Annual and Sem-Annual Reports, 1852-1862
Scope and Contents
The published reports of the Comptroller during the nineteenth century contained fairly detailed reports of municipal expenditures, some of which provide information on specific structures, mainly public buildings. In the first half of 1856, for example, there was recorded a payment to Pelanne Brothers for repairs made to the iron columns of the Vegetable Market in the French Market complex. In most cases reference is made to the ordinance that appropriated the expended funds. Sometimes these ordinances include additional details on the project
The records are 16 printed volumes. Volumes 1-3 (1853-1855) are annual reports; the remaining volumes (1856-1862) are semi-annual. Each contains the information stipulated in the Charter and the 1856 ordinance:
- a statement of receipts and expenditures for each municipal district and the City of Lafayette
- a list of outstanding warrants
- an estimate of receipts and expenditures for the coming year (or six months)
- a statement of bills payable to the city
- an estimate of the amount of expenditure required for improvement of public works (during the coming year/6 months)
- an abstract from the assessment rolls
- Beginning with volume 3, the reports also contain a statement on the valuation of real estate and ensaved people and a statement of notes receivable.
The reports are of particular interest because of the wealth of detail they offer not only of the city's fiscal affairs but also of its daily life during the period covered. The statement of receipts, for example lists names of applicants for various licenses (for coffee houses, billiard tables, drays and carts, balls, etc.), details circumstances under which people were fined (e.g., in May, 1852, "Ann Sheehan, for cab, furious driving"), records monies received from bequests (e.g., in June, 1852, "Girod Bequest--Rec'd for negroes sold by A.D. Crossman, Mayor, $14,050.00") and from numerous other source--taxes, jail fees, levee dues, paving reimbursements, ground rents, etc.
The statement of expenditures gives a precise picture of how the city spent money, recording expenditures, for example, for payrolls, equipment and facilities (e.g., in February, 1855, $1000 to the Philadelphia Fire Co. for a new engine; and in July 1852, $7,038.95 to "Sundry persons for Mayor's and Board of Alderman's Rooms"), charity, elections, public ceremonies (e.g., in March 1855, $8.00 for repairing the flag of City Hall and $l50.00 to the Washington Artillery for firing salutes on the Fourth of July), municipal services (e.g., in June 1852, $15.00 to J. Williams for removing dead animals from the street), etc.
Dates
- Creation: 1852-1862
Creator
- From the Collection: Board of City Trusts (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Available on microfilm to registered researchers by appointment. Request by call number.
Biographical / Historical
The 1852 City Charter stipulated that in January of each year, the Comptroller should submit to the Council a "report of the receipts and expenditures during the past year...." The report was also to include "a full detail" of persons to whom money had been paid or to whom notes or bonds had been issued, along with the amount, the number of the warrant, and the date of the resolution or ordinance authorizing the expenditure. In addition, the report was to give a detailed statement of the city's indebtedness, listing all outstanding obligations. Finally, the report was to contain estimated receipts and expenditures for the current year and "in general, all such matter, in connection with the fiscal affairs of the city as the Comptroller may consider of public interest."
By Ordinance 3017 (August 25, 1856) the reports became semi-annual, submitted in January and July of each year. This ordinance also outlined more specifically the contents of the current-year estimates of receipts and expenditures to be submitted by various city officers.
Extent
18 Volumes (18 volumes, available on 3 rolls of microfilm)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Call number
mf CB200, 1852-1862
Repository Details
Part of the City Archives Repository
City Archives & Special Collections
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans LA 70112
504-596-2610
archivist@nolalibrary.org