Office of THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NAVAL CODE, SIR: I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that, under joint resolution No. 24, session 3d of the last Congress, I was, on the 3d of March last, appointed a commissioner to revise and codify the naval laws of the United States, at a salary of $3,000. If you will do me the favor to provide in the deficiency bill for my salary, I shall feel oblige. I am, very truly, yours, Hon. THADDEUS STEVENS, C. B. SEDGWICK. Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. OFFICE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U. S. pay SIR: There will be required for the service of the present fiscal year the sum of seven thousand three hundred sixty-five dollars and nineteen ($7,365 19) cents, to be added to the appropriation "for compensation of the officers, clerks, messengers, and others receiving an annual salary in the employ of the House of Representatives." A part of the above deficiency accrues by the increased of the Capitol police, under the act of 20th July, 1854. There will also be required to be added, by appropriation to the contingent fund of the House, the following sums, viz.: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six (1,866) dollars, to the item "for clerks to committees, and temporary clerks in the office of the House of Representatives;" this deficiency is created by increasing the number of committee clerks. Forty thousand (40,000) dollars to the item "for folding documents." The deficiency in this item amounts to sixteen thousand (16,000) dollars; in addition to which, at least, twenty-four thousand (24.000) dollars will be required during the presidential campaign. Six thousand five hundred (6,500) dollars to the item "for fuel and lights, including pay of engineers, firemen, and laborers, repairs, and materials." This sum will be required to pay the engineers, firemen, and for repairs and materials, the appropriation having been exhausted in the purchase of coal at the increased rates. Eight thousand (8,000) dollars to the item "for furniture, repairs, and packing boxes for members." The appropriation has proved insufficient, owing to the increased price of carpeting and other materials. Eight hundred thirty-two dollars and seventyeight ($832 78) cents to the item for laborers;" and nine thousand (9,000) dollars to the item "for stationery." This sun will be required to keep up the assortment of stationery, and to pay to members undrawn balances of their stationery accounts. There being of the contingent fund an unexpended balance of an old appropriation "for engraving, electrotyping," &c., of twenty-one thousand two hundred seven dollars and fifty-six ($21,207 56) cents, I would recommend that it be transferred to the "miscellaneous item" of the contingent fund, to meet payments to witnesses, and other expenses of investigations by committees. Very respectfully, E. MCPHERSON, Hon. T. STEVENS, TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 11, 1864. SIR: It has been found to be an advantage to the department to place the purchasing of stationery under one head, instead of allowing each bureau to purchase for itself, out of the contingent fund allowed to it, and the arrangement, which was carried into effect some months since, works satisfactorily, with the exception of the difficulty in settling accounts with the contractor, explained in the enclosed copy of a letter from the stationery clerk. To obviate this difficulty, I have the honor to request that a distinct appropriation may be made for the purchase of stationery for the use of this department, viz. that the sum of $20,000 be included in the deficiency bill for the year ending June 30, 1864, and $15,000 in the appropriation bill for the year ending June 30, 1865, for the above purpose. In the estimates already submitted to Congress for the contingent expenses of each bureau, "stationery" is mentioned with other items; but if the appropriation above asked for is allowed, no expenditures for stationery will be made from the several contingent funds, and any balances remaining unexpended on this account will reduce the estimates so much for the succeeding year. I am, very respectfully, Hon. THADDEUS Stevens, S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury. Chairman Committee of Ways and Means, House of Representatives. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Solicitor's Office, January 8, 1864. SIR: In view of the present arrangement for supplying the department with stationery, I respectfully submit for your consideration the propriety of a general appropriation for the payment of stationery for the Treasury Department, instead of the separate appropriations for each bureau, as heretofore made. It is found necessary to keep a considerable stock on hand of those articles most needed, so that they may be supplied as they are wanted. Much of this stock remains on hand for some time, and the bills of the contractor can only be paid for those articles which have been taken by the different bureaus. This delays the payment of the bills far beyond the proper time. If the proposed arrangement be adopted, payment could be made at once, on the bills being certified by the clerk in charge of stationery. I have the honor to submit the following estimates of the amount required for the remainder of the present fiscal year and for the year ending June 30, 1865: For remainder of fiscal year ending June 30, 1864.. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. M. B. Field, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. $20,000 45,000 A. L. STURTEVANT, Clerk in charge of Stationery. