Jasper Weekly Courier, Volume 14, Number 45, Jasper, Dubois County, 13 December 1872 — Page 7

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

To tti flwiiK und llnuar of J;fir, ..,, : In transmitting to you my fourth animal rursaje, it in witL thankfulness tu the Giver of all good, that as a uatiou we have be u blessed for the last year with peace at home and abroad, am' general prosperity vouchsafed to but few eople. With the exception of the recent devastating tire which swept from earth wiCi a breath, an it were, milium of ai .mui iUti ! wealth in the city of Boston, t her ha l o u do overshadowing calamities within the year to record. It ia (ratifying to unto how liUe thoir fellow citizens of the city of Chicago, under similar circum-t-tauoea, a year earlier, the citizens of Uoaton ate rallying m4k their miMfortuuea, and the prospect la that their energy aud perseverance will overcome all obataclaa, and show tue aame pros-ierity MM that they would hare have bail bad no disaster befallen them. Otherwiae, wo have been free from pestilence, war, and the calamities which often overtake nation. And, aa far a human judgment can penetrate the future, no cause sertu to exiat to threaten our present peace. When Congress adjoin ned in June laat, a question had leen raiaed by Great Britain, and MM then peutluu", which for a time seriously imperilled the settlement by friendly arbitration of the difference exiating betwecii this Government and that of her Britannic Majeaty, which, by the Treaty of Washington, hail been referred to tbe'trbuual of arliitration which had met at Geueva, in Switzerland. The arbitrators, however! disposed of the quetiou which bad jeopardized the whole of the treaty, and threatened to involve the two nation in moat unhappy relations toward each other, in a manner entirely satisfactory to thia Government and in accordance with the viewa aud the policy which it had maintained. The tnnunal which hid cenvened in Geneva, in December, concluded its laborious seasion on the 14th day of September laat. on which day, having availed itaeif of the discretionary power given to it by the treaty to award a üm in gross, it made its dcos :on whereby it awarded the

um or wto.ulKi.OuO in gold, aa the indemnttv to be paid by Great Britain to the luited

4itesfoi tin satisfaction of all the claims

referred to :ts consideration. This decision

happily, dispoaea of along standing difference

I fwecn two (icverrinieiits, and in connection

with another award wade by the German Emperor under a reference to 'him by the same

treaty, leaves the two Government without a shadow upon the fneudlv relationa win. h it I my sincere hope may fortver lemain remain equally unclouded. ' The report' of the agent of the United States, appointed to attend the Geneva tribunal, accompanied by the protocols of the proceeding of the arbitrators, the aiguments of the counsel of both Governmeuta. the award of the tribunal, and the opinions given by the several arbitrators, ia tianamittcd herewr.li I .have caused to 1 transmuted to the liea la of the rhree fneudlv poser who complied with the joint request made to them under the treaty the thank of thia Government for tLe appointment of arbitrators made by them respectively, and also my thank to the eminent pcrx-nages named bv them, and my appreciation of the dignity, patience, jmpa.tialitv, and great ability with which they Iii barged their anJtHI and high functioua. Her Majesty's Goveitimeut has communicated lo me the appreciation by her Majesty of the ability arid indefatigable industry displayed by Hf. Adams, the arbitrator named öl, the part d tin Government, during the protracted inquiries ai.d dictissions of the tribunal. I cordially unite with bei Majestv in tin arnreciatioii It is due to the agent of the United State l-e:oro the tiiS mil. tn record my appreciation cf the marl.cd alulity, unwearied pitien p. .md tiie prudence anil discretion with which lie hat cond i ted the ran retoiiilln

delicate duties committed to him. And i: is alao due to the learned and eminent ' Hinsel who attended the tribunal on the part of tins Government, tn express my sense of the talent and wisdom which they brought to 'year in the ligament of the 1011 It so happily reached. It wi! lie the province of Congress t j provide foi tb" distribution, among those WIM are entitled to it. of thtir resjiective shares of the money to 1 paid. Although ÜM sum awarded is not parable

