The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-07


dition, wants and pfokress Of an interest
eminehtly worthy the fostering csrS Of
Congress, and exhibits largo measure of
useful results achieved during the year to
T The eI IIo.es.ab ablishmeht Of peace % home.
and the resumption of extended trade,
travel and commerce abroad, have served
to increase the number and variety OF
questions in the department FOR f0fSiSis
ghairs. None OF these questions; however.
have seriously disturbed our relations
with Sn other States: 70
Heved rom foreign Intervention, 10 ear
nestly engaged in efforts to re.sstsblfah
her constitutional system Of RoyernInef,f.
A good understanding continues to exist
between our Govefnment and the Repub.
lies OF Hayh and San Domingo, and otiri
Sordiai relations with the Central. and,
South American States remain unchaufed.
The tender, made in conformity with q re.
solntion or Congress-, of the good Offices of
Government, with o view to an emioabia
adjustment OF peace between Brazil and
her aiiies. on one side, and Paraguay on
the other, and between Chill and her allies.
On sa1 0yaer side, ana spain on the other.
though kindly received, has in neither case
been fully accepted by the belligerenta.
Tho war in the Valley Of the, Parana is still
vigorously maintained. Onthe other hand,
actual hostilities between the Pacific States
and spain have been more than year
suspended. 1 shall, on any proper occa-
sion that may occur, renew the concilia-
tory recommendations which have been al
ready made. Brazil, with enlightened ga
igacity and comprehensive. btatesmanship,
has opened the great channels Of the
Amazon and its tributaries to universal
commerce. One thing more seems need
fnl to assure a rapid and cheering progress
in South America. Irefer to those peace
full habits without which States and No.
lions cannot, In this age, we'll expect ma
terlsl prosperity or social advancement.
The Exposition OF Universal Industry at
realized the high expectations of the
French Government. II due allowance be
made for the recent political derappement
OF industry here, the part which the
United States has borno in this exhibition
OF invention and art may be regarded with
very high satisfaction. During the Expo
elton, conference was held OF delegates
from several nations, the United, States
being one, in which tho inconveniencee of
commerce and socialhntercourse, resulting
from the diverse standards Of money value
were very fully discussed, and plans were
developed for establishing, BY universal
age ofsgold. These conferences are ex-
pected to be renewed, with the attendance
OF many foreign States not hitherto repre-
sented. A report sof these interesting
proceedings will be submitted to Congress-.
which will no doubt justly. appreciate the
great object, and be ready to adopt any
measure which may tend to facilitate itss
ultimate Accomplishments. .ttf
On the 10th OF February, 1862, Congress
declared by Law that Treasury notes With
out interest, authorized by That Act.
ehould be legal tender in payment OF oil
debts, public and private, within the
United States. An annual remittance Of
$50, 600, less stipulated expenses, accrues
to claimants under the convention made
with Spain in 1884. These remittances.
since the passage Of that Act, have been
paid in such notes. The claimants insist
that the Government ought to require
payment in coin. The subject may be
deemed worthy of your attention, - z v
No arrangement has yet been reached
Tor the settlement Of our claims for British
oepredations upon the commerce. Oh the
United States. q have felt Il ihS duty 10
decline the proposition Of arbitration made
by her 'Majestyss Goverhment,, because It
mas hitherto been nfccompaniedby reserva-
lions and Limitations incompatible with
therights, interest and honor OF. our couii.
try. IT is not to be apprehended that
Great Britain viii persist in her refusal 10
satisfy these just and reasonable clsims.
which involve the sacred principle Oh non.
lnterVention-a principle henceforth not
more important to the United States than
f.H..s H..
The West India Islands were settled and
colonized by European States simultanel
ouely with the settlement and colonisatisn
OF the American continent. Most Of the
colonies planted here became independent
nations in the close Of the last and the be-
ginning OF the present century. Our own
country embraces communities which, at
one period, were colonies OF Great Britain,
France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Rus.
sia. The people in the West Indies, with
the exception Of those Of the Island of
Hayti, have neither attained nor aspired
to Independence, nor have they become
prepared for self-defence. Although pos
sesslng considerable commercial value,
they have been held by the several Euro
Pean States which colonized or at some
time conquered them, chiefly For purposes
OF military and naval strategy in carving
out European policy and designs I'M regard
TO this continent. In our Revolutionary
war, ports and harbors in the West India
Islands were used by cur enemy, to the
great injury aud embarrassment OF the
United States. We had the same expe-
rience in our second war with Great
Britain. The same European policy for
long time excluded US even from trade
with the West Indies, while we were at
peace with all nations. In our recent civil
war the rebels, and their piratical and
biockade-breaking allies, found facilities
IN the same ports for the work. which they.
TOO, successfully accomplished, Of iniuring
and devastating the commerce which we
are now engaged in rebuilding. We elabor-
ed especially under this sdisadvantage-tbat
European steam vessels, employed BY our
enemies, found friendly shelter, protection
and supplies in West Indian ports. while
our own naval operations were necessarilv