Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-12-14

The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina and
Pensacola have been opened by procama-
ton. Ii is hoped that foreign merchants
will now consider whether 1t is not safer and
more Profitable to themselves, as well as
more Just to the United States, to resort to
these and other open ports, than 1t Is to
pursue through many hazards and vast
cost contraband trade with other ports
which are closed, if not by actual military
occupation, at least by lawful and effective
blockade.
For myself, | have no doubt of the power
and duty Of the Executive under the law OF
nations To exclude the enemies OF the hu-
man race from an asylum IN the I. states.
If Congress should think that proceedings
in such cases lack the authority OF law, or
ought to be further regulated by It, L rec
0mend that provision be made Tor eHectuai-
i preventing foreign slave traders from ac-
0liring domicil and facilities for their Grim
nal occupation in our country 1t IS posi-
BE that if it were a new and open question,
the maritime powers, with the rights Chey
now enjoy. would not concede the privileges
of "A naval beligerent TO the insurgents OF
the United States destitute as they are,
and always have been eQuallyoi ships OF war
and portS aud harbors
Disloval emissaries have been neither
less assiduous, nor more successful curing
the last year than they We're before that
time In their efforts under favor OF that
privilege to embrou our country IN foreign
wars. The desire and determination OF the
maritime States to defeat that design are be
hevcd to be Us sincere and cannot be more
earnest than our own. Nevertheless untor-
seen difficulties have arisen, especially III
Brazilian and British ports. and on the
northern boundary OF the nIted States,
which have required, and are likely to con
tinue to require the practice OF constant
vigilance and Just and concilltary spirit on
the part of the United States as well as OF
the nations concerned and their govern
ments. Commissioners have been appoint
ed under the treaty with Great Britain on
the adjustment Of the claims of the Hud-
son Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultural
Companies, in Oregon, and are now pro
ceedine to the execution OF the trust as
signed 90 them.
In view Of the insecurity Of life in the re
gion adjacent to the Canadian border, by
recent assaults and depredations committed
by inincal and desperate persons who are
harbored there, it has been thought prop
er to give notice that after the expiration OF
six months the period cOndItionally stipuIa-
ted in the existing arrangements with Treat
Britain. the United States must hold them
selves ut liberty to increase their naval ar
mamrnt upon the lakes If they shall ind
that proceeding necessary The condition OF
the border will necessarily come into CON
sideration in connection with the question OF
continuing o. modifying the rights OF tan
sit from Canada through the United States,
as we'll as the regulations OF imports which
were temporarily established Uy the reel
IL, ,4. Il ..t- 4
desire. however to be understood while ma
king this statement, that the colonial an
thorities are not deemed 10 be Intentionally
unjust or unfiiendly towards the United
States, but on the contrary, there Is every
reason to oexpect that with the approValo OF the
Imperial Government they will take the
necessary measures to prevent new incur
sions across the border.
The act passed at the last session for the
encouragement Of emigration has, as far as
WAS possible: been put into operation. 1t
seems TO need amendment which Will enable
the officers OF the government to prevent
the practice Of frauds against the mmI-
grants while on their way and on their arrl-
val III the ports, so aS TO secure them
here a free choice of av0cations and pla-
ces Of settlement \ liberal disposition
towards this great national policy, Is mani
tested by most Of the European States and
ought 60 be reciprocated on our part by
giving the immigrant effective national pro
lection. regard our immigrants as one Of
the principal replenishing streams which
are appointed by Providence to repair the
ravages Of internal war and It's wastes Of
national strength and health. All that IS
necessary to secure the flow Of that stream
in It's present fulimess, and to that end the
government must III every way make 1t
manifest that it neither needs nor designs
to impose involuntary military service upon
those who come from other lands to cast
their lot ia our country.
The financial affairs of the Government
have been successfully administered. During
the last year the legislation Of the last seS-
sion Of Congress has beneficially effected the
revenue. although sufficient time has not yet
elapsed to experience the full effect Of sever
al of the provisions OF the acts Of Congress
IN posing increased taxation. The receipts
duringthe year from all sources upon the
basis OF warrants signed by the secretary Of
treasury. including loans, and the balance IN
the Treasury ON the first day OF July, 1868
were 81. 1874, 7g6, COZ 81 and the aggregate
upon the same basis, were 81 :
2gS. 056, lOl SO, leaying.a balance IN the
Treasury as shown by warrants, OF $780,
739, 905.73. Deduct from these amounts the
amount of the principal of the public debt
redeemed and the amount.of issues IN sub
stitution therefor, and the actual cash OPP
erations of the Treasury were, receipts, 1881, :
O76. $40 II: disbursements, 1865, 234 ,oS3 st;
which leaves cash balance in the Treasury
of SlS. $40, ,55S II. OF the receipts there
were derived from customs, Sl02, 3l6, 81
90: frapIla lands. S5SS, 333 20; from direct tax
es. .s475. %; from internal revenue, $ lf9, :
74I.l lS4 10; from miscellaneous sources, s41,-
5lI.444 10; and from loans. applied TO ac-
tuaI expenditures, including former balance