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About The state rights democrat. (Albany, Or.) 1865-1900 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1868)
HATES. OP ADVERTISING, nn tjsab j Ono' Column, $100 j Half Column, $60 j Quarter Col umn, $35. Transient Advertisements per Square often lines or lew, first insertion, $3; each subsequent Inter tion, $1. X. B. ABBOTT. I v. v. Bnowsr. A square is one inch in space down the column, counting cuts, display lines, blanks, 4c, as solid OFFICE IN HANNON'S BUILDING. FIRST STREET. matter. No advertisement to be considered than a square, and all fractions counted $, fa square. All advertisements inserted for ft less T3RMS, m advakc : One year, $3; Six Months $2; OneMonth,50 cts.; Single Copies, 12 cts. vol. ni. ALBANY, OREGON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1808. NO. 21. period tban three months to be regarded as tran sient. STATE RIGHTS DEMOCRAT. PCBUSnED STBRT SATURDAY, BT ABBOTT & BROWN. DEiMOCBAT Correspondents writing orer assumed signatures or anonymously, must make known their proper nam 33 to th Editor, or no attention will be giren to tteir communications. All Letters and Communications, whether on business or for publication, should b addressed to Abbott A Brown. BUSINESS CARDS. JTIS TH0R5T0S. LVL I BIMMO. inOKXTON at SIMPSOX, ATRORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW. Will practice in the superior and inferior Courts 3 0 JJSSu Office up stairs in Forte Are-proof brick, nearly opposite the post oQce. Albany, Sot. 2. 1S67-t3o12j1 F. M. WADSWOKTH, JSIQX, CARRIAGE AXD ORXA MEXTA L PAI NTER. OTer McBride's Wagon Shop, between First and Second, on Ferry street. First-oiass work doua on short nbticc, v3nl9yll JU H. CEA50B. CRAXOR Jt HELM, ATTORNEYS J: COUXSELLORS AT LAW Orric In Noreross Brick Building, up stairs, Albacy, Oregon, E. X TANDY, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW. Office over the New York Store, on Mam .twet, Albany, Oregon. T3nl5tf W. i. H1LTAB1DEL. T. . REDriELO. IIILTABXDEL at CO., DEALERS IN GROCERIES AND PROYI sions, Wood and Willow Ware, Confection ery, Tobacco, Cigars, Pipes, Notions, et. More on Maine street, adjoining the Express office, Al bany, Oregon. so2ST3a.tr BEXJ. IIAYDEX, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Will attend to all business entrusted to bim by citizens of Polk and adjoining counties, Eola, July 26, 1S67. T2n51tf . . UICK, . P. O. T. S. rLCXMBU, it. D. DBS. RICE !: PLl'MMER. Physicians and Surgeons, Tender their sc price a to the citizens of Albany and vi -initv. Office on Second street, opposite the Lower Feny. Y-u47tf X. B. HUMPHREY, ATTORNEY AT LAW AND NOTARY PUBLIC, ALBANY - - - - - OREGON. OCIce in the Court House. tL. mar9r2n30ly J. C. POIVEEL, A TTORXE Y ASD CO UXSELLOR A T LA Y AXD SOLICITOR IX CIIAXCEIi Y, 4 LB ANY, Oregon. Collections and convey JL neePtJl,ll.r attended to. oc20nl01y S. SAB30Wf, I BLA1S, - TOCBC. J. BARROWS at CO., GEXE3.AL fc COMMISSI OX MERCIIAXTS DEALERS in Staple, Dry and Fancy Good-, Groceries, Hardware. Cutlery, Crockery, lioots and Shoes, Albany. Oregon. Consignments solicited. ocCnStT EUGENE SEMPLE, ATTOUXEY AXD SOLICITOR. Portland Oregon. OFEICE OTer Kilbourn's Auction Rooms. December 8, T2nl7tf G. W. GRAY, D. D. S SURGEON DENTIST, ALBANY, OGN. Porfn Tia all operations in the line of DENTISTRY in the most I PERFECT and IMPRO LU man pw.n desirinc artificial teeth would do well to give bim a call. Office np-iUin In Parruh's brick. Residence corner of Second and Baker streets. au2o-ly I. O. G. T. "WESTERN STAR" LODGE No. 10, meets at Masonie Hall eTery Tuesday ereninp. MART. V. BROWN, W. C. T. H. W. Fabher, W. S. T2n32tf I. O. O. F. ALBANY LODGE, NO. 4. iSSgs The Regular Ifleet ZL.j?ZZZ ings of Albany Lodge, No, 4, L 0. O. F., are held at their Hall in Nor eross Building, Albany, eTery WEDNESDAY EVENING, at 7 o'clock. Brethren in good standing are invited to attend. By order of the N. G. aui-ly E. r. RUSSELL. F. DALTOI UlSSELL A DALTO, ATTCRKEYS AN 9 COUNSELLORS AT LAW, Solicitors in Chancery and Real Estate Agents, Will practice in the Court of the Second, Third, and Fourth Judicial Districts, and in the Supreme Court of Oregon. Cffice in Parrish'i Brick Building, Albany, Ore gon. jay SPECIAL ATTENTION eiren to the col lection of Claims at all points in the above named District. v2n4oyl A NEW BARBERSHOP IN ALBANY! On Main St., Adjoining Irving' Saddlery Shop T1 E0JEU1E ANTEMIRE WILL BE GLAD TO vJT holi the public by the nose and exercise his barber out skill upon them. He has the fittings of the tonsorial profession fn erery detail good razors, easy chair, and all