6,566,000 2,621,500 778,386 15,603,507 81

45,655 203,018 50

59,133

217,260 50

8,509 10,493,557 12 28,993,451 58,338,791 85
i

MINT OP THE UNITED STATES, Philadelphia, JSovemUr 18,1855.




o

00
00
00
00
00
00

COPPER.

Cents'
Half cents

O

8,509 10,493,557 12 3,870,604 53,097,182 88

"

SILVER.

Dollars
Half dollars
Quarter dollars
Dimes
Half dimes
Three cent pieces

$190,880
3,300
4,032 50
4,746 00

JAMES ROSS SNOV/DEN, Director.

Cl

76

REPORT

ON

THE

FINANCES.

No. 9—Continuedo
Statement exhibiting the amoxint ofi coin and bullion imported and exported annually firom 1821 to 1855 inclusive; and also the amount ofi
importation over exportation, and ofi exportation over importation,
during, the same years.
Coin and bullion.
Years ending—
Imported.

September 3 0 . . . . . . . .1821
1822
1823,
1824.
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
18.32
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
9 months to June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
]851
1852
1853
1854
1855

Excess of im- Excess of exportation over portation over
exportation.
importation.

Exported.

$8,064,890
3,369,846
5,097,896
8,379,835
6,150,765
6,880,966
8,151,130
7,489,741
7,403,612
, 8,155,964
7,305,945
5,907,504
7,070,368
17,911,632
13,131,447
13,400,881
10,516,414
17,747,116
5,595,176
8,882,813
4,988,633
4,087,016
22,390,559
5,830,429
4,070,242
3,777,732
24,121,289
6,360,224
6,651,240
4,628,792
5,453,592
5,505,044
4,201,382
6,7.58,587
3,659,812

$10,478,059
10,810,180
6,372,987
7,014,552
8,932,034
4,704,533
8,014,880
8,243,476
4,924,020
2,178,773
9,014,931
5,656,340
2,611,701
2,076,758
6,477,775
4,324,-336
5,976,249
3,508,046
8,776,743
8,417,014
10,034,332
4,813,539
1,520,791
5,454,214
8,606,495
3,905,268
1.907,024
15,841,616
5,404,648
7,522,994
29,472,752
42,674,135
27,486,875
41,197,300
56,247,343

289,097,514

390,602,713

$2,413,169
7,440,334
1,275,091
$1,365,283
2,781,269
2,176,433
136,250
753,735
2,479,592
5,977,191
1,708,986
°'*25i,'i64
4,458,667
15,834,874
6,653,672
9,076,545
4,540,165
14,239,070
3,181,567
465,799
5,045,699
726,523
20,869,768
376,215
4,536,253
127,536
22,214,265
9,481,392
1,246,592
2,894,202
24,019,160
37,169,091
23,285,493
34,438,713
52,587,531
112,361,545

213,865,744

C. T . J O N E S , .Acting Register.
TREASURY

DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




77

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 10.
Statement exhibiting the gross value ofi exports and imports firom the beginning of thc government to the 50th of June, 1855.
Exports.
Years ending—

Imports—total.
Domestic produce.

Septeraber

30, 1790
1791
1792
1793
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798.
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817,
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
September 30, 1842
Oms. to June 30,1843
End'g .lune 30, 1844
1845
1846

$19,666,000
18,500,000
19,000,000
24,000,000
26,500,000
39,500,000
40,764,097
29,850,206
28,527,097
33,142,522
31,840,903
47,473,204
36,708,189
' 42,205,961
41,467,477
42,387,002
41,203,727
48,699,592
9,433,546
31,405,702
42,366^675
45,294,043
30,032,109
25,008,132
6,782,272
45,974,403
64,781,896
68,313,500
73,854,437
50,976,838
51,683,640
43,671,894
49,874,079
47,155,408
50,649,500
66,944,745
53,055,710
58,921,691
50,669,669
55,700,193
59,462,029
61,277,057
63,137,470
70,317,698
81,024,162
101,189,082
106,916,680
95,564,414
96,033,821
103,533,891
113,895,634
106,382,722
92,969,996
77,793,783
,99,715,179
99,299,776
102,141,893




Foreign merchandise.
$539,156
512,041
1,753,098
2,109,572
6,526,233
8,489,472
•26,300,000
27,000,000
33,000,000
45,523,000
39,130,877
46,642,721
35,774,971
13,594,072
36,231,597
53,179,019
60,283,236
59,643,558
12,997,414
20,797,531
24,391,295
16,022,790
8,495,127
2,847,865
145,169
6,583,350
17,138,156
19,358,069
19,426,696
19,165,683
18,008,029
21,302,488
22,286,202
27,543,622
25,337,157
32,590,643
24,539,612
23,403,136
21,595,017
16,658,478
14,387,479
20,033,526
• 24,039,473
19,822,735
23,312,811
20,504,495
21,746,360
21,854,962
12,452,795
17,494,525
18,190,312
15,469,081
11,721,538
6,552,697
11,484,867
15,346,830
11,346,623

Total.
V

$20,205,156
19,012,041
20,753,098
26,109,572
33,026,233
47,989,472
67,064,097
56,850,206
61,527,097
78,665,522
70,971,780
94,115,925
72,483,160
55,800,033
77,699,074
95,566,021
101,536,963
108,343,150
22,430,960
52,203,233
66,757,970
61,316,833
38,527,236
27,855,997
6,927,441
52,557,753
81,920,452
87,671,569
93,281,133
70,142,521
69,691,669
64,974,382
72,160,281
74,699,030
75,986,657
99,535,388
77,595,322
82,324,827
72,264,686
72,358,671
73,849,508
81,310,583
87,176,943
90,140,443
104,336,973
121,693,577
• 128,663,040
117,419,376
108,486,616
121,028,416
132,085,946
121,851,803
104,691,534
84,346,480
111,200,046
114,646,606
113,488,516

$23,000,000
29,200,000
31,500,000
31,100,000
34,600,000
69,756,268
81,436,164
75,379,406
68,551,700
79,069,148
91,252,768
111,363,511
76,333,333
64,666,666
85,000,000
.120,600,000
129,410,000
138,500,000
56,990,000
59,400,000
• 85,400,000
53,400,000
77,030,000
22,005,000
12,965,000
113,041,274
147,103,000
99,250,000
121,750,000
87,125,000
74,450,000
62,585,724
83,241,541
- 77,579,267
80,549,007
96,340,075
84,974,477
79,484,068
88,500,824
74,492,527
70,876,920
103,191,124
101,029,266
108,118,311
126,521,332
149,805,742
189,980,035
140,989,217
113,717,404
162,092,132
107,141,519
127,946,177
100,162,087
64,753,799
108,435,0.35
117,254,564
121,691,797

78

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 10—Continued.
Exports.
Years ending—

Imports—total.
Domestic produce.

June 30

.1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855

Foreign merchandise.

Total.

$150,637,464
132,904,121
132,666,955
136,946,912
196,689,718
192,368,984
213,417,697
253,390,870
246,708,553

$8,011,158
21,128,010
13,088,865
14,951,808
21,698,293
17,209,382
17,558,460
24,8.50,194
28,448,293

$158,648,622
154,032,131
145,755,820
151,898,720
218,388,011
209,658,366
230,976,157
278,241,064
275,156,846

$146,545,638
154,998,928
147,857,439
178,138,318
216,224,932
212,945,442
267,978,647
304,562,381
261,468,520

4,820,422,620

1,349,652,124

6,170,074,744

6,982,901,454

NOTE.—Prior to 1821, the treasury reports did not give the value of imports. To that
period their value, and also the value of domestic and foreign exports, have been estimated
from sources believed to be authentic. From 1821 to 1855, inclusive, their value has been
taken from official documents.
C. T. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, October 24, 1855

No. 11.
Statement exhibiting the amount of the tonnage ofi thc United States
annually, firom 1^89 to 1855, inclusive.
Registered ton- Enrolled and li- Total tonnage.
nage.
censed tonnage.
Years endingTons.
Dec.

31, 1789.
1790.
1791.
1792.
1793,
1794.
1795.
1796,
1797.
1798
1799.
1800
1801.
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
1809




123,893
346,254
363,110
411,438
367,734
438,863
529,471
576,733
597,777
603,376
662,197
669,921
632,907
560,380
597,157
672,530
749,341
808,265
848,307
769,054
910,059

^

77,669
132,128
139,036
153,019
153,030
189,755
218,494
255,166
279,136
294,952
277,212
302,571
314,670
331,724
352,015
369,874
391,027
400,451
420,241
473,542
440,222

201,562
274,377
502,146
564,457
520,764
628,618
747,965
831,899
876,913
898,328
939,409
972,492
947,577
892,104
949,172
1,042,404
1,140,368
1,208,716
1,268,548
1,242,596
1,350,281

79

-REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 11—Continued.
Pi-egistered ton- Enrolled and li- Totai tonnage.
nage.
censed tonnage.
Years endingTons.
Dec. 31, 1810.
1811.
. 1812.
1813.
1814.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
1820.
1821.
1822,
1823.,
1824.,
1825.,
1826.
1827.
1828.^
1829.
1830.
1831.,
1832.
1833.
1834.
Sept. 30, 1835.
1836.,
1837..
1838..
1839..
3840..
1841..
1842..
une 30, 1843..
1844..
1845.
1846.,
1847..
3848..
1849..
1850..
J851..
1852.,
1853.,
3854..
18.55..

984,269
768,852
760,624
674,853
674,633
^854,295
800,760
809,725
606,089
612,930
619,048
619,896
628,150
639,921
669,973
700,788
739,978
747,170
812,619
650,143
576,475
620,453
686,990
750,027
857,438
885,821
897,775
810,447
822,592
834,245
899,765
945,803
975,359
1,009,305
1,068,765
1,095,172
1,130,286
1,241,313
1,360,887
1,438,942
1,585,711
1,726,307
6,899,448
2,103,674.20
2,233,819.16
2,535,136.15

440,515
463,-650
509,373
491,776
484,577
513,833
571,459
590,187
619,096
647,821
661,119
679,062
696,549 696,645
719,190
722,324
796,213
873,438
928,773
610,655
615,301
647,395
752,460
856,124
901,469
939,119
984,328
1,086,237
1,173,048
1,262,234
1,280,999
1,184,941
3,117,032
1,149,298
1,211,330
1,321,8.30
1,431,798.
1,597,733
1,793,155
1,895,074
1,949,743
2,046,132
2,238,992
2,303,336.23
2,469,083.47
2;676,864.90

1,424,784
1,232,502
1,269,997
1,166,629
1,159,201
1,368,128
1,372,219
1,399,912
1,225,185
1,260,751
1,280,167
1,298,958
1,-324,699
1,336,566
1,389,163
1,423,112
1,534,191
1,620,608
1,741,-392
1,260,798
1,191,776
1,267,847
1,4-39,450
1,606,151
1,758,907
1,824,940
1,882,103
1,896,684
1,995,640
2,096,479
2,180,764
2,130,744
2,092,391
2,158,603
2,280,095
2,417,002
2,-562,084
2,839,046
3,154,042
3,334,016
3,535,454
3,772,4,39
4,1.38,440
4,407,010.43
4,802,902.63
5,212,001.10

C. T. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




oo
o

No. 12.
A table showing the revenue collected firom the beginning ofi the government to June 30, 1855, uncier the several heads ofi customs, public lands, and miscellaneous sources^ including loans and treasury notes; also the expenditures during the same
period, and the particular tariff, and price of lands, under loliich the revenue firom those sources ivcis collected.

From customs.

Years.

From Mar. 4,1789,
to Dec. 31, 1791

1792
1793
1794
1795
1796
.1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802»
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807




Date of tariff.

,399,473 09 July 4, 1789, general ; Aug. 10;
1790—general ;|
Mar. 3, 1791—1
general.
May 2—general
3,443,070
4,255,306
June 5—special ;
4,801,065
June 7—general
Jan. 29—general
5,588,461
6,567,987
Mar. 3—general;
7,549,649
July 8—special.
7,106,061
6,610,449
May 13—special
. 9,080^9-32
10,750,778
12,438,235
10,479,417
Mar. 26—special;
11,098,565
March 27—special.
12,936,487
14,667,698
15,845,521

From public
lands.

Price per acre.

From miscella- That portion of
neous sources, miscellaneous'
includ'g loans! arising from Total receipts.
and treasury loans & treasnotes.
! ury notes.

l , b y act ofMay $5,810,552 66
20, 1785.

Total expenditures.
td
•D

o

5,791,112 56

$10,210,025 75

$7,207,539 02

5,297,695 92i 5,070,806 46
1,465,317 721 1,067,701 I4|
5,240,036 37} 4,609,196 78

8,740,766 77
5,720,624 28]
10,041,101 65

9,141,569 67
7,529,575 55
9,302,124 74

3,831,341 53 3,305,268 20
2,167,505 561
362,800 00
1,125,726 15|
70,135 41

9,419,802 79
8,740,329 65
8,758,916 40

10,435,069 65
8,367,776 84
8,626,012 78

O

W

$4,836 15 $2, by act of May
83,540 60| 18, 1796.
11,963 11

""'us'75
167,726
188,628
165,675
487,526

06
02|
69
79

540,193 80l
765,245 7.3
466,163 271

1,091,045
6,011,010
3,369,807
2,026,950
2,374,527
419,004
249,747

03 * 308,574 27
53 5,074,646 53|
66 1,602,435 041
961
10,125 00
55
5,597 36
33
90

212,827 30!
175,884 881
86,334 38!

128,814 94
48,897 71

8,209,070
12,621,459
12,451,184
12,945,455
15,001,391
11,064,097
11,853,840

07
84
14|
95
31|
63i
02

8,613,517 68
11,077,043 50
11,989,739 92
12,273,376 94
13,276,084 67
11,258,983 67
12,624,646 36

13,689,508 14
15,608,828 78
16,398,019 26^

13,727,124 41
15,070,093 97
11,292,292 99

atd

Ul

1808
1809
1810
1811
1812
1813
1814
I8I5
1816

36,363,550
7,296,020
8,583,309
13,313,222
8,958,777
13,224,623
5 99R 772
7,282,942
36,306,874

1817
1818
1-819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828

26,283,348
17,176,385
20,283,608
35,005,612
13,004,447
17,589,761
19,088,433
17,878,325
20,098,713
23,341,331
39,712,283
23,205,523

1829
1830

22,681,965
21,922,391

1831
1832

24,224,441
28,465,237

1833

29,032,508

1834
3835
1836
1837
1838
18.39
.1840
1841
1842

16,214,957
39,391,310
23,409,940
"31,169,290
10,1-58,800
23,137,924
13,499,502
14,487,216
18,187,908




51 054 45
647,939 06
1,882 16
58
.35,200 21
442,v252 33
58
2,864, 348 40 2,759,992 25
31
696,548 82
.
'78 377 88
8,309 05
73
1,040,237 53
12,969;827 45 3.2,837,900 00
53 July 1—special..
710,427 78
26,464,566 56 26,184,435 00
835,655 14
25 July 29—special.
27,424,793 78 23,377,911 79
08
1,135,971 09
42,390,336 10 35,264,320 78
22
1,287,959 28
19,146,561 91 9,494,436 16
88 Feb. 5—special ; 1,717,985 03
April 27—gen'l
49
5,559,017
734,542 59
1,991,226 061
00 April 20—special 2,606,564 77
1,810,986
8,765 62
76 Mar. 3—special.. 3,274,422 78,
1,047,633
2,291 00
35
4,240,009
1,635,871 61 April 24,1820, re.3,040,824 33
15
5,356,290
1,212,966 46 duces the mini5,000,324 00
94
1,803 581 54 mum to ^1 25.
839,084
44
. 916 523 10
535,709
984 418 15
71 May 22—general.
"5,'666-ooo'oo
5,518,468
090
56
1,216
45
5,526,054
5,000,000 00
1,-393,785 09
-77
525,317
1,495 845 26
29
1,758,235
64 May 19—general; 1,018 308 75
539,796
May 24—special
91
628.486 34
1,517,175 13|
39 May 20—special ; 2,329,356 14'
592,368 98
May29~special
77
1,091,563 .57
3,210,815.48
24 July 13—special ; 2,623,381 03
776,942'89
July 14—gen'l.
91 Mar. 2—special ; 3,967,682 55
948,234 79
March 2—compromise.
15
719 377 71
4,8-57,600 69
59
1,281, 175 76
14,757,600 75
53
2,539 675 69
24,877,179 86j
39
9,938; 326 93| "2,'992,*989*i5
6,776,236 52
36
19,778 642 77 12,716,820 86
3,081,939 47'
81
5,325 653 66 3,857,276 21
7,076,447 35
17
8,240, 405 84 5,589,547 51
3,292,285 58|
14;666, 633 49 13,6.59,317 38
74 Sept. 31—general 1,365,627 42j
15,250 038 611 14,808,735 64
76 Aug. 30—general 1,335,797 521
* $1,458,782 93 deducted from the aggregate receipts, as per account ofthe Treasurer, No. 76,922.

17,062 ,544 09
7,773 ,473 32
32,144 ,206 53
14,431 ,838 14!
22,639 ,032 76|
40,524 ,844 95
34,559 ,536 951
.50,961 ,237 60
57,171 ,421 82

16,764 ,584
13,867 ,226
13,319 ,986
13,601 ,808
22,279 ,121
,39,190 520
38,028 ,230
39,582 493
48;244 ,495

20
30
74
91
15
36
32
35
51

33,833 592 33
21,593 936 66|
24,605 665 37
20,881 493 68
19,.573, 703 72
20,2,32, 427 94
20,540 666 26
24,381' 212 79
•26,840; 858 02
25,260, 434 21
22,966, 363 96
24,763, 629 23

40,877,646 04
35,104,875 40
24,004,199^ 73
21,763,024 85
19,090,572 60
17,676,.592 63
35,314,171 00
31,898,-538 47
23,585,804 72
24,103,398 46
22,656,764 04
25,459,479 52

24,827,627 38|
24,844,116 51

25,044,358 40
24,585,281 55

28,,526,820 82l
31,865,561 16;

30,038,446 32
34,356,698 06

33,948,426 25

24,257,298 49.

3
H3

O

t=i

•Cl
Ul

21,791 935 55!
,35,430 087 10
50,826 796 08
27,883,853 84
39,019,382 60
*33,881,242 89|
25,032, 193 59
30,519,477 65
34,773,744 89

24,601,982
17,573,141
30,868,164
37,265;037
39,4,55,438
37,614,936
28,226,533
31,797,530
32,936,876

44
56
04
35
35
35
81
03
53

00

No. 12—Continued.

From custoras.

Years.

To June 30, 1843
1843-44
1844-45
1845-46
1846-47

$7,046,843
26,183,570
27,528,11^
26,712,667
23,747,864

1847-48

31,757,070

1848-49

28,346,738

1849-50
1850-51
1851-52
1852-53
1853-54
1854-55

39,668,686
49,017,567
47,339,326
58,931,865
64,224,190
53,025,794

Total.

Date of tariff.

From public
lands.

^897,818
91
2,059,939
94
2,077,022
70'
2,694,452
87!
2,498,355
66 July 30, 1846general.
96|Mar. "29, 1848—| 3,328,642
special.
82 Aug. • 12, 1848—I 1,688,959
special; Jan.26,
1849—special.
1,859,894
42
2,352,305
92
2,043,239
62
1,667,084
52|
8,470,798
27!
11,497,049
21

1,263,128,728 52

Hi
80
30
48
20

Price per acre.

GO

From miscella That portion of
neous sources miscellaneous
includ'g loansj arising from
and treasury loans & treasnotes.
ury notes.
,^12,837,748
2,955,044
336,718
292,847
29,091,948

Total receipts.

Total expenditures.

431 12,551,409 191 120,782,410 45 ^2,118,105 15
.33,642,010 85
99 1,877,847 95| 31,198,555 73
30,490,408 71
29,941,853 90
90
27,632,282 90
29,699,967 74
39
55,338,168 52| 60,520,851 74
66 28,900,765 36

56|

21,906,765 691 21,293,780 00

56,992,479 21

60,655,143 19

55

29,761,194 611 29,075,815 48

59,796,892 98

56,386,422 74

47,649,388
52,762,704
49,893,115
61,500,102
73,802,291
65,351,374

44,604,718
48,476,104
46,712,608
54,577,061
75,473,119
66,393,733

251
30|
58
991
39|
07!

155,151,230 23|

6,120,808
1,392,831
510,549
901,152
1,107,302
828,531

21 4,056,500 00
031
207,664 92
40
46,300 00
30|
3 6,372 ,501
1,950 00
74
800 00
40

88l
25
60
81
40
68j




O

o
Ul

394,403,242 68307,835,470 72i 1,812,079,^115 02 1,764,535,400 71.
F. BIGGER, Register.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office^ J^rovemher 6, 1855.

26
31
83
74
08
78

tr|

o

No. 13.
Statement showing the annual average export price ofi flour at New York firom 1800 till J u n e l O , 1855; cdso,' the
annual average price ofi fljour in thc cities ofi Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and St. Louis,
firomlSOO till June 30,1855.
1800. 1801. 1802. 1803. 1804.- 1805. 1806. 1807. 1808. 1809. 1810. 1811. 1812. 1813. 1814. 1815. 1816. 1817. 1818.-

po 00 §13

Export price.

00 $9 00 $7 00 $7 75 $13 00 $7 50 $8 25 $6 00 $-7 50 $8 25 $10 .50$10 75 $13 00 $14 50 $9 25 $7 37 $14 75 $10- 25
O

Boston. ••••....

11 00 12 10

8 17

7 55

8 97 11 25

6 01

7 15 9 59

8 25

7 73

6 25

7 63

9 42 10 42 10 90 14 67 14 57 . 8 95 9 40 12 27 10 50

o
N e w York

9 38 10 14

6 19

7 13

6 76

5 35

6 79

8 77

9.05

9 08 • 7 76

7 76

8 17

9 34 11 72

9 42

w
7 67 .8 68 9 75 12 12

9 85

8 67 10 31

9 59

Philadelnhia. •••••..... 9 75 10 85

6 94

6 75

7 81 10 15

7 15

7 10

5 59

6 43

9 87 10 40

Baltimore

7 00

6 50

7 33 12 08

7 33

7 50

5 75

6 50

9 40 10 67 10 12 10 17

8 50

7 92

13 50

9 00

9 00

11 42 11 42

N e w Orleans

St. Louis.. . . o . o . . . . . .

9 95

9 29

•
9 30 12 50 10 83

>
O
td

m

......

Tha'price of flour for Now Orleans and St. Louis could not be obtained for earlier years than those respectively given.




OO
OS

No. 13.—-Statement showing the oMUal average export price ofi flour froin ISOO till June 30, 1855—Continued,

00

1819. 1820. 1821. 1822. 1823. 1824. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1829. 1830. 1831. 1832. 1833. 1834. 1835. 1836. 1837.
00 fJ5 37 $4 25^ $7 00 •$7 75 $6 62 $5 37i $5 25| $8 00 $5 50l

Export price..
Boston.

7 70

25

4 42

6 94

7 34

6 07

5 57

New York.,

6 79

81

4 85

6 39

6 93

5 93|

19

Philadelphia.

7 19

4 94

4 92

6 481 6 90

5 62

5 00

Baltimore ,

6-56

4 65

4 64

6 36

6 89

5 54

New Orleans.

9 62

6 20

5 75

6 68

6 25

$5 ooj $7 -25 $5 62| $5 87{ $5 50j $5 50 $6 00 $7 5.0 $10 25

5 64

6 14

6 81

5 26

6 05

6 29| 6 11

5 42

6 42

8 50 10 18

OOi 5 34

5 .50

6 54

5 03

5 8i

5 87

5 70

5 07

6 00

7 7i

9 69

4 69

5 27

5 29

6 25

4 831 5 82

5 62

5 85i

5 21

5 75

7 44

9 75

fel
2
O
^
o

4 78

5 15

5 481 6 37

4 861 5 61

5 79

5 69i

4 99

7 92

9 43

g

4 49

5 12

5 36

4 98

6 84

5 23

5 191 6 351 8 55

9 10

>

4 93

4 50

9 12

5 24

^

St. Louis.

4 91

7 20i

5 47

6 25

00

g
Ul

The price of flour for New .Orleans and St. Louis could not b© obtained for earlier years than those respectively given.




No. 13.^—Statement shoioing the annual average export price of flour firom 1800 till-June 30, 1855—-Continued.
1838. 1839. 1840. 1841. 1842. 1843. 1844. 1845. '1846. 1847. 1848. 1

1849. 1850.

1851. 1852. 1853. 1854. 1855.

• $9 50 $6 75 $5-37 $5 20 $6 00 $4.50 '$4 75 $4 51 $5 18 $5 95 $6 22 $5 35 $5 00 $4 77 4 4 24 $5 60 $7 88 $10 10

Export price

8 25

7 20

5 51

5 77

5 67

4 87 .5 13

5 32

5 53

7 '17

6 43

6 00

6 00

5 25

5 20

N e w York

8 02

7 40

5 17

5 39

5 67

5 07

4 61

5 00

5 19

6 80

5 71

4.96

4 86

4 19

4 96 5 51

8 02

Philadelphia.

7,81

6 89

5 22

5 34

5 47

4 60

4 34

4 69

4' 79 6 02

5 67

4 84

4 97

4 38

4 23

5 47

8 14 9 62

Baltimore

7 84

6 a5

5 00

5 31

5 20

4 36

4 31

4 63

4 53

6 21

5 52 ' 4 83

4 89

4 18

4 26

5 39

8 13

9 57

N e w Orleans

8 67

6 57

4 93

5 33

4 54

4 18

4 44

4 83

4 38

5 54

4 76

4 61

5 31

4 00 ,4 10

5 48

7 60

9 36

St Louis A... .••«•«••••••<>•«

7 37

7. 19 4 93

4 75

4 56

3 75

4 50

4 93

4 50

4 93

5 25 . 5 43

6 25

4 88

5 08| 6 09

7 83

Boston

«

5 23

6 27

9 25 10 25

9 06

O

o•
•=€

W
HH'

otej

Ul

The price.of flour for New Orleans and St. Louis could not be obtained for earlier years than those respectively given.




GO

Ox.

86

REPOET ON THE FINANCES.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

March 8, 1855.
it will be necessary again to refer to the subject of
tlie tariff, I desire a table of tbe inanufactures of each State and Territory, as shown by the census of 1850, so made to exhibit the aggregate. To this should be added tables exhibiting the character of the
inanufactures of each State, &c., and another exhibiting the aggregate
of each character in the United States. .If the census of 1840 will furnish such tables, I should like to have them from that census; also
from those of 1830, 1820, 1810, 1800, and 1^90, or as far as they furnish the materials.
I am, very respectfully,
JAMES GUTHEIE,
Secretary ofi the: Treasury.
Messrs. E. C. MORGAN and W . A. -SHANNON.
'
GENTLEMEN:

AS

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

November 16, 1855.
SIR : In, compliance with the instructions contained in your letter
of March 8, 1855, referring to certain statistical tables on the subject ofthe tariff, the undersigned have-the lienor to submit the following report:
That in pursuing the duty assigned them, the census for the different decades were consulted, with but partial success, except for
the years 1840 and 1850, which were full enough for all practical
purposes.
The census of 1790 a^nd 1800 seem to, be nothing more than a mere
enumeration of the population of the States for the purpose of determining the representative ratio in Congress. Those of 1810 and 1820
are but partially given, and from the imperfect state of the returnsj
works bearing on the subject had to be consulted, ftom which much
of the information presented has been obtained. From a l i k e cause
the census of 1830 is as imperfect as those of IWO and 1800, and, but
for returns made in compliance with a resolution of Congress, passed
January 19, 1832, which includes but ten States, there would be
nothing to present for that year.
In the year 1840 more attention was given to the resources of tho
country, and the data presented enables us to make out, as we believe,
nearly a full and complete exhibit of tHe manufactures.
The returns for 1850, taken from the Compendium ofthe Census for
that year, are full and satisfactory.
Table No. 14 is an exhibit of the manufacturing products of the
United States for 1810, and has been made iip with great care from
the census of that year, x)ompiled by Tench Coxe, esq., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1813. The returns are very imperfect,
and a glance at the table will show that some States—Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts, for instance—are more fully represented, in most
every branch of manufactures, than others. The manufactures of
cotton and wool were generally produced in families at that time, and



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

87

are so blended in the returns with those produced in mills, as to render it impossible to separate them.
Table No. 15 is a statement of the manufactures of the States and
Territories for 1820, as given by the census returns for that year.
The manufactures of cotton, wool, and flax, were mostly in families,
and are not given. The data relating to the iron interests, j)roducts
of distilleries and brevv^eries, and the product of the fisheries, are
imperfect, and no information touching the same can be found further
than that presented in the table. We visited New Bedford^ Mass.,
to endeavor to find data of the whale fishery, but could ~ find no
reliable tables ofthe value of that important branch of industry of an
earlier date than 1833.
Table No. 16. .By authority of a resolution passed by Congress
January 19, 1832, the manufacturing statistics of the eastern and
middle States were taken, and published in two large octavo volumes.
(See Executive Documents 1st Session 22d Congress, liouse Document
No. 308.) Prom this work the information presented in this table
has-been carefully collected, b u t i t does not fully represent the manufacturing products of any one State, except, perhaps, Massachusetts.
All manufactures in families, and those on a small scale, are not
embraced in the returns, whilst in some of the States many manufacturers declined answering the questions ofthe marshals. No further
data can be found in addition to that presented.
Table No. 17 has been .carefully prepared from the census of 1840,
which is fuller than that of a,ny previous year.
The manufactures of
the States and Territories are generally given, but on reference to the
table it will be seen that some of the States and Territories are •
wanting, and no means have come to hand to supply this deficiency.
The census is not uniform in the manner of giving the returns; many
of the manufactures and agricultural products are stated in quantity,
whilst others are given in value. To make the tables uniform, the
prices current for the year ,had to be consulted and computations
made in every case. The prices of maple and cane sugar, which are
included in the manufactures, have been estimated upon the authority
of Professor Tucker, at 6 and 4 cents per pound respectively. In
cases where prices current did not show the value of aiiy article, the
books of long established merchants were consulted.
Table No. 18, prepared from, the census returns of 1850, is complete. The returns of mainufacturing statistics for that year are
uniform in their character, and give the value of the products. A
few explanatory notes are apj)ended to the table.
Table No. 19 is a recapitulation of Tables Nos. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
and 19.
Tables Nos. 20 and 21 are statements of the population, manufactures and agricultural productions of the United States and Territories;
the allotment per capita of the manufacturing and agricultural products per State and nation; value of imports paying duty, less the
value of foreign paying exports; value of imports paying duty, less
the value of foreign paying exports to each State, based upon its population; amount paid per capita of the paying imports, less the foreign
paying exports; amount of paying imports, less the foreigii paying
exports, allotted to each State, based uj)on its productions: and allot


88

REPORT ,0N THE FINANCES.

ment per capita of the paying imports, less the foreign paying exports,
as allotted to each State,'based upon its productions, for the years 1840
and 1850. Notes explanatory are appended.
In the computation of the value of agricultural products for the
year 1850, Professor Tucker's estimates have been adopted, except so
far as it became hecessary to exclude from such products certain articles given in the notes.
Table No. 13 is a statement of the annual average export price of
flour at New York, from 1800 to June 30, 1855, inclusive; also the
annual average price of that article in the cities of Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, and Baltimore, from 1800 to June 30, 1855, inclusive;
and the prices in New Orleans from 1813, and in St. Louis from 1833.
This table has been perfected from information obtained from Hunt's
Merchant's Magazine, DeBow's Eeview, from returns made'by the
collectors of the customs of the different ports, and from data very
kindly furnished by Messrs. S. G. Bowdlear & Co., Boston, Massachusetts.
In the preparation of these tables, and to obtain the required information, it became necessary to examine books which were not in the
Department Library. We have visited the Congressional Library,
and that of Peter Force, esq., of this city; the Mercantile and Society
Libraries in New York; the State Library at Albany, New York; the
Athenaeum, the State and City Libraries in Boston, Massachusetts,
and the Library of Cambridge University. To the officers of these
libraries, to merchants and other gentlemen, whom in the performance of our duty we had occasion to consult, we wish here to make
acknowledgment for their courtesy.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
We have the honor to be your obedient servants,
EOBEET C. MOEGAN,
W . A. SHANNON.
Hon.

JAMJES GUTHRIE,

Secretary of the Treasury.




No. 14.—Statement showing the population and manufiactures ofi the Unitecl States and Territories fior the year 1810.
c^

B ' ^

' ^ 3 .\.S

States.

C^

^

Columbia, District of .
Connecticut
Delaware
.-.
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana.
Maine, District of . . . .
Mar3dand.
Massachusetts
. New Plampshire
New Jersey
New York
North C a r o l i n a . . . . . . .
Ohio . .
Pennsylvania
Pthode Island..
South Carolina . . . . . . . .
Tennessee
Vermont..
Virginia
.
'^Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
' Mississippi
I Missouri
.'...
Total.

24,023
264,042
72,674
252,433
406,513
76,556
228,705
380,546
472,040
214,360
245,555
959,049
555,500
230,760
810,091
77,031
415,115
261,727
217,713
974,622
12,282
24,520
4,762
40,352
20,845

$52,000
1,053,730
143,880
2,129,023
554,134
106,544
,580,027
1,013,320
2,128,176
880,208
910,233
2,153,613
747,285
887,053
3,060,772
844,.591
1,619,0681
1,329,066
1,238,699
4,203,221
'54,023
129,985
1,098
257,248

OC^ O

^

$17 ,400
$73,000
811 ,144
1,731,472
$46,180 $351,198
23 096
195,420
230,497
473
,658
30,155
22,305
740
,242
44,260
1,815,909
1,000
157 ,025
244,000
36,780
107 ,200
21,929
743,242
539 ,840
491,058
249,653
480,753
154,700 2,078,542 1,714 ,776
2,074,410
170,350
74 ,450
1,635,209
632 ,354
526,511
851,932
851,582
497,875 2,026 ,561
362,020
6,3.32,819
554,950
758 ,005
135,160
2,323,961
585 ,892
74,123
109,090
332,920
3,421,055 1,301,343 4,492,478 4,365 ,503
56,770
848 ,240
3,970
740,359
90,227 ' 297 ,061
95,554
400 900
263,327
98,097
412,522
129 ,964
272,059
122,000
1,.385,152
171,312
538,854 1,735 ,577
1,033,781
29,067
6,172
10,267

4,000

fx

o 'o .^

$2,050
324,870
6,110
$463,320

cd ^

C

3,769
92,895

3,800
24,000
1,000
600

704,000

,670
22 ,230
14 ,172

7,239,814 26,076,997 25,608,788 3,616,457 10,998,086 16,483,960

Increase per cent, in population for this decade, 36.45.
The'manufactures of cotton and wool were generally produced in families.
The valu6 of dried and pickled fish exported in the year 1810 was $1,127,000.




!=! g

o ^

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•

0-r=i

463,320 1,163,094

(See Pitkin's Statistics,"ed. 1835, page 40.)

250
864 958
,409 969
113 ,•763
,826 ,965
592 ,807
6G0 ,706
,101 ,468
630 ,692
374 ,810
,530 ,676
,206 ,250
800 ,260
477 ,152
19 ,175 ,630
523 232
114 302
243 789
.907 ,540
,419 ,353
55 ,160
79 ,608
31 ,076
46 ,790

$930 650
5,858 682
2,004 ;912
2,768 ,904
5,307 ,380
2,143 ,266
2,31 ,104
8,879 ,861
18,337 ,511
3,135 ,027
5,313 ,288
14,569 ,138
5,323 ,421
2,290 ,230
35,817 ,781
3,017 ,762
2,216 ,212
2,747 ,701
5,055 ,414
16,806 ,096
117 ,853
264 890
52 518
314 ,305

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zn

60,975,204 145,385,906

00
CO

No. 15.—Statement slwwing the population and. manufiactures ofi the United States and Territories for theyear 1820.
States.

Alabama
Columbia, District of.
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
«
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi'
Missouri
N e w Hampshire
N e w Jersey
New Y o r k . . . . . . . . . . .
Nortli Carolina . ;
Ohio
,
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
>
South Carolina . . . . . .
Tennessee.. . . . . . . . . .
Vermont
«..
Virginia
Arkansas T e r r i t o r y . . . ,
Illinois Territory
Michigan Territory . .
Total

Census of Manufac's Manufac's Manufac's Manufac's Breweries Product of Product of Manufac's All other
Total
the salt
of cotton, of wool of pig iron of w r o u g h t and dis- the fishproduced manufac's
1820.
value of
tilleries.
& castings.
iron.
eries.
m a n u f a c ' s . in families.
manufac's.
127,901
33,039
275,202
72,749
340,987
147,178
.564,317
153,407
298,335
407,350
523,287
75,448
66,586
244,161
277,575
,372.812
,638,829
581,434
,049,458
83,059
502,741
422,813
2.35,764
,065,379
14,273
55,211
8,896

$5,292
$443,268
151,266
101,232
5,400
197,925
35,750
274,031
735,512
154,547
190,915
738,3 40
17,222
51,315
555,673
988,157
4,666
125,256
49,882
14,000

289,083
106,300
19,500
3,750
523,149
6,200
22,425
210,300
294,85r
6,700
51,672
17-7,409
956,147
39,468
689,292
.333,371
124,909
' 127 j 0.52
198,659
198,020
900
9,120
. 39,500

$30,000
130,000
93,000
77,500
40,500
76,300
342,400
413,350
563,810
184,916
85,400
193,100

$15,620
5,000
296,260
30,000
69,036
3,000
138,800
10,000
65,200
449,080
423,610

650
*297 136
$1,425
46,039
69 736
112 000
63-,800
163 700
267 040
101 871

18,421
47,537
18,340
43,250
188,997
143,057
472,158 1,632,543
53,530
62,980
491,707
479,511
476,516
1,156,266
302,500
19,032
2,200
42,000
313,509
246,755
33,340
63,314
393,417
162,737
320
18,700
1,000
2,160

9 , 6 3 8 , 1 3 1 a 4 , 8 3 4 , 1 5 7 ^ 4 , 4 1 3 , 0 6 8 2,230,276 4,640,669 4,876,486

Increase in population for this decade 33.13 per cent.
aThe inanufactures of cotton, wool, and flax for this decade were mostly in families, and are not given in the census of 1820.
The ii'on interests are only partially represented in the above table, the returns being imperfect.
The product of breweries and distilleries but partially given in the census.
The value of dried and pickled fish exported in the year 1820 was $1,502,000. (See Pitkin's Statietics, edition of 1885, pags 40.)




CO

o

188,840

95,436
58,000
669,041
13,350
129,126
100,000
750
18,912

'57.5*566
1,873
1,852,258

$75,645
699,620
1,087,282
999,900
371,944
315,928
1,006,012
192,500
199,3"
3,733,885
794,835

207
704 620
2,413, 029
l,318y 891
607, 751
397, 814
2 , 2 9 6 , 726
272, 500
486, 473
5 , 0 2 7 , 336
2 , 5 2 3 , 614

166 '85
439 ,650
398 ,461
4 , 9 8 1 ,643
258 ,868
3,036 ,126
3,709 ,583
181 ,873
119 ,800
3,335 727
459 7.58
5,149 925
55 388
71 285
77

297 443
747 959
1,175 139
9,792 072
445 398
5 , 2 9 0 , 427
6,895 219
1,617 221
168, 666
2 , 3 5 2 , 127
890, 353
6 , 6 8 6 , 699
56, 408
100, 983
100, 460

29,939,623 52,766,530

tei

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No.-16.

| o
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cd c5

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a>

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^^
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309,527
Alabama
Columbia, District of.
39,834
Connecticut.,
297,675 $1,853,296 $1,576,975 $136,762 $500,000
$35,700 $108,149
. • 76,748
Delaware^
,
$5,000
310,000
120,000
160,000
Georgia.
516,823
Illinois
,
157,445
Indiana
i
343,031
&
Kentucky
687,917
Louisiana
215,739
Maine
399,455
54,500 '"608*566
229,985
** 240,625
481,856
612,636
Maryland
447,040
Massachusetts
610,408 7,754,803 7,312,836 1,437,147 8,360,102 3,068,523 3,532,609
205,776
Mississippi
'.. ^ 136,621
Missouri
140,455
.
New Hampshire
269,328 2,447,634
52,891
803^300
842,375
750
364,284
New Jersey
320,823 1,879,380
412,941
728,000
642,238
New York
1,918,608 2,706,920 1,297,003
751,807 1,989,790
302,807
North Carolina
737,987
Ohio
..'
937,903
Pennsylvania
1,348,233 2,099,735 1,323,070 1,643,702 3,762,847
, 180,215
Rhode Island
97,199 2,645,083
322,151
139,973
200,000
South Carolina
581,185
Tennessee
681,904
Vermont....,..,,
280,652
127,680
149,490l
9.(\ 9.m
225,550
523,900
Virginia
. , . , , • . . . . . 1,211,405
\,...::.:.:




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•

II

.

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$3,842,171
1,396,000

Total value of
manufactures.

•fl o

Manufactures of
pig- iron and castings. '

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States.

o
xn
- fl'

Manufactures
wool.
x.

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Statement sliowing the population and manufactures of the United States and Territories for the year 1830.

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$8,053,053
1 QQi

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*4*815,'67i

7 Od^ 7 7 ^

31,071,828

62,743,624

1,890,265

12J

5 678 499
^ 6 6 2 .^.5Q
7 Odfi '^97

*2,322,398
t277;900
^

460,859

11 ^ ^ 1 Q47

3 585 105
1,507,779
CO

No. 16—Continued.

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ufactures
id in famil

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Territories.
Florida
Navnl serviop

Total.......

>-^

...

30,388
34,730
31,639
5,318

O

....

,

-

*^ '

. 12,866,020 22,534,815 14,528,166 4,757,403 16,737,251 3,434,808 3,640,758

O
935,173

46,077,092 112,645,466

Increase per cent, in population for this decade, 33.49.
*The manufactures of leather, paper, glass and the maple sugar produced in the county of Somerset are included in the above amount. All manufactures
in families and those on a small scale are not given.
f i n this State there are several hundred blacksmiths' and other shops where a variety of articles are manufactured for the use of cotton and woollen mills,
the product of which is not given.
.
I In this State many ofthe manufacturers declined answering the queries, consequently the returns are defective.
The above statistics are for the year 1831, except the census, and were taken in^ compliance with a resolution of Congress, passed January 1^, 1832. No
manufacturing statistics being taken for the decade of 1830, the above is all the data that can be found of a reliable character bearing upon the subject.




Ul

No. 11.
Statement shoiving the population ancl inanufactures ofi the.United States and Territories fior the year 1840.

ra .sa

States.

Ll ^
fl

fl^

§-

Alabama
Arkansas— .
Coiumbia, Dis.off
Connecticut....
Delaware......
Georgia
Illinois . . . . . . . .
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
.
Massachusetts . .
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri . . . . . . . .
New Hampshire
New Jersey . . . .
New York
North Carolina.
Ohio
Pennsylvania...
Rhode Island...
South Carolina.
Tennessee . . . . .
Vermont
Virginia

590,756! $17,547
97,574
$129
43,712
309,978 2,715,964 "2,'494]3i3
78,085 . 332,272 104,700
691,392
304,342
300
. 476,183
9,540
685,866
135,400
58,867
779,828
329,380
151,246
352,411
18,900
501,793
97.0,397 "*4i2*.366
470,019 1,150,580
2.35,900
737,699 16,553,423 7,082,898
212,267
9,734
375,651
1,744
383,702
13-7.56
• 284,574 4,142,304
795,784
373,-306 2,085,104
440,710
2,428,921 3,640,237 3,537,337
753,419 . 438,900
3,900
1,519,467 • 139,378 ' 685,757
1,724,033 5,013,007 2,319,061
108,830 7,116,7921
842,172
594,398
359,000
1,000
829,210
325,719
14,290
291,948
133,000 1,331,953
1,239,797
446,063
147,792'




$750

$-27,700
1,240
68,000
,733,044
30,700
5,350
41,200
14,580
164,080

$4,875

cd

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$34,382
7,132
26,370

$1,656,119
489,750
1,500
300
226,162
232
62,116
1,467,630
4,000
993,567
1,280 1,289,802
43,939 2,622,462
65,190
10,oool 804,397
176,050
240
231,942
75,319
113,955
682,945
2,630 1,149,544
240
538,303
100
201,625
573,577 4,636,547
899 1,413,242
59,470 1,853,937
109,895 1,303,093
51,180
450
930,703
2,886,661
674,548
349,124 2,441,672
$1,740

$87,400

58,291
235,495
907,723
162,375
5,925
29,185
181,285
425
34,221
584
12,350
432,5001
3,9501
510,778
1,300
20,250
1,192
508,381
236,405
730,150'
77,450
88,790
35,000
54,000 1,280,713
56,512
153,050
223,096
513,500
225,773
221,900^
312,900
390,260 1,461,736 6,483,9961
233,300 1,798,758
137,500
57,900
15,025
870
36,900
193,464
7,670
4^566
60,300
18,336
8,125
92,811
33,000
136,334
121,141
124,140
466,115
277,850
405,955
727,200 •2,512,792 3,490,045 4,141,79d 1,316', 072
286,649
251,792
24,200
16,050
62,595
10,52,
880,900
784,401
485,290 1,922,354
3,599,698
35,.360
2,459',875 1,262,670 5,670,860
244,290
659,312
103,150
147,550
27,618
1,275
31,250
""75*725
299,734
403,213 **i66;876
628,745
2,865
168,575
42,575
24,900
238,690
470,262
382,590
95,J73i
128,256

$3,234,498
2,114,898
1,416,660
12,523,856
1,982,228
3,496,830
6,536,825
7,346,137
8,435,915!
11,093,053'
10,783,782
10,449,697
39,466,205
3,564,5621
2,839,911
4,514,901
4,758,076
15,447,7561
71,264,589
4,736,340
24,636,389
42,721,441
4,642,851
4,213,802
3,858,162
4,565,566
15,984,986

$4,975,871
2,614,889
1,599,930
21,057,523
2,709,068
5,324,307
8,021,582
9,379,586
13,221,958
11,378,383
14,525,217
13,509,636
73,777,837
3,898,676
3,562,370
5,946,759
10,523,313
19,571,496
95,840,194
7,234,567
31,458,401
64,494,960
13,807,297
5,638,823
8,517,394
6,923,982
20,684,608

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Iowa . • • • • . . . • .
Vt^isconsin . . . . .
Naval service . .
Total

54,477
43,112
30,945
6,100

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<

Territories.
Florida

.' ii

Total value
of manufactures.

o

2 fl

Manufactures
produced in
famihes.

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states.

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Product ofthe
salt manufactures.

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CO

Manufactures
of iron, castings.

No. 1^—Continued.

800
' .75

4,000
3,500

1,164
4,371

213,219

2,400

27,663

20,205
25,966
12,567

678,456
452,570
1,632,632

915,080
483,700
1 680 808

pi

H3

17,069,453 46,350,453 20,696,999 7,172,575 9,916,442 .12,820,145 14,674,804 11,996,008 1,235,835 29,023,380 329,391,574 483,278,215




tei
>-d
O

Increase per cent, in population for this decade, 32.67.
Salt estimated at twenty cents per bushel.
Sugar estimated at six cents per pound; except Louisiana at four cents.
The product of mills and molasses has been included in the manufactures.

O

^ 0 . 18.

'

-

Statement showing the poptulation mid manufiactures ofi the JJnited States and Territories for the year 1850.

States.
S CM

fl 9 •
^

>-. ra •

g O.S

Alabama . . . .
-Arkansas-....
California . . .
Columbia, Dis. of
Connecticut...
Delaware.....
Florida . . . . . . .
Georgia
Illinpis . . . . . . .
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky . . . .
Louisiana...«.
Maine........
Maryland . . . .
Massachusetts.
Michigan
Mississippi . . . .
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey . . .
New York . . . .
North Carolina
Ohio...
Pennsylvania..
Rhode Island..
South Carolina

o^
P-i

$22,500 $271,126
771,623 $382,260
$900
$7,500
16,637
> 209,897
92,597
20,740
4,000
.51,687
- 41,696
$2,400
100,000
6,750
981,400
370,792 4,257,522 6,465,216
847,196
32,860 1,734,483
415,600
267,462
91,532
538,439
38,200
251,000
49,920
87,445
18,676
46,200
57,300
906,185 2,135,044
88,750
15,112
12,384
441,185
851,470
206,572
70,200
718,375
205,802
149,430 "nJ766 1,173,5
988,416
58,000
44,200
192,214
8,500
13,000
9,400
744,316 '2^9!766
982,405 '273*439
318,81""
604,037
465,724
517,762
312,500
23,750
583,169 2,595,356
265,000
753,300
36,616
569,876
' 68,000
295,140 1,.056,400
685,''00
583,034 2,120,504
771,431
328,750
994,514 19,712,461 12,770,565
295,123 2,235,635 3,908,952 1,294,800 6,606,849
397,654
90,242
279,697
21,000
230,390
•72,775
606,526
117,400
30,500
682,044
56,000
314,600
336,495
142,900
476,600
68,700
317,976 8,830,619 2,127,745
6,000
373,710
59,28J
20,400
,489,555 1,109,524 1,164,446
560,544
686,430 1,079,576
486,382
3,097,394 3,591,989 7,030,604
597,920 5,921,980 3,758,547 6,278,065
484,345
869,039
831,342
23,750
38,258
12,500
12,867
250,025
331,914
394,700 1,311,027 1,255,850 3,069,350
1,980,329
127,849 3,451,003
27,565
2,311,786 5,322,262 5,321,866 6,071,513 5,354,881 9,224,256 2,585,557
147,545 6,447,120 2,381,825
64,430
728,705
223,650 , 19,500
10,975
668,507
748,338
" 87,683'




^
$1,934,120
638,217
^ 7,000
2,075
192,252
$5,600
38,123
75,582
'ci'fioo
1,838,968
6,000 1,155,902
1,631,039
• 221,292
57,825 2,459,128
139,232
"9*766 533,.599
111,828
205,333
93*850
340,947
1,164,020
1,674,705
393,455
112,781
998,315 1,280,333
2,086,522
132,293 1,712,196
749,132
206,796
26,495
909,525

$3,864,808
591,549
*12,837,782
2,342,162
30,374,421
3,554,205
774,317
4,808,828
15,815,324
17,549,630
3,527,790
21,865,031
18,210,994
20,.373,403
27,224,582
104,283,491
10,481,938
2,828,122
22,369,410
11,854,619
34,627,051
209,775,390
7,612,964
53,484,141
121,154,031
32,228,031
6,2.22,794

$6,483,214
1,246,403
*12,869,522
2,495,083
45,306,550
4,687,427
924,495
9,002,586
18,413,558
20,823,450
• 3,779,982
27,089,019
18,686,476
25,185,850
32,593,635
151,407,059
11,516,989
4,140,042
25,439,410
23,663,829
39,826,734
239,717,488
11,200,142
64,765,974
155,990,294
22,119,756
7,979,315

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No. 18—-Continued.
.

C M

o

States.

Cfl

1
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin

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$6,310
1,002,717 $510,624
15 000
212,592
.
314,120
1,579,161
196,300
841,013
1,421,661
87,992
305,391 1,486,384

$264,^25 $670,618
55,000
127,886
68,000 . 460,831
674,416 1,098,252
521,924
27,000
216,, 195

$676,-100

$43,731

$3,137,790
266,984
267,710
700,466 2,156,312
43,624
$5,900

2,500
247,360
188,350

$95,002
16,875

•

Territories.

«B

Total value
of manufactures.
1

G3

Manufactures
produced in
families.

-

I—(

Productofthe
1 salt
manu-^
1 factures.

^

00

Manufactures
of iron, castings.

w

m
•

CO

$7,570,979 $12,880,476
1,472,062
1,814,948
6,645,590
9,347,777
24,146,847 31,967,976
8,807,509
9,387,545

H

•

•

M^innp^iota
N e w Me'fico

Oregon
Utah •
Total..

6,077
61,547
13,294
•^ 11,380

10,500
1,500

..........

6,033
1,392

57,736
239;357
2,236,645
289,732

57 736
255,890
2,236,645
292,624

23,191,876 61,869,184 43,207,545 12,748,727 25,108,155 22,628,771 18,213,681 10,000,182 2,222,745 27,493,644 -832,103,265 1,055,595,899




Increase per cent. in.population for this decade, 35.^7.
* Including the product of the mines for 1850.
Sugar estimated at eight cents per pound, except Louisiana, at five cents.
The product of mills and molasses has been included in the manufactures.

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-

• N o . ^19.

. .

Recapitulation ofi tcd)les Nos. 1^, 15, 16; 11, and 18.

s t a t e s a n d Ter
ritories.

Eemarks,
•2S

O
Seventeen

1790 $3,929,82T

The enumeration of the
inhabitants only are
given for this decade.
Do.
do,

T w e n t y - o n e . . . 1800 5,305,925 -35.0!

O

•$463,320 $1,163,094 Included in 160,975,204 $145,385,906 Statistica defective.
cotton and
tirool.
1,852,258
4,876,486
62,T66,535
29,919,621
do.
Do.
do.

Twenty-five... 1810 7,239,814 36.45 ^26,076,997 $25,608,788 $3,616,457 Includ'd in $10,998,086 $16,483,9
pig iron.
4,413,068 2,230,276 . . . d o . . . .

4,640,669

Twenty-eight... 1830 12,866,020 33.49 22,534,815 14,528,166 4,757,403 . . . . d o . . . .

16,737,251

Twenty-seven. 1820 9,638,131 33.13

4,834,157

7,172,575

3,4-34,1

1840 17,069,453 .32.67 46,350,453 20,696,.!

Thirty-six .

1850 23,191,876 35.8T 61,869,184 43,207,545 12,748,727 25,108,155 -22,628,771 18,213,Average •34.44




8,640,758

935,173 . . . . . d o

',916,442 11,820,145 14,674,804 11,996,008 1,235,:

Thirty

46,077,092 -112,645,466 But ten States represented.
483,278,215 Full.

$29,023,380 329,391,574

10,000,182 2,222,745 27,493,644 832,103,265 1,055,595,899

ofej.
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No. 20.

CD
03

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fl fl-

States.

3 fl

Alabama
,
Arkansas
Columbia, District of.
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Illinois...,.
Indiana
,
Kentucky..........
Louisiana . . . . . ; . . . . :
Maine
Maryland.
Massachusetts
Michigan..




590,756
97,574
43,712
309,978
.78,085
691,.392
476,183
685,866
779,828
352,411
501,793
470,019
737,699
232,267

$4,236,000 $23,833,470
1,473,715
4,973,655
1,431,020
138,425
19,971,228
11,201,618
2,563,218
2,877,3.50
4 , 6 3 1 , 1 9 1 29,612,436
5,956,327 11,577,281
8,138,274 14,484,610
12,182,786 26,233,968
8,641,439 17,976,017
13,792,150 14,725,615
12,430,866 14,015,665
71,010,703 14,371,732
3,327,671
3,207,048

$28^,069,470
6,447,370
1,569,445
31,172,846
5,440,568
34,243,627
17,533,608
22,622,884
38,416,754
26,617,456
28,517,765
26,446,531
85,382,435
6,534,719

Allotment per capita of the
manufacturing and a gricul* tural products per Stite and
nation.

Statement ofi the population, manufiactures, and agricultural productions ofi the United States and Territories; thc allotment
per capita ofi the manufiacturing and agricultural productions per State and nation ; value ofi imports paying duty, less the
vcdue ofi fioreign paying exports; vcduc ofi imports paying cluty less the value ofifioreignpaying exports to each State, based
upon its population; amount paicl per capita ofi the paying imports, less the fioreign paying exports; amount ofi paying
imports, less the fioreign paying exports allotted to each State^ based upon its productions, and allotment per capita ofi
- the paying imports, less the fioreign paying exports as allotted to each State, based upon its productions for the year 1840.

$47 51
66 08
35 90
100 56
69 68
49 53
36 82
32 98
49 26
75 53
56 83
56 27
115 74

1 30 79

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$1,528,168
252,404
113,074
801,851
201,990
1,788,493
1,231,790
1,774,199
2,017,260
911,617
1,298,039
1,215,846
1,908,281
549,092

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$1,231,420
282,849
' 68,852
1,367,566
238,680
1,,502,282
769,208
992,475
1,685,359
1,167,719
1,251,086
1,160,220
3,745,764
286,681

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$2 08
90
58
41
06
17
62
45
16
31
49
47
5 08
1 35

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Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire..,
N e w Jersey
,
N e w York
N o r t h Carolina . . .
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
,
South Carolina . . . .
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia

375,651
383,702
284,574
373,306
2,428,921
753,419
1,519,467
'1,724,033
108,8.30
594,398
829,210
291,948
1,239,797

2,38.6,857
4,505,186
10,052,598
18,479,444
88,574,350
6,824,303
27,681,578
59,140,480
13,428,287
4,111,247
8,089,992
6,579,086
19,317,214

26,297,666
9,755,615
30,762,019
15,314,006
91,244,178
24,727,297
27,212,004
51,232,204
1,951,141
20,555,919
27,917,692
16,977,664
48,644,905

28,684,523
14,260,801
20,814,617
33,793,450
179,818,528
31,551,600
54,893,582130,372,684
15,379,428
24,667,166
36,007,684
23,556,750
67,962,120

76
37
73
90
74
41
36
64
141
41
43
80
54

36
17
14
53
03
88
33
02
32
50
42
69
82

971,734
992,572
. 736,136
965,668
6,283,136
1,948,945
3,930,559
4,459,731
281,521
1,537,589
2,145,001
755,2ir
3,207,108

1,258,402
625,627
913,U6
1,482,533
7,888,715
1,384,182
2,408,205
4,842,096
674,702
1,082,159
1,579,672
1,033,445
2,981,527

3 33
63
21
97
25
84
58
81
20
82
90
54
40

Territoiies.
Florida , . . . ,
Iowa
>• • • •
Wisconsin........
Naval s e r v i c e . . . . .

54,477
43,112
30,945
6,100

587,367
347,713
1,468,723

1,817,718
688,.308'
445,559

2,404,885
1,036,021
1,914,282

44 14
24 03
61 86

140,921
111,522
80,048

105,503
45,451
83,980

1 94
1 05
2 .71

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17,069,453 441,360,814 564,772,785 1,006,133,599

REMARKS.

58 96 44,139,506

44,139,506 2 58 68-100

fej'.
44,139,506

^

T h e value of houses have been deducted from the manufactures.
Persons engaged in the naval service have not been included in the calculation.
T h e productions of w h e a t , sugar, and molasses have been deducted from the agricultural products, because t h e y have entered into t h e nianufactures iiiider
the head of sugar and molasses, products of mills, and distilleries and breweries.^




fej

No. 21.

'

.

'

.

o
o

Oonnprticiit

.....

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . , - Geor2"ia
Illinois
Indiana.
Iowa
'..
Kentuckv
Louisiana. • . . .
Maine . . . . , . , .



. 771,623
209,897
92,597
51,687
370,792
91,532
' - 87,445
906,185
851,470
988,416
192,214
982,405
517,762
583,169

CM

O
03
fl .

>

~$6,483,214 $44,223,955
9,676,577
1,246,403
984,301
32,869,522
193,601
2,495,083
45,306,550 12,556,189
4,687,427
3,117,565
924,495
3,865,059
9,002,586 46,686,151
18,413,558 57,404,116
20,823,450 47,-498,467
8,810,997
3,779,982
27,089,019 52,477,680
18,686,476 15,210,299
25,185,850 16,282,347

$50,707,169
10,922,980
13,853,823
2,688,684
57',862,739
•7,804,992
4,789,554
55,688,737
75,817,674
68,321,917
12,590,979
79,566,699
33,896,775
41,468,197

$65 72
52 04
149 61
52 02
156' 05
85 27
54 77
61 45
89 04
69 12
65 51
80 99
65 47
71 11

$4,925-, 865
1,339,934
591,118
329,958
2,367,050
584,319
558,229
5,784,876
5,435,588
6,309,819
1,227,0.50
6,271,446
3,305,273
3,722,816 1

Allotment per capita of the
paying imports, less the paying foreign -exports, as allotted to each State, based
upon its productions.

c3 -

•

Amount of paying imports,
less the paying foreign exports, allotted to each State,
based upon its productions.

fl
fl

afl
S

Amount'paid per capita of
the paying imports, less the
foreign paying expcft'ts.

c2

ci5
fl

Amount of paying imports,
less the foreign paying exports, to each State, based
upon its population.

o

to
GO
r-1

Value of imports paying duty,
less the value of foreign exports paying duty. ,

States.

Allotment per capita of the
manufacturing and agricultural products, per State and
nation.

"o

Total value of agricultural
and manufacturing productions.

ra

Value of agricultural pro• ducts.

Statement ofi the population, mamfiactures, and agriculturcd productions ofi the United States and Territories; the. allotment
per capita ofi thc manufiacturing and agricultural productions per State and nation; value ofi imports paying duty, less the
value ofi fioreign p>aying exports; value ofi imports paying cluty, less the vcdue ofi fioreign paying exports^ to each Stctte^
based upon its popidation; amount p e r capita ofi the paying imports, less the fioreign paying exports; amount ofi pjaying
importsy less the foreign paying exports, allotted to each State, based upon its productions; and allotment p)er capita ofi
the paying imports, less the fioreign paying exports, as allotted to each Statephased upon its productions, fior thc year 1850.

$3,730,285
.803,552 1
• 1,019,160
197,794
4,256,687
574,176
352,345
4,096,756
5,557.546
5,026,119
926,258
5,853,34.4.
2,493,625
3,050,618 1

$4 83
3 83
11 01
3 83
11 48
. 6 27
4 03
4 52
6 55
5 09
4 82
5 97
4 82
5 23

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Maryland... . . c ,
Massachusetts . . . .
Michigan , . . . . . . . . ,
Mississippi . . . . . . . .
Missouri ..':•
New Hampshire'.".
Kew Jersey-..,. .1.
New York . . . . . . .
North Carolina . . .
Ohio.^...........
Pennsylvania......
Ilhode I s l a n d . . . , .
.South Carolina ...'
Tenriessee . . . . . ' ' . .
' Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Verraont
\ ...
Virginia . . . . . . . ^ .
Wisconsin . . . . . . .

583 ,034
994 ,514
397 ,654
606 526
682 044
317 976
489 ,555
,097.,394
869 ,039
,980 ,329
,331',786.
147 ,545
668 ,507
,002 ,.717'
212 ,592
314 ,3.20
,421 ,661
305 ,391

32,593,635 16,296,193
151,407,059 14,277,595
11,516,989 17,329,385
'4,140,042 36,802,141
25,439,410 34,619,650
23,663,829 13,594,139
39,826,734 19,322,894
239,717,488 117,039,315
11,200,142 31,712,146
64,765,974 84,793,387
155,990,294 73,576,837
2,168,332
22,119,756
7,979,315 30,068,354
12,880,477 50,394,447
9,065,181
- 1,814,946
9,347,778 20,813,564
31,967,976 52,512,4.52
9,387,545 11,503,371

48,889,834.
165,684,654
28,846,374
40,942,183
60,059,060
37,267,968
• 59,149,628
356,736,603
42,912,288
149,559,.361
229,.567,131
24,288,088
38,047,469
63,274,924
10,880,127
30,161,342
84,480,428
20,890,916

,721 954
348 747
,538 531
871 92'2
354 ,011
029 ,885
125 ,206
,773 ,047
,547 ,744
,641 ,963
,757 ,907
941 893
,267 ,594
,401 ,113
,357 ,138
,005 ,269
,075 555
,949 ,546

3,596^593
12,188,633
2,122,091
3,011,922
4,418,260
2,740,892
4,353,357
26,243,417
3,156,853
11,002,372
16,888,163
•3,786,759
2,798,971
4,654,835
800,399
2,238,827
6,214,824
1,536,845

38,794
392,.902
84r,866
72,647

10,786
-74,6S1
228,419
47,401

86 78 148,051,575 148,051,575

6. 38 37-100 348,051,575

83 85
366 60
72 54

67 50
88 06
117 17
120 82
111 94
49 38
75'52
99 30
164 61
56 91
63 10
51 13
96 02
59 42
68 41

6 17
12 26 .
5 34
4 96
6 48
8 62
8 89
8 47
3 63
5 56
7 31
12 11
4 19
4 64
3 ,76
7 06
4 37
5 03

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Territories.
Minnesota . . ,
New Mexico ,
Oregon .."....-,
Utah........

6,077
61,547
13,294
11,380

57,736
255,890
2,236,645
292,624

7g9,411
86B,340
351,710

146,622
1,015,301
3,104,985
644,334

23,191,876 1,055,595,899 9.56,924,640 2,012,520,539

24 13
36 50
233 56

56 62

1
1
17
4

77
21
18
17

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•
.
REMARKS.
:Hopg, fiax, flaxseed, wine, and silk cocoons, estimated at the Census Office at $3,293,314.
jMaple sugar, cane sugar, and molasses included in the manufactures.
,
>
i
Milk and eggs, fodder, wood, addition of 3 per Qex}t. to live stock, poultry, and feathers, estiraated at $125,95.6,927, and notJneluded.




No. 22,

o

Statement exMbiting the value ofi manufiactured articles ofi dcmestic produce exported to fioreign countries firom the 30th day
ofi June, 184:5, to June 30, 1S55.
Articles.
Wax.
Refined sugar.
Chocolate
Spirits from grain
Spirits from molasses
Spirits from other materials
•...
Molasses.
.'..,
Vinegar
Beer, ale, porter, and'cider . . . . . . . . .
Linseed oil and spirits of turpentine..
Lard oil..
Household furriiture
Coaches and other carriages
Hats
Saddlery
Tallow; candles and s o a p . . . . ' . . . . . . . ,
Snuff and tobacco
'
Leather, boots, and.shoes
Cordage
, ,.^....,
Gunpowder '.
Salt
Lead
Iron-—pig, bar, and nails... .i
castings
all manufactures of..
Copper and brass, manufactures of...
Medicinal drugs
Co.tton piece-goods-—
printed or colored
uncolored ' , . . . . , . . . ,



1846.
$162. 790
392! 312|
17^
73, 716|
268. 652
1 ,581
17 ,489
67 ,735!
159 i915
317 ,407
87 ,7121
74 ,7221
24 ,357
630 ,041
695 ,914
346 ,516
62 ,7751
140 879
30 520
614 5181
. 122 225
,'107 ,905
921 652
62 ,088
200 ,505
1,229 538|
1,97a ,331

3847.
$161,527'
124,824
1,653
67,781
293,609

1848.

•1849.

1850.

1851.

1852.

1853.

$134,577 $121,720 $118,055 $122,835
219,588
253,900
129,001 '285,056
3,255
2,260
1,941
2,207
36,084
48,314|
67,329
90,957|
289,622
269,467! 288,452! 268,290

$91,499
149,921
3,267
48,737
323,949

$113,602
375,780
10,230
141,173
329,381

16,830
• 16,915
57,-975
145,410

33,163
12,220
48,052|
-152,837

17,582
20,443
64,677
362,9601

14,137
7,442
5,563
, 20,959
13,920!
14,036
11,182
9,526
51,320
52,251
78,071
68,114
148,056! 229,741
331,404
498,110
278,025
225,700
297;358| 237,342
95,722
.95,9231
89,963
75,369
64,967
55,493
68,671
59,536|
37,276
27,4351
20,8931
13,102
627,2801
664,963
670,223
606,798
613,044
648,832
568,435
658,950
151,774
193,598
243,8161 394,095
41,636.
51,357
29,911
27,0541
131,297
190,352
125,263
88,397
82,972
73,2741
75,103
42,333!
12,7971
• 84,2781 30,198
124,981
154,210
154,036 - 149,358
168,817
60,175
79,33.8
83,1881
68,889 1,022,408
886,639 1,.677,792
929,778
66,203
105,060
61,468
64,980
220,894
334,789
210,581
165,793!
353,5341 469,777 • 606,631
290,114
3,345;9021 4,866,559 33955,1171 3,774,407

362,830
430,182
714,5561
399,421
184,497
172,445
103,7681
80,453
91,261
30,100
47,937
48,229!
609,732
681,362
660,054
1,143,547 1,316,622| 1,671,5001
673,7081
458,838 • 428,708
103,216
52,054
62,903i
180,048
154,257| 121,580
119,729
61,424
89,336
5,540
32,725
"11,7741
181,9981
118,624!
215,652
220,420
164,425
191,388
1,875,621 1,993,8071 2,097,234
108,2051
91,873
103,039
351,5851 263,852! 327,073

1854.

1855.

$87,140
$69,905
370,488
526,463
12,257
2,771
282,919
384,144
809,965 1,448,280
101,836
131,048 %^9,830
16,945
17,281
53,503
45,069
1,084,329 1,186,732
82,945
. 763,197
803,960
244,638| 290,525
176,404
177.914
53,331
64;886
891,566 1,111,349
1,551,471 1,500,113
896,555! 1,052,406
315,267
194,076
356,051
• 212,700
159,026! 156,879
14,298
26,874
288,437
308,127
459,775| 306,4.39
3,472,467 3,158,596
690,766
92,108
454,789 , 788,114

1,006,5611 926,404 1,086,167 1,147,786 2,613,653
5,571,5761 6,139,391 6,926,485| 4,130^1491 2,907,276

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22,594
49,315
37,260
34,718
92,555
170,633
108,132
17,405
twist, yarn, and thread
-.
81,813
733,6481 423,085
415,680
336,250
335,981
571,638
327,479
255,799
338,375
other manufactures of.
625,808
Hemp and flax—
2,924
24,456
l,647i
2,506
495
1,009
1,364
1,183
,
5,468
^ 477
cloth and thread
55,263
13,860
34,002
6,3761
4,549
6,218
10,765
10,5931
8,154
5,305
bags, and all manufactures o f . . . . . . .
'75,9451 207,632 1,211,894
45,140
250,2281 239,7331 234,3.881 223,801
574,834
47,301
Wearing apparel
34,525
53,685
32,119
30,632
. 23,0961
6,521
•15,644
18,310
8,512
4,758!
Earthen and stone ware
37,6841
31,395
.32,049
27,334|
38,336
23,987
28,833
16,461
35,945|
17,026!
Combs and buttons
9,501
6,612
10,856
8,257
2,924 '- 2,827
4,385
2,160
3,110
2,967i
Brushes.
,.
3,204
4,916
701
1,673
.2,295
1,7981
1,^0"
1,5831
615'
• 12|
Billiard tables and apparatus
11,658!
8,441
5,800!
6,183
3,395!
12,260
8,340!
2,916
2,427
2,150
Umbrellas, parasols, and s u n s h a d e s . . . . . . .
1,409,107
Manufactures of India rubber
.,
17,018
36,045
9,800
6,448
13,309
18,617
9,427
26,667
29,856
16,483
Leather and morocco (not sold per pound).
14,829
6,597
9,652
3,140
9,488
16,7841
548
9,802|
3,443
7,686
Fire-engines and apparatus
36,405
33,012
32,250
39,242
71,4011
28,031
47,781
43,792
17,431
30,403
Printing-presses and .types
106,857
52,397
326,128
23,713|
21,634
16,9971
55,700
67,7331
38,508
25,37
Musical ins'truments
207,218
142,604
187,335
.94,427
44,751
319,475
I53,912| 217,809
75,193
63,567
Books and maps . . . . ' .
185,637
192,339
86,827
88,731
99,696
155,664
119,535! 122,212
78,307
124,597
Paper and stationery
163,096
55,145
83,020
54,115
121,823
67,597
109,834
50,739
52,1821
85,369
Paints and varnish .,
....;...
204,679
101,419
71,155
170,563
229,476
136,682
76,007
90,860
185,4361 194,634
Manufactures of glass
14,279
13,143
6,363
30,750
13,590
12,353
22,9881
8,902
27,823
23,420
. Manufactures of tin
5,233
33,196
33,694
16,478
22,682
7,739
14,064
16,426
18,469
^ Manufactures of pewter and lead.'
10,278
168,546
20,282
11,220
88,327
34,510
22,466|
47,628|
57,2401
14,234
41,449
Manufactures of marble and stone.
Maiiufactures of gold and silver, and gold
.9,051
20,332
68,639|
leaf
;
3,660
11,873 1,311,513
.4,583|
4,502
6,241
4,2681
442,3831 806,119
Quicksilver
,
"
22,043
50,471
24,420
114,738
11,217
66,397
Artificial flowers and jewelry.
121.,013
8,557
3,126
45,283
35,203
23,673
30,613
. 27,1481
15,0.35
Trunks
12,207
5,270
10,3701
5,099
6,1261
57,393
33,3141
32,625
13,539
Bricks and lime...." '.
12,.5781
16,348
22,045
17,623|
8,671
24,174
Articles not enumerated
1,379,566 1,108,984 1,137,828 1,408,2781 3,869,073 3,793,341 2,877,659 3,788,700 4,972,084 4,014,432
Total
Gold and silver coin.

Pi
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11,139,582 10,476,345 12,858,758 11,280,075 15,196,451 20,186,967 18,862,931 j22,599,930 26,849,411 28,833,299
,62,620 2,700,412
956,874 2,046,6791 18,069,580 37,437,837 23,548,535 38,234,5661!53,957,418
423,851
11,563,433 10,538,965 15,559,170 12,236,949 17,243,130 38,256,547 156,300,768 46,148,465 65,083,977| 82,790,717

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office^ Octoher 26, 1855.




. C. T. 30N1E>SJ Acting Register.
O

104

REPORT ON THE FINANCES-.

• No. 23. •

Stcdem&iit exhibiting the vcdu'e ofi fioreign merchandise imported, re-exported, and consumed, annually, firom 1821 to 1855, inclusive; and
also the estimated population and rate ofi consumption per capita during
the same pieriod.
fl

Value of foreign merchandise.
Population.

Years €ndingImported.

Pk,e-exp orted. Consumed and
on hand.

fl ri
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O

1-

$41,283,236 .9,960,974 $4 34
SeptemliJSr ^ . . . . . .1821 $62,585,724 $21,302,488
5 92
60,955,339 10,283,757
1822
83,241,541 '22,286,202
4 71
50,035,645 10,606,540
3823 • 77,579,267 27,543,622
5 05
55,211,850 10,929,323
1824
80,549,007 25,337,157
5 66
63,749,432 11,252,106
1825
96,340,075 32,.590,643
5 22
60,434,865 11,574,889
1826
84,974,477 24,539,612
1827
79,484,068 23,403,136 • 56,080,932 -11,897,672 . 4 71
5 47
66,914,807 12,220,455
1828
88,509,824 21,.595,017
4 61
57,834,049 12,543,238
1829
74,492,527 16,658,478
4 39
56,489,441 32,866,020
1830
70,876,920 14,387,479
6 25
83,157,598 13,286,364
1831
103,191,324 20,033,526
5 61
76,98,9,793 13,706,707
1832
101,029,266 24,039,473
6 2'5
88,295,576 14,127,050
1833
108,138,311 ' 19,822,735
7 09
103,208,521 14,547,393
1834
126,-521,332 23,312,811
8 64
129,391,247 1,4,967,736
3835
149,895,742 20,504,495
168,233,675 15,388,079 10 93
3836
189,980,035 21,746,360
7 53
119,334,255 15,808,422
1837
140,989,217 21,854,962
6 23
101,264,609 .16,228,765
1838
113,717,404 12,452,795
8 68
144,597,607 16,649,108
1839
162,092,132 17,494,525
5 21
88,951,207 17,069,453
1840
107,141,519 18,190,312
6 38
112,477,096 17,612,507
1841
127,946,177 15,469,081
4 87
88,440,549 18,155,561
1842
100,162,087 31,721,538
3 31
58,201,102 18,.698,615
9 mosv t€) Juiae 8© 1843
6,552,697
64,753,799
5 03
Yearto JmasSO.. .1844
108,435,035 31,484,867 • 96,950,168 39,241,670
5 15
101,907,734 19,784,725
1845
117,254,564 15,346,830
5 42
110,345,174 20,327,780
1846
121,693,797 31,346,623
6 60
338,534,480 20,780,835
1847
146,545,638
8,011,158
6 25
133,870,918 21,413,890
•1848
154,998,928 21,328,010
6 13
334,768,574: 21,956,945
1849
147,857,439 13,088,865
7 02
363,186,510 23,246,303
1850
178,138,318 14,951,808
8 02
194,526,639 24,250,000
1851
216,224,932 21,698,293
8 00
195,656,060 24,500,000
1852
212,945,442 37,289,382
250,420,187 25,000,000 10 00
1853
267,978,647 17,558,460
279;712,187 25,750,000 10 00
1854
304,562,381 ,24,850,194
8 79
233,020,227 26,500,000
1S55 261,468,520 28,448,293
4,632,273,216 668,041,927 3,964,231,-2S9
C, T'. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,,

Registers Office, October 24, 1855,




105

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

;

No. 24.

Statement exhibiting the total value ofi imports, and the imports consumed
in the United States, exclusive ofi specie, during each fiiscal year, firom
1821 to 1855 ; showing,, also^ the value ofifioreignand 'domestic exports,
exclusive ofi specie; and thc tonnage emplpyed during the same periods.
C3 '
t3 fl

fl « <u •

Foreign mercha
dise exported, e
elusive of speci

B ^

fl

"^ 6
^

•

03

a"
1

^

1^ ^,

03

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fl
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Domestic produ
exported, excl
sive of specie.

03

Imports entered f
consumption, e
elusive of speci

fl
'^

1821
$62,585,724
$43,696,405
1822
83,241,541
68,367,425
77,579,267
1823
51,308,936
1824
80,549,007
53,846,567
66,375,722
1825 ^ 96,340,075
84,974,477
57,652,577
1826
54,901,108
79,484,068
1827
1828
88,509,82,4
66,975,475
74,492,527
1829
54,741,571
1830
70.876,920
49,575,009
82,808,110
103,191,124
1831
1832
101,029,256
75,327,688
1833
108,118,311
83-,470,067
1834
86,973,147
126,521,332
149,895,742
1835
122,007,974
1836
158,811,392
189,980,035
, 1837 140,989,217
113,310,571
1838
113,717,404
86,552,598
1839
162,092,132
145,870,816
1840 • 107,141,519
86,250,335
1841
114,776,309
127,946,177
• 1842 100,362,087 • 87,996,318
37,294,129
*1843 - 64,753,799
96,390,548
1844
108,435,035
105,599,541
1845
117,254,564
1846' 121,691,797
110,048,859
1847
146,545,638
116,257,595
140,651,902
1848 • 154,998,928
1849
132,565,168
147,857,439
1850
178,138,318
164,032,033
1851
216,224,932
200,476,219
1852
212,945,442
195,072,695
1853
267,978,647
253,07r,358
1854
304,562,381 • 275,955,893
1855
261,468,520 ' 231,650,340
Total. 4,632,273,216 3,868,662,40a

$43,671,894 $10,824,429
$64,974,382' 1,298,958
11,504,270
49,874,079
1,324,699
72,160,281
21,172,435 . 74,699,030 1,336,566
47,155,408
50,649,500
18,322,605
75,986,657
1,389,163
66,809,766
23,793,588
99,535,388 1,423,1:^
52,499,8.55
20,440,934
77,595,322 1,534,191
1,620,608
16,431,830
57,878,117
82,324,827
-49,976,632
14,044,608
' 72,264,686 1,741,392
12,34/7,344
72,358,67?
1,260,798
55,087,307
13,145,857
58,524,878
73,849,508' 1,191,776
1,267,847
13,077,069
59,218,583
81,310,583
1,439,450
19,794,074
61,726,529
87,176,943
1^606,151
69,950,856
15,577,876
90,140,433
1,758,907
80,623,662
21,636,553
104,336,973
14,756,321 •121,693,577 1,824,940
100,4.59,481
106,570,942
17,767,762
128,663,040 1,882,103
17,162,2.32 • 117',419,376 1,896,686
94,280,895
1,994,640
95,560,880
9,417,690
108,486,616
10,626,340
121,028,416 2,096,380
101,625,533
12,008,371
111,660,561
132,085,946 2,180,764
8.181,235
103,63^,236
123,851,803 2,130,744
91,799,242
8,078,753 . 104,691,534 2,092,391
77,686,354
5,139,335
84,346,(180 2,158,603
99,533,774
6,234,058
111,206,046 2,280,095
98,455,330
7,584,781
114,646,606 2,417,002
101,718,042
7,865,206
113,488,516 2,562,085
150,574,844
6,166,754
158,648,622 2,839,046
7;986,802
1.30,203,709
154,032,131 3,154,042
331,710,081
8,641,691
145,755,820 3,334,0.15
151,898,720 3,535,454
9,475,493
134,900,233
10,295,121
218,388,011 3,772,439
178,620,138
209,641,625 ^,138,441
354,931,147
12,037,043
189,869,162
13,096,213
230,4.52,2.50 4,407,010
21,648,304 ,278,241,064 4,802,903
215,156,304
26a58,368
192,751,135
275,156,846 5,212,001
3,465,349,089

472,421,145 4,330,536,729 80,905,402

* Nine months, ending June 30, 3843.,
:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office,'Octoher 24,. 1855.




C. T. JONES, .Acting R egister.

/

'

No. 25.

o

Statement exhibiting a summary view ofi the exports ofi domestic produce, &c., ofi thc United States during the years ending,
on thc 30th June, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854 and 1855.
Product of—
Raw produce. Specie and bul- Total value.
lion.

Years.
. The sea.

The forest.^

Agriculture.

Tobacco.

Cotton.

Manufactures.
Pi
fej

1847...
1848
1849
1850.
1851.;
1852
1853
1854.
1855..........

$3,468,033
1,980,963
2,547,654
2,824,818
3,294,691
2,282,342
3,279,413
3,064,069
3,516,894-

$5,996,073
7,059,084
5,917,994
7,442,503
7,847,022
7,864,220
7,915,259
11,761,185
12,603,837

$68,450,383
37,781,446
38,858,204 .
26,547,158
24,369,210
26,378,872
33,463,573
67,104,592 42,567,476 •

$7,242,086
7,551,122
5,804,207
9,951,023
9,219,251
10,031,283
11,319,319
10,016,046
14,712,468

$53,415,848
61,998,294
66,396,967
71,984,616
112,315,317
87,965,732
109,456,404
93,596,220
88,143,844

$10,351,364
12,774,480
11,249,877
15,196,451
20,136,96"
18,862,931
22,599,930
26,849,411
28,833,299

$2,102,838
1,058,320
935,178
953,664
1,437,893
1,545,767
1,835,264
2,764,781
2,373,317

$62,620
2,700,412
956,874
2,045,679
18,069,580
37,437,837
23,548,535
38,234,566
53,957,418

$150,637,464
132,904,121
132,666,955
136,946,912
196,489,718
3.92,368,984
213,417,697
253,390,870
246,708,553

^

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C. T . J O N E S , .Beting Register.
TREASURY D E P A R T M E N T , .iicg-isfer^s Office, 0etch&r 2 4 , 1855.




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No. 26.
Statement exhibiting the value of certain, articles imported during the years ending June 30^ 1844, 1845, 1846^ 1847, 1848^
1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853,, 1854, and 1855, (afiter deducting the re-exportations.^) and the amount ofi duty which
accrued on each during the same periods, respectively.
„ "
1844.

1845.

1847.

1846.

1849.

1848.

Articles.
. Value.
Woollens
Cottons
Hempen goods . . . .
Iron, and manufactures- of
Sugar
Hemp, unmanufac-.
tured.... •
Salt
Coal
Total.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

$9,408,279 13,313,495 $10,504,423 $3,731,014 $9,935,925 $3,480,797 $10,639,473 $3,192,293 $35,061,102 $4,196,007 $13,503,202 $3,723,768
13,236,830 4,850,731 13,360,7291 4,908,272 12,857,422 4,865,4831 14,704,186 3,956,798 17,205,417 4,166,573 15,183,759! 3,769,565
92,067
460,335!
606,9001 . 121,380|
213,8621
198,642
. 865,427
625,871
801,661
121,-588
138,394
696,8881
2,395,760
6,897,245
•

261,933
892,112
203,683

1,607,113 4,075,1421 2,415,003 3,660,581 1,629,581 8,710,1801 2,717,378 7,060,470 2,138,141 9,262,567
4,597,093 4,049,708 2,555,075 4,397,2391 2,713,8661 9,406,253 . 3,160,444 8,775,223! 2,632,567 7,275,780
101,338 •
654,881
133,8451

140,372
883,359
187,962

55,122
678,069
130,221

180,221
748,566
336,691

62,282
509,244
254,149

65,22o|
878,871
330,875|

19,452
228,892
162,008

180,335
1,027,656
426,997

54,100| •• 478,232
205,531 1,424,529
382,2541
128,099

2,778;770
2,182,734

fel.
O

o
1-3

w

fel.

143,470
284,906
114,676

34,161,247 15,472,358 34,003,256 14,671,413 32,813,533 13,653,796 45,360,929 13,558,853 50,344,100 13,622,398 47,970,658 13,089,956




Ul

o

No. 26—Continued.
.

1852.

1851.

1850.

O
CX)

185^.

1854.

1855.

Articles.
Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

liVoollens . . . . . . . . . $16,900,916 $4,682,457 $19 239.930 $5,331,600 $17,348,184 $4,769,083 $27,051,934 $7,459,794 $31,119,654 $8,629,180 $22.^076,448 $6,088,157
Cottons . . • • • • . . . . . 19,681,612 4,896,278 21,486,502 5,348,695 18,716,741 4,895,327 26,412,243 6,599,338 32,477,106 8,153,992 15,742,923 3,823,294
86,721
68,755
433,604
- 98,015 ~ 615,239
123,048
490,077
343,777
59,824
H e m p e n goods . . . .
11,631
239,593
47,919
I r o n , and manufactures o f . . . . . . . . . 10,864,680 3,259,404 10,780,312 3,234„094 18,843,569 5,632,484 26,993,082 • 8,074,017 28,288,241 8,486,472 23,945,274 7,163,602
Sufifar . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,950,716 2,085,215 13,478,709 4,043,613 13,977,393 4,193,218 14,168,337 4,250,501 11,604,656 3,481,397 13,284,663 3,985,399
H e m p , unmanufac326,812
172,435
164,211
98,044
49,263
335,632
574,783
212,811
63,843
100,689
tured . . . . . . . . . . .
55,458
16,637
245,504 1,025,300
220,420 1,041,.577 . 208,315 1,290,975
1,227,518
205,060 1,102,101
258,195 1,692,587
338,517
Salt
121,695
405,652
488,491
146,547
361,855
108,557
478,095
143,429
585,926
893,825
268,147
175,777
Coal
Total..

Pi
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1-3

57,052,157 15,547,865 67,316,898 18,493,332 70,901,628 •19,950,245 96,916,080 26,923,277 105,762 014 29.2C)7..^q.q 77,930,771 21,733,672

C. T . J O N E S , .Beting Register.
TREASURY D E P A R T M E I I T , Register's Office, Octoher 24, 18^5.




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- .

.

No. 27.

, .

.

,

Statement-exhibiting thevalue of foreign merchandise and doniestic produce, &c., exported annually from 1821 to 1855.
Value of exports exclusive of specie.
Years ending—

'^
«5«i»r»fpmhpr ^0
^

1823
1822
,
.......
1823
1824
..;.....
1825
3826
,
1827
;.
1828
•
1829
1830
1831..
1832
1833
„
1834
1835.....
1836..
1837
1838..-;
,...
1839.
1840
•
".
1841
1842
'
9 monthsto June 30, 1843
Year to June 3 0 . . . . , .1844
1845



Specie and bullion.

Foreign merchandise.
D.omestic produce.
Free of duty.
$286,698
.374,716
1,323,762
1,100,530
1,088,785
1,036,430
833,844
877,239
919,943
1,078,695
642,586.
1,345,217
5,165,907
10,757,033.
7,012,666
8,534,895
7,756,189
' 4,951,306
5,618,442
6,202,562
3,953,054
3,194,299
1,682,763
2,251,550
2,413,050,

Paying duty.
$10,537,731
11,101,306
19,846,873
17,222,075
22,704,803
19,404,504
15,417,986
13,167,339
11,427,401
12,067,162
" 12,434,483
.18,448,857
12,411,969
10,879,520
7,743,655
9,232,867
9,406,043
4,466,384
5,007,698
5,805,809
4,228,181
- 4,884,454
3,456,-572
3,962,508
5,171,731

Aggregate value
of exports.

'

. Total. •
$10,824,429
, 11,476,022
21,170,635
18,322,605
23,793,588
20,440,934
16,231,830
14,044,578
12,347,344
13,145,857
13,077,069
19,794,074
17,577,876
21,636,553
14,756,321
17,767,762
17,162,2,32
9,437,690
10,626,140
12,008,373
8,383,235.
8,078,7.53
5,139,.335
6,214,058
. 7,584,781

$43,671,894
49,874,079
47,155,408
' 50,649,500
06,809,766
52,449,855
57,878,137
49,976,632
55,087,307
• 58,524,878
59,238,583
61,726,529
69,950,85680,623,662
. 100,459,481
106,570,942
94,280,895
95,560,880
101,625,533
111,660.561
103,636,236
91,799,242
77,686,354
99,531,774
98,455,330

$54,496,323
61,350,101
68,366,043
68,972,105
90,603,354
72,890,789
74,109,947
64,021,210
67,434,651
-71,670,735
72,295,652
81,520,603
87,528,732
302,260.215
115,215,802
324,338,704
111,443,127
104,978,570
112,251,673
123,668,932
• 111,817,471
99,877,995
82,825,689
105,745,832
106,040,111

pi
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$10,478,059
10,810,180
6,372,987
7,014,552
8,932,034
4,704,.533
8,014,880
8,243,476
4,924,020
•2,178,773
9,014,931
5,656,340
2,611,701
. 2,076,758
6,477,775
4,324,336
5,976,249
, 3,508,046
8,776,743
'8,417,014
10.034 .332
4,813,5.39
1,520,791
5,454,214
8,606,495

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QD.

No. '21—Continuedo
•O

. Value of exports exclusive of specie.
Foreign merchandise.

Years endingFree of duty.
Year to June 30.

Paying duty.

Domestic produce.

Aggregate value
of exports.

Specie and bullion.

Total.

.1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
18.52
1853..:..
1854
1855

$2,342,629
1,812,847
1,410;307
2,015,815
2,099,132
1,742,154
2,538,159"
1,894,046
3,210,907
6,516,550

$5,522,577
4,353,907
6,576,499
6,625,276
7,376,361
8,5.52,967
9,498,884
11,202,167
18,437,397
19,641,818

$7,865,206
6.166,754
7,986,806
8,641,091
9,475,493
10,295,121
12,037,043
13,096,213
21,648,304
26,158,368

$101,718,042
150,574,844
130,203,709
131,710,081
134,900,233
178,620,138
154,931,147
189,869,162
"215,156,304
192,751,135

$109,583,248
156,741,598
138,190,515
340,353,372
144,375,726
188,915,259
166,968,390
202,965,375
236,804,608
.218,909,503

$3,905,268
1,907,024
15,841,616
5,404,648
7,522,994
29,472,752
42,674,135
27,486,875
41,436,456
56,247,343

Total

105,964,707

368,225,764

474,190,471

3,465,299,089

3,939,489,560

390,841,869

I

,C. T. JONES, .Beting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




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IIEPORT. ON THE FINANCES.

No. 28.Statement exhibiting the quantity ofi winey spirits, &c.j imported annually,
firom 18i3 to 1855, inclusive.
No. 1.—WINE IN CASKS.
Madeira.

^Sherry.

Sicily.

Period of importation.
Gallons.
9 mos. ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
i)o
...1845
Do
1846
5 mos. ending Nov. 30, 1846
7 mos. ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848
Do
1849
Do.......
1850
Do
1851
Do.....
18.52
Do
1853
Do
..1854
Do........
1855

Value.

3,949
16,754
101,176
169,797
117,117
13,806
44,634
193,971
303,125
163,941
216,683
226,403
120,391
71,912

$9,075
30,575
145,237
122,895
128,613
5,717
21,630
105,302
150,096
116,008
303,917
105,628
54,270
46,445

Gallons.

Value.

'4,685 $6,491
1/8,665 23,418
23,616 38,289
26,538 41,761
14,543 26,194
77,521 56,061
215,935 109,983
170,794 128,510
212,092 118,9.52
250,277 • 154,668
168,610 97,680
313,048 - 155,819
415,298 244,028
383,398 208,414

Gallons.

Value.

14,579 - $6,617
31,180 i5,ooa
110,590 46,033
209,131 74,000
8,933
21,281
92,631 24,230
67,364
190,294
330,851 32,231
91,123 24,933
301,030 98,975
91,746 22,563
190,205 45,794
68,870 23,191
197,700 65,359

No. 2.—WINE IN CASKS.
Port.

Claret.

Period of importation.

Other red wine.

•

Gallons.

Value.

Gallons.

$25,714
1.56,878
162,358
148,895
62,851
3,791
170,134
272,700
305,454
349,849
240,238
268,005
177,935
97,987

873,895 $134,.598
' 993,198 218,239
1,051,862 249,633
951,351 249,703
294,4.33 111,453
591,656 119,844
1,227,071 221,416
1,912,701 263,836
1,919,766 -267,445
1,940,121 280,333
2,702,612 405,380
2,6.33,802 482,827
2,045,474 497,005
1,371,400 440,631

Value.

Gallons.

•

9 mos. ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
Do
1845
Do
1846
5 mos. ending Nov. 30, 1846
7 mos. ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848
Do
.1849
Dol
1850
Do
1851
Do.....
1852
Do.
.1853
Do . :
38.54
Do
.....1855




Value.
Jt

38,593
223,615
260,593
372,.528
. 80,991
8,Ct75
501,123
711,268
626,211
762,967
614,816
662,79]
393,197
186,460

340,387
495,5.58
954,646
1,072,589
539,454
781,073
994,458
1,469,256
1,245,201
1,172,316
1,374,416
1,854,885
1,519,505

$60,096
143,210
316,821
328,814
119,411
180,928
221,177
265,988
236,727
229,350
377,482
450,195
459,985

112

KEPORT ON THB FINANCES.

No. 28—Continued,. •
No. 3.—WINE, BRANDY, GRAIN SPIRITS.
Other white wine.

Brandy.

Grain spirits.

Period of importation.
Gallons.

Value.

Gallons.

Value.

Gallons.

$28,205
75,090
211,183
310,241
296,736
•69,831
193,358
210,139
215,353
209,847
195,870
305,287
380,204
322,257

191,832
782,510
1,081,314
963,147
331,108
623,309
1,370,111
2,964,091
4,145,802
3,163,783
2,751,810
3,854,956
2,152,366
1,024,497

$106,267
606,633
819,450
839,231
355,451
575,631
1,135,089
1,347,514
2,659,5,37
2,128,679
1,792,729
3,251,408
2,255,344
1,479,362

259,129 $121,547
416,918 171,015
. 606,311 262,543
677,785 345,352
136,323 86,073
327,635 143,549
676,683 327,493
796,276 327,957
751,183 361,078
•984,417 364,204
865,301 294,386
1,060,456 424,638
1,197,234 564,569
1,190,642 575,560

Value.

•

9 mos. ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
Do
1845
Do...........1846
5 mos. ending Nov. 30, 1846
7 mos. ending June 30, 1847
Year .ending June 30, 1848
Do.....:
1849
Do
1850
Do.....
1851
Do
1852
Do
1853
Do
..,.1854
Do....
1855

123,832
268,414
591,7.35
705,808
618,267
278,482
840,687
973^,895
.1,088,801
1,085,374
935,379
1,275,290
1,379,888
939,354

No. 4.—OTHER SPIRITS, BEER, ALE, AND PORTER.
Other spirits.

Beer, ale, and porter, Beer, ale, and porter,
from Scotland.
from England.

