Newspaper Page Text
President's Message.
la iMMMmUint tr cnl my fourth anntliil
m e, It In witli thankfulness lu the Wver
mt mil rood lbs as nntion we have Been
tfcsaed fur the test ywr with pram; at home
mad, in jp-ihthI prosperity Hist bus been
Vouchsafed to but few people. Willi the ex
emption nt (tie recent devasmtrng; fire wliicii
we from cnrtli willi bsealb, ns it were,
. SMMIonsof accumulated wealth in I lie city
f Boston, there lisve been no ovtrsliiitlonlua
calamities within the yesr to record. It Is
rtliyiiiK Hi ilotB how liho tin Ir fcllow-ci.i-cros
of the city of Chkt'uucr imitnr cir-
t camstsnccs. yesr curlier,, the citizens of 11ns
two arc rallying mrtfrr tiieip misfortunes, rikI
the prosoen ta rtlnl their encriry mid persevcr
ae Will overcome nil obstacles, ft ml lmw the
sMe prosnerlty soon tbnt tbry would have'
bad, bad no disaster bcliillcn lliem. Otherwise
w bare been five In mi pestilence, wiir mul
Calainlilea, which mien nvertiiku navtons, mid
a far M human Judgment cmi penetrate I lie
ftiturr, do cause sictns to exist to 'lircatcn our
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When ConvnrM adjourned In June Lis, a
question had been raised by Ureal ilriihiiiritiHl
was then nciidiu, which lor 11 time, seriously
Imperilled the scltlemcul of friendly urbiir.i
lion Ot the differences existing between this
Umwrnmcol and that nf 11 r liriitunic M.1J1 s-
, jr, aawlby the trenly ol Wnshiiutun hud been
referred l Ibo Tribunal ol' Ai libralion, which
had niel at Geneva, in S iizcr!;i;il.. TIim ar
bitrators, however, disposed of Hie question
which had jeopnrdiZ 'd thu whole ot" the Mealy,
nd threatened to Involve lh two tuition in
the most unhappy relations tnwitr.ls eacli oilier,
in manner entirely siili-Iiiciory to this fjov
rrnmtint, and-ip accordance with thu views
nd the policy which it liiul maintained. The
tribunnl wluali had eouvi ncil in Geneva in
December, ooncluue J lis laborious session 011
the 11th day ol' 3. plumber last, 011 which day,
having availed ilscif of 1 lie discretionary pow
er given to it liy the trealy to award it s.un in
cross, i: made us decision, wncreby it uwnivled
the sum 01 l5,5i)0,0b0 in jfold, as Hie indem
nity to be paid liy Ureal Br. lain to the United
Irta'.es, lor I lie suiisluclioii 01 all I lie eld. in ro
JVrrcd to its consideration. Tne ileeision
Happily dispose of a lon standing ilHt'-rciice
betewen the two govern men is, and in coiim c
. tion with another award made liy the Ocrman
Emperor under a relCKcuc: to him by (he Maine
treaty, leaves these two trim miliums v. iiliout
Shadow upon thj friendly relalions wliieh
it Is my sincere hope may lorevi r remain
pjally unclouded. The report of the nijcni
1 the LuiteJ hums upiioiuied lo-attend ihe
Geneva Tiibuunl, uctouipanied by the prolo
Cola of the proceedings 01 Uie ArtiitritUirs, is
transmilled herewiili. I have caused to lie
Communicated to the heads of the llirec friend
ly powers who complied with the joint re
quest made to them und r the treaty, the
thanks of Ibis Government for the np'poiiil
tneut of Arbitrators made, by lliem respect
ively, and also my thanks to thu einiiieiil
personages named liy them, and my apprecia
tion of tint dignity, patience, Impartiality and
great ability with which they discharged their
arduous und high functions. lb r Majesty's
' government has uoiiumiiilca'.i d to inn. Us ap-
prestation by Her Aliilesiy of Ihe abilily and
Indelaiiuhlu induslr-y displayed by Mr. Adams,
the arbitrator Humid on the purl of this Gov
e rnineul, during the proirac'.ed iininirii s ami
llisciiHsiiins of tun 'I'liouiial, 1 cordially unite
Willi ller ilnjesiy in i;di appreciation. It is
due to the neiil ot I lie I'nited btates bi.lore
the Tlibunal to record my lii'h appreciation ol
the uiiiiked abilily, unwearied paiieuee and
the prudence and iliscrelinu witli which
lie bus conducted the very responsible and
delicate dutiis committed to him, ns it is
arlso due to the learned and emiin nl counsel
who attended the tribunal on thu part ol this
Government, to express my sense 01 the talent
nd Wis loin which tney biouj;lil to bear in the
argument of the result m happily reached, ll
will be the jirovince of Congress tu provide
. fur the distribution anions those who may be
a titled. 10 it, of lluk reptctiye shares ol the
money to lie pit id.
Although iho sum awnided Is uot payable
nntll ayeHr liimi the date ol thu uwmd, it is
ueeiutu advisable that no time b his1. In muk
Inf proper cxniuiuution of the several cases
in which indemnification may lie due. 1 eon-
. aequenily rceoiiinn I'd the, creatl 111 of a board
of commissioners for the purpose, liy the
' thlrty-lnurth articie 01" lliu trenly of Wii.-liiu-
. Ion, the respective claims of the (Jailed Stan
nd Great B.-iiian, In their ConHlniction of the
treaty of the Kith of June, I6li. delinin;; the
bouodry linu between thcii rispbl'Mvu terri
tories, were submitted lo tlio iiridiralioii mid
the award of His ilnji sty, the Ktupcrur ol
Uer ninny, to decide wiucti of those cluiius 1
niosuiu accordunce with the In.u l.iterpteii)
lion of Uut Trealy of l4(l His Majesty, the
JSinperor of Ueriiiany, hi.yiiiK lieeu pleural to
undertake the iirlii.ijoi.iu, has Hie ciiruesi
thanks of this Kovertiiiient und of the people
oflheUuilid biMl.-s, lor the l.ilior, iains and
are which he iias d. tou-d lo the eonsideiaiioii
f this hmf peniliux ddl'Lieiici!. 1 hnye canseil
n expression ol my thanks to be toiiiiiitini
catcd 10 his Majesty. Mr. llancrofl, the repre
sentative of this K"Vcriinicul 11 1 Uerlin, con
ducted the case mho pn-pured thu sinti iueul 011
the pari of the United h.alia wilii llm uliiliiy
ttlat his iast service Jusiitled iho pitblli: in e
)M'Cllf; at his liands. Ah a member of the
Cabiuet nt the dalu of the Treat v which hns
given rite to llm discussion between tiie two
Kovermneiits, us the MiuUli r In limit lliliiun
wheu the Construction now iirouoiinccd. (in
liiuuded was first advanced, nudt us thu uncut
and representative of thu uoveiniui'iit to pre
cut the case and to receive thu award, lie ha
been cssociatcd Willi 11m ( 1. nliiui in all its
phases, and iu every M Ku has inanib sled 11
kaliiuiic .yul and (iirnehtueHs in Hie iiuinle
Maneol the claims ol t,.u United Sun p. lie
i er.tiilvd to much credit lor thu i,u.:ess
wuieh has ai tended I lie tmhniisHioii. Albra
patient ilivcslljiuliuu ol the case, and ol the
tateineut l l uitb parly, His M ijcsiy, the Km-
rraor, on IheSlst day ol October liibl, slu'lled
is award lu ttiiiine, ilccieeiiijj that the claim
of the Koverniiienl ol Hie United Slates that
UlO bmindiy linn lulwein the T'eirilol ics ol
.Ucr IJrllluiiic Maj sly and llu Uniud Slates
should he drawn lnioiih thu Jl.iro Ulinnucl,
tr most In accord; 11 e wiih the true iulerpreta
linu of the Trealy concluded 011 t!iu l.lili of
Juue, lt0, bt lween Din ski iiis of Her Ulilun
Jc Majesty and of the United Stales.
