The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-01-04

States, fifty-six, carrying 507 guns, are
in the squadron service. During the
year the number Of vessels in commits
sion has been reduced to twelve, and
there arc thirteen less on squadron duty
than there were at the date of the last
report. A large number Of vessels were
commenced and were in course Of con-
struction when the war terminated and
although Congress had made the necessa-
ry appropriations for their completion,
the Department has either suspended
work upon them, or limited the slow con.
struction of steam vessels so as TO meet
contracts for machinery made with pri-
vate establishments.
The total expenditures Of the Navy De-
partment for the fiscal year, ending June
80, 1867, were s31 ,034,011. No appro-
priations have been made or required
since the close Of the war for the con-
struction and repair Of vessels, for steam.
machinery, ordnance, provisions, cloth.
ing, hemp, fuel, etc, the balances under
these heads having been more than suffi-
cient for current expenses. 1t should al
30 be stated, TO the credit Of the Depart
mcnt, that besides asking no appropria-
tons for the above objects for the last
two years, the Secretary of the Navy, on
the Both Of September last, in accord
ance with the Act Of May /, 1920, re.
quested the Secretary Of the Treasury to
carry TO the Surplus Fund the sum Of
s65, 900, 900, being the amount received
from sales Of vessels and other war prop
erty and remains Of former appropria-
tions.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the Postmaster General
shows the business Of the Postoffce De-
partment aud the condition Of the postal
service in very favorable light; and
the attention Of Congress is called to its
practical recommendations. The receipts
of the Department for the year ending
June 80, 1867, including all special ap-
preparations for sea and land services,
and for free mail matter, were $685.
693. The expenditures for all purposes
were sl9, ,231483, leaving an unexpend-
ed balance in favor of the Department of
S743, ,2l0, which can be applied toward
the expenses of the Department for the
current year. The increase of postal
revenue, independent of special appropri-
ations, for the year 1867 over that of
1866, was s850,040 The increase of
revenue from the sale of stamps and
stamped envelopes was s762, ,404 The
increase of expenditures for 1867 over
those of the previous year was chiefly
owing to the extension of the land and
ocean mail service. During the past year
new postal connections have been ratified
and exchanged with the United Kingdom
of Great Britain. aud ireland, Belgium.
the Netherlands, Switzerland, the North
German Union, Italy and the colonial
Government Of Hongkong, reducing very
largely the rates of ocean and land post.
age to and from within those countries.
AGRICULTURAL MATTERS.
The report Of the acting Commissioner
of Agriculture concisely presents the con-
dit:on, wants and progress of an interest
eminently worthy of the fostering care OF
Congress, and exhibits large measure oi
useful results achieved during the year to
which it refers.
! FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The re-establishment of peace at home
and the resumption of trade, 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 serious.
| ly disturbed our relations with other
States. The Republic of Mexico, hav.
ing been relieved from foreign interveu.
ton, is earnestly engaged in efforts to re.
establish her constitutional system of gov.
ernment. A good understanding contin.
ues to exist between our Government and
the Republics of Hayti and San Domin.
go; and our cordial relations with the.
Central and South American States re.
main unchanged. The tender made in
conformity with the resolution of Con.
gress of the good Offices of the Govern.
ment, with view to an amicabls adjust.
ment of peace between Brazil and her al.
lies on one side and Paraguay on the 9th.
er, and between Chile and her allies on
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 vigorously maintained. On the
other hand, actual hostilities between
the Pacific States and Spain have been
more than year suspended. shall,
on any proper occasion that may occur,
renew the conciliatory recommends
tions which have already been made.
Brazil, with its enlightened sagacity
and comprehensive craftsmanship, has
opened the great channels of the Am
azon and its tributaries to universal
commerce. Nothing more seems need
ful to secure rapid and cheering pro-
gress in South America. | refer to
those peaceful habits without which
States and nations cannot, in this age,
well expect material prosperity or So
cial advancement. The Exposition OF
Universal Industry at Paris has pass
ed, and it seems to have fully realized
the high expectations of the French
Government. If due allowance be
made for recent political arrangement
of its industry, the part which the
United States has borne in the exhibi-
tion and art, may be regarded with
very high satisfaction. During the
Exhibition conference was held of
delegates from several nations-the
United States being one-in which
the inconvenience of commercial and
social intercourse, resulting from
from the different standards of money
value, were fully discussed, and plans