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Show THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Washington, 1ec. .", I-7u. The following is the message of President Grant : To the Senate and. House uf M preventatives pre-ventatives : RccoD.trucLlBn. A year of peace and general prosperity to this nation has pasied since the last ascembling ol Congress. We have, through a kind Providence, been blessed with abundant abund-ant crops, and hare been spared from complications and war with foreign nations. in our midst comparative harmony has been restored. It is to be regretted, however, that a free exercise of the elective franchise has by violence and intimidation been denied de-nied to citizens in exceptional cases, and in several of the States lately in rebellion; and the verdict of the people peo-ple has thereby been reversed. The States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas have been restored to representation represen-tation in our national councils. Georgia, the only State now without representation, may confidently be expected ex-pected to take her place there also at the beginning of the new year; and thent let us hope, wiii be completed the work of reconstruction. With an acquiescence on the part of the whole people in the national obligation, to pay the public debt created as the price of our union, the pensions to our disabled soldiers and sailors and their widows and orphans, and in the changes to the Constitution which have been made necessary by the great rebellion, there is no reasun why we should not advance in material prosperity after so protracted and devastating de-vastating a war. American Protection to foreigners in .France. Soon after the existing warbroke out in Europe, the protection of the U.S. minister min-ister tu Paris was invoked in favor of the North Germans domiciled in i-'rench territory. Instructions were issued to grant the protection. This has been followed by an extension ol' American protection to citizens of Saxony, Sax-ony, Hesse, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Columbia, Col-umbia, Portugal, Iruguay, the Dominican Domin-ican Republic, Equador, Chili, Paraguay Para-guay and Venezuela in Paris. The charge was an enormous one requiring constant and severe labor, as well as the exercise of patience, prudence and good judgment. It has been performed to the entire satisfaction of the government, govern-ment, and, as lam officially informed, equally so to the satisfaction of the government of Xorth Germany. The Frencli Republic. As soon as I learned that a republic had been proclaimed at Paris and the people of France had acquiesced in the change, the minister of the United States was directed, by telegraph, to recognize it and tender my congratulations congratula-tions and those of the people of the United States in the re-establishment in France of a system of government disconnected with the dynastic traditions tradi-tions of Europe, which appeared to be a proper subject for the felicitation of Americans. Should the present struggle strug-gle result in attaching the hearts of the French to our simpler forms of representative repre-sentative government, it will be a subject sub-ject of still further satisfaction to our people. While we make no effort to impose our institutions upon the inhabitants inhab-itants of other countries; and while we adhere to our traditional neutrality in civil interests elsewhere, wo cannot be indifferent to the spread of American political ideas in a great and highly civilized country like France. We were a.skcd by the new government to use our good ofliccd, jointly with those of European powers, in the interest of peace. The answer was made that the established policy, and the true interests inter-ests of the United States, forbade them to interfere in European questions jointly with European powers. I ascertained, as-certained, informally and unofficially, that the government of North Germany was not then disposed to listen to such representations from any powers; and, though earnestly wishing to tee the blessings of peace restored to the belligerents, bel-ligerents, with all of wh"in the United Sta-es are on terms if friendship, I declined on the part of the government to take a step which could only result in injury to our true interests without advancing the object Ibr which our in fervention was invoked. Should the time come when the action of the United Uni-ted States can hasten the return of peace by a single hour, that action will be heartily taken. 1 deemed it prudent, pru-dent, in view of the number of persons "f German iiitd French birth living in the Uniti.d Stite-, to j.-.-iu soon alter al-ter the ohVisi notice of a state ol' war had been received from both belligerents, belliger-ents, a proclamation 'Uliriing the duties du-ties oflho I 'uited Siatcs u a neutral, .11.(1 the obligations of per-yn.' rci-2iir within their territory In observe their i:iws and the laws of nations. The proclamation wa : followed by others, :if iieiiiii.stanec reined fn :a:l lor tli;m. The people thus acquainted in .idvnrie iii I heir dotjeu and nhlicalioDH. have assisted in preventing violations of the neutrality if the United Stairs. Relation wltU Spain. It is not understood that the condition condi-tion of the insurrection , in Cuba has materially changed since the close of the last session i i' Congress. In an -arly stage of the contest the authorities authori-ties of Spain inaugurated a system of arbitrary arrests, of close confinement, jf military trial and execution of persons suspected of complicity with the insurgents, insur-gents, and of summary embargo ot their property and the sequestration jf their revenues by cxeeutire warrant . Such