Copies of li. e cum presented 011 behalf of
nch Govcrnn cut, and of the siaieim uis lu
reply of each, and translation of the award
ar triasiuiiu (1 ikiiwiui. '1 his awnrd con
Urms the L imed Siatis in tin ir claim to the
important archipelago of isluuds lyiny betneiu
the Conlhieiil uud Vancouvi r libiiid, w hich
'.r tweniy-six years, ver since ihc ratilleniioii
of the Irraiy, Grtat Hi limn let route sled, uud
leaves us for me In s( tune in liu history of the
..fulled Stales as a imtlon without a (picsimu ol
disputed boundary Ix t wecu our territory 11 m I
the posieksloiii 01 (in nt llriiain 011 this conii
UenL It is my graleliil duly to urkliou ledge
M prompt sponliuieotik Hi-lion ol ilerMnji s
ty'i Govsruuiiiit lu jjivlii illect lo thu auiiril
im anlicipaiwiu ol any request Irom this Uov.
t-ruimul, uiui Uhiro thu feeeptioii in the
Vulted Stan s of fUe sward slijued by Ihc I'm
pi ror, Uer Majesty lea" giv, insiruiti 'us for
the siNmvHtol her troops wlricli had Ue.i atft
thioed lliere, a(t lor tin-umuiIou ol all exer
cise or claim ol Juiiadiellou, so s lo leave Iho
United Blutcs iu ikclusiva piMwasiou of Hie
leljr disputed territory. I sm graiitkd lo be
able to announce that the orders lor the remo
val of the troops have been executed, and the
Military jolol occupation of Msn J una hss
ccasnd. The Wands are now in lh exclusive
oaaalon of tbe United tilales., Jl now Lu
mtaw uecetssary lo complete Ihe'sui vey und
ceisrmiasiloii of the poriiou of Hie b-.uudary
nnn Ibroiiea ike llsro chain I, uimu which the
couuniMsiou which determined the uiuiniiiff
part ot Uut WmiWcfs uuuble to nyrcf. I -re-eoiiimend
(he sppointim 11 1 of a Coiumiiou to
act Jointly with one hleh msy lie iiaiued by
lier Msjesty lor that puroi.se.. txperlelic! ol
WUa diOiciiliies alleuunia Um dukUmUou ol
oar diniiti 1 Hits of boundary, alter tbu occu
pation of the territory and Its Itteii.ein by
those owlnjt ulieiiiunce 10 Ihu rvspeclive gov
Hiuienls, points to the Importance ofestuh
rishiuir, by natural olijecls or other lliouuuienls,
the actual liis between the territory acquired
ljr purchas fioin Hussia and the adjoining
H(sslons Of Jier Briin0 Majesty. .There
kIou is mow ao tparaoly oueupied Hist 110 con
O.iUdg ijilcrists of iiiUividiials or of juris.lu
ripo are likely to inter!' to to the delxy ot em
tWruaimeut of ttitiscia il locsiioa of the line.
Jftielcrctbuulil the popu.Vdou shull cuter and
winpj; (be Krjluiry ujoo in vial oouUst ot
iieigliooivs -iy aaiu arMy the two jfoviru
Hicntf Id antagonism. 1 therefore reeonnuend
the appointment of coiuinisMontto act Jv.ady
with one thflt may be appointed on the part of
Great Britain, to determine tlic line between
our territory of Alaska and Cha co-terminu
possessions ol Great Britain
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
In niv last annual messnjju 1 recommended
Die leghlation uecesaaty on thu paM of the
United Suites to hrhiif; Into opcrntion thu nrtl
cli s of the Tnaty of W ashington, of May,
1871, rrlalinit to thu flslu rii s and to olio r
mutters touching thu relations of thu United
Sla'cs tow aril the British North American pus
si rsiohs, to become operative so soon ns Hie
legislation should be had 011 the part of Great
Britain, and her possessions ; that legislation
011 the part ol'Great Britain and lis possessions
had not then been hud, and durinir Ihu session
of Congress a question was raised which lor
Ihu lime, raised a doubt whether any action by
Cmigrcus In the dlreelkin indicated would be
0 imu import iM. This question has since
been disposed of, find 1 h.ivu receive d nnllcu
thill the imperial Parliament and thu LckUIii
lure of the Provincial Government have passed
laws lo carry Ihu provisions ot thu treaty on
thu matters referred lo into operation. I there
fore recommend your curly adoption of the
legislation in the. same direction n.cessiiry on
tin: part of tliis Government.
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
The Joint Commission for (h lirniliiliin the
boundary linu beiween Ihu United Stales and
the Briiisli l'ossi stions between the Lake
ot the Woods and the Kocky Mountains has
oruiii.ed and entered upon Its work. Il is
desirable that Ihu lorcc be. increased iu order
that the completion of the survey uud deter
miiiaiion of thu linu may be the sooner nltuin
ed. To this end 1 recommend Ihut u sufUelent
appropriation be made.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
With France, our earliest ally, Hussia, t lie
constant and steady Iriend 01 the United
Stales, Germany, wim whose government and
people, wu liave so many caiisi s ol Irieudshiu
and so tunny common svmiialliics. and thu
other powirs of Europe, our relalions are
muiiiluiiu d 011 thu most iriendly terms.
TREATIES RATIFED.
Since my last niimial inessngu the r.clmnji;o
bus been made nf the miilicniions of a treaty
w iih the Ausiro-ll jiim ciu Kinpire, rclaliii(r lo
nai.ura:iz.iiiou ( also ol a ireaiy wiih the Ger
man Empire, ri spieling Consuls and trade
marks; also ol u treaty wild Swecden and
Norway r Lilian lo naturalization ; nil ot
w hich treutii s Imve been
INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS.
C.mr(ss ai its laAt Mt-tiou having nuiile an
nppropri.iliou to delrny Hie expense ol coiiuni
imoiicrs on the pull 01 ilie L'mitd Stales to tne
inti riiutioual Siatisiical Concress at Si. 1'etels
liui'tr, thu persons appi-luted in Unit charnc;er
projeuded to their ueslination 11 lid nllunded
the seSttioiis- of thu Congress. Their report
shall in duu suusou bu laid before you. This
Congress meets at intervals or iiuout three
years, and lias held its sessions in several ol
me couutriis of Euiope. 1 submit lu your
consideration thu propriety of extending un
invitation to Ihu Coiiuress lo lioui lis next
meeting iu iiiu U'uilcd Stales. Thu Ccnli iiniid
ctlelii'iiiiou, to be held in lSTli, would ull'ord uu
uppidjiriiitu occasion lor s.icli 11 inceling.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
l'rcparalious arc nuikiiig for Ihu Internation
al ExiiomiIoii to bu hcM (iiuiiiif tne next year
in Vienna, on 11 scale ol very ureal hiiil; iiiiude.
The tendency of these expositions is in ihu di
rection of advanced civilisation, uud of the
elevation ol industry uud ot labor, mid of Ihu
increase ol human happimss, as well in' greater
ii.lcrcourse mill good will between nations.
