Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-12-15

TIC 0fSt uay w OctODer, 1OOD, was ~, I4U, =
S54, $50. Every reduction will diminish the
total amount of interest to be paid, and SO
enlarge the means OF still further reductions,
until the whole shall be liquidated; and this,
as viii be seen from the estimates Of the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury, may be accomplish
ed by annual payments even within period
nos exceeding thirty years. I have faith
that we shall do all this within a reasonable
time that, as we have amazed the world by
the suppression of a civil war which was
shosight to be beyond the control of any Gov
crHment, so we shall equally show the supe-
.riority Of our institutions by the prompt and
faithful discharge of our national obligations
The Department of Agriculture, under it's
present direction, is accomplishing much in
developing and utilizing the vast agricultur-
al capabilities Of the country, and for infor-
nation respecting the details Of its manage
ment reference is made to the annual report
Of the Commissioner
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
have dwelt thus fully on our domestic af-
fairs because of their transcendent Importance.
Under any circumstances, our great extent
of territory and variety of climate, producing
almost everything that is necessary for the
wants, and even the comforts of man, make
us sineularly Independent of the varying pol
icy of foreign Powers, and protect us against
every temptation to entangling alliances
while at the present moment the re-establish-
ment of harmony and the strength that comes
from harmony, will be our best security
against * nations who feel power and forget
right" For myself, it has been and it will
be my constant aim to promote peace and
amity with all foreign nations and Powers +;
and | have every reason to believe that they
all, without exception, are animated by the
same disposition. Our relations with the
Emperor of China, SO recent in their origin,
are most friendly. Our commerce with his
dominions is receiving new developments; and
it is very pleasing to find that the Government
of that great Empire manifests satisfaction
in the fairness which marks our intercourse.
The unbroken harmony between the United
States and the Emperor of Russia is receiv-
ing new support from an enterprise design
ed to carry Geographic lines across the con-
tinent of Asia, through his dominions, and
50 to connect us with all Europe by new
channel of intercourse. Our commerce with
South America is about to receive encourage
ment by direct line of mail steamships to
the rising Empire of Brazil. The distin-
guished party Of men of science who have
recently left our country to make scientific
exploration of the natural history and rivers
and mountain ranges Of that region, have re-
ceived from the Emperor that generous vel
come which was to have been expected from
his constant friendship for the United States,
and his well-known zeal in promoting the ad-
vancement of knowledge. A hope is enter
tanned that our commerce with the rich and
populous countries that border the Mediter-
ranean sea may be largely increased. Moth
ing will be wanting, on the part Of this Gov
eminent, to extend the protection Of our flag
over the enterprise of our fellow-citizens. =
We receive from the Powers in that region
assurances of good will and it is worthy Of
note that special envoy has brought us
messages of coincidence on the death Of our
late Chief Magistrate from the Bey of Tu-
mis-, whose rule includes the old dominions OF
OdI IllcSC, Ol INC 1AlllCdIl CUdSb.
Our domestic contest, now happily ended
has left some traces in our relations with one,
at least, of the great maritime Powers. The
formal accordance of belligerent rights to the
insurgent States was unprecedented, and has
not been justified by the issue. But in the
systems Of neutrality pursued by the Pow
ers which made that concession, there was q
marked difference. The materials Of war for
the insurgent States were furnished, in 8
great measure, from the workshops Of Great
Britain and British ships, manned by Brit
ISL subjects, and prepared for receiving Brit
ish ornaments, sailed from the ports Of Great
Britain to make war on American commerce
under the shelter Of commission from the
insurgent States. These ships, having once
escaped from British ports, ever afterwards
entered them in every part Of the world, tC
reft, and so to renew their depredations.-
The consequences of this conduct were most
disastrous to the States then in rebellion, in.
creasing their desolation and misery by the
prolongation of our civil contest
1t had, moreover, the effect, to great ex-
tent, to drive the American flag from the sea
and to transfer much Of our shipping and oul
commerce to the very Power whose subjects
had created the necessity for such a change
These events took place before was call
ed to the administration of the government
The sincere desire for peace by which / an
animated led me to approve the proposal, al
ready made, to submit the questions which
had thus arisen between the countries to ar
bitration. These questions are of such mo-
ment that they must have commanded the at
tention of the great Powers, and are 50 in
terwoven with the peace and interests of ev.
cry one of them as to have ensured an i'm
partial decision. regret to inform you thai
| Great Britain declined the arbitrament, but
| on the other hand, invited us to the forma
ton of joint commission to settle mutua
claims between the two countries, from which
those for the depredations before mentioned
should be excluded. The proposition, ii
that very unsatisfactory form, has been de.
clined
The United States did not present the sub
ject as an impeachment of the good faith Of
a power which was protesting the most friend
ly dispositions, but as involving questions o.
public law, of which the settlement is essen
tial to the peace Of nations; and, though pc
cuniary reparation to their injured citizens
would have followed incidentally on decs.
ion against Great Britain, such compensation
was not their primary object. They had q