if
ft
( I
f
1
1
'I
f
r.
i
I;.
fl;
U1
0
n
is
si
)
5 tae the Ccns:itution for our guide,
walk iu the path niaiked out by the found
era of the II public, nod cboj the rules,
made sacred by observance, of oar great
preiieveffora.
Tho present coodiiion of our finances
ai:d circulating medium is one to wf.ieh
yoi.r parly consideration is invited. The
proportion which tho currency of any
Country fchoulJ t?ar to tha whole value ot
the oiuiwai produce circulated by its menus
is u q;es.ija up'.n which political econ
omise have ' not ngreed ; nor can it ba
c-.it'.viled by legislation, but triu-t be left
to irrevocable la-.v winch everywhere rrg
tlau coiurncrca and trade. The circ-itat
medium will ever irresistibly fhw to
those points where it is in greatest demand.
The la a- of demand end supply is as uner
ring a3 that whiv'h regulates the tides of
the ocean, ar.d indeed the currency, like
the tide, has iis ebb.) and fl ws through
out, tiie commerial world. At the bein
jiing of the rebellion, the bank rote circu
lation of the country amounted to not
tmjch mure than two handred rni'lions of
dollars. Now the ci:c j'.Kti.'ii of National
brink notes as d thyse known as legal ten
ders, is nearly seven hand red millions,
hih it ia urgu by some ;5.t thin amouut
b.uld be increased. . Others contend that
a decided reduction is absolutely essential
to the best interests of the country. In
view of these diverse opinion, it may be
well to ascertain the real value of our pa
per issius, when compared with a metallic
inconvertible wurrency. For th's purpose
we inquire how much gold and silver
tould be purchased by wren hundred
millions of paper money now in circula
tion. Probably not mere than half the
amouiwofilieittei-,hoiiig ihat when our
paper currency ia compared with gold and
silver, its commercial value it compressed
ii.to three hundred and fifty millions
tJtli'A lii'iu2 fact m vkes it the obvious
duty of the Government as erly as may
be consistent with the principles of Round
po'itical econmnj to take such measure
as will enable holders of it notes and those
of National banks to convert them with
out losa into specie or iis equivalent. A
reduction of our paper circulating medium
need not necessarily follow; this, however,
Would di-uend upon the law of demand
and supply, though it should be borne in
J. I xntnd tnat by mnking Kgal tender anl
. 1' 1 1 1 lie ii.itm cin vnrtihla h.f i-nin nr its
qjiv.denf, their present specie value in
the hand of their holders wo'ild be en
hanced one hundred per cent. The legis
lation for the accomplishment of a result
bj desirable, is demanded by the highest
public uxtifidcraitons. The constitutio;.
contemplate thrt the cirruiatlr.g medium
of the rcur.try f hall be uniform in q-iaiity
and vidue. At the time of tho formation
of thnt ir;?rriir.ient, the country had just
tea org d frtm the wnr of the revolution,
and was i'frir.g frua:. the effects of a re
dundant aim worlhlcs paper currency.
, prefect tbeir posterity from evils which
tny tnTueiv?a n-m experienced, hence,
in provi linjr a circulating medium, they
Conferred up n Cjtire? the pjwer t-3
c-.in m n y and regulate the value lhere f,
i.t .hs same time prohsbitifi-i the States
f(Hl amKinT unri tunp hat f-t-itl nih nlror
u t-i'jer in the payment of deb's.
'the r.o:ukrt condition, our currency
is r,tr in, is j'n'iiiir cintTitst with that
v, !,i"h w;a? o-i;;i;ti'y deign-?d. Our cir
cji.ii'u n r. w ctiVrt :C3
first. Ne'e? of National banks which
ae nvtdj receivable lor all dues to the
p"ver.ii:'en ex-tladin in;pnrt.. and hj all
its era': tor?, ex?f-p!ii-c in payment of in-t.rc-4.
its Londi aoi securities thsm
' ; L"jal tender notes Isued by
i, the Unittd S'.ateh, wldv-Ii the law re-
c, ii"M : ':uil bo received wc'I in paj men I
cf ull d-lte between citizn af of ail ?ov
cina;c:it d ie. cxcpti.i ia;n'.'?t ; and
Third. Gdl and tiilver coin. By the
oprra::'.1!! of cj- present system of tinanc,
Li. .vevtr, rcei;i!'ic carrenc-', when collect
ed, s r. it ve I only for 0"e c!a?s of porprn
mtat ere iitor.o, who, holding its IhnvjM,
;j Fcmi-anmially receive their interest in coin
Iixm tli natunal treasury. I hey are
th'-H ruaac to occ upy an invidious position,
whioh uiay be used to strengthen the a.'u
tt!3':t3 of those who would bnr.jj into di3
repiit ' the obligations cf the naliou in the
pyynieut of all its dsb:s.
T'ae p igh'eJ faitli cf ih covtrnment
sIvmiM he t i Uhly miaiained ; birt wi,i!e
it ucls ,uth tiJclify toward the bondholder,
who lo tiicd h'.a m;uev tltat the integrity
ii Ot the Union tniy.ht be preserved, it fhould
at tha same lima observa good faith wjt!
i tn great nnwa of the people who, hav
ij ing resfu.:d the Union irom the perils of
. .1 !t. .1. . l !
