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K IS A FIIEEUAS WHOM IHS TRUTH MAKES Fa EE, AID ALL ARK SLAVICS B&sIDB,
II. A. U'l'IIi;, PutlUbcr
VOLUME 2.
EBNESBURG, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1868.
NUMBER 46.
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President's Message.
Fellow Citizens cf the Stride and House of
Representatives ;
Upon the re-a.ssembling of Congress, it
a3iu becomes my duty to call your attention
to the state of the Union, and disorganized
condition under tbe various laws which have
been passed upon the subject of reconstruc
tion It may be safely assumed as an ax
ijm in the government of the States, that
the greatest wrongs inflicted upon the people
are caused by unjust and arbitrary legisla
tion, or by tha unrelenting decrees of des
potic rulers, anl that injurious and oppres
sive measures are the greatest evils that can
be inflicted upon a nation. The legislator
or the ruler who has the wisdom and mag
nanimity to retrace his steps when convincd
of error, will sooner or later be rewarded
with the respect and gratitude of an intelli
gent end patriotic people. Our own history,
tdlhough embracing a period of less than a
century, affords abundant proof that most,
if not all our domestic troubles are directly
traceable to violations of the organic law,
and excessive legislation.
'X1LK Br.oOSSTKUCTION LAWS SHOCLP "BS KS -PEALED.
The most striking illustrations of the fact
are furn shed by the enactments of the
past three years upon the question of re
construct on. After a fair trial they have
sub.tautijjly failed and proved pernicious
in tht-ir re.-u'ts, and there seems to be no
good recsor; wLy they should longer remain
upon the fctatutu boi ks. States to which
tne O nstitution guarantees a republican
f rm of Government, have been reduced to
military dependencies, in each of which the
people have been made subjects to the arbi
trary will of the commanding general. Al
though the Constitution requires that each
fctat shall be represented in Congress, Vir
ginia, M's Jsfoj'pi and Texas are yet exclud
ed from the Houses, and contrary to the ex
press provis:ons of that instrument, were
denied articipation iu the recent election
fur a President and Vic President of the
United States. Th attempt to place the
whole population under the domination of
persona of color in the South, has impaired
if not destroyed the kindly relations that
Lad previously existed between them, and
UiUtual distrust has engendered a feeling of
animosity whioh, leading in some instances
to collision and bloodshed, has prevented
that co-operation between the two races so
essential to the success of industrial enter
prise in the Southern States. Nor Lave the
inhabitants of those States alone buffered
from the disturbed condition of adairs grow
ing out of these Congressional enactments.
The entire Union Lad been agitated by grave
apprehensions of trouble, which might
iagaiu involve the peace of the nation. Its
interests have been injuriously afL-cted by
the deracgi-aitut of business and labor, the
consequent want of prosperity throughout
that portk-n of tbe country.
The Federal Constitution, the Magna
CLarta of Americau rights, under whcjse
viae aud salutary provisions we have suc
cessfully conducted all our domestic and for
eign affairs ; 6ustiucd ourselves in peaca
B.'jd in war, and became a great nation
among the powers of the earth, must as
sure jly now be adequate to the settlement
of all questions growing out of the civil
war waged alone for its vindicated. This
great act is made most manifest by the con
dition of the country. When Congress as
sembled in the n,nth of Doceinber, 18'J5,
civil strife bad erased. Tb spirit of rebel
lion LaJ spent its entire force in the South
ern States Tho people had warmed into
national life, and throughout the whole
country a healthy reaction in public senti
ment had taken place by the application of
the simple, yet effective provisions of the
Conrtitutiou. The Executive Department,
with the voluntary aid of the States, had
4 brought the work of restoration as near
completion as was within the scope of its
authority, and the nation was encouraged
by tbe prospect of an early and satisfactory
adjustment of all its difficulties, Congress,
howevej, intervened, and refusing to perfect
the work so nearly consummated, declined
to admit members from the States, adopted
a course of measures, fustrating all that had
been successfully accomplished, and. after
three years of agitation and strife has left
the country farther from the attainment of
union and fraternal feeling than at the in
ception of the Congressional plan of recon
struction. It needs no argument to show
that the legislation which has produced
such cousequances should be abrogated, or
elte made to conform to the genuine princi
ples of liepublican Government. Under the
influence of party passions and sectional
prejudice other acts have beeu passed not
warranted by the Constitution.
THS TZSURB-Of-OtUCE BILL.
Congress has already been made fami'.iar
with my views respecting the Unure-of-office
till. Experience has proven that its repeal
is demanded by the best interests of the
country, and that while it remains in force
the President cannot enjoin that rigid ac
countability of public officers so essentia!
to an honeat and efficient execution of the
lawB, its revocation would enable the Execu
. tive Department to exercise the power of
appointment and removal in accordance-
- with the original design of the Federal Con-
. stitution.
