Mr. STEWART. I will make a single remark in addition to what I have already said, inasmuch as the chairman of the ComFinance does not appreciate the importance of getting this information more than the importance of getting statistical information in regard to agriculture, manufactures, commerce, or anything else. Other nations do see an additional importance in statististical information on the subject, and they have taken some pains to ascertain what the mineral wealth of the U.S. is, for the purpose of pred icating their financial operations upon that knowledge, they being in debt as we are now. We do not propose to send a commissioner to Europe to inform them in regard to our mines; the fact is, they can inform us. There is no part of the civilized world where there is more ignorance in regard to our mines than right here in Washington, where, we are called on to legislate in regard to them. I think it highly important that we should get reliable information in regard to the yield of the gold and silver mines and its probable continuance. It is necessary to our financial calculations. The value of our bonds may do end very much upon the probable yield of go d and silver. if it were re iably ascertained that there would be a continual increase of gold and silver, so thatthose metals would becheap, so that we should have no difficulty in redeeming our bonds, it might have an important bearing upon the value of the bonds. I think au thentie information with regard to the vast mineral wealth of this country will do more to strengthen our credit than anything else we can do. The only objection to the appropriations heretofore made was, that they did not produce any result. We think now this can e so directed as to produce valuable results. The SecyTreasury, taking special interest in it with a view to our public credit, we think it can be so arranged as to get information that will be very gratifying to the people of the U.S and to the national cud holders, and will strengthen our credit considerably. In this view, I think the small appropriation that is asked ought to be cheerfully granted. For some years a similar amount was appropriated without yielding any result; but now the SecyTreasury thinks he can get a report, and I believe he can. I think when a report is made, and the people of the U.S. see the prospect of) the yield of gold and silver upon which to predicate the payment of our debt, our credit will be very much strengthened.