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About The Oregon weekly statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1878-1884 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1870)
OREGON STATESMAN. ?BE81DUT'I MESSAGE. Fellow-citizens or tub S skate - AND IloDSB OF RePBSSEBTATIYSS : C05GATCtlT0r THE UNION RESTORED. Ainrot peace aod general protperity to thii ntion baa paascd since lb last assembling of - Congress. Wa have, through kind Provideasa, been blessed with tbuadoat crops, and hare been spared from complications and war with foreign nation. In onr midst eomparatire harmony had been lettered. It la to be regretted, however, that a free exereite of the elective f ranch Ue haa by violence and intimidation been denied to eiti vsos in exceptional oaaea and in several of tbe Statea lately is rebellion, end the verdict cf the people baa thereby been reversed. Tbe State ef Virginia, Mississippi and Texaa hare been re stored to representation in oar national council. Georgia, the only State now without representa tion, may confidently be expected to take her place there, also, at the beginning of the near year ; and tben, let n bope, will be completed the work of recomtrnotion with an acquiescence on tbe part of tbe whole people in the national obligation to pay tbe pnblio debt, created as the prioe of our Union, tbe pensions to onr disabled soldier and sailors and their widow and or phans, and in tha changes to tbe Constitution, which have been made necessary by tbe great re bellion. There t ne reason why w . . tneUld not advance in material prosperity and happiness as no othef -nation did after so protracted and devastating a war. PROTECTION TO rjRKIQEKM III FRANCE. Soon after the exoiting war broke oat in Europe the protection of the United Statea Minister in Paris waa invoked in favor of tbe North Germana domiciled in French territory, and instructions were issued to grant ton proteotion. Thi baa been followed by an extentioa of American pro tection to citiaeaa of Saxony, lies so and Sexe Cobnrg, -Gotha, Colombia. Portugal, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Equador, Chile, Para guay and Veaexaele, in Pari. Tfca oharge wa an oneroo one, rcqniriag eonatant and severe la bor a well a the exercise of patlenoa, prudence and good judgment. It haa been performed to the entire satis faction of thl Government, and, aa I am officially informed, equally to to tbe eat-' iafaction 91 tba Government of North Germany. recognition or tan frencb republic. Aa toon as I learned that a Republic bad been proclaimed at Paris, and that the people oi franco had ofquioeood in thechaage, the Minuter of the United Statea waa directed by telegraph to recognize it and tender my congratulations, and those of the people of tbe United State, on the re-establishment io France of n system of gov ernment disconnected with toe dynastic tradition of Europe. It appeared to bo a proper tubjeot for tbe felicitation of American, and should tbe present struggle result in attaching tbe heart of tba Frenob to oor simpler forma oi representative government, it will be a subject of still farther satisfaction to onr people. While we make no ef fort to impose oar institutions npon tba inhabit ant of other eonntriee, and while we adhere to oor traditional aaatrality in eivil conflicts else where, we cannot bo Indifferent to tba strength of American political jdees in a great and highly oiviliaed country like France. - AMERICAS BBPIATION IM EUROPE. We war asked by tbo new government to nee our offleej Jointly with those of th European power, in tbo in tercet of peas. An answer waa made that tbe established policy and tree Interest of the United Statea forbade tbem to interfere ha European questions Jointly by European Power. I ascertained informally and unofficially that the government of North Germany wa not tben di posed to listen to such representations from any Power, and though earnestly wishing to see tbe blessing of pecoe restored to the belligerent, with all of whom tbe United States are on terms of friendship, I declined on the part oi this gov ernment to take a (top which ooald only result in injury to oar true interests, without advancing the objeet for which our intervention was invoked. Should the time eome when tbe ection of the United States can hasten tba return of peace by a single boor, that action will be heartily taken. BECTRALITT. I deemed it prudent, in view of the number of persons of German and French birth living in tbe United States, to issue, soon after tbe official notice of a state of war bad been received from both belligerents, a proclamation, defining the duties of the United State as a neutral, and the obligation of person residing within their terri tory to observe their lewa and tbe law of nationa. That proclamation wa followed by other, at oir oumstence teemed to eall for them. The people, tha acquainted in advance of their duties and obligation, have assured in preventing violations of the neutrality of the United Statea. TBE Cl'IAS lilRTRRECTIOX. It is nt: understood that the ecndition of tha insurrection in Coba has materially changed since tbe close of tbe last session of Congress. In aa eerly stage -of tbe contest the authorities of Spain inaugurated a ayitem of arbitrary arreets, ef eloee confinement, of military trial, and execution of perion suspected ef complicity with tbe inter- j gent, and of summery embargo of their proper lies and requisitions of their revenue by execu tive warrant. Such proceedings, so far as they affect tbo perion or property of citiitoa of tbo ' Uoked State, were in violation- of the provisions . of the treaty of 1794, between the United Stole and Spain. BeprneoatBttoaa of injuriee resulting to teveral person! claiming to bo eitlxeo of tbo United State, by reason of tnek course, were made to tbo Speaith goveraaseat from April 1889, to Jan teal Tbo Spanish Minuter at W ashing ton baa been clothed with a limited power to aid ia redrafting snob wrong, bat this power waa found to be withdrawn, ia view, aa it wa