THE PRESIDENT AS COmMANDEB IW-CHIKK
The act of March 2d, 1867, making ap
t propriations for the support of the army for
the year ending June 30th, 1868, and for
other purposes, contains provisions which
interfere with the President's constitutional
functions as Commander-in-chief of the ar
my, and deny to States of the Union the
riht to protect themselves with their own
militia. Thesn provisions should be at once
annulled, for vrhile the first might, in times
of great emergency, Beriously embarrass the
Executive in efforts to employ and direct
common strength cf the nation for its
: prouetUon and preservatioa, the other is
contrary to tbe express declaration of tbe
Constitution, t1t a weu regulated militia
oemg necessary to the' security of a free
.tau , the right or th people to keep and
tsar arms shall not be infringed. It is be
lieved that the repeal of alUucb laws would
be accepted by the American people as at
;est a partial return to the fondartental
. principles of the government, and an indi
' ton that hreafter tbe CoBstitntwa is t0 be
made the nation's safe and unerring guide ; i
they can be productive of no permanent j
benefit to the country, and should not be
permitted to stand as so many monuments
of deficient wisdom which has characterized
our reoent legislation.
THE PCBHO EXPETTDITCRE3.
The condition of our finances demands the
early and earnest consideration of Gwgress.
Compared with the growth of our population,
public expenditures have reached an amount
unprecedented in our history. The popula
tion of the United States in 1790 was nearly
four millions of people ; increasing each de
cade about thirty-three per cent., it leached
in I860 thirty-one millions, an increase of
seven hundred percent. on the population in
1790. In 1869. it is estimated it will reach
thirty-eight millions, or an increase of eight
hundred and sixty-eight per cent, in seventy
nine years. The annual expenditures of the
Federal Government in 1791 were four mil
lions two hundred thousand dollars ; in 1820
eighteen millions two hundred thousand
dollais ; in 1850, forty-one millions ; in 1860.
sixty-three millions. In 1SG4, nearly thir
teen hundred millions, and in 1869, it is es
timated by the Secretary of the Treasury ia
his last annual report that they will be three
hundred and sevtntj-two millions.
By comparing the public disbursement of
1SC9 as estimated with those of 1 79 1, it will
be seen that the increase since the beginning
of our government has been eight thousand
six hundred and eighteen per cent., while
the increase of the population for the same
period was only eight hundred and sixty
eight per cent. Again, the expense of the
Government in 1860, the year of peace im
mediately preceding the war, were only
sixty five millions, while in 1S69, tho year
of peace three years after the war, it is esti
mated tbey will be three hundred and sev
enty millions, an increase of four Lundred
and eighty-niue per cent, while the increase
of population was ouly twenty-one per ceu .
for the same period. These statistics fur
ther show, that in 1791 the annual national
expenses compared with the population
were but little more than one dollar per
capita, and in 1860, two dollars per capita,
while iu 1869 they will reach the extrava
gant sum of uine dollars and seveuty-eight
oents per capita. It will be observed that
all of these statements referred to exhibit the
disbursements of peace periods. It may,
therefore, be of internet to compare the ex
penditures of the three war periods, the war
with Great Britain, the Mexican war and
the war of the rebellion. In 1814 the an
nual expenses incident to the war of 1812
reach the highest amount, abjut $31,000,000
while our population slightly exceeded 8,
000.0GO, 1 showing an expenditure of only
three dollars and eighty cents per capita.
In 1847 the expenditures growing out of the
war with Mexico, reached fifty-five millions,
aud the population about twenty-oue mil
lions, giving only two dollars and fcixty
cents per capita for tho war expenses of that
year. In 1866 the expenditure called for by
the rebellion reached tho vast amount of
twelve hundred and ninety millions, which,
compared with a population of thirty-four
millious, gives thirty-eight dollars and
twenty-eight cents per cents per capita.
From the 4th day of March, 1789, to the
30th of June, 18S1, the entire expenditures
of tL Government were seventeen hundred
million cf dollars. During that peri J we
were engaged In wars with Great Britain
and Mexica, and were engaged in hostilities
with powerful Indian tribta. Louisiana was
purchastd from France at n cost of fifteen
millions of dollars; Florida was ceded to us
by Spain for five millions ; CaliforLia was
acquired from Mexico for fifteen millions,
and the Territory of New Mexico wa.s ob
tained from Texas for the sum of ten mil
lions. Early in 1861 the war of the rebel
lion commenced, and from the first of July
of that year to the thirtieth of June, 1865.
the public expenditures reached the enor- I
mous aggregate of thirty-three hundred mil- j
lions, xhree years of peace have intervened,
and during that time the diebur&ementi of
the Government Lave successively been five
hundred and twenty millions, three hundred
and ninety millions. Adding to these
amounts three hundred and eeventy-two
millions estimated as necessary for the fiscal
year ending the 30th of June, 1869, we ob
tain a total expenditure of eixleeu hundred
millions of dollors during the war, or nearly
as much as was expended the seventy-two
years that preceded the rebellion, and era
braced the extraordinary expenditures already
named, these startling facts clearly illustrate
tbe necessity of retrenchment in all branches
of the public service. Abuses which were
tolerated during the war for the preservation
of the nation will not be endured by the peo
ple now, that profound peaoe prevails.
