The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1875, Page 6

6 TH PRESIDENTS. NESSAGE' The Present Contrasted with One Hundred Years Ago. — OUR RELATIONS WITIL SPAIN —_——— No Recognition or Beliigsrent Rights to Cud SECTARIAMSE BN PUBLIC SPHOALS CON Taxation of Chuareh Prop- erty Recommended, PLAIN TALK ON SPECTR RESIMPTION The Twin Relic and the Immigra- tion of Chinese Women. THE ARMY AND THE NAVY Beneficial Effects of the Indian Peace Policy. SATISEACTORY CONDITION OF THE F/\ ANCES. _—) The Course of the Government Pegard- ing Submanne Cabies To Tae Senate avo Howsn oF Reraesan tary Tim In submitung my seveoih acoua: Mewage te Coe gress ip this centennial year of our national existenor aa 8 free and independent peop, Meterds me greet Pleasure to recur to [he advancement (hal bas bees Made from the t me of the colonins—one hundred years ago. We were then a people numbering omy 6.00, B00 we pumber more than 40,000,000, Then induxaries were confined almost exclusively to the tillage of the sol Now manufaciories absorb much of the labor ef the country, Our liberties remein enimpaired, the bondsmen have been freed from slavery, We have become possessed of the respect, Mf not the friendship, of .all civilized pations, Oar progress has been great in allthe arts—ip ecieaes, agriculture, commeree, navigation, mining, mechens, law, med)- cine, ke, Andin general education the progress @ likewise encouraging. Our thirteen States have become thirty-eight, including Coletede (which bas taken the initiatory steps to become a State), aud might Territories, including the Indian Territory sad Alaska, and excluding Colorado, making ® territory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, On the south we have extended to the Gulf of Mexico, an the west from the Mississippi to the Pacific One hundred years ago the cotton gin, the steamship, the railroad, the tele graph, the reaping, sewing, chines and numerous other inventions of scarcely less value to our business and happiness were entirety unknown. In 1176 manufactories scarcely existed even in name in ali this vast territory, In 1870 more than 2,000,000 persons were employed in manufscto- ries, producing more than $2,100,000,000 of products in amount annually—nearly equal to our national debs From neariy the whole of the population of 1776 being engaged in the one occupation of agriculture, im L670, 80 BuMerous and diversified bad become the ecoupatioa of our peopie, tbat less than 6,000,000 out of more than 40,000,000 were so engaged. The extraordinary effect produced in our country. by a resort to diversified oceu- pations has built a market for the products ot fertile lands distant from the seaboard and the markels of the world, The American system of locating va tious and extensive manufactories next to the plough and the pasture, and adding connecting rail- roads and steamboats, bas produced in our distant in terior country a result noticeable by the intelligent parts of all commercial nations. The ingenuity and skill of American mechanics have been demonstrated at home and abroad (na manner most flattering to their pride. But for the extraortinary genius and ability of our mechanics, the achievements of our agriculturists, manufacturers and transporters throughout the coua- try would have been impossible of attainment, The progress of the miner bas also been great. Of coal our production was smail, now many millions of tons are mined annually. So with iron, which formed scarcely an appreciable part of our products half a century ago, ‘we now produce more than the world consumed “at the beginning of our national existence; lead, zine and copper, {rom being articles of imports, we may ex- pect to be large exporters of inthe near future, The development of gold and silver mines in the United States and Territories has not only been remarkable bat bas had a large influence upon the business of all commercial nations, Our merchants in the last bundred years have met with great success and have established a reputation for enterprise, sagacity, progress and in- tegrity unsurpassed by people of older nationalities, This “good uame’’ is not contined to their homes, but goes out upon every sea and into every port where commerce enters, With equal pride we can point to our progress in all of the learned professions, EDUCATION OF THE MASSES As we are now about to enter upon our second cen tennial, commencing our manhood as a nation, it is well to look back upon the past and study what will be best to preserve and advance our future greatness, From the faliof Adam, for bis trangression, to the Present day, no uation bas ever been free from threat cued danger to its prosperity and happiness, W should look to the dangers threatening us,and remedy them so far as lies in our power. We are a Republic whereof one man is as good as another before the law, Under such a form of government ‘t is of the greatest importance that ail should be porsessed of education and intelligence enough to cast a vote with @ right an- derstanding of its meaning. A large association of ig- Borant men cannot, for apy considerable period, oppose a Successtul resistance to tyranny and oppression from the educated few, but will imevitably sink into acquiescence to the will of intelligence, whether directed by the demagoguc or by priesteraf, Hence the education of the masses becomes of the first necessity for the preser- vation of our institutions, They are worth preserving, because they have secured the greatest good to the greatest proportion of the population of any form of government yet devised. All other forms of gover: ment approach /t just in proportion to the general diffu. | sion of education and independence of thought and action. Asthe primary etep, therefore, to our advance- ment in all that has marked our progress in the past | century, | suggest for your earnest consideration, and most earnestly recommend it, that a constitutional amendment be submitted to the Legislatures of several Sta for ratification making tt the duty of each of the several States to establish and forever mavutain free public | schools adequate to the education of all the ehildren {nthe rudimentary branches within their respective limits, irrespective of sex, color, birthplace or religions; forbidding the teaching im said schools of religious, atheistic or pagan tenets, and prohibiting the granting ofany school funds or school taxes, or any part thereof, either by legisiative, municipal or other authority, for the benefit or in aid, directly or indirectly, of any re- ligious sect or denomination, or in aid or for the bene- fit of any other object of any nature or kind whatever. UNTAXED CHURCH PROPERTY. fn connection with this important question I would also call your attention to the importance of correcting an evil that, if permitted to continue, will probably lead to great trouble in our land before the close of the nineteenth century; ft is the accumulation of vast emounts of untaxed Church property. In 1850, { dbeleve, the Charch property of the United States, which paid no tax, ma- aicipal or State, amounted to = about $55,009,000. ia 1s60 the amguat had NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 1875.