Year: 1879

amicable, and marked by no incident of
especial Importance. A change of the
personal head Of the government of
Egypt has taken place No change, how
ever, has occurred in the relations be-
tween Egypt and the United States.
The action of the Egyptian government
in presenting to the city of New
York one of the ancient ODE.
lisks which possess such historical
interest is highly appreciated as
a generous mark OF international regard
If prosperity should attend the enter
prise offs transportation across the At
lantic, its erection in a conspicuous po-
sition in the chief commercial city ofthe
nation will be soon accomplished


The treaty recently made between
Japan and the United States, in regard
to the revision Of former treaties, it is
now believed will be followed by similar
action on the part of other treaty powers.
The attention of Congress is again in
vited to the subject of the indemnity
funds received some years since from
Japan and China, which with their ac-
cumulatedinterest, now amount to con-
siderable sums. If any part of these
funds is justly due to American citizens
they should receive it promptly, and
whatever may have been received by
this government in excess of strictly just
demands, should in some form, be re-
turned to the nations to whom it equitably
belongs. The governmentlof China has
signifed its willingness to consider the
question of the emf grafton Of its subjects
to the United States with a dispassion.
ate fairness, and to cooperate in such
measures as may tend to prevent inju.
irlous consequences to the United States.
The negotiations are still proceeding
and will be passed with diligence. A
question having arisen between China
and Japan about the LoOchoo Islands,
the United States government has taken
measures to inform those powers of it.
readiness to extend its good offices foT
the maintenance of peace, if they shall
mutually deem it desirable and find it
practicable to avail themselves Of the
profer.


STOPPING THE BORDER RAIDS.


1t is a qualification to be able to an
nounce that, through the iudicious and
energetic action of the military COM
manders of the two nations on eacb
side of the Rio Grande, under the in
struct1ons of their respective govern
ments, raids and depredations have
greatly decreased, and in the localities
where formerly most destructive, have
now almest wholly ceased. In view OF
this result, | entertain a confident ex-
pectation that the continuance Of the
prevalence of quiet on the border will
soon become so assured as to justify
modification of the present orders
to our military commanders, as to
crossing the border. without encour-
aging such disturbances as would
endanger the peace of the two countries.
The third installment Of the award
against Mexico under the claims com
mission of July A. 1863, was duly
paid and has been put in course of distri-
button In pursuance of the act OF Con-
gress providing for the same. This sat-f
istactory situation between the two
countries leads me to anticipate an ex
pansioE of our trade with Mexico and
an increased contribution of capital and
industry by our people to the develop
ment ofthe great resources of that coun-
try. L earnestly 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 minister from that country to the
United States. This is especially for
tunate in view of the fact that the ques-
tlon OF an 1nterOceanic canal has re-
Gently assumed a new and important
aspect and is now under discussion with
the Central American countries, through
whose territory the canal by the Mica
ragua route would have to pass. 1t is
trusted that enlightened statesmanship
on their part will see that the early
nrncpp1lflOn n cIIal, xx-17.l- II
inure to the benefit, not only of their
own citizens and those Of the United
States, but Of the commerce of the civil
lized world. 1t is not doubted that
should the work be undertaken under
the protective auspices of the United
States, and upon satisfactory concessions
for the right of way and its security by
the Central American governments, the
capital for its completion would readily
be furnished from this country and
Europe which might, failing sucn guar
antees, prove inaccessible.


Diplomatic relations with Chill have
also been strengthened by the reception
Of minister from that country. The
war between Peru, Bolivia and Chill
still continues. The United States have
not deemed it proper to interpose in the
matter further than to convey to all the
governments concerned the assurance
that the friendly offices of the govern
ment of the United States for the restora-
tion of peace upon an honorable basis
will be extended, in case the belligerents
shall exhibit readiness to accept them.
Cordial relations continue with Brazil
and the Argentine Republic, and trade
with those countries is improving. A
provision for regular and more frequent
mail communication, in our own stips,
between the ports of this country and
the nations of South America, seems
to me to deserve the attention OF
Congress as an essential precursor
of an enlargement of our commerce with
them and an extension of our CARRYING
trade. A recent revolution in Venezuela
has been followed by the establishment
of q provisional government. This
government has not yet been formally
recognized, and it is deemed desirable to
await the proposed action of the people
which is expected to give it the sanction
of constitutional forms. A naval vessel
has been sent 10 the Samoan 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
United States vessels.


The subject of opening diplomatic re-
lations with Roumania and Servia, now