Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-12-11

nv Nll lthtNs AS ulOIb CuTItHCN SuOulu
be required for the transaction Of leglti-
mate business, new banks would be start
I'd, and in turn the banks would wind up
their business when 1t was found that
there was superabundance of currency.
The experience and judgment of the peo-
pie can best decide just how much currency
is required for the transaction of the busi-
ness of the country. II Is unsafe to leave
the settlement of this question to Congress.
The Secretary of the Treasury is the exc
cutivc. Congress should make the regu-
lations under which the banks may exist,
but should not make banking monopoly
by Initiating the amount of redeemable
paper currency that shall be authorized.
Such importance do l attach to this sub
iect, and so earnestly do l commend it to
your attention, that give it prominence
by introducing il at the beginning of this
message.
FOREIGN RELATIONS IN GENERAL.
During the past year nothing has occur
red TO disturb the general friendly ana cor
dial relations of the United States with 9TH
or powers. The correspondence submitted
herewith between this government and its
diplomatic representatives, OF olher coun-
tries, shows a satisfactory condition OF all
questions between the United states and
most of those countries, and with few eX-
ceptions, to which reference is hereafter
made, the absence OF any points of diler-
cnce to he adjusted.
BELGIUM.
The notice directed by the resolution Of
Congress of June Z, 1874, to be given 10
terminate the convention OF July
II, 1858, between the United States
aud Belgium, has been given, and the
treaty will accordingly terminate on the
LIST day of July, 1873. This convention Sc
cured to certain Belgian vessels entering
the ports of the United States exceptional
privileges which are not accorded to our
own vessels. Other features of the con-
vention have proved satisfactory, and have
tended to the cultivation of mutually ben
eticial commercial intercourse and friendly
relations Between the two countries. l
hope that the negotiations which have been
invited will result in the celebration of an
other treaty which may lead to the inter
ests Of both countries.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
oar relations with China continue to be
friendly. During the past year the fear OF
hustilities between China aud Japan, grow
ing out of the landing of AN armed force
upon the island of Formosa by the latter,
has occasioned uneasiness. 1t is earnestly
hoped, however, the difficulties arising
from this cause will be adjusted, and that
the advance of civilization in these en-
pires may not be retarded by the state of
war. In consequence of the part taken by
certain cili liens of the United States in this
expedition, our representatives in those
countries have been instructed to impress
the governments of China and Japan with
the firm intention of this country TO MAIN
tain strict neutrality in the event of hos
tilities, and to carefully prevent any in
fraction of the law on the part of our cili-
zens. On this subject | call the attention OF
Congress to the generally conceded fact
that the great proportion of the Chinese
10, 10, Il ~
come voluntarily to make their homes with
Us and their labor productive of general
prosperity, but come under contracts with
head men who own them almost absolute
w. In worse form does this apply 10
Chinese women hardly a perceptible per-
centage Of them perform any honorable la
Dor; but they are brought for shameful
purposes to the disgrace of the communi-
lies where they have settled, and to the
great decentralization of the youth of those
localities. If this evil practice can be leg
isated against it will be my pleasure as
well as duty TO enforce any regulation to
secure so desirable an end. II is hoped
that the negotiation between the govern
ment of Japan and the treaty powers, look
ing to the further opening of the empire
and the removal of various restrictions up-
on trade and travel, may soon produce the
results desired, which cannot fail 10 inure
TO the benefit of all parties.
Having on previous occasions submitted
to the consideration of Congress the pro-
priety of excusing the japanese govern
ment from further payment of the indem-
nifty under the convention of October -,
1864, and as no action has been taken there
on, it became my duty to regard the obli-
cations of the convention as in force ; and
as the other powers intrHsted have receiv-
cd thoir portion VI tue lnueuiuIty IN run,
theminister of the United States in Japan
has, on behalf of government, received
the remainder of the amount due the Uni
ted States under the convention of simon
osaki. l submit the propriety OF applying
the income Of part, If not the whole, OF
this fund, to the education in the japanese
language of a number of young men, to he
under obligations TO serve the government
for specified time as Interpreters at the
legation and consulates in Japan. \ linn
tied number of japanese youths might at
the same time be educated in our own YER
nacular, and mutual benefits would result
to both governments. The importance of
having our own citizens competent and Ia
miliar with the language OF Japan, TO act
as interpreters and in other capacities con-
nected with the legation and consulates in
that country, cannot readily be over-esti-
mated.
MATTERS COMING UNDER THE TREATY OF
WASHINGTON.
The amount awarded to Great Britain by
the provision of the treaty of Washington
in settlement of claims of British subjects,
arising from acts committed betw April
II, 1861, and April 9, 1865, became payable
under the terms of the treaty within the
past year, and was paid upon the 2lst day
of September, 1874. In this connection l
renew my recommendation made at tho
opening of the last session of Congress,
that special court be created to hear and
determine all claims of aliens against the
United States, arising from acts committed
against their persons aud property during
the instruction. 1t appears equitable that
an opportunity should he offered TO the CIT
liens ofother States to present their claims
as well as those of British subjects, whose
claims were not admissible under the late
commission 10 the early decision of some
competent tribunal. To this end / recon-
mend the necessary legislation to organize
a court to dispose of all claims of aliens of
the nature referred TO in an equitable and
satisfactory manner, and TO relieve Con-
gress and the departments Of these ques-
tons.
The legislation necessary to extend to the
colony OF Newfoundland certain articles OF
the treaty of Washington of the Sih day OF
| May, 1871, having been had, protocol TO
| that effect was signed in behalf of the L nj
ted States and Great Britain on the 2Sth
day of May last, and was duly proclaimed
on the following day. A copy OF the proc
lamalion is submitted herewith.
A copy of the report of the commission
er appointed under the act Of March 10 1871,
| surveying and making the boundary be-
tween the United States and the British
possessions from the Lake of the Woods
to the summit of the Rocky Mountains, is
herewith transmitted. | ami happy to an
nounce that the field of work of the COM
mission has been completed, and the en-
tire line from the northwest corner of the
|
nit of the Rocky Mountains has been run
and marked upon the surface of the earth.
1t is believed that the amount remaining
unexpended, of the appropriation made at
| the last session of Congress will be suffi-
| Client to complete the office work. ! rec
-, l,nI l,o at,tb ~ ha