As ibis exposition is lo bu the flrsl w hick
viil huvu been held in Eastern Europe, il is
lielieved Ihut American inventors und luiiuu
fuciurers will Ou ready lo itvuil themselves 1 f
tile opportunity lor Ilie preseiitalioii of Ibi I
prodiieiioiis, il encouraged by proper aid hi d
protection. At the last session ol Congress
..dihoriiy Was given lor the appoiuiineiil ol
one or more ugi 111s lo represent mis govern
ment ul Ihu Exposition. The aiillioriiy thus
given lias been exercised, but in Ihu absence i.f
"sy uppi'opriiilioii there is danger thai Ihu im
portant beuelils winch the occasion oilers will
in n large degree bu lost 10 the ciu.nis of I lie
Ullilud Slates. I commend Ihu subjeclsiroiig
ly to your consideration, mid n commend II, ul
an iideqiuilu itpproprialion bu made lor ibe
purpose. To liiriner uid Amuiici.n exhiliilois
at lue Vienna Eximsiiion, i would recoinniei.il
in iiddiliou lo an appropriation ol money, ihut
the Secretary ol the Nuty bu miihurizud to til
up two 1111 a I vessels lo iiMiispori beiween our
Ailautic ci,l''H iiml T rieste, or ihu most coi,
venienl port to Vienna und O.icx, their itrlicles
for exhibition.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Since your Inst session, ihc President of (lie
Mexican Hepublic, distinguished by his high
cburticlcr 11 lid by Ids services to Ins country,
bus died. His temporary aucu ssor has now
l.eeu elected with great iinaiiiuiity tiy the peo
ple, i prool of conlbleiice on Iheir part in his
pull iiHJSin and wisdom, which il is lielieved
w ill be confirmed by Ihc results of his udiiiiu
islrulion. il is J 'ulicular'y desirable Unit
nothing sliolilil.be left undone by the govcru
iiieiil oVeiihcr republics o sireugihen iht irre-'
lallons us neighbors uud 11 lends. Il is 111 licit
lo be regretted thai many luwusa uclscouliiiuu
10 ui.iturb the quiet of thu sell'.en'ciils on Ihu
border between our territory ur.d thiii ol Mex
ico, und Hull complaints of wrong to Am.ricun
cili.eus in various purls of Ihu country uru
made. 'I hu revolutionary coiidiiion iu which
thu ncighboiiiig republic has so long been In
volved has in some degree contributed lo this
disturbance. It is to lie Imped thai with u
iiioru settled l ulu of order through ihu it pub
lic, w hieh may be expected Irom thu present
govcrnmen , tun acts of w hich Just complaint
is made w ill cusse.
The proceedings of thu Ciiiiiniissioii, tinder
the Convention with .Mexico, of thu 4lh of
July, 18UM, on the subject of claims, have un
lorlunatily been clu cUud by uu olstuclu fir
tlm removal of w hich mcustirvg huvu bum
1 1 U by the two governments, which it is lie
lieved will prove successlul. Thu Comiuis
siomiis appointed puisuant to the Joiul itsolu
tions ol 'Coiign hs of Ihu seventli of May last,
In inquiru into d( pn ilallons on the Texns
fromii r, have ilillgenily made iuvesligiillons
in thai quarter. T heir n purl upon the sub
ject w ill tie communicated to you. Their re
searches wire necessarily lncoiiiplele, puilly
on account of thu limited uppropriulloii uuide
by (ou.ureis. Mexico.on the pal l of that gov
ernuieiil, has appointed u similar commission
lo invesligHle lliesu oiilriiges. Il Is not uu
notinced idlleiully, but the press of Ihut coun
try siaie that the 1 11 1 It hi investigation is dt sir
en, uud Ihut the co-opcraiioii ol nil panics
eouceriied is Invited lo seeuru that cud. 1
therelore recoiliiiu ud I lull a special appropria
tion be made at the earliest day practicable, lo
enable Ibe commissioners .011 Ilie purl of thu
United Stabs lo ret 11 1 11 tu their l ibms without
THE CONDITION OF CUBA.
It U wiih regret Unit I have again to un
noiince the coiitiiitiiince of the disturbed con
dition of Hie island ol Cuba. No advance to
ward thu pacification of ihu discontented part
ol the population has been made, while the in
sin rv clinu bus gained tin advantages, und ex
hlhlis no mom of the i-leiiienls of Miwer, or of
the prospect of ultimate success than were ex
hibited u year ago. Spain, oil Ilia other hniid,
bus not succeed' d lu lis repression, und the
parties stand uppiin nlly in the sumu lelalive
AitilUiie which they have occupied for a long
time p.tit 'J bis ecu lest has lusted now for
more lli;iu lour years. Were it seen si a dis
tance trout our neighborhood we might be in
different to III iisult, although litimuuliy could
not bu unmoved by many of lis incidents,
wlierefer they might occur. It Is, however,
at outdoor. I cr.nnol doubt lhat Ihu contin
ued mulnienaiice of slavery lu Cuba Is among
lb strongest indueeiiielils lo I lie iDUllnuiilicu
of this s;rtle. A lerriblu w rung is lh.' naturul
cnusu or a lerriblu evil, 'ibe abolition of
slnviry and Ihu Iniroiluctiow of other ri'l'oriiia
In the administration of goveffimsnl lu Cub
could not tail lo silviinco tlsw restoration of
pesco and order, ll Is especially to U iiopi d
ihut thu present liberal Government ol' Spain
will volunluiily adopt lids view. Thu law of
rmanclpalioii, w hich was p ivied more than
two years since, bus remuliiud unexecuted. In
thu ubscuce of reuuliitioua for its enfurccmeut
It whs but leuble ateji towurd emancipation,
but ft was Ihe recoguiiiou of right, and was
hulled us such, uud exhibited Hpuin In harmo
ny with) the seutlmenls of liiiinuuliy and of
Justice and lit sympathy with the other poweri
of Ihu christiau aud civilized world.
- W llblu the past few weeks Hip regulation
for carrying out lbs lawa of Einnoelpaliuu
bv bon announced, giving evMeuc af tua
siuctrily of iuleutiou of the preaeni govern
lueni iwearry iuio elluct the law of tU. I
have not fulled to' urge thu consideration of
the wisdout, th policy, and tb Juitlc of ft
nwto effective fystem for Ilia ambition of the
(treat evil which oppresses race, niid
conllnnea bloody and destructive eon
test tloso to our border, as well as tle ex
pediency mid Ihejutico of conceding n -tor 111s
ol whicli the propriety la not questioned.
Deply hnpn ssed with Hie convicliou that Ihu
cimltnuanec of slavery Is oneol Hie most act
I e causes of tk coiilhiuance of the unhappy
conclliioii in Cuba, I re;ret lo believe that the
cilir.ens of the United Hialeg, or Ihose claiming
lo lie such, nre large holders in Cuba of what
is there claim, d us properly, bin which fe for
hidiVeintod denounc e, ly the law tA, the
United Stales, They nru thus in di fiance of
the spirit ol our own laws, contributing to the
the continuance of this dislresslug and
sickening contest. Iu my lust annual incssago
I referred to this subject, and I again recom
mend sm h legislation ns nny bu proper to dis
courage American citizens from holding or
dealing In slaves.
THE SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLIC.
It Is gratifying to announce (hat Ihu rntifl
Cation ol Ihc convention concluded under the
auspices oMhis government, between Spain on
the jne part and the allied Republics of the
Pacific 011 the other, providing for un nrnii
slice, have been exchanged. A copy of tile
instrument is herewith Mi.nnitted. ll is hoped
thai this may bu followed by a permanent
peace beiween the same parties.
The dill'crcnce which alone time threaten
ed the maintenance ol peace beiween Brazil,
and Ihu Argentine K. -public; il is hoped tire lu
the way of satisfactory adjustment. With
these states, as wiih thu republics of Cenlral
and S.1111I1 America, we couiiniio lo niuiiituiu
the most In. udly r. bilious.