Period of importation.
Gallons.
9 mos. ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
Do.^
1845
Do.....
1846
5 mos. ending Nov. 30, 1846
7 mos. ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848
Do
......1849
. Do
1850
Do......
1851
Do
18.52
Do
18.53
Do
1854
Do
1855

135,399
210,477
270,484
221,344
65,477
160,747
228,671
542,492
339,169
309,214
3.59,677
336,477
,399,583
397,572

Value.
$32,095
78,027
78,957
81,713
28,862
57,806
75,943
345,784
313,779
300,850
98,940
106,501
128,308
151,378

Gallons.
62,612
107,489 ^
• 79,302
117,621
46,146
132,157
130,008
146;473
156,735
275,336
262,838
397,420
825,571
919,2.52

Value.

Gallons.

Value.

$57,098
7,423 $6,335
102,157
19,236 18,343
73,729
26,711 21,294
110,397 . 38,464 39,831
42,987
2,151
1,895
67,305
8,657
35,375
101,171
39,282 21,533
118,233
52,297 30,088
129,957
52,856 41,790
189,010
88,179 56,736
186,964
110,752 67,804
284,347 - 131,357 ' 77,414
424,875
270,064 128,667
559,900
345,016 188,457

C. T. ^ON'E^,. .Beting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT

Register's Office, Ocfo&er 24, .1855.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

113

No. 29.
Statement exhibiting the value of imports, annually, from 1821 to 1855.
Value of merchandise imported.
Years eneling—
Specie and bulhon.
September... .30, 1821
3822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
3829
3830
1831
1832
18.33
1834
1835
3836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
Om'thsto June30,1843
Year to June 30,1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
" 1852
1853
1854
1855

$8,064,890
3,369,846
5,097,896
8,379,835
6,150,765
6,880,966
8,151,130
7,489,741
7,4C3,612
8,355,964
7,305,945
5,907,504
7,070,368
17,911,632
13,131,447
13,400,881
30,516,414
17,747,116
5,.595,176
8,882,813
4,988,633
4,087,016
22,390,559
5,830,429
4,070,242
3,777,732
24,121,289
6,360,224
6,651,240
4,628,792
5,453,592
5,505,044
4,201,382
6,958,184
3,659,812
289,298,111

Total...

Free of duty.

paying duty.

$2,017,423
3,928,862
3,950,392
4,183,938
4,796,745
5,686,803
3,703,974
4,889,435
4,401,889
4,590,281
6,150,680
8,341,949
25,377,582
50,481,548
64,809,046
78,655,600
58,733,617
43,112,889
70,806,616
48,313,391
61,031,098
26,540,470
13,184,025
18;936,452
18,077,598
20,990,007
17,651,347
16,356,.379
15,726,425
18,081,590
19,652,995
24,187,890
27,382,352
26,327,637
36,430,524

$52,503,431
75,942,833
68,530,979
67,985,234
85,392,565
72,406,708
67,628,964
76,130,648
62,687,026
58,130,675
89,734,499
86,779,813
75,670,361
58,128,1.52
71,955,249
97,923,554
73,739,386
52,857,.399
85,690,.340
49,945,315
61,926,446
69,534,601
29,179,215
• 83,668,154
95,106,724
96,924,058
104,773,002
1.32,282,325
125,479,774
155,427,936
191,118,345
183,252,508
236,595,113
271,276,560
221,378,184

857,289,249 3,485,685,856

Total.
$62,585,724
83,241,541
77,579,267
80,549,007
• 96,340,075
.. 84,974,477
79,484,068
88,509,824
74,492,527
70,876,920
103,191,124
101,029,266
108,118,311
126,521,332
149,895,742
189,980,035
140,989,217
113,717,404
162,092,132
107,141,519
127,946,177
100,162,087
64,753,799
108,435,035
117,254,564
121,691,797
146,545,638
154,998,928
147,857,439
178,1.38,318
216,224,932
212,945,442
267,978,647
394,562,381
261,468,520
4,632,273,216

C. T. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASUR-T DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.

8




114

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 30.
Statement exhihiting the value ofi dutiable merchandise re-exported annually, firom 1821 to 1855; inclusive; and showing, also, the vcdue reexported firom warehousesy under the act ofi August 6^ 1846.

Years.

1821..
1822.,
1823..
1824.,
1825.,
•':826 .,
1827 .
1828.,
1829 .
1830.
1831 .
1832.
1833..
1834 .
1835.
1836.
1837 .
1838..
1839.
1840.
1841.
3842 .
1843 .
1844.
3845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852 ,
1853.
1854.
•1855.
Total ,

Dutiable valueof Value re-exportmerchandise re- ed from wareexported.
houses.
$10,537,731
11,101,306
19,846,873
17,222,075
22,704,803
19,404,504
15,617,986
13,167 ,.339
11,427,401
12,067,162
12,434,483
18,448,857
12,411,969
10,879,520
7,743,655
9,232,867
9,406,043
4,466,384
5,007,698
5,805,809
4,228,181
4,884,454
3,456,572
3,962,508
5,171,731
5,522,577
4,353,907
6,576,499
6,625,276
7,376,361
8,552,967
9,514,925
11,170,581
18,437,397
19,641,818

$651,170
2,869,941
3,692,363
5,261,291
5,604,453
6,855,770
8,036,551
14,608,712
13,975,759

368,410,219

61,556,010

C T. JONES, ActiTig Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

115

No. 31.
Statement exhibiting thc aggregate value ofi breadstufi's ancl provisions
exported annually^ firom 1821 to 1855.
Years endingSeptember 30

1821.,
1822..
1823..
1824..
1825..
1826..
1827..
1828..
1829..
1830..
1831..
1832.,
1833.,
1834.,
1835.,
1836.,
1837.
1838.
1839.
3840.
1841.
1842.
Nine months ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30 ,
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847,
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854.
1855.

Amount.

$32,341,901
13,886,856
33,767,847
15,059,484
11,634,449
31,303,496
11,685,556
11,461,144
13,131,858
12,075,430
17,538,227
12,424,703
14,209,128
11,524,024
12,009,399
10,614,130
9,588,359
9,636,650
14,147,779
19,067,535
17,196,102
16,902,876
11,204,123
17,970,335
16,743,421
27,701,121
68,701,921
37,472,751
38,155,507
26,051,373
21,948,651
25,857,027
32,985,.322
65,941,-323
38,895,348
720,834,956

C. T. JONES, .Beting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




116

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 32.
Statement exhibiting the quantity and value ofi cotton exported annually,
firom 1821 to 1855, inclusive, and the average price per pound.

Value.
Years.

Bales.

Sea Island.

Other.

Total.

Pounds.
1821.,
1822..
1823..
1824..
1825..
1826..
1827..
1828.,
1829..
1830.,
1831.,
1832.,
1833.
3834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.,
3839.
1840.
1841.
1842.
1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1849.
1850.
1851.
18.52.
1853.
1854.
1855.
Total

Dollars.

2,303,403

11,344,066
113,549,.339
11,250,635
133,424,460
361,586,582
12,136,688
132,843,941
9,525,722
166,784,629
9,665,278
198,562,563
5,972,852
279,169,317
35,140,798
199,302,044
11,288,419
252,003,879
12,833,.307
290,311,937
8,147,165
268,668,022
8,311,762
333,451,749
8,743,373
313,535,617
11,142,987
376,601,970
8,085,937
379,686,256
7,752,736
415,721,710
7,849,597
438,964,566
5,286,971
588,615,957
7,286,340
408,566,808
5,107,404
73.5,161,392
8,779,669
523,966,676
6,237,424
577,462,918
7,254,099
784,782,027
7,515,079
657,534,379
6,099,076
863,516,371
9,380,625
538,169,522
9,388,533
520,925,985
6,293,973
806,550,283
7,724,148
11,969,259 1,014,633,010
627,145,141
8,236,463
918,937,433
8,299,656
11,738,075. 1,081,492,564
13,165,165 1,100,405,205
977,346,683
10,486,423
995,366,011
13,058,590

124,893,405
144,675,095
173,723,270
142,369,663
176,449,907
204,535,415
294,310,115
210,590,463
264,837,186
298,459,102
276,979,784
322,215,122
324,698,604
,384,717,907
387,358,992
423,631,307
444,211,537
595,9.52,297
413,624,212
743,941,061
530,204,100
584,717,017
792,297,106
663,633,455
872,905,996
547,558,055
527,219,9.58
814,274,431
1,026,602,269
635,381,604
927,237,089
1,093,2.30,639
1,111,570,370
987,833,106
1,008,424,601

20,157,484'
24,035,058
20,445,520
21,947,401
36,846,649
25,025,214
29,359,545
22,487,229
26,575,311
29,674,883
25,289,492
31,724,682
36,191,105
49,448,402
64,961„302
71,284,925
63,240,102
61,5.56,811
61,238,982
63,870,307
54,330,341
47,593,464
49,119,806
54,063,.501
51,739,643
42,767,341
53,415,848
61,998,294
66,396,967
71,984,616
132,.315,317
87,965,732
109,456,404
93„596,220
88,143,844

2,303,403

320,507,294 18,154,756,946 18,475,264,240

1,830,247,742

Cents
16.2
16.6
11.8
15.4
20.9
12.2
10
10.7
10
9.9
9.1
9.8
11.1
12.8
36.8
36.8
14.2
10.3
34.8
8.5
10.2
8.1
6.2
8.1
5.92
7.83
10..34
7.61
6.4
11.3
12.11
8.05
9.85
9.47
8.74

C. T. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




117

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 33.
Statement' exhibiting the quantity and vcduc ofi tobacco and rice exported
annually, firom 1821 to 1855^ inclusive.
TOBACCO.

RICE.

Tears.
Bales. Cases. Hogsheads

1821
1822
1,99^

1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
18^9
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835 ......
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
......
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
3850
1851
1852
1853
1854^
1855 12,933 13,366
Total. 12,913 13,366

66,858
83,169
99,009
77,883
75,984
64,098
100,025
96,278
77,131
83,810
86,718
106,806
83,153
87,979
94,353
109,042
100,232
100,593
78,995
119,484
147,828
158,710
94,454
163,042
147,168
147,998
135,762
130,665
101,521
145,729
95,945
137,097
159,853
126,107
150,213

Value.

Av'ge
cost pr Bar'Is. Tierces.
hhd.

Value.

Av'ge
cost per
tierce.

$5,648,962 $84 49
88,221 $1,494,307
6,222,838 74 82
87,089 1,553,482
6,282,672 63 45
101,365 1,820,985
4,855,566 62 34
113,229 1,882,982
6,115,623 80 48
97,035 1,925,245
-5,347,208 83 42
111,063 1,917,445
6,577,123 65 75
133,538 2,343,908
5,269,960 54 73
175,019 2,620,696
4,982,974 64. 60
132,923 2,514,370
5,586,365 66 66
130,697 1,986,824
4,892,.388 56 41
316,517 2,016,267
5,999,769 56 37
120,327 2,352,631
5,755,968 69 20
144,163 2,744,418
6,595,305 74 96
121,886 2,122,272
8,250,577 87 44
119,851 2,210,331
10,058,640 92 24
232,983 2,548,750
5,795,647 57 82
106,084 2,309,279
7;392,029 73 48
71,048 1,721,819
9,832,943 124 47
93,320 2,460,198
9,883,957 82 72
101,660 1,942,076
12,576,703 85 07
101,617 2,010,107
9,540,755 60 31
114,617 1,907,387
4,650,979 49 24
- 106,766 1,625,726
8,397,2.55 51 50
134,715 2,182,468
7,469,819 50 75
118,621 2,160,456
8,478,270 57 28
124,007 2,564,991
7,242,086 53 34
144,427 3,605,896
7,551,322 57 78
100,403 2,331,824
5,804,207 57 17
128,861 2,569,362
9,951,023 68 28
127,069 2,631,557
9,219,251 96 09
[105,590 • 2,170,927
10,031,283 73 17
119,733 2,470,029
13,339,319 70 81
67,707 1,657,6.58
10,016,046 79 42
105,121 2,6.34,127
14,712,468
52,520 1,717,953
19',774

3,833,692 263,307,100

19,774

$16 94
17 84
17 96
16 63
19 84
17 26
17 55
14 97
18 92
15 20
17 30
17 89
19 04
17 41
19 94
11 97
21 76
24 23
26 36
39 10
19 78
1€ 64
15 23
16 20

16 21
20
24
23
19
20
20
20
24
25

68
97
23
94
71
56
63
48
05

4,020,752 76,528,753

C. T. JONES, Acting Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, Octoher 24, 1855.




118

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 34.—Statement exhihiting thc values ofi iron and manufiactures ofi
ivool, manufiactures ofi cotton, silk, manufiactures ofi silk, flax untures ofi hemp, and manilla hemp unmanufiactured, the productions
1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 184.1, 1848, 1849, 1850,
the exports ofi domestic productions ofi like character fior the same
1840.

1841.

1842.

Articles.
Foreign.

Domestic. Foreign.

Domesiic. Foreign.

$1,104
7', 078

$124
7,199
395
40

$632
9,223

9
43

175

108

159

Domestic.

Iron, and manufactures of iron, and iron
aad steel:

l)atchet!= axes, and adzes
socket-cliisels
vices '.
spades and shovels
steelyards and scale-beams
Kfiuares of iron and steel
cutlery
other manufactures of.
rifles

60,866
23,324
377
1,584

$841,394

104
casiinf^s, vessels of
castings, all other.
round iron, or brazier's rods
fheet-iron
hoop-iron
casement rods, (band and scroll,) slit,
rolled, or hammered
iron for ships, &c
mill-saws &.c
anchors, and parts thereof
hammers and sledges
i
hollow ware
anvils and parts thereof

8,022

54,810
29.589
217
1,069

$806,823

115,644

905

$920,561

6,498
57
114

144

260
6,841

83,047
15,185

99,904

824

68,507

1,371
1,652

3,336

606
159
91

600

203
1
188

tacks, brads, and sprigs
wire, above No. 14
wood-screws
boiler plate
26,603
17,544

800
1,688
18,800
14,107

33,961

24,848

18,447

2,157
147,397
i)ar-iron, rolled
bar-iron, otherwise
nail or spike rods, slit, hannuered, or
rolled
bar iron
rail road-iron
Steel
cast, shear, or German
a'l other
Wool unmanufactured
....
manufactures of.
merino shawl.'' of wool
blankets
hosiery, gloves, mits, and b i n d i n g s . . .
other manufactures of
worsted stuff" goods
flannels
carpeting
baizes and bockings
woolen and worsted articles, tambored
or embroidered
Cotton, manufactures of—
dyed, printed, or colored
white




138,537

900
5,315
20,230
31,345

26,246

44,226

90,865

266,571
36,048
28,098
7,368
9,098
4,268
54,134
12, .554
260

121,807
4,602
10,943
1,320
2,781

78,904
3,353
6,111
236
1,241
114
48,846
2,709
3,609

838,553
398,977
183,468 2,925,257

450,503
574,503
127,228 2,324,839

17,741
11,525
1,095

120,454

502,072
385,040
110,069 2,297,964

119

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

iron, and iron and steel, steel, wool unmanufactured, manufactures ofi
manufiactured, manufactures of flax, hemp unmanufactured, manufiacofi fioreign countries, exported firom the United States during the years
1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, and 1855, with.a column annexed showing
periods.
1843.

1844.

Foreign. Domestic. Foreign.

$112
2,711
924

$1,472
1,116

495

4

1845.

Domestic. Foreign.

1846.

1847.

Domestic. Foreign! Domestic.

$362
3,347
982

$172
3', 380

668
97

369
•107

Foreign.

Domestic.

$162
2,279
277

,20,448
8,922

$370,581

$528,212

1,657
126.

715
63
708
183
436
227
491

49,138
27,263

402
41,189

769
152

37
115
132

54,598

1,592
549

40,936
20,631
106
1,042
240
97
319

$649,100

375
93
317

118,248

33,328
14,373

742
92

$ 9 2 1 , . u2

1,871
145

2,858
13,681
5,072

$929,778

4,829
315
979

124

150
1,596

1,153
'473
2,611

107,905

10
305

68,889

125

1,530
2,656

2,439
1,584

35

343

417
20
18
97
102

160
8
5
22

570
7,986
4.473

120,923

1,553
14,283
8,517

133,522

15,415
59.7,33
34.651
24,979
108
977
3,118
23,311
9,504

251.808
358,415
33,998 2,575,049

27.238
3; 486
5,863
938
2,005
857
20,479
5,068
1,549

278,434
385,403
90,381 2,298,800




2,054
8,678
9,639

77,669

12,521
34,047
13,497

122,225

281
1,624
5,115
• 7,952
9,186
3,346

20,052

32,564

22,153

41,571

31,812
11,326
4,352
2,455
4,915

57,585
4,069
13,803
357
5,491

165,668
28,338
2,604

97,410
3,747
629

59,039
7,058
137
355

111,868
2,343
377

281,775
516,243
162,599 2,343,104

168,817

19,218
203,996

290,282
380,549
357,047 1,978,331

37,302

89,460

4,696

372,877
83,715

281,320
3,345;902

120

EEPORT ON THB FINANCES.

STATEMENT—
1840.

1842.

1841.

Articles.
Foreign.
Cotton, manufactures of—
hosiery, gloves, mits, and bindings.,
twist yarn and thread
other manufactures of.
velvets
articles tambored or embroidered.
Sflk, raw

t

Domestic. Foreign.

$13,632
$15,943
63,030 * $31*,*445' 198,996
5,630
1,200
4,404
9,176
192,728
7,982

200,239

Domestic. Foreign.

Domestic.

$43,5U3

$4,429
208,193

$37,325

303,701

12,129

250,361

420

227,113
1

piece goods.
liosiery, gloves, mits, and b i n d m g s . . . .
sewin"
bolting cloth
articles tambored or embroidered

649,323
2,775
41,609
318,775
3,050

127,690
624
10,531
214,797
2,622

175,215
384
8,518
81,042

15,812

777

275,579
4,880

209,009
769
398

50

533

'15,287
100,233

21,920
86,029

hats and bonnets of
Flax, unmanufactured
manufactures of.
linen, bleached or unbleached, dyed or
other manufactures oi
hosierv, gloves, mits, &c
articles tambored or embroidered
H e m p , unmanufactured
....
manilla, unmanufactured
manufactures of
ticklenburgs, osnaburgs, and burlaps
sheetinn', brown and white
sail duck, (Russia, Holland, and ra-

424,354
1,112

22,833
139,366
62,383

cotton bagging
other manufactures of
Total




1,765

'

51,620

44,734*
8,242

7,252

13,400

3,297

1,038

3,605,794 4,662,304 2,351,464 4,181,210 1,908,639 4,081,250

121

REPORT ON THE-FINANCES.

Continued.
1844.

1843.

1845.

Domestic. Foreign. Domestic. Foreign.

Foreign.

Domestic

Foreign.

$4,881
15,028

$57,312

$4,325
24,958

$44,421

8,325

232,774

6,550

170, .156

513
190
205.332
'742
4.929

158,188
3,479
2,012
472

"

27,072
40,662
22,160
8,174
4,427

326

$14,379
1,174,038
23,131
280,164
21,671

$1,780
8,482
13,071
2,541

Domestic.

$81,813
848,989
255,799

Foreign.

Domestic.

$3,808

$108,132
8 794
338,37.5

19,595
6,140

4,362

23,999

8,385

21,813

7,225

2,387
228,451

1,268
223,191

1,624
186,904

181,715
2,055
850
149,553

3,641

22,992

112,999
12,571

90,024
7,577

7,102

3,353

$2,455
10,922

1847.

1846.

190

15,916

626

6,544

119,068
10,658

138,913
20,713

452
6,274

4,837
1,446

73,139

1,157
27,307

32,436
53,405

20,397
31,251

7,847
28,350

4,816
27,205

23,172
1,159
27,830

<*

29,485
14,551
311

27,607
23,714
• 14,762

12,129

12,648
10,856
3,484

1,002,928 3,756,569 1,108,712 3,615,423 1,328,057 5,187,707 1,527,439 4,913,388 1,472,769




5,782

5,345,249

122

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—
1848.

1849.

1850.

Articles.
Foreign.

Domestic. Foreign.

Domestic. Foreign. Domestic.

Iron, and manufactures of iron, and iron
and steel:
$884
side-arms
***$I*397
fire-arms
not snecified
6,046
**'$6*928'
J l l ^ C l l l J l O n \ / b o|.*v, ^.^ll^^./\.• . . . . . . . . . . . ^ . .
818
^214
265
drawin" and cutting knives
455
200
Iiatchets, axes, and adzes
90
385
100
socket-chisels
1,537
4,375
**"i,*i69'
needles
11
240
120
1,015
spades and shovels
""*2,*268'
huf r-hiricrps?.
6
512
Steelyards and scale-beams
50
sickles and reaping-hooks
scj'thes
squares of iron and steel
'"'9,'825'
***i6;949'
cuttlery
'*'ii*i62'
30,668 $i,'62*2,*4'o'8
other manufactures of
27,987 '$886^639*
23,948 $i,'67*7*,*79'2'
4,899
•ITIllslvP.fS....
6,102
11,142
llll.l.i3[V\>LO.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
rifles
nails, wrought
'***i,*4i8
**"2,'695*
616'
spikes
chain cables, or parts thereof
693*
3ii"
ei'i"
chains, other.
castings, vessels of
369*
157'
25i'
castings, all other
11 * * *S3,' Iss" 2,768 "*66,*i75*
1,218 •*'79,*318*
189
sad-irons
424
round iron, or brazier's lods
sheet and hoop-iron
***2,*924'
sheet-iron
;
- **"i,'902'
*"'3,*i20*
1,936
hoop-iron
537
217
casementrods, (band and scroll,) slit,
rolled, or hammered
iron for ships, See
mill-saws, &c
,
397'
25'
anchors, and po,rts thereof.
hammers and sledges
hollow ware
anvils, and parts thereof
94"
36i"
99*
• cap or bonnet wire
tacks, brads, and sprigs
*
205'
72'
wire, not above No. 14
174
63
wire, above No. 14
1,200
wood-screws
boilerplate
old and scrap iron
""i.!3o6"
2,091 **154*036' *'*i6,*887" '*i49,'358 ****5!679* **i54;2l6'
l)ariron, rolled
10,545
30,110
1.5,130
bar-iron, otherwise
-. .
7,262
9,226
13,776
nail or spike-rods, slit, hammered,or
rolled
bar-iron
r-ailroad iron
tSLeel
""....
cast, shear, or German
"'39*78i*
***54,*486"
'*"23*847'
all other
1,616
558
16,346
Wool, unmanufactured
1,840
6,8J1
manufactures of
cloths and cassimeres
**i06*299
**i10*822'
***55!363'
merino shawls, of wool
5,307
12,091
5,094
blankets
6,161
7,3 2
5,262
hosiery, gloves, mits, and bindings...
3,123
• 2,420
786
other manufactures of
14,202
16,3)0
15,497
woolen and worsted yarn
275
268
375
/
worsted stuff'goods
24,948
47,126
80, .534
flannels '.
17,025
2,973
5,269
carpeting
1,597
580
6,115
baizes and bockings
814
1,512
350
woolen and worsted articles, tara
bored or embroidered
349
Cotton, inanufactures of—
640,919
351,169
dyed, printed, or colored.
424,941
466,574
274,559
606,631
white
487.456 4,866,559
81,690 3,955,117
44,724 3,774,407
20:272
hosiery, gloves, mits, and bindings,
10.425
22,943
40,783 *'i76"6'^3"
twist yarn and thread . . ,
7:718 '"92*.5551 21,023 ***i7,*405*
nankeens
2,365
3^203
other manfactures of
.13*884
327,479 * "2.9; 31.3' 415,680 **'4i,'672* **335,*98i'
velvets..;
4,072
9:869
3,834
articles tambored or embroidered..!
2,534
3;360 1
8,002 1




iis'

f

123

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Continued.

Foreign.

1853.

1853.

1851.

Domestic. Foreign.

$10,198
154
100
1,271
' 37

Domestic.

Foreigh.

$1,303
4; 751
47

$287
3,126
154
225

l,o94"
18

988

1854.

Domestic.

'
14.298
32,500 1,875,621
12,377

8,241
96,519 $2',69'7,'234'
14,598

19,732
33,908 ^1,993,807
1,642

J, 065

1,751

3,654

2,651

24

476
'"220,* 420"

191,388

Foreign. Domestic. Foreign. Domestic

$339
8,902
2,896
6,282
3,(i27
3,811
984
3,800
'277
3,180
4,844
3,250
1,002
100,463
294,073 $3,449,869
12,847
12,626
• 6,782
10,608

2,022

38
164,425

' 1855.

797

2,236
9,002
312
91

$1,659
17,030

11,805

224,101
875,012 §3,158,598
10,406
47,573
34,375

458,202

308,439

1

3,229
2,330

37,648
15,835
4,760

9,907
14,822
12,629

2,075

505
760

16,787
9,620
. 2,346

8,069
4,786

310

324

29

1,555
33,321

3,491
8,509

678

2,244
1,439

1.337
1,'254

3,068
1,083
300.

1.661

1,993
15,839
1,539

215,652

1,.3.30
2,568
48,8.36
3,638

'

1,096
1,113

118,624

1,702
126,307
845

181,998

1.436
71
161,896
16,519

302,279

3.445
9^910

288,437

245
117,894
1.50,100
37,103
1,268
7,966

31,569

79,438
25,085
9,259
2,264
86,203
49
60,779
3,148
779

101,253
22,231
9,199
3,166
21,340
384
76,664
13,287
8,507
, 847

54,285

30,637
1,000
51,387

39, .599
13,648
41,668

26,783
36,285
131,442

9^,116
39,726
12,069
7, .581
110,.576
5,000
60,263
8,058
6,952

340,723
175,858
29,698
26,029
252,748
47,082
2.50,855
74,788
54,452
6,144

992,777
228,1.59
58,204
68,878
349,661
18,969
415,622
77,OiS
120,413

4,520

648
440,441 l,006,u,..
132,020 5,571,576
25,923
37,260
20,546
37,103
3,823
14,978

625,808

'^7,620
401,215
22,287
48,155

• 926,404
6,139,391

49,935
7,684
8,560

.571,638




34,718

27,802

622,540
362,052
20,396
69,607

1,085,167
6,926,485

158,619
14,995
5,273

733,648

22,594

684,483 1,136,M93
2,613,655
502,387 3,927,148 1*336*634' 2,907,276
52,420
127,191
38,460
40,795
49,315
157,759
19,169
4,894

422,560

413,269
62,173

336,2.50

124

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT-

Cotton, manufactures of—
cords, gimps, and galloons

1850.

1849.

1848.
Foreign.

Domestic. Foreign.

Domestic. Foreign.

$6,252
19,858

$3,766
55,515

$10,350
7,408

259,281
5,728
3,910
36,228
319
35,248
2,614
139

307,965
. 4,877
4.707
62,262
639
7,170
- 27,537
952

285,677
3,934
5,396
29,046

"279,204
20,955

178,041
9,474

110,.551
17,1.98
397
1,732
5,031
. 3,843

Domestic.

flO-ss..
hosiery, gloves, mits, and b i n d i n g s . . . .
other manufactures of

hats and boimets of

28,084
15,795
500

linen, bleached or unbleached, dyed
other manufactures of
articles tambored or embroidered...
Hemp, unmanufactured
manilla unmanufactured
ticklenburgs, osnaburgs, and burlaps,
sheeting, brown and white
sail duck, (Russia, Holland, and
ravens)
. . . , . . ..
other m a n u f a c t u r e s . . . .
Total

7,570
1,833

$27,657

5,278
28,808
11,112
2,626
3,351

6,713

433
13,401
29,161

$8,458

12,522
27,608

25,554
43,835

13,035
1,889
4,385 '***5,*558'

15,544
11,823
1,613

$5,633

ii,776

2,261,547 7,012,207 1,705,433 6,043,317 1,355,941 6,663,153

N O T E —The years 1840,1841, and 1842 ended oh September 30. From October 1, 1842, to J u n e 30, 1843, is
given above as the year 1843—although only nine m<mths of time—caused by the change of the fiscal year
being made to end on .Tune 30 instead of September 30. Each subsequent year, above given, is for the full
tiniH ending J u n e 30, 18.55.
Under the arrangement of the articles of exportation, manilla hemp is not distinguished from " s u n and
other hemps of I n d i a ; " nor can it be distinguished from other hemps when manufactured.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, Nov ember. 10, 1855.




I

125

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Continued.
1852.

1851.

Foreign,

Domestic. Foreign.

$3,106
43,856

.$574
7,143

417,758
8,928
8,586
48,628
225
13,851
5.307
2,'192

523,700
782
5,006
66,412

95,692
10.723

K0,916
10,835

967
7,876
8,688

Domestic.

,,.

6,471
6,285
' 484

$29,114

22.423
13^880
4,605
3,450
2,262

1853.

102
377
9,584

$18,649

7,51.9
1,631
,210

1,811,843 9,534,040 2,281,927

Domestic.

13,622

Foreign.

1855.

Domestic.

Foreign.

$881
282

$6,272
5,010
2,956

$34,827
63,279
7,843

507,707
6,140
5,426
8U526
'837
4,374
3,981
1,284

563,529
9,768
17,073
141,913
1,830
74,954
21.0.37
34.; 087

512,462
58,733
34,003
265,988
873

128,828
18,788
27
1,7,56
2,310
4,572

1.57,120
18,371
737
3,370
42,614
56,679

215,602
54,548
8,700

$18,195

23,200
10,809

27,535
8,906

8,023

Foreign.

1854.

10,736
145
677

10,008,241 2,757,124

118, .5.57
30,076

$93,699

11,8,52
6.692
2:992

57,305
198,136

$121,320

4,407

5,298
25,484

16,784

Domestic

79,717

12,514
3,518
6,797

36,508

11,303,525 4,825,229 9,919,282 7,753,629 9,796,283

N O T E . — I n the column of foreign exports for 1855, the headings of the abstracts have, in some instances,
been changed from those of former years, viz :
In manufactures of wool, "• cloths and cassimeres " changed to " piece goods, including wool and cotton ; "
*' merino shawls of wool ' ' changed to " s h a w l s of wool, wool and cotton, silk, and silk and cotton "
.\n rnantifactures of cotton, " dyed, printed or colored," and " w h i t e , " changed to " piece goods."
In the domestic exports, pig-iron, bar-iron, and nails have, until 1855, been included under one h e a d ; of
which, however, nails were the principal item. In 1855 ihey are given separatelv, v i z : pig $23,060; bar
$10,189; and nails $255,188; total $288,437.
Wool, unmanufactured, was not enumerated until 1855. Tlie amounts given for 1846 and 1847, were written
on the margins o f t h e abstracts from Boston for those years.




F . BIGGER, Register.

STATEMENT—Continued.

LO

Statement exhibiting the vcdues ofi iron and manufiactures ofi iron, and iron and steel, steel, wool and manufiactures ofi loool,
manufiactures ofi cotton, silk and manufactures ofi silk^ flax, linen and linen fiahrics, hemp and manufiactures ofi hemp,
manilla, sun, and otlier hemps ofi India, and silk and luorsted goods imported firom and exported to fioreign countries
firom 1840 io 1855, both years inclusive; and also showing the domestic exports ofi like articles fior the same periods.
1841.

1840. •

1842.

w

Articles.
Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign imported.
ported.
ported.
ported.

Iron, and inanufactures of irou,
and iron, and steel.----. . .
Cast, shear, German, and otber

Cotton manufacturesof.-

.......

' m^anufactures of
.
manilla, sun, and otlier, of

„=




O
O

$6,750, 099

$156,115

528,716
846,076
9,071,184
6,504,484
234,235
9,601,522

33,961
26, 246
418,399
1,103,489
200,239
1,015,532

4,614,466
686,777
1,588,-155

425, 466
226, 347

$1,104,455

3, 549,607

8,242

|8,914, 425

$134,316

609,201
1,091,953
11,001,939
11,757,036
254,102
15,300,795

24,848
44,226
171,814
. 929,056
227,113
356,264

6, 846, 807
561,039
2, 566, 331

280,459
.
50
167,506

Sill? and wftTRfp<l <Tnn<1<?

Total

Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic exported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.

$1,045,264

$6, 988, 965

$177,381

3,122,546

597,317
797, 382
8, 375, 725
9,578,515
33, 002
9,444,341

18,447
90,865
145,123
836, 892
420
265,159

3,669,23*11
267, 849
1,273,534

210,176
553
162,866

13, 400

15,812
„.. 40,425,714

3,605,794

4,662,304

58,903,678

2,351,464

4,181,210

1,311,770

777

42,337,631

1,908,639

$1,109,522

2,97tl, 690

1,03*8

4,081,250

3
>

^ STATEMENT—Continued.
1843.

1844.

1845.

Articles.
Foreign imported.

Iron, and manufacturers of iron,
and iron and steel
Cast, shear, German, and other
steel
Wool, unmanufactured
manufactures of
Cotton, manufactures of.
Silk, unmanufactured
m.anufiictures of
Flax, unmanufactured
linen and linen fabrics
Hemp, unmanufactured
manufacturesof
manilla, sun, and other, of
India
Silk and worsted goods

Total...




$1,903,858
201,772
248,679
2,472,154
2,958,796
53,350
" 2,662, 087
15,193
1,484,921
228,882
526,502

Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign imported.
ported.
ported.

$50,802
59,733
34,651
61,997
314,040
3,353
206,777
161,667
2, 012
102, 495

42,149
318,685

472
4,929

13,117,028

1,002,928

$532,693

$5,2.27,484

487,462
851,460
9,475, 782
3,223, 550 13,641,478
172,953
8,310,711
67, 738
4,492, 826
262, 365
1,003,420
326

3,756,569

Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign imported.
ported.
ported.

$107,956

$716,332

15,415
67,483
404,648
7,102
230, 838
626
129,726
452
1.38, 002

209,385
1,292,488

6,274
190

45,495, 552

1,108,712

2, 898,780

311

3,615,423

$8,294,878
775,675
1,689,794
10,666,176
13,863,282
208,454
9,731,796
90,509
4, 923,109
145,209
897,345

Foreign ex- Domestic exported.
ported.

$91,966
20, 052
22,153
156,646
502,553
4, 362
246,272
6,544
159,626
4,837
95, 684

238,179
1,510,310

1,446
15,916

53, 034,716

1,328,057

$845,017

h
O
td

—
4,327,928

o'
^
M
fel

--

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l—l

""i4,'762

^
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fel
zn

5,187,707

bO

STATEMENT—Continued.
CO

1847.

1846.

1848.

Articles.
Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic exported.
ported.
ported.
poited.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
Iron and manufactures of iron, and
iron and steel
Cast, shear, German, and othei
steel . « • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Wool, unmanufactured.......
manufftptiires of
...
Cotton,manufactures o f . . . - - . . . . .
Silk, unmanufactured
manufactures of. .
.-.,
Flax iinnianiifnptiirpfl
Hemn. unmanufactured
manufactures bf
manilla, sun, and other, of
India
Silk and worsted sroods

Total




$7,835,832

$122,587

$1,151,782

$8,781,252

$63,596

$1,167,484 $12,526,854

•

$98,295

$1,259,632

fel

o
• ^

1,234,408
1,134,226
10,083,819
13,530,625
216, 647
10,667,649
16,337
5,098,505
180,281
766,664

32, 564
41,571
147,894
673, 203
23, 999
195, 753

457,276
1,778,202

73,139
3,641

53,000,471

1,527,439

203,996
3, 545, 481

125, 570
87,518

12,129

4,913, 388

1,126,458
555,822
10,998, 933
15,192,875
250,086
11,733,371
28,365
5,154, 837
66, 377
684,880

19,218
37, 302
215,894
486,135
^ 8,385
334,173

278,675
1,965,095

27,307
22,992

56,817,026

1,472,769

97,601
1,157
59,009

89,460
4,082,523

5,782

5,345,249

1,284,937
857, 034
15,240,883
18,421,589
354,973
14,543,633
102,261
6,624,648
187,905
658,075

41,397
1,840
179,781
1,216,172
19,858
340,853

342,445
2,456,652

1,833'
2,614

73,601,889

2,261,547

5,718,205

O

w

fel

300,159
7,570
51,175

27, 657
6,713

fel
\—i

o

fel

m
7,012,207

STATEMENT—Continued.
[

:

•

-

1851.

1850.

1849.'

; '

~ Articles.
Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic ex- Foreign im- Foreign ex- Domestic esported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported.
ported. '
Iron and manufactures of iron, and
iron and steel =
Cast, shear, German, and other
steel. . ,
................
"Wool, unmanufactured
manufactures of
Cotton, manufactures of. . . . . . . .
Silk, unmanulactured...^..... .
manufactures o f . . . . o o . . . . . .
Flax, unmanufactured., • - - o . .
^ linen and linen fabrics . .
Hemp, unmanufactured
manufactures of
manilla, sun, and other, of
India
'.
Silk and worsted goods»
Total.--.-...




$13,831,823

$109,439

$1,096,172 $16,333,145

$100,746

1,227,138
1,177,347
13,704,606
15,754,841
384,535
13,791,232
127,859
5,907,242
491,633
519, 774

55,044
6, 891
201,404
• 571, 082
55,515
388, 572

1,332,253
1,681,691
17,151,509
20,108,719
401,385
17, 639,624
128,917
8,134, 674
579,814
588,446

40,193

129,878
• 5,031
98, 369

196,634
2,452,289

29,161
27,537

. 659,362
1,653,809

3,843
15, 795

69,566, 953

1,705,433

86, 393, 348

1,355,941

187,948
13,401
59, 439

4,933,129

8,458
5,558

6,043,317

174,934
427,107
7, 408
352,637

$1,911, .320" $17,306,700

4,734,424

5,633
11,776

1,570,063
3,833,157
19,507,309
22,164, 442
456,449
25,777, 245
176,197 .
8, 795,740
223,984
661,768

$100,290
38,371
7,966
. 267,379
677,940
43,856
500,168
107,382
7,876
46,620

508,709
1,783,076

8,683
5,307

6, 663,153 102,764,839

1,811,843

"••/•°

$2,255,698

^fel

O
7,241,205

29,114
8,023

O

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w.
9,534,040

CO

STATEMENT—Continued.

Articles,
Fpreign exported.

$18,957,-993

$134,937

Iron, and manufactures of iron
Cast, shear, German, and other

31,569
1,703,599
54,285
1,930,711
256,878
17, 57.3, 694
997, 03!
19,689,496
Cotton, manufactures of - ".
7,143
378,747
604,855
21,651,752
175,342
8,515,709 " " l 3 i , " l 5 3
linen and linen fabrics
164,588
377
Hemp, unmanufactured
391,608
manufactures of ^,
,,
47,831
manilla, sun, and other
9, 534
942,422
1, 667,513
6,285
Silk and worsted goods
Embroideries of wool, cotton.

1854.

1853,

1852.
Foreign imported.

o

Domestic
exported.

Foreign imported.

Foreign exported.

$2, 303,819

$27,255,425

$262, 343

,' 2,970,313
2,669,718
27,621,911
27,731,313
7,672,151
722,931
30, 434, 886
135,684
10,236,037
329,122 "
18,649
479,171
13, 622

31,637
5!, 387
343,989
1,254,363
282
607,294
149, 399
2,310
45,567

1,591,791
1,880,918

4,572
3,931

134,059, 220

2,757,124

Domestic
exported.

$2,499,652

8,768,894

18,195
16,784

Foreign imported.

Foreign exported.

$29,341,775

$795,872

2,477,709
2,822,185
32,382,594
33,949,5(!3
1,099,389
34,696,831
250,391
10,863,536
' 378,246
598,251

53,247
4i;668
1,262,897
1,468,179
7,966
843,154

1,528,329
1,594,038

56,679
2i,037

151,982,777

4,825,229

,

Domestic
exported.

$4,210,350

o
5, 535,516




93,743,174

2,281,927

10,008,241

11,303,525

•

o
>^
fel

179,598
42,614
52,318

93,699
79,717

fel
l-H

>
Cl
fel

m

Piece goods, including wool and

Total

i

9,919,28^

131

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
1855.
Articles.
Foreign imported.

Iron, and manufactures of iron, and iron
and steel
Cast, shear, German, and other s t e e l . . . . . . .
"Wool, unnianufactured
......
manufactures of:
•.„....
Cotton, manufactures o f . . . . . . . = . . . - » =
Silk, unmanufactured
, >...
manufactures of ..
..„...„-..-„..,
Flax, unmanufactured
„....„.„--.,
linen and linen fabrics -„ = , ' . . . . - Hemp, unmanufactured
,...„...,.....
manufactures of . „
manilla, sun, and other, of India
Silk and worsted goods...'..
* Embroideries of wool, cotton, silk, or linen.
* Piece goods, including wool and cotton . . .
* Shawls of all descriptions . „ . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Foreign exported.

Domestic ex-'
ported.

$1,565,523
63, 068

$3,753,4T2

2,072,139

131,442

' 27,802

24,404.149
17,757,112
751,617
24, 36.6, 556
286,809
8,617,165

1,106,765
2,012,554
71,122
902,135

5,857,181

278,850
57, 305
27,236
198,136
118,557

121,320
36,508

$22,980,728
2, 593,137

112,763

266,829
2, 045,653
1,133,839
3,892,749

992,777
228,159

111,281,245

7,753,629

9,796,283

NOTES,
1840, 1841, and 1842, year ending September 30; 1843, nice months, ending June 30;
1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, and 1855, year ending
June 30.
Manilla herap, under the arrangemerit of the articles of importation and exportatioii in
the several years enumerated, is not distinguishable from ''sun," and other hemps of India.
In manufactures of hemp, those of the quality manilla are not separately enumerated, and
consequently cannot be given as requested.
Wool was not enumerated in the forms of domestic exports,until 1855. The amounts
given for the years 1846 and 1847 were returned on the margin of abstracts of domesticxports from the district of Boston,
* Under one head in 1855.
F. BIGGER, Register..
TREASURY DEPARTSIEHT,

Register's Offxe, Novernbeff. 1855^




•No. .35...

CO

Statement exhibiting the value ofi iron, manufiactures ofi iron, and iron und steel,' steel, sugar, wines, and all fabrics of
which wool, cotton, silk, flax or hemp, is a component part, imported annually, firom 1847 to 1855, both inclusive, with
theduties which accrued thereon during each year, respectively.
1849.

1848.

1.847.

Articles.
Value.

Value.

Duties.

Value.

Duties.

Duties.

fei
hj

O
Iron, manufactures of iron, and iron and steel
Cast, sh.ear, German, and other steel
Manufactures of wool
- - - •.
cotton
silk
flax
hemp
Wines
Sugar
..,
^
Articles of which wool, cotton, silk, flax or hemp, is a
component part, but which cannot properly be classified with either, viz:
Silk and worsted goods
Embroideries, of wool, cotton, silk, and liuen..,
Clothing, ready-made, and articles of wear
LaceSj^thread and insertings
:
cotton insertings, trimmings, laces and braids
Cordage, untarred, tarred, and cables
Twine and pack-thread
Seines
Total.




$8,781,252
1,126,458
10,998,933
15,192,875
11,733,371
5,154,837
684,880
1,801,951
9,877,212

$2,751,407
165,780
3,365,277
4,117,803
2,833,850
1,093,180
135,754
439,873
3, 375, 815

66
40
94
01
75
65
88
22
53

$12,526,854
1,284,937
15,240,883
18,421,589
14,543,634
6,624,648
658,075
1,434,009
9, 479, 817

$3,736,223 20
203,909 00
4,247,170 30
4,558,587 70
3,739,a50 05
1,327,231 20
131,615 00
570,595 60
2, 843, 945- 10

$13,831,823
1,227,138
13, 704, 606
15,754,841
13,791,232

5,9n7,242
519,774
1,821,157
8,048,900

$4,132, 780
194,683
3,780,863
3,911,677
3,553,488
1,184,665
103,954
726,374
2,414,670

.50
95
65
55
55
50
80
50
00

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td

>

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m

1,965,095
676,404
370,028
398,514
67,592
-54,809
446

68, 884, 657

535,555 25
228,488
• 67,900
99,628
31,863
13,756
80

30
50
50
18
50
50

19,256,016 77

2„456,652
653,222
263, 859
716,552
239, 526
45,575
502

84,590,334

614,163 00
195, 966
52,771
179,138
59,881
12,479
150

60
80
00
50
50
60

22,473,478 15

2,452,289
587,-590
176,37"-'
663,991
146,410
34,378
.- 182

78,667,928

613,072 25
176,277
35,275
165,997
36,602

00
00
75
50

P',313 40
54 60
2 1 , 0 4 0 , 7 5 6 50

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
1852.

1851.

1850.
Articles.
Value.
Iron, manufactures of iron, and iron and steel.
Cast, shear, German, and other steel
Manufactures of wool
cotton
-„
silk....
flax
„..»...
»...
hemp
Wines. ...o
Sugar...
'..'
Articles of which wool, cotton, silk, flax or hemp, is a
component part, but which cannot properly be classified with either, viz:
Silk and worsted goods
_
Embroideries, of wool, cotton, silk, and linen
Clothing, ready-made, and articles of wear
Laces, thread, and insertings
cotton insertings, trimmings, laces and braids...
Cordage, untarred, tarred, and cables
Twine and pack-thread
Seines
—«
„
,
Total ,




$16,333,145
1,332,253
17,151,509
• 20,108,719
17,639,624
8,134,674
. 588,446
2, 065, 922
7, 555,146

Value.

Duties.
$4,876,811
211,106
4,752,782
5,002,633
4,518,423
1,630,900
117, 689
823,608
2,266, 543

00
05
30
55
65
00
20
60
80

$17,306, 700
1,570,063
19, 507, 309
22,164,442
25,777, 245
8,795,740
661, 768
2, 359,279
13,841,426

Duties.
$5,170,213
250,706
5,407,688
5,516, 962
6,574,792
1,765,497
132,353
941,190
4,152, 427

70
15
85
00
55
80
60
80
80

Value:

Duties.

$18,957,993
1,703,599
17, 573, 694
19,639,496
21,561,752
8,515,709
391,608
2, 203,230
14,712, 847

$5,666,763
274,332
4,831,729
4,887, 538
5,529,273
1,708,919
78,321
878,604
4,413,854

SO
30
15
45
50
10
60
60
10

413,452 25

1,783,076

445,769 00

1,667,513

416,878 25

813,261
1.85,925
.672, 627
257,377
62,106
590

243,978 30
37,185 00

1,058,994
223, 115
756,651
213,785

317,698
44,623
189,162
53,446
15,084
89

20
00
75
25
60
70

1,368,812
160,385
535,056
205,417
45,014
742

410,643
32,077
133,764
51,354
13,504
. 222

94,555, 133

25,146, 423 50

30,977,706 75

109,292,867

1,653,809

168,156
64,344
18,631
177

75
25
80
00

50, 282
299
116,070,174

60
00
00
25
20
60

fel
O
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29,327,780 50

CO

STATEMENT—Continued.

oo

1854.

1853.

1855. -

. Articles.
Value.

Iron, manufactures of iron, and iron and steel
Cast, shear, German, andother steel
.'Manufactures of wool
cotton
silk
flax
hemp .
Wines .
Sugar,
Articles of which wool, cotton, silk, flax, or hemp, is a
component part, but which cannot properly be classified with either, viz:
Silk and worsted goods.
Embroideries of wool, cotton, s"lk, and linen
Clothing, ready-made, and article.s of wear
Laces, thread and insertings
cotton insertings, trimmings, laces, braids, & c . . .
Cordage, untarred, tarred, and cables
Twine and pack-thread
i..'. „
,.
Seines
„..„,oo.................

Total.

$27,255,425
2,970,313
27,621,911
27,731,313

30,434,886
10,236,037

479,171
2, 995,631
14,937, 776

Duties.
$8,1.52,621 40
- 476,868 70
7,625,914 05
6,924,408 30
7,748,378 75
2,056,004 50
95,834 20
1,194,802 20
4,496,332 80

Value.
$29,341,775
2,477,709
32,382, 594
33, 949, 503
34, 69a, 831
10,863, 536
598,251
3,370,802'
13, 700, 789

Duties.

$8,777,066 80
403,624 95
8,986,151 85
8,513,717 85
8, 805, 359 65
2,178,895 90
179,475 30
1,198,614 40
4,110,236 70

Value.
$22, 980, 728
2,593, '37
24,404,149
17,757, 112
24, 366, 556
8,617, 165
266, 829
3,114,824
14,673,547

Duties.
$6,873,058 00
431,757 10
6,755,005 80 ~
4,319,033 45
6,129,583 95
1,723,573 90
53, 365 80
1,098,304 40
4,402,064 10

hj •

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fej
W
fe!

4,880,918

470,229 50

1,594,038

398,509 50

2,307,135
252, 170
841,757
121,660
58, 546
404

692,140 50
50,434 00
210,439 25
30,415 00
17,563 80
121 20

3,927,141
368,399
853, 552
255,969
78, 553
1,540

,178,142 30

150,175,053

40,242,508 15

168,460,982

45,104,883 15

73,679 80
213,388 00
63,992 25
23, 565 90
462 00

1,123,839
3, 892, 749
1,975,662
318,511
767,055
187, 124

283,459' 75
1,167,824 70
592,698 60
63, 702 20
191,763 75
46,781 00

*^55,704

16,711 20

127,104,691

34, 148,687 70

* Twine and seines are und^er one head for the year 1855.
F . BIGGER, Register.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Offiee, Octoher 30, 1855.




fej
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No. 36,
Statement of the amount of duties refunded up to November 1, 1855, on. importations fir ovi the British provinces, under the
reciprocity treaty with Great Britain ofi June 5,1854^ as provided in the act ofi Congress ofi March 2, 1855j to carry into
effect the said treaty.
Port where imported.

Grain of all
kinds.

Oswego . . . . . . . . . . . a'.-....
Offdensbure
^.
Philadelphia
Cape Vincent
Detroit
Baltimore
Salem
Boston
Norfolk
Rochester
....
Eastport
...»--...;
Sandusky .^
Providence
Marblehead
Barnstable
Chicago
.
Portsmouth
Alexandria.
Ellsworth
L
Savannah
Lewiston
Cleveland
Gloucester . . .
.
...
Burlington
Plattsburgh
New.York

$120,193 26
6,103 60




Breadstufts.

$3, 408 40
6,883 08

6,217 58
2,725 60

57 14
186 52

3,300 70

35,203 13

10,139 15
119 01
387 04

147 40

Lumber and Horses, cat- Hides and Fish, and protimber.
tle, and sheep.
skins.
ducts of.
$10,703 25
.
58 75 •

$12 30
1,472 02

489
215
290
105
2,581

35
61
20
69
85

1,598 42
280 68

767
832
68
" 290
79

60
19
40
90
11

10 20
16 71

$384 45 .
444 80

All other articles.

$260 72

^ - 7,207 60
1,986 34
1,545 9i
^ 343 00
23 10
7,313 50
508 13
338.80
34,885 94
1,071 14

Coal.

$4,805
1,090
867
144
2,130
$737 16

92 00
1,179 06

40
80
72
15
90

6,768 78
263 90
'
786 26

130 80
293 00

21 60
424^83
40 38
609 12
37,6.75
135
112
271
3,117
24,149

52
20
00
98
79
50

11, 865 m
55 50
1,184 64
1,1,36 42
79,001 80

233
47
491
259
6,459
7,932
136

90
05
50
64
87
71
60

1,322 24

1,560 60

9, 083 37
1,518 87

527 79

78 41
1,377
163
1,204
14,268

61
98
16,
40

362 40

1,090
205
247
2,756
1,156
6,451

48
30
41
68
10
62

TotaL

$134, 952 "38
19, 767 65
' 8, 298 40
11 7fi9 4fi

3, 923 66
9,734 60
613 82
• 83,816 36
263 90
11 942 60
3,218 11
455 44
421 70
79 11
293 00
21 60
424 83
40 30
609 12
233 90
53,640,26
887 50
1,996 66
20,448 31
16,066 05
124,370 32

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m

CO

STATEMENT—Continued.
Port where imported.

Buffalo
New O r l e a n s . . . . . . . . . .
Toledo
.0-.
Portland
Richmohd
,....,,.
San Francisco
Wilmington, N, C
Sackett's Harbor'.
New Bedford
i
Machias.', . . . „ . >i!t.




Grain of all
kinds.
$18,357 56

. Breadstufi's.

$10,288 67

CO

Lumber and Horses, cat- Hides and
skins.
tle, and sheep.
timber.
$6,964 .46

$57 40

Coal. •

$635 18

All other articles.
$184 4 1 ,

$L769 60

-

340' 09
179 55

549 40

Fish, and products of.

957
1,959
2,734
548
1,165

10 25

08
82
40
80
01

57 71
464 76
$92 42

245 00
43 39
232,005 49

149,968 06

39,794 87

15,372 46

80,369 73

6,972 20

1,322 78

30,081 50

Total.

$36,487
1,769
340
1,743
2,424
2,734
641
1,175
245
43

68
60
09
74
58
40
22
26
00
39

555,887 09

fei

hj
O
td
H

i
fei

a
EECAPITULATION.
Grain of all kinds... = - . . , . . . ,
Breadstufis
_...
Lumber and timber
Horses, cattle, and s h e e p . . . . . . .
Hides and skins
Fish and fish oil
Coal
,..
Sundries
;

..o^.J.....
....,.,
,„,..
„...,.,-.
„
./..,.,....
„
,,

,,. _

:

,

Totalamount allowed.....

._-..,.,.,
^

,
,....

.,,,,..„..,,,....,._

;

$232,005 49
149,968 06
39,794 87
15, 372 46
6,972 20
80,369 73
1,322 78
30,081 50
555,887 09

Statement ofi the amount ofi bonds cancelled, as required by act ofi Congress ofi March 2^ 1855, ^' to carry into effect the
reciprocity treaty with Great Britain of June 5,1854tfi' up to November 1, 1855.
Port.

Burlington
Baltimore
Gloucester .._
Sandusky
New Haven
Portland.
New York
Boston
Lewiston
...
Toledo
Bufi'alo..-Rochester
_.
Cleveland.
^....




Grain.

Breadstufi's.

;...

Lumber and
timber.

Fish.

Skins & hides. All other articles.

$8,026 00
$896 60

$8,031 50
242 80
....

$7 81
^

3,410 00

27 80
505 30.
1,338 00

$6,429 40
:...

•

'
.

:
734 10

7 80
$1,20000

25 88

-1,266 80'
13,920 00

••"65,812 50
48,260 70
108 24 •

.

159 90
211 47

,

183 60

30 00
348 50
7,163 50

117,599 25

10,616 97 •

Total.

$8, 026
8,728
242
35
513
5,948
7,722
79, 7.32
48,260
159
1,053
213
384

00
10
80
61
10
00
08
.50
70
90
81
60
50

fej
fej
O
td

>-3

O
fei

>^
fej
fej
HH

23, 498 90

1,200 00

906 08

160,984 70

fej
fej

o
fel
m
RECAPITULATION.
Grain .....
..
Breadstufi's . . . . ,
Lumber, &c. . . .
Fish
Hides and skins .
Sundries

$7,163
117,599
10,616
23,498
1,200
906

50
25
97
90
00
08

160,984 70
CO

138

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 37.
REPORT OF THE FIRST COMPTROLLER.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Comptroller's Office, October 18, 1855.
SIR: In reply to your call of tlie 16tli instant for a report upon the
operations of tliis oflEice during the past fiscal year, giving a general
outline of its duties, and showing the improvements^ if any, which
have taken place in the character and attendance of its officers, and
in the mode of doing business, and also the present condition of its
business, I respectfully state that the following accounts • have been
revised and certified to the Eegister," viz:
3,659 accounts reported on by the First Auditor.
769 accounts reported on by the Fifth Auditor.
2,000 and more accounts reported on by the Commissioner of the Greneral Land Office.
'
That the following named warrants have been countersigned, entered in blotters, and posted, viz:
3,460 Treasury pay warrants.
^
. .
2,969 customs pay warrants.
2,191 Interior pay warrants, (civil.)
1,172 Interior pay warrants, (militaiy.)
795 Navy pay warrants.
, •
3,390 W a r pay warrants.
4,625 covering and counter warrants.
48 Treasury appropriation warrants.
4 Navy appropriation warrants.
36 W a r and Interior appropriation warrants, besides funding
transfer, and surplus-fund warrants, the^ whole making an aggregate
of upwards of 18,690 warrants; 2,631 letters have been received, endorsed, registered, and filed; 3,688 letters have been written^.registered, recorded, and forwarded, the records ofwhich cover 3,184 pages
folio post. There have been 38 formal decisions.made, 33 of which
have been recorded, covering 112 pages of folio post; and the remaining five, when recorded, it is estimated, will cover about 128 more
such pages. There have been 26 reports made to the different departments, the records of which cover 272 pages of folio post; and in addition to the foregoing, various other duties have been performed,
such as sending letters of appointment and instructions to revenue
officers ; receiving, examining, and registering their bonds, as also
the bonds of various disbursing officers, the details of which it is not
deemed necessary to give.
The official qualifications of the clerks are, generally, in a high
degree efficient, and I know nothing derogatory to the moral fitness
of any of them.' Their attendance, in point of regularity, I have no
hesitation in saying, will compare, without detriment, with the attendance of the clerks in any other office of the department. I think
I can safely say that the business of the office never was in a better
condition, indeed, it might be called, up to date. There has been no
change in the mode of doing business. Yours, respectfully,
. ELISHA WHITTLESEY, Comptroller.
Hon. JAJ\IES GUTHRIE, Secretary ofi thc Treasury. ^



REFORT ON THE FINANCED-

139

No. 38.

. .

REPORT OF THE SECOND C 0 M P T R 0 L L P : R .
•

, TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

' Second Comptroller's Ofiice, October 18, 1855.
. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this office for the past fiscal year, in conformity with your request of the 16th instant.
The amounts which have been examined, passed, and entered upon
the books .of this office, during the year, were :
Eeported by the Second Auditor
Eeported by the Third Auditor
Eeported by the Fourth Auditor

_
-

_
-

-

-

- ,1,280
- . 3,212
316

Total
4,808
being an increase of 744 upon the number ofthe preceeding year.
I t is proper to say that nearly all the amounts stated in the Fourth
Auditor's office, and included iii> the above, being chiefly those of
pursers and navy agents, are exceedingly voluminous and intricate,
and require, in some cases, months for investigation and settlement.
In addition to the foregoing amounts, which were settled by report
and requisition, there were small accounts adjusted by the accounting
officers and. paid by disbursing agents, on certificates originating in—
Second Auditor's Office
- • - . - 5 6 9
Fourth Auditor's Office .
531
,

Total

-

-

- '

-

-

-

-^

-

-

1,100

being 346 less than in the preceding year.
The requisitions that have been examined, countersigned, ,and
entered upon the books of the office for the W a r and Navy Departments were from—
'
.
Second Auditor's Office—
Pay or advance requisitions
Transfer or refunding requisitions
Third Auditor's Office—
Pay or advance requisitions
Transfer or refunding requisitions
Fourth Auditor's Office—
Pay or advance requisitions ' Transfer or refunding requisitions

-

-

-

- ' 1,368
--^175

-

-

-

-

-

2,030
836

-

^-

-

-

'. -

795
'256'

For the Department ofi the Interior.
Second Auditor's OfficePay or advance requisitions
- , Transfer or refunding requisitions
-




-

-'

-

-•

340
51

140

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Third Auditor's Office—
Pay. or advance requisitions
- - Transfer or refunding requisitions
Fourth Auditor's OfficePay or advance requisitions
Transfer or refunding requisitions
-

-

-

-^
-

-'

760
192

-

-

-

-

50
15

Total
.
6;868
being 340 more than in the preceding year.
The official letters written and recorded cover six hundred and
thirty-nine pages of folio post, being eighty-four pages more than in
the preceding year. Many of them embraced decisions upon disputed
points coming before the office on appeal, or otherwise, and requiring
great labor in their proper examination.
The number of accounts for suit entered on the books of the oflEice
and transmitted to the Solicitor of the Treasury, with a brief of the
case, is twenty-six. I do not give, in this connexion, any account of .
the proceedings and results under the order pf the Secretary of the
Treasury, dated November 21, 1853, in regard to outstanding balances, because I shall make a separate report upon that subject.
Among the improvements of the office it may be mentioned that
Books of Differences have been opened, in which statements are
entered exhibiting all the differences existing between the accounts
of disbursing officers and the official settlements of the same, with
the explanatory reasons for such differences. The preparation of
these books, and the subsequent entries, have imposed some additional
work upon the clerks ; but the adoption of the plan has proved judicious. "- The books are very useful in the settlement of accounts, in
tracing suspended vouchers, and for reference in regard to contested
items.
I n the course of business .jn this office, claims against the United
States have frequently been presented for damages on account of alleged,
violations of contract. Such claims are often, perhaps generally,, of
an extravagant and indefinite character, and are usually.urged with
great ability and perseverance. I have not looked upon their adjudication as properly within the scope of the powers bestowed upon the
accounting officers, nor, indeed, upon any executive officers o f t h e
government. The practice in regard to such claime has not been entirely uniform heretofore ; but as the general authority to adjust and
pay them has not been expressly conferred by statute, and for obvious
reasons of economy and safety will, probably, never be so conferred,
I have considered it. too dangerous to the Treasury to be assumed as
an incident to the adjustment and settlement of accounts. It has,.
therefore, been announced, as a rule of this office, that such cases will
not be entertained,'and that when a contractor avers that he has.been
damnified by the government, or an agent acting in behalf of the
government, he must look to Oongress for redress ; for, if executive
officers can liquidate and pay damages at their discretion, the public j
treasure would be placed at their disposal for objects not contemplatedi
by Oongress, not estimated for, and not within the intent of any]
appropriation.



REPQRT, ON THE FINANCES.

141

This, view of the subject has been substantially held by Chief Justice Taney when Attorney General, (Opinions, 1st edition, p. 882,
omitted in new edition;) Attorney General Nelson, (Opinions, p.
1687;) Attorney General Clifford, (Opinions, p. 1833;) and by Attorney General Cushing, in his manuscript opinion in the case of
Strader & Johnson, dated June .7, 1854.
By the 2d seetion of the ^^ joint resolution for the reliefof pursers,
&G.fi approved March 3, 1849, (9 Stat. 419,) it is provided ' ' t h a t
every disbursement of public nioneys or disposal of public stores made
by order of any commanding officer of the navy, which shall be objected to by the accounting officers of the Treasury in the settlement of
the accounts of any disbursing officer, shall, nevertheless, be allowed
to such, disbursing officer, and the commanding officer by whose order
such disbursement or disposal was made shall be held accountable for
the same."
_
•
This enactment has been interpreted by the pursers as authorizing
them to advance on the orcler of the comm.anding officer any or all of
the public funds in their possession ; and some of the commanders
availed themselves of this indiscreet concession to.their supposed authority to direct considerable, sums to be put into their hands, of
which no account whatever has been rendered, and which was doubtless expended for private purposes. So serious a misconstruction of
the law, which set at naught the guards so carefully thrown around
the public money by acts of Congress and executive regulations;
which absolved a particular class of officers from the liabilities of the
16th section of the act of August 6, 1846, (the independent treasury
act;) which tended to imperil the due performance ofthe naval service,
by diverting the funds provided for the expenses of the ship and the
wages of the crew to private objects, and which opened a wide door
for collusion and fraud, could not be acquiesced in for a moment. It
was. clear, in myjudgment, that Congress presupposed an indebtedness, and intended to cover only disbursements of a public nature,
but which were not sanctioned by existing laws or regulations—as
for purchases of unauthorized supplies, or for hire of unauthorized
employes—but not to screen the disbursing officer from all responsibility for loans and advances made by order,of the commanding
officer, nor to empower the latter, for his private convenience or necessities,, to withdraw funds from their legitimate application to the
public service.
-'
. '
The 1st section ofthe act of J a n i a r y 21, 1823,^3 Stat. 723,) forbids
any advance of public money, except in certain specified cases by direction of the President; and the 6th section of the act of August 26,
1842, (5 Stat. 535,) declares '^ that it shall not be lawful for a purser
in the navy to advance or loan any sum or sums of money,'public or
private, or any. article or commodity whatever, or any credit to any
officer in the naval service, under any pretence Whatever." These
laws, the act of August 6, 1846, and the joint resolution of 1849, are
all in p a r i materia; and, in conformity with the view I have expressed,
a circular was addressed to the disbursing officers, apprizing them that
the laws in regard to advances, &c., were not repealed- or modified by
l.the joint resolution, and that no credit would be allowed to them for




142

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

advances or loans made by orders of commanding officers, howjever
frequent or peremptory such orders might be.
For many years past, great labor and perplexity have occurred in
ascertaining the respectiye liabilities of sureties in suits upon ofBcial
bonds Avhen more than one bond has been.given. To obviate such
difficulties in future, directions have been given in a circular addressed
to each bonded disbursing officer whose accounts come under thejurisdiction of this office that separate and distinct accounts with the United
States shall be kept under every bond given; and that in the caption
of each quarterly account thc date ofi the bond under which it is rendered shall be stated. The balance, if any, due to the United States
is not to be carried into the second or subsequent series rendered under
a new bond, but the account is to be closed by the payment of the .
balance found to be due ; and in making his deposites the officer is
required to designate by the date of the bond the account to which
the sum is to be applied, and also the appropriation to which it is
refunded. It is also brought to the attention ofthe disbursing, officers
that additional cumulative bonds do not operate to release the sureties
on prior bonds, though a settlement under each is necessary in .order
to fix the t i ^ e s when successive sureties become liable, and to ascertain the amount of'their liability. The good effects of this rule are
already perceptible, and it is confidently believed that it will not only
relieve the accounting officers and the Solicitor of much labor and
embarrassment, but will tend to save the government from pecuniary
loss resulting from doubt as to what sureties should be held responsible for the defalcation of their principal.
For the reasons stated in my report last year, I feel bound-to reiterate the opinion I then expressed, that it is a serious defect in the
organization of this office that the clerks appointed to it are not
selected from the various auditors' offices w^hose statements are revised in this office. Experience in a revising officer charged with
the examination of details is of the highest importance if conjoined
with abilities and. fidelity; and I respectfully recommend that the
subject be brought to the notice of Congress for a suitable change in
the salaries, with a suggestion that no original appointments be made
in the revising ofBces, but that vacancies as they occur shall be filled
by transfers.
It is a source of great satisfaction to me that, in reviewing the operations of this office for the last fiscal year, I can speak in terms of well
deserved praise of the gentlemen employed in it in the transaction of
the public business., who have performed their duties cheerfully, ably,
and promptly. To their intelligence and faithfulness is the office^
essentially indebted for its present excellent condition. No branch is .
in arrears, and not a single case requiring, or presented for, my personal examination anddecision remains unadjudicated.
I am, very respectfully, yours,
•
J . M. BEODHEAD, ComptroUer.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary of tlie Treasury.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No.-39. •

143

.

'

R E P O R T OF THE COxMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Office of Commissioner ofi Customs, November 17, 1855.
SIR: In reply to your letter of the 16th ultimo, .requesting a
statement of the operations of this office for the past year, together
with a general outline of its duties, the improvements, if any, which
have taken place in the character. of its officers, and the mode of
doing and present condition of its business, I have the honor to
submit the following report:
The act of March 3, 1849, establishing the office of Commissioner
of Customs, provides that, the said Commissioner 'Sshall perform all
the acts and exercise all the powers now devolved by law on the
First Comptroller of the Treasury relating to the receipts from
customs and the accounts of collectors and other officers of the,
custoins, or connected therewith."
In pursuance of this act, all the accounts connected with the
customs, including those relating to the erection, repair, and furnishing of custom-houses,' marine hospitals, and, light-houses, were
transferred to, and have since been revised and finally settled in,
this office.
"
• In the performance of these duties, there have been examined and
finally settled, during the year ending on the 1st of November last,
accounts of collectors of the customs, and of surveyors acting as
collectors, including the monthly accounts of receipts from customs,
the quarterly accounts of collectors and surveyors acting as disbursing
agents, of the Treasury, and the emolument accounts of naval officers .
and surveyors, to the number of 2,081.
. '
Miscellaneous accounts, including those for the erection and support of light-houses ,and marine "hospitals, the refunding of duties
illegally exacted from importers, and a variety of special accounts to
the number of 3,087.
All estimates- of collectors and superintendents, upon which
remittances are made to disbursing officers, are received, examined,
and disposed of, at this office. Each of these requires a critical
examination, and, if found correct, forms the basis of a requisition
upon the Treasui'y for the transmission of funds to the officer properly
chargeable therewith.
'
•^During th@ past year, the total number of requisitions thus issued
was 2,109, each one requiring four distinct and separate papers to be
executed.
The number of letters sent from the office during the same period
amounts to 6,471, the recording ofwhich has filled 8,260 pages of its
records. '
To this exhibit of the ordinary and current business of the office
should be added a large amount-of miscellaneous and special business^
growing out of the presentation of claims for the allowance of suspended or rejected items of charge; the applications of importers for



144

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

cancellation of export bonds, or extension of time to produce the evidence necessary thereto; the preparation of cases for suit, the transcripts in all cases being accompanied by a brief, setting forth the
grounds upon which the settlement of controverted items has been
made by the department, and the investigation of cases referred by
the department or its bureaus to this office, many of. which require
great labor and care.
I have great satisfaction in stating' that I believe these various* and.
responsible duties have been discharged b y t h e persons having their
immediate charge with promptness and fidelity. No business not
impeded by some insuperable difficulty has .been suffered to fall into
arrears, and no accounts oi* other papers are suffered to accumulate
upon the desks of the office.
, The returns which are made to you at the end of each month will
show the punctuality with which the accounts of customs. are
settled. A like return, if required, would show an equally proinpt
disposition of the disbursement and other accounts settled in this
office.
I have again to report that great regularity prevails among the
collectors of the customs and surveyors, acting as collectors, in the
prompt transmission of their monthly accounts. In accordance with
the provisions of your circular of Jurie 15, 1853, these accounts are
required to be made up and forwarded to the accounting officers within one week after the expiration of each month. Containing as they,
do the evidence of the reception and deposit of the wliole revenue
derived, from customs, the early and frequent rendition of this class
of accounts to the department, and their equally prompt examination
and settlement at the Treasury, has proved highly beneficial both to
the governmerit and its officers, and cannot fail to prove a valuable
safeguard against an unlawful retention or use of the public monies.
The several reports heretofore submitted in relation to the balances due to the United States from collectors and others prior to
April 1, 1853, will show the success which has attended my efforts
to close these long-standing accounts. A final report now in readiness will be transmitted forthwith.
In my report of last year, some suggestions in reference to the earlier return and settlement ofthe accounts of disbursing agents, superintendents of lights, and agents of marine hospitals, were offered for
your consideration, which, together with that concerning the custody
of collector's bonds, I beg leave to renew.
With the highest respect. Lam your obedient servant, ,
H, J . ANDEESON,
Coinmissioner ofi. Customs.
Hon. JAMES GUTHRIE,

• .

Secretary ofi the Treasury.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

145

No. 40^.
REPORT OF THE F I R S T AUDITOR.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

First Auditor's Ofiice, November 9, 1855.
SIR: In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the
16th ultimo, the following report of the operations of this office for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855^ is respectfully submitted:
Accounts adjusted, viz:
Collectors of the customs,
Collectors under the steamboat act,
Collectors and disbursing agents of the Treasury, Official emoluments of collectors, naval officers, and surveyors,
Additional compensation of collectors, naval officers, and surveyors,
- - - - - . - - - - . .
Claims for the refunding of duties illegally exacted,
Claims for net proceeds df unclaimed merchandise,
The judiciary,
_
>
_
Interest on the public debt, - Treasury notes presented for funding and redemption, Eedemption of United States war bounty scrip,
Claims for propertv lost in the military service of the,United
States,
- • Inspectors of steam vessels for travelling expenses, &c.,
Salaries of officers of the civil list paid directly from the Treasury, - ' - ' Claims for the redemption of United States stock, Superintendents of lights,
Agents of marine hospitals, .
Commissioner of Public Buildings,
Contingent expenses of the Senate a n i House of Eepresentatives, and of the departments and bureaus ofthe government,
Coast Survey^
- . -.
The Treasurer of the United States, for general receipts and
expenditures,
. The Treasurer ofthe United States, for pay and mileage ofthe
members of the House of Eepresentatives, -.
Designated depositaries for additional compensation,
Construction and repairs of public buildings,
The Territories, Disbursing clerks, for paying salaries, Disbursing agent of California land commissioners,
The Mint,
Withdrawal of applications for patents, appeal cases, &c.,
Miscellaneous accounts, Number of accounts recorded,
.
_
Number of letters written,
-.
10



1,715
235
594
275
3

1
628
5
532
61
9
9
57
162
947
568
314
381
151
532
33
4

3
14
555
38
275
2
45
4
455
8,689
5,512

146

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

In obedience to instructions of the Comptroller of the Treasury of
December 6, 1854, predicated upon your letter to that officer, dated
November 21, 1853, a copy of which was transmitted to this office, I
caused to be prepared a docket of all of the then, outstanding debts of
officers and others out of service, the settlement of which appertained
to this office, excepting those subject to the revision of the Commissioner of Customs. Statements of the balances due, accompanied with
explanations of the items in dispute, have been transmitted to the
persons indebted, or to their legal representatives, in all cases where
their residences could be ascertained, payment of the amount due
demanded and ui'ged, and in the event of failure, the action of the
office in the premises, together with all the information elicited by
the correspondence, promptly reported to the Comptroller for his decision upon the propriety of instituting suit or otherwise, and whenever
suits have been directed, the accounts of the officer or other person
indebted have been prepared in accordance with the suggestions contained in your letter of November 21, 1853, before referred to, so far
as they relate to the appropriate action of this office.
The correspondence of the office respecting the collection of these?
outstanding debts was commenced on the 15th ofJanuary, 1855, and
from that date to the 30th pf June last two hundred and sixty-six
letters were written.
.
I n twenty-five cases final settlements have been made, covering the
sum of $61,066 56; and in seventeen cases the balances have been
diminished in the sum of $26,599 45, making an aggregate reduction
of $87,666 01.
For a general outline of the duties of the office I beg leave to refer
to my report of November 1, 1854.
The character of the employes in the office has been improved by
certain changes made under yonr direction, and is now distinguished,
generally, for promptness and efficiency in the discharge of duties reposed, as well as for a ready compliance with all established regulations.
The present condition of the office is satisfactory, there being no
arrearage in any branch of its business.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. L. SMITH.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE," ^

Secretary ofi the Treo^iiry,




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.;

147-

No. 41._
REPORT OF THE SiECOND AUDITOR.
;

.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

, Second Auditor's Ofifice, Novemberl, 1855. ' '.
SIR : In reply to your circular of the 16th ultimo, T have the honor
to transmit herewith a statement showing an outline of the operations;
of this office for the year ending June 30, 1855.
In addition to which I have to state that all the settlements of
money accounts have been recorded on the journal and ledgers of the
office, which are kept up to the day ; and in the appropriation ledgers
and journal equal exactness and punctuality are exhibited.
The character of the officers of this bureau is quite satisfactory:
They are punctual aud diligent in the performance of their duties,
which are becoming daily more laborious in consequence of recent
acts of Congress increasing the army and the pay o f t h e soldiers.
To this cause is to be attributed also the arrearage which at present
exists iri some- brariches of the business of the office.
Yery: respectfully, your obedient servant,
P . CLAYTON,
Second Auditor.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,.

,

Secretary ofi the Treasury.

Statement ofi thc operations ofi the Second Auditor's Office cluring thc
fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, showing the number of money
accounts settled, the expenditures embraced therein, the number ofi
property accounts examined a>nd adjusted, together with other dutics
perfiormed pertaining to thc business ofi the office, prepared pursuant to
instructions ofi the Secretary ofi thc Treasury ofi October 16, 1855.
The number of money accounts settled is 1,951, embracing an expenditure of $6,768,213 37, under the following heads, viz:
Pay Department of the army
- $2,296,626 09
Quartermaster's Department of the army, disbursed on
account of "^^ clothing of the army," ^^ contingencies
of the army," and pursuit and apprehension of
deserters
. , .
_
829,670 08
Ordnance Department of the army - 1,177,554 03
Medical Department of the army
_
35,614 97
Eecruiting service of the army 49,654 83
Examination of national armories
5,950 31
Contingent expenses of Adjutant General's Department
80 39
Claims of States and individuals paid
114,926 24
Indian Affairs 2,214,^467 32
Military Asylum, embracing the adjustment of 648
accounts of deceased soldiers, paid to the asylum 43,669 11




6,768,213 37

148

REPORT ON THE, FINANCES.

Property accounts examined and adjusted
»
.- 1,675
Private claims examined and rejected or suspended - 500
Eecruits registered
_
.
.
„
3,180
Eequisitions registered, recorded, and posted - 2,050
Certificates of military service issued to Pension Office - 1,802
Letters, accounts, and papers received, briefed and registered - 7,725
Letters written, recorded, and mailed
..
_
„ 5,189
Dead and discharged soldiers registered _ ' ...
_ 1^914
Private claims received and registered
- 872
Statement of Indian disbursements in duplicate, under the act of
June 30, 1854, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1854, comprised
in 2,200 foolscap pages, and
Statement of the same for the year 'ending June 30, 1855, as far as^
the accounts have heen received, embracing about 2,000 pages.
Annual statement of the recruiting fund, prepared for the Adjutant
General of the army.
Quarterly reports of balances and changes in the sam-e, made tc
Second Comptroller h j order of the Secretary of the Treasuryj,
making 78 pages folio.
Annual statement of ^*^contingent expenses of the a r m y , " transmitted in duplicate to the Secretary of W a r , for the use of the tvfo?
Houses of Congress.
Annual statement of contingent expenses of this office.
List of balances of more than three years,, reported to th@ FirS't
Comptroller.




EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

149

No. 42.
[REPORT OF THE THIRD AUDITOR,
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Third Auditor's Office, November 9, 1855.
SIR: Agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 16tk
ultimo, I have the honor to report the operations of this branch of the
Treasury Department, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855.
When I took charge of this office, on the 15th of September, 1854,
the force employed consisted of seventy-one clerks, being eleven less
than had been employed during the fiscal year previous. A large
portion of the arrearages had been brought up by my predecessor,
and the improvement in the condition of the office was so great that
in my report to you of the 21st of October last, I felt justified in
expressing the hope that accounts or claims thereafter received could
be settled without material delay. It is proper, however, that I
should say that at that time there were still some arrearages in some
of the divisions of the office. The following facts, in detail, will
show how far my expectations have been realized:
FIRST DIVISION—BOOKKEEPERS,

This division, having charge of the books containing the monetary
transactions of the government connected with this office, haS' been
kept actively employed.
During the fiscal year there have been
drawn out of the treasury $14,342,889 25, from which deduct
13,975,832 67, repaid, would' leave $10,367,056 58 as the nett
amount drawn out of the existing appropriations made by Congress.
I t may be proper to remark, in reference to the large amount drawn,
that therein is embraced the transfer requisitions, thereby exhibiting
the large amount of drafts and repayments, and yet but an inconsiderable portion of the amount actually paid into the treasury,
arising out of the original advances made. From the register of
settlements it appears that there have'been 3,210 accounts (including
special statements) reported upon during the year, embracing disbursements amounting to $13,359,180 60, exclusive of claims paid
through this office, amounting to $402,305 16, and making a total in
settlements of $13,761,485 76, The number of requisitions registered
during the year was
-2,778
Counter requisitions
- 836
Total

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3,614

SECOND DIVISION—QUARTERMASTER S DEPARTMENT.

In this division there have been received during the year 575 quarterly accounts of officers disbursing in the Quartermaster's Department
of the army. During the same period there have been audited 643,
(the excess of accounts audited over those received being some received



150

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

during the year previous,) involving the sum of $3,158,557 83. The
number remaining on hand, unsettled, July 1, 1855, was 57.
During the first quarter of the,present fiscal year, ending 30th September, there have been received 139 accounts, and cluring the same
period 162 adjusted ; leaving undisposed of, at the close of the quarter,
34, all of which have either been disposed of during the month of
October, or are now in hand, excepting three accounts suspended for
explanations before adjustment. The number of letters written in
this division, during the fiscal year, was 1,490.
THIRD DIVISION—SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT.

In this division there were audited during the past fiscal year 771
quarterly accounts of officers doing duty in the Subsistence Department of the army, involving an actual expenditure of $1,326,507 56
The number audited since the 30th June to the 30th
September, the close of the 1st quarter of the fiscal
year 1855-'56, is 194, involving an actual expenditure, as above, of
-.
634,866 24
Making a total of expenditures for fifteen months
audited in this division of
-,
-

1,961,373 80

The whole amount of money involved in the above
audited accounts, in the hands of officers for expenditures and transfers, is
-

2,878,251 43

There remained on file, unaudited, on the 30th September, 56 accounts of officers, involving the sumof $143,529 26. These accounts
are now in process of settlement. In addition to the settlement of
accounts, a set of books are kept in this division. Number of letters
written during the year 753.
FOURTH DIVISION—PENSION DEPARTMENT.

To this division is"assigned the keeping and settlement of accounts
of pension agents ; the claims on account of arrearages of pensions^
and for due and unreclaimed pensions for a period exceeding fourteen
months, and therefore payable at the Treasury ; and the preparation
of reports to the different departments connected with the pension
claims, involving the whole correspondence pertaining thereto.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, there were received
and recorded by this branch of the office 1,617 letters.
Of letters written there were.
,- 2,477
Of calls for information, from the Pension Office, &c., received
and answered, there were - . - 1,380
Of pension agents' accounts received and settled, including all
on hand on that day,
_
_
_
_
207
Of pension claims received and settled, or otherwise disposed
of, there were _ . - _
608
The agents' accounts involved the expenditure of $1,740,413 97
The pension claims an expenditure of 22,935 04



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

151

On the SOth September, there were of pension agents' accounts on
hand and unsettled,
- • 1
Of pension claiins on hand, 3
FIPTH DIVISION—ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.

To this division are asmgned the accounts of all officers and agents
disbursing under the orders of the Engineer and Topographical Engirieer Bureaus of the War Department, and the accounts of such
officers and agents disbursing under the special direction of the War
Department as are transmitted to this office for settlement.
Accounts ofi officers and agents ofi the Fngineer Bureau.
These embrace expenditures for the construction and repairs of fortifications ; for surveys and improvements of harbors on the Atlantic,
and of rivers emptying into it; and all works of harbor and river
improvement on the Gulf of Mexico; for continuing the Washington
aqueduct.; and for support of the Military Academy.
Accounts of officers and agents qf the Topographical Engineer Bureau.
These enibrace expenditures for military and geographical surveys;
for surveys of the northern and northwestern lakes; for surveys in
reference to military defences.of the frontier, inland and Atlantic;
for surveys of routes for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the
Pacific ocean ; for construction of military roads; and for all works of
harbor and river improvement on the lakes; and for improvement of
the Mississippi river and of rivers emptying into it.
Accounts of. officers and agents undzr thc specicd direction ofi the War
Department.
In these are embraced expenditures for surveys of routes for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean; for the construction of certain military roads; for the extension of the United States
Capitol', for removing the present dome over the central portion of
the Capitol, and the construction of one upon the plan designed by
the architect of the Capitol extension ; and for the continuation of the
post office building.
The number of these accounts that were on file in this division,
unadjusted at the commencement of the fiscai year ending
June 30, 1855, was .The number received during that year was^ _
>.
«

196
268

And the number for adjustment was, therefore,
Of this number there were adjusted, during the year,

-

-

464
368

And the number remaining unadjusted at its close was -

-

96




152

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The three hundred and sixty-eight accounts adjusted within the
year involve the sum of $5,183,385 22, including the unexpended
balances remaining in hands of disbursing officers and agents.
In addition to the number of quarterly accounts unadjusted on
the 1st of July last, viz: There had been received up to the 1st of October, instant,
Making an aggregate of
Of this number there were adjusted, between the 1st of July
and the 30th of September last, And there remained unadjusted on the 1st instant,

-

-

96
53
149
126
23

Of this number but eight pertain to periods prior to the second
quarter of 1855, and the adjustment of these is within a few days of
completion. The number of letters written in this division during
the year is 225.
This division, you will observe, was materially in arrears at the
commencement of the last fiscal year. Since then the force has been
increased by the temporary addition of two clerks transferred from the
quartermaster's and miscellaneous divisions, which, in connection
with the diligent efforts of the head of the division and the clerks
thereof, has resulted in bringing up the arrears. Hereafter the current work will be kept up by the regular force of the division.
SIXTH DIVISION—MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENT.

Within the last fiscal year there have been presented for the action
of this division, of claims of all descriptions, - / 617
Of that number there have been acted on and disposed of,
584
Leaving undisposed of,

-

-

-

-

-

-

.

33

The number of letters and reports written and recorded in this division was 1,208.
In addition to the claims referred to above as undisposed of, there
are a number of claims for horses lost in the military service of the
United States, for supplies furnished, &c., to which I made particular
reference in my last report. To what I then said I have nothing
now to add. Many of these claims were received years ago, and must
remain in their present condition without further legislation.
During the year the settlement ofthe accounts of Generals Bennett
Eiley and E. B. Mason, in reference to moneys raised and collected by
them in California after the treaty of peace with Mexico, and before
the State government went into operation, commonly known as the
^^civil fund of California," have been brought to a close, the final
legislation having only been obtained at the last session of Congress,
The amount involved in these accounts was upwards of one and a
quarter millions of dollars, and in their adjustment much time and
labor were necessarily employed.
The total sum allowed on account of claims is $419,646 37.- This



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

153

includes awards made by the board of army officers on claims for supplies, &c., furnished the battalion of Colonel J. C. Fremont, in California, the expenses growing out of the war with the Eogue Eiver
Indians in Oregon, together with various claims settled under special
acts and resolutions of Congress.
SEVENTH DIVISION—SOLDIERS' CLAIMS AND BOUNTY LAND DEPARTMENT.

During the past fiscal year 1,530 communications relating to pay,
pension, and bounty land claims were duly investigated and disposed
of, including claims of widows and orphans under acts of March 16,
1802, April 16, 1816, and the first section of the act of March 3,
1853, (McEae's volunteers,) which are executed in this office. Ofthe
entire number of claims presented 61 w^ere allowed. The amount of
money involved in the payment of the claims allowed was $4,447 24,
There were also 10,821 bounty land cases, together with 631 invalid
and half-pay cases examined and certified to the Commissioner of
Pensions. Upwards of 200 mutilated muster-rolls, embracing more
than 23,000 names, were copied, compared, and filed away for preservation.
Since the 1st July, and up to the 30th September, embracing the
first quarter of the current fiscal year, the work on this division has
materially increased, in consequence of the great riumber of bounty
land cases sent by the Pension Office for examination. During that
period 5,8,42 bounty land cases, with 108 invalid and half-pay pension
pases, have been examined and certified to the Commissioner of Pensions ; 473 communications relative to pay, pension, and bounty land
claims have also been received and registered at this office, most of
which have been disposed of. The number of letters written during
the year in this division was 2^531.
EIGHTH DIVISION—COLLECTIONS.

To this division is assigned the collection of outstanding baLances
on the books of the Treasury so far as appertains to this office. This
division was first organized by my predecessor, under your instructions, and strenuous exertions have been made to reduce the amount
of outstanding balances. A large proportion of these balances are
the accumulations of many years, and. running back anterior to the
year 1820. In many of these cases the debtors have deceased, become
insolvent, or removed to parts unknown. Every effort has been made,
by means of circulars, letters of inquiry, &c., to ascertain the residence
and circumstances of those living, or the legal representatives of those
known to be dead, and as fast as ascertained a correspondence is
opened. This manifestly must consume considerable time.
At the commencement of the last fiscal year the outstanding balances
were as follows:
On account of arrearages prior to 1820 - $2,869,453 65
Charged on the current books since 1820
3,324,159 46
Total



-

-

-

-

-

-

6,193,613 11

154

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Of the amount due on account of arrearages there had been sent to
the agent of the treasury for suit, prior to the year 1826, transcripts of
accounts amounting to $2,158,018 64, which being deducted from the
total of arrearages prior to 1820, would leave an outstanding balance
of $711,435 01.
From the long period of time this balance has been permitted to
remain, and the difficulty, as before stated, of ascertaining the residence of many of the persons charged, and the probable death and
insolvency of others, I fear there is but little prospect of realizing any
considerable portion ofthe above.
During the last fiscal year the amount collected from this class of
balances was $13,000 08.
Ofthe amount due on the current books, viz :
- $3,324,159 46
There was in suit and in the course of prosecution,
under the direction of the Solicitor of the Treasury,
the sum of 1,475,906 62
Balance for adjustment and collection

-

-

-

1,848,252 84

Of this balance a portion is for advances from officers and from the
treasury, for the disbursement of which no accounts and vouchers
have been rendered.; a considerable portion for suspended charges,
the vouchers for which were sent back to the parties for explanation
or correction, but not returned; and a portion charged to the
personal accounts of officers, the expenditure having been made by
their orders, but not authorized by law or the regulations of the War
.Department. Some of these balances are in controversy between the
persons charged therewith and the accounting officers.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, the balance on the
current books has been.reduced in the sum of $307,725 76; eight
transcripts of accounts prepared and reported for suit, vnth a brief of
the facts in each case; 415 letters have been received, and 757
written, in relation to the business ofthe division, and recorded.
The business of the division during the fiscal year, and its
condition at the end thereof, may be thus briefiy stated:
Total balance June 30, 1854 - $6,193,613 11
From which deduct amount closed by
settlement and payments into the
treasury during the year
- 320,726 64
Amount in suit in course pf prosecution
under the direction of the Solicitor
of the Treasury
3,633,924 26
3,954,650 90
Balance
To which add amount charged to officers, during
the year, reported as having ceased to disburse,
and who have accounts and vouchers in process of
adjustment
-

2,238,962-21

Total balance outstanding

2,349,705 31




-

-

-

-

-

110,743 10

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

:0f which, occurred prior to 1820

-

-

-

155

-

Leaving, of balances since 1820 and outstanding.
June 30, 1855, - ' -

$698,434 13
1,651,271 18

More than half of this amount is charged against officers and
agents entrusted with the public funds, without being required to
give bond and security, the only security being their personal
responsibility. In such cases, when the officer goes out of service, or
becomes insolvent, or dies without estate, the government is left
without remedy for the recovery of the amount that may be found
due on a final settlement of his accounts.
On an examination of the foregoing, together with a comparison of
the present condition of this office with what it has been in former
years, I trust, sir, you will agree with me in the opinion that it is not
only in a healthy condition, but better prepared to dispatch the business by law committed to its charge with promptness and dispatch
than at any former period for a number of years. In connexion with
this, I invite your attention to a tabular statement appended to this
report, showing the number of quarterly accounts of disbursing
officers and agents of the War Department, on liand and unsettled,
on the SOth day of September of each year for the years 1850, ' 5 1 ,
'52, '53, '54, and '55,, respectively; also, when said accounts were
received. From that statenient it will appear that there are now on
hand and unsettled in this office only 114 quarterly accounts altogether, of which number all except 9 are for the first and second
quarters of the present year. At the corresponding period for last
year there were on hand 268 accounts, of which nuniber 19 had been
received the year previous, and 22 the second year previous. At the
corresponding period for 1853 there were on hand 340 accounts, of
which number 124 were received during the year previous, and 42 the
second year previous. Whilst there thus appears this steady improvement each year on the year preceding, for the last three years until
now, the accounts are as closely settled as they can well be ; prior to
1852 the process of accumulation had been going on at such a fearful
rate that on the SOth of September of that year there were on hand,
unsettled, 2,359 accounts, of which number 1,111 were received during the previous year, and 219 during the second previous year.
Indeed, amongst those reported as received during the second previous year were many accounts running back for a period of five
years and to the Mexican war.
On the 17th of March last I received from you a communication
relative to complaints of delay in the Treasury Department in the
settlement of accounts of disbursing officers of the army, and especially ,
calling my attention to 'Hhat part of the report of the Secretary of
W a r which accompanied the late annual message of the President,
beginning with the fiftii paragraph on page 2 1 , " so that measures
might be taken for reiiiedying the evil complained of. Steps were
imniediately taken to carry out this request. It appeared, on investigation, that no particular cause of complaint existed either in the
quartermaster's or subsistence divisions in this office. In each of



156

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

these divisions the accounts were about as closely settled up. as it was
possible for them to be under the regulations of the War Department,
During the preceding year the accounts had usually been settled, with
very few exceptions, during the quarter next succeedins: their reception from the office of the Quartermaster and Commissary General;
and these exceptions were generally in cases where the accounts were
intimately connected with those of the disbursing officers whose
accounts had not been received, and to which it was necessary to have
reference. In such cases, of course, the account received would have
to be laid over until the absent accounts reached this office. Whatever of delay existed from causes other than those enumerated, was
by no means entirely attributable to this office. The prevailing sentiment I know is, that for whatever delay exists in the settlement of
accounts after they are ^^rendered," the accounting officers are entirely
chargeable, but such is not the case. By the regulations of the War
Department the accounts of disbursing officers are required to be sent
direct to the chief of the appropriate bureau in the War Department,
where they are retained for ^^administrative exaniination," prior to
being sent to the Treasury for settlement. It has not unfrequently
happened .that these accounts were delayed in the bureaus of the War
Department, awaiting, their ^^administrative examination," aswell
as in the Treasury awaiting settlement.
But the engineer division in this office was found to be materially
in arrears, partially growing out of a want of proper force aud an accumulation of business, and partly from the irregular manner in which
the accounts were transmitted to this office. It appeared, on investigation, that not unfrequently four, six^ and even more quarters ofthe same
officers' accounts were received at this office at one time from the Topograpical Bureau. Coming to this office in this irregular way, it is
not surprising that the same irregularity has existed in their transmission hence to the Second Comptroller. Much more time was consumed in the investigation and settlement of accounts running for so
long a period than would have been necessary had each cjuarter been
transmitted by itself The system of aggregating accounts is objectionable. Each quarter shpuld be settled by itself and at as early a
date as practicable after the expiration of the quarter. Accordingly,
on the 1st of April I directed the chiefs of divisions, at the close of
each quarter, to make out a list of the names of officers whose accounts
are, by law, due at this office, and transmit the same to the chief of
the proper bureau in the War Department, informing him that said
accounts are due at this office and have not been received, and requesting him, if received there, to send them here for settlement at an
early day. For the last three quarters this course has been observed,
and I flatter myself, with the co-operation of the chiefs of bureaus in
the War Departnient, who, I know, will render all the aid in their
power to facilitate promptness in accounting, that hereafter there will
be little or no cause for complaint.
While it gives me pleasure to say that most of the disbursing officers
ofthe army having accounts to render are prompt in rendering their
accounts, and responding to statements of differences by furnishing
explanations or additional evidence, as may be required to secure conformity to regulations, there are, nevertheless, some instances of inat


'REPORT ON THE . FINANCES.

