Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-12-13

safety and humane treatment of sucl
mariners. Admiral Rogers was in
structed to accompany him with I
sufficient force to protect him in cas-
Of need.
A small surveying party, sent out
on reaching the coast, was treaeher
ousIy attacked at a disadvantage
Ample opportunity was given fol
explanation andapOlogy for the insult
Neither came. A force was theu
landed. After an arduous march ovel
a rugged and difficult country, the
forts from which the outrages had
been committed were calamity as.
saulted and destroyed. Having thus
punished the criminals and having
vindieated the honor of the flag, the
expedition returned, finding Il i'm
| practicable under the circumstances
TO conclude the desired convention.
/ respectfully refer to the correspond.
ence relating thereto herewith sub.
/ mitted, and leave the subject foH
such action as Congress may see fit to
take.
THE MEXICAN FREE ZONE.n
The Republic of Mexico has not vet
repealed the very Objectionable laws,
establishing what is known as the
Free 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 the restraining OF
lawless persons on its frontiers.
hope that Mexico, by its own action,
will soon relieve this government of
the difficulties experienced by these
causes.
THE VENEZUELA CLAIMS.
Our relations with the various Re-
publics of Central and South America
continue, with one exception, to be
cordial and friendly. I recommend
some action by Congress regarding
the overdue installments under the
award of the Venezuela claims com =
mission of 1886. The internal dissen-
siOns of this government present no
justification for the absence of effort to
meet their solemn treaty obligations.
The ratification of an extradition
treaty with Nicaragua has been
changed.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN BRAZIL.
1t is a subject for rcongratulation that
the great Empire of Brazil has taken
the initiatory steps toward the alb oil
tion ofslavery. Our relations with that
Empire, always cordial, will naturally
be made more so by this act. 1t is
not too much to hope that the govern
ment Of Brazil may hereafter find it
for its interest as well as intrinsi-
cally right to advance toward entire
emancipation more rapidly than the
present act contemplates- The true
prosperity and greatness of a nation
is to be found in the elevation and
education of its laborers. 1t is
subject for regret that the reforms in
this direction which We're voluntarily
promised by the statesmen of Spain
have not been carried out in its West
Indian colonies. The laws and regu-
latiOns for the apparent abolition of
slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave
most of the laborers in bondage with
no hope of release until their lives
become burden to their employers.
l desire to direct your attention TO the
fact that the citizens of the United
States are large holders in foreign
lands of this species of property for
bidden by the fundamental law Of
their alleged country. I recommend
to Congress, to provide by stringent
legislation suitable remedy against
the holding, owning, or dealing in |
slaves, or being interested in slave |
property in foreign lands, either as
owners, hirers, or mortgagers by per-
'Ors in the United States.
THE DISTURBANCES IN cUBA.
1t is to be regretted that the dis
.urb condition Of the Island of Cuba |
to be q source of ANNOYANCE /
and anxiety. The existence of a pro- |
.racted struggle in such close prox-
nifty to our own territory, without /
apparent prospects of an early ter
cannot be other than an
object of concern to a people who,
while abstaining from interference in
he affairs of other powers, naturally |
iesires to see every country in the
lndisturbed enjoyment of peace,
liberty and the blessings of free insti-
tutions. Our naval commanders in
Cuban waters have been instructed,
n case it should become necessary, to
pare no effort to protect the lives Of
iona fide American citizens, and to
maintain the dignity of the flag. 1t
5 hoped that all pending questions
With Spain, growing out Of the affairs
n Cuba, may be adjusted in the spirit
# peace and conciliatiOn which has
hitherto guided the two powers in
heir treatment of such questions.
REGARDING REPREsEN-
TATIvES IN JAPAN AND CHINA.
To give importance and to add to
he efficiency of our diplomatic rela-
ions with Japan and China, and to
ssist in retaining the good opinion
f those peoples and to secure to the
United States its share of the COM
nerce destined to flow between those
Iations and the balance of the COM
1ercial world, / earnestly recommend
hat an appropriation be made to
upport at least four American youths
q each of these countries, to serve as
art of the official family of our
minister's there. Our Representatives :
7Ould not even then be placed upon
n equality with the Representatives
f Great Britain or some other powers. !
Is now situated our Representatives
l Japan and China have to depend
1r Interpreters and translators upon {
atives of those countries who know !
ur language imperfectly, or employees !
4 foreign business houses, or the ]
interpreters to other Foreign Min
tiers.
THE PACIFIC STEAMSHIP LINES.
I would also recommend liberal [
leasures for the purpose of support I
lg the American lines of steamers
Ow plying between San Francisco s
nd Japan and China, and the Aus I
ALLAN line, almost our only remain {
~ line of ocean steamers, and Of {
lcreasing their service. I
THE NATIONAL DEBT.
The national debt has been reduced to
le extent of $50, ,057, 1850 during the ]
ear, and by the negotiation of national [
cnds at lower rate of interest, the in q
rest on the public debt has been so far I
Unfinished that now the sum to be !
Used for the interest account is nearly !
Z. .0O0, 900 less than on the lst of March, :
'6e.
REDUCTION OF TAXES. :
IT was highly desirable that this rapid '
minution should take place, both to 1
the credit of the country and 1
convince its citizens of their entire :
1ility to meet every dollar of liability :
ithout bankrupting them, but in view !.
the accomplishment of these desirable
Ids of the rapid development of the re- :