Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1867-12-19


the Department that, besides asking no
appropriations for the above objects for
the last two years, the Secretary of the
Navy, on the 30tf, of September last, in
accordance with the act of May ], 1920,
requested the Secretary of the Treasury
to carry to the surplus fund the sum of
sixty-five millions of dollars. being the
amount received from the sales of ves-
sells and other war property, and the re-
mants of former appropriations.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster General
shows the business of the Postofficc De-
partment and the condition of the pos
tai service in very favorable light, and
the attention of Congress is called to it's
practical recommendations. The re-
CENTS of the Department for the year
ending June so, 1867, including all
special appropriations for sea and land
service and for free mail matter, were
$40 .97S, 693. The expenditures for all
purposes were $19, 1886, 4S3, leaving an
i,naxGnnded balance in favor of the De-
partment of S743, 21O, which can be APP
piled toward the expenses of the Depart
ment for the current year. The in
crease of postal revenus, independent of
specific appropriations, for the year
1867, over that of 1866, was $S50,04O.
The increase of revenue from the sale of
stamps and stamped envelopes was
| S7S3, 404. The increase of expenditures
| for 1867 over those of the previous year
was owing chiefly to the extension of
| the land and ocean mail service. Du-
| ring the past year new postal conven-
! tions have been ratified and exchanged
| with the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, Belgium, the Meth
erlantls, Switzerland, the North Ger
man Union, Italy and the Colonial
Government at Heng Kong, reducing
very largely the rates of ocean and land
| hostages to and from and within those
countries.
| AGRICULTURE.
The report ofthe Acting Commissioner of
! Agriculture concisely presents the con-
est eminently worthy the fostering care
of Congress, and exhibits a large mea-
sure of useful results achieved during
the year to which it refers.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
| The establishment of peace at home,
and the resumption of extended trade,
travel, and commerce abroad, have
served to increase the number for foreign
affairs. None of these questions, how
ever, have seriously disturbed our re-
lations with other States.
| The Republic of Mexico, having been
relieved from foreign Intervention, is
earnestly engaged in efforts to re-estab-
/ lish her constitutional system of govern
ment. A good understanding continues
to exist between our Government and
the Republics of Hayti and San Domin-
go, and our cordial relations with the
Central and South American States re-
main unchanged. The tender, made in
conformity with resolution of Con-
gress, of the good offices of the govern
ment, with view to an amicabie adjust
ment of peace between Brazil and her
allies on one side; and Paraguay on tho
other, and between Chill and her allies,
on the one side, and Spain on the other.
though kindly received, has in neither
case been fully accepted by the beliger-
epts. The war in the Valley of the Pa
rama is still vigorously maintained. On
the other hand, actual hostilities be-
tween the Pacific States and Spain have
been more than year suspended. L
shall, on any proper occasion that may
occur, renew the cCnciliatory recommen-
dations which have been already made.
Brazil, with enlightened sagacity and
comprehensive craftsmanship, has OPEN
ed the great channels of the Amazon
and it's tributaries to- universal com
merce. One thing more seems needfnl
to assure rapid and cheering progress
in South America. 1 refer to those
peaceful habits without which States
and nations cannot, in this age, we'll ex-
pect material prosperity or social adj
vancement.
The Exposition of Universal Industry
at Paris has passed, and seems to have
fully realized the high expectations of
the French Government. ii due allow
} ance be made for the recent political
arrangement of industry here, the part
which the United States has borne in
} this exhibition of invention and art
may be regarded with very high salts
faction. During the Exposition con-
: ference was held of delegates from sew
raj nations, the United States being one,
! in which the Inconvenience of commerce
and social intercourse resulting from the
diverse standards of money value were
, very fully discussed, and plans were
developed for establishing, by universal
consent, common principle for the
coinage of gold. These conferences are
expected to be renewed, with the atten-
dance ofmany foreign States not hither-
to represented. A report of these in
: teresting proceedings will be submit
ted to Congress, which will no doubt
Justly appreciate the prraat object and