—QUADRUPLE SHEER @oubled. In 1875 it is about $1,000,000,000. By 1900, Ahout check, it is safe to say this property will roach Seam exoseding $3,000,000,000, So vast agum, re- ceiving all the protection aud benedts of go eat, Without bearing its proportion of the burdens ex. | peoses of the same, wil! aot be looked upon acquics- eontly by these who have to pay taxes. In 9 growing coantry, where real estate enhances $0 po a with as io the Vuited States, there is searcély a hmtt to toe wealth thas may be acquired by corporations, reli- | gious oF otherwise, if allowed to retain real estate with- : The contemptation-of so vast a property tet to, withoat taxation, ‘ay lead to ee- ta vate we © “thous constitutional guthority, and | through Heod J would suggest the taxation of al] property equally, whether chureh of corporation, ex omptene onty the last resting place of the dead, and poambiy, wath proper restr@uons, church edifices. SELATions WITH FOREIGN POWERS. (er pelations with moat of the foreign P. eae Oo & satiefactory and friendly footing. tatereourse, the extension of commerce aud cultiva- on of mutual interests, have steadily improved our re- tations WIth the large majority of the lowers of the orld, rendering practicable the peaceful solution of quettens @hick from time to tine cessarily arise, leoving few Which demand extended or particular | pote The Correspondence of the Department of ‘Sate with ow diploma represeatatives abroad is rege led Rerew iia happy to announce the Paetage of an act by the eral Cortes of Portugal | Prodiauming, wince the atjouromeat of Congress, for wers Col- | the Gholitioe of serviude ia the Portugese colonies, It 1G be boped what wooh legislation may be another Sep toward the great consummation to be reached when oo man shail be permitted, directly or omnes ender any guise, excuse or form of te w belt be ~ man im bondage. I am of open aivo that @ W the @uty of the United States, ag ng toward that end ood required by the spirit sututiom, to provide by suitable legislation chat po igen of the United States eball hold slaves as pre) (© aby @ther Couniry oF be tnterested therein. Che! hae Mace Prepares: in the case of the whale fhe Good Meters, seced @:(hout sufficient cause up- oot of forty pears ago Though she had Biperio heb lty Che Genial was sever ac- ermment, and the justiee of the contr af the « coat Nae been pretitying fat whe should have at last agknow!- ‘ “Hee “sromerator im the care of the United States Moamer Montye, for the seizure a tention of which Mee winemt of the lavted States of Colombia was held accountable, bas decided in favor of the claim. The dectrmm Bas settled @ question wii pending for several yearr Unaed pee might me ood an- deretecding Which |e dee rable sould be maintained berween the repab!ics A tocupreety Wreety with the King of the Hawatian Islands was concluded some months ago, and it con teiee & stipWlation that 4 whall wot take effect until Congres shall enact (he proper legistation for that purpore Copies of the ieirument are herewith sub- Withee order that 1f euch she THe YOROONIOS ONDEMNETY March lar! om arrangement was made through Mr. ushing, our Moowter in Madrid, with dhe spaursh gov- ernment for the payment by the latter to the United Staves of he enum of GM O80 a for the purpose of the reel of the families or persona of the ebip's cow- pacy and certain passengers of the Virgioiws This fam was to have Deru paid io (bree instalments, at two months cack Tk @ due to the Spanish government that | should state thet abd Spenianecously anteipated by that goverament, abd bab the Whole amocul wee pad Wikbin but @ te days more than two m. from Ube date of the agree- ment, scopy of whe herewith Wanemitted. In poresenee of the terme of the edjusunent | have di- Tecle! the distribution emoant among the par- bres en bed thereto, ineia the eh suc of the passengers ar Were American eitiveus Pay mente are made scorer Agiy ob the application of the part oa rntiiied therete, TRE CUDAN INHURRRCTION ‘The past your bas furbished no evidence of an ap- Proack ng @rmnatios of the re:poms contiet which hus bee uns coudemaatios from the netioos of Chi tendom, have contipacd to blacken the sad scene, Desoation, Pun and pillage ero pervading the rich Lielos of one of the most fertile and productive regions the earth, and the ineendiarie# torch, Griug plapta- tious and veluable factors and buildings, is the agent tmarking the altermate advance or retreat of contending parues The protracted conunuance of this strife seriously affects U Lereste vi ail commercial mations, those of the United States more than others by rea: lose proximity, tte larger trade and intercourse ba. aod the frequent and intimate personal and social reimtions Which baye grown up between its ci- teens and those of the } moreover, the prop- erty of our cittvens in and is rendered = imeceare and value and 9 capecny of oo. ar by the continuance ot the ‘strife an the onnatural mode ite conduct. The same ts true, differing only in degree, with reapers te the interests and people of other pa- toons, and (he absence ef any reasonable assurance of 8 Beet termination of the fiet, must, of necessity, noon come! the States, thus eufering, to consider what he Mterosts of their 0! and their duty toward themselves may demand i bave boped that Spain would be eoabied to ertablish peace in her colony, wo afford security w the and the tnterests of OUF citizens, to allow legitimate srope to trade and com. | merce and the sateral productions of the island. Because of this he ood from an exireme Teluctance to im . most remote manner, afairs of another and friendly | of one whose sympathy iat bation m and friendship in the etragging infaney must ever be remembered with gravity tently and anxiously waited Our own ev tet i 100 recent for us Bot to con- Bider the dilliculties which surround a government dis- tracted by a dynastic rebellion at home, at the sam Lime that (¢ bas to cope with a separate insurrection in distant colony. But whatever causer may have pro- duced the situation which so grievously affects our interests, t exists with ail (te abtendant evils operating directly upon this country and ite le, Thus far wi the efforts of Spain have proved abortive, apd time har marked no improvement im tbe situation, The armed bands on either side now occupy nearly the same ground as i the pert, with the difference that from time to time more lives are @acrificed, more property destroyed and wider extents of fertile and productive fields, and m nd more of Valuable property are cow Biantly and wantonly sacrificed by the incendiaries In contests of Ubie pature, where a of people who have atiempted to free the control of the superior government have trached such » point in cecepaton of terrivery, in power and in general organization as to constitute im facta body politic, having # governinent im substamee as well as in bame, possessed of ihe elements of stability and equipped with the machinery for the administration of internal policy and the execution of ite laws, and able to adminis! ce at home, af well as in ite dealings with other Powers, it thin whe snow of thone other Powers t recogn! independent nation such cases other nations sim. ply deal with an actually existing condition of things, and recognize as one of the Powers of the earth that body politic which, possessing the pecemsary | elements, has in fect become @ nf Power in « word, the creation of @ new State ip fact, To establish the condition of thingr essential to the recoge tion of this fact there murt be a people ooow- pying @ known territory, anited wi ou kno avd hep sd ro hg gover ay : ee tbose subject 9, ager oe} government are a ah ee a eal com pe- tent to mete Gut justice & x aflord remedies for public and private wrongr " lo assume Lhe correimtive international aed capable of performing the corresponding Internations! duties resulting from ite sequisition sovereignty, A Power organizaty ite place =emong she While conscious that has shown a strength and least, doubtful whether it be mm the of *pen to subdue it, it eeems unquestionable Be suck el orga on exista Which may be recognized af 86 im a t governinent, capable of performing it \n terbational obligations and entitied to be treated a one | of the Power: the earth. A reecgnition ander euch circumstances would be inconsistes: would compel the Power granuing it soon to sopport by force the government to whieh it had rem only real claim ofexisivence ia States should adhere to the poli« which bave heretofore been ite @Te and wale gurier im u 2 | ike contests between revolted Gol: m4 their motber country. acting only Gpon the clearest evidence, should avoid aby pormibiliy of © picion or of imputation. | A recognition of the independence of Cabs being im my opinion tmpracticable dictew the quee | ton which next presents 'te | Of belligerent rights in the parties to the comiens. aformer meseage to Congress | bad eeramen te eon sider this question, and