. ij rw mz.ii me uurucNt oi i;ta-
t.on that the Government may bo able to
fuliiU it et;gHenients. There is no rea
son which will he a':cptcd as satisfactory
by tha people, why thoe who defend us
i on land and protect us on sea ; pensioner
? upuii ine graiittMe ot tlie nation, bearing
j rc tr.s and wuunils rr-eived in its service ;
j. .ii... i. cituiiis in iue various aeoartinents
ot the Government ; farmers who supply
tllC fenlhiTiof ;hri urmv aiA tm m..',. .r-
, - of tLe r.ay ; artisans wio toil in the na-
tfn's woikshops ; mechanics and laborers
( ( who build its edifices and construct its
; I forts and ves.-eh, should, in payment of
Itbair jjst and hard earned due receive
:dpreciatod paper, while another claa of
tbeir coantryioen, no mort deserving, ar
i' , pnid in coin, gold and silver. Equal and
txact justice reqiires that all creditors of
. 'be Government should be paid in a curJ
i rny pose8stng a uniform value. ' This
;a3 only be accomplished by the restora-
i"wn of tlie currency to the standard estab
Tihed by th Ccnrtitution, and by this
! Waits we would retnove a discrimination
. i vhich may, if it has not already done so,
' . Wata a prejudice that may become dap
1 ' ;oted and wide spread, and iaiperil the
jtiunal credit.
l( Tlte feasibility of making our currency
) jTespond with the constitutional stand
. fl, may be seen by reference to a few
t sets d-r'tved from our commercial statis
- lc lh production of precious metals
. f? the United Sfatrs from 1849 to 1857,
r s elusive, amounted to $579,000,000 j
- V.., 1838 to I860, inclusive, to $137,
,f '00,000, hnd from J861 ty 1867, ioclu-
aggregate f prodnctstir.ee 1819 of $),
174,000,000. The" amount of specie
coined from 184D to 1857. inclusive, whs
$639,000,000; f--oai 1858 to 1860, in
cIuhvp, it was $125,000,000, and from
1861 ti 1867, inclusive, it whs $810,
000,000 making the total coinage since
1849, $874,000,000. From 1849 to
1857, inclusive, thejiet exports of specie
amounted to Sj'271,001',OUO ; fiom 1858
to I860, inclu.-ive, to $148, 000,000, Hud
from 18ul to 18o7, intluive, it was
$322,000,000 making th aigrepate net
exports since 1 84 9, $74 1 ,000,000. These
figures show an excess of product over the
net exports o! $4o3. 000,000. There are
in the Treasury $1 1 1,000,000 in c;in.
Something more than $40,000,000 in cir
culation un the l'acific co.tsf, ai-d fv.-w
uiiliions in nutional und other bankt- in
ail about 100,000,000. This, however,
taking into account the specie in the coun
try prior to 1849, leave more than 300,
000,0o'0 which haa not b.cn accounted
for by exportation, and therefore may vet
remuin i; the country. These are impor
tant faciP, and'show huw completely in
f2ri j r currency will sjpertvde hotter, forc
ing it from circulation among the masses,
and causing it. to be exported as a mere
article of trade, to add lo the money cap
ital of foreign lands. -They show the ne
cessity of re'iiing our paper money, that
the return of gold and sdlver to the avenuee
of trade ma) be united, a ltd a demand
created which will cause a retention at
home of at least no much of the produc
tions of our rich and inexhaustible gold
bearing fi-lds as may be sufficient for pur
poses of circulation. It is unreasonable
to expect a return to a sound currency so
long as the government, by continuing to
iHsue irredeemable notes, fills the channels
of circulation with depreciated paper.
Notwithstanding the coinage by our mints
s:.n;e 1849 of $874,000,000, the people
re r.ow strangers to currency which was
designed for thrir uee ar.d benefit, and spe
cimens of precious metals bearing national
devices, are seldom seen except when pro
duced to gratify the interest excited by
their novelty. If depreciated per is to
las continued as the permanent cuirency of
the country, and all our coin is to become
a mere article of traffic and speculation,
to the enhancement in price of all that i
indispensable to the comfort of the people,
it would be wis-3 economy to abohsh our
mints, thus saving the nttion the care ar.d
expense incident to such establishments,
and let all our precious metals be exported
in bullion. The time has come, however,
when the Government and national banks
should be required to take too:-t efficient
steps and make ail necessary an argement
for a resumption of specie payments at the
earliest p"::c.ic-.b!c period. Specie pay
ments having been once resumed by the
Government and banks, all notes or bills
of paper issued by either, of a less denom
ination than twenty dollars, should, by
law, be excluded from circulation, so that
the people may have the benefit and con
venience of a old and silver currency,
which 5n nil their b!J.-ii!'?s transaction
wiil b-j uniform in value at hotP ard
abroad Kvery :u m of p- p?rfy or ir.dm
try, every nin w 1 c Ctirc to preserve
wlt lie honest I j onSC5e. or to ublviu
what he had honestly earned, has a direct
interest in maintaining n s.ifa circulating
medium such a medium as fehali he teal
and sul stanttal not liable to ibi ate with
o,i.iio:.s, rivt s.d-M't to be l 'ovn up or
blown down by the breatn of speculation,
but to be made stable and secure. A dis
ordered currency is one of the grr attst po
litical evil. It undermines the virtues
necessary tor the suppott of the social sys
tem, and en co u rate properties destructive
to its happiness It wars against industry.
! frugality and '.conomy. and it footers ihe
; rii fptiiisof extravagance and sptcula
! turn. ii h:;s been asserted by one of our
j profound and gifted statesman, that of nil
j contrivances ior cif.'Rting the iaooiing
classes of mankind, nine ha been more
erTecf.-a! than that wl.i-b d-lodes theru
wish paper mney Tins is the m i-t ef
fti I .h1 of inventions to fei:ih3 the rich
man's field bv the svet of the poor man's
brow. . Ovd;i:ary tyranny, oppression?,
exceraive taxation thez bear i:j:l.fly on
the happiness of the mass of community,
compared with a fraudulent currenpy and
robberies committed by depicciated pper.
Our own history has recorded for our in
uuction cnougli jind more than enough uf
demoralizing tendency, injiWice and intol
erable oppression on the irtuous and well
disposed, of a degraded paper currency,
authorized by l,w or in any other way
countenanced by the government. It is
one of the most successful devices in times
of peace or war, expansions or revidnions,
to accomplish the transfer of ail precious
metals from the great mass of the people
into the hands of the few, where they ari
hoarded in secret places or deposited in
strong boxes, under bolts and bars, while
the jajople at e left to endure all the incon
venience, sacrifice and demoralization re
sulting from the uee of paper money.
