The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-15


further intercourse with Mr.. Catacazy,
and the management of the affairs of
the Imperial nation has passed into the
hands of a gentleman entirely unobjec-
tionable.
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
l Importance in several departments of
the Government. | have reason to
think that this selection is due to an APP
probation of the disinterestedness of
the policy which the United States have
pursued toward Japan. 1t is our desire
to continue to maintain this disinterest-
ed and just policy with China as well as
Japan. The correspondence transmit
ted herewith shows that there is no dis.
position on the part of this Government
to swerve from its established course.
Prompted by desire to put an end
to the barbarous treatment of our ship
| wrecked sailors at the Corean coast, |
| instructed our Minister at Pekin to en-
deavor to conclude convention with
Corea for securing the safety and hui
name treatment Of such mariners. Adj
miral Rogers was instructed to accom-
pany 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
a disadvantage. Ample opportunity
was given for explanation and apology
for the insult. Neither came. A force
was then landed. After an arduous
march over a rugged and difficult coun-
try, the forts from which the outrages
had been committed were CALAMITY as
saulted, and were destroyed. Having
thus punished the criminals, and having
vindicated the honor of the flag, the
expedition returned, finding it imprac-
ticable, under the circumstances, to
conclude the desired convention. | re-
spectfully refer to the correspondence
relating thereto, herewith submitted,
and leave the subject for such action as
Congress may see fit to take.
The national debt has been reduced
to the extent of $50, 057, l26. so during
the year, and by the negotiation of ma
tional bonds at a lower rate of interest,
been so far diminished that the sum to
be raised for interest account is nearly
100000 less than on the lst 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 entirely meet every
dollar of liability without bankrupting
them; but in view Of the accomplish
ment OF these desirable ends, of the
rapid development of the resources of
the country, its increasing ability to
meet the large demands, and the
amount already paid, it is not desirable
that the present resources Of the coun.
try should continue to be taxed in or
der to continue this rapid pay
ment. | therefore recommend a
modification of both the tariff and
the internal tax laws. recon-
mend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished, except those on
spirituous wines and malt liquors, to-
bacco in its various forms, and from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff. l
suggest that careful estimate be made
of the amount of surplus revenue col
lected under the present law after pro-
wiling for the current expenses of the
Government. the interest account, and
sinking fund, and that this surplus
be reduced in such manner as to afford
the greatest relief to the greatest num-
Der. There are many articles not pro-
duced at home, such as medicines and
compounded essences, from which very
little revenue is desired, but which en-
ter into general use. All such articles
| recommend to be placed on the free
list Should further reduction prove
advisable, would then recommend that
it be made upon those articles which
can bear it without disturbing home
production or reducing the wages of
American labor. have not entered
into figures, because to do so would be
to repeat all that's laid before you in the
report of the Secretary of the Treasury.
The present laws for collecting the
revenues pay the Collectors of 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 tome
as if this system must at times work
perniciously. 1t holds out inducement
to dishonest men, should such get pos
session of those offices, to be lax in
their scrutiny of goods entered to en-
able them finally to make large seizures.
Your attention is respectfully invited
to this subject.
Continued fluctuations in the value of
gold, compared with the national cur
rency, has most damaging effect upon
the increase and development of the
country in keeping up prices of all arti-
cles necessary in everyday life. 1t fos-
ters a spirit of grumbling prejudicial
alike to national morals and the national
finances. If the question can be met
as to how to get a fixed value to our
currency, that value constantly and
uniformly approaching par with specie,
a very desirable object will be gained.
For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense of maintaining
it, the estimates for the ensuing year,
and for continuing sea coast and other
improvements conducted under the
supervision of the War Department.,
refer Won To the accOmpapvipO ranort of