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Wi'.UNFSDAY DECEMBER 11.
THK PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
Washington, December 2, 1872.
Tu th< Smatr and Home of Reprenen
tatiriH:
In transmitting to you this, roy fourth
annual message, it is with thankfulness
to the diver of all good, that, as a na
tion, we have been blessed for the
past year with peace at home and peace
abroad, and a general prosperity vouch
safed to but few people.
With the exception of the recent de
vastating tire which swept from the earth
with a breath, as it were, millions of ac
cumulated wealth in the city of Boston,
there has been no overshadowing calami- ,
ty within the year to record. It isgrati- j
fviug to note liow, like their fellow-citi- j
zens of the city of Chicago, under similar j
circumstances a year earlier, the citizens ;
of Boston arc rallying under their mis
fortunes, and the prospect that their,
energy and perseverance will overcome
all obstacles, and show the same pros- i
pi rity soon, that they would have had j
hail no disaster befallen them. Other- ■
wise we have been free from pesti- ;
lence, war, and calamities which often j
overtake nations ; and as fur as human
judgment can penetrate the future, no !
cause seems to exist to threaten our ;
present peace.
TIIK GENEVA TRIBUNAL.
When Congress adjourned in June j
last, a question had been raised by
Great Britain, and was then pending,
which for a time seriously imperilled i
the settlement by friendly arbitration i
of the grave differences between this!
Government and Her Britanic Majesty, j
which by the treaty of Washington had !
been referred to tho Tribunal of Arbi- ,
trillion which had met at Geneva, in |
Switzerland. The arbitrators, however, |
disposed of the question, which had j
jeopardized the whole of the treaty and j
threatened to involve the two nations in ;
most unhappy relations towards each
other, in a manner entirely satisfactory |
to this Government and in accordance j
with the views and the policy which it j
had maintained. The tribunal which .
had convened in Geneva in December
concluded its laborious session on the
nth of September last, on which day,
having availed itself of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty to award
a sum in gross, it made its decision,
w hereby it awarded the sum of #15,500,-
IMX) iii gold as the indemnity to be paid
by Great Britain to the United States
for the satisfaction of all the claims re
ferred to its consideration. This decis
ion happily disposed of a long standing
difference between the two Governments,
and in connection with another award !
made by the German Emperor under a
reference to him by the same treaty,
leaves these two Governments without a
shadow upon the friendly relations
which, it is my sincere hope, may for
ever remain equally unclouded.
The report of the agent of the United
States, appointed to the amended Geneva
Tribunal, accompanied by the protocols
of the proceedings of the arbitrators, j
the arguments of the counsel of both I
Governments, the award of the tribunal,
and the opinion given by the several
arbitrators, is transmitted herewith. I I
have caused to be communicated to the '
heads of the three friendly powers who I
have complied with the joint request |
made of them under the treaty the
thanks of this Government for the ap
pointment of arbitrators made by them,
and also my thanks to the eminent per
sonages named by them, and my ap
preciation of the dignity, patience, im
partiality and great ability with which
they discharged their arduous and high
functions. Her Majesty’s Government
lute communicated to me the apprecia
tion by her Majesty of the ability and
indefatigable industry displayed by Mr.
Adams, the arbitrator named on the part
of this Government, during the pro
tracted inquiries and discussions of tho
tribunal. I cordially unite with her j
Majesty iu this appreciation. It is due
to the agent of the United States before j
the tribunal to record my high apprecia- j
turn of the marked ability, unwearied
patience, and the prudence and disore- !
tion with which he has conducted the
very responsible and delicate duties j
committed to him ; as it is also due to ;
Hu learned and eminent counsel who i
attended the tribunal on the part of this
Government, to express my sense of the j
talcirtv and wisdom which they brought j
to bear in the attainment of the result j
so happily reached. It will bothe prov-i
inee of Congress to provide for the dis- j
trihiition among those who may be en- j
titled to it, of their respective shares of
the money to be paid, and although the |
sum awarded is not payable until a year
from the date of the award, it is deemed
.advisable that no time be lost in making
•t proper examination of the several
caa.es in which indemnification may be
due. I consequently recommend the
crestion of a Board of Commissioners
for that purpose.
fi,'N JUAN BOITNDABV.
l?y the thirty-fourth article of the
treaty of Washington, the respective
claims of the Unite*! States ami of Great
ltritain, in their construction of the
treaty of the 15th .Tuuo, 1846, defining
the boundary line between their respec- 1
tive territories, were submitted to the
arbitration and award of his Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, todeeide which of
those claims is most in accordance with
the due interpretation of the treaty of
tStC. His Majesty, the Emperor of,
Grwmany, having been pleased to under
take- the arbitration, has the earnest
ihanksof the Government and of the
jn'ople of the United States for the
labor, pains and care which lie has de
voted to the consideration of this long
pending difference. I have caused an
expression of rnv thanks to be communi
1-ated U> his Majesty. Mr. Bancroft,
the representative of this Government
at Berlin, conducted the case and pre
pared the statement on the part of the
fruited States with the ability that his
past service justified the public iu ex
pivting at his hsiuU. Asa member of
tln> Cabinet at the date of the treaty,
which has given rise to the discussion
between the two Government#, and as
the Minister to Great Britain when the
construction now pronounced unfounded
was first advanced, and as the agent and
representative of the Government to
present the ease and to receive Uje award,
he has been associated with the qtmdjon
.in all of iU phases, and in every sUge i
li.vs manifested a patriotic zeal aud
eat •neatness in maintaining the claim of
the United States. He is entitled to ;
much credit for the success which has .
attend* and the submission. After a patient
investigation of the ease and of the;
statements of each party, his Majesty, j
the I'mperor of Germany, oil the
-Jlst dav of October last, signed lus
award 'in writing, decreeing that the
claim of the Government of the l niteit
states, that the b'>u»d.Arv line between
the territories of her Bfitanic Majesty
and the United States should be drawn
through the Haro Channel, as ujost in
accordance with the true interpretation
of the treaty concluded on the 15th of
June, 1846, between the Governments of
Jjer Britanie Majesty and of tha t nited
States. Copies of the case, which was
p ri >aeuted on liehalf of each Government j
and i"*f the statement in reply of each,
and a translation of the award, are trans-
mitted l 'ere with this award, aud con-i
firms the ignited States in the claim to \
the imports nt archipelago of islands
lving between tiie Continent cud Van-j
oouver’s Island, fflnch, for more than:
twentv-six vears, ever since the rati
fication of the treaty. Great Britain lias
contested, and leaves n», for the first
time in the historv of the United States
as a nation, without a qnestioß of dm- !
puted boundary between any ternary !
and the possessions of Great Britain oit
this Continent. It is my grateful duty
to acknowledge the prompt and sponta
neous action of her Majesty’s Govern
ment in giving effect to the award. In
anticipation of any request from tins
Government and before the reception in
the United States of the award, signed
by the Emperor, her Majesty had given
instructions for tli6 removal of her j
troops which had been stationed there,
aud for the cessation of all exercise or
claim of jurisdiction, so as to leave the
United States in the exclusive posses
sion of the late disputable territory.
I am gratified to be able to announce
that the order for the removal of the
troops have been executed, and that
' military joint occupation of San Juan
! has ceased. The islands arc now in the
! exclusive possession of the United
States. It now becomes necessary to
! complete the survey and determination
I of that portion of the boundary line
: through tiie Haro Channel, upon which
i the commission, which determines the
i remaining part of the line, were unable
to agree. I recommend the appoint
ment of a commissioner, to act jointly
with one which may be named by her
Majesty, for that purpose.
THK ALASKA BOUNDARIES.
