REVENUE SURPLUS

THE STATES:

1721. Salaries paid directly (91) from the Treasury of officers at a distance from Washington, are to be audited quarterly by the 1st Auditor, and Warrants for the respective amounts, transmitted by the Treasurer, payable at the Deposite Bank nearest the residence of such officer or officers, unless he or they previously make other arrangements, (such as that authorized in the foregoing circular): S's cir. 10th October, 1834; V. 3, p. 23.

1722. The Governors of States are informed of the act of the 23d June, 1836, entitled DISTRIBUTED AMONG "An act to regulate the deposites of Public Moneys," by the 13th section of which ALL over five millions of dollars is required to be deposited [equivalent to a final disbursement] in certain proportions to Congressional representation; for the execution of which blank forins are transmitted: S's cir. 27th June, 1836; V. 3, pp. 98 to 101.

-the proceedings in relation to the districalled for by the Sen

bution of the surplus,

ate.

PROCEEDS OF LAND

SALES-ALSO

BUTED AMONG

STATES:

THE

1723. In pursuance of certain resolutions of the Senate of the 16th February current, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the next session all the facts and information relative to the deposite (or distribution) of the surplus revenue among the States, he addresses to the several Governors a copy of the said resolutions, and asks their respective statements in relation thereto: S's cir. 20th February, 1839; V. 3, p. 185.

1724. The Governors of States are informed of the adjustment of sales of public lands, DISTRI and the distributive share thereof coming to each State, under the provisions of the act of the 4th September, 1841, with tabular exhibits of the same: C's cir. 7th November, 1842; V. 3, p. 965.

1725. A like communication as the foregoing of the 7th November, 1842, of the adjustment of the sales of public lands, and the distributive share coming to the several States, in pursuance of the said act of the 4th September, 1841, with tabular exhibits of the same, is made to the Governors of States: C's cir. 17th March, 1843; V. 3, pp. 999 to 1004.

(c.) Of disbursements on account of Military Pensions, whilst wholly and in part under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury.

1726. The Secretary of the Treasury announces to Collectors, as Pension Agents, that the second moiety of pensions payable to invalids for the current year will be due on the 5th

(91.) The following is a pretty full list of the officers whose salaries are paid directly from the Treasury, at the end of each quarter, viz: 1. The President of the United States, by Secretary's Warrant, monthly or quarterly, at President's option-settled at the end of his term.

2. The Vice President of the United States, by Secretary's Warrant, monthly or quarterly, at his option-settled quarterly.

3. United States Judges, of the Supreme and Inferior Courts, monthly or quarterly, at their option-settled quarterly.

4. United States District Attorneys.

5. United States Marshals.

6. The Commissioner of the Public Buildings.

7. The Secretary for signing Land Patents, in the name of the President.

8. The Keepers of the Public Archives in Florida.

9. The Recorder of Land Titles in Missouri.

10. Governors and Secretaries of Territories.

11. Surveyors General and their Clerks.

12. Registers and Receivers of Land Offices, where proceeds of land sales be not sufficient.

13. Members and officers of the Legislative Council in Florida, (when a Territory.)

NOTE.-The members and officers of the Legislative Councils of Iowa and Wisconsin are paid by their Secretaries, to whom moneys are advanced from the Treasury, as to other distant agents, for secondary disbursement.

June next, to be paid by them out of the duties on Imports and Tonnage, on the same evidence as was required by his circular of the 30th January last, [which is not in this collection]: S's cir. 13th May, 1790; V. 1, p. 53.

INSTRUCTIONS PENSION AGENTS.

INSTRUCTIONS

ANTS.

TO

TO

1727. Pension certificates of Revolutionary claims, under the act of the 15th May, 1828, " for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," for their half-yearly PENSIONERS OR CLAIMpay, are transmitted to claimants, with instructions how to proceed to identify themselves as the persons described in said certificates, by making oath before a Magistrate, whose certificate is to be returned to the Department, preparatory to the claimant's obtaining a draft on a Pension Agent for the amount of his instalment on his Pension certificate: S's cir. 3d August, 1829; V. 2, pp. 221, 222.

1728. Upon the decease of an officer or soldier who has been found entitled to the benefits of the act of the 15th May, 1828, "for the relief of surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," the said benefits devolve on the widow and orphans of the deceased, according to rules prescribed for ascertaining their identity: S's cir. 13th June, 1832; V. 2, p. 283.

[Same subject.]

To accountants, on

1729. (Regulations are prescribed, to govern accounting officers of the Treasury in settling claims under the act of 5th July, 1832, "to provide for liquidating certain (Revolu- Virginia Revolutiontionary) claims of the State of Virginia": S's cir. 28th July, 1832; V. 2, p. 288.)

1730. The half-yearly payments of Pensions under the act of 15th May, 1828, becoming due on the 3d March next, the Instructions of the 3d August, 1829, accompanied with the proper forms for the government of Pensioners and Pension Agents (these latter being chiefly Deposite Banks) are transmitted, as before: S's cir. 4th February, 1834; V. 3, p. 3.

