Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 26, Number 16, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 December 1876 — Page 1

1. w1nfr KT

VOL. XXVI, XO 1G. INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY MOKNING, DECEMBER 6, 187G. WHOLE NO; 1881.

EIGHTH ID LAST

President Grant Inflicts His Final Message upon a Patient Congress. HE DIES HARD. Apologizing for His Past.Shortcomings, the Inference Is That He Would Like to Try It Again. CONSPICUOUS BY ITS SENCE. ABAny Allusion to the Prevailing Electoral Complications. CORRUPTLY COUNTED IN. That's What's the Matter with Hayes Louisiana Made to Give Him 3,437 Majority, SOUTH CAROLINA STIU (UJLKS With Kelloggfs Satrapy for Mail Pre-Eniinence Chambprla i n Counted in by :,OU Majority. THE PBERIDESTS nVSSAtiK. He Admit the Cora on Hi Appoint rarnt-And IHsfonMM Abont the Mar Moni The Indian Tlie Army and Ty-Postmitlfr-Herb-nr lorlon Centennial An durational lnal- . I Oration for Voter Buy Kanto Io min go und lie Happy. To the Senate and House of Representatives; In submitting my eighth and last annual message to congress, it kcmhh proper that I should refer to and in some degree recapitulate the events and ofilcial act of the past eight years. It was my fortune or misfortune to be railed to the office of chief executive without any previous political training. From the age of 17 I- had never even witnessed the excitement ending a presidential campaign but twice antecedent to my own candidacy, and at but one of them was I eligible as a voter. Inder such circunistanceR it is but reasonable to suppose that errors of Judgment must have occurred. Kven had they not differences of opinion, be- , tween the executive, bound by an oath to the strict performance of his duties, and writers and debaters, must have arisen. It Is not necessarily evidence of a blunder on the pnrt of the executive because there are these differences of views. APOLOGY TR MIXTAKR. Mistakes have been made, as all can see mid I admit, but it seems to nieoftener in the selections made of assistants appointed to aid in carrying out the various duties of administering the government in nenrlv everj- case selected without a personal acquaintance with the appointee, and on the recommendations of representatives chosen directly by the people. It is impossible that r where so many tnutu are tu le allot ed that right parties should be chosen in many instances. History shows that the ndnilutstra- ' tion. from the ti me of Washington to the present,has not been free from mistakes.! but leave .omparisons to hlsUiry, claiming only that I have acted In every Instance from a conscientious desire to do what wxright,eonstltutional within the law and for the very best Interest of the people. My failures have been error of Judgment, not of intent. ABO CT THE WAR AGAIN. My civil career commenced at the utmost critical and difficult time, less than, four years before the country had emerged from a conti lct,sueh as no ot ner nation had ever survived. Nearly one-half of the. states had revolted sea Inst the (tovi rnmciit and of those remaining faithful to the union a large percentage of she populat.'on sympathized with the rebcl- . Hon and made an enemy in the rear almost us dangerous as the more honorable enemv In 'front. The latter committed errors of Judgment, but they maintained them openly and courageously ; the former received the proteetion of the government they wanted to see destroyed, and reaped all the pecuniary t advantage to be gained out of the then existing state of affairs, many of them by obtaining contracts and by swindling the government In the delivery of their goods. Immediatelv on the cessation of hostilities the then noble president, who had carried the country so far through its perils, fell a martyr to his patriotism at the hands of an assassin. REOONSTKCCTIOX. The intervening time to my first inauguration was filled up with wrangling between ngres and the new executive as to tt-e best mode of reconstruction ; or, to speak plainly, aa to whether the control ot the government should be thrown immediately Into the hands of those who had recently and persistently tried to destrov it, or whether the victors should continue tö have no et, ual voice with them In this control. Keconstructlon.as finally agreed upon, means this and only this, except that the late slave was enfranchised, giving an increase, us was ' Kupposed, to the Union and supporting the votes of freemen in the full sense of the word. They would not disappoint this ex pectation, hence, at the beginning of my Afcdmhnistration, the work of reconstruction -. much embarrassed by the longdelav virtually commenced. It whs tiie work of tlie legislative branch cf the government. My prA incft was wholly In approving their acts, H'liVli I did mist heartily, urelng the legislature of state that had not done fo to ratify The fifteenth amendment to the constitution. Tbecountry was laboring under an enormous lent. coat racted in the suppression of the rebellion. Taxation wax no oppressive us to discourage production. . Another :.ueer also threatened us, a forltn war. The lest difficulty bad to be juatedland was adjusted wilhout.a war.Iu

