The New York Herald Newspaper, December 7, 1869, Page 3

PRESIDENT’S- MESSAGE, Glorious Condition of the Country. OUR FINANCES ON A GOOD FOOTING. Recommendation to Fund the National Debt. Reconstruction Progressing Favor- ably Except in Georgia. Our Foreign Relations Satisfactory— Recognition of Cuban Bellige- rency Not Advised. fo THs SENATS AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES?— Incoming before you for the first time as Chief Magistrate of this great nation it is with gratitude to the Giver of all good for the many benefits we enjoy. Weare blessed with peace at home and are. ‘without entangling alliances abroad to forbode teouple; with @ territory unsurpassed in fertility, of anareaequal to the abundant support of five hundred millions of people and abounding in every variety of useful minerals, in quantity suffl- cient to supply the world for generations; with exu- Derant crops; with a variety of climate adkpted to the production of every specics of earth’s riches and faulted to the habits, tastes and requirements of every living thing; with a population of forty mi- Mons of free people, all speaking one language, ‘with faoilities for every mortal to acquire an education; vith institutions closing to mone the avenues of fame or any bless ing of fortune that may be coveted; with freedom of the pulpit, the press and the school; with @ revenue flowing into the national Treasury beyond the requirements of the government. Hap- pily harmony is being speedily restored within our own borders. Manufactures hitherto unknown in our country are springing up in all directions, pro- Gucing a degree of national independence unequalled by that of any other Power. These blessings and countless others are entrusted to your care and mine for safe keeping for the brief period of our tenure of office. Ina short time we must cach of us Feturn to the ranks of the people who have con- ferred upon us our honors and account to them for ourstewardship. I earnestly desire that neither you mor I may be condemned by afree and enlightened Constituency nor by our consciences. PROGRESS OF RECONSTRUCTION. merging from a rebellion of gigantic magnitude, alded as it was by the sympathy and assistance of nations with which we were at peace, eleven States of the Union were four years ago left without legal Btate government; a national debt had been eon- tracted, American commerce was almost ativen from tbe seas; the industry of one half of the coun- try bad been takerrfrom the contro! of the capitalist and placed where all labor rightfully belongs, in the keeping of the laborer. The work of restoring State governments loyal to the Union, of protecting and fostering free labor, and providing means for paying the interest on the public debt, bas received ample attention from Congress. Although your efforte have not met with the success in all, particulars that might have been desired, yet, on the whole, they have been more @uccessfal than could have been reasonably antici- pated. Seven States which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places in the Union, the eighth (Georgia) held anelection, at which she ratified her constitution, republican in form, elected | Governor, members of Congress, a State Legislature and ail other officers required. The Governor was duly installed and the Legislature met and performed all the acts then required of them by the reconstruction acts of Congress. Subsequently, however, in violation of the constitution which they Bad just ratified, as since decided by the Supreme Couré of the State, they unseated the colored members of the Legislature and admitted to seats some members who are disqualified by the third clause of the fourteenth amendment to the con- atitution—an article which they themselves bad con- tributed to ratify. Under these circumstances I ‘would submit to you whether it would not be wise, without delay, to enact a law authorizing the Gov- ernor of Georgia te convene the members originally elected to the Legislature, requiring each member to take the oath by the reconstruction acts, and none to be admitted who are ineligible under the third clause of the fourteenth amendment. Tne freedmen, under the protection which they have received, are making fapid progress in learn- ang, and no complaints are heard of lack of industry on their part when they received fair remuneration Jor their labor. The means provided for paying the interest on the public debt, with all other expenses of the govern- ment, are more than ample. ‘The loss of our commerce is the only result of the late rebellion which has not received sufficient at- tention from you. To thissubject I call your earnest astention. Iwill not now suggest plans vy which this object may be effected, but will, if necessary, make it the subject of a special message during the session of Congress. Ma HB ELECTIONS IN VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS. Atthe March term Congress by joint resolution authorized the Executive to order elections in the States of Virginta, Mississipp! and Texas, to submit ‘vo them the constitutions whtch each bad previously im convention framed, and submit the constitu- tions «either entire or in separate parts to” be voted upon, at the discretion of the Executive. Under this authority elections were called. In Virginia the election took place on the 6th of July, 1869; the Governor and Lieutenant Governor elected have been installed; tne Legisia- ture met and aid all required by this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of Congress, and ab- stainéd from all doubtful Authority. f recommend that her Senators and Representatives be gdmitved to their seats in and that the Stee be fully ite place in the family of Btates. Called in Mississippi and ‘Texas, to commence on the 0th of November, 1960, and to last two days 1) Misat: ‘and four days in Texas. Me ne ha - w+ qu QlOCHON® Cave taxen place, bit thé re- suit is not known. It is to be hoped that the acts of the Legislatures of these States, when they meet, ‘will be such as to receive your approval and thus close the work of reconstruction, . THR CURRENCY. Among the evils growing out of the rebellion and not yet referred to is that of an irroweemable cur- rency. It