The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-05

the expenses of disbursements was sls,6l9,
$50; and sc, 482 names were added to the
roll. The entire number of pensioners on
the 3Oth of June last was l55,474.
{ PATENTS.
Eleven thousand six hundred and 6fty-
Eve patents and designs were issued during
the wear ending Sep. 80, 1867 and, at that
date, the balance in the treasury to the cred.
it of the patent fund was $2s6,6O7.
THE NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the navy
states that we have seven squadrons actively
and judicionsy employed, under able and eff.
cient commanders, in protecting the persons
and property OF American citizens, maintain
ing the dignity and honor of the government,
and promoting the commercial and business
interests of our countrymen in every part of
the world. OF 23S vessels composing the
present navy of the United States, Sc, carry
ing 507 guns, are in squadron service. Dur.
ing the year, the number of vessels in COM
mission has been reduced IL, and there are
Is less on squadron duty than there was at
the date of the last report.
ced and in course of construction when the
war terminated and, although congress has
made the necessary appropriations for their
pended work upon them, or limited to slow
completion the steam vessels, so as to meet
contracts for machinery made with private
establishments. sd s..
The total expenditures of the navy depart
,,,apt Gov tho fiscal vaer and,po limo IN 1897
were $3l ,034, OIL. No appropriations have
been made or required since the close of the
war for the construction and repair of YES
sells for steam machinery, ordnance, provis-
ions and clothing, fuel. hemp, &c, the bal
auce under these several heads having been
more than sufficient for current expendi.
lures. 1t should also be stated, to its credit
that, beside asking no appropriations for the
above objects for the last two years, the
secretary of the navy, on the 30th ofSeptem.
Der last, in accordance with the act of May
l, 1920, requested the secretary of the treas
ury to carry to the surplus fund the sum OF
$65, 000, 900, being the amount received from
| sales of vessels and other war property, and
| remnants of former appropriations
THE PosroFFICE.
| The report of the postmaster general
shows the business of the pOstotfice depart
| ment and the condition of the postal service
| in very favorable light; and the attention
| OF congress is called to its practical recon
| mendations. The receipts Of the depart
rnent for the year ending June 80, 1867, in
Guiding all special appropriations for sci
and land service and for free mail matter
were $I9,97S,69 The expenditures for al
purposes were 1925, 4S3,-leaving an IN
| .wranIol hoy In sc fba
ment of $743,2le, which can be applied to
ward the expenses of the department for tn
current year.
The Increase Of the postal revenue, indie
pendent of specific appropriations, for tn
| The increase of the revenue from the sale O
stamps and stamped envelopes was $793, 404
| The increase of expenditures for 1867 owe
those of the previous year was owing chief
| " to the extension of land and ocean maj
service.
| During the past year, new postal conven
| lions s.-.a-~s:s-A >s~~L.-s -.A ---:.
the United Kingdom of Great BriIian an,
Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switze,
land, the North German Union, Italy, an,
the colonial government of Hong Kong
reducing very largely the ratesof ocean an
land hostages to and from and within thos
countries. k-s@-
AGRICULTURE.
The report of the acting commissioner c
agriculture concisefy presents the condition
wants, and progress of an interest eminentl
worthy of the fostering care of ngress an
exhibits large measure of useful result
achieved during the year to which 1t refers.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
| The REIMBURSEMENT of peace at HON
and the resumption of extended trad,
travel and commerce abroad has served I
increase the number and variety ofquestior
in the department of foreign affairs. Non
of these questions. however, have seriousl
disturbed our relations with other states.
The republic of Mexico, having been RI
lieved from foreign Intervention, is earnestl
engaged in efforts to re-establish her eonst
tutional system of government.
A good understanding continues to ext:
between our government and the republic
of Hayti and San Domingo; and our cordi,
relations with Central and South America
states remain unchanged.
The tender, made in conformity with tn
resolution of congress, of the good Offices
the govern rnent, with view Of an amicabl
adjustment of peace between Brazil and he
allies, on one side, and Paraguay on tn
other, and between Chill and her allies, o
one side, and Spain on the other, thong
kindly received, has in neither case bee
fully accepted by the belEgerents. The Wa
in the valley of the Panama is still vigorou
ly maintained. On the other hand, actus
hostilities between the Pacific states an
Spain have been for more than a year su
pended. ! shall, on any proper occasio
that may occur, renew the conciliatory re
concentrations which have already bee
made. sa.s
Brazil, with enlightened sagacity and con
J prehensive craftsmanship, has opened tt
great channels of the Amazon and its tribl
taries to universal commerce. One thin
more seems needful to assure rapid al
cheering progress in South America. | r
fer to those peaceful habits without whic
states and nations cannot, in this age, we
Iexpect material prosperity or social advanc
| ment.
The exposition of universal industry
Paris has passed, and seems to have full
realized the high expectations of the Freno
government, If due allowance be made +,
the recent political arrangement of industl
here, the part which the United States b,
borne in this exhibition of invention and a
may be regarded with very high satisfa,
ton. fs. e-- -s
During the exposition, a conference wa
held of delegates from several nations, II
United States being one, in which the inco
venience to commerce and social intercours
resulting from divers standards of money vs
ne were very fully discussed. and plans WEI