a manner highly honorable to all parties connenied. VINAMIAi.. Taxes have be-n reduced within the last M-vcn years nearly $-Hk,0,inj, and the national debt has tteen reduo-d in the same time over $t.'if,0,i0, by refunding the per cent, bonded debt for bonds Is-aring live, and four and one-half -r cent, interest respectively. The annu il Interest has been reduced froiii over sl:m,uni.iJt)U in 169 to but littla over ilUti.O'VM) in ISTti. The b. lance ot trade has bfcn changed from over iltiO.JuO.OOO against the United states in lso'l to inore than SlO.WKl.'s In our- favor In 17. It Is confidently believed that the balance of trade in favor of the United States will increase, not diminish, and the pledge of congress to resume ecie payments in 179 will le easily accomplished. INDIANS. Kven in the absence of much desire! further legislation on the subject, a policy has leen adopted towards! flo Indian tribes inhabiting a large portion of the territory of the United Mates which has been human, and has substantially ended Indian hostilities In the whole 'land, except in a irtion of Nebraska, Dakota, the Wyoming and Montana territories, tlie Mack Hills region and the approaches thereto. Hostilities there have grown out of the avarice of the white man, who has violated our treaty stipulations In Iiis search for gold. The question might be asked why tlie government has not enforced obedience to the terms of the treftt v prohibiting the occupation of the Black Hills by trie whites. The answer is simple. The first emigrants to the Black Hills were removed by troops, but rumors and fresh discoveries of gold attracted many more. l..ook Into that region. Increased cliambers of gold have leeii found in paying quantites, and efforts to remove the miner would only result in the destruction of the bulk of the troops that might be sent thereto remove them. All the difficulty in this matter has, however, been removed, subject to the approval of congress, bv a treatv ceding the Black Hills and approaches to settlement by citizens. The sutject of Indian policy and treatment Is so fully set forth by the secretary of tlie interior and the cotniiii.ssioner of Indian affairs and my views so fully expressed therein that I rcier to mere rvjiorts and recommendations as my own. OIK KOKEPiN RELATIONS. Tlie relations of the United States with loreign powers continue on n friendly fisuingr Questions have arisen from time to lime iu the foreign relations of the government, but the United States hae been happily free during the past vearfrom the complication and embarrassments which have surrounded Mime of the foreign powers. The diplomatic correspondence submitted herewith contains information as to certain ot Iho matters which have occupied the government. The cordiality which nttenclsour relations with the powers of theearth has la-en plainlv shown by the general participation of foreign nation in the exhibition which has just ceasd and by the exertion made by distant powers to show their interest ami friendly feelings toward the United Slates in the commemoration of the centennial of the nation. The government and people of the United States have not only full- appreciated this exhibition of kindly feeling, hut it may be Jnstlv and fairlv expected that no small benefits'- ill result, both to ourselves ami other nations, from a better acquaintance and a better appreciation of our mutual adantageK and mutual dependence. Congress at its last session saw fit to reduce Ihe amount usually appropriated- for foreign Intercourse .by withholding the appropriations for representatives of the United States in certain foreign countries, and for certain consular otlicers, and by reducing the amounts usuallv appropriated for certain other diplomatic post, and thus necessarily necessitating achange in grade in representatives. For these reasons, imnif diately upon the passage of the bill making appropriation for the diplomatic and consular service for the present force, Instructions were issued to the representatives of the United States at Bolivia, Kcuador and foli'.mWa, aud to the consular officer for whom no appropriation had been mnde.to close their respective legations and consulates and cease from the performance of their duties; and in like manner steps were immediately taken to sulwtitute charge d'nffnire for ministers resident in Portugal, lvnmark, i ireece, Switzerland and Paraguav. While thoroughly Impressed with the wisdom of sound economy in Ihe foreign service, as in other branches of tlie government, I can not escape the conclusion that In some instances the withholding. of the appropriations will prove an expensive economy, and that thesmall retrenchment secured by a change of grade in certain diplomatic posts as not an adequate consideration for the loss of influence and importances which will attend our foreign representative under this rcouctlon. I am ot the opinion that a re-examination of the subject will cause a change in some instances of the last session of congress. ALBA MA CLAIMS. The court of commissioners of the Alabama claims, whose functions were continued by an act of the last session of congress until the first day of January, 177, has carried on its lalnrs with diligence and- general satisfaction. By it report from the clerk of, the court, transmitted herewith, bearing date of November 11, l.s7i. it apiean that during the time now allowed bylaw the court will have disponed of nil thelaims presented for adjudication. This report also contain a statement of the general results of the laliors of the court to mite thereof. It is a causeof satisfaction tht the method adopted for the satisfaction of the classes of claims admitted to the court, which an of long standing and Justly entitled to an early consideration. should have proved successful and acceptable. Ol R UKITISIl KOl'MiARV MNE. It is with satisfaction that I am enabled to state that the work of the joint commission for determining the boundary line 