Until tue y, ar Horn tue MM of tiie award.it is deemed advisable that no time be lost in uialung a pi' er examination of the several i es in whi.-li ii.demnnicatioii may he due. I consequently tec. turnend the creation of a Boiiidof Commissioners for the pnrjose. By the thirty-fourth aniclo of the Treaty of Washington tins respective claima of ' tbe United States and of Great Britaiu in their construction of the treaty of the 15th June, UM, detiuiug the boundary line between their respective territories, were submitted to the arbitration aid award of bis Majeaty the Eme:.n of Germany, to decide which of these claima ia m. - in accordance with the true interpretation of the treaty of 1846. Hia Majetv the Imperor of Germany having been pieaaed to undertake the arbitration haa the earnest thank- of this Government and of the United States for the lalwr. paina and care which he has devoted to the consideration of this long-pf i. ding difference. I have caused au expression ot my thanks to ha communicated to his Majesty. Mr. Bancroft, the representative of this Government at IWhn. conducted the case and prepared the statement on the part of the United States with tbo alulity that hü past service jntitied the public in expecting at bis bands. Aa a member of Cabinet at the date of treaty which haa Siren rise to the discussion letwecn the Governmeuta : as the Minister to Great Britain when the MMtflMttM now pronounced unfounded ws- llrst advaticcd, and as the agent and representative of the Government to present the case and receive the award, he has been assoc. a od with the queation in all of its phases, and in every stage haa manifested a pat riot I.- zeal aud earnestness in maintenance of the claim of the United States. He is entitled to much credit for the success hieb has attended the submission. After a patient investigation of tbe case and of the statements of each party, hia Majeaty the Kmperor of Germany, ou the 21st day of Ort oI '-r last, signed hia award in writing, decreeing that the claim of the Government of the United States that the botindarr line betweea

the territories of her Bntanmc Majesty and the United States should be drawn through the Haro Channel, is most in accordance with the true interpretation of the treaty conclude 1 M the 15th of Juue. 1846. between the agenv of her Britannic Majesty and of the United Sites. Copies of the caae presented on behalf of each Government and of the statement in reply tag each, and a translation of tin award, are transmitted herewith. Thia award conurms tbs United State in their claim to the important archipelago of islands lying between the continent and Vancouver's Island, which for twenty-eix years, ever since the ratification of the treaty. Great Britain lias contested, and leaves us, for the first time in tbe history of the United States aa a nation, without a queation of disputed boundary between our territory and the possessions of Great Britain n the continent. It is mv grateful duty to acknowledge tbe prompt, sponi.no 'us action of her Majesty's Government in giving effect to the award. In anticipation of any request from ttua Government, and before the reception in the United States of theaward signed by tbe Kmperor. lier Majesty bad given instructions for the removal of her tro ps, which had been stationed there, and for the cessation of all exercise or claim of Jurisdiction, so as to leave the United States in exclusive possession of the lately disputed territory. I am grateful to be able to announce that the orders for

the removal of the troops have been executed, and the military Jomt occupation of an Juan lias ceased. Tbe iaianda are now in tbe exclusive poaaaaaion of the Unite I Statea. It now become neceeaavry to complete the survey aud determination of that ortion of tue boundary hue through the Ilaro channel, upon which the Commission which determine 1 the remaining part of tbe Im were i nable to agree. I recommend tbe appointment of a Commission to act jointly with one which mar I named by her Majeaty for that purpose. Ex

perience of be uifbciiltiea atteudiug tbe determination of our admit ted hue of boundary, after the occupation of tbe tern t err and ita settlement by thawe owing allegiance to tbe reapectire Government, point to the im

portance of establishing, by natural object or other monuments, the actual hue between the territory acquired bv purchase from Buasia, and tiie adjoining poaaeaaioua of her Britannic Majeaty. Tue region ia now ho sparsely occupied that no conflicting interests of indiMilualrt, or of jiiriediction, are likely to interfere to the delay or embarrasament of the actual location of tbe line. If deferred uutil po ulation ball enter aud occupy the territory, aotue trivial oonteat of ueighbora mar again array tbe two Governmeuta in antagonism. I therefore recommend the appointment of acommiaaiou to act jointly with one that may be appoiuted ou the nart of

Great Britain, to determine the line between our Territory of Alaska and the co-termino ua possessions ut Great Britain. Iu my last annual message I recommended the legislation neceaaary on the part of the L int. (I State- to brinir into operation tbe ir-

aooner attended to. To this end I recommend that a sufficient anpronrialion be made.