The condition of our finances and the
operations of our revenue system are set
forth and fully explained in the able and
instructive report of the Secretary of the
Treasury. On the 30lh of June, I860,
the public debt amounted to $2,783,425,
879 ; on the 30th of June last it was 2,
692,190,215, showing a reduction during
the fiscal year of $91,220,664. During
the fiscal yenr ending June 30, 18G7, the
receipts were 490,654,010, and expend
itures $345,729,129, leaving an availa
ble surplus of $143904,880. It is esti
mated that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending Jnne 30, 1868, will b $417,161,
928, and that the expenditures will reach
the sum of $393,209,226, leaving in the
Treasury a surplus of 323,802,702. For
the fiscal year ending June SO, 1669, it is
estimated that the receipts, will amount lo
$381,000,000, and that the expenditures
will be $372,000,000, showing an excess
of $9,000,000 jn favor of government.
T.je attention of Congress is earnestly
invited to the necessity of a thorough re
vision of our revenue system. Our inter
nal revenue laws and impost system should
be so adjusted as to bear most heavily on
articles of luxury, leaving the necessaries
of life as fre.a from taxation as may be
consistent with the want of, tjie govern-
atioa would d1 then Tall nndaty on men of i
moderate mesas, aud while none would bo
eutirsly exempt from assessment, all, ia pro
portion to their pecuniary abilities, woti'd con
tribute towards the support of the 8Ute. A
modification of tne Internal Revenue system,
by a large reduction of the number of articles
now suhject to tax, would be followed by re
tilts equally advantageous to the citizens and
ti.e government It would render toa execu
tion of the law leas exp? nive and mora cer
ta n, remove obitruclions to ihdtixtry, lenaen
temptations to evade the law, dimiuish viola
tions and frauds perpetrated upon its provi
sions, make its operation loss inquisitorial,
aij 1 greatly it.hjce m numbers the army of tax
gatherers created by tho system, who take
from the ruouth of honest labor the bread it
has earned. Retrenchment, reform and econ
omy should be tarried into every hruch of
the public service, that the expenditure of
ihe government may b1 reduced ai:d the peo
ple leheved from excessive taxation. A sound
currency should be restored, and public faith
in 'eg ml to the national d?bt faithfully ob
served. The accomplishment of thri-e impor
tant results, together with a restoration to the
Union of all the Stairs upon the principles of
the Constitution, would inspire confidence at
home ulu abroad in the stability cf our inti
tv.ihns, and bring to the Lation prosperity,
pea.e and good will.
The report of the Secretary of War ai in
terim exhibits the operations of the army and
of the several l'urtaus of the War Depart
ment. The figRregate strength of oar mili
tary force, on the 3Uth of September lssf, waj
f6,31o. The J.otal estimate for military ap
propriations is $77,3 24,707, including a de
ficiency in laet year's apnronriatious of
$13,000,000. The payments at the Treasury
on account of iue service of the Wnr Dpri
meut from January 1 to Octobtr 29, 1 8t7 a
period of ten mouths amounted to $109,
807,uGw, The expenses of the military
establishment, as well as the u umbers of the
army, are row three limes as great as ttfey
ever have betn in time of peace ; while the
discretionary povrer is vested in the Execu
tive to add iiiJlions to th-is expeuditae by
an increase ot the army to the maximum
strength allowed by th law.
The menacing attitude of some of the w.sr
like bauds of li.iLa.na inhabiting the diLriot
c f country betw een the Arkansas aud Platte
rivtrj, aud portions of Dakota Territory,
required the prsser.ee of a large military
force ic that region. Instigated by rel or
imaginary grievancss, the Indians occasion
ally comniitted acta of barbarous violence
upon emigrants and our frontier settlements,
but a general Indian war his been pryvijen
t.ally averted. The Commissioners under
the act of 20ih July, 1807, were invested with
tail power to K.ijusi existing liiiticuiiies, ne
gotidte treati'-a wiih the disaffected bands,
. nd select for tutni reservations remote front
the traveled routes between the Mississ'ppi
and the Pacific. They entered without deluy
tipou the execution of their trust, but have
tot yet made any otlicial report of their pro
ceedings, it ij of vital importance that our
distant Territories siiou'd b exempt fiom
ladian outbreaks, and that the cone'.ru'jtlon
of the Fnciii-; Ra;iroad, an otijt-ct of uationnl
importance, should not be interrupted by
hostile trib9. These objects, as well ag the
material iuUrrsts and the moral and intel
lectual improvement of the Indians, can bo
nost effectually secured by concen'.rath.g
them upon portions of country set part for
tiieir exclusive use. and located at points
remote from our highways aud encroachiug
white settlements.
Since ths commencement of the second
session of the Thirty-ninth Co.igres, five
hundred fciid ten miles of road have been
constructed on the main line an 1 branches of
the i'sciiic Uatlway Tue line from O totha
is rapidly appnachicg tbe eastern ba-e of
itic liocky Moui.i.uiia, n hiUt the terminu o!
t' e f.Ht section o.f constructed roa- in Cali-f-r.'iia,
accepted by the lioi'trnment on th
4t!i uaj or October last, ws but eleven
miiei distant from the Mi'niait of the Sierra
Nevada. The remarkable energy evyice 1 by
tlie ccinp.ir.js oiTtrs the strongest assurance
that the com.ttlou of the road froai r.i
mento to Omaha wi:l tiot ioug be deterred.
louring the 1-o-t li.n-al year, 7,t4i,0i4 acres
cd putl.c land were disposed of, and the cash
receipts t'rorr: sales and !tes exceeded by one
half niilhor. doilai ti.e fuih realized liuiu
those co;irce- unring the preceding year.'