157

tention and failure. During the last four quarters, commencing with
the 3d quarter, 1854, there have been reported to the Second Comptroller as having failed to render their accounts for the respective
quarters within the time prescribed by law, as follows :
3d quarter, 1854.—Quartermasters - 29
Do.
Commissary Subsistence
- 18
Do,
Topographical Engineers
- —
—
47
4th quarter, 1854.—Quartermasters - 19
Do.
Commissary Subsistence
- 13
'
Do.
Topograpical Engineers
2
—
34
1st quarter, 1855.—Quartermasters ^- 16
Do/
Commissary Subsistence
- 11
Do.
Topographical Engineers
4
31
2d quarter, 1855.—Quartermasters - 14
Do.
Commissary Subsistence
- 15
Do.
Topographical Engineers
4
33
It is to be hoped that the efforts of the Treasury Department to>
bring about a reform in the settlement of the accounts of disbursing
officers of the War Department with as little delay as possible, thus
bringing the expenditures and the settlement of the same closely together, wili be met with a corresponding spirit on the part of those
h4ving the accounts to render. It is certainly their interest, as well
the interest of the government, that vouchers rendered for the disbursement of public money should be- acted upon in as short time as
possible after the disbursement is made. In case of suspensions or
disallowances, an early opportunity will then be presented for reconciling differences and correcting errors while the transactions are yet
fresh in the memory, and they are, therefore, the better able to furnish the necessary explanations or proof Moreover, the true condition of officers' accounts will be known to themselves and to the de-r
partments, a matter as important to the officer as to the government.
Until within the last year or two no special information has been
furnished this office of the resignation of officers of the army ; and
within that time, say from the 8th March, 1854, until the present
time, forty-seven officers, of all grades, have tendered and had their
resignations accepted by the President. The aggregate indebtedness
ofthese officers is $43,281 12.
Immediately on the receipt of tlfe notice of the acceptance of the
resignations of officers their accounts are taken up for settlement, to
ascertain the balances due from them, with a view to a final adjustment of their accounts, and to recover the balances into the Treasury.
Much difficulty has been encountered and a great deal of time is lost
in obtaining a knowledge of the residence of these officers, which cannot at all times be ascertained from the office ofthe Adjutant General,
and which renders it necessary to resort to expedients to accomplish
that object.
Paragraph 42 of the Army Eegulations of 1847 prescribes the



158

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

course to be pursued on the tender of an officer's resignation, and
seems to have in view some restrictions, but which are not defined,
nor is there any penalty or contingency fixed to intervene betweeri.
the acceptance of an officer's resignation, notwithstanding he may
have unsettled accounts and be largely indebted to the United States.
The working force of the office at the present time is sixty-eight
clerks, being three less than at the date of my last report. Although
the business of this office has been constantly augmenting, no additional force is asked for. The gentlemen employed in the office are
diligent in the discharge of their offi.cial duties, and have earnestly
and efficiently seconded my efforts to transact the public business
committed to it with punctuality, accuracy and dispatch.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
EOBT. J . ATKINSON, Auditor.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary ofi the Treasury.

Tcdjular statement exhibiting thc number ofi quarter yearly accounts ofi
disbursing officers and agents ofi thc War Department, presented ai thc
office ofi the Third Auditor ofi thc Treasury Department fior settlement
in thc three years preceding thc 30th September ofi each ofi the years
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854 and 1855, and which remained unsettled, and the years, respectively, in whieh they were received ; compiled
firom thc official reports
Received during the year.

1850 185118521853 18541855 -

381
1,153
1,029
174
162
105

Pceceived du- Received du- Total on hand
ring the year ring the second
unsettled.
year previous.
previous.

713
432
1,111

124
• 19

9

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Third Auditor's Office, November 9, 1855.




•726

315
219
42
22
—

,

1,820
1,900
2,359
340
268 .
114

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

159

No. .43.
REPORT OF THE FOURTPI AUDITOR.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Fourth Auditor's Office, October 26, 1855.
SIR : ^In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the
16tli inst., I have the honor to report the operations of this office for
the 3^ea.r ending on the SOth of June last, the general outline of its
duties, the official demeanor ofits officers, the mode of doing, and the
present condition of the business, as follows:
The duties of this office are to audit and state all accounts and
claims growing out of the naval service of the United States, embracing the accounts of pursers, navy agents, navy pension agents, naval
storekeepers, timber agents, paymaster of marines, &c. This office
also settles the accounts of the several lines of steamers employed in
the foreign mail service under contract with the Navy Department,
All requisitions for the purpose of drawing money from the Treasury
for the transfer of money from one head of appropriation to another,
and to cover into the Treasury money refunded on account of the navy,
are registered in this office. The allotments .granted by the officers
and men in the naval service are also registered here. Various other
duties, more or less incident to the above, necessarily devolve upon
this office.
During the year ending on the 30th of June last, there were one
thousand ^nd forty-three accounts settled in this office, which embraced minor accounts to the number of one hundred and forty-two thousand two hundred and sixty-three, each requiring much care and, not
unfrequently, considerable labor in its examination and adjustment.
These settlements involved disbursenients amounting to fifteen millions one hundred and fifty-two thousand two hundred and sixty-seven
dollars and twenty-nine cents.
The balances against jDcrsons who left the service, or ceased to disburse, previously to, or during the said fiscal year, standing on the
books of this office, were reduced, by settlements or collections, in
the course of the year to the amount of one million two hundred and
eleven thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars and' eighty cents,
making the amount of reductions of said balances, since my report of
October 1, 1853, over three millions ofdollars.
The number of letters received and registered during the year is
five thousand two hundred and seventy ; and the nuniber writteii and
recorded, including reports to the different departments and their
bureaus, is five thousand four hundred and nineteen. Seventeen
briefs were made out in cases intended for suit, and recorded. Two
hundred and sixty-nine accounts were reported, journalized and posted ; one thousand and forty-seven requisitions, and one thousand two
hundred and seventy-two allotments of pay left by officers and men
in the naval service, were registered during the year. This office is
charged also with the duty of preparing yearly a statement showing
the amount received by each officer of the navy, during the fiscal year^



160

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

on account of ^^pay," '^rations," and ^^travel," which requires an
exaniination of all the rolls and quarterly returns made to this office
by the several pursers. .
An extraordinary amount of labor has devolved upon this office in
consequence of the act of Congress entitled, ''^An act in addition to
certain acts granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military service of the United States."
Approved March 3, 1855. The applications for bounty land under
this act made to the Conimissioner of Pensions by the officers and
seamen who have served in the navy ofthe United States, in any war
in which this country has been engaged, since 1790, are referred to
this office for examination and report ofthe services ofthe applicants.
Upon this branch of duties, for a great portion of the time since it
commenced, three and, up to the 16th inst., four clerks were employed. During a short period, one half of the force of the office was
employed upon it. This business alone would afford employment for
six clerks.
A general idea of the mode of doing business in this office may be
drawn from the process pursued in the settlement of the accounts of
disbursing officers of the navy. When an account is transmitted for
settlement, an examination is made to ascertain if all the necessary
papers, rolls and vouchers accompany it. A further investigation is
then instituted to see if all the papers, &c., are in proper form and
valid. Such as are not are suspended or disallowed and the officers
informed of the fact. From such as are allowed the account is stated
and, with the papers and a statement of disallowances, sent to the
Second Comptroller for revision. When a claim against the United
States is presented to this office, an examination is made to see if it
had been presented before, if it had, what disposition had been made
ofit, and ifit had not, then to ascertain if the office contains evidence
of its validity. If the claim is found to be just, proof of the claimant's
identity is required. When the necessary evidence has been furnished,
an account is stated, which, with a certificate of allowance, is sent to
the Second Comptroller for revision. Immediate payment of balances
found due the United States upon the settlement of accounts is
promptly required.
Owing chiefly to the great increase of work, caused by the bounty
land applications before referred to, the regular business of this office
has, to some extent, unavoidably fallen behind. It is hoped, however, that when this pressing demand upon the labor of this office is
gotten through with, that the regular business will be speedily
brought up, and that the miscellaneous searches required, in order to
furnish information and instructions asked by various persons both in
and out of the navy, in different parts of the United States and the
world, can be more readily made.
The demeanor of the officers employed in this branch of the Treasury Department is characterized by promptness and fidelity, evincing
abundant capacity in the discharge of their respective duties.
I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J . O'BANNON,
Acting Auditoi\
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Seo'-ctary of the Treasury.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No: 44. .

161

-

REPORT OF THE F I F T H AUDITOR.
. .

.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Fifith Auditor's Office, November 1,1855.
* SIR : I have the honor to state, in compliance with your letter of
the 16th ultimo,' that for the fiscal year ending SOth June last, with
a force of seven clerks, the number of accounts adjusted at this office
amount in the aggregate to 783, and were of the following descriptions, viz:
'
• Of our ministers and secretaries of legation abroad, our commissioners to China-and the Sandwich Islands, bankers at London, on
whom many of the ministers arid their secretaries, draw for their
salaries, &c.
- Of consul general in Egypt.
Of consuls in China, who, in addition to their disbursements for the
relief of destitute seamen, are paid compensation authorized under
the act of Congress of August 11, 1848, for judicial services.
Of consuls at Tripoli, Tunis, and Tangier, who, in addition to the
customary expenses of their consulates, receive a salary of $2,000 each.
Of consuls in Turkey, viz: Constantinople, Smyrna, and Candia,
who incur expenses for the pay of a dragoman, interpreter and guard
at each, &c.
Of consul at Beiroot, in Syria, for salary. .
Of consul at Basle, in Switzerland, for office rent.
Of consuls and commercial agents in foreign ports, who, under the
old system, have received no salary except the consul at London, but
made disbursements for the relief of destitute seamen. These accounts were numerous, and required the closest examination in their
adjustment.
Of our citizens, for indemnities, awarded to them under treaties
with foreign governments.
Of the citizens of Oregon, for services and losses sustained by them
. • in wars with the Cayuga Indians.
Of commissioner and others on the boundary survey between the
United States and Mexico.
Of the disbursing agents of the State and Post Office Departments,
for the contingent. expenses, &c., of the same, transmitted and
adjusted quarterly.
Of the Commissioner ofPatents, relative to the contingent expenses
of his office; agricultural statistics, &c.,'transmitted and adjusted
quarterly.
.
Of the agent of the Census Bureau, (Department of the Interior,)
for arrearages due on account of the seventh census.
Of the claims of owners or masters of vessels for bringing home
seamen put on board their vessels by our consuls in foreign ports.
In addition to the foregoing, S91 letters have been written on the
business of the office, and books kept for recording the adjustments of
the accounts, and for the letters written.
11



162

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

In reply to the enquiries contained in your letter as to the improvement, if any, which has taken place in the character of its officers,
and the mode of doing and the present conditioii of the business of
this office, I have to state that the business being divided among
its officers, as directed by the thirteenth section of the act of Congress
of August 26, 1842, and each one feeling responsible for the portion
assigned to him, the business has been carried on with entire satisfaction to all concerned. I have the honor to enclose herewith a statement for. each of the clerks, showing what accounts remain on their
desks at the present time unadjusted, and the reasons of the delay.
The business- of the office will no doubt be considerably increased
under the act of Congress of 1st March last, for remodelling the
diplomatic and consular systems of the United States, and will require an increase of force to keep it up, but at present I am not prepared to say to what extent such increase should be made, or to
suggest any changes in the laws or regulations under which the
business of the office is conducted.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,,
T. M. SMITH,
Acting Auditor.
Hon.

JAJ\IES GUTHRIE,

Secretary ofi the Treasury.




'

.

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

163

No. 45.
REPORT OF THE SIXTH,AUDITOR.
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF THE TREASURY
FOR THE POST OFFICE DEPARTI\IENT,

"
•
November 20,^ 1855.
SIR : As requested by your letter of .the 16th ultimo, I have the
honor to subniit the following report of ^Hho'operations of this office
for-the past year."
.
"
The Exctmincr's Division, consisting of the principal and thirty-fiour
clerks, has examined and adjusted the quarterly accounts of about
24,000 postmasters per quarter,, as follows :
'
_For the.Oj^uarter ending September SO, 1854
''
''
December 31, 1854
''
• March 31, 1855
June 30, 1855
-

-

- .
-

_
-

23,209
23,255
24,015
23,251

>
, Making an aggregate of domestic postal accounts examined and
adjusted during the year of 93,730, which have also req'uired the
stating, entering, and transmitting of 13,326 error accounts by three
. clerks, whose whole time is devoted to this work.
. •
Po.stal accounts with Great Britain, Prussia, Bremen, and other
foreign governments, are also adjusted in this division by a competent
accountant with prompt regularity, neatness, and clerical skill.
An experienced examiner is exclusively employed in re-examining ^
the domestic accounts at random, in order, to detect the errors of examiners ; and two others are employed in receiving, entering, and
pa.ssing .the accounts to the examiners.
Before the passage of the act of 3d March, 1855, one clerk of this
division was sufficient to keep the stamp accounts of all the postmasters in the United States, but those provisions of that act which require prepayment of all (except foreign) postage, from and after the
1st July last, 2.ndi prepayment by stamps from arid after the 1st of next
January, have trebled, if not almost quadrupled, the number of
stamps used, and rendered absolutely necessary the employment of
three additional clerks upon this branch of the public business.
The general business of the division has been performed,to my entire satisfaction, and the accounts, numerous, and often illegible as^
they'are, have been carefully examined and adjusted, punctually,
. within the time required by the laws and regulations of the department.
The Register's Division, comprising the principal and eight other
clerks, has analyzed and registered the accounts, punctually, within
the first 20 days of the quarter in which they were rendered. Thd
entire work of the division has been promptly and satisfactorily performed.
.
The Bookkeeper's. Umsi'o^i, consisting of the principal and eleven
other bookkeepers, has in cha^rge the permanent records of the accounts of all the postmasters, contractors, special and other agents of



164

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

the department, and all others directly engaged in its service;
amounting to more than 35,000 persons, and have kept them promptly
jDOsted, and as promptly answered all calls for information made by
Congress, the Postmaster General, or the parties interested in them.
The Collection Division.—The principal clerk of this division is also
disbursing clerk for the office, and has under his supervision seventeen
other clerks, who are charged with the collection of the revenue from
present and late postmasters.
The' entire business of the division is in as good condition as could
be desired, as is shown by the remarkable fact that, during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1855, the aggregate outstanding balances due
the department from all the postmasters who have become late since
1st July, 1845, has been reduced from $103,296 62 to $10,029 66,
exclusive of cases in suit and those on the Pacific, and whicli have
been referred to the Postmaster General for allowance of extraordinary expenses, incident to the establishment of our postal system in
that.region, in pursuance ofthe provisions ofthe 4th and 5th sections
ofthe act of 27th July, 1854.
.
•
The P a y Division comprises the principal and tv/elve clerks, whose
duties are of the most important character, viz: that of settling the
accounts of contractors for carrying the mails and reporting them for
payment to the Postmaster General.
The division has adjusted and reported an average of 5,533 accounts
per quarter, or an aggi-egate of 22,132 during the year.
The accounts of contractors are adjusted and reported as promptly
as the receipt of the proper data from the Post Offi.ce. Department, and
its agents will allow.
The Miscellaneous Division consists of the chief clerk of the office
(who also acts as solicitor for the Post Office Department) and twelve
other clerks. . 66 suits have been instituted and $13,898 21 collected
by suit during the year by this division.
It has also settled and paid balances due late postmasters amounting to $65,354 18; recorded the entire correspondence o f t h e office;
settled and paid the accounts of 3,900 mail messengers and special
contractors, of special agents, and contractors for mail bags, locks
and keys, advertising, stamps, blanks, &c.
• The labors of the office during the year may be recapitulated thus':
Per quarter. in the year.

Number, of postmasters' accounts examined and
adjusted,
.
_
Number of accounts of late postmasters handled,
Number of accounts of contractors andother agents.
Total number of accounts adjusted and handled
in the year, -'
-

24,410
4,424
9,533

97,640
17,699
38,132
153,471

The regular correspondence of the office has amounted to 201,338
letters received^ and 128,402 sent in reply. 66,028 collection orders,
and 13^326 error accounts, have also been issued; and a large amount



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.165

of labor performed in making reports and answering calls for information, which cannot be classified.
The Board of Examiners for this office, organized under the provisions of the 3d-section of the act of March 3, 1853, regulating the
appointment of clerks in the executive' departments, have, since the
law went into effect, examined eighty-six applicants for clerkships, of
whom sixty-one'lieiYe been passed as qualified, and twenty-five rejected
as not qualified. The plan of these examinations marked out in my
last annual report is still rigidly adhered to, and has, with your cooperation, materially improved-the character for intellectual and moral
qualifications and faithfulness of the clerical corj)s of the office.
.,,
It will be seen from the foregoing statistics that the business of this
office rapidlyand regularly increases, as our postal system is extended
over the whole Union, but especially the new States and Territories;
and it is well known throughout the department that the gentlemen
employed here are compelled, by the inass of business constantly
pressing upon them, to push their labors to a later period in the day
than is usually required in other offices of the government, and many
of them to a late hour in the night. I cannot too highly commend
the zeal, ability, and indefatigable industry they have brought to'the
discharge of their duties during the past year.
Their number, I respectfully subniit, should be increased by an addition oi five, to meet the additional demand upon their labor by the
provisions of ^^An act further to amend the act erititled ^An act toreduce and modify the rates of postages in the United States, and for
other purposes,' " approved March 3, 1855, and the increase of the
general business of the office.
Kespectfully submitted.

W M . ¥ . TBILLIYS, Auditor.
Hon.

JA]\IES GUTHRIE,

Secreta/i-y ofi the Treasury.




166

-

REPORT ON THB FINANCES.

No. 46.
REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR.
OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE TREASURY,

November 16, 1855.
SIR : Soon after the receipt of your letter.of the 16tli ult., requesting
me to transmit to you, at an early day, my report on the operations
of this officefor the past fiscal-year, giving a general outline of its
duties, and the mode of doing, and present condition of its business,
.&c., J directed the statements and tables necessary to furnish the information required to be prepared as soon as practicable. The completion of this work has been somewhat delayed- by a desire to get in
the reports of the district attorneys and clerks for the fall terms of
the courts, at which it w^as hoped and believed that many cases, which
had been fully prepared for trial, would be finally disposed of As
yet, all of them have not been received, but I do riot deem it proper
to delay it longer. I have the honor, therefore, to transmit you,
herewith, a series of statements, in tabular form, marked Nos. 1, 2,
,aiid 3, which show the progress and state of the business of the office
during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855, in the several judicial
districts of the United States.
•
Before giving a general synopsis of these tables, it is perhaps proper
to say in regard to the general outline of the duties of this office,
which you direct me to give, that a summary of them is to be found
in the actof 29th May, 1830, establishing it, and are briefly, ^ ' t o
direct and superintend all orders, suits, or proceedings in law or
equity for the recovery of money, chattels, lands, tenements, or hereditariients, in the name and for the use of the United States. To have
charge of all lands and other property assigned, set off, or conveyed
to the United States in paynient of debts, and of. all trusts created for
the use of the United. States, in payment of debts due them, and to
. sell and dispose of lands assigned or set off to the United States in
payment of debts. To instruct the district attorneys, marshals, and
clerks of the circuit and district courts in all matters and j)roceedings
appertaining to suits in which the United States is ia party or interested, and cause them, or either of them, to report to the Solicitor,
from time to time, any inforrriatioii he may require in. relation to
them. To report all moneys received or collected to the officers from
whom the bond or other evidence of debt was received, and all credits
allowed by due course of law on any suit' under his direction; and
with the approbation of the Secretary of the Treasury to establish
such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the observance of collectors, district attorneys, and marshals respecting -suits in
which the United States are parties, as may be deenied necessary for
the just responsibility of those officers and the prompt collection of
the revenues and debts due and accruing to the United States."
In regard to the mode of doing^ business, I observe that froiii the
first establishment of the office it has been classified and kept in suit
dockets, under the following heads, viz : •



REPORT ON THE FINANCES. >

167

1st. Treasury transcripts, which includes all suits upon bonds and
accounts of receiving and disbursing officers of the government adjusted and settled at the Treasury Department.
2d. Fines, penalties, and fiorfieitures.—This class includes all suits
for the recovery of fines, penalties, and forfeitures for violations ofthe
revenue laws.
3d. Miscellaneous suits, which includes all civil suits not coming
properly within the first and second classes above mentioned.
To the above dockets I now add a fourth class, embracing suits at
law given to the office in charge, in pursuance of the order of the
President, dated July 16, 1855, of which the following is a copy: '"'In
all cases of suits at law arising in any of the departments the head
thereof may, in his discretion, conduct the same with the aid of the
Solicitor of the Treasury, or refer it to the A.ttorney General; and the
Solicitor of the Treasury will, conduct tile cases so referred, under the
supervision of .the ' Attorney General; and all questions of fees and
costs arising in any case shall be determined bythe head ofthe department by which the same is conducted."
In the early history of the office there was a separate docket kept
for suits on ^^ custom-house bonds," or bonds taken under the credit
-system, for duties on goods imported ; but since the passage ofthe act
of August 30, 1842; requiring all duties to be paid in cash, this docket
has been abandoned.
^
^
The routine of business has been the same from the beginning.
All the general regulatioris and instructions required by the organic,
act have been prepared and printed, and copies of them kept in the
hands of the officers of the courts'. They are deemed sufficient for
the purposes for which they are intended, and my_ great effort has
been to cause them to be promptly and fully carried out. I am happy
to say that in the principal districts there has been a decided improvement within the past year, the ^ district, attorneys particularly being
prompt and active, and evincing every disposition to do their whole
duty. In some of the districts," however, where there is little public
business transacted except the trial of indictments and prosecutions
fqr offences, it is found extremely difficult tp obtain full and prompt
reports from the officers of the courts.
"
- •
The course of business is, when a judgment is reported on a suit in
the first class, to give immediate information of its date and amount
to the Comptroller qf the Treasury, or other officer from whom the
bond or other evidence of debt was 'received, and under whose supervision the account was stated and adjusted, with a request to cause
said account to be adjusted in conformity with the judgment rendered.
And so when collections are made, the amount is required to be deposited to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States in the
nearest public depository, and a certificate thereof sent to this office,
which certificate is immediately transmitted to the Comptroller, with
a request to give the party of' whom it was collected the proper credit.,
Thus the whole accounting, computation of interest, &c., in regard to
this class of suits, is done by the accounting officers of the Treasury.
Docket entries are, of course, made- in this office of all these matters,
so as to show the general state of the suit, but nothing more.
In like .manner, when collections are. made in the other classes of



168

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

suits, the amounts are required to be either deposited to the credit of
the Treasurer of the-United States, as in the first class of suits; and
a certificate thereof sent to this office, and placed in the hands of ^ the
Comptroller, with a request to cause it to be covered to the credit of
the'fund to which it is assigned by'law, or it is paid over to the collector of the district in which the fine, penalty, or forfeiture accrued,
and his receipt sent to this office, which receipt is immediately placed
in the hands of the Commissioner of Customs, so that said collector
may be charged with the amount and held to proper accountability
for the same.
W i t h these explanatory remarks, I submit the following summary
of the business of the office, taking the States or districts in the order
in which they are usually called in congressional proceedings, the
details of which are more fully given in the tables which accompany
this report, numbered 1 to 3.




Summary ofi the Business ofi the Office.
Suits brought during the year.
Districts. *

Maine
N e w Hampshire
Massachusetts
Vermont
Northern 'NQ'N Y o r k . . .
Southern N e w Y o r k . . .
N e w Jersey
Eastern P e n n s y l v a n i a . .
W e s t e r n Pennsylvania .Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia. ..
Eastern Virginia
W e s t e r n Virginia . . . . .
North Carolina
South Carolina . . . . . . .
Northern Florida
Southern Florida
Middle Alabama
Southern A l a b a m a ] . . . .
Eastern Louisiana
Texas
Northern Mississippi ..
Southern Mississippi. . .
Eastern Arkansas
W e s t e r n Arkansas . . . .
Missouri
,
,,




Suits decided or otherwise disposed of during the
year.

Amount
sued for.

17
35
3
14
543
1
23

$548 00

*i'3ii'26*
230,728 20
77,818 42
24,498 40
1,752
59,370
23,863
20

31
07
68
00

A m t . of j u d g m ' t s on suits
bro't during
the y e a r .

12
1
18
2
9
449

$776 34 .

Amount
of T o t a l a m o u n t O n suits b r o ' t On suits p r e j u d g m e n t s on • of j u d g m e n t s d u r i n g
the
viously bro't.'
suits prev'sly
year.
during
the
brought.
year.

| 4 , 8 6 9 97
14,019 96

900 09

^5,646 31
$14,019 96
900 09

*5,*995*33*

55,000 0 0 .

60,995 33

8,525 3 1

26,192 59
10,687 81

34,717
10,687
1,798
50,102
12,000
r , 636
2,034
400

1,798
.50,102
12,000
770
2;034
400

75
99
00
60
90
Ot)

Collections during the year.

865 94

90
81
75
99
00
60
90
00

T o t a l collections.

$776 34

$776 34
03
69
28
79

14,590 33
2,355 67
2,792 42
210,615 56

366 64

21,653 95
6,821 69

22,020 59
6,821 69

326 00

3,421
'8,555
2,599
11,145-

3,747 22
8,555 60
2,619 54
11,305 53

' 2,507
240
. 2,276
122,617

30
98
14
77

20 00
159 87-

$12,083
2,114
516
87,997

22
60
54
66

416 38
100 00
4,804 95
31,167 82

*2;667'85*

2,211 87
10,000 00
1,500 00
78,364 33

3,354 20.

'"'is'so'

2,384 88
200 00

664
4,854
19,132
28,141

46
16
73
42

10,791 96

5,643 75
18,253 40
5,000 00

-984 16
460 32
3 30
5,643 75
29,045 36
5,000 00

7,558 5'5

11,858 67

19,417 22

984 16

3,454 20
18
664
6,862
19,132
28,141

30
46
01
73
42

2,384 88
200 00

460 32
3 30

O
O

o
m

^ Nummary of the business of the o^ce—Continuedo
O
Suits brought during the y e a r .
Districts.

Suits decided or otherwise disposed of during the
3^ear.
of
Amt. of j u d g - A m o u n t
m ' t s on suits j u d g m e n t s on
bro't during suits prev'sly
brought.
the year.

Amount
sued for.

Collections during the year.

Total a m o u n t On suits b r o ' t O n suits preduring
the viously bro't.
of j u d g m e n t s
year.
during
the
• year.

Total collections.

tei
Eastern Tennessee . . . ,
Middle T e n n e s s e e . . . . ,
Kentucky
Ohio.
:-.
Indiana
Illinois.
Michigan
,
Wisconsin
Iowa
Northern California . .
Southern California . .
N e w Mexico
,...
Washingtoh Territory




$30
1,102
5,667
5,000

$49,847 20
1,203 56
5,032 66
3,500.00
14,362 18
9,602 62
73,371 83
800 00

00
94
71
00

4,602 62

$100 00

$30 00

$324
1,561
10,981
2;213

69
20
99
18

$354
1,561
16,185
37,388

69
20
03
99

13,795 65
11,693 40

$130
1,102
19,463
16,693

00
94
36
40

5,203 04
35,175 81

1,699 .39
14,233 60
1,121 37

1,699 39
14,233 60
5,723" 99

3,688 77

18,078 18
4,474 40

18,078 18
8,163 17

20,985 07

'4,'566*66*

1,275 00

5,775 00

'20 ,"985'67'
604 00

604 00

125,007 74

336,434 39

'2,*46r3i'

O

o
td

2,461 31

o

436,722 17

Ul

td--

918

705,745 68

684

210,426 65

196,702 79

240,019 38

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

171

From the above summary it will appear that during the fiscal year
"918 suits were brought. Of this number 32 were on treasury transcripts, (class No. 1.) to recover the sum of $410,118 5 0 ; 381 for
fines, penalties, and forfeitures, (class No. 2,) reported to amount to
|22,6^9 55 ; but as the mass of these cases are in rem, that sum does
not give the amount actually involved, but only that portiori of it
which is for the recovery of specific fines and penalties. The
remainder of the suits brought, 505, aie of a iniscellaneous character,
(class No. 3 ;) amount due reported to be $2*72,947 63. This class of
suits is swelled by the large mass of suits brought in New York on
warehouse transportation bonds, and suits brought by individuals
against collectors of the customs to recover moneys alleged to have
been illegally exacted from them for, duties on goods imported.
Of the large nuniber of)suits brought during the year, 644 have
been finally disposed of during the flscal year, as follows: 272 were
tried and decided for the United States, upon which has been collected
the sum of $196,702 '19 ; 92 were tried and decided against the United
States ; 346 were dismissed or discontinued, and 26 remitted by the
President or Secretary of the Treasury, making together 644 cases,
and leaving 274 cases still pending and undecided.
In regard to the large number of suits reported as dismissed or discontinued, it ois ,proper to say that it includes suits ori 259 warehouse
transportatiori bonds in New York, in which the bonds were with-.
drawii from suit by the collector, under instructions from the department; and most of the remainder were suits for fines and penalties
brought against steamboats and small craft, their owners and navigators. Many of these cases depended upon the same principle, and
the trial of one disposed of many others.
With respect to the cases still pending at the end ofthe fiscal year,
I have to say that many of them were fully prepared for trial at the
fall term of the courts, and'many others were brought late in the year
and returnable to those terms. When the reports of the district attorneys and clerks for the fall ternis shall all come iii, the .number
pending will be greatly reduced.
Eespecting the 4tli class bf suits mentioned in a previous part of
this report, a docket for which has been opened in pursuance, of the
order of the President, none are reported; because none w^ere actually
given in charge of "this office during the flscal year.
It will also appear that during, the year 26 judgments, amounting
to $210,426 65, were obtained in suits on'treasury transcripts brought
previous to the commencement of the fiscal year, and 14 suits of the
same class otherwise disposed of; a n d t h a t there was collected in all
classes of suits brought previous to the conimencement of the fiscal
year, the sum of $240,019 38.
The general result of the operations of the year is the
final disposition of 684 suits, and the i3ollection on suits
brought during the year of - '
- '
- $196,702 79
And on suits bronght previous to its commencement - 540,019 38
General aggregate^

-

-

-

-

436,722 17

I have the honor to be, very respectfullv, vour obedient servant,
• ,;
" "^ F . B. STREETER.
Hon. JAMES GUTHRIE, Seaxtary of the Treasury.




172

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 47.
TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES,

November 22, 1855.
S I R : In compliance with your letter of the 16th ult., I have the
honor to submit the following summary of the business of this office:
There was covered into the treasury during the fiscal year ending
SOth June last, on 4,739 warrants—
For customs, lands, and miscellaneous
Interior Department
,
W a r Department
.....^
Navy Department-.
..'...
Total

$65,617,030
526,879
. 4,006,606
1,205,926

,....

16
89
89
27

71,356,443 21

The payments during the same period on 13,975 warrants, and
about.the same number of drafts, were—
On civil, miscellaneous, diplomatic and public debt.
Interior Department
W a r Department
;
Navy Department
•

" . ,

On account and for the service of the Post Office Department, there was received at the several offices
of the treasury
..;.
,
And paid on-6,137 post office warrants
Balance to the credit of department at close of fiscal
year

$34,335,835
4,769,584
18,780,433
14,517,949

4^
60
25
92

72,403,803 17 •

$4,128,851 45
4,308,356 28
516 260 66

For facility and convenience of disbursements, and for greater se->
curity of the public money, you have caused to be issued within the
year 1,590 transfer drafts, in amount ,$41,319,054 18, and the transfers have been conducted and executed with commendable despatch
and satisfactory result. . <
'
"
^
The operations of the money branch of this office continue to^give
great satisfaction, not to myself only, but to .disbursing^ officers, government creditors, and to every class of persons having business to
transact with it, especially the operations arising under the business
extension of it, which you directed-should go into effect on the 1st
July, 1853, (carrying out in spirit and in fact the Independent Treasury act bf 1846 ;) since which, they have gradually increased to important magnitude, as will be seen.by the following statement:
The aniount of coin received and paid during a year ending the
30th September, 1855, averages, in and out, $1,261,792 66 per month.
Treasury drafts .paid or passed t o t h e credit of disbursing officers
number 1,423.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

173

The accounts now kept, with disbursing officers are 57, a n d ' t h e i r checks paid and passed to the debit of their respective accounts number 17,394, and amount to $7,093,208 85.^
_
The arrangement yoa were pleased to direct as a facility to the receipt of coin here, in exchange for drafts on New York, without expense for transportation, by causing the issue of regular.transfer
drafts for $200,000 at a time in my favor, and the deposite thereof with :.
the Assistant Treasurer at New York, subject to my check on ^' ^ transfer account,'' as required, commenced on the SOth January last, ancl
has been highly appreciated by persons who desired to make such exchanges. . Under it, therehas been received in eight months, to the
SOth "September last, $2,840,237 01;.the money for which each check
Vfas drawn having been p'a^-d, as required, into the treasury here, before the check was drawn. ^
The checks drawn upon funds made subject to my check on ^'^^' transfer account'' and payment of ^^compensation" of members of the
House of Representatives number 1,357.
•
The respective accounts of disbursing officers are usually settled,
and their checks (paid) are cancelled and returned, with their settled
pass-books, about once a month.
The accounts with the Assistant Treasurer at New York, above referred to, are settled and the checks (paid) taken in once a morith ;
and I am pleased to say that, thus far, not an error br discrepancy in
any of those various accounts has arisen.
Under your direction, a granite vault has ^een constructed, and in
•.a few days will be completed, which will certainly insure the security
of the moneys and valuables of the government, and Indian trust
funds, placed'therein for safe-keeping.
Eespectfully, :
:
SAM. CASEY,
. ' Treasurer United States.

No: 48.
REaiSTER's;OEFiCB^, November 22, 1855. •
SIR: In compliance with your letter of 16th October last, requesting
me to,transmit, at an early day, my report on the operations of this
^office for the past year, giving a general outline of the duties, together with the improvements which may have taken, place in the
-character ofits officers, in the mode of doing, a n i the present condition ofits business, I have the honor to submit the following :
The business of this office has been divided into four branches—
First. That pertaining, to the receipts and, expenditures of the
United States;
.
^
^
Second. That to the public debt and loans;
Third. To commerce and navigation; and.
Fourth. To ^ the tonriage, registered and enrolled, of the United
States.
•
.
At the head of each of these divisions is placed a clerk, whose duty



174

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

it is to exercise a general supervision over the clerks of the division.
In the first there are fourteen clerks; in the second, three; in t h e
third, nine ; and in the fourth, two.
The following is a summary ofthe duties of each, division, together
with the mode of doing the business, its,present and comparative
condition, presented in the order above indicated :
First, as to the receipts and expenditures.
In this division all the receipts and expenditures of the government
are kept, excepting those relating to the receipt and disbursement. of
the revenues of the Post Office Department. All the accounts settled in the First and Fifth Auditors' offices and the General Land
Office, relating to the disbursements for the civil list, miscellaneous,
foreign intercourse, and public debt, a r e ^ e p t in this branch; alsothe appropriation accounts of the several departments. All accounts
for mon,ey due are copied for warrants to issue, and the warrants for
the payment ofmoney for civil' expenditures, whether on settled accounts or advancements to disbursing agents, are also copied and entered in journals, in appropriation, and other ledgers, besides other
books of registry. The warrants for expenditures in the Department
ofthe Interior, (pension and Indian,) in the military and naval, .are
registered and charged.in the various ledgers of appropriations. All
warrants for the payment of money intb the treasury, whether for
receipts from customs, lands, &c., or repayments, are registered in
appropriation books, and posted irito various ledgers.
The annual statement of receipts and expenditures of the United
States, or, as it is usually styled, the public accounts, is prepared in
this division, first in a detailed form, and afterwards condensed for
publication.
^
To show the great increase of the business in this branch within a
few years past, the following statistics are preserited, taking for comparison the year ending June 30, 1845, and comparing this year with
the last fiscal year ending June 30, 1855:
Expenditures. Receipts.

The nuniber of treasury warrants issued in 1855
was
,
.'
The number of treasury warrants issued in 1845
Avas
Increase..

:

•

The number issued for all the departments in
1855 was.
.,
,
The number issued for all the departments in
• 1845 was
•^'

Increase...

8,625

3,120

3,493

1,036

5,132

2,084

13,961

, 4,639

, 7,734

1,81S

6,227

2,826

The number of journals and ledgers have a,lso proportionally in•creased, as follows:




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
.

In 1855
In 1845

..'
;

Journals.

•

175"

Ledgers of Appropriatiom*
personal act's.
ledgers.

3
1

5
2

6^
3

Increase.
The number of personal accounts (exclusive of auxiliary
ledger) in 1855 was
:
The number, of personal accounts (exclusive of auxiliary
ledger), in 1845 was.

2,374
641

Increase.
The number of appropriation accounts in 1855 was
The number of appropriation accounts in 1845 was
Increase.

, 1,442.
807
635

I t w i l l be perceived, from the number of warrants issued at the
periods selected, t h a t t h e great increase has been in this branch ofthe
office, where the personal accounts for those expenditures are kept.
The public accounts show the same increase, the volume for the latterperiod being about twice the size ofthe former.
The causes of the increase of labor in this division are, first, the
act of 3d March, 1849, requiring all receipts from customs, lands
sold, &c., t o b e paid into the treasury without abatement, and the
expenses attending the collection of the same to be paid out agaiii;.
second, the great increase of specific appropriations.
It is supposed that the establishment of the Court of Claims, and
the act of the last Congress in relation to the salaries of ministersand consuls, will add very much to the labors of this division.
The statistics for the volume styled ^^Receipts andExpenditures,"
will be ready by the meeting of Congress, unless the new item directed,
by your letter of August 6, last, to be prepared for this work, in.
regard to the emolument accounts of collectors, naval officers, and
surveyors of the customs, from 1840 up to the SOth June last, m a j
defer its completion for a few days. This additiO/Ual item will furnish
some two hundred and fifty pages of additional matter, but the clerksare diligently engaged in compiling these statistics also.
In the second division, usually styled, the. Loan. Office, the daties^
assigned to this branch are, the issue, redemption, cancellation, and
preservation of all certificates of the United States stock, embracing
the loans of 1842, 1846,'1847, 1848, Texan, Mexican, and Spanish
indemnity, and. bounty land, keeping separate books for each separateloan, requiring, at this time, no less than nineteen ledgers. For the:
five loans first named, there are now open 2,537 accounts; the issue of
bonds, filling up coupons, and, when redeemjed, preserving them, and.
when paid, amouriting annually-to more than 21,000, posting them,
numerically in books kept for the purpose.
o
In this branch are kept the books containing the account of the funded



176

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

•and unfunded debt; also, the unclaimed dividends, a copy of which is
regularly furnished to the Treasurer of the United States for payment,
arranged in alphabetical order, stating to whom due, when and where
payable, the amount, and iinder which loan ; also, the schedules of"
dividends payable semi-annually, and copies forwarded to the different
government pay agents, stating the amounts,' to whom payable at
each depository.
This division examines and acknowledges the receipt, of all powers
of attorney for the transfer of stock, and for the payment of interest,
^ record of which is kept in a book stating by whom given, to whom,
and its date and general power—^3,991 of which are s-till in force—
alphabetically arranged and vowelized; copies of which have been
furnished to the First Auditor and Comptroller, by which they are
governed in the settlement of their accounts. All the correspondence
incident to this business is prepared in this branch.
In the third division, pertaining to commerce and navigation, there
;are nine clerks, three of whom are engaged on commercial statistics,
one on the entries and clearances of vessels, their tonnage, &c., one
in keeping the impost book, register of customs, custom warrants,
and steamboat accounts, ene in keeping the customs ledger, one the
files, and in furnishing information therefrom, one on statistics, and
<one charged with the general supervision ofthe correspondence, registry of letters and commercial papers, and in answering calls for
information j in which, when necessary, he is assisted by, the clerks
•generally.
" '
A number of changes and improvements were introduced at the
commencement of the past fiscal year. Aniong the most prominent
was the alteration of the forms of the abstracts of imports and exports,
by which they are rendered more comprehensive, and include many
articles heretofore not enumerated. In addition to this, a supplementary register, showing the aggregate imports and exports, from
and to each district, has also been, added. These, with'the separate.
returns of articles under the reciprocity treaty, and the resumption of
keeping the accounts of the indirect trade of the country, form the
principal features of the chariges during the last fiscal year.
Another change, dr improvement, introduced also, is that of preparing and publishing a quarterly statement of the commerce of the
country. Under the old system of keeping the books, this would have
been impracticable; but, in order to effect this end, I directed that
the transactions of each quarter should be proved separately, which
-can be done soon after the end of the quarter, unless prevented by the
tardiness of some of the collectors.
,
~ .
These changes and improvements have not been effected but by
increased labor pn the part of the clerical force employed; but it has
'been met by them in a spirit of cheerfulness, particularly as they see
in the efforts thus to improve and systematize the duties of the divi^sion, increased facilities for. the discharge of their duties. The decided
instructions from the head of this department, requiring collectors of
^customs to send in, immediately after the. end of each quarter, their
quarterly returns, has contributed more than anything else towards
facilitating the completiori^of the quarterly statement ofthe commerce




REPORT ON, THE FINAK^CES.

177

of the country ; for this is the starting point, and a want of promptitude on the part of collectors would, of necessity, delay this whole
business.
,
Under instructions from the Secretary of the ^Treasury,, for merly
given, vs^here collectors of the customs, at the end of each quarter,,
might delay making their returns, requiring me to write them immediately, bringing the fact to their mind, and where they still neglected to make such return an unreasonable length of time, to report
such delay to the Secretary, since the reception of such instructions,
each collector, upon any unwarrantable delay, has been immediately
written to, urging him forth vdth to forward his abstracts. The returns
are now, as a general thing, made with reasonable jiromptness, and
the clerks are not hindered from making the entries now, as w^as the
case when I first entered upon the duties of my office.
,
Through, the facilities thus afforded-r-the improvements above indicated, the promptness, efiiciency, and industry of the clerks on this
branch of business--I have been enabled to complete, for the printer,
the statistics of commerce and navigation at an earlier day than ever
furnished before. This year they were reported up on the 13th 0,ctober. The times at which these statistics have been annually reported
are shown in the letter of the Secretary of October 12th ult., notifying
the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of their completion.
In the fourth division are kept the tonnage statistics, from which is
compiled that ^portion vvdiich forms part of the annual Report of
Commerce and Navigation.
.
The tonnage accounts of the several collectors of the customs -are
rec'eived by this brarich, examined and corrected, and proper entries
made thereof in books kept for this purppse. All ships' registers and
papers are transmitted by it, and all registers surrendered in t h e
several • districts .are entered in books kept for this purpose, and are
afterwards pasted into books for preservation and reference. The
following synopsis of the books, v/itli the nature of the entries ma.d&
therein, indicates the character of the business of this 'division, morespecifically:
.
^
Book No. 1, contains the tonnage by districts.
Book No. 2. The tonnage by districts, by States, and the United
States', from 1804 to 1855 ; also the vessels burnt in each "district.
Book No. 3. Abstract statements in reference to the tonnage.
Book No. 4. Statement of vessels built each year.
.
Book No. 5. Statement of vessels lost each year.
Book No. 6. Statement of vessels condemned each year.
Book No. 7. Statement of vessels sold to fbreigners.
Book No. 8. Statement of vessels ; margin-book, being a record of
ships' papers issued in one district and surrendered in another.
Books Nos. 9 and 10. Record of ships' papers, registers and enrolments issued to the several districts, which are credited when surrendered.
The business of each division of this office, and each and every desk,
is kept well up, and I am happy to be able to report that the whole
clerical force under my charge have discharged their duties with
12



178

REPORT ON THE .FINANCES,

promptness and fidelity. In fact, nothing less than the utmost diligence and industry on their part has enabled me tb report so favorably
in regard to the business operations of the past year, and the present
condition of the office,
-In conclusion, permit me to suggest that there should be a change
of several clerks in this division, from second to third class' clerks.
And there should, at least, be allowed me two clerks of class 4. I n
the several bureaus ofthe Treasury Department there are nine clerks
of class 4: six of these are in the office of Auditor of the Post Office
Department, two in the Treasurer's office, and one in the Solicitor's
office. In the General Land Office there are, of class 4, five clerks,
Pension' Office four, Indian Office three. Now the duties of tliese^
^clerks can be no more arduous than that of a number in my office,
;and yet there is not one of class 4 assigned me.
Many of the clerks in this olfice, in order to bring the business up
\to its present standard, have been required to give unremitting and
unreasonable application to their duties, not even being allowed a
respite of a few weeks during the whole year ; and, as an act only of
simple justice, Congress should, at least, provide for a remuneration
corresponding with those engaged in no more arduous duties in the
..other departments.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^
F . BIGGER,
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

.

Secretary ofi Treasury.

Statement showing the amount ofi m.oneys expended at each custom-house
in thc United States, during thefiscal year ending June 30, 1855.
District.
quoddy
Maine..»».
Macliias
do
Frencbman's Bay. - - do .„ = . . . .
Penobscot... do......=
Waldoborougii
d o . . . o ^„.
Wiscasset
do......Bath...do...
Portland and Falinonth
do
. Saco
:
do
Kennebunk
„-=
do......=
York »o
,
.
do.......
Belfast
do
. Bangor.
do
Portsmouth
New Hampsbire.
Vermont
Veriiiont
; Newburyport
Massacbugetr.8 .
Gloucester,.-».....
do
Salem and Beverly
do
Marblehead
do - . .
•\ Boston
„. - o.. do — , » . .
Plymouth-.-'-..
.do
,..
FallRiv.r,
do..
Barnstable
„
do
...




Collector.
Bion Bi-adbiiry.-o
D. W. Dorman . .
T. D. Jones
R. H. Bridgham .
E. Wilson
John Babson
G.H. Bodfjsh...
Ezra Carter, j r . .
N. M. Towle..„..
J. Cousens . .» = -o
L. Junkins
E. K. Smart.-.-.
G. P. Sewall
Z. Clement..---,
D. A. Smalley -oJ. B l o o d . . . . . . . .
Wm. H. Manning
E.F.Miller.....
W. Bart6ll-.\„«.
C H . Peaslee .»o
E. P. Little
P. W. Leiand . . .
S. B.Phinney....

Amount.
$27, 482
2, 544
4, 870
4, 966

00
77
79
10
^. 64.6 61
6, 733 78
10, 936 89
32, 3.22 55 >
1. 233 43
776 51
653 38
5, 948 34
7, 886 95
11, 983'03
15, 252 94
5, 370 71
6, 874 26
23, 815 16
' 2, 552 19
300, 016 50
3, 313 81
2, 885 27
11, 005 94

REPOET ON THB FINANCES.

179

STATEMENT—Contimied.
District.

Collector.

C. B. H. Fessenden .
Ne\Y Bedford
Massachusets
J . T . Pease...
Edgartown
---rdo..
E.W.. AllenNantucket
do
Providence
.Rhode Island... G. Bradford
G. H. Reynolds.,-..
Bristol and Warran...
do
G. Turner
I o...
Newport
do
...
Middietown...:. . .
Connecticut... Wm. D Starr . . . . . .
New London . . . . . , „ . . .
d o . . . . . . . . Henry Hobart
New Haven
. . . . . . do
. . . . M. A. O s b o r n . . - . . . .
Fairfield
.do
....'. Wm. S. Pomeroy . . .
Stonington
d o . . . . . . . . E. Chesebro
Sackett's Harbor . . . . . . New Y o r k . . . . . T . S . H a l l
Genesee
do - . - - . . . . J. C. CampbeU
Oswego.
. . . . - - . . . . . . . ^ d o . . - . . . . . E. B. Talcott
Niagara
d o . . . . ^oc- = A. V E. Hotchkiss..
Buifalo
d o . . . . . . . . J.T. Hudson.......
Horace Moody..
Oswegatchie
do
S. L. Gardiner......
Sag Harbor
-... do
H . J . Redfield
,
New York
do
Henry B Smith
Champlain . - . „ . . . . . - ,
do...»
Cape Vincent . , — . . » . : . . . . d o
. . . . Alfred Fox
Dunkirk
^..--. d o . . . . . . . . H . P . Wballon
Perth Amboy
New Jersey . . . F . W . Brinley
Wm.^S. Bowen
Bridgetown.
do
Burlington
:— . . . do
. . . . J. A. S h e r r a d . . . . . .
J. W. M i c k l e . . . . . . .
,Camden . . . . . .
do
Great Egg H a r b o r . . . . . . . . . d o . . . - - - . . T. D. Winner . . . . . . .
S. Wiilitts...»\.
Little Egg Harbor.,...do
E.T. Hillyer.......
Newark
..do
Phil adelphia
Pennsylvania... Charles Brown
James Lytle
,
Presque Isle
:
do
J. Hastings
.
Pittsburg. . - - . - .
- . . . do
Jesse Sharpe
Delaware
Delaware
Baltimore . . - = » - . „ . - . . . Maryland
. P. F. Thomas . . . . . .
Annapolis .o„„oo
do
. . . . James Sands
Oxford
do
i.. R.B. Willis........
G. A. Z. S m i t h . . . . . .
Vienna
.do
J. R. Thompson . . . . ,
Town Creek
do
C. Pennington
,
Havre de Grace
do
Georgetown
District of Columbia Robert Wbite . . . . . . .
Wm. M. Harrison.. -.
Richmond
..Virginia
Norfolk
do. =. o „ . . . S. T. Sawyer
G. T. W r i g h t . . . . . . . .
Tappahannock
do
J. S.Parker
Cherrystone
do
P. J. Barriza . . . Yorktown
-do
Petersburgh
. \ . . . . do
, A . D . Banks.E. S. H o u g h , . - . . . . . :
Alexandria
•.?.--'^
do
Gordon Forbes
Yeocomico Ai^
do'.
A. J. PanneLoooo-...
Wheeling
='
.do
Camden
North Carolina .. L. D. Starke
Edmund W r i g h t . . . . ,
Edenton
do
•.
Piymouth
-^.... d o . . . . . . ^. Joseph Ramsey
H. F. Hancock
Washington
.do,
..
Newbern
d o . . . . . . . . T. S. Singleton
d. S. Dewey..."Ocracoke.... - do
Beaufort
=
do—
. J . S . Gibble
Jaraes T. Miller
Wilmington
'
do. .•
Charleston
South Carolina.. W \ F . Golcock
Thomas L. Shaw
Georgetown
.
...do
Beaufort
. d o . . . . . . . . B R. Bythewood . . . .




Amount.
$8,509 014,648 10
2,995 09
14; 867 84
- 5,633 75
5,341 60
2,514 07
14,918 22
18,589 19
1,843 21
1,951 97
7,688 17
' 7,509 16
25,495 21
10,758 50
17,217 09
7,404 41
777 58.'
961,688 60
13,7.36 57
8,159 62
877 83
3,962 86
, 322 82
177 53
288 93
856 10
792 22
2,054 24
246,824 66
1,126 37
2,674 83
19,754 27
111,953 73
929 20
259 79
1,059 27
166 62
154 50
3,341 71
7,212 73
53,266 30
1,682 56
463 63
^- 569 74
5,846 99
5,773 00
150 00
774 09 ,
648 47
338 71
516 45
468 87
1,140 20
2, 380 97
'511 38
16,202 55
58,263 4 1 '
458 66
. 250-00

180

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
District.

Collector.

Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Georgia......
St. Mary'g
d o . . . . . . .>.
Brunswick . . .
do........
Mobile
..
Alabama
Tuscumbia
do
....
Pearl River
.Mississippi
Natchez
do
-.
Vicksburg
,
do
Pensacola
Florida.'. *....
St. Augustine
do
Key West
do
St.'Mark's
. . . d o . . . . .» = .
St. John's
do
....
Apalachicola-.. - „
, . do
....
Bay Fort
do........
New Orieans
Louisiana
Teche
„ . . . do
Texas
„. Texas
Saluria
•.
..do........
Brazos de Santiago
do........
Paso del .Norte
,. do
Miami
Ohio.......
Sandusky
,-.
do
Cuyahoga
....'
do
Cincinnati
do........
Detroit
Michigaii . . . . .
Michilimackinac
do. Chicago.Illinois
Alton
do.......Galena...-....,.-..
do
Quincy
: . do
*^Cairo
d o . . . . .00Louisville . . . . . . . .
Kentucky....
Paducah..-.
do..,
St. Louis
Missouri
Nashville
1
Tennessee....
Memphis
do
....
Knoxville
do..
Evansville
Indiana
Jeifersonville
...do
New Albany
.
do
....
Milwaukie
Wisconsin
Dubuque......
Iowa
Keokuk
,.
do
Burlington
...
„.. do
Minnesota
..«
Oregon
.„..-..
Umpqua
San Francisco
Sonoma
San Joaquin
„„
Sacramento
„.
„oo
San Diego
o-„-. =0-.
Monterey
...

John Boston
J. A. BarraUe .-.„ = ,
Woodford Mabry
Thaddeus Sanford...
James W. Rhea
D. W^. Johnston .»- =
Edward Pickett
D. Walker
....
Joseph Sierra
..
Paul Arnan
John P. Baldwin . -».
Hugh Archer
...
James G. Dell
George S. Hawkins..
John E . Johnson...c
Thomas C. Porter.-«
R. N. McMillan.'....
H. Stuart
D. M. Stapp
J. H. Durst
C. ShermaHoo-.oooo
J.Riley
J. A. Jones.-Robert Parks
S. B. W. McLean...
J. H. Harmon
J.A.Wendell
W. B. Snowhook
.lohn Fitch-'.
D. Wann
T. Bennesson
J. S. Harker..
Ii. N. Sands
,
William Nolen
WiUiam A. Linn
J.Thomas
E.DashielL..-..-.,
P. Nance. J. Hutchinson
F. R. Lewis o„-.-. .
J. B. Norman
John White
D. A. Mahony
William Stotts
Philip Harvey.P. Beauprie.-o... John Adair
A. C. Gibbs.
R. P. Hammond
L. B. Mizner
J. M.ScofieJd.^....
Charles C. Sackett.
0. Witherby.Isaac B. Wall...»-.

Amount.
$40,172 22

789 n
650 15
44,363 78
226 3<5
601 13
733 17
709 90
2,952 21
1,555 00
9,43.6 8^
4,749 5'J
3,969 49
5,959 40
83 65
202,711 03
969 81
10,086 28
10,279 45
27,874 99
3,058 66
2,376 79
3, 053 84
6,164 75
6,569 25
23,899-.^/i
1,991 75
7,389 15
1,911 92
468 36
1,732 40
1,755 27
163 33
4,6i2 03
1,626 13
1,189 55
1,14.9 65
560 60
97 22
403 86
5,087 37
278 90
• 288 18
350 00
1,7.22 93
8,856 09

2,261 66
651,347 93

\

16, 542 00'
12,331 00
4,198 48
10,751 55
10,222 73
3,356,106 59

® No acccEat settled.
F, BIGGER, Register,
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, Novamb&r 24, 1855,




REFORT ON THE FINANCES.

181

Statement of the number ofi persons employed in each district of the
, United. States for the collection of customs, during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1855, tvith their occupation and compensation, per
act March 3, 1849.

Districts.

Occupation.
a =3

Passamaquoddy, Me.

• Freocliman's Bay..

Penobs€osfc.

Waldoborough.

•Wiscasset..

.Bath.




Collector.
»
Surveyor
Inspectors
do.
'.
.- ......do
»=.
Weigher and measurer.-»
do
do
........„-,
Deputy collector..^
.-.,
Aid to the revenue. ^
Boatman
do...
Collector............o
Inspector
do
Inspector and deputy collector
Inspector
-1.
Boatman
Collector
,
Deputy collectors and inspectors
. . . - - . do.do
Inspector
,
vVeigher, measurer; and ganger...-^
Boatman
'.
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector
do
do
..r.ido
.do
Depnty collectors
.,
Inspector.:..
;.Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors
Inspectors
^
.do.......;!
.....do...
do
-„.
.....do.....
Collector...Inspector
do---do
do
%.........
-..-do
Measurer
CollectorInspectors, weighers, gaugers, and measurers
Inspector, weigher, gauger, and measurer.
Inspector
,
..--.do
..-..do
-.
.....do.......
.....--

$3,000 00
1,723 21
1,095 00
957 00
730 00
947 92
680 69
730 00
720 00
360 00
240 00
922 38
730 00
547 50
50b 00
250 .00
225 00
1,250 62
1,095 00
300 00
730 00
69 41
"600 00
1,212 89
895 0.0
800 00 .
1,095 00
730 00
150 00
1,962 11
1,095 00
936 00
850 00
350 00
300 00
348 00
914 34
1,095 00 '
1,065 00
912 50
500 00
494 00
250 17
2,702 08
1,500 00

1,499
1,095
650
, 600
500

61
00
00
00
00

-182

•REPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.

ai O
CO C u

P, o
S ^

Bath—Continued . ^.. . .
Portland and Falmouth.

' Saco

Kennebunk
York .
Belfast

Bangor.

Portsmouth, N . H .




Inspector
....do.--..
Collector
Deputy collector and occasional weigher,
gauger, and measurer
-. -..
Surveyor
Weighers, gaugers, and measurers....
Inspectors
Occasional inspectors
do
-Aid to inspectors
:
,
do
I:
Night inspectors
Clerk....
:
..-do
Porter
-•-.
Boatmen
..-.do
.-.-..Collector
Inspector
„
...do
Aid to^ the revenue
.. ..i
Collector
Deputy collector, inspector, &c
Inspectors
Collector ...,.
Deputy collector
Inspector
Collector...
Inspector...
-...do....
.-...-do
...do
Aid to the revenue
-.
do
Measurer
Gauger
,
.....do....
Collector
.•
Deputy collector and inspector.
do
do
Weigher, gauger, &c
do..
do
Weigher, gauger, and measurer.
Aid (to the revenue
Collector
Naval ofiicer
Surveyor
.
Deputy collector and inspector.
do
do
Inspectors
i
...do
....do
----do.-„o---

-

««

$350 00.
250 00
3,000 00
1,500 00
1,514 61
1,500 00
1,095 00
1,095 00
861 00
338 00
64 00
514 00
800 00
600 00
350 00
311 00
86 25
375 97
500. (10
401 50
75 00
207 00'
600 00
56 00
281.40
/

213 10
120 00

1,478 13
1,095 00
,1,083 00
722 00
726 00
864 00
54 38
82 78
45 72
36 24
2,500 69
1,095 00
1,068 00"
1,362 20
1,500 00
1,242 54
150 00
573 21
• 398 75
431 84
730 00
200 00
1,095 00
500 00 .
360 00
300 00

183

KEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Contiuued.

.2 2
Districts,

Occupation.

a

^

PH O

s «* Forlsmouth—Continued ..

Vermont, Vt.

Mewburyport,- Mass.

Gloucester .

Salem and Beverly .




1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
5
7
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
3
2
3
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.1
1
2
2
1

Occasional inspector
Occasional inspectors aud night-watch.
,
do
do
1....
. . . . . . do
do
- -.
Inspector and measurer
Weigher, gauger, and measurer...
Collector
-».
Deputy collectors and inspectors .
do
do
.do.
.do.,
.do.
.do.,
.do.,
.do.
......do
.do.
Deputy collector .
do...
Deputy inspector.
do..:......
do
do.......!
......do
do..........
Revenue boatmen
do.....
Porter
Collector
Surveyor.....
,.o...do
-. .Naval officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gauger
Measurer
o -..
Inspector
--..
do....do......do...
1
-....
Occasional inspector
Boatman
Collector...
..
Surveyor . . Inspectors...-.
-.do
do.....
Weigher, gauger, and raeasurer.
. . . . . . do
do
Boatman
Collector .. . 1
— -Deputy collector
-ai
Clerk
Naval officer
Surveyor
—
....l.do.
Inspector
doo.
A......
.do....
. - . - - . d o . . - - O- « O - . - O . . - O . O . . «

^730 00
547 .^0
58 50
100 00
1,207 27
1,193 85
1,090 84
912 50
452 50
375 00
600 00
.500 00
360 00
300 00
375 00
- 375 00
250 Oi)
500 00
400 00
360-00
240 00
180 00
240 00
100 00
681 43
498 41
250 00
422 09
132 24
237 36
1,068 00
, 882 00
816 00
201 00
555 00
320 00
2,177 78
737 25 '
1,095 00
300 00
150 00 837 02
771 62
240 00
2,021 66
i;000 00
930 00
1,305 64
957 42
293, 31
1,095 00
945 00
927 00
924 00

184

REPORT ON THE PINANCEBv

STATEMENT—Continued,
fl fl
o

^.1 "TS

Districts.

P- >»

fl
o
O

Inspector
-.=
.....do........................
do..-.,

Salem and Beverly- -Continued.

do.o..--o=-

1.-...---

do
Weigher aad gauge?
- - - -,
. . . -. do
,
do
1
Measurer
,
do........................
Boatmen
.-..
Laborer and assistaiit storekeeper.
Collector
...
Surveyor
.„.......--.
Inspectors....
. . . . o.o».. . - . - .

Marbl^feead. .

.-...-. d o . . . . . . - - . - . - . 0 - -

..do
o---....--.
Measurer..--.-..
....Boatmeii
„-....«............
do
...-.-..,.,.Collector
---...--.-,..--.
Deputy collectors........1
Cashier
..-„-....-Assistant cashier
.,-.... .o.-.
Clerk......

BostoB md CMrlestown.,




d o .

9
10
4
2

- - - - - - o . . .

- o o i - . C O - . - .

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
-do.
Superintendent of custom-bouse.
ir.

.'do.
Naval officer
DepBty naval officer.'.
Clerk

9
4
5
56
1
2
21
6
1

o

OccupatioHi.

.
0-...

dol
do
Clerk and messenger . . . . . .
Surveyor
Deputy surveyor
.
Assistant deputy and clerk..
Clerk.--:
Messenger.
.-...
Weighers
Gaugers
....
-.
Measurers.....
Inspectors
do
...
...
do
.---.
Night inspectors
Night watchmen
Appraiser at large, ^ . , » - , ^.

a
<»

$918 00
915 00*
906 00>
603 OO
294 00
1,252 li9>
1,264 57
1,264 98
1,069 88
48 97
300 00
684 00
647 50
354 83
388 OO
365 00
182 50
2.58 50
150 OO
100 00
6,400 00
2,500 OO
2,500 00
1,400 00
1,500 00
1,400
1,300
3,200
1,100
1,000

OO
00
00
00
GO

900
1,200
750
540
5,000
2,000
1,500

00
00
00
00
00
00
00

1,200 00

1,150
700
4,900
2,000
2, 000
1,500
700
1,485
1,485
1,485
1,095
800
700
600
600
2,500

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
OO
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

REPOET ON THE FINANCES.

185.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

^ Occupation,
® a

Boston and CharlestownGontinued.

Plymouth.

FallRiver.

Barnstable.

New Bedford ,




fl ^
<^xi
P* o
a 03

Appraisers
...=..„
Assistant appraisers...
.»-..
Clerks
.-..---.
do
o...
do
do
Special examiner of drugs.- — , . . .
Public storekeeper
Assistant storekeepers - . - . . .
do...
do
oClerk
..-..
do
do...
do...Collector
I n s p e c t o r . . . . . . . . ..o
do
......do
-..-......_.
do . -'
do.....'
Weigher....,
Measurer. — o
.'Gauger
»
Collector. •..--.
Deputy collector, inspector, & c . Inspector, weigher, and measurer.
do
^
do
Weigher and measurer
Boatman
„
Collector.
=.
Deputy collector and inspector...
do
- - - . - . . do..
.do.
.do.,
.do.
.do..
.do.
;do..
Inspector
....do
:
....do
.-..do..
....do
Clerk
,
Collector
,
Inspectors —. =
Clerk.........
Inspectors, weighers, gauger•s, & c .
Inspector and measurer
Inspector
.-..do
....do.
....do
...-..-...
Boatman ...--.
Aid to tbe revenue.....
do..,o-odQ
-o

$2,500 00
2,000 00
i,4ro 00
1,200 00
1,000 00
800 00
1,000 OO
1,400 00
1,400 00
1,100 00

1,095
1,400
1,095
900
800
506
1,095
800
600
300
160
80
15

00
00
00
00
00
80
00
00
00
00
00
07
00
24
1,024 76
975 24
620 58
558 82
73 31
300 00
1,666 13
911 00
863 00
796 00
625 00
500 00
639 00
507 00
687 00
400 00
336 00
200 00
2,962 00
• 1,095 00
800 00
1,500 00
162 00
.^44 00
102 00
117 00
99 00
420 00
240 00
228 00

186

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

33 (X)
P t >-,

Occupation.
d

PM

p. o

S '='
o ®

a
Edgartown .

Nantucket.

Providence, R. I .

Bristol and Warren.

Newport. -, -




Collector
Inspector.J. ...do
,...do......
'.---..
....do
Temporary inspector
Boatman
,...do
Collector
^.
Deputy collector and inspector
Inspector
Boatmen
Collector .«. Clerk
Naval officer.
,
Surveyor, Providence
- -.
Surveyor, .East "Greenwich.....
Surveyor, Pawtuxet
Inspectois, coastwise . . . . , . . . .
Inspectors, f o r e i g n . . . . . . . . . . ' . ,
Inspector, Pawtuxet
Inspectors
=.=.
Weigher
Gauger
Measurer
,
....do
Boatman, Providence
Boatman, Pawtuxet.
Boatman, East Greenwich
Collector
,
Inspector
....do
-....do
....do
o
....do
--...-....do
:.
....do.
..--..-..
Weigher
....do....
-..-..
Gauger
....do.^
Assistant storekeeper'...,.
Boatman
....do
-..Surveyor . . .
....do..
Collector
Naval officer
.,
=, - .
Surveyor ...»
..-.do.
....do..
,.
Deputy collector and inspector
Inspector,-....--..;... = « ...
. . . . d 0 o . - . . . . - O O ^ . - . . - - O .

00
1, 095 00 >
730
600 00
400 00
39 00
300 00
240 00
531 59
1,095 00
730 00
150 OO
1,719 71
600 00
790 00
769 35
250 00
200 00
547 00
497 00
; 450 00
300 oo
1, 500 0()
386 28
1,500 00
785 11
300 00
330 00
132 00'
736 78
549 00
546 00
420 00
186 00
141 00
132 00
60 00
839 05;
322 09
274 '20
58 24
, 547 50
216 00
84 00
363 09
' 309 16
. 346 55
467 85
445 13
250 00
200 00
549 00
549 00
546 00

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

187

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.
P. tt

s ^
Newport—Continued.

Middletown.

New London .

New Haven.

Fairfield.

Stoaington.




Inspector
Occasional inspectors
*
Occasional inspector
.... do....
do
-...,-do..-o--..do
do
do
.^
Weigher
Gauger
..-..
Measurer
.
....
Superintendent of lights . . . . . . . o
.- —
Agent of marine hospital o = =,»oo.-o---...
Nigbt watch
".
Boatman
^
...do
...— ...
Collector
Deputy collector, inspector, &c,i
...
Surveyors
,..„.„..
Inspector.:.. . . . o - o . .
Inspectors
Weigher
.'
Collector..
„..'.
Surveyor
Inspector, weigher, gauger, and measurer.
. . . . do
-. do
do
Inspector
„
....do
--.--...
.-..do
:
...-•-.
Boatman .
Collector.
.
L
Deputy collector and inspector
Surveyor
Storekeeper
— .-.„:
Clerk
Inspector, weigher, and measurer
,.
Inspectors, weighers, and gangers
Inspectors..-.,
.
.
-..... ...
....do..
-..-do..---..-1
,
D a y and night i n s p e c t o r , - . . - . ,
Aid to the revenue . . . . •
.o-.do.....
Night watcb
do
.-..:
...--.do
.-.-.-do
-.:.-Keeper of revenue boat
Collector
Inspector, measurer, weigher, and g a u g e r .
do
do
o...
.do...
do
do
: . . . . . - . . do.. Temporary night watch
^.. Collector
Surveyor
Inspeoto^rs . „..—-o

$400 00
165 00
180 OO129 OO
288 72
26 31
60 00
192 24
.50 73
264 25
4 71
11 25
450 00
270 00
617 29
500 00
300 00
500 00
, 300 00
29 16
1,982 59
305 72
650 00
632 72
600 00
' 2 5 0 00
100 00
296 27
3, 000 00
1,095 00
831 14
500 00
700 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1, (195 00
72 00
60 00
933 00
48 00
386 00
. 158 00
220 00
, 236 00
238 00
300 00
985 27
1,209 20
177 00
105 00
4 00
858 73
150 00
500 00

188

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Occupation.

' Districts.

•fl

^

Pl o
fl OD

Stonington—Continued.
Sackett's Harbor, *N. Y..

Boatman
.-..do
Deputy collector and inspector
do
do
Aid to the revenue
•
Nigbt watch
C
do

-§>-.

Temporary inspectors
do
do
Deputy collector and inspector
,
, d o . . . . . o . . . . do
do. o. o. o
do
Boatmen
Collector..
-.-.do.-...
Deputy collector and inspector
do
do
Aid to the revenue
do
do......do.-....do.--- -.-.
...do......do
-.--. . . d o . - - . . . do
„o
do
do.
-o.oCollector
Deputy collectors
Inspectors.
—
...do
...do
...do
o
...do .--..---..
Clerks
..-.do

Magara.

Buffalo Creek.




-..-.-^

:

-..

-.

,
-..
o-..:

....do
,
;
.-.do
House inspector
Clerk
Aids to the revenue.
o.—.--....
do
do
Night-watch
....do.
:
...do
Boatman
Collector
.-..
Deputy collector
......do
Deputy collectors and inspectors....
do
do.--Aids to tbe revenue
- -..,
Inspectors
Clerk
:
Warehouse inspector
Night-watch
„,
Deputy collector and inspector,....,
Collector...
,.-„..
,

$216 00
144 00
730 00
640 00
730 00
547 50
365 00
730 00
547 50
547 50
300 00
250 00
300 00
717 80
784 24
900 00
730 00
547 50
365 00
138 00
320 00
730 00
,37 63
961 84
1,000 00
730 00
500 00
300 00
365 00
410 62
730 00
676 00
600 00
486 00
730 00
624 00
488 00
306 00
365 00
366 00
229 50
300 00
1,368 00
900 00
365 00
730 00
400 00
730 00
730 00
730 00
365 00
365 00
. 365 00
1,954 23

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

189

STATEMENT—Continued.

<&

Districts.

(V

p. --^

Buffalo Creek—Cositinued

1
1
1
1
1

I
1
1
1
1
I
I
1
1

Oswegatchie:.

5
1
2
1
1

1
1

1'
1
1
1
1

Sag HarborNew York.




1
1
2
1
2
1
1
6
1
1
1
1
19
1
8
2
63
8
-4
2
2
1

6
1
1
1

Occupation.

Deputy coilector .
do
.-.--.do.-.
do
-.1
--- do.........
,
do
do
Inspector
.--.do.-.....do
,
do
,
do
Aid to the revenue.
..-.
.-...do..--.-do
.o
Night-watch
Boatman
Clerks
Collector
—
Deputy collector and inspector.
do.00 .
do.
-do',
,.....do.
.do ,
do.
-do ,
do.
.do .
do.
.do.
Inspector..-.
Watchman
.'
Aid to the revenue
,
. Boatraen and night-watch. -.
Collector
».---...-..,
Coastwi(?e inspectors--.--. .
Inspector
.
Collector
. . . 1:
Deputy collectors.. - Auditor
Assistant auditor.
Cashier ...,»
Assistaut cashier
Clerks
--,.
Clerk
.^-...-...._
Clerks . . - . - '
.--do
...do........
.. .do
.- -do
...do
...do...
Keeper ofthe custom-house .
Watchmen,
.do
Fireman..---..--...
Porter.----, o . . . . ;
-...
Porters. - - - - . . . , - - - . . — . = .
Messenger.. o —»oo.«a«.. o.

1,000 00

771 OO
510 00
728 00
140 59
279 16
341 60,
1,000 00

857 00
555 00
744 00
822 00
500 GO
439 12
730 00
300 00
912 50
1,460 10.
837 59
50O 00
450 00
400 00
463 75
376 21

1,003 50
730 00
730 00
730 00
240 00
696 63
-273 00
102 00
6j 340 00
2,500 00
4,000 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
1,500 00
1,400 00
1,200 00
1,100 00
1,000 00
900 00
800 00700 00
600 00
1,000,00
547 50
156 00
547 50
300 00
480 00
300 00

0

190

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Occupation.

Districts.
«+H

P.

O g

p.-g

I'




o
Messengers.

New. York—Continued.,..

CO <V
fl
PH

$600 00
Naval office.

1
3
1
7
3
5
25
4
3
3
1

Naval officer
Deputy naval officers.
Clerk..-..do
..do......do
..do
...do
.do...—..........
...do
Porter
-

5,000 00
2,000 00
1,500 00
1,400 00
1,200 00
1,050 00
1,000 00
9ii0 00
800 00
. 400 00
500 00

Surveyor's office.
Surveyor . . ^. - . . .
Deputy surveyors.
Clerk
...do............
,.odo...
...do
Porter and messenger.

4,900
2,000
1,200
1,100
1,000
700
600

00
00
00
00
00
00
00

Appraisements.
1
3
5
1
6
11
1
9
2
2
1
1
4
1
4
1
7
2
97
2

General appraiser
Appraisers
Assistant appraisers
Clerk
:..do
:....--.
...do.-.--...
...do
...do
--....do..---.....
Samplers
Storekeeper
Storekeeper's clerk
.-.-......do.-..--...
.-...--.-.do
do...^.--.
Special examiner of drugs.
Laborers
-..do,-..
-....do
d o . - - —o.-.-.do
....do

2,500 00
2,500 00
2, 000 00
1,500 00
1,300 00
1,200 ,00
1,150 00
1,000 00
800 00
800 00
1,200 00
1,200>;0
1,000 00
900 00
800 00
2,000 00
780 00
702 00
650 00
624 00
546 00
520 00

Puhlic warehouses.
Deputy coUector and storekeeper.

2,500 00

191

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts. *

o a)
P^ >>

Occupation.

^ ^p,
P. O

^a

Q?

O

New York—Continued.,

1
1
1

1
1
2
1
4
89
1

1
3
2
1
3
40
10
4

51
1
19
18

Champlain.,

©ape Vincents oo




17
2
193
75
' 4
, 2
11
18
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
2
1
1
26
1
3
5
1
1
1
1
1
3
2

Auditor .
:. 1
.
Warehouse superintendent.,
Warehouse 'register
,
Clerk..........
.,
Assistant storekeeper.
do.
o...
Clerk....:
...do....-L......
...do.:...,-..
.-.do.•
...do
...do...-.......:..
...do.......---......-..
• Captain of the watch
-.
Lieutenants of the watch...
Watchmen
Laborers
.-.-do.-..-.
.-..
....do
Weighers
.^.
Assistants
Gaugers... ^
,
Assistants
Measurers
..-..
Assistants to markers
Inspectors
.Night inspectors
—..
Measurers of passenger vessels.....
.,
Measurers of wood and marble
,
Debenture clerks,
.
...,
.
Bargemen
,
Deputy collector and inspector at Albany.
Inspectors at Albany
Surveyor at Albany
Deputy collector and inspector at Troy
Surveyor at Troy
Tempoi-ary aids of tbe revenue
Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors
..---.
do
do
—
do,,.o
do
do
.do..-.
—.
...-'-. do
do
Deputy collector and clerk
Deputy collectors and aids
..L-..do
do
„
Deputy collector and clerk . . .,
Boatman
—..o-..
.....^-.
....do.--...^--....--..-.„....
.--.do.-..
.-.„....-.-,....
Collector
. - . . .i
.---...'.
.
Deputy collectors and i n s p e c t o r s . . : . . . - . .
Deputy collectors..--. — ,..— . — . — . . .

$2,400 00
1,800 00

1,500 00
1,500 00
1,400 00
1,200 00

1,490 00
1,200 00
1,000 00

900 00
800 00
61)0 00
500 00
800 00
650 00
547 00
780 00
750 00
650 00
900 00
1,485 00
600 00
1,485 00
600 00
1,485 00
600 GO
1,095 00
547 50
1,095 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
600 00'
1,095 00
. 1,095 00
150 00
1,095 00
250 00
182 50
1,050 7i
750 00
600 00
550 00
500 00
400 00
600 00
. 600 00
. 400 00
600 00
240 00
180 00
120 OO
1,014 00
730 00

547 50

192

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

ST ATEMENT—Continued,

Districts,

Occupation,
fl

^

fl- cd

Gape Vincent—Continped,

.Dunkirk .

Perth Amboy, N . J .

Bridgetown.......
Burlington
,
Great Egg Harbor.
Little Egg Harbor.

Newark...... - - -. „
C a m d e n . . - . . . —„.
Philadelphia, Penn,




Deputy collectors
. , . ..
do...
Aids to the revenue
Temporary inspector
Boatman
Collector and inspector....
Deputy collector and inspect©r.
do
do
do
o
do
....
Collector
.
Deputy collector and inspector.
Surveyor
^Inspectors
,
....do...
....do
....do
Collector^
o .-.--,
.--.do.
Deputy collector
Collector
..
Inspector ..•...,
Occasional inspector
.Collector
Inspector
—.
...-do......
....do..-..
....do....
- .
Collector
Deputy collector aad inspector
Temporary inspector
,
Surveyor
..-.-..
Collector
- —
Deputy collectors
,
Cashier
Clerk.---.\ . . . . . . . .
.-..do
....do
....do
...do
Keeper ofthe custom-house. .
Messenger.-...-Watchmen
-Laborer . .
.....o

$365 00
240 00
547 50
547 50
300 00
219 44
84 06
79 86
76 47
1,211 29
.600 00
150 00
600 00
549 00
495 00
400 00
480 67
244 19
25 00
458 00
365 00
16 00
261 22
240 00
189 00
42 00
30 OO
900 89
730 00
506 00
475 04
6,084 36
2,500 00
1,600 00
1,300 00
1,200 00
1,100 00
1,016 76
1,000 00
800 00
600 00
547 50
547 50

Naval office.
Naval officer
—
..
Deputy naval officer
Clerk....
.«...--do......
.-. .-..
Messenger

5,000 00
2,000 00
1,200 90
1,000 00
600 00

Surveyor's office.
Surveyor
Deputy surveyor . . . . . . o...

4,500 00
2,000 00

1-93

KEPORT ON THE FINANCES.
o

STATEMENT—Continued.

s

1
Districts.

Pi

gg
o^

Occupation.

•rt oa

•sf
1
2
1

Philadelphiar—Continued..

o <o
O
Clerk
0-.
Clerks
Messenger.-.....................o.....

$1,200 00
1,100 00
600 00

Appraisements. .

•
1
1
2
2
4
4
1
3
1
1

General anDraiser . . . . - - - - . . . . » - - . . - . - .
Messenger to ditto
.....
Appraisers
..-,..
Assistant appraisers . .
.
..........
Examiners
i
.
Clerks . . ...--.
Sampler...............................
Packers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Messenger...-............. -_..........
Snecial examiuer of d r u f f s . . - - . . . . . . . . . . .

2,500 00
547 50
2,500 00
2,000 00
1,095 00
1,000 00
730 00
730 00
600 00
1,000 OO
'

Appraisers' stores.
I
1
1
2

Assistant storekeeper
Clerk
Warehousemaa
Watchmen

...-.,.....„

•

582
900
584
547

50
m
50
60

i,500
1,000
900
900
675
390
638
584
556
532
253
547
312

00
00
00
00
00
16
75
50
50
00
7^
50
00

Fublic warehouses.
1
1
•

1

2
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
1

Sunerintendeut nublic stores,._
Clerk to ditto
-.
Assistant storekeeper
..-..
Clerks . . - -.-do
.:
..do
Warehousemen
..'•
do
do...
o----..... ....
do
„
..do
-..Watchman...-»..
..-.„
do
--- . . .
Offi<:e of inspection.

1
3
1
1
5
2
1
1
1
37
1
1

13



Weigher
...
....
Assistant weighers
-.<....:,...-....-do
-Foreman to ditto
«
.-..
Laborers to ditto
.
.o.....
Gaugers
Measurer.......... . . . • - . . - . - - . . - . . . . . .
Assistant mieasurer . . . . . . , - - . - . . - - - . . . . .
do
:
.-.
...
Inspectors
,.-.•,.....
....do.
„....

....do.....„.„.:». „.,o.o...«o„..„„_„.»

1,485 60
1,200 00
900 00
730 00
540 00
3,255 28
1,485 00
1,485 00
1,200 OO
1,095 00
1,086 00
1,053 00

194

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Occupation,

Districts.

.2 ^
fl P^

s ®

Philadelphia—Continued..

Presque Isle
Pittsburg...
Delaware— -

Baltimore, Md..




1
6
I
1
25
1
6
1
1
10
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Insnector
—
....do
Captain of night watch
Lieutenant of night watch . . . . . .
JNight inspectors
do
-...:.
Revenue agents
do
do
Temporary agents..
Bargemen
do.
Night boatman
Revenue agent at Lazaretto
Revenue agent at Chester
Revenue agent at Marcus Hook .
Revenue agent at Bristol
Collector..
Deputy collector and inspector.
• 1
Surveyor
— ----...
1
Clerk
.o
1
Collector
.
1
Inspectors
,
3
1 ....do
1 ....do
2
Appraisers.
2
Messengers
•
1
Collector
,
1
Deputy collector
4
Clerks.....
3 ....do
2 -..do....3 -...do
1 ....do
4
Messengers
1 ....do
1
Naval officer.
-.
1
Deputy naval officer
1
Clerk
-..
1
Messenger
1
Surveyor
1
Clerk..-.-..-..,
Inspectors.--...--.
27
Captains of v/atch
....
2
Watchmen at vaulfc
2
Watchmen..-"
26
Storekeeper
1
1
--.do
1
Assistant storekeeper
..
2
Clerks..
4
Porters
'1
Weigher
i
2
Deputy weighers
,..
1
Me&surer—— .
......-.«.—.

$798
624
730
650
547
388
912
897
440
175
547

00
00
18
00
50
50
50
50
00
00
50

483 po
547 50
684 00
547 50
547 50
547 50
390 66
730 00
2,174 38
300 00
1.094 34
1.095 00
800 00
500 00
17 50
365 00 '
6,000 00
2,500 00
1,500 00
1,100 00
1,000 00
900 00
850 00
600 00
547 50
5,000 00
2,000 00
1,-200 00
600 00
4,500 00
1,0(10 00
1,095 00
. 730 00
730 00
547 50
1,150 00
1,095 00
626 00
1,000 00
547 50
1,500 00
720 00
1,500 CO

195:

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
fl fl

•2g
Districts,

Occupation.

gs

c's^

^.g
l§

.

Q

Baltimore—Continued =...

Annapolis

Oxford
Vienna.--Town Creek
,
Havre De Grace.
Georgetown, D. C

Richmond, Va.

Norfolk and Portsmouth...

• Tappahannock..

Ohenystcne..--oo . . „ , . Torktown—..,.»=. o. =.. ^ -




Deputy measurer
do
do
Gauger
Appraiser general
Appraisers
Clerk..........
.-.do..-.--..
Porter.......... —
Boatmen
Keeper of Lazaretto
Collector
..c^..
Surveyor
...do...-...-:
...-dp
...--..
Collects tr
-.
...-do
--..--....-.-.
Deputy collector
—.
. Surveyor.
....do
Collector —. - . . .
^
Deputy collector and inspector.
. _ . . . . .do
do.-Temporary inspector
Clerk
'.
Weigher and gauger. — .
Collector
Deputy collectors, inspectors, weighers,'
measurers, &c
Gauger
,.
Collector
-.
-.
Deputy collector and inspector.
Clerk
Navalofficer..
Deputy naval officer
^
Inspectors
„.
Survevor
\„.-o
.-.-do-.Weigher and gauger.
Measurer.---.»
,
Watchman
Boatman
....do.^
:Aids.to the revenue
Collector
Deputy c o l l e c t o r . . . . . . . .
Surveyor
„
....do
—-.
1....do.... ...-.:
....do
.--do....
Collectpr
o
Surveyor
-..-..
Collector,...^..--.. -o.o-. =
Surveyor...........»

$1,000 00

626 00
1,500
2,500
2,500
1,400
1,000
547
- 550
150
.283
250
200
150
474
822
365
176
195
1,257
800
821
200
500
207
2,887

00
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
40
00
00
00
64
49
00
00
00
16
00
00
00
00
51
42

1,095 00
92 40
3,000 00
1,095 00
500 00
1,112 15
730 GO
2,095 00
594.60
250 00
J,500 00
701 37
547 50
360 00
192 OO
63 42
429 47
300 00
316 03
297 00
' 1S5 00
281 00
159 55
335 70
464 50
217 98
200 00

196

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.
p. o

Petersburg.

Wheeling..
Yeocomico,
Alexandria

Camden, N. C
Edenton
Plymouth
Washington...
Newbern
Ocracoke

Beaufort
Wilmington .

Charleston/a C.




Collector
Surveyor
Inspectors
Temporary inspector
Weigher, gauger, and measurer....
Deputy eoliector
Surveyor
:...
...do
Collector
Deputy collector
Inspectors
Surveyor
Weigher and measurer
.-^
•Collector
Temporary inspector
— do
do
^
Collector
Temporary inspector
Collector
Surveyor
Inspector, gauger, measurer, & c . . .
Collector
Temporary inspector, weigher, &c
Collector
Inspector, weigher, gauger, &c —
Collector —
Deputy collector and inspector—
Temporary inspector
Boatmen
....do
Collector.. - Inspector, weigher, measurer, &c.
Collector
Naval officer
,
Surveyor
»
....do
Inspector
Weigber and gauger
Temporary inspectors
Boarding officer
Boatmen
Collector
Deputy collector
Naval officer
Assistant naval officer
Surveyor
Clerk.........
..do...do
,
-do
Weigber
Gauger
,
Measurer
i..
Appraisers

$955 98
500 00
1,095 00
28 00
1,500 00
730 00
1,071 19
225 00
513 00
1,095 00
1,095 09
300 00
1,500 00
771 26
171 07
. 129 75
349 91
68 18
521 93
150 00
46 44
488 75
130 98
363 88
888 95
1,059 30
360 00
134 OO
240 00
180 00
323 60
141 00
1,831 12
678 34
634 47
250 00
662 49
1,185 00
313 00
480 00
240 00
6, 000 00
1,500 00
2, 900 CO
1,000 00
2,400 00
1,400 00
1,300 00
900 00
500 00
1,500 00
1,070 20
1,500 00,
1,500 00

197

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.

ai
*»
fl
®

a>
P<
'^
ri

^'^
fl C3

Charleston—Continued;.

28
6

Georgetown, S. C
Beaufort, S. C. ..
Savannah, G a . . . .

10

Brunswick .
St. Mary's .
Mobile, Ala
16

Tuscumbia . . . - , .
Pearl River, Miss
Natchez
Vicksburg.......
Pensacola, F l a . . .

St. Augustine . . . .
Key West.ooo...

St. M a r k ' s . , . . . .

St. John's <



Inspectors.
Boatmen...
Messenger and porter.
Collector
Deputy collector .
Collector
Collector
Deputy collector
Naval officer
Surveyor
Appraisers
Weigher and gauger . .
Storekeeper
Clerk
.-do
Inspectors.,
Porter
.-do
Boatmen
Inspectors
Collector
Inspector
Light-house keepers
Collector—
Inspector
Boatman
,
Collector
Inspectors and clerks
Inspectors
..--do
Weighers and measurers.
Aid of the revenue
Surveyor
Collector
Deputy Collector
Collector
^.
:...do
Collector
Inspector...
Surveyor
^
Boatmen
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector
...
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector
Inspector
— do
...do
Temporary inspector and night watch .
Collector
-..
Inspectors
:
.-..do
Boatmen
.Collector

5 ©
Q

$1,095 00
540 00
520 00
593 59
125 00
292 54
2,459 95
1,500 00
923 91
741 09
1,500 00
1,500 00
800 00
1,100 00
800 00
1,095 00
600 00
360 00
360 00
250 00
472 88
248 00
400 00
695 00
200 00
11 00
6,000 00
1,500 00
1,095 00
1,005 00
1,500 00
939 00
467 57
250 00
250 0©
553 17
500 00
1,162 37
1,095 00
300 00
• 300 00
518 00
730 00
I,605 74
1,095 00
1,095 00
137 50
68 50'
126 00
785 00
1,095 00 '
500 CO
300 00
1,200 00

198

EEPOET ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
fl n

Districts-

PH

>»

Occupation.

.2 2

" I.
fl
^
<D ^
PHO

B

^

O ®

O
St. John's—Continued.

Apalachicola..

New Orleans, La.
2
4
7
3
5
2
1
76
3
5
4
32
3
21
6

Teche
Texas, Texas.




Inspectors...
Surveyor
Boatmen
,
....do
Collector
.--.
Inspector...
,
--do
Light-house keeper
do.--- ...do
Boatman
-.--.-..
Collector
,
Deputy collectors
Clerks
...do
...do
-..:
.-.do.--.o
...do
Porter
Inspectors
- -.
Aids of the revenue
Supernumerary night inspectors.
Boatmen
....do
Gaugers
Laborers
....do
Weigher.
-Deputy weigher
.-.
Measurer
^
-.
Deputy measurer
Storekeeper
-..
Deputy storekeeper
Warebouse clerks
Watchmen
Surveyor
Deputy surveyors
Boatmen and messengers
...
Appraisers
Assistant appraisers
-•
Examiners
Clerks..-!
Messenger
Special examiner of d r u g s . . . - . .
Naval officer
'.-........
Deputy naval officer
Book-keeper........
Clerks
..dp........
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector..
Collector
Deputy collector..
Clerk
...--.
Inspector and weigher
„..

$730 00
300 00
180 00
144 00
1,152 16
1,095 00
819 00
. 500 00
450 00
300 00
6,400 00
2,500 00
1,800 00
1,400 00
1,500 00
1,100 00
1,000 00
730 00
1,095 00
730 00
730 00
730 00
360 00
1,500 00
600 00
660 00
J,500 00
1,200 00
1,500 OO
1,200 00
1,500 OO
1,095 00
1,200 00
.730 00
4,990 00
2,000 00
720 00
2,500 00
2,000 00
1,400 00
1, 095 00
900, 00
1,000 00
5, 000 00
2,000 00
1, 400 00
1,200 00
900 00
1,055 88
. 441 00
1,750 00
1,000 00
1, 000 00
1,200 00

199

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.
fl

U n3

Districts.

9^ >>

Occupation.

fl

.2 S
«^.fl
Pl o
fl es

g»
q
Texas—Continued.
Saluria

Briazos de Santiago.

Paso del Nort«..

Miami, Ohio.

Sandusky..

Cuyahoga.

Cincinnati-

. Detroit, Michigan.




Inspector
Surveyors
Inspector, (10 months)
=
Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors.
do
do
Inspector
.Surveyors and inspectors
— do
,
. .do
Aid of the revenue,....^
Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors .
do
do
Mounted inspectors
--Storekeeper
Clerks
Boatman
Messenger
Collector
Clerk and deputy collector
Mounted inspector
Deputy collector and inspector. . .
.do
do
--.
do...
do
do
—-.do
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector...
do
do
do:
do
do
do..
Collector...
Deputy collector
Clerk
Inspectors
.-.do
Collector
Deputy collector
Inspector
,...do.
...do...
Clerk....,Surveyor
Clerk.....
..do
..do-..Collector
Deputy collector
do
do.
do
,
Deputy collectors
- -.,
do
.do....
Inspector..,,

$1,095 00
1,000 00
909 00
1,250 00
1,000 00
729 16
640 00
500 00
600 00
521 66
1,750 00
1,000 00
8'0O 00
727 00
800 00
800 00
480 00
420 00
1,438 80
359 00
428 00
188 35
191 67
185 86
167 52
761 37
800 00
600 GO
250 00
200 00
832 59
800 00
365 00
200 00
300 00
1,057 07
1,000 00
600 00
662 21
240 00
600 00
3,000 00
1,200 00
1,000 00*
600 00
1,618 42
1,000 00
730 00
480 00
360 00
240 00.
180 00
120 00 •
1,095 do

200

REPORT ON THE FINANCESo

STATEMENT—Continued,

OccupatioUo

DistrictSo

^ S
o o

*-§ "
OS, q i

go.
g.fl-

Pl o
aft 25
®

Detroit—Continued,

Michilimackinac..
Chicago, 111......

A l t o n .

oa.a..o

Quincy---..
Cairo.
Galena.Milwaukie. -,

Oregon

=

Cape Perpetua o..„
Puget's Soundi
San Francisco, Cal.




1
2
2
8
5
1
1
1
3
1
1 '
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
'4
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
5
I
1
10
1
4
1
4
4
1
1
2
1
3
1

Inspector, weigher, and gauger...
Inspectors 1
do.........
.....do..,.-,
do
-.
do
Collector
...
Deputy collector and inspector...
— — .do
do
Collector
:..."-.
.„
Deputy collector
do
-........-.,
do
-..^...-..Inspector
do
......do
do
-.-.
do
,--.,-.oSurveyor
-. Watchman... Surveyor.;
.-,...
.-.-.do
......do......
.-......-,...
Collector
Deputy collector
Inspector
„--„.
Deputy inspectors
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector.
Surveyor
do....
..--..Surveyor
-.Collector
Inspectors
-..
Collector.......
•..--.-„-..Deputy collectors
- -.
Cashier
Clerks
-.
...-do
.»-......-.,
....do
--..do
.-.do.,
....do
....do
..,-do.
Temporary clerk
Messengers and porters
.
Watchmen . . . . . -. ,•
Naval officer.
Deputy naval officer
..
Clerks
...do
...do
:...

Messenger and porter i.....

$1,095 00
600 00
480 00
360 00 .
240 00
150 00
835 95
400 00
. 300 00
1,250 00
1,000 00
658 00
360 00
600 00
726 00
566 00
570 00
548 00
2,400 00
180 00
2,811 11
800 00
452 50
1,250 00
720 00
720 00
480 00
3,000 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
250 00
2, 000 00
3,000 00
1,095 00
10, 400 00
3, 833 00
4,000 00
3, 325 00
3,600 00
3,200 00
3,183 00
1,600 00
2,949 19
2,875 00
1,500 00
720 00
1,560 00
1,560 00
8, OOO 00
J,021 52
3,600 00
3, 300 00
3, 000 00
1,560 00

EEPOET ON THB FINANCES.

201

STATEMENT—Continued.

Occupation.

Districts.
O

fl ^
<v xi
P^ o

Pi

a

San Francisco—Continued.

Sonoma-

San Joaquin

Sacramento.
San Diego.-

Monterey.,




1
1
2
1
I
2
2
3
1
3
1
1
1
6
1
3
1
2
9
7
16
1
1
4
1
1
2
1
46
22
4
4

a g
Surveyor
--Deputy and clerk
Temporary clerks . Messenger and porter
Appraiser general
Appraisers
Assistant appraisers
Examiners
do
-.
Clerks
Watchman and superintendent.
Laborer and sampler
Messenger
Laborers ..1
Storekeeper,...
- ....
Clerks
...doj

Watchmen
Temporary watchmen
Laborers
....do
Weigher and measurer
do
do
do
do
Gauger
....do
-,
Temporary gaugers... J
Measurer of vessels
Inspectors
'
do
Boatmen
..
Temporary boatmen
Collector
Deputy collector
Ihspector - . . . ^
..-.do
--..,.:do
-...
Weigher and gauger
Boatmen
....do
....do
....do..-......
Collector
Deputy collector . — ..-"
Inspectors
----....do.....
.1.
Collector
'
...do
Deputy collector .
Surveyor and inspector
Surveyor
Boatmen
'.-.
Collector
--... — i
Inspectors
.'

$7,000 00
4,000 00
975 00
1,800 00
5,500 00
6,000 00
3,500 00
3,000 00
750 00
2,160 00
2,160 00
1,800 00
1, 560 00
1,440 00
2,667 00
3,000 00
2,200 00
1,560 00
410 26
1,254 84
'
687 50.
3,600 00
3, 000 00
1, 375 00
3,600 00
3, 000 00
250 00
1,944 OO
2,. 086 76
2,024 86
1,200 00
475 00
3,369 15
2,896 00
1,669 00
246 00
204 00
1,195 98
277 33
361 33
44 00
. 40 00
3,179 75
1,104 00
,1,290 00 ,
1.074 00
3, OUO 00
3, 000 00
2, 000 00
2, 000 00
2, 0<.0 00

180 00
3.075 90
2,190 CO

202

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

STATEMENT—Continued.

Districts.

CD

CO

PH

>-»

.2 S

Occupation.

s ®
San Pedro
Minnesota, Min. Ter
Minnesota
Louisville, Ky
,
Paducah .
Nashville, Tenn
Mempbis
Knoxville
St, Louis, Mo

,

Evansville, Indiana
New Albany
Jeffersonville.
Burlington, Iowa...
Dubuque
Keokuk

Collector
..,
....do
Deputy collector
Surveyor
,
Keeper of warehouse
Surveyor
Surveyor and inspector
do.do
,
Deputy surveyor and inspector
Surveyor
.--Collector
Clerk
•.
...do
Aid to revenue
do...
Surveyor
....
....do.
do . . . (from March 22 to June 30)
Surveyor
,
do
....do
..-....,

$3, 000
1,200
800
2,228
30
147
1,627
537
537
350
3,000
1,375
1,018
814
• 730
350
623
97
390
350
350

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Register's Office, November 24, 1855.




