Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-12-11

They impose upon us corresponding obligations
1t is estimated that thirty-three million dollars
will be required to meet the exigencies of this
| branch of the service during the next fiscal
year..
INDIANS.
Treaties have been concluded with the In
dians, who enticed into armed opposition to our
/ Government at the outbreak of the rebellion,
have Internationally submitted to our authori-
ty, and manifested an earnest desire for a re-
newal of friendly relations.
During the year ending September 80, 1866,
eight thousand seven hundred and sixteen pat
ents for useful invention and design were is
sued, and at that date the balance in the Treas
ury to the credit of the patent fund was two
hundred and twentyeight thousand two hun
dred and nlnetyseven dollars
LEvEEs.
As a subject upon which depends an immense
amount of the production and commerce of the
country, [ recommend to Congress such legisla-
ton as may be necessary for the preservation of
levees of the Mississippi river. It is matter
of national Importance that early steps should
be taken not only to add to the efficiency of
these barriers against destructive inundations,
but for the removal of all distractions to the
free and safe navigation Of that great channel
Of trade and commerce
~ DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The District of Columbia, under existing laws,
is not entitled to that representation in the ma
tional councils which, from our earliest history,
has been uniformly accorded to each Territory
established from time to time within our limits.
1t maintains peculiar relations to Congress, to
whom the Constitution has granted the power
of exercising exclusive legislation over the seat
of Government. Our fellow citizens residing in
bn yphO 1pfar fbnc da1
to the special guardianship of Congress, exceed
in number the population of several Of our Ter
ritories and no just reason is perceived why a
delegate of their choice should not be admitted
to a seat in the House of Representatives. No
mode seems so appropriate and effectual of
enabling them to make known their peculiar
condition and wants, and Of securing the local
legislation adapted to them. | therefore rec
ommend the passage of law authorizing the
electors of the District of Columbia to choose
delegate, to be allowed the same rights and
privileges as delegate representing Territory
The increasing enterprise and rapid progress of
improvement in the District are highly crafty
ing, and [ trust that the efforts Of the munici-
pal authorities to promote the prosperity of the
national metropolis will receive the efficient and
generous cooperation Of Congress
AGRICULTURE
The report of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture reviews the operations OF his Department
during the past year, and asks the aid of Con-
gress In It's efforts to encourage those States
which, scourged by war, are now earnestly en-
gagged in the reorganization of domestic indus
try $3.50 ~ 1.zs IS ..t,
FOREIGN RELATIONS. - l'l
1t is a subject of congratulation that no for
eign combinations against our domestic peace
and safety, or our legitimate influence among
the nations, have been formed or attempted
While sentiments of reconciliation, loyalty, and
patriotism have increased at home, a more just
consideration of our national character and
rights has been manifested by foreign nations.
THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.
The entire success of the Atlantic Telegraph
between the coast of Ireland and the Province
of New Foundaud is an achievement which
has been justly celebrated in both hemispheres
as the opening Of an era in the progress of civ
lliZatiOn. There is reason to expect that equal
success will attend, and even greater results fol-
low, the enterprise for connecting the two con-
tinents through the Pacific Ocean by the pro-
jected line of telegraph between Kamschatka
and the Russian possessions In America.
PARDONs BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.
The resolution of Congress protesting against
pardons byforeign Governments of persons con-
vlcted OF infamous offences, on condition of en-
igration to our country, has been communicated
to the States with which we maintain inter-
course, and the practice, so justly the subject
of complaint on our part, has not been renewed.
CONGRATULATIONS TO RUSSIA
The congratulations of Congress to the En-
peror of Russia, upon his escape from attempted
assassination, have been presented to that hu-
name and enlightened ruler, and received by
him with expressions of grateful appreciation.
EMIGRATION OF FREEDMEN.
The Executive, warned of an attempt by
Spanish American Adventures to induce the
emigration of freedmen of the United States to
a foreign country, protested against the project
as one which, if cOnsummated, would reduce
them to a bondage even more oppressive than
that from which they have just been relieved.
Assurance has been received from the govern
ment of the State In which the plan was ma
tured, that the proceeding will meet neither its
encouragement nor approval. 1t is a question
worthy of your consideration, whether our laws
upon this subject are adequate to the preven
ton or punishment of the crime thus meditated.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
In the month of April last, as Congress is
aware, friendly arrangement was made be-
tween the Emperor of France and the President
of the United States for the withdrawal from
Mexico of the French military expeditionary
forces This withdrawal was to be effected in
three detachments, the first of which, it was
understood, would leave Mexico in November,
now past, the second in March next, and the
third and last in November, 1867. Immediate
ly upon the completion of the evacuation the
French Government was to assume the same at
titude of non-intervention, in regard to Mexico,
as is held by the Government of the United
States Repeated assurances have been given
by the Emperor, since that agreement, that he
would complete the promised evacuation within
the period mentioned or sooner.
It was reasonably expected that the proceed
ings thus contemplated would produce a crisis
of great political interest in the Republic of
Mexico The newly appointed Minister OF the
United States Mr.. Campbell, was therefore
sent forward, on the 9th day of November last,
to assume his proper functions as Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States to that
Republic 1t was also thought expedient that
he should be attended in the vicinity of Mexico
by the Lieutenant General of the Army Of the
United States, with the view Of obtaining such
information as might be important to determine
the course to be pursued by the United States
in re-establishing and maintaining necessary
and proper intercourse with the Republic of
Mexico Deeply interested in the cause OF lib
erty and humanity, it seemed an obvio-s duty
on our part to exercise whatever influence we
possessed for the restoration and permanent es-
tablishment in that country of a domestic and
republican form of government.
Such was the condition of affairs In regard to
Mexico when, on the 22d of November last,
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