Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-12-16

rank known to our service He is instruc.
ted to endeaYor to obtain from the govern
ment OF that country some relaxation OF
the lnhospitable and anti-socal system
which it has pursued for about two cen.
turies. He has been directed particular
ly to remostrate in the strongest language
against the cruel treatment to which our
shipwrecked mariners have often been
subjected, and to insist that they shall be
treated with humanity. He is instructed
however at the same time to give that
Government the amplest assurances that
the objects of the United States are such
only as | have indicated, and that the ex-
pedition is friendly and peaceful. Not
withstanding the jealousy with which the
Governments of Eastern Asia regard all
overtures from foreigners, l am not with
out hopes of beneficial result of the ex-
pedition. Should it be crowned with sue
cess, the advantages will not be confined
to the United States, but as in the case of
China, will be equally enjoyed by all the
other maritime powers. [ have much
satisfaction in stating that in all the steps
preparatory to this expedition the Gov
ernment of the United States has been
materially aided by the good officers of
the King of Netherlands, the only Euro
pean power having any commercial rela-
tions with Japan
In passing from this survey of our for
eign relations, | invite the attention of
Congress to the condition of that depart
ment Of Government to which this branch
of the public business is entrusted. Our
Intercourse with foreign powers has of late
years greatly increased, both in conse-
quence of our own growth and the intro
duction of many new States into the fam
lily of nations. In this way the Depart
ment of State has become oyerburdened.
It has, by the recent estabiishmcn of the
Department of the interior, been relieved
of some portion of the domestic business
If the residue of the business of that kind :,
such as the distribution of Congressional
documents, the keeping, publishing, and
distribution Of the laws Of the United
States, the execution Of the copyright law,
the subject of reprieves and pardons, and
some other subjects relating to interior
administration, should be transferred from
the Department of State, it would unques-
tionably be for the benefit of the public
service. | would also suggest that the
building appropriated to the State De
partment is not FIRE proof; that there IS
reason to think there are defects in its con-
struction, and that the arcbieves of the
Government in charge Of the Department,
with the precious collections of the man
uscript papers of Washington, Jefferson,
Hamilton, Madison and Monroe, are ex-
posed to destruction by fire. A similar
remark may be made Of the buildings ap-
propriated to the War and Navy Depart
ments.
The condition Of the Treasury is exhib-
tied in the annualreport from that Depart
ment.
The cash receipts into the Treasury for
the fiscal year ending the Both June last,
exclusive of trust funds, were forty-nine
millions seven hundred and twenty-eight
thousand three hundred and eighty-six
dollars and eighty nine cents, S(49,728,-
1886 49, and the expenditures for the
same period, likewise exclusive of trust
funds, were forty-six millions seven thou
sand eight hundred and ninety-six dol
lars and twenty cents, (S46,007, $50 20;)
of which nine millions four hundred and
ffty-fve thousand eight hundred and IF
teen dollars and eighty three cents (S9,-
455,s15 So was on account of the prin-
cipal and interest of the public debt, in
cluding the last instalment Of the indem-
nifty to Mexico, under the t4aty of Gau-
daloupe Hidalgo, leaving a balance of
s14, 4,632, 1876 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 cents, (82,-
564, SAT 49, and the surplus in the Treas
ury will continue to be applied to that
object, whenever the stock can be pro-
cured within the limits, as to price, au
thorized by law.
The value of foreign merchandise impor-
ted during the last fiscal year was two hun
dred and seven millions two hundred and
forty thousan nd one hundred and onedollars
(S207 ,24O, ,I0l; , and the value of domestic
productions exported was one hundred and
forty-nine millions eight hundred and six
ty-one thousand nine hundred and eleven
dollars, (sl49,86 ,911 y besides seven
teen millions two hundred and four thous-
and and twenty-six dollars, 6l7, ,204, ,026)
of foreign merchandise exported; making
the aggregate of the entire exports one
hundred and sixty-seven millions sixty
five thousand nine hundred and thirty
seven dollars, (sI67, COS, ,937 j exclusive
of the above there was exported forty-two
millions FIVE hundred and seven thousand
two hundred and eighty-6ye dollars,
IN. A. = ~ nc Z ka1