isan evil which I hope will receive your most earnest attention. Itis a duty and one of tne highest duties of government to secure to the citi- gens ® medium of exchange of fixed, unvarying value, This implies a return toa specie basis, and BO substitute for itcan be devised, It should be commenced now and reached at the earliest prac- tucable moment consistent with a fair regard to the Interests of the debtor class. Immediate resump- tion, if practicable, would not be desirable, it would compel the debtor class to pay beyond their contracts the premium on old at the date of their purchase and would bring kruptcy and ruin to thousands, Fluctuation, however, in the paper value of the measure of all Values, g014, 18 detrimental to the interests of trade. It makes the man of business an involuntary gam- bier, for in all sales where future payment is to be made both parties speculate as to what will be tho value of the currency to be paid and received. [ earnestly recommend to you, then, such legislation an will theure a gradual revurn to specie payments and put an immediate stop to fuctuations in the ‘Value of currency. The methods to secure the former of these are as numerous os aro the @peculstions on political economy, To se ome the latter I see but one, and that is to euthorise the Treasury to redeem ite owp paper - NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1869.-TRIPLE SHEET. the entire public debt could be paid in ten years; but it is not desirable that the people rhould be taxed to pay it in that time, Year by yea: te ability topay It increases in @ rapid ratio; but the burden of inter- face. The time has already expired whena great Dart of them may taken, and is proaching when all be. which are now due may : rH : i i i ee the currency as to cripple trade and seriously affect the prosperity of the country. Under these circum stances the retary of the ds, verest-bear- ig debt of the country and of Ce oe to Con- gress the question of the dis to be made of the bonda*so p' ‘The bonds now held by the Treasury amount to about $75,000,000, including those belonging to the sinking funt I recommend that 1d, and the whole be placed to the credit of the sinking fund, Your attention 1s respectfully invited to tie recom. mendations of the Secretary of the Treasury missioner of Custo: three @0d most especially to his re- comment mn tor repeal of laws allowing shares of fines, alties, forfeitures, &c., to officers: of the government or to informers. The office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue is, one of the most asduous and responsible under government. it falls but little, if any, short of a Cabinet position in its importance and respo! fies. 1 would ask for it, therefore, such legislation as in your judgment Diace the office ona {got ing of dignity commensurate with its importance aud with the character and qualifications of the class of men required to fill it properly. THE WAR 1N CUBA. As the United States is the freest of all nations, 80, too, the people sympathize with all peoples strug- glug tor liberty and self-government, but while so sympathizing it is due to our honor that we should #0 abstain from enforcing our views upon unW! nations and from taking an interested Part without invitation. In the quarrels between digerent nations or between governments and their subjects our course should always be in conformity with strict justice and law, international and local. Such nas been the policy of the administration in deal- ing with these questions. ‘or more than @ year a valuable province of Spain aud @ near neighbor of ours, in whom all our people cannot but feel a deep interest, has been struggling for independence and freedom. The peo- pie and government of the United States entertain the same warm feelings and sympathies for the peopie of Cuba in their pending struggie that they manitested throughout the previous les beée- tween Spain and ner former colonies in be! of the latter. But the contest has at no time assumed the conditions Which amount to & war in the sense of in- ternational law, or which would show the existence of a de sacto political organization of the insurgents suticient to justify @ recognition of bell The principle is maintamed, this nation is its own judge wi wo cord the hts of , either to@ people pag ae Pe tomes ao govern- ment they believe oppresai’ hations st war'with eachotber. fhe Unt have mo di tion to interfere with the exis: i Bpain to er colonia ine relations of, Continent. ts oe ace that in due time Spain and other Buropean Powers witl find 1t to their interest to terminate those relations and establish their pre- \ Powers—members dent Powel ee bell-control.” In the deter fea gar in order to it to e Uni ler a bloodshed in Cuba, and in the interest of ‘& neighbor- ing people, proposed their good offices to the being Sccepted by pain on & tema ‘which tro De Hevea conla bo received by Cuba, was withdrawn. o1 the United erg lon to exe- cute the neutrality laws in good faith, no matter how unpieasant tne task, made so by the suffering we have endured from lack of like good faith towards us by other nations, - On the 26th of March last the United States schooner Lizzie Major was arrested on the high seas by @ Spanish frigate and two Lang in were taken from tt and carried as prisoners to Cuba. n- ‘tations of these facts were made to the Stee ov: ernment a8 soon Micient infor on of them reached Wash! two were set at hoerty, and Spanish government assured the making the eapture, Nad seted Without iaw;"tat ie capt without law; that he had been reprimanded for larity of nis con- duct, and that the Spanish auth in Cuba would wrramue OF DANIMR CANAL AND OTHER MgTT???. T have always felt that the most intimate Felations should be cultivated between the republic o1 tne United States and all independent nations on this it may well worth considering whether new treaties between the United States and them not be profitably entered into to secure more intimate relations, irieudly, commercial and otherwise, The subject of an interoceanic canal, to connect the AUantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Darien, is one in which commerce is greatiy in- terested. Instructions have been given to our