The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-12-17

hundred and fifty six guns. The total num-
Der of vessels in the Navy is two hundred
and six, mounting seven nteen hundred and
forty three guns. Eighty-one vessels of ev-
cry description are in use, armed with six
hundred and ninety-six guns The number
of enlisted men in the service, including ap-
prentices, has been reduced to eight thou
sand and five hundred. An increase of navy
yard facilities is recommended which will,
in the event of war, be promotive of economy
and security. A more thorough and sys-
tematic survey of the North Pacific Ocean
is advised, in view of our recent acquisitions.
our expanding commerce, aud the increasing
intercourse between the Pacific States and
Asia. The Naval Pension Fund, which
consists of a moiety of the avails of prizes
captured during the war, amounts to $14,-
600, 900. 81
THE PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Postmaster Generals report furnishes
full and clear exhibit of the operations and
condition of the postal service. The ordina-
ry postal revenue for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1868, was SIS ,202, 400, and the
total expenditures embracing all the service
for which special appropriations have been
made by Congress, amounted TO S22, $780,
592, showing an excess of expenditures of
$6,437,771 showing an excess of expendi-
lures of Sc, ,437,771 deducting from the ex-
penditures the sum of $1,896,5 1925, the
amount of appropriations for ocean, steam
ship and other special services, the excess of
expenditures was 81 Sal ,466. BY using an
unex pended balance In the Treasury of S.
800 900. the actual sum for which special
appropriation is required to meet the def
cheney, is $7,412 sc. The causes which
produced this large excess Of expenditure
over revenue. were the restoration of serv-
ices in the late insurgept States, and the
putting into operation of the new service es-
tabiished by acts of Congress, which amount
ed within the last two years and half to
about forty-eight thousand seven hundred
miles, equal to more than one-third the
whole amount of the service at the close of
the war. New postal conventions with
Great Britain, North Germany, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy, re-
spectively. have been carried into effect;
under their provisions important improve
meuts have resulted in the reduced rates of
International postage, and the enlarged mail
facilities with European countries. The
cost of the United States transatlantic
Ocean mail service, since January /, 1868,
has been largely iesaened under the opera
ton OF these new conventions reduc-
tion of over one-haf having been effected
mail stfa@snne sas rs" servg Hfch %g oGenG o
effect on that date. The attention of Con-
gress is invited to the practical suggestions
and recommendations made In his report,
by the Postmaster General.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
No important question has occurred dur
ing the last year in our accustomed cordial
and friendly intercourse with Costa Rica,
Guatemala. Honduras, San Salvador, France,
Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal. the
Netherlands. Denmark, Sweden and Nor
way, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Persia, Egypt,
Liberia, Morocco, Tripoli, Tunis, Muscat.
Siam, Borneo and Madagascar Cordial
relations have also been maintained with the
Argentine and the Oriental Republics. The
expressed wish of Congress that our national
good offices might be rendered to those Re-
publics, and also to Brazil and Paraguay,
for bringing to an end the continuous war
which has so long been raging in the Valley
of the La Plata, has been asSiduously COM
piled with, and fully acknowledged by all
the belligerents. That important negotia-
tion, however, has thus far been without re-
suit. Charles A. Washburn, late United
States Minister to Paraguay. having resign
ed, and being desirous to return to the
United States, the Rear Admiral command
ing the South Atlantic Squadron was early
directed to send a ship of war to Ascencion,
the capital of Paraguay, TO receive Mr..
Washburn and his family, and remove them
from situation which was represented to
be endangered by faction and foreign war.
The Brazilian commander of the allied inva-
ding forces refused permission to the Wasp
to pass through the blockading forces, and
that vessel returned to it's accustomed an
chorage, remonstrance having been made
against the refusal. 1t was promptly over
ruled, and the Wasp therefore resumed her
errand, received Mr.. Washburne and family.
and conveyed them to a safe and convenient
seaport. In the meantime an excited con-
troversy had arisen between 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 asylum is one always difficult and often
productive of great embarrassment in States
well organized and established. Foreign
powers refuse either to concede or exercise
that right except as to persons actually be-
longing to the Diplomatic service. On the
other hand all such powers insist upon exer-
cising the right OF asylu m in States where
the law of nations is not fully acknowledged,
respected and obeyed. The President of Par
aguay is understood to have been opposed to
Mr. Washburne's proceedings, owing to the
Injurious and very improbable charge of
personal completely in insurrection and trea-
son. The correspondence, however, has not
reached the United States. Blr. Washburne,
in connection with this controversy, repre-
sents that two United States citizens at
tached to the legation we're arbitrarily seized
at his side when leaving the capital Of Par
aeuay, committed to prison, and there sub
jected to torture for the purpose of procuring
confessions of their own crimiuality, and
testimony to support the Presidents alega-
tions against the United States Minister.
A dispatch has been received from Mr.
Mcmahon, the newly appointed Minister to
Parag uay, saying that he had reached the
La Plate. He has been instructed to proceed
without delay to Asunscion. there to investi-
gate the whole subject. The Rear admiral.
commanding the United States South Allan
tic Squadron, has been directed to attend the