the usual eosuetics used in first-class shops. v3n9 J. F. McCOY, A TTORXE Y AND CO UNSELL OR AT LA W, - AKD NOTARY FUDLXC, PORTLAND, - . OREGON WILL PRACTICE IN TH3 SEVERAL Courts of this City and State, and of Wash ington Territory. All kinds of claims Jnd demands, Dotes, bills, book accounts, subscriptions, etc.. collected on commission, by suit or solicitation. Real Estate bought and sold. Taxes paid. Buildings rented, and rents collected on commis sion. Tittles to Real Estate searched, and abstracts piade. -also r AGENT for the principal daily and weekly news papers on the Pacific coast. Subscriptions and ad vertisements solicited. jZg-All collections promptly remitted. OFFiCE-No. 95 Front street. Portland. v2n27tj 1 T I 1 J A 1) V E 11 T I S E J I K NTS. HATS, HATS. MEUSSDORFFER & BRO., Manufacturers and Importers of, and Wholesale and Retail Dealers in HATS CAPS, AJCD HATTERS' MATERIALS, o. 72 Front Street, Portland, A RE RECEIVING, IN ADDITION TO l their extensive Stock, by CTery Steamer, all tne LATEST STYLES of New York, Loudon aud Parbiau taste, for Gentlemen's and Children's wear Which they will sell CHEAPER THAN ANY OTHER HOUSE ON THE COAST! DEALEIIS IN HATS Willeonsult their own interests by examining our Stock before purchatiug thewheru. Hats of every style and Description MADE TO ORDER, ALSO XEATLY UEIMIIUID, AT Meussdorflfcr J. C. & Bro.'s No. 72 Frnt Street Portland. Oj n, Cor. I and Second Sts Marysville. Cal. No. 125 J Street Sacramento No. 635 1 f.37 Commercial St San Franciite". jZiJ Wholesale House at San Francweo. I a!. No . 623 Commercial through to C3" Clay streets. Dec I, ISCd v2alCtf T II E OLD STOVE DEPOT! CIAIN STRSST ALBANY. JOHN BRIGGS, (late c. c. coilet a co.) Keeps constantly on band a general assortment of STOVES! Of the JXot Favorite Pattern. Cook Stoves, Parlor Stoves, Box Stoves ! With a full and general aortment of TIX, SHEET-IRON, COPPER AND BRASS-YARE ! And all other articles usually found in a TIN STORE! Repairing Neatly and Promptly Eiectitfd. TERMS Cash or Produce, "Short Reckonings make Long- Friends." Feh. 2, 67 v2n2otf FURNITURE AND CABINET WARE. O- MEALY Sc CO- Corner ofTirst and Broad Alb in Stroets. (First Door East of J. Xorcross' Brick) Albany, L.Inn County, Oregon, Keep constantly on hand A FULL ASSORTMENT Of everything in their line of Business, it Lower Figures than any other House This side of -Portland. WE CHALLENGE COMPETITION la the line of UPHOLSTERY, PARLOR. SETS Chamber Sets, Picture Frames BUREAUS, SAFES, WARDROBES, ETC. ETC. We hare also on band the celebrated "ECONOMY WASHING nACIIINE," Which has no equal in the world. Get one anu satisfy yourself. Particular attention paid to all orders in our line. UNDERTAKING PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. au!8-ly A. MARSHALL. I PETEE 8CHL088ER. ALBANY LIVERY STABLE! Opposite the Old "Pacific Hotel" Stand. TnE UNDERSIGNED WOULD INFORM the public that they hare on hand a good supply of ' DOUBLE AND SINGLE BUGGIES, Together with the best of Livery and S-A-DDiLIB HORSES. All of which will be let on UEASOSAIiLE TERMS GIVE US A CALL ! MARSHALL fc SOHLOSSER. Albany, Jan. 14, 1867 v2n.231y PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, Cvutinutnl from lat ifreJt. THE NATIONAL FINANCES. The present condition of our finnnco arid circulating medium is ono to which your early consideration U invited. Tho proportion which tho currency of any country should hoar to tho wholo of (he annual product circulated hy its means in a question upon which political cconoinUts have not agreed, nor can it bo controlled by legUlution. but must he left to the irrevocable laws which everywhere regu late commerce and trade. Tho circula ting medium will ever irrcsistably flow to those points where it i iu the grcitest demand. The law of demand and supply i as unerring m that which regulate tho tides of cho ocean, and indeed, cur rency, like tho tides, lias its ebbs and flows throughout tho comrrcrcial world. At tho beginning of the rebellion the bank note circulation of Oic country amounted to not much more than S2U0, 000,000; now tho circulation of the Na tional 5ank note and the known as legal tenders is nearly 8700,000,000. While it is urged by some that this amount should bo increased, others contend that a decided reduction is absolutely essential to the bet intercuts of tho country. In view of thcKO diverge opinions it may be well to ascertain the real value of our paper issues when compared with a metal lie or convertible currency. For this purpose let us inquire how much gold and hilvcr could be purchased by the ceven hundred millions of paper money now in