F. BIGGER, Register.

00
00
00
49
00
73
35
14
14
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
20 22
00
00
00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

203

No. 49.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

April 2S, 1855,
SIR : In order tliat you sliall be fully possessed of my views of the
subject to whicli you called my attention, and that of the Secretary of
W a r , on yesterday, the following is submitted:
, It being the constitutional duty of, the President of the United
States to see the laws executed, in order to enable and facilitate the
discharge of that duty, Congress has established six executive departments, to w i t : the State, Treasury, W a r , Navy, Post Office^ and
Interior, and authorized ihe President to appoint, by and with the
advice of the Senate, a Secretary, as the head of five of them, and a
Postmaster General at the head of the other; and has also authorized
the appointment of a law officer, called the Attorney General, at the
head of a seventh department. The seven constitute what is termed
the Cabinet, and to each is confided certain duties in connexion with
the execution ofthe laws, and the duties of no one of them conflict
with those of another, but all being subsidiary to that of the President.^^ To the Secretary of the Treasury is confided the payment of
all the aiDpropriations of public money, the settlement of all accounts
with collectors of customs, receivers ofthe sales of public lands, disbursing and other agents of all the departments, and the collection of
air debts of the United States, and the. enforcement of the revenue
laws, &c. The business of the Treasury Department has, from time
to time, been separated and confided to certain particular designated
officials, but subsidiary to the Secretary.
In the beginning, when the revenue and business was small, there
was one Eegister, one Auditor, one Comptroller, and one Treasurer,
and a fev/ clerhs in each ofthese, and in the office of the Secretary; but
as the revenue and business of the department increased, the number
of clerks was increased, and further distribution of the duties took
place under designated officers, until there are now in the Treasury
thirteen separate branches, besides what was taken away,, and placed
in that of the Department of the Interior.
Among these Auditors was one designated as Agent of the Treasury, and to him was confided the management of suits and the collection of debts. Subsequently that agency was dispensed with,
and the office of Solicitor pf the Treasury established, and he was
allowed certain clerks, and vested from time to time with certain
powers, but all believed to be subsidiary to that of the Secretary.
The suits necessary to be instituted to collect debts due to the
United States, and enforce the revenue laws, and the defence of suits
instituted against revenue officers, for acts done in the discharge of
their official duties, and suits touching the title to custom-houses,
hospitals, and light-houses, or injuries to the same, were then under
the direction and control ofthe SecretaryoftheTreasury, and should
remain as they now are, in order to give efiiciency to the discharge of
his duties; whilst suits involving the title of the public lands, or injury



204

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

to the same, and suits against the officials of the department for official acts, should be under the control ofthe Secretary ofthe Interior,
and the same should be the case with the War and Navy Departments,
and also that of the Secretary of State when the cases arise in matters
specially with his department.
-The law makes it the duty of the district attorneys in the respective districts to attend to ail cases in which the United States is
concerned, and of the Attorney General to attend to them when in
the Supreme Court. Their compensation, salaries, or fees, are fixed
by law ; and at first the Secretaries of each of the departments sent
the suits they wished instituted to the attorneys of the respective districts, and looked to them to defend all suits in which the property
ofthe department or the officials were involved. The Attorney General. attended these cases when they were in the Supreme Court.
The law has vested the Secretaries of each department with authority
to employ counsel when, in their opinion, it is necessary and proper
to do so, and gives them authority to agree upon the fee. I consider
the head ofeach executive department, in the prosecution and defence of
suits in which the interests, of their respective departments are concerned, the representatives of the United States, the real client in the
case ;. and that the head of neither department has any right to interfere with the prosecution or defence-^of suits thus belonging to
another department. Thus Congress has considered the business
confided to each department should be under the direction and control
of the head of i t ; who is held responsible for the same, including tho
prosecution and defence of lawsuits.
In the Treasury Department there are five Auditors, who have authority to state and settle accounts. These accounts are revised by the
Comptroller and Commissioner of Customs ; but when so revised and
controlled, the papers go back to and are filed with the records and
papers of the Auditor's office where they were first stated, with exception ofthe First and Fifth Auditors, which go to the Eegister's office.
The balances found due in each Auditor's office, on settlement, were
collected by the agency of that office, and Avhen it became necessary
to institute suit, to inform the Comptroller. The statement of the
account exhibiting the balance due the United States, properly certified, was sent to the district attorneys by the Comptroller, who corresponded with the attorney and attended to the suit as part o f t h e
business of his office, until the amount was collected or the debtor
proved insolvent. When one of the Auditors was constituted agent
of the treasury, the certified statement of balances due went to his
office, and he sent them to the district attorneys, and did the correspondence ; and when his agency was superseded by the Solicitor's
office, the certified statements were sent to his office,-and he did the
correspondence with the district attorneys; and Congress has invested
him with authority to make rules and regulations for the government
of attorneys, marshals, and clerks, in relation to the management
and reports ofthese suits, and all other suits in which the United
'States are concerned in their districts.
, :
There is no act of Congress giving the Solicitor authority to employ
additional counsel, nor to liquidate the fees of additional counsel.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

205

The authority to employ and liquidate the fees being vested in each
Secretary in relation to all suits involving the interest of his department, upon an investigation ofthe pending suits in the several districts in which the Treasury Department was concerned (shortly after
the 4th of March, 1853,) it was ascertained additional counsel had
been employed in several cases, and that it was done by order of the
Solicitor of the Treasury. This led to an investigation of his authority
to do so. It was found that no such authority was given to him. I t
was also ascertained, that in most of those cases there was no agreed
fee stipulated for, b u t t h e service had been or was in the course of
being rendered. It was determined to adjust these claims upon the
principle of quantum meruit, rather than to reject them, and leave
an open and unsettled claim against the government. The fees for
these were settled, taking into consideration the magnitude of the
.cases, and character and amount of service, and the decision by the
Secretary in liquidating the same vfas carried out by payments, and
directions given that the Secretary of each department had the right to
employ additional counsel in suits touching the, business of his department, and to agree on and liquidate the amount the assistant
counsel should receive.
The Solicitor was given to undersand that he had no authority to
employ additional counsel, nor to liquidate the fees, but that the
authority was in the Secretary of. the department to which the suit
belonged. The appropriations for the expenses of the courts of the
United States, called the Judiciary fund, is applicable tothe payment
of the fees of assistant counsel, a:nd is within the control of the Secretary of the Interior; but the fees of assistant counsel are sometimes
paid out of the contingent expenses of the department to which the
suit belongs; and all fees to district attorneys, &c., or in suits to
enforce collection ofthe customs, the enforcement of .the revenue laws,
are paid out of the appropriation to collect the revenue.
In my judgment, so far as the Treasury Departinent is concerned, that from the assignment of the agency for the collection oi debts to
one of the Auditors, followed by the establishment of the Solicitor's
office, no increased efficiency in the prosecution and defence of suits
has. resulted, nor any better collection of debts.
If 1 had the organization to make anew, I would restore the practice that existed before the agency was confided to one of the Auditors,
and woiild give the supervision toa clerk ih my own office, who should
keep a record of the suits pending, and those from time to time instituted, with an account of the judgments and collections made, and
prepare all the correspondence for my signature.
In my judgement, the collection, of debts, and the prosecution and
defence of suits involving questions of principle and the infractions'of
the revenue laws, cannot, without injury, be transferred to another
office where the Secretary can have no control.
I am, very respectfully,
, JAMES G U T H E I E ,
Seci-etary of the Treasury,
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.




206

REPORT ON THE FINANCES. ^

To the ATTORNEY GENBR;AL:

For the convenience of the departments, and with a view to the
systematic despatch of business, the following order in relation to suits
at law will be observed :
. •.
In all cases of suits at law, arising in any of the departments, the
head thereof may, in his discretion, conduct the same, with the aid of
the Solicitor of the Treasury, or refer it to the Attorney General, and
the Solicitor of the Treasury will conduct the cases so referred, under
the supervision of the Attorney General; and all questions of fees and
costs, arising in any case, shall be determined by the head of the
department by which the same is conducted.
F E A N K L I N PIEEOE.
WASHINGTON, July 16, 1855.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

207

No. 50.
REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF THE VAULTS IN THE TREASURY DEPOSITORIES.

At Boston, the vault requires no improvement. If any additional
defences are needed there, they are iron shutters to the windows, and
iron casings to some of the doors.
At New York, there ought to be such a vault as there is at Boston;
but such a one cannot be conveniently constructed till the time comes
for. re-building the Assistant Treasurer's office..
At Philadelphia, measures have, I presume, been taken, in re-building the" mint, to provide, a suitable vault for the Treasury Depository.
At Baltimore, the vault is a small one, and cannot be conveniently
enlarged; but the inner door, which is a very slight one, ought to be
re-placed by a stronger one, with suitable fastenings.
At Washington city, the necessary changes are being made in the
Treasurer's office.
At Norfolk, the depository has only iron safes; (oneof them, I
believe, burglar-proof.) A sufficient vault ought to be constructed in
the new custom-house.
At AA^ilmington^ North Carolina, some improvements have been
made in the vault. I have not seen them; but I presume they are
all that are necessary.
^
. At Charleston, South.Carolina, a suitable vault ought to be erected,
in the new custom-house.
At Savannah, there is in the new custom-house a vault, which is
not of the best construction, but which cannot easily be improved.
It must do as it is.
The depositary at Tallahassee has been supplied with a burglarproof safe. He does not esteem a vault necessary.
At Nev/ Orleans, the Assistant Treasurer has a capacious, and, in
most respects, a strong vault; but an opening over the door, said to
. be necessary for the purpose of ventilation, could easily be enlarged,
80 that a man could pass through it. I think the ventilation might
be effected by a number of small iron pipes, imbedded in masonry.
At Mobile, a sufficient vault should be erected in the custom-house.
At Little Eock, we have the use of a good vault, (formerly owned
by a bank,) and a burglar-proof safe. Nothing additional is there
required for the present.
. At St. Louis, me.asures have been taken to erect a large vault in
the custom-house.
There should be a sufficient vault in the custom-house at Cincinnati; idem, in the custom-house at Bufialo; idem, at Eichmond;
idem, in the custom-house at Detroit;- idem, at Chicago.
At Pittsburg, the vault is not of the best construQtion; but will, it
is presumed, with the burglar-proof safe, afford protection to such
sums as will be placed there.
Every new custom-house ought to have in it a strong and sufficiently capacious inoney vault. A money vault is the very nucleus




208

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

of a custom-house. W e know not how many of these custom-houses
it may be necessary, in the course of time, to convert into treasury
depositories. At the present moment, the number of places of deposite
for disbursing officers oijight to be doubled.
The public good requires that there should be a treasury depository
high up the Missouri, in the Kansas Territory, or its neighborhood;
and another high up the Missouri, in the Minnesota Territory. But
the Treasury Department cannot, with safety, direct them to be
established till Congress shall make an appropriation to erect small,
plain, strong buildings there, with secure vaults.
Granite doors may have some advantages in them, in some positions; but, as granite ^^falls asunder at the touch of fire," I should,
as a genera! rule, prefer doors of iron and steel, such as the banks use.
Excepting at Boston, the most secure depositories we have are at
Mobile, Little Eock, Detroit, and Cincinnati, where we have, for th©
present, the use of old bank vaults.
WM. M. GOUGE.
WASHINGTON. CITY, November 1, 1855.

REPORT ON CONSTITUTIONAL TREASURY SYSTEM.

WASHINGTON CITY, D . C , November 21,1855.

SIR : In compliance with the instructions given in your letter of May
26, 1854, and renewed under date of March —, 1855, I have, within
the last eight months,, visited and examined all the treasury depositories, except those at Nashville, Washington city, and San Francisco.
From each depository that I visited I addressed to you a letter, describing exactly its condition. But your instructions require from me,
in addition, a general report at the conclusion of my tour of duty,
which I now proceed to give.
You directed me to inquire—
^^Ist. Whether the safeguards against fiire, thieves and burglars, are
sufficient in the several depositories."
.
•
The depository at Boston, Massachusetts, is the only one which can
be regarded as in all respects what a depository ought to be, when
it is intended to keep in it millions of the public money. The other
depositories may, in general terms, be described as such as will do for,
the present. In the course of the year, burglar-proof safes have been
introduced into several of them, and others of them have been strengthened in various ways. But the appropriation made by. Congress was
intended simply to'cover current expenses, and not to provide permanent defences fbr the public money. The special appropriations that
have been made for strengthening the safety room in the Treasury
Department at Washington city, and for improving the mint at Philadelphia, will effect what is desired at these two points. But many of
the other depositories require additional safeguards against fire,
thieves and burglars.
If banks, which are chartered for a term .of years only, deem it proper to erect strong vaults, surely government ought to do as much for.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

209

the security of the public moneys, under a system which is intended
to be permanent. We have, at times, in our twenty-three treasury
depositories, half as much gold and silver as there are in our thirteen
hundred banks ; yet, in some of the depositories the safeguards provided for large sums of public money are inferior to those provided by
the banks for relatively small amounts of specie.
It is, indeed, averred by some, whose position entitles their opinions
to attention, that vaults are not necessary for the safety of the public
moneys, and that all that are requisite are burglar-proof safes, guarded
by watchmen. But watchmen may relax their vigilance, or be corrupted; and under a system like this, large sums of public money
would be kept under a single lock and key. No bank of any respectability, that I overheard of, trusts its funds in a burglar-proof safe,
guarded b}^ a watchman. In a question like this, the experience of
those who have long had the custody of large amounts of money is
not to be disregarded. In a good treasury system, it is necessary to
guard against foes within as well as foes without. Nearly all the
great robberies of banks that are on record, have been committed by
the watchmen or other employes of the banks.
It is true^ indeed, that no vault which can be constructed by men,
can be made so secure as not to be entered by other men, provided full
time be allowed them for their burglarious attempts. But, by suitable combinations of brick, stone and iron, money vaults may be made
so strong as to defy all attacks on them in the time in which burglars
usually have to operate. Watchmen cannot be dispensed with; but
public money vaults should be, in all respects, so secure as to leave
no hope to the watchmen themselves to break in, even if they should
combine with burglars from without.
Each money vault should have at least two strong doors, fastened
by bolts, bars, and clinches, upwards, downwards^ and sideways.
Each door should have at least one lock of the best construction, and
the keys to the locks of the different doors should be kept by different
persons. If these precautions had been observed at Pittsburg, the
robbery of ten thousand dollars there (the only robbery that has
been committed under the system) would have been prevented.
As auxiliary safeguards, burglar-proof safes are excellent; but
good, capacious, and substantial vaults cannot be dispensed with.
We have, and have had, altogether, some two thousand banks.
The robberies of their vaults that haYO been committed, (excepting by
their own officers) have been comparatively few. No instance, it is
believed, can be adduced of a bank vault being robbed by burglars,
when the vault was of proper construction and properly guarded.
^' 2d. Whether the boolcs, accounts, and returns, arc kept in that accurate and unifiorm manner which the law prescribes."
In one depository only did I find any inaccuracies in the accounts,
and these were such as could be easily corrected.
^^3d. Whether the examinations which the 12th section ofi the law
requires are regularly made, and in such a manner as to fiulfil the intentions ofi the law.''
At Washington city, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Nashville,
Eichmond^ and Mobile, there are no officers resident required by law
14



210

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

to make periodical examinations of the depositories. At the other
depositories (one or two excepted) this duty has been regularly attended to. Special letters have been addressed to those officers who
have neglected to make the periodical examinations, and it is hoped
they will neglect this duty no longer.
All the depositories are subject to examination by special agents
appointed by the Treasury Department, and all haye in this way been
examined this year, except that at Washihgton. It would be inconvenient to examine that at this moment^ owing to the changes the
workmen are making in the building.
'^ 4th. Whether the amount ofi money in each depository corresponds
with the amount which the books and returns call fior.''
In each depository I found the amount of money which the books
and returns call for, excepting that of Pittsburg. In that there is a
deficiency of about ten thousand dollars, caused by the robbery last
year, of which a particular account was given in a former report. No
new light has lately been throwm on that robbery, and the perpetrators have thus far escaped detection.
^^5th. Whether anything fiurther can be done to promote the convenience ofi those officers whose duty it is to receive, keep, pay, and transfer the public moneys, and also the convenience ofi those to whom payments are made."
In several of the depositories the conveniences for doing business
have, during the year, been greatly increased.
Something more
remains to be done, in this way, at several of the depositories; but a
very moderate appropriation for this object will cover all the expense.
' ' 6 t h . Whether anything more can be done tofiacilitate the transfier ofi
the public fiunds firom 2olace to place, and to lessen the expense thereofi."
The system of transfer drafts, described in my former report, continues to work well; but it cannot be applied in the whole extent
that is desired, owing to gold and silver being, in some parts of the
country, almost entirely superseded, as a currency, by bank paper.
In those parts of the country, specie payments have not been formally
suspended, but they are systematically evaded by each bank circulating
its own notes at such a distance from theplace ofissue that they cannot be presented promptly for payment, and by circulating in its own
neighborhood the notes of some distant banks or branch. The merchants having deposites might demand specie for them; but then they
could expect no further "accommodations" from the banks. Eather
than be exposed to this inconvenience, they purchase exchange at a
premium, as measured in the depreciated currency of their neighborhood, instead of paying gold and silver for treasury drafts at par.
^' 7th. What disbursing officers keep deposites in the depositories, and
what the balance to their credit; and, on the other hand, ifi any disbursing officers neglect to deposite, how they otherwise keep the money in
their hands."
In my letters from the different depositories, I gave the names ot
the different disbursing officers that keep deposites therein, and the
aniount to the credit of each. Generally speaking, the disbursing
officers now keep their funds in the treasury depositories, when they
can conveniently do so. But there are exceptions to this; and what



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

211

is strange, (if newspaper reports are to be believed,) several of these
exceptions have occurred in Washington city. None ofthese officers
were under the control of the Treasury Department.
Many of the pension agents conscientiously obey the law; but others
conduct their business in such a way that it is impossible to say
whether they obey the law or not; while some, as there is the best
reason for believing, directly violate some of the most important provisions of the law, by depositing their funds in banks, and paying the
pensioners with bank notes, instead of gold and silver.
This is the more remarkable,' as the Secretary of the Interior, who
has the supervision of the pension agents, some time since issued a circular, in which he explicitly forbid such doings.
" A n arrangement," he said, "having been made by the Treasury
Department, under which the Assistant Tr.easurers of the United States
at the various leading commercial points throughout the country
become depositaries of the public funds, the disbursing agents connected with this department are hereby instructed to. avail themselves
ofthe facilities thus afforded, as far as practicable, by depositing with
the officers such funds as are not wanted for immediate, use, and drawing the same from time to time as they may be required.
" T h i s arrangement has been made for the accommodation and security of disbursing officers, in view of the heavy responsibility resting
upon them under the provisions contained in the 16th section of the
act of August 6, 1844, as found on page 93, Statutes at Large, volume
9, to v/hich, in 9.11 its details, attention is specially directed; and it is
therefore expected that the instructions above given will be strictly
complied with, and that hereafter no disbursing agent of this department will draw any draft or check upon any other person other than
the officer with whom his funds are directed to be kept."
If examples should be made of a few of the disbursing officers who
violate instructions as explicit as these, the effect might be salutary..
.If each subordinate officer is to obey the laws so far only as to himself
seems convenient, we shall have anarchy instead of regular government.
In order that the system may answer all the objects intended, it
will be necessary to multiply the places of deposite for disbursing officers. This can readily be done, if suitable vaults be const.ructed in
the new custom-houses which Congress has ordered to be built.
" 8 t h . • Whether the different requirements ofi the law, and the treasury
regulations made in pursuance ofi the law, are strictly attended to, including that provision which requires public officers to credit thc United
States with any premium received on drafits.''
The different requirements, of the law, and the treasury regulations, are, with the exceptions already noted, well observed in the different depositories.
In every instance in which a treasury draft had been • sold by a
treasury depositary for a premium, I found the premium duly credited
to the United States. ' But it is alleged that some disbursing officers,
in remote parts of the country, sell their own checks on the depositories at a premium, and put the premium into their own pockets.
I n my report to you of last year, I gave a brief history of operations



212

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

under the constitutional treasury system, showing that, in periods
embracing in all nine years, it had worked well, and under the different circumstances of peace and war, of surplus revenue and deficient
revenue, of negotiation of loans and of payment of loans.
I also pointed out some of the advantages of this system:
1. In creating a new demand for specie, and thus increasing the
stock of it in the country.
2. I n checking the banks in their expansions of paper currency,
and thus diminishing the force of their subsequent contractions.
3. I n avoiding those derangements of banking and commercial operations which are sure to follow the negotiation by government of
large loans in bank paper, and the use of banks as agents in redeeming public loans.
4. In preventing those losses to government which are the necessary
consequences of suffering public officers to apply them to their private
uses.
5. I n giving the government, at all times, the control of its own
funds, so that it can apply them to the public service just when and
where it chooses—a control it could not have if it should deposite the
public money in the banks, and the banks should lend it to their customers.
The experience of another year has served only to strengthen conviction of the excellence of the system, and of its adaptation to the
fiscal wants of the United States.
' If the public funds had been deposited with the private bankers of
California, (a system which some have regarded with favor,) large
amounts would have been lost to the government.
If bank paper had been received in payment for the public lands,
and in payment for public dues generally, the notes of many banks in
Illinois, Indiana, and other parts of the country, would have become
" unavailable funds" in the treasury.
fif the public officers had been permitted, as they were formerly,
freely to apply the public funds to their private uses, they would have
ilost immense sums by speculations in stocks and in wild lands, the
greater part of which losses would have fallen ultimately on government.
.All these evils have been avoided during the past year by a strict
adherence to the principles of the constitutional treasury system.
'Of itself, itcannot, indeed, do all that is desirable ; for, so long as
small .notes are issued, so long will gold and silver be hoarded or
voxported. But, as it is all that now stands between us and paper
money inflations similar to thdse of 1817-'18 and 1835-'36, to be
followed by revulsions similar to those of 1819-'21 and 1837-'43, it
.as ,a^system which ought to be strengthened and extended so that it
ifmay:be faithfully carried out in all its provisions.
;I /remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant;
WM. M. GOUGE.
Hon,

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary of the Treasury, Washington City, D, 0,




No. 51.

STATEMENT

THE NUMBEE OE DISBUESING OFFIGEEi

PUBLIC MONEY TO THEIR CREDIT WITH THE PUBLIC
DEPOSITARIES, &c. . '




214

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 51.—Statement showing the number of disbursing officers having
and the amounts so held by each depositary, accordBoston.
Date of
report.

t

QJ

e

Ainount.

1854.
Nov. 25
30
Doc. 9
16
23
30
1855.
Jan. G
13
20
27
31
F e b . 10
17
24
28
Mar. 10
17

24

31
April 7
14
21
28
May 5
2
19
26
31
June 9
16
23
30
July 7
14
21
28
Aug. 4
11
18
25
31
Sept. 8
5
22
29
Oct. 6
13
20
27
31
Nov. 10
17

Philadelphia.

N e w York.

o

i

QJ 1
0

Aniount.

0

Baltimore.

Amount.

1
0

Washington.

0)
0

Amount.

0

Amount.

0

0

6

fi

6

6

13 ^220,449 40
13 221,225 81
14 188,700 78
14 232,323 32
14 206,404 0713 194,195 07

55 $659,0.'?3 91
55 640,233 07
54 613,677 77
50 606,212 72
56 674,157 75'
61 778,124 06

11 $129,403 55 15 ^52,961'41 46 ,1362.410 98
11
91,234 20 13 47,717 87 46 301,968 64
11 132,693 36 14 29,850 33 48 345,798 42
11 124,538 59 14 59,898 21 47 298,708 20
11 132.775 81 14 62,559 28 49 365;412 87
11 104;201 98 15 56,660 54 49 526,125 11

64
63

12
]2
12
13
13
13
13
11.
12
12
13
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
13
12
12
12
12
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12

152,730 33
147,734 21
144,655 60
181,112 74
150,076 72
156;369 51
123,082 94
184,718 34
191,547 28
168,747 80
222,825 04
230,197 87
183,863 96
147,019 18
149,345 92
176.414 47
238;247 53
221.S66 94
210,731 03
206,955 28
222,797 24
200,213 20
188,694 43
195,133 93
270,044 16
240,722 97
218,034 84
318,431 15
303,537 27
311,021 73
277, .340 91
293,202 72
343,488 41
317,231 91
294,881 67
251,557 56
251,556 93
319,423 49
307.247 75
268:317 96
262,632 31
241,154 65
302.728 03
234;663 58
270,745 14
280,450 67

752,795 39
691,218 62

.64 "869!78i"56*
64 893,427 04
66 1,001,426 52
67 958,306 59
67 913,244 43
69 1,057,638 07
70 898,577 83
71 1,054,364 15
74 1,106,128 43
.75 1,156,593 58
75 1,094,922 07
77 1,034.770 51
80 1,316;112 76
| 81 1,505,758 74
82 1,11.5,622 11
81 1,091,933 56
79 1,161,804 88
'85 U273,676 87
83 1,105,195 46
8:i 1,212,623 63
83 1,058,726 00
88 1,319,037 3
85 1,195,898 92 \
85 1,087,696 93
9(. 1,656,219 73
90 1,491,114 83 1
9^. 1,3.36,190 27 1
92 1,404,187 79
91 1,468,120 66
95 1,686,660 99
95 1,613.069 84
92 1,396,780 48
93 1,393,251 43
93 1,225,703 66
9I| 1,389,771 51
95i 1,451.243 96
98 1,495;512 68
98 I,.369,427 23
9^ L,651,807 84
97 1.671V 50 87
10( I;625,244 09
102 1,510,166 37
104 1,315,571 28




he0

0

6

12
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
12
13
13
1 13
13
13
13
13
12
13
13
13
12
12
13
11
13
12
11
13
13
13
12
13
14
14
14
12
13
14
15
15
15 !
14
5
16
17
17

Charleston.

fi

95,823 02
79,138 51
126,820 52
.126,184 30
106,641 20
107,93181
100,112 26
107,719 62
89,191 91
110,588 06
219,636 68
199,10r78
184,624 86
174,734 55
140,879 14
192,950 75
201,246 71
206,836 40
294,187 94
318,740 19
291,325 89
217,393 77
153,653 03
219,083 63
242,793 77
180,548 95
133,232 11
129,990 58
79,739 50
175,563 07
134,909 55
125,036 81
125;328 69
204,259 29
139,638 32
226,025 15
165,233 41
227,518 67
206,648 87
263,428 59
156;342o27
151,689 87
168,972 60
142,679 73
164,,535 86
171,735 42

15
14
14
14
1414
14
14
14
14
13
13
13
12
12
13
12
12
10
11
li
12
11
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
14
12
12
12
11
11
12
11
11
12
11
12
12

39,845 21
62,321 02
70,539 87
.55,567 67
28,575 51
52,335 72
26,219 29
38,290 96
31,622 98
22,888 53
89,225 87
86,373 73
79,317 22
52,597 37
45,577 90
51,166 51
53,719 46
45,470 19
52,160 24
51,522 63
73,293 09
58,152 48
39,793 61
46,902 32
42,860 27
46,864 23
37,930 53
62,008 12
68,794 48
51,162 43
81,492 02
69,792 71
70,796 88
74,694 50
64,215 44
62,809 15
70,412 44
76,360 13
70,96L 55
104,400 61
101,239 42
90,519 20
68,829 57
88,253 95

50
49
48

io' ^4'7,734'46'

433,921 23 11
408,019 97 12
440,882 24 12

56' *4.35,'464'2i'

50
50
50
49
50
49
50
49
52
52
52
53
54
52
50
50
50
47
47
50
49
51
49
49
50
52
52
54
55
5455
54
53
53
52
53
52
52
53
51
12' '67;264*5i' 54

Amount.

il*
404,476 16
479,017 93 ii'
342,039 60
320,095 46 is'
244,671 25 13
354,946 37 13
373,803 37 13
349,366 26 13
312,491 72 12
324,707 38 12
343,112 35 12
368,198 02 14
337,622 59 14
344,095 81 15
385,250 41 16
362,255 69
300,152 70 ie'
270,642 94 16
315,678 89 17
378,026 52 17
373,210 71 17
326,590 77 14
333,513 12 17
463,990 26 15
479,3.-6 86 11
407,313 21 17
458,317 14 1.4
485,957 20 i 16
448,744 C9 17
398,683 19 17
380,454 13
413,137 67 18'
399,250 85 18
396,585 56 18
359,232 67 18
421,142 90 18
380,886 02 15
475,229 65
342,979 62 is'
326;523 94 8
390,174 19

32,571 34
35,118 68
26,433 58
*46;494*99 1

'seisog'si*
'M^ebs'st)'
24,569
24,228
29,065
41.231
24;273
21,564
39,131
74,483
43,548
48,924
53,377

17
54
13
30
84
12
12
04
65
18
68

49,473
40,045
59,855
59,478
58,788
36,371
71,356
72,254
38,686
96,282
93,557
115,034
112,023
105,259

82
97
89
46
62
25
39
96
97
94
73
36
02
45

'gs^eos'os
114,471
98,886
66,541
62,365
48,382

29
63
05
63
94

*63,'924'44*
49,512 80

215

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

public money to their credit with the depositaries at the fiollowing places,
ing to the reports made fior the dates herein specified.
N e w Orleans.

Araount.

28 $456,628 43
27 451,060 61.
26 416,808 26
25 393,950 43
26 411,529 65
25 434,899 72
26
28
27
28
30
30
30
31
30
30
31
31
30
30
31
32
33
33
32
32
30
29
29
29
28
28
29
30
30
31
33
33
34
34
34
35
34
34
34
35
35
35
35
36
37

408,450 31
482,459 44
392,603 34
433,256 59
498,980 39
417,925 48
390,535 30
490,440 44
431,624 88
389,849 24
466,294 48
488,592 27
503,614 01
538,584 08
557.734 07
570,190 80
475,116 80
434,242 14
456,453 45
487.201 82
471,846 4L
523,498 12
542,146 37
503,121 08
470,137 22
536,728 86
612,112 OL
7.30,405 74
733,463 58
711,294 42
677.202 14
680;403 27
696,561 86
652,0/6 74
653,575 87
663,361 10
581,247 79
658,213 29
645,730 48
610,153 30
597,226 21
542,507 92
570,020 76
539,127 69
554,514 99

St. Louis.

San Francisco.

Amount.

$423,083
402,031
384,743
393,761
351,772
341,199

22
35
60
25
17
38

327,240
387,612
463,877
449,879
426,315
393,112
391,823
412,187

99
39
90
98
97
37
39
94

432,944
421,336
543,293
589,999
667,872
573,571
527,685
722,780
728,198
680,525
674,085
575,.530
797,288

33
13
07
45
08
81
72
28
93
94
15
60
03

740,899
849,060
960,719
887,263
840,834

23
08
26
52
32

953,711
898,906
872,743
881,736
1,239,236
1,230,235
1,397,8.54
1,161,387
938,392
960,824
803,085
789, .343
810,815
809,723
899,543
865,895

70
84
48
88
93
77
57
12
66
18
08
61
77
92
54
72

Amount.

$485,585
428,066
579,144
624,169
575,070
534,988

Norfolk.

Aggregate.

Little Rock.

Amount.

05
43
07
93
85
12

$10,917
9;692
12,889
11,809
13,197
11,511

40
14
64
22
87
54

514,847 22
480,373 50
602,825 70
566,435 02
655,128 73
682,312 86
717,978 18
601,183 49
,588,056 67
633,519 96
666,864 68
760,029 82
714,390 60
751,928 53
688,036 70
740,440 31
726,373 83
767,471 96
797,645 87
753,748 15
741,3.57 26
738,695 71
652,550 82
616,321 97
711,737 68
561,137 84
590,271 91
606,672 35
572,113 73
699,513 23
674,205 79
605,042 94
833,381 86
680,830 04
786,011 30
758,200 14
809,442 12
903,398 97
871,839 95
1,012,161 13
987,784 96

10,406
9,301
8,732
8,848
7,961
5,860
6,676

88
36
45
62
86
88
63

085
284
2
I
893
698
115
520
170
961
750
914
674
751
.575
279
178
674
970
368
294
237

73
33
53
51
64
42
87
48
23
46
62
72
73
43
15
29
94
73
49
13
07
83

58,484 75
.57,436 83
39,001 20
40,722 00
39,644 00
33,905 13
33,317 62
33,177 62
32,564 47
31,340 35

Amount.

|5,492 93
5,46L 93

5,159 93

234 $2,805,316 28
239
2,646,326 51
2,704,306 23
227
2,739,371 87
229
2,792,880 32
233
2,987,065 45
234

250
252
186
126
251
248
266
4,890 34
257
4,689 34
238
5,391 34
286
5,190 34
287
5,389 34
290
5,292 88
280
4,729 38
294
6,429 38
296
5,929 58
300
2,429 38
303
8,063 38
306
3 7,418 98 303
299
287
310
2 2,975 29
1 . 752 84 262
301
452 84 308
1
304
305
2 8,295 31
319
2 7,562 81
275
280
6,008 81
324
,5,848 81
329
2,015 00
333
1,015 00
332
765 00 338
315
765 00 339
765 00 337
625 00 338
500 00 337
346
500 00 294
500 00 274
500 00 305
293
199
5,616 96
5,341 04
3,500 00
5,341 04
5,190 34

T h e blanks contained in the above table imply that the returns are defective.




2,774,239 88
2,788,638 74
2,280,871 20
1,396,407 .52
3,254,256 76
3,021,741 31
3,235,452 36
3,094,514 16
2,810,859 82
2,942,830 84
3,535,893 81
3,862,679 86
3,8.57,624 26
3,785, .551 23
3,551,233 00
4.033.154 65
4,470,158 02
3,960,941 37
4.019,827 60
4,142,600 91
4,072,755 78
4,050,790 01
3,114,478 79
3,738,002 23
4,413.807 07
4,219;095 09
3,956,769 67
4,787,362 44
3,883,302 68
4,846,727 32
4,657,690 00
4,726,717 21
5,297,398 96
5,342,166 36
5,109,047 69
5,13.3,511 23
4,818,216 22
5,067,209 56
5.044,499 06
4;983.333 07
4,780;822 16
3,951,451 83
4.067.155 40
4.019,481 11
3; 773,235 17
2,225,136 07

216

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 52.
OFFICE OF CONSTRUCTION^

Treasury Department, November 9, 1855.
. SIR : I have the honor to submit a report of the operations on the
various public buildings in the course of erection, under the direction
of the Treasury Department, the general superintendence of which
has been placed under my charge.
The total number of buildings for which appropriations were made
during the last session of Congress, or for which unexpended balances
existed from former appropriations, is as follows :
Custom-houses, court-houses, and post offices
•.
.:.... 38
Appraisers' stores
1
Marine hospitals
21
Mints and branches
3
Territorial public buildings, (capitols and penitentiaries)
4
Extension of treasury.
1
Kepairs of treasury building
1
Kepairs of custom-houses
15
Total..

'.

84

The total amount available for the prosecution ofthese
works, on the 30th September, 1854, was
|5,210,763 92
Amount appropriated last session
1,817,011 09
Available for the year 1854-^55
Amount expended from September 30, 1854, to September 30, 1855
Amount in treasury on 30th September, 1855, applicable to these buildings

1,^21,1% 01
1,974,609 47
5,053,165 54

Included in the above disbursements is the sum, of
expended for sites of custom-houses and marine hospitals
within the year.
The number of new buildings for which appropriations
during the last session of Congress, for which no previous
tion had been made, is as follows :
Custom-houses
Marine hospitals
Treasury extension
Kepairs treasury building.
Kepairs o f mints
abtal

$321,600,
purchased
were made
appropria6
3
1
1
3
_14

The gross amount appropriated for these purposes during the last
session of Congress, is $1,839,961 09.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.

217

During the year ending on the 30th September last, contracts were
made for commencing new buildings at the following places :
Custom-houses.—Bangor, Me., approaches to ; Portland, Me.; Waldoboro^ Me. ; Providence, K. I. ; Kichmond, Ya. ; Belfast, Me. ;
Oswego, N. Y, ; Buffalo, N . Y . ; Gloucester, Mass.; Burlington, Yt.;
New Haven, Ct. ; Newark, N. J„ ; Barnstable, Mass.
Marine liospitals.—Yicksburg, Miss. ; Portland, Me. ; Chelsea,
Mass. ; Detroit, Mich.
Treasury extension.—Yentilating treasury building.
Sites have been purchased during the past year for buildings at the
following places :
Custom-houses, &c.
Ellsworth, Me., at a cost of.
Belfast, Me
Gloucester, Mass
Barnstable, Mass
Providence, K. 1
Bristol, K. 1
New Haven, Conn
Newark, N. J
Buffalo, N . Y
'
Oswego, N. Y
Burlington, Yt
Toledo, Ohio
Sandusky, Ohio
Chicago, 111
:
Milwaukie, Wis
Wheeling, Ya
Petersburg, Ya
Galveston, Texas
Pensacola, Fla., government property.
Plattsburg, N. Y

$3,000
3,800
7,500
1,500
40,000
4,400
25,000
50,000
40,000
12,000
7,750
12,000
11,000
26,600
12,200
20,500
15,000
6,000

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

5,600 00
304,350 00

Marine hospitals.
New Orleans, La
St. Mark's, Fla., government property.
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington, Yt
Chelsea, Mass., government property.

$12,000 00
3,500 00
1,750 00
17,250 00

i

There remain still to be selected, sites for the marine hospitals at
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pensacola, Galena, 111., and Wilmington,
N. C.




218

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Much difficulty has been encountered in the selection of a site for
the marine hospital at Cincinnati. Those sites offered in the city,
which were deemed suitable, and at prices within reach of the appropriation, were objected to by the property owners in the vicinity,
on the ground that the location of a hospital so near them would impair the value of their property. In looking beyond the immediate
limits of the city, rugged hills were encountered, extending to a distance which forbid a selection, on account of the remoteness of these
sites from the landing. The time has, however, not been lost, as the
purchase could not have been consummated if a satisfactory site had
been found, until jurisdiction is ceded by the State, which holds its
first session, since the appropriation was made, this winter, by which
time, it is hoped, a site without objection will be found. For the
reason last stated, no time has been lost at Cleveland, where the location of the city on two sides of the Cayuhoga river has rendered the
selection, which should accommodate both sides, a matter of considerable difficulty.
The delay in the selection at Pensacola has been occasioned by the
unreasonable prices demanded for all property offered.
The site at Alexandria will be selected in time for the action of the
legislature of Yirginia at its session this winter.
Sites in the vicinity of Wilmington, N. C , have been examined;
but as the legislature of North Carolina does not convene again for
more than a year, any further present action was not deemed necessary.
With, the exception of the custom-houses at New Orleans and
Charleston, the extension of the treasury building, the repairs of
the mint at Philadelphia, public buildings in Minnesota and Santa
Fe, all ofthe buildings being erected under the Treasury Department
are done by contract. From personal inspection of most of these
buildings, I have the gratification to report that the work is being
done in a substantial manner and of the best material that could be
procured. The use of wrought-iron, whenever it can be made to take
the place of wood or cast-iron, which was first adopted by the department on the assay building at New York, has been extended to all the
works now in progress, and each day's experience in its use serves to
simplify its application to building purposes, and to enlarge the
sphere of its usefulness. Beams, girders, window-sash and shutters,
sash-cord, doors, &c. &c., are now made of wrought-iron, and at a cost
comparatively small over the cost of the same articles of wood and
cast-iron, . The rolled beams thus far used in these public buildings
have been limited to seven and a half inches in height. Kolls are in
preparation, and are expected to be in full operation by the 1st January, 1856, for producing twelve-inch beams. As the strength of beams
of equal sections and lengths is in proportion to the cube of their
depth, this addition of four and a half inches will so far increase the
strength of the new beam as to permit its substitution for the more
expensive hollow girders now used.
After another year's trial, I have the satisfaction to report that the
system of accountability adopted by the department in the regulations
for the government of those superintending these buildings, works




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

219

well; and now that it is understood b y t h e superintending agents,
gives general satisfaction to them. I have also to report that the
accounts are rendered promptly, and (except in some few cases, on
works just commenced) correctly.
The system of accountability for property purchased for the use of
the several works, also works well. The agents of the department
in charge of the buildings which I have visited, seem to feel that
they are expected to devote themselves to this duty alone, and it is
gratifying to be able to state that they have discharged their trust
with fidelity and skill.
Bangor, Me., custom-house.—The custom-house at Bangor was
turned over to the officers who are to occupy it on the Slst of October, 1855. The unfinished approach to the building was put under
contract to Albert Blaisdell, on the 5th day of March, 1855, for the
sum of $15,600. One of the approaches was previously finished,
and the present one will be finished by the 15th of November. The
. work on the building is well executed, and the materials good.
Totalamount appropriated....
$100,000 00
Expended to September 30, 1855
97,242 17
Balance available for current year

2,757 83

Belfast, M c , custom-house.—The amount appropriated for the work
was $20,000, and ten per cent, for contigencies. Lot purchased for
$3,800. Contracts closed with Isaac Allard on the 30th day of May,
1855. Work commenced June 5; all the materials on hand. Work
raised to belting-course, above first floor ; will be completed by SOth
June, 1856.
Amount appropriated, including contingencies
$22,000 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855
10,150 03
Balance available

11,849 97

Bath, Me., custom-house.—The work on this building was suspended
in December, 1854, to await the action of Congress on a proposed
change in the plan. This change having been authorized, a supplementary contract was made, and the work resumed as soon as the
season permitted, and has been prosecuted as rapidly as possible since.
The exterior and cross walls are raised to the second-story floor; iron
antse and arches up. The work will be continued without abatement
as long as the season will permit. During the winter the stones for
the exterior walls will be cut, and the carpenters' work prepared for
being put up in the spring. It is expected that the whole will be
completed by the time specified in the contract, viz: SOth of June,
1857.
Total amount appropriated to September 30, 1855
$68,000 00
Expended to September 30, 1855...
33,953 01
Balance available for current year

i




34,046 99

220

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Portland, Me., custom-house.—Contracts and bonds for the completion of the entire building were executed on the 25th April, 1855,
The foundation was commenced in May; and the cellar-walls, windows, area-walls, piers for girders, &c., were completed in September; the underpinning ofthe rear and two sides set, and a few pieces
of ashlar set. The chimneys and hot-air flues are commenced.
During the winter the stones for the exterior will be cut, and every
preparation made for an early beginning in the spring, and it is
expected that the whole will be done by the time named in the contract, viz: Slst October, 1856.
Totalamount appropriated...
$200,000 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855
26,182 27
Balance available for current year

173,817 73

The amount applicable to this work will be sufficient to complete it.
Waldoboro, Me.—The work on this building was commenced on •
24th of April last. The walls are finished to their full height. The
roof would have been completed before the end of September, but for
some delay in receiving the galvanized iron covering. The whole
building, it is expected, willbe completed and ready for occupancy by
the 1st of January, 1856. There will still be an enclosing fence and
some grading to be done, which will be completed by the 1st of June,
1856.
Totalamount appropriated
$25,000 00
Expended during the year
9,379 33
Balance available for current year

15,620 67

The amount is sufficient to complete the work.
Ellsworth, Me., custom-house.—A site was purchased for the sum of
$3,000; and on the 28th day of June proposals were invited for the
erection of the custom-house at Ellsworth, Maine, and on the 16th of
October, 1855, the contract was awarded to Isaac Allard, at the sum
of $9,200, the whole to be completed by the 1st December, 1856.
From the advanced state of the season, but little will be done this
fall beyond making preparation, by the collection of materials, &c.,
for commencing early in the spring.
Total appropriation...
$11,000 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855
798 58
Balance available

10,201 42

Gloucester, Mass.—A site was purchased for $7,500, and a contract
for the erection of a custom-house at Gloucester, Massachusetts, was
awarded, on the 8th September, to Caleb Crosby & Co. for the sumof
$26,596 70, the building to be completed on or before the 1st day of
March, 1857. The season was so far advanced before the contract
was declared, that but little can be done this fall beyond the excavation of the foundation and the collection of materials.




!

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Total amount appropriated
Expended to SOth September, 1855

-.

221

$44,000. 00
3,644 42

I

Balance available for current year.

40,355 58

Barnstable, Mass.—A site was purchased for the sum of $1,500,
and contracts for the construction of the custom-house at Barnstable
for $17,250} awarded to Messrs. Koberts, Adams & Jacobs, who commenced thej work in August. The excavations of the cellar are completed, and a portion of the masonry of the cellar wall is finished, and
it is expected to get the exterior walls up, and covered in, before thesetting in qf winter.
Total amount of appropriation
$22,000 00
Expended l!o September 30, 1855
1,606 57
.Balance available for current year

20,393 43

Providence, R. I.—Contracts for the custom-house, post office,
and court-r|Ooms, at Providence, were declared on the 28th of May,
1855, and the work was commenced at as early a day thereafter as
practicable.! Piles for the foundation had been purchased before the
contracts were closed and the old buildings sold. The piles are- driven
and the foundations laid. The cellar walls are carried up from three
to nine feet J A drain from the cellar to the river has been completed.
The coffer dam is finished on three sides, and partly done on the remaining one. An artesian well is in progress for the use of the
building. The walls will be ready to receive the flooring of the first
fioor this fall, and unless delayed by some unavoidable circumstance the
whole structure will be completed by the time specified in the contract, viz: i t h March, 1857.
Total amount appropriated
\
$250,000 00
Amount expended during the year
44,213 70
Balance available for the current year

205,786 30

Bristol, i^. I.—A site has been selected for a custom-house at
Bristol, Khode Island, at $4,400, and contracts will be entered into
for the erection of the building as soon as the title papers are complete.
!
Appropriation now available
$13,750 00
New Havfn, Conn.—After the purchase of a site for the customhouse in New Haven, for the sum of $25,500, some delay occurred in
contracting,for the building in consequence of the bids exceeding the
amount of the appropriation. The contract was finally awarded to
J . J . Atmoije & Co. for the sum of $88,000; the whole to be completed by the 1st day of March, 1857. In consequence of the delay
above referied to, little will be done this season beyond the collection
of materials and the preparation of such work as can be done within
doors. Thei contractor will be ready to commence operations within
the opening |of the spring.




222

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Total amount appropriated
Expended to September 30, 1855

,

Balance available for the current year

$96,800 00
6,342 61
90,457 39

Burlington, Vt.—A site has been purchased for the custom-house
at Burlington, Yermont, for the sum of $7,750, and on the SOth day
of September, 1855, a contract for the whole building was signed by
Lyman P . White for the sum of $28,238 40. The work was immediately commenced, and it is expected that the cellar walls and drains
will be finished this season.
Total appropriation
$44,000 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855
3,823 65
Balance available for current year

40,176 35

Plattsburg, N. Y., custom-house.—A site has been selected for the
custom-house at Plattsburg, at $5,600. So soon as the title papers
are complete, proposals will be invited for erecting the building.
Oswego, New York.—A site for the custom-house at Oswego having
been purchased for the sum of $12,000, contracts were made for the
whole building withi Edwin B. Soule, for the sum of $77,255, the
work to be completed by the first day of February, 1857.
The contractor entered with as little delay as possible upon his
v,^ork, and it is expected that the foundation will be up to the level of
the ground before the termination of the working season.
Total amount appropriated
$96,800 00
Amount expended to September 30, 1855
6,304 73
Balance available for current year

;

90,495 27

Bufficdo custom-house.-—The amount appropriated for the entire
building was $96,800. A site was purchased on the 26th day of
January, 1855, for the sum of $40,000. The contract was awarded
on the 25th day of July, 1855, to 0 . B, & 0 . S. Latham, to be completed by the 1st day of March, 1857.
On the 9th of August the work was commenced. The excavation
of the cellar has been completed, the foundation constructed, and a
large supply of materials has been collected. The balance remaining
in the treasury applicable to this work is $84,202, exclusive of the
$8,800 appropriated for contingent expenses. Amount in the hands
of the disbursing agent is $3,798.
There was some apprehension on the score of the foundations, but,
upon excavating, the bottom was found to be hard clay, and I am
quite satisfied ot its stability. The building will probably be finished
before the time called for in the contract.
Total amount appropriated
$96,800 00
Expended to September 30, 1855
» 10,544 78
Available for current year




86,255 22

J

;.

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

223

I
Newark, New Jersey.—A site has been purchased for the sum ot
$50,000, and contracts entered into for the erection of a custom-house
at Newart, New Jersey. The contracts were signed on the 10th and
18th days of August, 1855, for the gross sum of $75,984 71, and the
contractoijs proceeded at once to make preparation for commencing.
The old buildings have been removed, the excavation commenced,
stone receivecl, and the work will progress rapidly until stopped by
cold weather.
Total app'ropriation
:
$96,800 00
Amount Expended to September 30, 1855
6,369 39
Balance available for current year

90,430 61

Wilmington, Delaware, custom-house—Granite.—The amount apr
propriated was $60,500. Site purchased for the sum of $3,500. Contracts entered into on the 4th day of August, 1853, with Wm. Graves,
for the suin of $25,184. The work was commenced soon after. The
building will be completed and ready for occupancy in the month ol
November. Some outside work, flagging, fencing, gateways, &c.,
remain td be done, but will, in all probability, be completed before
the 1st ofi January next.
Total appropriation
$40,500 00
Expended to September 30, 1855
30,501 67
Balance available...

I

9,998 S3

Richmond, Va., custom-house—granite.—The amount appropriated
for the custom-house, &c., was $250,000. Site purchased at $61,000.
Contracts I for excavation closed on 5th April, 1855, with Davis &
Green. On the l l t h June contracts were closed with J . A. Hill for
the culverts. On the l l t h of July contracts for the superstructure
were awarded to the lowest bidders, J . J . Atmore & Co., for the sum
of $110,000. The v/ork is progressing with energy, and is done in a
manner creditable to the contractors. The amount available for this
work, after the purchase of site, and contingent expenses connected
with the jpurchase, was $189,060 09 ; expended to SOth September,
$16,116 4 7 ; leaving available for the completion of the building
$172,808 153, an amount-sufficient to complete the building in the
best manner.
Norfolk custom-house.—The operations progressed rapidly on the
new custom-house at Norfolk from the time of the last annual report
till the appearance of the yellow fever suspended the work entirely.
Most of the contractors and laborers who remained were attacked by
the disease, and one contractor and a large number of hands died.
This will jretard the progress of the building in greater proportion
than the | amount of time during which it was suspended in consequence of the dispersion and death of the master-workmen and
laborers, who were familiar with every part of the structpre.
The stone work of the building is set, and backed up two courses
above the belt course ; the stone columns for vestibule of post office
are cut, setup, and finished. The groined arches are nearly finished.

i


I


224

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The cast-iron columns for the basement story are set. The wroughtiron beams and girders are set, and the segmental arches will be
finished next week, as the work on the building has been resumed.
Total amount of appropriation
$130,000 00
Amount expended to SOth September, 1855
95,261 28
Balance available for current year

34,738 72

Petersburg, Wheeling, and Alexandria.—No contracts can be made
for the erection of the custom-houses at the above points until after
jurisdiction and exemption from taxation is ceded by the State in
which they are situated. A site has been selected at Petersburg for
$15,000, and at Wheeling for $20,500.
Charleston, S. C—The new custom-house at Charleston, South
Carolina, has been advancing during the past year in a satisfactory
manner. The basement, which is of cut granite, is completed to the
belt course, with some unimportant exceptions. The material is
beautiful and durable, and the workmanship of the best description.
Altogether, it presents a very imposing appearance. The marble for
the superstructure is being prepared, and a portion of it has already
been delivered. The foundation of the front portico was retarded by
a building which was on the ground it was to occupy ; it has been
completed during the year, and the buildings removed.
Total amount of appropriation
$1,153,000 00
Amount expended to SOth September, 1855

695,408 49

Amount available SOth September, 1855

457,591 51

Estimated amount required for the year ending June
SO, 1857
$300,000 00
Mobile custom-house.—During the year ending September 30,
1855, the stone skewbacks to support the cast-iron columns of the
interior have been set, and the iron tie-rods, connecting the inverted
arches of the foundations, have been securely placed. The cut granite
of the exterior walls has been laid to include the door and window
caps of the basement story. The brick-work backing has been raised
to the same height, and the interior partition walls are generally but
five bricks lower.
The cast-iron window frames, the columns, and a n t ^ of that story,
are in place.
The progress of the work has been retarded in consequence of a
want of granite, which could not be furnished in season, under the
appropriation ofMarch 3, 1855.
Some stone has lately been delivered under the contract made effective by the appropriation, and it is hoped that the building will be
finished by the 1st of March, 1857. The sum available is sufficient
to complete the work.




i

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

226

Total amount appropriated
Amount exjlended to September 30, 1855
Amount available to September 30, 1855

$360,000 00
113,548 25
;

246,481 75

Pensacolai, Fla.—Proposals were invited for the construction of a
custom-housb, on a lot of land belonging to the United States, in the
city of Pensacola, and satisfactory bids have been received. The contract has been awarded to 0 . M. Avery, for $23,508 72, and the
building will be commenced without delay.
Total appropriation
$38,500 00
Available fo'r current year

38,500 00

New Orleans custom-house.—Since the last annual report, the
progress of ithis work has been as rapid as was practicable. Some
delay has n'ecessarily occurred in the prosecution of this work, in
consequence of the change of plan of the upper story and roof. A
joint resolution of the last Congress gave authority to substitute iron
beams and segmental brick arches for the groined arches of the original plan, and a metallic roof in place of proposed marble one.
On the 9thj February last, the superintendent was directed accordingly. These changes cannot fail to prove advantageous in relieving
the overburdened foundations of an enormous additional weight,
which would have been imposed upon them, had the groined arches
and marble' roof been retained. Much delay has ensued in the progress of the work from the inadequate supply of marble furnished by
the contractors. The work done during the year ending is as follows :
the. second tier of groined arches were completed ; the masonry ofthe
third story,! consisting of piers and arched openings, up to third tier of
groined arches ; the granite of the exterior walls and its backing of
brick going! up steadily, and as nearly as possible in horizontal layers
to prevent unequal pressure on the foundations. The tendency of the
walls to bulge out has not yet ceased ; ties of iron rope have been put
in requisition to resist it. The greatest subsidence of the walls since
last December amounts to more than 4 inches. The rate of sinking
compared with the previous year is decreasing.
The total amount of subsidence since the first accurate observations
on the subject, February 28, 1854, is 12/Q\- inches.
The decrease in the ratio of settlement above referred to ma'y be
attributed to the removal of the heavy groined arches of the upper
story, and to the limited amount of weight added to the walls since
the previou's observation, December 6, 1854.
Total amount of appropriation
$2,075,258 00
Amount exlpended to SOth Septeniber, 1855
1,609,622 57
Balance available for the current year
Amount of'estimate for the year ending June 30,1857o

il5

i




465,635 43
$300,000 00

226

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

New custom-house, St. Louis, Missouri.—During the past year, the
piling of the foundation has been finished; excavations called for in
contract, and rendered necessary by slides, have been completed; the
filling and ramming is done as far as the stone-masonry extends.
The area-walls are finished, with some unimportant exceptions. The
entire brick-work, piers, arches and walls, to the level ofthe entrance
story, are u p ; the groined arches completed, and a portion of the
pugging done; the sleepers of the basement floor put down; the
cut-stone work has been completed to the under-side of the basement
cornice, and the cornice prepared. Over nine hundred feet of ashlar
are ready for setting; seventy-two feet of'cornice, for entrance-story;
all the carved window-trusses for entrance-story; twenty-four antae
bases of second story, and six ofthe pedimented window-caps, for the
same story, are ready. All the cast-iron work of the cellar and basement,
and twelve cast-iron columns for the middle story, are completed.
Total amount appropriated
$327,000 00
Expended to September 30, 1855....,,
142,657 63
Balance available for current year

184,342 37

Jjouisville custom-house.—On the SOth September, 1854, foundation,
^cellar, walls, and arches, for first floor, were finished. During the
ij)Rst year, the stone on two more fronts has been carried up nearly two
^stories, or about thirty-nine feet. The stone door-jambs are all made
.-and set; all the stone window-frames finished, ready for setting; and the
work on the third story window-frames about one-third done. Ashlar enough is received to carry this building twelve feet higher. The
fhrick backing is carried up as high as the stone-work, and the parti<i:ion-wall to the height of twenty-three feet.
The wrought-iron girders, joists, and safes, and the cast-iron colivumns and girders, are finished, and fbr the first and second stories
put into their places. The iron sash and doors are about one-third
..finished. The tin lining of the hot-air flues is done.
"Total amount of appropriation......
$218,745 00
Amount expended to SOth.September, 1855
o
109,059 40
^Balance available for current year

109,685 60

Cincinnati custom-house.—At the time of the last annual report,
the exterior walls of the new custom-house at Cincinnati were raised
to the height of .fourteen feet above the basement cornice. The exterior.
^walls have been completed during the past year, and the roof will
probably be completed in October. The whole building will be finished
within the time specified in the contract, viz: first December, 1856.
The stone used in the exterior walls of this building is sightly, and
admits" of a high degree oi finish ; but, like the stone generally, from
the quarries on the Ohio river, it is not of the most durable kind.
Total amount of appropriation
$252,755 00
Amount expended to 30th September, 1855
178,818 65
Balance available for currentyear




,.

73,936 35

I

I

•

REP'bRT ON THE FINANCES.

• I

•

^

^

227
S

Custom-houses at Sandusky cmd Toledo.—The sites of these buildings
have been selected, and contracts for their construction were awarded
on the SOth October, 1855.
No further steps can be taken in the matter, until jurisdiction and
exemption from taxation shall have been ceded by the legislature of
the State of Obio.
Sandusky, Ohio.—Total amoiint appropriated
$44,000 00
Expended to September 30, 1855...
3,358 50
Available....
Toledo, Ohio.—Total amount appropriated
Expended to September 30
Available

\..

40,641 50
44,000 00
3,898 63
40,101 37

Detroit custom-house.—The purchase of a site at Detroit was, by act
of Congress, made contingent upon the sale of the two lots belonging
to the Ilnited States in that city. Not being able to sell them at private sale for what they were believed to be worth, it was thought advisable to offer them at auction, with instructions to stop the sale if
they did not command the amount they were believed to be worth.
They were sold under these conditions, and at prices exceeding the
limit assigned.
iz^..
A suitable site has been selected, and as soon, as title is made, so
much of the proceeds of the government lots sold as may be required
to pay for the new site will be applied to this object, and contracts
immediately made for the erection of the building.
Total appropriation
$96,800 00 ^
Expended to September 30, 1855.
8,307 67
Balance ayailable

88,492 33

Chicago custom-house.—A site was purchased fora custom-house at
Chicago for the sum of $2fe,600. Proposals for contracts for the erection of the building were issued March 15, and on the SOth day of
May the contracts were declared to John Kuger, of Chicago, Illinois.
From some cause not satisfactorily explained, the contractor failed
to,come forward to sign the contracts.
On the 25th day of October the contract was given at the bid of the
defaulting contractor to C. A. Jones, who will proceed at once with
preparations for commencing the work as early as the season will
permit. In anticipation of the closing of the navigation of the lakes,
iron beams and girders for the floors were ordered, and are ready as
soon as the work shall require them.
Total appropriation
$96,800 00
Expended to September 30, 1855...
6,481 G3
Balance available

90,318 37

Milwaukie, Wisconsin, custom-house.—-A. site was purchased fox a

i




228

' .

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

a
custom-house at Milwaukie for the sum of |12,200. In March proposals were invited for erecting the custom-house, and in May following
the bids were opened and the contract was declared to M, E. Shinn, of
Milwaukie, The contracts were sent on for signature, but, from some
cause or other, the contractor hesitated to execute them. On the 25tli
of October the work was givento C. A. Jones, at the price named by
the defaulting contractor.
The work will be commenced as early in the spring as the weather
will permit. The iron beams and girders for the floors of the building have been purchased, and the doors, windows, iron roof, &c., will
be prepared during the winter.
Total appropriation
$96,800 00
Expended to September-30, 1855
4,990 39
Balance available for the current year...

,

91,809 61

San Francisco custom-house.—On the SOth September, 1854, the
piling of the site of the San Francisco custom-house and the grillage
for running the walls were finished. Since that time the building has
advanced rapidly, and the entire building will be ready for occupancy
by the 21st October, 1855.
Totalamount of appropriation...
,
$866,271 09
Expended to September SO, 1855,
847,101 08
Available for current year...

- 19,170 01

Portland marine-hospital.—This building was commenced on the
25th April, 1855. The masonry is finished to the top of the first
story, and the masonry of the central parts finished,
front of the second story and.cornice completed. The cisterns are
done and the excavations for drains commenced; window-frames of
the first story and two-thirds of the second are set; the iron floorbeams have been laid as far as the masonry would permit. The brick
floor arches have not been turned. This work was deferred until the
building could be put under roof, which it is expected will be completed by the 15th November. The roof-floor arches will be turned
as soon as the walls are high enough. After the roof is on, the contractors will be able to go on with their work during the winter,
and unless something unforeseen occurs, the whole will be finished
by the time specified in the contract, viz : August 31, 1856.
Total amount of appropriation
$68,863 00
Expended during the year
i
24,964 67
Balance available for current year

43,898 33

This amount will complete the work,
Chelsea, Mass., marine liospitcd.—A site for the hospital at Chelsea, Mass., was set off fromlands belonging to the Navy Department.
The act of Congress authorizing the erection of this building, also
gives authority to sell the old hospital and the ten acres of ground
upon which it stands, and apply the proceeds to the erection of the
new building. The proceeds of this sale it is believed will be ample



REPOET ON THE FINANCES.

229

to complete the building and make all necessary improvements of the
ground. On th€ 9th day of August a contract was given to Blaisdell
^and Emerson for-the whole building at $114,770, the entire work to,
be completed on or before the 3d of March, 1857. The work was
commenced without delay afterthe contracts were signed. The cellar
is excavated, and the masonry vs^ill probably be raised to the level of
the first floor this fall, and every necessary preparation will be made
this winter for pushing the work rapidly in the spring.
Amount available July 1, 1855
.'. $150,000 00
Amount expended to September 30, 1856
11,961 05
Balance available September 30, 1855...

138,038 95

Burlington, Vt., marine hospital.—A site containing ten acres, for
the Burlington, Yt., marine hospital, was selected on the 19th day
of September, 1855, forthe sum of $1,750. It is situated on a gentle
elevation, about a mile from the city, and commands a flne view of
the town, lake, and surrounding mountains. As the abstract of title
has not yet been received, no steps have been taken towards making
a contract for the building. As soon as the purchase is completed,
proposals will be invited for the erection of the building.
Total amount appropriated
$38,500 00
Expended to September 30, 1855
Balance available for current year

38,500 00

. St. Mark's, F l a . — A site was selected for this hospital from government lands, and proposals were invited for erecting the building.
No offer has yet been received that comes within the amount appropriated, viz: $5,000. In compliance with the requirements of the
law, the subject is referred back to Congress.
New Orleans marine hospital.—From the great length of'the pity
of New Orleans along the river, much inconvenience and delay were
occasioned in the selection ofa site for the marine hospital that should
he sufficiently central to the shipping. A selection was finally made
of the square bounded by Common, Gravier, Broad, and White streets,
which was offered and accepted for the sum of $12,000.
Common street is broad, covered with shells, and leads directly to
the custom-house, where applicants for admittance to the hospital receive their perniission to enter. It is central and on the same street
with the charity hospital and the hospital ofthe Sisters of Mercy, and
has the very great advantage of being within reach of the city waterworks; with small expense, gas can be introduced.
Plans of the building have been prepared, and contracts will be
made, so that the building will be commenced this winter, and coinpleted as early as possible.
,
Total amount appropriated..
$272,800 00
Expended to September 30, 1855..
12,403 49
Balance available for the current year........

I




260,396 51

230

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Vicksburg marine hospital.—-The amount appropriated fox.the erection ofa marine hospital at Yicksburg was $60,000; ofwhich $7,500
were paid for the site, leaving applicable to the construction of the
building the sum of $52,500. On the 25th day of April, 1855, a contract for the entire building was awarded to Theodore Adams, requiring the work to be completed Slst July, 1856, and the contractor proceeded at once with his preparations for the work. The grading was
completed, and a large amount of materials were colleeted, when all
operations were suspended by the appearance of yellow fever. The
work was still suspended on the 30th September, but would be resumed as soon^ as the disease should disappear. The building will
probably be finished by tbe time specified in the contract.
Total amount appropriated
'!. $60,000 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855......
17,753 00
Balance available

42,247-00

Natchez, 3Iiss.—The repairs ofthe marine hospital at Natchez have
been completed. In putting on the slate roof it was found that the
pitch was not sufficient, and that it vrould require to be raised. A
small appropriation will be required for this purpose, for which an
estimate will be handed in.
St. Louis, Mo., marine hospital.—The marinehospital at St. Louis
has been finished during the past year, and turned over to the collector
for occupancy.
There still remains some work to be done to render the building
complete. The front of the building has^no'fence at all, and that
which encloses the grounds in the rear is old and insecure. The surface
of the ground in the back, part of the lot is broken by several holes and
ravines. These should be filled. An estimate of the cost of executing these improvements will be prepared and submitted.
Total amount appropriated.....
,
,...
$92,274 00
Expended to SOth September, 1855..
:
85,484 00
Available SOth September, 1855

6,790 00

Expended during the year 1855

6,790 00

Louisville, Ky., marine hospital.—The appropriation for the repairs
of this building, and for enclosing the front part of the lands, grading, draining, &c., has been nearly all expended, and the work is
completed.
Total amount of appropriation
_
$62,500 33
Expended to SOth September, 1855......
61,939 15
Balance available

561 18

Evansville, Lid.—The amount appropriated for this building and
the purchase of site was $47,000. Six thousand dollars were paid for
the site, leaving available $41,000. Contracts, for erecting the build-




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

231

ing were awarded 1st day of June, 1853, for the sum of $40,000.
Total expenditures under the contract as follows:
Amount of contract to September 30, 1855
$30,458 68
Contingent expenses to date
—
3,008 05
In treasury, and inthe hands of disbursing agent
Leaving an available balance of.

,

33,466 73
7,533 27

There will be due the contractor, when the work is completed, 'the
sum of $9,541 32.
.
'
.^
Allowing for the ordinary current expenses, there will
be required to finish the work the suni of
$11,875 00
Deducting the amount on hand
,.
7,533 27
Leaves the amount required to be appropriated...........

4,341 73

The necessity of appointing a local superintendent and disbursing
agent, accounts for the deficiency in the appropriation already made.
The building is nearly completed, and will probably be finished in
May, 1856. The work is done in a substantial manner, and the building presents a fine appearance from the city and river.
Cleveland, Ohio, marine liospital.—An appropriation of $25,000
was made by Congress in 1854 for completing the marine hospital at
. Cleveland. A contract for doing the work was made the 15th day of
January, 1855, and the work was at once commenced, and is now
drawing rapidly to a conclusion. The stone and brick masonry are
completed, roof tinned and painted, plumber's, carpenter's, and
painter's work nearly finished. The iron fence and the grading are
both well advanced. There is every probability that the whole will
be finished by the time specified in the contract, viz: Slst December,
1855. . The work is well done".
Amount available September SO, 1854
$24,870 96
Expended to SOth September, 1855
12,624 00
Available.

,

12,246 96

Detroit m.arine hospital.—The site, containing 7f § acres, for this
building, v/as purchased on the 19th day of March for the sum of
$23,000, and contracts for the erection of the whole building were
awarded, on the 18th day of July, 1855, to Isaac W. Ingersoll .and
Joseph Granger for the sum of $54,637 12, the whole to be comiileted on or beforethe Slst day of December, 1856. .
The excavations of the cellar and trenches were commenced as soon
as practicable after the contract was signed. The masonry was begun
as soon as the trenches were ready, and will probably be carried as
high as the first floor this fall. Materials will be collected during
the fall and winter, and every necessary preparation made for prosecuting the work vigorously in the spring. . The iron beams for the
lower story are probably by this time on the site. The location of
t-his building is on the banks of the Detroit river^ about a mile and a




232

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

half from the centre of the city, and is a dry, healthy, and beautiful
spot.
Total amount appropriated
$82,500 OO
Expended to SOth September, 1855..
5,450 62
Balance available forthe currentyear

77,049. 38

Repairs of Chicago marine hospital.—The repairs of this building
were commenced in July, 1855, and have been .pushed forward as
rapidly as possible, and wiil probably be completed in November,
1855.
Total amount appropriated
$8,000 00
Amount expended to September 30, 1855.
......
26 00
Balance available for completing......

,

7,974 00'

Wilmington, N. C , Pensacola, F l a . , and Cincinnati, 0.—For reasons already stated no purchase of sites for the marine hospitals at
these points have been made.
Galena, I I I — T h e amount appropriated for the marine hospital at
Galena was found to 'be insufficient to purchase a site and erect a
suitable building ; and, as required by the law, the matter is referred
back to Congress.
Burlington, Iowa.—Two sites have at different times been selected
for the marine hospital at Burlington, and in both instances the
owners of the propierty have refused to convey at the prices first
named by them. The commissioners have been authorized to accept
another offer for an eligible site for $3,500. As soon as the title is
examined and the purchase completed, the building will be put under
contract.
Amount appropriated
.,
$16,500 00
Expended to 30th September, 1855..
106 85
16,393 15
Treasury extension.—An appropriation was made by the last Congress of $300,000 for an extension ofthe treasury building. The preparation of the details of the plan and other causes prevented the
commencement of the work until the July following. On the 16th
of that month the excavation of the cellar was commenced, and was
Gompleted on the 23d October. Stone for the foundation and cellar
walls was ordered on the 25th August. The concrete work was commenced on.the 4th day of October, and completed, with the exception
of a small quantity, on the 5th day of November, 1855. Total
amount of excavation, 10,879 yards. Total amount of concrete,
1,661 cubic yards. The stone work of basement was eommenced on
the 27th day of October. A contract for the cut-stone work of the
superstructure was awarded to Beales & Dixon, on the 10th October,
1855, the whole to be delivered ready to be put into the building on
or before the 1st day of October, 1857. These contractors have
already commenced the workj with a very large force j and^ from




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

233

facilities. possessed by their quarry for furnishing blocks of any
required dimensions, I feel great hopes that they will be able to fulfil
their contract at a much earlier day than the one stipulated. Should
the remainder of the season prove favorable for laying masonry, the
basement will probably be ready by the time the first shipments of
the granite for the superstructure are received. Arrangements are
nearly completed which will secure the setting of the cut stones as
fast'as they can be joiepared and forwarded from the quarry.
The present front of the treasury building is exceedingly defective
in architectural effect from its great length compared with its height,
and from the absence of any distinguishing object to indicate its
centre, and to afford an agreeable resting place for the eye of the
observer. When the two wings are added, this defect will be enhanced, as this prolongation of the front will increase the disproportion between the two principal dimensions. To remedy as far as
possible these defects, I beg leave respectfully to offer .the following
suggestions: To erect an attic over the main entrance of the present
building, to extend along the centre wing; to present on Fifteenth
street, and on the front next to the President's house, a pediment,
elevated twenty-one feet above those at the extremities of the two
fronts above named.
This arrangement will give a pyramidal outline to these fronts that
'will remedy the defects complained of; and, as it will retire seventeen feet from the face of the balustrade over the columns, the usual
objection to attics surmounting colonnades will be avoided.
The attic will furnish, what is so much needed, a depository for
files, records, &c,, now kept in a damp basement, subject to decay,
and liable to be abstracted for fraudulent purposes.
The defects of the present front would be fully remedied by a portico of eight columns, with pediment, &c., projecting twelve feet from
the present columns, and corresponding with the centre portions of the
centres ofthe north and south wings. This would, however, involve
the necessity of projecting the portico into the street, which would
be attended with difficulties which I think, however, could be overcome.
The walls of the proposed attic would spring from the walls of the
front and centre wing walls, and the floors rest on the groined arches
of the present attic rooms.
For continuing the treasury extension during the year
ending June 30, 1857, according to the plan adopted
by Congress, there will be required the sum of.
$400,000 00
Amount of appropriation of last year
Expended to SOth September, 1855
Balance available for current year
Lighting and ventilating upper story ofi
propriation of $24,600 was made b y t h e
and ventilating the upper story of the
giving additional security to the funds in




$300,000 00
4,219 87
295,780 13
Treasury building.—An aplast Congress for lighting
treasury building, and forthe hands of the Treasurer.

234

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Contracts have been made for both objects. The lighting and ventilating will probably be finished by the end of January, 1856. The
new vault will be so far completed by the 19th November as to be in
a condition to receive the funds of the department.
The appropriation is more than enough for the objects contemplated,
and it is desirable that the surplus should be allowed to be expended
for similar purposes iri the basement.
Total amount of appropriation
$24,600 00
Expended to 30th September, 1855
•....
680 15
Balance available

23,959 85

Philadelphia mint.—The condition of the mint was found, on inspection, to be such that it could no longer be left safely without-thorough repairs; the floors, window casings, and frames o f t h e roof
were of wood, much decayed, and liable to take fire. The vaults also
were insecure. An estimate of the amount required to make the
building fire-proof, and to give additional security to the vaults, was
asked of the last Congress, and an appropriation of $125,000 was
made for this purpose. After the removal of the machinery, the
work ofremoving floors, &c., was commenced on the 9th of July last.
On the 27th of the same month wrought-iron beams and brick arches
were commenced. The vaults were immediately provided with chilled
iron doors, and the most approved locks. Many of the partition
walls,and the furnaces were so far destroyed by acids that it was
found necessary to take them down. The doors and windows of the
lower story have been fitted with neat iron doors and window shutters. A corrugated galvanized iron roof, supported by an iron frame,
is now being put on, and iron sash and windows in lieu of the present wooden ones. The brick arches supporting the floors of the
second and third stories are nearly completed, and the plastering and
painting is about to be commenced, after v/hich the' machinery will be
replaced. The amount expended to the SOth September was $41,580
01, leaving an available balance of $83,419 99. This sum is ample
to complete thp repairs and alterations in the most substantial and
perfect manner.
The assay office at New York was completed and went into operation on the 9th of October, 1854, and is represented by its officers as
convenient and well arranged.
Branch mint at New Orleans.—Appropriations have been made,
amounting to $92,000, for taking down some of the walls of this
building, which lean so much as to be considered insecure. There
are other repairs rendered necessary from imperfect workmanship and
from natural decay of materials. This work will be commenced as
soon as the season advances so far as to render it safe for workmen to
go to the city.
Branch mint at Charlotte, N. C.—-An appropriation of $8,850 was
made for putting a new roof on the branch mint at Charlotte, North
Carolina, and for other necessary repairs.. A contract has been made
for this work, and the whole is expected to be completed by the 1st
February, 1856o '




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Total amount of appropriation.
Expended to SOth September, 1855..
Balance available

235

$8,850 00
20 00
8,830 00

Public buildings in Minnesota.—The last report from the superintendent of the public buildings in Minnesota indicates the completion
of the work at an early day. No further appropriation is probably
required, as no intimation to that effect has been received from the
superintendent.
Total amount of appropriation
$66,500'00
Expended to the SOth September, 1855
64,088 50
Balance available for current year

2,411 50

State-house and penitentiary, Santa F e , N. M.—The difficulty and
delay of making contracts for the public buildings at a point so remote as Santa Fe, New Mexico, se'emed to render it expedient that
the work be done by hired labor and open purchase. The general
superintendence^ of these buildings was given to his excellency D.
Meriwether. After selecting a suitable site the work was commenced,
and is now progressing satisfactorily.
Total amount appropriated
.'
$70,000 00
Amount expended.to September 30, 1855
31,750 0.0
Available for the current year

38,250 00

Penitentiary at Utah.—The appropriations for this building were
placed under the charge of A. W. Babbitt, Secretary of the Territory,
who was also requested to act as commissioner and disbursing agent,
and to see that the work was faithfully done. From his report the
work will be completed by the 15th of October. The work is. well
and faithfully done. There remains ofthe appropriation unexpended
$12,000. The superintendent recommends that this sum be expended
in covering the adobe \Yalls surrounding the building with stone coping, and to plastering the interior and exterior of the walls, to pro- ^
teet them from the weather. This suggestion I veiy respectfully
recommend be adopted. .
Total amount of appropriation
$45,000 00
Expended to last returns
33,000 00
Balance available

12,000 00 '

Appraisers'^ stores., San Francisco.—Contracts were entered into on
the 28th of June, 1855, for the entire materials and workmanship of
the appraisers' stores at San Francisco, at $53,500. This work was
commenced soon after the execution of the contract, and has. progressed rapidly, and will be finished by the time specified in the
contract, viz : March 1, 1856.
Pier No. 1, East river, in the city ofi New York, was repaired under a contract made with Mr. Andrew Clark, The work was thor


236

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

oughly done at an expense of $6,119. This amount was paid from
the ^^ appropriation to defray the expenses incidental to the collection
of the revenue."
I beg leave to invite the attention of the department to the subject'
of giving additional security to the numerous deposites of government
money in the custom-houses, mints, and post offices, now being constructed, as well as many already in use. To accomplish this object
I would respectfully recommend that, in addition to the most approved
vault, the funds should be placed in burglar-proof safes enclosed
within the vaults. Where granite can be had, and where the building will admit of its use, it is undoubtedly the material that should
form the walls of the vault. No passage through walls of granite blocks, well secured together, can be made without creating so
much noise as to alarm the guards ; and should .the guards prove unfaithful, still the operation of cutting through a granite block, sixteen
or eighteen inches thick, would occupy more time than these treasures
are usually left to the watchfulness of the guards only. Even if the
wall be. penetrated, there yet remains the safe to be broken before the
money can be secured. YV'hen bricks or softer stone than granite can
only be procured for the walls of the vault, it should be lined with
plates of chilled iron. A plan has been considered, and an estimate
of the probable cost of giving the additional security required in the
several buildings now in progress, and such as can be ascertained to
be deficient in this respect in other depositories, now in use, will be
made and submitted. .
,
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
A. H. BOWMAN,
EngineerAn charge, Treasury Department.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary ofi the Treasury.




Tabular statement ofi custom-houses, marine hospitals, and other buildings in charge ofi the Bureau ofi Construction nnder
the Treasury Department, exhibiting the date ofi purchase of site, cost of same, amount available September 30, 1854,
amount expended during the year, available fior the current year, date ofi contract, and completion ofi the work, and
contract price, &c.
Date of purchase of site.

Cost of
site.

Name of work.

Amount avail- Date of con- Contract price. Date of comAmount ex- Amount availtract.
pended during
able Sept. 30,
pletion.
• able. .
theyear ending
1854, and approSept. 30,1855.
priated since.
O

Custom-houses.
E l l s w o r t h . . . . . . . . . . . . Maine
Waldoboro'
do
Bath
do...
Portland
do.
BelJfast
do
Bangor
do
Burlington . . . 1
Vermont
Gloucester
Mass
B^arnstable
do
Providence
Rhode Island..
Biistol
„»--„.
do
New Haven
„...Connecticut..
Oswego
NewYork...
Buffalo
....do........
Plattsburg.. .
do
Newark
New Jersey..
Wilmington
Delaware...
Richmond
„ . . . . Virginia
Norfolk . _ - do
Petersburg
do
Alexandria
do
"V^Hieeling
...do
Charleston
„.»South Carolina.




April 11,1855.
$3, 000
Noy. 9, 1852..
2, 000
Feb. 7,1852.. . 15,000
July 5, 1849-. 149,000
Feb. 24, 1855.
3, 800June 5, I85I..
15,000
Dec. 4, 1854..
7,750
June 6, 1855..
7,500
April 24,1855.
1,500
Dec. 15,1854.
40,000
Sept. 13,18554,400
June 1, 1855..
25,500
Dec. 15, 1854.
12,000
Jan. 26, 1855.
40,000
May 30,1855..
Nov. 26, 1852,
Mar. 16, 1853.
Feb. 28, 1852.
July 12,1855..

50, 000
3,500
61,000
13, 000
35,000

Nov. 29, 1854.
July 10,1849..

20,500
130,000

$ n , 0 0 0 00
.22, 723 00
41,558 96
199,990 00
22,000 00
38,748 12
44,000 00
44,000 00
22,000 00
249,702 00
13,750 00
96,800 (to
96,800 00
96,800 00
55,000 00
96,800 00
24,916 46
188,9.25 00
101, 333 30
68,200 00
55,000 00
96,800 00
659.543 36

$798
7,102
7,511
26,182
10,150
35,590
. 3, 823
3, 644
1,606
43, 915

58
33
97
27
03
29
65
42
57
70

Oct. 16,1855..
April 13, J 855
July 9, 1853..
April 25,1855.
May 30, 1855.
March 5,1855
Sept. 130,1855.
feept. 8,1855..
July 19, 1855..
May 28, 1855..

28, 238 40
26,596 78
17,250 00
151,000 00

Dec. ] , 1856..
Nov. 1, 1855..
Sept. 1,1856..
Oct. 31,1856-.
June 30,1856.
Oct. 31,1855..
Dec. 1, 1856..
March 1,1857,
June 30, 1856.
March 4,1857.

Sept. 29, 1855.
Sept. 1,1855..
July 25,1855..

88,000 00
77,255 00
81,345 00

March 1,2857.
Feb. 1, 1857..
March 1,1857.

6,342 61
6, 304 73
10,544 78-

March 1, 1857.
Oct. 1, 1855...
July I, 1857...
Dec. 1, 1855..

6,369
14,918
16,116
66, 594
3,253

Aug. 18,1855..
Aug. 4, 1853..
July 11,1855..
May 17,1853,.

$9,200
15,800
47,594
153,500
17,500

75,948
29,234
110,000
101,333

00
00
36
00
00

71
00
00
30

39
13
47
58
80

6,071 58
201,951 85

$10,201
15,620
34, 046
173,817
11,849
2,757
40,176
40, 355
20, 393
205,786
13,750
90,457
90,495
86, 255
55,000
90,430
9, 998
172,808
34,738
64,946
55,000
. 90,728
457,591

42
67
99
73
97
83
35
.58
43
30
00
39
27
22
00
61
33
53
72
20
00
42
51

O

w
>^
>
o

CO

STATEMENT—Contmued.
Date of purchase of site.

Cost of
site.

Name of work.

oo
CO

Amount avail- Date of con- Contract price. Date of com- Amount ex- Amount availpletion.
pended during
tract.
able.
able Sept. 30,
the year ending
1854, and approSept. 30,1855.
priated since.

Custom-houses—Continued.
Mobile
o
Pensacola...
New Orleans

Alabama.. Florida . . .
. . . . Louisiana . -

Galveston . . - . - - «.
Texas, o..
St. Louis
Missouri...
Louisville...
: . . . Kentucky...
Cincinnati
Ohio
Toledo
do.......
Sandusky
do
Cleveland
do
Detroit
. . . Michigan..
Chicago
Illinois...
Milwaukie
Wisconsin .
Astoria.
Oregon...
San Francisco
California..

Oct. 31,1851..
Acquired by
cession from
Spain.
Gift from First
M unicipality,
June 21,1847,
July 23, 1855.
Oct. 31,1851..
Oct. 7, 1851
Sept. 24,1851Nov. 29, 1854.
Nov. 29, 1854

$12,500

$302,981 63
38,500 00

Juiy 1,1856...

July 23,1853.

$56,479 88

1246,481 75
38,500 00

"pi

738,990 54

6,000
37,000
16,000
50,000
12, 000
11,000

Jan. 10, 1855Feb. 16, 1855..

26,600
12,200

Sept. 5,1854..

150,000

Maine
May 30, 1855.
Sept. 19,1855:
Vermont...
Massachusetts.. Ceded by Navy
Department.
North Carolina

11,000
1,750

110, 000
273, 820
168,714
138, 709
44, 000
44, 000
96, 800
96, 800
96, 800
96, 800
40, 000
313, 920

00
88
24
56
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
21

Dec. 24,1853
1853 and 1854
July 18,1853..

July 1, 1856.
May I, 1857.
Dec. 1, 1856-

273,355 11

465,635 43

5,052'52
89,478 00
59,028 64
64,773 21
3, 898 63
3, 358 50

104,947 48
184,342 37
109,685 60
73,936 35
40,101 37
40,641 50
96,800 00
88, 492 33
90, 318'37
91,809 61
40,000 00
19,170 01

8,307 67
6,481 63
4,990 39
Dec. 22, 1855

Dec. I, 1855--

294,750 20

Marine hospitals.
Portland
Burlington
Chelsea
Wilmington . =




O

68,863 00
38,500 00
150,000 00
44,000 00

April 16, 1855.

66,200 00

Aug. 1, 1856..

24, 96i 61

Aug. 9, 1855..

114,770 00

March 3, 1857.

" i l , ' 6 9 1 05

43, 898 33
38,500 00
138,308 95
44,000 00

O

O
Ul

Vicksburg
Pensacola
St. Mark's
New Orleans
Cincinnati.
Cleveland
Evansville
Galena
»
Burlington
St. Louis..
San Francisco

Mississippi..
Florida . - do

:

Louisiana..
Ohio
-do
Indiana...
Illinois . . .
Iowa
Missouri..
Califorma.

Mar..28, 1854

4,500

Government
propeity.
July 23, 1855

12,000

Oct. 11, 1837.
April 29, 1853.

12,000
6,000

Oct. 20, 1855.

3,500

60,000 00 April 25,1855.
22,000 00
.5,000 00
272,800
50,000
24,870
24,647
15,000
16,500
6,790
44,000

00
00
96 Jan.15,1855-01 June I, 1353..
00
00
00
00

57,021 02 July 31,1856..

.........----.
821 10

20,000 00 Dec. 31. 185540,000 00 July 1, 1855..-

12,403
7,329
12,624
18,560

49
42
00
00

106 85
6,790 00
5,268 80

42,247 00
21,178 90
5,000 00
260, 396
42,670
12,246
6,087
15,000
16,393

51
58
^6
01
00
15

38,731 20

Marine hospitals undergoing repairs
Natches
Napoleon
Paducah
Chicago
Louisville

- . . Mississippi.,
Arkansas.
Kentucky..
Illinois...
;
Kentucky.,

Treasury extension
Lighting and ventilating treasury
building.
New York assay office
Philadelphia mint
Branch mint. New Orleans
Branch mint, Charlotte, N. C
San Francisco, appraisers' stores..
New Mexico, public buildings.
Minnesota, public buildings
Utah penitentiary




O
6,035
280
7,007
8,000
13,045

6,035
111
5,007
26
12,484

37
94
59
00
64

4,219 87
680 15

300,000 00 Days' labor
24,640 00
23,739
125, 000
9.2,000
8,850
100,000
70,000
11,500
45,000

24
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

-17,848 50
41,580 01

Days' labor...
Davs' labor
June 28, 1855..
Days' labor...
Days' labor

37
55
59
00
46

53, 500 00

March 1,1856.

20
25,OUO
31,750
8,088
27,847

00
00
00
50
85

169
2,0(10
7,974
561

39
00.
00
18

o
w

295,780 13
23, 959 85
5,880
83,419
92,000
8,830
75,000
38,250
2,411
17,152

74
99
00
00
00
00
50
15

o
Ul

A. H. BOWMAN,
Engineer in charge, Treasury Departinent.
CO

240

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

LIST OF CUSTOM-HOUSES- PURCHASED, BUILT, OR
CONSTRUCTION.

NOW IN THE COUESE OF

Custom-houses purchaised—10.
Cost.

^Portland
Maine
Kennebunk
do.
Castine.
do
Wiscasset
do
Portsmouth, NewHampshire
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Erie
do
,.
Alexandria, Virginia...
Charleston, South Carolina
Monterey, California—acquired by conquest.

$149,000
1,575
1,950
2,200
8,000
264,387
29,000
7,419
60,000

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

523,531 00
* Burned January 8, 1854 ; being rebuilt.

Custom-houses built-—1%.
Cost.

Bangor
Mairie
Eastport
do...
Salem
.Massachusetts
New Bedford
.do
Newburyport
do
Boston
do
Providence
.....Khode Island
Newport..
do
New Haven
Connecticut
Middletown....
do
New London
do
New York
New York
¥mmington
Delaware
Baltimore
Maryland
Wilmington
North Carolina
Savannah
Georgia
Key West
Florida...
Pittsburg
Pennsylvania..
San Prancisco
California,




|100,000 00
35,289 00
31,771^ 00
31,740 00
23,188 00
1,076,658 00
13,395 00
10,000 00
8,388 00
15,656 00
20,337 00
1,198,313 00
36,828 .00
185,501 00
55,933 00
167,448 00
1,000 00
111,010 00
847,101 QO
3,969,556 0.0

KEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

241-

Custom-houses in the course ofi constructi^i, or fior which appropriation's have heen made, with the names ofi their superintendents..
Places where biiilding.

..,,,,,,,,,.,Maine,,...,,.,
Wald^oboro' ...,,,...do
Belfast...,,,,.,,
do.....
Portland..,,.„.,,...do.,,,.
Ellsworth.,.,.
,,.do,.,.,..,.,
Giou-eester,,. ..Massachusetts.
Bamstabie
,,do
,
Providence
Ehode Island,
Bristol,..,,,
,.,„do,,„,,..,,
New Haven,,,., Connecticut,,,
Burlington,..,., Vermont
Plattsburg,,,,,,New York
Oswego.,,,,,.,,,,,,,,do.,.,,,....
Buffalo,,,
„.„do„„
Newark,,,.,,,,,New Jersey.,,,
Riehnaoind..,,.,.. Vir ginia..,,,,
Norfolk . , , , . „ , , „ , , . do..,
Fetersburg ..,.,.,,..do.,,.
,
Wheeling,.,.,,.,,,,,do,,,,,.,..,
Alexandria,...,,,,,.,do
.,,
Charleston.. .South Carolina,,
Mobile,,,,..,,,..Alabama..,,,,
New Orleans.,.Lomsiana,,,,,
Galvestosa....,,,,,Texas.,...,..
St. Louis.,
Missouri,.,.,..
Louisville,,,,,,Kentucky,..,,,
Cincinnati,.,...,,,.Ohio,,,,,,;.
Cleveland,,..,,.,..,.do...,...,.,
Sandusky .,
,do..,
Toledo,..........",....do,
Detroit
Michigan
Milwaukie,.,.,, Wisconsin,....
Chicago
Illinois
Pensacola
Florida
Astoria...........Oregon.,.....,

Superintendeiits.

Moses Springer, jr.
William Bennett,
Ephraim Swett.
William B. Franklin.
Erastus Redman.
David White.
Thomas Holmes.
Thomas Seckel.
Not yet appointed,
Marcus Bassett.
Joseph D. Allen,
Not yet appointed^
Moses P . Hatch.
William H, Pettis.
C. Harrison Condit.
Albert Ly brock.
John H. Sale.
Not j ^ t appointed.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
E. B, White.
D. Leadbetter.
G. T. Beauregard.
• Not yet appointed.
George J, Barnett.
E. E. Williams.
Thomas M. Bodley.
Not yet appointed.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.

RECAPITULATION.

Purchased........
Built
In construction.
Aggregate.... o.o
16



10
19
35
64

242

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

List ofi marine hospitals built, tvith their cost—16.
Cost.

Chelsea, Massachusetts, (old building).
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Norfolk, Virginia
-.
Charleston, South Carolina
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Key West, Florida
Mobile, Alabama
.....'.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Natchez, Mississippi
Napoleon, Arkansas
St. Louis, Missouri
Paducah, Kentucky
Chicago, Illinois
Cleveland, Ohio
Louisville, Kentucky
San Francisco, California..

|28,100
70,569
10,128
40,715
8,927
27,100
46,370
129,881
70,285
59,081
92,274
49,625
49,738
84,275
61,939
185,629

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
0000
00
00
00
00
00

1,014,636 00
Marine hospitals in the course ofi construction, or for which appropriations have been made, with names of their superintendents—13.
Places where building.

Superintendents.

Portland, Maine
Chelsea, Massachusetts, (new building) ....
Burlington, Vermont
Wilmington, North Carolina
St. Mark's, Florida
Pensacola..... do
New Orleans, Louisiana
,
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Evansville, Indiana
Cincinnati, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Galena, Illinois
Burlington, Iowa

William B. Franklin.
B. S. Alexander.
Not yet appointed.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
Do.
do.
John Bobb.
E. E. Williams.
Not yet appointed.
William Barclay.
Not yet appointed.
Do.
do.

RECAPITULATION.

Built
..^
I n construction.

^6
13

Aggregate




29
A. H. BOWMAN,
Engineer in charge, Treasury Department.

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

243

GENERAL RECAPITULATION.

10
19
35
16
13

custom-houses, purchased
custom-houses, built
custom-houses, in course of construction*
marine hospitals, built
marine hospitals, in course of construction

$523,531
3,969,556
7,392,408
1,014,636
872,163

00
00
00
00
00

100,000
125,000
8,850
92,000

00
00
00
00

Miscellaneous.
1 assay office. New York, built
1 Philadelphia mint
1 branch mint, Charlotte, North Carolina
1 branch mint. New Orleans
4 territorial public buildings, (capitols and penitentiaries)
1 appraisers' store, San Francisco
1 treasury extension*.
Lighting and ventilating upper story of treasury building
103 buildings.

