The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-12-16


ury shows the receipts of the Government
for the fiscal year ending June Goth to be
s34O.943.1I; expenditures. including inter
est on bonds, to be $32 1852 The esti-
mates for the ensuing year are more favora-
de TO the Government, and Will no dousI
show a much larger decrease of public debt.
The receipts in the Treasury beyond expen-
futures have exceeded the amount necessa-
~ to be placed to the credit Of the sinking
funds As provided by law. To lock up the
surplus in the Treasury and wi hhold it
from circulation would lead TO such a con-
traction of currency as to cripple trade and
-erIously affect the prosperity of the coun-
try. Under these circumstances the Secre-
rary of the Treasury and myself heartily
'oncurred In the proprlety OF using all the
surplus currency in the Treasury in the
purchase of Government bonds, thus sdu-
iucing interest bearing Indebtedness of the
country, and of submitting to Congress the
question of the disposition to be made of
he bonds so purchased. The bonds now
held by the Treasury amount 70 seventy
i've million. including those belonging TO
he sinking fund. L recommend that the
whole be placed to the credit of the sinking
'und. Your attention is respectfully invited
o the recommendation OF the Secretary OF
he Treasury for the creation of the office
f commission of customs, revenue for iu-
-rease of the salary of certain classes OF Of
icials. and the substitution OF Increased ma
ional b; nix circulation. to replace the out
landing per cent. certificates, and most
specially TO his recommendation for the
epea of the laws allowing shares of int,.
'enaltics, forfeitures, &c, 70 officers of the
government or informers. Tie office OF
Commissioner of Internal Revenue is one OF
he most arduous responsibilities under the
government. Ir falls a little short of Cab
net position in its Importance aud respon-
Utilities. | would ask for il. therefore, such
egiSlation as in your Judgment will place
ne office upon a footing OF dI=nity. com
upnsurate with its importance ana with the
haracUer and qualification of the class oil
uen required To ill il properly.
As the United States Is the freest OF all ma
ions. 90 too its people symptthiZe with all
IPople struggling for free liberty and self
overnment. but while 50 sy mpathlzIng 1t l.
lue to our honor. that we should abstain
-om enforcing our views upon unwilling
.ations and from taking an Interested part
without invitation in quarrels between ar
erent nations or between governments and
heir subjects. Our course should always
,e in conformity with strict Justice and law.
International and 10 al. Such has been the
,oIicy of the administration in dealing with
hese questions for more than year. A
aluable province of Spain, and near
teighb0r Of ours, in whom al our people
'annnt but feel an interest, mas oeen struy-
ling for Independence and freedom The
Ieople and government of the United states
.athies for the people of Spain in the pend
~ struggle that they manifested through
ut the previous struggle between SPAN
ud her former colonies in behalf OF the lat
IT, but the contest at no time assumed the
onditions which amount to war in the
euse of International law or which would
show the existence of de fdcto political or
.aniZation or insurrection sufficient to iuSti-
a recognition of beligerency. The prin-
-iDle is maintained. however, that this ma
ion Is its own judge when to accord rights
{ belligerency, either to a people strug-
ding to free themselves from government
hey believe to be oppressive, or to indie
Ipndput nations at war with each other.
The United States have no disposition to in
-rfere with Spain and her colonial posses
ions on this continent. They believe that
n due time Spain and other European DOW
RS will find their interest in terminating
hose relations, and establishing their pres
MT dependencies as independent powers.
These dependencies are no longer regarded
Is subject to transfer from one European
bower to onother; when the present rela-
ion of colonies ceases they are to become
Independent powers, exercising the right of
.hoice and of self control in the determine
ion of their future condition and relations
With other powers The l. nited States TN
order to put stop to blood he'd in Cuba and
n the interest of Il Deighboring people, pro-
posed good offices to bring the existing con-
aest to termination. The offer not being
accepted by Spain, the basis of which we
ieved could be received by Cuba. was with
lrawn. 1t Is hoped the good offices of the
United States may yet prove advantageous
or a settlement of this unhappy strife
Meanwhile a number of illegal expeditions
,gainst Cuba have been broken up. ant il
las been the endeavor of the administra-
ion to execute the neutrality laws no mat
er how unpleasant task it NAV be. On
he both of March last. the United States
,choOner Lizzie May was arrested on the
Ugh seas by Spanish frigate and two pas
,pngers taken and carried as prisoners tC
,uba. Representations Of these facts were
made to the Spanish government soon a:
.tficial information reached Washington
the two passengers were set at liberty and
he Spanish government assured the United
states that the Captain of the frigate IL
making the capture acted without law tha
re had been reprImanded. and that th'
spanish authorities in Cuba would not sane
ION any act that could violate the rights o.
reat with disrespect the sovereignty of thi
nation.
Inc question of the seizure of the Mary
lowell, at Bahama by the Spanish authors
les is now subject of correspondence he
| tween this government. Spain and Grea
Britain The Captain General of Cuba
tbout May last. issued a proclamation au
horiZiug the search of vessels on high seas
An immediate remonstrance was mad
! ,gain-t this, whereupOn the Captain Gen
| eral issued new proclamation limiting tn
| search to vessels of the United STATES au
| horized under treaty of 1895. This prOcla
| nation was, however. Immediately with
| lrawn. | have always felt that more init
| mate relations should be cultivated between
| hr United States and the independent ma
IONS of this continent. 1t may be wei
worth considering whether new treaties be
ween the United States and them may no
| be profitablv entered into to secure more in
| innate relations friendly, commercial ant
otherwise.
| An inreroceanie canal o connect the At
antic and Pacific oceans through the 18th
mus of Darien, is one which commerce j
| greatly interested in. Instructions wer
given our minister 20 the United States q
| Columbia to endeavor to obtain authorit
| TOR a survey TO determine the practicabilit
of the undertaking. In order TO compl
| with an agreement of the United States to
mixed commission at Lima for the adjust
tnent OF claims, it became necessary to SEN
| 4 Commissioner and SECRETARY to Lima. tn
| good offices of the United States to brini
| about peace between Spain and the SOut
! American republic having been accepted b.
| Spain. Peru and Chilli. Congress has bee
| invited to be held i'm Washington next win
ter A grant has been given to European
| of an exclusive right of transit over tn
territory of Nicaragua, to which Costa Ric
| has given its assent. which. it is alleged
conflicts with the vested rights of the cit
zens of the United. The Department c
State has now this subject under considers
| ton. Our Minister To Peru having mad
representations that there was state of wa
between Peru and Spain, aud that Spain wa
| constructing in or near New York thirt
| gun boats which might be used by Spain [
| relieve the naval force at Cuba and use
against Peru, orders were given TO preveT
their departure. No further steps hay
been taken by the representative of thes
vessels. and not feeling authorized TO detail
the property of nation with which we Al
at peace. on a mere executive order, Oh
| matter was referred to the courts. The cor
duct OF the war between the allies of Oh
Republic of Paraguay has made intercour,
with that country difficult. 1t has bee
deemed advisable to withdraw our repr.
| sentative from there. Towards the close ,
: -. Last administration s.nnrar,fior, NJ.