Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-12-09

millions of dollars in 1876. The
,alance of trade has been changed
from over one hundred and thirty
millions against the United States
in 1869, to more than one hundred
and twenty millions Of dollars in
our favor in 1876.
1t is confidently believed that
the balance OF trade in favor of the
United States will increase, not
dimini h, aud that the pledge Of
Congress to resume specie pay
ments in 1879 will be easily accom-
plished, even in the absence of
much desired further legislation
on the subject.
A policy has been adopted to-
ward the Indian ibes inhabiting
large portion of the territory of
the United States, which has been
humane and has substantially end
ed Indian hostilities in the whole
land, except in a portion of Ne
braska and Dakota, Wyoming and
Montana Territories. the Black
Ellis region and the approaches
there. Hostilities there have grow
out of the avarice of the white
man, who has violated our treaty
stipuiations in his search for gold
The question might be ask ed, why
the government has not enforced
obedience to the terms Of the trea-
ty prohibiting the occupation Of
the Black Hills region by whites :?
The answer is simple The first
Immigrants to the Black Hills
were removed by troops, but ru
mors Of rich discoveries of gold
took into that region increased
numbers. Gold has actually been
found in paying quantity, and an
effort TO remove the miners would
only result in the d sertion of the
bulk Of the troops that might be
sent there to remove them. AL,
difficulty in this matter, however,
has been removed-subject TO APP
prevail of Congres5-by a treaty
ceding to Black Hills and APP
proaches to settlement by citi-
ZenS.
The subject Of Indiar policy and
treatment is so fully set forth by
the Secretary OF the Interior and
the Commissioner of Indian af-
fairs, and my views expressed so
fully therein that / refer to their
reports and recommendations as
my own.
The relations of the United
States with foreign powers con-
tinue on friendly footing.
Questions have arisen from time
to time in the foreign relations of
the government, but the United
States have been happily free from
the complications and embarrass-
ments which have surrounded
some of the foreign powers.
The diplomatic correspondence
submitted herewith contains in
formation as to certain of the mat
tiers which have occupied the gov
eminent.
The cordiality which attends
our relations with the powers of
the earth has been plainly sh own
by The general participation of
foreign nations in the Exhibition
which has just closed, and by the
exertiOi made by distant powers
to show their inter ST and friendly
feelings towards the United States
in the commemoration of the Cen.
tennial of the nation. The gov
eminent and people Of the United
ST. les have not only fully appre-
ciated this exhibition of kindly
feeling, but it may be justly and
fairly expected that no small ben
fits wi result both TO ourselves
and other nations from a better
acquaintance and better appre-
citation of our mutual advantages
and mutual wants.
Congress at it's last session saw
fit to reduce the amount usually
appropriated for foreign inter
course by withho ding appropria-
tions for Representa- ives of the
United States in certain foreign
countries and for certain consular
officers, and by reducing the
amounts usually appropriated for
certain other diplomatic posts,
and thus necessitating change in
the grade of the representatives
For these reasons, Immediately
upon the passage of the bill MAX
ing appropriations for the GiplG-
matte and consular service for the
present fiscal year, Instructions
we're issued to the Repre- ,entatives
% the United States at Bolivia,
Ecuador and Co umbia, aud the
consular officers to whom 40 ap-
propriations had been made, TO
close their respective legations
and consulates, and cease from the
performance of their duties; and
in like manner steps were imme-
diately taken to substitute Charge
d'Affaires for ministers resident
-, povfpOat nOp ynortD Groono