The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-12-11

hNhNs iaHlA OtIE lloit iltu cuiitttut lOi
current expenditures 1t should also be stat
ed to the credit of the Department that, be-
sides asking no appropriations for the above
objects for the last two years the Secretary Of
the Navy, on the Both OF September last in
accordance with the act of May |, 1920, re-
quested the Secretary Of the Treasury to carry
To the surplus fund the sum of sixty-hye mill
ions of dollars, being the amount received
from the sales CT vessels ard other war prop
erty, and the remnants of the former approp,
riatiOns. -ro
The report ofthe Postmaster General shows
the business of the Postottice Department and
the condition of the postal service in a
very favorable light and the attention of Con-
gress is called TO its practical recommended
lions. The receipts of the Department for the
year ending June 80, 1867, including all spe-
cial appropriations for sea and land service and
for free mail matter, were Sl9,97s,G93. The
expenditures for all purposes were $40, 235'
4sS, leaving an unexpended balance in favor
Of the Department of $743,2l0, which can be
applied towards the expenses of the Depart
ment for the current year. The increase Of
postal revenue, independent of specific appro-
priatiOn fer the year 1867, over that OF 1860,
was SS50,040. The increrse of reyonue from
the sale Of stamps and stamped envelopes was
S7s3, 40i. 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. During the past year new
postal conventions have been ratified and ex-
changed with the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, the North German Union, Italy,
and the Colonial Government at Hong Kong,
reducing very largely the rates of ocean and
land pOstages to and from and within these
counties.
The report of the Acting Commissioner of
Agriculture concisely presents the condition,
wants, and progress of an interest eminently
worthy OF the fostering care OF Congress, and
exhibits large measure Of useful results
achieved during the year to which 1t refers,
The re-establi'hmcnt 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 depart
ment of foreign affairs. None of these Ques-
tions, however, have seriously disturbed cur
relations with other States.
The Republic Of Mexico, having been re-
LEVIED from foreign Intervention, Is earnestly
engaged iu efforts to re establish her constitu-
tional system of government. A good under
Standing continues TO exist between cur Gov
eminent and the Republicans of IIayti and
San Domingo, and our cardinal relations with
the Central and South American States remain
unchanged. The tender made in conformity
with resolution OF Congress, of the good Of
fees of the Government, with view to an
amicablc adjustment of peace between Brazil
and her allies on one side and Paraguay on
the other and between Chill and her allies,
on one side and Spain on the other. though
kindly received has in neither case been full
y accepted by the bellgcrerts. Tic war ia
the Valley OF the Parana is still vigorously
maintained. On the other hand, actual hostili
ties Between the Pacific States and Spain have
been more than year suspended | shall,
on any proper occasion that may occur, renew
the conciliatnry recommendations which have
been already made. Brazil, with enlightened
sagacity and comprehensive craftsmanship,
has opened the great channels Ofihe Amazon
and its tributaries tO universal commerce. One
thing more seems needfu to assure 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 advance
mcnt.
The Exposition of Unive' sal Industry at Paris
has passed and seems to have fully realized
the high expectations of the French Govern
mcnt. II due allowance be made for the re-
cen. 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 by
delegates from the several nations the United
States being one. in which the inconvo onicnces
to commerce and social intercourse resulting
| from diverse standards Of money value were
full, discussed and plans were developed for
establishing by universal conscnta common
principle for the coinage Of gold, These con
fcrcnces are expected to be renewed with the
att, nddnce OF many foreign States not hitherto
represented. A repor: 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 ac
cOmplishmcnt
On the twenty-fiflh of February, 1869, Con
grcss declared by law that the Treasury notes
without interest authorized by that act, should
be legal tenders in the payment OF all debts,
public and private, within the United States
An annual remittance of 1000, less stipu'
lated expense, accrues to claimants under the
convention made with Spain in 1884. These
remittances since the passagc'of the act, have
| DtCU Uulu Ill Sutu lHC
sist that the Government ought TO require
payment in coin. The subject may be deem
ed worthy ofyour attention.
! No arrangements have as yet been reached
| for the settlement of our claims for British
depredations upon the commerce Of the
United States / have felt it ny duty to de.
cline proposition Of arbitration made by Ilel
Mujesty's Government, bec- use it has hitherto
been accompanied by reservations and limi-
tatons with the rights, interests and honor Of
our country. 1t is not to be apprehended that
Great Britain will persist in her refusal to
satisfy these Just and reasonable claims which
involve the sacred principle henctforth NOT
more important to the United States than all
otder commercial nations.
Tie 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 in
the close OF the last, and beginning Of the
present century. Our own country embraces
communities which at one period were the
Colonies of Great Blitain, France, Spain. Po-
land, Sweden and Russia. The people in the
West Indies, with the exception OF those OF the
Island OF Hayti, have neither attained nor
aspi. ed to independence nor have they
become prepaed for self defence; although
possessing considerable comm erci value ti:ay
have been held by several European States,
which cclonized and at the SAINT conquered
them, chiefly for purposes Of military and
naval strategy, In carryin, out the European
policy and designs in regard to this continent
in our own revolutionary war ports and har-
bors in the West India Islands were used by
our enemy to the great injury and embirrass-
mcnt of the United States. We Lad the same
experience in our second war with Great
Britain The same European policy for long
time excluded us even from tride with the
West Indies, while we were at peace with all
nations In our recent war the rebels .nd
their piralical and blockade treating allies
found facilities In some ports for work which
they too successfully accomplished, Ofinjuring
and devaslatinga commerce which We are
now engaged in rebuilding. We labored es
peciay under this disadvantage when Euro
pCan steam vessels employed by our enemies
found friendly shelter, protection and supplies
in the West Indian ports, while our own
naval oper ms were carried on from our
own distant shores. There was then uniyer-
sol fcellny Of the want of an advanced naval