'between, the United States and the liriiish possessions, lrom the northwest angle of Lake of the Woods to the Kocky mountains, commenced in 17-, has been completed. The final agreement soft he commissioners wit h the maps have en duly signed, and the work of the commission iseoroplete. flie fixing of the boundary noon the Pacific coast by the protocol of March 10, 172, pursuant to the award of the emperor of Germany by article xxxlv. of the treaty of Washington with the termination of the work of this commissions adjust and fixes the end boundary tet ween the Unite! States and the British jsissesslons, except as to the tortion of territory ceded bv Russia to the United States by the treaty flSti?. The work entrusted to the commissioners of the officers of the army attached to the commission has been fcatlstactorily performed. , The original and final agreement of the commission sittued upon the J!th of May, lsrij. with the original list of iitronnmicalstatlons observed, and the original official list of monuments marked a international liouiidary line ami maps, records and general report relating to the commission, have leen deposited in the department of state. The official report of the

L commission on the part of the Unitd Sl;t-s, wuu me report oi me cuiei hi rouomer oi me United States, will lie submitted to congress within u short time. . KXTKATHTIOX. I reserve for a separate communication to congress a statement of the condition .of the aiiCHlloii which lately arose witli in at Britain respecting the surrender of fugitive criminal uuder the treaty of Kit. A NKW TtKKISII TREATY. The Ottoman government gave notice under date of January 1.1, ITi, of it desire to termi nate me treaty or ixt!, concerning commerce and navigation, pursuant to the provisions of the 2.'d article thereof. Under this notice the treaty terminated upon the 5th day of lune, 171. That government has. invited neijotiationstowards the conclusion if a new treatv. By the act of congnws of March iTl, J71, the president was authorized, when he should rtcei ve satisfactory Information that the Ottoman government or that of Kgvpt had organized new tribunals likely to secure to citizen of the United States the tuiue imiMtrtlal justice enjoyed under the exercise. of judicial function by the diplomatic and consular of riccr or the United States, IO suspend the ojieratlon of the act uf June 1G0, and to accept for citizens of te United State the Jurisdiction of new. tribunals, satisfactory information having leen received of the organization of such new tribunals in Kgypt. I caused a proclamation to Is Issued on ilie?7th of March last, suspeudln

the operation of act 27 .of June 22, 1875. in Kgypt. According totlwj provisions of the act, n copy of the proclamation accompanies this messiise. The United states has ruled with the other powers in the Organization of these courts. It I hoped that the jurisdiction questions which ha arisen may be readily adjusted, and that this reform iu judicial proceedings may be hindered by no obstaci-. THE HAWAIAN ISLA SDK The necessary legislation to carrying into efiect the condition respecting commercial reciprocity concluded with the Hawaiian island in ls7." liaving been had, the proclamation to carry into eftW-t the convention as provided by the act approved August l.", l7t;, was duly issued upon the first Tuesday of Sep-temlx-r last. A copy thereof accompanies this measage. oril MEXICAN RKLATIONS. The commotions which have, been prevalent In Mexico for some time past, find which, un-hn-ppilv, sm o be not yet wholly quitted, have led to complaint of citizen of the United stales, of injuries by persons In anthority.v. It is hoped, however, that this will ultimately l adjusted to the satisfaction of both governments. The frontier of the United state.ssn that quarter has not been exempt from net o( violence by citizenn of one republic on those of the other. The frequency ol these Is supposed to be increased and their adjustment made more difficult by the considerable changes Jn the course of tlie lower part of the KIo CJrande river, which river is a .part of the boundary lietween

the two countries. These changes have idacetl on either side of that river portions of land which by existing convi utions belong to thejurisdiction of the government ontheoposite side of the river. The subject of t'.ie adjustment of this cause of difficulty isiMidcr consideration between the two republic. A Pl.SI'ÜTF.n STE.OIFR. The government of the United Slates of Columbia has paid the award in the case of the steamer Montyo, selr-ed by the authorities of that government some years since, ami the amount has been transferred to the claimants. SETTLKMENT OK THE MEXICAN CLAIMS. It Is with satisfaction that I am able to announce that the Joint commission for the adjustment of the claims between the United States and Mexico, the duration of which has bH'ii several times extended, ha brought its labor to a close. From the report of tlie agent of tlie United States, which accompanies the papers transmitted herewith, it will be seen thut within the time limited by the commission; one thousand and seventeen claims on the part of citizens of the United States against Mexico ware referred to the commission. i Of these claims tight hrtnUrid and thirtv-one were dismissed or UisallowM and in lJi eases award were made in favor of the j claimants against the Mexican republic. amounting in the aggregate to M,l-.i,l'J..O. Within the same. period !'S claims on tlie lirt of citizens of the Mexican republic against the United States were refused to the