INTERNAL REVENUE AND UST01TS BEOEIPT8.
The reeeipt8 from internal revenues aud
customs have, during the past three years,
gradually diminished, and the continuance
of useless and extravagant expenditures will
involve us in national bankruptcy, or elso
make inevitable an increase of taxes already
too onerous and in many respects obnoxious
on account of their inquisitorial character.
One huadred millions annually are expend
ed for the military force, a large portion of
which ia employed in the execution of laws
both unnecessary and unconstitutional. One
hnndied and fifty millions are required each
year to pay the interest on the public debt.
An army of tax gatherers impoverishes the
nation, and public agents, placexl by Con
gress beyond tbe control of the Executive,
divert from their legitimate purposes large
sums of money, which they collect fiom the
people in the name of the government. Ju
diciouu legislation and prudent economy can
alone remedy these defects, -and avert evils
which, if suffered to exist, cannot fail to di
minish confidence in the public councils and
weaken the attachment and respect of the
people toward their political institutions.
Without proper care the small balance which
il is estimated will remain in the Treasury
at the close of the present fiscal year will
not be realized, and additional millions be
added to a debt which is now enumerated
by billions. It is shown by the able and
comprehensive report of the Secretary of the
Treasury that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1868, were 4405.638.O8S
and that the expenditures for the same pe
riod were $377,340,284. leaving in the Trea
sury a surplus of -$282,977 98. It is esti
mated . that the receipts during the present
fiscal jear ending Jane 30, 1999, will be
$341,392,868, avid the expenditures $336,
152,470, showing a small balance of $0,240,
398 in favor of the Government. For the
fiscal year ending June 30. 1870, it is esti
mated that the receipts will amount to $327,
000,000, and the expenditures to $303,000,
000, leaving an estimated surplus of $24,
000,000, THS NATIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.
It becomes proper in this connection to
make a brief refereuce to our public indebt
edness, which has accumulated with such
alarming rapidity and assumed such colossal
proportions. In 1789, when the Govarn
meiit commenced operations under tho
Federal Constitution, it was burdened with
an indebtedness of seventy-five millions of
dollars, created during the war of the Revo
lution. This amount bad been reduced to
forty-five millions of dollars, when, in 1812,
war was declared against Great Britain.
The three years' struggle that followed
largely increased the national obligations,
and in 1816 they hal attained the sum of
one hundred and twenty-seven millions.
Wise and economical legislation, however
enabled the Government to pay the entire
amount within a period of twenty j-cars,
and the extinguishment of the national debt
filled the land with rejoicing, and was one
of the great events of President Jackson's
administration. After its redetnptiun, a
large fund remained in the Treaaurjs
which was deposited for safe keeping with
the beveral States on condition that it should
bo returned when required by the pubiic
wants. In 1849, the year after the termina
tion of an expensive war with Mexico, we
found ourselves involved in a debt of sixty
f ur millions, and this was the amount owe.
by the govrrninent in I860, just prior to the
outbreak of the rebellion. In the ?pring of
1S61 our civil war commenced ; each year
of i's continuance made an enormous addi
tion to the debt, and when, in the spring of
1S65, the nation successfully emerged from
the conflict, the obligations cf the govern
ment had reached the immense sum of $2,
873.992,909. The Secretary of the Treas
ury shows that on the 1st d.iy of November.
1G7, this amount had been reduced to
$2, 491, 504. 450, but at the same time his
Lis report exhibits r.n increase d-.irio the
past year of $35. 025, 102, for the debt on
the firfct day of November last is stated to
have been $2,527,129,552. It is estimated
by the Secretary that the returns fur the
past month will add to our liabilities the
further eura of eleven million?, making a
total increase during thirteen month of forty
six an i a half millions.
BEDUCTION C TliE FCSLIC DEBT.
The President then argues in favor of a
reductiou of the public debt, in which he
says we should without further delay make
provision fur the payment of our obligations
at as early a day as may be practicable.
The fruit of the labors of the people, he goes
on to say, should be enjoyed by our citizens,
rather than be used to build up and sustaiu
moneyed monopolies in our own and other
lauds. Odr foreign debt is already compu
ted by the Secretary cf the Treasury at
$850,000,000. Citizens of foreign countries
receive interest upon a largi poition of our
securities, and American tax-paj ers are made
to contribute Urge ums fW their support.
The idea that such a debt is to become per
manent should be at ail time discarded, as
taxation is too heavy to be borne.