With France, our earliest allv j Buaaia. tbe

constant aud steadv friend of iba thai.

ted Slates i Germanv. with whose Govern

ment and peeple we have aa many causes of friendship, and so nianv common svmoathie

aud tbe other power of Europe, oiir relations are maintained on the moet fneudlv terms. Since my last annual meattage tbe exchange haa btu made of tbe ratification of a treatv

with tbe Aiistro-Hunirarv Empire, relatim; to

naturalization ; also of a treaty witii the Ger

man bmpire. respecting Consuls and trademarks ; alao of a treaty with Sweden and Norway, relating to naturalization . all of which treaties hive been duly proclaimed. Cougreee. at ita laat session, having made an appropriation to defrav tbe expenses of ommi-. oners on the part of tbe United

f cial

lly to be h.UMid that tbe :.re-..'i' lii.t.til

Govenimeut of Spain will voluntarily adopt thia view. The law of emancipation, which wae pasted more than two years aioce. haa remained unexecuted in the abaeuee of regulation for its enforcement. It wae but a feeble step toward emancipation, but it was the lecoguitiou of right, and vaa hailed aa auch, and hibited Spam in harmony with tbe a n tinier, ts of humaaity and of juetica, and in sympathy with tbe other poarers of the Cbiistian aud civilised world. Within the past few weeks tbe regulations for carrying out tbe laws of emancipation have beeu announced, giving evidence of the sincerity of the intention of the present Government to carry into effect the law of 1170. I have not faded to urge the consideration of the wisdom, the policy, and tbe justice of a more effective ayatem for tbe abolition of the great evil which has oppi eased a race and continues a bloody and de

structive contest cioae to our border, aa well aa the expediency and the justice of concedticles of the Treaty of Washington, of May, 1871, relating to the fiaheriea, and to other mattera touching the relations of tbe United Htatea toward tbe British North American possession, to become operative aa soon aa tbe proper legialation should be bad on the part of Great Britaiu aud the possesions. That legialation ou the part of Great Britain and ita possesions hau not then been had, and during the session of Congress a question waa

raise., wnicti tor the time laiaed a doubt whether anv action by Congress in the direction indicated would become important a queation which baa since been disnoaed of.

aud I have received notice that tbe Imperial Parliament and tbe Legislature of the Provincial Government nave passed lawa to carry tbe provisions of the treaty on tbe matter's referred to into operation. I therefore recommend your early adoption of the legislation in the aame direction necessary on the part of thia Government. The Joint Commisaion for determining the boundary line between the United States and tbe Uhtish jssesaiona, between the Lake of the Woeds and the Kocky mountains, has organized and entered upon ita work. It is desirable that tbe force be increased, iu order that the completion of the survey and tbe determination of the boundary line may be 'ng reforms of which the propriety is uot questioned. Deeply impressed with "the conviction that the continuance of slavery ia one of the most active causes of tbe continuance of

tne unnappy couaitionin Cuba, t regret to

believe tnat

ance at the close of the vear. accon -pained with the sales at the commencement of the year.3.371.3IH.B5; toul, MM.MO.Mi 54 Thia statement treata solelv of the principal of the juiblic debt. By the monthly statement of the public debt, which adda together the principal ami interest due and unpaid aud tbe interest accrued to date due, and deducts tbe cash in the treasury, accordingly on the day of publication the reduction was eimi,514,4J1.'JH. The source of this reduction ia as follows i Reduction in principal account, tW.JC),003.55 ; reduction in unpaid interest account, t3,330,!a.W ; total, IIMJM.MJ.M. Reduction iu sash in baud. 2.740,4ti5 2J total, tlOU,544,491.'J8. On the basis of the hat table tbe statement ahow a reduction of the public debt from tbe 1st of March, 186, to the present time, as follows i From March L 18C9, to March L, 1H70, 87 134.7lz.84 ; from March 1, 1870. to Merch L 1871, 177.819 050 -