Min- ister to the republic of the United States of Colombia toendeavor to obtain authority fora survey by the government in order to determine the practibiiity of such an undertaking and 4 charter for tne right of way to build, by private enterprise, such a work if the survey proves to be practicable, Ju order to comply wil the adjustinent of claims it became necessary commissioner and @ secretary to Lima in August Jast. No Tas senha) having been made by Con- gress for this purpose it is now asked that one be made covering the past aud future expenses of the commission, The good offices of the United States to bring about a between Spain and the south Ameri can repuolics with which she ls at war having been accepted by Spain, Pera and Chile, a has been Invited. fo be held in Washibgton during the present winter, A grant has been gtivon to Europeans of an ex- clusive right of transit over the Territory of Nicara- qua, to which Costa Rica has given ite assent, which, 1t is alleged, conflicts with vested rights of citizens of the United States, The Department of State has now this subject under consideration, THR SPANISH GUNBOATS. The Miniater of Peru having made representations puin, avd that Spain wea constructing ia sud oar Spain, an New ork thirty gunboata which nt be used by Spain in such a way as to reliey @ navel force 0 a8 to ee, against orders wore g° Bren taken by the: representative of WO prevent the denartare of that visable to withdraw our representative from there. LAIMS OUR Oi AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN. ‘the Close of the last administration @ con- vention was signed at London for the settl of all outstan: claims between Great and wi failed to receive the advice ‘te to its ratification. The time and the circumstances atvending the negotia- tion of that treaty were favorable to its acceptance pee of the United States, but its provi- wholly inadequate for wwe settlement of the grave wrongs that had been sustained by this government, as as by its ciulzens, The injuries resulting to 1) U Staves by reason the course adoptea by Great Britain during our late civil wer, ia the increased rates insurance, in the diminution of exports and im- ports and other obstructions to domestic industry an continued peace and friendship. ‘This is now the only |p question which the United States has with any foreign nati RECIPROCITY TREATY WITH The question of Hereke Sate between the United 18 BL this ent has not internal taxation would prove a protection to the Briash producer almost equal the protection be ste il ned Ina Nd Ba the me arrangements, however, for regu: lation of commercial intercourse between ee enes 8. on the bation of the United States have peen extinguished, rty of the company have been delivy- an propriation by Congress to meet this sum 1s ask * ‘The commissioners for determi the North- weatern land boundary between the United States and tne British posacusions under the treaty of 1866 poe Cg one Sheir labors, and the commission jissolved. In conformity with the recommendation of Con- gress @ pro} ition was early made to the British government to abolish the mixed courts created under te treaty of April 7, 1862, for the suppression of the slave trade, The subject 1s still under nego- tation. THE NEW ATLANTIC CABLE. It having hina te my en er ® corporate company, organized under aws, proposed to land upon the shores of the United States and to operate there a sul ine cable, under a concession from nis Majesty the Emperor of the-French of an exclusive right for twenty years of telegrapbic com- munication between the shores of France and the United States, with the very opjectionable feature of subjecting all messages conveyed thereby to the scrutiny and control of the French government, I caused the French and British ne age at Wasbing- von to be made acquainted with the probabie policy of Congress on the subject, as foreshadowed by the bill which passed the Senate In March last. This drew from the representatives of the company an agreement to accept as the basis of their operations the provisions of that bill, or of such other enactment on the subject as might be passed during 8 BD) session of Ct Also to use weir influence to secure from French govern- ment & modification of their concession, so as to any cable belo! to any their part not to oppose such cable. In consideration of th directed the withdrawal of all opposition by the United States authorities to the landing of the cavie, and to the working of it until tne meoting of Con- r. Tegret to say that there has been no moidi- cation made in the company’s comcession, nor #0 ised States from competition upon the recommend legisiation to protect Tigi States as well as the dignity and sovereignty of the nation against such an assumption. I shall also endeavor to secure ne} mn an abandonment of the principle of monopolies In ocean telegraphic cables. Copies of the correspondence are berewith turnished. NATURALIZATION AND EMIGRATION. The unsettled political condition of other coun- tries, less fortunate than our own, sometimes in- — their citizens be come to the Senet grin an e sole eid of navuralized. Havin; secured tne vy Secure tasnelr native country an reside there without disci this change of allegiance. They accept. offictai aitions of trust or honor which can onl, held by citizens of their native land. ey journey under describing them as citizens atill; saditibonty when civ discord, efter years, per- uat the fact of their change of alle- giance is made known. reside permanently away from the United States, they contripute no- thing to ite revenues, they avoid the duties of its citizenship, and they only make themselves known by a claim of protection. I bave directed the dipio- matic.and consular officers of the Unived States to scrutinize carefully all such claims of protection. ‘The citizen of the United States, whether native or adopted, is entitled to its complete protection. While I have a voice in the direction of affairs I shall not consent to imperil the sacred right by conferring it upon fictitious or fraudulent clatmanta, On the accession of the present administration it ‘was found that the Minister for Nortu Germany had made propositions for the negotiation of # conven- tion for the protection of emigrant passengers, to which no response been given. It was con- cluded that to be effectual all the maritime Powers engaged in the trade should join in such a measure, Invitations have been extended to the Cabinets of London, Paris, Florence, Berlin, Brussels, the Hague, Copenhagen and Stockholm to empower their representatives at Washington to simuitane- ously enter into negotiations and to conclude with the United States conventions tdentical in form, making uniform regQlations as to the construction of the parts of vessels “is ty tooe gallant Ct emigrant ers; quality au quantity of 1 as to the medical treatment of the sick, and as to the rules to be observed during the ¥ in order to secure ventilation, to pro- Mote nesith, to prevent intrusion and to protect the females. @04. proyians. ae oe Bt rae ty = ty nt a ame ee eT ulations by summary Proves. TARIFP QUESTIONS AND COMMERCE Wii, THE Bast. Your attention is ee called to the law reg- ulating the tariff on Russian hemp and to the ques- tion whether to fix the charges on Russian hemp higher than they are fixed upon Manila ts not a .vio- Jation of our treaty with Russia, Fwy | her pro- ducts upon the same footing with those of the most favored nations. Our manufactures are Increasing with wonderfal rapidity under the encouragement! Which they mow receive, with the improve. ments in machinery already effected and Bull increasing, causing machinery to take the place of akilied labor. To @ large extent our imports of many articles must fall off Jargely within @ very (ow years. Fortunately, too, manufactures are not confined to a few localities, as formerly, aud, itis to be hoped, will become more and more dif- fused, making the interest in them equal in all sec- tions, ‘They give omployment and support to hua- dreds of thousands of people at home, and retain With us the fneans which otherwise would be shippea ®oroad, The extension of ratiroads in Burope and the Bast te et into competition with our agri- cultaral produ e products of other countries. Self-interest, if not seli-preservation, therefore, dic- op inst disturbing any industrial inter- o tis . It teayhes aug the necessity of looking to other markets to the sale of our surplus, Our neighbors south of us aud Chiaa aud Japan should receive our special attention. it will be the on- deavor of the administration to cultivate such rela- tions with these nations as to entitle us to their confidence and make it their interest as well as ours to establish better commercial relations. Through the oy of ® more enlightened policy than that heretofore pursued towards China, largely due to the ity aad efforts of one of our own dis- tinguished ci the world is about to commence Cy eld increased relations with that Ropuiens aud i hitherto exolusive nation. As the ted States h initiators ave deen the in thig mew policy so they should be the most earnest in showing their good it a success, In this connection | advise such legisia- tion as will forever the enslavement of the Obinese upon soil under the name of coolies. and also to prevent American vesecis from sont im the transportation of coolies to count fe ag A the system. I also recommend that to China be raised *o one of the frst OFFICIALS AND THEIR DUTIES. Upon my assum: the responsibilities of Chief Viction thas thre. things wore easeweau to ia pence, ~ things were easen' 0 Prosperity and fullest development. First among these is strict integrity in fulfiling all our obliga- ; econ, to secure protection to the person and ‘of the citizen of the United States in each ag J portion of our common country, wherever may move, without reference to origi- religion, color or politics, aemand- obedience to the laws and proper re- for the rights of others; third, union of all the with equal rights, indestructible by any tio! To secure the first of has taken two essential 6 joint resolution that the public debt rincipal and interest, in coin; and second, by providin Mihe means for ‘paying.’ Pro- viding the means, ver, could not secure the ol desires without @ proper administration of ta, country, There has been no hesitation in changing ee ae to secure an efficient execution of 7 undesirable éljeal” results. were’ Mkely to view, follow, nor any hesitation in sustaining efficient officials against remonstrances wholly THE TENURE OF OFFICE ACT. It may be sare. mention here the embarrassment to arise ‘on the Feoominend: ita total repeats Tt could. not a . It could ni ve ‘been the intention of the of the constitation, when that its made by the should receive tof the Senate, thas the latter should have wer to retain in office there by appointment, the ‘Ww ls incon- government. What faith can an Executive for treason? ‘How witt auen ofl be. to serve an administration which know not trust them. For the requisite to our growth and prosperity yin J and 8 firm but humane admiatstration of exist- laws, amended from time to time aa they may fe. ineffective or harsh and unn » are Bot be obtained Sy 1pectalTeuisacton, but muss bo spec! at” mus as fixed by the constitution itself and grad- scquiesced in by force of public opinion. THE INDIANS. From the foundation of the iment to the wars. From my own experience on Lain etian cosnieios, { do not hold or the conduct of the whites w) moat in pears i the indian blameless Di for theso however, cannot be und w find it, the nat they it be any other hight than as wards—with fair results, so far as tried, and which, I hope, will be attended ultimat ee guccess, having succeeded in living in peace with the in- dians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, while their white neighbors of other sects in other sec- tions Were coustantiy embroiled. They are also known for their opposition to all atrife, violence and war, ald are generally noted for their strict integrity and fair dealing. These considerat inducea me to give the management of a few reservations of Indians to them, and to throw the burden of selec- tion of agents upon the society itself, The result bas proved most satisfactory. It wiil be found more oy set forth in the report of the Commissioner of In Affairs. For superintendents and Indian agents not on the reservations officers of the army