Jamestown alert., 1879-12-09

islands to make surveys and take possession of
the privileges ceded to the United States by
Samoa in the harbor of Pago Pago. A coaling
station is to be established there which will be
convenient and useful to the United States
vessels.
ROUMANIA AND sERvIA.
The subject Of opening diplomatic relations
with Roumania and Servia now become inde-
pendent sovereignties, is at present under
consideration and is subject Of diplomatic
correspondence.
FOREIGN TRADE.
There is gratifying increase Of trade with
nearly all European and American countries,
and it is believed that by udicious action in re-
gard to its development it can and will be still
more enhanced, and that American products
and manufactures will find new and expanding
markets. The reports of diplomatic and con-
sular officers upon this subject under the sys-
much valuable Information which has been
and will continue to be laid before Congress
and the public from time to time.
The third article of the treaty with Russia of
March 80, 1867, by which Alaska was ceded to
the United States, provides that the inhabi-
tants of the ceded territory, with the exception
of uncivilized native tribes, shall be admitted
to the en- joyment of all rights of citizens of
the United States, and shall be maintained aud
protected in the free enjoyment of their lib
erty, prosperity and religion. The uncivilized
tribes are sub ject to such laws aud regulations
as the United States may from time to time
adopt. In regard to the aboriginal tribes of
that country, both the obligations of the treaty
and the necessities of the people demand that
some organized form of government over the
territory Of Alaska be adopted. There appears
to be no law for the arrest of persons charged
with common law ofenses, such as assault,
robbery and murder, and no magistrate author
ized to issue or execute process IN such cases.
Serious difficulties have already arisen
among the original Inhabitants but
among citizens of the United States and other
countries who have engaged in mining, fishing
and other business operations within the terri
tory. A bill authorizing the appointment of
justices of the peace and constables, and the
arrest and detection Of persons charged with
criminal offenses and providing for an appeal to
on suitable cases will at the proper time be sub
mitted to Congress-.
THE TREASURY.
annual report of the secretary of the treasury
on the condition Of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all
sources for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1879 were. $273, 1927, ,lS4 46
The ordinary expenditures for
the same period were. ....... 266, ,947, 1888 50
Leaving a surplus revenue for
the year of................. 6,o19.3OO 93
The receipts for the present fiscal year ending
June 80, 1880, actual aud estimated, are as fol-
lows:
Actual receipts for frat qua,ter
commencing July. 1879......$ 79,S43, ,663 81
Estimated receipts for remain
ing three quarters of the year 208, 1885, 1884 80
Total receipts for the current
fiscal year, actual and esti-
mated. .............. 2ss,OOo, 900 90
The expenditures for the same peri:d will
be, actual and Estimated, as follows:
For the quarter commencing
July l, 1879, actual expendi-
lures ..:...........s sl.6ss,ss5 10
For the remaining three quar-
ters of the year the expendi-
lures are estimated at. ...... l72,3l6,6 ,614 80
Making the total expenditures. 264, ,00O, QUO 90
Leaving an estimated surplus
of revenue for the year end
ing June 80, 1880. Of. ...... 24,O0o,0 900 90
The total receipts during the
next fiscal ending June 80,
1881, estimated according to
existing laws, will be. ...... 288, 8,O0O, 900 90
And the estimated ordinary
expenditures for the same
period will be. .............. 27S, ,097 1864 80
Leaving surplus of $9902, ,635.6 81 for that
year.
The large amount expended for the arrears
of pensions during the last and the present
fiscal year. amounting to 2l,747, ,249.60, ias
prevented the appropriation of the full amount
required by law to the sinking fund for the
current year, but these arrears having been
substantially paid, it is believed that the sink
ing fund can hereafter be maintained without
any change Of the existing law.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
The secretary of warireports that the wal. de
partment estimates for the fiscal year ending
June 9O 1881, are $40, $780, 1883, the same
being for less sum of money than any annual
estimate rendered to Congress from that de-
partment during period of at least twelve
years. He concurs with the general of the
army in recommending such legislation as will
authorize the establishment of the full number
of 25,00O men for the line of the army, exclu-
sive of 8. 463 men required for detached duties.
field.
He also recommends that Congress be asked
to provide by law for the disposition of
large humber of abandoned military posts
and reservations which, though very valuable
in themselves, have been rendered useless
for military purposes by the advance of civili-
xaticn and settlement.
He unites with the duartermaster general in
recommending that appropriations be made for
the construction of cheap and perfectly fire.
proof building for the safe storage of q vast
amount of money, accounts, vouchers, claims
and other valuable reports now in the quarter
master generals office and exposed to great
risk and to total destruction by fire.
He also. recommends, in conformity with the
vieys of the Judge advocate general, some de-
sultory legislation in reference to the military
statute of convictions as applied to the crime
of deeertion.
In these several recommendations concur.
The secretary of war further reports that the
work for the i'm provement of the south pass of
the Mississippi river, under contract with