^

'

181,500 00
100,000 00
700,000 00
24,600 00
15,104,244 00

* The cost of constructing the New Orleans and Charleston custom-houses and the treasury extension cannot be estimated with any degree of reliability. It is contemplated that
all other structures will be completed out ofthe appropriations applicable to them, with some
few exceptions, to which it will be found attention has been called, under their appropriate
heads




A. H. BOWMAN,
Engineer in charge, Treasury Department.

244

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 53.
REPORT ON MARINE HOSPITALS, BY WM. M. GOUGE.
WASHINGTON CITY, November 9, 1855»
SIR : On my recent journeys, I, in compliance with your instructions, visited as raany of the marine hospitals as lay on my route.
Of each that I visited I gave you a particular account, drawn up on
the spot; but, in addition thereto, your instructions call for a brief
general report OIL their condition.
At Eichmond, Virginia, the sick sailors are well accommodated ira
good rooms in the medical college, a building that stands in a high
and airy part of the city.
At Norfolk, or rather at Washington Point, which lies between the
two cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, we have a good old-fashioned
hospital, with grounds well enclosed, and well planted with grass
and trees. Some of the property-holders object to having the hospital
in their vicinity ; but, apparently, without good reason. I t h a s stood
where it now is for fifty years, and is on a lot that was set apart for
a hospital by the authorities of Virginia, previous to the revolutionary war. The New York city hospital fronts on one of the most
frequented parts of Broadway, and the Pennsylvania Hospital is in
one of the most elegant and regularly built parts of Philadelphia,
An appropriation has been made for the erection of a hospital at
Wilmington, N. C , but it had notbeen commenced when I was
there, owing to the legislature having neglected to pass an act to
exempt the property from taxation.
At Charleston, S. C , the United States have a marine hospital.,
which has been placed under the control of the city authorities. They
are allowed the use of the building free of rent, and sixty cents a day
for each sick sailor received therein. The sick sailors here are well
attended to, and at less expense than would probably be incurred if
the government should take the immediate control of the establishment.
At Savannah, Georgia, the sick sailors are boarded in an establishment belonging to the city. They are well attended to.
At St. Mark's, Florida, there is much need for a hospital, as there
is no house in the neighborhood, either public or private, in which
sick sailors can be properly accommodated. In constructing it, it
will be necessary to guard against both the winds and the floods with
which that vicinity is sometimes visited.
At Pensacola, the sick sailors are provided, for in a building which
has been temporarily hired for the purpose. An appropriation has
been made to erect a hospital there, but the commencement of it has
been delayed, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a suitable site at a
fair price.
At Mobile^ we have a very good hospital in the outskirts of the
city, and the use of a floating hospital at the anchorage in the bay.
At New Orleans, .there is a spacious hospital on the Algiers side of




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

245

.the river. An appropriation has been made for the erection of a new
hospital within the bounds of the city. It is not immediately wanted ;
but it may be by the time it is finished.
At Natchez there is a hospital^ which I had not an opportunity to
visit; and an appropriation has been made to erect one at Vicksburg.
At Napoleon, at the junction of the Arkansas and Mississippi
rivers, there is a large hospital, which has been recently opened for
the reception of sick boatmen.
At St. Louis there is, likewise, a large hospital that has recently
"been opened for the reception of such sick boatmeh as have contributed to the marine hospital fund.
An appropriation of $15,000 has been made for the erection of a
hospital at Galena, Illinois. It has not been commenced, owing to
the legislature not liaving passed an act to exempt the property from
taxation. The number of sick boatmen is there so few, that the sum
appropriated ought, as is conceived, to cover the whole cost of the
ground and the buildings.
At Detroit and Buff'alo, the sick sailors are boarded in the hospitals
of the Sisters of Charity. Provision has been made for the erection
of a hospital at Detroit.
At Chicago there is a very large marine hospital. A small appropriation is wanted to put the grounds in suitable order.
At Cleveland there is a very elegant hospital, which was not quite
finished when I saw it, though some ofthe rooms were then occupied.
At Cincinnati, Ohio, the sick boatmen are boarded in the Commercial Hospital, an institution which has the patronage of the city and
the county. An appropriation has been made for the erection of a
marine hospital in that city, but it has not yet been commenced,
owing to the difficulty of obtaining a suitable site.
At Pittsburg, or rather at Manchester, in the vicinity of Pittsburg,
there is a large marine hospital.
At Oswego, New York, and Burlington, Vermont, the sick sailors
are provided for in private boarding-houses. An appropriation has
been made for the erection of a marine hospital at Burlington.
At Portland, Maine, the sick sailors are boarded in a private hospital. A large marine hospital has there been commenced.
At Chelsea, near Boston, thei;e is a good old-fashioned hospital;
but it is not large enough, and measures have been taken for the
erection of a new one, on a more extensive scale.
At New London, Connecticut^ the sick sailors are sent to private
boarding-houses.
At New York they are well provided for in the New York city
hospital, and in the Brooklyn hospital.
AtPhiladelphia the greater part of them receive every requisite
attention in the Pennsylvania Hospital, though a few are sent to a
hospital recently established by the Protestant Episcopalians in
another part of the city.
At Baltimore they are placed in a hospital which is under the care
of the Medical Department of the University of Maryland.
From what I have seen I have come to the following conclusions :
1. That where private enterprise, private benevolence, or the
local authorities, have erected suitable hospitals, i t i s b e t t e r for the



246

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

United States government to send its sick sailors to them, rather than
to erect hospitals of its own. Nowhere are the sick sailors better
attended to than in the hospitals of New York, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, though the cost per man is less than half as much as it
amounts to in some of our marine hospitals.
2. That in those towns in which there are as yet no hospitals
erected by private benevolence, or by the local authorities, it will be
well for the United States to hold out encouragement for the erection
of such hospitals, by engaging to pay a fair price for such sick sailors
and boatmen as may be received into them. It costs less to support
'one hospital having accommodations for fifty persons, than two
hospitals having each accommodations for twenty-five. W i t h the
board received for United States patients many hospitals might be
sustained, which could not otherwise be supported ; and,.at the same
time, the government will have to pay less than would be required to
defray the expenses of hospitals of its own. By government's cooperating in this way with the local authorities, and with benevolent
individuals in the private walks of life, the sum total of the cost ot
the hospital service of the country will be diminished, while the
government will, at the same time, avoid any improper entanglement
with the affairs of the local authorities, or of private persons. It will
simply engage to give them a specific sum for a specific service ; and
if they do not perform that service properly, it will make other provisions for its sick sailors and boatmen.
3. That, in order that all who contribute to the marine hospital
fund may share in its benefits, it will be necessary, in those places
where there neither are, nor are likely to be, public or private hospitals, for the United States government to encourage the keepers of
some private boarding-houses to set apart a few rooms exclusively for
the use of the sick, providing them with bathing apparatus and whatever else is most requisite to such as are under medical treatment.
The annual cost of upholding twenty or thirty of such boardinghouses would be less than that of sustaining one marine hospital.
The advantages of them would be great. The sailor, whenever he
was taken sick, would have the chance of prompt relief.
4. That the hospitals at Brooklyn, New York, and Philadelphia,
are, in their structure and arrangements, the best I have seen, and as
such well deserving the attention of architects who may be employed
in the erection of marine and other hospitals.
5. That pest-houses, or houses for the accommodation of persons
afflicted with smallpox, or other contagious and infectious disorders,
should never, but in extreme cases, be erected by the United States
government. If so erected, they will but imperfectly serve the purposes intended, for others besides sailors and boatmen are liable to
be in this way afflicted. One pest-house is wanted in each commercial
town ; but one is enough. The local authorities know best where it
should be placed, and how.it should be managed. The United States
government should, of course, pay a fair price for such sailors or
boatmen as it may send to those pest-houses.
In some towns there appears to be a desire, on the part of some
of the inhabitants, to have marine hospitals erected, not because
they are actually wanted for the relief of sick sailors or sick boatmen.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

247^

hut simply that additional sums of public money may be there expended. If this feeling be not checked, we shall hay^e sinecure surgeons, sinecure stewards, sinecure matrons, and sinecure nurses, without number. We have too many such already. The whole surplus revenue will not suffice, if the public money is to be expended
in certain localities, not because the public good requires it, but for
the enrichment of individuals.
The condition of the flat-boatmen and the raftsmen on the Mississippi and its tributaries demands attention. They perform as long
voyages as the steamboat-men, some of them for thousands of miles,
and on the waters of different States. They are as liable to be taken
sick at a distance from home as are the steamboat men, or the sailors
engaged in the coasting trade. Yet, as they contribute nothing to
the hospital fund, they have no right of admission into the marine
hospitals. If they could be registered, and made to contribute to the
hospital fund, it would be greatly to their advantage. They are a
class of men who, after a little instruction, would yield iniportant service on ship-board in case of a maritime war ; and, on such an occasion, no man would be more forward than they to offer their services
to their country.
If difficulties should stand in the way of their being registered, :I
would respectfully suggest whether they might not be admitted into
the marine hospitals on condition of their paying a small sum per
day, as is now done by foreign sailors.
I pen these remarks with the expectation of being separated, at
least for a time, from the Treasury Department. My intercourse
with you and the other gentlemen of the department has been very
pleasant; and so also has been my intercourse with the treasury depositaries, the supervising and local inspectors of steamboats, and the^
officers of the marine hospitals. I have taken great interest in the
different branches of public duty on which I have been engaged, but I
would have discharged them more to my own satisfaction if they had
not been so multifarious. Any one of these branches of duty would
give full employment to the time and faculties of one man. A proper
division of labor is of as much importance in affairs of government as
it is in the concerns of private life. A great advantage is gained
when a public officer can concentrate his faculties on a single object.
But though, with every year, the duties of the Secretary of the
Treasury increase, provision is not made to give him the additional
aids which the increase of his duties requires. Especially are good
travelling agents wanted to connect together different parts of systems
which are scattered all over the country, but which require general
supervision to make them what they ought to be. If you had one
aid who could devote all his time to the treasury depositories, another
to the marine hospitals, and another to the steamboat law, I believe
that the intentions of Oongress in relation to these objects would,
thereby, not only be -more satisfactorily carried into effect, but that
there would ultimately be a great saving to the public treasury.
I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. M. GOUGE.
Hon.

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary ofi the Treasury, Washington City, D . C .



Statement of the operations of marine hospitals, including other arrangements (where theire are no hospitals) for aff'ording
relief to seamen in ports ofi the United States, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855.

Arrangements for relief.

Name of port or place.

Alexandria, Va
- -.
Apalachicola, Fla
Baltimore Md
„.,. =
Bangor, Me
»
Bath, Me
Belfast, Me
Beaufort, N. C
Bristol, R. I , . . , ,
.
Boston, Mass.---„. 0-,
Buffalo, N . Y
Brunswick, G a . . . .
Barnstable, Mass
Bridgetown, N. J
Champlain, N.Y.
Camden, N. C
;....
Cape Vincent, N. Y
Charleston, S. C
Cleveland, Ohio
Chicago, 111
,
Cincinnati, Ohio
,.
Detroit, Mich
,...
Edgartown, Mass
Fairfield, Conn
,,
Frenchman's Bay,"Me,,
Gal veston J Tex
Georgetown, D. G
Georgetowu, S. C..-o^,
Key West, F l a . . _ „ . ,
Louis ville J ICy,-ooc...



Private boarding
do
Baltimore Infirmary.
Private boarding ....,
do
-.do
,.,.
dO,....o.,..

do
Organized hospital, Chelsea
Hospitar of Sisters of Charity. . .
Private boarding
do
do..,,..,.,....,...,..
...do
o
-..
Contract v/ith Dr. WilUams... - .
Private boarding
,.
With city authox'ities,... „
Organized hospital
.......
do-..Contract with Dr. B a k e r . . - . . . ,
With hospital in city
,...,..
Private boarding . . , . . , . . , , . . . .
....
do
,
,,,.......,
........do
do
.,.-,.....,..,-Washington Infirmary
With commissioners of the poor.
Organized hospital,
,
B 9 P 9

0 9 9 9 l>»U A O O O ^ Q

O Q Q Q Q O

Q 9 9 9 Q 9

oo

Amount
of moneys received.
1648
330
5,182
394
568
448
66
136
13,822
2,169
84
1,588
938
80
456
260
3,539
1,248
1,547
1,257
2,009
343
570
764
1,OgO
549
61
576

57
82
96
93
66
07
60
98
36
50
64
29
05
80
10
70
16
18
05
66
80
41
05
61
84
27
36
67

l j 7 0 1 30

Cost per
No, of
No. of
Amount expended for re- seamen ad- days' relief day, each
patient.
mitted.
afforded.
lief.
1236
1,976
4,511
991
1,421
664
140
216
19,454
4,575
588
4,230
498
296
1,952
491
4,187
8,594
13,443
13,844
6,499
1,823
332
1,108
3,124
613
624
3,583
10,530

33
70
71
69
17
60
77
90
17
78
10
71
21
31
63
47
62
18
61
41
15
91
71
28
23
08
62
13
06

21
70
282
117
59
102
II
10
987
252
53
220
31
31
136
32
312
340
723
317
327
53
13
72
199
33
33
201
290

518
2,732
10, 040
1,653
2,260
2,060
149
413
22,278
7,446
621
6,288
1,037
680
2,749
1,184
6,082
12,400
17,987
19,222
13,396
2,649
502
2,294
3^479
1,393
804
2,954
10,169

45.6
73.5
44.9
59.9
62,8
32.2
94.4
52.5
87,3
61,4
94.7
67.2
48.0
43.6
71,0
41.5
68,8
69.3
74,7
72.0
48,5
68,8
66,0
48,3
89,8
44,0
77.6
21,0
3,0

00

Remarks.

9 months.

o
O
W

r/2

Middletown, Conn.
Milwaukie, Wis . . .
Memphis, Tenn . . .
Mobile, Ala
Machias, Me
Napoleon, Ark
Natchez, Miss..
Newbern, N.C
Nashville, Tenn . . .
New Orleans, L a . .
Newport, R. I
New York, N . Y . . .
New Haven, Conn.
Norfolk, Va
..
New London, Conn
Ocracoke, N. C
-Paducah, Ky
Passamaquoddy, Me
Penobscot, Me
Pensacola, Fla
Philadelphia, Pa
Pittsburg, Pa
Portsmouth, N. H
Plymouth, N. C
Providence, R . I
Richmond, Va
Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.
St. John's, Fla
San Francisco, Cal
St. Louis, Mo
Wheeling, Va
Wiscasset, M e . .
Waldoboro, Me

Private boarding
..do
At Memphis hospital
Organized hospital
Private boarding
Organized hospital
do
Private boarding..,
do
Organized hospital.
With keeper of City hospital
With hospitals in city and in Brooklyn.
With General Hospital Society of Connecticut...
Organized hospital
Private boarding
Organized hospital
do
-.
Private boarding
do
Temporary organization
Pennsylvania hospital
Organized hospital
Private boarding
do
At City hospital
Private b o a r d i n g . , . - - . .
do
.do.
Organized hospital
Temporary organization.
Private boarding
do
.,
do

Average cost per day of each patient for all the hospitals.




690 23
1,936 76
1,295 69
10,255 05
272 73
2, 482 07
4,982 84
531 82
103 19
45,943 75
476 92
26,278 75

69
124
149
453
II
43
18
35
5
2,359
17
1,475

1,187 67
1,675 30
837 65
2,844 00
3, 344 82
479 30
476 87
247 38
7, 324 90
1,620 19
194 98
505 52
886 26
354 00
408 09
354 07
6,786 50
3,646 95
760 57
144 86
1,182 99

995 88
4,042 04
501 67
3,408 04
6,291 48
932 91
662 70
6,149 75
7,604 85
6,301 62
1,074 40
807 10
2,993 72
• 302 58
476 37
65 08
37,648 61
4,655 25
416 12
1,241 95
I,366 07

162
38
85
179
74
37
110
493
122
64
64
114
19
45
8
,298
367
16
55
116

39,764
9,955
632
2,784
2,417

139, 479 15

293,734 24

13,640

385,632

765
1,779
234
2,125
588
1,495
4,774
584
310
8,297
412
40,461

39
43
00
93
68
86
00
00
20
03
76
60

1,721
3,592
1,125
8,734
532
683
493
708
289
50,886
695
56,422
2,73S
5,549
710
1,310
2,735
1,704
1,300
2,785
15,317
4,107
2,856
1,171
4,886
404
1,122
67

1
1
3
10

40.1
53.9
15.0
17.0
51.2
63.0
10. 0
75.2
35.7
90.2
80.1
46.5
36.0
72.8
70.6
60.0
30.0
54.7
50.9
20.0
48.6
53.0
37.6
77.5
61.2
74.8
42.4
97.1
94.6
46.7
65.8
44. 5
56.5

95.2

6 months.

o
H
O
9 months.

W

9 months.

Ul

b3
CO

250

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

No. 54.
REPORT OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

Office Light-house Board, October 31, 1855.
SIR: l h a v e the honor to submit, in conformity to your instructions^
a report of the proceedings of this Board, and of the operations of the
light-house establishment, under its management, during the fiscal
year of 1854-'55.
The ordinary routine duties of providing and distributing the necessary supplies of oil, wicks, chimneys, cleaning materials, &c., to
the different light-houses and light-vessels; making examinations
and inspections ; estimates of cost of repairs to the different towerS;,
buildings, sea-walls, and vessels, and superintending the necessary
repairs; cleaning, painting, numbering and replacing all the buoys
authorized by law; preparing correct lists of buoys, beacons and lights;
publishing and distributing the necessary notices to mariners of the
exhibition of new lights, and of the changes of distinctions of old
ones, have been performed under the general instructions and by special direction from this office, in an efficient and economical manner,
by the different district inspectors, local superintendents, and the engineer officers of the army, detailed from time to time for this service,
in conformity to the acts of Congress.
Many of the aids to navigation embraced in the light-house appropriation bill of August 3, 1854, have been completed; the others have
either been condemned as unnecessary, in conformity to the Yth section of the act making the appropriations, or are in process of execution.
In some cases there has been delay in commencing works, in consequence of defects to titles to the sites, want of cession of State jurisdiction, &c.
In all cases in which cession of State jurisdiction is still required to
perfect the titles to the sites, applications will be made to the respective
State legislatures at the ensuing sessions, for the passage of the necessary laws on the subject.
The continued demand for, and the high prices of labor and materials, have impeded, to a considerable extent, the operations in the
renovating and repairing branch of the light-house service, and have
restricted the operations under this head to within a much narrower
limit than was anticipated; yet, on the entire coast, there is scarcely
a light station of those established prior to the organization of this
board, that has not undergone some repairs during the past year;
many of them have received very considerable, although not thorough
repairs, in consideration of their original bad construction and the
necessity for entirely rebuilding them at an early day; while many
others have been completely rebuilt upon proper plans, on secure
foundations, and ofthe best materials adapted to the respective localities.




REPORT ON THE

FINANCES.

251

A large number of small lens or Fresnel apparatus has been introduced into such of the old light-houses, during the year, as required
new illuminating apparatus, where the lanterns and towers were in a
sufficiently good state to warrant their introduction, to the great benefit
of the navigating interests and economy of the service, in the diminished consumption of oil and other supplies.
The only drawbacks experienced to the speedy and complete change •
of the system, from the inefficient and expensive reflectors and lamps,
to that of the more efficient and much less expensive lens system, are,
the necessity for confining the expenditures under the head of repairs
and renovations to the limited amounts annually appropriated for that
service, the estimates for which were based upon those of previous
years, when labor and materials commanded lower prices than at
present, and the time necessary for constructing the number of apparatus required for so many light-houses.
The saving in the consumption of oil and other supplies, anticipated by the substitution of lens for reflector apparatus, has been fully
realized, as will be seen by the reports of the different inspectors, in
'the appendix to this report.
This important item in the economy of the light-house service will
be fully appreciated by comparing the quantities of these supplies,
now actually required for the lights fitted with both lens and reflector
apparatus, with what would have been required had no renovations
been made, and had all the light-houses authorized in 1852, and subsequently, been fitted, as" under the old system, with the necessary
number of lamps and reflectors.
The number of lights in actual existence or authorized up to the
3d of March, 1855, excluding those to be discontinued, is 511; which,
at an average of ten lamps and reflectors to each one, (the average
under the old system) would make 5,110 lamps to be provided with
oil, at an average of forty gallons per lamp, or 204,400 gallons of oil
per annum, while the estimate for oil for the next fiscal year is only
148,150 gallons, making a saving of not less than 56,250 gallons per
annum; which, at the present rate, including the expense of delivery,
would be (at $2 25 per gallon) $126,562 50. This saving will continue to increase annually in the ratio of the introduction of the new
apparatus, until the consumption of oil is brought down to its minimum quantity, of about one-fourth the whole quantity which would
have been required for a like number of refiector lights.
A still greater proportionate saving will be found in the expenditure
of other supplies, both in the quantity required and the expenses of
delivery at the different light stations.
The system of buoyage and beaconage, under the act of Congress,
•of 1850, has been steadily continued, with increased and daily increasing advantage to the navigating interests. The number of aids
of this description authorized and required for this branch of the
service, the casualties arising from ice during the winter months
on the eastern coast, the frequent changes in the bars and channels,
and the necessity of keeping a constant watch over every part ofthe
coast where they are placed, especially during the season of hurricanes
and gales, render this duty one of great labor on the part of the inspect


252

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

ors, and of heavy expense to the service. The semi-annual removal
and replacing of all the buoys on the coast, the frequent inspection
and examination of them to verify their positions, and the publication
from time to time of corrected lists showing positions, bearings from
and to prominent points in the vicinity, and brief remarks to aid the
navigator, are realizing all the benefits to navigation (and in an
economical point of view) that were anticipated. Under this system^,
too, a com|)aratively small number of buoys are driven far from their
positions, and but few of those thus removed from their stations by
ice, freshets, and gales, are lost to the service.
The rapid accumulation of marine, animal, and vegetable matter
upon buoys while in position, renders it indispensable that they shauM
be frequently removed and newly painted ones substituted, otherwise
they fail to meet the wants of the navigator in consequence of the
small surface presented to his view, and the difficulty of distingiiishing one from another.
Efforts have been made to prevent injury to the wooden buoys l>y
the marine worm which is so destructive on many parts of the coast^
by the use of zinc paint in coloring them. This has been found to
answer the desired end when the bouys have not been permitted to
remain too long in the water. The old system of coppering biiojs
has been abandoned. The first cost of buoys so defended was found
to be much greater than even that of iron ones, which are much more
durable, and they afforded a great temptation to persons to remove,
injure or destroy them for the purpose of demanding salvage and for the
large amount of copper on them. First-class can and nun buoys are
employed to mark the channels^ shoa,ls, and rocks of the most important localities. Second-class can and nun buoys are employed for a
similar purpose in localities of a secondary importance, and thirdclass can and nun and spar buoys are employed to mark swash channels, rivers, small harbors, &c.
In localities visited during the winter by floating ice, spar-buoys of
proper dimensions are substituted for the cans and nuns during the
winter months. A few other descriptions of buoys are used as exceptions to the general rule, chiefly as distinctions for localities which it
is important should be recognised by the mariner, and should be seen
far enough to warn him of his approach to the particular danger.
Among the more recent improvements in this class of aids to navigation, is the introduction of bell-buoys. There are now nine of these
buoys occupying important statiops, serving at night and in foggy
weather to warn the mariner of his proximity to, or to guide him
clear of danger. They are constructed in the most substantial manner, upon models particularly adapted to an easy rolling motion, by
which the bells are rung; the hulls are divided into compartments,,
each being fitted with a pump for the purpose of freeing it from water
in the event of leaking.
The frequent damage done to buoys by being run down by vessels,
and their removal by pilot-boats, fishing-smacks, and other small
craft making fast to them to avoid the trouble of anchoring to wait
fpr wind or tide, to the endangering of vessels which seek to be guided
by them, and to the serious detriment of the public service^ would




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

'

253

seem to render it expedient to pass some general law by which to prevent navigators from unnecessarily damaging, or withdraAving from
their proper positions, the buoys and stakes placed at the government
expense for their particular benefit.
'. The legislatures of some of the States have passed laws for protecting all the aids to navigation within their limits, and the act of Congress approved March 3, 1825, ^^more effectually to provide forthe
punishment of certain crimes,'' &c., might possibly be construed to
embrace these objects also, but it is considered exceedingly questionable whether the one or the other meets these difficulties. The law,
to be effective, should be a general one, extending over eV-ery part of
the coast of the United States, and drawn sufficiently in detail to meet
every case which could possibly occur. The absence of any restriction
ofthe kind in the waters of one State, emboldens those who find it
convenient to use buoys for the purpose of warping their vessels by,
or making fast to, during adverse winds and tides, or for any other
purpose to disregard them where they exist. This has been a fertile
source of complaint on the part of mariners on almost every part of
the coast, and it is believed a legislative remedy for the evil would be
productive of much general good to the navigator, and of a great
saving of money to the government.
During the last year every light-vessel on the coast, occupying a
prominent or important position, requiring a consideralDle range for
the light, has been fitted with new and the most approved illuminating
apparatus for this description of aid to navigation, with but one exception, and for that station a new vessel is now building.
Two years, ago, of the fifty light-vessels in service, there was not
one fitted with illuminating apparatus which would produce a light
that could be seen under ordinary circumstances more than a few
miles. Now there are nineteen light-vessels, occupying the most
prominent positions on the coast, which are fitted with the improved
illuminating apparatus, producing lights which can be seen, under
ordinary circumstances, very nearly as far as a light on land of equal
elevation.
In many of the light-vessels occupying less important stations,
where the lights are not required to be seen more than a few miles, a
lampvh^s been introduced producing a light of sufficient power at a
greatly diminished expenditure of oil.
These renovations and improvements are steadily progressing, limited only by the appropriations available for repairs and improvements
of light-vessels.
This branch of the lighting service was subjected to more than ordinary outlays, especially on the eastern coast during the last winter,
caused by the number of heavy gales and the unusual severity of the
storm season.
Fog-belis of the proper sizes have been placed on board of all the
light-vessels, to be rung by the crews during foggy weather
Light-vessels as aids to navigg,tion, being at best inferior to lights
in towers, will, it is hoped, gradually give place to permanent structures upon pile or other proper foundations similar to those erected,
in course of erection, or authorized at Minot's ledge, in Delaware bay,



254

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

on the coast of Florida, coast of Louisiana, in Chesapeake bay, and
in the waters of North Carolina.
The successful experiments of Major Hartman Bache at the Brandywine shoal, in Delaware bay, of Major Linnard at Carysfort reef,
and of Lieutenant Meade at Sand key, Florida, have, it would seem,
removed all doubts as to the utility and practicability of erecting permanent structures at many places on the coast, now marked by lightvessels, while the greater efficiency and economy of the permanent
structures are unquestionable.
Fog-signals to be worked by machinery have been constructed and
placed at nearly all the points on the coast at which they have been
authorized ; for those points not yet supplied, contracts have been entered into for the machinery and bells, and the works are in process of
construction.
Having given this brief general view of the operations of the past
year, and the present condition of the service, it is necessary, for a
clearer understanding ofthe subject, to give a somewhat more detailed
account of the operations in the several light-house districts, by referring to the reports, in the Appendix to this report, of the inspectors
and engineer officers charged respectively with the works of construction, repair, renovations, inspections, and the general routine duties
of the light-house establishment.
In the first light-house district, embracing the seacoasts and navigable waters of Maine and New Hampshire, the service has been
under the charge of, and performed in a most satisfactory manner by,
Lieutenant W . B. Franklin, of the corps of topographical engineers,
light-house inspector of the district.
The aids authorized within this district, in the light-house bill of
August 3, 1854, in addition to those previously authorized, and the
ordinary routine duties of repairs, renovations, improvements, buoyage, beaconage, &c., have given to Lieutenant Franklin, who performs all the duties both of engineer and inspector of the district^ an
unusually large number of works to execute during the past year.
In this district, the Boone Island, Petit Menan, Baker's Island, and
Franklin Island light-houses, have been rebuilt and refitted with suitable lens apparatus. New lanterns have been placed upon Saddleback
, Ledge, Cape Elizabeth, Whale's Back and Nashe's Island light-houses.
New illuminating apparatus has been placed in Wood Island, Isle
of Shoals, and Hendricks' Head light-houses.
Extensive repairs have-been made at the Portland Head, Cape Elizabeth, Negro Island, and West Quoddy Head light-houses.
New dwellings for keepers have been erected at Owl's Head, Moose
Peak, and Libby Island light-houses.
New lens apparatus has been substituted for reflectors at Little
River , White Head, Portland Head, Cape Elizabeth, Whale's Back and
Portsmouth light-houses.
A fog-bell has been placed at Portland Head light-house, and the
one heretofore at Petit Menan has been altered from the original pattern, and now performs well.
Additional buoys and a bell-buoy have been placed to mark the approaches to Portland. Additional buoys have also been placed in the




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

255

Kennebeck and Sheepscot rivers. Also one buoy, beacon, and three
spindles in Eockport harbor, a beacon on. Steel's ledge, and one on
Trott's ledge.
The western entrances to Edgemoggin reach. Fox Island thoroughfare, and Deer Island thoroughfare, have been buoyed throughout.
Additional buoys have been placed in Mount Desert harbor.
Dangerous ledges near Petit Menan island have been marked by
buoys. The Moose Peak reach and St. Croix river have been buoyed,
a large beacon erected on a dangerous ledge below Calais, and two
large beacons are under construction to mark the channel through
the narrows in West Passamaquoddy bay.
All the beacons and buoys have been colored and numbered, in conformity to the act of Congress and the regulations.
There has been a marked improvement in all the aids to navigation
onthe coast of Maine within the last two years.
Various causes have combined to bring about this desirable end; but
the chief one has been the dissemination of knowledge among the
different light-keepers, and the increased interest felt by them in the
performance of their duties as they advance in knowledge.
Great efforts have been made to place the long neglected towers,
buildings, apparatus, buoys, and beacons on this coast, in an efficient
state; and to that end, the works of repair and renovation have been
pushed forward with great energy, and all available means expended
in the most judicious and economical manner.
The number of buoys placed during the lastyear, under the acts of
Congress, has nearly doubled that of any previous year.
The recommendations of the inspector to rebuild certain lightrhouses in this district seem to be eminently proper, and the estimates
are placed accordingly in the table of proposed new appropriations.
For an account ofthe details ofthe different branches of the lighthouse service in the flrst district, of the past and present condition of
the aids, and of proposed improvements, see Table A, and Appendix
No. 1, hereto appended.
In the second light-house district, embracing the entire coast of
Massachusetts, including Boston bay. Buzzard's bay,Vineyard sound,
and their tributaries, the works of construction, renovation, and
repair have been under the charge of Major C. A. Ogden, of the corps
of engineers.
Three beacon range lights have been- completed at Holmes's Hole
harbor ; a light-house built at Bass river ; repairs made at the Newburyport beacons ; on Fawn Bar beacon, in Boston harbor; and
efforts made to preserve the site of the light-house on Billingsgate
island, during the last year^ in addition to the ordinary general
annual repairs at each of the light-house stations in the district.
Among the new works under construction are the Point Alderton
Bar beacon, and the light-house at the narrows, Boston harbor ; the
light-house on Egg Kock, off Nahant; rebuilding Brant Island and
Gay Head light-houses, and the erection of a light-house to mark the
dangerous rocks called the '^ Sow and P i g s , " marking the entrance
to Buzzard's bay from the Vineyard sound.
Fawn Bar beacon having been destroyed during the last winter, is




256

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

now in process of re-construction, upon a plan and foundation that
will insure to it permanency.
An iron bell-buoy has been constructed to mark the ledge known as
the ^^Graves," and another on the ledge called ^^ Harding's," in
Boston bay.
Kenovations have been made in this district to the extent of the
means available for that object. A few changes only havebeen made
in the apparatus during the past year, but it is contemplated to introduce, during the coming fall, a large number of fourth, fifth, and
sixth order lens apparatus, as substitutes for the old reflectors, now
in many instances worn out.
The inspections, buoyage, light-vessels^ and the general superintendence and management of these different branches of ih.e lighthouse service in the second district, have been for the last six months
in charge of Lieutenant C. H. B. Caldwell, of the navy, as inspector of
the district, and in whose hands these aids to navigation have been, in
that short space of time, greatly improved.
The arduous and difficult task of buoying, and keeping in position
the buoys in this district, has been performed with great satisfaction,
and in. a uniform and systematic manner, never before successfully
accomplished in this district.
Accurate beacon and buoy lists for this district have been prepared
and published, (for the first time,) since the detail of Lieutenant
Caldwell as inspector.
The number of light-vessels in this district, occupying important
and very exposed positions, require great attention and watchfulness,
especially during the storm season, to keep them in position and in
an efficient state.
The rigor of the past winter, and the unusual number of storms,
rendered this service one of great difficulty, and was attended with
more than ordinary incidental expenses.
All the light-vessels in this district have been thoroughly repaired
and fitted with the most approved illuminating apparatus during the
past year. Moorings of the proper sizes and weights, and of the most
approved description, have been provided for these vessels, and with
an ordinary degree of attention to their duties by the keepers they
may be maintained at their respective stations during the entire
winter.
Of the new aids authorized in this district, steps have been taken
for executing the law with all practicable despatch.
The recommendation of the engineer officer of a small appropriation
for rebuilding the beacons at Newburyport, and for the light-house at
Billingsgate island, on a proper site, are considered highly proper,
and are recommended to the favorable consideration of Congress.—
(Appendix No. 2.)
The important work authorized to be erected on the Outer Minot
Kock, entrance to Boston harbor, has been commenced during the
past summer under the direction of Lieutenant B. S. Alexander, of
the corps of engineers, under whose special charge the work has been,
placed. The difficulties to be overcome in the early stages of the
work render its progress necessarily slow.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

257

• During the past summer considerable work in the way of preparing *
the rock for the first course of masonry, in providing the necessary
means for carrying on the work from the shore adjacent, &c., &G.,
has been done, and it is designed to continue such operations as may
be found practicable, without intermission.
A new light-vessel has been built at the navy yard at Kittery,
Maine, for ^' Davis's New South Shoal;" and one has been built at the
navy yard, Boston, to be placed to mark the danger known as the
^^ Bishop and Clerks," in the Vineyard sound, Mass.
In the third light-house district, embracing the coasts of Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New York, and part of New Jersey, including
the waters of Long Island sound^ Hudson river, and Lake. Champlain, the general duties of inspections, buoyage, beaconage, and the
detailed management of the light-house service, have .been under the
charge of Commander A. Ludlow Case, of the navy; and"the general
duties connected with constructions and repairs under the directions
and control of Captain George Dutton, ofthe corps of engineers.
Major W . D. Fraser, ofthe corps of engineers, has had charge, of
the works of construction, &c., on Lake Champlain; and Lieutenant E.
B. Hunt, ofthe same corps, has had charge ofthe works of cons.truction and repair in the Nevfport subdivision of the district.
In this last-named division of the third district the Bristol Ferry
and Lime Kock lights have been erected and completed; repairs
made at Nayat Point light-house, and at Goat island. The rebuilding of Watch Hill light-house is nearly completed, and that of
Beaver Tail is in process of construction.
'
The recommendations of Lieutenant Hunt in relation to the providing of a house for the keeper of the Lime Kock light, and for repairs at Dutch island and Nayat Point, and for the protection of the
sea-wall at Watch Hill, are, it is believed, worthy of the consideration of Gongress.
The proposed change of site and rebuilding ofthe light-house on
Block island, is one of pressing necessity. (See Appendix No. 3,
hereto attached.)
"
The ordinary annual (general) repairs to light-houses and beacons
have been made under the direction of Captain Dutton, embracing
nearly every light station in the district.
Of new constructions under the charge of this ofBcer, the lighthouse on Gardiner's island has beeh completed and lighted; six
range beacon-lights in-New York bay, nearly completed; a monument on Mill reef, in Kill van Kill, completed; a,beacon on West
Oyster-beds, in Newark bay, completed ; a beacon on StodSpit, ihSag
harbor, completed; and a beacon at Plum Gut, in process of erection.
Examinations have been made with-the view of erecting a beacon
or spindle on Race Kock; for beacons in the Connecticut river; for
beacons in Fisher's Island and Long Island sounds ; and -the necessary preliminary steps taken for^their early erection.
The estimates submitted by Captain Dutton for protective works,
are such as are indispensable to the safety and. preservation o f t h e
government property at those points.
(See Appendix No. 5 and
Table A, hereto attached.)
17
^
-^



258

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

In the other branches of the light-house service in the third district, in the special charge of Commander Case, of the navy, embracing light-vessels, buoys, substituting new for old illuminating apparatus, distribution of supplies of all kinds, and illuminating apparatus
for the different districts, &c., the service has been performed most
successfully and satisfactorily.
The buoyage of the different channels into New York bay and harbor upon a uniform and systematic plan, the defining ofthe positions
ofthe different beacons and buoys, and the publication of correct lists
of the same, under the personal superintendence of the inspector, have
added greatly to the facilities for entering the bay and harbor.
This systematic plan of buoyage has been fully carried out in Narragansett bay .and tributaries, and is near completion in the entire
length and breadth of Long Island spund, and adjacent navigable
waters.
The light-vessels have been placed in a thoroughly efficient state 6
'repair, securely moored, and fitted with the best description of illunlinating apparatus.
' Fog-signals have been placed at Gull island. Dumpling Rock, New
London, Saybrook, Throgg's Neck, and Sandy Hook light-houses.
Fog-bells which have been authorized for other points are in process
of construction, and will be put up at an early day.
An iron bell-boat has been constructed, and is about to be placed
to mark the dangerous ledge at the entrance to Long Island sound,
known as Shagwong reef.
New illuminating apparatus *has been provided and placed at the
following light stations, viz: Fort Tompkins, Robbin's reef, Bergen
Point, Roundout creek, Cedar island, Esopus Meadows, Saugerties,
Coxsackie, Morgan's Point, Poplar Point, Norwalk island, Stratford
Point, and at Point Judith.
,
>
Cession of jurisdiction has been obtained over the sites of all the
authorized new works, and title deeds are in process of verification by
the law officers in all cases in which purchases have been agreed upon.
The general condition of all the branches of the light-house service
"in this district has been greatly improved^ and is considered to be in
a most satisfactory state.
Renovations and improvements have been limited only by the restricted means at the command of the board;
A great saving of oil and of other annual supplies, effected by the
introduction of lens apparatus, is as apparent in this as it has been
found in other districts.
The small sum of $4,000, appropriated August 3,1854, for a lighthouse at Horton's Point, is found to be wholly inadequate tothe erection of the building and providing suitable apparatus; and, as the
light is one of considerable importance, an additional sum is asked
for that purpose.
The rebuilding of the Bergen Point and Passaic River light-houses,
and the recommendations for small lights on the Hudson river and in
Narragansett bay, are objects worthy of the attention of Congress.
The central position of New York, commercially speaking,, and the
facilities found there for distributing illuminating apparatus and siip-




B^EPORT ON THE FINANCES.

259

plies to the different parts of the Atlantic, Gulf, Lake, and Pacific
coasts, add greatly to the duties of the inspector of the third district,
all of which have been perfornied with a promptness, system, and
economy worthy of the highest commendation.
(See Appendix Nos. 4, 5, 6, and Table A , hereto attached.)
The fourth light-house district, embracing parts of the coasts of
Nevv^ Jersey and Virginia, and the Delaware bay and tributaries, is
under the charge of Lieutenant James S. Biddle, of the navy, as
inspector.
. ^
The buoyage of the inlets on the seacoasts of "New Jersey and
Virginia, within the limits of this district, .and of the Delaware bay
and river^ has been completed in the, best manner and is kept in the
most efficient and satisfactory state.
A bell-buoy has been placed to mark the dangerous shoals off
Absecum, New Jersey, and another to mark the Fenwick's Island
shoal, off the coast of Delaware.
G
Bell-buoys have also been constructed by contract, under the directions of Lieutenant Biddle, for Charleston, South Carolina, the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi river, for relief in the district, and for
Ocklockonee shoals, on the coast of Florida.
Renovations have been made and lens apparatus placed in the
Barnegat, Tucker's Beach, Delaware Breakwater, Cape Henlopen
Beacon^ Mahon's River, Bombay Hook, Cohansey, Christiana, Reedy
Island, and Mispillion light-houses.
The inspections of lights and other aids in the district, and the
general supervision of the service, have been frequent and thorough,
resulting in a marked improvement in their condition.
A light-vessel has been placed at Five Fathom bank, fitted with
improved apparatus, and the vessel b'elqnging to that station has
been brought "into port to undergo necessary repair and to be fitted
with new apparatus. For a' detailed account ofthe service in the district, see Lieutenant Riddle's report. Appendix No. 7.
The works of construction and of extensive repair in this district
are under the charge of Lieutenant G. G. Meade, ofthe corps of topographical engineers, who relieved Major Hartman Bache,, of the same
corps, during the past year.
The works now in progress in the district are, a first-class lighthouse in courseof erection at Absecum, New Jersey; refitting the
Cape Henlopen light-house with a first-order lens apparatus; the
erection of fhe Cross Ledge and Ship John Shoal screw-pile lighthouses ; .the preservation of the sites at Reedy island and Cohansey;
and the superintendence of the construction of fog-bell machinery for
different light stations along the coast.
The estimates submitted by Lieutenant Meade, for the completion
of the works for which partial appropriations have been made in this
district, and for the protection of Brandywine Shoal light-house, are
recommended to the favorable consideration of Congress, as being
essential to the early completion of the several works now in course
of execution.
The pressing necessity for re-Building the light-house at Barnegat,'




260

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

New Jersey, at an early day, and the urgent need of alight of greater
range and power at that point, will be.clearly seen by referring to
the reports of Lieutenants Meade and Biddle, heretp appended.
This is one bf the pbjects which attracted the attention of the temporary light-house board in 1851, and has .never been lost sight of
by the present board since its organization, in 1852. Itsdocation,
with reference to the entrance to the harbor of New York; the im.mense number of vessels, of all sizes, dependent upon it as a guide in
approaching the great centre of commerce; and the recollection of the
loss of a large number of human beings annually, by shipwreck, will,
it is hoped and believed, commend it to the special favor of Congress.
The light recommended by the inspector to be placed on Fenwick
island has been petitioned for, on various occasions; and it is
believed its establishment would conduce greatly to the protection of
life and property from' shipwreck," on the dangerous coasts of Delaware and Virginia.. (See oieports. Appendix, Nos.-^, 8, 9, 10,, and
11.)
,
In the fifth light-house district, embracing the coasts of Maryland,
part of Virginia and North .Carolina, Chesapeake bay and tributaries,, in charge of Lieutenant A. M. Pennock, of the navy, the usual
activity has been displayed in the buoy, light-vessel, and inspection
service. (See Appendix No. 12, hereto attached.)
• ^
All the light-vessels have been thoroughly repaired, and have been
kept at their respective stations during the whole of the last season of
storms. Many of them, from the originally bad materials, of which
they were constructed, and from long neglect, required large outlays
to put them in a proper state of repair for the service required of
them.
The Bowler's Rock light-vessel (Rappahannock river) was found,
upon examination,, to be unfit for repair; and as the station is an important one to the commercial and navigating^interests of that part of
the country, itwas deemed advisable and- necessary to send the district relief light-vessel to take the place of .the old vessel. This disposition, however, of .that vessel, has left the district without the
means of relief, in the event of accident to any of the light-vessels
stationed in.the Chesapeake bay and tributaries.
<
A new light-vessel has been built for, and will be placed, in a few
days, to mark the danger in Chesapeake bay, near the mouth of York
river, known as York spit.
The buoyage of James river, Elizabeth river, Hampton rpads,
' Chesapeake bay, from Cape Henry to the heads of navigation; of the
Rappahannock, Potomac, and Patapsco rivers; and of the inlets,
rivers, harbors, &c., on the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland,
. from Metompkin inlet up the whole length of the bay, has been thoroughly, carefully, and systematically executed; and correct lists of
beacons and buoys have been prepared and published^ for the. benefit
ofthe navigators frequenting those waters.
Repairs and. renovations have not been very extensive in this district
during the past year. The ordinary indispensable repairs, only,
have been.made, except in a few eases, requiring those of a more
extensive character.
~
:
• ,




REPORT ON THE FiNANqES,

261

Lens apparatus has been introduced, at Concord Point, Lazaretto,
(Baltimore,) Old Point Comfort, Smith's Point, Cove Point, Thomas's
Point, Greenbury Point, Piney Point, and Fog Point; and newreflector
revolving apparatus has been placed at Back River light-house, Chesapeake bay.
'
.
_
,.
Fog-hells, have been; placed at Cape Henry, Old Pointy and Fort
Carroll light-houses, which are rung-by machinery.
Of the works of construction, the,Seven-foot Knoll light-house,
mouth of the Patapsco river., near Baltimore, under the directipn pf
the engineer secretary of this board, is near completion. .
A contract has been entered into for the erection of the light-house;
authorized to be built on Jones's Point, Alexandria, Virginia; also
iinder the direction ofthe same officer.
The light-house and beacon-light near Fort Macon, Beaufort, North
Carolina, have beeii completed, un.der the direction of Captain D. P .
Woodbury, ofthe corps of engineers, (Appendix No, 13.)
< A beacon-light is in process of construction for Old Point Comfort,
the execution of the work having been delayed in.consequence of the
prevailing epidemic in that vicinity.
^ The light-vessels, in the sounds- of North Carolina have received
particular attention, and those requiring them have undergone thorough repairs. Particular attention has been given, by the inspector,
to the buoyage and stakeage of the extensive wa.ters of Albemarle
and Pamlico sounds, and their tributaries, which are now, for the
first time, thoroughly and carefully marked with buoys and stakes.
Many of, the works authorized in this district have been delayed for
want of cessions.of' States' jurisdiction, which cannot be obtained
until the next meeting of the legislatures of the States of Maryland,
Virginia, and North Carolina,
.
^
, •
Such of the works in North Carolina and Virginia as were not delayed on that account will be commenced as soon as the necessary ar- ;
rangements can be made for doing so advantageously.
The light situated on Smith's island, on the east side of the entrance
to ChesapeaKe bay, known as Cape Oharles light-house, is not only
past repair for any useful purpose, owing to the originally bad construction of improper niaterials, but is.also in a position not at all calculated, to subserve the purposes of a. seacoast light to mark the approach to so important a navigable artery as the Chesapeake bay and
its tributaries; it is therefore recommended that a proper sum be appropriated for building a light-house, and for fitting it with proper
illuminating apparatus, for this important station.-.
.
In the sixth light-house district, embracing thie coasts ,of South
Carolina and Georgia, and parts of North Carolina and Florida^ the
general dirties of inspection, construction, repairs, &c., were under
the charge of Gaptain D. P. Woodbury, of the corps of engineers, as
inspector for the first part of the year.
^
.
The great extent of coast embraced in this district, and the large
number of new aids to navigation authorized at the first sessioii of
the last Congress, rendered it necessary, in the opinion of that valuable officer, that his duties should be confined particularly to the several
very importaht works of construction and. repair, and he requested to



262

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

be relieved from the duties of inspections, buoyage, light-vessels,
&c.
Lieutenant C. M. Morris, of the navy, was therefore detailed as inspector, who has been assiduous, since entering upon them, in the dis-.
charge of .the various duties devolved upon him, but more especially,
in systematizing and perfecting the buoyage, and in the improvement
of the light-vessels!, &c., in the district.
Captain George W . Cullom, of the corps of engineers, has rendered
good service to the light-house establishment in Charleston harbor.
I n t h e Savannah river and vicinity. Lieutenant John Newton, of
the corps of engineers, during the first part of the year, and Captain
J . F . Gilmer, of the same corps, during thelatter part, have rendered
valuable service in the construction and repair of aids to navigation.
The r'eport of Captain Woodbury (see Appendix No. 13) presents
a detailed account of the numerous works constructed, repaired, and
now in course of construction by him, among the most prominent of
which may be named the important light-house at Cape Romain, and the four range beacons on Sullivan's and Morris's islands.
The Fort Sumter, Castle Pinkney, and Battery lights in Charleston harbor are in charge of Captain Cullom, the two former of which
are near completion.
Four beacons have been erected in the Savannah river, and several
light-houses repaired and in course of repair by Captain Gilmer.
Titles have not been obtained t o t h e sites o f t h e different light-'
houses authorized on the coast of South Carolina at the first session of the last Congress, in consequence of the prices asked for the
requisite quantities of land, being, in the opinion of the department,
far beyond the fair valuation • of the property; but it is hoped that
these obstacles will be removed at no distant day, as the lights when
established will add greatly to .the present facilities for navigating on
that coast.
Efforts, have been made to obtain a valid title to the sites for the
light and beacon authorized to be erected' at the mouth of the St.
John's river, Florida, but so far without success; not so much on
account of any objections on.the part of the owner of the land, as of
the defect in the title vested in the present owner. It is believed a
perfect title will be obtained at no distant day, in which event the
works which the interests of commerce in that quarter have so long
demanded will be commenceel and pressed to completion without unnecessary delay.
In this district, with greater difficulties to overcome than in any
other on this coast, arising from various causes, the general improvement in the aids to navigation is becoming daily more and inore apparent; and after the exhibition of the lights now authoriz.:d, and the
completion of the bouyage and beaconage now in process of execution
upon the general systematic plan, but little more will be needed to
render navigation pn that entire coast as safe and easy as in any other
part of the world.
. The recommendations of the engineer officers and the inspector of
the district are commended to the favorable consideration of Congress.
(See Appendix, Nos. 13, 14, and 15, and Table A.)
.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

263

The seventh light-house district, embracing the peninsula of Florida,
from near St. Augustine to St. Mark's light-house, and including the
dangerous keys, reefs, and shoals on that coast within those limits, is
in charge of Lieutenant M. C. Watkins, of the navy.^ (Appendix
No. 16.)
The service in this district is attended with much difficulty and
many hardships ; but by the great energy and activity on the part of
Lieutenant Watkins, the inspector, the aids to navigatipn have been
greatly improved within the last year.
The marking of Tampa bay and tributaries, and of the channels
• leading into Key West, with buoys and stakes, has been completed,
under the persona! direction of the inspector, in the best manner.
The inside channel from Cape Florida to Key West has been
thoroughly examined, and the necessary buoys provided, which are
now being placed.
Great attention has been given to the attendance upon, and management of the lights, to the cleanliness of the towers and buildings,
and to the instruction of keepers in their duties.
The beacons authorized to be erected upon the sites occupied by the
Coast Survey signals along the Florida reefs have been erected by
Lieutenant James Totten, of the" army, under the direction of the
Superintendent of the Coast Survey, with but one or'two exceptions.
The whole number will, it is expected, be completed during the
present season on that coast.
The placing of these day-marks along those dangerous reefs has
fully realized the anticipations of all who are engaged in navigating
/the Florida Pass. A few more aids of this description are still needed
on that coast to complete the work.
The necessity for additional aids'has been shown by the developments of the hydrographical operations of the Coast Survey in that
quarter.
'
.
The works of construction and renovation in this district are under
the charge of Lieutenant George G.. Meade, of the corps of topographical engineers. .
The works at Jupiter inlet. Coffin's Patches, Rebecca shoal, and
the improvement of the light at Cape Florida, are now, or have been
during the year, in process of execution.
The materials have been procured, and the illuminating apparatus
received for these important liglits. The failure to erect the beacon
at Rebecca shoal ^ has arisen, first, from the epidemic on that cpast;
and secondly, from the continued unfavorable weather for .operating
at such an exposed position.
While the delay in the first instance, and the destruction of the
temporary works in the second place, are greatly to be regretted, yet
the reports of Lieutenant Meade will be found to explain fully and
satisfactorily that no proper efforts were, omitted to carry out the .
instructions of the board.
(See Appendix, Nos. 11, 16, and 1*7, and Table A.),
The board is indebted to Captain H. G. Wright, of the corps of
engineers, in charge of the fortification works at .Garden key (Tortugas,) for his valuable report, and the estimate, based upon it, for a



'264

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

new light-house at that important point, both commercially and as
one of the most prominent military stations of the country.
A first-class light has been needed for many years at the Dry Tortugas, to serve as a guide to the commerce of the gulf, in approaching
or leaving the delta of the 'Mississippi, Mobile, Pensacola, &c.., but
the necessity is greatly increased since the commencement of the
fortification works, and the determination to occupy it hereafter as a
military station.
The geographical position of the Tortugas, the dangers to ihe
navigator by which they are surrounded, and the necessity for passing
near them in navigating the gulf, are so Avell understood t h a t itwould^
seem to be unnecessary to enlarge upon the adyafitages to be derived
from the erection ofa first-class light-house tower, and the'exhibition
of a first-class light from it at that point.
(See Appendix No. 17.)
In the eighth light-house district, embracing thecoast of Florida frpm
St. Mark's, westward, the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, as far as Barrataria bay, the general light-house service is in
charge of Captain D. Leadbetter, ofthe corps of engineers, as inspector.
. .
.
All the duties of engineer and inspector, embracing a large number
of the different kinds of aids,to navigation, devolve updn this officer.
The works of construction, renovation, and repair in this district
have been numerous ever since Captain Leadbetter has had charge of it.
The buoyage and beaconage j)rior to that time had been almost
entirely neglected, and the lights. were in a wretchedly inefficient
state.
Under his management the most marked and satisfactory improve
ments have been made. The works of construction havebeen steadily
pressed forward; the repairs and renovations have received a full share
of attention; the beaconage and buoyage has been placed in a most,
efficient and creditable state, and the inspections have been frequent
and thorough.
The terrific storms and hurricanes by which the gulf coast is so frequently visited, and which formerly proved so disastrous to lighthouses and the'pther aids to navigation, though not less frequent nor
less terrific now than formerly, yet the damage has of late been comparatively trifling ; owing, it is believed, to the superior manner in
which the buildings iVave been repaired or constructed, and to the attention given to the wants of the service in providing the necessary
means of prevention to guard against casualties.
The approach to t h e iniportant port of Mobile has never been
properly marked by a light'of the requisite power and range. The
insignificant light at Mobile Point; and the equally inefficient one as a
seacoast light at Sand island, at the distance of about three miles
from the former, do not meet the requirements of the navigator in
approaching Mobile bay.
While these two lights are each, in annual expense, nearly
equal to what a first-class light would be, they are but little better
than, lights of the fourth class. It. is proposed to' erect a first-class
light on Sand island in the place of the present onOj tp be properly




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

265

distinguished; and upon its completion and exhibition, to reduce the'
present light at Mobile Point to a harbor light. An estimate is
accordingly submitted for that purpose.
, •
The great increase lately in the depth of water in the channel of •
Pass a r O u t r e , and the recent erection of a l i g h t to mark that pass,
have rendered the light at the Northeast Pass of-the Mississippi useless as a guide to the navigator at night; it is therefore recommended '
that, authority be given for disGontinuing that light, preserving the
tower, however, as a day-beacon, and to be exhibited hereafter should
the change in the channels render it necessary to do so. The multiplication of lights, and their close proximity to each other, makes this
step indispensable to the establishment of an efficient system of illumination of the coast.
(See Appendix Nb. 18, and Table A, for a detail of the works in
'progress and completed during the year.)
^ •
Lieutenant John Newton, of the corps of engineers, is in charge of
the light-house works at Pensacola, Florida.
The necessary examinations are being ihade for determining the
best position for the light-house at that place.
The bar and harbor have been buoyed out in the most effective
manner, and it is proposed to place a screw-pile light-house on the
point of the Middle Ground, to range with^ the main light for crossing
the bar and- reaching a safe anchorage at night.
The ninth light-house district, embracing that part of the coast of
Louisiana from the.Bay of Barrataria west, and the entire coast of
Texas, is in charge of Lieutenant W . H. Stevens, of the corps of
engineers. (Appendix No. 19.)
Some of the new works authprized in this district have been delayed in consequence of the want of valid titles to the sites. These
difficulties are now, however, about being removed, and the structures
will be commenced and completed, it is hoped, very soon.
The light-houses at Aransas Pass and at the mouth of the Sabine,
river are in process of erection ; the beacon for the bar at Galveston
is in process of constriiction, and will be .erected at an early day.
The light-house authorized for Timballier' bay will be erected,
probably, during the coining winter ; that at Barrataria as soon as
the title to the land is approved ; and the .one on Shell keys as soon as
the necessary plans can be prepared for doing so.
The screw-pile light-house authprized to be erected on Ship shoal,
to take the place of the light-vessel now marking that danger, will be
commenced at an early day.
Examinations have been made by, and reports received from, the
Coast Survey in relatiori to the necessity for the other lights authorized .
on the coast of Texas.
The lights in this district have been well looked after by the inspector, and a marked improvement has been the consequence.
Renovations and improvements are still in progress, and[ willbe
continued until the lights are rendered as efficient as it is possible to
make them.
The three light-vessels in this district have been greatly improved
within the past year. During a recent severe storm, the light-vessel



266

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

at Ship shoal and the one at Atchfalaya bay were driven from their
moorings and greatly damaged. Through the great exertions ol" the
inspector they were rescued from the perilous situations in which they
were found at the subsiding of the gale, have been repaired, and are,
by this time, at their respective stations.
The buoyage and beaconage of this district is in an efficient state,
and a good supply of spare buoys is on hand to meet any emergencies.
The beaconage, buoyage, and stakeage of the Atchafalaya and Cote
Blanche bays is in successful progress and approaching completion.
I t is recommerided that, inasmuch as these waters cannot be safely
navigated" at night, and as the buoys and stakes nPw being placed
will subserve all the purposes of the navigator, the Atchafalaya Bay
light-vessel be dispensed with. This recommendation of the inspector
is, in the opinion of, the board, an eminently proper one, and, if
authorized to be carried out, will produce an annual saving nearly
equal to the entire cost of placing the day-marks in the two bays.
(See Appendix No. 19, and Table A.)
The tenth light-house district, embracing the rivers St. Lawrence
and Niagara, and Lakes Ontario and Erie, is in charge of Captain J .
C. Woodruff, of the. corps of topographical engineers. (Appendix
No. 20.)
The works at Tibbett's Point, Genesee river. Black Rock, Green
island, Maumee bay, and Monroe, have been completed, and the important work on the Horse Shoe reef, in the Niagara river, was commenced in May last, under the act of August 3, J854.
The erection of the beacon-light authorized for Carlton Head is
delayed for want of a perfect title to the site. ,
The repairs of towers and buildings, and the protection of property
belonging to the light-house establishment, have been general, although not very extensive at any one station. •
New illuminating apparatus has been introduced at a number of
light stations where it was most needed^ but the limited number
available has prevented the general introduction desired. As apparatus becomes available for the general ^service of renovation and improvement, it is designed to change all the old lamps and reflectors in
the district.
The buoy service has received a large share of the attention of the
inspector during the year. It is now placed in a most efficient state,
to the great advantage of the navigating interests.
Special pains have been taken to distinguish different contiguous
channels by using different descriptions of buoys and other distinguishing marks. New channels have been marked, and the general
wants of navigation-in this branch of the service have, itis believed,
been fully and promptly provided for.
.
Additional buoys are required to mark the Detroit river, and for a
few important dangers in other parts of the district, for which'a small
appropriation will be required.
The small sums based upon detailed estimates for the three following works are recommended, viz :
.'
For repairs and improvements of Erie beacon
|5,250 00
For repairs and Improvements of Huron beacon
....:., 4,580 00




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

267

ForrepairsandimprovementsofBlackRiverpier-headlight $7,300 00
For additional buoys in the Detroit river, and to mark obstructions to navigation in the St. Lawrence river and
Niagara river, and in Lakes Ontario and Erie
5,000 00
A fog-bell authorized for the Buffalo light station is in process of
construction, and will be completed at an early day.
It is recommerided that the lights a t t h e following points be discontinued, viz: Silver creek, Portland harbor (or Barcelona,) Port Clinton, and the light on the hill at Cleveland.
•There is no harbor at Silver creek or Barcelona, and the one at
Port Clinton cannot he entered at night, nor are they necessary as
lake.coast lights.
The improvement of the pier-head light at Cleveland, Ohio, has
rendered the former main light (on the hill) at that place unnecessary.
. The gradual improvement in the aids to navigation in this,district
has been very perceptible, and the present condition of the service in
all of its branches is entirely satisfactory.
"^
•
In addition to the duties of inspection, engineering, and the general
management and s.upervision of all the aids to navigation in the district, the inspector is charged with the direction of the distribution of
all supplies among the lights on the northwestern lakes. ,
(See Appendix No. 20, and Table A.)
Colonel Turnbull, of the corps of topographical engineers, has
made repairs of light-hoiise works at Oswego, and Captain Stansbury,
of the same corps, at Huron, Ohio, during the past year.
Colonel James D. Graham, of the same corps, has charge of the
light-house work at Chicago, Illinois, which was formerly under the
direction of the Topographical Bureau.
The eleventh light-house district, embracing the waters of Lakes
St. Clair, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and their branches, is in charge
pf Captain L. Sitgreaves, of the corps of topographical engineers.
The general routine duties of inspections, repairs, improvements
and constructions have been carried on during t h e p a s t year.
The insufficient facilities for travel, and the great extent of this
district, render it difficult to perform the general duties as promptly
and ^efficiently as could be desired.
.Temporary repairs to towers and buildings have been made at such
ofthe stations as were found to be of most pressing necessity; but the
original imperfect character of the constructions, and of the materials
employed in these works, render it necessary that the most of them
shall be rebuilt, at no distant day, upon proper plans and of durable
materials.
.
.
.
^ .
Eight new light-houses, authorized to be built, were commenced on
the opening of the season for active operations in that.regio:i, all of
which are now, or will be, completed at an early day.
The buoys, although comparatively limited in number, in this district, have been improved in character, and the numbers increased
during the last year. The light-houses in this district for w'lich appropriations have been made, other than those under contract, will be
commenced as soon as contracts can be entered into, in cases in
which approved titles have been obtained; and in those in which



268

,

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

no titles and cessions of jurisdiction have been obtained, the efforts
for perfecting titles will be continued, and the works cpmmenced,
without unnecessary delay.
It is recommended that the sum of $6,000 be appropriated for
rebuilding the Port dti Mort light-house, and the sum of |5,000 for a
light-house on Traverse or Charity island, in Saginaw bay.
~ It is hoped that a s t h e population in this quarter increases, the
facilities for travel will be multiplied, so that all the aids to navigation may be visited more frequently, and watched over with more
care than has been heretofore possible.
Although, much has been accomplished already, i n the way of
improving the lights and other aids to navigation in this district, j e t
much more remains to be done, requiring a considerable expenditure
of money, and great labor, activity, and zeal on the part of the officer
in charge. (See Appendix No. 21, and Table A . )
The twelfth light-house district, embracing the entire Pacific coast
of the United States, is in the charge of Major Hartman Bache, ofthe
cprps of topographical engineers.
This officer was detailed, near the close of the last fiscal year, to
proceed to California and take charge of all light-house works on
that coast.
At a subsequent date the War Department relieved Captain Campbell Graham, ofthe corps of topographical engineers, as light-house
inspector ofthe twelfth district, thus placingg^the entire service on the
Pacific coast, in all its details, in the charge and under the direction of
Major Bache.
•
During the past year, the light-house at Point Bonita has been
erected and the light exhibited.
A fog-gun has been placed and put, in operation at that point. A
fog-bell and machinery have been shipped to San Francisco, also for
the same place.
•
.
The bay, harbor, and bar of San Francisco, and the adjacent navigable waters, have been carefully buoyed. Buoys, to meet cases of
emergency at San Francisco, Humboldt harbor, and other parts of
the coast, have been constructed and shipped to San Francisco.
The buoys authorized for the Columbia river and Shoalwater.^ba'y
have been provided, and directions given for placing and keeping
them in position.
'^
Fog-bells are under construction for Point Conception, Fort Pointy
Alcatraz island, and mouth ofthe Columbia river..
Steps have been taken for building the lights authorized for Punta "
delos Reyes, at Umpqua, New Dungeness, San Pedro, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz harbor. Those authorized for Point Lobos,
Smith's island, and Cape Shoalwater bay, will be commenced as soon
as it may be found possible to do so.
'
.
The light originally. designed for Santa Cruz island, and then
authorized to be changed to Ana Capa island, has been reported by ^
the Coast Survey to be unnecessary; but one has been recommended
to be placed at some point nearly opposite to the island of Santa Criiz,
on the riiain land.
'
'
The contract iriade by the Treasury Department, in 1851, for build-




REPORT ON THE ' FINANCES.

269

ing eight light-houses on the Pacific coast, has proved a fruitful
source of difficulty, delay, and expense.
In connexion with this contract, a special agent of the department
was instructed to procure the lanterns and illuminating apparatus to
suit the towers; but after the structures had been erected according
to .the terms of the contract, (as certified by the officers charged with,
their inspection,) and the lanterns and illuminating apparatus had
arrived at San Fraricisco, it v^^as found that no attention had been paid
to the dimensions of the towers in constructiag the lanterns ; and as a
consequerice, all ofthe towers except two have either been taken down '
and rebuilt entirely, or remodelled at a considerable expense, for the
purpose of adapting'them to the lanterns and apparatus.
In other respects, it has been found by Major Bache that the work
performed under this contract was n.ot executed in a creditable manner, and the materials were, in general, ofa very inferior quality.
The terms ofthe contract for building these eight light-houses, the
manner in which the lanterns and apparatus were procured, and the.
dela^y :in commencing the works, have produced a complication of
troubles arid difficulties on the Pacific coast; and in the settlement of
the accounts.at Washington, to say nothing of the enormous extra,
expenditure for useless work, have served to reta.rd all useful operations connected with the light-house establishment on the Pacific
coast, since the organization ofthe Light-house Board.
The board, however, feels confident, now that it has an officer every
way fully equal to the arduous and responsible duties of the lighthouse service on that extended and sparsely populated coast, that
all ^ difficulties will be overcome as rapidly as may be found possible, and that the completion ofthe aids to navigation will followin
rapid succession, uritilthe whole coast is properly lighted.
Major Bache lost no time, after his arrival in California, in taking
the necessary steps for remodelling the important light-houses at the
Farallones, Point Conception, and Point Loma; all of which, it is
expected, are lighted by this time.
A contract was entered into recently, for erecting the light-house
at Punta de los Reyes ; but the work was not" commenced, in consequence of difficulty growing out of a claim to the land selected as the
site for the light-house. The v/ork will be commenced as soon as the
title is perfected and approved.
.
The exorbitant prices demanded for labor and materials, the want
of facilities .for travelling from one light-house statipn to another on
the coast, and the distances between the majority of them, render it
indispensable that some means should be provided by which to enable
the officers in charge of the light-house service to execute promptly
and efficiently any duty that may be required of them. '
With a seacoast of twelve hundred miles in extent; with few safe
harbors of refuge; with none of the ordinary facilities for the service
found elsewhere; and.the necessity for providing the lights with supplies of ail kinds, at short intervals j would seem: to indicate the absolute necessity-for the employment of a pro]5er vessel for this service.
An appropriation is asked to provide such a vessel, and for its




270

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

maintenance for one year; to which the favorable consideration of
Congress is earnestly recommended.
The other appropriations of a special character, when taken iri connexion with the character of the country, and the sparse population
in the vicinity of the different light stations, will,'it is believed, be
found to be reasonable and proper.
• -.
As soon as the contract buildings are remodelled or re-built, so that
they will answer the purpose for which they were designed, there will
be no impediment to an early commencement of all authorized works^
upon proper plans and sites; and w,hich will be pressed steadily forward uritil they are finished, and the lights exhibited.
The great difference in the cost of materials and labor on the Pacific
and Atlantic coasts will be readily comprehended by referring to the
reports of Major Bache, hereto appended, Nos. 22 and 23.
In conclusion, the board considers that it would fail to do its duty
to the service with which it is intrusted, and to the interests involved
in its management, were it not to invite special attention to the low
rate of compensation authorized to bemade to keepers of light-houses;
to the consequent great inferiority, as a class, of the persons, employed
to take charge of the, lights ; and to the importance of devising means
by which to introduce into the light-house service an intelligeht and
trustworthy class of individuals, who will meet all the requireraents
ofthe service.
By the. fourth section of the act to authorize the building of lighthouses, and for other purposes, approved May 23, 1828, it is enacted:
'^That, from and after the passage of this act, the Secretary of the
Treasury'be, and he is hereby, authorized and empowered to regulate
and fix the salaries of the respective keepers of light-houses, in such
manner as he shall deem just and proper: Provided, The whole sum
allowed shall not exceed an average of four hundred dollars to each
keeper."
Pligher rates of compensation will bring more intelligent and trustworthy men forward as applicants for the service; and by a proper
course of instruction, preparatory to entering upon the duties, an increased economy and efficiency must ensue.
No keeper can perform the duties of a light station properly who
cannot read and understand the instructions, directions, and regulations provided for his government, and to guide him in the management and care of the lamps, apparatus, and machinery of the lighthpuse station; but instead of reaching that point, there are many
keepers even incapable of taking proper care of the supplies delivered
to them for the maintenance of the light, and of making returns of
quarterly expenditures, while the rates of compensation will not command the services of-more competent persons. In some cases considerable difficulty is encountered in getting any one to take charge ofa
light station which happens not to be located where the keeper may
derive other private benefits than the mere salary attached to it.
Unless ckpable and trustworthy persons, who can be taught to feel
the responsibility of their positions and the necessity for unremitted attention tp their duties, can be obtained to take charge o f t h e




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

271

lights, there can be no general permanent efficiency or economy in
the service.
^
Very respectfully submitted. .By order of the Light-house Board:
W . B. SHUBRICK, ^
Chairman.
THORNTON A. JENKINS, Commander U. S. N.,
EDMD. L . F . HARDCASTLE,

.
Hon.

Brevet Capt. Corps Top. Eng..,
.
Secretaries,

JAMES GUTHRIE,

Secretary ofi the Treasury.

Recapitulation ofi appropriations recommended fior renovating and improving the present aids to navigation, and for additional ones re' quired to\ render navigation safe and easy.
'

•

MAINE.

For altering, refitting and improying the light at Mount
Desert Rock...
$10,000
For building a suitable tower and keeper's dwelling, and
for providing arid placing the necessary illuminating
apparatus, at Martinicus Rock.
:
" 35,500
For rebuilding,the light-house to wer and keeper's dwelling, and for supplying and fitting first-order illuminating apparatus, at Seguin....
35,000
For rebuilding the light-house and fitting it with pro- ,
per illuminating apparatus, at West Quoddy Head...
15,000
For rebuilding Brown's Head light-house and fitting it
with proper illuminating apparatus
....
5,000
For rebuilding the light-house at Marshall's Point, and
fitting it with proper illuminating apparatus
5,000
For rebuilding the light-house at Fort Point, and fitting
it with proper illuminating apparatus
5,000
For alight-house at Deer Island thoroughfare
5,000
For a light-house at Bass-harbor Head
5,000
For a light-house on or near Spoon island, in addition
to the appropriation of $4,500, approved August 3,
1854, for a light-house in Isle au Haut thoroughfare
1,500
For a light-house on or near Wood island, in addition
to the appropriation of August 3, 1854
'
2,500
For a bell-buoy, to be placed on the south breaker off
- White Head light-house, at the entrance to Penobscot
bay
.....\..
5,000
For a bell-buoy, to be placed on the ledge about three
miles east of Boone Island
5,000
For the erection of a stone beacon on Fiddler's ledge....
3,000
For placing buoys at various points in the waters of
Maine, for which rione have heretofore been authorized..
3,000




00
00
00
00
,00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

.272

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
MASSACHUSETTS.

For the reconstruction and repair of beacPns at Newburyport
,
F o r t h e erection of a light-house on a proper foundation, on or near Billingsgate island,.in place of the
pfesent one....
•
•

$2,000 00
14,000 .00

> RHODE ISLAND.

Fox the erection of a keeper's dwelling and foot-bridge
to Lime Rock light-house
For reconstructing the light-house tower and for new
illuminating apparatus, at Dutch island.
For rebuilding the light-house tower, for preservation
of site, and for new illuminating apparatus for Nayat
Point light-house
•....
For completing the sea-wall for the preservation of the
light-house site at Watch Hill.
"...
For rebuilding a light-house tower on a proper site, in
place of the present light on Block island, and for
fitting the same with>suitable apparatus
For a beacon ^on the Sand-spit off Cpnnimicut Point,
west side of entrance to Providence river

$1,500 00
2,000 00
6,500 00
10,000 00
9,000 00
1,000 00

CONNECTICUT.

For the protection and preservation o f t h e light-house
site and for a new dwelling for keeper, at Lynde Point,
mouth of the Connecticut river

8,600 00

YEW YORE.

For the protection and preservation of the light-house
site at Sand's Point,-Long Island sound
For securing the foundation and preservation of the
light-house site at Execution Rocks, Long Island
sound
;...
,
For an iron spindle on the ^^ Hen and Chickens" Rock,
Long Island sound.
For the protection and preservation of the piers in the
Hudson river, upon which lights are placed
For completing the light-house authorized August 3,
1854, for Horton's Point, in addition .to the former
appropriation of $4,000..........
For a light-house at or near Tarrytown Point, on the
Hudson river......
....:
For the preservation and protection of the light-house
site at the niouth of the Genesee river




4,935 00
. 5,250 00
700 00
. 5,448 00
.3,500 00
7,000 00
2,000 00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

273

NEW JERSEY.

For erecting a first-class light-house, and fitting it with
first-order apparatus, at Barnegat, in place of the
present inefficient one
For continuing and completing the light-house authorized August 3, 1854, to be erected at or near Absecum
:
For rebuilding the foundation of light-house tower and
the keeper's dwelling, at Bergen Point
For rebuilding the foundation of light-house tower and
keeper's dwelling, at Passaic light-house, in Newark
bay

$45,000 00
17,436 62
20,000 00
20,000 00

DELAWARE BAY.

For making additions to thelight-house works at Brandywine shoals, and for their protection and preservation.
For continuing and completing the construction of the
light-house authorized August 3, 1854, for Cross
ledge
;
;
For continuing and completing the construction of the
light-house authorized August 3, 1854, on or near
Ship John shoals
For banking in and protecting the site of the light-house
on Reedy island, in addition to the appropriation of
August 3, 1854

18,121 44 .
22,492 29
25,000 00
3,847 90

DELAWARE.

For the erection ofa light-house on Fenwick's island...

25,000 00

MARYLAND.

For the prptection and preservation of the site of the
Fishing Battery light-house, at the head of Chesapeake
bay
VIRGINIA.

For rebuilding the Cape Charles light-house on Smith's
island, upon a proper site, and fitting it with proper
illuminating apparatus

35,000 00

SOUTH CAROLINA.

For completing the two beacons or range-lights on Soutii
Island Point, and on North island, Georgetown, S. C.,
in addition to the former appropriation
For building dwelling for keeper and assistant at Charles^ ton light-house
For a keeper's house on Morris's island, Charleston harbor, in place of the one destroyed by the storm of
September, 1854
„
18



5,000 00
4,000 00
2,500 00

274

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

For a light to be placed in or near the town of Mount
Pleasant, Charleston harbor

$6,000 00

GEORGIA.

For a beacon-light on or near the south point of Sapelo
island, to range with the main light for the bar and
channel
For a beacon-light to range with the Amelia Island
light a n d t h e outer bar
For two beacon-lights and keepers' dwellings on or near
the north point of Amelia island
For a small light to be erected on the ^"^bay," in the city
of Savannah, to guide vessels from Fig Island lighthouse
For a bell-buoy to mark the approach to the bar at
Doboy
,
For a bell-buoy to mark the entrance to the Savannah
river

1,500 00
2,000 00
5,000 00
2,000 00
5,000 00
5,000 00

FLORIDA. ^

For continuing and completing the erection of the firstclass light-house, authorized March 3, 1853, to be
placed near Jupiter inlet
For continuing the efforts to erect a beacon on Rebecca
shoal, authorized August 31, 1852, and August 3,
1854
For a bell-buoy to mark the approach to the bar at the
mouth of the St. John's river
For a small light-vessel to be placed near Dame's Point,
i n t h e St. John's river
,...,
For beacon-lights at Piney Point, Cuckoo Point, and
Nine Mile Point, in the St. John's river
For buoys and day-marks in the St. John's river
For a day-beacon on Sea Horse reef (Cedar keys)
For buoys and stakes for Cedar Key channel and Manitee river
For rebuilding the light-house at Dry Tortugas and fitting it with first-order apparatus
For the erection of a proper light in the Middle Ground,
entrance to Pensacola harbor, and for completing the
light authorized at that place, August 3, 1854
For rebuilding the light-house tower and keeper's dwelling at Egmont key,
...........o

5,000 00
10,000 00
5,000 00
7,500 00
15,000 00
2,000 00
3,000 00
1,200 00
35,000 00
30,000 00
16,000 00

ALABAMA.

For the erection of a seacoast light, and for fitting it
with proper illuminating apparatus, on Sand island,
off the entrance to Mobile bay, in place of the present
light at that point




35,000 00.

REPORT ON THE FINANCES^

275

MISSISSIPPI.

For rebuilding the light-house and keeper's dwelling at
Round island
For rebuilding the light-house tower at the west end of
Cat island, and fitting it with proper illuminating
apparatus

$8,000 00
12,000 09

LOUISIANA.

For rebuilding the light-house and keeper's dwelling at
Pass Manchac..............

10,000 00.

TEXASo

For the erection of a light-house on or near the head of
the ^^ Swash," abreast of ^^ Alligator Head," in Matagorda bay, the sum appropriated August 3, 1854,
'^For a light-house on or near Gallinipper Point,
Lavacca bay "
,
For the erection of a beacon-light at the mouth of the
bayou at Saluria
For buoys and stakes for the lower part of Aransas bay,
and for the inland channel to Corpus Christi
For the erection of a light at the mouth of the Rio
Grande
...,...,....,.

500 00'
3,000 00^
5,000 00^

PENNSYLVANIA.

For rebuilding the beacon-light at Erie

5,250 00'

OHIOo

For rebuilding the beacon-light at Huron
For rebuilding the light-house at Black river
For additional buoys in the Detroit riyer, and to mark
obstructions to navigation in the St. Lawrence river
and Niagara river, and in Lakes Ontario and Erie....

4,580 00
7,300 00
5,000 00

WISCONSIN.

For rebuilding the light-house at Port du Mort

6,00000

MICHIGAN.

For a light-house to be erected on Traverse or Charity
island, in Saginaw bay...o...c..
c...




^
5,000 00

276

REPORT ON THE FINANCESo
CALIFORNIA,

For providing a suitable vessel, and for maintaining the
same for one year in visiting the lights and other aids
for inspections and delivery of supplies ; for placing
and removing buoys, and for the transportation of
materials, supplies, and laborers for constructing and
repairing light-houses on the Pacific coast
For the construction of a road from the keeper's dwelling, at the South Farallone, to the light-house tower
o n t h e peak
For the construction of a road from La Playa, San Diego
bay, to the light-house at Point Loma
For improving the road from the Coxo or landing at
Point Conception to the light-house
For the erection of a seacoast light on the main-land
between Buenaventura and Point Duma, at such
place as may be determined upon, to indicate the approach to the Santa Barbara channel, in addition to
the appropriation contained in the third section of the
act of August 3, 1854, making appropriations for
light-houses, &c

$60,000 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,000 00

35,000 00

That the following named lights be discontinued, viz : At Silver
creek, on the southeast shore of Lake Erie, New York; at Barcelona,
(or Portland) on the southeast shore of Lake Erie, New Y o r k ; at
Port Clinton, in Portage bay, Ohio ; at Cleveland, east side of entrance to Cleveland, (on the hill) Ohio ; at Beacon island, near. Ocracoke, North Carolina; the Ocracoke channel light-vessel; and the
light at the Northeast Pass of the Mississippi,




A.
Table exhibiting all the aids to navigation authorized by Congress prior to March 4, 1855, and the action taken in each case.
Locality.

State.

Maine ,

Haddock ledge .Steele's ledge
Kennebeck river.

Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriation.
priated, or
balance.
Beacon .
....do...
Buoys, beacons, and
spindles.

ug. 31, 1852
....do
....do

Entrance to Camden liarbor. Beacons and buoys.
Narraguagus harbor
do
Muscongus bay, and otlier
iinportant points on the
coast of Maine.
Petit Menan
„.
Baker's island .,
Franklin island .
Boone island —
Alden's Rock.
Portland breakwater .
Buck ledge
Penobscot river
Mount Desert Rock & Martinicus light-houses.



.do.
.do.

$500 00
1,000 00
5,000 00
I,000 00
1,000 00

Action taken.

A large nun-buoy placed, and spare buoy on hand.
Beacon erected.
Three spindles and four nun and can buoys placed; fifteen
spar-buoys on hand, and spare buoys for the nun and can
buoys.
Two spindles and two buoys placed.
Ten buoys; seven spar and three nun and can buoys placed.
Seven spare buoys obtained.
Buoys placed at sundry important points on the coast of
Maine.

Buoys, beacons, and Mar.
spindles.

3, 1853

3,000 00

Rebuild'g light-house
and keeper's dwelling.
Rebuild'g light-house.
do
Illuminating apparatus, light-house tower, and building.
Iron bell-boat
E'og-signal and keeper's dwelling.
Harbor light
Completion of beacon
Repairs of two beacons.
Fog-signals
.-

3,1854

35, 000 00

Light-house and dwelling-houses erected; lighted.

5,000 00
5,000 00
19,973 00

Light-house aud dwelling erected.
Light-house and dwelling erected.
Tower finished and apparatus erected; lighted.

Aug.

do.-do...
do...

,
,
,

do
do

5,000 00
3,500 00

Bell-boat placed in position.
In process of erection.

do
do
do.

3,500 00
2,000 00
1,000 00

Light-house erected and lighted.
Beacon in'process of construction.
Not yet commenced; no party available.

5, 000 00

Bells are now in process of construction.

..^.-/do

tei
O
O
PI

o
Ul

bo

A—Continued.

bo
OO

Locality.

State.

Maine—Contin'd. St. Croix, Portland breakwater, Kennebeck and
Penobscot rivers, &c.
Kennebunk harbor
Edgemoggin reach
Castine harbor
St. Croix river and. Big island, mouth of St. Croix
river.
Widow's island
Isle au H a u t e . . .
Southern island.
Winter harbor..

Massachusetts..

West Passamaquoddy bay..
Harbor ledge, Seal ledges,
Ship-yard ledge, Lowell
Rock, and Ram Island
ledge.
Noddle's island
. = ,.„.,
Trott's ledge
Dry Point
Wood island
Sow and Pigs Rocks
Near breakwater at Bass
river.
Succonnesset shoal
Graves and Harding's ledges




Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriation.
priated, or
balance.
Buoys and beacons . . Aug.

3,1854.

$2,000 00

do.
.....do.

500 00
6,000 00

do.
Beacons
..
Beacon & light-house . . . . . d o .

5,000 00
9,000 00

.do.

5,000 00

.do.
.do.
.do.

5, 000 00
4,500 00
4,500 00

.do.
do

3, 000 00
6,000 00

Light on pier-head
Light-house
,

Light-house
.do.
.do.
.do.
Two beacons ..
Beacon, buoy, and
spindles.

Action taken.

Buoys placed according to the law.
Awaiting action as to tide lights.
Land purchased; deed in hands of district attorney for
Maine.
In process of construction.
Beacon finished. Doubt about power of owner to convey
the land for the light-house.
Owner of island not able to give title; cannot procure a
good title for himself.
Condemned by Coast Survey.
Land purchased; deed in possession of district attorney.
Land belongs to State; requires act of cession by the
legislature, which meets in January next.
Now in process of construction.
All constructed and placed according to the terms of the
law.

Light-house
do.-..
Day-mark or beacon
do....
Light-house
do....
do..
,
do....
do
, Mar. 3, 1853
do
,
do

4,500 GO
500 00
6,000 00
5,000 00
30,000 00
4,000 00

Site purchased; deed in possession of district attorney.
Beacon erected according to the law.
Site purchased; deed in possession of the district attorney.
Condemned by Coast Survey.
Under construction.
Completed and light exhibited.

Aug. 31,1852
do.--»-.

12,000 00
8, 000 00

Built and placed at her station.
Constructed and placed.

Li ght-vessel.
Bell-boats...

O
1-3

O
W

o
m

Killpond bar

„ . . » . . : - Light-vessel

Fog-bell
....do
Light-house
Three beacon-lights
in place of one
Rebuilding light-house
Gay Head
Egg Rock
-. Light-house
Truro, (Highlands,) Cape Removal of lighthouse, &c.
Cod.
Billingsgate.-..
Preservation of lighthouse.
Brant Point,
Rebuilding of lighthouse.
Vineyard sound
Fog-bells
Boston Bay and Nantucket Buoys
shoals.
Point of Rocks
Light-house
Baker's island
Race Point
Minot's ledge
Holmes's Hole harbor.

Narrows, Boston harbor.
Alderton bar
Buzzard's bay
Minot's ledge

Vermont
Rhode Island.-

Connecticut.

do
Day-beacon
Buoys
Continuing construction of light-house.
New South shoal off Nan- For replacing lost
tucket.
light-vessel.
Burlington
, Two lights on pier..,
Jumper island
, Fog-signal
Beaver Tail
Light-house tower
and fog-signal.
Watch Hill.
Rebuilding light-house
and keeper's dwel
ling, &c.
Bristol FerryBeacon-light
Block island..
Beacon and spindle..
Below Middletown, in Connecticut river.




Beacon-lights buoys,
and spindles.

.do.

12,000 00

-do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

2; 500
2,500
80,000
3,500

3, 1854
.do.......
.do

30,000 00
5,000 00
25, 000 00

00
00
00
00

Under contract.
Do.
Examinations made in reference to the proper site.

.do

2,000 00

.do

15,000 00

.do
.do.

1,500 00
5, 000 00

Placed on board of the vessels.
Buoys provided.

.do.

5,000 00

Referred to Superintendent of Coast Survey for report on
site, &c.; not recommended to be built.
Under contract.
Do.
Buoys provided and placed.
Under constructiou.

do
3, 1855

15,000
18,000
2,000
75, 000

do

30j 000 00

Aug. 3, 1854
......do
,
dos...

2, 000 00
800 00
14,500 00

do
do„„....

Mar.

Building, and will be ready in a few weeks to go to her
station.
Constructed aud placed.
Do
do.
Under construction.
Completed and lighted.

00
00
00
00

Work executed to extent of appropriation.
Under construction.

Do.

&d
O

O

i2j
O

tei

do....do.
.do.
Mar.

3,1853

8, 300 00

1,500 00
2, 000 00
''3>000 00

Do.
Under contracts.
Under construction.

Ul

Do.
Built and light exhibited.
Work to be commenced as soon as proper examinations of
site are made.
Partially executed.

to
CO

bo

A—Continued.
Locality.

State.

ConnecticutContinued.

New York -

Beaconage and buoyage of
Connecticut river.
Saybrook.
Sugar Reef (Long Island
sound.)
Long Point
Sea-Flower reef
Lynde Point
Watch-Hill
reef
and
Whamphasoc, &c.
Niantic
Black ledge

CO

o

Completing same - -.

Aug.

3, 1854

$5, 000 00

do
.do.

1,000 00
2,500 00

.do.
.do.
Fog-signal.
Buoys

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

2,500
2,500
800
5,000

Light-house .
Beacon

.do.
.do.

4,000 00
2,000 00

....do.
Whale
Harbor of Noank and Mys- Buoys .
tic.
Black Point
Light-house..
Breakwater, Southport
Harbor-light.
North Dumpling
Fog-bell . . . .

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

Bay of New York ,
Do
Do.
Horse Shoe reef, Niagara
river.
Gardiner's island
Point au Roche




Action taken

Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriation.
priated, or
balance.

Fog-bell.
Beacon .

Two beacons, main Mar. 3, 1853
channel.
Two lights, Gedney's Aug. 31, 1852
channel.
Two
range-lights,
do
swash channel.
Light-house
Aug. 3. 1854
.do.
-do.

Aug. 31, 1852
do
.

Partly executed.
Under contract, and temporary bell placed.
Sites examined, plans in preparation, and work to be commenced as soon as possible.
Do
do.
Do
do.
Under contract; temporary bell placed.
Buoys placed.

o

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2, 000 00
500 00

Condemned by Coast Survey.
Site examined, and work to be commenced without unnecessary delay.
Site examined, and work to be commenced without delay.
Buoys provided and placed.

5,000 00
I,000 00
800 00

Condemned by Coast Survey.
Do
do.
Under contract, and temporary bell provided.

6, 000 00

Under contract, and near completion.

00
00
00
00

30,000 00'

45, 000 00
7, 000 00
5,000 00

Do

do.

Under construction.
Completed and lighted.
Title deeds not perfected.

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Oswego.
Sandy Hook . - . - . . Thogg's Neck
Sag Harbor
Hudson river.
Long Island
Carlton Head
Buffalo light-house .
Great West bay . . .

5, 000 00
Light-house and pier - - - - . . d o
repairs.
Fog-bell
do
S 5,000 00
....do
do
1,150 00
Beacon
do
1,500 00
Three small beacons.
do
3, 000 00
Beacon
do...:..
1,000 00
Beacon-light
Mar. 3, 1853
2,500 00
do
Fog-signal
Aug. 3, 1854 35,500 00
Light-house

Little Gull island
Fog-signal
Stony Point light-house
....do
•-..
Loyd harbor, Huntington Beacon-light to mark
bay, Long Island.
entrance, &c.
Race Point.
Light-house
Horton's Point
do
Windmill Point
,
do...-

New Jersey .

Delaware ,

Under contract.
Do.
Title deed not perfected.

.do.
.do.
.do.

8,000 00
4,000 00
8,000 00

Site examined; negotiations for purchase of site.
Site selected, and deed under examination.
Preliminary examinations made towards obtaining necessary land.
Examinations being made preparatory to purchasing site.
Do
.
do
do.
Examinations being made.
Examinations beiug made for proper positions.

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

Long Island sound .
Shagwong reef
Romer shoal..

-do.
Bell-buoy
Iron-pile beacon.

.do.
.do.
do

Mill reef
Absecum inlet
Absecum b a r . . - „ - .
Delaware bay
Five Fathom bank .
Cross ledge

Aug. 31, 1852
Monument
Aug. 3, 1854
Light-house
do
Bell and nun buoy...
do
Buoy
do
Iron buoy
Light-house in place Aug. 3, 1854
of light-vessel.
....do...
Buoy
.-..do.-Beacon-light on pierhead.
.do.
Beacon-light




Under construction.
Title deeds imperfect.
Under construction.
Title to land not perfected.
Under contract.
Site selected, and title deeds under examination.

2,500 00
800 00
4,000 00

Small light
Light-house
Nine small lights
Buoys

Reedy Point-

Bells placed.

.do.
.do.
.do.

Isle au Motte
Crown Point
Whitehall
Lake Champlain.

McCrie's shoal .
Port Penn
-

Work completed.

500
8, 000
4,500
700

00
00
00
00

1,300 00
5, 000 00
25,000 00
4,000
35,000
5,000
1,000
800
30,OGO

00
00
00
00
00
00

800 00
750 00
3,000 00

Buoys procured and placed.
Under contract.
No steps taken yet; site selected. Plans to be ready and
work to be commenced at opening of next season.
Completed.
Under construction.
Constructed and placed.
Buoy placed.
Do.
Under construction.
Buoy placed.
No steps taken.
Owner of land refuses to sell the site for a reasonable sum.

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bO

A—Continued.
State.

Locality.

Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriated, or
priation.
balance.

Cape Henlopen light-house. Refitting same with Aug. 3, 1854 $15,000 00
first order illuminating apparatus.
30,000 00
.do.
Ship John shoals
Light-house
800 00
.do.
Delaware Breakwater light- Fog-signal
house.
800 00
.do.
do
Reedy Island light-house...
1,815 00
.do.
Preserving site of
Reedy island
light-house, &c.
5,000 00
do
Iron-bell buoy
Fenwick Island shoal
5,000 00
) Light-house
Bowers's beach
do
5, 000 00
do
Old Duck creek
\ ....do
do
do
Seven-feet Knoll
Maryland.
8, 000 00
do
Sandy Point
......do
5, 000 00
do
,
do
,
Drum Point
15,000 00
do
dO=o«oo«...,
Love Point
T... ,
1,000 00
do
Buoys and stakes
Great Choptank river
Mar. 3, 1853 10, 000 00
Light-house
Virgmia
- - « . . Pungoteague .creek
5, 000 00
do
do
,
Jones's Point
2,500 00
do
Fog-bell
Cape Henry
5,000 00
-do.
White shoal, James river .. Beacon-light
5, 000 00
.do.
do
Point of Shoals, James river,
1,000 00
.do.
do
Day's Point, James river...
5, 000 00
.do.
do
Lyon's Creek shoals, James
river.
5,000 00
Gordon's Point, James river,
do....,
...-.do
Smith's Point
Light-house
Aug. 3, 1854 25,000 00
25,000 00
False Cape Henry
do.....
.do
1,500 00
York spit
Light-boat.
do
500 00
Green and Sandy Points
Buoys . ...„
.do.
Delaware—Continued.




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Action taken.

Apparatus received and ready for being put up.
Material in preparation.
Fog-bell and machinery erected.

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Fog-bell placed.
Instructions to commence work without unnecessary delay.

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Under contract.
) Referred to the Superintendent of Coast Survey for ex5 amination and selection of sites.
Under contract.
No steps taken. State jurisdiction required.
No steps taken. State jurisdiction required.
No steps taken. State jurisdiccion required.
Buoys procured and placed.
Completed and lighted.
Under contract.
Procured and placed.
Completed and lighted.
Completed and lighted.
Completed.
Completed and lighted.
Completed and lighted.
Not commenced yet. To be erected next season.
Not commenced. State jurisdiction necessary.
Boat built.
Buoys placed.

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Cherrystone
Chesapeake bay
Potomac river
Cone and Yeocomico rivers.
Kettle Bottoms and Potomac river.
Matchepungo bay
Naval hospital, Norfolk
Old Point Comfort
North Carolina.

Stingray Point
Upper Jettee, Cape Fear
river.
Baldhead light-house
Rogue Banks
Wade's Point

Fort Macon
Cape Hatteras
Federal Point
Albemarle, Pamlico, Core,
and Croatan sounds;
Neuse, Pamlico, and
Roanoke rivers.
Roanoke marshes
Royal shoal
....
South Carolina... Charleston Battery
South and North Island
Points, Georgetown.
Rattlesnake
shoal,
off
Charleston.
Morris island
Cape Roman
Charleston light
Sullivan's island
Fort Sumter
Battery Charleston .
Castle Pinkney




Light-house
Buoys and stakes..
do
Light-house
Buoys, &c .

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do-

10,000 00
2,300 GO
200 00
5,000 00
• 3, 000 00

do.
do.
do.

1,000 00

do.

12,000 00

No steps taken. Work to be erected next season.
Under construction.

Aug. 31,1852
do
Aug. 3, 1854

2,600 00
5,000 00
10,000 00

Buoys
Small light on wharf. „
Fog-bell and small
light on inner spit.
Light-house
do
Fog-bell . . . .
Light-house
do

.do.
-do.
.do.
.do.

Beacon-light
do
,
do
Buoys and stakes.

do......
Light-house
do
do
Aug. 31, 1852
Harbor-light
do
Three beacon-lights..
Light-vessel.,

Mar.

3, 1853

do
Beacons
do......
Rebuilding light-house
Beacoii to range, &c Aug. 3, 1854
Rebuilding beacon
and keeper's house.
do
Beacon-light
.do.
Light on, &C..--I0,
.do.
Small l i g h t o . . . - . . -

500 00
1,500 00

Not commenced.
Completed and placed.
Completed and placed.
Site examined and selected; title to land defective.
Buoys placed.
Buoys placed.
Permission obtained to occupy the site.
Fog-bell placed. Beacon under construction.

1,000
1,500
800
2,640

00
00
00
00

Fog-bell placed.
Completed and lighted.
Materials prepared, and work to be commenced as soon as
the season will permit.
Built and lighted.
Site selected, and work to be executed as soon as possible.
No steps taken.
Buoys and stakes placed.

10,000
10,000
500
5,000

00
00
00
00

Locality examined and site selected.
Requires examination of site before plans can be made.
Under construction.
Do.

20,000 00

Built and placed on her station.

3,000
20,000
1,000
6,000

Completed and lighted.
Under construction.
Completed and lighted.
Do.

00
00
00
00

1,000 00
2,000 00
1,500 00

Completed.
Under construction.
Do.

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00

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A—Continued.

l4^

State.

Locality.

S Carolina—Con- Cane Roman
tinned.
North Edisto
North Edisto inlet
Hunting island
St. Helena sound
Martin's Industry
Hilton Head
---.......

Georgia.....

Florida

Light-house.
Light-house and beacon.
Buoys
.-........
Light-house
Day-beacon
Light-vessel
Light-house and beacon-light.
Buoys
..-.do
Beacons.
..
Buoys and day beacons.
Buoys
....do

Port Roval harbor
St. Helena bar
Calibogue sound.
Tybee bar and Savannah
river.
Altamaha sound and river..
St. Catharine's sound and
inlet, Sapelo and Doboy
bars and sounds, &c., and
Cumberland sound.
St. Mary's and St. Andrew's
do
bays.
Sea Horse k e y . . . . . . . . . . . . Light-house.....
do
Coffin's P a t c h e s . . _ . . . . .
Beacon
Rebecca shoals
.
Mouth of St. John's river.. Preservation of site
of light-house.
Northwest passage, (near Light-house
Key West.)
Jupiter inlet
. . . . . . do.
»
Florida reef
Coast Survey signals.




Action taken.

Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriation.
priated, or
balance.
Aug. 3, 1854
:
do
do
......do
do
do
do......

500
30,000
800
30,000
10, 000

00
00
00
00
00

Under construction.
Value of land to be determined by appraisement, according to law.
Buoys provided.
Value of land to be determined by appraisement.
Do
do
do.
Building, and nearly ready.
Land to be appraised under the law.

do
do
do
do

1,500
1,500
5,000
10,000

00
00
00
00

Buoys provided.
Do.
Land to be appraised according to law.
Beacons built and buoys provided.

$30,000 00
15,000 00

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......do
do

5, 000 00
5,000 00

Buoys provided.
Do.
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..do

2, 000 00

Completed and lighted.
Under construction.
Do.
Title to land in dispute.

Aug. 31,1852
do
Aug. 3, 1854
do

12, 000
35,000
10,000
10,000

Mar.

12,000 00

Built and lighted.

