FINANCIAL HISTORY OF OREGON. 153 was not until March 20, 1854, some ten months after he had vacated the office, that he turns in $3,637.21 in the form of a certificate of deposit to balance his account with the territorial funds. It was found difficult to collect on this paper. On July 5, 1856, $2,751.25 were still claimed from and demanded of Hamilton. But he claimed that he was not justly indebted to the United States and wished ' * to bring the matter in regard to his accounts before the Honorable, the Secretary of the Treasury for the ultimate allowance of the items now dis- allowed which made up the amount stated to be due from him to the United States." The national officials held the secre- taries to a very strict adherence to instructions. These were made to suffer for any departure from them, though inad- vertent. In this way no doubt originated this last account against Hamilton. 59 The Curry and Harding accounts from 1853-1859 show disbursements as follows : LEGISLATIVE. Years. Per diem and mileage. Officers. Contingent (Printing, libra- ry, stationery, rent, fuel, etc.) 1868-4 $ 7,482 00 $ 2,040 00 $ * 22 821 15 1854-5. . 7,481 00 3,168 00 5,961 33 1855-6 7,398 00 2,877 00 16,605 96 1856 7 7 714 00 3 045 00 4 601 54 1857-8 7,155 00 3,069 00 10,152 38 1858-9 6,357 00 1,632 00 10 819 04 $ 43,537 00 $ 15,831 00 $ 70,961 35 Total, $130,829.35. The annual expenditure for the Legislative Assembly, print- ing of laws and journals, maintenance of library, incidentals 59 Secretary of the Territory's account with the United States Govern- ment, MS.
- Payments regularly belonging to preceding years had evidently been
deferred to this year.
