Mr. SHERMAN. Partly, but in the 7 thirties the difference is also in the terms of the bond. The principal difference is that in one class of those bon s the interest may be at the pleasure of the Government paid in gold at 6%. I increly allude to this diver sity of loans to show that the natural idea of every one connected with the finances of the Government would be, as early as possible, to consolidate and put in some uniform form the public debt of the U.S. This is an obvious idea. It is now difficult for the people of the U.S. to understand any but 2 or 3 of these loans and none but a skillful financier, engaged himself in the purchase and sale of sloc s, can tell the various differences of value between the different forms of securities and the reasons of those differences. It is obvious, therefore, that for public convenience it is necessa to consolidate these loans as soon as possible in one distinct form, so that we shall have nothing to provide for but the interest of the debt and such portion of the principal as the policy of the U.S. may require us to pay otl. There is another reason for funding our public debt. It is not a question of policy, but it i paid 06 by selling other bonds, and conse is a question of necessity. A large portion ofquently there is necessity of prescribing the this debt matures very soon, an it must be terms of these new securities. I have here a either renewed or paid 011. It can only be table showing when this public debt matures:. Amount 7 Character of issue. outstanding. When payable. Temporary loan, 4% Due. do do 5%. 21, 664, 71605 Due. do do Due. Certificates of indebtedness Due. One and two yearsnotes, 5%. Due. Total amount due. $178,001, 01008 $2%. bonds(five twenties). After May I 1867. Bu%. bonds. After Dec.31.1867. Six%. compound interestnotes. 7 and 3 10th sTreasury notes 00000 After Jnnc 30, 1867. Total maturing in 186.7. 80901 Six%. bonds. After July 1, 1868. 7 and 3 10th sTreasury notes. After March 3, 1868. do do do do. After March 3, 1868. do do do do After March 3, 1868. Total maturing in 1868 Six%. bonds(five twenties). After Mr. 1, 1869. Six%. bonds(five twenties). 95059030000 After Nov. 1, 1870. 5%. hem“ 37.0%,00000 After Jan. 1, 1871. it.: 5%. bonds After Jan. 1, 1874. 5%. bonds(ten forties). After March 1, 1874. Total maturing in "8k% mun $18, 415,00000 After Dec.31.1880. 81: per“in. macaw ooo Alter June so, 1881. 831%. bon. s. 19L52A3000 After June 30, 1881. Six%. he“ s 75,000,00000 After ] use 30, 1881.%. bonds(Oregonwar). 1, 010,00000 After July 1, 1881. Total maturing in 188.1. $285, 138, 40300 81:%. bonds eU. P. 11.R. 00.). $640,000 00 After Nov. 1, 1895. Six%. bonds 0. P.