1731. The aforesaid Instructions of the 4th February last are repeated, and accompanied with the same forms: S's cir. 5th February, 1835; V. 3, p. 32.

ary claims.

To Pensioners and Pension Agents.

[Same subject.]

Agents to pay in

1732. (In pursuance of the act of the 14th April, 1836, "making appropriation for Revolutionary Pensions," the Deposite Banks, that are employed as Pension Agents, are in- specie, or its equivastructed to pay the same in specie or its equivalent: S's cir. 16th April, 1816; V. 3, p. 92.)

1733. (Holders of land warrants, granted to officers or soldiers of the Revolution, are notified that scrip will be issued in satisfaction of such warrants-which scrip will be receivable in payments for public lands: S's cir. 15th June, 1837; V. 3, p. 144.)

lent.

Bounty Land warrants for Revolutionary services, paid in SCRIP, receivable for land sales.

CHAPTER VIII.

OF INSTRUCTIONS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF REGISTERS AND RECEIVERS OF LAND OFFICES, IN RELATION TO THE SALES OF PUBLIC LANDS, AND RETURNS RELATIVE TO THE PROCEEDS THEREOF, &c., &c. (92.)

Primary organiza

Land Offices:

1734. The Secretary of the Treasury, in two letters, (93) addressed, one to the Superintion of the business of tendents of Land Sales, and the other to the Receiver at Pittsburg-both dated on the 5th October, 1796-instructs them as to their several and joint duties in conducting sales of public lands at Pittsburg, according to the ordinance of Congress of the 20th May, 1785; and prescribes the forms of their books of accounts-of land entries and sales, certificates, receipts, and deposites of weekly and monthly statements to the Treasury, and returns of quarterly accounts current for settlement: S's cirs. 5th October, 1796; V. 1, pp. 180, 181, 182, 183.

-the same modified.

Monthly accounts of sales, and receipts,

of two kinds.

The kind of money received is to be en

1735. The purport of the aforesaid letters is repeated, with modifications adapted to certain changes in the organization of Land Offices, in a circular of the Secretary of the Treasury, addressed to Receivers, dated the 26th September, 1800, with which he transmits various forms proper for conducting their official duties: S's cir. 26th September, 1800; V. 1, pp. 180, 186, 187.

1736. The "monthly accounts" from Land Offices, for moneys received for lands entered in one month and paid in another, should be kept and stated distinctly, and separate from those entered and paid for in the same month: S's cir. 21st September, 1819; V. 2, p. 114.

1737. Some Receivers are said to be in the habit of exchanging the moneys received on dorsed on the receipts, account of lands entered, for other funds of a depreciated value, and depositing the same to as a guard against ex- the credit of the Treasurer; which imputation can only be repelled by endorsing the receipt, changing it. in future, with a description of the kind of money received: S's cir. 21st September, 1819; V. 2, p. 114.

(92.) This Chapter comprises abstracts of a number of Circular Instructions to Receivers and Registers of Land Offices, which, being found in the Office collection of the Circular Instructions of the Secretary of the Treasury, it was deemed inadmissible to pass them over unnoticed here, notwithstanding the plain and rational inference that another work, prepared and published by order of the Senate several years ago, entitled "General Public Acts of Congress respecting the sales of Public Lands, with Instructions issued from time to time by the Secretary of the Treasury," &c., must necessarily have included these particular Instructions, with the other matters proper to that compilation; but the fact is far otherwise; a very small portion of these Instructions and decisions are to be found in that compilation, however important they be in regard to the fiscal operations of the General Land Office-which fact enhances the importance of giving them a place in this Synopsis.

(93.) These two letters being the basis of organization of the Land Offices, afterwards became circular in fact, by being addressed to others as the Land Offices multiplied, though addressed to individuals at first.

Specie bills of the United States Bank,

receivable:

1738. The Receivers of Public Moneys on account of land sales are authorized to receive, in addition to the specie bills of the United States Bank, the notes of the incorporated and the notes of other Banks of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond, and the like in specie-paying Banks, South Carolina and Georgia, and of the specie-paying Banks in the State where the Land Office is situated, except the City Bank of Baltimore; and this is to supersede former Instructions, with certain modifications: S's cir. 1st August, 1820; V. 2, p. 119.

1739. The Receivers of Public Moneys on account of land sales are authorized to receive in payment the bills of the United States Bank and branches, those of incorporated Banks in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond, and of the specie-paying Banks in Louisiana, so long as they pay specie on demand: S's cir. 23d May, 1825; V. 2, p. 147.

1740. The like Instructions as the aforesaid are given to Receivers, enumerating the notes of Banks that are in credit, and receivable by them for public dues: S's cir. 1st August, 1825; V. 2, p. 148.