.,- ironi .nan ii i, inn, to March 1, 187z $94,895.348.94 ; from March 1. 1872, to November L 1872. eight mouths, 464,047,237 84 Total, 363,696,999.87. With the greU reduction of taxation by tbe acts of Congress at its last sesaion. the expenditure of the Government iu collecting the revenue will be much reduced for the next fiscal year. It is verv doubtful, however, whether "anv further reduction of so vexatious a burden on anv people will be practicable for tbe present. "At all events, as a measure of juatice to tbe holders

of the nation a certificate of indebtedneas. I woutd recommend that no more legislation be had on the subject unless it be to correct errors of omisaiuu or commission in tbo present lawa, until sufficient time has elapsed to prove that it can be done and still have sufficient revenue to meet the current expense of the Government, pay interest on the public debt, and provide for the sinking fund established bylaw. Tbe preservation of our national credit is of the highest importance.

ext in importance to this romes a solemn

WM show an alarming falling off in M cartving trails, for the last ten or twelve vers and even for the past year. 1 do not lA-u . that public treasure can be better expend! iu the luterest of the whole people thau ia trviiii to leeaver this trade. An expei.du uie id hvo million dollars per annum lor tin- next Ave yeare, if it would restore to us our proItortuiu of tbe curving trade of the woihl would be profitably exjieiided. 1 be price of labor iu Europa has so much enhanced withiu the last few yeara, that tbe coat of building ami operating ocean ateamer in the United Kiatos i not Bo muc.i greater than in Europe, that I believe the time ha arrived Ssr uku tIu" b,,bt u,t -ent'uDetailed statements of the disbursements through the Department of Juatice will be furnished by tbe Attorney General, at.J though these bare been somewhat inei eased by tbo recent acts of Congress to enforce the rights ef citizens of the United States to vote in tbe several Hutes of the Union and to force the provisions of tbe Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and the amendment thereto. I cannot queation the necessity and aalutarv effect of these enactment. Beokless and lawless men I regret to say, have associated tbemselvea together in some localities to deprive ct'.er citizens of the right guianteed them bv tbe Constitution of the United States, and M that end they have committed deeds of violence, but tbe prevention and puniabment of manv of these persona have tended greatly to the repression of such diaordera. I do not doubt that a grat majority of tbe people of ail part a of the coun-.rv favur the full eujovment by all claa&ea of peieone of those rights to which they are entitled under the t'oriatitiition and the laws, and to invoke aid aud influences of all good citizens

io prevent organizations whose objects awe by

duty to provide a national currency, of fixed i V""A0 ,",e'fere with those ngbta.

unvarying value as compared with gold i and i I ,,ne uot l!U 1 . . tant When the (I ivmn. ,U...t. .a

in tr.r . . ' ' ' ' KOUU UI-

Cltl7t.tkM of tllA TnitAll rtlM nr

o..ic lu iue m .ernauooai anu statistical t on- ; tliose claiming to be such, are large holders

fc'r--- i --I. e ;reuurg, tue iierson appoint- j in Cuba of wbat is there c

ou in that char -ter proceeded to their destination and attended the seeeions of the Congress. Repot t shall in tue season be bud before you. This Congress meets at intervals of about three years, and hae held its sessions in teveral of the countries of Europe. I submit to your consideration the propriety of extending an invitation to tbo Congress'to bold its next meeting tu the United States. The centennial celebration, to be held in 1876, wonld afford au appropriate occasion for such a meeting. Preparation are making for tbe International Exposition, to be held during tbe next

year iu .eiina, on a scale ot verv great rati;-

laimed as Dronertv

but which is forbidden and denounced bv the

laws of the Luited States. They are 'bus. in defiance of the spirit of our laws! contributing to the continuance of this distressing and sickening contest. In my last annual message I referred to this subject, and I again recommend snch 'egislation as may be proper to denounce, and, if not prevent, at least to discourage American citizona from holding or dealing in slave. It is gratifying to announce that the ratification of the convention concluded under tbe auspices of this Government, between Spain on the one hand and the Allied Republics of tiie Pacific on tbe other, providing for an

uitude. Tbe tendency of tbee exnositiona is i armistice, have been exchanged. A codv of

in the direction of advanced civilization aud ,ne instniroent is herewith submitted, it is the elevation of industry, of labor, aud the in- Impel that thia may be followed by a perm a -

crease of human happiness, aa well aa of greatei intercom-.- aud good-will betweeu nations. Aa tlua exposition is to be tbe first which will have been held in Eastern Euro;, it is bebeved that American inventors aud

