The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-10
Ths Nsw 0rlsans Crssesnt Ttursaay, 9esembr 10.

= v. =
The causes which prodgced This large excess OF
expenditure over revenue were the restoration Of
service in the late insurgent States and the
| putting Tito operation of new service, established
by acts OF Congress, which amounted within the
last two years and q half to about As 200 miles
equal to more than one-third of the whole amount
81 the service at the close of the war. New pos.
tai conventions with Great Britain, North Ger.
many, Belgium and the Netherlands. Switzerland
ard Italy respectively have been carried into {
feet Under their provisions important improve.
ments have resulted in reduced rates 10 interna
tiOnal postage and enlarged mail facilities with
European countries. The cost of the United
States Atlantic ocean mail service since Jan.
uaIy lst, 1864 has been largely essened under the
operations Of these new conventions, a reduction
Of over one half having been effected under the
new arrangements for ocean mail steamship ser.
vice which went into effect on that date. The at.
tention Of Congress is invited TO the practical sug
gestioD and recommendations made in his report
by postmaster general
No important question has occurred during the
last year in our accustomed cordial and friendly
intercourse with Costa RIGA, Guatemala, Honda.
ras. San Salvador. France, Austria, Belgium,
Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands. Dem
mark. Sweden and Norway Rome, Greece Tur-
key, Persia, Egypt, Liberia, Morocco, Tdpoli.
TuDis, Muscat, Siam, BorDeo and Madagascar
Cordial relations have also been maintained with
Argentine and the Oriental republics. The ex
pressed wish of Congress that our national good
Offices might be rendered TO those republics, and
also to Brazil and Paraguay, for bringing to an
end the calamitous war which has so long been
raging In the valley of the La Platte, has been
assiduously complied with and kindly scknowl.
edged by all the belligerents. That important
negotiation, however, has thus far been without
result.
Chas. A. washburn, late o. S. minister to Para.
quay, having resigned and being DESTROYS to re.
turn TO the United States, the rear admiral con-.
handing the South Atlantic squadron, was early
directed TO send ship of war TO Ascension, the
capital OF Paraguay, TO receive Mr.. Washburn and
bis family, and remove them from a situation
which was represented to be endangered by fac.
ton and foreign war. The Brazilian commander
of tie allied invading forces refused permission 10
pass through the blockading forces, and that yes.
Eel returned 10 its accustomed an
chorage. RemoDstrance having been made
against the refusal, it was promptly overruled
and the Wasp therefore resumed her Grand re.
ceived Mr.. Washburn and his family, and conveyed
them to safe and convenient seaport. In the
meantime an excited controversy had arisen be-
tween the president Of Paraguay and the late
United States minister, which it is understood
grew out of his proceedings in giving asylum in
the United States legation to alleged enemies of
that republic. The question of the right to give
asy lum is one always difficult and often produc-
tive of great embarrassment. In States well or.
genized and established, foreign powers refuse
either TO concede or exercise that right, EXCEPT
as to persons actually belonging to the Diplomatic
service. On the other hand, all such pow.
of asylum in States where the law
of nations is not fully acknowledged, respected
and obeyed. The president of Paraguay is under.
stood to have opposed to Mr.. Washburn's pro
Gee dings the injurious and very improbable charge
Of personal completely in instruction and treason
The correspondence however, has not yet reached
the United States. Mr.. Wsshburn, in connection
with this controversy, represents that two United
states citizens attached to the legation were ar
bitrariy seized at his side when leaving the CAPT
ria
on and there subjected to torture for
the purpose Of procuring confessions of
their own eriminality and testimony to support
the presidents allegations against the United
states minister Mr.. Mcmahon, the newly appoint. /
I'd minister TO Paraguay, having reached the |
LsPlstts, has been instructed TO proceed without
1elsy TO Ascension there to investigate the whole
subject The rear admiral commanding the United |
states south Atlantic squadron, has been directed
o attend the new minister with proper naval |
orce TO sustain such just demands as the occa.
ion may require and to visdicate the rights of /
he United States citizens referred to, and OF any
,thers who may be exposed to dangers in the |
heater of war.
With these exceptions friendly relations have
,een maintained between the United States and
3razil and Paraguay. Our relations during the /
'ast year with Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Chill
ave become especially friendly and cordial.
spain and the republics of Peru, Bolivia ana |
ECUADOR have expressed their willingness 10 &C.
ept the mediation of the United States for ter.
nlnating the war upon the South pacific ocean. |
hill has not finally declared upon the question.
n the meantime the conflict has practically ex.
susted itself, since no begerent or hostile |
novement has been made by either party |
uring the last two years, and there
re no indications of present purpose to resume
ostitities on either side. Great Britain aud
rance have cordially seconded our proposition
mediation, and do not forego the hope that it
lsy soon be accepted by all the belIigerents, and
lad to secure establishment Of peace and
'iendly relations between the Spanish American |
epublics of the Pacific and Spain, result which
Ionld De attended With common benefits to the
elligerents and much advantage to all CONNER
lal nations. / communicate for the considers-
on OF Congress, correspondence which shows
lat the Bolivian republic has established the ex-
emely liberal principle Of receiving into its
citizenship any citizen of the United States or of |
ny other Of the American republics upon the
nple condition Of voluntary registry.
The correspondence herewith submitted will |
found painfully replete with accounts of the
I'm and wretchedness produced by recent earth
Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The diplomatic
gents and naval officers OF the United States who
ere present in those countries at the time of !
lose disasters, furnished all the relief il their
over to the sufferers. and were promptly re-
arded with grateful and touching acknowledg.
ents by the Congress Of Peru. An appeal to |
% charity OF our fellow-citizens has been an
.ered by much liberality. In this connection
omit an appeal which has been made by the
Tiss republic, whose governernment and
situations are kindred to our own. in
half Of its inhabitants, who are suffering !
Itreme restitution, produced by recent
foundations. Our relations with Mex.
o during the year have been marked by
increasing growth of mutual confidence.
re IMexican government has not yet acted
ON the three treaties celebrated here last sum
er for establishing the rights of naturalized
liens upon liberal and just basis for reRu.
ing consular powers. and for the adjustment of
liual claims. All commercial nations as we'll
all friends to republican institutions have oc. /
sion to regret the frequent local disturbances
llch occur in some Of the constituent States of
lumbia. Nothing has occurred, however, to /
ect the harmony and cordial friendship which |
We for several years existed between that youth.
and vigorous republic and our own. Negotia /
rs are pending with view to the survey and a
Instruction of a ship canal across the isthmus of
rien under the auspices of the United States n
ope 10 be able TO submit the results of that q
yotiation to the Senate during the present Ii
sion. The very liberal treaty which was Fl
cred into last year by the United States aud | e
;aragua has been ratified by the latter republic d
sta Rics. with the earnestness of sincerely
.ndly neighbor solicits a reciprocity of trade. G.
ich L commend to the consideration Of Con- ID
SO. Il
he convention created by treaty between the o.
tied States and Venezuela in July. 1868, for 81
mutual adjustment of claims, has been held. ii