THE VENZUELA DEBT.
regret, however, announce that
the Government 01 Venziiula has made no ful
Iher payments ou account ol Hie uwsrils under
the Convention ol the 23 Hi April, 18litl. That
lb public is understood lo bu now almost ll not
quite iraiiquilizud. It is hoped, therelore, that
it will loose no time iu providing lor the un
paid balances of its debt 10 the United Stales,
w hicli, having orlgiuuted in Injuries lo lis cit
izens by Vcuiziiclanniilhoiitics, having been
acknowledged pursuant to u trenly in ihu most
Solemn form knoivii among nanoin, would
s "fin lo deserve 11 p rule re nee over debts of 11
dillcriiil origin, and contracted in a different
inunner. This subject is ugniu recommended
lo t iu attention i.f Congress lor sucu action
us may be deemed proper.
JAPAN AND CHINA.
Our treaty relations with Japan remain 1111
cliatigid. All imposing embassy Irom that
inler. sliny und progressive iiiuiou visited Ibis
country during I lie year lhat is 'passing, but
being unprovided with powers lor lue signing
ol a convention in (his country, uo conclu
sion iu that direction wss reached, ll is hoped
however, that Hie interchange of opinions
which took place during their stay in this
country bus led to a mutual appreciation of Hie
interests wuich may bu promoted when the re
vision of the existing treaty shall bu under
taken. In tliis couiKction 1 renew my rccom
nieiidiilioii of one year ago Hint to give im
portance and lo add to thu elllclency of our
diplomaiiu relalions with Japan and China,
uud lo 1 11 rtli 1 r uid ii. retaining thu good opin
ion of lliesu people, and to secure lo Ihu Uni
ted Slates its ghur-3 of its commerce destined lo
How between these n itiotis uud the baliincu ol
the commercial world, 1111 appropriation bu
made lo support ul least four American youths
in each of lliesu countries to serve tit pari nf
the ofllcial family of our Ministers. Our rep
riseulatives would not even then bu placed
upon equality with thernpreseiiiutivc.1 ol Great
liiiiiun ana of soinu other powers. As
now situated our representatives iu Japan
and China have to depend for iulcipreler
and triinduii a upi n unlive ot those couu
triis who know our language imperlecly, or
pmcr 1 for the occasion thu services 01 em-
uoyes in lorelgu business houses, or the in
terpreter lo other lorcigu Ministers.
TRANSFER OF THE TERRITORIAL. DEPARTMENT.
I renew'my recommendation matin on n pre
vious occasion, of Hie transfer lo the Uepart
inent of the interior, to which they seem more
appropriately to la-long, of all Hie powers and
duties in relation In viiu territories wlili whicli
the department of Stale is uow churged by
law or by custom.
TRANSFER OF THE TERRITORIAL. DEPARTMENT. CONDITION OF THE TREASURY.
The mouey now received and cu ricil Into
the Treasury during the Ascul yenr ending
Jiimi 80, 1B72 : Irom the Customs, $'21 (J,;)?!);.
280 77; irom the sales ot Public Lands. If'i,
nrA.TIilO; lio n in.einiil Revenue, IJIiaO.OW
17J 72 ; irom lax 011 Nuiloual Jlaiik circulu
l!on, tke., .W3,!l!l(l 119 ; irom Pucilli: it iilioud
Coinpniilcs, $71U.8(ll 7; from Cudom, Fines
&e., l,iail,42 H4; from Fees, Consular, Pat
fiit.Limd, Jic, !4.2H4,()U.')Ua; from mlscullu
neons aouie.es,t l,4lZ,2il 71 ; total ordinary ru
ceipls, fatll,(l4,a-'U 111 ; from premium 011 salts
of Coin, $U,412.Gy7 0j ;lolul nel nceipts, 371,
116,1137 fill ; balance In Treasury June 30th,
l71. IOU,035,7l),1 51. including K)18,228 3.1
received In luuvuilbiblcj total avail. tlile
cash, 48t.042.57U 1.1. Thu expenditures by
warrants during the same pi riod were : for civ
il expenses. I6,1MU,0uU 70 ; lor for. gn inter
ests, I8.4ll!),;im 14; Indians, 7,OuS,728 82 ;
pensions, 28,533,402.70 : for military establish
iiienl, Including I'ortltlculious, river and harbor
improvements, and itriciiuU, $J5 327,157.20 :
for naval eslnblishnu nts including vessels and
niaclilni ry ami improvements at Ihu navy
yurds 21,249,800.1)11 ; fof mlscellanuous civil,
including pub. la buildings, liu'liilmm-es, and
collcctiug llm revenue 12.053.320.08; interest
on the public debt 117,1157,830.73; total, ex
clusive of i'incipnl and piviuiiim on public
debt 2iO,55ll,u05.0l ; for premium 011 bonds
purchased 4,0118 200 75 ; for redemption of
the public debt 0ti,!)()0l253.S4 ; total 100,018,
52' . to 1 total net disbursement 377.4?8,210.2I:
btlaucu In treasury Jumi HOlh, 1873, 18,504,
350.01; total l84,043,0i'3.15.
REDUCTION OF PUBLIC DEBT.
From the foregoing sbitemenls ituppeiirsthnt
the m l reduction of Hie principal of iho debt
diulng the fiscal yeur ciuling Junu 3D, 1873.
was U0,0(I0,83IU4. Thusouicu of this reduc
tion is us follows: Net ordinary receipts du
ring thu year, 304,004 01. Net ordinary ex
penilliiires, including Interest on public debt,
270,550,005.01 ; difference, tjU4,I34,534 00.
Add amount of receipts Irom premium ou,
sales ol gold in excess of premium on bonds
purchased 3,454.470.80 ; add ihu amount ol
the luduclioii of the cash biilluncu at the close
of Ibe year, accompanied Willi Ilie same at Ihu
commencement of ihu vcur, '1,081.043.05,
total 00.000,252.54. This is Ihu state
ment ol trials solely of thu principal of Hie
public debt. By the monthly statement of
the public debt w hich ndds together the prin
cipal and Interest due and unpaid and inter
est accrued lo datu dun, and deduct the cash
in ibe treasury us according. On the day of
publication the reduction was 100 544,401. 2f.
Thu sum vu of this reduction is us follows: re
duction in principal accounts, 1)0,000,003.54 ;
reduction in unpaid litis rut uccounts, 3,830
053 00. total, 103,200,050 Bo ; reduction In cash
on band, 2(740,4(1,').32 lotnl, 1)0,541,41)1.38.
On the basis id' Ihu lust table, Ihu statements
show a reduction of the public dubt Irom the
first of March, 1801), to the present time, as fol
low s ; From March 1st, 18UU, to March 1st, 18
70, 47,134,782.84 ; fiom March Is', 187o, to
March 1st, 1871, 1 17,010,30 29 1 from March I,
H71, to March ), 1873. 01.805,348 04 ; Irom
March 1, 1872, lo Nov. 1st, 1873. eight months
04,047.237.87 ; total, 303.000.000 87. Willi
iho irreat reduction of taxation by the act of
Ouigresaat lu last session, the expenditures or
Government In collrciinir reveune w ill be much
reduced for thu next lUcal yeur. It is very
doubtful, however, w hether anyjrcduclloii of
so vexatious a burthen upon any people will
be practicable for the present. At all events,
as ii.easur of Justice lo the holders of the
nation's certificates of Indebtedness, I would
recommend that no more legislation be bat) on
this subject, unless it be to correct errors of
omission or commission In Ihu present Ihwa,
Ufdll sutllcleiil time bns elapsed lo prove that
ll Cu he doue and still leave sufficient revenue
lo meet (lie current expenses of the Govern
men I, pay iillcrcsl oil the public debt, and pro
Tide lor lh sinking fund established by law.