1741. Receivers are prohibited receiving any Bank note for a less amount than five dollars: S's cir. 1st October, 1825; V. 2, p. 154.

1742. Further instructions are given respecting the notes of Banks that are receivable at different Land Offices, reciting the actual instability of all, except those of the United States and its branches, and requiring a description of the kind of money received or paid to be stated on the receipts; also directing where to deposite the public money, and at what periods, with other directions: S's cir. 22d February, 1826; V. 2, p. 158.

1743. In pursuance of the act of 22d May, 1826, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to make a reasonable allowance or compensation to Receivers for travelling expenses, labor, &c., incurred in making deposites of public moneys, the Secretary requests of them a statement and estimate of the same for his information: S's cir. 31st May, 1826; V. 2, p. 161.

1744. Certain local Bank notes, within the States and Territories in which Land Offices are situated, (with proper temporary exceptions,) may be received in payments; but, in addition to the instructions of the 22d February, 1826, public Receivers are directed to discontinue the receipt of notes of State Banks not within such limits corresponding with those of the Land Offices respectively: S's cir. 22d August, 1827; V. 2, p. 189.

1745. The instructions of the 22d February, 1826, and of the 22d August, 1827, are so at the option of Remodified, in relation to the receivability of the notes of local Banks, as to permit them to be otherwise, not. ceivers, if deemed safe; refused at the option of the Receivers, when in their opinion they cannot longer be safely received: S's cir. 22d February, 1828; V. 2, p. 195,

1746. Receivers of public moneys for land sales in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas, are instructed to make their deposites in the office of the Unied States Bank at St. Louis: S's cir. 6th May, 1829; V. 2, p. 211.

Former instructions remodelled, as notes

1747. Several of the provisions of the circular of the 22d February, 1826, having been receivable, deposites, changed by subsequent instructions, and others having become obsolete, new regulations expenses of travel, are hereby prescribed to govern Receivers of public moneys, until otherwise directed, being

&c., &c.

Duplicate receipts and quarterly returns to be transmitted to the Treasury, &c.

Traffic by Receivers in exchanges, &c., forbid.

The preservation of live oak, by auxiliary agency of Collectors

and Receivers.

Compliance with the instructions of 1st May, 1831, insisted

on.

Caution to Receivers respecting State Banks.

Extra authority in

a remodelling of the old in regard to the Bank notes that are receivable, the endorsement on receipts what kind of moneys were received, and the Banks in which deposites are to be made to the credit of the Treasurer-which deposites are required to be made monthly in all cases exceeding $10,000, and in three months in cases of smaller amounts, at certain rates of allowance for risk, travelling expenses, &c.: S's cir. 1st May, 1831; V. 2, p. 264.

1748. Duplicate receipts for deposites are to be taken, one of which is to be immediately transmitted to the Secretary of the Treasury; and quarterly returns of said deposites are to be made by Receivers-one copy to the Secretary, and one to the Commissioner of the Land Office: S's cir. 1st May, 1831; V. 2, p. 265.

1749. The imputation of traffic by Receivers, in exchanges and land scrip, being made credible authority, the practice is disapproved and interdicted: S's cir. 14th May, 1833; V. 2, p. 316.

on

1750. (Officers of the Customs, and Land Officers, in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, are required to execute the law of the 2d March, 1830, “providing for the gradual improvement of the Navy," so far as it relates to the preservation of, and the prevention of depredations on, live oak timber on the public lands: S's cir. 28th December, 1833; V. 2, p. 336.)

1751. Receivers having neglected the instructions of the 1st May, 1831, (No. 1748,) in relation to endorsements therein required to be made on the receipts given by them for payments on land sales, and having omitted to furnish a statement of the aggregate amount received of each description of funds in each month, a compliance with the same is insisted upon, as well as a rigid execution of other particulars of the said instructions: S's cir. 15th January, 1834; V. 3, p. 2.

1752. Reports unfavorable to the credit of particular State Banks give occasion to renew former admonitions of caution in the receipt of the notes of those Banks: S's cir. 26th March, 1834; V. 3, p. 8.

1753. Receivers of public moneys are authorized to pay public creditors in their neighpaying "supposed borhood, and take an assignment of their supposed claims on the Treasury, to be forwarded claims" by Receivers before auditing, by to the Department; on receipt of which WARRANTS in their own behalf will be returned which subsequent auditing is left without to them for the sums due-all which warrants will be deemed as ample vouchers in the set

discretion.

Instructions respect

ing Claims.

tlement of their accounts-alleging that great convenience is anticipated from this arrangement, as, among other benefits, "it will save the Receivers making frequent deposites": S's cir. 6th August, 1834; V. 3, pp. 19, 20.

1754. (By order of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Commissioner of the Land Office Pre-emption issues circular instructions to Registers and Receivers, supplementary to the instructions of the 22d July last (not in this collection) respecting pre-emption claims, under the Pre-emp