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTErior, Washington, D. C., November 21, 1863. GENTLEMEN: Having discovered that the balances of the appropriations of March 3, 1855, and March 3, 1859, for the purchase of the 10th and 11th volumes of the Statutes at Large, had been carried to the surplus fund, and that consequently this department was left without the means of paying your bill, amounting to $2,765, for the 395 copies of those volumes furnished per orders dated the 21st of February, 1863, I addressed a letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, on the 19th instant, with a view to have it paid out of an annual appropriation under his special control. I regret to inform you that he finds it impracticable to do so, and that your bill must necessarily remain unpaid until this department can obtain an appropriation by Congress for the purpose, which it will avail itself of the earliest opportunity to do. I send for your information a copy of my letter of the 19th instant, to the Secretary of the Treasury, and of his reply thereto, of the 20th. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. T. OTTO, Messrs. LITTLE, BROWN & Co., 110 Washington street, Boston, Massachusetts. Acting Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, GENTLEMEN: You will please deliver to this department three hundred and ninety-five (395) copies of the United States Statutes at Large, volume 11, being the balance of the two thousand (2,000) copies ordered by Congress, by act approved March 3, 1859-1,605 copies having been previously delivered to this department. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Messrs. LITTLE, BROWN & Co., Boston. J. P. USHER, Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, D. C., November 19, 1863. SIR: The sum of $7,000 was appropriated by the act of March 3, 1855, (volume x, 646,) to enable the Secretary of State to purchase of Little, Brown & Co. 2,000 copies of the 10th volume of the United States Statutes at Large, for distribution, agreeably to the act of Congress directing the distribution of the other volumes; and on the 3d of March, 1859, (volume xi, 428,) a like sum was appropriated to enable the Secretary of the Interior to purchase that number of copies of the 11th volume, for the same purpose. Finding, in the early part of the present year, a need for a further supply of these volumes, and that only 1,605 copies of each of these volumes had been purchased, the balance authorized and provided for in the statutes referred to, viz.: 395 copies of each volume were ordered, and have since been furnished by the publishers. At the time this order was given, no question occurred to the department as to its ability to avail itself of the appropriations hereinbetore referred to, but it now appears that the unexpended balances relied on have been carried to the surplus fund. The enclosed bill of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., amounting to $2,765, is correct, and should be settled, and I now have the honor of acquainting you with the facts and circumstances connected with it, in the hope that you may find it practicable to order its settlement and payment out of the appropriation of $10,000 made by the act of March 3, 1863, "for the discharge of such miscellaneous claims, not otherwise provided for, as shall be admitted in due course of settlement at the treasury." I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SALMON P. CHASE, W. T. OTTO, Acting Secretary. Secretary of the Treasury. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, together with the bill of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co. for 780 volumes of the United States statutes, amounting to $2,765, stating that it is correct and should be settled; and that at the time the purchase was ordered no question occurred to your department as to its ability to avail itself of the appropriation specifically made for this purpose, but that it now appears the unexpended balance relied upon has been carried to the surplus fund. Under these circumstances you submit that you hope I may find it practicable. to order its settlement and payment out of the appropriation made by the act of March 3, 1863, "for the discharge of such miscellaneous claims, not otherwise provided for, as shall be admitted in due course of settlement at the treasury." This fund is evidently set apart for the payment of claims not otherwise provided for; the claim of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co. appears to have been pro vided for, but from some cause the amount appropriated for its payment has been carried to the surplus fund. I am of the opinion that, inasmuch as this claim had been provided for by law, the appropriation for unprovided claims is not applicable to its payment. I regret my inability to meet the case, and respectfully return the bill of Messrs. Little, Brown & Co. I am, very respectfully, Hon. W. T. OTTO, Acting Secretary of the Interior. S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury. WASHINGTON, December 18, 1863. DEAR SIR: The act of February 14, 1863, establishing the office of Register of Deeds for this District involves the unavoidable necessity of an appropriation to put the machinery of the office in safe and comfortable motion. I have become acquainted with the necessities of the office, and am satisfied that the estimate of the register is reasonable. Yours, &c., Hon. THADDEUS STEVENS, Chairman, &c. D. K. CARTTER, Chief Justice. OFFICE OF REGISTER OF DEEDS, Washington, D. C., December 17, 1863. SIR: The following appropriations are required for this office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, viz: For fuel and contingent expenses... $350 00 N. C. TOWLE, Register. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Hon. THADDEUS STEVENS, Chairman of Committee of Ways and Means, Ho. of Reps. OFFICE OF REGISTER OF Deeds, Washington, D. C., December 17, 1863. SIR: In order to enable this office to carry into proper effect the act of February 14, 1863, the following appropriations are necessary for immediate use, for the current fiscal year, viz.: For office furniture, stoves, carpets, &c... For cases for records and papers.. For fuel, stationery, and contingent expenses. $450 00 350 00 150 00 950 00 I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Hon. THADDEUs Stevens, N. C. TOWLE, Register. Chairman Committee of Ways and Means. |