selected. The reasons for this were numerous. sonally inverested in living in harmony with the Indian and in the establishment of a per- manent peace, to the end that some portion of his life may be spent within the limita of civilized society. The latter bas no such personal interest, Anotuer 1eason-is aa economic one, and still another the hold which the government has upon a life oificer to secure a faith) ier d ets es in car rying out @ given policy. The ding of railroads and the access thereby given to ail tne agricultural and mineral peed of the country Sra | bringing civil: settlements into contact with all the tribes of Ini No matter what ought to be the relations between such settlements and the aborigines, the fact is they do not harmonize well, and one or the otner has to give way in the end. Asyatem which looks to the extinction of race is too horribie fora nation to adopt without entailing upon itself tne wrath of all Caristendom and engen- dering in the citizen a 4 for human life and the rights of oihers dangerous to society. Isee no substitute for such a systém except in placing all large reservations ag rapidly as can be done, and giving them absolute protection \here as soon as they are fitted for it. ‘They should be induced to tage their lands in severalty and set up a Territorial government for their own protection. For full details on this subjeci 1 call your spec: attention to the report of tie Secretary of the Inte- rior aud the bictamai : of Iudian Affairs, the In on * Ye The report of the of War shows the ex- nditures of the War Department for the year end- ing the 18th of June, 1869, to be $80,644,042, of which $23,882,810 Was disbursed in the payment of depts contracted during the war, and is not eable to current army expenses, His estimate of 631,031 for the expenses of the army for the next nacal year is a8 low as it is believed can be relied on. The esti- Mates of bureau officers nave been carefully scru- timzed, and reduced wherever it has been deemea practicable. If, however, the condition of the coun- snould be such by the ing of the next fiscal year as to admit of a greater concentration of troops the prepa ee asked for will not be expended. T appropriations estimated for river and harbor improvements and for fortifications are submitted separately. What- ever amount Congress may deem proper to ap priate for these purposes will be expended, fhe recommendation of the General of the Army that appropriations be made for the forte at Boston, Portland, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Francisco, if for no other, i concurred in. 1 also ask fr ae Qttention to the recommenda- tion of the General commanding the military divi- sion of the Pacific for the sale of the weal wiands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska Territory, and sug- gest that it either be complied with or t legisia- tion be had for the protection of the seal fish- ies, from which @ revenue svould be derived. tary of War contains a aynop- sis of the reports of the heads of bureaus, of the commanders of military divisions and the districta of Virginio, Mississippi and Texas, and the report of the General of the Army in full. ‘Ine recommenda- tions therein contained have Well considered, and are submitted for your action. I, however, call special attention vo the recommendation of the Unter ot Ordnance for the sale of arsenals and lands no longer of use to the government; also to the recom- mendation of the Secretary of War that the act of the 3d of March, 1869, prohibiting promotions and ap- poinuments on the staff corps of the army, be re- pealed. The extent of the country to be garrisoned and the number of military posts to be occupici is the same witha reduced army as with @ large one. The number of stair officers required is more depend- ent upon the latter than the former condition. THE NAVY, The report of the Secretary of the Navy, accom- panying this, shows the condition of the navy wien this administration came into oifice and the changes made since. Strenuous efforts have been made to lace as many Vessels in commission or render them t for service if required as possible and to suvsti- tute the sail for steam while cruising, thus mate. rially reducing the expenses of the navy and adding greatly to its efficiency. Looking to our future, I recommend a liveral though not extravagant policy towards this branch of the pubiic service. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. ‘The report of the Postmas#r General furnishes a clear ana comprehensive exhibit of the operations of the postal service and of the financial condition of the Post Office Department. ‘he ordinary postal revenues for We year ending the sth of Juus, 1869, @mounted to $18,344,510, and the expenditures to $23,603,131, showing an excess of expenditures over Feceipts uf $5,353,620. The excess of expenditures over receipts for the previous year amounted to $6,437,902. ‘The increase of revenues for 1869 over ehaee of 1kAk wae €2.081.909. ang the increase Gi ¢¥+ jidivures waa $067,008. " The increased revenue | in 1860 exceeded the Increaseu revenue mM 1009 Uy $996,386, and the increased expenditure in 1860 was $2,627,670 leas than the increased expenditure in 1868, showing by comparison this gratifying fea- ture of improvement—that while the increase of ex- penditure over the increase of receipts in 1863 was $2,439,536, the increase of receipts over the increase of ‘expenditures in 1869 was $1,084,371. Your atten- tion is respectfully cailed to the recommendations made by the Postmaster General for authority to change the rate of compel lon the main trunk railroad lines for their services in bent the mails, for abe post route maps execu for reorganizing au Le ne te eflictency of the special agenoy service, for the increase of the Mail service on the. Pacific and for establishing mall service under the flag of the Unioa on the Atlantic; and most especiaily do I call your atten- tion to his recommendation ior the total abolition of the franking privilege. This isan abuse from which no one receives commen- gurate. advantage. It reduces the receipis for the postal service from twenty-five to thirty per cent and largely increases the service to be periormed. The method by which postage should be paid upon ublic mawer ia set forch fully in the report of tuo ostmasler General. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. The report of tue Seoretary of the Interior shows that the quantity of public lands disposed of cuniag the year ending the 30th of June, is6v, was 7,660,164 acres, excecding that of the preceding year by 1,010,409 acres. Of this amount 2,890,044 acres were sold for casi and 2,737,865 acres entered under the homestead laws. The remaimder was granted to aid in tie construction of works of inter. improvement, approved to the States as swamp lauds andl i WHR Warrant and scrip, The cash recoipls fro exceeding thoso of the ig Year $2,240,140, During tho Inst Gaoal year 24,190 names were added to the pension rolls, 4,876 dropped therefrom, leav- Wt gs tompenata Siow toners, ino 100 0 i wan $a f23,604—an agen, was increase of $4,411,902 on sources Were $4,472,886, h |. a ven an emphatic sanction to these ongress, and it will be conceded that no part of our public an} 1s more cheerfully borne than that Watch 1s tm wy this branch of the service. It necessitates the next fiscal year, 1n addition to the An appropriation of $u0,090,00..* During. the year ion. 000,000, 1860 the as 13,762 patents, and ite Jongresa to make the census, which must be taken during the year 1870, more complete and perfect than heretofore, I would suggest carly action upon any plan that may be agreed upon. As ress at its last session appointed a committee to consideration si i i E i i § id and will undoubtedly receive 4 There are Many subjects not alluded to jis message which propriety be in- troduced, but I abstain, believing that your patriot- ism and statesmansnip will suggest the topics of the tas posi oa areh {renee tte sake ole . my pro a rence to the laws and their strict enforcement. U, 8. GRANT, THE NALONAL BOARD OF TRADE. Passage ot a Resolution Favoring Improve ments im Western Rivers and Southern Harbore—Report of the Committee on the Resumption of Specie Payments, RIcHMOND, Va., Dec. 6, 1860. At the session of the National Board of Trade to- day delegates trom the Louisville Board was received, The Executive Council recommended Buf- falo, N. Y., a3 the next place of meeting, Hamilton A. Hill, of Boston, was re-elected secretary of the Board. General Canby being present was Invited within the bar. The Committee on the Improvement of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers reported resolutions asking Con- greas to make appropriations for the removal of the obstructions to navigation in those rivers, especially &t the mouth of the Ohio, and the rapids at Rock Island and Des Moines, and to provide that the bridges over the Ohio should have one span 4v0 feet long, and the brides over the Missiasippi, above the Mouth of the Missouri, one span 300 feet long, aud @ll so elevated ag not to obstract navigation, an that piers of these bridges be located by the govern- ment engineers. The report was amended s0 as to leave out the clause fixing the lengt of the spans and so as to ask Congress to improve the harbors of Mobile, Richmond, Savannan and Charleston, and then adopted by a vote of ayes 69, nays 3. The Committee on the Resumption of Specie Pay- ment reported resolutio! first, affirnting that the best interests of the country demand the best reator- of the specie ; second, re- commending to Co! the issue of four per cent bonas, payanie in thirty years, with the principal and interest in gold, which may b3 exc! for acer tye age the greenbacks to be thus with- ‘awn until the amount outstanding does not ex- ~~ ag cae) aa thus re ogee to pe oe 4 celled; authorizing tablishmen' of new national banks . in the country which have proportion, such banks to issue notes not to exceed the amount of legal tenders withdrawn from circulation, ana in no case to exceed one-half capital; fourth, that national banks law to the coin received ior to secure thelr circula- tion until specie payments be resumed. Messrs, OppyKe, of New York, and Hostig, of South Carolina, offered minority reports approvin; the present financial policy of the government an advocating its continuance. Mr. GRUDB, of Philadelphia, offered a substitate BIOPSIES Sees a ty Seay acto au A ay! pablic money, as a bank chartered for a term of years. Along and general discussion followed the sub- mission of these bropostnons, Alter dapege all the aye ae’ were defeated, and in of them 6 Board adopted only the first ition of the majority report, declaring its belief that the resump- tion of specie payment is an imperative necessity. It was ordered that the debate in the Board on this subject be printed and transmitted to Congress. ‘The twenty-fifth proposition, 1oo! to 8 uniform Tate of interest in the country, was debated briefly and laid on the table. The third proposition, for a uniform inspection of flour and grain, was indefinitely postposed. ‘The twenty-sixth proposition, asking Congress to repeal all the duties on raliroad iron and slipping materials, failed to receive @ two-thirds vote and ‘was defeated. Another resolution, requesting Con- gress to reduce the duties on coal, iron and salt, also warns beane neignth pre position, urging the revisi ie Lwenty: pro} 0. revision of the tariff and revenue laws so as to render them harmonious with each other, just to every class of the community and to each State in all their pro- ‘Visions, Was unanimously adopted. The thirtieth proposition, recommending a repeal of the law condemning vessels to confiscation for. the acta of the oilicers, crew or passengers, which are beyond the control of the captain or owners, was adopted. The thirty-first proposition in favor of uniformity of coinage aaeae ye commercial nations of the world was adopted. The recommendation of last year for the passage of the Civil Service bill was renewed. A resolution was offered by Mr. WALBRIDG# endors- ing og National Exposition to be held at Washington mn 18) a B s B fk A : ee py was adopted. A tribute of respect to the memory of George Pea- body was adopted. Buffalo, N. Y., was fixed as the next place of meet ing, and the first Wednesday of Lecember next as the time. The Board adopted resolutions of thanks to Presi- dent Fraley for the