The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-12-08
INDIAN AFFAIRS.

A policy has been adopted towards -,
he Indian tribes inhabiting large por- {
ion Of the territory of the United {
States which has been humane, and has
substantially ended Indian hoaiilities in
The whole land, except in portion of
Nebraska and Dakota, Wyoming and
Montana Territories, the Black Hills
region, and approaches thereto. HOs-
tlities there have grown out Of the avar-
ice Of the white man, who has violated
our treaty stinulations in his search for
gold. The question might be asked, why
the Government has not enforced obedi- :
ence to the terms Of the treaty prohibit
ing the occupation of the Black Hills
region by the whites. The answer l.
simple: The frat emiRrants to the Black
Hillswere removed by troops, but rum
ors and fresh discoveries Of gold took in
TO that region increased numbers. Gold
hs. actually been found in paying
quantities, and an effort to remove the
miners would only result in the destruc-
tion of the bulk Of the troops that might
be sent there to remove them. All diff
Guilty in this matter has, however, been
removed, subject to the approval Of Con
gress, BY treaty cediDg the Black Hills
and approaches to settlement by citizens. |
The subject Of the Indian policy is so
fully set forth by Secretary of the Inter
ior and the Commissioners of Indian
Affairs, and my views so fully expressed
therein, thar refer to these reports and
recommendation as my own.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign Powers continue on
friendly footing. Questions have arisen
from time 10 time in the foreign rela-
tions Of the Government. but the United
States have been happily free during
The past year from the complications and
embarras-ments which have surrounded
some Of the foreign Powers The diplo-
matte correspondence submitted here
| with contains information ~ to certain
uf the matters which have occupied the
Government. The c"rdianify which at
ends our relations with the Powers Of
the earth has been plainly shown by the
General participation of foreign Nations
| 10 n Ia oh h. =, IL
and by the exertions made by distant
! Powers 10 show their interest in and
friendly feelings toward the United
States in commemortion Of the Centen
nial Of the Nation. The Government
and people Of the United State. have
not only fully appreciated this exhibit
ion Of kindly feeling, but it may be just
ly and fairly expected that no small
benefits will result both to ourselves and
otlier Nations from better acquaintance
and better appreciation of our mutual
advantages and mutual relations.
Congress at its last session saw fit to
reduce the amount usually appropriated
for foreign intercourse by Withholding
appropriations for representatives of the
United States in certain foreign countries
and for certain consular officers, and by
reducing the amounts usually appropri
ated for certain other diplomatic posts
and thus necessitating change in The
grade of representative. For these rea
sons, Immediately upon the passage O.
the bill making appropriations for diplo
matte and consular service for the prea
ent force, instructions we're issued to th'
representatives of the United States a
e Bolivia, Ecuador and Columbia, and t,
: the consular officers for whom no appro
. priation had been made, to close thei
respective legations and consulates, ant
: cease from the performance of thei
: duties; and like manner steps were i'm
mediately taken to substitute charge
" d'dfutres for Ministers-residenti in Portu
II gal, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland an
q Paraguay. While thoroughly impresse
n with the wisdom of sound economy i
h the foreign service, as in other branche
'e of the Government, / can not escape tn
" conclusion that in some instances th
'e Withholding ofappropriations will prov
le an expensive economy, and that tn
le small retrenchment secured by chang
re of grade in certain diplomatic posts
pr not an adequate consideration for th
~ loss Of influence and importance whic
e. will attend our foreign Representative,
C. under this reduction ] am Of opinir
ee that a REORGANIZATION ofthe subject wi
ry cause change in some instances in ii
sn conclusions reached on these subjects
m he last session of Congress.
:" ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Commissioners Court of the Al
hama Claims, whose functions were CO
tinuei by IN act of the last session
Congress until the 1st day Of Januar
: 1877, has cirried IN its labors with dill
-" gence and general satisfaction. Bv
report from the Clerk of the Court, trar
W. nitted here, hearing date Novem her ]
=" 1876, 1t appears that during the til
ne now allowed by law the Court will ha
y" disposed of all the claims presented
I'VE adjudication. This report also contai
=" 4 statement of the general results of {
"u !abors of the Court to the date there
oE Ii is n cause Of satisfaction that I
I'd method adopted for the satisfaction
!" the classes Of claims admitted TO I
ny Court which are of long standing, a
',S' justly entitled to an early consideratrt
'n 'n should have proved successful and
eo' ceptable.
,rt-
NJ UNITED STATES AND BRITISH PossI
hi. sIoN-BoUNDARY LINES.
: of II is with satisfaction that am el
re- bled to state that the work Of the 10
by Commission for determining the boul
II airy line between the United States a
nch British Possessions from the northw W
was angle of the Lake Of the Woods to
b | Rocky Mountains, commenced in Is