manufacturers wdl be ready to avad themselves of the opportunity for the presentation of their productions, if encouraged by i ro- aid aud protection. At tbe laat session

ofiVi.gr- authority aa given for the ai-

Hiintmcnt of one or more ageuta to represent tlua Government at tbe Expoaitior. The authority thus given has been exercise!, bat iu

the a:.M-:.c.i of ativ nt'oroprutioa tiure i-

langer that tbe imisirtaut beuchte which tbe

ExMsitiou offers will, in a huge degree, be

lost to citizen or tue WtuteU states. 1 corrmend tbe subject stiongly to your consider--tion. and recommend thai an adequate appropriation I made for the pnriHise. To fur-

cent jieace between the same parties.

The differences which at one time threatened the maintenance of peace between RrazU and the Argentine Republic, it is hoped, are in the way of satisfactory adjustment with these States, as with the Bepuldics of Central and Southern America we continue to maintain the most friendly relations. It is with regret, however. I announce that the Governor of Venezuela has made no fun her ayments on account of the awards under the t'onvention of the 25th of Apnl. 1835. That Repnblic ia understood to be now almot. it not quite, traiiuuiUzed. It is hoped, therefore, that it will lose no time in providing for the unpaid balances of its debt to the United States, which having originated in injuries to its citizens by the Venezuelan authorities, and having been acknowledged pursuant to a treaty in the most solemn form known among

aa soon aa practicable, having due regard for tbe interests of the debtor class and the vicissitudes of trade and commerce, and convertible into gold at par. The report of tbe Secretary of War show the expeuditaree of the War Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1871, to be I 5,799,991.82: and for the rtscal veareinbm

I June 30, 1872, to be 35.372,157.20. showu.g a reduction in favor of the laat fiscal vear of 427.834.62. The attention of Congresa will be called dnring its present session to various enterprises for the more certain and cheaper transportation of the constantly increasing surplus of the Western and Southern products to the Atlantic seaboard. The subject is one that will force itself upon tbe legislative branch of the Government sooner or later, and I suggest, therefore, that immediate steps lie taken - l -it a a a . m . . " .

to Rain au avauaoie information to insure equitable and just legislation. The route to connect the Sliasissippi Valley with the Atlantic, at Charleston, S. C. and Savaunah. Ga., by water, by the way of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, and carta's, and slack water navigation to the Savannah aud Ocmulgee rivers, has Iicen surveyed and report marie by an accomplished engineer of the army. "Second and third new routes will be proposed for fie consideration of Congress, namely, by an extension of the Kanawha and James river canal to the Ohio, aud by extension of the Chesa

peake and Ohio canal. I am not prepared to I ,im

rcouiuieriu Vioveinmeui aiu to tue.-e or o.ti.-r enterprises, nntil it ia clearly diown that tbev are not only of national iuterest, but that when completed they will be of a value commensurate with their cost. That production increases more rapidly than the means of

la fatal (f iriwui Ar.

der and peace will induce an abandonment of all combinations prohibited by tbe acts refer-

rou io, aim wnen it will be

uunncesMarv to

tsrrv ou uie piosecutioua. or inflict punishment to protect citizens from the lawless domge of such combinations. Applications have been made to me to pardon persons convicted of a violation of said acts upon the ground that clemency in such cases would tend to tranquillize the public mind, and to test the virtue of that policy I am disposed, so far as my sense of justice will permit, to give to these applications a favorable consideration, but any action thareou is not to be construed as indicating any change in mv determination to enforce with vigor such act so long as the conspiracies and combinations therein named disturb the eace of the country. It is much to be regretted, and is regretted bv no one more than mvself. that a til-c -s-irv his vpr

existed to execute the mforcement act. N"o ono can desire more than I that the necessity of applying it may never again be demanded.' The Secretary of tbe Interior reports satisfactory improvement and progression in each of the several bureaus under the contr A of

toe interior Department. Thev ar6 ail

ceiient condition. The work which

of them for some

ther aid the American exhibitors at the Vienna nations, would seem to deserve a preference