The President also diecustes the rate of
interest uow paid by the Government, and
comes to the conclusion that we are paying
an extravagaat per centage for the use of the
money borrowed. He says: Our national
credit should be sacredly ob.-erved, but in
making provision for our creditors we should
not furget what is due to the tnas-es of the
people. It may be assumed that the holdt is
of our securities have already received upon
their bonds a larger amount than their ori
ginal investment, measured by a gold stand
ard. Upon this statement of facts it would
become jut and equitable that the six per
cent, interest now paid by the Government
should be applied to the reduction of the
principal in semi-annual instalments, which
in sixteen years aud eighteen months would
liquidate the entire national debt. Six per
cent, in gold would at present rates be equal
to nine per cent, in currency, aud equivalent
to the payment of the debt one and a half
times in a fraction less than seventeen years.
This, iu connection with all the other ad
vantages derived from their investment,
would afford to the public creditors a fair
and liberal compensation for the use of their
capital, and with this tbey should be satisfied.
. ". ' OUB OORUEKCT.
The President, after adverting to the in
flation of the currency, says that it is the
obvious duty of the Government, as early as
may he consistent with tho principles of
eound political economy, to take such mea
sures as will enable the holder of its notes
and thop of the national banks to oonvert
them without loss into specie or its equiva
lent. A reduction of our paper circulating
medium may not necessarily follow. This,
however, would depend upon the law of de
mand and supply ; though it should be
borne in mind that by making legal-tender
and bank notes convertible ioto coin or its
equivalent, their present specie value in the
hands of their holders would be enhanced
oue hundred per cent. Legislation for the
accomplishment of a result 60 desirable is de
manded by the highest public considerations,
lie further says that equal and exact justice
requires that all creditors of tho Government
should be paid in a currency possessing uni
form value. This can only be accomplished
by the restoration of currency to the standard
established by the Constitution, and by this
means we would remove a discrimination
which may, if it has not already done so.
create a prejudice that may become deep
rooted and widespread, and imperil the na
tional credit. .
THE TUBLIC DOMAIN.
The Secretary of the Interior, in Lis re
port, gives valuable information in referenco
to the interests confined to the supervision
of his department, and reviews the opera
tions of the Land Office. Pension Office, Pat
ent Office and Indian Bureau. During the
fiscal year ending June 30th. 1868. six. mil
lions six hundred and fifty-five thousand
seven hundred acres of public land were dis
posed of. The entire cash receipts of the
General Land Office for tbe same period were
$1,632,745, being greater by $284,883 than
the amount realized from the 6ame sources
dorleg the previous yar. Tbe entries un
der the Homestead law cover two million
three hundred and twenty eight thousand
nine hundred and twenty-three acres, nearly
one-fourth of which was taken under the act
of June 21st, 1S67, which applies only to
the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi
ana. Arkansas and Florida.
THE PENSION BUREAU.
On the 30th of June. 1868, one hundred
and sixty-nine thou.ann six hundred and
fiity-three names were borne on tha pension
rolls, and during the year ending on that
day, the total amount paid for pensions, in-
$24,010,982, being $5,391,025 greater than
that expended for like purpoas during the
preceding year.
Exception is taken to the act of 23d July
last, which reduces the interest on the fund
loaned to the Government by tbe Secretary
as trustee, to thre per cent., instead of six
per cent., which was originally stipulated
when the investment was made. An amend
ment of the Penhion laws is suggested to
remedy omissions aud defects in existing en
actments. The expenditures of the depart
ment during the last fiscal year were $201,
203,94, and the estimates for the coming
year amount to $20,993,314.
THE PAjTBKT OFFICB.
During the year ending the 30th of Sep
tember last, the expenses of the Patent Ofiioe
exceeded the receipts by . ;hundred and
seventy one dollars, and including re-issues
and designs, fourteen thousand one hundred
and fifty-three patents were issued-
INDIAN AFFAIUS.
Treaties with various Indian tribos have
been concluded, aad will bo submitted to the
Senate for its constitutional action. I cor
diailay sanction the stipulations which pro
vido for reserving lands f jr the various tribes,
where they may be encouraged to abandon
their nomadic habits, and engage in agricul
tural and industrial pursuits. This policy,
inaugurated many years eince, has met with
signal success whenever it has been pursued
in good faith and with becoming liberality
by the United States. The necessity for ex
tending it as far as practicable in our rela
tious with the aboriginal population is greater
now than at any preceding period. Whilst
we furnish subsistence aud instructions to
the ludiats and -jmrantee the undisturbed
eojoymeut of their treaty rights, we should
habitually insist upon the faithful observance
of their agreement to remain within their re
spective reervRtionsr This is the only mode
b' which these collisions with other tribes
and with the whites can be avoided and the
safety of our frontier settlements secured.
the Pacific railways.