Experience of the difficulties attending
the determination of our admitted line
of boundary, after the occupation of the
territory and its settlement by those
owing allegiance to the respective Gov
ernments, points to the importance of es
tablishing, by natural objects or other
monuments, Hie actual line between the
territory acquired by purchase from
Russia and the adjoining possessions of
her Britanic Majesty. The region is
now so sparsely occupied that no con
flicting interests of individuals or of
jurisdiction are likely to interfere to the
delay or embarrassment of the actual
location of the line, if deferred until
population shall enter and occupy the
territory, some trivial contest of neigh
bors may arise to place the two Govern
ments in antagonism. I therefore re
commend the appointment of a commis
sion to act jointly with one that may be
appointed on the part of Great Britain,
to determine the line of our territory of
Alaska and the possessions of Great
Britain.
THE FISHERIES, ETC.
In my last annual message I recom
mended the legislation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into
operation the articles of the Treaty of
Washington, of May Bth, 1871, relating
to fisheries, and to other matters touch
ing the relations of the United States to
ward British North American posses
sions, to become operative so soon as
the proper legislation should be had on
the part of Great Britain and its posses
sions. That legislation on the part of
Great Britain and its possessions had
not then been had, and during the ses
sion of Congress a question was raised
which, for the time, raised a doubt
whether any action by Congress in the
direction indicated would become im
portant. This question has since been
disposed of, and 1 have received notice
that the Imperial Parliament and the
Legislatures of the Provincial Govern
ment have passed a law to carry the pro
visions of the treaty of the matter re
ferred to into operation. I therefore
commend your early adoption of the
legislation in the same direction neces
sary on the part of this Government.
BOUNDARIES OF THE BRITISH POSSESSIONS.
The joint commission for determining
the boundary line between the United
States and the British possessions be
tween the Lake of the Woods and the
Rocky Mountains bus organized and en
tered upon its work. It is desirable that
the force be increased in order that the
completion of the survey and determi
nation of the liue may be the sooner at
tained. To this end I recommend that
a sufficient appropriation be made.
FRANCE, RUSSIA AND GERMANY.
With France, our earnest ally—Rus
sia, the constant and steady friend of
the United States—Germany, with whose
Government and people we liave so*many
causes of friendship and so many com
mon sympathies, and the other powers
of Europe, our relations are maintained
on the most friendly terms.
AUSTRIA, GERMANY AND SWEDEN.
Since lust message the exchange has
been made of the ratification of a treaty
with the Austrian-Hungarian Empire,
relating to naturalization; also, of a
treaty with Sweden and Norway, relat
ing to naturalization, all of which trea
ties have been duly proclaimed.
STATISTICAL CONGRESS.
Congress at its last session, having
made an appropriation to defray the ex
penses of commissioners on the part of
the United States to tho International
Statistical Congress, at Petersburg, the
persons appointed in that character
proceeded to their destination and at
tended tho session of the Congross.
Their report shall, iu due season, be laid
before you. This Congress meets at in
tervals of about three years, and has
held its sessions in several of the coun
tries of Europe. I submit to your con
sideration the propriety of extending an
invitation to the Congress to hold its
next sittings in the United States.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The Centennial Celebration, to be held
in 1876, would afford an appropriate oc
! cosion for such a meeting.
VIENNA EXPOSITION.
Preparations are making for the Inter
national Exposition to be held during
the next year in Vienna, on a seale of
very great magnitude. The tendency of
j these expositions is in the direction of ;
I advanced civilization and of the eleva- !
; tion of industry and of labor and of the
increase of human happiness, ns well as;
| of greater intercourse and good will be- .
i tween nations. As the Exposition is to
i he the first which will have been held in
! Eastern Europe, it is believed that j
American inventors and manufactur
ers will he ready to avail themselves of
the opportunity for the presentation of
their productions, if encouraged by
proper aid and protection. At the last
session of Congress authority was given
for the appointment of one more agents
to represent this Government at the Ex
position. The authority thus given has
been examined, but iu the absence of
any appropriation there is danger that
the important benefits which the occa
sion offers will be lost to citizens of the
. United States. 1 commend the subject
! strongly to your consideration, and re
commend that adequate appropriation
be made for the purpose, to further aid
American exhibitors at the Vienna Ex
position. I would recommend, in addi
tion to an appropriation of money, that
i the Secretary of the Navy be authorized
to fit up two naval vessels to transport
between our Atlantic cities and Triests,
or the most convenient port to Vienna
and back, their articles for exhibition.
MEXICO.
Since your last session the President
of the Mexican Republic, distinguished
by his high character and by his services
to his country, has died. His temporary
successor has been elected with great
unanimity by the people—a proof of
confidence, on their part, in his patriot
ism and wisdom, which, it is believed,
will be confirmed by the results of the
administration. It is particularly desira
ble that nothing should be left undone
by the Government of this Republic to
strengthen their relations as neighbors
and friends. It is much to be regretted
that many lawless acts continue to dis
turb the quiet of the settlements on the j
border between our territory and that of
Mexico, and complaints of wrongs to
American citizens iu various parts of
the country are made. The revolution
ary condition in which the neighboring
Republic has so Jong been involved has,
iu some degree, contributed to this dis
turbance. It is to bn hoped that with a
more settled rule of order throught the j
Republic, which may be expected from
the present Government, the acts of
which just complaints are made will
cease.
The proceedings of the commission
■ under the Convention with Mexico of
the 4th July, 1868, on the subject of
• chums, have unfortunately l>oen checked
: by an obstacle for the removal of which
i measures have been taken by the two
Governments, which it is believed will
prove sutci^sful.
PE PREDATIONS ON TtM* JKXAS FRONTIER. >
The Commissioners appointed pur- i
suant to the joint resolution of Gougress j
of the 7th May Jast, to inquire into dep
redations on the Tejas frontier, have j
diiigentlv made investigation in that
quarter," The resources were necessarily
incomplete, partly on account of the :
limited appropriation made by Congress.
Mexico, on the part of that Government,
has appointed a search Commissioner to
investigate these outrages. It is not an
nounced officially, but the press of that,
country states that a full investigation is
! desired and that the co-operation of all
parties concerned is invited to secure
that end I therefore recommeud that a
special appropriation be made at the
earliest Jay practicable to enable the
on the part of the united
States, to return to their labors wuhont
delay.
CUBA.
■
It is with regret that I have again to
announce a continuance of the disturbed
condition of the Island of Cuba. No
advance toward the pacification of the
discontented part of the people has been
made, while the insurrection has gained
no advance, and exhibits no more of the
elements of power or the prospects of
ultimate success than were exhibited a
year ago. Spain, on the other hand, has
not sncceeded in its repression, and the
parties stand apparently in the same re
lation and attitude which they have oc
cupied for a long time past. This con
test has lasted now for more than five
years. Were it seen at a distance from
our neighborhood, we might be indif
ferent to its result, although humanity
wonld be moved by many of its inci
dents, wherever they might occur. It is,
however, at our door.
I cannot doubt that the continued
maintenance of slavery in Cuba is among
i the strongest inducements for the con
tinuance of this strife. A terrible wrong
! is the natural cause of a terrible evil,
i The abolition of slavery and the intro
duction of other reforms in the adminis
tration of the government in Cuba could
net fail to advance the restoration of
peace and order. It is greatly to be
hoped that the present liberal govern
ment of Spain will voluntarily adopt the
new law of emancipation which was
passed more than two years since and
has remained unexecuted in the absence
of regulations for its enfoicement. It
was but a feeble step towards emancipa
tion, but it was the recognition of right
and was hailed as such and exhibited
Spain in harmony with sentiments of
humanity and of justice, and iu sympa
thy with the other powers of the Chris
tian and civilized world.
Within the past few weeks the negotia
tions for carrying out the law of emanci
pation have been announced, giving evi
dence of the sincerity of the intention of
the present administration to carry into
effect the law of 1870.