reached the Cowelunion that | the conflict in Caba, dreadful and Cevastating at were 5 incidents, did not Fike to the fearful dignity of war garding it pow after Lhe lapse of time, | am anabwe to sec that any notable succrss, any marked oF reel | advance on the part of the ineurgeuts hee eseentie 7 | changed the character of the contest | greater age but not greater or more formidable proper ‘tions = It ie i Wat the sce of rap | Powers, and even acte of Spain Bb 4 | of this very mature, might be pointed to in de. fence of such recognition, But now, as i Me past history, the United States should carefully avoid | the faise light which might lead it into the mazes of | doubtfal law and of questionable propriety, avd adbere rigidly and sternly to the rule which has been ite guide, and doing only that which is right and boness and of | good report THR QUESTION OF BELLIORRENT RIGHTS. The question of according or of withholding rights of belligerency must be Jocger, in every case in view of the particular attending Unless justified by m sity 16 is always and y regarded ws an unirien act and a gratuitous demonstration of moral support to the rebellion. It is necessary, and it required, when the interests and right# of another government or of ite people are so lar affected by a pi ag civil conflict an to require a» debnivon ie relations to the parties thereto, But this confit ‘ Increased | contended for that it has | the payments were fully | of | its existence ass new and | with the facteund | in as owar. he mere existence of be one which will the sense of internat Belligerence, too, is a fact be i contending armed bodies and their occasional conflicts do nol tbe war im the sénse referred Ap. plytn; ‘existing condition of affairs in ‘the tests recognized by publicists and writers om interna- tions. of dignity, honesty aud power, when free from sensitive or selfish and unworthy motives, I failto fad fp the insurrection the existence of such aBubstan- tial political organization, real, palpable and manitest to the world; baving the forms and capable of the or- dinary functious ot goverament toward its own people and to other States; with courts for the admin- istration of justice; with a local habitation; possess- tng such orgamzation of force, such material occupation of territory as to take the contest | out of the eategory of a mere rebellious insurrection, | | | | or occasional skirmishes, and place it Om the terrible | footing of war, to which would aim to eleyate it, The contest, moreover, is solely on land. The insurrection has peed, ng itself of a single seaport, whencé ft may send forth its | flag. Nor has it any means of communication with foreign powers, except through the military lines of its adversaries, No apprehensions of any of those sudden and difficuit comptications which @ war upon the ocean is apt to preciptiate upon the vessels both commercial and national, and upon the consular olficers of other Powers, cal! for the definition of their relation to the parties to the contest, Considered as a question of ex- pediency, | regard the accordance of belligerent rights still to be as unwise and premature as 1 regard it to be at present indefensible as a measure of right. Such recognition entails upon the country according the | rights which dow from it difficut ana complicated | duties and requires the exaction from the eee } } | | the Pavitic passes through the waters which wash the shores of Cuba The exercise of this supposition could scarce tail to lead, if not to abuses, certainly to col- lisions, perilous to the peaceful relations of the two States, There can be little doubt to what result such supervision would before long draw this nation. It would be unworthy of the United States to inaugurate | the possibilities of such result by measures of question- | able right or expedieacy or by any indiseretion, Apart | from any question of theoretical right, 1 am satisiied that while the accordance of belligerent rights to the | insurgents in Cuba might give them a hope and indace- | ment to protract the struggle, it would be but a delu- | sive hope, and would not remove the evils which this | government and its people are experiencing, but would _ draw the United States into complications which it has | waited long and already suffered much to avoid, ‘THR COURSE YOR THE UNITKD STATES. The recognition of independence or of belligerency being thus, in my judgment, equally inadmissiblo, it remains to consider what course shall be | adopied should the conflict not soon be brought to an end by acts of the parties | themselves, aud should the evils which result there. | from, affecting all nations and particularly the United ‘States, continue, In such event | am of opimion that | other bations will be compelled to assume the respon- sibility whieh devolves upon them and to seriously con- wider the only remaining measures possible—mediation and intervention, Owing, Uli to the large ex- panse of Water separating the island from the Penin- ‘ula the want of barmony and personal sympathy be- tween the inhabitants of the colony and those sent thither to rule them and the want of adaption of the ancient colonial system of Europe to the present Umes and to the ideas which the events of the past cen- | wary have developed, the contending parties appear to bave within themselves no depository of common con- fdenee to suggest wisdom, when passion and excite- ment have taken their sway, and to assume the part of peacemaker. In this view, in tho early days of the coutest, the good offices of the United States as a medi- ator were tendered in good faith, without any selfish purpose, in the interest of humanity and in sincere ndship for both parties, but wore at the time de- ined by Spain, with the declaration, nevertheless, that ai @ future time they would’ be Indispens- able. No tmtimation has been received that, in the opinion of Spain, tl time has been reached, and yet the strife continues, with all its dread horrors and all its injuries to the interests of the United States ‘and of otber nations. Each party seems quite capable of working great injury and damage Co the other, as well as to all the relations and interests attendant upon the existance of peace in the island. But they seem ineapable of reaching any adjustment and both have, failed of achieving any succcess whereby one party shall possess and control the island to the ex- | clusion of the other. Under these circumstances, the agency of others, either by meditation or inter. vention, seems to be the only alternative, which must, Booner or lator, be invoked for the ter- | mination of the strife, At the same time, while thus impressed, I do not, at this time, recommend the adop- tion of any measure. be ready at all tunes, end «8 the equal friend of both parties, (o respond to @ suggestion that the good offices of the United States will be acceptable | to aid in bringing about a peace honorable to both. It | is due to Spain, so far as this government is concerned, that the agency of a third Power to which T bave ad: verted shall be adopted only as a last expedient, Had it been the desire of the United States to interfere in | the aduirs of Cuba, repeated opportunities for so colng have yor Seer during ( oe last | few years; ut we have — remain - | dive Tend 'we “have performed ‘our _ our ‘whole duty and all international obligations to | Spain with friendship, fairness and fidelity. and with a spire patience and forbearnce which negatives every possible su | the difficulties with which she bas been surrounded. | The government of Spain has recently submitted to our | Minster at Madrid certain proposals, which, tis feared, sion, of terms to meet the requirements of the particu- lar griefs offwhich this government has felt itself en- tved to complain. These proposals have not yet reached me in tneir full text, On their arrival they will be taken into carefulexamination, and may, I hope, lend to # satisfactory adjustment of the questions to | whieh they refer, and remove the possibility of tuture oceurrences such as have given rise to our