Tlie amount to ymioneri, including
expenses of disburiemeati, wa $ifj,t 3,l3 i,
and itt,4bl names were added to the ro!l
The entire number of pensioner un tn 3uth
of Juue last was 155,474.
vKteea thousand six i.uadred and fifty-Cve
pateiit.4 nnd designs were issued durinj t'ie
year etidirg September 30, Itt7, and at that
date the balance in tho Treasury to the Cred
it cf the Patent faad was S'-S'ijOuT
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
staus that we have seven squadrons actively
an-J judioioualy employed, under efficient and
ablt curaniatiders, ia protecting the persons
8-nd property of Americas citizens. maiut:ti:i
iug the dignity nnd power o. the overn
titnt, and pruisictiTig the commerce and
uusmejj lRii-rfSH oi our countrymen in every
part of the world. t;f the a8 vessels com
posing the present navy of tht. United States,
56, carrying 507 jjuus, are iu squadron ser
vice. The tola! expenditures of the Naval
Department for the fiscal year eadiug Jun
30, 1837, were $JJ, 034, Oil. No appropria
tions have been made or required since the
close of the war for tbe construction aud re
pair of vessels, for steam in ihinery, ord
nance, provisions and loth:t?g. furl, L-uip,
ic, the balances ui.dar the.-e several h;;.td3
having been more than sufficient for current
expenditures.
The report ot the Postmaster General
shows the business of the PostotUce Depart
ment and the condition of the postal service
in a very fnvorable light The receipts of
the Department for the year ending J-ine 00
18G7, including all special appropriations ior
sea and land service and for free mail matter,
were $l9,97,btj3. The expenditures for ull
purposes were $ 19,23., 4j, leavinj an unex
pended balance in favor of th Dtpartmeat of
$743,210.
The report of the Acting Commissioner of
Agriculture concisely presents the condition,
wants, and progress of an interest eminently
worthy the foitericg care of Congress, and ex
hibits a large measure of u?eful result achiev
ed during theyar to which it refers.
The re-eetabiishment of peace at horn', and
the resumption of extended trade, travel, and
commerce abroad, have served to increase ths
number and variety of questions in the depart
ment for foreign affairs. None of these ques
tions, however, have seriously disturbed our
relations with other States.
The Republic of Mexico, bavintr besn re
lieved from foreign intervention, is earnestly
engaged in efforts to re-establish her consti
tutional system of government. A good
understanding continues to exist between our
government and the Republic of Hayti and
San Domingo, and our cordial relations with
the Central hnd South American States re
main unchanged. Tbe tender, made in con
formity with resolution of Congress, of the
good offices of the Government, with a view
to an amicable adjustment of peace between
Brazil and her allies, on the one side, and
Spain ou the other, though kindly received,
has in neither case been fully accepted by
the belligerents. The war in the valley of
the Parana is still vigorously mautained. On
the other hand, actual hostilities between the
PaciSc States and Spain have been more than
a year suspended. I sha.ll, on any proper
occasion that may occur, renew the concilia
tory recommendations which have beeo al
ready made. Brazil, with enlightened sa
gacity and comprehensive statesmanship,
has opened the gre. t channels of the Anjason
and its tributaries .to universal commerce, i
C'C9 thing mere aera aesdfulto ai3ts a ysy.-1
id and tfHesriug pfare da S.m'h Ajerlca,
I refer to ttioss paofal habits without which
States and nations. Cacnot. ia this age, well
expect taatsri&Tjkfocperity or social advance
ment. The Exposition of Uairsrsol Industry at
Paris has passed, and Seems to have fnlly
realized the high expectations of toe Ffensh
Government. 1tne tdlowanca b made for
the rr-cent political derangement of induS'ry
here, the part which the tfaited States has
borne in this exhibition of indention and art
may be retarded with rery high satis'action.
During the Exposition, a conference was held
of delegates from several nations, the United
States being one, in which the inconvenien
ces of commerce aud social intcrcour.-s re
sulting from th- diverse standaros of money
value wers fully discussed, and plans were
developed for estaldi&hiug, by universal con
sent, a comatn. principle for the coinage of
sold.
On the 35th of February, 1SS2, Congress
declared by law thnt Treasury notes without
interest, authorized by that act, should he
legal tender in payment of all debts, public
and private,' witniu the United States.- An
annual remittance of $0, 000, less stipulated
expenses, accrues to claimants under the
Convention made with Spain in 1834. These
remittances, since the passage of thit act,
have been paid in such t;of.e3. The claim
ants insist that the Government ought to re
quire payment in coin. The subject may be
deemed worthy of your attention.
No arrangement has as yet been reached
for the settlement of onr claims for British
depredations upon the commerce of the Uni
ted States. I have felt it my duty to decline
the proposition of arbitration iuiJh by Her
Majesty's Government, because it bis hith
erto been accompanied by reservations and
limitations incompatible with the rights,
interests and honor of our country. It is not
lo be apprehended that Great Britain will
persist in her refusal to satify these just and
reasonable claim, winch involve the sacred
principle of non-inierveution a principle
henceforth not more important to the United
States th..n to all other commercial nations.