coir.miion. Of these claims Sil were dismissed or disallowed, and in ! casesawards were made in favor ol" the claimants against the United state amounting iu the aggregate to ?1,4!.SI1. By the terim of the Convention, the amount of tnese awards is to he deducted from the aiiimuit awarded in favor of our citizens against Mexico, and the balance only -to be paid bv Mexico to the Unite. States, leaving the tlniied States to make provisions for their proportion cf the awards in favor of its own citizens. I invite your attention to the legislation which will necessary to provide for their payment. In this connection I am prepared to be able to express the ncknow ledgments due Mr. Thornton, the umpire of the commission, who has given to the consideration of the large number of claims submitted to him much time, unwearied and patient labor, and that fairness and inteligence which are sell known tola-long to the accomplished representative of Oreat Britain, ami which are likewise recognized by the representative in this country of tlie republic of Mexico. THE VF.SZUELt CLAIMS. Monthly payments of a very small pari of the amount due by the government of Venezuela to citizens of the United State on account of claims of the latter against that government continue tobe made with reasonable punctuality. That government has proposed to change the system which it ha hitherto pursued in this respect by issuing bond. for a part of the amount of the several claim. This proposition., however, could not properly be acvpted. at least without the content of the holders of the certificates of Indebtedness of Ven.uela. These are so much dispersed that it would lie difficult if not impossible to ascertain their disposition on the subject. NAIfRAMZATIOX. In my other messages I have called the attention of congre.su to the necessity for legislation with regard to fraudulent naturalization, and to the subject of expatriation ami the elevation to citizenship of numbers of crsons of foreign birth seeking a home in the United Mutes. The ease and facility with which the honest emigrant may, after tlie laps" of a reasonable time, lecome possessed of all the privileges of citizenship of the United States, and the frequent occasion which induce such adopted citizen to return to tlie country nf their birth, render tin subject of naturalization and the safeguaixls which experience lias proved necessary for the protection of the honest naturalized citizens of paramount importance. Tlie very simplicity in the requirements of the law on this questiwn a fiord an opportunity for fraud and the want of uniformity in the proceedings and records of ihe various court and in the forms ofthe certificates of naturalization i-isii.nl afford a coustant source of dlttieulty. I surest no additional requirement. to the acquisition of citizenship Iwyouil those nöw existing but I inite the earnest attention of congress to the necessity and wisdom of Home provision regarding conformity iu the records and cert i flea te and providing against the frauds w hich frequently take place and for the recalling of a record of naturalization ohtaliufl by fraud. These provisions are needed in aid and for the protection ofthe honest citizens of foreiu birth and tor the want of which he is made to suffer. Not un'requently the United States has insisted upon the right of expatriation and has obtained after a long struggle an admission of the principle contended for by the acquiescing therein on the part of mauy foreign powers and by the conclusion of treaties on that subject. Ji H however, but justice to the government to which such naturalized citizens hae formerly owed allesience as well a to the United States; that certain tixHi and definite rule should be adopted, governing such case and providing how expatriation may Is? accomplished. While emigrants in large numbers come citizens of the United (staler, it i also true that imtsoiis, both native born and natnrtjli.ed, once citi.en of the United States either by formal acts or as the effects of a series of fuels and circumstances, abandon their citizenship, und cease to U entitled to the protection oi the United States, but continue on certain occasion t assert their claim to protection. In tltis connection I again Invite your attention to the necessity of legislation concerning the marriages of American citizen contracted abroad and concerning the status of American women1 who may marry foreigners, and of children lorii of American parent in a foreign eeuntiy. The delicate and complicated question continually occurring with reference to'natuialization, expatriation, ami the statu of such M-rsons at 1 have referred to, induce me to earnestly direct attention "gain to these subjects. CLAIM OF ALIENS. In like manner I reteat my recommendation that some mean be provided for heating the determination of the just and subsisting claims of aliens upon the government of the United States, within a reasonable limitation and nf such a may hereafter arise. While by an existing provision of law the court ilf claims may be, in certain cases, rsorted to by an alien claimant, the absence of any rcneiul provision governing all such cases an J th want of a tribunal sUllled in the disMition of xnclr case upon recognised tixed and settled principles, either provide mo remedy In many deserving cases or compels a consideration of such dann hj congress or the executive do pa tmcntof the government. It is telievcd that other governments are in advance of the United State uxit thiques. Ihn and that the practice now adopted is entiteiy unsatisfactory.

