The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-12-13

7th of May last, 10 inquire into the de
predations of the Texas frontier, hav,
diligently made investigation on tina
question, and their report upon the sub
ject will be communicated to you. Theil
researches were necessarily incomplete
partly on account of the limited appro
priation made by Congress. Mexico
on Che part of its Government, has ap
pointed a similar commission to investi
gate the outrages. It is not announced
officially, but the press Of that country
states that the fullest investigation 5is
desired, and the cooperation of al
parties concerned is wanted to secure
that end. I therefore recommend thai
a special appropriation be made at the
earliest day practicable, to. enable the
Commissioners on the part of the Uni
ted States to return to their labors with
out delay.
CUBA.
1t is with regret that I have again t.
announce the, continuance of the dis.
turbed condition of the island of Cuba
No advance toward the pacifcation OF
the discontented part of the population
has been made, while the insurrectior
has gained no advantages and exhibits
no more of the elements of power or oi
the prospects of ultimate success than
were exhibited year ago. Spain, on
the other hand, has not succeeded in its
repression, and that parties stand appa-
rently in the same relative attitude
which, they have occupied for long
time past. This contest has lasted now
for IN, re than four years. Were it seen
at distance from our neighborhood,
we might be Indifferent to the results,
although humanity could not be un-
moved by many of its incidents wherever
they might occur. 1t is, however, al
our door, and cannot doubt that the
continued maintenance of slavery III
Cuba is among the greatest inducements
for the continuance of this strife. \
terrible wrong is the natural cause7pf a
terrible evil. The abolition of slavery
and the introduction of other reforms in
the administration of the government IN
Cuba could not fail to advance the res
toration of peace and good order. 1t is
especially to be hoped that the present
liberal government of Spain will vollm-
tarily adopt this view. The law OF
emancipation, which was passed more
than two years since, has remained .un-
executed, in the absence of regulations
for it's enforcement 1t was but feeble
step toward emancipation, but it was
the recognition of right, and was hailed
as such, and exhibited Spain in harmony
with senth .ents of humanity and justice,
and in sympathy with the other powers
of the Christian and civilized world.
Within the past few weeks the regula-
tions for carrying out the laws of eman-
cipation have been commenced, giving
evidence of the sincerity of intention of
the present government to carry into eff
feet the law of 1870. 1 have not failed
to urge the consideration of the wisdom,
the policy and the justice of more ef-
fective system for the abolition. of the
great evil which oppressed race, and
continues bloody and destructive con-
test close to our border, as well as the
expediency and the justice of conceding
reforms of which the propriety is not
questioned. Deeply impressed, with the
conviction that the continuance of slave
ry is one of the most active causes of the
continuance of the unhappy condition of
Cuba, regret to believe that the citi-
zens of the United States, or those
claiming to be such, are large holders in
Cuba of what is there claimed as proper
ty, but which is forbidden and de-
nounced by the laws of the United States.
They are thus, in defiance of the spirit
of onr own laws, contributing to the con-
tinuance of this distressing and sicken-
ing contest. In my last message 1
referred to this subject, and 1 again re-
commend such legislation as may be
proper to denounce, and if not prevent,
at least to discourage Americans from
holding or dealing in slaves.
SOUTH AMERICA.
1t is gratifying to announce that the
ratification of the convention concluded
under the auspices of this Government,
between Spain on the one part, and al
lied Republics Of the Pacific on the
other, providing for an arfnistice, have
been exchanged. A copy of the instru-
ment is herewith submitted. 1t is hop
ed that this may be followed by a per-
manent peace between the same parties.
The difference which OF one time
threatened the maihtainance of peace
between Brazil and the Argentine
Republic, it is hoped are on the way of
satisfactory adjustment with these
States 1t is with regret, however, l
announce that thc Government of Ven
ezuela has made no further payments on
account of the awards under the Con-
vention, of the 25th of April. 1866.
That Republic is understood to be now
at most, If not quite tranquilized. 1t
is hoped, therefore, that it will lose no
time in providing for the unpaid
debt to the United States, which, having
been augmented in injuries to its citizens
by the Venezuelan authorities, and hav-
ing been acknowledged pursuant to a
treaty in the most solemn form known
among nations, would seem to deserve a
preference over debts of different
manner. This subject is again recon-
mended to the attention OF Congress for
such action as may be deemed proper.
Our treaty relations with Japan
remain unchanged. An imposing en-
bassy from that interesting and progress
sive nation visited this country during
the year that is passing, but, not being
invested with powers for the signing of
convention in this country, no conclu-
sion in that direction was reached. 1t
is hoped, however, that the interchange
of opinion which took place during their
stay in this country has led to mutual
appreciation of the interests which may
be promoted when the revision of the
existing treaty shall be undertaken. In
this connection renew my recOmmen-
dation of year ago; though to give inn
portance and to add to the efficiency of
our diplomatic relations with Japan and
China, and to further aid in retaining
the good opinion of these people, and
to secure to the United States its share
of the commerce destined to flow be-
tween these nations and the balance of
the commercial world, an appropriation
should be made to support at least four
American. youths in each of these coun-
tries to serve as a part of the official
family of our American Ministers there;
our representatives 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 interpreters and
translators upon the natives of those
countries who know our talk imperfect
ly, or procure for the occasion the ser
vices of employees in foreign business
houses or the interpreters of other for
eign ministers. j..
PROPOSED TRANSFER.
l renew the recommendation made as