The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-07


" the rates of ocean and land hostages to and
from and within those countries.
The report of the Acting Commissioner OF
Agriculture concisely presents the condition,
wants and progress of an interest eminently
worthy the fostering care of Congress, and ex-
hibits 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 depart
mcnt for foreign affairs. None of these questions
however have seriously disturbed our relations
with other States.
The Republic of Mexico having been relieved
from foreign intervention, is earnestly engaged
in efforts TO re-establish her consitu .ional sys-
tenn OF government. Agood understanding CON
tinues 10 exist between our government and the
Republics of Hayti and San Domingo, aud our
cordial relations with the Central and South
American States remain unchanged. The tender
made i'll conformity with resolution of Con-
greSS, of the good offices OF the Government,
with view to amicable adjustment of peace
between Brazil and her allies, on one side, and
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 accepted by the belligerents.-
The war in the Valley OF the Parana is still vgor-
oISly maintained. On the other hand, actual
hostilites between the Pacifc States and Spain
have been more than year suspended. l SHALL
any proper occasion that may occur renew
the concilatory recommendations which have
been already made Brazil, with enlightened
sagacty and comprehensive craftsmanship, has
Opcucu IuC SlCdG CudiiuclS Ol tLc AludEOI, anu
its tributaries to universal commerce One thing
more seems needful to assure rapid and cheer
ing progress in South America l refer to those
peaceful habits without which States and Nations
cannot in this age, well expect material prosper
ity 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 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
held OF delegates from several nations, the
United States icing one, in which the inconveni
euccS of commerce and social intercourse result
ing from the diverse standards OF money value
were very fully discussed, and plans Were devel
Oped for establishing, by universal consent,
common principle tor the coinage of gold These
conferences expected to be renewed, with the
attendance OF many foreign States not hitherto
represented. report of these interesting pro-
ceedings will be submitted to Congress, which
will no doubt justly appreciate the great object
and be ready to rdopt any measure which may
tend to facilitate its ultimate accomplishment.
On the 18th of February, 1862 Congress de-
clared by law that Treasury notes withOutinter-
est authorized by that act, should be legal tend
CIR in payment OF all debts, public and private,
within the United States An annual remittance
of $50 900 less stipulated expenses, accrues to
claimants under the Convention made with Spain
in 1881. These remittanccs, since the passage OF
that act, have been paid in such notes. The
claimants insist that the Government ought to
deemed worthy Of your attention.
No arrangement has yet been reached for
the settlement of our claims for British depreda-
.tions upon the commerce of the United States.
have felt it my duty to decline the proposition of
arbitration made by Her Magesty's Government,
because it has hitherto been accompanied by re-
.scrvations and limitations Incompatible with the
rights, interest, and honor OF our country. 1t IS
not to be apprehendcd that Great Britain Will
persist in her refusal to satisfy these just and
reasonable claims, which involve the sacred prin-
cipe of Neutrality-suspicious. principle henceorth
not more important TO the United States than to
all other commercial nations.
The Vest India Islands were settled and colon
lied 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 the beginning of the present century
Our own country embraces communities which,
at one period, We're colonies OF Great Britain,
France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Russia
The people in the West Indies, with the eNcep-
tion of these OF the Island of Hayti, have neither
attained nor aspired to independence, nor have
they become prepared for self-defence Although
possessing considerable commercial value, they
have been held by the several European States
which cOlouized or at some time conquered them,
chiefly for purposes of military and naval strate-
.gy in carrying out European policy and designs
in regard to the continent. In our Revolution
:ary War ports and harbors in the " est India
Islands were used by our enemy, to the great In
Jury and embarrassment of the United Stites.-
We had the same experience in our second war
with Great Britain. The same European policy
IL
with the West Indies, while we were at peace
With all nations. In our recent civil war the
rebels and their pirates, and blockade breaking
allies found facilities in the same ports Tor the
work, which they too successfully accomplished,
of injuring and devastating the commerce which
we arc now engaged in rebuilding. We labored
especially under This disadvantage that European
steam vessels, employed by our enemies, found
friendly shelter, protection, and supplies in
West Indian ports, while our own naval opera
tions were necessarily carried on from our own
distant shores There was then a universal feel
Ing of the want of advanced naval outpost
between the Atlantic coast ana europe. Inc
duty of obtaining such all outpost peacefully and
lawfully, while neither doing nor menacing in
jury to other STATES, earnestly engaged the at
tention OF the Executive Department before the
close of the war; and it has not been lost sight of
since that time. A not entirely diasiulilar naval
want revealed Itself during the same period on
the Pacific coast. The required foothold there
was fortunately secured by our late treaty with
the Emperor of Russia, and 1t now seems nper-
.ativc that the more obvious necessities OF the
Atlantic coast should not be less carefully provl-
dcd for good and convenient port and bag
Dor, capable of easy defence, will supply That
want. With the possession Of such station by
the United Suites, neither we nor any OF the
American nations need longer apprehend injury
or offence from any TRANSATLANTIC enemy:
agree with our early statemen that the west
Indies naturally graritlte to, and may be expect
ed ultimately to be absorbed by the Continental
States, including our own L agree with them
also that it is wise to leave the question OF sucn
absorption to this process of natural political
gravitatiop. The Islands Of st. Thomas and ST.
Johns, which constitute part OF the group
called the Virgin Islands, seemed to offer us add
.Vantages Immediately desirable, while their ac-
QUESTION could be.secured in harmony with the
principles to which have alluded. A treaty has,
therefore, been concluded with the King OF Den
mark for the cession of those Islands, and will be
submitted to the Senate for consideration
1t will hardly be necessary to call the attention
of Congress to the subject of providing for the
payment to Russia of the sum stipulated in the
treaty for the cession of Alaska. Possession
having been formally delivered to commits
soner, the territory remains for the present in
of military force, awaiting such civil organ
izaton rs shall be directed by Congress.
The annexation of many small German States
to Prussia, and the reorganization of that ceun-
try under new and liberal constitution, have
induced me to renew the effort to obtain just
and prompt settlement of the long vexed ques
ton CONCERNING the claims of foreign States for
military service from their subjects naturalized
in the United States
In connection with this subject; the attention
of Congress is respectfully called toEa, singular
and embarrassing conflict OF laws. The Execn-
tive Department of this Government has hitherto
uniformly held as it now holds, that Daturalizss-
ton, in conformity with the Constitution and
.,,ft ba ohsOlypS the reniIHppt