proceedings, as far as the. affected the persons or property ol citizens of the United States, were in violation of the provisions of the treaty of 17'Jo, between the United States and Spain. Representations of injuries resulting to several persons claiming to be citizens of the United States, by reason of such violations, were made to the Spanish government from April, to June last. The Spanish minister at Washington had been clothed with a limited power to aid in redressing such wrongs, but that power was found to be withdrawn in view, as it was said, of the waverable situation in which the island of Cuba then was, which, however, did not lead to the revoking or suspension of the titiaordinary and arbitrary functions exercised by the Executive power in Cuba ; and we were obliged to make our complaint at Madrid. In the negotiations ne-gotiations thus opened, and still pending pend-ing there, the United States only claimed that for the future the rights secured to their eitizens by treaty should be respected in Cuba ; and that as to the past a joint tribunal should be established in the United States with full jurisdiction over all such claims, before which, as an impartial tribunal, each claimant would be required re-quired to prove his case. On the other hand, Spain would be at liberty to traverse tra-verse every material foot, and thus complete equity would be done. A case which at one time threatened seriously se-riously to affect the relations between the United States and Spain has already al-ready been disposed of this way. The claims of the Lloyd, Aspinwall, for the illegal seizure and detention of that vessel, was referred to arbitration by mutual consent, and has resulted in an award to the United States, for the owners of the same, of nineteen thousand seven hundred and two dollars dol-lars and fifty cents in gold. Another, and long pending claim, of like nature that of the whale-ship Canada, has been disposed of by friendly arbitration during the present year. It was referred by the joint consent of Brazil and the United States to the decision of Sir Edward Thornton, her Britannic Majesty's Minister to Washington, who kindly undertook the laborious task of examining exam-ining the voluminous mass of correspondence corres-pondence and testimony, submitted by ;be twu governments, and awarded to the United States the sum of one hundred thousand, seven hundred dollars and nine cents, n gold, which has since been paid by the imperial government. These recent examples show that the mode which the United States have proposed to Spain, for adjusting the pending claims, is just and feasible, and that it may be agreed to by other nations without dis honor. It is to be hoped that this moderate demand will be acceded to oy Spain without further delay. Should the pending negotiations unfortunately un-fortunately and unexpectedly be without with-out result, it will then become my duty to communicate that fact to Congress Con-gress and invite its action on the subject. Peace Conference. The long deferred peace conference between Spain and the South American Ameri-can republics, has been inaugurated in Washington under the auspices of the United States. Pursuant to the recommendation rec-ommendation contained in the resolution resolu-tion of the House of Representatives, of the 17th December, 1600, the executive ex-ecutive department of the government offered its friendly offices for the promotion pro-motion of peace and harmony between Spain and the allied republics. Hesitations Hesi-tations and obstacles occurred to the acceptance of the offer. Ultimately, however, a conference was arranged and was opened in this city on theli'Jth of October, at which I authorized the Secretary of State to preside. It was attended by the ministers of Spain, Peru, Chili and Equador. In consequence conse-quence of the absence of a representative representa-tive from Bolivia, the conference was adjourned untd the attendance of a plenipotentiary from that republic could be secured, or other measures could be adopted towards compassing its object. The allied and other republics re-publics of Spanish origin on this continent, con-tinent, may see in this fact a new proof of our sincere interest in their welfare, of our desire to see them blessed with a good government, capable of maintaining main-taining order and preserving their respective re-spective territorial integrity; and of our sincere wish to extend our own commercial and social relations with them. The time is not probably far distant when, in the natural course of events, the European political connection connec-tion with this continent will cease. Our policy should be shaped in Tiew of this probability, so as to ally the continental interests of these Spani-h states more closely to our own, and thus give the United States all the preeminence and all the advantage which Mr. Monroe, Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay contemplated, when they proposed to join to the Congress of Pauama. Annexation of Hnn Doming. During the la st session of Congress, a treaty for the annexation of tho Republic Re-public of San Domingo to the United States, failed to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the Senate. 1 was thoroughly convinced then that the best interests of the country commercially commer-cially and materially, demanded its ratification. 