Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-16


sells of every description are in use armed
with six hundred and ninety-six guns. The
number of enlisted men in the service in
cluding apprentices, has been reduced to
eight thousand five hurdrcd. An increase
Of navy yard facilities is recommended as a
measure which will, in the event of war; be
pr0mOtlve of economy and security \
more thorough and systematic survey of the
North Pacific Ocean is advised, in view of
our recent acquisitions, our expanding COM
merce, and the increasing intercourse be-
the Pacific States and Asia The Naval
Pension Fund, which consists of noiety of
the avai!s OF prizes captured during the war
amounts to SI4, 100000.
Exception is taken 10 the act of 23d July
last, which reduces the interest on the fund
loaned to the Government by the Secretary
as trustee, to three per cent. instead OF six
per cent, which was orig nally stipulated
when the investment was made. An amenl
mcnt Of the Pension laws is suggested 20
remedy omissions and defects in existing en-
actments. The expenditures OF the depart
ment during the last fiscal year were $40, =
100, 1894, and the estimates for the coming
year amount to $40, 993 4l4. The postnIas-
ter generals report furnishes full and
clear exhibit of the operations and condition
of the postal service The ordinary postal
revenue for the fiscal year ending June 3oth,
1868, was $40, 292, 600, and the total eXpcn-
dltures, embracing all the servic for which
special appropriations have been made by
Congress, amounting to so, 530 592, show
ing an excess of expenditures of So, 437. .99l :,
deaucting from the expenditures the sum
of 81, ,S96.52 The mount of appropTia-
tions for ocean, steamship and other spe-
cial services, the excess Of expenditures was
i.54l ,466. BY using an unexpended bal
ancc in the Treasury of S3 500. 0o0, the actu
al sum for which special appropriation Is
required to meet the deficiency, is ST4l.,
466. The causes which produced this large
excess of expenditure over revenue. were
the restoration OF service in the late insur-
gent States, and the putting into operation
of the new service established by acts of
Congress, which amou tie within the last
two years and halt to about forty eight
thousand seven hundred miles, equal TO
more than one third of the whole amount OF
the service at the close of the war. New
postal conventions with Great Britain, North
GERMANY Belgium. the Netherlands Switz
erland. aud Italy, respectively, have been
carried into effect under their provisions
important Improvements have resulted In
the reduced rates. of international postage,
and the enlarged mail facilities with Euro
poan countries. The cost Of the United
States trans Atlantic Ocean mail service,
since January lst, 1868, has been largely
lessened under the operation OF these new
conventions; reduction OF over one half
having been effected under the new arrange
ment for Ocean mail steamship service,
which went into effect on that date. The
attention of Congress is invited to the prac-
teal suggestions and Recommendation made
I =. l. .o,,,., l,,, I. - t,,un-ai
No important question has occurred du-
ring the last year III our accustomed cordial
aud friendly intercourse with Costa Rlca
Guatamaia. Honduras, ,San>aivad0r, France.
Austria, Belgium, Switzerland Portugal.
Norway, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Persia
Egypt, Liberia, Morocco, TopuIi, Tunis,
sluscat. Siam, Borneo, and Madagascar.
Cordial relations have also been maintained
| with the Argentine and the Oriental Repub-
lies. The expressed wish o.. Congress that
our national good offices might be rendered
TO those Republics, and also to Brazil and
Paraguay, for bringing TO an end the contin
Gus war which has 81 long been raging IN
the Valley of the La Plata, has been assid-
uousIy complied with. and fully acknowl
edge By all he bellirerents. That inipor
tant negotiation. however, has thus far been
without result. Charles A. Wash5urn, late
U. s. Minister to Paraguay having resigned
and being desirous to return to the United
States, the Rear Admiral commanding the
South Atlantic Squadron was early directed
to send ship of war TO Asunci0n, the cap
ital of Paraguay. to receive Mr.. Washbnrn,
and his family, and remove them from a
situation which was represented to be en-
dangered by faction and foreign war. The
Brazilian commander of the allied invading
forces refused permission to the Wasp to
pass through the blockading forces, AMI that
vessel returned to its accustomed anchorage.
remonStTance having been made against the
refusal. 1t was promptly Overruled, and
the Wasp therefore resumed her errand, re-
ceived Mr.. WaShburn and family, and con
vcyed them to safe and convenient seaport
In the meantime an excited controversy hal
arisen between the President of Paraguay
and the late Uuited States Minister, which
it is understood grew out of his proceeding:
in giving as, lum in the United States lega
ton 10 alleged enemies of that Republic
The question OF the right to give asylum Ii
one always difficult and often productive
of great embarrassment in States well organ
lied and established. Foreign powers re
fuse either to coucede or exercise that righ
except as to persons actually belonging tc
tHc StENlCC NSu tiiO othCi
all such powers insist upon exercising the
right of asylum in States where the law o.
nations is not fully acknowledge, respected
and obeyed. The President OF PARAGUAY, Is
understood to have been opposed to Mr.
Washburne' proceedings, owing to the IN
I furious and very improbable charge OF per
sona completely iu insurrecton and treason
| The rrespondeuce, however, has not reach
ed the United States. Mr.. Washburne, IL
| connection with this controversy. represent
| that two United States citizens attached Il
| the legation were arbitrarily seized at hi,
| side when leaving the capital Of Paraguay
| committee TO prison. and there subjected
/ 10 torture for the purpose of procuring con
| iessiuns OF their own criminalIty. and testi
mony to support the President 5 allegation
| against the United States Minister.
Mr.. NJ Mahon, the newly appointed MIN
lister to Paraguay, saying that he had reach
ed the La Plata, has been instructed 10 pro
ceed without delay TO Asuncion, there II
| investigate the whole subject. The hea
Admiral. commanding the u. States Soutl
Atlantic Squadron, has been directed to at
| tend the new Minister with proper nava
force. and to sustain such just demands a
the occasion may require. and to vindicat
the rights of the United States citizens re
ferred to, and of any others who may be ex