Year: 1871

" Win Nlcardgud HAS uccu cACHdHS5
ed. 1t is subject for congratulation
that the great empire Of Brazil has
taken the initiatory step towards the
abolition of slavery. Our relations
with that empire, always cordial, will
naturally be made more so by this
act. 1t is not too much to hope that
the government of Brazil may here
after find it for its interest as well as
intrinsically right, to advance to-
ward entire emancipation more rap
idly than the present act contem-
plates.


The true prosperity and greatness of
a nation is to be found in the eleva-
ton and education of its laborers.-
1t is subject for regret that the re-
forms in this direction, which were
voluntarily promised by the states
men of Spain have not been carried
out in its West Indies colonies. The
laws and regulations for the apparent
abolition of slavery in Cuba and Por-
to Rico leaves most Of the laborers in
bondage, with no hope of release until
their lives become q burden to their
employers.


| desire to direct your attention to
the fact that the citizens of the Unit
ed States, or persons claiming to be-
citizens of the United States are large
holders in foreign lands of this species
of property forbidden by the filnda-
mental law of their alleged country.
l recommend to congress to provide
by stringent legislation suitable
remedy against the holding, owning,
or dealing in slaves or being interest
ed in slave property in foreign lands,
either as owners, hirers, or mortgages
by citizens of the United States. 1t
is to be regretted that the disturbed
condition of the island Of Cuba con-
tinue to be source of annoyance and
anxiety.


The existence of protracted strug-
gle in such close proximity to our own
territory, without apparent prospect of
an early termination cannot be other
than an object of concern to people
who, while abstaining from interter-
ence in the affairs of other powers,
naturally desire to see every country
in the undisturbed enjoyment of peace
liberty, and the blessings Of free in
stitutions. Our naval commanders in
Cuban waters have been instructed, in
case it should become necessary, to
spare no effort to protect the lives and
property of bona tide American citi
zens and to maintain the dignity Of
the flag.


1t is hoped that all pending questions
with Spain growing out of the affairs
in Cuba, may be adjusted in the spirit
of peace and Cancellation which has
hitherto guided the two powers in
their treatment of such questions, to
give Importance, and to add to the
efficiency of our diplomatic relations
with Japan and China, and to further
aid in retain the good opinion of those
people and secure to the United States
its share Of the commerce destined to
flow between those nations and the
balance of the commercial world. |
earnestly recommend that an appro-
priation be made to support at least
four American youths in each of those
countries, to serve as a part of the
official family of our ministers there.
Our representatives would not even
then be placed upon an equality with
the representatives Of Great Britain
and of some other powers. As now
situated our representatives in Japan
and China have to depend for inter
prefers and translators upon natives
of those countries who know our Ian
guage imperfectly or procure for the
occasion the services Of employees in
foreign business houses or the inter-
prefers to other foreign Minister'S
l would also recommend liberal meas
ures for the purpose of posting the
American lines of steamers now ply
ing between San Francisco and ia
pan aud China, and the Australian
line, almost our only remaining lines
of ocean steamers, and Of increasing
their services.


The national debt has been reduc-
ed to the extent of $S6,057, 1860
during the year, and by the negotia-
ton of national bonds at lower rate
of interest, the interest has been so
far diminished that now the sum to be
raised for the interest account is near
ly S17,000,000 less than on the 1st of
March, 1869. 1t was highly desira-
BILE that this rapid diminution should
take place both to strengthen the
credit Of the country and to convince
its citizens of their entire ability to
meet every dollar of liability without
bankrupting them. But in view of
the accomplishment of these desira-
bic ends, of the rapid development of
the resources Of the country, its in
creasing ability to meet large demands
and the amount already paid it is not
desirable that the present resources Of
the country should continue to be
taxed in order to continue this rapid
payment, and | therefore recommend
a modification of both the tariff and
internal tax laws, and recommend
that all taxes from internal source be
abolished except those collected from
spirituous, vinous and malt liquors,
tobacco in its various forms, and from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff l
suggest that a careful estimate be
made of the amount of surplus reve-
nue. collected under the present laws,
after providing for the current expen-
penses of the government, the interest
account and a sinking fund that this
surplus be reduced in such manner
as to afford the greatest relief to the
greatest number. There are many
articles not produced at home, but
which enter largely into general con-
sumption, through articles which are
manufactured at home, such as medi-
o,na- oon,poupJc afo from which