The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-14

spect.
Our relations with other countries continue
peaceful. Our neutrality in contests between
foreign powers has been maintained and re-
spected.
The Universal Exposition held at Paris during
the past summer has been attended by large num-
bers of our citizens. The brief period allowed
for the preparation and arrangement of the con-
tributions of our citizens to this great EXPOSE
ton was well employed in energetic and judi
cious efforts to overcome this disadvantage.
These efforts, led and directed by the Commits
ner-General, were remarkably successful, and
the exhibition of the products of American in
dustry was creditable and gratifying in scope
and character. The reports of the United States
Commissioners giving its results in detail. will
be duly laid before you: Our participation IN this
international competition for the favor and trade
of the world may be expected to produce useful
and important results, In promoting intercourse,
friendship and commerce with other nations.
In accordance with the provisions of the act of
February Is, 1878, three commissioners were
appointed to an international conference on the
subject of adopting a common ratio between
gold and silver; for the purpose OF establishing,
internationally, the use of bimetallic money,
and securing hxity of relative value between
those metals.
Invitations were addressed to the various Gov
ernments which had expressed Willingness to
participate in its deliberations. The conference
held its meeting in Paris in August last. The re-
port of the Commissioners, herewith submitted,
will show its results. No common ratio between
gold and silver could be agreed upon by the con-
ference. the general conclusion was reached
that 1T Is necessary to MAINTAIN In the world the
monetary functions of silver as well as gold,
leaving the selection of the use of one or the
other of these two metals, or of both, to be
made by each State.
the sum of IS, to pay the award of the
Joint Commission at Halifax, if, after CORE
spondence with the British Government on the
subject of the conformity of the award to the
requirements of the treaty and to the terms of
the que stion thereby submitted to the Commits
sion, the President shall deem 1t his
ItrAN 30 fhA
cations upon these points We're addressed
to the British Government through the
legation of the United States at London. Fail
ing to obtain the concurrence of the British
Government in the views of this Government
respecting the award, | have deemed it my duty
TO tender the sum named, within the year fixed
grounds of payment, and protest against any
other construction of the same. The correspond
ence upon this subject will be laid before you.
The Spanish Government has officially an
nounced the termination of the insurrection in
Cuba, and the restoration of peace throughout
that island. Confident expectations expressed
OF revival of trade and prosperity, which it is
earnestly hoped may prove well founded. Nu-
merous claims of American citizens for relief
for injuries or restoration of property have been
among the incidents of the long-continued hos
tilities. Some of these claims are in process of
adjustment by Spain, and the others are prom
lsed early and careful consideration.
The treaty made with Italy, in regard to re-
ciprocal consular privileges, has been duly rati-
fed and proclaimed.
No questions of grave Importance have arisen
with any other of the European powers.
The Japanese Government has been DESTROYS
of a revision of such parts of its treaties with
foreign powers as relate to commerce, and, it is
understood, has addressed to each of the treaty
powers request to open negotiations with that
view. The United States Government has been
inclined to regard the matter favorably. What
ever restrictions upon trade with Japan are found
injurious to that people cannot but affect injur-
iously nations holding commercial intercourse
n "a nd nf or In
sion, has within the past few years made rapid
strides in the path of enlightenment and pro-
gress, and, not unreasonably, is looking forward
to the time when her relations with the nations
of Europe and America shall be assimilated to
those which they hold with each other. A treaty
looking to this end has been made, which will be
su omitted for the consideration of the Senate.
After an interval of several years the Chinese
Government has again sent ENJOYS to the United
States. They have been received, and perma-
nent legation Is now established here by that
Government. 1t is not doubted that this step
will be of advantage to both nations in promot-
ing friendly relations and removing causes of
difference. The treaty with the Samoan Islands,
having been duly ratified and accepted on the
part OF both Governments, Is now in operation,
and survey and soundlngS of the harbor of
Pago-Pag have been made by naval vessel of
the United States with a view of its occupation
as naval station if found desirable to the serv-
ice.
Since the resumption of diplomatic relations
with Mexico, correspondence has been opened
and still continues between the two Govern
ments upon the various questions which at one
time seemed to endanger their relations. While
no formal agreement has been reached as to the
troubles on the border. much has been done to
repress and diminish them. The effective force
of United States troops on the Rio Grande, by a
strict and faithful compliance with instructions,
has done much to remove the source of dispute,
and 1T is now understood that like force of
Mexican troops on the other side of the river is
also making an energetic moyement against the
marauding Indian tribes. This Government
every evidence of strength III the National
authority of Mexico, and upon every effort
put forth to prevent to punish incursions
upon our territory. Reluctant to assume any
action or attitude in the control of these incur
slons, by military movements across the border,
not lmperatlyely demanded for the protection of
the lives and property of our citizens. shall
take the earliest opportunity consistent with the
proper discharge of this plain duty, to recognize
the ability of the Mexican Government to re-
strain efeC lively violations of our territory. 1t
is proposed to hold next year International Ex-
hibition in Mexico, and it is believed that the
display of the agricultural and manufacturing
products of the two nations will tend to better
understanding and increased commercial inter-
course between their people.
With Brazil, and the Republics of Central and
South America, some steps have been taken to-
ward the development of closer commercial inter
course. Diplomatic relation have been resumed
with Columbia and with Bolivia. A boundary
question between the Argentine Republic and
Paraguay has been submitted by those Govern
ments for arbitration to the President of the
United States, and / have, after careful exam
nation, given decision upon 1T.
A naval expedition up the Amazon and Ma
deira Rivers has brought back information val
liable both for scientific and commercial pur-
poses. A like expedition is about visiting the
coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean. The re-
ports of diplomatic and consular officers in rea-
ton to the development of our foreign com
merce have furnished many facts that have
proved of public interest, and have stimulated
to practical exerton the enterprise of our people
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
| furnishes detailed statement of the operations
of that Department of the Government, and OF
the condition of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources for the
| fiscal year ended June 80 1873 were 257 763, S78
| 20; the ordinary expenditures for the same pc,
riod were 1896 1854 1926 .S0-leaving surplus reve
nue. for the year, of $40, 799, 551 80.
The receipts for the present fiscal year, ending
| June 80, 1879, actual and estimated, are as fol
| lows Actual receipts for the first quarter com
mencing July l, 1873, $685., 7i3.4s; estimated
ceipts for the remaining three-quarters of the
year l91 ITO 256.5S total receipts for the current
fiscal year, actual and estimated, S264,5W00
The expenditures for the same period will be
| actual and estimated as follows: For the quar-
ter commencing July LIST, 1878, actual expendi
lures, 1913 344 b73.27 and for the remaining three
quarters of the year the expenditures are est
mated at 5l66, 755 426. 73-makng the total expend
lures 40,10O00), and leaving an estimated
surplus revenue. for the year ending June Goth
| 1879, of S24.400,000.
| The total receipts during the next fiscal year
ending June 80 1880, estimated according t
existing laws will be 1854 100000; and the esti
mated ordinary expenditures for the same pc
Rod, will be 1886, 1904 2.68; leavinga surplus o.
$28l79 ,587 80 for that year.
i In the foregoing statements OF expenditures
actual and estimated no amount is allowed TO
the sinking fund provided for by the act APP