The West India Islands were settled and
colonised by European States simultaneous
with a betilement and colonization of the
American continent. Must of the colonies
planted here became in-.lepctider.t nations in
the close of the last and the beginning of the
present century. Our own country embraces
communities which, at oue period, were col-
i oa'C3 ot ureat nrii-itn, rrnnce, pam, Hol
land, Sweden, and Russia." The people of the
West Indie?, with the exception ot those in
the island of Hayti. have never attained nor
nsp'red to independence, nor have they be
come prep.ired for self-defease. Although
possessing considerable commercial value,
they have been held by the several Europeau
States which colonized or at soaie time con
quered thein; chiefly for purposes of military
and naval strategy in carrying out European
po". icy aud des-.eus in regard to this conti
nent. I:i our revolutionary war, ports and
harbors in the West India Islands were used
by our enemy, to the grat injury aud embar
rassiucnt of :he United State. We had the
same expedience in our second war with
Great Britain. TLe same .European policy
ior a long time excluded us even from trade
with the West Indies, while we were at peace
with all nations. In o jr recent civil war, tbe
rehel3 and tb-ir piratical, blockade-running
allies found facilities in the same ports for
the ork, which they too successfully ac
compliahe J, ol injuring and devastating the
commerce which we are now engaged in re
loiilding. We lnborod especially under this
disadvantage that European Jteam vessels,
employed by cir enemies, found friendly
shelter, protection, M.d supplies :u West In
dian ports, wloie our ovn n.tv tl operations
were necessarily carried on from oar own
distant shores. There was then a universal
feeling of the want ot an advanced naval
outpost between the Atiautic coa..-t and Eu
rope. The daty of ont tiniijj nch au out
post pci'cetuily u.u tawiuliy, while neimer
doing not" menacing injury to 'other States,
erii?stty er-gaged the attentiou of the Exec
utive I p irimt.-it before the close of the war,
aud it has not been lest eight of since that
time. A nwt entirely dissimilnr naval want
revealed itself during the to.:uu period on the
Pacific coast. Ths required foothold there
was fortunately secured by our late treaty
with he Emperor of Russia, and it now
seems i'tiperaiie t'nat the more obvious ne
cess.iie) of th Atomtic coa&t should not be
less carefully provided to'. A'good and con
venient p.irt ami harbor, capable of c-3y d
feiite, will supply that WMi.t. With the pas-
! ?
ess. on ot fcuct. a fetation bv the LntTed
Stutes, neither we n-r any oihcr American
nation need longer appiehecd injury or of
toiie tiOin atjy Tr.uir-Atla!itic euemr. I
agree with our early statesmen that the West
Indus naturally gravitate to and may be ex
pected ultimately to be absoroed by the
Continental States, including oar own. I
agree with tiiem, also, that it is wise toleavj
the question of auch absorption to this pro
cess of naiur.il political gravitation. The
islands of St. Thomas and St. Johns, which
constitute part of the group called the Vir
gin islands, seemed to o'lVr us advantaees
immediately desirable, whiie their acquisi
tion coujd be secured in harnxony with the
principles to which 1 have alluded. A treaty
has. therefore, beH concluded with the King
of Denmark, for the cession of those islands,
and wii! be submitted to the Senate for con
sideiattou. It will hardly be necessary ta call tha atten
tion of Congress to the subject of providing
for the paym-Mit to Russia of the sura stipu
lated in the treuty for the cesion of Alaska.
Possess-on having been f ormally delivered to
our Commissioner, the "erritory remains for
tho ptesent in care of n military force, awai
ting such civil organization as shall be direct
ed by Congress.
Tho annexation of many small Gernan
States to Prussia, and the reorganisation of
that country under a nw and liberal consti
tution, hava iuducoi me to renew tbe effort
to obtain a just and proapt settlement of the
long vexed question concerning the claims of
foreign States for military service from their
subjects naturalised in the United S'ates.
In connection with this subject, the atten
tion of Congress is respectfully called to a
singular and embnrrasiig congict of laws.
The Executive Department of this Govern
ment has hitherto uniformly held, as it now
holds, that naturalization, in conformity with
the Constitution aud laws of the United
States, absolves the recipient from his nativs
allegiance. The Courts of Great Britain hold
that "llegiance tc the British Crown is inde
feasible, and ia not absolved by our laws of
naturalization. British Judge's cite Courts
and laws authorities of the United States in
support of that theory against the position
held by the Executive aa'hority of the United
States. This conflict perplexes th public
miad concerning the rights' .f naturalized
citizens, and impairs the national authority
abroad. I now again respectfully appeal to
Congress to declare the national will unmis
takably upon this important quest on.
Tte abase of our laws by the clandestine
prosecution of ihe African slave-trade from
American ports or by Americin citizens, has
altogether ceased, and, under existing cir
cumstances, no apprehensions of its renewal
in this part of the world are entertained.
Under these circumstances it becomes a ques
tion whether we shall not propose to ler
Majesty's Government a suspension or diicon- !
tinuance of the utipulafions for maintaining a
naval force for the suppression of that trade.
Andrew Joassojr.
Washington, December 3, 13G7.
A large eagle chased a pigeon into a
house in New Haven, Conn., both flying
through an open -window. Tha bird of
freedom tsj csptursi. '
Letter frons 4Hoana.
CvrtetyOTidtJite of tlie Cumlria Fiemcn
Altogka, Dko. 9..18S7.
Friend Mac--Thanksgiving day was
properly observed in this place, our citi
Ems generally abstaining from scrvila wotk.
Uev. McMurray, of the M. K. Church,
delivered a very able and eloquent dis
course iu the l'rcsbyurian Church on that
day- Ia the evening a large concourse of
jieople attended the Fair on behalf of the
German Re-formed Church, and patronised
it moat liberally. This praiseworthy en
terprise closed on that evening, but will
be opened again I o-morrow" evening. It
dederves to bo generously encouraged.
On Thursday m'orni-g last Mr. Win
Maloney, foreman of the Fa. R. R. Go 's
tin-i-hop, met with quite a painful acci
dent. While coming out of his house he
clipped and fell on his side, and, I was
informed, broke two of his ribs.
The Democrats here feel glorious since
they have read old Andy's Messaije to
the Rump. What a mighty document it
is It has not teen suipns-cd by any
similar tfTWion since the days of Jefferson,
and has infuSd new life and energy into
the true friends of Conttition.il liberty.
The Democratic Club in this place, of
which I have the honor to be a racmliT,
is doin; good service. Our indomitable,
persevering Fietddcnt, John Carr, and
energetic, whole-souled Secretary, Win
X Shomo, as well as our hard working,
thorough going Executive Committee, arc
determined, as far as in them lies, nut to
cease their efforts until the Union and the
Constitution is restored and political t ight"
eousness rules this land once more.
Last Thursday night will long be re
membered by the unterrified of Altoona.