'l ime has only confirmed me in (his .ii-w. I now firmly believe '.hat the moment it is known (bat the United Slates have entirely abandoned the project of n'Vpling as a part of its ten itory the island of Sun Domingo, n free port will be rceuliilcd for by European Euro-pean nations in the bay of Samatia. A large CDintiiL r.;i;:l city will spring up, to which wo will be tributary without re."''ivitig corrcjqH.ndin" bench!. Tic govcnitii.i.M ol' San I'omiir'o has vol-untai vol-untai ily s'yii;'ljt this jniicxalion. Jl y. a weak power, niunoei in" probably less than one hundred and twenty lnous-and lnous-and 'mii-e und set po:--uwsiii one (if ; the richest localities under the sun, ! capable of supporting a population of ten millions of people in luxury. The people of San Douiingo are not capable capa-ble of maintaining themselves in their present condition, and must look for outside support. They yearu I for the protection of our free institu-' institu-' tions and laws, our progress and civil-', civil-', ization. Shall we refuse them? The acquisition ac-quisition of San Domingo is desirable i because of its geographical position. t commands the entrance to the G'ar-'. G'ar-'. ribean rea and the isthmus transit commerce. It possesses the richest , soil, the best and most capacious har-: har-: 'ors, the most salubrious climate, and e most valuable products of the forest, l ..unes and soil of any of the West India .siands. Its possession by us will in a few years build up a coast-wise commerce com-merce of immense magnitude, which will go far toward restoring to us our lost merchant marine It will give to us those articles which we consume greatly and do not produce, thus equalizing equal-izing our exports and imports. In cae of foreign war. it will give us command com-mand of all the islands referred to, and thus prevent an enemy from again possessing himself of a rendezvous upon our coast. At present our coast trade between the states bordering on the Atlantic and those bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, is by the Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice we must, as it were, pass through foreign countries to get from Georgia to the east coast of Florida. San Domingo, with a stable government gov-ernment under which her immense resources re-sources can be developed, will give remunerative re-munerative wages to ten thousand laborers la-borers not now upon the island. This labor will take advantage of every available means of transportation to abandon the islands and seek the blessings of its freedom and the sequence se-quence of each inhabitant receiving the reward of his own labor. Porto Rico and Cuba will have to abolish slavery, as a measure of self-preservation to retain their laborers. San Domingo will become a large consumer of the products of northern farms and manufactures. manu-factures. The cheap rate at which her citizens can be furnished with food, tools and machinery will make it necessary that citizens of other islands should have the same advantages in order to eompete with tfie production of sugar, coffee, tobacco and tropical fruit. This will open to the United States a wider market for our products; and the production of our supply of these articles will cut off more than one hundred millions of our annual imports, besides largely increasing in-creasing our exports. With such a picture it is easy to see how our large debt abroad is ultimately to be extinguished, ex-tinguished, with a balance of trade against us, including interest of bonds held by foreigners; and the money shipment of our citizens traveling in foreign lands, which is equal to the entire yield of precious metals in this country. It is not so easy to see how this result is to be otherwise accomplished. accom-plished. The acquisition of San Domingo Do-mingo is an adhesion to the Munroe doctrine aud is a measure of national protection. It is asserting our just claims to a controlling influence over the great commercial traflie, soon to flow from the west to the east by wuy of the isthmus of Darien; it is to buiiil up our merchant marine; it is to furnish fur-nish new markets for t he products of our farms, shops aud manufacturers: it is to make slarery unsupportablo in Cuba and Porto Rico at once, and ultimately so in Brazil; it is to settle the unhappy condition of Cuba and end an exterminating conllict; it is to provide an honest means of paying our honest debts without overtaxing the people; it is to furnish our citizens with the necessaries of every-day-hfe at cheaper rates than ever before: and it is, in fine, a rapid stride towaids that greatuess which the intelligence, industry in-dustry and enterprise of the citizens of the United States entitle this country to assume among the nations. In view of the importance of this question, I earnestly urge upon Congress Con-gress early action and an expression of us views as to the best means of acquiring ac-quiring San Domingo. My suggestion is, that by joint resolution of the two Houses of Congress, the Executive be authorized to appoint a commission to negotiate for a treaty with the authorities authori-ties of San Domingo, for the acquisition acquisi-tion of that Island, and that an appropriation appro-priation be made to defray the expenses expens-es of such commission. The question may then be determined by the action of the two Mouses of Congress, upon a resolution of annexation, as in the case of the acquisition of Texas. So con-vincecd con-vincecd am I of all the advantages to flow from the acquisition of San Domingo, Do-mingo, and of the great disadvantages, I migbt almost say calamities, to flow from non-acquisition, that I believe the subject has only to be investigated to be approved. Relations wltli Mexico. It is to be regretted that our representations repre-sentations in regard to tho injurious effects, ef-fects, especially upon tho revenue of the United States, of the policy of (he Mexican government ill exempting from import duties a large tract of its territory on our borders, have not only been fruitless, but that it is even proposed pro-posed in that country to extend (he limits within which the privilege adverted ad-verted to has hitherto been enjoged. The expediency of looking into and giving your serious consideration to the proper means for counteracting (he policy referred (o, it is presumed will will engage your earnest attention. Kctrailltloll Trrallen. It is the obvious intercst.cspccinlly of neighboring nations, lo provide against injury to those who may have committed commit-ted high crimes within their borders land who may have besought refuge abroad. For this purpose extradition treaties have been concluded with several sev-eral of the Central American republics and olbers are in progress. The Venr.iirlft 'lniu. The. .