Tho preservation ol'our national credit is of ibe
idghest Importance, Next In Importance to
this comes a soleinu duty lo provide u national
currency of fixed, unvarying value, ns com
pared with gold, aud us soon as prnclicablo,
liavlug duo regard for tho Inter 's of tbu
debtor chisa, and tbe vicissitudes of trsdu and
commerce aud controvertible (ulo gold at pur
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Tbe report of the Secretary nf War shows
the exH)iulluirea of the War Department for
the fiscal year ending J una V0, 18T1 l be $3V
700.001.HJ and lor the fiscal year ending June
80, 1873. lo bo 133.3,157.20, showing a reduo
tloa lu favor of Ui last fiscal year of f illfiOi-
.(12. The estimates for military aniironrbillons
lor lh next fiscal year, cndiiiit June HO 1874,
are 3301,878.78, The estimates of the Chief
of Engineers are submitted semrately for
I'ortincationa, river and harbor improvctnenls,
and tor public buildings and grounds and the
Washington Aqueduct. The atluiia of Hie
Fruedmeu s Bureau have all been transferred
to the War Department, and regulutlona liave
been put Into execution lor Hie speedy pay
ment of bounty, pny, etc., due colored soldiers,
properly coming under that bureau. All w ar
accounts lor money and property prlorlo 1871,
have lieeu examined aud transmitted lo the
Trensiuy for unit aelilement. Dining the
fiscal year there has been paid for transporta
tion ou Hiiilroiuls, J5oo,ooo, of which 80,
857 was over thu Paeillo Kailrouds; for trans
portation by wnter, 02,0)17,852, and by stages
48,075.84 ; and lor the purchase of transpor
tation animals, wagons, hiru of leannlers, etc.,
924,050.04. About 37o,ooo huvu been col
lected irom Southern railroads during the yi ar,
Tunvlnif aboul 4,ooo,hio still due. The
quarteiiuaslcr has examined uud transmilled
to the accounting officers for settlement, fUO.
717,273 of claims ly loyal citizens lor quarter
master's ston s taken during the war. Sub
sistence supplies to the amount of 8,904,813
have been issued lo Indians. The annual
average mean strength of the nrmy was 24,
101 white uud 3,404 colored soldiers. The
loiul number of deaths lor thu year reported
were 807 while and 64 colored. Thu distribu
tion of the medical aud surgical history of Iho
war is yul to be ordered by Congress. There
exists uu ubsolule necessity for a medical corps
of the full number csl'ihhsbed by net of Con
gress of July 38, 1800, there being now 59
vacancies and the number of successful candi
dates rurely exceeds eight or leu in any one
year. Too river and harbor improvements
have been curried on with energy and economy.
Though many uru only partially completed,
thu results have saved lo commerce 111 uny times
Hie amount expended. Thu increase of com
merce, Willi greater depth of channels, greater
security iu nuviguttoii, and Ihu saving of time,
adds millions lo thu weulth of Hie country, mid
increases Ihu resources of Hie government.
The bridgu ucross thu Mississippi river at Itock
island bus beuu coniple.ed, aud Ihu proper
situ has been determined upon at La Urosse.
The utile uud exhaustive report inuilu by thu
Commissioner appointed to inveslijiilu Hie
Sutro Tunnel bus been transmilled to Con
SIGNAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
The observations und report of the signal
olllcj huvu been continued. Suuious nave
beuu maintained ut cacti of tho principal lake,
seaport und river cities ; ten additional stations
liave been inuiiiiuinud iu Hie United Slates, and
arrangements iiavj been made for un exchunge
of reports with Canada, und u similar exchunge
of observations is contemplated with thu W est
Itidiu islands.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS.
Tho favorable attention of Congress Is in
vited lo thu following recommendations of
IhuSecrctury of Wnr: A discoulinuuncu of
Hie appointment of extra lictileiiuuts to serve
us udjulanls uud quurlermasluis ; the udnpiion
of a cudu providing a specific penalty lorn
well defined offense, so that Ihu inequality ol
sentences udjudgtd by court-martial may be
adjusted; thu consolidations of accounts un
der which expenditures uremudc,as 11 measure
of economy ; a re-uppropriuliun of Ihu money
for a depot ut S,m Aiilouio, the litlu to thu
situ boiu now perfected; a special act
placing the cemetery at the cily of Mexico on
1 lie siime basis us othur national cemeteries;
authority to purchase military posts iu Texas;
thu uppoiiitmciit of comtnisury sergeants from
nou-couimissioiied otlicers, as u measure for
securing thu belter caru and protection of
snpp'ies; an appropriation of the catalogue
table of ihu uiiaiomical section of thu Army
M.'dical Museum ; ti rc-appmpriulion of the
amount tor the inunulucture of breech loading
urms, should the selection bu so delayed by thu
Board of Otlicers us lo leave the loruicr up
piopriutiou unexpended at thu close of the
fiscal year; (he statu of such arsenals east of
the Mississippi as cau be spared, nnd thu pro
ceeds applied to Hie establishment of one large
nrscmil ol construction and repair upon the
Aluniic coast, and ihu purchase of 11 suitable
silo lor a proving and experimental ground
lor heavy ordinnnce ; the abroguliou of thu
laws which deprive inventors in the United
States service Irom deriving any beiiefit from
their inventions ; ihu repeul of the law pro
hibiting promotions in the stall' corps ; a con
tinuance of the work upon the const defences;
thu repeul of thu seventh secliou of thu act ol
July 13, 1800, taking from an engineer soldier
thu per diem grunted to other troops; .limi
tation of time lor the preajiituiion of subsist
ence supplies, under net of July 4th, 18H4, and
a inodihcaliou of thu modu ol the sulecliou ol
Cutlets for the Miiilury Academy, in order
lo enhunce the usefulness of thu Academy,
which is impaired by reason ot the large
amount of lime necessarily expended iu giving
new cadets a thorough knowledge ol llm mure
elementary brunches of learning, w hich they
should ucquiru before cntcrniii,' ihu Academy ;
also un appropriation lor philosophical appa
ratus, uud an increase in the number uud Ihe
pay of tnu Miiilury Academy Bund.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS. THE SUBJECT OF CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
Tho intention of Congress will bu culled
during its present session to various enter
prises for the more cerluin and cheaper trans
portations of the consinully increasing surplus
ol Hie Western and Southern products lo the
Atlantic seaboard. The subject is 0110 that
will force itself upon Ihu legislative brunch of
the government sooner or later, und I suggest,
Iherelore, that iinmedialo steps lie lakuu to
gain nil uvuihiblu information to Insure un
iquilablo aud Just legislation. Thu route to
connect thu Mississippi valley w ith thu Aliun
de at Charleston, South Curoliim, and Biuiun
null, Georgia, by w uter, by the way of thu
Ohio und Tennessee rivers, und canals nnd
slackwuter navigation to Hie Bivannuh und
uumulgeo rivers, bus been surveyed and report
made by an accomplished cngiuecr, uu otllcer
of thu army. The second and third new
routes will be proposed for tbu consideration
of Congress, namely, by an extension of the
Kunuwtia aud James Kiver Cunul to tho Ohio,
and by the extension of ihu Chesuoeuku und
Ohio Cunul. I am uol prepared 10 recommend
government aid lo these or oilier enterprises
until ll is ciuarly shown Uiui they are notoulv
of uullouul iulcreal but that, wbeu completed,
tuey win oe 01 a yiuuu commensurate with
their cost. That production increases more,
rapidly luau tho means of transportation in
our country bus beuu demonstrated by past
experience; that tbu unprecedented growth lu
population und products ot thu whole country,
will require additional lucililies and cheaper
means lor ihu more bulky articles of commuicu
to reach tide water uud a market, will bu de
manded In the near future, Is cquully demon
strable. . I would therefore suggest either a
couimllteu or commission lo bu authorized to
consider this whole question, aud lo repurt to
Congress ul soiuo fuiuru day, lor its butter
guiUaiicu lu legislating on thu iinnortunl sub
ject. The lailroads of tho country have been
rapidly exteudud during 'tho lusl lew years to
mucl iho growing deinunds of producers, aud
reflect much credit upou the capitalists uud
managers engaged iu Iheir cousirnullou. In
udditiou to these, a project to luciliiule com
merce by the building 01 a ship canal around
Niugara Fulls, on tho United btalea side,
which has been agibiled for many years, will
uu doubt bu culled to your attention this sea
sliu. Looking lo tho groal bit uru of Ihe coun
try, thu increasing demands of commerce, it
might be well, while ou Ibis subject, uolouly
lo have examined and reported upon the vait
uus practical routes for connecting ihe Missis
sippi with tide water ou tho Aliunde, but thu
feasibility or an almost continuous laud locked
navigation front Maine to thu Gull of Mexico.