circulation ; probably not more than half tho amount of the latter, showing that when our finr.cr currency is compared with trold and silver its commercial value is compressed into threo hundred and fifty millions. This striking fact makes it the obvic m duty of the Government, as early as may be considered consistent with the principles of ound political econ omy, to take Mich measures ns will enable th j holder of its notes, and those of the National Hanks. Vt convert them without !s into the specie of its equivalent. A reduction of our paper circulation medium need not necessarily follow. This how ever, would depend upon the law of de mand and supply, though it should be borne in mind that in nuking lejxal tender and bank notes convertible into coin or its equivalent, their present specie value, in the hands of their holders, would be enhanced one hundred per cent. legis lation for the accomplishment of a result so desirable is demanded by the highest public considerations. The Constitution contemplates that the circulating medium of the couutry i-hall be unif jrm in quality and value. At the time of the formation of that instrument the country had just emerged from the war cf the revolution, and was f-ufiVrin;; ."rom t'hc effects of a redundant and worthless paper currency. The saires of that period were anxious to protect their posterity from the evils which they themselves had experienced; hence, in providing a circulating medium, they conferred upon Congress the power to coin money and regulate the '."aim; there f. at the same time prohibiting the States from making anything but gold and silver a tender in payment fur debts. The anomalous condition of our currency is in striking contrast with that which was originally designed. Our circulation now embraces first, notes of National I'anks, which are made receivable for all dues to the (lovcrnmcnt, excluding imports, and by all its creditors, except in payment of iutcrot upon its bonds, and the securities themselves; fecond, legal tender notes issued by the United States, and which the law requires ha!l be received as well in payment of all debts between citizens as of all Govern ment dues, excepting imports ; and, third, gold and silver coin. By the operation of our present system of finance, however, the metallic currency, when collected, is .reserved only for one class of Government creditors, who. holding its bonds, semi annually reccivo their interest in coin from the National Treasury. They are thus made to occupy an invidious posi tion, which way bo used to strengthen the arguments of those who would briug into disrepute the obligations of the Gov- eminent, which should be inviolably main tained. But whilo it acts with fidelity toward the bondholder, who loaned his money that the integrity of the Union might be preserved, it should at the same time observe good iaitii with the groat masses with the people, who, having res cued the Union from tho perils of rebel lion, now bear the burdens of taxation, that the Government may be able to fulfill its eugagements. I here is no rea son which will be accepted as satisfactory by the people why those who defend us on land and protect us on sea the pen sioner upon the gratitude of the nation, bearing scars and wounds received while in its service; the public servant in tho various departments of the Government; the farmer who supplies tho soldiers of the army and the sailors of our navy ; the artisan who toils in the nation s work shops, aud mechanics and laborers who build its edifices and construct its forts and vessels of war, should in payment of their just and hard-earned dues, receive depreciated paper, wjiile another class of their countrymen, no moro deserving, arc paid in coin of gold and silver. Equal and exact justice requires that all cred itors of tho Government should be paid in currency possessing uniform value. This can only bo accomplished by restora tion of the currency to the standard estab lished by the Constitution, and by this means we would remove a discrimination which may, if it has n.ot already done so, create a prejudice that may become deep rooted and wide-spread and imperil the national credit. The feasibility of making our currency correspond with the Consti tutional standard may be seen by reference to a few facts derived from our commer cial statistics. Tho nroduction of the precious metals in the tjnited States from 1849 to 1857. . inclusive, amounted to 8579,600,000; from 1858 to i860, inclu sive, to 127,000,000, and from 1861 to 1807, inclusive, $157,500,000 making tho grand aggregate of products, since 181U, of $1,174,000,000. Tho