laid, of tbo revolutionary situation in which tba Island of Cuba the wat; wbieb, however, did aot lead to a (uspention of tha extraordinary and arbitrary fanotion exercised by tba Executive power of Caba, and wo were obliged to make our worn -plaint at Madrid, and la tbo negotiations thus opened and (till pending there, tbe United 8tatae only eleimed that for tbo future tba right aoearad to their eitixea by treaty saould bo respected ia Caba, aad that aa to tba peat, ajoiat tribunal ehould be established in tba United State, with full jurisdiction over all taeh claim; before which ' impartial tribunal tba claimant would bo required to anbmit fit case, va in otner nana, cpein would bo ft liberty t reverse every material fact aad tbue complete equality weald be dona. r ADJl'BTeB CLAIM. - . ' The case which at ana time threatened serious ly to affect tbe relatloa betwooa tba United . Statea aad Spaia baa already been disposed of. . Thl waa tba claim of tba llovd Atpiimail: This wa nf erred to arbitration by mutual con sent, and has resulted la aa award to tha United btatee, for the owners of tba aame, of $19,782 In " wold. ' Another and long pending claim of like n store, that of tba whale-chip Canada, haa beeo diepoeed of by friendly arbitration during tha present year. It Waa referred, by the joint eoa- - sent ol Brazil ana IB L otted Mete, ana the no tion of Sir Edward Thornton, Her Brittaanie Majetty' Minister at Washington, who definitely undertook tha laborious task of examining the immense rots of eorrespoudenee and tettimoay submitted by tbo two Government!, aad awarded to tbo United States tha aum of $100,709 in gold, " which has aiaoo boon paid by the Imperial Gov- . ernment. r Tbrst recent example abow that tbo mode which tbey bovo proposed to Spain for adjusting tba pending claim ia just aod equitable, and may bo agreed to by both nations without dis honor. It is to bo hoped that thi moderate de mand mey be eeoeded to by Spain without fur ther delay. Should tbo pending negotiation, unfortunately aad unexpectedly, be without re suit, H will.thea become my duty to communi cate tbo feet to Congress and invite its action oa the sarjeer. . BXTBADITIOlt TREATIES, - Tbo policy referred to, it I presumed, will en gage your ears est attention. It U tbo obvion iotcrest, especially of aeighboriag nation, to pro , vide againat imraeotty te tboco who may have committed high crime within their borders, aad who may have (ought refuge abroad. For thi "parpoa extradition treaties hava beaa concluded with aevoral of tha Central American republics, aad other arc ia progress, - vaaaiosLAx claim. ; .Tha sense ef Cob free ia desired, at early at may bo eeaveaieat, am tha proceeding of tha commission on tha claim againat Venetusle, as . aa com mutated ia tha metier, at of Mareh 4 th, 1869, and Mareh let, 1879, aad Mareh Slat, 1870. - It haa not been deemed advisable to dis tribute nay of tbo money received from that Govern moot until Ceagree (hail hava acted apoa the tubject. -tV TBB XAIIACBB IE CBIBA. - Tha massacre of Freaoh aad Prueslaa reei . deat at TienUia, uadar eireumstaneee of groat barbarity, watnppotd by aame to hava been premeditated, aad to iadieite a parpoaa aaaeag tha popuiace to ixtermlaate foreigoer hi tha Chi- aspire. Tbe ovideooe fails te establish sob supposltioa, bat how a complicity be tween tba local authorities and tba snob. Tba Government at Pekin, however, seems disnoeed te fulfill it treaty ebligntioa, to far aa it U able to do. Unfortunately the new of tbe war between tbo German State and Franoe reached Chiaa eooa aQer the massacre. It would appear that tbo popaiar mind became poaseated with the idea that thi eootett, extending to Chinese water, would neutralise tbo Christian inflnaoo and power, and that the time wa coming when the superstition mass might expel all foreigner and restore Mandarin iaflaenoe. Anticipating trouble, I invited France nod North Germany to make aa authorised suspension of hostilities in tbo Eat, where they were temporarily im pended by tot of the commander!, and to not to gether fpr the future proteotion in China of tha lite and property of Amerioaot and European. THB LATE TBADB BATCBALU AM0N TKAETT. 6inoe adjonrament of Con cress, the ratification of tba treaty with Greet Britain, for abolishing tha mixed eonrt for tbe (oppression of the slate trade, bavo been exohanged. . It is believed tbe elava trade it confined to the eastern coast of Af rica, whence tbe (lave era taken to Av'oin"niBr- kets. ; Tbo ratification of tbo naturalisation con vention between Great Britain and tha United State have also been exohanged during tbo ra ce, and tha a long 'standing dispute between tbe two Governments haa been settled in acoord anoa with tbe principle always cos tended for by tbo United State. I - BOUBDARV DISPUTE.: In April laFt, while engaged in locating a Mili tary Reservation neer Pembina, a corps of En gineer discovered that tha commonly received boundary line between tbo United State and British Poiteiiioot at that place ia about 5,700 Li -t .south of the true poaltion of the aeaith par- Vall.l. and tha Una. wh.n rna nn kt i. innnmil to be tha true position of that parallel, would nave tbo fort of the Iludtont' Bay Company at Pembina, within tbo territory of Ibo United .Stale. Thi information being eommunioated to the Britith Government, I waa requeeted to oon sent, and I did content, that tbo British occupa tion of tbo fort of the Hudson' Bey Company ahould continue for the present. I deem it im portant, however, that tbi part of tba boundary lines should be deflnitalv fixed be a taint aom. mittion of the Governments, aod I submit here with estimates of the oxpooe of uob a commit- f tlon oa the part of tbo United State, and recom mend aa appropriation for that purpose. The land boundary it already fixed and marked from tbo (ummit of the Bocky Mountain to Georgian Bay. It should now in like meaner bo marred from the Lake of the Wood to the summit of the Becky Mountain. I regret to ty that no conclusion ha been reached for an adjustment of