Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-07


United States when such changes of govern
ment have heretofore occurred in Mexico TO
recognize and enter into official relations with
the ne f1ctO Government rs soon as it should
appear to have the approval Of the Mexican
people. and should manifest disposition to
adhere to the obligations Of treaties and inter
national friendship. In the present case such
official recognition has been deferred by the
occurrences ON the Rio Grande border, the
records Of which have already been commun-
icated TO each house Of Congress in answer TO
their respective resolutions of inquiry. As
surnnces have been received that the Mexican
Government have both the disposition and
the power to prevent and punish such unlaw-
full invasions and deprcdations II is earnest
~ to be hoped that events may prove these
assurances to be well founded. The best in
terests of both countries require the mainte-
nance of peace upon the borders and the de-
yelopment of commerce between the two Re
publics II is gratifying to add that this tenn
porury interruption of official relations has
not prevented due attention 10y the rcpresen
tntives Of the United States in Mexico TO the
protection Of American citizens rs far as prac-
ticablc. nor has it intCrfered with the prompt
payment of the amounts due from Mexico to
the United States. under the treaty of July !,
lNGS, and the award of the Joint Commission.
While do not anticipate an interruption of
but look with some solcitude upon coutin-
unnce of border disorders rs exposing the two
countries to irritations of popular feeling and
mischanccs of action which are naturally I'M
favorable to complete amity. Firmly deter
mined thut nothing shall be wanting on my
part 70 promote good understanding between
the two nations, 1 must ask the attention of
Congress to the actual occurrences ON the
border that the livea and property of citizens
L.. 4 3 L., N. 1
served.
Another year has passed without bringing
to a close the protrncted contest between the
Spanish Government andthe iusurrectiunists in
the island of Cuba. While the United States
has seduuu-ly abstamcd from any inttrcn-
ton in this contest it is impossible not TO feel
it is attended 10y incidents affecting the rights
Of American citiIons. Apart from the effect
of the hostiltiys upon trade between the
United States and Cuba, their progress is in
evitahly accompanied hy complaints, having
more or less foundation, Of searches, arrests
omhargoes and oppressive taxes upon the
! property of American residents. and Of uu-
provoked interference with American vessels
and commerce, Ii is due to the government
Of Spain to say that during the past year it
has promptly disavow,d and offered ropara-
ton for any unauthorized acts Of its subordi-
| mates whenever such acts have been brought
! to its attention Such occurrences cannot lut
| tend to excite feelings oi annoyance, suspicion
and resentment. which are greatly to bc dep
! reCat,d. between the respective subjects
and citizen, of two friendly powers.
| Much delay consequent upon accusations OF
| fraud in some uf the awards has occurred IN
respect to the distribution Of the limited
amounts received from Venezuela under the
treaty of April -, 1866. applicable TO the
| award of the Joint Commission created 10y
that treaty. SO long a- these matters are
| pending in Congress the Executive cannot as
| sune either to pass upon the questions pre-
scented, or distribute the fund received. 1t is
emincntiy d. sirhle that definite Legislative
action should be taken either affirming tn,
awards 10 bee final OF providing some mod'
for rec animation OF th. Claims.
Our iatious with thr Republics Of Contra
and South America and with the Empire o.
Brazil have continued without Serious change
further thuu the temporary interruption o.
diplomatic intercourse with Venezuela au'
with Guatemala. Amicahlc relations have nj
ready been fully restored with Venezuela. an,
it Is not doubted that all grounds of miaun
dtrstaudIug with Guatemala viii pttdlly ID
removed From all these countries there ar
favorable Indications Of disposition on Ia
part of iheir Governments and people TO Re
Ciprocato orr efforts IN the direction Of IN
creased commercial intercourse.
The Goycrpm, Of thu Samoan Island
has sent an envoy III Tia, person of lis Secrc
tary of State to invite the Government of tn
United States to recognize and protect thei
independence 10 establish commercial rela
tions with their people and to assist them il
their steps toward responsible and regulate
government The inhabitants Of these Islands
having made considerable progress in Chris
tian civilization and the development Of trade
are doubtful Of their ability to maintain poac
and md, udtncc without the aid of som
stronger power. The subject is deeme
worthy of respectful attention and the claim
upon our assistance by this distant commur
ity will he carefully considered
The long commercial depression in ia
United States has directed attention to ia
subject Of thu pus,ill, increase Of our foruig
trade and the methods for It's development
not only with Europe, hut with other cuuI
; tries and especially with the States and Soy
ereiguties of the Western hemisphere. II
structions from Ia, Department OF State wor
> issued 10 tn various diplomatic and cunsula
7 officers of the Government asking them I
devote attention to the question of method
by which trade between the respective couI
tries of their oficinl rcsidtuc, and the Unite
States could he most judiciousiy fostered |
, obedience to these instructions examination
and reports upon this subject have been mad
by many of these officers and transmitted I
the department. and the same are submitte
! to the consideration of Congress.
: THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
q The annual report of the Secretary of II
T. Treasury on the state of the finances presen
To- important questions for the action of Con
. gress, upon some of which have already r
4 marked. The revenues Of the Governmei
t during the fiscal year ending juno 30, Isl
p were S2G9 600. iSG.G2. The total oXpeud
10 lures for the same period were S23s Geo, 0OS
Y 90 leaving surplus revenue of S3O34O, j11
+ o. This has substantially supplied the r
n quirements of the sinking fund for that yea
. The estimated revenues of the current tisc
u year are 500. 800 600, and the estimated e
V pcnditures for the same period are S232 $50
. G43 - If these estimates prove IorreC
5 there viii be a surplus revenue of Si3, 0Ga 3jG
d 2S. an amount nearly sufficient for the sim
# ing fund of that year. The estimated rev
r nues for the next fiscal year are sea, go, 90
v II appears from the report that durli
V the last fiscal year the revenues of the Go
). eminent compared with the previous yea
o have largely decreased. This decrease amour
II ing to the sum of SIS. 4s1.i ~ was mainly
:. custom duties, caused largely by falling {
$. of the amount of imported dutiable good
v and partly by the general fall Of prices in Ii
! markets of production of such articles as p.
o ad Valorem taxes While this is felt in juriou
Ie ~ in the dimnution Of the revenue it h
-e been accompanied with very large increa
1t of expectations The total exports during Il
IS last fiscal year, including coin. have be,
it SOS, G37 457 and the imports have been ) la:
lie O97, $40. leaving a balance Of trade in favor
L. the United States amounting to the sum
4 SlGG, $50, 9l7, the beneficial effects of viii
j. extend to all branches of business.
w The estimated revenue for the next fsl
:. year will impose upon Congress the duty
to strictly limiting appropriations, including t
requisite sum for the maintenance OF the sin
re ing fund, within the aggregate estimate of /
Is ceipts, While the aggregate taxes should Il