, 1867-12-20

the current yodFs 1ue Iuofedeo OF tue postal
revenue, independent Of specific appropri-
alions for the year 1867, over that of 1866,
was SS50,040. The increase Of revenue
from the sale Of stamps aud stamped envel
opes was S782 ,404. The increase of fexpend
itures for 1867, over those of the previous
year, was owing chiefly to tho extension Of
the land and ocean service During the past
year new postal conventions have been rati.
fed and exchanged with the united kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Switzerland, the North Ger
man Union, Italy, and the colonial govern
ment at Hong Kong, reducing very largely
the rates of ocean and lau6 postages to aud
from and within those countries.
The report Of the acting commissioner Of
agriculture conciSely presents the condition,
wants and progress Of an interest emuently
worthy of the fostering care of congress, and
exhibits large measure Of useful results
achieved during the year TO which it re-
iers.
The reestablishment of peace at home, the
resumption OF internal trade and travel and
commerce abroad, have served to increase
the number and variety of questions in the
department of foreign affairs. None of the
questions, however, have seriously disturb
ed our relations with other states. The re-
public OF Mexico, having been relieved from
foreign Intervention, is earnestly engaged in
efforts 10 re-establish her constitutional sys
tenn of government A good understanding
continues to exist between our government
aud the republics Of Hayti and San Domin-
go, aud our cordial relations with the Gem
tral and South American states remain un.
changed.
The tender made, in conformity with a
resolution OF congress, of the good offices of
the government, with a view to an amicable
adjustment Of peace between Brazil and he,
allies on one side aud Paraguay on the 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 ac>
cepted by the beligerents. The war 10 the
valley of the Paranay is sill vigorously
maintained. On the other hand, actual
hostilties between the Pacific states aud
Spain have been more than year suspend.
ed. l shall, on any proper occasion that
may occur, renew the cOnciliatory recon-,
mendations which have been already made.
Brazil, with enlightened sagacity aud conn
prehensive craftsmanship, has opened the
great channels of the Amazon and tri
butaries to universal commerce. Nothing
more seems needful to assure a rapid and
cheering progress in South America l re
fer to those peaceful habits without which
states and nations cannot in this aye expect
material prosperity or social advancement
The exposition of universal industry at
Paris has passed and seems to have fully
4 realized the high expectations OF tie French
government. II due allowance 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 satisfaction
During the exposition conference was held
OF delegates from several nations, the United
States being one in which the inconyenian-
ces of commerce and social intercourse, re
sulting from the diverse standards of money
were very fully discussed and plans were
developed for establishing by universal con-
sent common principle for the coinage of
gold. These conferences are expected to be
renewed, with the attendance of many for
eign states not hitherto represented A re
port of 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 its ultimate accomplishment
On the 25th Of February, 1862, Congress
declared by law that the treasury notes with
out interest authorized by that Act, should
be legal tender payment of all debts, public
and private. within the United States An
annual remittances of S30,0J0 less stipulated
expenses, accrues to claimants under the
convention with Spain in 1884. These re>
mittance; since the passage of that Act,
have been paid in such notes. The claim
ants insist that the Government ought to
require payment 10 coin. The subject may
be deemed worthy of your attention.
No arrangement has yet been reached for
the settlements of our claims for British
depredatiOns upon tho commerce Of the
United States. l have felt it my duty to
decline the proposition of arbitration made
by Her Majesty's government because it
has hitherto been accompanied by reserva
tion and limitations incompatible with the
rights, interest and honor of our country.
1t is not to be apprehended that Great Brits
ain will persist in her refusal to satisfy these
just and reasonable claims, which involve
the sacred principle of non Intervention,
principal henceforth not more important to
the United Stltes than to all other CONNER,
cial nations.
The West India Islands were settled and
colonized by European states simultaneously
with the settlement and colonization of the
American continent. Most of the colonies
planted here became Independent nations at
the close of the last and the beginning of
the present century. Our own country en-
bra"es communities which at one period were
colonies of Great Britain, France, Spain,
Holland, Sweden and Russia. The people
in the West Indies, with tie exception of
those of the Island of 'Hayti, have neither
attained nor aspired to independence, nor
have they become prepared for self defence.
Although possessing considerable value they
i huun hnnKa k.ol1 L.