35,000 00
10,000 00

Under construction
Work partially executed.

3, 1853
do
do

00
00
00
00

Do.

Rebuilding light- house Aug. 31,1852
Light-house and bea- Aug. 3, 1854
con-light.
.do.
Rebuilding light-house
Pensacola.
&c.
.do.
,
St. John's bar and river.... Buoys
.do.
....do
Key West harbor
.do.
Refitting light-house
Cape Florida
.do.
Completing beacon.
Rebecca shoals
-do:
Beacon-light
Fort McRea, Pensacola
Two buoys
.do.
Pensacola bar
.do.
Apalachicola bay and St. Day-beacons &, buoys
George's sound.
.do.
Tampa bay
Buoys
.do.
Southwest Cape, Apalachee- Light-house .
bay.
Ocklockonee shoal
do.
Beacon, buoy, or bellboat.
St. Mark's river.
Day-marks, buoys, ,
do.
and stakes.
St. George's sound ,
Beacon-light
do.
Coffin's Patches
Continuing construc- Mar. 3, 1855
tion of light-house.
Sand island and Mobile Point. Beacons
Aug. 31, 1852
Revenue Point
,...do
do
Mobile bay
Mar. 3, 1853
.do.
Choctaw Pass and Dog River Range stakes and Aug. 3, 1854
bar.
lights.
Mobile bay, Dauphine, Petit Completing the buoydo
Bois, Horn, Ship, and Cat
age and stakeage
Island Passes.
of channels, &c.
Bethel hospital ship. Mobile Light and fog-bell...
d6.---oo
harbor.
East Pascagoula
Aug. 31,1852
Light-house.
Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Buoyage and f
Aug. 3, 1854
Shieidsboro'.
St. Joseph island
Light-house.
do
Ship shoal
do....
Mar. 3,1853
St. Bias
St. John's river .

Alabama.

Mississippi,

Louisiana..




12,000 00
15,000 00

Under construction.
Title to land in dispute.

25,000 00

Examinations are being made for a suitable site.

2,000
1,500
15,000
5,000
1,000
1,000
3,500

Buoys provided.
Do.
Under repair; apparatus received.
Under construction.
Awaits selection of site of the main light.
Buoys provided.
Beacon under construction, and buoys provided.

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Buoys procured and placed.
Title not perfected.

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5,000 00

Under contract.

O

5, 000 00

Work executed.

00
00
00
00
00
00
00

1,000 00
15,000 00

5,000 00
65,000 00

Under construction.
Do.

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4,000
3,000
500
1,500

00
00
00
00

10,000 00
2,800 00
5,000 00
8,000 00
10,000 00
20, 000 00

Beacons completed and lighted.
Under construction.
Beacons completed.
Beacons completed and lighted.

Cl

Buoys provided.
Light and bell provided, and ready to be placed when the
society agrees to take charge of them.
Completed and lighted.
Buoys provided.
Title not perfected.
Work to be commenced as soon as the arrangements can
be made and the season will permit.

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A—Continued.
Locality.

State.

Texas ,

Description of object. Date of appro- Sum appropriated, or
priation.
balance.

Rebuilding of light- Mar. 3, 1853 $15,000
house.
6,000
.do
Light-house
Pass k I'Outre
Aug. 3, 1854 6,000
Port Pontchartrain
do
6,000
.do
,
do.„
Bayou St. John's
6,000
-do
do
New Canal
3,000
.do.
Beacon-light
Proctorsville
5,000
.do.
Southwest Pass, (Miss) 1 . . . Bell-boat
30,000
.do.
Light-house
"Shell Keys"
.do.
1,500
Day-beacon
Horn island
10,000
.do.
Grand Pass, Barrataria bay. Light-house
15,000
.do.
do
Timballier bay
5,000
.do.
Rigolets
do
5,000
.do.
Atchafalaya
and
Cote Buoys and stakes
Blanche bays and bars.
45,000
.do.
Southwest Pass, (of Miss.) Light-house
1,500
.do.
Pass k I'Outre
Buoyage
6,000
»do.
Calcasieu river
Light-house
Mar. 3, 1855 30,000
Ship shoal
do....
Aug. 31, 1852 15,000
Aransas Pass
do....
Mar. 3,1853, & 30,,000
Sabine river
do
Mar. 3, 1855.
Aug. 3, 1854 1,000
Galveston
Beacon-light
Texas coast
10,000
......do
Buoyage of, &c
Gallinipper Point
10,000
Light-house
„„ „. . „ . - . . d o . . . . . .
Half-moon Reef light-house. Light-house
10,000
......do
Pelican island
300
do
Day beacon, to mark
wreck of steamer
Farmer.
N. Breaker, Galveston bay.. Beacon
5, 000
.do.

Louisiana-Cont'd. Chandeleur island




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Action taken.

Under construction.
Completed and ready for lighting.
Title defective.
Under construction.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Site secured, and work to be commenced at an early day.
Site selected, and work to be commenced- at an early day.
Do
do
do.
Do
do
do.
In course of execution.

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

Examination of locality, and site selected.
Buoys provided.
Condemned by Coast Survey.
Work to be commenced very soon.
Under construction.
Site selected, and preparations making to commence the
w^ork.
Title to site not perfected.
Buoys provided.
Condemned by the Coast Survey.
Site selected, and work to be commenced at an early day.
Erected.

00 I Under construction

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Sabine river . . Ohio..

Michigan *

Indiana.
Illinois.-

Light-house

.do.
.do.
Repair to light-house
pier.
Vermillion harbor
do
Eagle river
Light-house
Round island
Beacon-light.... . . . .
Mouth of Clinton river.,
Light-house repairs,
&c.
Mouth of South Black river, Light-house
PointBetsey
..
dO....O
Grand Island harbor
do
Rock Island harbor, (Isle . . . . . . d o
Royal.)
Green island, (Lake Erie).
Mouth of Maumee river...
Huron harbor
^

March 3, 1855
March 3, 1851
Aug. 31, 1852
do

Site selected, and steps taken for an early commencement
of the work.
5, 000 00 Built, and light exhibited.
5, 000 00
Do
do.
6, 000 00 Completed to extent of appropriation.

do
Sept. 28, 1850
Aug. 31, 1852
do

3, 000 00
5,000 00
•4, 000 00
5, 000 00

do
March 3, 1853
....'..do......
do

Have not been able to p.urchase site on reasonable terms,.
Under contract; will not be finished untilnext summer.
Under construction; will be finished this season.
Under contract, but will not be finished this season. Of
no immediate necessity, as all the works on the island
are abandoned.
5,000 00 Under construction; will be finished this season.
Do
do
do.
5,000 00
5, 000 00 Under contract; will be completed next season.
2,500 00 Under contract.

Portage river
„do.
do.
Point Iroquois
, ,
do.
do.
La Pointe
,
do.
March 3, 1855
Thunder Bay Island light- Fog-bell..
do.
house.
St. Clair Flats
Foundations for two . . . . . . d o
light-houses.
Monroe.
Repair of light-house Aug. 3,1854
foundation.
St. Clair Flats.
Completing foundado
fion of two lighthouses.
Michilimackinac..
Light-house and fog.do.
bell.
Old Fort Mackinac.
Light-house
.do.
Beaver island
,
do
.do.
Michigan City
Beacon-light on pier
.do.
Chicago
Breakwater, Waukegan.
Chicago harbor
Port Clinton




Light-house ..
Beacon-light.
Buoys
,
Light-house..

Aug. 31, 1852
Aug. 3, 1854
......do
do

.30,000 00

Work completed.
Undex construction, and will be completed this season.
Under construction, and will be finished this season.
Completed.

5, 000 00
5,000 00
5, 000 00
5,000 00

10,000 00
7,200 00

Work in charge of bureau of topographical engineers.

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Work completed.

20,000 00. Work in charge of bureau of topographical engineers.

i

Jurisdiction over site not ceded to the United States.
Legislature does not meet until the winter of 1857.
6, 000 00 Have not been able to find the owner of the land,
6, 000 00 Contract executed, awaiting approval.
2, 000 00 Pier is not in condition to sustain a beacon at present.

6,000 00

1,000 00
300 00
5,000 00

Under construction.
Title to site imperfect.
Buoys made and placed in position.
Contract executed, awaiting approval.

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A—Continued.
Locality.

State.

Description of object. Date of appropriation.

W^auke^an........ - . . . . . . » Light house on breakwater.
Taylorport
- . - - . . . . . . Light-house
do
Winnebago lake
Wisconsin..
do
- - Milwaukie
...... ....
Small beacon-light...
Port Ulao
Small beacon-light on
Milwaukie
pier.
Fond du L a c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Light-house.-.
do
Minnesota . . . - . Minnesota P o i n t . . . . . . . . . . .
Light-house C alifornia . . . . . . . Farallones island
Illinois—— Oontitiued.

do
Monterey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Point Conception..,-.. - . . . Light-house and fog. bell.
San Diego
Humboldt harbor
Santa Cruz island
Plumboldt harbor

Aug.

Sum appropriated, or
balance.

3,1854 $10,500 00

do
Aug. 31, 1852
do
Aug. 3, 1854
do
do
March 3, 1855

5,000
5, 000
5,000
1,000
1,000

00
00
00
00
00

10,000 00
15,000 00

o

Light-house
do

Aug. 31, 1852
...do
San Francisco bay
do
Buoys
Commission Ledge
^..
do
Mar. 3, 1853
Middle Ground
.....do....do
San Francisco bar
do.
do
. . . . . . ..
Sacramento river
' ....do
. .do
FLumboldfc Harbor, a«.= . „ . . , ..--do
1
.do



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Beacon .

30,000 00
5, 000 00
1,000
500
500
800
2,000
500

00
00
00
00
00
00

Action taken.

To be expended under the direction of the Secretary of
War.
Contract executed, awaiting approval.
Under construction, and near completion.
Do
do
do.
Action deferred for want of perfect title to site selected.
Waiting for construction of pier; will be completed next
fall.
Title to site imperfect.
Site selected ; plans not yet perfected.
Light-house and dwelling built under contract; extensive
alterations required and are being made, to allow the
light to be exhibited.
Completed and light exhibited.
Light-house and dwelling built under contract; extensive
alterations necessary and are being made, before the
light can be exhibited.
Lighthouse and keeper's dwelling built under contract;
extensive alterations required, to allow the light to be
exhibited.
Completed.
Site condemned by the Coast Survey.
Apparatus provided, and w^ork directed to be completed
without delay.
Provided and placed.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
1

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tei
hj

O
td
O
H3

tei

>
Cl

tei

Ul

Point Bonita
Light-house..
San Pedro bay
....do
Santa Cruz, or Punta Ano Harbor lightNueva. •
.-..do
Santa Barbara
Light-house .
Point Lobos
....do.......
Punta de los Reyes

do......
do
Aug. 3, 1854

g5,000 00
10,000 00
10,000 oq

Completed and light exhibited.
Title to site not perfected; apparatus provided.
Condemned by the Coast Survey.

.do.
-do.
.do.

1.0,000 00
25,000 00
25,000 00

Crescent City...
Trinity bay
Umpqua
Columbia river.
Umpqua

....do..
....do...
Buoys.
....do...
Light-house .

Mar.

Title to site not perfected.
Apparatus provided.
Title to land awarded by land commissioner to a private
individual; w'ork cannot be commenced until the purchase is made, and the title approved according to law.
Referred to the Coast Survey for examination and report.
Do
do
diO.
Buoys provided.
Provided and placed.
> Work to be commenced at the earliest possible day.

Cape Hancock

,...do.

CD

Oregon.

Washington Territory.

Blunt's or Smith's island.
Cape Shoalwater
Cape Flattery and New
Dungeness.
New Dungeness and Puget
Sound.
Shoalwater b a y . . . . . . . . . . . .




3, 1855
do......
Mar. . 3, 1853
do
Aug. 31, 1852
Aug. 3, 1854

15,000
15,000
500
1,500
15,000
10,000

00
00
00
00
00
00

— ao
,
Two light-houses.

.do.
.do.

25,000 00
39,000 00

Buoys .

.do.

5,000 00

Built under contract; illuminating apparatus and lantern
ready for placing when necessary alterations to tower
are completed.
Site selected, and work to be commenced at the earliest
practicable moment.
Apparatus ordered.
Site selected; apparatus and lantern for New Dungeness
shij^ped to the Pacific.
Buoys provided in part.

....do.

.do.

3, 000 00

Buoys placed by the superintendent of lights at Astoria.

.do.

Aug.

3, 1854

25,000 00

O
td
1^

O

tei
tei
>-H

Cl

tei

Ul

Miscellaneous.
Testing illuminating Aug. 31, 1852
apparatus of Wilson and Meacham.
Testing plan of Chas. Mar. 3, 1853
Babbage for distinguishing lights
by occultation.

td
tei
hj

1, 000 00- No definite proposition received from the parties.
Experiments being made.

bO
CO
CO

290

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

APPENDIX No. I.
PORTLAND, M B . , September 30, 1855.

SIR : In ohedience to the order of the Light-house Board, of May
29, 1855, I make the following report
1. Renovations, repairs, &c., of light-houses and heacons, since
J u l y l , 1854.
Boone island light-house has heen finished,' and was lighted on
January 1, 1855.
Petit Menan light-house has heen rehuilt, and fitted with a second
order lens, showing a fixed light, varied hy flashes. The fixed part
of the apparatus is now. in operation.
Baker's Island and Franklin Island.light-houses have heen rebuilt,
and are ready for the lighting apparatus, which in both is to be a
fourth order lens, showing a fixed light, varied by flashes.
New lanterns have been placed on Saddleback, Cape Elizabeth,
"Whale's Back ancl Nashe's Island light-houses.
New reflecting lighting apparatus has been placed in Wood Island,
Isle of Shoals, and Hendricks' Head light-houses. The last named
light has been changed to a revolving light.
Portland Head and Cape Elizabeth light-houses have been lined
with brick walls, and cast-iron staircases have been set in them. A
small brick work-shop has been built at each light.
Negro Island and West Quoddy light-houses have been sheathed
with wood, and shingled.
The old Cape Elizabeth fog-bell has been repaired, and erected at
^Portland Head light-house.
The fog-bell at Petit Menan light-house has been altered from
•Jones's original pattern, and now performs well.
New dwelling-houses have been erected at Owl's Head, Moose-a-bec,
and Libby Island light-houses.
Lenses have been substituted for reflectors in Little River, White
Head, Portland Head, Cape Elizabeth, Whale's Back, and Portsmouth
light-houses.
2. Ofthe beaconage, buoyage, &c., of channels, &c.
Since my last report, five new buoys and a bell-boat have been
iplaced to mark the approaches to Portland harbor ; several new buoys
have been placed in the Kennebec river ; the ledges in the Sheepscot
river have been marked by buoys.
A buoy, a stone beacon, and three iron spindles have been place-d
and erected in Rockport harbor.
A timber beacon has been built on Steel's ledge, Penobscot bay.
One of the same kind'has been erected on Trott's ledge, near Castine.
The western entrance of Edgemoggin reach has been marked by
buoys.
Fox Island thoroughfare and Deer Island thoroughfare have been
buoyed throughout. Two new buoys have been placed in Mount
Desert harbor. Several dangerous ledges in the vicinity of Petit
Menan island have been marked by buoys. The Moose-a-bec reachj




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

291

and St. Croix river, have been marked by buoys. In the St. Croix, a
large timber beacon has been erected on a dangerous ledge, four miles
below Calais, and two wooden beacons are now being built, to mark
the channel through the narrows in West Passamaquoddy bay. All
of the buoys and beacons in the district have been colored and numbered in accordance with the regulations.
3. Of the general condition of the branches of the light-house
service.
The general condition of the majority of the light-houses in the
district is now good. Taking the district as a whole, it may be considered in moderately good order. This is due, not only to the fact
that a considerable sum ofmoney has been spent during the last two
years, in renovating and repairing the light-houses of the district,
and in-building new beacons and in placing new buoys, but also to
the fact that the keepers now understand their duties much better than
when I made my first inspection tour ih 1853. Then, they had just
been appointed ; none of them had any instructions—some of them
had scarcely seen a light-house before they came to take possession of
those to which they had been appointed; and only in a few cases
where re-appointments had been made, was there any indication that
a good light would be kept. Some could not make the lamps burn at
all, and others burned them without chimneys. Each time that I
have inspected since, I have noticed in the greater part of the lighthouses a marked improvement in cleanliness and in the acquaintance
ofthe keepers with the manipulations of the lamps. A great deal of
the improvement is due to the greater experience of the keepers, but
a' great deal also has been caused by the inspection which they know
will be made during the season.
The beaconage and buoyage of the district are in as good order as
they could well be placed, with the means at my disposal. It may be
presumed that the channels which l h a v e mentioned previously, where
new beacons have been erected and new buoys placed, are in good
order.
All of the old buoys have been cleaned, painted, and numbered,
and in many instances changed, during the past season. The labor
of doing this, this season, has been much less than it will be during
any season hereafter,, for the number of buoys has been nearly doubled.
The buoy-tender, in addition to furnishing transportation to the
inspector, takes care of all the old buoys, except those in the Kennebeck river and Portsmouth harbor; she has had, during this season,
quite as much to do as one schooner can attend to; and the duties
will be so much increased next season, that one schooner will not be
sufficient to perform the work.
.4. Of rebuilding, renovations, and extensive repairs required
during the next fiscal year, with estimates, &c.
I consider that it will be advisable to enlarge and alter Mount
Desert Rock light-house^, to make it suitable fqr a third order lens.
The tower is now fifty feet high, and the lighting apparatus consists
of eight twenty-one inch reflectors, and argand lamps, arranged in




292

REPORT pN THE FINANCES.

the same horizontal plane; of course, a very inefficient light is shown.
To make the alteration, the sum of |10,000 is required.
The lighting apparatus at Martinicus Rock is like that at Mount
Desert Rock, viz: twenty-one inch reflectors and argand lamps,
arranged in a single horizontal plane. There are two towers, and I
recommend that ihe light be made a single revolving light. For that
pnrpose, a new tower will be required. The tower-lantern and dwell-.
ing-houses, independent of the lighting apparatus, will require
$27,500. .^
Seguin light-house needs rebuilding, and should be fitted with a
first-order lens. New dwelling-houses are also needed. The tower,
lantern, and dwelling-houses will require $25,000. If the above
recommendations be carried out, the arrangement of these three firstorder seacoast lights will be that recommended by the temporary
light-house board in 1851.
Quoddy Head light-house requires rebuilding, and iiew dwellinghouses, and should be fitted for a third-order lens. For this piirpose,
$15,000 will be required. (In the light-house list it is reported as
built in 1808; it is worn out.)
Brown's Head light-house was built in 1832, of rubble stone and
lime mortar. I t is worn out. I recommend that it be rebuilt. The
sum of $5,000 will be required for the purpose.
Marshal's Point light-house was built in the same manner, and at
the same time. I recommend that it be rebuilt. The sum of $5,000
will be required for the purpose.
Fort Point light-house was built in 1836. I t is entirely worn out.
I recommend that it be rebuilt. The sum of $5,000 will be required
for the purpose.
For recapitulation see end of the report.
5. Of all additional aids required, &c., with an estimate of the cost
in detail.
To enable vessels to cross Isle au Haute bay, and get into Deer
Island thoroughfare, I consider a light-house necessary on Peggy's
or Mark island, in the thoroughfare. The sum of $5,000 will be
necessary for this purpose.
There is a very good harbor about four miles west of Mount Desert
harbor, called Bass harbor. A light is necessary to assist vessels in
entering i t ; and I recommend that $5,000 be appropriated for a lighthouse on Bass Harbor Head.
In accordance with the recommendation of Lieutenant Comg. Craven^
TJ, S. N., assistant U. S. coast survey, I recommend that a lighthouse be built on or near Spoon island, off Isle au Haute, Maine. To
build this light-house, $6,000 will be required. There is a long
stretch of coast in that vicinity which has never been lighted. The
sum of $4,500 was appropriated by the last Congress for the erection
of a light-house at Isle au Haute thoroughfare. Lieutenant Craven
recommends that it shall not be erected there, but on or near Spoon
island, Maine.
The owner of Widow's island is unable to give a good title to it.
The sum of $4,500 was appropriated at the first session of the last
Congress for the erection of a light-house on or near this island.



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

293

There is a rock in the immediate vicinity, on which the light-house
could be built; but as the keeper would be obliged t o ' live in the
tower, this would cost more than an ordinary light-house. I therefore recommend that the apropriation be increased $2,500. I recommend that $10,000 be appropriated for bell-buoys on. the south breaker
off" Whitehead light-house, entrance of Penobscot bay, and on Boone
island ledge, three miles east of Boone island, Maine.
For placing buoys and spindles in the waters on the coast of
Maine, I recommend that $3,000 be appropriated.
For a stone beacon on Fiddler's ledge, Penobscot bay, to take the
place of the small iron spindles there now, I recommend an appropriation of $3,000.
For recapitulation see end pf the report.
6. Of changes of locations, &c., of existing aids: I have nothing
to recommend under this head.
7. Of all useless aids, and ofthe disposition to be made.
I know of none in this district that can be considered entirely useless, and have, no recommendation to make.
8. W h a t advantages have been derived by the introduction of lenses
in place of reflectors.
It is my opinion that allof the advantages possible, viz : economy and an increased brilliancy of the light, have been derived h j the substitution of lenses for reflectors. I think it doubtful whether a reflector
- light, which is elevated more than seventy feet above the ground,
and which is a good light of the reflector kind, would be improved
by the substitution of a lens of an order lower than the third, the
lamp of which burns only a single wick. In two or three instances,
however, I have placed fourth-order lenses in towers which are higher
than seventy feet, and have found no perceptible diminution of the
light for a radius of two or three miles. But I am inclined to think
that beyond that distance, the reflectors would give the brighter
light in these particular cases. Portsmouth light was the best fixed
reflector light that I have ever seen. I t was usually made before
Whale's Back light, which is more than a mile farther seaward.
Since the substitution of the fourth-order lens for the reflectors.
Whale's Back light is seen first coming from sea. As I have not
tried any lamps with double concentric wicks in these fourth-order
lenses hitherto, I am not prepared to state whether this would be the
case if they were used. My impression is, that with the double concentric wicks, the superiority of the lenses would be certain.
In one instance, that of Cape Elizabeth light-house, a thirdorder lens has been substituted for two reflectors lights, one fixed and
one revolving. The lens is intended to shov;^ a fixed light, varied
by flashes. But the machinery that moves the flashing part of the
apparatus is so imperfect that it has had to be moved by hand during
half the time, and the revolution has been so slow that no appearance
of flashing is given, but there is merely a successive brightening and
dimming ofthe light. No repairs or alterations that I been able to
make have remedied the defect; and a new revolving apparatus is
required, which must run easier and faster. This apparatus is now
being made at this place.



294

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

9. As there are no light-vessels in this district, I have no remarks
to make under this head.
10. What number of lens-lights have been introduced since October^ 1852, the number of reflector-lamps removed, and which would
have been required for new light-houses under the reflector system.
. 11. W h a t per-centage of oil and other supplies is now saved by the
substitution of lenses for reflectors, so far as changes have been made.
Below I give a list of the light-houses in which lenses have been
placed, in which are the name of the light-house, the number of
lamps before the change, or which would have been required under
the reflector system, and the order of the lens erected.
Name of light-house.

Order of
lens.

Little River Harbor.
Pumpkin Island
Heron Neck
Cape Elizabeth
Portland Head
Portland Breakwater
Boone Island
Whale's Back
Portsmouth
Petit Menan
White Head
....

It appears, therefore, that the substitution of eleven lenses, burning
eleven lamps, has answered the purpose of one hundred and thirtyeight lamps and reflectors.
A comparison between the actual consumption of oil can be instituted at only two of the old lights at present, as the changes have
been made in all the others except one during the present summer.
The returns from the one referred to show a saving of oil, but they
cannot be relied upon.
At Portland Head, the consumption for the first half of 1854 was
220.18 gallons. The lens was put up January 3, 1855, and the consumption for the first half of 1855 was 47.79 gallons.
At Portsmouth light-house, the consumption for the first half of
1854 was 302.21 gallons. The lens was put up December 29, 1854,
and the consuniption for the first half of 1855 was 39.93 gallons.
• The saving in the first case was 360 per cent., and in the second
656 per cent. The discrepancy between the two arises from the fact
that Portsmouth light-house is a frame structure, very open, and usually burnt in a year tw^elve gallons per lamp more than any other
light-house in the district. Before the lens was erected, the upper
part of the tower had been lathed and plastered^ and made as nearly
air-tight as possible. This'fact will account in some degree for the
small consumption.



REPORT ON THB FINANCES.

295

One hundred and thirty-eight reflector-lamps consume 5,526 gallons
of oil per annum. The eleven lenses, with the most liberal allowance,
consume 1,400 gallons per annum. There is, therefore, a saving in
the item of oil of 4,120 gallons per annum, which, at the rate of $2
25 per gallon, amounts to $9,270. This is at present, in the eleven,
light-houses named, a saving of about 300 per cent.
The saving in the other supplies, with the exception of fuel, must
be nearly as great.
12. The present condition of the light-house towers, dwellings,
&c., on the coast, compared with their condition when present inspector took charge.
I have no hesitation in stating that the present condition of the
light-house towers, &c., in this district, is much better now than
when they were taken charge of by me in January, 1853. During
the season of 1853, I could do but little in making substantial repairs;
I was unacquainted with the coast, and.after making the tour of the
district, found that quite a large expenditure was necessary to place
the towers and dwellings in a fit state to go through the next winter.
Since then I have endeavored to make the repairs and alterations in
as substantial a manner as possible, and the list under head No. 1
shows what has been done since July, 1854. As a general thing I
have considered it best to build the dwelling-houses of wood. I found
that in every instance, the stone houses which had been erected previously were damp and often unwholesome. This could be remedied
by brick lining with an air-streak, but in nearly all cases the appropriation was too small to bear this. I have, therefore, built nine
keepers' houses of wood, and they give satisfaction to the occupants,
and will last, twenty-five or thirty years with but little repairs. I
mention this, because at first sight it appears that the substitution of
a wooden house for a stone one is anything but a substantial repair.
13. Relative conditions of the beaconage and buoyage of channels,
&c., now, and when the district was taken charge of by the present
inspector.
The beaconage and buoyage of the difi'erent channels of the district have been much improved in the last two years. The ledges of
all the most important thoroughfares have been marked by buoys as
far as has been practicable; so that now, the navigation of the Muscle
Ledge channel. Fox Island and Deer Island thoroughfares, Edgemoggin and Moose-a-bec, reaches it comparatively safe. The Sheepscot
and St. Croix rivers have been buoyed out, and many buoys have been
placed on isolated rocks in the open ocean. In all the channels and
thoroughfares above mentioned, with the exception of the Muscle
Ledge channel, no buoys had been placed before the district had been
taken charge of by the inspector.
In nearly all cases where outside rocks had been marked by sparbuoys, nun or can buoys have been set in their places, and sundry
spindles and beacons have been erected at various important points in
the district, which are referred to under head No. 2.
14. General remarks having reference to the gradual improvements
of all the old aids to navigation, and to an efficient, economical, and
systematic management of the light-house service.



296

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

I can suggest nothing worthy the attention of the board as to any
change in the present system for the gradual improvement of the old
aids to navigation in this district.. I believe that they improve every
year under the present system, and that if sufficient means be granted,
they will continue to improve. The principle of the substitution of
lenses for reflectors is, in my opinion, the true one, and I believe that
if this principle be carried out, and proper persons be selected for
keepers, our light-house establishment will in a few years be all that
those most interested in it can desire.
A general increase of the salaries of the keepers—say enough to
make the average salary one hundred dollars greater—is necessary.
Three hundred and .fifty dollars a year, which is the most usual salary
in this district, is not enough to support decently any man with a
family who is capable of keeping a light well.
I believe that such an increase would cause a better class of men to
seek after these places. They are. now too often filled by men who
are fit for no business, and who apply for these positions because,
even with the small salaries now given, they get more money in a
year than they could get in the same time by doing anything else.
On account of the large number of outside buoys in this district,
which require attention—of the length of time often required to get
from point to point in a schooner—of the great loss of money arising
from delays in transporting working parties—of the expense of chartering vessels to transport materials for building, fuel, &c., &c., I am
of the opinion that the best interests of the light-house establishment
in this district will be advanced by the purchase of a small steamer.
She might be schooner-rigged, a propeller—one of about 250 tons
burden.
One such steamer could perform all of the service, which now requires two and sometimes.'three schooners; and.in addition, the time
and transportation of workmen would be saved, which in themselves
are large items. She could also deliver the annual supplies from
Portland or Portsmouth, and by that service alone would cause an
improvement. The supply-vessel is always in a hurry, and in several
cases has left supplies which are not fitted for the light. Often, too,
on account of the short time which she can spend at any light-house,
it turns out that the repairs of oil-butts, lamps, &c., have been imperfectly made. But the great number of outside buoys in the district which require attention, is the principal reason why a steamer
would be particularly useful. There are many more buoys on ledges
exposed to the full force of the sea, along the coasts of Maine and New
Hampshire, than along any coast of the same length in the United
States, and I have sometimes had a vessel waiting more than a month
to replace one buoy. Two weeks is not an uncommon time to take up
in changing one. A steamer could place ten such buoys before a
schooner could place one, under the most favorable circumstances.
Very res.pectfully, your obedient servant,
W . B. FRANKLIN,^
Light-house Inspector, First District, .
Lieut. T. A. JENKINS, U. S . N ,
Secretary of the Light-house Board, Washington, D. G.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
RECAPITULATION.

297

"

Renovations and repairs recommended.—First district.
Mount Desert Rock light-house
'
Martinicus Rock light-house, without lighting apparatus.
Seguin light-house, without lighting apparatus
Quoddy Head light-house
Brown'sHead light-house
Marshall's Point light-house..
Fort Point light-house
;
Total

$10,000
27,500
25^000
15,000
5,000
5,000
5,000

00
00
00
00
00
00
00

92,500 00
Neio aids recommended.—First district.

Light-house, west entrance to Deer Island thoroughfare
45,000 00
Light-house on Bass Harbor Head
5,000 00
Light-house on or near Spoon island, in .addition to
$4,500 appropriated for light-house in Isle au Haute
thoroughfare
,
1,500 00
Light-house near Widow's island, in addition to $4,500
appropriated August 3, 1854
2,500 00
Bell-buoys on South breaker and Boone Island ledge....
10,000 00
Buoys at various points in waters of Maine
3,000 00
Stone beacon on Fiddler's ledge
3,000 00
Total

,

.-.

30,000 00

Total of renovations, &c., and new aids, $122,500.
W . B. FRANKLIN,
Light-house Inspector, First District.
PORTLAND, September 30,1855.

APPE^^DIX No. 2.

BOSTON, September 5, 1855.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the progress made in the construction of light-houses and other aids to navigation in the second light-house district, and the expenditures thereon,
during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1855:
Light-house at thc head ofi Holmes's Hole harbor.—The three beaconlights were completed and lighted on the 4th December, 1854. The
keeper's dwelling-house is nearly finished.
Erection ofi beacon and repairs ofi beacons in Newburyport harbor.—
There has been no expenditure under this appropriation during the
year. The beacon that was temporarily repaired„the previous year.



298

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

was carried away by the ice this spring. An additional appropriation
of $2,000 is asked for to rebuild it and secure both.
A beacon on Fawn beer, near Deer island^ in Boston harbor.—The
foundation of this beacon was secured and some repairs made last
fall; but the superstructure wa"s carried away by a gale, during the
winter. I t will be built during the present working season.
Beacon on Deep Hole Rock.—No expenditure.
Light-house and keeper's dwelling on or near the Breakwater, at Bass
river.—This house was completed and lighted on the 30th April, 1855.
Toioards erecting a light-liouse on the rocks called the Sow and Pigs.
—No progress made in the construction of this work during the last
year. Operations will be commenced early in the next working season.
Rebuilding light-house at Gay Head.—Bids have been received and
accepted for the completion of this work by the 1st December, 1855.
Bell and triangle beacons at the Graves and Harding's ledges.—The
beacon for the Graves has been built, and was moored on its station
the 22d of June, 1855. That for the Harding's will be finished in a
few days.
Light-house on Egg Rock island, near Nahant.—The difficulty in
obtaining a satisfactory title to the island has deferred the contracting
for the construction of this house.
Removal ofi light-house at Truro, (Highlands) Cape Cod.—The subject of the new location is under the consideration of the Light-house
Board.
Preservation ofi the site ofi Billingsgate Island light-house.—The repairs at this place during the last year were carried away by a gale
during the winter, and the balance on hand will hardly be sufficient
to preserve the light-house during the present winter.
The previous history of this island would indicate that it would be
better and chea^per to build a new light-house on screw-piles, than to
make further attempts to secure the permanency of the present site.
I therefore ask an appropriation of $14,000 for that purpose.
Rebuilding light-house at Brant Point, Nantucket harbor.—The plan
for this light-house is under consideration by the Light-house Board.
Light-house on the Spit at thc entrance ofi thc Narrows, Boston harbor.—Bids have been received and accepted for the completion of this
work by the 1st December, 1855.
Beacon on Alderton Point, entrance to Boston Aar&or.—Bids have
been received and accepted for the completion of this work by the 1st
December, 1855.
Repairs and incidental expenses.—The expenditures under this appropriation are for the repairs of light-houses, building a dwelling
house for the assistant keeper at Sankaty Head, and the general contingent expenses for the district.
Respectfully submitted.
C. A. OGDEN,
Major Corps Engineers.
Lieut. THORNTON A. JENKINS,
Secretary Light-house Board, Washington.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

299

BOSTON, September 6, 1855.

SIR: In addition to my ^^ report of the progress ofthe light-houses
and other aids to navigation, during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1855," I have the honor to submit the following:
A contract was made with Harrison Loring, on the 1st July, to
complete the light-house on the Spit at the entrance of the Narrows,
Boston harbor, by the 1st December, 1855.
A contract was made with Caleb^King, on the 18th July, to complete the light-house at Gay Head by the 1st December, 1855.
The light-keeper's dwelling-house at Holmes's Hole was completed
o n t h e 20th July, 1855.
A contract was made with Albert Blaisdell and Charles Emerson,
on the 20th August, to complete the beacon on Alderton Point by the
1st December^ 1855.
A contract was made with Ira P . Brown, on the 27th August, to
complete the light-house on Egg Rock island by the 1st December,
1855.
The bell-beacon for the Harding's ledge has been completed, and
was moored on the 5th September, 1855.
The iron spindle on the Londoner Rock, off Cape Ann, has been
completed.
The foundation and three courses (2 feet each) of the superstructure
of the beacon on Fawn bar has been laid.
Estimate ofi fiunds required fior the preservation ofi the construction and
repairs of light-houses and other aids to navigation, in the second
light-house district, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1857.
For construction and repairs of beacons in Newburyport
harbor
For a light-house on or near Billingsgate island

$2,000 00
14,000 00
16,000 00

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. A. OGDEN, •
Major Corps Engineers.
Lieut. THORNTON A. JENKINS,
Secretary Light-house Board, Washington.
APPENDIX No. 3.
LIGHT-HOUSE ENGINEER OPEICE, NEWPORT, R .

I.,

October 4, 1855.
SIR : In compliance with the request of the Light-house Board, as
expressed in an extract from its proceedings,of the 29th May, 1855,
communicated in your letter of June 5, I have the honpr to submit
the following report of light-house operations in the Rhode Island
subdivision of the third district, for the year ending September 30,
1855, and of proposed operations and estimates for the next fiscal year.



300

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The great extent of the third district, and of the operations therein,
added to the various other duties devolved on the engineer in charge,
made a further subdivision desirable, and, accordingly, I was directed
by the. chief engineer. (June 2, 1855) to report to the Light-house
Board for the assumption of light-house duties in the Rhode Island
subdivision. This was done, and I at once entered on the duties assigned. The following appropriations were then available :
1. For a new light-house tower and illuminating apparatus and fog-signal at Beaver Tail
$14,500 00
2. For rebuilding the light-house and keeper's dwelling,
and for the repairs of the sea-wall to preserve the
light-house site at Watch Hill
8,500 00
3. For a beacon or spindle to mark the reef extending
from Block island
2,000 00
4. For a beacon-light at Bristol Ferry, a balance of
$1,368 48 of an appropriation of
• 1,500 00
The operations under these heads have been as follows :
OPERATIONS.

Beaver Tail.—The plans of this work were not fully prepared at
first; and by reason of several modifications successively proposed, and
an entire change of plan early in September, nothing has been done except to get out the stone for foundations, and to make some arrangements which will facilitate a rapid execution of' the work next spring.
No operations are now in progress there.
Watch Hill.—The existing tower at this important locality is ex.ceedingly precarious, and the old house is in bad condition. As the''
present sea-wall will, in all probability, secure the site this winter,
with slight repairs, 1 thought it best to concentrate operations this
season on the house and tower. Accordingly, I prepared a plan,
which was approved, for a brick house and stone tower in connexion.
Good progress has been made in constructing the house and tower in
a very durable style, and with every prospect of a good result. It is
confidently expected that the house and tower will be finished in
season for occupation during the coming winter.
The tower is built at an angle of the house, and' communicates
with an oil-cellar at bottom and a cleaning-room in the second story
of the house. I t i s ten feet square, without batter, faced with granite
blocks of full length and ten inches thick on all sides, and this facing
is backed with brick-work, leaving a six-feet cylinder for cast-iron
stairs. Large flues are left at each angle between the facing and
backing, • A base course projects three inches, and a corbel course at
top supports the coping course of cut-stone. The house is of two full
stories, and contains a sitting-room, dining-room,' kitchen, three
chambers, a closet-room, and house-cellar, besides the cleaning-room
and oil-cellar.
The unexpended balance of the appropriation will be applied to the
sea-wall, for which I shall submit an estimate under the succeeding
head.
. Block Island.—By reason of various pressing engagements, I have




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

301

not yet succeeded in visiting Block island, for examining the question
of locating a beacon or spindle, and to report on the change of location of the light which has been proposed.. I expect soon to do this,
when I shall submit a special report.
Bristol Ferry.—The beacon-light at this place has been hitherto
maintained on a wooden frame-work. No keeper's house had been
provided. I have to report the completion of the new housp and
tower, in a very satisfactpry manner, and that the light is this:night
first exhibited on the new tower, at a distance of 53 feet N. \fi!^. of
its old place, 4 | feet higher, and 30 feet above low water. The; walls
of the house and tower are of brick, and the plan is otherwise precisely that first supplied by the board. The result obtained is a
thoroughly built, small, but convenient construction, well adapted to
the place.
..j
Nayat Point.—The gale of last January had the effect to so undermine this light-house that some repairs were necessitated for its protection during the storms of the coming winter. These repairs have
been applied. I shall treat of the renovation of this light and its
sea-walLdefence under the next head.
Goat Island wharf.—The service of buoys, &c., in this portion of
t h e t h i r d district requiring a place for storage and repairs, the
Secretary of War has authorized the use for this purpose of a part of
Goat island, Newport harbor. The old Fort Wolcott wharf, which
was the landing place, had fallen into almost total ruin, so that a
landing could not be effected there at high water, and stores could
not be landed a t a l l . Under these circumstances, I was directed to
repair the old wharf. The stone-work is already complete, and the
filling and capping are in hand. It amounted to an entire reconstruction of all a:bove low water,, and this has been done so faithfully
and so well, that the result is highly satisfactory. ' The wharf will
soon be much better than it ever was before. This locality is admirably adapted to the purposes in question, and by some extension of
shore accommodations, can be made all that the buoy service requires
in this quarter.
PROPOSE!) CONSTRUCTIONS, AND ESTIMATES.

Lime Rocks, Newport harbor.—The keeper of the Lime Rock light
is now obliged to live in Newport, and to reach the light daily in a
boat. This is a matter of much difficulty, during the winter storms,
and would, in some cases, be quite impracticable. It seems desirable,
on other accounts, that the keeper should live on the spot. That he
may do so, a house is necessary, as the present building has only a
single small room, and is but a temporary shanty. I would, therefore, recommend that an appropriation be asked for this purpose, and
for a ferry rope or foot-bridge between the rock and the shore. I estimate that for these purposes the sum of $1,500 will be required.
Dutch Island—The lantern and stairs of the tower of Dutch Island
light are extremely bad. The stairs are of very rough stone, dark,
cramped, and slippery in winter. The lantern is wretched, astragals
very broad, glass bad, and the door so broken that it cannot be closed



302

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

tight. It is very desirable that the lantern, illuminating apparatus,
and stairs of this tower, if not the tower itself, should b|e, rebuilt.
Though the walls, of the tower are only indifferent rough masonry, it
may be sufficient for the present to break out the stone steps and
introduce a brick shaft and iron stairs within, merely cutting out the
required openings from the walls. But as this depends upon the
condition of the masonry, which cannot now be fully known, I shall
estimate an amount sufficient for the worst contingency. The house
is in tolerable repair, but so built up with tRe tower as to need some
modifications. W i t h a view to all these objects, I estimate that an
appropriation is required, for constructing the tower and lantern, and
for new illuminating apparatus, at Dutch island, of $2,000.
Nayat Point.—The present tower and sea-wall at this point is in a
very decayed condition. The tower is cracked on four sides from top
to bottom ; its floor is too low, and the stairs are inconvenient. The
lantern is very bad, the astragals broad, glass small, bad, and patched,
and lamps bad. The tower has been undermined—has been protected
by a ring-wall, and this has been breached and repaired. A wall has
been built along the south beach, to prevent the sea from cutting off'
the light-house site, and this, too, is broken down in great part. An
entire renovation of this whole construction is required, and should
be so executed as to be truly permanent. The present plan of seawall is radically faulty, and new lines are required, with more reference to wave and tide actions. Two principal lines, one along the
south beach and one along the west beach, and the tower on the angle
thus made, seems to me the proper plan, and I shall estimate accordingly. I estimate that an appropriation is required, for a new tower,
illuminating apparatus, and sea-wall at Nayat Point, of $6,500.
Watch Hill.—The sea-wall for the protection of this important site
is built on false principles and in an inferior style. The ifirst vv'-all
built was not carried deep enough,.and a second wall has been, in
some parts, placed outside of this, which is also now being undermined by the action of the sea. The materials used were the beachboulders, and are not adequate to resist the action of the unbroken
swell of the sea, which breaks in full force on this salient point. Incessant repairs will be required until a regularly coursed wall is built
and carried down below low water. An enrockment to protect the
foot of the wall will, probably, also be needed. As the site is one of
prime importance, and as so much of it has already been swept away
since its first occupancy, I think it ought now to be guarded in the
securest manner. The balance of the present appropriation, after
building the house and tower, will not suffice for such a sea-wall, and
I therefore estimate the additional amount, which will be required
for this purpose, at $10,000.
RECAPITULATION OE ESTIMATES.

For keeper's house and ferry rope, or foot-bridge, at
Lime Rock, Newport harbor
,
For reconstructing the tower and for new illuminating
apparatus at Dutch island..




$1,500 00
2,000 00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

303

For new tower, illuminating apparatus and sea-wall at
Nayat Point
$6,500 00
For completing sea-wall at Watch Hill
10,000 00
Some other localities where, improvements are desirable have
engaged my attention, but require further study before action is
recommended. I am, sir, very truly yours, &c.,
E. B. HUNT,
Lieutenant Corps ofi Engineers.
Capt. T. A. JENKINS,
Naval Secretary Light-house Board.
LIGHT-HOUSE ENGINEER IOEFICB,

Newport, R. I , October 17, 1855..
S I R : . In further compliance with the instructions of the board as
conveyed in your letter of June 11,1 yesterday made a careful examination of the north end of Block island, to deternaine the question
involved in the existing appropriation of $2,000 ^^for a beacon or
spindle to mark the reef extending from Block island." I also examined, as requested, the sand actions around the present light-house,
and the question of a new location for the light. I have to report
the following facts, and conclusions :
The existing arrangement consists of two lights on the ends of the
keeper's house, and 50 feet high. Around this are shifting sandhills on all sides, and these have reached such a height on some
points that the lights only show some ten feet above them. The
sand-grass gathers sand constantly, and there is no security against
its speedily rising high enough to mask the lights. Altogether the
•location seems to me utterly bad. It is too reinot'e from the point to
make the Sand-spit, which runs nearly two miles north ofthe lights.
From a line almost due east, around by the south, to a line about 30°
west of south, these lights are wholly masked by the higher land of
the island. Now it happens that the most valuable action of a light
at Block island is in this angle of eclipse. Being interniediate
between Gay Head and Montauk lights, it should show.,well seaward.
Navigators running in fromthe southeast and expecting to make this
'light would not see it at all, and thus in dark nights would run
directly on the east beach. In fact, this beach is a frequent scene of
wrecks. Clay Plead bluff, lying but little south of east from the lights,
rises to full twice their height. It is my decided opinion that the
Block Island light should be on this line of cliffs and near their
highest point. So |)laced and raised on a tower of some 40 or 50 feet,
it would, I think, show over the entire island, unless it might be
Beacon Hill. It would mark the east coast line, and have an unobstructed range over all the field now lighted, and nearly 90° besides.
It would be freed from sand-hills, and would in effect mark the North
Sand-point quite as effectively as is now done. Its westward action
would, on the whole, be better than now.
For the purpose of more distinctly marking the North Sand-point,
a small beacon-light on the extreme point might be added to ad' vantage. This should be so made as to be easily moved, and could




304

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

thus be always kept on the extreme point. For this purpose it would
not need to be more than twenty feet high ; and it could be maintained about one-third of a mile north of the present light, and the
present house could be made to serve for the keeper's residence.
In relation to the beacon or spindle for which the existing appropriation was made, I am satisfied, from all I can learn of the sand-spit
off the northwest point, that it would be unwise to attempt the erection of any fixed structure thereon. About a hundred years ago, a
beach-plum thicket' grew on what is now called the Hammock, or shoal
spot, on the north end. . The Coast Survey charts show five feet water
there at mean low water. About two years ago, the shoal, to tho
extent of an acre, appeared dry after a severe storm. It is said to
shift both east and west, and out and in from shore. Thus no reliance can be placed on its stability. The surf is exceedingly violent
along the shoal during southerly storms, when the, spray is said to
break fifty feet high, as opposite waves meet. Again, from the Hammock, north, the water deepens very gradually, so that a beacon or
spindle there would require an extraordinary berth. But the buoy
is the real and safe index of the end of the spit, and as such, is
really better than a spindle or beacon on the Hammock. It would,
during storms, be seen as well as a beacon cased in spray. If it
needs to be more conspicuous, a can or nun buoy might be substituted
for the present spar-buoy, and this change would probably be very
judicious in any event. A lighted beacon on the spit I consider impossible, and an unlighted one nearly useless and wholly precarious.
The change of buoy and a beacon-light on the extreme point of land,
together with a sea-light on Clay Head, would furnish the maximum
protection against this reef, which could be attained without a lightboat. Should this plan be adopted, the existing appropriation would
suffice for bmlding the movable beacon on the point, and re-fitting
the present house for its keeper.
From the considerations now presented, an entire re-organization
of the Block Island lights seems to me of urgent necessity. Those
lights cannot do their duty as they are. The two lights show as one
at a short range, and the attrition of tlie sand has so roughened the
lantern-panes that they are fast approaching the state of ground
glass; hence a decided dullness of light results. They are so much
masked to the seaward, as to serve as false lights by their nonappearance when expected. A new fixed lights varied with flashes,
on Clay Head^ to serve as a general sea-light, and a red beacon-light
to indicate the shoal point or spit which runs off' to the north of the
present lights, would serve all the purposes of navigation far better
than the existing double light.
I would therefore respectfully recommend that an appropriation be
asked for building a new light-house and keeper's dwelling on Clay
Head, and that the appropriation now available be applied in constructing a movable beacon on the point of sand as far north as may
be, with safety; als.o that a can or nun buoy be substituted for the
spar-buoy off the north end ofthe spit. I estimate that, for purchasing the site and building the tower and keeper's house, and for new




REPOET ON THE FINANCESo

' 305

ilium in ating apparatus on Clay Head, or the most northera high
bluff of the east beach, the sum of $9,000 will be required.
Very respectfullv, yours, &c.,
E . B . HUNT,
Lieutenant Corps of Engineers.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

Engineer Secretary Light-house Board.

APPENDIX No„ 4.
LIGHT-HOUSE OFFICE, THIRD DISTRICT,

No. 101, Front street. New York, Oct. 1, 1855.
S I E : In compliance with the order ofthe Light-house Board, under
date of 29th May last, I have to submit the following ansv/ers to
severa! of the questions accompanying it, in relation to the operations
connected with tho service of the third iight-house district, for the
last fiscal year : • ^
1.. ^^Of renovations, repairs, &c., of light-houses, light-vessels, and
Beacons, made since 1st July, 1854."
The illuminating apparatus at the following Hght-houses has been
renovated, viz :
Fort Tompkins^—A. fourth-order lens, 270°, fitted with valve and
argand lamps, for the nine argand lamps, and 2l~inch reflectors.
Robbin's Reef N. Y.—A fourth-order lens, 360°, with valve and
moderator lamps, for the nine argand lamps, and 21-inch reflectors,
Bergen Point, N. J.—-A sixth-order lens, 300°, and argand lamp,
for the seven lamps, and 15-inch reflectors.
Roundout Creek, N. Y.—A sixth-order lens, 300°, and argand
lamp, for the five lamps, and 15-inch reflectors.
Cedar Island, N Y.—A sixth-order lens, 270°, and argand lamp,
for the nine lamps, and 14-inch reflectors.
Esopus Meadows, N. Y.—A sixth-order steamer lens, 225°, and
argand lamp, for the four lamps, and 15-inch reflectors.
Saugerties. N. Y.—A sixth-order steamer lens, 225°, and argand
lamp, for the four lamps, and 16-inch reflectors.
Coxackie, N, Y.-—A sixth-order steamer lens, 225°, and argand
lamp, for the six lamps, and 14-inch reflectors.
Morgan's Pointy Ct.—A sixth-order steamer lens, 225°, and argand
lamp, for the ten lamps; and 14-inch reflectors.
Poplar Point. Ii. I.—A sixth-order steamer lens, 225°^ and argand
lamp, fbr the eight lamps, and 14-inch reflectors.
Norwallc Island, Ct.—Six argand lamps, 21-inch reflectors, and new
clock machinery, for the ten lamps, and 14-inch reflectors.
Stratford Point, Ot.—Six argand la,mps, 21-inch reflectors, and new
clock machinery, for the ten lamps, 15-inch reflectors, and old revolving apparatus.
Point Judith, R, I.—Ten argand lamps and 21-inch reflectors, and
new clock, for the ten lamps^ 15-inch reflectors, and old revolving,
machin ery«
20



S06

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

A new vessel showing two lights, each composed of eight argand
lamps and 12-inch reflectors, has been placed off Sandy Hook, and
the old one removed for repairs ; but she proved to be in a very
decayed state, and w^as sold.
A regular system of repairing the towers and keepers' dwellings in
the district was established by Major W . D. Fraser, United States
engineers, and I believe has been generally satisfactorily carried out
by him and his successor. Captain George Dutton, of the same corps,,
to whose reports I would refer you for the details.
2. '^ Ofthe buoyage, beaconage, and stakeage of channels, &c., so
far as completed under the present system."
The buoyage of the several channels through New York bay and harbor; the East river, N . Y . ; Newark and Princess bays, N. J . ; Narragansettbay, the several harbors in it, and Providence and Warren rivers,
R. I., has been completed. The buoy-vessels are now busily at work
in Long Island sound and harbors, and it is expected that the buoyage ofthese, and Gardiner's and Peconic bays, will be completed in
all of the next month.
3. ^^ Of the general condition ofthe different branches of the lighthouse service at the date ofthe report."
W i t h the exception of the several cases alluded to in this report,
the condition of the different Toranches of the light-house service in
this district may be considered as satisfactory ; but a great deal yet
remains to be done in building and improving.
Jurisdiction has been obtained over the land required for all the
sites of the new light-houses authorized, agreements made for its purchase, and the papers placed in the hands of the United States district
attorney for examination, &c., with the exception of Race Point,
Fisher's island, N. Y., the price for which has not yet been agreecl
upon.
4. ^^Of rebuilding, renovations, and extensive repairs required
during the next fiscal year."
Bergen Point and Passaic light-houses, Newark Bay, N. J.—The
cribs on Avhich these buildings stand were originally built in the
slightest manner possible, and without being entirely filled in. They
are now decayed, or worm-eaten, and settling inwards ; the walls of
the buildings are settling, and the whole fabrics are in such a state
as to be liable to be swept away by a heavy pressure of ice at any
moment. I would recommend that both be rebuilt.
Execution Rocks, N. Y.—The foundation is insecure. The stones
thrown to the eastward of the tower to protect it from the heavy gales
from that quarter have been washed to the west side, and the vessel
filled with stones for the same purpose is breaking up. The landing
wants considerable repairs, as does also the gallery round the outside
of the tower, and the plastering inside. I would recommend t h a t t h e
whole be attended to at the earliest moment possible, and at the same
time a "larger bell, with suitable striking machinery, be substituted
for that now in use, which is much too small, and can be heard but a
very short distance.
The sea-wall at Sands' Point, N. Y., gave way in an easterly gale
in February last. I t is very slightly built, and has been almost an




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

307

annual source of outlay for many years. I would, therefore, recommend that the point be protected in a more thorough and complete
manner, either by jettees and enrockment, or a substantial wall, as
may be deemed best advisable by the engineer of the district. I
would also recommend that a fifth-order lens, to illuminate 270°,
should be substituted for the nine lamps and 21-inch reflectors now
in use.
Saybrook, Ct.—The crib-work supporting the foundation of the
tower is decayed and giving way ; the tov/er, I think, has the appearance of settling to the northeast, and should be attended to at the
earliest date possible. The lantern is old, sashes large, and lights of
glass very small. I would recommend that it be removed, and a
fourth-order lantern take its place, with a fourth-order lens to illuminate 300°, in place ofthe ten lamps and 14-inch reflectors now in use.
The dwelling leaks badly, and has been reported not worth repairing.
I have to recommend that it be rebuilt; and as the public grounds are
very circumscribed, that they be increased also.
New London, Ct.—The lantern at this station is very roomy, but
has the same objections as the one at Saybrook,'and I would recommend that it be renovated in a like manner, and a fourth-order lens
to illuminate 315° be substituted for the eleven lamps and 14-inch
reflectors now in use.
Faulkner's Island, Ct.—The dwelling at this station has been pronounced unworthy of repairing. I would recommend it to be replaced
by a new one at a point as near to the tower as possible, and the old
ohe torn down.
I would also recommend that a fourth-order lens to illuminate 360°
take the place of the nine lamps and 16-inch reflectors, which are
much worn, having been in use fifteen years.
Black Rock, Ct.—Orders have been given to change the lanterns on
this and Dutch island, Rhode Island, towers; but as they both required an entire renovating inside, the work has not been done this
season, and I have to recommend that both may be renovated when
the lanterns are placed. The illuminating apparatus is completely
worn out, and I would also recommend that the first be supplied with
a fifth and the latter with a sixth-order lens to illuminate 270°.
Point Judith, R. I.—The dwelling at this station is in much the
same condition as the one at Faulkner's island, and I have to recommend that it be replaced in a like manner.
The lanterns in the Newport, Warwick, and Block Island, R. I.,
towers, are fitted with heavy sashes and small panes of glass. The
illuminating apparatus at Block island and Newport is much worn,
and I have to recommend that a new lantern be placed in them, and
fifth-order lenses to illuminate 270° be substituted for the lamps and
reflectors now in use.
Nayat Point, R. I.—The sea-wall at-this point is again considerably damaged; the walls of the tower are cracked and settling, and I
am of the opinion that money expended in repairing them is thrown
away, and have to recommend that a new tower be erected further
back on the point, behind and near the dwelling, and that a sixth




308

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

order lens to illuminate 270° be substituted for the six lamps and re°
flectors, which are quite worn out.
The illuminating apparatus at Little Gull island, N. Y., is yery
much worn, and I have to recommend that it be replaced by a lens
apparatus of not less than a third-order, to illuminate the entire
horizon.
The beacon marking the entrance to Southport, Conn., is almost
entirely,broken up, and will have to be rebuilt from the foundations,
or an iron pile beacon erected in place of it. The latter I would recommend, as it requires but little repair, and is more liable to stand
against the ice.' Wooden beacons require an annual outlay to keep
them in order.
The foundation of the standard for the beacon-light at ^^ Van Wie's
D a m " was carried away early in the spring by a vessel drifting
against it during a freshet; and as this has been frequently the case, I
w^ould recommend that a structure, either of iron or stone, strong and
high enough to resist the pressure of the ice, and be above the freshets,
be placed on or near the end of the dike.
5. '^Of all additional aids required to render navigation safe and
easy."
A beacon-light on or off Tarrytown Point, Hudson river, New York,
would be of the greatest assistance to the navigation of the river.
Two appropriations have been obtained for a light near this point,
but both have reverted to the treasury, being considered inadequate
for the object. The first appropriation was for a light on '' Teller's
Point," near Sing Sing, but the price asked for the land exceeded the
amount appropriated. Title and jurisdiction was given by the State
of New York, on the l l t h of April, 1849, for so much land ' 4 n the
Hudson river, at a point in the vicinity of Tarrytown Point, at such
distance from the shore that the water, at the time of ordinary lowwater mark, should not exceed two feet in depth," as might be required for the purpose, for the last, but it was also considered insufficient for the purpose.
A beacon on the sand-spit off Cannonicut Point, west side of entrance to Providence river, Rhode Island, would be of great service
in the navigation of that river.
An iron spindle on the ^^Hen and Chickens Rock," Long Island
sound. New York, would deflne the position well, could be easily
placed, and mark the west side of entrance to Hampstead harbor.
^'What advantages have been derived by the introduction of lenses
in place of reflectors, in old and new light-houses?"
Better lights and a reduction in the expenses of keeping them.
^'What advantages have been derived from the introduction of reflectors and of constant level lamps in light-vessels?"
Very much better lights.
^'What number of the different order of lens lights have been introduced since October, 1852, and the number of reflector lamps
removed from old lights, and which would have required new ones
had the reflector system been continued?"
Two fourth-orders.
Four sixth-orders.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES;

309

Eleven sixth-orders, (steamer-lenses.)
Three large-sized hand-lenses for beacons.
Four small-sized hand-lenses for beacons.
Eighty-six lamps and reflectors have been removed from thirteen
light-houses, and all would have required new ones except two (Robbins' reef and Fort Tompkins,) had the reflector system been continued.
' ' W h a t per-centage of oil and other supplies for lights is now saved
by the substitution of lenses for reflectors, so far as the changes have
been made, in the old and new l i g h t s ? "
About seventy per cent.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. L U D L O W CASE,
Light-house Inspector, Third district.
Commander T. A.. JENKINS, U. S . N . . ,

Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 5.
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ENGINEER AGENCY,
No. 5 BOWLING GREEN, NEW YORK,

October 12, 1855.
SIR: In compliance with the circular from the Light-house Board,
transmitted to me under date of 5th June last, I have the honor to
report in relation to so much of the light-house service in the third
district as has been specially assigned to this office, and the operations therein since the 1st of July, 1854.
REPAIRS, REFITTING, AND IMPROVEMENTS.

A general inspection of the light-house establishments in the third
district was made by Brevet Major Fraser, in 1853, who estimated the
repairs required therein, and established a system for their execution
by subdividing the third district into flve divisions, designated as the
Newport, New Haven, Sag Harbor, NewYork, and Burlington, or
Lake Champlain, divisions, to each of which a vessel and working
party^ under the charge of an overseer, was assigned, who executed
the repairs required under specific instructions from the superintending officer.
These repairs consisted in repointing the masonry of towers and
houses with cement mortar ; repairing and tightening decks; repairing and renewing, where necessary, the frames, glass, and covering
of the lanterns, stairways, and electrical conductors ; painting woodwork ; and whitewashing towers.
The keepers' dwellings and out-houses, wherever necessary, were
thoroughly repaired, including the renewal or repair of weather-covering, chimneys, plastering, cisterns, conductors, and adding 'conveniences for stowing oil and materials, with some repairs of protection
works ; such work only of this character and description being done
as was considered indispensable to the establishment.



310

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

These general repairs, upon which a commencement was made early
in the season of 1854, were completed on the 1st December last, and
the following light-house establishments repaired in the manner described, viz:
In Rhode Island.—At Point Judith, Nayat Point, Warwick Neck,
Poplar Point, Wickford Sandy spit. Prudence island. Goat Island,
light-house and pier. Block island, Dutch island, and some indispensable repairs at Beaver Tail and Watch Hill, which establishments
were about to be rebuilt; also, on the beacons at Great Bend, Hog
island, Brenton's flats, Bristol Ferry, and Spindle Rock.
In Connecticut.—At Great Captain's island, Norwalk, Black Rock,
Stratford Point, Stonington, North Dumpling, and Faulkner's island.
In addition to which, the two beacons in the harbor of Bridgeport
have, during the past summer, been put in thorough repair.
In New York.—At Cedar island, Gull island. Plumb island, Montauk Point, at the eastern extremity of Long Island; at Eaton's Neck,
Sands' Point, Execution Rocks, and Throgg's Point, in Long Island
sound ; at Fire island, Navesink, Sandy Hook, Fort Tompkins, Princess bay, Robbins' reef, and Bergen Point, in the waters near New
York; and at Stuyvesant, Coxsackie, Four Mile Point, Saugerties,
Eondout, Esopus Meadow^s, and Stony Point, on the Hudson river;
and, in renovation and improvement, three wooden tripods were put
up at Van AVie's dam, Cow island, and New Baltimore, and three iron
beacon-posts at Primer's Hook, Catskill Reach, and West Point, all
mounted with bug-lights.
On Lake Champlain, repairs have been made at Juniper island,
Split Rock, and Cumberland Head.
The total amount expended under this head up to June 30, 1855,
was $24,462 99.
CONSTRUCTIONS.

Light-house on Gardiner's island.—This structure is located at the
extremity of a low, sandy beach, about three miles long, projecting
to the northward from the above island, and elevated about three feet
above high water. The building is composed of a keeper's house
twenty-eight feet square, of one and a half stories in height, with a
cellar, and is connected with a circular tower at the northern extremity nine feet diameter, surmounted by a lantern, intended to
contain a Fresnel lens of the 5th order.
The plan was furnished by the Light-house Board, and the buildings have been constructed in the most substantial manner, of hardburned bricks laid in cement, with slate roof, and cast-iron lantern.
Connected with the building is a cistern, six feet diameter and seven
: feet deep, and a small frame wash-room ten by twelve feet. The focal
plane ofthe lantern is elevated thirty feet above low water.
This light-house was completed and ready for lighting in December
last.
Range beacon-lights fior entering the harbor ofi New York, and guiding
vessels to the Narrows.—Of these ranges there are three: one to guide
vessels through the Swash channel, another through Gedney's chan


REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

311

nel to Southwest spit, and the third to guide vessels to and from the
Narrows, requiring the construction of six light-houses, with three
separate keepers' dwellings, four of which are located in New Jersey
and the other two on Staten Island. In accordance with the plans
furnished for these by the Light-house Board in April last, a contract,
dated June 11, 1855, was entered into with Richard Calrow, jr., of
the city of New York, for the construction of these six range lightbeacons at the stipulated price of $19,124 for the whole, which included the construction of nine separate buildings in all, viz: Three
hexagonal towers, three keepers' dwellings, v\^ith light-turret in the
centre, and three separate keepers' dwellings, all of wood, upon
foundations of brick laid in cement. The work to be completed on
the 25th October, 1855.
At this time the buildings for the Swash range are nearly ready for
occupanc}^ and lighting, and the completion of all the others is expected during the month of October present.
The amount of appropriation on hand for these structures is estimated to be sufficient to cover the cost of construction, and also of
cisterns, wells, and the contingent expenses of surveying and superintendence.
Monument on Mill reefi, in Kill van Kuhl.—A wrought-iron pilebeacon has been established on the extremity of this reef, in seven
feet water at low and twelve feet water at high tide. It is composed
of a centre shaft, rising twenty-nine feet above low water, and surmounted by a basket-formed cage-work. The shaft, which is seven
inches in diameter, being braced by iron rods to six 5-inch, iron piles,
established regularly around it at twelve feet distance. These piles,
furnished with disks, were driven fourteen feet deep in a foundation
of gravel, and boulders of very difficult penetrability, and imparting
the utmost stability to the structure.
Beacon on West Oyster-bed, Newark bay.—A beacon, of the same
material and pattern as that of Mill reef, has been established on the
eastern extremity of the above shoal, in five feet water at low and
ten feet at high tide, and rises thirty-one feet above low water. The
piles were driven to the same depth, fourteen feet, in a formation of
hard, compact mud and shells. Its stability is considered ample to
meet any trial.
Beacon on SoMd Spit, Sag harbor, New York.—A vv^rought-iron pile
beacon has been erected on this shoal, composed of a centre pile shaft,
seven inches in diameter, and spear rising twenty-eight feet above
low water, and surmounted by a globular cage-work four feet in diameter, this shaft being braced, by rods of 2-inch iron, to four other
piles, established at nine feet distance regularly around it, and all of
them driven through disks twelve feet, into hard, compact sand. It
is established in one foot depth of water at low and five feet at high
tide, is conspicuous, and its stability is undoubted.
Beacon at Plum Gut, (north fiork ofi Long island.)—The location of
this beacon is on a large boulder situated on the west side of the passage from Long Island sound to Gardiner's bay, between Orient Point
and Plum island.
A wrought-iron beacon had been designed for this locality, and the



312

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

iron-work manufactured, under a previous superintendence, composed
ofa centre shaft seven inches in diameter, rising thirty feet above low
water, surmounted with a basket-formed cage-work. Five iron posts,
five inches diameter, being establish eel regularly around it at the distance of three and a half feet, and rising to the level of high water,
to the tops of which the centre shaft was to be braced by iron stayrods, one inch and three-quarters diameter, the heads of the former
beiug connected by similar rods. All these posts intended to be sunk
in the rock by drilling three to four feet.
The operation of drilling the holes, and establishing this beacon on
the rock, is now in progress, circumstances having prevented its commencement until the month of August last. The difficulties and
delays incurred in this operation are numerous—such as the exposed
position^ rendering the available working days few'in number; the
uncommon hardness ofthe rock, retarding advancement; and the derangement of the temporary staging, caused by a trading vessel running foiil of it in the night, and creating much, delay in its re-adjustment. Still, it-is expected that this work will be completed this
season.
Beacon or spindle on Race Rock.—An examination was made of
this position during the last summer, with the view of ascertaining
its character and the proper plan to be adopted in the erection of a
beacon thereon.
This rock appears to be a boulder, located upon a rocky ledge, about
200 feet average diameter, within the depth of two and a half fathom,®
a,t low water. The depth over the highest part ofthe rock is five feet
at low tide, falling off rapidly on each side to. six and seven feet, the
accessible solid part ofit being about 7 by 10 feet.
It is located about three-quarters of a mile W S W . from Race Point,
and between it and the shore is a navigable channel a quarter of a
mile wide. It is understood to have had two spindles erected on it
within the last fifty years, both of which have been carried away;
but they were slender affairs, of only three inches diameter, inserted
eighteen inches into the rock. There is not sufficient space on it for
a structure of much lateral magnitude, and the examination indicates
that a beacon similar in some respects to the one now erecting at Plum
Gut would be suitable here, formed of a central shaft of forged iron,
seven inches diameter, stepped fbur feet in the rock, with iron stays
around it, secured into the rock with the patent lewis. The shaft to
carry a globular or cylindrical iron cage, of conspicuous size, elevated
twenty feet above high water.
There can be no doubt that, with the simplest form of structure
which may be adopted for this locality, a whole season will be required
to secure it on the rock. Nothing having been effected in this respect
during the present season, it remains to make arrangements for an
early commencement upon the work at the opening of the next.
Beacon-lights fior the Connecticut river.—I have made a minute examination of three j)ositions, in the lower part of this river, which
have been designated as requiring light-beacons. One at Calves'
island, on the east side of the river, two miles below the town of Essex ; another situate in the middle of the river, two miles above that




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

313

town, at the lower extremity of Brockway's Reach; and another, two
miles higher up, on the west, side of the river, and just beloAv the town
of Deep Creek, called the Devil's wharf.
All these are dangers in the way of river navigation, located at
turning-points in the channel, and caused by masses of rough stones
cleposited in the river in close proximity to the channel, and said to
have been placed there by those interested in the shad fisheries. The
river at these points is affected by periodical freshets and floating ice.
Bug-light beacons have been designed for these three points, the
plan ofwhich will very shortly be submitted to the board, and one or
more of them might probably be located before the closing of river
navigation. They are estimated to cost $1,500 each, or $4,500 for'
the three.
Light-beacon on Long wharfi, New Haven.—K cast-iron beacon-post
was established here by Major Fraser in 1854, and a French dioptric
lantern, of the sea-steamer species, mounted on it. As this is, from
its weight and size, not portable by hand, and, moreover, requires
trimming during the night, in contradistinction to those known as
bug-lights, it was found that a housing was indispensable in the use
of this kind of light. At the instance of the light-house inspector, I
prepared", and placed in his hands, a plan of housing for the same,
which has been turned over by him to the collector of New Haven for
further action in the matter.
Beacon sites in Fisher's Island sound.—I have made an examination
of ^^Black ledge," off New London harbor, ^'Sea Flower reef," and
^^ Groton. Long Point."
A conspicuous beacon on Sea Flower reef is considered advantageous
to the navigation through Fisher's Island sound, as it lies between
two channels, or rather midway in the general channel. Iron beacons
for this and Black ledge are proposed.
The necessity for a beacon on Long Point, Groton, does not appear,
and the appropriation of $2,000 ^4br a beacon'on the W h a l e , " is
understood to have been a mistake; whilst neither the custom-house
agents, nor the most experienced pilots and fishermen in and about
New London, had any knowledge of an obstruction to navigation
called the '^ Sugar reef," mentioned in the appropriation bill,
HUDSON RIVER.

For the bug-light beacons proposed for the Mull islands at Schodack,
for which a special appropriation was made heretofore, and for one to
replace the wooden tripod at Van Wie's dam, carried away by the ice,
I would recommend iron structures similar to those which will be
proposed for the Connecticut river, and for reasons equally applicable
to both cases. These are estimated to cost $1,200 each.
Sites have been surveyed and the locations fixed for the light-houses
at Pondquog Point, (Great West bay. Long island,) Horton's Point,
Long island, and Race Point, Fisher's island.




314

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Estimate fior repairs and preservation ofi sites.
For the protection of light-house at Lynde Point, mouth
of Connecticut river
,
New house for keeper at ditto
Site at Sands' Point, Long Island sound
Site at Executicm Rocks
"
Repairs of light-house piers in the Hudson river

$6,800
1,800
4,935
5,250
5,448

00
00
00
00
00

24,233 00
The nature of the above repairs and protection works has already
been reported to the Light-house Board.
The geographical position of the new range-lights for the harbor
of New York, it is presumed, has been determined by the Coast Survey
during the present season. The survey, location, and adjustment of
these have been carefully made by this office, and a map of the same
is herewith.
The undersigned, having had, during the past season, charge of the
duties of the enginer agency in this city, which, from the large appropriations available for fortifications on the Atlantic and Pacific
coast during the past year, have been important and responsible, and,
moreover, the superintendence of the construction of all the military
defences in and about the harbor of New York, under large appropriations, together with the improvement of the Hudson river, has not
been able to devote as much time to the light-house service assigned
to him in the third district as the number and importance of the objects provided for would seem to require.
Whilst it does not appear that there are any officers under control
of the engineer department, either supernumerary or unemployed in
other legitimate duties, this service must necessarily be assigned to
them, and regarded as an extra charge. I yet consider it, so far as
this district is concerned, of sufficient extent and importance, if
properly attended to, to command the undivided attention of a single
superintendent of construction for many years to come.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE DUTTON,
Captain Engineers.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

OFFICE OF UNITED STATES ENGINEER AGENCY,
No. 5, BOWLING GREEN, NEW YORK,

September 28, 1855.
SIR : I submit, herewith, plans and estimates for the repairs of the
light-house piers in the Hudson river, with accompanying explanatory sketches.
Of these, there are five located above Poughkeepsie, and at Esopus
Meadows, Rondout, Saugerties, Coxsackie island, and Stuyvesant




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

315

Meadow. All these are located upon the extreme point of marshes
projecting into the river, or else upon an island^ or insulated shoal
nearly upon a level with low water of the river. As originally constructed, they are wooden crib piers of squared timber, revetted vertically with 3-inch plank^ raised about four feet above highest water,
or else the site is protected by wharfing at the water's edge of similar wood-work and filling.
In addition to the ordinary decay which may be expected from materials of this kind, when used for such a purpose, these piers are
further exposed to injury from floating ice during the breaking up of
winter, the effects of which are very marked upon most of them.
Pier at Esopus Meadows.—This pier, which is nine feet high above
the bottom, is 41 by 50 feet, with an angular extension to the northward of 50 feet for an ice-breaker. The southern extremity of this
pier has been much injured by ice coming from that direction and
acted upon by southeast winds^ and the current of flood. Els,ewhere
it appea,rs to be in good order. It is proposed to add to this pier a
triangular extension on its south end to protect it from further damage
by ice from that direction, constructed of squared timber and ties,
resting upon piles solidly driven into the ground, with a facing of
3-inch chestnut plank, protected at the angles by stout iron bands and
sheet-iron, and the .whole filled in with stone, as shown on the plan
herewith. The estimate for this work (the details of which are
omitted to save space) amounts to $696.
Pier at Rondout.—This pier is 42 by 50 feet, rectangular, and 10 feet
above the bottom, upon which it rests. The timbers in the crib-work
of this pier, and also the outside plank covering, are very much decayed ; in addition to which much injury has been caused by the ice
flowing from thesouthward, as inthecase ofthe pier at Esopus Meadows.
The only mode of repair deemed suitable in this case, is to enclose the
present pier with a substantial timber-work flrmly connected, and
composed of piles driven solidly in the ground five feet apart, connected by caps and8 by 10-inch wailing-pieces, and revetted with 3-inch
chestnut plank, and to add a "triangular ice-breaker to the southern
extremity, similar 'to that proposed for pier at Esopus Meadows, with
the same protection of iron-work at the angles ; all of which is
shown on the plan herewith. The estimate for this is, for the repair of
the old pier, $668; and for the ice-breaker extension, $698 ; total,
$1,366,
P i e r at Saugerties.—This pier is 40 by 50 feet, with an ice-'
breaker extension to the northward, of 50 feet, and has a detached
wharf or landing pier on the channel side 50 by 12 feet. This
light-house pier is similar in construction to the two before mentioned. It is elevated three and a half feet above highest water, and
nine feet above the bottom. The timbers composing it are commencing to decay, and it appears to have been injured and shaken by
the floating ice. It is proposed to repair and strengthen this pier all
around, in the manner proposed for the repair of the Rondout pier, as
per plan. The small detached wharf mentioned requires to be raised
two feet, with new top timbers and stone fllling. The repairs of this




316

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

pier are estimated to cost $1,011; and of the small wharf, $125;
making a total for the repairs at this point $1,136. ,
Coxsackie light-house.—This house is located at the northern extremity of an island near Coxsackie, and j)rotected on the north by a
projecting timber crib-work and filling. At the junction of this
protection with the island, near the house, the banks are being
abraded by the current of the river during the freshes, and the lighthouse grounds thus encroached upon by the water. To prevent further abrasion of the site, it is proposed to place an enrockment of
stone along the shores of the site, connected with the southern extremity of the crib-pier, and extending on the eaistern side two hundred feet therefrom, and on the western side about one hundred and
fifty feet, across a small cove or hollow worked into the island by the
current^ at its junction on the west side with the pier. One-half of
the pier requires new planking, and four additional fender-beams are
needed at the apex. The estimate for this work is, fbr stone, 900
tons, a t $ l 25, $1,125; and for timber work, $225; total $1,350.
Stuyvesant ligM-house.—This house is located on the extreme edge
of a marsh or meadow, projecting into the river on its east side^ and
overfiowed during freshes. It has a protection of wooden crib-work,
filled in with small stones, placed along shore, and on the north and
south sides ofthe site. Around the house it israised to the level of
six feet above high-water, the balance being on a level with the latter,
or a little above i t ; the lower floor of the house and the ground
immediately around it being six feet above the same level. That
portion of the crib-work on the north side projecting from the main
pier to\vards the shore is decayed^ and altogether useless. It is assumed that a substantial enrockment on the north side, as proposed
on the plan herewith,, will afford sufficient protection to this house
during the season of ice and freshes. This, by estimate, will require
720 tons of stone, at $1 25,
RECAPITULATION.

For
For
For
For
For

light-house pier
light-house pier
light-house pier
light-house pier
light-house pier
Total

at
at
at
at
at

Esopus Meadows
Rondout
Saugerties
Coxsackie island
Stuyvesant

$696
1,366
1,136
1,350
900

00
00
00
00
00

5,448 00

If the amount just stated could not be afforded at the present time
from the appropriation for repairs, I would recommend that the enrockment proposed for Stuyvesant^ and about half that for Coxsackie
island, be provided for at once, if practicable, as those points appear
to be in need of immediate protection, and stone for this can be
readily procured from the quarries at New Baltimore, four to five
miles distanto




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

317

The other positions might, I think, be safe through the coming
winter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE DUTTON,
Corps ofi Engineers.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 6.

Extracts firom the report ofi Major W. D. Fraser, ofi the Corps ofi Engineers, dated November 15, 1853.
Bergen Point light.—The following information is derived principally from notes taken by Major Delafield, on his first survey, and
fully authenticated afterwards by my own observation.
The structure consists in a two-story frame building, from the
centre of which arises a wooden tower, surmounted by an octagonal
lantern. It rests upon a quadrangular wharf of crib-work, filled partially with stone, and sheathed in the outside with four-inch plank
placed vertically. The wharf rises about six feet above high-water
mark, and is in a very precarious condition, being constructed of very
light stuff, and negligently framed.
The house is settled at the centre, causing great injury to the ceilings both in the hall and upper rooms ; and is so badly built that
even admitting the foundations to be good, i t i s doubtful whether it
would be proper to attempt any repairs. Little study seems to have
been given to either the form or location of the wharf, to guard
against the ice to which it is every winter necessarily exposed ; and
'^the southwest angle has already sustained considerabie injury therefrom. The dwelling-house is sufficiently commodious, but its condition, as well as that of the wharf, is too bad to justify me in asking
anything for their repairs.
The whole work ought to be renewed, and something better substituted in its place.
How far any of it could be made subservient to this end, it is impossible for me to say, and hence the difficulty of making a reliable
estimate. I have no doubt, however, that it will require an expenditure of at least $20,000 to carry out a plan frora which a lasting
benefit can be expected.
Estimate for improvements

,......, $20,000 00

Passaic light.—This seems to have been'copied in almost every
particular from the Bergen Point light, with this difference now
between them, that the settlement of the house is much more considerable. Indeed, the injury done to it is so great, that I do not hesitate to join with Lieutenant Case in recommending that the keeper
be permitted to vacate the premises and establish himself at Newark,




318

REPORT ON THS FINANCES.

or some place convenient to the light, during the approaching winter.
The house is not habitable.
Under these circumstances I am compelled to recommend as thorough a change here as at Bergen Point; and having the same difficulty to contend with in making an estimate, I now submit a conjectural one, and say—
Estimate for improvements
$20,000 00
Tarrytown Point.—There is a very general wish on the part of
those navigating' the Hudson river to have a light established at
Tarrytown P o i n t ; and as I fully acquiesce in these views, I do not
hesitate to recommend them to the consideration ofthe board.

APPENDIX No. 7.
PHILADELPHIA, October 31, 1855.

SIR : In compliance with the request contained in your letter of June
5, I have the honor to report the following answers to the resolutions
of the Light-house Board of 29th May.
1. Since July 1,1854, lenses have been introduced into this district,
as follows:
At Barnegat, a fourth-order of 360°, to replace ten argand lamps
and reflectors.
At Tucker's beach, a fourth-order, 315°, fixed, varied by alternate
red and white flashes, to replace fifteen lamps and reflectors, which
showed a flxed red light.
At Cape Henlopen beacon, a fourth-order of 270°, in place of ten
lamps and reflectors.
At Delaware breakwater, a fourth-order of 360°, fixed, varied by
flashes, in place of six lamps and reflectors.
At Mispillion, a fifth-order of 180°, in place of six lamps.
At Mahon's, a fifth-order of 180°, in place of ten lamps.
At Cohanzey, a fifth-order of 180°, in place of seven lamps.
At Bombay Hook, a fourth-order of 270°, in place of nine lamps.
At Reedy island, a fourth-order of 360°, in place of tw^elve lamps.
At Christiana, a fourth-order of 360°, in place of twelve lamps and
reflectors.
That is, ten lenses have been substituted for ninety-seven lamps and
reflectors.
The old pattern of bowl-lamps at the Five-fathom Bank light-ship
have been replaced by argand lamps^and 12-inch reflectors—eight
lamps upon each mast.
The Barnegat tower has been sufficiently repaired to secure the
work until another tower can be built.
The Tucker's beach tower has been thoroughly repaired, and the
outer course of brick renewed with brick of proper quality.
At Bombay Hook and Christiana, new iron lanterns for fourth-order




REPORT ON THB FINANCES.

319

apparatus, and at Cohanzey and Mahon's river new iron lanterns for
fifth-order, have been substituted, for the old and defective style
hitherto in use. These were furnished with very wide vertical astragals and inferior glasses, 9 inches by 12. The new ones have diagonal astragals, and superior French plate glass of very large dimensions.
In placing these lanterns the towers have been necessarily remodelled,
and in great part renewed.
Fog-bells have been placed at Delaware breakwater and at Reedy
Island light-houses.
1. The buoyage of Delav/are bay and river has been completed, and
iron buoys generally substituted for the solid spherical buoys, except
at some few points during the season of running ice. The.first-class
iron nun-buoys, specially appropriated for by Congress for the Fivefathom bank, McCrie's shoal, and the Overfalls, have been placed.
Bell-buoy boats have been placed off Absecum inlet and Fenwick's
Island shoal, as required by special appropriation.
The buoys on the Jersey coast and at Chincoteague are generally
well attended to by the contractors, though there is room for improvement in this respect.
3. The general condition of the different branchesof the lighthouse service in this district may be said, I think, to be very good.
4. I presume the extensive repairs, &c., mentioned in the fourth
resolution of the board, will be noticed more properly by the engineer
officer.
5. The board has already considered the necessity of a light-house
at Reedy Point, (Delaware bay,) and of a small light upon the ice
piers at Reedy island, when that work shall be completed. The only
other new aids which I remember at this time are, (1) a new light-house
at Barnegat, and (2) a light-house at or^near Fenwick's island.
The present tower at Barnegat is defective, besides being totally inadequate in elevation to the very important.position which it occupies.
I presume there is not a light-house onthe coast of theUnited States,
except the harbor-lights of New York, which is sighted by so great a
number of vessels as the one at Barnegat. But I believe the board
is aware of the necessity of a first or second class light and new tower
at this place.
A light-house in the vicinity of Fenwick's island will serve to guide
vessels from the southern ports, bound into the Delaware, and also
the great coasting trade with the same or a more northern destination.
Fenwick's Island shoal is a very dangerous one for those, and also in
some degree for the European trade of Philadelphia. It is very common for ships coming from the eastward to fall in with the coast considerably to the southward of Cape Henlopen, and in thick weather a
l i g h t e n Fenwick's island would serve to ascertain their position when
the Henlopen light was invisible. This latter is said to have been
frequently mistaken for the double light of the Five-fathom Bank
light-ship. I have myself more than once observed this double appearance, but find nothing in it peculiar to that locality, having
noticed the same thing in other fixed lights, of which I may mention
a very striking instance in the lens light at Reedy island. So that
the same objection would apply to all fixed lights i n t h e vicinity of




Q

20

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

double ones, and would rather militate against theuse of double lights
at all. The danger of confusion has evidently been exaggerated. But
with a revolving or flashing light at Fenwick's island, and the flrstclass light at Henlopen, no possible danger could remain for the
prudent navigator. The distance between Assateague and Henlopen
is sixty miles, and seems rather a large interval upon so frequented a
part of our coast. The approaches in every direction to so important
a commercial focus as Delaware bay should, by all the rules of lighthouse illumination, be marked by such aids at distances less remote
than sixty miles. Moreover, the shoals off Assateague are so distant
from the land, that vessels coming from the soutii would prefer to
avoid making that light, and would make their calculations to fall in
with the land near Fenwick's island, w^ere that point lighted. A
second-class flashing-light would be sufficient, I presume, for all purposes of navigation here.
6. When the first-class light is lit at Absecum, the Tucker's Beach
light will be unnecessary aud inconvenient for purposes of general
navigation. Indeed it will be of small local importance, as vessels cannbt safely enter Little Egg harbor at night. Itwill be quite sufficient
to reduce it to a small harbor-light, perhaps distinguished by a red
or green color.
Barnegat also would seem to require a change of character to distinguish it from its nearest seacoast light at Absecum.
' Cohanzey light-house also, in Delaw-are bay, will only serve a
local purpose when the Ship John Shoal light-house is completed,
and should be reduced to the most economical scale. It will also need
to be distinguished by color, as Ship John Shoal light is to be fixed,
and only about two miles distant.
8. The advantages derived from the use of lenses in place of reflectors have been, to the navigator, of much greater brilliancy, and a
uniformity in the light distributed over every portion of the illuminated arc, whilst to the government the saving of expenses for suj)plies and renovation is very large.
9. The advantages of introducing reflecf or-lights into light-ships.are
very obvious in Delaware bay, and will be the same off the capes of the
bay, where the change was much needed. Complaints have heretofore
been made, that under some circumstances this light could not be seen
until ships were in dangerous proximity to the shoal. The lightvessel has therefore been placed nearer to the shoal, and public notice
given.
10. The number of lenses introduced in this district since October,
1852, is (10) ten ; the number of lamps and reflectors removed, is
(97) ninety-seven.
A first-order lens is to be placed in a few weeks at Cape Henlopen,
which will make the number of lenses eleven, and of lamps removed
(114) one hundred and fourteen. Of these, seventy were in such a
worn-out condition that new lamps and reflectors were required, supposing no change in the system of lightins".
11. I have carefully compared the consumption of oil reported at
eight of the ten light-houses where lenses have been placed, with the
consumption at the same points, during precisely the same periods




REPORT ON THE FINANCES*

321

last year, and find that the saving of oil varies from 47 per cent, to
73 percent, a t t h e different lights. The aggregate expenditure fbr
the period^ taken at these eight lights, is 240.3 gallons, against 718
gallons last year, exhibiting a saving of 66 per cent. The total annual expenditure of the ten light-houses last year was 3,269.5 gallons,
of which we may fairly infer that 66 per cent., or 2,157.8 gallons, will be saved by the change. It is tobe remarked, too, t h a t i t
every case the power of the light has been increased, and in nearly
every one the arc illuminated has been enlarged; so that the
above ratio is not to be considered as the one which would resull^ from
an exact comparison of the two systems.
The diminution i n t h e expenditure of supplies of tube-glasses, wicking, &c., is evidently in a larger ratio than that of oil. It cannot be
accurately ascertained as yet, but we may presume it will bear some
near relation to the reduction in the number of lamps used—ten
instead of ninety-seven,
12. Not having been familiar with the condition of the light-house
towers, &c., before the new organization, I am not able to answer
this interrogatory satisfactorily.
The towers, which stand alone, are generally in good order, except
the one at Barnegat, which is ill built and in bad condition, and the
one at Reedy island, where the engineer officer is making some
repairs.
The towers upon dwellings at Mahon, Bombay. Hook, Christiana,
and Cohanzey light-houses have been remodelled, and nearly built new
to receive the new lanterns. The dwellings are in good order. The
light-vessels have been very much improved.
13. The buoyage of this district has been much improved under
the present organization. New kinds of buoys have been introduced,
new positions marked, and I believe that in their present, state they
give general satisfaction. I t is found impossible to keep the distinguishing marks always upon the buoys in Delaware bay, in consequence of the carelessness of the thousands of small craft which navigate among, them.
14. The most important matter which it seems to me still remains to
be investigated by the board, for the further improvement of the lighthouse establishment, is the personnel. It will be worse than useless to
introduce the improvements of art and science if they are always or
generally committed to the care of those who cannot appreciate their
importance, and too frequently lack zeal or intelligence to become familiar with the proper care of them. I would suggest whether some
plan might not be devised by which newly appointed keepers may be
in some measure prepared for their duties. Might not a few of the
principal lights be put in charge of superior persons, with higher
salaries, and all new keepers be requiredto spend at least a few wrecks
nt these places, under tuition, before assuming their respective stations? Sluch inconvenience results to the service from the appointment of men who are entirely ignorant of the occupation to which
they are abruptly introduced. The importance of securing the services, of responsible and intelligent men is very evident, and in this
district may be illustrated by considering the large commerce of Dela. 21



322

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

ware bay. The number of vessels which are reported as having
passed the Brandywiue light-house in the year 1854, is 16,060. The
number of vessels whieh are reported as having anchored at the
breakwater in the year ending 31st March, ISS4, was 8,772. These
jeturns, too, are obviously an imperfect mode of arriving at full statistics. The salaries of light-house keepers, I conceive, are generally too sraall. They were fixed at their present rates when prices
of living were much below what Ihey are now.
One of the wants which is most felt in this district-, and I presume
in others also, is the adoption of a lamp for lights of less than the
third order, which will be serviceable in our rigorous winter climate.
None of those now in use—making some allowance, too, for want of expertness on the part of keepers—are quite satisfactory. The French
moderators sent me are ineffective, troublesome, and unreliable.
The syphon arrangement of Mr. Coates seems an unnecessary complication. I am inclined to think that Lieutenant Meade's improvements in this department are the most satisfactory ; but that two
reservoirs will be found necessary to adapt any- lamp to our summer
and winter climates-—one outside the lens, the other over it.
The subject is important enough to require more special investigation by the board.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J . S. BIDDLE,
Light-house Inspector.
Commander T. A. JENKINS,

Secretary Light-house Board.
P . S.—I should have mentioned in the first part of this letter, t h a t
the dock of Fort Pier light-house, which was much decayed and
damaged by ice, has been thoroughly repaired.

APPENDIX No. a
OFFICE TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

San Francisco, Cat., October'^, 1855.
SIRS: The following is the report of operations of light-house service
under my direction, for the year ending the 30th of June last, respectfully subniitted under the order of the board of the 29th of May
previous.
Light-house at Pungoteague, Fa.—This structurCwas completed in
the early part of the fiscal year, and the light exhibited on the 1st of
November.
The letter of the board, of October 20, assigned to me the superintendence, so far as my dtities under the War Department would
permit, of the construction of the following light-houses, to wit: At
Cross ledge, on or near Ship John shoal, both in Delaware bay, and
in the vicinity of Absecum, inlet, on the coast of New Jersey. Also
the superintendence of the refitting of Cape Henlopen light-house
with a first-order illuminating apparatus; of the banking in of Reedy



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

323

island and preserving the site of the light-house, and of the preparing
fog-signals fbr Reedy Island light-house, for the Delaware Breakwater
light-house, and afterwards extended to preparing one for Little Gull
Island light-house.
Light-house at Cross ledge, ancl light-house on or near SJdp John
shocd, both in Delaware bay.—These are screw-pile structures, octagonal in plan, with ice-breakers also of screw-piles, in all respects alike,
except that the first is designed for six feet and the last for eight feet,
at low water, of spring tides. The iron for the piles and the spiderweb and diagonal braces (all rolled iron) was obtained at an early
day and placed in the machine-shop; the piles to be fitted to the
collars and screws and to the capstan drum-head for driviug the latter,
the braces to be provided with turnbuckles and bolt-nuts. Orders were
also in course of execution for casting the screws and collars, the
angle-irons and shoes, and the plates fbr the platform, the walls, the
floors, the roof, &c., &c., of the houses and towers, at the same time
that the forge ^vas producing the girders, turnbuckles, bolts, and all
else of wrought iron required in the construction; in short, all was in
course of preparation to commence operations at one or both of the
sites on the opening of the coming season.
Light-house in the vicinity ofi Absecum inlet, N. J.—A site for this
light was selected near the inlet, and a deed of the land obtained and
forwarded to the board, for examination of the title by the Attorney
General of the United States. A design iri detail was also submitted
and approved and measures taken to commence the work, but nothing
was done in the absence of the approval of the Attorney General of
the title of the site.
Refitting Cajoe Henlopen lightJiouse with a first-order illuminating
apparatus.—Other and more pressing duties prevented me from
taking any steps in reference to this change, beyond those of furnishing designs for the remodelling the top of the tower to receive the
lantern and lighting-apparatus of the order required.
Banking in Reedy island and preserving the site ofi the light-house.—
Examinations were made with a view to these measures ; but as there
was a doubt as to the quantity of land on the island ceded to the
United States by the State of Delaware, no steps were taken to carry
out the objects of the law.
Fog-signals at the Delaware Breakwater light-house, at the Reedy
Island light-house, and at the Little Gull Island light-house.—Of these
fog-signals, the one for Reedy island was finished and put up in position. The two others were in coiurse of construction.
General orders No. 50, of April 3^ 1855, having assigned me to
the general superintendence of light-houses on the Pacific coast, the
board, under date of the 12th of the same month, relieved me from
the charge of all works on the Atlantic, and they were soon after,
with the public property and funds appertaining to them, turned over
to Lieutenant George G. Meade, topographical engineers. Having
rendered my disbursing account for light-house service on the eastem
coast, and made other necessary preparations, I sailed from New York




324

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

on the 5th of June, and reached San Francisco on the SOth of the
same month.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HARTMAN BACHE,
Major Topographiccd Engineers^ Brevet Major,.
Lieut. THORNTON A. JENKINS, U. S . N . ,
Capt. EDMD. L . F . HARDCASTLE, U. S . A.,
Secretaries Liglit-house Board, Washington, D. (7.

