New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-05
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN TUESDAY DEoEMBER s. 1877.
passed into the hands Of gentleman en-

| passed. into the hanUS OF q gentleman Ell
tirely unohjectionable.
With Japan we continue to maintain in
innate relations. The cabinet Of the iuikad
has. since the close of the last session q
Congress-, selected citizens OF the Unite,
States to serve in Offices of importance il
several departments of government.
have reason to think that this selection i
due to an appreciation Of the disinterested
ness of the policy which the United State
have pursued toward Japan. IT is our dc
sire to continue to maintain this disintcl
ested and Just policy with China. us well IA
Japan.
The correspondence transmitted herewith
shows that there is no disposition on the
part of this government to swerve from iii
established course. Prompted by desire
to pat an end to the barbarous treatment
of our shipwrecked sailors on the Corean
coast, l instructed our minister at Pekin to
endeavor to conclude Il convention with
Corea, for securing the safety and humane
| treatment Of such mariners. Admiral Rod
gers was instructed to accompany him witt:
| IL sufficient force to protect him in ease OF
need. A small surveying party sent out.
ON reaching the coast, was treacherOusly
attacked at a disadvantage. Ample oppor-
tunity was given for explanation and apollo
gy tor the insult. Neither came. A force
was then landed. After AN arduous march
over a rugged and difficult country, the
| forts from which the Outrages had been com
| United were reduced by Il gallant assault
and were destroyed. Having thus punished
the criminals, and having vindicatel the
honor Of the flag, the expedition returned,
finding it impracticable. under the circum-
stances. to conclude the desired convention.
| respectfully refer to the CORES ,ondence
relating thereto herewith submitted. and
leave the subject for such action "a Con-
| gress may see TT to take. The republic OF
| Mexico has not yet repealed the very OBJ
jecrionable laws establishing VIVA; is known
as the Tree Zone. on the frontier Of the
United States. 1t is hoped that this may
Yet be done, and also that more stringent
| measures may be taken by that republic for
restraining lawless persons on its frontiers
| l hope that Mexico, by its own action, will
soon relieve this government OF the diff
| culties experienced from these causes.
| Our relations with the various republics
| of Central and South America continue
with one exception, to be cordial and
| friendly. l recommend some action by
Congress regarding the overdue install
ments under award of the Venezuelan
claims commission Of 1865 The internal
dis>ensions of this government present no
justification for the absence OF effort to meet
their solemn treaty obligations. The ratiti
cation of an extradition treaty with Mica
| ragtla has been exchanged.
1t is subject for congratnlation that the
great empire of Brazil has taken the initia-
tory steps toward the abolition of slavery.
Oar relations with that empire. always cor
dial, will naturally be made more - by this
act 1t Is rot too much to hope that the
government OF Brazil may hereafter find it
for its interest. as veil as intrinsically right,
to advance toward entire emancipation
more rapidly than the present act conte,n-
plates The true prosperity and greatness
and education of its labcrers. 1t is a sub
ject for regret that the reforms in this dir-c-
ton. which We're voluntarily promised by
the statesmen of Spain have not been car
ried out in its West India colonies. The
laws and regulations for the apparent ahoi-
ton of slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico
leave most of the laborcrs in bondage, with
no hope of release until their lives become a
burden to their employers.
l desire to direct your attention to tie
fact that citizens of the United States
or persons claiming to be citizens.
of the United States are large holders in
foreign lands OF this species of property for
hidden by the fundamental laws of their
alleged country. recommend to Congress
to provide by stringent legislation a suit
able remedy against the holding. owning or
dealing i'll slaves. or of being interested in
slave property in foreign lands. either as
owners. hirers or mortgagers by citizens Of
1t Is to be regretted that the
disturbed condition Of the Island OF
Cuba continues to be Il source of annoy
ance and anxiety. The existence of IA pro
tracted struggle in such close proximity to
our own territory. without apparent pros
pect of an early termination. can not be
other than an object OF concern to a people
who. while abstaining from interference in
the affairs OF oeler powers, naturally desire
to see every country in the undisturoed en-
loVment of peace. liberty and the blessings
ot tree institutions Our naval commanders
in Cuban waters have been instructed. in
case 1t should become necessary. to spare
no Effort TO protect the lives and property
of bona fi,le American citizens and 10 main
tain the dignity OF the flag.
1t is hoped that all pending y ues. lions with
Spain, growing out of the affairs in Cuba.
may be adjusted in the spirit OF peace and
coEclilatlon which has hitherto guided the
two powers in their treatment o: such ques
tiOl.d.
To give Importance and TO add to the
efficiency OF our diplomatic relations with
Japan and China. and to further aid in re
tanning the goo.! opinion of those peoples.
and To secure to the United States its share
of the commerce destined to flow between
those nations and the balance of the com
mercial world, earnestly recommend that
an appropriation be made to support at least |
four American youths in each of those |
countries to serve as part of the official |
family of our minister there. Our repre- |
sentatives would not even then be placed |
upon an equality with the representatives |
of Great Britain. and OF some other powers |
As now situated, our representatives in
Japan and China have to depend for inter-
prefers and translatOrs upon natives of those
countries, who know our language imper-
fcctly or procure for the occasion the scr
vices of employees in foreign business houses,
or the interpreters to other foreign minis
tiers.
l would also recommend liberal measures
for the purpose of supporting the American
lines OF steamers now plying between San
Francisco and Japan and China and the
line, almost our only remaining
line of ocean steamers, and Of increasing
their services.
The national debt has been reduced
to the extent of eightysiX millions
fifty seven thousand one hundred and
twenty dollars and eighty cents during
the year, and by the negotiation of national
bonds at a lower rate of interest. The in
.erest on the public debt has been so far
that now the sum to be raised
Or the interest account is nearly seventeen
million dollars less than on the first of
March, 1869. 1t was highly desirable that
his rapid diminutOn should take place.
Doth to strengthen the credit of the country
and to convince its citizens of their entire
ability to meet every dollar of liability
without bankrupting them, but in view Of
he accomplishment of these desirab Die ends
If the rapid development of the resources
II the country, its increasing ability to
meet large demands, and the amount
'lready paid, it is not desirable that the
present resources OF the country should