Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-05

dollars 1881, ,O34,Oll). No appropria.
tions have been made or required since
the close Of the war for construction and
repair Of vessels, for steam machinery,
ordnance, provisions and clothing, fuel,
hemp, etc balances render these seve'
raj heads as having been more than sutli.
cient for current expenditures. II should
also be stated to the credit Of the depart
ment that, besides asking no appropria'
tions for the above objects for the last
two years, the Secretary of the Navy, on
the 30th of September last, in accordance
with an act OF May l. 1920, requested
the Secretary of the Treasury to convey
to the surplus fuEd the sum Of $65, 5,000,-
900, being the amount be received from
the sales Of vessels aud other war pro.
perty and remnants Of former appropri.
atoms.
The report Of the Postmaster General
shows the business Of the Postoflice De.
partment and the condition of the postal
service in very favorable light and the
attention Of Congress is called to its
practical recommendations Receipts
of the department for the year ending
June Both, 1867, including all special
appropriations for sea and land service,
and for free mail matter, were nineteen
million nine hundred and seventy. eight
thousand six hundred and ninety.three
dollars. Expenditures for all purposes
were nineteen million two hundred and
thrty.6ve thousand four hundred and
eighty three dollars, leaving an uuex-
pended balance in favor of the depart
ment of seven hundred and forty three
thousand two hundred and ten dollars,
which can be applied to the expenses of
the department for the current year.
The increase of postal revenue, indie
pendent of specific appropriations, for
the year 1867 over that of 1866, was eight
hundred and fifty thousand and forty
dollars. Increase of revenue from sale
of stamps and stamped envelopes was
seven hundred and eighty.three thousand
four hundred and four dollars. Increase
of expenditures Of 1867 over those Of the
previous year was owing chiefly to the
extension of the land and ocean mail
SERVICES. During the past year new
postal conventions have been ratified and
exchanged with the united kingdoms of
Great Britain and Ireland, Belgium,
Netherlands, Switzerland, North German
Union, Italy, and the colonial Govern
ment at Hong Kong, reducing very
largely the rates of ocean and land
postage to and from and within those
countries.
The report of the Commissioner Of
Agriculture concisely presents the con-
dition, wants and interest eminently
worthy of the fostering care Of Congress,
and exhibits large measure of useful
results achieved during the year to
which it refers. The establishment OF
! peace at home, and the resumption OF
extended trade, travel and commerce
abroad, have served to increase the
number and variety Of questions in the
department of foreign affairs. None OF
these questions, however, have seriously
disturbed our relations with other States.
The Republic of Mexico has been re-
lieved from foreign Intervention, and 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
Domingo, and our cordial relations with
Central and South American States
remain unchanged. The tender
made in conformity with the reso.
luton of Congress of the good
offices of the Government with a
view to an amicable adjustment of peace
between Brazil and her allies on one
side, and Paraguay on the other, and
between Chile and her allies on one side,
and Spain on the other, though kindly
received, has, in neither case, been fully
accepted by the belligerents. The war
in the Valley of Paraguay is still vigor-
ously maintained. On the other hand,
active hostilities between the Pacific
States and Spain have been mere than a
yearlsuspended.
shall, on any proper occasion that
may occur, renew conciliatory recon- -
mendations which have been already
made. Brazil, with enlightened sagacity
and comprehensive craftsmanship, has
opened the great channel of the Amazon
and its tributaries to universal commerce.
One thing more seems needful to assure
a rapid and cheering progress in South
America. | refer to those peaceful
habits, without which States and nations
cannot, in this age, well expect material
prosperity or social advancement
The exposition of universal industry
at Paris has passed and seems to have
fully realized the high expectations of
the French Government. If due allow.
ance is made for the recent political de-
oC
which the United States has borne in
this exhibition of invention and art may
be regarded with very high satisfaction.
During the exposition conference was
held of delegates from several nations,
the United States being one, in which
inconvenience in commercial and
social intercourse, resulting from divers
standards of money values, were very
fully discussed and plans we're developed
for establishing, by universal consent,
common principle for the coinage of
gold.
These conferences are expected to be
renewed with large attendance OF many
foreign States not hitherto represented.
A report of these interesting proceedings
will be submitted to Congress, which
will no doubt justly appreciate the great
objects and be ready to adopt auy meas
ure which may tend to facilitate its ulti-
mate accomplishment
On the 25th of February, 1862, Con-
gress declared by law that Treasury notes
without interest, authorized by that act,
should be legal tender in payment of all
debts, public and private, within the
United States. An annual remittance of
thirty thousand dollars, less stipulated
expenses, accrue to claimants under the
convention made with Spain in 1884
These remittances since the passage Of
this act have been paid in such notes.