The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-15

the opposite regions OF Asia to q mutual
ly b eneiicial intercourse. 1t is obvious
that this attempt could be made by no
power to so great advantage as by the
United States, whose constitutional sys-
tenn excludes every idea ofdistant colonial
dependencies.
L have accordingly been led to order an
appropriate naval force to Japan, under
the command of discreet and Intelligent
officer of the highest rank known to our
service. HG is instructed to endeavor to
obtain from the government of that coun-
try some relaxation of the inhosp,tablc
and antl-social system which it has purSu-
cd for about two centuries. He has been
directed particularly to remonstrate in the
strongest language against the cruel treat
ment to which our shipwrecked mariners
have often been subjected, and to insist
that they shall be treated with humanity.
lie Is instructed however at the same time
to give that government the ampest as
surance that the objects of the United
States are such and such only rs | have
indicated, and that the expedition is friend
ly and peaceful. Notwithstanding the
Jealousy with which the governments of
Eastern Asia regard all overturcs from
foreigners: am not without hopes Of u
beneficial result ofthe expedition. Should
1t be crowned with success, the adyan-
tages will not be confined to the United
States, but, as in the case OF China, will
be equally enjoyed by all tho oher mari
time powers. [ have much satisfaction in
stating that in all the steps preparatory
to this expedition the Government of the
United States has been materially aided
by the good Offices Of the King of the
Netherlands, the only European power
having any commercial relations with
Japan.
In passing from the survey of our for
cign relations. invite the attention of
Congress to the condition of that depart
memt of the Government to which this
branch Of the public business,is entrusted.
Our intercourse with foreign powers has
OF late years greatly increased, both in
consequence OF our own growth and the
introduction ofmany new Shtes into fami-
Iy of nations. In this way the Depart
mcnt of State has become overburdencd.
IL has, by the Interior beeti relieved of
some portion Of the domestic business. If
the residue Of the business bf that kind.
such as the distribution of congressional
documents, the keeping, publishing and
distribution of the laws f the United
St"trs, tho s.saa,.t;vlroT me ia,,.
the subject of rcprieves Nnd pardons, and
some other suhiors seia'ug to interior
| olniui.t 90, ,i,n ......|l L.. ... w. -E.r,l c.,,,
the DcpartmraD OF State, would un-
Iucsionahly bee tur the bcpu, oC The public
service. ! would also sug.o. that the
building appropriated to ihy State De
partmcnt is not fire proof; that there is
reason to think there are defect in It's CON
>iruction, and lhaL &C archives of the
Hoycrnncnt i'll charge OF the Department,
with the precious collections Of the man
uScript papers of Washington, Jefferson,
Hamilton, Madison, and Monroe, are en-
posed to destruction by fire. A similar
remark may be made of the buildings
appropriated to the War and Navy De.
pariments
|. The condition of the Treasury is exhib-
tied i'll the annual report from that De
l''''ilNhN'
The cash receipts into the Treasury for
the fiscal year ending the 3Oth june last,
exclusive of trust funds, were forty-nine
millions seven hundred and twenty-cight
thousand three hundred and eighty-six
dollars and eighty-nine cents,( 1928,
3S0,59O and the expenditures for the
same period, likewise exclusive of trust
funds, were'forty-six millions seven thou
sand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars
and twenty cents, ($4G,007 500 20,) of
which nine millions four hundred and fifty
five thousand eight hundred and fifteen
dollars and eighty-three Gets (s6, ,455,sl5
S3) was OH account for the principal and
and interest of the public debt, including
the last instalment Of the indemnity to
Mexico, under the treaty of Guaudaloupe
HidIlgo, leaving balance of $l4,632,
1875 81 in the Treasury on the first day
of July last. Since this latter period,
further purchases of the principal of the
| public debt have been made to the extent
of two millions four hundred and fifty six
thousand five hundred and forty seven
dollars and forty-nine cent, (s2, ,,456, 6,547
4o,) and the surplus in the Treasury will
continue to be applied to that object,
whenever the stock can bcprocured with
in the limits, as to price, authorized by
! law.
The value Of foreign merchandise i'm
ported during the last fiscal year was two
hundred and seven millions two hundred
and forty thousand one hundred and one
dollars, (s207, ,240, ,lO1; and the value of
domestic productions exported was one
hundred and forty nine millions eight
hundred and sixty one thousand nine
hundred and eleven dollars, ($l49,S81,
l91I besides seventeen millions two hun
dred and four thousand twenty-six dollars
| (s1,204,026) Of foreign merchandise ex-
ports one hundred and sixty-seven mill
ions sixty-five thousand nine hundred and
4 q .a..~.~ Il {LraT nnk noOA -.