I have not failed to urge the consider
ation of the wisdom of the policy, and
the justice of a more effective system
for the abolition of the great evil which
1 oppresses a race and continues a bloody
i and destructive contest close to our bor
! der, as well as the expediency and the
: justice of conceding reforms of which
the propriety is not questioned. Deep
ly impressed with the conviction that
the continuance of slavery is one of the
most active causes of the continuance of
the unhappy condition in Cuba, I regret
to believe that citizens of the United
I Btates, or those claiming to be such, are
large holders iu Cuba of what is there
' claimed as property, but which is for
bidden and denounced by the laws of
the. United States. They arc thus, in
defiance of the spirit of our owu 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
such legislation as may be proper to de
nounce, and if not prevent, at least to
discourage, American citizens from hold
ing or dealing in slaves.
SPAIN AND THE ALLIED REPUBLICS.
It is gratifying to announce that the
ratification of a convention concluded
under the auspices of this Government,
between Spain on the one part and the
Allied Republics of the Pacific on the
other, providing for an armistice, have
been exchanged. A copy of the instru
ment is herewith submitted. It is hoped
that this may be followed by a perma
nent peace between the same parties.
BRAZIL AND THE ARGENTINE REPUBLICS.
The differences that at one time threat
ened the maintenance of peace between
Brazil and the Argentine Republics, it is
hoped, are in the way of a satisfactory
adjustment with these States, as also
with the Republics of Central and South
America, with whom we continue to
maintain the most friendly relations.
REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA.
It is with regret, however, I announce
that the Government of Venezuela has
made no further payments on account of
the awards under the convention of the
25th of April, 1866. That republic .is
understood to be now almost, if not
quite, tranquilized. It is hoped, there
fore, that it will lose no time in pro
viding for the unpaid balance of its debt
to the United States, which, having
originated in injuries to our citizens by
the Venezuelian authorities, and having
been acknowledged pursuant to a treaty
in the most solemn form known among
nations, would seem to deserve a prefer
ence over debts of a different origin,
contracted in a different manner. This
subject is again recommended to the at
tention of Congress for such action as
■ may be deemed proper.
JAPAN.
Our treaty with Japan remains un
changed. An imposing Embassy from
that interesting and progressive nation
visited this country during the year that
is passing, but being unprovided with
powers for the signing of a convention
in this country, no conclusion in that
direction was reached. It is hoped,
however, that the interchange of opin
ions which took place during their stay
in this country has led to a mutual ap
preciation of the interests which may be’
promoted when the revision of the ex
! isting treaty shall be undertaken.
THE CHINA AND JAPAN MISSIONS.
In this connection, I renew my recom
mendation of one year ago, that to give
importance and to add to the efficiency
of our diplomatic relations with Japan
| and China, and to further aid in retain
ing the good opinion of those people,
and to secure to the United States its
share of the commerce destined to ilow
| between those nations and tho balance
of the commercial world, an appropria
tion be made to support at least four
American youths in each of those conn
j tries to serve as a part of the official
family or our ministers there.
Our representatives would not, even
| then, be placed upon an equality with
the representatives of Great Britain and
lof some other powers. As now situated
our representatives in Japan and China
have to depend for interpreters and
translators upon natives of those coun
tries who know our language imperfect
ly, or procure for the occasion the ser
vices of employees in foreign business
houses, or interpreters of other foreign
ministers.
TRANSFER OF TERRITORIES TO THE INTERI
OR DEPARTMENT.
I renew the recommendation made on
a previous occasion, of a trasnfer to
the Department of the Interior—to
which they seem more appropriately to
belong—of all the powers and duties in
relation to the Territoiies with which
the Department of State is now charged
by law, or by custom.
BELIEF OF CITIZENS ABROAD.
Congress, from the beginning of the
Government, lias wisely made provision
for the relief of distressed seamen in
foreign countries. No similar provision,
however, has hitherto been made for the
relief of citizeus in distress abroad,
other than seamen, it is understood to
be customary with other Governments
to authorize'their consuls to extend such
relief to their citizens or subjects in
certain eases. A similar authority, and
an appropriation to carry it into effect,
| are recommended in the case of citizens
! of the United States, destitute or sick,
under such circumstances.
It is well knhwn that such citizens re
sort to foreign countries in great num
bers. and though most of them are able
to bear the expenses incident to locomo
tion, there are some who, through acci
dent or otherwise, become penniless,
j and have no friend at home able to suc
cor them. Persons in this situation
must either perish or cast themselves
upon the charity of foreigners, or be re
: lieved at the private charge of our own
officers, who usually, even with the most
benevolent dispositions, have nothing to
spare for such purposes.
Should the authority and appropria
tion asked for be granted, care will be
taken so to carry the benefienee of Con
gress into effect that it shall not be un
necessarily or unworthily bestowed.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The moneys received and conveyed in
to the Treasury during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1872, were :
From customs 4216.370.286 77
From sales of public lands 257.571.419 00
From internal revenue. ; 130.642,167 72
From tax on National Bank cir
culation 6,523.396 39
From Pacific Railway Company. 749.861 87
From customs. fi»es. etc 1.136.442 14)
From fees, consular, patent, j
land, etc 2.234.095 92
From miscellaneous sources . 4,412.254 71 j
Total ordinary receipts.... $364,694,229 91
From premium on sales of coin. 9.412.637 65
Total net receipts 4374,106.867 56
j Balance in Treasure June 30th,
! 1871 *109.935,795 58
, Including receipts from avail
able sources 1.822.836 00
Total available cash receipt5..5464,042,573 15
The net expenditures by warrants during the
! game period were:
i For civil expenses $ 16.187.059 20
For foreign intercourse 1.839,369 14
For Indians 7.061.728 82
For pautaga • • 28.533.402 76
For military establishments, in
i eluding fortifications, river
and harbor improvements
*rwi arsenals 35.372.157 20
For naval establishment, in
cluding vessels *ud machin
srvand improvements at navy
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 11, 1872,
yards 21.249.819 99
For miscellaneous civil, includ
ing public buildings, ligbt
houses and collecting the
revenue 42.958.326 08
For interest on the public debt. 117,358.839 72
; Total, exclusive of principal
and premium on tbe public
| debt $270,559,695 91
For premium on bonds pur
chased 6,958,266 7C
For redemption of ths public
j debt 9,996,253 54
! Total *106,918.520 30
i
| Total net disbursement $377,478,216 21
Balance in Treasury June 30... 72,108,356 94
j Total $464,042,573 15
j From the foregoing statement it ap
' pears that the net reduction of the
j principal of the debt during the fiscal
! year ending June 30tli, 1872, was $99,-
j 960,253 54. The source of the reduction
is as follows :
j Net ordinary receipts during the
I year $364,694,229 91
Net ordinary expenditures, in
cluding interest on the public
debt 270,559,695 91
Leaving surplus revenue $ 94.134.534 00
Add amount received from pre
miums and sales of gold in ex
cess of the premium paid on
bonds purchased 2.454.370 89
Add the amount of the reduction
of the costs balance at the
close of the year.aocompauied
with same at the commence
ment of the year 337,148 65
Total $ 99,960,253 54
This statement treats solely of the
principal of the public debt. By the
monthly statement on the public debt,
which adds together the principal and
interest accrued to date not due and de
ducts the cash in the Treasury as ascer
tained on the day of publication, the
reduction was $100,544,491 28.
The source of this reduction is as fol
lows :
Beductiori in principal account.* 99,960,003 54
Reduction in unpaid interest ac
count 3,380.952 36
Grand total 104,290,956 50
Reduction in cash on hand 2,746,465 22
Grand total $100,544,491 28
On the basis of the last table the
statements show a reduction of the pub
lic debt, from the Ist of March, 1869, to
the present time, as follows :
From March 1, 1869, to March
1. 1870 $ 87,134,789 84
From March 1, 1870. to March 1,
1871 117,619,630 25
From March 1 1871, to March 1,
1872 94,895,248 04
From March 1, 1872, to Novem
ber 1, 1872 (8 months) 64.047,237 84
Total A363,696.999 87
REDUCTION OF TAXI 59.