The companies constructing the railway
from Omaha to Sacramento have been most
energetically engaged in prosecuting the
work, and it is believed that the line will be
completed ocfne the expiration of the next
fi.scal year. The six per cent, bonds issued
to these companies amounted ou the fith in
stant tj $44,337,000, and additional work
had been performed to the extent of $3,200,
000. The Secretary of the Interior in Au
gust last, invited my altentir-n to the report
of a Director of the Union Pacific Railroad
Company, who had hcen specially instructed
to examine the location, construction and
equipment of their road, and submitted for
the opinion of the Attorney General certain
qucti ms in regard to tho authority of the
Executive, which arose upon this report,
aud those which had from time to time been
presented by the Commissioners appointedf
appointed to enmine thi an 1 other lines,
ami Lave recently submitted a statement o
their investigation?, of which the report of
the Secretary of the Interior furnishes spec
ial information.
THE WAP. DEPAliT-MFNT. -
The report i f the Secretary of War con
tains information of interest respecting the
several Buaeans of the War Department,
and the operations of the army. The
t-trength of our military force on the 30th of
September last was 68,600 men, and it is
computed that this number will be decreased
to 43,000. It is the opinion of the Secretary
of War, that within the next year a consid
erable diminution of tho infantry force may
be made without detriment to the interest of
the country, and in view of the great ex
pense attending the military establishment
and the absolute necessity of retrenchmeat,
wherever it cau be applied, it is hoped that
Congress will sanction the reduction which
his report recommends. While in 1860.
sixteen thousand (hree hundred men cost the
nation $16,472,000, the sum of $05,632,000
as necessary for the support of the army du
ring the fiscal j-ear, ending June 30, 1870.
The estimates of war debt, for the last two
fiscal yaars. were for 18(57, $33, 814,461, and
and for 1868. $25,205,669. Tha actual
expenditures during the same periods were
respectively, 95.224,415 and $123,246,648.
The estimate submitted in December last,
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, was
$77,124,707. The expenditures for the first
quarter, euding the 30th of September last,
were $27,219,117. and the Secretary of the
Treasury gives $06,000,000 as the amount
which will probably be required during the
remaining three-quarters, if there should be
no reduction of the army, making its aggre
gate cost for tho year considerably in excess
of ninety-three millions. The difference be
tween the estimates and expenditures for the
three fiscal years which have been named, is
thus shown to be $175,545,343 for this sin
gle branch of public service.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
exhibits the operations of that dapartment
and of the Navy diuiug tha year. A consid
erable reduction of the force has been effected.
There are forty-two vessels carrying four
hundred and eleven guns in the six squad
rons which are established in different parts
of the world. Three of these vessels are re
turning to the United States and four are
Used as storeships. leaving the actual cruis
ing force thirty-five vessels, carrying three
hundred and fifty six guns. The tolal;num
ber of vessels in the Navy is two hundred
and six, mounting seventeen hundred and
forty-three guns. Eighty-one vessels of ev
ery description are in use, armed with six
Lundred and ninety-six guns. The number
of enlisted men in the service, includicg ap
prentices, has been reduced to eight thou
sand and five hundred. An increase of navy
yard facilities is recommended which will.
i ia the event of war, be promotive of economy
aad secutity. A more thorough aad sys
tematic survey of the North Pacific Ocean
is advised, in view of our recent acquisitions,
our expanding commerce, and the increasing
intercourse between the Pacific States and
Asia. The Naval Pension Fund, which
consists of a moiety of the avails of prizes
captured during the war, amounts to $14,
000,000. THE P0STOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The Postmaster General's report furnishes
a foil and clear exhibit of the operations and
condition of the postal service The ordina
ry postal revenue for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1868, was $15,202,400, and the
total expenditures embracing all the service
for which special appropriations have been
made by Congress, amounted to 22,730,
592, showing an excess of expenditures of
56,437,771 ; showing an excess of expendi
tures of $6,437,771 deducting from the ex
penditures the turn of $1,896,525. the
amount of appropriations for ocean, steam
ship and other epecial services, the excess of
expenditures was $4,541,466. By uMog an
unexpended balance in the Treasury of $3,
800,000. the actual sum for which a special
appropriation is required to meet the defi
ciency, is $7,412 06. The causes which
produced this larste excess of expenditure
over revenue, were the restoration of serv
ices in the lato insurgent States, aud tbe
putting into operation of the new service es
tablished by acts of Congress, which amount
ed within the last two years and a half to
about forty-eight thousand seven hundred
miles, equal to more than one-third the
whole amount of the service at the dose of
the war. New postal conventions with
Great Britain. Noith Germany, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy, re
spectively, have been carried into effect ;
under their provisions important improve
ments have resulted in the reduced rates of
international postage, and the enlarged mail
facilities with European countries. The
cost of the United States trans-Atlantic
Ocean mail service, since January 1, 1868,
has been largtly lessened under the opera
tion of these new conventions ; reduc
tion of over one-half having been effected
under the new arrangement for Ocean
mail steamship service, which went into
effect on that date. The attention of Con
gress is invited to the practical suggestions
aud recommeudations made in his report,
by the Postmaster General.
OUR POHEION RELATIONS.
