The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-12-09

ts.>N - w. NnSoktus a~'N 49, ~s>>Sse~y
informed Q: the annexation Of the Ststss OF The
Church to the Kingdom ri Italy. and the remov'
al Of the Capital Of thu, Kingdom IN Rome. In
contormi'y with the established policy OF the
nitsd States have recognized this change.
The ratification of the new treaty Of commerce
between the United States and Italy has been
exchanged. and the two Powers have agreed in
their treaty that property ~ sea shall be exempt
from capture in ease Of war between two PoWers.
The United States have spread no opportunity
OF Incorporating this rule into the obligation of
natl ms. The For,y-;ifth Congsess, At Its third
session. made an appropriation for the organiza-
ton Of mixed commission Of adjudication upon
the claims Of the citizens Of the United States
against Spain, growing out of the insurrectien In
Cuba. That Commission has since been organ.
l.eG. | transmit here with the correspondence
relating TO lis formation and its jurisdiction. 1t
is : Ne hoped III It this commission will afford
til claimants complete remedy for their in
juri,s.
1t has been made the agreeable duty OF the
United States to preside over conference at
Washington, between the pleaitpotenhsries Of
Spain and the allied South American Republics,
which has iesulted in an armistice, with the
reasonable assurance of permanent peace.
The intimate and friendly relations which
have so long existed between the United States
md Russia continues undis,urbed. Tho visit OF
the third sou of the Russian Emperor is proof
that there is no desire on the part of his Govern
ment to diminish the coriiali;y of those rela.
tions. The hospitable reception which has been
given to the Grand Duke is proof that on our
side we share the wishes Of that Government.
The iuexcusable course Of the Russian Minister
at Washington rendered it necessary to ask for
his recall, and to decline to longer receive that
functiouary diplomatic representative. It
W IN ihle NTH nth m at
regard to the dignity of the country, to permit
Mr.. Catacazy TO hold interviews with this Gov.
eminent after his abuse of Government officials
and during his persistent interference, through
various means, with the relations between the
United States and other Powers. In accordance
with my wishes, our Government has been re.
ieved from further intercourse with Mr.. Gaia.
cazy, and the management of the affairs of the
Imperial nation has passed into the hands OF q
gentleman entirely unobjectionsble.
With japan we continue to maintain intimate
relations. The Cabinet Of the Mikado has, since
the close OF the last session of Congress- selected
citizens of the United States to serve in Offices of
Importance in several departments of tho Gov
ernmint. have reason to think that this selec-
ton is due to an appreciation of the disnterest.
edness of the policy which the United States
have pursued toward Japan. 1t il our desire TO
continue to maintain this disnterested and Just
policy with China as well as Japan. The CORES
pondence transmitted here with shows that there
is no disposition on the part Of this Government
to swerve from its established course.
Prompted by desire to pu. an end to the
barbarous treatment of our shipreckcd sailors at
the Corean coast, instructed our Minister at
Pekin to endeavor to conclude a convention with
Corea for securing the safety and humane treat.
ment of such mariners. Admiral Rogers was in-
structed to accompany him with sufficient
force to protect him in case of need. A small
surveying party sent out, on reaching the coast,
was treacherously attacked at disadvantage.
Ample opportunity was given for explanation
and apology for the insult Neither came. A
force was then landed. After an arduous march
over rugged and difficult country, the forts
from which the outrages had been committed
were gallantly assaulted, and were destroyed.
Having thus punished the criminals, and having
INDICATED the honor of the f.g, the expedition
returned. finding it impractibls under the cir.
cumstnnces to conclude the desired convention.
respectfully refer to the correspondence rek,t.
ing thereto, herewith submitted, md leave the
su beet for such action Congress may see fit ~
take.
The national debt has been reduced to the ex.
tent OF SSGO51,l 26 50 during the year, aud by
the negotiation of national bonds At lower rate
OF interest, the interest on the public debt has
been so far diminished that the sum 10 he
raised for interest account is nearly SIT 10000
les, than on the first of March, 1869. 1t was
highly desirable that this rapid diminution
should take place, both to strengthen the credit
Of the country and to convince its citizens of
their ability to entire meet every dollar of liabil
ity without bankrupling them; but in view Of
the accomplishment of these desirable ends, OF
the rapid development of the resources of the
country, its increasing ability to meet the large
demands, aud the amount already paid, it is not
desirable that the present resource Of the country
should be continue to be taxed in order to cor.
tinue this rapid payment I therefore recon-
mend modification of both the tariff and inter.
nal tax laws. | recommend that all taxes fro
internal sources be abolished, except those
spirituous wines ana malt liquors, tobacco in its
various forms, and from stamps. IN readjusting
the tariff suggest that careful estimate bs
made of the amount Of surplus revenue collected
under the present law after providing for the
current expenses of the Government. the inter.
est account, and il sinking fund, and that this
surplus be reduced IN such manner as to afford
the greatest relief to the greatest number. There
are many articles not produced ut home, such IA
medicines and compound essences from which
very little revenue is desired, but which enter
into geser i use, All suc! articles recommend
to be placed the free list. Should a further
reduction prove advisable, would recommend
that it be made up on those articles which can
bear it without disturbing home production or
til" w,ses OF American labor. l have
rot entered Into figures, because ~ do SO would
be to repeat all that is laid before you in the re.
port of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The present laws for collecting the revenues
pay the Collectors IF Customs small salaries, but
provide for shares IN all seizures, which at the
principal ports of entry particularly raise the
compensation OF these officials to large sum.
1t has always seemed to the as if this system