Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-12-17

pension Office, patent Office aud the Indian
bureau. In regard to the Indian tribes.
the President says that treaties with vari-
GUS Of them have been concluded, and
that he cordially sanctions the stipulations
which provide for necessary lands for them
where they may be encouraged to settled
habits and industrial pursuits
The President next makes reference to
the reports of the Secretaries Of War, Ma
Wy and the Postmaster General.
Our foreign relations are said to be
friendly, excep: that in regard to Para
quay, the controversy between the Presi-
ident of that country and Mr.. Washburn
has led to instructions to our newly APP
pointed minister to Paraguay, Mr. McMa-
hon, to proceed to Asuncion and investi-
gate the whole matter, and the rear admir-
al of our squadron ON that station has
been directed to attend the new minister
with a proper naval force to sustain such
Just demands as the occasion may re-
qure.
Our relations with Mexico during the
past year are said to have been marked
by an increasing growth of mutual conf
dence. Negotiations are said to be pen
ding with a view to the survey and con-
struction of ship canal across the 18TH
mus of Darien under the auspices of the
United States. The President has been
reluctantly obliged to ask explanation and
satisfaction for national injuries commit
ted by the President of Hayti.
Reference is made to the acquisition of
Alaska, which it is said was made with
the view OF extending national jurisd;c-
ton and republican principles in the
American hemisphere, and as step in the
same direction treaty was made for the
purchase of St. Thomas, which remains
under consideration in the Senate
The President holds that apprehensive
national policy would seem to sanction the
acquisition and incorporation into our fed
eral Union of the adjacent continental
and insular communities as speedily as it
can be done peacefully and lawfully, an
idea which will take hold uron the popu-
lar mind. In this connection the Presi-
dent says:
at cannot be long before it will become ne
cessary for this government to lend some affec-
tive aid to the solution of the political and
cial problems which are continually kept be-
fore the world by the two republics Of the Is
land of St. Domingo, and which are now dis
closing themselves more distinctly than here
tofore in the Island of Cuba. The subject is
commended to your consideration with al the
more earnestness because I am satisfied that
the time has arrived when even so direct a
proceeding as proposition for an annexa-
ton of the two republics of the Island of St.
Domingo would not only receive the consent of
the people interested, but would also give sat
isfaction to all other foreign nations"
With the increased facilities for inter-
communication, the President thinks that
our political system can be successfully
applied to an area more extended than
our continent.
Reference is next made to treaties with
the Hawaiian kingdom, with Germany
and Bavaria regarding the rights of natu-
rallied citizens. and to the important
questions remaining open between the
United States and England for adjustment
In reference to these last, the President
expresses the hope that he shall b able to
Law before the Senate during the present
session protocols calculated to bring these
controversies to an end.
The President renews the recommends
ton Of his last message in relation to
amending the constitution for the cleo.
ton of President and Vice President for a
single term, and by direct vote of the
people, &C., and closes with the expires
sion of hope that the counsels Of Con-
gress will be SO guided as to preserve the
Union and restore prosperity and happi.
ness to the people.