With the great reduction of taxation
by the acts of Congress at its last ses
sion, the expenditure of the Government
in collecting the revenue will be much
reduced for the next fiscal year. It is
very doubtful, however, whether any
further reduction of so vexations a bur
then upon any people will bo practica
ble for the present.
At all events, as a measure of justice
to the holders of the nation’s certificates
of indebtedness, I would recommend
that no more legislation be had on this
subject, unless it be to correct errors of
omission or commission in the present
laws, until sufficient time has elapsed to
prove that it can bo done and still leave
sufficient revenue to meet the current
expenses of Government, pay interest
on the public debt, and provide for the
sinking fund established by law.
THE CURRENCY.
The preservation of our National cred
it is of the highest importance. Next in
importance to this comes a solemn duty
to provide a National currency of fixed,
unvarying value, as compared with gold,
and as soon as practicable—having due
regard for the interests of the debtor
class, and the vicissitudes of trade and
commerce—convertible into gold at par.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of War
shows the expenditures of the War De
partment for the fiscal year ending June
30th, 1871, to be $35,799,991 82, and for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1872, to
be $35,372,157 20, showing a reduction
in favor of the last fiscal year of $427,-
834 62. The estimates for military ap
propriations for the next fiscal year,
ending June 30th, 1874, are $33,801,-
478 78.
The estimates of the Chief of Engi
neers are submitted separately for forti
fications, river and harbor improvements,
and for public buildings and grounds,
and the Washington aqueduct.
FRF.EDMEN’s BUREAU.
The affairs of the Freedmen’s Bureau
have all been transferred to the War De
partment, and regulations liave been
put into execution for the speedy pay
ment of bounty, pay, etc., due colored
soldiers properly coming under that
bureau.
All war accounts for money and prop
erty prior to 1871 have been examined
and transmitted to the Treasury for final
settlement during the fiscal year. There
lias been paid for transportation on rail
roads $1,300,000, of which $800,857 was
over the Pacific Railroads. For trans
portation by water $626,373 52, and by
stage $48,975 85, and for the purchase
of transportation animals, wagons, hire
of teamsters, etc., $924,650 54. About
$370,000 have been collected from Soutli
! ern railroads during the jear, leaving
about $4,000,000 still due.
The Quartermaster has examined and
transmitted to the accounting officer for
settlement $367,172 72 of claims by loyal
citizens for quartermaster stores taken
during the war. Subsistence supplies to
the amount of $89,048 12 have been
issued to Indians.
THE ARMY.
The annual average mean strength of I
the army was 24,101 white and 4,494
colored soldiers. The total deaths re- ;
ported for the year were 367 white and ;
54 colored. The distribution of the j
medical and surgical history of the war j
is yet to be ordered by Congress. There !
exists an absolute necessity for a medi
cal corps of the full number established j
by act of Congress of July 28, 1866,
there being now 59 vacancies, and the j
number of successful candidates rarely
exceeds 8 or 10 in any one year.
RIVERS AND HARBORS.
The river and harbor improvements
have been carried on with energy and
economy, although many are only par
tially completed. The results have saved
to commerce, by a greater depth of
channel, greater security in navigation,
and the saving of time, added millions
to the wealth of the country, and in- j
creased the resources of the Government. ;
BRIDGES ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI AND OTH
ER IMPROVEMENTS.
The bridge across the Mississippi river
at Rock Island has been completed, and
the proper site has been determined
upon for the bridge at LaCrosse. The
able and exhaustive report made by the
commission appointed to investigate the
| Sutro Tunnel has been transmitted to
\ Congress. The observations and reports
i of the signal office have been continued
j —stations have been maintained at each
of the principal lake, seaport and river
cities—ten additional stations have been
established in the United States, and
arrangements have been made for an ex
change of reports with Canada, and a
similar exchange of observations is con
templated with the West India Islands.
The favorable attention of Congress is
I invited to the following reeommenda
| tions of the Secretary of W r ar: A dis
; continuance of the appointment of extra
Lieutenants to serve as adjutants and
; quartermasters.
The adoption of a code providing
i specific penalties for well defined of
! senses, so that the inequality of sen
tences adjudged by court martial may
be adjusted.
1 The consolidation of aceonnts under
which expenditures are made as a meas
ure of economy.
An appropriation of money for the
construction of a depot at San Antonio,
the title to the site being now perfected.
A special act placing the cemetery at
the City of Mexico on the same basis as
f other national cemeteries,
j Authority to purchase cites for milita
! ry posts iif Texas.
j ' The appointment of commissaries'
j sergeants from non-commissioned ofti
j cers, as a measure for securing the bet
| ter care and protection of supplies,
i An appropriation for the publication of
the catalogue and tables of the anato
mical section of the army medical mu
: seum.
Reappropriation of the amount for the
manufacture of breech-loading arms,
' should the selection be so delayed by
the board of officers as to leave the former
appropriation unexpended at the close
of the fiscal year.
The sale of such arsenals east of the
Mississippi as can be spared, and the
proceeds applied to the establishment
of one large arsenal of construction and
repair upon the Atlantic coast, aud the
purchase of a suitable site for a proving
and experimental ground for heavy ord
nance.
The abrogation of laws which deprive (
inventors in the United States’ service
from deriving any benefit from their in- i
ventions.
The repeal of the law prohibiting pro
moting the staff corps.
A continuance of the work upon the
coast defenses.
The repeal of the seventh section of
the act of July 13, 1866, taking from en
gineer soldiers the per diem granted to
other troops.
A limitation of time for presentation
of old war claims for subsistence sup
plies under act of July 4th, 1864, and a
modification in the mode of the selec
tion of cadets for the Military Academy,
in prder to enhance the usefulness of
the Academy, which is impaired by
reason of the large amount of time neces
sarily expended in giving new cadets a
thorough knowledge of the mere elemen
tary branches of learning, which they
should acquire before entering the Aca
demy.
Also an appropriation for a philoso
phical apparatus, and an increase in the
number and pay of the Military Academy
band.
ATLANTIC AND GREAT WESTERN CANAL.
The attention of Congress will be
called during its present session to vari
ous enterprises for the more certain and
cheaper transportatiou of the constant
ly increasing surplus of Western and
Southern products to the Atlantic sea
board. The subject is one that will
force itself upon the legislative branches
of the Government sooner or later, and I
suggest, therefore, that immediate steps
be taken to gain all available informa
tion to insure equable and just legisla
tion.
A route to connect the Mississippi
Yalley with the Atlantic at Charleston,
South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia,
by water, by the way of the Ohio and
Tennessee rivers, and by canals and
slaekwater navigation to the Savannah
and Ocmnlgee rivers, has been surveyed
and a report made by an accomplished
engineer officer of the army.
Second and third new routes will be
proposed for the consideration of Con
gress, namely: by the extension of the
Kanawha and James River Canal to the
Ohio, and by the extension of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
I am not prepared to recommend Gov
ernment aid to these or other enter
prises, until it is clearly shown that they
are not only of national interest, but
that when completed they will be of a
value commensurate with their oost.
That production increases more ra
pidly than the means of transportation
in oiir country, has been demonstrated
by past experience. That the unpre
cedented growth in population and pro
ducts of the whole country will require
additional facilities and cheaper ones
for the more bulky articles of commerce
to reach tide water and a market, will be
demonstrated in the near future, is
equally demonstrated.
I would suggest, therefore, that a com
mittee or commission be authorized to
oonsider this whole question and report
to Congress at some future day, for its
better guidance in legislating on this
important subject.
The railroads of the country liave been
rapidly extended during the last few
years,'to meet the growing demand of
producers, and reflects much credit on
the capitalists and managers engaged in
their construction.