just com- plaints [tis understood also that renewed efforts are bemg made to introduce reforms in the internal admin- | etration of the island, Persuaded, however, that a proper regard for the interests of the United States and | of its citizens entitied to relief from the strain to which it has been subjected by the difficulties of the question, aod the wrongs aod losses which arise from the contest % Cubs, and that the interests of bemanity iteclt demand the cessation before the whole isiand shall be laid waste larger meritices be made, 1 shail ‘eel it my duty slactory wajustment and of and should ny bopes of & sati the early restoration of peace and the removal of future causes of complaint be unhappily disappointed, to make a further communication to Congress at some period not far remote ond during the present session recom- mendig what may then seem tw me to be necessary. THE KIO GRANDE TROUDLES. The Pree Zone, ko called, eral years since estab- hie vy the Mexican nment im certain of the States of tbat Republic to our frontier, remains tb (all operation. It has been always materially ous to honest traffic, for it operates as an ine ‘on lors (2 Mexico to supply Without customs charges the wants of (nbabitante on this side the Ine and pre. Vente the same wants from being supplied by merchants | of the United States, thereby, to a considerable extent, defrauding our revenue and checking bonest commer- enterprise Depredations by armed bends from Mexico on the je of Texas near the frontier continue. Though the main object of the incursions is robbery, they frequently result in the murder of wu armed and peaceably disposed persons, and in #01 jnetances even the Uniled States Post offices aud mail | COM Ub cabong: berg Dore, [im gh |. Renewed r monstrances on this wubject have Greseed =) the = Mexican © ue ge but wubout much appareal dffecl, = Liveey force of ths government, ¢irposable f ied ig that quarter, is Quite inadequate to effeciaaily gu a line even af thowe pointe where the ursions are made Ab experiment of | he Grande for that purpoes ie on trial, and nis hoped that, Mf Bet thwarted by the shallowness of tho | power and Other wataral obetacies, 1 may materially | cowtribare to the protection of the herdsmen of Texas. THE WERHC AS JO0NT COMMIREION The prov eed: fithe Jews Commianon, under the Convention betwres the Coited States and Mexico, of | the G6b of July, 1868 yect of claims, will soon be ton clove The result ee proceed- | ge Wil thee be commen ated to Congress OCR VONEECRLAN Chane 1 am happy teanneunce that the government of Venexsels bas, pen farther coesiderstion, practically slenasend ite eigection te bay ‘e the Loited States that abare of its revrenor which come yeare since, jorted towarce the himent of the claims of Loreugners greet: y reconsidering ite deter. » sete thet * Jaet sense of owt Whicd cannes fail to relect reds upom it ® the epes of atl (minierestied pereone cimewbere, Ibis be be regretiog. bewever Lat \\e payments ob account of Come of Oherne of the Cemed steer are etl oO meagre 10 stout, and thal the stipoiations of the treaty B Pepard (he eutre to be paid and the perods whee there payments were (© wake pice, should have Leen oe migbally caregarcen Thea tins oxvEsTio‘s Jam aboue Mostoge tbe ex wenger has been re m of & treaty of tavigetes 84h hele om sud of of | Mencan Ropar ie farther etteps.on of the yout oommyanOn respecte clit wth the Kawaiing Ielande fer Commer: tee proc ty, and with the Otto wan Bmpete for cxerediee, 6) Of whch Lave bern daly pre semed i Alabama Claime Gutien vei es the Od day of Joly, f ort 1874, and by the Weated Gas bo 6 tet be act ender which it was year from that date, The sdb be found imped of the Court before the Presnieat might by proo- act provided, bewever Leable to compirie ibe | expiration of the year th iamawiow tional law, and which have been observed by na- | such | recognition of beiligerency | tion of desire to interfere or to add to | may be found to be the basis, if not the actual submis- | been ad- | ‘ormed vowel us | which 682 had beeo port lam informed ing the month of November. made mariners whose absenee retura of the o | tome it | nally dispose f Fe teowee | present limtt of ite duration, Justice to the claimant, who have boon at large © their claims Fy kmy- ig ibe o ort, suggest ek emanen pean of all of the ej which hare bee I recommend the tom which proper w enable the Court to complete the | fore i. | HF sis BF CLAIMS OF ALURNR I recommend that some suitable provision be by the creation of & court or by cunferring ioe sary Jnrisdiction upon some appropriste the consideration and determination of the ernment of the iD some feasctable time or which may hereafter arise, ex barred by treaty provisions or otherwwe, Tt found impossible to give consideration claims by the Executuve s of ernment, Such @ tribuaal would afford ao tunity to aliens, other than British subjects, to their claims on account of acts commutted agaimet persons or property during tho rebellion, as also | those subjects of Great an whose claims ha arisen subsequent to the 9th day of not be presented to the late com pursuant to the provisions of & w Sates, Ergt hil 5g risk, demonstrated the practicabillty of maintaining such means of communication. The cost of correspond- agency was great—possibly not too large at the time for @ proper remuneration for 80 hazardous and 80 costly an enterprise. It was, however, a heavy charge upon a means of communica. tion which the progress in the socidl and commercial intercourse of the world found to be a nepesalty, and the obtaining of this French concession showed that other capital than that already iuvested was ready to enter into competition with assurance of adequate re- turn for their outlay. Linpressed with the conviction that the interests, not only of the people of the United States, but of the world at large, demanded or would demand the multiplication of such means of communication between separated continents, I was desirous that the proposed connec- tion should be made, But cerain provisions of this concession were deemed by me to be objectionable, particularity one which gave for a long term of years the exclusive right of armrest communication by submarine cable between the shores of France and the United States. I could not concede that any Fower should claim the right to land a cable on the shores of the United States and atthe same time deny to the United States or to its citizens an equal right to land a cable on its shores. The right to control the con- ditions for the laying of a cable within the jurisdictional waters of the United States to connect ‘our shores with those of any foreign State, pertains ex- clusively to the government of the United States under such limitations and conditions as Congress may im- pose. Inthe absence of legislation by Congress, I was unwilling on the one hand to yield to a foreign State the | right to say that its grantees might land on our shores, while it dented a similar right to our people to land on its shores, and, on the other hand, I was reluctant to deny to the great interests of the world and ofcivilization, the facilities of such communication as were proposed. 