tbo claims against Great Britain, growing out of tbe course adopted by that Government during the rebellion. The Cablaet of London, ae far as its views have boon expressed, doe not appear to bo williog tc concede that bar Msjeaty's government was guilty of neglect, or did any net during tbe wer by which the United States baa any juit can of complaint. Our firm and unalterable convictions are directly tbo rover. I therefore reeommead to Congmea to authorize tbo appointment of Com missioner to take proof of tbe amoonta and own ership of Teasels, aod their elaima, aad that u- kthority be given for n settlement of those claims by tba United btatee, to that tbi government shall hava ownership of all private claims, at well ad respoaaibl control of all demand agaioit Great Britain, aad whenever her Mejeoty'a gov ernment thall entertain a desire for a full aad friendly adjustment of tbo claim, tha United State govern meat will eater apoa their considera tion with aa earnest desire for a eonelosioo eon (latent with tho honor aad dignity of both aa tioaa. . PBACE COBPEEEBCE BETWEEN BPAIB ABO TBE BOOTH AMERICAN BEPCBLICt. The long deferred peaoe conference between Spain and tbe South Amerleen Republic haa been inaugurated at Washington, under tbo auspice of tbo United State, pursuant to tbo recommenda tion contained in the resolution of tbe House of Representatives, 17th of Decedtber, 1S66. The Executive Department of tbo Government hit given it friendly office for tb promotion of peaeo aod harmony between Spain and tbe allied Republice. Hesitation and obstacle occurred to the acceptance of tbe offer ; ultimately, however, a conference wa arranged, which wa opened in thi city on tho 29th ef Ootobor lest, at whioh I authorised the Secretary of State to preside. It waa attended by tbe Minuter of Spain, Peru, Chile and Ecuador. In eonseqnence of the ab enoe ot a representative from Bolivia, tbe con ference wa adjourned until tbe attendance of a Plenipotentiary from that Republio oould be se cured, or other measure could be adopted toward compassing its object. Tbe allied end other Re. publio of Spanish origin on this continent may L sec is this faot a new proof of cur sinoere interest in their welfare, and of our desire to aeo them blessed with good governments, capable of main taining order and preserving tbeir territorial in tegrity, and of our sinoere with to extend our own commercial and (Ooial relatione with them. Tbe time la not probably far distant when, in the sat oral eourae of events, the European political con nection with tbi continent will ceaso. Our poli cy ahould bo shaped in view of this probability, so at to ally tbe commercial interests of the Span ish Amerioao State more clotely to our own, and ttaut giv the United State all th pre-eminence end all tbe advantage which Mr. Monroe, Mr. Adama aod Mr. Clay eoatemplated when tbey proposed to join tbem to tho Coo greet of Panama. ; ANNEXATION OF IAN DOMINOO. During tbe last session of Congress n treaty for tbo annexation of tbe Republio of San Domiogo to tba United Slate failed to receive tha requisite two third vela of the Sonata. I wa thoroughly convinced then that the beet interests of tbe oonn try, commercially aad materially, demeeded ita rattfioatloB. Time hat only confirmed me la thia view. I aow Irmly believe that the moment It ia haawn that tba United Statea have entirely aban doned tho project of aoeepting a a part of ita territory tha lataad of San Domiago, a free part will he negotiated for by Eoropaaa nationa. In tha Bay of Sam ana a largo commercial city will rpring up to whioh wo will ha tributary, without receiving oorreeponding beoefit. Tba Govern BMBt of Saa Domingo hat voluntarily toaght thii annexation, it u a weal power, aamoering probably less than ona hundred aad tweatr thou sand souls, and yet poeaeuiag one ol tha richest rooalUM an dor the sue, capable el anpnortiag pepalatioa of 10,000,909 of people ia luxury. Tha people of San Domiago, aot oapablo of main tain lag themselves In their present condition. matt look for outside support. They yearn for tha protection of ear free iettitutions aad laws ; ear pro greet aaa emitxatroa ; aa thall we re fuse tbem ? The acquisition of Baa Domiago it detirable he-saute of it geographical position. It eemmead the entrance to tho Caribbean Sea, aad tbo Isthmua transit ef eomaterea. It poeaeeeei tba richest soil, eome of tba beet aad moot oapa clou harbor, a moot tnlubrioot climate, aad tb moot valuable product of tb forest, mine and toll, ol any of the West India 1 aland. Its 00 session by tba United State will, la a few years. bu!:d ap a aoattwito commerce 01 Immense mag nitude, wbieb will go far toward restoring to tbo United Statea our loot merchant merino service. It will give to a those article whieb wo cannot costume to a great extent, aad whioh wa 40 aot produce ourselvee, that equalising our export and imports. Ia case of a foreign wor, it wilt give nt commend of all tbo islands re fcrred to, aad tba prevent aa eaemy from again posts sslng himself of a rondetvoua npon our cost. At present, cur coasting trade between the Statea bordering on tao Atlantic and tboae bordering on tic Gulf of Mtxioo ia by tha Bahamas aad Antil- lee. Wo must, oa it were,, -pass through foreign countries to get by from Georgia to the otst ooatt of Florida. San Domingo, with a stable Govern ment, aader whioh her immense resources can be developed, will give remuaerativa wages to 10,- 000 laborers not. now upon tbo island. Thkt labor will take advantage of every available meant of transportation to abandon tha a-ijaetnt islaada and seek tbe blessings of Itt freedom, where each inhabitant will receive tho reward of hit own labor. Porto Rice and Coba, as a se quence, will have te abolish slavery, as a measure of self preservation to retain her laborers. 