able manner of presiding, and to the citizens of Richmond for their hospitality; and the Convention then adjourned sine die, with three cheers for Kichmond, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, The United States steamer Severn arrived at Nor- folk, Va., recently, having in tow the ship Pawnee, which is to relieve the New Hampshire asa receiv- ing ship at Norfolk. The Severn salled at ten o’ciock A. M, on Sunday for the West India station, where she will relieve the Powhatan, as ip of Rear Admiral Charies H. Poor. The following ia a list of the officers of the Severn:— Commander—R. B. Lowery. Liewenant Commanders—N. H. Farquhar, G. K. Haswell and D. U. Woodrow. Lieulenants—J, E. Noell, E, L, Armory and B, 8, Houston. Masters—E. H. Vail, W. W. Kilpatrick. Fleet Paymaster—Kawin Forater. Chaplain—M, O, Brittain, Pisce ur geon—Charies Martin; Passed Assistant, M. J. Babin; Assistan: surgeon, EB, U. Dunning, Fleet Engineer—Thomas Wiiltamsc2; First Assist- ant, I. J, Biasett; Second Assistunt, R. K. Hine, Captain af Marines—J. H, Baker. Second Lieutenant of Jarines—A. H. O'Brien. Commander's Clerk: rge. Baker, Males—F. H. Poole, . Meyers, A. E, Bateman, @. M. Powers and J. &. Plankeit, Boatswain—A. W. Pomeroy. Gunner—R. H. Cross. Carpenter—W. Burnard. Sailmaker—J. C, Chevalier, The Pawnee passed up to Norfolk on Sunday ander sail, and upon relieving the New Hampshire it 19 Understood that that vessel will proceed to Ports. mouth, N, H., as receiving ship at that station. ~ SALE OF OL. PAINTINGS. Last evening the sale of of) paintings at the Som- erville Gallery was, Owing to the laclemenc state of the weather, rather poorly attended, and the con- sequence, of course, was that the pictures sold did not bring very high prices, After the auctioner had spent ao hour im vain endeavors to iniuse a littie deapive the storm, the following high priced pictures jeapive 10" riced picture were knocked down at the Tolewing Price “View on the Hudson," 0. H. Moore, $13; ‘The Totl 4 feagor Edward Hamman, $205; ‘Master and Mald,’’ ©, Booheim, $165; ‘‘Shakapeare at the Court of Queen Enigabetn,"’ le Noterman, $86; ‘Tae Savoyard Girl.” Maldha, $105, “Moan,” fd, Horsog, $70; ober * Paul from Saco river,’ mana Aracial Nights,” George F. other’s Portrait,” Lanfant @ New Toy,” companion, $87 50; a, scene in Thuringia,” J. N. T. Van borg. $00, There were several other Diovures which brougut very low prices. 3 TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Report of Secretary George S. Boutwell. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Deo. 6, 1869, Thave the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the doings and condition of the Treasury Department. In this report I naturally treat frst the matters of administration and their measures of Public policy. The officers in charge of the various bureaus and divisions of the Treasury Department have faithfully performed their duties, and I com- mend their several reports to the consideration of Congress, The Treasurer of the United States has prepared an elaborate report, setting forth the pre- sent condition of the Treasury, and furnishing a re- sumé of the business of the Treasurer’s office irom 1861 to the present term. The long and faithful ser- vices of the present Treasurer entitle him to the gratitude of the country. REVENUE MATTERS—FRAUDS ON THE REVENUE. The report of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue 18 respectiully commended to the attention of Con- gress. Since the appointment of the present Com- missioner the administration of the omice has been Constantly improving. The increase of receipts for the first fve months of the present fiscal year inthe SUM Of $14,431,333 over the amount collected im the firat five monts of the last fiscal year ts satisfactory testimony to the ability and integrity of the pefsons employed m that branch of the public service. The amount paid by warrants for collecting the revenue from customs during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, was $6,378,385, and for the year end- ing June 30, 1869, $5,376,738, showing @ decrease of $1,001,647. The decrease in the cost of collecting the revenne has not been attended by any ipes of efMiciency in the service. On the other hand, itis believed that the means for the detection of smug- gling are better than ever before, and that the custom house service is also constantly improving. It ought to be understood that the chief of collecting the revenue and enforcing the e laws must be found in the administration of the appraiser's department. ‘The frauds and losses arising from actual smuggling are unimportant when com- pared with the losses sustained through incompetent or dishonest examiners and appraisers. Assuming that honest men may be obtamed for these impor- tant positions at the present salaries, it is yet true that an incompetent appraiser or examiner may daily subject the government to losses far exceeding the amount of his salary. Under existing laws cer- tain revenue officers and other persons appearing ag informers are entitled to shares in fines, penalties and forfeitures. During the fiscal year 1800-0 the Treasury Department distribated the sum of $286,073 to such oMcers and to informers in the various cases arising under the customs and revenue laws. A large additional sum was also paid through the internal revenue office, The reason on which the laws granting such allowances are based is, that officers of the government are stimu- lated to greater activity in the discovery of frauds and in bringing offenders to punishment. There can be no doubt that such ia the eifect of this policy; but the experience I have had in the Treasury Department has convinced me that the evils attend-. ing the system are greater than the benefits derived from it. It often occurs that revenue officers are led to ussert claims in behalf of the government which nave no just foundation in law or in the facta of the respective cases, and when real claims exist it 1s often the object of the informer and officers who share the penalties to misrepresent the case to ernment secure greater advan Soupelven, “But by more part evil is found in ns & irauda- which will inure of checking crimiual’ practices at the outset, Te 18 tmpoasibleto set forth i exact the charac- ter of the evils that grow out of the present system. 