Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1873-12-10

may oe SHOWN 10 De entitled u lndem-
nifty. 4 copy of protocol Of = con-
ference between tue Secretary Of State
and the Spanish minister, in which the
terms Of this arrangement were agreed
to, is transmitted herewith. The cor
respondence on this subject with the
legation of the United States in Mad
rid was conducted in CT pher aud by ca
bic, and needs the verifcation Of the
zctual text Of the actual correspon-
dence. 1t has seemed to me to be due
to the Importance of the case not to
submit this correspondence until the
accurate text can be received by mail.
1t is expected shortly, and will be sub
nitted when received. In taking Leave
of this subject for the present, 1 wish
to renew the expression Of ny convic-
ton that the existencs of African sla
very in Cuba is the principal cause of
the lamentabIe eohdirion of the island.
do not doubt that Congress shares
with me the hope that it will soon be
made to disappear, aud that peace aud
prosperity may follow its abolition.
The embargoing of American estates
in Cuba, cruelty to American citizens
detected in a,t of hostility to the Span
ish government, the numbering of pri.-
unars taken with arms IN their hands,
and, finally, the capture upon the high
seas of vessel ssiiing uoder the United
States flag aud bearing a United States
registry, has eliminated in an outburst
of Indignation that bas seemed for 4
time to threaten war. Pending n.goti-
ations between the United States ana
the government OF Spain on the subject
of this capture, have authorized the
( Secretary of the Navy to put our navy
on a war footing to the extent, at least,
of the entire annual appropriation for
that branch Of the service, trusting to
Congress and the public opinion Of the
American people to justify my action.
The receipts of the government from
all sources, for the last fiscal year, were
s333, ,7SS. .204, and expenditures of all
accounts, S290, ,345 ,245, this showing
an excess of receipts over expenditures
of $43 1872 ,959; but it is not probs-
bic that q creditable exhibit will be
shown for the present fiscal year. In.
deed, it is very doubtful whether, ex-
cept with great economy on the part OF
Congress in making appropriations, and
the same economy in administering the
various departments of Government,
the revenues will not fall short Of meet
ing actual expenses, including interest
on the public debt. commend to Con-
gre.s such economy, and point out two
sources where, il seems to me, it might
commence, to wit, in the appropriations
for public buildings iu the many cities
where work has not yet been COM
menced in the appropriations for river
and harbor improvement in those local.
tiles where the improvements are of but
little benefit 10 general commerce, and
for Notifications. There is a still more
fruitful source of expenditure which l
will point out later in this message l
refer to the easy methed of manufac-
turing claims foI losses incurred IN sup
pressing the late rebellion. l would
not be understood here as opposing the
erection Of good, substantial, and even
ornamental building. by the Govern
ment wherever such buildings are need.
ed; in fact, approve of the Govern
ment owning its own buildings in all
sections of the country, and hope the
day is not far distant when it will not
only possess them, but will erect in the
capital suitable residences for all per
SOUS who now receive Communication for
quarters or rent at government expense,
and for Cobinet officers, thus setting an
example to the States whiUh mag in
duce them to erect buildings for their
Senators but would have this work
conducted at time when the revenues
of the country would abundantly JUS
tify it. The revenues have materially
fallen of for the past FIVE months of
the present fiscal year from what they
were expected to produce, owing to the
general panic now prevailing, which
commenced about the middle Of Sep
tember last. The full effect of this
disaster, if it should not prove ''sles-
sing in disguise, is yet to be demon
strated. Ia either event it is your duty
to heed the lesson and to provide BY
wise and ~el!-considered legislation, as
far as lies in your power, against its
recurrence, and to take advantage of al
benefits that may have accrued. My
own judgment is, that however much
individuals may have suffered, one long
step has been taken toward specie pay
ments; that We can never have perma
neut prosperity until specie basi, is
reached, and that specie basis cannot
be reached and maintained until our
exports, exclusive Of gold, pay for our
imports. Interests due abroad and
IL. .-oo,. xlI,,.,,n,. ~. 40 co.rl,