The  multiplication  of  restrictions  on  the  public  officers  will  rett
det  greater  compensation^  necessary,  and  be  a  source  of  expense
to  the  public.
All  which  is  respectfillly  subiiiitted,

AliBXjkKl>BB  HAMU/roir,

Secretary  of  the  ![¥ea3ttiry.
Note.  Since  the  conieloBioii  xjf  this  report,*  the  Seci^tcry  ha^  leartit  that  it*  b9
(Ae  progress  cf  which '  hf  s '  peenMar  situation  had  prerebted  hfo '  oboenring)  }i^
attually  passed  the  two  Houses,  for  changing  the  terms  of  six,  nine,  and  tw^r0
months,  into  eight,  ten,  and  twelve.  This  hill,  hesides  interfering  disadvantage
oa&lj  With  arrangenients  of  the  treasury,  founded  upon  the  existing  provfalons  of
tkef  lalira,  will,  it  is  appr6heAdM,'  tend  to  increase  an  inconvenience  w}Mti  ike  ahvfv
suggestions  were  meant  to  le8sen«-the  too  great  conoentralion  of  ntercantile  p«^
ments.  Any  accidental  derangement  of  the  mercantile  hody,  from  overtrading,  or
other  cause,  would,  in  this  situation,  endanger  consequences  to  the  treasury,  which
it  might  be  difficult  to  meet  by  ofhe^  expedieut^ ;  whereas,'  a'  subdivision  into
shorter' aid  mora  numerous  periods,  by  diminishing  ^  the  eAct,  Would  admit,  itf
meh  cases,  of  an  ei^  substilnte.  The  merchants  themselves  •  are  particulariy  ii-
terested  in  this  question ;  for  the  re-aotion  upon  them,  of  any  embarrassment  of
the  treasury,  might  render  that  a  general  and  lasting  mi9chief/wIu<Si  miglit  othe^
iffse-fal^ve  been  ottfy  a  patftiaF  a*d4ral«lentdik>Mei'.-


Ar.VL]  REVENUE    CIRCULARfi.  587


CIECULAR

Trbabubt  Dbpabtment,  September  22d,  1789.