1 am, however, clearly of the opinion that the gov- erament ought to rely upoa = officers for the proce ny perf Of their duties, without stimu- lating them by any contingent advantages. I have elsewhere recommended an increase of salaries of Custom House oiticers; and the abolition of the ei tem of giving to thems share of fines, a ry reason for the in- m the to the forfeitures will be an additional See in this department of the public service. - a TREASURY CLERKS AS CLAIM AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS. It has become @ practice for clerks and other per- 1 to accept, et rf Punt es eg ts or attorneys meni oyment or a for parties having viene agai the’department; and there is reason to believe that in some instances the information obtained while in the public service hab been used in aid of the claimants. Without de- talling all the objections to this practice, I respect- fully suggest that a law be barring persons from practiziag before the ary Department as agents or attorneys in behalf of Claims that were Late when such persons were oificers of the jepartment. . CLERICAL FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT. In March last there was employed in the Treasury Department at Washington 2,548 clerks, and laborers at a monthiy cost of $285,921. At pre- sent the whote number of such employés ts 2, and tueir monthly pay amounts to $: 0, showing a decrease of expenses at the rate of $571,688 annum. It was found necessary, however, di the periods mentioned to increase the force in the internal revenue office and in the office of the first Comptrolicr. This increase, in the feat tue rate of $80,440 per annum. This 6 does not relate to the force employed in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. . . SPRCIAS: AGENTS 18 FES SERVICE OF THE DEPART- NT. In March last there were sixty-two lal in the service of the department, receiving iie ry te for their services the sum of $371 per day. ‘ach of these ne made his reports to the depart. ment and acted under its direct orders. The num- ber at present employed is fifty-four, and their dally pay amounts to $368. ba ge A its has been increased generally, in the hope that more efficient services might be obtained. The seacoast pyri tp a! _ the terre ve ge divided into en 8 ney ® superintend- ent appnined for each, Assistants have been appointed and detailed to act under the several district agents. The orders of the depart- ment are in all cases sent to the agent in charge of the district, and the reports of nis assistants are made tohim, The agent ts required to make a wonthiy report of hisown doings and of the doings of his subordinates, The results thus far obtained ap pear to justify the organization Introduced. THR MANUFACTURE OF “GOVERNMENT PAPER,” Arrangements have been made for tbe manufac- ture of paper for the currency and other obligations of the United States and for the printing of the same, which increase the security of the government against unlawful issues from the genuine plates. Under the eleventh section of an act approved June 30, 1864, entitied “An act to provide ways and means for the support of the gov- ernment and for other purposes,” @ peculiar paper nas been designated as “the guvernment paper,”” and by that act tt is made a felony for any 1D tO have or retain in his possession any paper adapted to the making of any obligation or security of the United States, except under the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury or some other proper officer of the United States. Arrangements have been made for the manufacture of this paper by Messrs. Wilcox & Co., near Philadelpnia, and the mills, owned by them, which are exclusively. devoted to this purpose, have been placed under tue supervision of the officers of the government, and such precautions have been taken lor tne custody of Portions of the machinery as vo render it Improbable that the paper manufactured can be obtained by dis- honest means, It is received by an agent of the gov- ernment stationed at the milis, and upon the sition of the department tt is shipped to the National Bank Note Company, the American Kank Note Com- pany or to the Printing Bureau of the Treasury De- partment, aa the case may require. Arrangements have also been made with each of the two companies mentioned for preparing one set of plates for every jasue of currency or other obligations. The Hagraving and Printing Bureat at Washington prepares @ ‘bird set, and each oifice places an imprint upon cyery obligation of the government, Notice of the transMissivn Of paper from the agent at the milis and its recolpt by the several omices; of the deliveries therefrom to the sealing Buicay in the Treasury Departinent, and also of deliveries (0 tne ‘Treasurer of the United States, 18 given each day, by gram or by letver, and on the following day the accountants in the Treasury Department pre} a statement showing the disposition of every sheet of | paper manulactared. In the month of November the paper at the mill and in each of the several printing establishments was carelully coanted and the results compared with the accounts in the Trea- sury Department. Inan ite of About 7,000,000 of sheets received by the agent at the mitis diacro- ancies were found to the exvent of sixty sheets of ractional currency paper, and for the money valuo of which the companies doing the work are respon- sible. 1t 18 belteved that these arrangements furnish bet- ter security than has heretofore existed against tic fraudulent tssue of currency or other obligations of the sovergeimas by whe use of the original dies or plates, af the system of the trequent examinations of the several establishments entrusted with (he work will disclose at once any discrepancies in tc accounts. .It is not probable that the changes made will diminish tne va ir teen i eon bon ten tha work in all its branch x UNO TENE Nea fm my judgmeaut, however, the additional security is of more Conse. quence to the government than tho mere economy of money in the expénse of engraving and printing. THE MARINB HOSPiTAL SéRVICR of the couatry is, upon the whole, in aa