1 therefore withheld resistance to the landing of any cable on condition that the offensive monopoly feature of the concession be abandoned, and that the right of any cable which may be established by authority of this government to land upon French territory and to con- nect with French land lines and enjoy ail the necessary facilities or privileges incident to the use thereof, upon as (avorable terms a8 auy other company, be \iosaal eas ‘As the result thereof the company in’ question ro- nounced the exclusive privilege and the represen- | tative of France was informed that understanding | this relinquisbment to be construed as granting the en- tire reciprocity and equal facilities which had been de- manded, the opposition to the landing of the cable was withdrawn, The cable, under the French concession, was landed in the month of July, 1869, and has been an efficient and valuable agent of commu- nication between this country and the other Continent, Iteoon passed under the control, however, of those who had the management of the cable con- necting Great Britain with this Continent, and thus whatever benefit to the public might have ensued from competition between the two lines was lost be- yond having the ter facilities of an additional line | and the additional security im case of accident to one of them. But these tnereased facilities and this addi- tional security, together with the control of the com- power to prevent the future construction of other lines, and to limit the control of telegraphic communication | between the two continents so those possessing she | Unes already laid. Within a few months past a cable has been laid, known as the United States Direct Cable Company, connecting the United States with Great Britain. As soon as the cable was reported to be in working order the rates of the then existing consolidated company were greatly reduced. Soon, however, @ break was annougced in this new cable, and immediately the rates of the other line, which had been reduced, were again raised. This cable being now repaired the rates appear not to be reduced by either line from those formerly charged by the consolidated companies. There is reason to believe that large amounts of capital, both at home and abroad, are ready to seek profitable investment inthe advancement of this useful aud civilizing means of correspondence. They await, however, the assurance of the means and con- | ditions on which they may safely be made tributary to | the general good. As these cable telegraph lines con- | Rect separate States there are questions as to their or- ganization and control which probably can be best if | not solely settled by conventions between the respect- ive States. In the absence, however, of international conventions on the subject, municipal legislation may | Secure many points which appear to me important, if | not indispensable, for the protection of the public against the extortions which may result from a monop- oly of the right of operating cable telegrams, or from a combination between several lines. | Férst—No line should be allowed to land on the shores | of the United States under the conceasion from another | Power which does not admit the right of any other line or lines formed in the United States to land and freely | connect with and operate through land lines, Second—No line should be allowed to land on the shores of the United States which is not by treaty stip- | ulation with the government from whose shores it pro- | ceeds, or by prohibition in its charter, or otherwise to j the satistaction of this government, prohibited from | consolidating or amalgamating with any other cable telegraph line, or combining therewith for the purpose of regulating and maintaining the cost of telegraphing. Tiurd—Ail lines should be bound to give precedence in the transmission of the oficial messages of the gov- ernuments of tne two countries between which it may be laid, | Fourth—A power should be reserved to the two gov- | ernments, either conjointly or to each, as regards the messages despatched trom its shores, to fix @ limit to | the charges to be demanded for the transmission of messages. | Congress, In the meantime and unless Congress other- wise direct I shall not oppose the landing of any tele- | graphic cable which complies with and assentg to the polis above enumerated, but will feel it my duty to prevent the landing of any which does not conform to the first and second points as elated, and | Which will not stipulate to concede to this government j the precedence in the transmission of its official mes- gages, and will enter into a satisfagiory arrangement in 4 Zegard to its charges. ry 1 epee QUESTION, ‘Among the presse ad portant subjegts towhich, in my opinion, the auention ue [an Ha should be di- rected, are those in relation to fraudulent naturaliza- ton and expatriation. The United States, | with great liberality, offers its citizenship | tw all who in good faith comply with tne re- | quirements of jaw. These requirements are as imple and upon as favorable terms to the emigrant as | the high privilege w which he is admitted, can or | should permit. do not propose any additional re- quirements to those which the law now demands, but the very simplicity and the want of unnecessary for- mality in our law, bave made fraudulent naturalization not infrequent, to the discredit and injury of all honest citizens, whether native or naturalized. Cases of this character are continually being brought to the notice | of govern t by our representatives abroad, and also Shore of persons resident inyother conntries—most fre- | quently those who, sf they have remained in this coun- | try long enough to entitle them to become naturalized, | have generally not mach overpassed that period and have returned to the country of their origin, where they reside, avoiding all duties the United States by their aveenoe and claiming to be exempt from all duties to the country of their nativity and ot their residence by reason of their alleged naturalization. It is due to this | government steclt and to the great mass of naturalized ‘eitizens who entirely, both in bame and in fact, become citizens of the United States that the high privilege of catizenship of the United States should not be held by | fraud or in derogation of the ss and of the good name of every honest citizen. On many occasions it has been brought to the knowledge of the government that cer- Ufieates of naturalization are held and protection or inter- | ference claimed by parties who admit that, notonly they | Were not within the United States at tne time of the pretended paturalization, but that they have never resided in the United States; in ovhers the certificate and record of the Court show on their face that the person el to be naturalized had not resided the required time in the United States; tn others itis ad- mitted upon examination that the requirements of law | have not becn complied with. In some cases even wheh Cerubcates have been matier of purchase, These are not isolated cages, arising at rare intervals, bet of common occurrence, and which are reported entend the hme of (ff Cerkven te period wet | from all quarters of the giobe. Such occurrences can- | more than = months ory ond the expuration of the one , HOt and do not fail to reflect upon the government and ' Having feeriven that it | inyore all honest citizens, Such a fraud being diseov- TrChOabie (© complete Lhe Work Within Uhe | eFEd, however, there is no practical means within the ly Oxed, | oda precamauon (acopy of control of the government by which the record led herewith) extending the time of Of naturalization can be vacated, and should the duration of the Court for a period of six monthe certificate be taken up, as usually is by from and efter the 24 day of duly jem, | the diplomatic consular =—_—- representatives | A report tude throagh the Clerk of the Coart (com. | of the government, to whom it may have been pre. municated herewith) shows the co@ditom of the calen- dar on the Ist of Noverber inst and the large amount of work whieh has been aecomplehed Thirteen | dred amd e@hty (wo ciaimes Lave been oresgated, of taken (rom bin. to have been uralized from obtaining a new certifi | bined capital of the two companies, gave also greater | I present this subject to the earncst consideration of | eented, there i# nothing to prevent the person claiming ie from the Courtin place of that which has been The evil has become so great and of dur aud came ook Sev record seen | on of a eae genie of ex- 945, cou! _. organized | once they amert Treaty of Washingtou, | representatives of the government to ald them in their | “hie i frequent occurrence that I cannot too earnestly recommend that some effective be adopted wo the vacating of and of punishing and the election of .nationality to the United ‘ebich were foremost tn upholding the right of ‘abd was principally instrumental in over- the rine of perpetual allegiance. Congress bas deciared