At an earlv hour a large concourse of
Djmocrats assembled at their Clab room
for the purpose of hearing an address from
11. H Fettlnger, Esq., our worthy, pop
ular and efficient Chief Burgess. I will
not attempt to report the speech, but I
must say that I never listened to a more
interesting effort. The ppcaker divided
his speech into two partn, viz : . his o!iti-
cal experience, and ti.e teason why he
was a Democrat. He commenced . by
vividly describing thu tisa and fall of the
various political organizations which have
bd-n arrayed against the Democracy t-incc
he caft his first, or mai Jen vote, for tlie
immortal Jackson. Hj then- rehearsed
the different names aumed by the oppo
sition since the foundation of the govern
ment the Federalists, tlie Blue Lighters,
the Witch Burners, the Hunkers, the Na
tive Americans, the American Republi
can, the Republican American.-', thu Barn
Burners, the Anti-Masons, the Anti-Catholics,
the Free Soilers, 'the Abolitionists,
and the Lord only knows what ail down
to the last Democratic President of these
once United States, the peerless Buchanan.
His withering denunciation of "the black
and tan party for1 their bitter, tyranical
proscription, was of tlie most loathing
character, whili hia portrayal, in glowing
colors, of the historv of that good old Con
!titntion revering, Unijii maintaining or
ganization, liie 1) -niucratic party. ein--'!-t
prolutiged. and enthusiastic cheers Thro'
thick and thin, peace and war, it had
never to change either its cognotaon or its
o.eed. It was ever, like the Persian fire
worshippers, vvatchiug the sacred tire in
hoc t iat it iniht burn forever. So
must Hid Democracy continue to wrttch,
le:-t the fire of p.itiiotiam within her goes
o if, darkness closes iu around u, and
the Union dies.
Tlie adJie.-s was eloqdeni throughout,
and while it t-parkled with tha most irre
tds'ible wit, it afforded an abundance of
food for serious reflection to all who had
the pleasure of listening to it.
But I have already spun this epistle out
to an inordinate length, and therefore J
will close for the p; cseat.
Yours, &j , T. I. M.
British versus Papal Clem en ct-
England, mighty England, upon whose
rcaims the sun never sets, has hung three
Irish men for being engaged in the rescue
of a fellow countryman. True, a jK.lice
man lost his life during tha rescue, but it
is not likely the one fatal shot came from
the three pistols of the three defunct Fenians-
England we believe, is strong
enough, secure enough in her hold uoon
j Ireland, to have spared these men, and
coiihidenng that the death of the police
man Brett was not murder, and that the
prosecution failed to fix the homicido upon
any one of the prisoners, thejerown should
have interposed its great and ennobling
prerogative of mercy. That it has not
done so will confirm tho impression prev
alent on the continent and on this aide
that England i seized with a panic that
blinds the judgment whilo arousing the
p; Ss'on3 "
Coatrast this course with that of Pio
Nono. The Fenians rescued two prison
ers", and in the melee a poHceman was
killed. Gaiibaldians invaded tbe Papal
State made barracks of churches levaded
contributions, and attacked Papal forces,
ali with the avowed dasign of overturning
the Papel sovereignty. , There is no dis
pute about their being filibusters pur ct
amplt; and these men killed not one po
liceman, but hundreds of the Pope's de
fenders. The invaders are beaten back,
leaving several hundred of their comrades
in the bands of tho power tljey had striv
en to demolish. Are the prh-toners shot
or hung like the Fenians t 'The Pope
has released tha Garibaldian prioners,
says the cable telegram. England con
tributed thousands of pounds to the Gari
baldian war chest.
- Lok upon this picture and upon this.
Xeio Orleans Picayuns.
There is a company of Arabian jug
clers now pet forming in London whose
feats excel anything. achieved by anv of
the many Oriental wonder-workers who
have vi.Mted this country. These per
form-rs appear to take their eyes out, bal
ance thrm selves upright on a naked sword
eat stones, nail, glass, &c, oactus leaves
and fire, ran si arp instruments dike iron
skewers through the tonaue, charm and
devour serpents, and perform-like revolr
bqt cogqpr'uing nd ioaxpUoabla fet.
. IJEWS OF THE WEEK.
' " 1 According to a weather prophet in I
Taunfon, Mass, there vre to oa ttarty-iour
severe saow'stpruos this winter
.. A white-' n or, name unknown, on
Frid-iy, al B i?! t Hope Coalpit", in
Chester iold oan'y, Virginia, was thrown
iiown a shafs a thousand feel deep. The
murderer escaped.
. J-A female hdd of fourteen, recently
married a u an of thirty fiv in Baltimore.
Five davs after ti e wedi i ii fhe hd a
connulial qua rl, and attempted uutcide
with laii 1 nam
The a la lies of 'ax collector con
nected wi b the in ercst on United S:ales
bond amount to mors i o v than all the
expene of the o ernnent und-i r Gen al
Jackson's administration
Six broth rs in McLean Co nty, HI ,
named H ubinan, w igh twenty-two
hundied and nineteen pounds. The smP
est weighs two hundred and eighty pounds
the heaviest four hundred and fifty.
A marr age took place last week in
Council Bluff-, Ark., between two chiK
dreii, aged HXten nd fourteen. The
youth wis na n d Willie Ke'ine and the
young g'ul Happy Augusta Gartner.
,I.-Addm( of Watei town, Sew Yoik,
walked 100 mnes in '22 hours and 8 min
utes, on the 4th and 5th, for a purse of
$100. He did not stop to sleep daring
the task. The last two miles were per
formed in 22 minutes.
A young lady, aged sixteen years,
the daughter of one of the wealthiest res
idents of Richmond, Ind., disappeared
nearly two weeks since and has not yet
been discovered. Great exertions are be
ing made to find her by her anxious
parents
- , In our new possession, the Island of
St. Thomas, slavery is fclill maintained,
and the question at once arises, what will
be the eta i us uf the slaves under the Amer
ican government ? Does the emancipa
tion act extend to them, or is slavery again
to be permitted iu a part of our Republic?