-ciisc of Congress is desired as curly us may lr convenient iiM,, u. pro.'ecdines ol' the eoniiiii:-siuii on claim." fi'ain.-l V eneziicla, communicated commu-nicated in the tne-.sa(cs nl" March -Jib, INI.'; March 1st, IS'o; and March IsVti. II bus been deemed advisable not to distribute any ol' the money which has been rceeiwal from thai government until Congress -lui 11 have acted upon the Mihjccl. i lie Chlnme I.ihci.k. Till' inn- micic. ,,!' Fi 'iM h and llus-siou llus-siou reaiilcril s t Ticnl'.ii n. under ei-cuuisliiiiei'H ei-cuuisliiiiei'H ol' ient baibnrily, were supposed by uniiic lo have been pre meditated and to indicate a purpose among the populace to exterminate foreign residents in the Chinese empire. em-pire. The evidence fails to establish such a supposition, but shows a complicity com-plicity by the local authorities and the mob. The government at Pekin, however, how-ever, seems to have been disposed to fulfil its treaty obligations, so far as it was able to do so. Unfortunately, the news of the war between the German States and France reached China soon after the massacre, and it would appear ap-pear that tho popular mind became possessed with the idea that this contest con-test extending to Chinese waters would neutralize the Christian influence and power, and that the time was corning when the superstitious mass might expel ex-pel all foreigners and restore Mandan influence. Anticipating trouble fiAi this cause, I invited France and North Germany to make an authorized suspension sus-pension of hostilities in the East, when they were temporarily suspended by act of the commanders, to act together to-gether for the future promotion in China of the lives and property of Americans and Europeans. Treaty Ratifications. Since the adjourment of Congress, the ratifications of the treaty with Great Britain, for abolishing the mixed courts for the suppression of the slave trade, have been exchanged. It is believed be-lieved that the slave trade is now confined con-fined to the eastern coast of Africa, where the slaves are taken to Arabian markets. mar-kets. Ratifications of the naturalization convention between Great Britain and the United States have also been exchanged ex-changed during the recess, and thus a long-standing dispute between the two Governments has been settled in accordance ac-cordance with the principles always contended for by the United States. Bovnaary Line of tlie Brltlslt Possessions. Pos-sessions. In April last, while engaged in locating loca-ting a military reservation near Pembina, Pem-bina, a corps of engineers discovered that the commonly received boundary line between the United States and British possessions at that place is about fifty-seven hundred feet south of the true position of the zenith parallel, and that the line, when run on what is now supposed to be the true position of that, parallel, would leave the fort of the Hudson'sBaycompany,at Pembina, within the territory of the United States. This information being communicated com-municated to the British government, I was requested to consent, and I did consent, that the British occupation of the fort of the Hudson Bay Company, should continue for the present. I deem it important, however, that this part of boundary lines should be definitely defi-nitely fixed by a joint commission of the governments, and submit herewith estimates of the expense of such a commission com-mission on the part of the United States, and recommend that an appropriation ap-propriation be made for that purpose. The land boundary is already fixed and marked from the summit of the Rocky Mountains to the Georgiuu Bay. It should now be. in like manner, marked from the Lake of the Woods to the summit of the Rocky Mountains. The Alabama Claims. 1 regret to say that no c nclii-ion has been reached for the adjustment ofthe claims against Great Britain, growing out of the course adopted by that government gov-ernment during the rebellion. The cabinet of London, so far as its views have been expressed, does not appear to be willing to concede that her Majesty's government was guilty of negligence, or did or permitted any act during the war by which the United States lias just cause of complaint. Our firm and unalterable convictions are directly the reverse. I therefore reconimeud to Congress to authorize the appointment of a commission to tako proof of the amounts and the ownership, and of their claims, on notice to the representative repre-sentative of her Majesty at Washington Washing-ton ; and that authority be j;iven for the settlement of these claims by the United States, so that government shall have the ownership of private claims as well as the responsible contract con-tract of all demands against Great Britain, if it be necessary to add them. hencTer her Majesty s government hall entertain a desire for a full and friendly adjustment of these claims, the United Slates will enter upon their consideration with an earnest desire for a conclusion consistent with the honor and dignity of both naliotn. Tlie Fishery llar.llss. The course pursued by the Canadian authorities toward the fishermen of the United Stales during tlie past soa-son, soa-son, has not lieen marked by a friendly feeling. By the first article of the convention of nn, lietween Great Britain and the United States, it was agreed that the inhabitants of the United States should have forever in common There is evidently a break hero in the report. 