rght of expatriation be a natural aed inherent rght of all people; but, while many other H enacted laws providing what formalities to work a change of allegiance, the hag enacted = no ovisions of in po respect marked out how expatriation may be accomplished Instances are brought to the government where citizens of the ‘Baturalized or native born, have af sunjects of foseign Powers; of any provisions when involved in difli- itt f f t i culties, jong y have rendered way amenable, become engaged in busi offices of pursuits inconsistent with arcepted merican citizenship, and evince no intent to return to United States watii called upon to discharge some duty w the Cag Rog) they are a when at ir citizenship and i apon the et but justice to all bend fide parties of the strict observance of their rights au: OOK! ‘ay. . obligations. It confers the right of poste nthe | The electric conagtte c6thé an essential and | that go doubt should exist on such questions high seas by vessels of both parties; It would sub- | indispensable agent in the transmission of business and | that Congress should determine by enactment of ject the carrving of arms and ammunition of war, | social messages, Its operations om land aod within | law bow expatriaven Cd aceomplished aud change which now may be transterred freely and without in: | the limit of particular States is necesmarily | of be terruption in the vessels of the United States, to d under the control of the jurisdiction within wh AMBRICAN WI racine. tention and to possible semure; it would it operates. The lines on the high seas, however, are l also invite your the necessity of regu- rise to countless vexatious questions; would rejease the | not subject to the particular coutrol of any one gov~ tating by law the states of American women who may arent government from responsibility for actsdone | ernment, In 1869 a concession was granted by the | marr: gners, and of defining more fully that of by the insurgents, and would invest Spain withthe | French government toa company which proposed to eb born ine 'y of American parents | right to exercise the supervision recognized | lay a cable fromthe shores of France to the United by our treaty of 1795 over our commerce on | States. At that time there was a telegraphic copnec, | the high seas, a very large part of which | tion between the United States and the continent of | Amencan con! im foreign countries, TI is its traffic between the Atlantic and Gulf | Europe (through the possessions of Great Britain at | 60 submitted herewith shows a few of the States, and between all of them and the States upon | either end of the line) under the control of an associa. | 60! ly occurring questions on these points pre- tion which had, at large outlay of capital and at great | sented t@ the consideration of the goverument There are few subjects to engage the attention of Congress on whieh mote delicate relaions or wore important inter- ents are i. ‘THE NEW ATATH DEPARTMENT BUILDING, In the month of July last the butiding erected for the per poo 9 of State was Cao ion of and here ied by} departiwent, 1am announce that 9 ecaies and valuable pagers or overnment in the custoay of that department are bow safely deposited aud properly cared for. THR PINANCRS The report of the Secretary of the Treasury shows the receipts from customs for the Lo yoar endi June 80, 1874, tw have been $168,105,833 09, an for the fiscal — year June 30, to have been $157,167,722 @ decrease for the last fiscal year of $5,986,111 34. Receipts from internal revenue for the year ending 20th of June, 1874, were $102,400,784 90, and for the year fer ee 1875, Sere Sas, 498 58 ; ine Crease, $7,597,708 68, The iso gives & complete history of the working of the department for the last year, and contains recommendations for reforms and for legislation which I concur in, but cannot comment on 80 fully as I should like to do, if space would perm but shall confine myself to a few suggestions which look upon as vital to the best interests of the whole prea coming within the purview of the ‘Treasury. mean specie resumption. Too much stress cannot b& Jaid upon this question, and I hope Congress may be induced, at the earliest day practicable to insure the consummation of the act of the last Congress at its last session, to bring about resumption on and after the Ist day of January, 1870, at the furthest, It would | be a great blessing if this could be consummated even at an earlier day. ing seems to me more certain than that a full, healthy and permanent reaction can- not take place fn favor of the industries and financial welfare of the country until we return to @ measure of values recognized throughout the civilized world, While we use a currency uot equivalent to this stan- dard—the world’s recognized standard—specie becomes @ commodity, like the. products of the soil, the surplus seeking @ market wherever there is @ demand for it, Under our present system we should want none, nor would we have any were it not that customs dues must be paid in coin, and because of the pledge to pay the interest of the public debt in coin, The yield of precious metals would flow out for the purchuse of foreign productions and leave the United States hewers of wood and drawers of water Vecause of wiser legislation on the subject of fuance by the nation with whom we haye dealings. I am not prepared to say that I can suggest the best legislation to secure the end most heartily commended. It will be a source of great gratification to me to be able to approve any measure of Congress looking effec- tively toward securing resumption, Unlimited inflation would probably bring about 6 ie payments more speedily than any legislation looking to the redemption of legal tenders in coin, but it would be at the expense of honor; the legal tenders would have no value beyond settling ‘present liabilities, or, properly speaking, repudiating them; they would buy nothing after debts were all settied. ‘There are a few measures which seem | ‘to me important in this connection, and which 1 com- | mend to your earnest consideration. REPEAL OF LEGAL TENDER ACT. ‘A repeal of so much of the Legal Tender act as makes these notes receivabie for debts copiracted after a date to be fixed in the act itself, saj at ter than the 1st oft January, 1877, We should wi heve quotations at real values, not fictitious ones, Gold would no longer be at a premium, but currency at a discount. A healthy reaction would set in at ouce, and with it a desire wo make the currency equal to what it purports to be, The merchants, manufacturers and tradesmen of every calling could do business on a fair margin of profit, the money to be received having an unvarying value; laborers and all others who work for stipulated pay or salary would receive more for their income, because extra profits would no longer be charged by vie capital. | ist to’compensate for the risk of a dowaward fluctuation | in the value of the currency. KEDEMPTION OF LEGAL TENDERS, Second—That the Secretary of the Treasury be authorized to redeem say not to exceed $2,000,000 monthly of legal tender notes by issuing in thoir stead a long bond, bearing interost at the rate of three and sixty-five one-hundredths per cent per annum, of de- nominations ranging from $0 to $1,000 each, This would, intime, reduce the legal tender notes to a volume that could be kept afloat without demanding redemption in large sums suddenly. i hat additional power be given to the Secretary ,of the Treasury to accumulate gold tor final redemption, either by increasing the revenue or curtailing expenses, or both. It 18 preferable to do voth, and I recommend that a reduction of expendi- tures be made wherever it can be done without im- pairmg government obligations or crippling the due execution thereof. DUTY ON TRA AND COFFEE, One measure for increasing the revenue, and the only one I think of, is the restoration of the duty on tea and coffee. ‘hese duties would add, probably, $18,000,000 to the present amount received trom tm- ports and would in no way increase the price paid tor those articies