8ea Domiogo will become a larger 00 n tamer of the products f Northern farma and manufactoriei. Tho ebcap rates at which her eliiiena eaa bo fur nished with food, tool aad machinery, will make h accessary that coatiguoa island ahould have tho tame advaatagea ia order to compete with tba prodeotioa of auger, coffee, tobacoo, aad all hiada of tropical fruit. Tbi will also eaa ap to at a wider market for our products. Tba produotkm ef ear supply of these article will cut off mere than oaa hundred millions of ear annuel imports, betides largely increasing oar exports. With each a pietere before a. It I easy to aeo hew oar large debt abroad ooald ultimately ha extinguish ed. With tha baiaaco of trade againat as, ia eluding interest of bonds hold by foreigner, aad saoncy ship meat for oar oitisea traveling ia for eign lands, equal to tba entire yield ef tho pre eWa metala ia tbit aoaatry, it is not so easy to tea how tbit retalt ia to ha otherwise accom plished than by tha aequisitioa af Saa Domiago. It is aa adbesioa to tho Monroe doctrine t it a aaaatora af aadoaal proteotion ; it i aaaertiagour Jaet el aim ta a controlling roflaeaca over tha com mercial traffic seen to tow from tha Watt te tba Beat, by way of the Isthataa of Dariea U la to haiid ap oar merchant marine ; it is ta furnish now market for tha products of onr farms, shops aad Bannfaotoriot ; it U to make slavery aaanp. portable ia Cub and Porto Rioo at once, aad ultimately to la Braxil; It it to tettle tho aabappy condition of Cuba, and aad aa exterminating con flict j It it to provide honest mean of paying oar boned debit without overtaxing tba people; it it to furnish our citiaeaa with tbe neoeeoeriee of every day life at cheaper rates than aver before ; it it, ia lino, n rapid tCHde towtrdt that greatae which tha Intelligence, Industry and enterprise of tbo oitlieo of tbo United State are entitled to assume among tho nation. In view of tho Im portance of tbit question, I earnestly urge npon Congreit early notion aad aa expression of itt views as to tbe best mean of aeqoiriug San Do miogo. My suggestion is, that by joint revolu tion of tho two Home of Congress-, the Execu tive bo authorized to appoint a 00m mission to no gotiate for a treaty with tbe authorities of San Domingo for tbe acquisition of that island, and that an appropriation bo made to defray tba ex pensee otfuoh commission. Tbe question may then" oVvdetermined by tbo action of tbe two II ousts of CoBgreUJeJoa a resolution of annexa tion as in ihnvexte of tbe ecqaiaition of Texaa. So 4m"vinced em I of all tbe advantages to flow from tbe acquitttioa of San Domingo, aod of the great disadvantage, I might almost tay tbe tslamitle from non-acquisition, that I believe tbo tubject ha only to be inveitigated to be epprced. THE DBITED BTATEE AMD MEXICO. It is to be regretted that our represeatatioua in regard to tba injuriou effect, especially upon tbo revenue of tbo United State, of the policy of the Mexican Government in exempting from import duties a large tract of it territory on our border, have not only been fruitless, but that it 1 even proposed in that country to extend the. limit witbia which tba priviiego adverted to baa hltfaeN to been enjoyed. . FINANCIAL. To tbo laat session of Congreai I respectfully recommended that an appropriation be made, and authority be given to itsue new bill, upon uob paper aod in tuch amount at may be detlgoated y th Secretary of tba Treasury. The Comptrol ler ot Currency, in ait report for 18C9, recom mended the eetablishmeat of aa agency in the city of New York, under tbo control of the Natloaal Bank for th redemption of their iaioo. Ia tub- ttaooa tbit rooommoadatioa teems to bo not only tVP"i knt necessary The txpense should bo Coupled with tbe recom uur" D " "; mendation, I take thi occasion to tay that tha banking system throughout the oonntry appear to be well menaged, and to answer every reason able purpose for which it waa established. It I no doubt true that Treasury notes, representing an equal amount of publio debt, without Interest, are a most economical circulation by tba Govern ment ; but it should bo considered that tbe bank ing institutions of tbe oonntry are ageooiec by which butioett is established and fottered. Tbe whole lyttem of booking ebould be extended only for tbe purpose of meeting tho demanda of busi ness, but when demanda are urgent, eoaocssioa should be made upon tbo grouod that the prosper ity of business ia mora important than tha mere taring of interest arising from tbe circulation of Treasury notea, exoloding ro-deposit. Tna MIET BT1TBM OF TEE COOBTBT. Tho amount ef gold nnd silver deposited at tbo Mint and its several brancbea during tha last fiscal year, wa $30,408,788 19; coinage for the year wa $24,438,011 ; and th value of gold and silver bar ttamped wat $8,748,862 91. I respect fully ash tb attention of Congress to n bill pre pared ia thia deportment, and submitted at tbe last session, aod to tha aooompanyiog report rela tive to tbo mint aad ooinage yttem throughout tbo country. Liear aoctaa. A report from tho Lighthouse Board sets forth ia detail tbe difficulties which have arisen ia that branch ef tho publio service from operatioea of tbe fifth feotioa of tbe act cf wuly 12th, 1879, makiog appropriation for th Legislative aad Ex ecutive expenees of the Government for tho yeer ending June SOth, 1871. Legislation is ssked for by the Board, it seems to me to be necessary that n report of tbo Superintendent of tbo Coast Sorveya should be given. CANADA vWD tlUR CUMEDXaa. Tbe oourt ported by tbe Canadian authorities toward the fishermen of the United State during the past season, baa aot been marked by a friend ly feeliog. By tbe first ertiole of tbe Convention of 1818, between Great Britain and tbe United Stetes, it was agreed that the inhabitants of the United Stetes should have forever, in common, tbenavigatiou of tbe St. Lawrence. SinoeMr. Clay advanoed bis argument in favor of our right, the principle for which be oontended baa been frequent ly and by various nation recognised by lew or by treaty, and ha boea extended to several other great river by tbo treaty eoncluded at Mayence in 1331. Tha Rhine wa declared free from the point wbe.e - I rtt navigable into tbe aea. By the eonven- tioo between Soain and