amount of specie coined from 181!) to 1857, inclu sivo, was ei:jfJ,000,0D0 ; from 1H59 to 1800, inclusive, 8125,000,000, and from 1801 to 1807, hiclusivo, $:H0,000,O0O, making the total coinage, sinco 1849, 8874,000,000. From 1K49, to 1857, in clusive, tho net exports of gpecio amount ed to $281,000,000; from 1859 to I860, inclusive, to 8148,000,000, ami from 1801 to 1807, inclusive, to $322,000,000 making tho grand total aggregate of net exports sinco 1819, $747,000,000. Thcso figures show on excess of product over net exports of $103,000,000. There aro in tho treasury 8111,000,000 in coin, something moro than 810,000,000 in cir culation on the Pacific coast, and a few millions in the National and other banks; in all about 8 1 00,000,000. This, however, taking into account the specie in the country prior to 1819, leaves moro than $.'100,000,000 which have not been accoun ted for by exportation, and therefore may yet remain in the country. These are important facts, and show how completely inferior currency will su pcreede the better, forcing it from circu lation among the masses, and causing it to be exported as a mere article of trade to add to tho money capital of foreign lands. 1 hey show the necessity of re tiririir our paper money, that the return of gold and silver to the avenues of trade may be invited, and a demand created which will cause the retention at home of at least so much of tho productions of our rich and inexhaustible gold-bearing fields as may be nifileient for the purposes of circulation. It is unreasonable to ex pect a return to a sound currency so long as the Government, by continuing to is sue irredeemable notes, fills the channels of circulation with depreciated paper. Notwithstanding a coinage by our mints since 1S19 of $871,000,000, the people are now strangers to the currency which was designed for their use and benefit, and specimens of precious metals bearing the natiouul device- aro j-cldom -ecn except when produced to gratify the interest excited by their novelty. If depreciated paper is to be continued as tho permanent currency of the country and all our coin is to laconic a mere article of traffic and speculation, to the enhancement in price of all that i. indispensable to the to the comfort of the people, it would be wise economy to abolish our Mints, thus saving the nation the care and ex pense incident to such establishments, and let all our precious metals be export ed as bullion. The time has come, how ever, when the Government and Nation 'al Dinks should be required to take the most ffiie'.cut ftcps and make, all necessary arrangements for a resumption of specie payment at the earliest practicable pe ri, d. Specie payments having been once resumed by the Government and banks, all notes or bills issued by cither, of a less denomination than twenty dollars, should by law bo excluded from circula tion, so that the people may havo the benefit and convenience of a gold and silver currency, which, in all their busi nessj transactions, will be uniform in value, at home and abroad. Kvcry man cf property or industry, every man who desires to preserve what he honestly possesses or to obtain what he honestly can earn, has a direct interest in maintain ing a safe circulating medium such a medium as shall bo real and substantial not liable to .vibrato with opinion; not subject to be blown up or blown down by tho breath of ppcculation, but to be made secure. A disordered cur rency is ono of the greatest political evils. It undermines tho virtues necessary for the support of tho social system, and en courages propensities destructive of its happiness. It wars ogainst industry, frugality and economy, and it fosters the evil spirits of extravagance and specu lation. It has been asserted by one of our profound and most gifted statesmen that of all contrivances for cheating tho laboring classes of mankind, none has been more effectual than that which dc hides them with paper mouey. This is tho most effectual of inventions to fer tilize the rich man's field by tho sweat of tho poor man s brow. Ordinary tyr anny, oppression, excessive taxation, those bear lightly on the happiness of the mass of the community compared with a fraud ulent currency and robberies committed by depreciated paper. Our own: history has recorded for our instruction enough and more than enough of tho demoralizing tendency, injustice, and intolerable op prcssion on the virtuous and well dispos ed, of a degraded paper currency, author ized by law or id any way countenanced by Government. It is tho most success ful device in times of peace or war, expan siou or revolution to