1 The Atlantic would bo in foreign hands, their vessels on trans-Atlantic voyages having uu access to our lake ports, which would be denied to American Amer-ican vessels on similar voyages. To state such n proposition is to refute its justice During the administration of Mr. John luincy Adams, Mr. Clay unquestionably demonstrated tho natural nat-ural right ofthe citizens of the United Slates to the navigation of (his river, showing the action of (ho Congress of Vienna upon the Rhine and other rivers. The 'judgement of European jurists nnd statesmen has been, that the inhahlliinip of a country through which a navigablo river passes, have a natural right to enjoy the navigation of (hat river to ami inlo the sen. even though passing through the territory of another power. Since Mr. Clay advanced ad-vanced bis Bij'iiinenl in behalf of our right, the principle for which he contended con-tended has been frequently and by various nations recognized by law, or by treaty bus been extended to several other great rivers, liy (be (reatv concluded con-cluded at Mayenci', in (ho lihine was declared free from (bo polul where il ls nnvicablo inlo the sea. Itv til.' eoiiveulinii belween Spain and iVrtu-gnl, iVrtu-gnl, concluded in the navigation "f the Uniirce throughout its whole extent, wai ininle free for the subjects of belli crowns. In I s.'i.J the Ar-'.'entine Ar-'.'entine ( 'onfedcratlou, by treaty, threw open the IVeo navigation of the I'aiana lo I'rarwav find to the merchant vessels ves-sels ,,' nations. In I s..; the Crimean war was elo-ed by n treaty which provided lie the free navigation of the Danube. 'In Is.'ii,, Itolivin by treaty, declared it regarded the rivers Amazon and La Plata, in accordance with fixed principles of national law, as highways or channels opened by nature for the commerce of all nations. In 1S59, the Paraguay was mads free by treaty; and in December, ISGfi, the Emperor of Brazil, by imperial decree, de-cree, declared the Amozon to be open to all the frontier of Brazil for the merchant ships of all nations. The greatest living liv-ing British authorities on this subject, while asserting the abstract rights of tbe British claim, say it seems difficult to deny that Great Britain may ground her refusal upon strict law, but it is equally difficult to deny, first, that in so doing she exercises harshly an extreme ex-treme and hard law ; secondly, that her conduct with respect to the navigation naviga-tion of the St. Lawrence is in glaring and discreditable inconsistency with her conduct with respect to the navigation navi-gation of the Mississippi. On the ground that she possessed a small domain do-main in which the Mississippi took its rise, she insisted on this right to navigate nav-igate into the body of its w aters. On the ground that she possesses both banks of the St. Lawrence, where it disembogues itself into the sea, she de-' nies to the United States the right of navigation, though about one-half of the waters of Lakes Ontario, Huron and Superior, and the whole of Lake Michigan, through which tbe river flows, are the property of the United States. The whole nation is interested in securing cheap transportation from the States of the west to the Atlantic. To the cities of those States it secures a greater return for labor; to the inhabitants of the seaboard sea-board it offers cheaper food; to the nation na-tion an increase in the annual surplus of exports. It is hoped that Great Britain will see the justice of abandon-doning abandon-doning the narrow and inconsistent claim to which her Canadian provinces have urged her adherence. National Commerce. Our depressed commerce is a subject to whichl called your special attention at last session, and suggested that it will in future hive to look more to the countries south of the United States and to China and Japan for its support. Our representatives to all these governments gov-ernments have exerted their influence to encourage trade between tbe United States and the countries to which they are accredited; but the fact exists ex-ists that tbe carrying is done at most entirely in foreign bottoms; and while this stato of affairs exists, we cannot control our due share of the commerce of the world. That between the Pacific States and China and Japan, is about all the earning trade now conducted in American vessels. I would recommend a liberal policy towards to-wards that line of American steamers; one that will insure it? success and increased in-creased usefulness. The cost of building build-ing iron vessels, tbe only ones that can compete with foreign ships in the carrying car-rying trade, is so much greater in the United States than in fireign countries, that without some assistance from the government they cannot be successfully j built here. There will be several propositions prop-ositions laid before Congress in the I course of tho present session, looking to a remedy for this evil, even if it should be at some cost to the national treasury. I hope such encouragement will be given as will secure American shipping on the high seas, and American Ameri-can shi p-buildiug at home. National Archives. The condition ofthe archives at the department of State rails lor the early action of Congre.". The lui'ding now rented by that department is a (rail structure, at an