Portugal, eonoluded -in 1833, tbe navigation of do Douro throughout ita whole extent, was made free for tbe (object of bcth Crowns. In 1853 the Argentine Confedera tion, by treaty, threw open the free navigation of the Parana and l-roguay to tbe merchant vessels of all nations. Iu 1856, tbe Crimean war was eloted by a treaty which provided for the free navigation of the Danube. In IsaS, Bolivia, by treaty, declared it regarded tbe rivers Amaaon and La Plata, in accordance with tbe fixed prin ciples of international law, as highways or chan nel!, opened by nature for the oommeroeef all na tions. In 13o9. lirl Paraguay was made free by treaty ; and in December, 1S66, tbe Emperor of Brasil, by Imperial decree, declared tbe Ametoa to be epea te all, tho frontier of Bretil to tbe merchant ships of all aatioaa. Tbe greatest liv ing British authorities on thia subject, assertiag the abstract right of the British elaim, aay it seams diffiouK to deny that Great Britain may ground her refusal apoa strict law 1 hat it I equally difficult to deny first, that ia e dolag see exsrclaee harshly aa extreme aad baa law ; second, that her coadaet with respect to tho nav igation of tna at. Lawranoa It ia glaring ana dis creditable jaeonaiatouey wita bar conduct la poet to tbe navigation of tha Mississippi, oa tha ground that aba possessed a email domain in wbieb tbe Mississippi took ita rite. She insisted on this right to navigate the entire volume of ita water, ea tbe groaad that tbo posies ted both bank of tbe St. Lawrence, where It disembogue itself into tba tea. Saa denie to tba United Slates tba right of tha navigation throagh about one heir of tha waters of Lake Ontario, ana, Huron and Superior; while tbo greater portion of these lakes, aad the whole of Lake Miehigaa. through whioh tba river flew, are th property cf tbo lotted States. Tbo whom natloa It interest ed io securiog cheap traatportatioa from tba State of tha Went to tho Atlaatia. Te oitlaeat ef tho State it secures a greater return for tbeir labor ; to tha inhabitants ef the seaboard it offer cheaper food ; to tha nation aa Increase lath aa aoal supplies ef wealth. It Is hoped tbo Govern moot of Groat Britala will see the Justice of aban doning the narrow and inconsistent elaim to which her Canadian proviaoes have urged her ed herooo. Tha AUantio woold ho ia foreign bind. Tbeir vessels on trant-Atlantic voyages, having aoeeea to our lake porta, which woold bo denied to American vessels en similar voyages. To ttato tnoh a propotitioa it to refute it Justice. During tho Administration of Mr. John Qoincy Adama, Mr. Clay uaqeeatloaablv demenetrated tho aataral right of tbo eitliea ef the United State to the BavlguUon of thia river, elaimiog tha Aot of Congress ef Vienna npon tbe Rhine aad other rivers, ia which all nattoat stared Tbe judgment of Euroneea Inrlsta and statesmen i that th inhabitant ot n country through which a navigable river parses, bava a natural right to enjoy tbe aevicatioa of that river to and into tbo eea, oven through tbe territory of anotner rower. BNCOCBAeBMBNT TO AMERICAN COMUERCB. Our depressed commerce is a subject to whioh I called your special attentioa at tbe lest session of Congres. I suggested tbat it will ia future, have to look more to the eouatries south of us aod to China and Japan. !ar rf p-aee&tatirst te ati taeee uovernmeot rm exerted toetr mnu eaeo to enoourage trede between the United State aad the eoantrie to wbieb they ore accredited; but tbe feet exist tbat tbe carrying is done almost entirety la foreign bottoms, and while thia state of affaire exists, wo cannot control oor doe share of the commerce of tbo world. Tbat between the Pacific State and China and Jepsn ia about all tha carrying trade now carried on by Americaa vessels. I would reeommead a liberal policy to ward tbat line of American steamers, one tbat wilt latere ita tuceett. and ita mora I Bereaved aeeraloeat. Tbo coat of boildiag Iron vessels toe only one tbat oaa eomoete witb foreiga snips ia th carrying trade 1 so much greater ia tbe Ualtad Stetet than ia foreign countries, that without eome aarUtaaoa from Ibo Geverameat. tbey eaa aot be tuocesa fully built hero. There will he several nropetitieot laid before Congress ta tae neuron of tba P repeat sessloa. looking to remedy for thia evil, even If H thoald ha at some oxpoata to tha Natioaal Treasury. I hope taeh encouragement will bo given a will secure Aatert aaa ahipping aa tha high teas, aad Aatarieaa shipbuilding at home, A BAFBB BOILDtNO FOB TBE 00 VERB MEET AB- . cairt WABTSD. Tha eoaditioB of tha archives of .t.'J?prt aseut of State calls for tha early aotioof Coo grata. Tha buildlag aow rented by that Depart asoat ia a frail stroetare, at an taeoaveaieut dis tance from tha E amative Mention nnd front tha otbr Depart meata j it la Ul adapted to the pur poses for which it ia used ; haa aot capacity to accommodate tha archives, aad it aot Ire proof. Itt remote trtuatioa ; Ita tUndsr ooastnutioa aad the abseaea of a (apply ef water ia tba neighbor hood leave but tittle hope of tafety for either tha boildiag or itt contents. Ia aaaa of tha accident of a fire, ita deatruetioa would Involve tho loss of the rails containing tbo original note aad resolu tions ef Congress ; ef tbe history and records of tbe Revolutioa aad of tbo coafodcratloa ; of tbo whole series of diplomatic aad consular archive since the adoption of tho Constitution ; of the many other valuable records aod paper left with tbet Department when It wat tba prlecipal de pository of tba Government archives. I recommend an appropriation for tho construc tion of n building for tha Department of State. DEFABTBENTAjL CEAX6EI ICCGESTID, I recommend to your reconsideration tbo pro priety of transferring to tbo Department of the Interior, to which tbey teem more appropriately to belong, all powers aod dutiea 1n relation to tba Territories with which tbe Department of State it now charged by law or usage ; end from tbe Interior Department to the War Department of the Pension Bureau, to far at it regulates tba payment