TIIK ADMISSION OF COLORADO. Congress, by an act approved the .'M of March, authorized the inhabitants of the territory of Colorado to form a state government, with tue name of Uv state of Colorado, and therein proxided for the admission of the said state, when formed, into the Union, upon an equal footlm; with the oiiginal states. A constitution having Ix-en adopted and ratified by the pfople uf that state, and an acting governor having certified to m the fact, a

I ro ided by the said act, togi-t !ut with a copy of such constitution and oidsnanees as proj vided for in the xn:d act. and th - provisions of the said act of consircs having in en duly coinj plied with, I Issu'mI a proclamation so stating ' on the 1st of August, i-78, a copy of which is Hereto annexed. "the army. Tlie report of the secretary of war sIioas that I he army has lieen actively eni kyt d during the year in subduing, at the request of Indian bureau, certain v lid bandsof the Sioux Indian nation, and preserving peace in ihe south during the election. The commission instituted under act of July 21, P-71, to consider ami report on the whole subject of the reform and reorganizing of the whole army, licgtm its work in August last, ami lias collected a large mass of statistic of tKiints iM'arimr on the auhicct before it. f Those ure now under consideration and their report i progressing. I am advised, though, by the president of the commission that it will be impracticable to comply with that cisuse of the act requiring the report to be presented through me to -cfingrevs on the -first, day of I his session. There has not been time for that mature deliberation which the importance of the subject demands; therefore I ask that the t ime of making the report be extended to the 2!'lh day of January, W;?. In accordance with the renolution of Amrani I. 7. the armv regulations prepared undo act of March 1, 1ST", have not been promulgate but are held until after the report of the alovenentioned commission shall have been reeelvwi and acted upon. By the act f August 15, 17 the cavalry force of the armv was l&. creas! by men, with the proviso" that thev should be disc harged upon the expiration of the hostilities. Under this authority the cavalry regiments have been strengthened und a portion of them are now in the field pursuing the remnants of Indians, with whom they have been engaged during the summer. The estimates of the war department are made upon the basis of the number of men authorized bylaw and their requirement as shown by years of exjerience,and also with the purpose of effort ofthe bureau officers to provide for. all contingencies that may arise during the time lor which the estimates are made exclusive of the engineer's estimates, presented in accordance with acts of congress calling for surveys and estimates for improvements at various localities. INCREASED ARMY APPROPRIATIONS ASK FI). The estimates now presented are about six millions in excess of the appropriations for the years 1S71. 17") and 1X70. TbU increase is asked in order to pro ide for t he increased cavalry force, should their service be necessary, to prosecute economically the work upon imKrtant public buildings, to provide for tlie armament of fort I rieat Ions and the manufacture of small arms, and to replenish the working stocks in tlie supply department. The appropriations for these last named have for tlie Iiiist few year been o limited that the accumulations in store will be entirely exhausted during the present year, and it will Is neeessarv at once to Is gln to replenish them. I Invite your attention to the following rceommend'atlonsof the secretary of war: il) that the claims under the act of July, lSöl, for supplies taken by the army during the war lie removed lrom tlie offices of the quartermaster and commissary generals una transferred to I he southern claimscommlssion. These claims are of a precisely similar nature to those now liefore tlie southern claims commission ami the war lebt bureaus have not the clerical force for their examination nor proper machinery for Investigating the loyalty of the claimant. 2. That congress sanction the scheme of an annuity fund for the benefit of the families of deceased officers, and that It als provide for the permanent organization of the regular service, both of which were recommended in inv last annual message. 3. That the manufacturing operations of the ordnance department lie concentrated at three arsenals and an armory, and that the remaining arsenal le iold and the, proceeds applied to thl object by the ordnance department. KIVEItS AND HAKBORS. ' The appropriations for river and harbor improvements lor the current year were ViJ)l'i,UX). With my approval the secretary of war directed that of this amount HO, should be exs pciided and no new works should be begun and none prosecuted Which were not of national importance. Isnbsequently this amount was increased to $2,7,UU0. The works are now progressing on this basis. The improvement of the south pusMof the Mississippi river under J. B. Ends und his associates is progressing favorably. At the present tlma there Is a channel of IMS-IO feet In depth letween the jetties at the mouth of the pas aud IS i feet at the head of the pass. Neither channel, however, has the width required liefore the payment shall be made by the United States. A commission of engineer and omeera is now examining these works, and their reports will o presented as soon as received. THE NAVT. Th report of the secretary of the navy show that he lielieves the servh-e to be in a condition as effective as it 1 possible to keep it with the means the appropriations give the department. It is, of course, not possible to rival t he costly and progressive establishments of the great Kuropean jnjwers with the old material of our navy, to wrdch no Increase baa lieen authorizedasince the war. except eight small cruisers, bill t to supply tlie place of others which had gone to decay, yet till lias leeii done tha, was iosslble with the mean at command, and by suW a ntlally rebuilding some nf our old ship with durable material and completely repairing' Mid refitting our monitor Meet, tlie navy has been gradually so brought iip that, though it does not maintain Its relative position among the progressive navies of the world, it is now in a conditiou more powerful and effective than it eer has been in time of peace, nie complete repairs or our heavy Iron dads are only delayed on account of the inadequacy of the appropriations made last year for the working of the department, which were actually less in amount than those made before the war, notwithstanding