inconvenient distance from the Executive mansion and from the other departments. It is ill adapted to the purpose for which it is used, has not capacity to accommodate the archives, and is not lire proof. Its remote situation, its slender construction, construc-tion, and the absence of a supply of water in the neighborhood, leave but little hope of safety lor cither the buildinc or its contents, in case of the accident of a lire. Jt destruction would involve tbe 1 s ofthe roil containing con-taining the original acts aud resolutions resolu-tions of Congress; of the history, records and revolution ofthe Confederation; Confed-eration; of the whole series of diplomatic diplo-matic and consular archives since the adoption of the Constitution; and of tho many other valuable records and papers left with that department, when it was the principal depository of the Government archives. It rtnmiiirnil a I loiu. 1 recommend an appropriation for the conn met ion of a building for the department of I 'tali. 1 recommend to your reconsideration reconsidera-tion the propriety of translerring to the department of the interior, to which they seem more appropriately to belong, nil powers and duties in relation rela-tion to the Territories, with whbh the Department of Slate is now ebarced by law or usage: ami from tlie interior department to the war department, the pension bureau, so far as it regulates regu-lates the payment of soldiers' pensions. I would further recommend that the payment of naval pensions bo transferred trans-ferred to ono of (lie bureaus of the navy department. Financial. I uder the last session of I ongress, I respectfully recommended thai an nppropiin'ion bo made and authority given to issue new bills upon such paper pa-per mid in mcb form as may be designated desig-nated by the Secretary of thoTirasuiy. Tho Comptroller of currency, in his report of ISi'.o, recommended tbe establishment es-tablishment of an agency in tho eily of New York, under (be control of tbe national banks, for the redemption of their issue. The substance of this recommendation seems to be not onlv proper, but it is necessary that the expense ex-pense should be borne hy tbe banks, Couplei) wilh this lecoiiiniendatioii, I lake this occasion lo say that (be banking bank-ing syslriu of the country appears (o be well managed and to answer reasonably reason-ably the purpose for which it was established. es-tablished. It is no donbl true that treasury notes, in pieseniing an equal amount of.be public ilebl wbhout in-terest. in-terest. are the most economical circulation circu-lation ol'lhe goveinmenl ; but it should be considered that ihe banking instiiu-lions instiiu-lions of tbe country are ii'oncies by which business ' is (slablisbed and lo.loiod upon the whole svs-Ikiu. svs-Ikiu. Ibiiikinc, should be cMenileil only lor llie lnirposo of niooiing the demanils of lnisiue-c Inn when the demands are ui';en, a concession should be made upon tbe y round I hat the prosperity of business is more important im-portant than the mere saving of the interest arisinj from the circulation of treasury notes. Excluding re-deposits, the amount of gold and silver deposited de-posited at the mint and its several branches, during tho last year, was 3, 040,878, Nlfi; the coinage for the year was 24,036,011; and the value of gold and silver bars stamped was $874,SS.".12'.il I respectfully call your attention to the report of the department, depart-ment, submitted at the last session, and to the accompanying report relative rela-tive to the mint and coinage system of the country. PuOUc Estimates. The estimates for the expenses of the Government for the fiscal year are $182.443,4o0. They exceed the appropriations ap-propriations for the present year, for tho same items, by $S,972,127.o6. In this estimate, however, is included 22,338,278.37 for public works, heretofore here-tofore begun under Congressional provision, pro-vision, and of which only so much is asked as Congress may choose to give. The appropriation for the same work for the present fiscal year was 1 1,984,-518.08. 1,984,-518.08. Approaciiiiiff a Specie Baals. The average value of guld, as compared com-pared with national currency, for the year 1869 ftas about 134, and for eleven months of 1870 the same rela live value lias been about 115. The approach to a specie basis is very gratifying, grat-ifying, but the fact cannot be denied that the instability of the value of our currency is prejudicial to our prosperity, prosperi-ty, and tends to keep up prices to the detriment of trade. The .evils of a depreciated and fluctuating currency are so great, that now when the price of gold has fallen so much, it would seem that the time has arrived when by prudent legislation Congress should look to a policy which would place our currency at par with gold at no distant day. Reduced Taxation. The tax collected from the peoplt has been reduced more than eighty million dollars per annum. By steadiness in our preeent course, there is no reason why, in a few short years, the national tax-gatherer may not diskppear from the door ofthe citizens alnioet emtirely, witk the revenue stamp dispensed by poettnast'-rs in every community. By a tax upon liquors of all soru, and tobacco in all its forms, and by a wise adjustment of the tariff, which will put 1 a duty only upon those articles which we could dispense with, known as luxuries, lux-uries, and on those which we ue more ! of than we produce, revenue enough i may be raUed, after a few years oil peace and consequent reduction of indebtedness, in-debtedness, to fullil all our obligations. A further reduction of expenes, in addition ad-dition to a reduction of the intere-t account, ac-count, may be relied on to make