accomplish the transf.r of all tho precious metals from the great mass af tho people into the hands ot tho lew, where they aro hoard ed in secret places, or deposited in strong boxes under bolts and bars, while tho peo plo are left to endure all the inconve nience, sacrifice and demoralization re sulting from the use of depreciated and worthless paper money. The condition of our finances and tho operations of our revenuo system are set forth and fully ex plained in the ablo and instructive report of the Secretary of the Treasury. On the 30th of June, 1800, the public debt amounted to $2,783,425,879. On the 30th of Juno last it was $2,092,199,215, showing a reduction during the fiscal year of $91,220,064. During tho fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1867, the receipts wero $490,684,010, and tho expendit ure $346,729,129, leaving an available surplus of $143,904,880. It is estimated that tho receipts for the fiscal year end ing June 30, 1868, will bo 8417,161,928, and that tho expenditures will reach the sum of $393,269,226, leaving in the treas ury a surplus of twenty-three million eight hundred and ninety-two thousand seven hundred and two dollars. For the fiscal year ending" June 30, 1869, it is estima ted that the receipts will amount to $381,000,000,. and the expenditures' vfill bo $372,000,000 showing an excess of $9,000,000 in favor of the Government. Tho attention of Congress is earnestly in vited to tho necessity of a thorough re vision of our revenue system; and our internal rovonuo laws and impost system should bo so adjusted as to bear most heavily upon articles of luxury, leaving tho necessaries of life as freo from taxa tion as may be consistent with tho real wants of tho GovcrnmJfJ economically administered. Taxation would not then fall unduly on the man of moderate means, and whilo nono would be entirely exempt from assessment, all, in proportion to their pecuniary abilities, would contribute to ward tho support of tho state. A modification of the internal revenue lys- tem by a reduction in tho number of articles now subject to tax would be fol lowed by results equally advantageous to citizens and Government. It would ren der the execution of the law less expen sive and more certain, remove all obstruc tions to industry, lessen temptation to evade the law, diminish the violation and frauds perpetrated upon its provisions, make its operations less inquisitorial, and greatly rcduco in numbers the army of tax-gatherers created by the system, who take from the mouth of honest labor the bread it has tamed. Retrenchment, re form and public economy of the public service, that the expenditures of the Government may be reduced and the people relieved from oppressive taxation. A sound currency should be restored and the public faith in regard to tho national debt faithfully observed. The accom plishment of thef-o important results, together with the restoration of the Union of the States upon the principles of the Constitution, would inspire confidence at home and abroad in the stability of our institutions, aud bring to the nation prosperity, peace and good will. ItKt'Or.T OF TllK KKCRKTAUY OF WAIl. Tho report of the Secretary of War ad interim, exhibits the operations of the army and of the f-cvcral Jiureaux of the ar Department. I he aggregate strength of our military force on the 30th of Sep tember last was 50,315. The total esti mate for military appropriations is 877, 124,77. including a deficiency in last year's appropriation of $13,000,000. The payments at the Treasury on account of the service of tho War Department, from January Ut to October 29th, 1807, a tieriod of ten mouths, amounted tt $1 19,807,000. The expense of the milt tary establishment, as well as the num bers of the army, are now three tiroes as great n they have ever been in time of pea.ee, www discretionary power is vest ed in the hxccutivc to add millions to this expenditure by an increase of the ar my to the maximum strength allowed by law. Tho menacing attitude of some of tho warlike bands of Indians inhabiting the district of country between the Ar kanasand Platte rivers, and a portion of Dakota Territory, required the presence of a large military force in that region. -Instigated by real or imaginary grievan ces, the Indians occasionally committed acts of barbarous violence on emigrant and our frontier settlements; but a gen cral Indian war has been providentially averted. The Commissioners, under the act of the 20th of July, 1807, were in vested with full power to adjust existing difficulties, negotiate treaties with tho disaffected bands, ond select for them res