CANAL AROUND NIAGARA FALLS.
In addition to these is a project to fa
cilitate commerce by the building of a
ship canal around Niagara Falls, on the
United States’ side, which has been agi
tated for many years, and will no doubt
be called to your attention this session.
CANAL FROM MAINE TO THE GULF OF
MEXICO.
Looking to the great future growth of
our country and the increasing demands
of commerce, it might be well, while on
this subject, not only to have examined
and reported upon the various practica
ble routes for connecting the Mississippi
with tide water in the Atlantic, but the
feasibility of an almost continuous land
locked navigable route from Maine to
the Gulf of Mexico. Such a route along
our coast would be of great value at all
times, and of inestimable value in case
of a toreign war. Nature has provided
the greater part of this route, and the
obstacles to be overcome are easily with
in tho skill of the engineer.
I have not alluded to this subject with
the view of having any further expendi
ture of public money, at this time, than
may be necessary to procure and place
all the necessary information before Con
gress in aft authentic form, to enable it
hereafter, if deemed practicable and
worthy, to legislate on the subject with
out delay.
TnE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Na
vy, herewith accompanying, explains ful
ly the condition of that branch of the
public service—its wants and deficiencies,
expenses incurred during the past year,
and appropriations for the same. It also
gives a complete history of the service of
the navy for the past year, in addition to
its regular service. It is evident that un
less early steps are taken to preserve
our navy, in a very few years the United
States will be the weakest nation upon
the ocean of all the great powers. With
an energetic, progressive business peo
ple like ours, penetrating and forming
business relations with every part of the
known world, a navy strong enough to
command the respect of our flag abroad
is necessary for the full protection of
tlieir rights. I recommend careful con
sideration by Congress of the recommen
dations by the Secretary of the Navy.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report of the Post
master General furnishes a full and sat
isfactory exhibit of the operations of the
Post Office Department during the year.
The ordinary revenues of the Depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1872, amounted to $21,916,426 37, and
the expenditures to $26,658,197 31. Com
pared with the previous fiscal year, the
increase of revenue was $1,878,380 95,
0r9.37 per cent., and the increase of ex
penditures $2,268,088 23, or 9.29 per
cent. Adding to the ordinary revenues
the annual appropriation of $700,000 for j
free matter, and the amounts paid to
subsidized mail steamship lines, from :
special appropriations, the deficiency
paid out by the general treasury, was I
$3,317,765 94 —an excess of $389,707 28
over the deficiency for the year 1871.
Other interesting statistical informa
tion relating to our rapidly extending 1
; postal service is furnished in this re
port. The total length of railroad mail
routes on the 30th June, 1872, was 57,-
I 811 miles—B,o77 additional miles of
1 such service having been put into opera
tion during the year. Eight new lines
of railroad post routes have been estab
; lished, with an aggregate length of
2,999 miles.
The number of letters exchanged in
j the mails with foreign countries was
24,362,500 —an increase of 4,066,502, or
20 per cent, over the number in 1871,
and the postage thereon amounted to
$1,871,257 25.
The total weight of the mails ex
changed with European countries exeeed
jed 820 tons. The cost of the United
States trans-Atlantic mail steamship ser
vice was $220,301 70. The total cost of
the United States ocean steamship ser
vice, including the amonnts pgid to the
subsidized lines of mail steamships, was
| $1,027,(80 97.
The following are the only steamship
lines now receiving subsidies for mail
service under special acts of Congress ;
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company
receive $500,000 per aunum for convey
ing a monthly mail between San Fran
cisco, Japan and China, which will be
increased to $1,000,000 for a semi
monthly mail after 1872; the United
States and Brazil Mail Steamship Com
j pany receive 8150,000 per annum for
; conveying a monthly mail between New
i York, Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil, and
the California, Oregon and Mexico
Steamship Company receive $75,000 per
annum for conveying a monthly mail
between San Francisco and Honolulu,
Hawaian Islands—making the total
amount of mail subsidies at present,
$725,000 per annum.
Our postal communications with all
parts of the civilized world have been
placed upon a most advantageous foot
ing by the improved postal conventions
and arrangements recently concluded
with the leading commercial countries
of Europe aud America, and the gratify
ing statement is made that with the con
clusion of a satisfactory convention with
France, the details of which have been
• definitely agreed to by the 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, with re-
I gpect either to reduction of rates or im
proved facilities of postal intercourse.
Your favorable consideration is re
j spectfuUy invited to the recommends-
tdons made by the Postmaster General
for an increase of,service from monthly
to semi-monthly trips on the mail steam
ship route to Brazil ; for subsidies in
and to the establishment of an American
line of mail steamers bet ween San Fran
cisco, New Zelaiul and Australia: for the
establishment of a Post Office Savings
Bank; and for the increase of the salaries
of the heads of bureaus.
THE FRANKING PIIIVILEOE.
j I have, heretofore, recommended the
i abolition of the franking privilege, and
see no reason now forehangiug my views
on that subject. It not having been
| favorably regarded by Congress, how
j ever, I now suggest modification of that
privilege, to correct its glaring and cost
ly abuses.
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
| I would recommend, also, the appoint
ment of a committee or commission to
j take into consideration the best method
equitably to protect private corporations
I who have invested their time and capital
| in the establishment of telegraph lines,
of acquiring the title to all telegraph
j lines now in operation ami connecting
! this service with the postal service of
j the nation. It is not probable this sub
j jeet could receive the proper eonsidera
| tion during the limits of a short session
i of Congress, but it may be initiated so
that future action may be fair to the
! Government and to private parties con
! eerned.
OCEAN MAIL STEAMERS.
1 There nre but three lines of ocean
steamers namely, the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company, between San Fran
cisco, China and Japan, with provision
made for semi-monthly service after
October Ist, 1873; the United States and
Brazil Line, monthly, and the California,
New Zealand and Australian Line,
monthly, plying between the United
States and foreign ports, and owned and
operated under our flag. I earnestly re
commend that such liberal contracts for
carrying mails be authorized with these
lines ns will insure their continuance.
If the expediency of extending the
aid of Government to lines of steamers
which hitherto have not received it
should be deemed worthy of the con
sideration of Congress, political and
commercial objects make it advisable to
bestow such aid on a line under our own
flag, between Panama and the Western
South American ports. By this means
much trade now diverted to other coun
tries might be brought to the United
States, to the mutual advantage of the
country and those lying in that quarter
of the Continent of America.
FALLING OFF IN THE CARRYING TRADE.
The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury will show an alarming falling
off in our carrying trade for the last ten
years, and then for the past year. Ido
not believe that the public treasure can
be better expended in the interest of
the whole people than in trying to re
cover this trade. An expenditure of
$500,000 per annum for the next five
years, if it would restore to ns our pro
portion of the carrying trade of the
world, whould be profitably expended.
The price of labor in Europe has so
much enhanced within the last few years
that the cost of building and operating
ocean steamers in the United States is
not so much greater than in Europe; so
that I believe the proper time has ar
rived for Congress to take this subject
into serious consideration.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Detailed statements of the disburse
ments through the Department of Jus
tice will be furnished by the report of
the Attorney General, and though these
have been somewhat increased by the
recent acts of Congress to enforce the
rights of citizens of the United Btates to
vote in the several States of the Union
and to enforce the propositions of the
14tli amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, and the enactment
supplementary thereto, I cannot ques
tion tho necessity and salutary effect of
those enactments.
THE KU-KLUX.
Reckless and lawless men, I regret to
say, have associated themselves together
in some localities to deprive other citi
zens of those rights guaranteed to them
by the Constitution of the United States,
and to that end have committed deeds of
blood and violence; but the prosecution
and punishment of many of these per
sons have tended greatly to the repres
sion of such disorders.