the greatly enhanced price of lHlior and the increase in tin cost of the naval service, growing out of tlie universal use and great expense of Mcam ma chinery. The money necessary lor those rejiairs should be. provided at once, that "they may le completed without further mueee!.arv delay and expenses When this is done all tfie strength there Is in the navy will xt developed and useful to its full capacity, joid all will be. powerful for the purs jsise of defense, and also for offensive action, should necessity for that arise within a reasonable distance from our shores. The fact. I hat our navy isnot more moderifand owerful than it is ha been made a cause of complaint 2 against the secretary of the navy by wrsons who at the same time criticise and complain of hi endeavors to bring the navy that we have to its best and most efficient condition. But the good sense of the country will understand that it is really due to his p a Ural action that we have at this time auy effective navy force at command. POST OFFICE DK.PAHTMHNT. ' The report of the postmaster general shows au excise of expenditure excluding the exendltures on the account of previous year. ThericeiptH lorthe fiscal year ending June :i, i7ii .are il.i'il.liXS.SOi The estimated expenditure Tnitl-e fiscal yer ending June an, IXTti, are .l,rt721i 3t!. The estimated revenue lor the same period is 8 Iij,oC ,lti".iJ0, leaving an estimated excess of e.(endituresio Is appropriated a a deficiency of HUCO?.!. The postmaster general, likw-lii-predeccsMor, is convinisnl that a change it the busia of adjusting the salaries of sstmusters of the fourth class i necessary for the good of the service a well a for Ihe Interest of the government, and urI'ently recommends that the compensation of the class of frf masters alove mentioned le iK'-sed ujsHi the business of their respective Office, as ascertained from the worn returns of the auditor of stain pe canceled. HUI.LPOZI.I) I "OS T JI A ST E Its. . . ; ; A few lHjstmasters in the southern states have expressed re:it apprehension of their

personal safety on account of their connection with the postal service, and have six-cially requested that their rejorts of apprehended danger should not be made public, lest it should result in the loss of their lives. But no positive testimony or interference has been submitted, except in the case of a mail messenger at Spartanburg, in South Carolina, who reported that he had been violently driven away while in charge of his post, on account of political affiliations An assistant superintendent of the railway mail service iuvestit!'Hd this rase, and reported that the messenger has disappeared from, his post, lea vine hi. work to be persormed by a Miltltr.te. The postmaster general thinks thi case is sufficiently suggestive to justify him in recommending that a more severe punishment should be provided for the offense of assaulting any person in charge of the malls, or of retarding or otherwise obstructing them. A very gratifying result is presented in the fact that the deficiency of this department during the last fiscal year was reduced to i I,oS1,7hü.1S, as against sigttfi.ttrs.s. of the preceding year. The difference can lie tract o to the large increase in its ordinary recelpt.swhich greatly exceeded the extenuates tbert-lor and a slight decrease in expenditures The ordinary receipts of the post ofliee department for the past seven fiscal years have increased at an average, of over s per cent, jx r annum, while the increane of exei,diture8 for the same period has lieen alaut ö per cent, per annum, and the decrease of deficiency In the revenues has. been at the rate of nearly 2 per cent, per annum. AGRICULTURE. The report of the commissioner of agriculture accompanying this mesnageJU be found one of great interest, marking it does the great progress of the last century Tin increase of the produce of the aoil and of the knowledge and skill in the labor of producing, sav-

Ing and manipulating the same to prepare ! them for the use of man. In the improvement in machinery to aid tlie agriculturalist In his labors and in the knowledge of these scientific subject neceasary to a thorough syt-tem of economy in agricultural produc-. tions namely, chemistry, botany and etomohry, this report by those interested in agriculture and deriving their support from it will be fuund of value in pointing out those articles whteh are raised in greater quantity than the needsof the world require and iiuis't se.l, therefore, foiUt.- than the cost of production, and those which command aprotit over the cost of production because there is not an over-production. - NKW AGRICULTURAL ALfj.IrV KEEDE1). I call special attention totlie need of the deimrtment for a new gallery for the reception of exhibits returned from the centennial exhibition, including the exhibits donated by very many foreign nations, and to the recommendations of the commissioner of agriculture generally. BOARD OF HEALTH. The reports of district commissioners and the board of health are just received, too late to read them ami to make ricomnienIat ions thereon, and are herewith submitted. THE CENTENNIAL. The International exhibition held In Philadelphia, th is year,in comemmor&tio:i of the one hundredth anniversrry of American independence has proven a great success, and will, no doubt, bo of enduring advantage to the country. It has shown that great progress in the arts, sc;cnee and mechanical skill has been rtMide in a single century, and demonstrated that we are but little behind theother nations in any one branch, while In some ve scarely liave a rival. It ha served, too, not only tobring people and products of skill and labor from all part of the world together.' but in bringing together people from all sections of our own country, wh Ich runst prove a great benefit in the information imiuirted, and tlie pride ofthe country engendered. OUR GOVERNMENT EXHIBIT. It has been suggested by scientists Interested in and connected with the Smithsonian institute in a communication that the government exhibit be removed to tlie capital, and a suitable building be erected or purchased for its accommodation as a permanent exhibition. I earnestly recommend this, and lielleving that congress will second this view, I have directed that all government exhibit at the centennial exhibition should remain where they are, excepting those exhibits which might be injured by remaining in a building not intended as a protection in inclement weather, or such as may be wanted by the department furnishing them until the question of a permanent exhibition is acted upon. Although the moneys