crvations remote from traveled routes, be tween the Mississippi and the Pacific coast. They entered without delay upon the execution of their trust, but have not made any official report of their pro ceedings. It is of vital importance that our dis tant territories should bo exempt from Indian outrages, and that tho construe tiou of the Pacific Railroad, an object of national importance, should not be inter rupted by hostile tribos. These objects, as well as tne material interests anu mor al and intellectual improvement of the Indians, can be more effectually Bubserv ed by concentrating them upon portions of the country set apart for their exclu sive use, and located at points remote from our highways, and not encroaching upon the white settlements. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD. Since the commencement of the sec ond session of tho Thirty-ninth Congress 510 miles of road have been completed on tho main line and branches qf tho Pa cific Railroad. The line from Omaha fs rapidly approaching tho eastern baso of the Rocky Mountains, whilst the termi nus of the last section of continental road in California accepted by tho Govern ment on tho 24th day of October last. was but eleven miles distant from the summit of tho Sierra Nevada. Tho re markablo energy evinced by tho compa nies offers the strongest assurances that the completion of the road from Sacra mento to Omaha will not bo long defer red. LAND SALES, PENSIONS, ETC. During the last fiscal year 7,041,114 acres of public lands wero disposed of, and tho cash receipts from sales and fees exceeded by one-half million of dollars tho sum realized trom these sources dur ing tho preceding year. . Tho amount paid to pensioners, includ ing expenses of disbursement, was $18, 610,956, and 26,482 names were added to tho rolls. The entire number of pension ers on the 30th day 01 June last was 155,- 474. ; Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty five patents and designs were issued dur ing the year ending September 30. 1807. and at that date the balance in the Treas ury to the credit of patent fund3 was $286,607. THE NAVY. The report of tho Secretary of the Na vy states that we havo seven squadrons actively and judioiously employed, under efficient and able commanders, m protect ing the persons and property of Ameri can citizens, maintaining the dignity and power ot the Government, and promo ting the commercial and business inter- the world. Of the 238 vessels compos ing the present navy of tho United States, fifty-sis, carrying 507 guni, are in the squadron service. During the year the number of vessels in commis sion has been reduced to twelve, and there arc thirteen Jess on squadron duty than there wero at the date of the last report. A largo number of vessels were commenced and were in course of con struction when the war terminated : and although Congress had made the necessa ry appropriations for their completion, the department has either suspended work upon them, or limited the slow con struction of steam vessels so as to meet contracts for machinery made with pri- vatecHiaDiisnmcnts. The total expenditures of the Navy De partmcntfor the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1807, were $31,034,011. No appro priations have been made or required since the close of tho war for the con struction and repair of vessels, for steam, machinery, ordnance, provisions, cloth ing, hemp, fuel, etc., the balances under these heads having been more than sufii cicnt for current expenses. It should al so be stated, to the credit of the Depart ment, that besides asking no anpropna lions for the above objects for the last two years, the Secretary of the Navy, on the .Oth ot September last, in accord anco with the Act of 3Iay 1, 1820, re quested the Secretary of the Treasury to carry to the Surplus Fund the sum of $00,000,000, being tho amount received from salts of vessels and other war prop erty and remains 01 former appropna nous. I'OHT OFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster General fchows the business of the Postofficc De partment and the condition of the postal service in a very favorable light; and the attention of Congress is called to its practical recommendations. The receipts ot the department for the year ending Juno 30, 1807, including all special ap propriations for sea and land services, and for free mail matter, were $19,978, UJu. I he expenditures for all purposes were $19,23483, leaving an unexpend ed balance in favor of the Department of $743,210, which can he applied toward the expenses of the Department for the current year. The increase of postal