I do not doubt that a great many of
the people in ail parts of the country
favor the full enjoyment, by all classes
of persons, of those rights to which they
are entitled under the Constitution and
laws, and I invoke the aid and influence
of all good citizens to prevent organiza
tions whose objects are, by unlawful
means, to interfere with these rights.
I look with confidence to the time, not
far distant, when the obvious advan
tages of good order and peace will in
! duce an abandoment of all combinations
! prohibited by the acts referred to, and
when it will be unnecessary to carry on
prosecutions from the lawless doings of
such combinations.
Applications have been made to me to
pardon persons convicted of a violation
of said acts, upon the ground that clem
ency in such cases would tend to tran
quilize the public mind and test the vir
tue of that policy. I am disposed, as
far as my sense of justice will permit,
to give these applications a favorable
consideration; but any action thereon is
not to be construed as indicating any
change in my determination to enforce,
with rigor, such acts, so long as the con
spiracies and combinations therein
named disturb the peace of the coun
try.
It is much to be regretted, and is re
gretted by no one more than myself,
that a necessity has ever existed to exe
cute the enforcement act. No one can
desire more than I that the necessity of
applying it may never again be de
manded.
DEPARTMENT op the interior.
The Secretary of the Interior reports
satisfactory improvements and progress
j in each of the several bureaus under the
control of the Interior Department.
They are all in excellent condition. Tlie
j work which in some of them for some
I years has been in arrears, has been
I brought down to a recent date, and cur
j rent business has been promptly dis
-1 patched.
INDIANS.
j The policy which was adopted at the
beginning of this Administration in re
gard to the management qf the Indians
| has been as successful as its most ardent
j friend? anticipated within so short a
time. It has reduced the expense of
i their managempnt, decreased their so
! rays on the white settlements, tended to
i give tl;e largest opportunity fur the ex
: tension of the groat railways through
the public domain, and the pushing of
! settlements into reiqpte districts of
1 country, and, at the satfie time, improved
the condition of the Indians. Thispoli
lgy will be maintained without any
! change, excepting such as further expe
rience may show it to be necessary to
render it more efficient.
i REMOVAL TO THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
I The subject of converting the so
called Indian territory south of Kansas
j into a home for the Indian, and erecting
therein a territorial form of government,
: is one of the greatest importance as a
complement of the existing Indian
The question of removal to that terri
tory has within the past year been pre
sented to many of tlje ttitjes resident
| upon other and as desirable portions of
the public domain, and has generally
been received by them with favor,.
Asa preliminary step to the organiza
i tion of such a territory, it will be ne
: cessary to confine the Indians therein to
| farms of proper size, which should be
1 secured to them in fee —the residue to be
' used for the settlement of other friendly
Indians. Efforts will lie made in the
immediate future to induce the removal
j of as many peaceably disposed Indians
to the Indian Territory as can be settled,
! properly, without destroying the harmo
fny of tliose already there. There is no
| other location, now available, where a
people who are endeavoring to acquire
knowledge of psfetoral and agricultural
i pursuits can be as well accommodated
as upon the Indian Territory lands.
INDIAN TERRITORY.
The Territorial Governments should,
however, protect the Indians from the
inroads of the whites for a term of
years, until they become sufficiently ad
vanced in the arts of civilization to
guard their own rights, and from the
disposal of the lands held by them for
the same period,
PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year there were
disposed of out of the public lands 11,-
864,975 acres—a quantity greater by
199,270 acres than was disposed of the
previous year. Os this amount 1,3 / 0,320
acres were sold for ca5h—389,460 acres
located with military warrants —4,671,-
332 acres taken for homestead—693,6l3
acres located with college scrip—554,-
887 acres granted to railroads—46s,347
acres rented to wagon r0ad5—714,255
acres given to States as swamp lands—
-5,860 acres located by Indians.
The cash receipts from all sources in
the Laud Office amounted to $3,218,190.
During the same period 22,016,608 acres
of the public lauds were surveyed,
which, added to the quantity before sur
veyed, amounts to 583,364,780 acres
leaving 1,257,633,628 acres of the public
land still unsurveyed.
The reports from the subordinates of
the Land Office contain interesting infor
mation in regard to their respective dis
tricts. They uniformly meution the frait
i fulness of the soil during the past son
son, and the increased yield of all kiuds
of produce. Even in those States and
Territories where mining is the prin
cipal business, agricultural products
have exceeded the local demand and
liberal shipments have been made to dis
tant points.
PATENTS.
During the past year, ending Septem
ber 30, 1872, there were issued from the
Patent Office 13,626 patents, 233 exten
sions, and 556 certificates mini registers
of trade marks. During the same time
19,587 applications for patents, includ
ing reissue and designs, have been re
ceived—3,loo caveats filed. The fees re
j ceived during the same period amounted
to $800,954 86, and the total expendi
tures to $623,553 90, making the net re
ceipts over the expenditures $77,400 96.
Siuee 1836, 200,000 applications for pat
ents have been filed, and about 133,000
patents issued.
The office is being conducted under
| the same laws and general organization
! as were adopted at its inauguration,
| when only from 100 to 500 applications
were made per annum. The Commis-
I sioner shows that the office has outgrown
j the original plan, anil that anew organi
zation has become necessary. This sub
ject was presented to Congress in a
special communication in February last,
with my approval and the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior, and the
suggestions contained in said communi
cation were embraced in the bill that
was reported to the House by the Com
mittee on Patents at the last sessian.
The subject of the reorganization of
the Patent Office, as contemplated by
the bill referred to, is one of such im
portance to the- industrial interests of
the country that I commend it to the
attention of Congress.
The Commissioner also treats the sub
ject of the separation of the Patent Office
from the Department of the Interior.
This subject is also embodied in the bill
heretofore referred to.
The Commissioner complains of the
want of room for the model gallery and
for the working force, and necessary
files of the office. It is impossible to
transact the business of the office prop
erly without more room in wliieli to
arrange files and drawings that must be
consulted frequently in the transaction
of business.
The whole of the Patent Office build
ing will soon be needed, if it is not al
ready, for the accommodation of the
business of the Patent Office.
PENSIONS.
The amount paid for pensions in the
last fiscal year was $30,169,310, an
amount larger by $3,708,434 than was
paid during th° preceding year. Os this
amount $231,349 were paid under the
act of Congress of February 17,1871, to
survivors of the war of 1812. The annual
increase of pensions by the legislation of
Congress has more than kept pace with
the natural yearly losses from rolls. Tho
act of Congress of June 8, 1872, has
added an estimated amount of $750,000
per annum to the rolls, without, increas
ing the number of pensions. We cannot,
therefore, look for any substantial relief
of this department for some time to
come, or so long as Congress continues
to bo change rates of pensions.
The whole number of soldiers eulisted
in the war of the rebellion was 2,688,523.
The total number of claims for invalid
pensions is 176,000 —-being but six per
cent, of the. whole number of enlisted
men. The total number of claims on
hand at the beginning of the year was
91,689. The number received during the
year was 26,574. The number disposed
of was 39,178— making a net gain of
12,604. The number of claims now on
file is 798,595.
On the 25th of June, 1872, there were
on the rolls the names of 95,405 invalid
military pensioners; 113,518 widows,
orphans and dependent relatives—mak
ing an aggregate of 208,093 army pen
sioners.
At the same time there wove on the
rolls the names of 1,449 navy pension
ers, and 1,730 widows, orphans and de
pendent relatives —making the whole
number of irtival pensioners 3,179.
There have been received since the
passage of the act to provide pensions
j for tlie survivors of the war of 1814,
1 36,557 applications prior to June 30,
1872. Os these there were allowed
| during the last fiscal year 20,126 claims;
4,845 were rejected during the year, leav
ing 4,580 claims pending at that date.
The number of pensions of all classes
granted during the last fiscal year was
338,038.