No important question has occurred dur
ing the last year in our accustomed cordial
and friendly intercourse with Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Honduras. San Salvador , France,
Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, the
Netherlands. Denmark, Sweden ami Nor
way, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Persia, Egypt,
Liberia, Morocco, Tripoli, Tunis, Muscat,
Siam, Borneo and Madagascar. Cordird
relations have also been maintained with the
Argentine and the Oriental Republics. The
expressed wish of Gngre?s that our national
good offices might be tendered to those Re
publics, and also to Brazil and Paraguay,
for bringing to an end the continuous war
which has so long been raging in the Valley
of the La Plata, has been assiduously com
plied with, and fully acknowledged by all
the belligerents. That important negotia
tion, however, has thus far been without re
sult. Charles A. Washburn, late United
States Minister to Paraguay, having resign
ed, and being desirous to return to the
United States, the Rear Admiral command
ing the South Atlantic Squadron was early
directed to send a ship of war to Ascencion,
the capital of Paraguay, to receive Mr.
Washburn and his family, aud remove them
from a situation which was represented to
be endangered by faction and foreign war.
The Brazilian commander of the allied inva
ding forces refused permission to the Wasp
to pass through the blockading forces, and
that vessel returned to its accustomed an
chorage, remonstrance having been made
agaiust the refusal. It was promptly over
ruled, and the Waup therefore resumed her
errand, received Mr. Washburne and family,
and conveyed them to a 6afe and convenient
seaport. Iu"the meantime an excited con
trovtrsy had arisen between the President
of Paraguay and the late United States
Minister, which it is understood grew out of
his proceedings in giving asylum in the
United States legation to alleged enemies of
that Republic. The question of the right to
give asylum is one alyi difficult and ctften
productive of great embarrassment in States
well organized and established. Foreign
powers refuse either to concede or exercise
that right except as to persons actually be
longing to the Diplomatic service. On the
other hand all such powers insist upon exer
cising the right of asylum in States whpre
the law of nations is not fully acknowledged,
respected and obeyed. 1 he President of Par
aguay is understood to have been opposed to
Mr. Washburne's proceedings, owing to the
injurious and very improbable charge of
personal complicity in insurrection and trea
son. Tbe correspondence, however, has not
reached the United States. Mr. Washburne,
in connection with this controversy, repre
sents that two United States' citizens at
tached to the legation -were arbitrarily seized
at bis side when leaving the capital of Par
aguay, committed to prison, and there sub-
jected to torture lor tne purpose ol procuring
confessions of their own criminality, and
testimony to support the President's allega
tions against the UniUd States Minister. ;
A dispatch has been received from Mr.
McMahon, the newly appointed Minister to
Paraguay, saying that he had reached the
La Plate. Ha has been instructed to proceed
without delay to Asunscion, there to investi
gate the whole subject. The Rear admiral,
commanding the United States South Atlan
tic Squadron, has been directed to attend the
new Minister with a proper naval force, and
to sustain such just demands as the occasion
may require, and to vindicate the rights of
the United States citizens referred to, and of
any others who may be exposed to danger in
the theater of war
With these exception, friendly relations
have been maintained between ths United
States and Brazil and Paraguay. Oar rela
tions during the past year with Bolivia,
Ecuador Peru, aud Chile, have become espec
ially frieudly and cordial. Spain and the
Republics of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have
expressed their willingness to accept the
meditations of the United States for termina
ting the war upon the South Pacific coast.
Chile ha uor fiually declared upon the ques
tion. In the meantime the couflict has
praetteally exhausted li&fA, stnee no belliger
ent or hostile movement has been made by
either party during tha last two years, aud
there are no indications of a present purpose
to resume hostilities on either side. Great
Britian and France have cordially eecoLded
our propositions of mediation, and 1 do not
forgo the hope that it may soon be accepted
by all the belligerents and laad to a eecsie
establishment cf peaoe and friendly relations
between the Spaui;h - American R. publio
and Spain a result whioh would be attend
ed with common benefits to the belligerents,
and much advantage to all commercial ca
tions. I tcm-uunicate for the consideration of
Congress a correspondence which shnws that
the Bolivian Republic has established the
extremely liberal p ii e'p'e of receiving into
its citizenship any citiaen of tbe United
States, or of an other of tbe American Re
publics, upon the simple coodttion of volun
tary registry. Ti e c .rrespondeuce herewith
submitted will be found painfully replai
with accounts of the ruin and wretchedness
produced by recent earthquake of un
paralled severity ia the Republics of Per
Ecuador and Bolivia. The diplomats agen
cy and naval officers of the Uuited States
who were present in thee countries at the
time of these disasters. furrd-hed all 'the re
lief in their power to the tufftrera, and were
promptly rewarded with grateful and
couching acknowledgements by the Con
gress of Peru, an appeal to the charity
of cur fellow-citizens has been anpwerd by
much liberality. In this connection I sub
mit an appeal which has b?en made by the
Swiss Republic, wht.se government and in
stitutions are kindred to our own, in behalf
of its inhabitants, who are suffering extreme
destitution produced by recent inundstions.