of soldiers' pensions. I woald further recommend tbit the pey meet of naval pensions be transfsrred to one of the bureaus of tbo Navy Departmeot. TBE ESTIMATE SOB TBB FBE8EBT FISCAL TEAS. The estimates for the expenses ef tbe Govern ment for the fiseel year arc $1,824,434,001. Lest for the current one ; bot tbey exoeed tbo appro priation for tbo present year for tbo same item, $39,721, In this estimate, however, are included $22,338,278 37 for publio weika heretofore be gan under Congressional provision, and of whioh only ae much ia asksd as Congress may e hoots to give. The appropriation for the same work, for the present ftseel yeer waa $19,845,180 08. THE PLVCTCATION IN OOLD TBB EVILS OF A BE- PBBCIATED CCBBEBCT. Tbe average value of gold, at compared with Notional currency for tbe year 1889, wat about 134, aad for eleven months ot 1370 tho same rela tive Talno bat been about 115. Tbo approach te apeeie basis ia very gratifying, but the fact eaa- aot be dealed tbet Ratability of tba value of our eurroocy it prejudicial to our prosperity, aod tend to keep ap prices to the detriment of trade. The evil of a depreciated aad fluctuating curren cy are to great, that now, when tbe premium en gold boa (alteo to muoh, It would seem tbet tbo time ha arrived whoa, by prudoat legialation. Congress should look tb n policy whioh would place ear eurroacy at par with gold at ao distant By- ran TARIFF QUESTION AND BBVENCB BEP0BN. The tax eolleoted from the people hat boon re duced more than $80,000,000 per aaaam. By ttetdineai in ear p resect coarse there is ao roaaoa by, ia a few abort jeers, tbo fiettoaal tax -gath erer may aot disappear from tha door of tho citi- aJmoe entirely. With tbe revenue stamps ditpeuied by Poetmaetere la every community ; e tax apoa liquors of all sorts, aad tobaeeo la all forma ; aod a wise adjuetmeat ef the tariff which ill net a dutv onlv a dob tboae artielaa which we could dispease witb, kaowa as luxuries, aad oa those whioh wo aaa mora ol thea wa produce, rev- eaaa towugh may bo raised after a few years ef peaoe add consequent rodootlon of Indebtedness, te fuiau all oor obligations, ana a runner reouo tioa ef oxpeaaas, ia addition te a redoctioa ef in terest aceouot, may bo relied ea to make tbit praolioai. Mveaae rntorm, u it means tnit, aa my earn est tupport ; if it implies a eolleetioa of all tbo revenue for tbo tupport of govern meet; for tbo payment of principal and interest of tax ; public debt, sections, etc., by direct taxatioa, texts the people, then I am again! revenue reform, nnd confidently elieve tho people are with me. If it means failure te provide tho necessary mesas to defray all expense of tbo govcreaseat, aad there by repadiete tbo public debt, then I am still mere opposed to taeh kiad af reveaae reform. . Keveeae reform hat aot boon denned by aay of Ita advocates, to my knowledge, but teems te be ipted at aometbing which it to supply every maa waats, without any coil or effort oa hit it part. .A true revenue reform oannot be made in a day, but must be the work of Notional leg islation and of time. As toon at tha revenue eea bo dispensed with, all duty should b removed from coffee, tea, end other like articles of nniver- al use, not produced beurselves. The oeces ti tles of the oonntry compel at to collect revenue from our imports. An army of assessors and collectors is not a pleasant eight to the citixeoa ; bat that of a tariff for revenue it aecesssry. Such a tariff, to far at it givea encouragement to ome produota, affords employment to tbe laborer at living wages, ia eootrat, to tho pauper labor of tha Old World, and also ia the developments f borne resources under tbo Act ot Congress of uly IS, 1870. IMT FEDICTION A NEW WAR DEPABTMEBT BCILDIKO BBEDBD. The army baa been gradually reduced ao that oa tbo 1st of January, 1871, tbe number of eom- tssioned officers aod men- will not exoeed the number contemplated by tbe law. Tbe Wer Department building ia an old struc ture, not fire-proof, and entirely iaedcqnate in imeosions to oar present wante. Many thous ands ol dollars art now paid annually for rent of building to accommodate tbe variou bureau of the Department. I reoommeod an appropriation for a new War Departmeot building suited to the present growing want of tbo nation. Tbo report of tho Secretary of War abow a very aatirfaetory redoetloa In tbe ex pensee of the army for the last nscal year. For tbta year, yoa are referred to hi accompanying report. NATAL BXPBBDITOREB. The expeaeea of tho Nary for tba whole of last year, from Deeembor let, 1809, tba data of tbe last report, are last than $19,000,009, or about $1,999,909 kss than they wore tho previoa year. Th ex peases sinew tbe commoaesmeat ef the fit. ea! year, einee Jely 1st, show for thT five moatht a decrease of aver $2,409,999 from thote of tha eorreepeadiag moatht of laat year. Tha estimates far tha correal yeer were $2.0S, 878 04; tbeea for aext year are $29,882,317 90, witb $9,5H,av9 99 additional for aeoetaary per ms eat impnivtmeets. Taeee eecimate made closely for tha malateaaaee ef tha naval eetablishmeat a it aow ia, whhoat saaeh la the Bate re of permanent Improvement. Tbo appre ariatioaa mads for tha earreat year wor evi- -dently iateeded by Congress aad are sufficient ta oaly keep the navy on its p recant footing, by tbe repairing aad refitting of oar old ships, i Tbi policy must, ef coarse, gradually hen tarely de- atroy tna aavy, aaa nub ttteit far rrem ana Bomioal, a each year that R i pursued tha ao eeeeity for mora repairs ta ship aad aavy yard a scout mora imperative ana Btore costly, aaa onr current ex pea tee era aaaaally increased for tbo mora repair ef ships, maay of whom matt tooa become aaaafa aad atnlett. I hope, during tha Present seatioa af Co arrest. to be able te submit te it a plea by which naval vessels eaa be built aad repairs made witk greet aaving upon the preeeat cost. It oaa hardly . be wise ttatetmaathip la a Uoveraaeat whioh repre sents a eoaatry with over five thousand avilee of ooaat line la both eeeaaa, exclusive af Atashe, aad