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Abuses and disorders.

Many abuses and disorders appear to have existed; but as they also appear to have been generally corrected when they have come to the knowledge of the proper officers, and as there is sufficient authority vested in the superintendent for the suppression of such irregularities, it is not deemed necessary to enter into a detail of them.

As a means of improving the morals and usefulness of the workmen, by affording them opportunities of useful and instructive employment for their leisure time, it is thought that a reading room, furnished with proper literary and scientific works, might be highly useful. The board therefore recommend that the use of a room, in some of the buildings, be granted for that purpose.

Land and timber.

The Government is owner of upwards of two hundred acres of land at this place, and has the right of cutting fire wood and timber" for ever" on upwards of twelve hundred acres more. On this property and right there is, on the part of many persons in the neighborhood, a continual effort to trespass; and it is found that nothing short of legal proceedings is sufficient to secure and protect the interest of the United States. It is therefore suggested that to this means the superintendent has been compelled to resort for the purpose, and will find it necessary to continue to do so.

Classification.

The classification and price roll, herewith presented, is intended for the model musket of 1822; the operations on that of 1840 not having been sufficiently advanced to enable the board to affix prices.

The addition of machinery and tools for a new model will render a price roll necessary.

By the prices now recommended the cost of the musket* and appendages will be reduced from $7 58, to $6 131.

Operations on the old models at the rifle department having nearly ceased, and those on the new models not being sufficiently matured, the board is unable to form a price roll for that establishment.

FEBRUARY 22, 1842.

The board adjourned sine die.

S. CHURCHILL,

Inspector General and Colonel.
H. K. CRAIG,

Major of Ordnance, Superintendent.

*The cost of the labor on a musket is supposed to be meant.

'2d Session.

CLERKS OF COURTS SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY,

TRANSMITTING

The information required by the resolution of the House of Representatives respecting the clerks of the district and circuit courts of the southern district of New York, and of the southern district of Mississippi.

MAY 10, 1842.

Read, and committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May 6, 1842.

SIR In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives, calling for information" whether, since the passage of the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, the office of clerk of the district and circuit courts of the southern district of New York, and of the southern district of Mississippi, has not been divided, so that there is now, in each of said districts, a clerkship of the district court held by one person, and a clerkship of the circuit court held by another; and whether, before the passage of said act, both offices were not held by one individual;" I have the honor to transmit, herewith, the replies of the district attorneys for those districts, with a copy of the proceedings of the circuit court of the United States for the southern district of New York.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. FORWARD, Secretary of the Treasury.

Hon. J. WHITE, Speaker of the Ho. of Reps.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE,
New York, April 4, 1842.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 2d of April, instant, requesting me to furnish the information required by the following resolution of the House of Representatives, as follows: "whether, since the passage of the civil and diplomatic ap

propriation bill, of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, the office of clerk of the district and circuit courts of the southern district of New York, and of the southern district of Mississippi, has not been divided, so that there is now, in each of said districts, a clerkship of the district court held by one person, and a clerkship of the circuit court held by another; and whether, before the passage of said act, both offices were not held by one individual."

In reply, I beg to state that, by the 2d section of the act passed February 28, 1839, Congress provided "that all the circuit courts of the United States shall have the appointment of their own clerks; and, in case of a disagreement between the judges, the appointment shall be made by the presiding judge of the court."

This act, I believe, grew out of the difficulties which had arisen in New Orleans, between the district and circuit judges, in the case of Duncan W. Hennen, which case is reported in 13 Peters, 230, exparte Duncan W. Hennen.

In pursuance of the provisions of this act, Frederick J. Betts, the then district clerk, and who also acted as clerk of the circuit court, was appointed clerk of the circuit court, with the understanding, I am informed, that the appointment was only to be temporary, until Judge Thompson should make up his mind as to whom he would appoint his successor, Mr. Betts having declared his intention to resign both offices. On the 11th of March, 1841, F. J. Betts having resigned, Charles D. Betts was appointed clerk of the district court, to fill the vacancy, and, on the 12th of same month, James W. Metcalf was appointed clerk of the circuit court. I have had extracts made from the minutes, copies of which I have the honor to enclose.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, O. HOFFMAN, U. S. Attorney. Hon. WALTER FORWARD, Secretary of the Treasury.

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1839.

The court met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened by procla

mation.

Present: The Hon. Smith Thompson and the Hon. Samuel R. Betts. Circuit court of the United States for the southern district of New York, in the second circuit:

Extract from the minutes.

Ordered, that Frederick J. Betts, clerk of the district court, be appointed clerk of the circuit court of the United States for the southern district of New York, pursuant to the act of Congress of February 28, 1839.

NEW YORK, May 1, 1839.

SMITH THOMPSON,
SAMUEL R. BETTS.

1, Frederick J. Betts, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and that I will faithfully perform the duties

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