At Q'iincy, Illinois, is a German
with a curious blood mark. It is a per
fect deei-, about thtT size of a silver dollar,
on his tight cheek. The form and out
line of tho deer are as perfeca as could be
drawn by an artist, and show a dexr in
the act of leaping. It is a bright red
col r.
Twenty thousand Roman Catholics
are sail to livo in Japan, who are descen
dants of Convetta made by missionaries
who laooie l there two hundred years ago.
They have a bishop and a number of
piies-ts, and are said to have preserved li e
religion in all its original purity, undis
turbed by their heathen neighbors.-
Allen and Coibeck, two grocer, re
cently left Chailottestown, Prince Edward
Inland, for the mainland, in n fishing boat,
in order to cheat their creditors. They
were overtaken by a storm, and the boat
has 6iuce drifted ashore with the dead
body of on1.' of them entangled in the rig
ging. Tha other is supposed to be
drowned
A terrible accident occurred on the
O jwPjin Hnd Rome railroad ori the n'tit
M i.tU 4(1, il fr4-L' iruut
wi beray tar-, i an. into a tieu which
had blown across tha track. The engine
w ar t lort-n from the track, and the wreck
I I... il t i .
wo.-uuyeu uy u. e. c iv j ircigui cars also
burned. The urg'tieer, Jesae Trumbull, j
and the fireman, .John Mather were killed.
One of Weion3 oid shoes, with
proper attestation ot its genuineness, was
received by mail at Portland, Me, with
tho following insciiptjjii on the tag attach
ed to package; '-One. of Weston's shoes,
procured at enormous expense by the citi
zens of Cleveland. Ohio, and presented by
them to the citizens of Poitland, Me., as
a monument to the enterprise of one of
its citizens."
The nation can breathe freer. The
House of Representatives have vote!, by a
majority uf one hundred and eight to fifty,
seven, against impeachment of the Presi
dent. We can now hope that Congress
will attend to the practical business of the
country. It should henceforth bend all
its energies to relieve the people from the
Crushing taxation that oppresses them to
the last point of endurance.
The solution of the Albemarle ghost,
which has been causing gt eat excitement
in that portion of Virginia for several
weeks past, has been found. A negro
with magic lantern had been employed
by a man who wished to buy Mori is farm,
to frighten the family off, so that he might
get it for a low price. He has been ar
rested, after having brought the entire
community into unsual fever for more than
three weeks.
Good Nbws tq Ow.tcss or Horsks ,Ut,
ing Becured the aid of a good ghoer, and
being well sunulied with Nail flnH Shoos T
ant determined o offer to caih eWfowr ths
greatest inducement held out in this placs
since things were low. You can have your
Horse shod all round for One Dollar and F f.
ty Cents. I will also iron Sleighs atid'.Sleds
maxe Wagon Tire and all kinds of Chains,
and do everything in the Blacksraithing lins
at frrestly reduced pricss for the eth,
Bbop near tho Foundry of E. Glass.
Cbeo-burg, Dc. 1?, HS7-3!s.
ERRORS OF YOUTIJ.
A gentleman who suffered for years from
Nervous Debility. PrenoM TWou
all the efftcU of youthful indiscretion, will. !
...r iii,?asi qi snrjenng humantty. send free
to all who need it. the recipe and directions
for making the simple remedy by which ho
wag cured. Sufferers wishing. to Tfofit by
the advertiser's experience, can do so by
addressing, in perfect eonndenes. JOIIN B.
OGDEN. 42 ddar street N. T
Jsf 0R5:ATrow.rInforms,tlon pmaranteed
to produce a luxuriant growth of hair npon
a bald head or beardless face; also, a recipe
for the lemoval of Pimple. Blotches. Krup.
turns, &c. on the skin, leaving the same
soft, clear Qd beautiful, ean bit obtained
without charee bv addressing
TUOa. F. GITAPMA. Oemlft.
823 Broadway, JJew York-
S; BELTOED, DENTIST,
pONTi:7UES to visit Ebnbrjj personally,
k on the th Monday o eaqh month .
During Ws absence Lewis tf. Snyder. xvV.o i
studied with the Doctor, will remain in tbe
office and attend t bmnosss entrusted
PRICES GKEATLY
OA
The subset iter basing r ,
large and hdie
Itahau ar.d Am-,:.....09 off'J
II A U li L B fitf
compns.r.g the larger aud - i'M
stock of the kind ever J -- J, 'fii
onklTn .tt
MONUMENTS. Mantels if1 k;
ble and bureau Tops, & c as " j "
can be purchased in any of the ct''!' 42
A large stock of GaiyrsTOs r'
and for sale low. -Sts -1
A room rms been opsrif. :n y
few doors west of Dr. S. S C - ; .
Store, where articles of rry ran
kept constantly on hard, m wh ?
tention of purchasers is it.vitH
uC" Prompt attention paid to, r i
a dixtsnce and work del;vp,-tlj ,
'red- JOHN Pa;T
excus
13 t!'
t-at-'f
those
t ik
rlepe!
them
fill t
No
Sttrii'
Dile
Ttrit'
respe
pie a
V.
edit":
byiu
it y. i
same
local
Lave
tiiat
.rtl
aiWAvvvw auiui UXtj W OVtl
inir urtuc.noJU.tl hshavt-t,
I the citizens of Can.t i
counties, that he has just rewu
ii iue iiiieL ALUitail ah vtirr J.,,;:
Eit'ibOshment in Loreito CuiiS.ria'c?
Monuments. Tombs. Gract Sbr-i','''
and Bureau tojs, UiaM;fctured
beautiftil and finest analitv if r '.' :":
Domestic marble, always Jn Land
to order as cheap as they cc.n be 'v.'
in the city, in a reat" ami froiVt. J
manner, and on the fcl.rrteft r.it;.t "'
The public ar respectfully intiu.
me a call bef re po rchasir g'tln
an: confident thst toy work sr.d p:-,,
satisfr any person desirit'- a-v t". !r .
line of bustiiess.