boataiaiag forty mlllioos of progressive peo ple with relations af every aataro with al most every foreign eoaatry, ta root satiated wita each taadeqaete means ef enforcing nay foreign rolicy, either ef protection or redress. Separated y tbe ocean from tha aatioaa of the Eastern eea tiaeat, ear aavy ia our only meant ef dlroot pro tection to ear ei'iitat abroad er for tho oaforcc meat of aay foreiga policy. . , - . TBB POSTAL AEPARTNEBT. The eeeompaaylog report of tbe Postmaster General abowa a moat aatisfaetery working of the Department, n ita tba adoption of tbe r meadeticna contained therein, particularly those relating te a reform la tna franking privileges and the edoptloa ef correspondence cards, a self- sustaining postal system mey (peedlly be looked for, aad at ao distant day a further redoctioa ot tho seals of postage attalaed. CONHOBICATIONB BT TBB POBTn AUTEB BEBBBAL ABB ATTORBBT BBEBBAL. I reoommeod eatborisetioa by Ceagree t tb Postmaster Geaeral aad Atteraey General to laeae all eommtsaioaa te omeiele appelated through tbeir respective Deportsaeote. At preeeat thee oommieeioas, where arpeiatsneata are Presiden tial, are issued by the Bute Departaacat. Tbo law ia all tba Departments ef Geverameat, ex eopt tkess ortao rest UBeoaa or Jest tee, aa- thoriaes each te issue Us ewa aemmiesteaa. a raoical naroBH in erriciAL ArpeiBVusBva sreqxaTEB. Alwaj favoriag practise! reforms, I respectful ly call year attention to a practice ef Wag etaad big which I weald like tee see remedied by tbit Cue gross; it la a referei la tha civil stties of the country. 1 woe id save It go aeyenel tea I xing of the ten ere ef emcee of alevka aad loveee, who do aot reqalra tha advice aad aow- seat ef the Senate ta make their appeiataseatt so at plot e. i ercaia Bave u govern, aot I are, bat the maaaer af nuktag appotataaeata. Thereat bo duty which ao maeb emberraaeee tha Kascative aad Heeds of Dspaifiata aa Jthat af apporetmeate. nor ia there aay seek ardaoao aad thaaklee labor impeeed aa Sea at ore aad Repro seatatlvot at that ef lading place far oeastitusata. Tba preeeat syetsea doeo act auoare tha beet, aad often act aewa It ate fee nablia pleeea. Tha elevetioa aad parifieotiea ef the) attil eerviee af tbo Oevaramaat will ha hailed wHb approval by tha whole people of the United Btatee. BBFOBM B TAB BABAOENBBT OF IBDIAN AFFAIBt. Reform in tha Btaaagemeat af ladlaa Affaire hat received th special attention of tha Admin is- . tratlosi from ita tnaun ration to tbo B resent day. Tbo experimeot of making it a missionary work waa tried witb a few ageaoie given to tba doaoBa- l ! j J J 1 I. t -A . 4.1. iBBiiea us rneau mum y W. H,WIWWJ. A.. - -- toadenoiac act eo diapassd were givea to emoero of tbe army. Tbe act ef Con grass regulating tbo army readers army officer ineligible for civil positions. Indian agooeiee beiog civil office I determined te give all the agencies to taeh reli gions denomination as bad heretofore established mlssicaarie tmong tbo Indians, and perhap to (erne ether denominations who would undertake the work oa tbe aame terms aa missionary work. Tbo societies selected sre allowed to aaaso their owa Bgeott, tobjeot to tba approval of tba Exec utive, aad are expected to Instruct and aid them as Missionaries to Christianise aad oiviliso tbe Indians aad traia tbem in tba art of peace. Tbe Government watebea ever tbe official acta of tbose agents, aea requires vi imw mm eimst aw Hwaui allity as if tbey were appointed ia aay other manner. The confident hooo is felt that tbe poli cy now pursued will, in n few years, bring all In- diana upon Reservations where they wilt live in houses, bhvo schools aad churches, will bo pursu ing pteoeful and self sustaining avocations, and where they may bo visited by tbo law-abiding white men witb the tamo impunity that be now vara tae civiiiaea wuue seiuemews. A can your special attention to tbe report of tbe Commission er of Indian Affair for full information on thia subjeot. THE FCBLIC DOKABN. During the laat Steal year 8,995,413 aoret of publio lead were disposed of. Of thi quantity 3,893,910 acre wer takea under tbo homestead law and 2,951,581 acre told for cash, tbe re mainder wa located with military warrant, col lege or Indian acrip, or applied ia satisfaction of grant to railroad or other public uses. Tb en tries under the homestead law daring tba laat year covered 961,545 acre mora thaa those during tho preceding year. Surveys hava beaa vigoroutly prosecuted to tha full eitent ef tha meaaa appli cable to tho purpoeo. Tbo qaaatity of lead is market will amply aupply tbe preeeat demand. The elaim of the settlers, aader tbe Homestead or tbe Pro-omptioa Law it aot, however, limited to lead tubjeot to talc at private entry. Un appropriated surveyed public lead, may be ac quired under tbe former laws, if the party entitled to rater under them will comply with the require ments tbey preacribo ia regard to tba rooideaoa and eultivatiea ; tho actual cottier' areferoeoc aad right of purchase M area .brooder, aaa ex tends to land whioh wore aaiarvoyod at tha tisae of bis settlement. His right was formerly ooa fioed witbia mech aarrower limits, aad at aaa period of oar history wat conferred only by spe cial statute ; they wore eo acted from time to time to legalise what was thea regarded at aa author ised iatrustea upon tha aational doataia. Tba epiaioa tbat tbe public leads should be regarded ehtslly as a source ei rosacea, ia no pongee meia taiaed. Tbe rapid settlement aad aaaaassful cul tivation of tbem it" aow jastly oeaeiderod of mora importance to our well being thaa it tba fuad wbiertbe sals ef tbem woald produce. The re- -merkable growth aad prosperity of ear aow Statea aad Territories attest tba wisdom of tbo legislation which Utiles tha tiller of tba toil to aeon re a per-' t borne en terms wttnia tba reach of au. The pioneer who recurs tba danger aad priva tions of a froatier life, aad thaa aidiag tha foua datioa of aow eommoaweelth, raadert a tigaal I. kU m! ta AAtttLW tn ttflMMwt favor aad protection of tha lawt to secure that object, and