appropriated by congress to enable the participation of the several executive departments in the internr tlonal exhibition of 1X7Ö were not sufficient to carry out the undertaking to the-full extent at first contemplated, it giv s me pleasure to refer to the very efficient and creditable manner in which the board appointed from these several departments to provide an exhibition on the part of the government have discharged their duties with the funds placed at their command. Without a prisjedent to guide them in the preparation of such a display the success of their labors was amply attested by the sustained attention which the contents of the government building attracted during the period of the exhibition, from liotli foreign and native people. I am strongly Impressed with the value of the collection made by the government for the purposes of the exhibition, illustrating us it does the general resources of the country? the statistical and practical evidences of our growth a a nation, and the uses of the mercantile arts and the application of applied science in tlie administration of the attaint oi the government. Many nations have voluntarily contributed their exhibits to the United States, and increase the interest in any permanent exhibition congress may provide for.' Kor this act of generosity they should receive the thank of the people, and I respectfully suggest that a resolution of congress to that effect be adopted. A EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR VOTEK8. The attention of congress can not be too earnestly called to the necessity of throwing some safeguard over the mode of choosing and declaring the election of a president. Under the present system there seems to be no provided remedy for contesting the election in any one state. The remedy is partially, no doubt, the enlighlment of the electors. The compulsory support of the free school and the disfranchisement of all who can not read and write the F.nglish langtuige after a fixed probation, would meet my hearty approval. I Would not make this apply, however, to those already voters, but I would to all becoming so after the expiration ofthe probation fixed upon. Foreigners coming to tliiscountry to become citizens, who were educated Jn their own langnage, wwuld acquire the requLsite kLOwledge cf ours during the necessary residence to obtain naturalization. If they did not take enough intere t In our language to acquire a sufficient knowledge of it to enable them o st inly the institutions and laws of the country intelligently, 1 would not confer tijKin them the right to make and enact laws nor to set iu judgment of Ihoae who do. RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS I append to this message for convenient reference, a synopsis of administration events, and of all recommendations to congress bv me during the last seven years. Time may show some of these recommendations not to have been wisely conceived, but I believe the larger part will be no discredit to the admin ist ration. SAN DOMINGO AGAIN. One of these recommendations met m ith the opposition of one political party in the senate and with a strong opposi tion from the other, namely, the treaty for the annexation of Santo 1 Vim 1b go to the United States, to which I shall specially refer, maintaining as I do, that If my vlewa had been concurred in, the country would le in a more prosperous condition to-day, both politically and financially. Santo Domingo is fertile, and upon its soil may be grown just those tropical products of which the United States use. so much, and which are produced or prepared for t he market now by slave labor almost exclusively, namely: sugar, coffee, dyewoods, mahogany, tropical fruit, tobacco, etc. About." per cent, of the extorts of Cubaiirconsumed In tlie l mtcit Mates. A large tet centogeof the exerts of ürazil also i; ml the samn markets. These are paid for almost exclusively m coin. Iegislat ion. particularly in Cula is unfavorable to a mutual exchange ofthe product of each country. Flour shiped from Jh4 Mississippi. riyer to Havana, can pav by the ery entrance to that city on lt wny to apo.t. Spain, then, pay u duty fixed upen

articles to lie re-exported, trinferml lo a Spanish vesstt-1 and brought bock almost to the point of stirrting, preying a s-cond duty, and stUl leave a profit over what wuld b3 receved by direct shipment. All that is produced in Cuba could lie produces in San Domingo. As a part of the United States, commerce between the island and the mainland would be tree. There would be no exiwrt duties on her shipments nor import duties on those coming here. There would ben Import duties on the snnplie of machinery, etc., going from the state. The .-fleet that would have been produced on Cuban comiii.tve with these advantage u America is observable at a glance. The Cuban question would have been settled loic ago in favor of free Cuba," Hundreds of American vessels would now be aduntageously used in transportingtbe valuable woods u.d other productsof the soil of the island to a market, and In carrying suopMes and emigrants to it. Tlie island is but sparselv setthd, while it has an area sufficient for the production . and employment of several millions of js-ople. The soil would have soon fallen to the hands of United states capitalists. The prtdncts are so valuable in cammcrce that emigration there would have been encouraged. The emancipated race of the south would have found there a congenial home where their civil rights could not bedisputed and where their labor would be much sought af? r. The poorest among them could have found means to go. Thus in the case of the great ofprcsMon ami cruelties such a' have Ix-en practiced upon them in many place within the past 11 years, whole communities would have sought refuge in Santo Domingo. I do not suppose the whole race would have gone, nor la it desirable that they should go. This iabor is desirably indispensable almost, where thevnoware, but. the possession of thl territory would have left the negro mauler of the situation bv enabling him to amend his rights on pain of ending them eLsewhere. I do not present these views now as a recommendation for a renewal of the subject of annexation, but I do refer to it to vindicate my previous action in reference to IU THE WAIL OT THE DEPARTING. "With the present congress mv official life terminates. It is not possible that public affairs will ever aain receive attention from me, farther than a citizen of th. republic, always taking a deep Interest in the honor, integrity and prosperity of the whole land. (Signed) U. S. Grant. Kxecutive Mansion. TVcenibero, 1S76.