LxpoiUon, I would recommend, in addition 1 ,ver enta of a innerem ongm and contracted

to an appropriation of monev. that the Secre

tary of tbe Navy be authorized to fit up two naxal vessels to transport between our Atlantautic cities and Trieste, or tbe most couvement i r; to Vtenua. and back, tbeir articles

for exhibition. Since your last session, tbe President of tbe Mexican Republic, (bstintusbed bv his high character aud by hia services to his country, has died. His temporary aucceaaor has uow been elected with great unanmity by tb peopele a proof of confidence on their part in bis patriotism and wisdom, which, it is believed, will be confirmed by the resulta of his administration. It is particularly desirable that nothing should be left undone by tbe Government of either Republic to strengthen their relatiiuns a ueigbbors and friends. It is much to be

regretted that manv lawless act continue to

m a oinereut manner, im . subject i- ear

neatly recommended to tbo attention of Congress for such action as may be deemed proper. Our treatv relations with Japan remain unchanged. An imposing embassy from that interesting and progressive nation visited thin country dnrint; the year that is passing, but leing unprovided with power for the signing of a convention in this country, no conclusion in that direction was reached. It is hoped, however, that the interchange of opinions which took place during their stay in this country had led to a mutual appreciation of the interests which may be promoted when tbe revision of the existing t-eaty shall be undertaken. In thia connection I renew my recommendation of one year ago. that to give importance

anu to add to ttir emciencv cf onr diplomati

disturb the quiet of the sertiementa on tbe ! relations with Japan and China, and to further liordcr between onr territory and that of ! IM ln maintaining the good opinion of these

Mexico, aud tbat complaints or wrong to American citizens in various p-rtsof thecountrp arc made. Tbe revolutionary condition in which tbe neighboring Republic' baa so long been involved has, in soma degree, contributed to tin disturbance. It ia to be hoped that with a more settled rule of order thronghout the Republic, which nuy be expected f r. .tn the prescut Government, tbe acta of which just comolaiut is made will cease. Tbe proceedings of tbe Commission under the convention with Mexico of the 4th of July, 1868. on the subject of claims, have unfortunately l e.-u checked by an obstacle, for the removal of which roea tires have been taken by the two Governments which, it is believed, will prove successful. The Commissi oners appointed pursnmt to the joint resolution of Congress of the 7th of May last, to impure into depredations on too Texaa frontier, nave diligently made investigations in that quarter. Their report upon tbe aabject will be communicated to you. Their researches were necessarily incomplete, partly on account of tbe limited appropriation made by Congress. Mexico, on the part of tbat Government, has appointed a similar Commission to investigate these outrages. It is not announced officially, but the press of that country states that the fullest investigation is desired, and that the

co-operation of all parties concerned is invited to secure that end. I therefore recommend

that a special appropriation be made, at the earliest day practicable, to enable tbe Commissioners on tbe part of tbe United Statea to return to their labors without dely. It is with regret that I have again to announce a continuance of tbe disturbed condition of tbe Island of Cuba. No advance toward the pacification of the discontented portion of the population haa been made, while tbe insurrection has sained no advantages, and exhibits no more of tbe;e!eraente of power or of the prospect of ultimate success than were exhibited a year ago. Spain, on the otber hand, has not' succeeded in repression, and the parties etand apparently in the same relative attitude which they have occupied for a long time past. This contest has lasted now for more than four years. Were it seen at a distance from our neighborhood we might be indifferent to its result, although humanity could nor be unmoved by many of ita incidents whenever they might occur. It h, however, at onr door. I cannot doubt tbat the continued maintenance of slavery in Cuba is among tbe strongest inducements to the continuance of this strife. A terrible wrong is tne natural cause of a terriblo evil. The als . litem of slavery and the introduction of other rcforma in the administration of the Government in Cuba could not fail to advance th restoration of peace and order. It ia ee-

people. and secure to the United States its

share of tbe commerce destined to flow between these nations and the balance of the commercial world, an appropriation be made to support at least four American youths in each of these countries, to servo as 'a part of the official family of onr Miuistrv there. Our representatives would not even then le placed upon an equality with tbe representatives of Great Britain or some other powers. As now situated, our representatives in Japan and China have to depend for interpreters and translators ut on natives of those countries who know our Unguage imperfectly, or procure for the occasion the services of employes in foreign business houses, or the interpreters to otber foreign Ministers. I renew the recommendation made on a

