The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-12-14

part of this Government TO swerTe from IL
established course.
Prom pied by N desire to put an end to tn.
barbar0us treatment OF our shipwreckeC
sailors on the Corean coast, instructed oul
Minister at Pekin 20 eudeaE0F 90 conclnd.
convention with Corea for securing the
safety and humane treatment Of such mari
ners. Admiral Rodgers was instructed q
accom- pany him wirh a sufficient force u
protect him in case OF need A small sur.
yeying party sent ouS on reaching the coast
was treacberously attacked at disad van
tage. Ample opportunity was given foI
explanation and apology for the insult
Neither came. A force was then LANDED
After an arduons March over a rugged and
difficult country the forts from which the
outrages had been committed were reduced
by gallant assault, and were destroy ed
Having thus punished the criminals. - q
having vindieaCed the honor of the flag, the
expedition returned, finding il imDractica-
bic, under the circumstances, 10 concIude
the desired convention / respectfully re-
fer 70 the correspondence relating thereto
herewith submitted. and leave the subject
for such action as Congress mayasee nc to
take.
The Republic of Mexico has not vet re-
pesled the very Objectionable laws estab-
fishing what is known a. the Free Zone
on the frontier oftne United States. Itis
hoped that this may get be done, and also
that more stringent measures may be taken
by that Republic for restraining lawless
persons on Its frontiers j hope that Mexico
by its own action will soon relieve this
Government of the difficulties experienced
from these causes.
Our relations with the various republics
IT Central and South America continue.
with one exception. to be cordial and
friendly.
recommended some action by Congress
regarding the overdue instaIlments under
the award of the Venezuela Claims Com
mission OF 1866. The internal disseusions
OF iris Government present no justification
for TIE absence of effort TO meet their SOL
emn treaty obligations.
The ratification of an extradition treaty
with Nicaragua has been exchanged.
1t is subject for cougrai ulation that the
great Empire of Brazil has takew the initia-
tory step toward the abolition of slavery
Our relation with that empire. always cor
dial, wiz naturally be made more so by the
act II IS not too much to hope that the
Government of Brazil may hereafter find IL
for its interest, as well as intrinsically right
10 advance toward entire emancipation more
rapidly than the present act concentrates
II is a subject for regret that the reforms
in this direction, which were voluntarily
promised ty the statesmen of Spain. have
not been carried out in its West India colo
MES. The Laws and regulations for the APP
parent abolition of slavery in cuba and
Porto Rico ieave most of the laborers in
bondage, with no hope of release until their
lives becomes burden to their Employers
desire to direct your attention TO the facl
that citizens q the United States, or per
sons claiming to be citizens of the United
States, are la.ge holders in foreign lands Of
lis species u property forbidden by the
I fundamental law of their alleged country.
/ recommend to Congress 10 pTovidt, BY
stringent legislation, suitable remedy
again< the holding, owning, or dealing H.
slaves. or being Interested in slave property
in IN frr off hAr nxx-Yas
mortgagers, by citizens of the United
STATES.
1t il to be regretted that the disturbea
condition of the Island of Cuba continues TO
he a source OF annoyance and of anxiety
The existence of protr2cted struggle in
such close proximity to our own territory
without apparent prospect of AN early ter
miBation, cannot be other than All object o
concern To peopl- who, while abstainins
from Interference in the affairs or other
Pawers.naturally desire To see every country
in the undisturbed enjoyment of peace, li0-
erty, and the blessings of free institutions.
Our naval commanders in Cuban water
have been instructed, in case it should be-
come necessary, 70 spare no effort To prOtec
the lives and property OF bona fde Ameri-
can citizens, and TO maintain the dignity o.
the flag.
1t is hoped that all pending questions with
Spain growing out OF the affairs in CuhH,
may be adjusted in the spirit of pesce anC
Cancellation which has hitherto guided Ih'
two Powers in their treatment OF such ques
lions.
To give Importance, and to add to I'll,
efficiency OF our diplomatic relations with
Japan and China, aud to further aid in r.
Laining the good opinion OF those peoplf,
and 10 secure To the United States its shaf'
IF ehe commerce destined to How bst~eef
those nations Anu the balance OF Ine con-
Inercial " GRID, earnestly recommend thu
il. h. I'm 1fiN n "a ga
cur American youths in each OF those coun
UIie- TO serve part of the Official tamil
81 our ministers there. Our representative
would not even then be placed upon al
qualify wi b the representatives OF CIR al
Britain aud OF some other Powers. As nov
situated, our representatives in Japan All"
China have to depend for Interpreters and
traD>Iators upon natives of those couLhri.--
no know our language imperfecfly. or pro
cure or the occasion the services of EN-
ployes la foreign business houses, or the iu-
terpreters To other foreign ministers.
| would also recommend liberal measure
for the purpose of supporting the American
lines OF steamers now plying between san
Francisco and Japan and China, and the
Australian line-almOst our only -enaining
lines of ocean steamerS-and OF inc easing
their service.
The national debt has boon reduced to thu
extent OF $S6,057 ,l26 80 during the year
and BY the negotiation of national bonds,
at lower rate Of interest, the interest Oh
the pubic debt has been so far diminished
that now the sum to be raised for the inter-
est account is nearly $l7,0O0,000 less than
on the LIST of March, 1869 Ii was highly
desirable that this rapid diminution shoulu
take place, both to strengthen the credit OF
the country and to convince its citizens OF
their entire ability TO meet every dollar OF
liability without bapkrnting them.
But, in view of the mplishment OF
these desirable ends; of the rapid develop
ment of the resources of the country; it,
increasing ability to meet large demands.
and the amount already paid. iJ is not de-
sirable that the present resources of the
country should continue TO be taxed in
order 10 continue this rapid payment.
therefore recommend a modification OF both
the tariff and internal tax laws. l recon-
mend that all taxes from internal sources
be abolished, except those collec ted FROM
spiriLuous Vinous, and malt liquors: tobac-
co in its various forms, and from stamps.
In readjusting the tariff suggest that q
careful estimate be made of The amount Of
surplus revenue collected under the present
law, after providing for the current ex-
penses of the Government, the interest &C.
court, and a sinking fund. and that thi.
surplus betreduced in such a manner MS 10
afford the greatest relief to the creates
number. There are many articles not pro.
duced at home, but which enter largely
into general CONSUMPTION through
dTIIClcS WHICH arc LuAhuIhCtuIcu NJ Houlc
such as medicines compounded, etc. etc
from which very little revenue is derived
but which enter into general use. All sucl
articles | recommend 70 lie placed on tbs
free list" Should a further reduction
prove advisable would then recommend
that it be made upon those articles which
can best bear it without disturbing hom'
production or reducing the wages Of Ameri
can labor.
have not entered into figures. becaus
TO do so would be TO repeat what will b
laid before you in the report OF the Score
tary of the Treasury. The present laws 70
collecting tbs revenue pay collectors q
customs small salaries, but provide 70
moIeties, (shares in all seizureS,) which a
principal ports of entry particularly. rails
the compensation OF those officials TO
large sum- IL has always seemed ca me a
il this system must, al times, work PERM
ciously. 1t holds outa iDducement to dis