APPENDIX No. 9.
ENGINEER OFFICE^ FOURTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

Philadelphia, September 20, 1855.,
SIR: Your letter of the .27th of June last, transmitting a copy of.
instructions, previously forwarded to my predecessor in this district,
required ^^ t h a t I should visit the light-house at Barnegat, New Jersey, and report upon the practicability of rendering this light more
commensurate with the wants of commerce, either by elevating the
existing tower, or in such other manner as my judgment should dictate, submitting plans and estimates." I have to state, that as soon
as other engagements would permit, I visited the Barnegat lighthouse, in company with the district inspector, and have now the honor
to lay before the board the following report, based on this examination:
The tower at Barnegat is placed on the southern side of the inlet,
about 100 yards from the inside beach. The tower is itself only 40
feet high, but being placed on a sand-hill, the focal plane has an elevation of 54 feet. It has recently been furnished wdth a Fresnel apparatus, of the fourth order, which is sufficiently powerful for this
limited range. The tower was found to be in very bad condition;
originally built of inferior materials, the mortar had decayed and
fallen out, so that in many places the bricks w^ere without mortar, and
settling; in consequence, there was about 10 feet below the lantern,
a bulging out of the wall on the outside, and in some places the bricks
had fallen out. In the inside the wall presented a better appearance,
though there was evidence of a crack just below the lantern. Attempts had been made to remedy the defect of bad building, by plastering the tower with cement, but the upper portion, where the decay
was most perceptible, had all fallen off. This condition of the tower,
.as well as its small dimensions at top, precluded the idea of any effort
to improve the light by its elevation. It was therefore deemed advisable, on consultation with the district inspector, to.confine operations ^on the present tower to simply making such repairs as would
^enable it. to stand till an appropriation could be obtained to replace it
•hj a better and more suitable one.
These repairs, it was decided, should consist in removing the skin
of the wall on the outside, where there was evidence of decay, and
resetting the brick with good mortar. Certain repairs also to the
keeper's dwelling, otherwise in good condition, were likewise deter


REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

325

mined upon. The whole of which can be effected at a cost of a few
hundred dollars.
A new tower being absolutely necessary, in presenting plans for
the same, it is proper I should present the considerations which have
governed me in the design, in order to justify the amount asked for
its construction.
. .
The light at Barnegat is emphatically a seacoast light, and should
be of the first class. It has, in reality, no local condition to fulfil,
beyond designating the position of the inlet to those wishing to enter.
The channel into this inlet is so winding and so shifting in its position, that a light at this point is of no use as a guide, even^to those
familiar with the channel, much less to strangers. The inlet, therefore, is rarely entered at n i g h t ; and when it is, those who come in
could do so as well without as with a light. For local wants, therefore, the light needs no improvement; but this, as stated before, is
not the principal object of a light at this point. Its real purpose is
to make known their positions to the mariners from over the sea, who
may first make the land in its vicinity. A glance at the map will
show its great importance in this respect. Situated at a distance of
some forty-five miles from Sandy Hook, it forms, in connexion with
Fire Island light, on the other side, the true mouth to the great commercial harbor of New York. Vessels bound to this port from Europe and from the south, often make the land in the neighborhood of
this point, or between it and the highlands of Navesink; and were
they warned in time, as they would be with a suitable light, they would
often avoid the dangers of this part of the coast, which, in the absence
of such a guide, prove formidable agents in the destruction of life
and property. The evidence of this is borne in the winter's record of
wrecks, and still more strongly in the remains of lost vessels which
are strewn all along the beach.
The present keeper of the light has this year kept a list of the large
vessels in sight of his station during the day, and for the first three
quarters they amount to 1,200 square-rigged vessels and steamers.
It is fair to presume that the same number are in the neighborhood
during the night; and if to this be added the immense coasting trade
of fore-and-aft vessels, some idea may be formed of the number of
lives and amount of property whose safety is dependent on being furnished with the most efficient aid to navigation. Setting aside t h e
consideration of humanity, self-interest would dictate the expediency
of erecting the most efficient light, as the destruction of one of many
of those large vessels, with their valuable cargoes, would involve a
loss of revenue alone sufficient to build a proper structure, furnished
with the best apparatus. It is for the above considerations that I
submit a plan and estimate for a first-class light; the tower to be 150
feet high, and to be placed at a point selected by my predecessor,
some 75 feet back of the present tower, where an elevation of thebase of 30 feet will be obtained, thus ,raising the focal plane 180 feet
above the sea-level, and making the light visible from the deck of a.
vessel over twenty-four statute miles, rendering it impossible to approach within a dangerous proximity to the coast without timely warning, even in bad weather. The accompanying drawing. No. 1, shows-.




326

REPORT ON THE FINANCESo

a section of the proposed structure, which is similar in its design and'
proportions to the tower now being built at Absecum beach. The
foundation is of granite, sunk ten feet below the surface, and the superstructure of brick, laid in cement, with twenty-seven feet diameter
at base and fifteen feet at top, or with a slope, inside and out, of half
an inch to the foot. In the interior is a cylinder of brick, nine inches
thick, and ten feet six inches diameter in the clear, forming the well
of an iron stairway. This cylinder is connected with the main wall
by four wing-walls. The calculated co-efficient of stability is over
nine—that is to say, it is nine times stronger than is required to resist
the maximum force of the wind, the only antagonistic agent it has to
encounter, as it is placed beyond the reach of the sea. The estimate
No. 1 has been carefully made, and is based upon the actual expenditures on the Absecum tower, and on the market prices of labor and
materials as they have been found this season. The amount required
to complete the structure, and furnish it with a first-order illuminating apparatus, including ten per cent, for contingencies, is $45,135 75 ;
a sum deemed reasonable, when the important object to be accomplished is held in view.
As, however, in the judgment of the board, this amount may be
deemed excessive, and in view of considerations; not open to me, it may
be thought advisable or expedient to ask for a less sum, I have considered it proper to submit a plan and estimate for a second-class light,
which would only require a tower of eighty feet above the fbundation,
and involving an expenditure of little over $30,000. The plan and
estimate fbr this tower are herewith forwarded, marked, respectively,
No. 2.
The proportions and the design are similar to the one above described. The estimate is a little more than one-half the other, in consequence of many items of expenditure being common to both, and
to the illuminating apparatus of the second order costing more than
half that of the first order. In both plans it is contemplated to erect
a. fixed apparatus, as the recent repairs to the light at Tucker's beach,
and the placing therein a fourth-order/as/mi^ light, renders necessary
a fixed light at Barnegat, to preserve a distinction.
It remains fbr the board, with the data now placed before them, to
decide between the two plans submi^tted. I have deemed it proper,
through you, to lay both before them, and to state the reasons which,
in myjudgment, render it imperative to erect the structure which will
give the maximum range and the most efficient light to this highly
important position.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
Capt, E. L. P . HARDCASTLE,
Engineer Secretary Light-house Board,
Treasury Department.




327

EEPORT ON THE FINANCES.

PHILADELPHIA, October 8, 1855.

S I R : I enclose herewith a statement just received from the keeper
«sf the Barnegat light-house, showing the number of vessels in sight
from his station up to September 30, 1855, which I desire appended
to the report recently submitted upon this structure.
Establishing the sanie ratio to the close of the year as has been
above observed, and interpolating the brigs from January to April, it
would give 1,445 vessels as passing this station during t h e day in one
year; and double that number, or nearly 3,000 vessels, presuming the
same number are in sight at night as during the day.
You will perceive this is even a greater. number than I had previously reported, and adds greatly to the importance of the station.
In connexion with this, I may state that the party have returned
from making the repairs of the existing tower, and from their report
I deem it extremely hazardous to depend on this structure standing
any longer than is absolutely necessary to secure the erection of a
0iew one.
Very respectfuily, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
THORNTON A. JENKINS,

Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D . C,

BARNEGAT LIGHT-HOUSE, September 30,

1855.

S I R : I herewith forward the following list of vessels seen from this
light-house from January 1, 1855, to September 30, 1855, during
dayligM:
Ships.

Steamsliips.

Brigs.

Wm t§je montli of January
February . . .
March
April
May
June
JulyAugust
September..-

30
21
50
41
40
39
26
47
19

34
26
33
25
23
31
24
29
22

69
67
44
54
58

Totai

313

247

292

NOTE.—No record offorigs till May

These vessels were all of the largest class, and the most of them
receive their pilots in sight of this light. The largest number seen
in one day was, ships 1 1 ; steamers 4 ; brigs 7.
Your obedient servant, •
JAMES FULLER, Keeper.




328

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
FEBRUARY 5,

1855.

SIR : Large fields of ice drifting down with the wind to the northward, shaking the house terribly and continuing until the 15th, with
the wind from the E. and N. N. E. Large body of ice came from the
eastward with such force that caused the house-posts on that side to
spring, so that one would suppose that it would part or.remain b e n t ;
but they held on remarkably, though at the same time bending the
bars attached to the ice-breaker used for fenders, likewise the stepladder. They remain bent, and were of great service in breaking the
force of the ice before it could reach the main posts of the house. I t
certainly is astonishing how the house does to bear the .great pressure
occasioned by. the ice; but the supposition is, with us, if we can be
called judges, that if eyery winter is like this and winter of 1852, it
would jar the frame-work off inside, if not entirely sweep away the
house. With moderate winters the house will stand for ages. Nothing can do it the lea.st harm except the ice.
S. WILLOUGHBY,
Principal Light-keeper.
Lieut. J . S. BIDDLE,
Light-honse Inspector, District ofi Delaware.

Estimate No. l,fonr a first-class light at Barnegat, New Jersey.
MATERIALS.

Fcnmdation stone.
150
300
200
150

tons large stone, at $2...
.,
tons selected building stone, at $1
tons small building stone, at 50 cents...
barrels cement, at $1 50...

|300
300
100
.225

00
00
00
00

$925 00

Brick-work.
600,000 bricks, at $ 8 . . . . . . . . .
900 barrels cement, at $1 50..

4,800 00
1,350 00
6,150. 00

Cast iron.
1 column for stairway....
225 steps and risers..
8 window-frames and sashes
2 doors and frames
Gallery brackets and
fioor-plates
Watch-room railing
Lantern.and roof...............:
Workshop labor on above...............




400
1,000
400
150
, 400
150
1,500
2,500

00.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
6,500

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

329

Wrought iron.
225 stairway standards, 1,000 pounds; 250
feet hand-rail, 600 pounds ; braces, bolts,
&c., 1,000 pounds; hatch in watch-room,
150 pounds; nuts^ &c., 500 pounds ; in
all, 3,250 pounds, at 7 cents.'
Workshop labor on ditto..........

$227 50
250 00
$477' 50^

Lumber.
12,000 feet 9-inch hemlock, at $12
4,000 feet 3-inch hemlock, at $12
5,000 feet hemlock sheds and quarters.
4,000 feet 3d com. sheds and quurters..
10,000 feet 2d com. sheds and quarters'..
2,000 feet sap pine scaffolding
3,000 feet white pine centres'.
Miscellaneous odds and ends

144 00
48 00
60 00
12 00

250 00
36 00
: Y5 00
50 00
735 00

Machinery and tools.
Derrick,, hoisting apparatus, &c
Tools, shovels, barrows, &c..

1,000 00
250 00
1,250 00

Miscellaneous.
Plate-glass for lantern
Painting and glazing
Oil-tanks, hydraulic lamps, &c
Lightning-rod
Window-shutters, ceiling; w^atch-room, &c.

1,000
150
250
50
100

00
00
00
00
00
1,550 00

Illuminating apparatus.
First-order Fresnel fixed, 270°, delivered at site

8,000 00

Freight and transportation.
Stone for foundation, 800 tons; bricks, 1,200
tons; cement, 150 tons; iron work^ 75
tons; lumber, 40 tons; miscellaneous, 50
tons; in all 2,325 tons, at $3
6,975 00
Hauling and shipping at Philadelphia....... ^ 500 00
Hire of team at work hauling from beach...
250 00
Travelling expenses of mechanics and officers,
,
150 00
^
.
——^—



7,875 00

330

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Labor erecting structure at site.
1
4
1
1
1
1
6
6

superintendent, 240 days, at $4
stone-masons, 120 days, at $2
carpenter, 180 days, at $2
smith, 60 days, at $2
,,
keeper, 60 days, at $1 50
rigger, 180 days, at $2
bricklayers, 1,080 days, at $2
laborers, 1,500 days, at $1

$960
240
360
120
90
, 360
2,160
1,500

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
$5,790 00

'

Subsistence ofi loorking party.

3,560 days' rations, including mess and cooking equipage, at 50 cents

1,780 00
[

Amount of estimate..
Contingencies 10 per cent

,

41,032 50
4,103 25

Amount total

45,135 75

Kespectfully submitted:
GEO. G. MEADE, ^
Lieut. Topographical Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 1855.

Estimate No. 2, for a second-class light at Barnegat, New Jersey.
MATERIALS.

Foundation,
125
200
150
100

tons large foundation stone, at $2
tons selected building stone, at $1
tons small building stone, at 50 cents... ^
barrels cement, at $1 50..

$250 00
200 00
75' 00
150 00
$675 00

Brick-work.
250,00'J brick, at $8....
300 barrels cement, at $1 50

\,

2,000 00
450 00
^^

Cast iron.
1 column for stairway, 75 feet long
112 steps and risers




200 00
500 00

2,450 00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
6 window frames and sashes
2 doors and frames...
Gallery brackets and
fioor-plates....;
Watch-room, railing, and posts
Lantern'and roof.
Workshop labor .on above

331
$300
150
400
150
1,200
2,000

00
00
00
00
00
00
14^900 00

Wrought iron.
112 stairway standards, 500 pounds, at 7
cents
125 feet hand-rail, 30O pounds, at 7 cents...
Braces, bolts, rivets, &c., 500 pounds, at 7
cents
Hatch in watch-room, 100 pounds, at 7 cents.
Workshop labor on ditto

35 00
21 00
35 00
7 00
100 00
'

198 00

Lumber,
Foundation platform
Scaffolding
Centres, &c
Sheds, quarters, &c

;

150
50
50
250

.-

00
00
00
00
500 00

Machinery, tools, &c.
Derrick, hoisting apparatus, &c
Tools, shovels, barrows, &c

1,000 00
250 00
1,250 00

Miscellaneous.
Plate-glass for lantern
Oil-tanks, hydraulic lamps, ,&c
Lightning rod
Painting and glazing
Spikes, nails, &c

900
250
50
150
50

00
00
00
00
00
1,400 00

Illuminating apparatus.
Second-order Fresnel, fixed, delivered at site

6,000 00

Freight and transportation.
Foundation stone, 475 tons, at $3
Bricks, 500 tons, at $3
Cement, 60 tons, at $3.....'.....'.



,

1,425 00
^ 1,500 00
180 00

332

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Iron-work, 50 tons, at $3
Lumber and miscellaneous, 80 tons, at $i
Cartage and shipping at Philadelphia....
Hire of team at site, hauling.
:
Travelling expenses of mechanics, &c....
Office expenses and allowances" to officers.

$150
240
300
250
100
150

00
00
00
00
00
00
$5,195 00

Labor'erecting structure.
1
4
6
1
1
1
1
1
6

superintendent, 150 days, at $4
stone-masons, 120 days, at $2"....
bricklayers, 720 days, at $2
carpenter, 150 days, at $2
smith, 90 days, at $2
helper, 90 days, at $1 50
rigger, 150 days, at $2
foreman of laborers, 150 days, at $2
laborers, 925 days, at $1

600 00
240 00
1,440 00
300 00
180 00
135 00
300 00
300 00
925 00
4,420 00

Subsistence of working party.
2,280 days' rations in all, at 50 cents

1,140 00

Amount of estimate
Contingencies, l O p e r c e n t

28,128 00
2,812 80

Amount total

30,940 80

Eespectfully submitted:
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA, September 20, 1855.

APPENDIX No. 10.
PHTLADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.

SIR : My attention having been called to the enclosed letter (marked
1) from the keeper of the Brandywine light-house, I availed myself
of the first opportunity to visit and inspect the work, and have, in
"consequence, to submit for the consideration of the board the fbllowing report of its condition, with suggestions accompanied by a plan
and estimate for its improvement.
The general condition ofthe light-house was found to be good.
The damages sustained by the ice of last winter, as reported by the
keeper in the enclosed letter, consisted in carrying away the bars of
the ladder on the ice-breaker, and bending the inch-bars that formed




REPORT ON THB FINANCES.

333

the sides. A much more serious result was, however, pointed out to
me by the keeper, not discovered by him until after his report, which
was a fracture in the centre foundation column of the house, situated
about midway between the first tier of braces and the floor of the
house. This fracture was vertical, and about eighteen inches in
length, and had opened sufficiently far to separate the paint and
cause it to be plainly perceived.
The keeper describes the ice which proved to be the most formidable, as not the ice from the upper bay, but that which was forined
during a severe spell of weather below hiin, and brought up in large
masses by the flood-tide. This ice impinged on the southeast side of
the ice-breaker, where the ladder is placed, and pressing against the
ice-breaker, forced that work against the foundation of the house, and
produced the flexure of the piles described by him. It is difficult,
however, to account for the fracture of the centre column, since perceived. This column, is :a cast-iron cylinder of inch thickness and. 51inch bore, and being in the centre of the structure, could not have
received any direct pressure from the ice-breaker. I @an only account
for the result, ^4f due to the ice," by supposing that the ice-breaker
pressing against the south and southeast foundation piles, produced a
strain of tension which acted on the centre pile. But even this theory,
in my judgment, does not account fully for the result, for it seems to
me-^-first, that a force of sufficient magnitude to fracture an inchcylinder of 5^ inches bore, would, ^'before it produced such a result,"
have done more injury to various parts of the work much weaker in
themselves through which it was transmitted, as, fbr instance, instead
of only bending an inch-bar, it would have carried it away. Secondly,
the direction of the fracture being vertical, is inconsistent with its
being produced by tortion, as a twisting would have caused more of
a horizontal or inclined fracture. Hence, I am rather led to believe
that the column was originally, from the presence of a flaw, weak at
this place ; and as it had undoubtedly to bear its proportion of the
strain the whole structure must have been subjected to, this original
weakness was in consequence developed. Whatever may be the particular mode of transmitting the pressure of the ice, it is very evident
that the structure is subjected to too much strain, and that such
measures should be adopted, without delay, as will remedy the evil now
made apparent. By an inspection of the model deposited with the
board, it will be seen that, owing to the centre of the ice-breaker
being coincident with that of the house foundation, and the. size of
the squares of the ice-breaker, there are numerous points where
the braces of each work are in close proximity. The consequence is,
that owing to the elasticity of wrought iron, and the absence of any
bracing except in a horizontal plane in the ice-breaker, this work is
moved bodily, in obedience to the pressure from the ice, and coming in
contact with the house piles and braces, transmits this pressure to
them, and actually, instead of ^^rotecting them, serves to add to their
danger, by offering an increased surface for the ice to act against.
This difficulty was clearly seen soon after the erection of the work,
and my predecessor had, in consequence, endeavored to remedy it by
bending such ofthe braces as were in the closest proximity, and by other



334

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

measures tending to diminish the probability of contact between the
two works. It appears, however, from the experience of last winter,
that these measures are not sufficient, and that a coraplete separation
must be effected if possible. This can only be done by removing all
the braces of the ice-breaker liable to contact, and by a different
arrangement of the tension-braces of the house piles, carrying them
from centre to centre of pile, instead of passing around the pile as
they do now. To enable, the ice-breaker, thus weakened by being
deprived of its bracing in the interior, to perform its office of protection to the house, I propose to strengthen it by adding an additional
row of piles, and at the angles of the hexagon I would place spur
shore-piles; either of wood or iron, to prevent any further oscillation
of the ice-breaker.
By adopting these precautions, there will result, first, a complete
separation of ice-breaker and house, requiring the destruction of the
former before the strain can be brought to bear on the latter.
Second. Additional strength and power of resistance is given to the
ice-breaker, rendering its destruction less liable, and therefbre diminishing any apprehension for the stability of the house. These views
are illustrated by the accompanying drawing, but will more readily
be comprehended by an inspection ofthe model. An estimate of the
cost of making these alterations is herewith transmitted, amounting
to $18,120 39. The additions to the ice-breaker would be made of
screw-piles, braced together in harmony with the present system.
There is no doubt the present ice-breaker is not sufficient to relieve
the house from danger, notwithstanding it has borne the shock of
several winters, including the winter of 1852 and '53, one of the
severest on record. The; experience of last winter, however, demonstrates that contingencies may again arise, as they did then, which,
attacking the structure under peculiar circumstances, may prove fatal
to its stability ; and under this conviction I felt myself justified,
though not called upon by the board, in submitting my views, and
to suggest alterations and additions, as I have herein laid before you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G, MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

Engineer Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.
P . S.—I should have mentioned above that I have had prepared
and sent to the keeper, wrought-iron bands in two parts, which clasp
the centre pile, and being screwed up, compress and strengthen the
fractured portion. There are three ofthese, each three inches deep,
placed equidistant over the fracture of eighteen inches.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

335

Estimate ofi cost fior alterations and additions proposed to be made at
the Brandywine light-house and ice-harbor.
For 26 piles, 24 feet long, 6 inches diameter, 2,293 pounds each, at 6 cents .... $3,577 08
For 26 screws, 600 pounds each, equal 15,' 600 pounds, a t 3 ^ cents
546 00
For 104 collars, 500 pounds each, equal
52,000 pounds, at 3^ cents
1,820 00
For 88 3-inch braces, 15 feet long, 358 pounds
each, at 4 cents
1,260 16
For 104 2J-inch braces, 10 feet 6 inches long,
175 pounds each, at 4 cents
728 00
For 384 bolts for braces, 768 pounds each,
at Ocents
.:
69 12
—
For machine-pattern and blacksmith work
onabove

$8,000 36
3,761 50

LUMBER FOR PLATFORM, QUARTERS, &C,

10,000 feet 3-inch plank for platform, &c., at
$18 per thousand
Luniber for temporary quarters
Spikes, nails, &c....,
,

$180 00
125 00
25 00

—

"

330 00

EXPENSES OF ERECTING AT SITE.

Charter of tender-vessel, 3 months, at $130
Pay of captain 3 months, at $60
Pay of 4 hands, 3 months, at $25 each
Pay of 2 carpenters, 3 months, at $60 each.
Pay of one blacksmith, 3 months, at $60 ....
Pay of one ditto, helper, 3 months, at $45...
Pay of one steward 3 months, at $25
Pay of one cook, 3 months, at $25
Pay of 6 laborers, 3 months, at $25
Pay of 1 superintending engineer, 3 months,
at$125
Subsistence of 18 persons, 3 months, at 50
cents per day each

$390
180
300
360
180
135
75
75
450

00
00
00
00
00
00
00 00
00

375 00
810 00

TOOLS, &C., &G.

For one portable forge o
For blacksmith's coal and anvil, &c



..,.o

35 00
50 00

3,830 00

336

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

For crow-bars, hammers, &c., &c
For blocks, falls, rigging, &c

$50 00
200 00
$335 00

Contingencies, 15 per cent

15,756 86
2,363 53

Total

18,120 39

Eespectfully: submitted:
.
. GEOEGE G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical .Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA,-Oc/Jo5er 15,

1855.

APPENDIX No. 11.
ENGINEER'S OFFICE, 7TH AND 4TH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICTS,

Philadelphia, October 15, 1855.
SIR : I have-the honor to submit, herewith, for the information and
consideration of the Light-house Board, the following report of the
operations to date on the various works, committed to my charge in
the seventh and fourth light-house districts.
Iron-pile light-house. Northioest Channel, harbor ofi Key West.—At
the date of my last annual report, you were duly advised that the
materials for this work had been prepared and shipped to Key W e s t ;
but that, owdng to the prevalence of the epidemic at that place, the erection of the structure haid been postponed to a more healthy season. A
working party was, therefore, organized early in October last, and
despatched in the vessel.belonging to this dis'trict, and operations
were commenced at the site selected early in November. In consequence of the boisterous character of the season, and the exposed
position of the work, notwithstanding the unremitting efforts of the
superintendent in charge, .and those under him, it was not until the
month of March t h a t t h e structure was completed. A light, however,
was exhibited therefrom, in accordance with previous public notice,
on the 5th March, and the keeper installed a few days before.
This structure is founded on five wrought-iron piles driven into the .
coral formation, through cast-iron disks of four feet diameter, above
the reach of the wave. These foundation-piles are continued with 12inch yellow-pine spars, and on these is placed a frame building with
a fire-proof roof of galvanized iron, surmounted by an iron lantern.
The illuminating apparatuses of the fiftVprder, Fresnel, fixed, and
shows a light over 275° of the horizon, with an available range of
ten miles beyond the bar.
Sand Key light-house.-—Certsim repairs being required at this
structure, and their execution intrusted to me by the board, they
were effected during the month of April. They consisted in strengthening one of the tank-rooms, in repainting with two coats the whole
structure inside and out, and in supplying the watch-room with
a new oil-tank and new fixtures of a more substantial character
for the hydraulic lamp. The successful working of this lamp for



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

337

now over two years, demonstrates the feasibility of its use in positions
not subjected to the extreme of low temperature.
Light-house at Cape Florida.—In compliance with instructions from
the board, this structure was examined with a view to elevating the
tower, and refitting it with an improved illuminating apparatus.
A report, with plans and estimates, we're submitted and approved.
The design embraces the elevation of the present tower of brick some
twenty feet, and surmounting it with an iron watch-room and lantern,
with a Fresnel illuminating apparatus of the second order; the focal
plane of which will be 100 feet above the sea-level. The materials
for these alterations have been collected, and the iron-work manufactured, and will be shipped to the site and the Vv^ork executed during
the coming season.
Light-house on Coffin's Patches.—It was originally designedito have
erected the foundation of this structure during the past seasop ; but,
owing to the failure of the necessary appropriation, this plan was
abandoned, and the funds in hand, in compliance with the jinstructions of the board, devoted to. the manufacturing of the materials.
Additional means were appropriated by Congress during their last
session, so that at the present date the structure is manufactured and
fitted together in all its parts, to include the fifth series of the pile
frame-work. The materials for the foundation have been shipped to
Key West; and the vessel belonging to the district is now jloading
with the lumber and other materials for erecting the platforni on the
shoal to put down the foundation. The funds in hand are jdeemed
sufficient to erect at the site that portion of the work completed here,
during the course of the ensuing season for operations. It is to be
hoped the balance of the original estimate, $25,000, will be called
for and appropriated this session, as it will be necessary fbr the completion of the structure during the next fiscal year. An item fbr
this amount is included, therefbre, in the general estimate for works
in seventh district, hereto annexed, and marked No. 1.
!
Jupiter Inlet light-house.—Since the date of the approval of the
designs for this work, the necessary materials have been manufactured
and prepared for shipment to the site. The design includes'a brick
tower of ninety feet in height, with an iron stairway, and fin'rnished
with a Fresnel illuminating apparatus ofthe first order, with flashes.
The keeper's dwelling is a plain brick structure 26 X 30 feet,' of one
story, having sufficient accommodation for the keeper and his assistants.
;
The great difficulty to be overcome in the construction iof this
work, is the getting the materials to the site. To effect this it wdll.
be necessary, as you w^ere advised in the special report madfe upon
this work, to send the materials, estimated at between four ahd five
hundred tons in bulk, in a vessel to Indian river, where they riiust be
lightered into the Indian Eiver inlet, as it is impossible to obt£l;in seagoing vessels here io carry any burden, with a draught of only fiye feet,,
which is the limit of depth on Indian Eiver bar that it is deemed safe to.
depend on. After this difficult operation of lightering a vessel over,
a rough bar is accomplished, then there remains thirty-five miles of
narrow, tortuous, and shallow navigation, where no greater depth.
o

2 2




i

•

'

•

338

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

than twenty inches can be relied on. This involves the use of scowboats, the burden of which is limited by the shallow water and the
narrow and crooked channel; so that, estimating the bulk of the
materials as at five hundred tons, and the capacity of a scow-boat
that will certainly get through, at ten tons, we have fifty trips of three
boats—going and coming, thirty-five miles. It will be clearly seen
this operation will consume a great deal of time, and in consequence
involves inordinate expense. The estimate submitted with the design
required ail the appropriation, but subsequent information of the
difficulties to be encountered in getting the materials to the site has
convinced me that the amount of the appropriation is inadequate,
and 1 have, therefore, inserted an item in the general estimate fbr the
seventh district of $5,000 fbr this work, which is but little over the
ordinary per-centage attached to estimates for contingencies.
Beacon on the Rebecca shoal.—The materials for this, like the
Northwest Channel light-house, were carried out to Key West during
the summer of 1854, with the view of its immediate erection; but in
consequence of the epidemic, it. was also postponed to another season.
The season for operations in this locality is in the latter part of May,
months of J une and July, the periods when calms are most likely to
prevail in this latitude.
The working party were on the ground during the last week in
April, supplied with everything necessary fbr the construction of a
platform and the subsequent erection of the beacon.
In the preliminary examination made of this shoal, it was believed ^
to be of a coral formation, as the coral heads or boulders could be
distinctly seen, with sand in the spaces between them. As the operation of driving piles for the platform is one requiring a great deal of
time, and the saving of time was of the utmost importance, it was
determined to build the platform on trestles similar to those so siiccessluliy used at the Eomer shoals. New York harbor, Pungoteague
light-house, Chesapeake, and by this same party at the Northwest
Channel, Key West. Favored by good weather, the w^ork was commenced, and by the 17th of May, or after three weeks' labor, the platform was nearly completed, when the occurrence of a violent gale
compelled the vessel to take refuge in the harbor of Tortugas. On
their return, three days afterwards, no trace of the previous labor
was visible; tne sea had carried all away. A delay was now created
by the necessity of procuring additional materials, which as soon as
obtained, the superintendent renewed his efforts to gain a foot-hold
on the shoal. This was partially effected by the middle of June,
when another platform w^as lost by the unequal settling of the trestles, caused by the heavy sea rocking them, and forcing them to work
in the sand! By this time the superintendent became convinced that
it was impossible to erect a platform upon trestles, as the shoal
proved to be more of a sand formation than was originally supposed,
and that the only effectual plan, if practicable, was tb drive piles into
the shoal, and place an open platform on them. For this purpose
the pile-driyer was set up on the deck of the vessel and a calm day
awaited, when an attempt would be made, by anchoring the vessel on
the shoal, to drive a sufficient number of piles to place the pile-driver on




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

|

339

i
them and continue the platform. For three weeks the party rbmained
in the vicinity of the shoal, either lying off and on, or anchored,
but not a day presented itself that justified an attempt.
j
By this time more than two months had been consumed in lineffectual efforts. The working party, organized in Philadelphia in October previous, had entered into engagements to serve eight months ;
this time was drawing to a close, and all offers to induce |them to
remain were rejected. Under these circumstances, as it was impossible to procure the services of others at Key West, the superintendent
was compelled to return, to this place, where, having discharged one
party and organized another, the vessel proceeded again to the shoal.
This party arrived early in August, and remained at the shpal until
the middie of September, nearly six weeks, but, I regret toj report,
without an opportunity of even making the attempt to effect a lodgment. The season having passed, and the appropriation being exhausted, the work was necessarily abandoned. In reporting this
failure, which no one can regret more than myself, I feel it proper to
observe, 1st, that this result was not unlooked for ; indeed, in my
special report, submitting a design, it was distinctly alluded to as
extremely probable. I believed then, and am satisfied now, that no
light-house structure of any kind has been erected, eitheir in this
country or in Europe, at a position more exposed and offering greater
obstacles than the Eebecca shoal. 2d. Notwithstanding the want of
success attending the attempt here reported, I feel confident that
everything was done that existing circumstances permitted, and the
failure is to be attributed entirely to the unfavorable character of the
season.
Under the conviction, therefore, that a more propitious season, with
the experience now acquired, may render success attainable, I feel
justified in asking for additional means to renew these efforts, and
have inserted an item in the general estimates for the seventh district amounting to $10,000.
It was my desire and intention to be present and give my personal
superintendence to this particular work, as the obstacles to be overcome
were always fully appreciated by me. But you are aware, that on the
eve of my departure, instructions from the board, imposing additional duties on me, not only prevented ray departure, but retained me
at this place during the whole period of the work. I do no more than
justice, however, to the superintendent in immediate charge, Mr, J .
W. James, when I express the conviction that the energy and devotion with which he left no effort unspared to insure success, could
not be siurpassed.
My thanks are also due to Captain H. G. Wright, corps of engineers, in charge of the fortifications at Tortugas, whq most courteously rendered all the assistance in his powder, not only by supplying
such materials as contingencies called for, and without whicli we
should have been greatly embarrassed, but pa^rticularly in giving the
superintendent the beneflt of his advice and judgmeut, which his local
knowledge and professional acquirements rendered of the greatest
value and imjportance.




340

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Beacon on the Middle Ground, Key West harbor.—Application
having been made to the board fbr a beacon on the Middle Ground
shoal. Sand key, in the harbor of Key West, the board were pleased
to refer this application to this office, with instructions to furnish plan
and estimate. This was accordingly done and the design approved,
the materials shipped to Key West, and the beacon erected last
month by the party returning from the Eebecca shoal.
LIGHT-HOUSES IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT.

The foregoing report refers to the progress of the works under my
charge in the seventh district. On the 13th of April last, on the eve of
my departure for the Eebecca shoal as stated above, I was directed to
relieve Major Hartman Bache, topographical engineers, of the charge
of certain works in the fourth district, several of which were at that
period in active prosecution.
In submitting, therefore, a report upon the progress of these works
during the past year, it will be understood that all transactions prior
to the above date were under the superintendence of that officer.
Light-house on Cross Ledge shoal, Delaware bay.—When I took
charge of this work, the designs for the whole structure, with the exception of the lantern, were matured and approved. The materials
for the ice-breaker and for the foundation-pile frame-work of the
house had been manufactured.
Progress had also been made in the foundry upon the other portions
of the work. Some time was consumed in searching for a suitable
vessel to be employed in the construction, and the necessity for adapting her to the proposed work caused additional delay, so that the
party organized did not take the fleld until the beginning of ^ July.
They were assiduously employed from that time until the fourth of
October; and being favored with a good season, were enabled to put
down the ice-breaker of forty-two piles and all its braces, and also the
foundation piles (nine in number) of the house. In.effecting this, a
platform was built upon trestles, with iron legs of one and a quarter
inch iron. These trestles were designed by Major Bache, and answ^ered
admirably the purpose for which they were procured. The advantages from their use w^ere, flrst, less resistance to the wave, and consequently greater security for the platform and less danger of scouring
the bottom; second, economy, as theyeould be employed on different
works, and thus distribute their cost; third, celerity of movement,
and hence a saving of time and money in the erection of a platform,
always a large item in the cost of a work.
The experience at the Cross ledge would conflrm the flrst two advantages ; but it is believed that nothing is. gained under the third
head. The great weight of the legs of the trestles, and the manner
they are braced, require that every time they are moved they should
be taken apart; and to effect this, the small tender had to come on the
shoal each time they were shifted.
The result was, that as much time was consumed (three months) in
erecting the ice-breaker and foundation piles with these trestles as
would have been required, had either wooden trestles been used or




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

'

341

piles driven into the shoal. Their great advantage, however, in preserving the shoal, was made apparent, as all the observations made
led to the belief that no change had taken place notwithstanding
the screwing in of flfty-one piles. There remains for the next season
the erection of the keeper's dwelling and lantern upon the foundation
now down. The appropriation for this work, amoimting to $30,000,
stated that it w^as ^Howards the erection of a light-house," thereby
acknowledging the necessity of additional means for its completion.
It will be seen by the ^' special estimate" herewith forwarded, that to
finish the structure and furnish it with the necessary apparatus, &c.,
will require a sum of $22,492 49. The appropriation is exhausted,
and no further progress in the work can be made until additional
means are furnished. It is therefore greatly to be desired that the
above amount should be appropriated at the earliest date practicable.
Light-house on Ship John shoal, Delaware hay.—This work is identical in design to the one on Cross ledge, and the progress on my
taking charge was very much thesame. The materials fbr the iceharbor and foundation frame-work had been collected and were being
fitted together.
In consequence ofthe lateness ofthe season when the operations at
Cross ledge terminated, no effort was made to erect the Ship John
work, as it would have been hazardous to have commenced laying
down the ice-breaker pile unless the completion of the same could
certainly be effected befbre the period of moving ice arrived. The
work has therefore been confined to operations at the foundry, and
manufacturing materials ; so that, taking advantage of an early commencement next year, it can be completed before the close of the season. A special estimate ofthe amount required to effect this is herewith submitted ; and the same reasons as are above quoted for an
early appropriation of money for Cross ledge are equally a2)plicable
to this work.
Light-house at Absecum, N. J.—Soon after taking charge of the
fourth district works, I was advised by the board that the designs for
the tower and keeper's dwelling at this place, previously submitted
by my predecessor, were approved, but at the same time I was called
upon to suggest any modifications that might in my judgment lessen
the cost of the same. A report was accordingly submitted, in which
certain modifications were proposed, principally reducing the size of
the keeper's dwelling and substituting iron for granite in certain
parts of the tower.
These being duly approved, a working party under a competent
superintendent was organized and the work commenced by the close
of June. The design approved required a tower of brick of over 150
feet in height to be founded at the level of low water. To reach the
level of low w^ater required an excavation at the site selected of eight feet
in depth. After excavating about half that depth, the trench commenced to drain the surface-water of adjoining marshes. Efforts were
at first made to keep this water down by hand-pumps, which were so
far successful as to permit another foot of excavation; but at this point
the flow of water became such that a resort to pumps worked by



342

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

machinery became absolutely necessary. Accordingly one of Gwynn's
centrifugal pumps, capable of raising 12,000 gallons per hour, was
purchased and worked by a small steam-engine both night and day until
the excavation was completed and the masonry ofthe foundation laid
dry to a higher level than the water. As a precautionary measure, '
not included in the original design, I laid a platform of timber one foot
in thickness and extending over a greater surface than the flrst course
of masonry. The obstacle thus presented to the progress of the work
caused the entire months of July^and August to be consumed in laying
down the masonry foundation, which under other circumstances woald
have required about, one-fourth the time. Since the completion of the
foundation the superstructure of brick has made rapid progress, and
it is hoped that by the close of the season the tower will be raised
over 40 feet. By recommencing early in the spring, it is believed
.that a light can be shown from the tower by the month of July next.
I am not aware on what data the amount appropriated for this work
was based. There is no doubt, however, that it w^as entirely inadequate for a work of the magnitude now being erected. Theplace,
though within forty "miles of Philadelphia, is entirely without resources. There are no wharves or conveniences of any kind for landing niaterials or for handling them after landing. Hence, it resulted
from a reliable calculation that transportation on the railroad was the
most economical mode, notwithstanding its excess over ordinary water
transport.
The obstacles encountered, particularly the presence of water in the
foundation trench, and consequent consumption of time, have added
greatly to the cost of the work and to the amount which is required
to complete it. A special estimate, showing the anticipated expenditures of next season and the probable balance in hand at the close of
this, gives as the amount to be appropriated $17,436 32.
Light-house at Cape Henlopen.—Congress having made an appropriation fbr ^'refltting this light with an improved illuminating apparatus," I was called upon by the board to submit a design and estimate for the same. So soon as the structure could be inspected a
report was made, which being approved, the v/ork of preparing the
materials has been actively prosecuted, and it is hoped that before
the winter sets in, the Fresnel apparatus, already arrived, will be
exhibited from the^tower.
Light-house on Reedy island.—The site of this light, at the south
side of Eeedy island, has been undergoing a change for years past
from the abrasion of the waves of storms and the ice of w^inter.
Having been directed to inspect it, a special report was submitted, in
which it was recommended to bank in the immediate site wdth an
embankment raised above storm-tides with a sluiceway fbr drainage,
and to repair the keeper's dwelling and tower by renewing the timber
work under the brick walls, where it had decayed from exposure consequent on the overflow ofthe tides—the new work being thereafter protected by the proposed embankment. The law appropriating for this
work says, ^'for banking in and preserving the site of Eeedy Island
light-house." This may bear the construction that the whole site or
government property of twenty-flve acres is to be banked in ; but if



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

343

SO, the amount appropriated, $1,800, is totally inadequate for the
purpose, as will be seen by reference to the special report above alluded to. For the enbankment therein proposed, it is not deemed
necessary to ask fbr more funds.
Cohanzey light-house.—Having been directed by the board to examine this locality, I found the same operation taking place here as
at Eeedy island, viz: the abrasion of the shore of the bay by the
storms and ice. A report was accordingly made, proposing to continue
the protection, commenced previously, by making a breakw^ater of
piles, sheathed with plank and revetted with building-stones.
Light-house at Barnegat, Neiv Jersey.—This light was visited, in
company with the light-house inspector of the district, with a view to
its examination for repairs. A special report was thereupon made,
in which designs were submitted fbr either a flrst or second class
light-house tower to replace the existing one, pronounced not only
totally inadequate to the wants of this important position, but in
such a condition that, even with the repairs projected, it was not safe
to depend on its standing beyond the coming winter.
In the special report above alluded to, the.importance of an efficient
light at this position was particularly dwelt on. Attention is called
to the fact that Barnegat light, situated 45 miles from Sandy Hook,
is as important to the navigation of New York as the latter ; indeed,
even more so, as it is often the flrst light made on an over-sea voyage.
Since the date of the special report, in which allusion was made to
the record kept by the light-keeper of the number of vessels in sight
from his station during the day, this record has been forwarded to
me by the keeper, and I flnd that from January. 1st to September
30th, 1855, there passed his station duriug the day—ships 313 ; brigs
524 ; steamships 247: of these, the great majority took their pilots
off Barnegat; the same ratio for the remainder of the year; and,
presuming the same number passed in the night as the day, would
make the grand aggregate of vessels over 3,000. All of which, with
their passengers and cargoes, were dependent for safety on the
efficiency of the light at this place. The above calculation does not
take in the coasters, particularly those engaged in the great coal
trade, but only refers to large ships, steamers, and brigs, or sea-going
vessels. It is earnestly to be hoped that no further delay will take
place in making the necessary appropriation fbr an efficient light, to
be erected at the earliest practical date, at this most important
position.
Light-house on Brandywine shocd.—This structure was recently inspected and a special report submitted, with plans and estimates, embracing certain alterations and additions, whereby increased protection
will be afforded from running ice.
A portion of the funds in hand were devoted during the past season,
under the direction of the light-house inspector of the district, in
renovating and repainting the structure.
OFFICE AND MISCELLANEOUS WORK.

The work in the offices of both districts, in preparing the drawings,
reports, estimates, &c., has been assiduously attended to. In addi


344

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

tion, much miscellaneous work for positions not in" the district has
been executed under the instruction of the board ; such i s the superintending ofthe building of lanterns, fog-signals, and hydraulic lamps.
A system of fog-signals, the bell to be struck by machinery, '^ enabling
the position to be identifled by sound during the fogs, as it is by optical phenomena at other times," was projected by my predecessor in
the fourth district^ and several experimental machines were constructed under his direction. These having proved satisfactory, others
have been subsequently manufactured. My personal movements have
been in conformity with the exigencies arising out of the wants of
each district, and the instructions of the board calling for information.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

Engineer Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.
N x 1.
General estimate for light-house ivorks in the seventh and fiourth districts, fior the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1856.
SEVENTH DISTRICT, FLORIDA.

For continuing and completing the construction of the light-house
near Coffin's Patches, off Dry Bank, on the Florida reef, between Carysfort Eeef and Sand Key light-houses, being the unappropriated
balance of original estimate, the sumof twenty-flve thousand dollars,
($25,000.)
For continuing and completing the erection of a flrst-class lighthouse and keeper's dwelling, and fltting the same with a flrst-order
illuminating apparatus, near Jupiter inlet, Florida, being in addition
to the appropriation ^^approved March 3, 1853," the sum of flve
thousand.dollars, ($5,000.)
For continuing the efforts to erect a beacon on the Eebecca shoal,
near the Dry Tortugas, in addition to the appropriation of August 3,
1854, the sum of ten thousand dollars, ($10,000.)
FOURTH DISTRICT, DELAWARE AND NEW JERSEY.

For continuing and completing the construction of an iron-pile
light-house and ice-breaker on Cross Ledge shoal, Delaware bay, in
place of the light-vessel at present at that point, and in addition to
the appropriation approved August 3, 1854, the sum of twenty-two
thousand four hundred and ninety-two dollars and twenty-nine cents,
($22,492 29.)
^.
For continuing and completing the light-house on or near Ship
John shoals, Delaware bay^ in addition to the appropriation of August 3, J854, the sum of twenty-flve thousand and flve dollars and
eleven cents, ($25,005 11.)




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

345

For continuing and completing the erection of a flrst-class lighthouse tow^er and keeper's dwelling, to be fltted with the most approved illuminating apparatus, placed in-the vicinity of Absecum inlet, to guide navigators clear of Absecum and Brigantine shoals, and
in addition to the appropriation of August 3, 1854, the sum of seventeen thousand four hundred and thirty-six dollars and sixty-two
cents, ($17,436 62.)
For the erection of a flrst-class light-house, fitted with the most^approved illuminating apparatus, to be placed in the vicinity jof the
existing tower at Barnegat, affording more efficient protection and
warning to navigators approaching the coast, the sum of forty-five
thousand dollars, ($45,000.)
For the greater protection, from running ice, of the light-house on
Brandywine shoal, Delaware bay, by increasing and strengthening
the existing ice-breaker, and other proposed alterations, the sum of
eighteen thousand one hundred and twenty-one dollars and forty-four
cents, ($18,121 44.)
Eespectfully submitted :
GEOEGE G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers,
PHILADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.

No. 2.
Special estimate fior banking and preserving the site ofi Reedy Island
light-house.
For 968 feet of earth embankment of thefollowing dimensions, viz:
26 feet on base, with slope on inside of 15 feet on the base; slope
on inside of 6 feet on the base; width on top of 5 - feet; and mean
height of 5 feet 6 inches:
968 running feet, at $3 per foot
$2,904 00
Sluice for draining the enclosure
100 00
162 wooden piles, to protect earth bank inside, at $3
486 00
5,808 feet 3-inch hemlock plank, to protect inside of earth bank, = : 17,424 feet
board measure, at $12 per thousand
209 09
400 pounds galvanized spikes, at 10 cents ...
40 00
929 perches pier stone, for paving outside
slope of bank from running ice, at $1
929 00
—
WORKMANSHIP AND LABOR.

For driving 162 piles and spiking on planks, &c.:
1 superintendent, 30 days, at $4 per day
2 carpenters, 30 days, at $2 per day each....




$120 00
120 00

$4,668 09

346

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

4 laborers, 30 days, at $1 25 per day each...
Subsistence of 6 persons, 30 days, at 50 cents
per day

$150 00
90 00
$480 00

Contingencies, 10 per cent

5,148 09
514 81

Amount of appropriation August 3, 1854..

5,662 90
1,815 00

Balance to be appropriated

.-

3,847 90

No. 3.
Estimate fior continuing the erection and completing tlie iron-pile lighthouse at Gross Ledge shoal, Delaware bay.
MATERIALS.

Wrought iron.
Ceiling-joists, 3,906 pounds, at 6 cents
Eafters, 4,406, pounds, at 6 cents

$234 36
264 36
$498 72

Cast iron.
Sills and eaves-plates, 3,120 pounds, at 3^cents
Door and window, 2,246 pounds, at 3J cents.
Eoof-plates, 24,017 pounds, at 3^- cents
Walls of house, 25,272 pounds, at 3^ cents..
Window frames and sashes, 2,400 pounds, at
3 i cents
Sash doors, 1,000 pounds, at 3^- cents
Gutter around dwelling, 1,200 pounds, at 3|cents
Corner-po'sts, 7,880 pounds, at 3^- cents
Wall and fioor of tower, 7,382 pounds, at
3 i cents
Lantern, 2,206 pounds, at 3-|- cents
Tower cornice, 672 pounds, at 3:^ cents
Centre column, 1,184 pounds, at 3|- cents....




101
73
780
821

40
00
55
34

78 00
32 50
39 00
256 10
239
71
21
38
-:

92
69
84
48
2,553 82

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
WORKSHOP LABOR, INCLUDING PATTERN-MAKERS,

347

MACHINISTS,

SMITHS, ETC.

On stringers
On joists
On
floor-plates
On ceiling-joists
On rafters.
On sills and wall-plates
On doors and windows
On walls of dwelling
On gutter and corner-post
On tov^er walls and
floor
On lantern-floor and tower cornice
On centre column

$800
200
1,200
250
275
100
175
1,000
300
250
100
50

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
14^700 00

LUMBER.

Flooring-boards, 2,500 feet, at 4 cents..
Lining-boards, 1,500 feet, at 4 cents....
Ceiling-boards, 1,500 feet, at 4 cents ...
Partition-boards, 1,000 feet, at 4 cents .
Nailing-strips, 1,000 feet, at 4 cents....
To wer-lining, 1,500 feet, at 4 cents
Steps, &c., 500 feet, at 5 cents

100 00
60 00
60 00
40 00
40 00
60 00
25 00
385 00

MISCELLANEOUS.

Iron railing around dwelling and tower
Two water and oil tanks
Hoisting apparatus for boat
Bolts, hinges, locks, nails, &c
Lantern, complete
Plate-glass and glazing ditto
Boat, wfth sails
Paints and brushes
Tools, forge, smiths' coal, &c
Blocks and rigging
Current repairs of schooner
Hire of tender-schooner
Draughtsman and office exnenses.

400
500
600
500
1,500
500
150
250
100
150
500
500
500

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00 ^
6,150 00

LABOR . ERECTING STRUCTURE.

1
1
2
1

superintendent....
sub-assistant
carpenters
machinist




per month $125 00
do
45 00
do
105 00
do
60 00

348

1
1
1
4

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

smith
helper
rigger
laborers and 1 cook

per month
do
do
...do

$60
45
60
125

00
00
00
00

625 00; for.4 months, $2,500 00
EXPENSES OF VESSEL, BEING IN LIEU OF FREIGHT, TRANSPORTATION, QUARTERS, ETC.

1
1
4
1

sailing-master...
per month
mate
do
seamen
do
cook and steward....
do

$75 00
45 00
100 00
50 00
370 00; for 6 months, 2,220 00

SUBSISTENCE OF WORKING PARTY.

12 men, 120 days, at 50 cents
8 men, 180 days, at 50 cents<

$720 00
720 00
1,440 00

Amount of estimate
Add 10 per cent, for contingencies

20,447 54
2,044 75

Total amount.....

22,492 29

Eespectfully submitted:
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.

No. 4.
Estimate fior continuing and completing the iron-pile light-house on
Ship John shoal, Delaware bay.
MATERIALS.

Wrought iron.
Stringers, 10,544 pounds, at 6 cents
Joists, 3,413 pounds, at 6. cents
Ceiling joists, 4,000 pounds, at 6 cents
Eafters, 5,000 pounds, at 6 cents




$632
204
240
300

64
78
00
00
$1,377 42

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

349

Cast iron.
Sills and wall-plates, 3,120 pounds, at 3^ cts.
Door and window studs, 2,246 pounds, at
3icents
Eoof-plates, 24,017 pounds, at 3|-cents
Walls of house, |25,272 pounds, at 3^ cents.
Windows and doors, 3,400 pounds, at 3|cents
;...
.^
Gutter and corner posts, 9,080 pounds, at
3-1- cents
'
Walls and floor of tower, 7,382 pounds, at
3icents
.'
Lantern floor and cornice, 2,878 pounds, at
3i-cents
Centre column, 1,184 pounds, at 3|- cents...

$101 40
73 00
780 00
821 34
110 00
295 10
239 92
93 53
38 48
$2,553 82

WORKSHOP LABOR, INCLUDING PATTERN MAKERS, MACHINISTS,
SMITHS, &C.

On
On
On
On
On
On
On
On
On
On
On

floor-plates of dwelling
stringers
joists
rafters..
sills and w^all-plates
doors and windows
walls of dwelling
gutter and corner-posts
tower walls and
floor
lantern floor and tower cornice ...•
centre column and stairway

$1,200
800
450
275
100
175
1,000
• 300
250
100
100

00
00
00
00
00
06
00
00
00
00
00
4,750 00

LUMBER.

Flooring-boards, 2,500 feet, at 4 cents
Lining-boards, 3,000 feet, at 4 cents
%.,..
Ceiling and partition, 2,500 feet, at 4 cents.
Nailing-strips, 1,000 feet,'at 4 cents
Steps and risers, 500 feet, at 5 cents
Platform on shoal

100
120
100
40
25
500
•

00
00
00
00
00
00
885 00

MISCELLANEOUS.

Iron railing around dwelling and tower
Water and oil tanks
Hoisting apparatus and davits for boats
Bolts, hinges, locks, spikes, &c
Lantern complete
Plate-glass and glazing house
Boat, with oars and sails
Paints, oils, and brushes



400
500
600
500
1,500
500
150
300

00
00 '
00
00
00
00
00
00

350

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Tools, shears, and forge, &c
Blocks and rigging
Eepairs of schooner
Hire of tender-schooner four months
Draughtsman and foundry agent
Stationery, office rent, and expenses
Cartage, hauling, and shipping
Travelling expenses and oflice allowance ....
Ship chandlery and smith's coal

,$250
150
500
500
500
500
500
250
250

00
00
00
00
00
00 ^
00
00
00
$7,850 00

LABOR ERECTING STRUCTURE. '

Working party on ice-harbor.
One superintendent, per month... " $125 00
One sub-assistant, per month
50 00
Two carpenters, per month..
105 00
One blacksmith and helper, per
month
105 00
One rigger, per month
60 00
Oneforeman of laborers, per month
40 00
Ten laborers, per month.
250 00
735 0 0 ; for 3^ mos., 2,572 50
EXPENSES OF VESSEL USED AS QUARTERS.

One sailing-master, per month....
One mate, per month
Four seamen, per month
One cook and one steward, per
month
•

$75 00
45 00
100 00
50 00
270 0 0 ; for 3^ mos.,

945 00

EXPENSES OF TENDER-SCHOONER TRANSPORTING MATERIALS.

One master, per month
Four seamen, per month
One cook, per month

$50 00
100 00
25 00
175 0 0 ; for 4 mos.,

700 00

SUBSISTENCE OF WORKING PARTY ON ICE-HARBOR.

3,600 days, at 50 cents per day

1,800 00

LABPR ERECTING HOUSE AND TOWER.

One superintendent, per month...
One-sub-assistant, per month
Two carpenters, per month
Two machinists, per month
One smith and helper, per month,
Four laborers and foreman, per
month



$125
.50
105
120
105

00
00
00
00
00

140 00

REFORT ON THE FINANCES.

One rigger, per month.
One cook, per month

351

$60 00
25 00
730 0 0 ; for 4 mos., $2,920 00

\T5SSEL EMPLOYED CARRYING MATERIALS.

One sailing-master, per month ...
One mate, per month
Four seamen, per month
One cook and steward, per month,

$75
40
100
50

00
00
00
00

265 0 0 ; for 4 mos., 1,060 00
SUBSISTENCE OF PARTY ERECTING HOUSE.

3,000 days, in all, at 50 cents

1,50000

Add 10 per cent, for contingencies

28,913 74
2,891 37

Amount of estimate
Deduct unexpended balance

31,805 11
6,800 00

Amount to be appropriated

25,005 11

Eespectfully submitted:
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieutenant Topographical Engineers. .
PHILADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.

No. 5.
Estimate fior completing tower and building keeper's house at Absecum.
TOWER.

Brickwork.
400,000 bricks, delivered at site
800 barrels of cement, delivered at site

$4,800 00
1,250 00
$6,050 00
. ^

Cast iron.
One centre column, 150 feet long
225 steps and risers
Eight window-frames and sashes
Two doors and frames
,
Gallery brackets and
floor-plates
Watch-room railing
Lantern complete
Workshop labor in above




400
1,000
400
150
500
150
' 2,000
2,500

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
7,100 00

352

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Wrought iron.
Standards and hand-rail
Braces, bolts, nuts, &c
Four oil-tanks
Lightning-rod and point
Watch-room door and hatch

$100
75
200
30
50
—

00
00
00
00
00
$455.00

Lumber.
Boards for scaffolding, centres, lining3 &c

500 00

MisceUaneous.
Freight on materials
Steam hoisting-apparatus and engine
Glass for lantern
•
Grading and fencing in lot
Office expenses, draughtsmen, and travelling
expenses
.

1,000
1,500
1,000
1,000

00
00
00
00

500 00
—•

5,000 00

Lahor.
1
1
5
1
1
1
5

superintendent, 210 days, at $4
carpenter, 175 days, at $2
bricklayers, 750 days, at $2 25
smith, 60 days, at $2
machinist, 60 days, at $2
foreman of laborers, 175 days, at $1 50...
laborers, 875 days, at $1 25

840
350
1,687
120
120
262
1,093

00
00
50
00
00
50
75
4,473 75

Keeper's dwelling.
Per estimate 20th June, 1855

5,000 00

Contingencies 10 per cent

28,578 75
2,857 87^

Balance unexpended

31,436 62
14,000 00
17,436 62

Eespectfully submitted:
GEO. G. MEADE, ^
Lieut. Topographical Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

353

No. 2.
Estimate for continuing the efforts to erect a beacon on the Rebecca
Shoal, Florida, according to approved design.
LABOR.

1 superintendent, $150 per month; 1 smith, $60 per
month; 1 helper, $45 per month ;o 2 carpenters, $120
' per month; 2 boatmen and laborers, $125 per month;
in all, $500, for flve months.
Charter of vessel with wages of captain and crew, at
$600 per month, for flve months
Charter of tender schooner, with wages of captain and
crew, at $300 per month, for four months
To provisions for 20 persons, 150 days, at 50 cents per
day per man

$2,500 00
3,000 00
1,200 00
1,500 00

MATERIALS.

1 boat
1 pile-driver
1 hoisting apparatus
'
.25 piles for platform, at $4 each
5,000 spruce plank, (3-inch,) at $20 per thousand..
200 feet run of 9 by 12 cap logs, at 20 cents per foot....
Eigging blocks and falls
Materials for trestles (lumber and bolts)
Portable forge, anvil, and smith's tools
2 hogsheads smith's coal
Fuel and water
Anchor and chain
Small derrick

125
300
50
100
100
40
100
75
75
16
80
250
20

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

9,531 00
Contingencies 5 per cent

476 00
10,007 00

Eespectfully submitted,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Lieut. Topographiccd Engineers.
PHILADELPHIA, October 15, 1855.

23




354

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
APPENDIX No. 12.
OFFICE FIFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

Washington, D. C , September 29, 1855.
In accordance with the instructions ofthe Light-house
Board, directing me to report upon all operations connected with my
duties as light-house inspector in this district, and also in accordance
withthe requirements ofthe ^^circular" dated June 5, 1555, directingthe several inspectors to embody in their respective reports on the 1st
October, 1855, as much as appertained to their duties contained in.
that circular, under the seyeral heads mentioned therein, I have the
honor to submit the following:
GENTLEMEN:

LIGHT-VESSELS.
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

Willoughby's Spit.—This vessel, which w^as undergoing repairs at
the Gosport navy yard at the date of my last report, was completed,
and returned to her station, in perfect order, on the 31st October,
1854. Two new lanterns, of 16 large sized panes of plate-glass each,
were substituted for the old style lantern, containing 86 panes of
glass. A very great improvement at this important station.
York-Spit.—This vessel, lately built at the Philadelphia navy yard,
and fitted with a new illuminating apparatus, consisting of 8 constant
level lamps and 8 parabolic reflectors, 12 inches in diameter each, is
at present temporarily employed as a relief vessel.
After having relieved the Smith's Point light-vessel w^hile that vessel was undergoing repairs, she then relieved the ^^ Wolf T r a p , " and
is now at that station, using temporary masthead lens lanterns for
that purpose. When the repairs to the latter vessel are completed
she will be sent to her destination at York Spit.
Wolf Trap.—This vessel was relieved for repairs on the 17th August last, and towed to Alexandria, Virginia, all w^ork having been
suspended at Norfolk and Portsmouth, in consequence of the yellow
fever at these places. She will be fltted cmt with new lanterns, similar to those at Willoughby's Spit, and two Costan lamps, in place of
the old bowl-lamps.
Windmill Point.—This vessel has had the following slight repairs ,
made at her station, viz: A new belfry has been put up, and a considerable portion of a new rail, &c., was put in, the old one having
been carried away by a schooner coming into collision with her.
Smith's Point.—This vessel has been thoroughly repaired at Great
Wycomico river, Virginia. She was caulked, painted, and partially
coppered, and returned to her station on the 16th August, 1855.
Hooper's Straits.—This vessel was thoroughly repaired in Baltimore,
and resumed her station on the 15th June, 1855.
Lower Cedar Point, Potomac river.—This vessel was put in thorough
repair last spring, at Alexandria, Virginia. A new illuminating apparatus, consisting of 8 constant level lamps and 8 h2-inch parabolic
reflectors, was substituted for the old style bowl-lamp, and a new




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

355

octagonal lantern, of 8 large sized panes of plate-glass, in place ofthe
old four sided lantern, containing 48 panes of small sized common
glass. The new light was flrst exhibited on the 25th April, 1855.
Upper Cedar Point, Potomac river.—This light-vessel-was thoroughly repaired last spring, and was fltted with a new illuminating
. apparatus, consisting of a lantern containing 16 panes of large sized
plate-glass, and a new Costan lamp, in iilace of the old style lantern
of 48 panes of small sized common-glass and the old style common
bowl-lamp. The Costan lamp was flrst exhibited on the 17th May,
1855.
Bowler's Rock, Rappahannock river.—This vessel was removed for
repairs on the 8th December, 1854, at the close of navigation, and
towed to Norfolk. Upon examination, she was found to be so badly
decayed that it was deemed most advisable and economical to condemn
her. She was sold at public auction by the superintendent of lights
at Norfolk. The ^^ Eelief" light-vessel, which was attached to this
district, was ordered to be fltted out for Bowler's Eock station. She
was put in thorough repair, having a Costan lamp on board, and was
placed at her station on the 15th April, 1855.
This district is now without a relief light-vessel.
NORTH CAROLINA.

Brant Island shoal.—This vessel is now undergoing repairs at her
station.
Neuse river.—This vessel was removed for repairs to Newbern,
North Carolina, on the 18th of May, 1855. She resumed her station
on the 30th of June following in perfect order.
XoT^^^'^Aoa?.—-This vessel was repaired and returnedto her station
in September, 1854, after the date of my last report. She was fitted
with a Costan lamp.
Royal shoal.—This vessel was fitted with a Costan lamp at the same
time the Long shoal vessel was.
Roanoke river.—This vessel is now undergoing repairs at Plymouth,
North Carolina.
Wade's Point.—This vessel was removed and condemned. A screwpile light-house will be substituted. At present, temporary rod lamps
are exhibited at that station.
LIGHT-HOUSES.
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

Cape Charles, Smith's Island.—The tower and keeper's dwelling at
this light station were thoroughly repaired in July last, and left in
.good order. A new revolving machine is available, and will be put
up in a short time, as the revolving machine now in use at this station is in very bad order.
Gape Henry.—The keeper's dwelling, &c., at this station, will receive the necessary repairs as soon as possible. A fog-bell, worked
by machinery, was erected at this station on the 13th July, 1855.
Old Point Comfort.—A fog-bell, the same as that at Cape Henry,
was erected near this station on the 20th July, 1855.



356

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

White shoals. Point ofi shoals, and Deep Water shoals.—Screw-pile
light beacons which were in course of construction at the date of my
last report were completed shortly afterwards. A larged sized
. pressed-glass masthead lens was suspended in the lantern of each
house and exhibited on the Oth February, 1855. These masthead
lenses were found upon trial to answer all the purposes of navigation
on James river, Virginia, and were permanently substituted fbr the
fifth order Fresnel lenses originally intended for these light-houses.
Jordan's Point, James river.—This light-house w^as also completed
after the date of my last report. A similar illuminating apparatus to
those in the screw-pile houses was first exhibited here on the 7th
February, 1855.
Black river, Ghesapeake bay.—A new revolving machine and reflecting illuminating apparatus, consisting of 6 21-inch parabolic
reflectors and 6 fountain lamps, were substituted for the old apparatus
of 10 lamps and 10 14-inch reflectors, on the 20th March, 1855, which
adds very much to the brilliancy and efficiency of"this light.
New Point Comfiort.—The keeper's dwelling at this light station
requires immediate repairs, painting, &c. The illuminating apparatus is. in a very bad condition, being old and almost worn out.
The repairs needed to the dwelling will be made on the first opportunity. This light should illuminate the whole horizon.
Pungoteague.—This, house, built on seven pneumatic piles, w^hich
was in course of erection at the date of my last report, was completed
shortly afterwards," and a fifth order lens, was first exhibited on the
1st November, 1854.
^'
Little Watt's Island.—The tower and keeper's dwelling at this station were put in thorough repair iii August last. This light would
aid the navigation of Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Bay very much
if it illuminated the whole horizon. One additional lamp and refiector would answer all practical purposes.
Smith's Point, mouth ofi the Potomac River, Va.—Before j)utting up
a fourth order Fresnel lens at this station, I had the tower, lantern,
and keeper's dwelling—which were in a wretched condition—put into
temporary repair, sufficient to preserve the new apparatus. This I
deemed sufficient in anticipation of the new screw-pile light-houseabout to be built on the spit off Smith's Point. The lens put up was
first exhibited on the 7th August, 1855, and was substituted fbr the
old reflecting apparatus consisting of 15 lamps and 15 sixteen-inch
reflectors.
The bank on which the tower stands is fast w^ashing away; its verge
being now only about 40 feet from the base of the tower.
*. Fogs' Point.—A flfth order Fresnel lens was put up at this station
. and exhibited on the 18th August last, and was substituted for a reflecting apparatus of 10 lamps and 10 sixteen-inch reflectors.
Point Lookout, mouth ofi the Potomac River, Md.—The keeper's
dwelling at this station was thoroughly repaired in August, 1855.
A new lot fence is very much required here, the posts and rails of the
old fence are almost all decayed.
Cove Point.—A flfth order Fresnel lens, ^^flxed, varied by flashes,"
was first exhibited at this station on the 21st June, 1855, and was




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

357

substituted for the old reflecting apparatus consisting of 11 lamps and
11 eighteen-inch reflectors. '
Thomas' Point.—Th.is light station, was fltted with a flfth order
Fresnel lens on the 15th May, 1855, in place of the old reflecting apparatus consisting of 13 lamps and 13 reflectors, 16 inches in diameter.
Greenbury Point.—This light station was fltted with a steamer's*
lens, which was substituted on the 14th May, 1855,'for the old reflecting apparatus consisting of 9 lamps and 9 fourteen-inch reflectors.
Seven Foot Knoll.—A screw-pile light-house is now in course of
erection at this new light station.
Lazaretto.—A fourth order Fresnel lens was put up here, and a new
lantern at the same time was put on the tower. The light was flrst
exhibited on the 14th June, 1855. This lens light is substituted for
the old reflecting apparatus, consisting of 11 lamps and 11 15-inch
reflectors.
Concord Point, Hcvvre cle Grace, Md.—A steamer's lens was substituted at this light station for the old reflecting apparatus, consisting
of 9 constant level lamps, and.9 16-inch reflectors, on the 10th May,
1855.
Piney Point.—-This light station was fltted with a flfth order Fresnel lens on the 5th June, 1855, which was substituted for the old
reflecting apparatus of 10 lamps and 10 15-inch reflectors. A breakwater will be necessary at this station immediately for the preservation of the tower. ,
Hog Island, Potomac river.—A site for this new light station was
laid off on ' ' Hog Island," between the Cone and Yeocomico rivers on
the Virginia side ofthe Potomac river.
Blakistone's Island.—This light station was thoroughly repaired,
painted, and put in complete order in September, 1855.
Jones' Pointy Potomac river.—The new light-house at this station
will be commenced immediately.
NORTH CAROLINA.

Body's Island.—The keeper's dwelling at this light station was
thoroughly repaired and put in perfect order, and the lantern was
ne^vly glazed in March, 1855.
Cape Hatteras.—The keeper's dwelling at this light station was
built in 1854, but was not painted at that t i m e ; it has been
thoroughly painted during the last summer with three coats of paint,
under the superintendence pf H. F . Hancock, esq., the superintendent
of lights at Washington, N. C.
Ocracoke.—The keeper's dwelling and tower at this station were
thoroughly repaired in March, 1855.
Pamlico Point.—The tower at this station was being fast undermined by the action of the sea. I had a concrete foundation and
breakwater made around the base of the tower where it was exposed,
which will effectually preserve it. The keeper's dwelling w^as put in .
good repair at the same time.
Bogue Bank and Fort Macon.—These two lights near Fort Macon,
entrance to Beaufort harbor, were erected under the superintendence



358

REPORT GN THE FINANCES.

of Captain D. P. Woodbury, corps of engineers, since the date of my
last report, and the lights first exhibited on the
day of
,
1855.
2. BEACONS, BUOYS, AND STAKES.
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.

Since the 1st of July, 1854, the Potomac, James, and Appomatox
rivers, Virginia, and the Great Choptank river, Maryland, have been
buoyed out, and several additional buoys have been planted , in
Chesapeake Bay, which completes the buoyage of that bay from the
capes of Virginia to the head of navigation, except a few in the
eastern channel of Pool's Island from Swan Point, which will be
buoyed shortly.
Two second class iron nun and can buoys were planted on Upper
and Lower ^'^Crump's Hill" shoalwater, also a second class iron nun
buoy on the '^Thimble," and one on the ^^Lump," all near the
entrance into Chesapeake bay, inside. A second class iron can buoy
was planted off Cherrystone, one on ^''New Point Shoal," and one on
the southeast bar off New Point. A second class iron nun buoy was
planted on the southwest bar off New Point, entrance to Mobjack
Bay. An additional spar buoy was planted near a wreck in Hooper's
Straits, and one in Tangier Sound. All these j)laces were considered
dangerous to navigators, and are now well marked.
Duplicate buoys have been planted in the following creeks, rivers,
bays, inlets, &c., &c., &c.: Patapsco river and tributaries. Pool's
Island channel, Bodkin Swash, Annapolis Eoads and Severn river,
Chester and West rivers. Hooper's and Kedge's Straits, Tangier
sound, Wycomico river, Pocomoke bay, and Chessonessex creek, in
Maryland; Occahamock, Onancock, Machotank, Cherrystone, Pungoteague, and Hunting creeks, on the bay side, and Hog island, Great
Matchapungo, Sand Shoals, Metompkin, and Fisherman's inlets, on
the sea side of the eastern shore of Virginia; and Pianketank and
Eappaha-nnock rivers, on the western shore of Chesapeake bay,
Virginia.
NORTH CAROLINA.

The Pasquotank, Little, and Perquimon rivers, also the landings
in Hyde county, and the Alligator and North rivers, have been
recently buoyed out. Duplicate buoys and stakes have been planted
in Ocracoke inlet. Core sound, (channelto Beaufort harbor has had
some new buoys planted,) Neuse river, Pamlico river, Hatteras inlet,
and Pamlico, Croatan, and Albemarle sounds.
All the foregoing beacons, buoys, and stakes, have been planted
under the present system.
3. The general condition of the different branches of the light-house
service (with two or three exceptions) is very good in this district.
4. A great deal of renovating and repairing was done this season,
in this district, therefore much will not be required next year, but
some will always be found wanting and necessary.
The following will be the most expensive, viz:
Eepairing North Point, 2 lights.



359

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

Breakwater at Piney Point.
New keeper's dwelling at Point Lookout. Besides sundry other
special, and the ordinary general repairs throughout the 5th district.
5. None.
6. None,
7. The Ocracoke channel light-vessel and Beacoii Island light-house
were intended as a range to cross the Ocracoke bar at night in safety.
In consequence of the formation of shoals inside the bar, that range
never has been, nor can it be now obtained. Should it be attempted
to crbss the bar by bringing these lights in a direct range, a vessel
would certainly strike on the reef, with every chance of inevitable
destruction.
It is possible that a range might be obtained by having two lightvessels in place, of the house and one vessel, but the channel in w^hich
one of them would have to be moored is so subject to change that its
continuance would, I fear, be of short duration.
As it is generally admitted by navigators that when definite instructions cannot be given for the use of lights, it is better there should be
no light at all, I would recommend that the two lights in question be
discontinued, after sufficient notice be given, and that the Ocracoke
channel light-vessel be stationed off the northwest end of Eoyal shoal,
where a light is so much needed, until the screw-pile light-house, for
which an appro|)riation has been made, is erected.
After the erection of the screw-pile light-house, the vessel would be
of the greatest service as a relief light-vessel in the wafers of Pamlico
and Albemarle sounds, and their tributaries, in North Carolina.
8. The advantages derived from the introduction of lenses in place
of reflectors are various and great. They insure a better, brighter,
and clearer light, can be readily distinguished, and are much more
economical in every respect.
9. The Costan lamps and reflectors in light-vessels are also much
better lights than the old bowl-lamps. They emit little or no smoke
to darken the lantern, they always insure a good light, and consume
less oil than the old lamp, particularly the Costan lamp.
The following comparative table will show the difference in the
consumption of oil between a Costan lamp and one of 8 lamps and
reflectors, and an old style bowl-lamp:
JDaily consumption.
Najne of station and kind of apparatus.

Time exhibited.
Gallons. Quarts.

Lower Cedar Point, L . V., 8 lamps
and 8 reflectors
'.
M a y 17 to 31—15 days.
Upper Cedar Point, L. V. Costan lamp.. Stirne time • « • « • • • * • • • •
Hooper's Straits, L . V., old bowl-lamp.. Scinie time
••«••

3
2

Pints.

Ib-

3

1

Although the difference in the quantity of oil consumed daily is
very great, nevertheless the Costan lamp shows as good a light as the
reflectors, but either is more economical in point of consumption than
the old bowl-lamp, and a decidedly better aid to navigation.



360

REPORT ON THE FINANCES,

10. The number of the different orders of lenses, &c., introduced
in this district, and the number of reflector lamps removed since
October, 1852, are as follows :
Order of lens.

No. of each
order.

1st
2d
3d
4th

I
None.
None.
6

Sth

7

Steamers' lens

2

Masthead lens lanterns.

4

N a m e of station where alterations were made.

Cape H a t t e r a s .

.

Ocracoke . . . . .
Body's Island
Old Point
Lazaretto
Smith's Point
Fort Macon.
Piney Point
Thomas Point
Cove Point
Fog's Point
Fort Carroll
Pungoteague
Bogue Bank
Concord P o i n t . . . . »
Greenbury Point
White Shoals
Point of Shoals
Deep W a t e r Shoals
Jordan's Point.

No. of reflector
lamps removed.

.oa.....

15
10
14
11
11
15

,
10
13
11
10
New.
New.
New.
9
9
New.
New.
New.
New.

-

The most of these old light stations would very shortly require
new lamps and reflectors if lenses had not been substituted. The
steamers' lenses and masthead lanterns have been found to answer all
the purposes of navigation in their localities, and are as effectual aids
as the reflector lamps.'
11. The saving per cent, of oil, wicks, chimneys, &c., in lights
where lenses have been substituted for the reflecting apparatus is very
great, as will be seen by the following comparative table, showing in
each case the number of lamps replaced by the different orders of
lenses at four light stations in this district. These will serve as a
good average for all such.
Illuminating
Apparatus.

Consumption of
Oil.^:

Saving per
cent.
Remarks, &
date of triaL

Name of station.
Old.

Cape H a t t e r a s .
Smith's Point .

15
15

New.

Old
lamps.

New
lamps.

Oil.

1st order
4th order 32 gills . 1 0 | gills Plus u l t r a . 68 3-4

Wicks &
chimn'ys

93 1-3 6th, 7th & Sth
A u g . , 1855.
Valve
.
.
.
.
10 gills
68 3-4 93 1-3 Same.
Same.
7 gills Fountain . 78 1-8
Cove P o i n t . . . . 11 5th order 27 gills . 4 gills . . . . d o . . . . 85
"9*0"*°' 20th and 22d
June,1855.
9th and I2th
Concord Point.
9 S t ' r lens 24 gills .
79 1-6 90
5 gills ' . . . . d o . . . .
M a y , .1855.
Point of Shoals New Masth'd
Mo. M a y , ' 5 5 .
lens . . .
3 gills Com. bowl




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

361

12. The present condition of light-house towers, dwellings, lightvessels, and beacons, (with one or two exceptions,) in this district is
very superior, and none inferior, as compared with their. condition
when takeii charge of by the inspector.
13. The present condition of the beaconage, buoyage, and stakeage
of the different channels, harbors, bays, rivers, &c., &c., is in every
respect superior to what it was formerly. The buoyage of the whole
district is now nearly perfect as to numbers, classes, and distinctions,
under the present system of buoys.
14. G-reat improvements have been made in nearly all the old aids
to navigation in this district, and especially in the introduction of
new and better illuminating apparatus in many of the lights, placing
of new lanterns, and repairs to towers and buildings. >
Several improved illuminating apparatus have been put on board
light-vessels, and all the vessels.are in good repair, or undergoing
repairs.
The buoyage and stakeage of the channels, and of obstructions to
navigation, lias been particularly attended to in this district.
The system of coloring, numbering, and distinguishing the buoys,
beacons, day-marks, &c., adopted by the board and based upon the
act of Congress, has been scrupulously executed.
In buoying out localities where recent surveys have been made,
the buoyage has been adapted to the wants of the navigator as
indicated by the chart, regulating their numbers, flxing the class,
&c., by their actual waiits only, and disj)ensing with all unnecessary
aids of this description, as useless buoys are calculated to mislead the
mariner.
The buoys have been regularly removed for cleaning, painting, and
nurnbering, newly painted and numbered ones being put in their places.
In all cases of casualties to the buoys, arising from gales, ice,
freshets, &c., the damage has been promptly repaired.
A strict accountability of the public property has been rigidly
enforced, and returns exacted regularly, in conforraity to the regulations.
Eespectfully submitted,
, A. M. PENNOCK,
Light-house Inspector, Fifith District.
Commander T. A. JENKINS, and

Capt. E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,
Secretaries Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 13.

WiLMiNGTOisr, N. C , September 26, 1855.
GENTLEMEN : In obedience to the order transmitted with your letter
of the 5th of June last, I have the honor to make the following
report:
1. Of renovations, repairs, &c., of light-houses, light-vessels, and
beacons, made since the 1st July, 1854, in the respective districts.



362

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

I will flrst speak of new works.
'^For a small beacon-light on or near the point of Cape HatteraSj
$1,500.'^
This appropriatidn was obtained, partly, on my recommendation.
I have not myself taken any steps towards the erection of the beacon,
and do not know whether anything has been done or not. If not, I
am willing to undertake the work. I can attend to it without serious
inconvenience, as other duties will take me to that neighborhood.
A harbor light-house and a beacon light on the eastern point of
Bogue Banks were erected during the past winter and spring and
lighted, in accordance with a printed notice on the 20th of May last.
. The harbor light consists of a fourth order lens, flfty feet above the
sea, surmounting a tower made of excellent bricks. The beacon is
lighted by a small lens, thirty feet above the sea, supported by a
wooden frame.
The beacon is about one-fourth of a mile from the harbor light.
The two range with the outer buoy on the main bar and afford, easy
access to the harbor by night.
^'For a small beacon light on Federal Point, Cape Fear river.
Since this appropriation was made the tow boats on the river have
increased to three in number, and a fourth is now building. Their
captains are much in the habit of running by night; and they now
insist that the light-vessel, which it was proposed to dispense with, is
highly useful in following the channel above New Inlet to Orton
Point. It will, therefore, perhajos, be best to let this vessel remain as long as she lasts, and then adopt some cheaper substitute?
^^Light-house on the upper jettee of Cape Fear river.''
The balance left of this appropriation, $5,610 93, when the present
Light-house Board was organized, was. hardly sufficient for the intended object. To accomplish the same end, in a more efficient and
economical manner, a substitute has been proposed and approved, viz:
a range of lights on the eastern bank of the Cape Fear river, two and
a half miles below Wilmington, running about flfty yards outside the
upper jettee and along the channel, one mile below the jettee and one
and a half mile above.
After considerable delay a site has been purchased, the title duly
investigated and approved, and the dwelling-house, which is also the
front beacon, has been framed, and will soon be erected.
'^Two beacons or range lights on South Island Point, and one
beacon or ' range light on North Island, Georgetown Inlet, South
Carolina.''
I have surveyed the required sites, marked them off upon the
ground, and invited proposals from the owners, but have not been
able to obtain any satisfactory offers. The owner of the least valuable site. North Island, demands |1,000 for any tract, however small.
The proposed.beacons would be highly useful to the navigation of
Georgetown Inlet, as they would render the harbor easily accessible
by night. But the appropriation already made, $5,000, is not more
than half large enough.
^^Light-house to mark the shoals off Cape Eoman."



isiSiaiittiMiHaHHM^

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

363

The impossibility of obtaining a good title to any portion of Cape
Eoman Island, in any reasonable time, if at all, and other considerations, induced the Light-house Board to direct the new light to be
placed in the immediate vicinity of the old. The plan has been presented and approved, temporary quarters have been erected for the
workmen, materials have been collected, and the foundations of the
tower are now being laid.
^^Eebuilding beacons on Morris Island."
On the site ofthe old back beacon a new keeper's house was erected
last spring. The light, two reflectors on top of this house, and a
similar light about nine hundred feet in rear, on a wooden frame, put
up in May and June, 1854, now constitute the OveraU beacons, mainly
useful, I believe, in flnding the outer bar of the north channel.
^^For rebuilding the two beacons on Sullivan's Island, and for
building a keeper's house."
The two beacons have been rebuilt during the past summer. They
consist of two stationary reflectors each, in enclosed lanterns, on the
top of open wooden frames.
. No keeper's house has been built or purchased. Title, it is believed,
can be obtained only from the legislature of the State.
. '^ Permanent beacon to range with Charleston light, &c."
This work I hope to attend to in connexion with the intended
change in the Charleston light. No new site will be required.
For a light-house and beacon light at North Edisto - $15,000
For a light-house and beacon light at Hunting island
30,000
For a light-house and beacon light at Hilton head
10,000
For two beacoiis to serve as a range to Callibogue sound 5,000
The sites required for these various lights and beacons were surveyed and marked off in February last, and at the same time the
owners were invited to state their prices. The terms demanded were,
in all cases, high beyond all precedent, in one case equal to the whole
appropriation.
Under the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, the governor
of South Carolina was requested to. appoint three commissioners to
value the sites in question, in pursuance of a recent law of the State of
South Carolina having special relation to these sites. Two of the
commissioners visited the several localities in July last, the third
being then unwell. The report ofthe majority, I have been informed
by one of the eommissioners, will be made immediately.
^^Light-house and beacon light at the mouth of the St. John's,
Florida.'^
I t has not been practicable hitherto to obtain a title of the required
site. The United States attorney of Florida has the matter in hand,
under instructions from the Treasury Department, and will doubtless
obtain the desired title as soon as the great difficulties of the case will
permit.
Repairs.
Between July 1, 1854, and the present date, nearly all the lighthouses in this district have been two or three times more or less repaired.



364

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The operations have generally been slight, consisting of repainting,
and here and there soldering the lantern sheet copper domes, which,
to be kept water-tight, require this attention at least twice a year,
glazing the -towers and houses, painting the iron work around the
lanterns, &c.
In some cases dwelling houses and towers have been whitewashed,
and the woodwork of the houses painted, the shingling repaired, the
foundations and other |)arts repaired, &c.
The summer house at Bull's bay light, erected in May, 1854, much
injured by the storm of September, 1854, has been repaired.
Two day beacons have been erected at the south end of St. Cathe-'
line's island, Georgia, ranging with the outer bar.
A wooden breakwater has been erected for the protection of Wolf
island beacons, Georgia.
At Ocracoke light a 4th order lens, flxed, has been substituted for
the 21-inch reflectors.
At Georgetown light a 4th order lens has been substituted for eleven
14-inch reflectors.
^
At Sapelo island light a 4th order lens has been substituted for flfteeri 15-inch reflectors.
At St. Augustine light a 4th order revolving light has been substituted for ten 14-inch reflectors.
At the Price's creek beacons two 6th order lenses have been substituted for sixteen 14-inch reflectors.
Light-vessels.
A new, well equipped, and beautiful vessel has been placed off Eattlesnake shoal, Charleston, South Carolina.
The four old vessels have been repaired, one of them, Martin's Industry, i3retty extensively, but not under my charge.
A fog-bell has been recently erected at Oak Island beacons, and
will probably be useful.
2. ^^Of the buoyage, beaconage and stakeage of channels, as completed under the present system."
On the Cape Fear, one new position only has been occupied—at the
turn of a new channel over Horse-shoe Shoal, opposite Price's Creek
beacons. The old buoys have been kept up everywhere except on the
main bar, which has not been used for two years.
A new channel has been buoyed out at Georgetown Inlet, called the
Bottle channel. All the old positions are occupied.
Maffit's, or the beach channel, was buoyed out last summer, for the
flrst time—3 buoys—and Lieutenant Morris has recently buoyed out
the steamboat channel from Charleston to Sullivan's Island—4 buoys.
All th^ old positions at Charleston harbor, I believe, are occupied.
Many new buoys are required on the Atlantic coast between Charles-ton and St. Augustine, but I cannot speak deflnitely about them.
3. ^^Of the general condition of the different branches of thelighthouse service at the date of the report."
There has been a general improvement, I think, throughout this
district, and in every branch pf the sefvice, '^ under the present sys-




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

365

t e m . " This is due, among other causes, to the frequent inspections,
to the printed instructions of the Light-house Board, and to the
prompt removal of the keepers, without a single exception, whenever
the inspector has complained of them. Six have been removed on
my recommendation.
,
On the Cape Fear the lights at the present time are better kept,
and the buoys are in better condition, than I have ever known theni to
be before. The same remark, I believe, may be made of the whole
district; but my information as to points .beyond Charleston is not
recent.
4. ^''Of rebuilding, renovations, and extensive repairs required
during the next flscal year, with estimates of cost of each aid specified."
I have but one such work to recommend, viz: a new dwelling-house
for the keepers of Charleston light. The present house is very old,
and not flt to live in.
'Estimate for a new dwelling-house for the keeper of Charleston
light and his assistant, in place of the present very old dwelling,
$4,000.
The estimate may seem to be large, but a liberal allowance must
be made for land transportation.
I do not wish to speak decidedly of- any places beyond Charleston.
I feel quite sure, however, that there is nowhere any imniediate
necessity for extensive repairs or rebuilding.
Some of the items under the following number (5) might perhaps
more appropriately have come here.
5. ^' Of all adclitional aids required to render navigation safe and
easy in the respective localities, with an estimate of the cost of each
in detail."
Bald Head light occupies a very important situation; it has long
been complained of, and may be greatly improved by the substitution
of a third order lens larger model, 360^, for the present apparatus.
And to distinguish tnis light under all circumstances from Federal
Point light I should recommend a flxed light, varied by flashes.
Estimate.
Illuminating apparatus and revolving machinery Alterations in the lantern and the top of the tower
Contingencies
_
_
_
Total

-

-

-

-

~

-

-

-

- $4,000
500
50O
-

5,000

For a third order revolving lens light to take the place of the
present inefficient apparatus at Bald Head, $5,000.
I do not renew the recommendation made two years ago for a new
first class light on the point of Cape Fear, but will remark that if
the Board contemplates the erection of such a light within a few
years, it will not be expedient now to make the above mentioned




366

'

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

changes in the old light. In this latter event I recommend for tho
present a third order fixed light, smaller model, for the old tower.
Estimate, $1,500.
As already intended, the appropriation for Georgetown Inlet is
quite too small for the important objects proposed.
Estimate.
For one beacon on North Island and its illuminating apparatus $1,500
Do.
South Island
do.
do.
1,800
For a keeper's house and beacon on South Island - 4,000
For the purchase of two sites
_
_
2,000
Contingencies
- - 700
Total -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 10,000

For three beacons on South and North Island Points, Georgetown
inlet, and for a keeper's house, in addition to the $5,000 appropriated
August 31, 1852, $5,000.
Estimate fior a first order lens fior Charleston light, to be lighted simultaneously with the new light at Cape Roman.
First order lens, fixed, illuminating 2*70°
Changes in the lantern and top ofthe tower
Eepairs of the tower
Contingencies
Total

_

-

.

.

-

$8,000
1,500
500
1,000

00
00
00
00

-

11^000 00

For a first order fixed lens, to take the place of the present revolving apparatus at Charleston light, and for a new dwelling-house,
$15,000. ^
^' Eebuilding beacons on Morris Island."
The keeper's house having been destroyed by the storm of September, 1854, the Light-house Board authorized the use of $2,500 from
the appropriation of $6,000 for Sullivan's Island beacons, &c. The
keeper's house, which is also the front beacon, has been erected, and
to refund the loan I recommend—
For a keeper's house on Morris Island, to take the place of the old
house, destroyed by the September storm of 1854, the appropriation of
$2,500.
The appropriation of August 3,1854, viz: For Hilton Head $10,000,
for Callibogue sound $5,000, after paying for the sites, can hardly be
sufficient for the proposed objects ; but in our present ignorance of
the cost of the sites I forbear to recommend any additional appropriations.
Passing by Savannah river, I renew the recommendation made in
my last annual report of a beacon near Sapelo light, to range with
that light and the outer bar, or some interior place in the channel.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

367

When the dwelling house and front beacon of the Wolf Island range
wash away an equivalent range may be erected in a situation less exposed. (See enclosed chart.)
Estimate for a beacon light on the south point of Sapelo Island,
Georgia, to range with the?Sapelo light and the bar or channel,
$1,500.
Amelia Island light.—The entrance to St. Mary's will be greatly
facilitated by two ranges.
Estimate.
For a beacon to range with the Amelia Island light and
the outer bar For causeway or bridge over the marsh leading thereto For two beacon lights and a dwelling house at the north
front of Amelia Island
-

$1,500 00
500 00
5,000 00
7,000 00

For three beacons to facilitate the entrance to St. Mary's river,
Georgia, $7,000.
6. ^^ Of changes of locations and characteristic distinctions of existing aids."
The only immediate changes which I propose have been already
noticed, viz: Bald Head light, now fixed, to be made fixed varied by
flashes.
Chaiieston light, now revolving, to be made flxed.
7. ^^ Of all useless aids to navigation."
I do not know of any useless aids in this district.
8. ^^What advantages have been derived by the introduction of
lenses in place of reflectors in old and new light-houses?"
Greatly increased efficiency and diminished annual expenses in
every case.
At one light only. Cape Hatteras, have the keepers been increased
in number. There a very inefficient light, visible -generally in clear
weather only, has .been changed to a lens light of thefirst order,
visible at great distance in almost any weather, usually described by
navigators as the '^ greatest light in the world."
9. ^^ What advantages are derived from the introduction of reflectors
and of Costan lamps in light-vessels ?"
Floating lights before the change were often invisible in pretty good
weather until the navigator got within a few hundred yards, sometimes near enough to make out the hull ofthe vessel.
The reflectors, under the same circumstances, are invisible several
miles, and visible, in all weather nearly as far as similar reflectors at
the same elevation on land.
.
10. ^'What number of the different orders of lens lights have been
introduced since October, 1852, and the number of reflector lamps removed from old lights, and which would have been required for new
ones had the reflector system been continued?"



368

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

1st orcler I. At Hatteras light
4th order 1. At Body's Island light
4th order 1. At Ocracoke light
fth
1st
4th
4th
4th

^^fi^
order
order
order
order

1*
2.
1.
1.
1.

15 21-inch reflectors removed.
14 do.
do.
do.
10 do.
do.
do.

[ -^^ eastern point of Bogue Banks.
At Price's Creek beacon
16 14-inch
At Georgetown light
II do.
At Sapelo Island
15 15-inch
At StI Augustine
10 14-inch
91

do.
do.
do.
do.

do.
do.
do.
do.

do.

do.

Introduced—1 1st order ; 6 4th order ; 3 6th order.
11. ^^ What percentage of oil and other supjilies for lights is now
saved by the substitution of lenses for reflectors, so far as the changes
have been made in the old and new lights?"This question I can answer only in part, for since the changes were
made in this district the quarterly returns have not been made to me.
Comparing the flrst quarter of 1854—Price's Creek beacons—with
the flrst quarter of 1855, I obtain the following statement:
First quarter, 1854. First quarter, 1855. Percentage saved.
10 lamps.
2 6th order lenses.
Oil consuraed, gallons . . .
Wicks consumed, dozens.

69
7^

19|

72-100 nearly
82-100

In 1853 I dismounted three lamps in each of these beacons, flnding
them to shine only upon the land. The comparison is, therefore,
between ten reflectors and two lenses. The proportionate consumption of oil for sixteen reflectors W(mld have been 110 fio gallons, and
the per centage saved -T^Q. A S it is, the oil saved (198 gallons) is
nearly enough to pay the salary of the keeper.
At Ocracoke, Georgetown, Sapelo, and St. Augustine, where lenses
have been substituted for reflectors, the per centage of oil, wicks, and
chimneys saved has, I am satisfled, been more than -1^0-.
12. ^'What the jiresent condition of the light-house towers, dwellings, light-vessels, and beacons on the coast, as compared with their
condition at the time when they were taken charge of, respectively,
• by the present inspectors and engineers?"
No extensive repairs of towers and dwellings have been made during the period in question. They have not required it.
These structures are now, however, I think, in much better order,
and more neatly kept, than they were in 1852.
The light-vessels have been more extensively repaired, and their
general condition is greatly improved.
13. ^^ What the present state of beaconage, buoyage, and stakeage
of the different channels', harbors, &c., compared with the condition
of this branch of the service at the time the present officers entered
upon their duties?"
A great improvement has, I think, been made in this branch of the
service.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES..

'

369

Many new buoys have been placed, and lost buoys have been replaced more promptly than they fornierly were.
^^ General remarks, having a reference to the gradual improvement
of all the old aids to navigation, and to an efficient, economical, and
systematical management ofthe light-house service."
There is great room for improvement in all the branches of the
:service.
While I was inspector of the district I was never able to obtain a
complete set of quarterly returns, and for that reason never forwarded
a consolidated return to the board, though such returns were regularly made out. Many of the keepers are very ignorant and illiterate—some of them are unable to read. Under present circumstances
nothing but a quarterly inspection can secure proper returns and
complete accountability of the keepers.
More light-house districts seem to me to be necessary; the 6tli district would be amply large without including any portion of the Cape
Fear Lights or buoys.
A general increase of salaries—say from $400 to $500 a year—
would secure, without doubt, a more intelligent and more reliable
clas's of men for keepers.
For the gradual improvement of the ^^old aids to navigation," I
respectfully recommend the following additional changes in this district, to be provided for now or at some future day, as may suit the
convenience of the service.
Federal Point light, in placing 10 13-inch reflectors, a 4th lens, 360^
$1,000
Oak Island beacon, in placing 20 14-incli reflectors, 2 5th
lenses, 270°.....
1,200
Orton Point light, in.placing 5 14-inch reflectors, a 5th
lens, 2250
500
Big Island light, in placing 6 14-incli reflectors, a 5th lens,
225°
500
Georgetown light, in placing a 4th lens, 360^.
1,000
Tybee, in placing 15 15-inch reflectors, a 2d lens, 360^
6,000
Tybee beacon, in placing 8 14-inch reflectors, a 5th lens, 270°
600
St. Simons, in placing 9 14-inch reflectors, 3d (s. m.) lens,
360O (?)
1,500
Little Cumberland, in placing 15 15-inch reflectors, 4th (E)
lens, 360O
^
.^
1,000
Amelia Island light, in placing 14 12-inch reflectors, 3d E.
(s. m.) lens, 360°
2,000
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. p . WOODBUEY,
,
Capt. Engineers.
Captain T. A. JENKINS, U . S . N . ,
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE, U . S. N . ,

Secretaries ofi the LigM-house Board, Washington, D. C.
24




370

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

APPENDIX No. 14.
LiGHT-HousE INSPECTOR'S O F F I C E ,

Charleston, September 29, 1855.
SIR: I n obedience to your orders of June 5, I herewith submit my
report and answers to the questions contained in the circular issued
May 29, 1855:
Question 1. Of renovations, repairs, &c., of light-houses, light-vessels and beacons made since the flrst of July, 1854, in the respective
districts.
The repairs of all light-houses and dwellings have been made by
the engineers of this district, except such slight repairs as the carpenter and armorer of the tender have made during my term of inspection.
The light vessel on the Knoll, Savannah river, has had a light
storm deck put on her, and the St. Helena light-vessel is now undergoing extensive repairs.
2. Of the bupyage, beaconage and stakeage of channels, &c., ascompleted on the present system.
Since my appointment as inspector, I have had all the buoys properly arranged in the following places, viz: the river and bars of Cape
Fear, Georgetown bars, the slue channel in Cape Eoman shoals, t h e
bar at Bull's bay; all the channels and harbor of Charleston; the
Savannah river bar, Doboy bar, St. John's river and bar as far up as
Jacksonville, and the bar of St. Augustine.
3. Of the general condition of the different branches of the lighthouse service at the date of the report.
I consider them much improved and more complete.
4. Of rebuilding, renovations and extensive repairs required during
the next flscal year, with estimates of the cost of each aid specifled.
In answer to this, I would recommend a new dwelling house for the
Charleston light, as the present one is. very much decayed; a new
stairway for the Tybee beacon; a cistern for the. Sapelo light, and a
new dwelling for the St. John's river light-house. I would also
advise putting a new storm deck and a new light on the light-vessel
Millard Fillmore, stationed at the Horse Shoe, Cape Fear river. She
will require caulking and recoppering, or perhaps only patching. I
think to put her in complete order will require $1,000.
5. Of all additional aids required to render navigation safe and easy
in the respective localities; with an estimate of cost of each in detail.
In answer to this, I would recommend building a small beacon light
(to cost $1,500) at Haddrell's Point, in Charleston harbor, for the use
of the Sullivan's Island steamers running at night; also the rebuilding of the Cockspur Island beacon light, blown down in the September
gale of 1854. This light is important to guide vessels into a safe
anchorage in northeasterly gales; also a range light to be placed in
Savannah, to range with the Fig Island light. This is important 'to
guide vessels at night up to, and through the channel by the wrecks.
I t might be made the same size and cost as the one intended for the
Battery at Charleston. A t present the pilots have a red light placed




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

371

in one of the street lamps, which can only be seen under favorable
circumstances. I would also recommend a bell buoy-boat for the
Savannah river bar. At Doboy bar I would recommend a small bea
con, (to cost $1,000,) to be placed in range with the Sapelo light, as a
range i i g h t to come into the sound clear of the north breakers. I
would also advise for this bar a bell buoy-boat. The commerce is
rapidly increasing, and over 300 vessels have used this bar during the
past year. At the St. Mary's bar I would recommend a range beacon
to range with the Amelia Island light, and two small beacons on the
north point of Amelia Island, near the fort,, to be a guide for vessels
to haul up round the southern point of North Shoals for the entrance
of the harbor, or in place of these beacons, a small light vess el, such
as the St. Helena light-vessel, might be placed inside the bar opposite
the south point of North Shoals, and in range with the light-house
over the bar; and also mark the turning point in the c^p.annel. For
the bar of the St. John's river I would recommend a bell buoy-boat;
for the river itself, a small light vessel of 30 tons (to cost $2,500) at
Dame's Point.
At Piney Point, Cookoo Point, and Nine Mile Point, I would recommend light-houses to be built, about forty feet high, with fifth order
lens.
These houses might be built with light and keeper's dwelling
together, and will probably cost $4,000 each.
The three last points which have been mentioned are between Jacksonville and Paiatka, where the river is very wide in places, and difficult to navigate at night. There are five mail steamers running on
this river, besides a large number of vessels going up for lumber. To
stake out this channel properly, I will require $2,000. When the
mills on this river are in operation, it requires 600 vessels of from 9
to 13 feet draught to take the lumber, and by these additional aids, the
navigation ofthe river will bc'inade easy 100 miles from the entrance.
6. Of changes of locations and characteristic distinctions of existing
aids.
I know of none required at present. .
7. Of all useless aids to navigation, with the best disposition to be
made in each case.
There are none such in this district.
8. What advantages have been derived from the introduction of
lenses in place of reflectors in old and new light-houses.
There have been no such substitutions made since my appointment
as inspector, except the North Island light, too recently put up to
allow me to judge.
For answers to questions 9, 10, and 11, inclusively, I would
respectfully refer the board to Captain Woodbury, as there have been
no changes in lights since my appointment as inspector.
12. W h a t the present condition of the light-house towers, dwellings, light-vessels, and beacons, on the coast, as compared with their
condition at the time when they were taken charge of respectively by
the present inspector and engineers.
They are much improved, extensive repairs having been made.