previous occasion of tue transfer to the Department of the Interior, to which they seem more appropriately to belong, of all the powers and duties iu relation to tbe territories with which the Department of State is now charged by law or by custom. Congress, from tbe beginning of the Government, has wisely made provision for the relief of distressed seamen in foreign countries. No similar provision, however, haa hitherto lieen made for the relief of citizens in distress abroad otber than seamen. It ia understood to be customary with other Governments to authorize Consuls to extend such relief to tbeir citizens or subjects in cettain cases. A similar authority and an appropriation to carry.it into eff et are commended in cases of citizens of the United States sick, under such circumstances. It ia well known tbat mich citizons report to foreign countries in great numbers ; though moat of tbem are able to bear tbe expenses incidental to locomotion, there are some who, through accident or otherwise, become penniless, and have no fnends at home able to succor them. Persons in this situation must either perish, cast themselvea up n the charity of foreigners, or be relieved at the private charge of onr officers, wbo, usually, even with the most benevolent disposition, have nothing to spare for su.di purpose Should the authority and the appropriation asked for be given, care will be taken to cairy the beneficence of Congress into effect, that it shall not lie nn necessarily or unworthily besrowod. 1 be net reduction of the principal of the debt dnrin,; the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872. was fd!t.96,253.54. The source of the reduction is as follow i Net ordinary receipts during the year. 1361,691.229 91 net ordinary expenditures, mclmiing iuterest on public debt, t270.659.69". 91 ; total. 94.134. 534.54. Add amount of receipts from premium on sales of go'd. in excess of the premiums paid on bonds purchased, t2.454.470.S9. Add amount of reduction ef the cash bal-

transportation in our couutry, has been !eI monstrated by past experience. That the unprecedented growth in population and produe's of the whole country will require additional facilities and cheaper means for the I more bnlky articles of commerce to reach tiie I tide water and a market will be demanded in the near future is equally demonstrable. I would therefore suggest either a committee or commisioner be authorized to consider this ! whole question, and to report to Congress at some future day for its better gnidance in I legislating on the important subject. Tbe , railroads of the country have been rapnllv extended dnring tbe last few yeais to meet tbe growing demands of producer, and reflect much credit upon the capitalists sad manager engaged in tbeir construction. In addition to these, a project to facilitate commerco by the building of a ship canal around Niigara Falls on the United States side, which has been agitated for manv years, will no doubt be called to your attention this session. Looking to the great future of the conntrv and the increasing demands of commerce, it might lie well, while on this subject, not onlv to have examined and reported upon, the various practicable routes for connecting tbe HaMM sippi with tide water, bnt tbe feasibility of an almost continuous land locked navigation from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Such a route along our coast would be of great value at all

times, ana of inestimable value in cace of a foreign war. Nature has provided the greater

parr or tins route, ana tbe obstacles to be overcome are easily within the skill of the engineer. I have not alluded to this subject with the view of having any further expenditure of public money, at this time, than maybe necessary to procure aud p'aco ell the necessary information before Congress in an authentic form to enable it hereafier. if deemed practicable and worthy, to legislate on the subject without delay. It is evident unless steps are taken to preserve our navy, that in a very few years the United States will be the weakest nation upon the ocean of all the groat Dowers. With an energetic, progressive, business people like ours, penetrating and forming business relations with every part of the known world, a navy strong enough to command the respect of our flac abroad is necessary for the full protection of their rights. I recommend careful const le ration by Congress of the recommendations made by the Secretary of tiie Navy. The accompanying rcpert of the Postmaster General furnishes a full and satisfac

tory exhibit of the operation of tbe Postoffice Department during the year. Our postal communication with all parts of the civilized world have been placed upon a most advantageous footing by the improved postal conventions and arrangements recently concluded with the leading commercial countries of Europe and America, and the graufving statement is made that, with the conclusion ol a satisfactory convention with France, the details of which have been definitely agreed to by tbe head of the French Postal" Department, subject to the approval of the Minister of Finance, little remains to be accomplished by treaty for some time to come, in respect to reduction of rate, or improved facilities for postal intercourse. I have heretofore commended the abolition of the franking privilege, and see no reason now for changing my views on that subject. It not having been favorably regarded by Congress, however, I now suggest a modification of that privilege to correct its glaring and costly abuses. I would recommend also the appointment of a committee or commission to take into consideration the beat method, equitable to private corporations who have invested their time and capital in the establishment of telegraph Unes. of acquiring he title to all the telegraph lines doc in operation, and of connecting thia service with the postal service of the nation. It is not probable that this subject could receivo tho proper consideration during tho limits of a short session of Congress, but it may le initiated, so that further action mav be fair to tbe Government and M private parties concerned. Tu report of the Secretary of the Treasury

m ex-

in some

vears his been in arrears

has been brought down to a recent date, and to ail thecurreut business has been promotlv diSpatcl'ed.