this practicable. Revenue Reform. .Revenue reform, if it mean this, hat my hearty support. If it implies a collection col-lection of all the revenue for tho tap-port tap-port of the government, for the payrutnt of principal and interest of tbe pnblic debt, pension, 4c, by direct taxation of tht people, then I am against revenue reform; and confidently believe the people are with me. If it means a failure to provide the neceesary means to d-'irny all expenses of the government, and thereby repudiation repudia-tion of the public debt and pensions, then I am still more opposed to such kind of revenue reform, licvenue reform re-form has not been doiined by any of iti advocates, to my knowledge ; but seems to be accepted as something which is to supply every man's wants, without any cost or elfurt on hi? part. A true revenue reve-nue reform cannot be made in a day, b it nm-t be the work of national legislation legis-lation and of time. As soon as the revenue rev-enue can be di-pensud with, all duty should be removed from cutiee, u-a. and "ther articles of universal u--e not produced pro-duced by ourselves The nuce-sities of the country compel us to collect revenue reve-nue from ur imports. An army of as-s-:-ors and collet tors is not a pleasant sight to ihe citizen ; but that, or a tarir! f'T revenue, is necessary; such a taritT, so f:;r as it gives encouragement to home product and ailor.ls employment to labor at living waires, in conira-t to the pauper pau-per labor of the old world : and also in the development of home resource. Reduction ofthe Army. Under the net of Congress of the lorh day of July, ISO, the army has gradually grad-ually been reduced, so that on the' first ofJanusry, 171, the number of commissioned commis-sioned otiiecrs and men will not exce-ed tho number contemplated by law. Department Building. The department building is an old - trvie-ture, trvie-ture, not lire-proof, and entirely inadequate inad-equate in dimension to our present wmiis. Many thousands of dollars are now paid annually for rent of private buildings, to accommodate tho various : bureas ofthe department. I recommend I an appropriation for a new War lep:irt-I ment building, suitid to the present! growing anu of the nation. i Military nnd it1 F.ipeutet. The report of the Secretary of War shows a very satisfactory reduction in the o.pene of the army for the lat tiscal ye. For details you are referred to hi? accompanying report. Tho epenses of tlie navy for the whole of tlie last year, from lVeembrr 1st, IN'.-.', the date of tho la-t report, are less than .lXtt, or about one million less than tluy wore the previous year. Tho expenses since the commencement com-mencement of this fiscal year, since July lt, show, for tho live months, a decrease of over 'J. I'M.lXM, from those of the corresponding months of U-t year. The iMimat-s for the current year were y,.'..Uii:MV; tho-e for next year are 5'J",i'J,:UT.U with isW.MiUU1 additional for niTi'arv permanent improvement.-. Thoo e-timale sro made al-o fur the mainlenaueo of tho naval establishment, a it now i, without much in tho nature of permanent im piovomenK The impropriation made lor the last and current year.- were evidently evi-dently intended by Congress aud arc sullieient onlv, to kofp the navy on it.-pre-ent footing. Hy the repairing nnd relitlin;; of our old ship. this policy liuiM, of emrv gradually but surelv de-tivy tho navy, and it N in it-elf far Irom economy, a each year that it i? pumued Ihe ne.vMly for 'mere repaid in ships -imJ navy yard" becomes nnro imperative nnd mom costly, nnd our current cpiu-e are annually increased lor tlie mere repair of hips many of which inn-t soon become ungate and U-ole-v 1 hope, din im;' i he pre-enl st-ion ol t'omrio.-s to be able to Mihniit to it h plan by w luHi nav tl veols can be built and ivpair made w it li greal im; upon Ihe present oo-i. It ran hardly bo wi-e slalf'Mnmi-liip in n t;o erniuonl which repie-ent- a country wilh oyer live thon-und miles ,.f coa M line in K'th oceans, oxelu-dw of Ala-ka, and eon-la eon-la mi n; I'm'ty million- of pi .";res-ive people, to be wilh such inadequate in.'iins of iMiloivim; any lovohrn policy oil her of promotion or redrew, separated by (InvKvan trom the nations of the ea'lnn eontinenl, ournavy Hour only menniol" direct proi,.o,on' to our i - zens abroad, or for Ulfoiv., any foreign policy. eniorceinent 0f PftHtal Aftair((( The accompanying report .t' master-General show i ' thlNl-tory thlNl-tory working ofthe depan1'-the depan1'-the adoption of the rco 'V' , contained therein, panicuUH1'0 ralating to a reform in th. fr? xhH nlege, and th adoption of thence th-ence carda, a fieTf-3uitaiDu:e0-syatem may speedily b looker Posul at no distant day a furth.r M the sale of poatage attaint t tlon "f mend the authorization arVut r!c"r the Postmaster-Genial id If' General, to i(8Ue all coZ' officials appointed throura thli l" spective departments. At prent tu ' MmmiBsionj, wher. appoint? Presidential, are issued by th, K ,r department. The law in all iU A menu of government, exceat th?1 the post office and of justice " of each to isfiue its own comnln Civil Herrlce Rf,m. Always favoring praoticaJ reform- respecttu y call your attention to 1 in use of long standing, whica l i like to Fee remedied by thU CWuM It is a reform in the civil nervi country. I VoM have it-o l,; a5 the mere fixing ofthe tenure'of offi'Il , clerks and employe?, which doe ZV' quire the advice and consent of th t i ate to rnuko their appoiritmtnu" plete. I would hare it goy.ra nontenure, non-tenure, but the manner of mtkir l -? appointments There is no duty so much crabarraes the Jixeeutivp 5 heads of departments as that of reappointments; re-appointments; nor is there any , 