revenue, independent of special appropri ations, for the year 1807 over that of 18CG, was $850,010. The increase of revenue from the sale of stamps and stamped envelopes was $702,404. The increase of expenditures for 1867 over those of the previous year was chiefly owing to the extension of the land and ocean mail service. During the past year new postal connections have been ratified and exchanged with the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Ireland, Belgium, the .Netherlands, Switzerland, tho North German Union, Italy and the colonia Government of Hongkong, reducing very largely the rates ot ocean and land post age to and from within those countries. AGRICULTURAL MATTERS. , The report cf the acting Commissioner of Agriculture concisely presents the con dition, wants and progress of an interest eminently worthy of the fostering care of Congress, and exhibits a large measure of useful results achieved during the year to which it refers. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. The re-establishment of peace at home, and the resumption of trade, travel and commerce abroad, have served to increase tho number and variety of questions in tho department of foreign affairs. None of the questions, however, have serious ly disturbed our relations with other States. The Republic of Mexico, hav ing been relieved from foreign interven tion, is earnestly engaged in efforts to re- cstaohsh her constitutional system of gov ernment. A good understanding contin ues to exist between our Government and the Republics of Hayti and San Domin go ; and our cordial relations with the- Ccntral and South American States re main unchanged. Tho tender made in conformity with the resolution of Con gress of tho good offices of tho Govern ment, with a view to an amicabb adjusi mcnt of peace between Brazil and her al lies on one side and Paraguay on the oth er, and between Chile and her allies on one side and Spain on the other, though kindly received, has in neither caso been fully accepted by the belligerents. The war in the Valley of the Parana I . t y-v .. is sun vigorously maintained, un the other hand, actual hostilities between tho Pacific States and Spain have been moro than a year snspended. I shall, on any proper occasion that may occur, renew the conciliatory recommenda tions which have already been made. Drazil, with its enlightened sagacity and comprehensive statesmanship, has opened the great channels of the Am azon and its tributaries to universal commerce. Nothing more seems need ful to secure rapid and cheering pro gress in South America. I refer to those peaceful habits without which States and nations cannot, in this age, well expect material prosperity or so cial advancement. The Exposition of universal inuusiry x'aris nas pass ed, and it seems to have fully realized the high expectations of the French Government. If duo allowance be made for recent political derangement of its industry, the part which the TJnited States has borne in the exhibi tion and art, may be regarded with verv hirrh Rit.ifae.tinn Tlnrinrr tho Exhibition a conference was held of delegates from several nations- -the United States being ones in which the inconvenience of commercial and social intercourse, resulting from from the different standards of motley value, were fully discussed, and plans were developed for establishing, by universal consent, a common principle for coinage of gold. The conference is expected to be renewed, with the attendance of many foreign States not hitherto represented' A report of these interesting proceedings will be submitted to Congress, which will nb doubt justly appreciate the great ob ject, and be ready to adopt any meas ure which may tend to lacilitate its ultimate accomplishment. On the 25th of February. 1862, Con gress declared by law the treasury 4 . n 4 eV ft fc44 m e - sV'w j-. s-f ft-- that act should be legal tender in pay ment of all debts, ttublic and private. ... . ' . wiiiiiii viiu uniiL'u oiuirs, ah annual iam!finnn ftf feTfi ffC Inoa f! IViilllVUIIVV W . yV,VW, .VC7 K . . S A expenses, accrues to claimants under the convention with Spain, in 1834. These remittances, since the passage . . f , 1 1 f t r t 01 trial act, nave oeen paia in suca notes. The claimants insist that the Government ought to require payment in coin. The subject may be deemed worthy of your attention. r o arrangement nas yet oeen reacnea for the settlement of our claims, for Ilritish depredations upon the com merce of the United States. I havo felt it my duty to decline the proposi tion of arbitration made by Her Maj esty's Government, because it has ei ther been