The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-12-06

Parliament and the Legislature of the Pro-
vincial Government have passed laws to carry
| the provisions of the treaty on the matters
referred to into operation. l therefore
recommend your early adoption OF the legis-
lation in the same direction necessary on the
part of this Government.
| The Joint Commission for determining the
| boundary line between the United States and
| the British possessions, between the Lake OF
the Woods and the Rocky mountains. has or
ganized and entered upon its work. IL is de-
| sirable that the force be increased. In order
that the completion of the survey and the de-
termination of the boundary line may be
ing reforms of which the propriety is not
questioned. Deeply impressed with the con-
yictlon that the continuance OF slavery Is one OF
the most active causes OF the continuance OF
the unhappy condition in Cuba, i regret to
believe that citizens Of the United States, or
those claiming to be such. are large holders
in Cuba OF what Is there claimed "a property.
| but which is forbidden and denounced by the
| laws of the United States. They are thus. in
defiance of the spirit of our laws, contributing
| to the continuance of this distressing and
| sickening contest In my last annual message
/ referred to this subject, and again recon-
mend such legislation as may DO proper to de-
nounce. and, If net prevent, at least to dis
courage American citizens from holding or
dealing in slaves.
| 1t is gratifying to announce tina the rati-
| ticaton of the convention concluded under the
auspices of this Government, between Spain
| on the one hand and the Allied Republics of
the Pacific on the other, providing for an
armistice, have been exchanged. copy of
| the instrument is herewith submitted. 1t liz
! hoped that this may be followed by perma-
nent peace between the same parties.
The differences which at one time threat
ened the maintenance of peace between
| and a. 4 IL
hoped, are in the way of satisfactory adjust
ment with these States, with the Republics
| of Central and Southern America we continue
to maintain the most friendly relations. 1t is
with regret, however, l announce that the
| Governor of Venezuela mas made no further
payments on account of the awards under the
Convention of the 25th OF April, 1855. That
| Republic is understood to be now almost, if
not quite, tranquilized. II is hoped, there
fore, that it will lose no time in providing for
| the unpaid balances of its debt to the United
| States which having originated in injuries to
| it's citizens by the Venezuelan authorities. and
| having been acknowledged pursuant to a
| treaty in the most solemn form known among
nations, would seem to deserve preference
over debts of a different origin and contracted
| in different manner. This subject is ear
nestly recommended to the attention of Con-
gIess for such action as may be deemed
proper.
Our treaty relations with Japan remain I'M
changed. An imposing embassy from that
interesting and progressive nation visited this
country during the year that is passing, but
being unprovided with power for the signing
of a convention in this country. no conclusion
in that direction was reached. Ii is hoped,
however, that the interchange OF opinions
which took place during their stay IN this
country had led to mutual appreciation OF
the interests which may be promoted when
the revision of the existing treaty shall be
undertaken.
In this connection l renew my recommends
ton Of one year ago. that to give importance
and to add TO the efficiency Of our diplomatic
relations with japan and China, and to further
aid III maintaining the good opinion Of these
people, and 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 be made
to support at least four American youths in
each of these countries, to serve "a a part of
the official family of our Ministry there. Our
representatives would not even then be placed
upon an equality with the representatives of
Great Britain or some other powers. As now
situated, our representatives in Japan and
China have to depend for interpreters and
trapslators upon natives of those countries
who know our language lmperfectlv, or pro-
cure for the occasion the services Of employees
in foreign business houses, or the interpreters
to other foreign Ministers,
a
previous occasion of tue transfer 70 the De-
partment of the Interior, to which they seem
more appropriately to belong, of all the
powers and duties in relation to the terri
tories with which the Department OF State is
now charged by law or by custom.
Congress- from the beginning of the Gov
eminent, has wisely made provision for the
relief of distressed seamen in foreign coun-
tries. No similar provision, however, has
hitherto been made for the relief of citizens
in distress abroad other than seamen. 1t Is
understood to be customary with other Gov
ernments to authorize Consus to extend such
relief to their citizens or subjects in certain
cases. A similar authority and an appropria-
ton to carry it into eff ect are commended in
cases OF citizens of the United States sick,
under such circumstances. 1t is well known
that such citizens resort to foreign countries
in great numbers though most Of them are
able to bear the expenses incidental to loco
motion, there are some who, through accident
or otherwise, become pennlless. and have no
friends at home able to succor them. Per-
sons in this situation must either perish cast
themselves upon the charity OF foreigners, or
be relieved at the private charge of our
officers, who, usually, even with the most
benevolent disposition, have nothing to spare
for such purposes. Should the authority and
the appropriation asked for be given, care
will be taken to carry the beneficence of Con-
gress into effect, that il shall not be un
HtCtSSdluy VI DtstONtu.
The net reduction OF the principal of the
debt during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1872. was :99, $50, 253 81 The source of the
reduction is IA follows: Net ordinary re-
cepts during the year. 1854, G9i, 229.9l net
ordinary expenditures, including interest on
public debt, S279, $50, G9j91 total, 59i 1884,.
5345i. Add amount of receipts from premium
on sales Of gold, in excess Of the premiums
paid on bonds purchased, 81, 45i .470.S9. Add
amount Of reduction of the cash bal
ance at the close Of the year. accom-
panied with the sales at the commencement
of the year. 80 81 3lS 65 total. S99, 960 1853 54
This statement treats solely of the principal
of the public debt. by the monthly state
ment of the public debt which adds together
the principal and interest due and unpaid and
the interest accrued to date due, and deducts
the cash in the Treasury, accordingly on the
day of publication the reduction was $780,
544, 491 90. The source Of this reduction is
as follows: Reduction in principal account,
| 800 1850. 003.55; reduction in unpaid interest
account, 30, 330, 9j2 90 total, SOB 300 CSC so.
| Reduction in cash i'll hand. 50, 7i6, 465. % to-
tai, 800, 544, 491 %. On the basis of the last
table the statements show a reduction of the
public debt from the LIST of March, 1869, to
the present time, follows: From March
| 1, 1869, to March l, 1870, sS7 1874. 1924 from
March 1, 1870, to Merch l. 1871, S177 .S19. ESQ.,