Koto it the time tc pet a chrcp jil
.iAjdhS VlI.KcV('
) ence
! ins t:
i n-Bi'
! w
I r.ua
? iu
I clrcu
4
nni
WM.
LI.OTO.
J- its u
i
time
krea-
(Legat
t
uti 1 i
iwLik
r reswcni. (:.,:
I It S T NATIONAL EAX
JS- OF ALTOOX A.
GOTERK31i:.T ACCUCT
AND
utbiuAiti; ii-.rtfci 1 1 Ki OF I'
LiiKD SI ATKS.
Corner Virginia an I Atnii H'r-.m. .
ll'ard, Aliovnxi, i'a.
Authored Capital, S;
Cah Capital paid in, ....
All btisitiess pertah'dbg tj Di'.'::j .
cn fav-rable tern.s
1 D:
e 1.
i,n
litis
ve p
1 r-
I ! .btt
i.
.
lefr
Ve ;
as t
fa,i
n
i-O,
He ;
interuai iwevtrtiuo Dtv.r.ps
nai."-n, always on hand.
To j :irchasrs of Stamp.-, ;-o"".'?r.
starif . wfll he all -e 1. as f '.:
S.5') t.. 1 100, 2 per ce-jt. : VY, t I.
S per ct-ijt ; $200 and upward, 4 j .!!..
Jan. 31, Ipo . If.
fT'iR.ST
ATIf!ML JH.1K
JL Ot j.iHKtow:
Cpl tel. 250,0 0 0 Irlr t!tg tr. Ik u j
to $10.000.
In- nd and F-.wz l'"tft furr.ivr
G-ild atid S.: ver ! tua.t an 1 '::.
t 't : '. ; ns ma 'e, af-n- t:.e nr-: ?i r v
ly . ij. j -n.:.-! ?.L'i r; ...:s . ...
t!li..e.!.
fie pr.srrji rrTvel .ir.-l i '. h'4.
A general Ctr.king i -.-::.e t-a .-(
DiRK T ::S
0. J. M-.rVl. 1 GbMi- F : x.
I -.ac K:7fvn.r. I -to'"' tl ''?-!
i-tu
&?;r:
S&U 1
tl i
jHO.ih L-VCi.V...
D J MO-iki'.LL. P.'
IT. J. Rr-aKitTs. Caviar. j-n.5
S LOYI) & CO., IS niters
.!. i i.'tfi.NSLlT.-.
i r?,!ver. lj-.f-ri
ohrr i-e-.'Uri'..-, b ut;t
a:i'vetl .! Tin.e l ej"ti:
' ii :!! e.r f-si? ! i ( .jr'? ir
r '. s. i
r..1 ;i ...
tf r-:-i s
c.Vd I
an-: n vierierai nanking t'-jsiris trs- j
Jatmsrv S 1. l-67.
51.
LLOYO & t'O..
Drafts on the principal titie.- au-l Silver
and Gold f. r sale. C i ectioi.s made. 2
Moneys receive! (n deposit, payable on le-!
mand, with 'tit ititere:,or upon time.wit!
iiiteret at fair rate. aij31.
GHAXT HOUSE, - t
IlrmlAck, Cambria Co., PaJ
JO US WJLK1S. Ircjmeior. J
This House ! a boeri relit ed. and f!TerJ
acc'mmodations superior t- any r-tl cr IJ .ti--in
the vicinity. The Proprietor, after long'
experience in the lush es, feels cor faled l.t I
nndertatds the wants of the put. he. li s
TABLE will be supplied with tt;e .ieiicacit A
of the season and his BAli with the choicest!
winps and liquor?. Ii y c rft.int attention
and due rare for the conifrt of Lis quests
the Propiietor hopes to merit a lirer-a'. shnra.
of patronage. n-.aio iv j
SCOTT HOUSE,
Main Strut. Johnstown, Cavil ria Co , Px.f
A. ROW & CO., Proprietors. "5
ITIIIS HOUSE having been refitted snl
elegantly furnished, is nw oper. for th
reception and eutei tain men t of parsts. Ito!
proprieors by long esp;rience in In tel keepv
ing feel confident they can sa:ify a 3iS;
ctiminating public. (
Their liar is supplied with the choicest,
brands of liquors acd wices. J
Jan. 81. 1667. I
SHIELDS HOUSE. C
LORETT0. CAMBRIA COO'TT, Pf
THOMAS CALL EN. Troprletor.
THIS hor.se is now open for the ara;.o
.lation Af tha mihllp.. AcCOlIim.Hlfltwn
as good as the country will 8"rj' j i,
charges moderate. Jau 81. 162U-y' f
MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Euo-t5J J;
R. P. VI XT OS & CO., Prop"r'., :
The Tbce is always supplied 'fC i;
choicest delicacies ; the Bab is sr.pp' .
ehoice liquorf, and the StaEI.e srfu', t
carelul hattlers. Trantient vistters i -
modated and o-arders taken ty i- v,, I j
mnnth or year, on reasonable terics.
MERCHANTS' HOTEL
J. & W, C, M'KIBBIN, Proprietors.
fourth Ht, letveen Market and Arc
My 9. 1867-ly. . PHILADEl
X
i
l
i
k
i
i
I
l:
I
t
I
t
I
OAT3UK.
v tender
mders his profetsioual ferric f 'j
aud Surgeon to the citizeaf
sioian
. 1 .... r . , T
cwa auo victrirv. vnica iu
itig occupietl bv J. Buck & Co. 3 fV
Hiiht calls can be made at the betel i
... . isfiT.-ti. I
rence Schroth.
j Atay -
T
iic r.'fCTvrL tV STOV
ro OVE
of
ISI? For beantv of polish. sr:'
lar and rheapns. this preparst:. by
'.T,m11i lft7. GEO HUTIi
JunefU. 1867.
-
3 t 'i.. c....... 5n the w- ".r
3m. ins nirivD si mw w v
1
ar...T- off T