Our relations with Mexico during tbe year
have len marked by aD increasing growth
of mutual confidence. The Mexican Gov
ernment has not yet acted upon the treaties
celebrated here last summer for establishing
the rights of naturalized citizens upon a Just
and liberal basis for regulating Coueiilar pow
ers, and fur the adjustment of mutual claims.
All commercial nations, fs well as all friends
of republican institutions, have occaeion to
regret the frequent local disturbances which
occur in tome of the constituent Slates of Co
lumbia. Nothing has occurred, however, to
effect the harmony end cordial friendship
which have for several years existed between
that youthful and vigorous republic and our
own. Negotiations aie pending with a view
to the survey and censtrnctian of a ship ca
nal across the IsthYnus of Darien, nnder the
auspices of the United States. I hope to be
able to submit tho result of that negotiation
to the Senate dining its present session.
The very liberal trenty which was en t -red
into last year by the United States and Ni
carauga has been ratified by the latter re
public. Costa Rico, with the earneritnees of
a sincerely friendly neighbor, solicits recipro
city of trade, which I commend to the con
sideration of Congress. The convention cre
ated by' treaty between the Uuited St-ite
and Venezuela, in July, 1865, for the mutu
al adjustment of claims, has been held, and
its decisions have been received at the De
partment of State. The heretofore recog
nized Government of the United States of
Venezuela has been subverted, a Provisional
Government having been instituted nnder
circumslaners which promise durability. It
has been formally recognized.
I have been reluctantly obliged to ask ex
planation and satisfaction for national inju
ries committed by tbe President of Hayti.
The political and social condition of the Re
public of Ilayti and St. Domingo are very
unsatisfactory and painful. The abolition
of slavery, which has been carried into effect
throughout the Island of St. Domingo and
the entire West Indies, except the Spauish
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, has been
followed by a profound popular conviction
of the rightfulness of republican institutions
and an intense desire to secure them. The
attempts, however, to establish republics
there encounters many obstacles, most of
which may be supposed to result from long
indulged habits of colonial snpineueos and
dependence upon Europpan powers..
EXTENSION OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The Fresilent says that the acquisition cf
Alaska was marie with the view of extend
ing the National iurisdiction in the American
hemisphere ; and, believing that a further
step could be taken in the same dirsction,
he says that last year he entered into a
treaty with the King of Denmark for the
purchase of the islands of St. Thomas and
St. Johns, on the best terms then attainable,
and with the express consent of the people
of those islands. This treaty still remains
under consideration in the Senate. A new
convention has been entered into with Den
mark, enlarging the time fixed for the final
ratification of the original treaty. He fur
ther commends to Congress the consideration
of the subject of the peaceful annexation of
the two republics of the island of St. Do
miugo to the United States.
COMMBECIAL BECIPSOCITT WITH HAWAII.
The President asks the Senate to confirm
the treaty for the establishment of commer
cial reciprocity betwoen the Hawaiian King
dom and th'iB Govornment.
TBBATIKS.
The President makes mention of two
treaties between the United States and
Ilaty, for the regulation of Consular Powers,
and the extradition of criminals. A liberal
Consular Convention has been negotiated
with Belgium. Treaties have been ratified
beteeu the United States and North Ger
many and Bavaria for the regulation of the
rights of naturalized citizens.
HUDSON BAT CLAIMS.
The examination of claims against the
United States by the Hudson Bay Company
is being diligently prosecuted.
R EVOLUTIONS IS JAPAX A3CD SPA!.
Japan remains a theater of civil war, msrk
ed by religions incideuts and political severities
peculiar to that long isolated empire. The
Executive has hitherto maintained strict neu
trality among the belligerent, and acknowl
edges with pleasure that be has been frankly
and fully sustained in that course bv an en
lightened concurrence and eo operation of the
other trat powers, namely, Great Britain,
France, the Netherlands, North Germany and
liaiT.
Spain having recently undercone a mrnln
tion, marked by extraordinary unanimity and
jneriCTTiinoii oi oruer, me I rvvis;onl Uovertv
meut established at Madrid has boen reconi
ed, and the friendly iutercours which has so
long napily xisted betweec the two eoantrics
remain:! uncbatrgeu.
POrCLAB VOTE fOK PRKSIDINT.
I renew the recommendation contained in
my communication to Congress, dated the Ib.h
of Jnly lat, a copy ot which accompanies this
mw-'gc, teat the judgment of the people
ehonld be taken od the propriety of so amend
im? the Federal Constitution that it shall pro
vide :
1. Tor the election of President and Vice
President by a direct vote of the people, in
stead of through the aid of electors, and mi.
king them ineligible to re-election to the
second term.
2. Pat a distinct designation of the person
who shall discharge the duties of President in
the event of a vacancy in taat office by the
death, repjjrnA'ion, or removal of both the
PrerHcet nnd Vice President,
3. For the election of Senators of the Uai
ted States directly by the people of the several
States. ia.Usad of by the Legislatures.