Such a roulo along our coast would bo of
ltroul value at uU liaies, uud of inestimable
vuluo lo cuso of foreign war. Nature has
provided Uie greater pull of this route, uud Iho
obstacles lo he overcome are easily within the
kill of the eugliieer. 1 have uot yet ulluddu
lo this subject with the view of having auy
lurlher expuudiluro of publio mouey at this
lime thau may be necessary to orouuia aud
tiluco all thu necessary information beloro
Jongress In un autheulio form, to enable it
bureultcr, 11 deemed praclicablu and worthy, to
leglalalu ou Ihu subject without delay. ,
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
report Secretary Navy,
berewilh accouipuny ing, explains fully the
condllou of lhat bruucli of thu publio service,
its wauls aud deficiencies, expenses luourrud
liurliu tho past year, and appropriations lor
llm same. Ii also glvrs complete history of
the servloes oi the navy for the past year, in
addition to lis regular services. . It is evident
lhat u a I ess steps are lakuu to preserve our
butt, tbiil In few years the Culled Stales
will ba tbe weakest nation upon the ocean of
Ui iu (igat powers. Tlii u cucrgoipt, pro
grrsstve business people like ours, penetrating
and lormiiig business relations w ith every part
01 ine Known worm, a navy strong enough lo
command tbu respect of our flag aliroud Is
necessary for the lull protection of Iheir rights.
I recommend careful consideration by Con
gress of Hie recommendations uiadu by the
Secrelury of the Navy.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report of tho ro1mrtT
General furnishes a lull and salisiuclory ex
hibit of the operations of Hie Postofllce De
partment during Hie year. The ordinary rv
enuo ot the department lor thu fiscal year end
ing June 80th, 1873. amounted lo 21,015,4J6,
87, aud the expenditures, (20,058, lWi.81. Com
pared with the previous fiscal yeur thu in
crease of revenue was 1,878,280.05, or 037 per
cent., and the iucrensu ol expenditures J,2U8,
088.23, or U29 per 0 nl. Adding to thu ordin
ary revenue the annual appreciation ol'7oo,-
000 lor free matter, and luu amounts paid lo
the subsidies oil itvuil steamship lines IV0111
sptciul appropriations, Ihe detlcleucy paid out
01 Ine general Treasury was 3,817,705.04, an
excess ol 3,807,007.88 over thu deficiency for
the year 1871. Other interesting statistical in
forinutiou relating to our rapidly extending
postal service l lurnisbed In this report. The
lotul length of railroad mud routes on the 80th
of June, 1873, was 67,011 miles, 8,077 addition
al miles 01 such service having been put into
operation during ihu year. Eight iuw lines
ol railway postolbces have been established,
with uu aggregate length of 2.U0SI milcn. Thu
number 01 letters exchungid in the mails witli
foreign countries was 24,302,aoo, 1111 increase of
4,000,502, or twenty pur cent, over the nunvbvr
in 1871, and the poslsge thereon amounts, to
187,125,725. Thu total weight oi Ihu malls
exchanged with European countries exceeded
820 lous. Tho cosl 01 thu United Slates truns
Atluutie mail steamship service w is -$)2J,30i,-70.
The total cosl of lUu United States oceun
sieamsbip service, including the amounts paid
to the suusidized lines of mail steamers, was
1,027,020.07. Tho following uru the only
soj'aiusbip lines now receiving subsidies tor
mail service, uuder special uct of Congress :
The Paciliu M.il Steamship Company receive
5oo,ooo per milium, for currying u montly
mail between S.tn Francisco, Jap .11 aud China,
wuich will be increased to 1, 000,000 oer 1111-
IMiiim for a semi-nionihly mail, on and after
October 1st, 1873. Tne Uuiled States and Bra
zil Mail Bleainsiiip Company receive ISo.ooo
per annum for carrying a- monthly mail be
uvetn Nuw York and liio do Janerio, Brazil,
uud Ihu California, Oregon and Mexico Steam
ship Company rcceivu if ?5,00d per annum for
cairyiug am uilhly mail Oct ween San Francis
co und Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, making
Hie total Hinouut of mail steamship sutistdiesul
present 725,001) per annum. Our poslul cmu
inunicalious witli ul-iarts of the civir'tzed
world have been placed unon a most advuula-
geous footing by the improved postal conven
tions, unu iuu urrangumeiils recently conclud
ed with Ihu leading commercial countries of
Europe uud America. The gratifying state
ineul is made Hint, witli tho couc.usiun of a
satisfactory convention with France, Hie de
tails of winch have been deliuitely agreed to by
Ihu head of Hie French postal dcmtruiient. sub
ject to the approval ol the Minister of Fiuunce,
nine remains 10 uu uccompltsiied by Hie treaty
for some iimu to come, in respect to Ihu reduc
tion ot rules or improved facilities for postal
intercourse. Vour luvorublu consideration is
respectfully invited to thu reconinieiululions
made by thu Postinastur-Ouneral for 1111 iu
crensu oi'survicu from monthly lo semi-mouth-
ly trips 011 iuu mail sluamshlp route to Brazil ;
lor n subsidy for the establishment oi uu
American linu of mail stuum rs b tween Suu
Francisco, New Zeuhtnd und Australia; for
ihu establishment of post-ofllce saving; bunks,
aud lor Ihe incruasuot thusalerics of luu heads
of bureaus. 1 havu heretofore recommended
the abolition of Ihu franking privilege, and sue
unreason now for changing my views on Hint
subject. Ii not having beuu luvnrubly remin d
ed uy Congress, however, I now suggest a
modiliulion of that privilege, to c.irrect its
glaring uud costly abuses. 1 would recom
mend, also thu uppoiiitmciit of a commillue on
commission lo l ike into consideration ihu best
muthud, equitable lo priyulu corporations who
have i-ivested their liniu uud Capital in the es
tablishment of telegraph lines now iu opera
tion, und ol couuuciiug this service with thu
postal service ol Iho lniilon. It is not probablu
Uiui this subject could receive thu proper con
siduruliou during Ihu limits of u short session
of Congress, bill il may bo initialed so thai
lurlher aclion muy bu lair to tho goreriiiuuul
und to private, parlies concerned. There nre
but Ibree lines ol ocean steamers, namely, the
Pacitte Mail Stuuiusliip Company, beiween
Sm Francisco, China and Japan, with pro
vision uindu for suiiil-iuouthly service 'idler
October, 1st, 1873; the United 'Slates and Bra
zil line, monthly, und the Cabtoruiu, New
Zealand und Australian line, monthly, plying
between Hie United Stales and foreign porls,
uud ow ned uud, operated under our flag. 1
earnestly recommend that such lilierul con
iracis lor carrying tho mails bu authorized
with these lines as will insure their cuitiuu
unce. If Hie expediency of extending Ihu uid
ol the government to hues of aieiimeis which
hitherto huvu uot received il, should be deem
ed worthy of Hie consideration of Congress,
political nnd commercial objects niako il ad
visable to buslow such uid 011 a line under our
ting belwcuu Panama aud Ihe Western South
American pons. By this means much trade
uow diverted lo other couulries might bu
br jughl to us, to thu mutual advantage 'of this
country and those lyiug in that quarter of Ihu
cuntineut of America.