tiie poncy which was a lopted at the begin-

; of the Admir sttatien with regard to the

management of tue Indians ha been as successful as ns most anient frieuds anticipated within so short a time. It haa reduced the expense of their management, decreased their forage upon the white settlements, tended to give the largest opportunity to the extension of the great railways through the public domain and the pusbin the setltenieut into the more remote districts cf the OMMtty and at the same time improve tbe condition of tue Indians. The policy .viil be maintained without any change, excepting such as further experience may show to be necesry to render it more efficient. Tbe subject of converting the so-called Indian Territory, south of Kansas, into a home for the ludiäns, and erecting thereon a Territorial form of government. i one of great importance as a complement of the existing Indian pobev. The question of removal to the Territory baa withiu the past year been presented to manv of the tribes resident upon otber aud less 'favorable portions of tbe public domain aud has generativ been recoived by them as a nreliuiinajv sten

lo the organization ot ejeb a terntorv will be i necessary to confine the Indians now resident I therein to farms of proper size, which should be secured to them in fee. the residue to bau ed

for the settlement of othar friendly Indians. Efforts will be made in the immediäte future to induce the removal of as many peaceablydisposed Indians only to the Indian Territory as can be settled properly without disturbing the harmony of those already there. There is no other location now ava.'able where a people who are endeavoring to acquire a knowledge of pastoral aud agricultural pursuits can be as well accommodated as upon the unoccupied lands of the Indian Territory. Affairs in tbe Territories are generally satisfactory, lbe energy and business capacity of the pioneers who are settling up the vast domain not yet iuccqiorated into States, ara keeping pace in internal improvements and civil government with tbe older communities. In bnt one of them. Utah, is tbe condition of affairs unsatisfactory, except so far as the quiet of the citizens' may bo disturbed bv tbe real or imaginary danger 'of Indian hostilities. It has seemed to be the policy of the Legislature of Utah to evade all responsibility to tbe Government of the United States, arid evm

to now a position in hostility to it. I recommend a careful revision of the laws of the Territory by Congress, and the enactment of such a law as tbe ono proposed in Congrews at its last session, for instance, or something similar to it, as will secure peace, the e. pial.tr of all citizens before the law, and the ultimate relinquishment of polygamy. Tiie ninth census i- alut completed. Its completion is a subject of congratulation, inasmuch as the use t i be made of tbe statistics therein contained dApeods very greatly on the prompitude of publication. The Secretary of tbe Interior recommends tbat a census be taken in 1875, which recommendation should receive the ready attention of Congress. The interval at present established between tbe Federal census is so long that the informaion obtained at the decimal periods to the material comhtiou, wants and resources of the nation is of little practical value. After the expiration of the first half of that period, it would probably obviate tbe constitutional provision regarding the decimal census, if a census taken in 1875 should be divested of ail political character, and no apportionment of Congressional represenation be made under it. Such a census coming as it would in the last year of tbe first century of our national existence would furnish a noble monument of the progress of the United States during tbat century. Tbe rapidly increasing interest in education is a most encouraging feature in tbe current history of the country, and it i no doubt true that this is due in a great measure to the efforts of the Bureau of Education. That office is continually receiving evidences which abundantly prove" ita efficiency, from the various institutions of learning and educators of all kinds throngnout the country. Tbe report of tbe Commissioner contains a vast amount of educational details of great interest. The bill now pending before Coiigre. providing for the appropriation of part of th proceed of the sales of public 'amis for e Ideational purposes to aid the States ui tbe f;enc ral education of their rising generation, a measure of such great importance to our tsal progress, and is so unanimously aptircved bv tbe leading friends of elncation. that com(OtnclMttett on Pj 6.)