largely promote tha geaeral welfare. They thoald therefore ha eberisbed as a perinea eat feature of our lad system ; good faith roqairca ns to giv full effect to existing grants. Tho time hoaored aad beoeSoeat policy of setting apart eertaia aectioaa of public lead for eduostioaal purposes in tna bow State, sasuld be eoatianed when ample provisWas shall hava been evade for tho objects. I anbaUt a a qoestioa worthy of eriouoaoosideratioB, whether tba residue et our Notional Domain ahould not bo totally disposed of under tbe provisions of tbo homestead aad pro-em p tioo law, la additioa to tho twamp aad overflowed landa granted to tbo mate In which tbey are situated. Of tbo lead takea aader tbe Agricultural College Act, and for tbo ietsrosl improvmnt purpose, nnder tbo not of Septem ber 18, and the sots suplemental .thereto, thorn bad beeo conveyed, up to the close. of the lest fitoal year, by patenter other equivalent evidence of title, to State and corporations, 1,783,825,71$ acres. It Is estimated that an additional quantity of 174,735,523 aoree ia still due under greets for like uses. ' The policy of thus aiding tho State lo building work or Internal Improve ment, waa inaugurated more tban forty years since in the grant to Indiana and Illinois, to aid those States in opening canals to connect the water of tbo Wabash with these ot Lako brie, and the waters of Illinois with these of Lake Michigan. It waa followed with eome modifica tion in the grant to Illinois of alternate sections of publio land within ecrtain limits of tba Illinois Central Railroad. Fourteen Statea and sundry corporations bave received similar subsidies in ' connection with railroads completed or in process of construction. A tb above section are rated at the double minimum, the tale ef tbem at tho enhanoed price boa thus ia maay instances indem nified tho Treasury for tba granted leads. Tha construction of tome of these thoroughfares baa undoubtedly given a vigorous impetus to tba de velopment of ear resources, aad tbe settlement ef tho more distant portions af tha eoaatry. It may, however, be understood that maeb of oar legislaiioa la thia regard haa been characterised by indiscriminate aad profuse liberality. Tba Ualted State sheald aot loaa their credit ia aid ef aay enterprise aadartakoa by Statea er oorpo Tutioas, Bor great laada ia aay lastaaoe anleoo tbo projected work It of acknowledged national ita portaaea. I am strongly Inclined ta tha opia tes that it it iaoxnodiotjl aad unntstttary to be- siow vwetittiee vi tatw weta iu uuw , hi tanie Co a gross dereratiaa ether a hie, I aaraeetly roeosa mead that tha right af tattlers aad ef tha paa- . V ( , ! . T . 1 t . I I , appropriate legists tio a. . TBB PATENTS FILBB DC BIBB TBB TBAB. " During the year aadiag September 80th, 1879, there were filed ia .tha Patent Office 19,411 ap plieatioaa for pateaU. 3,374 caveats aad 169 ap plication! for tha extension ef pa teats ; 13,621 petcatt, iaoludlog Issues tad designs, were is sued, 119 extended aad 1,089 allowed hat aot ts (ood by roaaoa af tha aoa-peymaat af tba final fee. Th receipt ef tho effioe during the fiscal -year were $13,639,479 ia exeooa at its expen ditures. TEE DECBBBIAL CBNtCt. The work ef tha Ceeeua Bureau hat boea ener getically pro so ea tod. . Tha prellmlaarieo, eeatain- eat, will be ready for delivery dartag tba present Settioa. Tha remainlsg volame will ho com pleted witb all tha dispatch eensiatoot with perfect aeoaroey ia arranging aad elassifyieg tb re- turas. We thall that, at ae ditteal day, he far nlshod with aa aetheatie record of oar condition aad rosea rets. It will, I doubt Bot, attest tha grswiag prosperity ef tba eoaatry, although dur ing tha deeada which hat jast closed it was so severely triad by tha great war waged to mala tela Kt integrity aad ta secure aad perpetnato oar free Institution. TBB PBBSIOB BCBBAO. During the lest fiscal year tbo sua paid to pea- aiouere, including tbo cost ef dlebursemeat, waa $27,780,811 11 aad 1,758 bounty land warrant wore Issued. At IU oloee 193,688 a acnes ware on tho pension roll. Tha labors of Jbe Paction Of fice have boea directed to tba severe toratiay of the evidence tabmittod ia favor of aow elaiae j to the discovery ef fictitious claims wbieb have here tofore boea allowed. Tbe appropriation for tba . employment ef special agents, for tbo inveetiga ttoa ef freadt, haa been Judiciously used, nnd tba results of it hove boon of uoqueetionablo benefit to the service. EODCATIOH AUD ASBICDLTUBE. The tuhjsott of odooatioa aad agriealture are ef great iBtoreet to tbo sueeest of our republican Inatnutiont, happiness and gran dear as n nation. In tbe intereati of one, n bureau haa boea estab lished la the Interior Department, the Bureau of Bdeeattoa. aaa la tae tatereet et too otner, a eeparate depertateat, that of Agriculture. I he llers groat good is to low from tba operations ef both tbeea bareoas if properly fostered, l cannot commend te your careful eoeslderation too highly tbo reports er tba Commits lowers oi Edaoetioa aad ef Agriculture j nor urge toe strongly tuch libera legielatiea aa to aceora their efficiency. , CONCLUSION. Ia ooeolotiaa, I woald saat ap tha policy of the Adaslatet ration to bo a thorough eeforssmsnt or every law, a faithful collection of tea provided) for, oaeaemy ia tba dis so rse meet ot tbo seme, a prompt pay meat ef the debt of tha Batioa, a re duction of taxes aa rapidly as tha roqaliemeau of tba eoaatry will admit, redoctioa af taxatioa aad tariff to ha a arranged aa to afford tha greatest aambar ; honest aad fair dcaliagt with all ether people to tha aad tbet war, with all iu blighting eoBssqeeneee. may ha avoided, hot without sur reedarieg aay right or obligation due to aa ; a reform ia tha treatsaeat of tha Indiana aad la the whole eivil terriea of tha aeon try i and, taally, ta teearieg a tare, aatrmm mailed -ballot where )ast aaaa at each essetiea without fear ef moUeta tioa or pveeeripUoa est aeeeant af hit political faith, nativity er eeier. U. 8. GRANT. Mxvemtin Jfsmetew, WlingUn, Dee. 5, 1979. .