S Kt'R ETA HIT MORRILL'. KTIHIRT. Show In-of the Financial Department of Ihe (vrnmrnt for the Pas Year. Synopsis of the annual report of the secretary of the treasury on the state of the finances for t he year 1876: rs , Treasury Department. Washington, D.O., Dec. -I,lh7ij. Sik Complying with the requirements of law, 1 have the honor to submit the following report: ,v RECEIPTS A D EXPENDITURES T)ll TH I. MM I. 1 EAR KNDIXO JUNE SO, lSTti. . iZeeripi. The moneys received and covered into ihu treasury by warrants during tin' fiscal year ending June 30, IhTti, were a follows: From nstoms jl tx,(f7l.w fcl From internal revenue lltf,7i,7:c u; From saks of public lands..... l,h,4(yj b'i From tax on circulation and dliosits of national banks.. T,3-2f7:l I! From repayment of intercht by I'acific railway companies......... Tl.lTl From customs, tines, penalties, etc ls-VC sl From labor, drayage, storage, etc- I.njti-M.rt From sales of Indian-trust lands- iHn,ii a From fees consular, letter-patent and land W From pioceeds of sales of government property...... li"c;,7H st From marine hospital tax.... :i4."i,tr7 W From steamboat fees iVi,"-'! t6 From profits on coinage, etc 1,741,117 M Itoii tax on seal skins :!17,4 uu From miscellaneous sources l,s77!'l u Total ordinary reeefpts- . 3ct.7.is",4tt V, Premium on sales of coin 3,T2lA. ) Total net receipts, exclusive of loa n 2S7,i2,Uf IH Proceeds of bonds of US1, Cteneva award 6,t)1.1.C U Total net receipts..... 2!il,Cf,K- IX llalance in treasury June 30, ;s7j. including deposits of coin and United States notes represented by certificates outstanding Ht,7ft;,l6 4) Total available eash..- 4.S8,"iir,2M Tlie net expenditures by warrantaduring the same eriod were: Kor civil expenses. ........j i.a.';-! M For foreign intercourse t or Indians... !.." 17 1"7,:üC M For pensions.... For military establishment, including fortifications, river aiid harbor improvements.. and arsenals...... . ...... For naval establishment, Including vysels and machinery and improvements at navy yards.... Cor miKCellaneou civil, including .'5-.070.sss 04 l.fu:.:Xi!l iM public buildings, light house and collecting the revenue ' 4X."1 ".72 i' For interest on the public debt, including interest on bonds issued to Pacihe railway compan i eis .. ..... ... .. .....il. , . ... ...... . . 1 00 4.'! T J Total net expendltnres. .tJW,4."i!i.7?r; V. Kedcrapt:- , ofr the public debt .$5189,4l SU Judgments of court of Alabama claims fi,041S7 Si Miu,7:r w. Total net disbursements friicwmdd : Balance in treasury Jane 30, 17J... 131ü7,7r :w Total . $4.-,75S!M w This .statement fhows that the net revenues for the fiscal year were .. tX7,V2,i)39 i And that the net expenditures were . ... 2Ö8.4-A7!'" '" leaving a surplus revenue, exclusi e of provision for the sinking fitud, of. .. .. 5-9.022-11 K? In the last annual report, page vi., the secretary Mated that in the judgment of the deartnieiit the revenues for this tis--al year would reach the sum of SJ37,4."iti,14.".14. and the ex-n-ditures the sum of 2iW,447)4;l.Ttj, showiiii that there would be a surplus revenue of S-Si.kih.-01.:t. By the statement of actual receipt and expenditures for this fiscal year it will Is- seen that the revenue yielded 8-7,4vj,ftSl.l;,r P74.KTi.tW less than the estimate, and that, the net expenses amounted to IA797,'V;, or s7 .740.4.J less than was anticipated, exhibiting a surplus revenue of ri9,trü4ii:i, or ?U,t.4o.4." in excess of the amount contemplated. It M ill thus be perceived that the estimates, when tekentts a whole, were remarkably reliable, varying from the actual results realized by the treasury only to the extent of $13,M0.4.". kFO:il-TS AND LAl'EXblTrRES KOR TIIK 1 Im A L YEAR ENDINO JUNE 107. The receipt during the fir t quarter were: From customs. ..... .. .. $KJA From internal revenue 2si:i..ti From sales of poblc binds..... .. .U0, tii From tax on circulation, etc., of national bonks .Vvit.TiC K From renyment of interest by I'acific rail way..... " .HO TA From cuHtom'i fines, etc " 17.H" 27 From consular, patent and other . fees t2.t 7 From proi-.-eds of sales of government property..... . 17l7" :K Jrom mis'-ellaneoussours......... 2,12;.l9 It Net ordinary receipts;, Premiunl on lies of coin72.W1 .IKO M nvs w 7110,4 W 2,4H.44-" M Proceeds of bonds of lsi, Oeneva award .. ...... Total net ordinan" receipts T.'v'l-'IXO 2 Ea'ance in treasury June 1S7. Ili7.7:a :su - 'It tul Mulatle..-..: ,...-.;.. 1W7.'1.7W ill .atleoed an Fourth Fa.