2 duousand ihanklees labor impo-eH Senators or Jtepresentatirw thftjn. findmg places for their ctitu The present system dot not curp best, and oiten not even fit men for r,. i he places. The elevation and DurrvT tion ofthe civil service of tht ment will bo hailed vith appro?: the vrholo people of the United State? Indian Affairs. Reform in the management of Indian affairs has received the special attpmhn ofthe Administration, from it inauwr ation to the present day. Th ei' ment of making it a missionary ir'-t was tried with a few a?enci siv",. the denomination of Friends, and hw been found to work mot admirab5? All the agencies and superintended Hot so disposed, were given to officers the army. The act of Congre-s n-jll ting the army, renders army oflcer h eligible for civil otfic-js. Indian aW cies being civil offiaes, I determined' give all the agencies to such relirioui denominations as had heretofore lished missions among the Indians, "ard perhaps to some other decomican-who decomican-who would undertake the work Vttt same terms. The societies aelected a allowed to name their own agent sliV ject to the approval of the Executive and are expected to watch oer theia! and aid them as missionaries to christianize chris-tianize and civilize the Indians, and t train them in the arts of peace. T;" government watches over the oSdal acts of the?e agents, and require! ' them as strict an accountability i; if they were appointed in any o!a"r ilie-ner. ilie-ner. I entertain the coidnt hop that the policy now pursued will, in t few years, bring all the Indian; ocn reservations, where they will live ia house?, have school-house; arid churc't-; churc't-; es, will be pursuing peaceful and s:f-sustaining s:f-sustaining avocation;, and where they may be visited by the Iaw-aVidinj white man. with the same iMpani'.j that he now visits the civilized " a::e se'tlements. I call yonr special attention to th report re-port of the Commissioner of Ir.dui. affairs for full information on this subject. sub-ject. Public Lands. During tbe last fiscal year, 00.-M13.'j acres of public land were disposal of. Uf this quantity 3'j ',801,C3 acres wert taken under the homestead law, ai lj,9ol.otl acres fold for eh. Te remainder was treated with miliarr warrant;, college or Indiaa scrip, o: implied im-plied in satisfaction of grants to rereads, re-reads, or lor other public uee;. Tit entries under the homestead iz ing the last year, covered W1.4oa.T more than thore during the preccii-r year. Purveys have been Tijorou.f urosecuted to the full extent of u means applicable to the purree. The quantity of land in n:i:k; will scarcely supply the prefer.; ce-mand. ce-mand. The claim ot the Meiers ud-der ud-der the homestead or pre-emption U, is not, however, limited to land sc';;; to sale at private entry. Any proper. j surveyed pr.blie land may, to a lir.ihed amount, be ac-.ptired under the fv.-e: laws, Kthe party entitled to er.:-:r ur.: theru wiil comply with the requires via thev prescribe in regard to rosider.c anj cultivation. To tbe acuai settlt-r, the right of purchase even tx;ends w lands which were uasurvejed a: 'u time of his settlement. Hi; rht wsj formerly con lined within much narrower narrow-er limits, and at or.e period ef our t t o ry w as c o n t'e r re d only t t poe statutes which were ensctid iVeiaus to time to legalize what wa; then regarded re-garded as an unauthorised intrui'. upon tho national domain. The opir.;.i that the public lands should be reprie; chiefly as a source of revenue is to longer maintained. The rripid s-::i-e-ment aud successful cultivation of the- is now justly considered of more importance im-portance to our well bcir.g. tKsr. i lands w hich the sale of them wouli produce. pro-duce. Tne remarkable growth ar.d prosperity pros-perity of our Stales and Territories sits the wisdom of the lecislstion which :- vitei. the tiller of the soil to eocuroi permanent home on term; wither. t: reach of nil. The pioneer who incur the dancers nnd privations of a fro"t: iiie. atul thus aids the foundation o: i new voinmonu eaith. renders f,"1 ervico to his country, and is cnii:ii-o :a it .s- special favor and protection. T:( laws secure that object, and largely rr mote the general welfare. Thoy sho----therefore, be eheri-hoi at a pprmsr.er.i feature of our land system, (ivvcfa- requires us to give full effect to ex.Ni:? grants. The time-honored ar,J be::f cent policy of selling apart ceruic tions of the public land for eciuor. purposes, in the new Suites, jheu.a continued. When ample pro'-shall pro'-shall hae been made for ihwo eh ecus 1 submit, as a question worthy of ht-'- cons-deration, whether the re-icufl ol our national domain should not w holly divpoed of under the proviM of the'liome.-tead nnd pre-emption 1 in addition to tho swamp and o cr:v;; lands gramed to the Stae w;;; they are situated, the lamb i.Vxf'-tho i.Vxf'-tho acricultural college acts .v.'.J :."; tenia! improxement purposes the ael of September. Is' 1. s"vl i:;lK''.' supplemented thereto. There h.y: . convoyed, up lo the close ol the eal voar. by patent orolhcr r ,i: ''r'0;" levi.loneoot t h ie. to M.-iliv- ami Corp7 ti-'us ::.:i.'.' I ;d-Uscrv- l-'or v.ulw a -. amih and acer.ro.vA it i-oini:iir."l tint an additional I it v of K t.;.l ..'.'.; c:e i im 'i-v' ;. policy ot t Jin- aiding the Siah ? ini; w oris- of in lerna' im pro rMC'.i" intituled more than to;.y yfsp ' '; in the i;i:tiu l. IndiMiia ar.d ''ll,',. aid th..- M-ue in op n '; ; VIS'." e. mi nee! t h,' w .U i '! 1 1'1' l lhoo w' l.nUo I ' i e, nnd " l' I llinoiv u ith t ho-e ol" . U wa f,. Itemed, m: h ' .... Hon, iii ihe ni-.-nu to I1'" ' hate vlii'ib .'f lite imiH'C '1'ul- ".. certain linrf ol" tlie IviW ''n tnilot'id lurf- Ivt' -u" I |