by the consumers, The articles are the products of countries collecting revenue from exports, and as we, the largest consumers, reduc® the duties they proportionately increase them, With this addition to the revenue many duties now col- lected, and which give but an insignificant return for the cost of collection, might be remitted, and to she di- rect advantage of consumers at home. I would men- tion those articles which enter into manufactures of ail sorts, All duties paid upon such articles go directly to | the cost of the article when manufactured here, and must be paid for by the consumers, These duties not only come from the consumers at home, but act as a protection to foreign munufacturers of the same com- pleted articles in our own and distant markets. Iwill suggest or mention another subject bearing upon the problem of how to enable the Secretary of the ‘Treasury to accumulate balances. CLAIMS AGAINST THR GOVERNMENT. It is to devise some better method of verifying claims | jainst the goverument than at present exists through the Court of Claims; especially those claims growing ‘out of the late war, ie i ip more certajp than that @ percentage of the amounls p: and either wholly dulent or oe ae im excess of the real sustained, ne Jarge amount of on good testi- mony, lo: losses proven, according to existing laws by affidavits, of fictitious or unscrupulous persons, to have been sus- tained on small farms and plantations are not only far beyond the possible yield of those places for any one year, but, as every one knows who has experience jn tilling the soil, and who has visited the eccnes of these ations, are in many instances more than the individaal claimants were ever worth, including their personal and real estate. The report of the Attorney General, which will be submitted to Congress at an early day, will contain a detailed history of awards made and of claims pending of the class here referred to. REPORT OF THE SECRBTARY OF WAR. The report of the Secretary of War, accompanying this Message, gives a detailed account of the army operations for the year just passed, of expenses tor maintenance, &c., with Trecommendations tor legisia- ton, to which Ir pectfully invite your attention, To some of these I invite especial attention. FirsteThe necessity of making $300,000 of the ap- propriation for the Subsistence Depariment availabie before the beginning of the next fiscal year. Without this provision, troops at points distant from the supply production must either go without food or existing laws must be violated, It is not attended with cost Lo system of annuities for the families of de by voluntary deductions from the monthly pay of obors This again is tiot attended with burden upon the Treasury, and would forthe future relieve much distress, which every old army officer bas witnessed in the past, of officers dying suddenly or being killed, leaving families without even the moans of reaching their come if fortunate enough to have friends to he!p them. 'hird—The repeal of the law abolishing mileage and @ return to the old system. Pourth—The trial with torpedoes under the Corps of Engineers and appropriation jor the same, Should war ever occur between the United States and any mari- time Power torpedoes will be among, if not the most effective and cheapest auxiliary for the defence of har- bors, and also in aggressive operations, that we can have, Hence itis desirable to learn by experiment their best construction and application as well as effect. Fifth—A permanent organization of the Signal Corps, | que This service has now become a necessity of peace as | well a6 war under the advancement made under the present management Sizth—-A renewal of the appropriation for compiling the official records of the war, &o, THe NAVY, The condition of our navy at this time is a subject of satistaction, It does not contain, it is true, any of the vowerlul cruigug iron-clads which make so muck of | the maritime strength of some other nations, but neither our continental #1 job nor our Seolgs pete requires that we should hi a large oum! ships of this t, while this situation and the nature of our ports continue to make those of other uations little dangerous to us under any circumstances. Our navy does contain, however, a considerable number of iron- clads of the monitor which, though not properly Cruisers, ‘ari effective for harbor defence and for operations near our own shores. Of these all the sii turreted ones, fifteen im number, have been ially rebuilt, their rotten wooden beams replaced with iron, their bulis strength ened and their engines and machinery thoroughly re- paired, so that they are now in the most efficient con- dition and ready for sea 4s 600n as they can be manned and pat in commission. @ five doublo-turretod ivon-clads belonging to our uavy, by far the most owerful of our ships for Aghting pur are also in and and undergoing complete repairs, and could be got ready for sea iw periods varying trom two to six mouths, With these completed accoraing to the pres. ent design and our two iron torpedo boats now ready, our iron-clad fect will be for all purposes of defence at home equal to any force thas can readily be brought against it, Of our wooden navy also, cruisers of various sizes to the number of about forty, including those now in commis- sion, are in the Atlautic, and could be ready for duty av fast’ as men could be cnlisted for those already im commission. Of these one-third are in effect new ships, and, though some of the remainder need consid- erable repairs their boilers and machinery, they all are or can readily be made effective. This constitutes @ fleet of more than fifty war ships, of which lifteen are iron-clad, now in band on the Atiantit coast. The navy has been brought to this condition by @ judicious and practical application of what could be spared from the current appropriation of the last few years and from that made to meet the possible emergency of two years ago. It has been done quietly, without proclama- tion or display, and, though it has necessarily strait- ened the department in its ordinary expenditure, and, as fur as the ironclads are concerned, has added noth- ing to the aruising force of the navy, yet the result is not the less satisfactory, because it is to be found ina great increase of real rather than apparent force, The expenses incurred in the maintenance of an effective naval force in its branches are necessarily large; but such @ force is essential to our position, rolations and character, aud affects seriously the ight of our principles and policy throughout the whole ro ere of naval re- sponsibiliies. The estimates for the regular support of this branch of the service for the next year amount to alittle less, in tho aggregate, than those made for the current year, but some additional appropriations are asked for objects not included in the ordinary maintenance of the navy, but believed to be of pressing importance at this time. It would, in my opinion, be wise at once to afford sufficient means for the imme. diate completion of the five double‘turreted monitors now undergoing repairs, which must otherwise advance slowly and only as money can be spared from current expenses, Supplemented by these our navy, armed with destructive weapons of modern warfare, manned by our seamen and in charge of our instructed officers, will present a force powerful for the home purposes of a responsible, though peaceful, nation, POSTAL AFFAIRS, The report of the Postmastei oral herewith trans mitted gives a full history of the workings of the de- partment for the year just past. It will be observed that the deficiency to be supplied from the general ‘Treasury increased over the amount required for the prees year. In @ country so vast im al as the nited States, with large portions sparsely settled, it must be expected that this tmportant service will be more or less a burden upon ‘Treasury for many years to come. But there is no branch of the public service which Interests the whole people more than that of cheap and rapid transmission of the mails to every inhabited part of our territory. Next to the free school, the Post Otlice is the gu 4 educator of the people, and it may well receive the support of the gen- eral government. 