^-..-vp w '

72

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

13. What the present state of the beaconage, buoyage, and
stakeage, of the different channels, harbors, &c., as compared with
t h e condition of this branch of the service at the time the present
'officers entered upon their duties.
In answer to this question, I would say, that I have made all such
changes and additions as I deemed necessary, and in consequence of
the additional buoys furnished by the Light-house Board, I think the
system more complete.
14. General remarks, having reference to the gradual improvement
•of all the old aids to navigation, and to an efficient, economical, and
...systematical management ofthe light-house service.
i would propose the following aids for the improvement of iiaviga'"tion, viz., the introduction of lens lights at the following light-houses
•'.and beacons in the district: At Federal Point, a fourth order lens,
Mighting the horizon 360°; at Cape Fear light, a second order lens,
'flighting the horizon for 360°; at the Oak Island beacons, two sixth
"Order lenses, lighting 260° each; at Price's Creek, a sixth order lens,
lighting up 360°, to be placed dn the outer beacon in place of the
present one, which lights 260°; at the Horse-shoe Shoal light vessel,.
;a reflector light, in place of the present lantern; at Bull's Bay, a
fourth order lens of 300°; at the Charleston light, a flrst order lens of
3 6 0 ° ; at the Charleston beacon, the sixth order lens now at Price's.
'Creek outer beacon, which lights 260°; at the Tybee light, a flrst
order lens of 300°, and a flfth order lens of 180° for Tybee beacon; at
the Oyster Beds beacon, a flfth order lens of 260°; at Sapelo, a third
order lens; at St. Simons, the lens light now at Sapelo; at Little
^Cumberland, a fourth order lens of 360°; at Amelia Island, a third
order lens of 360°, and sixth order lenses for all the beacons proposed; at St. Johns bar, a second order lens. At all the'lights
mentioned, the lamps and reflectors are generally old and much
woYn.
"
'
I find it impossible to perform all my duties as inspector with the
present tender. The district embraces a large extent of coast, with
the bars and inlets quite numerous, and exposed to the sea. When
there is sufficient wind to sail out to the bar, the sea is so rough as to
make it difficult to approach the buoys. In light airs, or calms, it is
^'difficult for the schooner to approach them, as the currents are all
*quite strong.
I would respectfully request a small steam propeller, as it would
-enable me to perform all my duties more effectually. I think that
the additional expense would he fully compensated for by the beneflts
"to be derived. I think a suitable propeller might be obtained for
•x^bout|15,000.
During the summer I have made a tour of inspection, and in that
time have had but four hours of fair wind. I have lost so much
time by head winds that it has been impossible to complete all the
' work I wished.
W i t h a small j)ropeller, drawing from seveii to eight feet water, I




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

37S

feel confident that all the bars, inlets, and rivers of this district
might be kept fully and properly buoyed.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
C. MANIGAULT MOEEIS,
Light-house Inspector, Sixth District.
Lieutenant T. A. JENKINS,
Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 15.
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, Octoberl^, 1855.
SIR: I have the honor to report on the different heads enumerated
in the circular sent to me with your letter of the 5th of June last, so>
far as appertains to my duties on the light-house service.
No. 1. ^^Eenovations,.repairs, &c., of light-houses, light-vesselsy.
beacons, &c." Under Lieutenant Newton's charge, the lamps and
reflectors ofthe beacon opposite Cockspur Island, on the White Oyster
bed,have been restored; the roof and plastering ofthe keeper's houseat Tybee light repaired, and the keeper's house on Cockspur Island.'
rebuilt since July 1, 1854.
Since resuming the charge of the works at this city, I have built
three day beacons—two on Elba Island, Savannah river, and one on
the northern bank of the river—as marks for vessels when passing over
the ^^Horse-shoe" and ^^Pumpkin" Bank, and made extensive repairs^
to the light-house on the eastern point of Fig Island, embracing the.^
following items: renewing the foundations; ,re-embanking the dikes;: .
enclosing the premises; renewing the timber platforms around thehouse; repairing the roof; relaying a large part of the .flooring which
was much decayed; erecting a suitable frame-work for the support of
a fog-bell; replastering the rooms; repainting the exterior of t h e
house and casings of windows, doors, &c; repairing lantern; supplying defective fastenings for doors and windows, also locks for t h e
doors, and rebuilding the small pile wharf which had been entirely
destroyed by the gale of September, 1854. I have also taken measurcB^
for the reconstruction and repair of the beacon light for south channel
of Savannah river at Cockspur Island.
' No. 2. ^^Of the buoyage, beaconage," &c. Two small day beacons—one on Long Island, and one on Jones' Island, Savannah r i v e r are desired by the pilots, and would add facilities for navigating t h e
river. They could be built for about $300 each=$600.
No. 4. ^^Of rebuilding, renovations and extensive repairs,".&c.
1. The beacon light for south channel of Savannah river at Cockspur
Island to be rebuilt on the same foundations, enlarged. The cost wili
be about $6,000. Detailed estimates will be furnished as soon as t h e
plans can be perfected. 2. A brick foundation should bo built under
the keeper's house on Cockspur Island, to make it more comfortable
in winter, and a small frame kitchen added. These additions can be
made for $450.
No. 5. / ' O f ' a l l additional aids required," &c., 1. A light ship tO"



374

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

be placed where the outer buoy is anchored on the bar of the Savannah
river. A suitable one could be built probably vdth all the flxtures,
anchors, chains, &c., for $20,000; but I have not the means of making
a reliable estimate. The inner buoy to be replaced by a larger one.
3. A harbor beacon on 'Hhe bay," city of Savannah, as an aid to
vessels approaching the city at night. I would propose the erection
of a cast iron column 25 feet high, surmounted with a lantern similar
to the street lanterns of a city, but much larger, and with red lights.
The column should be enclosed with a suitable railing, for protection.
The cost would be about $2,000. If desired by the board, the mayor
of Savannah will make application at once to the legislature of Georgia for the grant of jurisdiction, &c., and the city will give the land
necessary for the purpose.
No. 14. The inspector of lights for this district can report more
satisfactorily under this head than I can. I will simply remark that,
as a local matter, special attention should be given as to small boats
used in passing to and from a light-house situated as the beacon light
'on the white Oyster Bed is. The passage between Cockspur Island
and the beacon is an exposed one, and for safety the boat should be a
good sea boat. The keeper informs me that one is much needed at
this time.
Having many works committed to my charge by the engineer
department, which have much occupied my time and thoughts for the
past three or four months, I accidentally overlooked the circular of the
board, calling for a report from me by the 1st instant. I must therefore offer this as my excuse for failing to render the requested report
by the time specified.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J.. F . GILMEE,
Captain ofi Engineers.
Lieutenant THORNTON A. JENKINS,
Seo'-etary to Light-house Board, Washington City.

APPENDIX No. 16.
UNITED STATES SCHOONER FLORIDA,

Key West, October —, 1855.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following answers to the questions propounded by the board:
Ques. 2. Ofthe buoyage, beaconage and stakeage of channels so far
as completed on the present systeni.
Ans. Buoys have been planted at Tampa, from the outer bars up
to Gadsden's Point, 30 miles. '
^
The channel from Oyster bar to the town of Tampa, staked out with
four-inch scantling, five miles. Buoy placed on the ,bar at Manatee
river and post bank staked out. Buoys from the Gulf stream, and
from the Gulf of Mexico, into the harbor of Key West, arranged in
the proper position. . Eeef channel has been examined thoroughly, for



- '

REPORT ON THE FIl^ANCES.

375

the purpose of being buoyed out from Cape Florida to Key West, 160
miles.
Ques. 3. Of the general condition of the different branches of the
light-house service at the date of report.
Ans. Good, and I am happy to say improving.
Ques. 4. Of rebuilding, renovations and extensive repairs required
during the next fiscal year, with estimates of cost of each aid specified.
Ans. The tower at Tortugas should be raised 10 feet; a new tower
;at Egmont Key, Tampa Bay; dwelling at Key West in want of
repairs, $100 required.
Ques. 5. Of all additional aids required to render navigation safe,
and easy in the respective localities, &c.
Ans. Light-houses required on Alligator reef, Indian river, Jupiter
and Hillsboro'; a day beacon on Sea-Horse key; and a bell buoy on
Eebecca shoal; twenty stakes for Cedar Key channel; twenty for
Manatee river, $30 per stake.
Ques. 8, What advantages have been derived by the introduction, of
lenses in place of reflectors, &c.
Ans. Greater power, consequently greater range; economy of oil.
Ques. 10. W h a t numbers of the different orders of lens lights have
"been introduced since October, 1852, &c.
Ans. Three of the 1st order, and two of the 4th.
Ques. 11. W h a t per centage of oil and other supplies for lights is
now saved by the substitution of lenses for reflectors, &c.
Ans. There being no data in the oflice, I cannot form an estimate.
Ques. 12. W h a t the present condition of the light-houses, towers,
dwellings, &c., as compared with their condition at the time when
they were taken charge of respectively by the present inspectors and
engineers.
Ans. Cleaner, and in better order.
Ques. 13. W h a t the present state of the beaconage, buoyage,and
.stakeage ofthe different channels, harbors, &c., compared to the condition of this branch of the service at the time the present officer
entered upon the duties. ,
Ans. Infinitely•*better. The Key West and Northwest Passage
buoys had been planted, but not one marked right or in the proper
place. No buoys or stakes had been planted in Tampa or Manatee.
I cannot press upon the board with too much zeal the necessity of a
light-house on Alligator reef; four vessels have been wrecked there,
^and in the neighborhood, in the last four months ; when, if there had
been a light, the vessels could have rounded the point of reef and come
to in a good roadstead, in from six to three fathoms. Alligator reef
has from two to six fathoms water on it; lies off Indian Key, distant
•about six miles.
Indiaii Key was occupied as a naval depot during the Florida war,
-and has a fine roadstead. I have rode out many gales of wind here,
•and the schooner Wave rode out the hurricane of 1842, which hurricane placed in great jeopardy the Sand Key light-house, blowing
down the dwelling and washing away a great part of the island. I
mention the above facts to show that with a good light it could be




376

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

made a harbor of refuge, besides warning the mariner of this danger"^
OUS reef
*

^

^ - ^

•

*

^

•

Eelative to a light on St. Martin's reef, whilst on the westerii coast
I was unable to get a pilot for the reef; consequently, my examination,
was too slight to form an opinion. I have consulted with some of the
principal traders on that part of the coast, and they do not consider a
light necessary, and if there was one, it would be of no use in entering the many little rivers where they go for lumber, (cedar.)
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
^ M. CAEEINGTON WATKINS,
Lieutenant U. S. N., Inspector ^th District.
• Com'd T. A. JENKINS,
Secretary Light-house Board.

APPENDIX No. 17.
FORT JEFFERSON, FLORIDA, September 23,

1835.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the 15th August, requesting an estimate for a light-house and keeper's dwelling,
which it is proposed to erect at this place, and to send herewith two
estimates, with a sketch showing the projects on which they are based.
Your instructions indicated the height without fixing the other important dimensions. This has perplexed me very much, as I do not
know and have no means of ascertaining what experience has shown
to be suitable in regard to convenience and stability for the upper and
lower diameters, and the thickness of the walls for a tower so much
higher than our ordinary structures. But should any of the dimeii• sions I have assumed not meet the approval of the board, the estimates may be readily modified to suit the necessary changes, as an
analysis ofthe costs ofthe principal items of masonry is appended.
A sufficient foundation being all important to the stability of the
tower, I have endeavored to make one that shallTfulfill all the necessary conditions. It is proposed to first lay a grillage, as shown on
the sketch, the top of which shall be on-a level of those in the bastions of the fort, and being always under water is secured from decay.
On this rests the foundation three feet high, with a batter of two feet
on each side. The outlines of the grillage and foundation are made
polygonal, instead of circular, for convenience of setting the curbing
for the concrete. With such a foundation the pressure on the bed will
be, for project No. 1, a little over 36 cubic feet to the square foot, a
pressure shown by experiments made here to be admissible, as the
settlement under nearly twice the weight, at a point not far distant
from the probable location.of the tower, did,not exceed three-fourths
of an inch. If the grillage is not used, an additional and equivalent
spread must be given to the masonry of the foundation, which must
go down to the water to secure it from being undermined by rats and
crabs.
There being nothing in your instructions relative to the kind of




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

377

materials to be used for the masonry, I have assumed the foundations
ofthe tower to be entirely of concrete, and the walls of concrete faced
inside and out with hard burned Pensacola or Mobile bricks, the
facing being, employed as better resisting the action of the sea air
than the concrete. The bond assumed for this facing is the same as
is now used ori the fort, and is represented on the sketch.
I am disposed to believe that the mortar for both brickwork ancl
concrete should be made of cement and sand, without any admixture
of lime, and in the proportion of two parts of the latter to one of the
former in powder. The voids in the sand being about one-third, and
the shrinkage of the cement about one quarter when reduced to paste,
the latter will a little more than suffice to fill the voids of the former
when mixed in the above proportions. Experience here has shown
that lime mortar does not fully resist the action of the atmosphere,
and therefore should not be relied upon. A mixture of, say, equal
parts of lime and cement, might answer ; but as the cement, without
the lime, is unquestionably better, and its cost not much more, it
should be preferred.
Pensacola or Mobile bricks are mentioned, because it has been decided, after careful examination, to use them for the fort. Their cost
is greater than northern bricks, owing principally to higher freights;
but as it is believed they will resist the action of the sea air, whilst
many kinds of northern bricks are known to yield, it is thought to be
economy to use them. Should it be deemed best to build the tower
entirely of bricks, all except those in the exposed parts should be obtained from the New York market, from considerations of economy.
An important item of cost, and one not easily estimated for with
accuracy, is raising the materials for so high a tower. When the ordinary nieans of hodding them is employed, it is know that the cost increases rapidly after the structure is carried above a medium elevation..
For this work they may be hoisted, but this process will be a slow
one, owing to the want of room for more than a single derrick, and
will probably be found inadequate unless steam power be employed..
There is a small steam engine now in use here which may be avail-^
able for this purpose, and which will raise easily from 1,500 to 2,000^
pounds with rapidity enough to supply all the niaterials for the work..
No allowance is made for expense of storage of cement and other
materials, for shelter of workmen or transporting workmen to this
place, as most, if not all of these may be avoided by putting the work
under the control of the officer in charge of the fort. Nor have I put in
the estimate of the cost of the stairs for the tower, as I presume you
can determine it accurately from the information in your office, whilst
I can give only a conjectural sum. In other respects, the estimates
embrace all the important items I can think of.
Not having the dimensions of any similar structure at hand to refer
to, for determining the proper dimensions of the tower, I have made the
calculations for the stability of the two projects in which I have made
use of the following data, and assumed that the greatest force to be
resisted is that of the hurricanes which are occasionally experienced
on this coast:
Any diameter that will fulfil the considerations of stability and



378

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

economy may be taken for the lower base, whilst the minimum, and
probably the best one for the top will be deterniined by the size of the
lantern required for a first class Fresnel apparatus. The exterior diameters of top and bottom have been assumed at 15 and 30 feet; the
height above foundation takeii at 146 feet, which brings the deck 150
feet above low water, as proposed by the board; and the thickness of
the walls at bottom and top, in project No. 1, at 6 and 2 feet, and in
No. 2, at 7 and 3 feet, respectively.
The mean weight of the materials is taken at 100 pounds the cubic
foot, being deduced from the weight ,of a trial block of concrete, which
had been made and protected from the weather for about four years
and a half, and which gave 108 pounds the cubic foot, and a block of
bricks which gave, when dry, 91 pounds the cubic foot. Assuming
these weights to correspond with those of similar materials in. the
structure, it v/ill be seen that 100 pounds to the cubic foot is rather
below the average weight, as the heavier material is largely in excess.
The arm of lever, on which the weight of the tower acts against any
force overturning it about its base, is take^ at 14 feet, or one foot less
than the radius of the base.
The pressure of wind in the strongest hurricanes has been taken at
50 pounds per square foot, and as the tower is conical, the pressure
against it is less than it would be against a plane surface equal to the
central section, and has been assumed at two-thirds of 50 or 33-|pounds to the square foot of this section. The central section of the
tower and lantern is taken at 160X ^ , whichis probably in excess,
and the leverage at 71.1 feet, or the distance ofthe centre of gravity of
the section above its lower base.
With the above data we obtain for the moment of pressure
160 X ? ^ x 3 3 i - X 71.1=8532000; for the moment of weight of project
No. 1, 35630x100x14=49882000, and for project No. 2, 41815 X
100x14=58541000, and by dividing the moments of resistance by the
moment of pressure, we have H f M w ^ - 5 i y o , and ^ff|-^ff=6-A-%for the moments of stability of the two projects, respectively; or the
power of resistance in one case ^fifioj and in the' other 6-3-0-0" times
the power of the presure. It would seem, from these calculations
that either project ought to be secure, though the first looks rather
slender in the drawing. If the dome arch supporting the upper floor
or deck is considered necessary, its thrust may be counteracted by ties
or other well known contrivances. Its weight, which favors stability,
has not been taken into consideration in the calculations above given.
The pressure on the bed of the foundation for either project is not
great enough to excite ^ny apprehension, and the stability in this respect may therefore be considered as secured.
I cannot make any satisfactory estimate for the keeper's dwelling,
as I do not know what allowance of room for each person is authorized
b y t h e board, therefore none is submitted. There is now a wooden
house, built for the keeper in 1847, .which contains two lower rooms,
with hall, two half attic rooms and a detached kitchen, which, if sufflciently capacious, will answer the purpose for some years to come.
An addition may be made to it at a small expense. If a new house



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

379

'be determined upon, its cost may be easily ascertained when the plan
is once decided upon. The privy should be built over a vault communicating with the sewers of the work, the cost of which vault will be
not far from $100.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant.
H. G. W E I G H T ,
Captain ofi Engineers.
Lieutenant T. A: JENKINS, U. S . N . ,
Seai'ctary Light-House Board, Washington, D . C.
Estimate ofi cost ofi a light-house at Garden Key, Tortugas, Florida.—
Project No. 1.
Excavation and embankment, 280 yards, at 20 cents
Lumber for grillage, 7,000 feet, at $25
Concrete in foundation, 90 cubic yards, at $5 30...
Brick masonry in tower, 393 cubic yards, at $17
Concrete masonry in tower, 927 cubic yds. j 93 ^^ ^5 g^
Concrete on lower floor, 3 cubic yards
^
^
^
Cost of raising materials due to unusual height
Derrick, blocks, falls, &c
^
Lumber for floor of watch room, landings, patterns, scaffolding, and general purposes, 10,000 feet, at $25
10 windows and frames, at $6
1 door and frame
10 pairs window-sills and lintels, at $10
,
1 door-sill and lintel
Ladders
,
Landing and storing materials
•.
Carpenters' work.....
Stationery, books, &c.
.
§
^
Add ten per cent, for unforseen expenses.

$56
175
477
6,681
5 39^
'
900
400

00
00
00
00
^^

250
60
10
100
15
50
250
125
25

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

00
00

14,9B8 00
1,496 80
16,464 80

Cost of stairs, including putting up
Cost of lantern, set...
Cost of flrst order Fresnel apparatus, complete

5,000 00
10,000 00

Cast-iron stairway, 146 feet

31,464 80
3,000 00

:

34,464 80
Project No. 2.
Excavation and e'mbankment, 280 cubic yards, at 20 cents
Lumber for grillage, 7,000 feet, at $25



$56 00
175 00

380

REPORT ON THE FINANCES,

Concrete in foundation, 95 cubic yards, at $5 30
Brick masonry in tower, 372 cubic yards, at $17
Concrete in tower and lower floor, 1,180 cul3ic yards, at
$5 80
;..-.
Landing and storing materials
Cost of raising materials due to unusual height
Derrick, blocks, falls, &e
Lumber for floor of watch room, landings, patterns, scaffolding, and general purposes, 10,000 feet, at $25
10 windows and frames, at $6...
1 door and frame
.^
10 pairs window-sills and lintels, (granite,) at $10
1 door-sill and lintel
Ladders
Cost of carpenters' work, not included in above
Stationery, books, &c

$503 50
6,324 00
6,844
250
1,000
400

00
00
00
00

250
60
10
100
15
50
125
25

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

16,187 50
1,618 75

Add ten per cent, for unforeseen expenses
'
Cost of stairs, including putting up
Cost of lantern, set
Cost of first order Fresnel apparatus, complete

17,806 25
5,000 00
10,000 00

Cast-iron stairway, 146 feet

32,806 25
3,000 00
35,806 25

Analysis ofi cost ofi masonry.
Bricks, per yard
Cement fbr do., I J barrels
Sand
Mason,-$2 50
)
Tender to mason, $1 75 )

J
'*'*

Cost per yard of brick masonry
Coral, per yard
Breaking, per yard..,
Sand, say
Cement, I J barrels
Labor, mixing, and laying

$10 50
2 20
5
^25
17 00

1
,

Cost per yard of concrete in tower

$0 70
1 00
15
2 20
1 75
5 80

For the concrete in the foundation the cost of laying should be put
at | 1 75, making the cost $5 30 per yard.
If bricks be used in filling instead of concrete, the cost will be as




REPORT ON THB FINANCES.

381

follows, which should be substituted for the cost ofthe concrete in the
estimate:
^
New York bricks, per yard
| 6 00
Cement for bricks, I J barrels..
2 20
Sand
.....'.
5
Mason
1 50
Tender to mason
—
1 25
Cost of brick backing, per yard

11 00

Eespectfully submitted.
H. G. W E I G H T ,
Captain Engineers:
FORT JEFFERSON, FLORIDA, Septemher 23, 1855.

APPENDIX No. 18.
INSPECTOR'S OFFICE, EIGHTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

Mobile, October 1, 1855.
SIR : In compliance with the order of the Light-house Board under
date of the 29th May' last, I have to submit the following report of
operations connected with the service ofthe eighth light-house district
for the last fiscal year.
At St. Marks the roof of the keeper's dwelling has been repaired
by the contractor who built it, and is in tolerable order.
A new dwelling for the keeper has been built at the Dog Island
light-house. It is a framed dwelling, 25 feet square, resting on five
wrought-iron piles, screwed 8 feet into the sand, the .sills being 8 feet
above the surface of the ground. The foundation of the tower was
alsb repaired and deepened, and a stratum of concrete placed around
the base to prevent undermining by.winds and waves.
At Cape St. George similar repairs were made to the foundation of
the tower, and a corner of the keeper's brick dwelling, which had
been undermined, received a solid foundation of brick work. An iron
tension rod was added to strengthen its north wall.
The new light-house at Cape St. Bias has been begun during the year,
and at this date its masonry has been finished. The keeper's dwelling, similar to that described for Dog Island, has been completed.
The lantern, &c., for this tower has arrived withiii a few days past,
and will be put up without delay.
The new. tower at the north end of the Chandeleur Island has been
begun, and at this date is, rapidly approaching completion. The lantern for this tower has also been received and will soon be in place.
The iron light-house tower which formerly stood at the Head ofthe
Passes of the Mississippi river, has been removed and rebuilt at the
Pass a L'outre. ' Its illuminating apparatus has been received, and is
now being adapted to the lantern. In all probability it can be lighted
by the first of November. A new dwelling for the keeper has also




382

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

been built at the Pass a L'outre, and is presumed to be finished at
this date.
The sixth order lens, which replaces the light at the Head of the
Passes, is now exhibited at that place from a window built in the roof
of the keeper's dwelling.
The new dwellings intended to show a light from their top, in lieu
of the present wooden towers at the Bayou St. John and New Canal,
have been framed and are ready to be put up.
The foundation for a new tower at Port Pontchartrain, has been
begun on the spot.
The new light-house at the Eigolets, at the outlet from Lake Pontchartrain, will be commenced at an early day.
I have not yet been able to obtain title and jurisdiction for sites at
the southwest cape at St. Yincent's Island, Florida, at St. Joseph's
Island, Mississippi, at Proctorville, Louisiana, nor for the beacon at
the east end of Horn Island, Mississippi.
A breakwater, 212 feet long, has been built to protect the site of the
light-house at. Tchefuncta river. It consists of cypress piles sawed
4 by 8 inches, connected at the top by a horizontal strip spiked on the
rear side. It stands well and has been of great service. At this
place a new cistern has been provided for the keeper.
At Pass Manchac extensive repairs have been made to the breakwater which surrounds the site. The whole contour has been sheathed
with cypress piling 4 by 8 inches, fastened firmly to the old timbers of
the breakwater. The whole remains firm, but the establishment is
old, and should be rebuilt in a less exposed position.
Since the 1st of July last, .a bell-boat and six nun and can buoys
have been placed to mark out the entrance into Mobile bay ; during
the last summer they have been taken up, cleaned, painted' and
replaced. At this date all are in position and in good order.
Three spar buoys have been placed to mark the channel at the east
end of Horn Island, Mississippi.
A large iron buoy has been placed outside the bar to mark the entrance to the Pass a L'outre, and a large wooden buoy off the entrance
to the Southwest Pass.' The last has disappeared. A large iron buoy
has been placed on the east side of the channel in the Southwest Pass
as a beacon to run for, after passing this bar. This is in position and
is very useful. Eight spar buoys have also been placed to mark the
channel, but from the nature of the bottom, the changes in the channel and the exposure of the buoys to the tow-boats, their positions
cannot be relied on.
,
Four spar buoys have been placed on the bar at the Pass a L'outre,
two on each side of the channel. The water north of them has since
increased in depth, and the best channel across the bar is now found
by running from the large buoy outside straight towards the iron
light-house till the bar is passed, then hauling slightly to the southward towards the middle of the river. All the spar buoys are south
of this line.
The channel from Dog Island to Apalachicola has been marked by
day beacons in a satisfactory manner.
Eight beacons were contracted for to mark the shoals and channels




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

383

in Mississippi sound. After being built four were destroyed and two
considerably injured by the hurricane of the 15th of last month. The
loss falls on the contractor.
The beacoii which was built to mark the site of a wreck in Mobile
bay, having suffered seriously, has been rebuilt.
The iron light-ship at Merrill's Shell Bank, Mississippi, having
sprung a leak, was towed to Mobile in July last, for examination.
Her bottom was found to be much corroded, but with enough of durability remaining to justify repairs. At this date the repairs of the
iron work have been nearly completed. A schooner was chartered as
a temporary light-ship during the absence of the former from her
station.
At this date, with the ex'ception of some slight damage caused by
the hurricane ofthe 15th ultimo, the general condition ofthe different
branches of the light-house service in this district may be considered
as satisfactory. Much, hpwever, remains to be done in building, improving, &c., though most of the new structures required are already
authorized. These will be built as fast as titles to the sites can be
procured and the means of construction available will permit.
At the entrance of Mobile bay, the principal light has hitherto been
located at Mobile Point, and a secondary light of 11 lamps on Sand
Island. At this last position, which is three miles further seaward
than the other, a first class light would have its seaward range
increased by that distance, and as a guide for crossing the bar would
continue the functions of the existing light. That at Mobile Point
might then be reduced to a harbor light—a 5th order lens with a single burner. As the tower at Sand Island is not high enough for the
proper exhibition of a first class light, and if built upon could with
difficulty be made to accommodate the necessary size of lantern, I
would recommend that a new tower be built there, to show a first
class light. I estimate for building the tower at Sand Island, Alabama, and providing it with a first class lens light, (fixed,) $20,000.
The existing light at Eound Island, Mississippi, intencled to indicate
the position of the shoal which makes out southerly from the island,
is exhibited from an old and badly built tower, which is, besides, exposed to destruction from the sea in any easterly storm. The keeper's,
dwelling is old, not in good order, and is also being encroached upon
by the sea. I would recommend that the whole establishment be rebuilt of bricks, in a position withdrawn from the present site—the
tower and dwelling to be combined, as in the plan originally proposed
for East Pascagoula. I estiinate for building tower and keeper's dwelling at Eound Island, Mississippi, and providing it with a 5th order
lens, $8,000.
The light-house at the west end of Cat Island, Mississippi, stands
on a low' and narrow sand spit, which was severely encroached upon
by the hurricane of the 15th ultimo, and the keeper's old dwelling
was destroyed. Another such storm would probably destroy the
tower, and access to it at present from the keeper's new dwelling is
likely to be difficult in very high tides, owing to the degradation of
the spit between them by the late storm. I have to recommend t h a t
the tower be rebuilt in the edge of the wood, near the new dwelling,,




384

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

where the site is higher and comparatively safe. For rebuilding tower
at the west end of Cat Island, on a higher site, and providing it with
,a 4th order lens, $12,000.
At Pass Manchac the wooden breakwater which encloses the site has
required extensive repairs, to protect it from the encroachment of the
waves. The water along its front has deepened, and a considerable
quantity of the embanked earth within had been washed out below the
street piling. This process seems to have been arrested for the present
by the repairs which have been made; but satisfied as I am that the
establishment, if not swept away, will require much expenditure to
preserve it any length of time, I recommerid that it be rebuilt in a
permanent manner. A wooden dwelling on screw piles, to show a
light from its top, would be cheap and secure; but it woulcl seem more
desirable to build with bricks, on wooden piles and a grillage, combining the tower and dwelling, as proposed for Eound Island. The
foundation wall resting on the piles should be 3 feet thick and 8 feet
high, and on this the walls ofthe dwelling and tower should be built.
The site proposed is about 200 feet in rear of that now occupied, and
is seldom overflowed. Estimate for rebuilding light-house and dwelling at Pass Manchac, Louisiana, and providing it with a 5th order
lens, $10,000.
• Of additional aids to navigation but few seem to be required in this
district at the present time.
The coast survey is now being prosecuted at the Chandeleur Islands,
and will doubtless include Breton Island, northwest of the entrance of
the Pass a L'outre. It is likely that that place affords a good harbor
of refuge, and if the survey show this, a light there would be of great
service. Yessels running from the eastward might make that anchorage when unable to enter the Pass a L'outre, and the light mentioned
would serve at the soutii end of the Chandeleurs a purpose similar to
that of the light now building at the north end. As soon as the data
procured by the survey shall be accessible, I would recommend that
the board consider the expediency of erecting a light on Breton Lsland.
Having been directed to inquire into the necessity of building a
light-house at the entrance of St. Andrew's bay, Florida, in the course
of my late inspection of the district I visited that place. As the v/hole
bay was surveyed last wdnter by-the United States Coast Survey, the
necessary and detailed infbrmation with regard to the entrance, &c.,
will be more properly procured from that office. The bay is deep, and
offers every security for navigation. Lumber is abundant around it,
and the small population is mostly engaged in its manufacture. I n
the year ending August 7, 1855, thirteen schooners cleared from the
place, with an aggregate of .546 M. feet of lumber and 400 barrels tar.
I t is said, too, that a few schooners, cleared from Apalachicola, also
came here, of which no account is taken. As a harbor of refage, I
judge that the place can have no value compared with St. Joseph's
bay, which is near at hand, and always accessible with the lead alone.
In a commercial point of view, it seems to me that the erection of a
light-house at the entrance of St. Andrew's bay would at present be
premature.
I am also directed to report whether a light-house be necessary at




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

*

385

the Isle au Pois, La., which is believed to be opposite to Fort Wood,
on the channel leading from Lake Pontchartrain to Lake Borgne. I
have been informed that no commerce goes through that channel, and
it is well knowri that the flshermen of Lake Borgne convey their produce to the city on the Mexican Gulf railroad. I am satisfled that" a
iight is not needed at either end of the channel.
When the tower at the Pass a L'outre shall have been lighted up,
the light at the N . E . Pass will be of no further service and should be
dispensed with. I recommend that an act of Congress be passed for
its discontinuance. The tower should be permitted to stand as a day
beacon, and i n t h e future change of channels it may possibly be. of
service. The dwelling is of no value. The ground might be used as
.a garden by the keeper of the Pass a L'outre.
Only two lens lights, one of the 5th and one of the 6th order, have
been brouglit into use in this district. At the Head of the Passes,
the one lamp of the 6th order lens replaces 3 reflector lamps, and at
East Pascagoula 5 reflector lamps.would probably be required to give
a light equal to that of the single lamp in the 5th order lens. The
saving of oil effected by the use of these lens lights seems to be about
50 per cent.
•
The condition of the light-houses and keepers' dwellings of this district has sensibly improved since 1853. Beaconage, buoyage and
stakeage of channels was then scarcely known, but is now generally
efficient.
'
.
^
. . For the gradual improvement of the lights of the district, I would
recojnmend new lanterns, with lens lights, for several of the existing
towers. Many of the old lanterns leak in stormy weather, which is
to 'be expected from their mode of construction.
I would also respectfully represent that .at the present time, and
for some years to come, the light-house duties of this district cannot
be performed in an efficient, and economical manner without the undivided care and labor of an officer.
D. LEADBETTEE, •, .
Capt. Engs., Inspector Sth Light-house District.
Lieutenant T. A. JENKINS,
S^ecretary ofi Light-house Board, Washington.
APPENDIX No. 19.

GALVESTON, September 1, 1855.

SIR : In accordance with the annual circular from the Light-house
Board, I have the honor to submit the following, report on light-house
service in my district:
^
1st. Eenovations, repairs, &c., of light-houses, &c., duringthe year
ending J u l y 1, 1855.
The light-house at Pass Cavallo has received some considerable repairs to the apparatus, which was damaged by the September gale.
The keeper's dwelling has been moved from a dangerous position.
I t was afterwards a good deal injured by the gale, and has been
thoroughly repaired, ceiled and painted.
25



386

,

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

A new dwelling for the keeper at Point Isabel light-house has been
built, and a new structure for the beacon at Padre Island, Brazos St.
Jago, to receive the 5tli order lens belonging to that light.
A 4tli order lens and lanterii for Point de Fer light-house is on
hand, but not yet put up.
The light-vessel service has been well conducted. The light-shipsGalveston and Atchafalaya have been thoroughly repaired, and are
now in excellent condition. The Pleasonton, at Ship Shoal, La., isin good condition and serviceable.
2d. Buoyage, beaconage a-nd stakeage of channels. This branch of
the service is well attended to. The character of the bars on this
coast is such as to prohibit within certain limits any permanent buoyage; the bars of quick sand, and frequently shifting,, call for constant
attention to keep buoys in their places.
I have found the use of spar buoys the most satisfactory and certain.
Galveston, Pass Cavallo, Aransas and Brazps St. Jago bars are buoyed
in a serviceable manner, and to the satisfaction, I believe, of the marine community.
' An iron beacon is in course of construction for Galveston bar.
The stakeage of Atchafalaya and Cote Blanche bays, is under contract.
3d. The general condition of the different branches of the lighthouse service is, I believe, unexceptionable. "The want of clerkly
ability among some of the keepers causes some unsightly returns, but
all are honest and faithful.
4th. I do not anticipate any extensive repairs or renovations during .
the ensuing year, except for the dwelling of the keeper of the beacon
light on Padre Island. This house should be removed, so as to be
nearer the beacon, and will need some repairs. It was never completely flnished. The sum of $500 will cover the necessary expense.
5th. As to additional aids, I have to say, appropriations now exist
for all the most necessary ones.
I would, however, recommend a beacon light at or near the head ofthe
^^ Swash," abreast of ^-Alligator Head," in Matagorda Bay. This is
recommended by Lieutenant DeHaven, United States Coast Survey, to
take the place ofa proposed light on or near ^^Gallinipper Bar," which
has been deemed unnecessary; in which opinion I am sustained by
. Lieutenant De H. For this beacon there should be appropriated
$10,000.
A small beacon at Saluria, at the mouth of the bayou, would be of
great service to bay craft and steamboats. The bayou is a harbor for
lighters and bay boats. The United States majl for Corpus Christi,
St. Joseph's, Lamar, &c., passes through here, and in the sudden and
severe northers which ^prevail on this coast small craft run great risk
of being blown to sea from inability to flnd the bayou at night, and
lives have been lost on several occasions in consequence.
Cost of erecting beacon, $500.
The inland channel to Corpus Christi needs permanent stakes; this
and the staking of the lower part of Aransas Bay could be effected at
a cost of $3,000.
•
'^
^
7th. Yermillion Pass light has been discontinued since 1st June.
I believe by increasing the power of the light on the Atchafalaya-




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

387

light-ship, the light-house at Point de Fer might be dispensed with,
as soon as the light-house at Shell Keys shall be completed. .A vessel
bouhd in from the Gnlf always ^"^sights" the light at Ship Shoal;
she must then steer W . N . W . to pass Eacoon Point shoal in 9 feet
water or mud ; the shore from Last Island to Point de Fer may be^^
approached-, with soft bottom, as close as 6 feet water; soundings,
regular. Eunning for Atchafalaya Pass, a vessel could make Shell.
Key light, with Atchafalaya light-ship bearing N.,-and soori makefile Atchafalaya light, running on that course. On the Point de
Fer .side the lead is as good a guide as a light, for in skirting that:shore in two fathoms water, one cannot get into any danger, or pass
the Atchafalaya Pass.
12th. The condition of lights, towers, &c., I have reason to believe,
is improved since the organization o f t h e Light-house Board.. The •
lights are improved; the fact, of their being subject to an inspection,
unexpectedly and at any hour, impresses the keepers with the n e c e s sity of being cautious and particular. I found the keepers improved
by flnding they were likely to be visited without notice, and esp^ecially^
at night.
.
^
The system of buoyage, &c., has, undoubtedly, been much improved .
by having inspectors and engineers. Mariners flnd they can apply
to an inspector," who is charged particularly to attend to such matters,-.
and have prompt attention.
14th. The economy of oil and supplies will, no doubt, be g r e a t l y
assisted cby the substitution of lenses for reflectors; but this must b e '
gradual.
Sites have been selected for all the light-houses appropriated for,
and title obtained for most^of them.
W i t h regard to the light-house at Calcasieu river, for which there
is an appropriation, I do not believe there is any necessity for a light
at that point; neither at Gallinipper bar, in Matagorda bay.
The light on Half,Moon reef, in the same bay, I believe is very
necessary.
RECAPITULATION.

Light-house machinery at Matagorda light-house has received sundry repairs. Keeper's dwelling removed, ceiled and painted.
New^ dwelling for keeper of (Brazos St. lago) Point Isabel lighthouse, and a structure prepared for. lens apjiaratus of Brazos St. lagb
beacon light. Light-ships Galveston, and Atchafalaya have been
thoroughly repaired. The Pleasanton has been supplied with new
moorings, and all the light keepers supplied with boats.
Galveston, Matagorda, Aransas, and Brazos St. lago bars have been
buoyed. An iron beacoii is building for Galveston bar.
The general condition of the different branches of the light-house
service in this district is unexceptionable.
For new aids the following appropriations are asked, yiz :
Beacon light marking Swash channel in Mata'gorda bay,
opposite Alligator head..'...,
$10,000 00
Small beacon to mark entrance to Saluria bayou
500 00
For staking inland passage from Matagorda bay to Corpus Christi and nart of Aransas bay
,
3,000 00



388

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

The stakeage of Atchafalaya bay is under contract.
Sites have been selected, and in most cases title procured, for lighthouses for vdiicli there are existing appropriations. Plans are rriade,
and it is expected the buildings will soon be constructed.
Experience has shown an improvement in the whole service since
the organization of the Light-house Board, the management being
systematic and economical.
Yery respectfully,
°
. .
W . H. STEYENS,
, Light-house Inspe^ytor, 2th District.
Lieut, T. A. JENKINS, U . S . N . ,
Secretojry Light-house Board.
P . S.—Since writing the above I liaVe been applied to concerning a
light at the mouth ofthe Eio Grande, Texas. In relation to it I have
to say I recommend a light be established there, a 4th order, or 5th
order Fresnel. Cost.of light-building, &c., $5,000.
A large proportion of the business that is transacted, via. the Brazos
St. lago, would be much facilitated by a light at the mouth of the
river. Several steamboats run from Brazos to the Eio Grande, and
some sail vessels. A large proportion of the government stores for
the frontier posts go by this route.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W . H. STEYENS, •
Light-house Inspector.

Extract firom a communication firom Lieutenant W. H. Stevens, Corps
ofi Engineers, Light-house Inspector ofi the 9th district, under d a t e ofi
October 18, 1855.
In my annual report I -mentioned I thought the Point de Fer
light-house might be dispensed with, by improving the light in the
light-vessel. ' I reconsider that matter, and say we can dispense with
the light-boat. The hazard of getting away from moorings is great,
I find, on this coast, and great expense attends such disasters. Since
my. report went in a portion of the staking of the bay has been completed. The stake at the mouth of the Pass, near the light-ship berth,
is a skeleton pyramid;, and can be seen distinctl}^ from the light-house
at Point de Fer, making quite as good a day mark as the light-ship;
and as the intricacy, of the bay is such that vessels do not go in at
night, I believe the light-ship might be dispensed with, and hacl I
my discretion to use I would abolish her. She .is in good condition,
and could be used elsewhere.
Very respectfully submitted.
W . H. STEYENS, Mght-house Injector.




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.

389

- '. APPENDIX No. 20.
OFFICE TENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

B.uffalo, N. Y , September 29, 1855.
SIR : I, have the honor to submit the following report of the p r o gress of, the works under my charge, for which special appropriations^
were made forthe year comniencing July 1, 1854:
^Tibbett's Point light-house.—The rebuilding of this light was com- '
pleted at the close of July, and the new light of the fourth order of
Fresnel was first shown on the 1st of August, 1854.
Carlton Head'light.—The appropriation for this work is combined
with that of Tibbett's Point.' The title deeds and searchesdor incumbrance are in the .hands of the United States attorney of the western
district of New York for examination and brief of title.
Genesee river beacon.—The work of rebuilding the beacon and
securing the communication to it was completed in October, and the
new apparatus, a lens of the sixth order, introduced.
^

^

^

^

^

'K

.

^

Black Rock beacon, Niagara river, N. Y.—The permanent structure
of stone was completed in October, and the new apparatus, a lens pf
the fifth order, introduced.
Green Island light-house. Lake Eric.—This structure was completed,
late in the month of November, too late for any useful purpose to aid
navigation, and some defect in the revolving machinery prevented it
being lighted with this characteristic distinction.
Light-house Maumee bay, Ohio.—The structure entire was made in_
the foundry and the shop, and the parts, whether of iron or wood,
carefully fitted. This limited the operations at the bay to the construction of a platform on wooden piles, for the insertion of the screwpiles, five in number, and the putting together the respective parts of
the structure..
^

^-

^

^

?•<

^

•

The patterns of the various parts of the structure for the screws,
angle-sleeves, caps, &c., are on hand, and would be available for any
similar structures in similar localities, as at the St. Clair flats, should
lights be needed there.
Repairs ofi light-house fioundations and piers at Monroe, Michigan.—
The materials, lumber, &c., were collected in part, and the framing
ofthe work commenced.
Light-house, Horse-shoe reefi, Niagara river, N. Y.—The work was
commenced in May at the quarry, and in the construction ofthe foun-.
dation crib, which was ready for launching and placing, on the reef
at the close of the month of June. A steam-tug^and two lighters
were engaged, cranes and tools purchased, &c., for , the, vigorous
prosecution of the work at the reef.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- .
, .
J . C. W O O D E U F F ,
Capt. Eng., Light-house Inspector.
Captain E. L. F . HARDCASTLE,

'

• .

Corps Top. Eng., Secnretary Light-house Board.



390

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.
OFFICE TENTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTJEIICT,

Buffalo, N. Y., September 29, 1855.
SIR : In compliance with the requirements of the circular from the
office ofthe Light-house Board, ciated May 29, 1855, I have the honor
to make the following report: .
1st. Small expenditures for the preservation of the keepers' dwellings and grounds connected therewith have been made at Ogdensburg
and Genesee river. New York, and at Grand river, Cleveland, and
Sandusky, Ohio.
The expenditures at Fort Niagara were incurred in rooflng the
dwelling and outbuildings, which were much damaged by a tornado.
Those for Green island were for outbuildings, the special appropriation being inadequate for the object, and for refltting the revolving
machinery of the new lens apparatus. The mechanic who put up the
apparatus reported the machinery defective. Eepairs have been executed on the oil rooms at Crossover Island and at Tibbett's Point; on
the light apparatus at Buffalo; on the towers at Erie, Pennsylvania,
and Barcelona, New York, and on the beacons at Dunkirk, New York,
Erie, Pennsylvania, and Grand river, Ohio.
The protectioii crib work covering the base of the light-house at
Galloo island and the head of the island has been secured by street
piling and facing.
The foundation crib on the reef off Toussaint river has been planked
over, to prevent the stone filling from being washed out.
A new lantern, with diagonal sash bars, fitted with French plateglass, was substituted for the former lantern at Cleveland beacon at
the time of refitting the light with the new apparatus pf the fourth
order, fixed, varied with flashes.
2d. Owing to the difficulty of procuring the services of a competent person to set out buoys on the Charity shoals. Lake Ontario, and
on the reefs in the St. Lawrence river, within the limits of this district, no arrangements w^ere made until the season of navigatioii was
quite advanced for carrying out this important aid. During the
summer^ however, there will be nine buoys placed. The description
of buoy adopted is the ^^ balloon" buoy, which has been successfully
used by Captain J . N. Macomb on the survey of the lakes.
The channel, known as the ^^ Emerald's" channel in the Niagara
river, has been marked by three large wooden can buoys for the flrst
time. The main channel is marked by three large iron can buoys.
Thus, the two channels of the river are well distinguished.
An improvement has been made "in the spar buoys marking the
channels on each side of Strawberry island; one of the improved
buoys only has been substituted for the spar buoy, which "becanie
necessary from the strong currents ofthe river submerging the buoys.
At the entrance to Sandusky bay, Ohio, four large iron can buoys
have been substituted for as many spar buoys—the latter being "submerged during heavy northeastwardly gales. To increase the facilities at the entrance to this bay, a range light has been erected to mark
the channel withiii the bay.
At Maumee bay four iron can buoys have been substituted for as




.

REPORT "ON THE FINANCES.

"

391

many spar buoys, and one of the spare spar buoys placed on the
middle ground in the river abreast of Barker's mill.
The iron screw-pile beacon light at the ^^ Elbow," constructed
under a special appropriation, was conipleted on- the 29th of June,,
and the light was first shown on the evening of that day.
' The newly discovered ^"^ six feet spot" was marked h j a large iron
oan buoy. Captain J . N. Macomb, topographical engineer,.in charge
of the survey of the lakes, being about making an experimental trip
with the steanier of the survey before proceeding to the upper lake,
offered the use of the steamer for placing this buoy, which was gladly
accepted, both on account of his better knowledge of the locality and
of the expense saved to the light-house establishment of the charter
•of a vessel, which otherwise would have been reqmred for this purpose. It is proper also to state that Captain Macomb, on the same
experimental trip, j)laced two of his ^^balloon" buoys; one on the
reef north of the east Sister island, on the direct route of vessels between Buffalo and Toledo, and the other on the rock'in the north
passage on the direct route between Buffalo and Detroit, as well as
"between Cleveland and Detroit.
These two obstructions to navigation are in the Canadian waters,
and are passed by almost the entire commerce of the lakes.
I am informed by Captain Dorr, marine inspector, that the sum of
.fwenty-five thousand dollars would have been saved last year h a d
there been a buoy at that time on the reef north of the east Sister
island.
The beacoii light at Erie, Pennsylvania, having been destroyed,
together with the new apparatus of the sixth order, by being struck
by a vessel entering the harbor cluring a gale of wind, a gallows frame,
supporting a lens lantern of an arc of 225°, has been erected..
The range lights for facilitating the.entrance to the channel within
the-bay, formerly supported by the/ lake marine resorting to this
liarbor, have been adopted, and are now supported by the light-house
establishment.
3d. Light keepers manifest a willingness to discharge their duties
^agreeably to the instructions and directions of the light-house board.'
There is, however, a marked difference in the manner of executing
their duties ; in the cleanliness of the towers, dwellings, and premises.
The most faithful and exemplary keepers are Paul Chase, William
Gardiner, John Paxton, W . G. Nickles, Leonard Vaughan, William.
Johnson, Joseph Mackey, Jacob M. Jacobs, James Anderson, Samuel
Whitney, Saxton Bigelow, and Whitney Grant.
- The condition of the towers, buildings, ancl the grounds connected
therewith, is in general good. The stucco has fallen from the towers
in most cases where i t h a s been resorted to, but it is proposed not to
renew it, but to point the joints of the masonry when required, to
prevent injury to the walls.
The oil butts in use hitherto are defective, the coverings not being
sufficiently tight to keep out dust. These are being replaced gradually by the butts of the new pattern, of the capacity of fifty gallons,
the coverings of which are air tight.
The distribution of light-house supplies in the tenth and eleventh



392

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

district is placed under the direction of this office. The supplies for
Lake Ontario and river St. Lawrence are distributed by a small vessel
chartered for the purpose, the master of which is charged with the
duty. It has been very faithfully executed the past two years by
Captain Horace Moriey,
• The supplies fbr Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, are
distributed by a vessel chartered fbr the service by the month, and are
under the immediate direction of Moses Hawks, the superintendent
of supplies.
4th. Detailed estimates are herewith presented for rebuilding the
beacon lights at Erie, Pennsylvania, and at Huron, Ohio,, and the
light-house on the pier head at Black river, Ohio. The last mentioned
light derives importance from the fact that it subserves the purposes'
both of a harbor and lake coast light, its position on the coast being
thirty miles west of Cleveland light, and fifty miles east of Sandusky
light, intermediate, however, to the latter, are the small harbor "
lights at Yermillion river, Huron river,, and at Cedar Point, the
entrance to Sandusky bay.
^
"
The plan of the structure proposed for each of these lights is a castiron frame tower ; that for Black river to be of three stories in height,
. making the focal plane fifty feet in height, and for each of the others
of two stories, making the focal plane thirt3^-eight feet in height.
The cost of the apparatus is included in the estimates.
The apparatus for Black river should be of the fourth order for 180°,
with valve lamp and two concentric burners. Those for Erie and
Huron beacons of the sixth order for 270°, with fountain lamp and
one burner.
5th. The additional aids to render navigation safe and easy, that
have been brought to my notice, are buoys, for the Detroit river. In
the main channel, two ;' oae at the head of Fighting Island, north by
east, one mile from Grassy Island l i g h t ; the other near the foot of
the same island, south by east, two miles below Mamajudah light.
In the west channel, six; one near the head of Grassy Island, northwest, three-fourths of a mile from light, and five in the vicinity of
Gibraltar light at the mouth of the river.
At Pointe Monillir, some ten miles from the mouth of the river,
and on the route from the river to Monroe light-house, one buoy.
At Eaisin Point, two miles from Monroe light-house, one buoy.
The description of buoy to be used, I would recommend Macomb's
^^ balloon" buoy, which answers a better purpose than the spar;
both are liable to be destroyed by the paddle-boxes of steamboats, but
the cost is in favor of the ^^ balloon " buoy.
I haye already referred to the reefs in the Canadian waters marked
by Captain Macomb by balloon buoys.
Almost the entire commercial marine of the lakes use the Canadian
or north shore passage, the leading points of which are Point Abino,Long Point, and Point Pelir. At Long Point the Canadian govern' ment maintains a light. At Point Pelir it has commenced the building, of a light. A light at Point Abino, with a fog signal attached,
would subserve a most useful purpose, and would save annually many
lives and a large amount of property.
'
.,




REPORT ON.THE FINANCES.

393:

. 6th. The existing lights are generally well located, and subserve
the purpose for w^hich they were intended, unless the Erie light may
be excepted. It is, or should be, one of the leading lights on the
south, shore, but it is shut in by the island covering the harbor of
Erie, and is really- of use only to the eastward of the harbor over an
arc of about 90°. Had it been placed on the island on the outer or
lake side, it would have" illuminated both eastward and westward, or
over an arc of 180°.
,
7tli. The lights at Silver Creek, Barcelona, and Port Clinton,^ are
deemed useless, there being no harbor at the first two, and the harbor
o f t h e third cannot be entered at. night by the aid of. the light, nor
are they necessary as lake coast lights. Dunkirk and Erie lights^
with lens apparatus, should fulfil that purpose.
The light, on the hill at Cleveland, Ohio, no longer subserves any
useful purpose, affording no rknge whatever for entering the harbor,
the pier head light being now fitted with a fourth order lens for 360°,
fixed, varied with flashes, fulfllling all the wants of navigation at
this port.
8th. Besides the economy in the consumption of oil and other
supplies that has resulted from the introduction of lenses in place of
the reflectors, it has awakened the interest of the keepers in the
discharge of their duties, with but few exceptions. .It is true some
difficulty has oPcurred in the management of the moderator lamp by
the use of sperm oil, but the apparatus is in most cases accompanied
by the fountain lamp, which has always been serviceable.
9th. The number of lens lights introdhced and reflectors removed,
since 1852, are as follows :
Steamer's lens lanterns for 225°
Do. •
do.
112°
Pressed-glass lens lanterns
_ _
_
_
. Lens of fourth order for 270°
Do.
do.
180°
,Lens fixed, varied by flashes, for 360°
~
Lens of fifth order, for 180° Lens fixed, varied by flashes, for 270°
Lens of sixth order, for 270° - - Eeflector lamps removed -

-

-

-

6
4
- 1
1
1
2
1
1
3
- 5 6

One of the sixth order lens was destroyed at Erie, Pennsylvania,
and lens lanterns for 225° erected on gallows frame. Thenumber of
reflector lamps removed are 56, besides which there were at Erie
beacon six cup lamps removed, showing a very inadequate light. At
Grand Eiver beacon there was a compass lamp without reflectors,
consuming a large quantity of oil and giving a feeble light, for
which a lens lantern for 225° was substituted. At Cleveland Pier
Head there were four gas-burners, without reflectors, for which there
was substituted a j^lens of the fourth order of 360°, flxed, varied by
flashes.
At Dunkirk there were three large basin lamps, consuming a quantity of oil equivalent to flve of the fountain lamps, for which was
substituted a lens lantern fo.r 225°,




394

REPORT, ON THE FINANCES.

Before the close of the seasPn the lights in the rivers Detroit and
St. Lawrence will be refitted with the new apparatus, lenses of the
4th arid Oth orders.. The lanterns ofthe river lights, being comparatively good, need not renewing at present.
The following classification of apparatus is recommended for the
lights yet to be refitted.
The 4th order lens for 270°, with valve lamp and two concentric
burners, at Galloo Island, at Fort Niagara, and at Sandusky.
The 4th order lens for 180°, with valve lamp and two concentric
burners, at Oswego, at Genesee river, at Buffalo, at Erie,,and at
Grand river.
The 4th order lens for 270°, with fountain lamp and one burner, at
Turtle island and at West Sister island.
The 4tli order lens for 360°, fixed, varied by flashes, with valve
lamp, and two burners, at Dunkirk.,
The 4th order lens, flashing, with fountain lamp and one burner, at
Stoney Point and at Big Sodus, in place of the present revolving
lights, with ten reflectors and lamps each.
The 5tli order lens for 270°, with fountain lamp and one burner,^at
Hoi;se island.
The 6tli order lens for 270°, with fountain lamp and one burner, at
Salmon river^ at Sodus beacon, and at Cedar Point beacon.
The above list does not include the 3 lenses for Beach river, 4th,
order fpr 180°, valve lamp and two burners ; Erie beacon, Oth order
for 270°, fountain lamp and one burner, and Huron beacon 6tli order
for 270°, fountain lamp and one burner. The whole number of all
orders, 4th, 5tli, and 6th, required for existing lights \^ twenty. For
several of the above lights I had recommended in previous reports the
lens of 3d order, but I am now satisfled from the experience ofthe use
of the 4th order, and a lamp with two concentric wicks, of the sufficiency of the power ofthe latter for any locality in this district.
On renovating the lights above classified, new lanterns should be
supplied, as the present lanterns are formed of heavy posts and sash
bars with very small panes of glass of an inferior quality. The patterns ofthe 4th order are on hand and are available for use.




395

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

10th. Table showing the per centage gained in the consumption ofi oil %
substituting lens lamps fior reflectors.—Prepared firom thc quarterly
returns ofi keepers.
No. of Total quantity of
burners^ oil cons am'd—gals

Period of illumination.

i

Name of light-house.
From—

To-

CM

O

6
Oct. 21, 1853
Oct. 21, 1854
Aug. 24, 1853
Tibbett's Point
Aug. 24, 1854
Dunkirk . . . . . . . . . . . . April 16", 1853
April 16, 1854
Oct. 1,1853
Oct. 1, 1854
Erie beacon, Penn.... Sept. 1, 1853
Sept. 1, 1854
Hurori beacon, Ohio.. July 1, 1853
July 1, 1854
April 1,'I854
Cleveland, Ohio
April 1,1855
Big Sodus Bay

^ Cap lamps.

t Feet of gas.

June 30, 1854
June 30, 1855
June 30,1854
June 30, 1855
Sept. 30, 1853
Sept. 30, 1854
Dec. 25, 1853
Dec. 25, 1854
June 17, 1854
June 17, 1855
May 30, 1854
May 30, 1855
.Tune 30, 1854
June 30,1855

•
o
"a
o
P4

Cl

.

£03©

.o
a

CD

i

P4

184 14
243
+ 159
164 10
129.5
219 . 7
204
"42'.05*
168
isi'. 5"
168
tl3r.5
8
85 13
139
77
8
195 *7
39
137
"2i*.75'
251 * " 7
*i94*"*
229
"43**"
91 '''{{
*t47*.666
86 . . . . ***2
"jsiioo

"ii

tn

26
65
27
42
27
75
76

J. Gallons of oil consumed by reflector and lens.

. l l t h . The light-house towers, dwellings and grounds are, in general, in as good conditioii as when taken charge of; the dwellings in
many instances have been, improved by lathing and plastering the
walls of a part of the building, which has been essential for the health
of the occupants. Precaution has been taken, also, to guard against
fire in the towers and beacons where wood was used in the structure.
12th. The condition of the beaconage, buoyage, and stakeage of
channels, &c., has been improved much more than any other branch
of the. light-house service. My attention was called at once to the.
insufficiency of the lights showii in the beacons, or pier-head lights,
which are esteemed the most important, lake lights. The pier-head
lights of Cleveland and Erie have been improved by the introduction
of lens of 4tli and 6th orders. Genesee beacon by 6tli order lens.
Dunkirk beacon and Grand river beacon by large lens lanterns for
225°. All of these lights .were without reflectors, except Genesee
river beacon, which had one.
The beaconage and buoyage of the Niagara river has been essentially improved by the range lights for the main channel, and by
marking the Emerald channel.
The substitution of iron can for spar buoys, and the erection of the
inner range lights at Sandusky bay have greatly increased the facilities of entering.
,
The substitution^ of iron can for spar buoys, the marking of the
shoal nearly two miles off* from Turtle island light-house, and the
erection of the light at the ^^ Elbow,'' have rendered the channel and
entrance to Maumee bay as accessible by night as by day.
Before the close ofthe season an important reef, about twelve miles
frpm the head of the St. Lawrence river, and eight of the principal



396

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

reefs in the Sfc. Lawrence river, from its hfead to Ogdensburg, will be
marke^d,
13th. Having experienced a difficulty in the use of sperm oilin the
.moderator lamp, my attention has been called to the signal and lubricating oil manufactured by F . S. Pease, of this city. Mr. Pease, requested the use of the moderator lamp of two concentric burners, and
of one burner. Duplicates of each were placed by Mr. Pease in the
hands of Professor Hadley, professor of chemistry in the University of
Buffalo, whose report of the burning qualities of sperm and the signal
oil in the lamps is herewith appended. Professor Hadley's report of
the test to which the oils have been subjected is also appended.
I have also placed some of this oil in the lights at Cleveland and
Green Island, where the moderator lamps only are in use.
Most favorable reports have been received from the keeper at Cleveland relative to the signal oil. No report has been received from the
keeper at Green Island.
^
From the favorable opinion of the signal oil, as given by Professor
Hadley, which is sustained also by the experience of its use in the
Cleveland light, as well as by repeated trials of it myself, I feel no
hesitation in recommending to the board to entertain a proposition
from Mr. Pease for supplying the lights on the lakes with the signal
oil.
'
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J . C. W O O D E U F F ,
Capt. Top. Eng'rs, Light-house Inspector.
Lieut. THORNTON A. JENKINS, U. S . Navy,
Capt. E. L. F . HARDCASTLE, Corps Top. Engineers,
Secretaries Light-house Board, Washington, D . C '
At the request of Mr. Pease, I have made a number of experiments
to test the burning qualities of the signal oil, especially as compared
with sperm when used in the mechanical (Carcel) lamp.
First, in the lamp with a single wick, (small size Carcel lamp,) it
was found impossible with the best unbleached sperm oil to regulate
the flame so as to compare it accurately with that given by the signal
oil. The former needed constant attention and adjusting the height
of the wick to prevent its smoking or going out, and in a few hours
became entirely unmanageable. At the same time the lamp became
intensely heated, the. oil boiled and simmered in the upper p a r t o f
the wick, and the wick itself, in a few hours, becanie converted into a
crust of charcoal three times its original thickness. The signal oil,
on the contrary, burned steadily and' required little attention, as it
was not liable to go out or become smoky ; sustained a flame pf constant height by elevating the wick at long intervals of time, (several
hours at first,) and did not heat the lamp as hot, or char the wick
in anything like the same degree as the sperm oil. In most of the
trials the cone of flame above the wick was sustained at a height of
from one to two inches. In one experiment, which was continued
through nineteen hours, the wick was not trimmed nor its height
altered, and the cone of flame, at first one and one-c[uarter inch in
height, increased in two,hours to one and one-half inch, and then




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

397

very gradually diminished to one-half inch, when the experiment was
ended by blowing out the lamp.
Partly on account of the difficulty of entirely removing the oil from
the lamps, but chiefly by reason ofthe impossibility of regulating the
flame of the sperm oil, it was found impossible to estimate with any
certainty the relative quantities of the oil consumed in producing an
equal amount of light.
'
Carcel lanips with two concentric wicks. • Similar experiments were
made with tliese, and with results not very dissimilar. In the lamps
both oils burned better when the draft of air outside of the outer wick
was checked ; and the sperm oil was almost' entirely unmanageable
in them unless such a change was made in the lamps. After this, the
difference in the two oils did not appear to be quite as great as in the
two lamps with a single hollow wick.
GEOEGE HADLEY,
Profiessor ofi Chemistry, University ofi Buffalo, N. Y.
BUF.FALO, June, 1855.
NoTE.^—The difference of temperature in the two lamps could be
immediately seen on approaching them; but was better shown by
placing a thermometer at the distance of half an inch from the chimneys and in precisely similar positions. • That in the neighborhood of
the lamp containing the sperm oil was then found to indicate a temperature of twenty degrees higher than the other.
G. H. '
I have examined the ^^ engine and signal oil'' manufactured by Mr.
P . S. Pease, in several particulars, especially as compared with the
best sperm oil, with the following results :
Specific gravities.—The engine and signal oil ranks next to sperm
oil, while all others are heavier.
Melting point.—Lard oil solidified into a white mass as hard as common lard at a temperature of 32° F . , or the freezing point of water.
The sperm oil and signal oil being exposed to a temperature of 16°
below this, (16° F.,) the sperm oil flnally became stiff, and at that temperature the engine and signal oil would still run.
Boiling or decomposing point.—The boiling point of the engine and
signal oil is nearly identical with sperm oil, it being above the ^melting point of lead, 612° F .
Acid reaction.—Neither the sperm oil nor the engine and signal
oil show any acid reaction.
Burning qualities .—The burning qualities of the' sperm and engine
and signa^l oils w^ere carefully compared by burning them in tin two
wicked oil lamps, constructed in every respect alike, and adjusting
the wicks so that each gave exactly, the same amount of ligiit, as
judged by comparison ofthe intensity ofthe shadows .which they cast.
The experiment was continued through flfteen hours. The wicks were
not trimmed during all this time. At the close the incrustation on
the wicks and the amount of oil consumed was nearly the same, the
difference being in favor of the signal oil. I regard it as an admirable
oil for burning.
»,
Oumming.—I can only express an opinion founded on some of the



398

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

.

' '

characters of the engine-and signal oil, observed in the course ofthese
investigations, that it is free from this difficulty.
GEOEGE HADLEY,
Profiessor ofi Chemistry, University ofi Buffalo.
BUFFALO, March 6, 1855.
. ERIE B E A C O N ,

PENNSYLVANIA.

T o build up pier head at Erie, Pennsylvania, 28 by 33 feet, from two feet below the surface^
seven feet high :
'
•
.
489 feet crib timbers, at 15 cents
| 1 3 4 00
894 feet long ties, at 15 cents
I l l 75
30 cords stone at $8
240 00
^ 1,000 pounds round iron, at ^ 5
47 50
3 kegs spikes, at $6
18 00
924 feet plank 3-inch oak, at p O
27 72
55 cubic yards concrete, at §5..
275.00
11 cubic yards masonry, at $7
. - 77 00
Labor and carpentry
800 00
— 41,731 07
T o construct a two-story cast-iron tower for beacon :
4 columns, 1 1 | feet long, 8 inches at neck—3,680 pounds, at 4 cents 147 20
8 diagonal braces with turnbuckles—560 pounds, at H
feent.,.....
70 00
38 feet railing, at $2
....".
' 76 00
I pair stairs
33 00
I top plate 10 feet square, 5 feet well hole, I | inch thick—3,616
pounds, at 4 cents
'..
144 64
16 bolts, 18 by 1 i inches, nuts and drilling
- 22 00
16 bolts, 3 by 1\ inches, nuts and drilling
14 00 '
4 columns 111 fe§t long, 8 inches at neck—3,680 pounds, at 4 cents 147 20'
I top plat 9 feet square, 5 feet well hole, 1 inch thick—2,740
pounds, at 4 cents
109 60
8 diagonal braces with turnbuckles—336 pounds, at 1^ cent
42 00
36 feet railing, at | 2
,72 00
I pair stairs
33 00
32 bolts, 3 by I^ inches, nuts and drilling
28 00
938 64
Estimate for lantern:
1 lantern roof, cast iron—^^600 pounds, at 5 cents
30 00
10 sash stops, cast-iron—50 pounds, at 5 cents
2 50
4 pairs ventillators, cast-iron—315 pounds, at 5 cents
15 75
10 sash bars, cast-iron—281 pounds, at 5 cents
14 05
20 stops for bars, cast-iron—177 pounds, at 5 cents
8 85
2 lantern rings, cast iron—954 pounds, at 5 c e n t s .
47 70
5 side ventilators, c a s t - i r o n ^ l 3 pounds, at 5 cents
65
Fitting ventilators
75
770 pounds boiler iron for parapet, at 9 cents
69 30 _
20 set screws, at 6 cents
1 25 "
70 | - i n c h bolts and nuts, at 1 | cent
8 75
12 |-inch bolts and nuts, at 15 cent.
1 50
30 pins for sash stops, at 3 cents
90
/
12 lights of glass, at ^8
•
96 00
5 small tin ventilators, at $1 50
7 50
9 d a y s ' d r i l h n g , at $4
36 00
35 d a y s ' v i c e work, at p
105 00
10 4 a y s ' vice w w k , at $1 25
12 50
10 d a y s ' l a t h e work, at $6
'.
60 00
4 d a y s ' l a t h e work, at | 5
20 00
431 95
Painting
215 00
Superir\tendence and labor
900 00
Freight, &c.
,
100 00
4,316 66
431 66

Clontingencies 10 per c e n t . . . , .
ll
For apparatus, 6th order, 270O, including freight and setting u p . . . » ; .




•

4,748 32
501 68
5,250 00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

399

HURON B E A C O N , OHIO.
For filling up" with concrete the bay in Pier H e a d , harbor of H u r o n , Ohio, and planking
Pier Head :
,.
1,600 feet plank, 3-inch oak, at $30
4 kegs spikes, at $6
'
14 cubic yards masonry, a t $7
90 cubic yards concrete, at §5
Carpentry and labor

-.

$48
24
98
, 450
500

00
00
00
00
00
$1,120 00

For constructing a tv/o-story cast-iron tower for beacon :
4 columns l l g feet long, 8 inches at neck, 3,680 lbs., at 4 c e n t s . . . 147 20
8 diagonal braces, with turnbuckles, 560 lbs., at I5 cent
70 00
38 feet railing, at $2.
.\
-.
76 00
1 pair stairs
'\
33 00
I top plate 10 feet square, 5 feet well-hole, 1 | inches thick, 3,616
lbs., at 4 cents..
144 64
16 bolts, (18 by 1^,) n u t s , and drilling
22 00
16 bolts, (3 by 1|,) nuts, and drilling
14 00
4 columns 111 feet long, 8 inches at neck, 3,680 lbs., at 4 c e n t s . . . .147 20
1 top pla;te 9 feet square, 5 feet well-hole, 1 inch thick, 2,740 lbs.,
at 4 c e n t s . ,
.^
109 60
8 diao-onal braces, with turnbuckles, 336 lbs., at 1^ cent.
,42 00
36 feet railing, at $2
72 00
1 pair stairs
33 00
32 bolts, (3 by 1|,) nuts, and d r i l l i n g . . .
,
28 00
933 64
Estimate for lantern :
*
1 lantern roof,"cast-iron, 600 lbs., at 5 cents
10 sash tops, cast-iron, 500 lbs
4 pairs ventilators, cast-iron, 315 lbs
10 sash bars, cast-iron, 281 lbs
20 stops for sash bars, cast-iron, 177 lbs
, 2 lantern rings, cast-iron, 954 lbs
5 side ventilators, cast-iron, 13 lbs
Fitting ventilators
770 lbs. boiler iron for parapet, at 9 cents
20 set screws, at 6 cents
70 -|-inch bolts and nuts, at I | cent
12 5-inch bolts and nuts, at Ig cent
30 pins for sash stops, at 3 cents
12 lights of glass, at.$8
5 s m a l l t i n ventilators, at $1 50
9 days'drilling, at $ 4 . . . . .
35 d a y s ' vice work, at $ 3 . .
10 d a y s ' . . . . d o . . . . . a t | l 25
. 10 d a y s ' l a t h e ^vork, at $6
4 d a y s ' , . d o . . . d o . . a t $5
Painting
Superintendence and labor
Freight, &c

30
2
15
14
8

.

00
50
75
05
85

'.

,

"......

47 7,0
65
75
69 30
' I 25
•••...
8 75
1 50
90
96 00
,
7 50
36 00
T . . . . 105 00
12 50
60 00
20 00

'

-

:.^

431
215
900
100

,
,

95
00
00
00

3,705 59
370 55

Contingencies, at 10 per cent
For apparatus 6th order lens, 270O, including freight and setting up

•

4,076 14
503 86^
4,580. oa

T o build pier-head at.Black river, Ohio, 35 feet square, 9 feet above
the water from two feet below the surface :
1,540
1,540
1,225
4
2,000

feet crib timber, at 15 cents
feet long ties, at 15 c e n t s . .
feet plank, 3-inch oak, at $30
kegs spikes, at $6.
pounds round iron
i.,




'

,

«

231
231
36
24
95

00
00
75
00
09

4:00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

61 cords stone, at $5
90 cubic yards concrete, at $ 5 .
14 cubic yards masonry, at .^7.
Carpentry and labor
c

-,

For constructing a three story cast iron to,wer for beacon :
4 columns, 12 feet long, 9 inches neck, 3,936 pounds, at 4 c e n t s . . . .
I top plate, 12 feet sqaare, 6 feet well hole, i } £ inches thick, 6,249
pounds, at 4 cents
,
8 diagonal braces, with turnbuckles, 760 pounds, at 1 ^ cents
46 feet railing, at $2
1 pairstajrs
'.
16 bolts, (3 by 1%^ inches,) nutSj, and drilling
16 bolts, (18 by 1 ) ^ inches,) n u t s , and drilling
4 columns, l l j ^ ^ feet long, 8 inches at neck, 3,680 pounds, at 4
cents
7.
8 diagonal braces, with turnbuckles, 560 pounds, at 1 ) ^ cents
38 feet railing, at $2
I pair stairs
i.
1 top plate, 10 feet square, 5 feet well hole, I j ^ inches thick, 3,616
pounds, at 4 cents
32 bolts, (3 by 1%£ inches,) nuts, and drilling

$305
450
98
900
:

00
.00
00
00
$2,370 T5

157 44
249
95
92
35
14
, 22

96
00
00
00
00
00

147
70
76
33

20
00
00
00

144 64
28 00
1,164 24

4 columns, 11 j ^ feet long, 8 inchesat^neck, 3,680 pounds, at 4 c t s .
1 top plate, 9 feet square, 5 feet well hole, 1 inch thick, 2,740
pounds, at 4 cents
8 diagonal braces, with turnbuckles, 336 pounds, at 1}<^ cents
36 feet railing, at $2
:
".
1 pair stairs
32 bolts, (3 by I J ^ inches,) n u t s , and drilling
Superintendence and labor
Freight, &c
•
Estimate for lantern :
1 lantern ruof, cast iron, 600 pounds, at 5 cents
10 sash stops, cast iron, 50 pounds, at 5 cents
4 pair ventilators, cast iron, 315 pounds,^at 5 cents
10 sash bars, cast iron, 281 pounds, at 5 cents.
20 stops for same, cast iron, 177 pounds, at 5 cents
2 lantern rings, cast iron, 954 pounds, at 5 cents
5 side ventilators, cast iron, 13 pounds, at 5 cents.
Fitting same
.'
770 pounds boiler iron, for parapet, at 9 c e n t s ,
20 set screws, at 6 cents
;
70 ^ inch bolts and nuts, at $1 50 per dozen
12 3^ inch bolts and nuts
30 pins for sash stops, at 3 cents
12 lights of glass, at $8
5 small tin ventilators, at $1 50
9 d a y s ' drilling, at $4
35 d a y s ' v i c e work, at $3
10 d a y s ' v i c e work, at $1 25
10 d a y s ' l a t h e work, at $6.^
•
4 d a y s ' lathe work, at $5
Painting

147 20
109 60
42 00
72 00
33 00
28 00
—

30
2
15
14
8
47
69
I
8
1
96
7
36
105
12
60
20
215

431 80
1,100 00
100 00

00
50
75
05
85
70
65
75
30
25
75
50
90
00
50
00
00
50
00
00
00
646 95

,

5,813 74
581 37

For apparatus 4th order lens, 180O, including freight and setting u p . . o . .

6,395 I I
904 89

Contingencies 10 per cent

7,300 00
RECAPITULATION OF ESTIMATES.
F o r Erie beacon
; . .^
For H u r o n beacon
For Black river pier head light




».
,.

5,2.50 00
4,580 00
7,300 00

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

401

APPENDIX No. 21.
DETROIT, MICHIOAN, September 29, 1855.

SIR : I have the honor to report the operations of the light-house
service in this district during tlie last year.
The contractors for the new light-houses resumed their labors on the
opening of navigation, and will complete, this season, the light-house
buildings at Milwaukee; the mouth of Grand river; the northern outlet of Winnebago lake; Eound island; Point Iroquois; Grand Island;
mouth of Portage river; and Eagle river.
A postponement of the time of opening the canal around Saut Sainte
Marie delayed the commencement of the works on Lake Superipr, and
consequently all the light-houses will not be flnished within the time
designated in the contract, although the work appears to have been
pursued with diligence.
Five sets of illuminating apparatus and three steamer lens lanterns
have been received, which have been ajaplied as follows: At Milwaukee, a 4th order revolving lens light; at Grand river, the same; at
Eound island, a 5th order flxed light, varied by flashes; at the mouth
of Portage river, a 5th order revolving light; at La Pointe harbor, a .
4th order fixed light; at the outlet of Winnebago lake, a steamer lens
lantern, and a similar one substituted for the old reflectors in the lighthouse at the mouth of Clinton river.
Contracts have been entered into for the construction of light-houses
at Port Clinton, and Taylorsport, Illinois, and at Beaver Island harbor, Michigan. •
The failure in some instances of securing a perfect title to the land,
and in others of obtaining the requisite cession to the United States
of the jurisdiction over the sites, has postponed the execution of contracts for building the other light-houses for which Congress has made
appropriations.
Thirty new spar buoys were placed upon St. Clair Flats, nearly all
of which remain up to the present time. Two spar buoys have been
moored upon the bar at the entrance of the harbor of Ohicago, and
one renewed of those at the entrance of the Neenah river, in Green
Bay.
Eepairs of many of the light-houses in the district have been made,
but they can only be considered as temporary, and will have to be renewed from time to time, owing to the original imperfect character of
the materials and constructions ofthe buildings. Several will require
to be rebuilt in a short time, and other aids to navigation furnished ;
but I have not been able to devote the time necessary for a proper examination of the localities without neglecting other duties of more
immediate necessity, owing to the insufficient facilities for travelling,
and to the great extent of the district.
Among the light-houses which it will be necessary to rebuild I
will, however, mention that at Port du Mort. It is at present scarcely
habitable, and any attempt to render it so by mere repairs would be
useless. I therefore recommend that it be rebuilt upon the plan of
26



402

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

those last contracted for, and that an appropriation of $6,000 be asked
for that purpose.
Without having made a personal examination of the locality referred to in your letter of 30tli May, I am satisfled ofthe great utility
of a light upon Traverse or Charity island in Saginaw bay. Its distance from the light-house at Ottawa Point is about eighteen miles,
and an appropriation of $5,000 will cover the expense of a suitable
building to contain a flfth or sixth order lens light.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
L. SITGEEAVES,
Light-house Inspector, l l t h District.
Lieut. T. A. JENKINS,
Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 22.
OFFICE TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

San Francisco, Califiornia, July 11, 1855.
SIR : I have already announced to the board my arrival out here on
the 30th ultimo. On the 5th instant I was enabled, through the
polite attention of Lieutenant Commanding Alden, of the United
States Coast Survey steanier Active, to visit the principal Farallone
island, where I passed three hours, and made an examination of the
light-house tower and dwelling. Ofthe former I enclose an elevation
and sections, (marked 1,) made from measurements then taken. It is
constructed, as I understand, of stone takeii from the rock near at
hand, with a facing of brick of one thickness ; but whether in length
or in breadth I did not learn. The masonry shows no crack in the
wall outside, or in the plastering within, and, with the wood-work
generally, appears a tolerably fair job. The principal exception to
this is in the number 18 and cutting, and the size of the joints of
the coping course, which is of red sand stone, twelve inches thick.
The board has already been advised of the inadequate size of the
tower. I may mention here that the crown of the arch is but 12
inches through, whereas the sleeping drum calls for 19^ inches ; and
that the manhole through it is too small, being but 14 by 22^ inches—
the latter dimension on the periphery instead of the radius. The
error in the size of the tower I supposed, at flrst, might possibly be
corrected by enlarging it sufficiently to receive the proper lantern.
To ascertain the size of the lantern it has been necessary, in the absence
of dimensions upon the tissue-paper copy of the details of the Hancock
apparatus, &c., though the scale of proportion is mentioned, to make
actual measurements of certain pieces in the store here. These
showed an extreme diameter of 12 feet 2 inches, which, applied to a
tower having sufficient thickness of masonry on the outside of the uprights for so exposed a site, would call for a diameter at top of 15
feet 5 inches, or 4 feet 5 inches more,than the dianieter of the present
tower, exclusive of the projection of the coping of 2\ inches. An
alteration to adapt the present tower to the proper lantern, &c., would




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

403

thus involve an increase of 2 feet 2^ inches in the thickness of the
walls. This I would not hesitate to give them, did the space at the
site warrant the measure. But it does not, as will be seen by the
drawing already nientioned, the distance to the brink of the precipice,
already so small as to endanger the safety of the keepers in their
movements, if not ofthe tower itself, being reduced to two feet on one
side and. three feet on the other. The circumstances of the case thus
require not only the building of another tower, but the occupation of
a new site. The authority for the flrst measure is communicated
to my predecessor. Captain Graham, by the letter of the board of the
16th of March last. The second I shall assume, particularly as it is
a matter of a change of but a few feet to where the ridge, on being
cut down to the level of the present site, will expose a larger surface.
I have now shown the unavailableness of the present tower, stated
the reason it cannot be changed to receive a. flrst order "lighting >
apparatus, and made the proposition to build another tower at a new
site a few feet distant. A tower having already been built on the
summit of the ridge, another, however great the difficulties, may of
course again be built. But it is then that the greatest difficulties are
to be overcome. I might refer to the hazards of flxing a lantern
and lighting apparatus of the flrst order on a tower at a point so
exposed from the great elevation and small size, as of no ordinary
character. But these operations, difficult as they may prove, would
be comparatively easy to the transportation of them up the steep to
the site. This, for the most part, must be done in the original
packages, some of which, besides being heavy, of great length, and
ungainly forms, measure as many as 36, 46, and even as high as 67
cubic feet. In the natural state of the ground, the operation would
only be second to an impossible one. According to a measurement
of Lieutenant Trowbridge, of the engineers, the base of the present
tower is 315 feet above high water ofthe sea, and taking the data as
well as this can be done from a sketch of the island he has kindly
furnished me, the angle of the hill sides for two-thirds of this elevation, never less than 45°, rises in places to 55° and even to 65°.
Few, if any, unaccustomed to the ascent, can make it by the use of
the feet alone—the hands must be brought into requisition, and even
then a false step might precipitate the climber, by a series of pitches,
to a dejith of nearly, if not quite, 200 feet. The bricks used in the
present structure were transported on men's backs by fours and flves
at a time, and then only for the portion of least acclivity, a windlass
being employed to raise them the remainder of the height.
I
mention these facts to give the bo^rd some idea of the impracticable
character df the ground. I send, also, with the same object, a copy
of Lieutenant Trowbridge's sketch of the island, including views, as
well as a view taken by the draughtsman of the office, from the
Active, lying at the usual anchorage off the island. They will
convince the board, I presume, as I am myself convinced, that the
construction of a road of some sort to the selected site is absolutely
necessary. The time, laibor, and money, it will cost are serious
objections, but unless made, I do not hesitate to express the opinion
that the light will never be exhibited. Eelying upon being sustained




404

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

b y t h e board, I propose, then, 1, to construct such a road to the
summit of the island as will insure the safe and ready transport of
the lantern and lighting a.pparatus; 2, to build another tower,
conforming in the main to the modiflcation of the plan of the present
one, 'as shown in tracing No. 2, sent herewith; and 3, to change the
site a few feet, as already mentioned and shown in the sketch
herewith. No. 3, made from memory.
'
I desire, before closing upon the subject of the light on the Farallone, the board should know I am of opinion that the above recited meas^'
ures can be carried out only at great cost. A survey of some sort is
necessary to determine the plan, and to lay out the road on the best
ground, and for this purpose, as I have no officer able to perform the
duty," a surveyor rnust be employed. There is little or no communication between the main land and the island, and the cost of getting
to it may be judged of when I state, that to be landed there one day
and taken off the next cost $100, the services being performed by a
pilot boat which might be said to be on her usual cruising ground. I
may mention also that I have had the offer of the services of a superintendent for $10 a day and his expenses paid, and this I am told may
be considered as rather under the current price of this class of employees. Captain Graham tells me further that the machinist who
put up the apparatus of the Point Bonita light received the same per
diem. All "other labor and materials for the most part are equally
high. The carting, freighting, landing and securing the lanterii and
lighting apparatus on the island, consisting as it does of 73 cases,
some very heavy, and others requiring great care in handling, will
cost largely, particularly as the landing is of a very exposed character. To lessen these expenses, I shall, as a matter, of duty, avail myself of every occasion. Still with every effort the cost in all cases
must be large, and to those unaccustomed to the current prices on this
coast will appear even more so. The disbursing officer may regret
but cannot change the state of things.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
HAETMAN BACHE,
Major Top. Engs., Brevet Major.
Captain EDMUND L . F . HARDCASTLE, Engineer,

Secretary Light-House Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 23.
OFFICE TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSB DISTRICT,

San Francisco, Califiornia, July 27, 1855.
SIR : In accordance with the intention .expressed in my letter of the
13th, I have the honor to forward by the same mail with this*a roll
containing a clraft of a propeller steamer for light-house service on
this coast, and an estimate herein of the cost. The following is a
general description of the vessel and engines : Length 160 feet, beam
27 feet, and depth of hold 9 | feet. . Tonnage, 388 tons. Poop cabin,
4^ feet under deck ; extreme height, 7 | feet; 27 feet in length ; to




REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

405'

form on occasion two cabins by sliding doors. Eig, three-masted
schooner with gaff topsails ; the foremast having in addition two
square sails ; jib set to stem ; no bowsprit. Forecastle 18 feet extreme length. Windlass with pump-break and capstan, respectively
forward and aft of the forecastle hatch. Length of hold, 73 feet.
Two direct acting condensing engines, with 32 inches cylinders and
28 inches stroke. Propeller wheel of two blades only, so arranged as
to be raised out of water when under sail without steam. Tw^o
boilers, each say 14 feet 6 inches long by 7 feet diameter. Consumption of anthracite coal about 14 tons in 24 hours steaming. The
principal timbers, &c., of the hull," to give sufficient strength, should
not measure less than as follows : timbers, best sea coast white oak,
8 | by 7 inches, tapering to 6 by 5 inches, one distance apart; knees
and clamps to correspond ;, garboard streak, 5^ inches ; bilge streak,
3 | inches, and planking 3 inches. Four 12 by 12 inches kelsons,
extending the whole length, except the _ upper one, cut off forward of
the engine. The skin or lining 2^ to 3 inches plank. Deck beams
of Carolina pine, 10. by 8 inches, alternating with carlins 7 by 6
inches; deck plank, 3 inches. Four boats, all ofwhich should be
surf boats, two being specially designed for landing materials, &c.,
are, with the davits, provided for in the estimate.
I beg you to understand that in proposing a vessel as above described I am quite sensible of my deficiencies, and of the better judgment ofthe members ofthe board, particularly those ofthe naval service, in such matters. My object in going further than to express a
conviction of the necessity of a steam vessel for light-house, purposes
on this coast is merely to indicate the qualities which, as a landsman,
it seemed to me a vessel for the particular service in qustion should
possess. These qualities should combine, 1. As smalPa draft of tonnage as with safety would meet the wants of the service. 2. The
qualities and economy of a sailing vessel, as far as these are compatible with the use of. steam as an auxiliary power.
The estimate is confined to the bare construction of the vessel, &c.
The exjiense of sending her round here should, of course, be added to
make up the gross amount required. - The estimate of this expense the
board can best determine, as it can also the annual cost of running
such a vessel, using steam only when the wind fails, or in extreme
emergency.
I cannot show better the present necessity for the services of a
steam vessel on this coast for light-house purposes than to state some
of the offers made on inquiries for a vessel for freighting, &c., in
building at the Farallones. One schooner of about 200 tons, represented and believed to be a good vessel, with 10 men, $2,000 per month.
Another from the same parties, under 100 tons, with six men, for
$1,500 per month ; a third abo.ut the same tonnage for $1,200-for the
first month, then $1,500. One of rather less than 100 tons, with four
men, 6 years old, flat bottom and sliding keel, well found in ground
tackle, $800. Again, for a small schooner to take the lanterns, lenticular apparatus, and a small quantity of materials and two men to
the nearest landing to the San Diego light-house, $800 was charged
and refused, and the freight, &c., sent in a regular packet at $10 per



406

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

ton and present passage money for the men, with the risk of not being
landed at Point Loma.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HAETMAN BACHE,
Maj. Top. Eng., Brevet Major.
Capt. E. L. F . HARDCASTLE, Engineer,
Secretary Light-liouse Board, Washington, D. C.

Estimate ofi the cost ofi a propeller steamer 1%0 fieet long, 2^ fieet beam,
and 2 \ fieet hold; rig-—three-masted schooner, braced with iron
diagonally crossing the timbers, coppered, built ofi the best quality ofi
matericds in a workmanlike manner ; two condensing engines, 52-inch
cylinder and 28 inches stroke.
Hull
.
Joiners' work
Painting
- Spars and blocks
- _
Iron work for the same, stauncheons, &c. Eigging, chandlery, &c.
Eiggers
Anchors and chains Sails and covers Plumbing Brass work side lights, &c. Carving
Coppering with No. 22
Engines, boilers, and propellers Boats and oars, &c., davits, &c. Amount 10 per cent, for contingencies
Total amount -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

. -

-

-

-

-

-

$16,750
1,650
650
_
600,
575
70O
170
-1,775
700
250
260
50
3,600
17,500
1,500

- . -

-

46,730
4,673
51,403

HAETMAN BACHE,
Brevet Major Topographical Engineers.
OFFICE TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

San Francisco, Califiornia, July 27, 1855,
APPENDIX, No 24.
OFFICE TWELFTH LIGHT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

SanFrancisco, Califiornia, Sept. 24, 1855.
SIR : I very respectfully recommend to the board, to be included in
the deflciency bill of the next session, or in case there should not be
one, in the annual estimates for the next fiscal year, the following
items, to w i t :



REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

407

For a road from the keeper's dwelling to the light-house tower
on the peak at the South Farallones -$1,500
For a road from La Plaza, San Diego Bay, to the light-house
on Point Loma -'1,500
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HAETMAN BACHE,
Brevet Major Topographical Engineers.
Lieut.

THORNTON A. JENKINS, U . S . N . ,
Secretary Light-house Board, Washington, D. C.

APPENDIX No. 25.
OFFICE TWELFTH LIG-HT-HOUSE DISTRICT,

San Francisco, September 28, 1855.
SIR : I reported on the 19th that I had been down the coast as far
as San Diego, and would forward by the present mail a more detailed
report of the points I visited than I was then able to make. The immediate object of my journey was in reference to the measures in progress to alter and fit up the light-houses at Point Conception and
Point Loma. Besides these places, I had opportunities also of seeing,
but not visiting, the light-house at Point Pinos, Monterey, the site at
Santa Barbara, and examining the site at San Pedro. I will now
refer to them in the order of their geographical position.
Light-house at Point Pinos.—The stay of the steamer at Monterey,
both going and returning, was too short to admit of my visiting this
light-house. An opportunity, however, was afforded by entering and
departing from the harbor, both in the day time and at night, to judge
ofthe eligibility ofthe site. I regret to say the result of this cursory
examination was entirely unfavorable to the point now occupied. It
answers neither the condition of a coast light or a harbor ligiit as
fully as it might. Of the entire history of its present position I am
not clearly informed. Common report ascribes the final selection to
the contractor for building the light-house. The Coast Survey report
and sketch of 1851 gives the three points a, b, and c, from among
which to select the site, and the first, as is alleged, was chosen by
them as more convenient than either of the other two, from which to
obtaiii the stone used in building. Were the wants of navigation
alone to be considered, the point c, an, island rock, at high-water, is
doubtless the best, as the light could then be seen not only closer in
shore to the southward of Cyjiress point, distant about four miles, but
also further up the harbor itself But a construction at a position so
exposed to the batter of the ocean would hardly justify the cost over
one at b, removed little more than one-eighth of a mile back and
above the high-water line. The position at |)oint a, is about a quarter
of a mile still further removed inland, with a consequent reduced arc of
visibility. The light is soon lost sight of in approaching Monterey,
due in a great measure to the interposition of trees, the light having



408

REPORT ON THE FINANCES.

been built just at the edge of, if not within the woods. Whenever I
have the nieans, by a proper survey,' of determining the space from
which the trees should be cut, to give full effect to the light throughout the entire arc of visibility called for by the position and elevation,
I will have them removed.
Point Conception light-house.—Landed at Point Conception on the
morning of the 31st ultimo. Mr. Merrill, with the workmen, materials for rebuilding the tower, and the main parts of the frame of the
lantern, arrived on Monday week previous, the 20th. It required
three days for the crew of the schooner, assisted by the workmen, to
land the freight through the surf at the Coxo. The floors of the
dwelling were already shored up, and the tower pulled down quite to
the foundation; the new materials in part hauled to the site; the old
materials in course of preparation for re-use, and one slope ofthe roof
of the dwelling nearly shingled. The work had been somewhat retarded by the indisposition of one of the masons, caused by exposure
to water in landing the materials. The only changes made in the
plan already forwarded to the board were in removing the tower a
few inches back from the centre of the building, in order to give room
for opening the front door; to retain the position of the old walls of
the cistern, as they are required as foundations for the walls carried
up through the house, and for extending the cistern to the northwesterly corner of the cellar. Personal examination fully conflrmed
the report of Mr. Merrill of the character of the materials and workmanship employed in the'construction. The rebuilding the tower
was to commence on the 3d, with a fair prospect, considering the adverse circumstances under which the operations must be carried on, of
completing the work at an early day. Among these may be mentioned the hauling of the materials, even to the sand and water used
in building, over roads at points deep with sand, and of considerable
acclivity, requiring the employment of four mule trains to draw even
a fourth the usual load, and the absence of all labor and materials at
any price, to meet a pressing emergency. Measurements were made
of the dwelling. The height, also, of the site, was ascertained by
plummet and level. It is 215 feet. The focal plane will be 33 feet
above the ground, thus^making the whole height of that plane, above
high water of spring tides, 248 feet.
I left Point Conception on the morning ofthe 3d; a letter from Mr.
Merrill of the 14th, received, of course, since my return, says : ^^ The
General Pierce arrived here on the l l t h and has just flnished landing
her freight for this place." >{^ * ^ ^^Thefreiglit was landed as well
as it could be. Some of the boxes had to be opened on board on
account of the weight of them; but I have taken all possible care that
nothing shoul