The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-12-16

per cent, Which Was originally stipulated when the III
Yestment was made. An amendment of the pension
laws Is suggested to remedy omissions aud defects il
existing enactment. The expenditure of the depart
ment during the fiscal year 20 100 394 and h.
estimates Tor the coming amount to $50 a93
The Postmaster Generals report furnishes full art
clear exhibit OF the operations aud condition of tn,
Iposal service. The ordinary postal reYcnue for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1868, was SIC 292 600
and the total expenditures, embracing all service to
which special appropriations have been made by Con
gress amounted TO S22,I3o 529, showing an excess Of
expenditures of $6 431 ,99. Diuetng from the ex
penditures the sum Of Si,S9j5a5 the amount Of ap
propriatluns for steamships and other specia
service the excess Of expenditures was Sl,54l 466
By using an unexpended balance ii the Treasury o
81, SEQ Q0e, the actual sum Tor which special appro
prion is required TO meet the deficiency, is $74l
ICE The causes which produced this Ilrge excess Of
Expenditure revenue were tie restoration of
vice in the late insurgent States ond the puts into
operation of service established by acts OF Con
gress, which amounted within the last two wears and
half to about 49, TOO miles, equal to than one
third of the whole Of the service at the close
of the New postal conventions with Great Britain
North Germany, Brlginm, Netherlands Switzerland
and Italy, respectively have been carried into effect
under their provisions Important improvements
have resulted in reduced rates Of International postage
and enlarged mail facilities with European countries
The cost of the titrd States trans Atlantic ocean
eSsened under the operations OF these new conven
tons reduction OF over oue-hat h wing been effect
ed under the new arrangements tor ocea1 mail steam
ship service which into effect on that date Tie
attention of Congress is invited practical suggestions
and recommendations de in his report by the Post
master General.
No important question has occurred during the last
year in omcd cordial and friendly inter
with Costa Rica Guatemala Honduras San Sal
vador, France, Austria, Belgium, S"itzerlani, Por-
iuga, the Netherlands Denmark, Sweden, Norway
Rome Greece, Turkey, Persia Egypt Liberia, Morocco,
Trpoli, Tuns, Muscat, Siam, Boueo and Madagascar.
Cordial relations have also been maintained with Ar
gentnc and the Oriental Republics. The expressed
wish OF Congress that our national good offices might
be rendered to those republics, and also to Brazil and
Paraguay III bringing to an end the caltmitous war
which has long been ranging in the valley of the
la Plata, has been asidouSy complied WITH and kind
ly acknowledged by all the beserens, that important
negotiation. however, had thus far been without
suit. Charles \. WashhHGn, late United States mit5
terto paragna, having resigned, and being desrous
return to the United States, the Admiral COM
maidng the South Atlantic sqladrun early direct
ed to send ship OF to Asuncion the capitol of
Paraguay, to receive Mr.. Wasiburn and his family
and remove them from situation W h"h repre-.
Sented to be end fingered by faction and foreign
The Brazilian commander Of the allied invading forces
infused permission to pass through the blockade 9
forces, aud that vessel returned its accustomed
the refusal, it was promptly overrued and the Wasp
thereupon resumed cend, receiy ed Ir v ahburn aud
his family and conveyed them safe and convenient
seat port. II the mean ime excited controversy
had arisen between the President of Paraguay and the
late United States Minister which it is understood grew
out OF his PrOcecH&Si in moving a>yiIm il the United
States legation to alleged enemies Of THAT public
Tie question of the right to give asylum is always
difficult, and often productive Of great
LII States well organised and established foreign pow
ers refuse either Ia concedc exercise that right ex
cept to persons actually belonging to the diplomatic
service. On the other hand all such powers insist
upon exercising the right 4t Yum in States where the
law Of nations is fully ACKNOWLEDGED respected and
obeyed The President of Paraguay is understood to
EaVe opposed to Nj WaSilburus pr0cee5i the il jg
rioHs and very Improbable charge of personal compile
ity III insurrecon and treason. The correspondence,
however, has not yet reached the United States.
In connection with this trOvcrSy it is rcprcsen-
teu TIa attacrE
CATION were arbitrarily SeZ d AT his side, when leaving
the capitol OF Paraguay, committed to prison. AMI
there sut cled to torture for the purpose OF procn
ing confessions Of their crnina!ty aud tc~tin,o
ny to support the Presidents allegations against tle
United States Minister Mr. McM4lan TIE newly mp
pointed minister to Paraguay having reached tie La
Plata, has been Instructed to proceed without delay
ASunCion, there TO investigate the whole subject. The
near Admiral commanding the United States South
Atlantic squadron has been directed to attend the
Minister with proper naval force to sustain such Just
demands The occasion may require and vindicate
the rights Of the United States cz ms referred to-
AID OF any others who may be exposed to daHgr the
theatre OF war. With these exceptions friendly rtl
have been maintained between the United States
Brazil and Paraguay.
Oar relations duFtg past year with bolivia, EGlador
Peru and Chilli have become especially friendly and
cordial. Spain and tie republics OF Peru Bolivia and
Chill have expressed their Willingness 10 accept the
mediation OF tile Ulte States Tor terminating the war