THE CARRYING TRADE.
Tho report of thu Secretary ol' ilia Treasury
will show an ularmiiig filling olf in iki r car
rying trade for tiie la.-l leu or twelve years,
und even for thu past year.. I do not bwlievu
that the public treasure c.iu bu butter expend
ed in Hie Intel esis of Ihu whole people, than in
trying 10 recover tills trudo. An expenditure,
ol 5,000,000 peranum for thu next live years,
il il'wotild restore to ns our prop irtlon of the
carrying trudo of Ihu world would be profi
table expanded. Tne prico ol labor id Europu
has s) much enhanced within thu lust lew
years that tho cost of building and operating
ocean sletuiers In thu United Slates is. not so
much greater than in liuropj lhat I believe
thu timer has arrived for Congress to lake this
subject into serious consideration.
KU KLUX.
Detailed statements of the disbursement
through the Department of Justice, will be fur
nished by thu report ol the Attorney General
and though these have been some what incas
ed by Ihe recent acts of Cougruss to enforee
thu rights 01 citizens ol Hie United Stales to
vole in Iho several Stales of thu Uniou and lo
force. tho provisions nlibu 1'ourletnlli amend
ment to the Constitution ot the Uuiled btutes.
uud llm amendments thereto. I cannot ques
tion thu necessity and salutary elleti of Ihcse
enactmeuts. lteckless and lawless men, I
regret lo stiy, huvu associated themselves to
gether iu some louulities, to deprive other citi
zens ol the righs gurrunteed in them uy the
Constitution or of Iho United Slates, and is
Hint eud have com niltud deeds of violence,
but the proscciitiuu uud puuishment of many
of lliesu persons bavo leuded greatly lo tho
repression ol such disorders, 1 do uot doubt
that a great majority of iho people, in nil
parts of ihe country, favor to Iho full enjoy
ment by. nil clussus of persons of llic-su rights
to w bich they are entitled uuder the Constitu
tion and the laws, aud 1 Invoke Iho aid aud iu
tiuencu of all good cilizeus to prevent organ
izations whoso objects are by unlawful means
lo iuterfuro with those rights. I look with
conudciico to Ihe time, not far distant, when
the obvious advautages ol good ' order . and
peso will induce an abandonment ol' all com
binations prohibited by tho acts refer rod 10,
uud when il will be unnecessary to curry on
prosocutious or Inflict punlshmeut to protect
oitisuus Irom lite lawless doings of such com
binations. Applications havu beuu mado to
mo to pardon persons convicted of violation
of said acta, upon tho ground thai clemency
lu such cases would lend lo tranquilUo the
miblio mind 1 aud.- In test the virtue of thai
policy 1 am disposed, as fur as my sense of
Justice will permit, to give lo these applica
tions favorable cousidcratiou : but any uction
thereon is uol to be construed as indicating
any change iu my determination lo enforce
with rigor snch acts, so long as Ilia conspira
cies and combinations Ihoruin nauiod disturb
the puace of the counliy. Il Is much to bo
regretted, and Is regretted by uo oue more than
myself, that a necessity has ever existed to
execulu tho enforcement act. No one can do
sire more than 1 thai the necessity of applying
never bo demuuduii.
DEPARTMENT OF THS INTERIOR.
The Secretary of the Interior reports satis
factory improvement aud progression In each
of the several bureaus under tbe control ot tho
Interior Dooartiueut. They uru all - In excel
lent coudiliou. The work whivb lu soma of
them tor some years has hnon In irrmn k..
been brought down to a recent date, and In nil
the current business baa been promptly dispatched.
THE INDIANS.
The policy wlricli was adopted t tiro
brginnliig ot tlw ndnrirristfation with re
gurJ to the ManngciiMint ot Indians lias
been as nuccessltil m ns most ardent
friends anticipated. Within m ahort a
titno it has reduced thu expense of their
management, decreased their tbragts tip
no thu white settlement, tended to give
the largest opportunity to tiro extension
of the great railways through tho pub
lic domain, and tho pushing (A settlo
ments into, wore rumote districts ot lh
country, and at tho same timo improve
Ihu condition c-f the IiidiiiDS. Tho poli
cy will bo maintained without any
change, excepting suclr as fiitihur experi
ence may show to bo necessary to render
it more efficient. Tho siihject of con
veitlng tho so-called Indian Territoiyl
south of Kansas, into a home lor the In
dians, nnd erecting thereon a territorial
form ol Government, is one oi great ini
jwi lance ns a complement ot tbe exist
ing Indian policy. The question ot re
moval to the territory has within the
past year been presented to many of the
tribes resident upon other and less desir
able portions of iho public domain, and
has generally been received by them
with favor. As a preliminary step to
the organization ot such a territory, it
will be necessary to confine the In
dians . now resident therein to farms
ot proper size, whicli should be secured
to lliem in fee ; the residue to boused
for tho settlement of other triendly In
dians. Ellbrts will he made in the im
mediate lntuie to induce tho removal ot
as many peaceably disposed Indians only
to the Indian Territory as can bo settltd
properly without disturbing the harmo
ny of those already there. There is no
oilier location now available where a
people who are endeavoring to acquire a
knowledge of pastoral and agricultural
pursuits can as well e accomodated as
upon the unoccupied lands iu the Indian
Territory.
A territorial goTernment should, bow-
ever, protect the Indians from the in
roads of whites for a term of years,
until they become sufficiently advanced
in the arts and civilization to guard
their own rights, anil irom the disposal
of lands held by them for the same period.
SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS.
During the List fiscal year tlrerc were
disposed of out ot the public lauds 11
804,975 acres, a quantity greater by
1,099,270 acre than was disposed f the
previous year. Of this amoniit 1,370,320
acres were sold for cash, 389,400 acres
located with military wanwils, 4,071
332 acres taken for homesteads, 093,013
acres located with college strip, 3,654,
887 acres granted to railroads, 465,347
acres granted to wagon roiids, 714,255
acres given to Stales as swamp laud, 5,
700 located by Indian scrip.
Tho cash receipts from all sotirccs in
the laud office amounted to $3,218,100.
Luring the same period 22,010,508 acres
of the publio land were vtirveyed, which
atlded 10 the quantity before surveyed,
amounts to 583,304,780 acres, leaving
1,257,033,023 acres of tho public lands
still iinsurveyed. The reports Irom the
subordinates ot the Laud Office contain
interesting information in regard to
their respective districts. They uniform
ly mention the fruit fulness of the soil
during the piiBt season, and the increas
ed yield ol all kinds ot produce evince,
in those States aud Territories where
mining is the principle business, tho ag
ricultural product to have exceeded the
local demand, and liberal shipments have
been mado to distant points.
PATENTS.
year
1872, lliere were issued irom the patent
urt'ileu 3,020 patents, 233 extensions,
and 550 curtiticairs and registers ot trade
marks. During the same time 19,587 ap
plications for patents, including reissues
and designs have been received, and 3,100
caveats tiled. Tho lees received during
the same period amounted to (70,095,980,
and the total expenditures to 1(02,355,390,
making the net receipts over ihe expendi
tures 7,740,050. Since 1830, two hun
dred thousand applications for patents
havo been tiled, and about 134,000 pat
ents issued.tho offices being conducted
under tlvi same laws and general organi-
z.ittonas were adopted; at their original
inauguration, when only irom one hun
dred lo tivo hundred applications were
made per annum. .Tho Commissioner
shows that the office lias outgrown the
original plan, and that a now organiza
tion has become necessary. This subject
was presented to Congress iu a special
communication in February last which
met my approvl and the appoval of the
Secratary of the Iuterior,and the suggest
ions contained in said communication
were embraced in a bill that was report
ed to tho House by the Committee on
Patents nt the last sessiem. The subject
of tho reorganization ot the Patent Office,
as contemplated by the bill reiered to, is
one of such inpoi'taiice to tho industrial
interests of the country that I commend
it to the attention of Congress. The
Commissioner also treats the subject of
the separaton of the Patent Office trom
the Department of the Interior. This
subject is also embraced in the bill here
tofore referred to. The Commissioner
complains of the want of room for the
model gallery and tor the working force
and necessary files of the office. It is
impossible to transact the business of the
office properly without more room in
which to arrange ntes aim arawings mat
must be consulted hourly in the transact
ion of business. The whole ol the Patent
Office building will soon bo needed, if it
it is not already, for the accommodation ot
the business ot the Patent Office.
