Message of the President of the Union., April 24, 1866

Message of the President of the Union.

Citizen Representatives:

Placed at the head of the executive government of the Union, I esteem it my duty to explain to you the present condition of the finances and treasury, calling your attention to the same and appealing to the patriotism of the representatives of the Colombian people for means with which to meet the pressing expenses of the public administration and the sacred obligations of the nation. Upon the latter subject, I had the honor to direct you a special message on the 13th instant, which I doubt not you will have received with the interest its importance demands.

As to the present fiscal situation, figures demonstrate the complete inequality of the estimated revenues and expenses.

This total deficit may be considered approximately correct, for while it may be true that in the year 1864–5 some revenues experienced a considerable increase, such as that of custom-houses, it is likewise true that this increase was counterbalanced by a diminution in others, such as those of the salt-works, mortmain property, mails, and income from property, and also by the increased expenses for salaries in the custom-houses, over the estimate.

It must also be taken in account that during the economic year in course, the product of the custom-houses will not equal that of the last, and that the difference in that of the salt-works will be still more remarkable in consequence of the reduced price of salt, a reduction which will not be compensated for a long time by the supposed increase of consumption to arise from this reduction.

Appreciating in their true light these considerations, it is by no means exaggerating to suppose the actual deficit of the treasury to be $1,300,000, a figure which will go on increasing if efficacious measures be not adopted, not only to meet this deficit, but also to equalize the national income with the expenses, without imposing an immoderate contribution on the people.

Consider, citizen representatives, the grave difficulties which will surround the administration if the means to meet the deficit in the treasury, which I have demonstrated to you exists, be not provided. It is not to be lost sight of that the government cannot be carried on without pecuniary resources and it is likewise to be borne in mind that a government must necessarily be bad which is conducted in the midst of penury and want, and by force of sacrifices yet more costly.

I firmly trust, by giving to these observations the importance they merit, the means will be procured for the executive power to make front to the fiscal situation set forth in the present message.