'The subsidy of $150,000 per annum given to vessels of the United States for carrying the mails between New York and Kio de Janeiro having ceased on the 80th day of September last, we are without direct mail facilities with the South American States, This is greatjy to be regretted, and I do not hesitate to recommend the authorization of a renewal of that contract and also that the service may be increased from monthly to semi-monthly trips. The commercial advantages to be gained by a direct line of American steamers to the South American States will far outweigh the expense of the _ service. By act of Congress approved March 8, 1875, ‘almost all matter, whether properly mail matter or not, may be sent any distance through the mails, in packages not exceeding four pounds in weight, for the sum of sixteen cents per pound. So far as the transmission of real mail matter goes, this would seem entirely proper; but I suggest that the-law be so amended as to exclude from the mails merchandise of all descriptions aud limit this ¢ransportation to all articles enumerated and which may be classed as mail matter proper. THE BLACK HILLS. ‘The discovery of gold m the Black Hills, a portion of the Sioux Reservation, has hud the effect to Induce a large emigration of miners to that point. Thus far the eflort to protect the treaty rights of the Indians of that section has been successful, but the next year will certainly witness a large increase of such emt- gration. The negotiations for the relinquishment of the gold fields having failed, it will be necessary for Congress to adopt some measures to relieve the om barrassment growing out of the causes named. T Secretary of the Interior suggests that the suppl | bow appropriated for the sustenance of that people being nv longer obligatory under the treaty of 1868, but simply @ gratuity, may be issued or withheld at his dis- cretion, INDIAN TERRITORY. ‘The condition of the Indian Territory to which I have re- ferred in several of my former annual messages remains practically unchanged, The Secretary of the Interior bas taken measures to obtain a fuil report of the condi- tion of that Territory, and will make it the subject of a special report at an Feria day, It may then be neces- sary to make some further recommendation in regard to legislation for the government of that Territory. THE PATENT OFFICE. ‘The steady growth and increase of the business ot the Patent Office indicate in some measure the prog- ress of the industrial activity of the couutry, The re- | ceipts of the oflice are in excess of its expenditures, | and the office generally is ina prosperous and satisfac- tory condition, The report of tne General Land Office shows tbat there were 2,469,601 acres less disposed of during this than during the last year. More than one- half of this decrease Was in lands disposed of under the Homestead and Timber Culture laws, The causes of this decrease is supposed to be found in the grasshop- per scourge and the droughts which prevailed so exten- sively in some of the frontier States and Territories during that time as to discourage and deter entries by actual settlers. The cash receipts were less by $690,322 23 than during the preceding year, ‘THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. The @htire surveyed area of the public domain ts 680,253,004 acres, of which 26,077,531 acres were sur- veyed during the past year, leaving 1,154,471,762 acres sull unsurveyed. ‘The report of the Commissioner presents many inter: esting suggestions in regard to the management and dia- position of the public domain and the modification of existing laws, the apparent importance of which should deserve lor them the careful consideration of Congress. ‘THE PENSIONERS, The number of pensioners still continues to decrease, the highest number having been reached during the year ending June 80, 187%. During the last year 11,567 names were added to the rolls, and 12,977 were dropped therefrom, showing @ net gecrease of 1,420. But while the namber of pensioners has decreased the annual amount due on the pension rolls bas in- creased $44,733 13, This 18 caused by the greatly in- reaged average rate of pensions, which by the liberi sation of Congress has increased from $90 26 1872 Wo $103 91 in 1876 to each invalid pensioner—an increase in the average rate of fifteen per cent in the three years. During the year ending Jane 30, 1876, there was paid on account of pensions, including the expenses of disbursement, $20,653,116, being $910,632 less than was paid the preceding year, | This reduotion in amount of oxpeuditures was produced by the decrease in the amount of ar es, on allowed claims and on pensions, the rate of which was increased by the legisiation of the preceding session of Congress. At the close of the last uscal year here were on the pension rolls 234,821 per- s6ns, of whom 210,363 were army pension 106,478 tived, Bad whte hav pekatonete: ot whats |, a we 81 tives; re wo! invallds’ and 1,784 widows and Uependent relatives; 21,008 were pe sioners of the war of 1812, 15,875 o whom w irvivors and 5,163 were widows, It is es. timated that $20,636,000 will be required for the pay- ment of pensions for the next fiscal year, an amount $905,000 Jess than the estimate for the present year. THE GROLOGICAL BXPLORATIONS have been prosecuted with energy during the year, covering an area of about 40,000 square miles in the Territories of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, devel- oping the agricultural and miveral resources and fur- mishingrinteresting scieatitic and topographical details of THR INDIAN POLICY. The method for the treatment of the Indians adopted at the beginning of iy frst term has been steadily pursued and with satisfactory aud encouraging results. It has been productive of evident improve ment in the condition of that race, and will be continued with only euch modifications as further experience nay indicate w be necessary. ‘THK INTRRNATIONA!, BXMUBITION, The Board heretofore appoiuted to take charge of the articles and materials pertaining to the War and Navy, the Treasury, the Interior and the Post Office depart ments and the Department of Agricaliure, the Smith sonian Institute aud the Commission of Food Fishes to be contributed, under the legisiation of last session, to the International Exbibition to be held at Mbiladelph: during the centennial year 1876, bas been diligent in the discharge of the duties which have devoted upow it, and the preparations so far made with the means at command give assurance that overa- mental contribution will be made ope of the marked characteristics of the Exhibition The Board has ov- served commendable economy 'n the matrer of the rec: tion of buildings for the governmental exhibit, the e: pense of which, it is estimated, will not exceed say $80,000, This amount bas been withdrawn, under the law, from the appropriations of five of the principal epartments, which icaves some of those departments thout sufficient means to render their respec tive practical exhibits complete aud satisfactory. The Bxhibiuon being an international one, and the government being @ voluntary coptributor, it is my opinion that tts contribute ould be obaracter in quality and extent to sustain the dignity and credit of 80 distinguished acontributor, The advantages te the country of a creditable display ere, in aa interua- tional point of view, of the first (mportance, while indifferent or tucreditable participation by the govern. ment woald be humiliating to the patriotic feelings os our people themselves, I commend the estimates ov the Board for the necessury additional ap tout to the favorable consideration of Congress. The Powers of Europe almost without exception many of the South American States, and oven th more distant Eastern Powers, have manifested thet friendly sentiinent toward the United states and the (interest of the world in OME Orgacess hy lakins stom