PENSIONS.
amount paid pensions
last tlsoal year was 130,109,340, a'n
mount larger by $3,708,434, thau was
paid duiiug the proceeding year. Of
this amount $2,813,409 were paid under
tho act ot Congress of Feb, 17, 1871, to
survivors of the war ol 1812. The annu
al increase of pensions by the legislation
ot Congress has more than kept pace
with the natural yearly losses trom the
rolls. The act ot Congress of Juue 8,
1872, has added au estimated ouiout of
$750,000 per annum to the rolls, without
increasing the number of pensioners. We
cannot, therelore, look for any substan
tial decrease iu tho expenditures of this
Department for some time to come, or
so long as Congress continues to so
change the rates of pension. The whole
number of soldiers enlisted iu the war of
the Rebellion was 2,088,523. The total
number ot claims for invalid pension is
170,000, being but six per otnt of the
whole number of enlisted men. The to.
ial number of claims On baud at the be.
W-s V' .
ginning of thtf year was 11,090;. tho
number receives) during tlx year was 2,
174 $ tho numb disjiosed Was 9,17
making a net gain of 1,204, The
whole number of claims now OTf Alo
is 79.08.1. On llm unit. i T
there were on the rolls the Names H" 95--
A rt I I! 1 ll . . r
iiivBiiii military pensioner, 118,519
widows, orphans and dependent relative
making an aggregate of 208,928 arm
pensioners. At the same time trWrtr
were 011 the rolls, the names pi 1,449'
navy pensioners, and 1,730 widows, ' or
phans nnd dependent relatives, making
ihe w bole number of naval tA-nsioifers
3,170. Thero have Wen received since
tho passaire of tire act to movide ten
sions for the survivors of the warfrt J812,
ou,ooi applications prior to June 80,
1872. Of these lliere were allowed dur
ing tho last fiscal year 20,120 claims;
4,845 were rejected daring the year, leav
ing 11,580 claims pending nt that date,
Tho number of pensions ot all classes',
irraillml flitrimr tim In! flir.nl r u. -.
...... v ... ...... . aiEw .. v, .. 1 ghi nun .
23,838 ; during that period tjiere were
dropped from the rolls for various cause
9,104 names, leaving a grand total of
232,239 pensioners 011 the rolls tn the
30th of Juue, 1872. It is thonght that
tho claims on account of the war of 1812
wilt bo disposed of by the 1st of Msy
1873. It is estimated that $30,480,000
will bo required for the pmisiow service
during the neit fiscal year,
THE CENSUS.
Iho ninth census is about completed".
Its completion is a subject of congratu
lation, mat much as the Mo te lie made
of the statistics therein contained de
pends very greatly on the promptitude
of publication. The Secretary ot the in
terior recommends that a census be
taken in 1875, which leeommt-nddtibn
should receive the ready attention of
Congress. The interval at present estab
lished between the Federal census is so
long that llwt information obtained . at
the decenial periods as to the material
condition, wants and resources of the
natron is ot liulo practical value alter
the expiration ot the first half of that
period. It would probably obviate lh
constitutional provision regarding the
decennial census, if a census taken in.
1875 should be divested of all political
character and no reapportionment of
Congressional representation be made
under it. Snch a census, eoming as it
would in the last year ot the first, centu
ry of our national existence, would fur
nish a noble monument ot the progress
of the United Slates during that cuuttv-
ry-
TERRITORIAL AFFAIRS.
Affairs iu the territories nre generally
satisfactory. Tho energy and business
capacity of the pioneeis who are set
tling up tire vast domains not yet incor
porated into lates, are keeping pace its
internal improvements and civil govern
ment with tho older communities. Iu
but one of them, Utah, is the condition
of affairs unsatisfactory Except so far
as the quiet of the cilizen may be dis
turbed by real or imaginary danger of
Indian hostilities, it has seemed lo be
the policy of tbe Legislature of Utah-.te
evade all responsibility to the Govern
ment of the united States, and even to
hold a position in hostility to it. I re
commend a careful revision of the pres
ent laws ot the Territory by Congress,
aud the enactment ot such a law, as the
one proposed in Congress at its last ses
sion, for instance, or something similar
to it, as will secure peace, the equality
of all citizens bclore the law, aud the
utter extinguishment of polygamy.
Since the establishment ot a territori
al government for the District of Co
lumbia, the improvement of the condi-'
lion ot the city of Washington and sur
roundings, and the- increased prosperity
ot the citizens, is observable to tbe most
casual visitor. Tho nation being a larger
owner of properly in this city; slioufd
bear with 1 he cilizeus of the District A
just share ot the expense ot these im
provements. 1 recommend, therefore
an appropriation to reimburse tbe citi
zens lor the work done by them, along
and in front ot publio grounds during
the past year, and liberal appropriation
in order lhat the improvement aud em
bellishment of the publio buildings and
grounds may keep pace wiih the' im
provements made by the territorial au
AGRICULTURE.
.
The Report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture gives a very lull and inter
esting account ot the several divisions of
that department the horticultural, agri
cultural, statistical, entomological, and
chemical, aud ihe benefits conferred by
each upon agricultural interests of the
country. The whole report is a com
plete history in detail of tile workinga
of that department iu all Its branches,
showing the manner in which the farm
er, merchant, and miner is informed, and
the extent to which he is aided in his
pursuits. The Commissioner makes on
recommendation, that measures be taken
by Congress to protect and induoo the
planting of forests, and suggests that no
part of the public lauds should be dis
posed of without the condition that pns
lenlh of it be reserved in timber, where
it exists, and, where it does not exist,
iuduuemeuls should be offered for plant
ing it.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
act of Congress, approved March' 3d,
1871, providing for the celebration of
tho one hundredth anniversary ot Ameri
can independence, a commission has been
rgauized, consisting of two inembera
from each of the States and Territories.
The commission has bold two sessions
and has made satisfactory progress in
the organization and in the initiatory
steps ueceseary tor carrying out the pro
visions cf the act and executing the pro
visions ot the act of June 1, 1871, creat
ing a Centennial Board of Fiuauce. A
preliminary report of progress has' been
received lioiu the President ot the com
mission, and is herewith transmitted.-nit
will be the duty ot the Commission; at
your coming session to transmit a re
port ot the progress made, and ii- lay
before you the . details relating to , Uf
exhibition of American and foreign arts,
products and manufactures, which; by
the terms ot the act is to be bold under
the auspices of the Government ' ef" Um
Uuiled States, in the-city of Philadel
phia, in the year 1870. '1 his celebration
will be looked forward to by American
citizens with great interest ai marking a.
century of greater progress anf prosper
Uy than is recorded in the history of
auy other nation, and proving a, further
good purpose in bringing togettvtr ou,
our soil people of all the ci wnercial tia
tions of tbe earth in a matter 'oakm'ateq
to secure international good fgeli ig.',',:' '
CIVIL SERVICE BF FORM.
Au earnest desire lias bvvQ full'l''viV
