The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-18


Mississippi river and the Pacific. They entered without
delay upon the execution of their trust but have not
yet made any official report Of their proceedings 1t
Is OF vital Importance that distant Territories
should be exempt from Indian outbreaks and that the
construction of the Pacific Railroad object Of
tonai Importance, shopd not be interrupted by hostile
tribes These objects, as well the material interests
and the moral and intellectual improvement of the In
dians be most eectuay secured by concentrating
them upon portions of the country set apart for their
exclusive use and located points remote from the
highways and encroaching white settlements.
RAILROADS.
Since the commencement of the second session of
the Thirty Congress- SO miles of road have been
constructed the main line and the branches of the
Pacific Railway line from Omaha, and is rapidly ap-
preaching the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains,
while the terminus of the last section of the construc
ted road in California which was accepted by Govern
Mt the oath of October last, but eleven miles
distant from the summit of the Sierra Nevada. The
remarkable energy evnced by the companies offers the
strongest assurance that the completion of the road
from Sacramento to Omaha will not long be deferred
SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year 7O41 ia of public
lands were disposed Of and cash receipts from sales
and fees exceeded onehalf million dollars than
the sum realised from these during the prece
| ding year.
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS
The amount of money paid to pensioners, including
the expenses of disbursements SIS 6l9 $50, and
Sc, ,4S2 names added to the rolls. The entire
Der of pensioners the Goth of June last week 1885,
! 4T4.
ISSUES PATENTS.
| Eleven thousand six hundred and fiftyfve patents
and designs were issued during the year ending Sept
So 1867, and that date the balance in the Treasury
to the credit of the Patent fund was $2S6, SOY.
AFFAIS.
The report of TIE Secretary of the Navy states that
we have seven squadrons actively and iudicousy
poyed under efficient and able commanders protect
ing the persons and property of American citizens,
maintaining the dignity and power of our Government,
and promoting commerce and the business interests of
our countrymen III every part Of the world. Of 25S
vessels composing the present navT the UnitedSates
fitys six carrying five hundred and guns in
squadron service. During the year the number of
vessels IN commission has been reduced l2 and there
are Is less on squadron duty than there at the
date of last report. large number of vessels were
commenced and in course of construction when the
war terminated, and although Congress has made the
necessary appropriations for their their completion
the Department has either suspended work upon them
or limited, to slow completion, the steam vessels
TO meet contracts for machinery made with private
adjustments. The total expenditures of the Navy De-
pariment for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1867
S5!,024oll No appropriations have been made or re-
quired the close Of the for the construction
and repair Of vessels for steam machinery ordnance
provisions and clothing, fuel, hemp &C. the balances
under these several heads having been more than sui
cent for current expenditures. 1t should also be
ted to the credit of the Department that besides asking
appropriations for the above objects for the last
years. the Secretary of the Navy on the 30th of Sep
teber last in accordance with the act of May 1920,
requested the Secretary Of the Treasury carry
the surplus fund the of $50 O0O, 900, being the
amount received from sales of vessels and other
property and remnants of former appropriations.
POSTAL AFFAIRS
business of the Postoice Department and the condi-
ton of the postal service in avery favorable light and
the attention OF Congress is called to its practical
concentrations. The receipts of the Department for
the year ending June &c. 1861 neudine all special ap
preparations to sea and land service and for free mail
matter, were 1928? 4S3, leaving unexpended bal
in favor of the Department of 219, which
be applied toward the expenses of The Department for
the current year. The increased postal revenue, nde
pendent OF specific appropriations for the year 1867
that OF 1866 $500, ,040. The increased
nue. from the sale of stamps and stamped envelopes
s. 7S3 ,404. The increase of expenditures of 1867
over those of the previous year owing chiefly to
the extensive land and ocean mail service During the
past year new postal conventions have been ratified
aud exchanged with the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland Belgium Netherlands Switzerland
North German Union, Italy, and Colonial Government
at Hong Kong, reducing very largely the rates of
and land postages 10 and from and within those
countries
AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
The report of the Acting Commissioner of Agricul-
ture concsev presents the condition, wants and pro-
gress OF interest emneny worthy of the fostering
of Congress, and exhibits in large measure the
useful results achieved during the year to which refers
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The re-estabishment of peace at home, and the re-
sumption of extended trade, travel and commerce
abroad have served to increase the number and variety
of questions in the Department for Foreign fairs
None of these questions however have seriously dis
turbed relations with other States. The Republic
of Mexico, having been relieved from fore gn nterven
tion is earnestly engaged in efforts to eesablish her
constitutional system of government. A good under
standing continues to exist between our Government
and the Republics of Ilayti and St Domingo, and
cordial relation with the Central and South American
States remain unchanged. The tender made, in
foruity with aresouon of Congress, of the good Off
ces Of the Government with view to amicable ad
usment of peace between Brazil and her allies the
side and Paraguay on the other, aud between Chll
and her allies side and Spain the other,
thou Oh kindly received has in neither been fully
accepted by the belgerens. The war n the Valley of
the Panama is still vigorouS : maintained. On the
other hand, actual bostillties between the Pacific
States and Spain have been than year suspend
ed. shall on any proper occasion that may occur
renew the concatorv recommendations which have
been already made. Brazil with enlightened sagaclty
and comprehensive has opened the great
channels of the Amazon and its tributaries to universal
commerce. One thing more seems needul to assure
rapid and cheering progress in South America |
refer those peaceful habits without which States and
nations cannot in this well expect material pros
perv or social advancement.
PARIS EXPOSITION.
The Exposition Universal of Industry at Paris has
passed aud seems to have fully realised the high
pecations which formed regarding it by the
! French Government. If due allowance be made for
the recent political arrangement Of industry here, the
part which the United States has borne IN this eXhlbl-
lion of invention and art may be regarded with very
h gh satisfaction.
STANDARD COIN.
During the Exposition conference was held by dele
gates from several nations. the United States being
one, in which the Inconvenience of commerce and,
commercial intercourse resulting from divers standard
money value were fully discussed, and plans were de-
yeloped for establishing by universal consent of com
mon princ pie tor the coinage OF gold These confer
ences are expected be renewed, with the attendance
of many foreign States not hitherto represented re,
port of these interesting proceedings will be submitted
to Congress- which will, doubt, justly appreciate
this great object and be ready to adopt any measure
which may tend to facilitate its ultimate accomplish
ment.
LEGAL-TENDERS.
On the 23th day Of February 1862 Congress declared
by law that Treasury notes without interest, as there
after issued should be leeaender fora all debts, public
and private within the United States. An annual re-
mtancc of $50 900 less the stipulated expenses, ac
crues to claimants under the Convention made with
Spain in 1884. These remances since the passage OF
that have been paid in such notes Claimants insist
that the Government ought require payment in coin.
The subject may be deemed worthy of your attention
CLAIMS.
No arrangement has yet been reached for the set
tlemen of our claims for British depredatons upon the
commerce of the Uued Stnes have felt 1t my duty
to decline proposition for arbitration made by Her
Maiesty's Government because it has hitherto been
accompanied by reservations and limitations ncompat-
BILE with The rights interest," and honor of our country
1t is not to be appehended that Great Britain will per-
sst in her refusal to satisfy these just and reasonable
claims which involve the sacred principle of inter
yention-a principle henceforth not important to
the United States than all other commercial nations.
| The West India islands settled and c0lonlzed
BY European States simultaneously with the settlement
and colousatiOn of the American Continent. Most Of