Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-02

whole country is deeply interested in the growth
ana prosperity Of all its parts.
While the country has not yet reached CON-
pete unity OF feeling and reciprocal confidence
tFtween the communities so lately and so seri-
ously estranged. l feel an absolute assurance
that the tendencies are in that direction, and
with Increasing force. The power OF pubic
opinion will override all political prejudces
and all sectional or state attachments, IN de-
maIding that all over our wide territory the
name and character CT citizen OF the United
States Shall mean one and the same thing and
carry with them unchalenged security aAd re-
spect.
our relations with ether countries coltinIe
peaceful. our neutrality in contests between
foreign, powers has been maintained and Ie-
spected.
The Universal Exposition held at Paris during
tie past summer has been attended by large
numbers OF our citizens. Tie brief period. al
lowed for the preparation and arrangement of
the contributions Of our citizens TO this great
Exposition was well employed in energetic and
JudiciOUs Efforts 10 overcome this disadvantage.
These efforts, led and directed by the C0nimiS-
Sioner General, were remarkably successful,
and the exhibition OF the products of American
industry was creditab.e aud gratifying in scope
and character. The reports OF the United
states commissioners, giving its results in de-
tail. VIII be duly laid before you. our partict-
patton in this international competition for the
favor and the trade OF the world may be ey-
pected 10 produce useful and important results,
in promoting intercourse, friendship, and com
lnerce with other nations.
In accordance with the provisions Of the act
OF February 2S. 1873. three commissioners were
appointed TO an international conference on the
subject OF adopting common ratio between
gold and silver for the purpose OF establishing.
internationally. the use OF bimetalc money.
and securing nXity of relative value between
those metals.
Invitations are addressed to the various GOV
ernmentS which had expressed 4 willingness to
participate in its deliberations. The conference
held its meetings IN Paris. in August last. The
report OF The commissioners, herewith sub
mitted, Will show its results No common
ratio between gold and silver could be agreed
upon by the conference. The general c0nclu-
sion was reached that it is necessary 20 main
tain in the world The monetary functions of
silver as wei! as OF gold. leaving the selection
OF the use of one Or the other CT these two
metals, or OF both. TO be made by each state.
Congress having appropriated a; IL, last ses-
son the sum OF s-I.J0n 600 TO pay the award of
tie Joint Commission at Halifax. IT, after cor
IeSrOGdebce with the British Government, on
the subject OF TIE conformity OF the award to
TIE requirements OF the treaty and to the terms
cI the question thereby submitted to the Com
nilsSion. the President shall deem il his duty TO
make the payment, communications Un0n these
points were addressed 10 the British Govern
ment through the legation of The United States
at London. Failing TO obtain the concurrence
OF the British Government in the views of this
Government respecting the award, ] have
deemed 1t lGy duty To tender the sum named.
within the year fixed by the treaty. accom-
panied by notice OF the grounds OF the pay
lnent, ana protest against any other cOnStruc-
ton of the same. The correspondence upon
this subject Will be laid before you.
The Spanish government has officially an
nCtlnced the termination Of the insurIection in
CUBA. and the restoration OF peace throughout
that island. Confident expectations are eX-
pressed OF a revival of trade and prosperity wich
II Is earnestly hoped may prove Well-fOunlad.
numerous claims OF American citizens for relief
Tor 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 promised
early and careful consideration.
The treaty made with Italy. in regard to re-
clplOcal 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 desirOuS
OF revision Of such parts Of the treaties with
lcfelSn powers as relate 10 commerce, and. il is
Understood. has addressed TO each of the treaty
powers a TegueS to open negotiations with thai
view. 1 He | nited states Government mas been
Inclined 10 regard tne matter favOraty What
ever restrictions upon trade with Japan are
found injurious to thai people cannot bat affect
mJGflOlSlE nations holding com nerc:lt inter-
course Win them. Japan after a lon, period
or seclual0n. has within the past few year
mace rapid strides in the path OF eniightmen
ana progress, and, I1ot HnreaSOnabiy. is Io0kln
10rW 10 tie time When her relations with The
nations CT Europe and America shall be aSsimi-
laLed 10 those which they hold with each other.
treaty locking 10 this end has been made
which Will be submitted for the consideration of
the Senate.
After an interval Of several years. the Chinese
government has again sent ENJOYS to the Uni
ted states. They have been received and q
permanent legation is now established here by
That Government. it is not doubted that this
step VIII be OF advantage TO both nations in
promoting friendly relations and removing
causes or difference. The treaty with the Si-
moan Islands, having been duly ratified and
accepted On the part Of both Governments, is
OF the harbOr OF PagO-PagO have been made by
naval vessel of the United States. with view
OF It's occupation as a naval station, il found
desirable to the service.
Since q of f3f,,1ny
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
renress and diminish them. The effective force
or nlted states troops on the Rio Grande, by a
strict and faithful compliance with instructions,
has done much TO remove the sources 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 movement AGAINST
TIE marauding Indian tribes. This government
LOOKS with the greatest satisfaction upon every
evidence OF strength in the national author
ny OF MeAlco. and upon every effort
put forth to prevent or to punish incursiOnS
upon our territory. Relunctant 10 assume any
action or attitude in the control OF these incur
SionS, Dy military movements across the bOr-
der not lmperatively demanded for the protec-
ton OF the lives and property OF our own citi-
ZenS, snail take the earliest opportunity, con-
slstent with the proper discharge of this plain
duty, to recognize the ability OF the Mexican
government to restrain effectively violations of
our territory. 1t is proposed to hold next year
an international exhibition in Mexico and it is
DelleVed that the display of the agricultural
and manufacturing products of the two nations
Will tend to better understanding and Increased
commercial intercourse between their people,
With Brazil and the Republics of Central and
South America some steps have been taken
toward the development OF closer commercial
intercourse. Diplomatic relations have been
resumed with Colombia and with Bolivia.
boundary question between the Argentine Re-
public and Paraguay has been submitted by
those Governments for arbitration to the Presi-
dent Of the United States, and / have, after
careful examination, given decision upon it.
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 or diplomatic and consular officers in re-
lat1on TO the development of our foreign COM
me1ce have furnished many facts that have
proved OF public interest and have stimulated
10 practical exertion the enterprise OF our peo-
pie.
The report OF the Secretary of the Treasury
furnishes detailed statement of the opera
tons 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, 1878, were s25l
t63SIS.'o: the ordinary expenditures for til
same period were s236, 1861, ,326 S0-leavlng sur
plus revenue for the year, OF $40, 199, $3.50.
The receipts for the present fiscal year, end
ing June so, 1879, actual and estimated, are a
follows: Actual receipts for the first quartz
.fylfr yprlx