Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-05
find it practicable to avail themselves of the
STOPPING THE BORDER RAIDS.

oANAA A4Nh I'm ANAAhA-As AAhAhn'
1t is n qualification to be able to announce
that, through the judicious and energetic &C
ton Of the military commanders of the two
nations on each side of the Rio Grande, un-
der the instructions of their respective Gov
ernments, raids and depredations have greatly
decreased and in the localities where former
merly most destructive, have now almost
wholly ceased. In view of this result, en-
terrain confident expectation that the con
tinuanco of the prevalence of quiet on the
border will soon become SO assured as to JUS
tify modification of the present orders to
our military commanders, as to crossing the
border, without encouraging such disturb
ances as would endanger the peace of the two
countries. The third installment of the
award against Mexico under the Claims Com
mission of July !, 1865, was duly paid and
has been put III course of distribution in pur-
suance Of the act of Congress providing for
the same. This satisfactory situation be-
tween the two countries leads me to anticipate
an expansion Of our trade with Mexico, and
an increased contribution Of capital and in
dustry by our people to the development of
the great resources of that country. l earn
estly commend to the wisdom of Congress
the provision Of suitable Legislation looking
to this result.
Diplomatic intercourse with Colombia is
again fully restored by the arrival Of a Minis
ter from that country to the United States.
This is especially fortunate, in view of the
fact that the question of an interoceanic ca
nal has recently assumed a new aud import
ant aspect and is now under discussion with
the Central American countries through
whose territory the canal by the Nicaragua
route would have to pass 1t is trusted that
enlightened craftsmanship on their part will
see that the early prosecution of such work
will largely lnure to the benefit, not only of
their own citizens and those of the United
States, but of the commerce of the civilized
world 1t is not doubted that, should the
work be undertaken under the protective au-
spices Of the United States, and upon salts
factory concessions for the right Of way and
its security by the Central American Govern
ments, the capital for its completion would
readily be furnished from this country and
Europe which might, failing such guaran-
tees prove inaccessible
Diplomatic relations with Chill have also
been strengthened by the reception of a Min
lister from that country. The war between
Peru. Bolivia. and Chill still continues. The
United States have not deemed it proper to
iuterpose i'll the matter further than to con
vey to all the Governments concerned the as
surance that the friendly offices of the Gov
Crnment of the United States for the restora-
ton of peace upon an honorable basis will be
extended, IL case the belhgerents shall exhib-
II a readiness to accept them. Cordial rela-
tons continue with Brazil and the Argentine
Republic, aud trade with those countries is
improving. A provision for regular and
more frequent mail communication IL our
own ships, between the ports Of this country
and the nations of South America, seems to
me to deserve the attention of Congress A. AL
g r
commerce with them and an extension of our
carrying trade A recent revolution in Ven
ezucla has been followed by the establish
ment Of "A provisional government This
government has not yet been formally recog-
nIzed, and 1t is deemed desirable to await the
proposed action Of the people which is ex-
pected TO give il the sanction of constitution
al forms A naval vessel has been sent to
the Samoan Islands, to make surveys and
take possession Of the privileges coded to the
United States 10y Samoa. in the harbor Of Pa
collage. coaling station is to be estab-
Gshed there which will be convenient and
useful to United States vessels.
The subject Of opening diplomatic relations
with Roumania and Seryia. now become in
dependent sovereignties, is at present under
consideration, and is the subject of diplo-
matte correspondence.
There is a gratifying increase of trade with
nearly all European and American countries,
and it is believed that, with judicious action
III regard to its development. il can and will
be still more enhanced, and that American
products and manufactures will find new and
expanding markets. The rennrts nf dpln-
matte aud consular officers upon this subject,
under the system now adopted, have resulted
in obtaining much valuable information
which has been and will continue to be laid
before Congress and the public from time to
time.
THE CONDITION OF ALASKA
The third article of the treaty with Russia
of March 30, 1867, by which Alaska was ced-
ed TO the United States provides that the
inhabitants Of the coded territory, with the
exception of the uncivilized native tribes
shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the
rights Of citizens of the United States, and
shall be maintained and protected in the free
enjoyment Of their liberty Of property and
religion The uncivilized tribes are subject
to such laws and regulations as the United
States may from time to time adopt il regard
to the aboriginal tribes of that country Both
the obligations of this treaty and the necess-
ties OF the people require that some organ
lied 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 offcnses, such a assault rob
berry and murder, and no magistrate author
lied to issue or execute process in such cases.
Serious difficulties have already arisen from
otienses Of this character, not only among
the original inhabitants, but among citizens
of the United States and other countries who
have engaged in mining, fishing and other
operations within the Territory. bill au-
thorizing the appointment of Justices of the
Peace and constables and the arrest and de
tcntiou Of persons charged with criminal Of
lenses, and providing for an appeal to United
States courts in the District of Oregon il
suitable cases, will, at proper time, be sub
mitted to Congress.
THE PUBLIC FINANCES
The attention of Congress is called to the
annual report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury Oh the condition of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 80, 1879, were
S273, S27, 1916 The ordinary expenditures
for the same period were S2GG, 947, Os3. -,
leaving surplus revenue for the year of Sc
$40, 300. 80. The receipts for the present lis
cal year ending June 30, 1850 actual and es-
timated, are as follows Actual receipts for
the first quarter commencing July /, 1879,
80, o43, G63.Cl estimated receipts for the
remaining three-quarters of the year, SOS.
1876, 1886. 80 total receipts for the current ifs
cal year. actual and estimated, S2ss, 900, 600.
The expenditures for the same period will be,
actual and estimated, as follows For the
quarter commencing July !, 1879 actual ex-
penditures, S9l Gs3, 365. 10 and for the re
naming three-quarters of the year, the ex-
pendltures are estimated at Sl72.3lG,Gl4 80.
making the total expenditures S2G4 600, 900,
and leaving an estimated surplus revenue for
the year ending June 80, 1880, of $24, OOO,-
600.
The total receipts during the next fiscal
year ending June 30, 1881, estimated accord
ing TO existing laws will be S2ss, 600 600
and the estimated ordinary expenditures for
the same period will be S27s, O97, 3G4 80, leav-
ing surplus of 80, 9O2, G35. 81 for that year
The large amount expended for arrears of
pensions during the last and the present ifs
cal year, amounting TO S2l, AZ, 249. 60, has
prevented the application of the full amount
required by law to the sinking fund for the
current year, but these arrears having been