Mr. Sanford to Mr. Seward.
Sir:The regular session of the legislative chambers commenced on the 8th instant. There was no discourse from the throne, the King having only returned on the 15th.
The budget for the year 1865, which has just been distributed, estimates the receipts at $32,000,000 in round numbers, being an augmentation upon the year 1864 of $370,000, and the credits asked for amount to $30,720,000, showing an excess of receipts over expenditures of $1,100,000. This excess, however, is applied to extraordinary expenses of public utility, provided for by anterior legislative enactments.
[Page 263]The credits asked for are as follows:
| For civil list, (royal family, $680,000; senate, $12,000; house of representatives, $37,000 | $850,000 |
| Minister of justice | 2,967,000 |
| Minister of foreign affairs | 635,000 |
| Minister of war | 6,990,000 |
| Minister of finance | 2,765,000 |
| Minister of public works | 5,874,000 |
| Minister of interior | 2,273,000 |
The only augmentation I remark in the budget for foreign affairs is for an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, and the expenses of the office of a legation there.
The usual provision is made for a minister resident at Washington, the pay not having been increased, although the present incumbent of that mission has the title of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary.
I am given to understand that it is probable a considerable increase will be asked for in the pay of the Belgian diplomatic agents.
| The financial system of Belgian was recounted fully in my despatch No. —; referring to that for details, I give below the items of estimated receipts under their general heads, showing also augmentation or decrease upon the previous receipts. The estimates under the head of “contribution personnelle,” (increased $17,000,) amount to | $2,200,000 |
| The real estate tax, (foucier) | 3,780,000 |
| Business licenses, (droits de patents, increased $11,000,) to | 800,000 |
| Licenses for sales of alcoholic liquors, (increased $14,000) | 264,000 |
| Licenses for sales of tobacco, (increased $1,000) | 43,000 |
| Mines | 80,000 |
| Customs, (decreased upon 1862 $200,000, decreased upon 1863 $322,000) | 2,600,000 |
| Export dues, (increased $7,000) | 10,000 |
| Tonnage dues, (on flags not a party to Scheldt treaty) | 3,000 |
| Excise, (increased $137,000) | 5,300,000 |
| Registry tax | 2,800,000 |
| Mortgage tax, (increased $20,000) | 520,000 |
| Inheritances, (increased $40,000) | 2,200,000 |
| Stamp tax, (decreased $30,000) | 950,000 |
| Tolls on rivers and canals, (decreased $30,000) | 520,000 |
| Post office, (increased $40,000) | 672,000 |
| Railroads, (increased $150,000) | 6,500,000 |
| Telegraphs, (increased $20,000) | 140,000 |
| Public domain, (increased $10,000) | 180,000 |
| Forests, (decreased $20,000) | 210,000 |
| Railroad dependencies, (decreased $5,000) | 15,000 |
| Establishments and service carried on by the state, (decreased $25,000) | 40,000 |
| Divers and incidental receipts, (decreased $10,000) | 180,000 |
| Product of the employment of caution money, (increased $10,000). | 26,000 |
| Visas, &c., (decreased $3,200) | 800 |
| Pilotage dues, (increased $20,000) | 140,000 |
| Allowance for expenses in collecting provincial and commercial quotas | 30,000 |
| Miscellaneous, (increased $2,000) | 320,000 |
The most notable diminution, it will be seen, is in the receipts from customs. This is owing to the suppression of some duties, as provided by the convention with France, the reduction of duties on timber, &c., and the suppression or reduction of various duties about to be proposed to parliament. The expense of collecting the small amount of this branch of revenue is 34 per cent. The duties are less than 10 per cent. upon the valuation of the imports. A sound liberal policy would seem to dictate their total abandonment at no distant day.
The real estate tax, (foucier,) which is a fixed tax, has not increased with the value of the land; had it followed that increase it would produce near double the present amount.
The most important augmentation is in the receipts from the railroads. These are to a great extent the property of the state, and the steadily progressive increase of their receipts has become a most important element of the public revenue.
The budget presents a favorable contrast with those of neighboring states, and gives marked evidence of the great and increasing prosperity of the country. I send it herewith.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.