During that period there were dropped
from the rolls for various causes 9,104
names, leaving a grand total of 232,229
pensioners on the rolls, on the 30th of
June, 1873. '
It is thought that the claims for pen
sions on account of the war of 1812 will
all be disposed of by the Ist of May,
1873. It is estimated that $30,480,000
will bo required for the pension service
during the next fisoal year,
the census,
The ninth (9) census is about comple
ted. Its early completion is a subject of
congratulation, inasmuch as the use to
be made of the statistics therein con
tained depends very greatly on the
promptitude of publication.
The Secretary of the Interior recom
mends that a census he taken in 1875,
which recommendation should receive
the early attention of Congress. The
interval at present established between
the Federal census is so long that the
information obtained at the decennial
period, as to the material condition,
wants and resources of the nation, is of
little practical value after the expira
tion of the first half of that period.
It would probably obviate the consti
tutional provision regarding the ileceu
nitil census, if a census taken in 1875
should he divested of all political charac
ter, and no reapportionment of Congres
sional representation be made undey it.
Such a census, coming qs it would in the
last yeiq qf the century qf quf national
existence, would furnish a noyel monu
ment qf progress of the United States
(luring tfie century,
EEDOATION,
The rapidly increasing interest in edu
cation is a most encouraging pictuie in
the current history of the country, anil
it is no doubt true that this is due in a
great measure to the efforts of the Bu
reau of Education. That office is con
tinually receiving evidences, y:\,ich
abundantly prove its efficiency, from the
various institutions of learning and
educators of all kinds throughout the
country.
The report of the Commissioner con
tains a vast amount of educational de
tails of great interest. The bill now
pending before Congress, prqviipug for
the appropriation of the net proceeds of
the safe? of public lands for educational
purposes to aid the States ju the
education of their rising gouiUUtio'n, is a
measure of such great importance to our
real progress, and is so unanimously ap
proved by the leading friends of educa
tion, that I recommend it to the favor
able attention of Congress.
AFFAIRS IN THE TERRITORIES
Are generally satisfactory. The energy
and business capacity of the pioneers
who are settling up the vast domains not
incorporated into States are keeping pace
in internal improvements and civil gov
eanmentwith the older communities. In
but one.of them is the condition of af
fairs unsatisfactory except so far as the
quiet of the eiti'/eu may be ifisturbed by
real or imaginary danger of Indian hos
tilities.
It has seemed to lie the policy of the
Legislature of Utah to evade nH respon
sibility to the Government of the United
Htafea, and even to hold a position in
hostility to it. I recommend a careful
revision of the present laws of the Ter
ritory by Congress, and the enactment
of such a law as the one proposed in
Congress at its last session for instance,
or something similar to. it, as will secure
peace, the equality of all citizens before
the law, and the ultimate extinguishment
of polygamy.
Since the establishment of a Terri
torial government for the District of
Columbia, the improvement of the con
dition of the City of Washington and
surronndings, and the increased pros
perity of the citizens, is observed by the
most casual visitor. The nation being a
NEW SERIES—VOL. XXV—NO. 50.
large owner of property in this city,
should bear with citizens of the District
a just proportion of the expense of these
improvements. I recommend, therefore,
an appropriation to reimburse the citi
zens for the work done by them along
the front of the public grounds during
the past year, and liberal appropriations
in order that the improvement and em
bellishment of the public buildings and
grounds may keep pace with the im
provements made by the Territorial au
thorities.
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture gives a very full and inter
esting account of the several divisions of
that department—the horticultural, ag
ricultural, statistical, entomological—
and the benefits conferred by each upon
the agricultural interests of the country.
The whole report is a complete history,
in detail, of the workings of that depart
ment in all its branches, showing tile
manner in which the farmer, merchant
and miner are informed, and the’extent
to which he is aided in his pursuits.
The Commissioner makes oue recom
mendation—that measures be taken by
Congress to protect and induce the plant
ing of forests, and suggests that no part
of the public lands should bo disposed
of without the condition that one-tenth
of it be reserved in timber where it exists,
and where it does not exist inducements
should be offered for planting it.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
In accordance with the terms of the
act of Congress approved March 31st,
1871, providing for the celebration of
the one hundredth anniversary of Ameri
can independence, a commission has
been organized, consisting of two mem
bers for each of tho States and Terri
tories. This commission has held two
sessions and has made satisfactory pro
gress in the organization, and in the
initiatory steps necessary for carrying
out the provisions of the act, and for
executing also the provisions of the act
of June Ist, 1872. A Centennial Board
of Finance has been created and a pre
liminary report of progress has been re
ceived from the President of the
Commission, and is herewith trans
mitted. It will be the duty of the Com
mission, at your coming session, to lay
before you the details relating to the
exhibition of American and foreign arts,
products and manufactures, which, by
terms of the act, is to be held under the
auspices of tho Government of the
United States in the city of Philadelphia,
in the year 1876. This celebration will
be looked forward to by American citi
zens with great interest, as marking a
century of greater progress and prosperi
ty than is recorded in the history of any
other nation, and as serving a' further
grand purpose in bringing together on
•ur soil the people of all the commer
cial nations of the earth in a manner
calculated to secure international good
feeling.
CIVIL SERVICE.
An earnest desire him been felt to cor
rect abuses which have grown up in the
civil service of tho country, through the
defective method of making appoint
ments to office. Heretofore Federal
offices have been regarded too much as
the reward of political services. Under
authority of Congress rules have been
established to regulate the tenure of
office and tho mode of appointments.
It cannot be expected that any system of
rules can bo eutirely effective and prove
a perfect remedy for existing evils until
they have been thoroughly tested by
actual practice and amended according
to the requirements of the service.
During my term of office it shall be my
earnest endeavor to so apply the rules as
to secure the greatest possible reform in
the civil service of the Government; hut
it will require the direct action of Con
gress to render the enforcement of the
system binding upon my successors;
and I hope that the experience of the
past year, together with the appropriate
legislation by Congress, may reach a
satisfactory solution of this question
and secure to the public service for all
time a practical method of obtaining
faithful and efficient officers and em
ployees, U. S. Grant.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 2, 1872.
The Internal Revenue service is aeost
ly department ot the Federal Govern
ment. There are two hundred anil thir
ty assessors in commission, whose year
ly salaries average $5,000 each, making
salaries of assessors alone $1,150,000.
Beyond this thero are thirteen hundred
assistant assessors, at $5 a day each,
making a total of $1,950,0(H) in a year of
three hundred working days. In order
to reduce a portion of these expenses
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
lias prepared a bill which abolishes at
the beginning of the coming year
the offices of Assessors and Assistant
Assessors of Internal Revenue, requir
ing their work to he done by the Rev
enue Bureau clerks. The office of as
sessor is held to ho no longer nooossary.
The hill prepared meets the approval of
the President, Secretary Boutwell, and
the leading Supervisors in the coun
try. The Washington correspondent of
tire New York Times puts the cost of
the revenue servioe at $3,000,000, and
says, the three classes of duties per
formed by assessors may be performed
by a collector with equal propriety, by
adding twenty-five olorks and twenty
five revenue agents to the Revenue
Bureau. The three classes of duties are:
The deficiency tax on distillers, the
assessment of which is now made upon
data furnished by the keepers, and which
is furnished daily to the Internal
Revenue office. The next class com
prises special taxes and licenses, which
it is proposed to collect through the
means of license certificates, like beer
and whisky stamps, bound in books and
sent to collectors, who will bo charged
with them, and who will sell and aocount
for them the same as q.tLcu stamps. The
third class the collection of the tax on
hanks, formerly collected in Washing
ton, and it can be easily done now, the
banks making their returns to the col
lector, as they ilo now to the assessor,
sending duplicates to the Internal
I(ovenue office in Washington,
An Extensive International Com-
MEROIAIi EnthRRRWR.—A society called
the Mississippi Valley Society is now in
process of organization in England,
with headquarters at London, composed
of wealthy prominent Englishmen, and
having for its object the prnwdieju of
direct trade between anil the
Valley of tj\fi The London
office will be the headquarters of the
1 Western anil Southern people visiting
Europe, as well as the rendezvous of
j English capitalists. Booms will also be
• provided in London to exhibit samples
1 of the aK’ icuttuviil and mineral products
(of the Mississippi Valley, photographs
I of leading public and other buildings of
1 its citing &c- iffin Oeutrul American
j office is to he located at St. Louis, and
j branch offices will he established at all
1 principal cities West and South.