accompanied by reservations or limitations incompatible with tho rights, interests and honor of the coun try. It is not to be apprehended that Great Britain will persist in her refu sal to satisfy these just and reasonablo claims, which involve the sacred prin ciple of non-intervention a principle henceforth not more important to tho United States than to other commer cial nations, Steps have been taken toward tho acquisition of foreign territory in Alaska, and the Danish West Indies, The " est India Islands were settled and colonized by European States sim ultaneously with the settlement of tho American continent. Most of the col onies planted here became independ ent nations at the close of the last and beginning of the present century. Our own country embraced communities which at one period were colonies of Great Britain, France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Russia, The people of tho West Indies, with the exception of tho Island of Hayti, have neither obtained nor aspired to independence, nor havo thev become prepared for self-defence. Altliough possessing considerable com mercial value, they have been held by the several European States which colonized or at some time conquered them, chiefly for purposes of military and naval strategy in carrying oufc European policy and designs m regard to this continent. In our Revolution ary War, ports and harbors in tho est India Islands were used by our enemy to the great injury and embar rassment of the United States. "We had the same experience in our second, war with Great Britain. The same Eu ropean policy for a long time excluded us even from trade with the West In dies, while we were at peace with all nations. In our recent civil war the rebels and their blockade-breaking al lies found facilities in the same ports for the work, which they too success fully accomplished, in injuring and de-. vastating the commerce which we are now engaged in rebuilding. We labor ed especially under this disadvantage, that European steam vessels employed by our enemies found friendly snelter, protection and supplies in West Indian ports, while our own naval operations were necessarily carried on from our own distant shores. There was then an universal feeling of the want of an advanced naval outpost between the Atlantic coast and Europe. The duty of obtaining such an outpost peacefully and lawfully, while neither doing nor meaning injury to other States, earn estly engaged the attention of the Ex ecutive Department before the close of the war; and it has not been lost sight of since that time. A not entirely dissimilar naval want revealed itself during the same period on the Pacific coast. Tho required foothold there waR fortunately secured by our lato treaty with the Emperor of Russia ; and it now seems imperative that the more obvious necessities of the Atlan-. tic coast should be as carefully provi ded for. A good and convenient har bor, capable of easy defense, will sup-, ply that want. With the possession of such a station by the United States, neither wo nor any other American na-. tion need longer apprehend injury or offense from any trans-Atlantic enemy. I agree with our early statesmen tha$ the West Indies gravitate to, and may be expected ultimately to be absorbed by the continental States including our own. I agree with them, also, that it is wise to leave the question of such absorption to this process of national political gravitation. The islands cf St. Thomas and St, Johns, which con stitute a part of the group called the Virgin Islands, seem to oner us advan tages immediately desirable, : wh,i$ their acquisition could bo secured in harmony with the principles to which I have alluded. A treaty has therefore Via ATI rfsTstlri J? A3 V a Ti t r vPT"ati UVVU WUVIUUVU n IVU V -V JLSvf, VI iVUT mark for the cession of these Islands and will be submitted to the Senate for consideration. It will hardly bo necessary to call the attention of Congress to the sub ject of providing for the payment to Russia of the sum stipulated in, the treaty for the cession of Alaska, post session having been formally delivered to our Commissioner, The territory remains for the present in, care of $ military force awaitinsr such civil or ganization, as shall be directed by Coni gress, . V ' . THE RIGHTS OP NATRAXI CITIZENS, The annexation of many small German States to Prussia, and the reorganization of that country under a new aud liberal the effort to obtain a just and prompt Eat- cerning the claims of foreign States ta military service from their subjects naturt aliz.ed in the United States. ' In coacec Concluded on Fourth JV?e. ;