Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-12-14

100000 in 1869, to but little over
800, 100000 in 1876. The balance
of trade has been changed from $3.50,
100000 against the United States in
1869 to more than 1920, 100000 in oul
favor in 1876. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that the balance of trade IN
favor of the United States will in.
crease and not diminish, and that the
pledge of Congress to resume specie
payments in 1879 will be easily &C
complished even in the absence Of
much desired further legislation or
the subject.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
A policy has been adopted towards
the Indian tribes inhabiting large
portion of the territory of the United
States which has been humane, and
has substantially ended Indian hostil-
tiles in the whole land, except in a
portion of Nebraska and Dakota,
Wyoming and Montana territories,
the Black Hills region and approaches
thereto Hostilities there have grown
out of the avarice of the white man
who has violated our treaty stipula-
tons in his search for gold. The
question might be asked why the gov
ernment has not enforced obedience
to the terms of treaty, prohibiting
the occupation of the Black Hills re-
gion by the whites. The answer is
simply: The first emigrants to the
Black Hills were removed by troops,
but rumors and fresh discoveries OF
gold in that region increased the num-
bers. Gold has actually been found
in paying quantities, and an effort to
reach the miners would only result in
the desertion of the bulk of the troops
that might be sent there to remove
them. All difficulty in this matter
has, however, been removed, subject
to the approval of Congress, by a
treaty ceding the Black Hills and
approaches to settlement by our citi-
Zens.
The subject of Indian policy and
treatment is so fully set forth by the
Secretary of the Interior, and the con :
sideration of Indian affairs, and my
views so fully expressed therein, that
refer to these reports and reconsld-
erations as my own.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue on a
friendly footing Questions have arisen
from time to time in the foreign rela-
tons of the government, but the
United States have been happily free
during the past year from the com
plications and embarrassments which
have surrounded some of the foreign
powers. The diplomatic correspon-
dence submitted herewith contains
information as to certain of the mat
tiers which have occupied the govern
ment. The cordially which attends
our relations with the powers of the
earth has been plainly shown by the
general participation of foreign ma
tons in the exhibition which has just
closed, and by exertions made by
distant powers TO show their interest
in and friendly feelings towards the
United States in commemoratlon OF
the Centennial of the nation.> The
government and people of the United
States have not only fully appreciated
this exhibition of kindly feeling, but
it may be Justly and fairly expected
that no small benefits will result, both
to ourselves and other nations, from a
better acquaintance and better APP
probation of our mutual advantages
and mutual wants.
Congress, at its last session, saw iii
to reduce the amount usually appro
priated for foreign intercourse, by
withholding appropriations for repre-
sentatives of the United States in GER
tain foreign countries, and for certain
consular offices, and by reducing the
amounts usually appropriated for GER
tain other diplomatic posts, thus nee
essitating a change in the grade OF
representatives. For these reasons
Immediately upon the passage of the
bill making appropriations for dlplo'
matte and consular service for the
present force, instructions were ISSUED
to the representatives of the United
States at Bolivia, Ecuador and Co.
lumbia, to the consular officers toi
whom no appropriation had beer
made, to close their respective lega-
tons and consulates, and cease from
the performance of their duties; and
in like manner, steps were immedl
ately taken to substitute Charges
d'Affaires for Ministers Resident II
Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Swift
erland and Paraguay. While thor
oughly impressed with the wisdom O
some economy in the foreign service
as well as in other branches of the
government, | cannot escape the con
clusion that in some instances the
Withholding of appropriations vii
prove an expensive economy, and
that the small retrenchment secured
by change of grade in certain diplo
matte posts is not an adequate con
sideration for the loss of influence and
Importance which will attend oul
foreign representatives under this re-
duction. | am of opinion that re
examination of the subject will cause
change in some instances in the
conclusions reached in these subjects
at the last session of Congress.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The court of commissioners of Ala
bama claims, whose functions were
continued by an act of the last SEES
sion Of Congress until the first day o
January, 1877, has carried on 1T
labors with diligence and genera
satisfaction. BY report from The
Clerk of the Court, transmitted here
with, bearing date of November IA
1876, it appears that during the time
now allowed bylaw the court will have
disposed of all the claims presented
for adjustment. This report also con
taius statement of the general re
suits of the labors of the court to dat
thereof. 1t is cause of satisfaction
of the classes of claims submitted t
the court which are of long standing