4 For tho limitation to a period of years of
the terms of Federal Judges.
Frofonndly impressed with the propriety of
making ths important mod fications in the
Oorstitution. I re.-reetfuily submit them for
the e .rtv and mature consideration of Con
gress. We fhould, as far as possible, remove
all pretext for violations of the organic law by
ramedjicg such imperfections as time and ex
perience may develope, ever remembering that
the Confutation which at any time exists, until
changed bj an explicit and authentic act of
the whole people, is eeverally binding upon all.
In tlie performance of a duty imposed upon
m by th Constitution, I have thus communi
cated to Congress information of the state of
the Union, and recommended for its couaidera
tion such measnrea as have seerm d to me nec-e-vary
and expedient. If carried into effect,
they will hasten the accomplishment of the
great and beneficent purposes for which the
constitution was ordained, rd which it co-n-jirehensively
states were to form a more per
fect unioa, establish justice, insure domestic
tranqaiilitr, provide for the common defense,
promote tie general welfare, and secure the'
blessings of liberty to onrelvd and our pos
terity. In Congress are vested all legislative
power, and apon them devoWes the responsi
bility as well or framing unwise and exces
arre laws & for nnrlartinr, -i ..
measures absolutely deaaandd by thewactsof
the country. Let us earnestly hope that, be
fore the expiration of our respective terms of
service, now rapidly drawing to a close, an All
Wie Providence will eo guide our counsels
tu to strengthen and preserve the Federal
Union ; inspire reverence for the Cooa itution j
restore prosperity and happiness to our whole
people, and promote on earth peace and good
will toward men. Andbfw Jonssox.
Vr'AgHI.XGTON D. C. D0. 2, lSGfi-
GxrsiES made their first appearance in
ITungary about the-year 1117, in tha
reiga of Sigiemond. In Northern Hun
gary, inhabited by Slavonians, tbey re
mained nomadic. Tbe color of these gyp
eies vnrieg from white lo red. In Hun
gary proper they number 30,009 to 40,
000. There their tradcaare blacksmiths,
ransicians and horse dealers. Maria The
resa endeavored to interest them in agri
cultural pursuit, but unsuccessfully. It
ia told of a band of 1,000 gypsies that they
successfully defend! a fortress Rgainst a
more numerous force. Driving back their
assailants, they boasted that their victory
would hare been more corrjDlete if thpw
had not expended their powder. Hearing
this, the wneray reinsert, captured the
fort, and, to their diigrac, killed every
gypsy-
IsaranocB Esoaps. A remarkabL uc
coant is given in a late English paper of
the escape of a convict from pris .. .
cell in wbicb be was confined had an iron
door, with a lock entirely on the outside.
Tbc;only implements the prisoner had w re
a wooden ppoon. some btta of wire, and
needle and thread. Out of tho ppoon h
made a key ; by means of the needle he
rmesed a thread over and under i!ie door ;
bits of wire were poshed through tho in
spection hole and fastened to this long
thr.:.l extending from top to bottom. The
key vf as also pushed through, and being
fastened to the thread, was brought oppo
site to tb key-hole by dexterous manipu
lation of the slender line, worked gently
in, then turned by means of iho wire, and
the door was opened. This is tho-greatest
exhibition of skill and patience on
record.
A ood story is told on Hancock, a
scalawag Judjre in Mississippi. I la had
been endeavoring fo conrert a conserva
tive negro, and failing, 6wore that "any
nijrsrer who woold rttn cmctinst his own ram
and color ought to be hung n Sambo hung
nia noad for a moment, as if in deep med
itation.aod then Iookinir the Juds-a straight
o o f
in the face, said ; "You say a nigger who
votes agin bis own race'and color onjht to
be hung ?"
"Yes." paid the Judsre. -he ousht to ha
hnng."
"Well. Judfre." said Sarnbo. "liat
you think ought fo be done wid da white
i- - i . .
man who toio agtn ma own race ana col
or?" The Judge bid his sable friend
good night, and has never invited him to
his house since.
Cckb rem Cnour. Tbe parents of
young children are apt, at this season cf
tbe year, to be anxious about croap. An
exchange publishes the following recipe for
the reliet of croup, and which we conv fur
the benefit of mothers : Take one ounce
of b wee t. oil and add to it half an ounce
of gum opal. Apply to tbe chest, under
the arms, the palms of the hands and hol
lows ot the feet It will generally relievo
the most severe caws of croup in Ave ndn
utea. Remember to use externally, and
give the patient pleury of cold water to
drink.
Ham Toast. Hoil a quarter pound of
lean ham ; chop it small, with the yolk of
three eggs, well beaten, half an ounce of
butter, two tablespoonsful of cream, and
a little cayenne pepper. Stir it over the
fire till it thickens, and fpjead it on hot
toast wirh Hie crust cut off.
i
I; n