' A central office will soon la* opened at
| St. Lonis, when cry operation with the
j Loniloq qffiwe, with, a view to facilitate a
more, direct interchange of, products be
tween this country and Great Britain,
will immediately commence.
Revenue Marine Telegraph. —ln his
report on the subject of life saving sta
tions on the Atlantic coast, the Chief of
the Revenue Marine Bureau recom
mends the establishment of telegraph
communication between the different
stations, and their connection witli the
| storm signal service of the War Depart
ment at Washington, for the purpose of
giving early information of approaching
gales. To the various stations are to be
attached signal officers and picked
crewa, who will form rescuing com
panies, and a guard, to prevent smug
gling. „ i-.
Burning of Greensboro Femabe Col
lege.—We learn from the Atlanta Con
stitution that Greensboro Female Col
lege was entirely destroyed by fire on
Friday morning about sunrise. The
origin is supposed to be accidental.
Loss about $5,000.
The French War Indemnity. — An
analysis of the payments on account of
the war, made by France to Germany,
up to the early part of October, amount
ed to $5,980,000,000. Os this sum $60,-
000,000 were indemnities paid by various
towns during the war, anil $65,000,000
were paid as the price of the Eastern
Railway iu Alsace-Lorraine. The re
maining $-1,750,000,000 were remitted
from Paris to Berlin in the following
form: German notes and specie, $16,-
0(H),000; French bank notes, S2S,O<)O,<MMI;
French gold or silver, $32,000,0(H); bills
on Belgium and Holland, $80,000,(HMI;
bills on England, $120,000,000; anil bills
on Germany, $200,000,000. Gfthesl2o,-
000,000 sent from England to Germany in
liquidation of the hills of exchange, $45,-’
000,000 were transmitted in gold, $17,500, -
000 were employed in the redemption of
the proportion of German loans held in
England, and the balance, it is believed,
was met by the payment of German
mercantile balances due in London.—
The German Government, it is stated,
sold a large amount of the French hills
on England to purchasers on the Berlin
Exchange.
Payment op Drafts With Exchange.
—The following letter of inquiry, with
annexed reply, upon points of interest
to commercial and financial circles, wo
find iu the New York Journal of Com
merce, recognized authority on ques
tions affecting trade and finance :
Augusta, Ga.,November 19, 1872.
Messrs. Editors— Please answer the
following queries : A draft is drawn at
five days’ sight “with current rate of ex
change” for SI,OOO (New York exchange
is implied, as it is always charged when
at a premium). When the draft falls
due, New York exehunge is selling at a
quarter of one per cent, discount by
the banks. Can the bank at which the
draft is payable be required to allow the
discount ($2 50) ? Again, can a bank
be required to take New York exchange
in payment of a draft drawn “ with
New York exchange on the face of it ?
A Subscriber.
Reply—lt is understood that a draft
payable with the current rate of ex
change is to be settled for at whatever
the rate may bo. If at a premium, it is
always exacted by the eoilectiug bank.
If it happens at the moment to be at a
discount, that is not ns readily .allowed,
nor do the drawees as often demand it.
We do not see why, on the same prin
ciple, the collecting agent should not
concede it. The rule of trade invariably
is that where the parties cannot agree
upon the rate of exchange tjio drawee
may purchase and tender a first-class
bill for the amount as a full satisfaction
for the draft. If the collecting agent
should refuse this and protest the draft,
and put it in suit iu this State, the
custom is so well established and
has so much the force of law, wo are
confident that he would not recover his
cost or damages, or anything beyond
the face of the draft. Unlesß thero is
more diversity in the custom, or some
local statute, the same would hold true,
we Ruppose, in Georgia.
Lithographic Stone in Virginia.—
The Baltimore American says a com
pany has been formed ill that city to
work a mine of lithographic stone in
Rockbridge county, Va., and will, with
in n fortnight, throw open their project
to the public. The only other mine of
this kind known in the world is in Bava
ria, and the reason given for the recent
advance of the price of lithographic
stone is that the Bavarian mine is giving
out. Some idea of the importance of
thip Rockbridge county mine may he
had from the fact that small lithographic
stones from Bavaria sell at. 26 cents a
pound, and the price of larger pieces
increase in geometrical proportion, lint
thousands ot tons of large size stones of
uniform anil very superior quality can
be got from the Virginia mine.
Appointment of Commissioner. —Gov.
Smith has appointed Colonel B. W.
Frobel, of Atlanta, Commissioner to
represent the interests of Georgia in the
National Board of Commissioners, ap
pointed by the several States interested,
upon improving the navigation of the
Ohio river anil its tributaries. Colonel
Frobel has long been Chief of the De
partment of Public Works, is a civil
engineer of experience and ability, anil
will doubtless fully represent the in
terests of Georgia in all questions per
taining to the improvement of our in
ternal navigation. Helms gone to Wash
ington in discharge of the duties of
his commission.
A Florida Orange Grove. — It is said
that the prettiest orange grove in
Florida is also one of the most profita
ble. It is the property of Mr. H. L.
Hart, ofPalatka, on the St. John’s river,
and its situation is directly opposite
that place, on the eastern bank of the
river, which is there perhaps nearly two
milcß wide. Though the grove is not
extensive, covering only about eight or
nine acres, and containing scarcely live
hundred trees, we understand that Mr.
Hart sold last Winter no fewer than
800,000 oranges as its product, at three
cents a piece. This is a pretty big
story. If true it gives a total of $24,000
in cash—a very large return for so small
a piece of land.
The Interior Department. —The re
ports of the different bureaus under the
Secretary of the Interior are satisfacto
ry. The Land Office business lias all
been brought up to date. The Pension
Bureau has very few complaints of dila
toriness, and the amount needed for the
next fiscal
Patent Offioo report shows the fees of
the year were $77,400 in excess of the ex
penditures, and the Commissioner re
commends anew general patent law,
and separation from the Interior Depart
ment.
Reform in the South Carolina
Legihlaturm. —ln the Senate, on Wed
nesday, the Finance Committee reported
in favor of employing the following at
taches: Four clerks at five dollars a day;
two messengers at two dollars a day;
four pages at one dollar anil a half a day,
and laborers at throe dollars a day. The
report was adopted i
The Honse was occupied all day in a
wrangle over the number of attaches to
be appointed, and over the distribution
of seats amongst the members. It was
finally agreed to restrict the number of
attaches to twenty-four. Last year there
were fully one hundred and fifty.
Tins Break in English Iron.— The
decline which has oooured in the English
iron trade has been a little earlier anil
sharper than was generally expected.
One chief cause of this was the fact that
it was found that a large number of
orders were sent to the continent of
Europe, while the American trade,
formerly so active, was almost limited
down to a demand for railroad bars. At.
last aeoounts the trade generally waft
very dull, anil it is supposed a reduction
of wages will ensue.
A Turtle Duck.— The Raleigh (N.
C.) News reports sight of one of the
greatest curiosities of the age. It was a
singular quadruped, called the turtle
duck, and supposed to be half wild duck
and half turtle. Its shape resembles
both of its parents—with smooth back, .
feathers under its breast, four legs and
a regular pair of horns, with a head after
the order of the North Carolina pirn*
rooting hog.
