PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. 



645 



South American republics, which has resulted in an 

 armistice, with the reasonable assurance of a perma- 

 nent peace. 



The intimate friendly relations which have so long 

 existed between the United States and Kussia con- 

 tinue undisturbed. The visit of the third son of the 

 Emperor is a proof that there is no desire on the part 

 of his Government to diminish the cordiality of those 

 relations. 



The hospitable reception which has been given to 

 the Grand-duke is a proof that on our side we share 

 the wishes of that Government. The inexcusable 

 course of the Eussian minister at Washington ren- 

 dered it necessary to ask his recall, and to decline 

 longer to receive that functionary as a diplomatic 

 representative. It was impossible, with self-respect, 

 or with a just regard to the dignity of the country, 

 to permit M. Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse 

 with this Government after his personal abuse of 

 Government officials, and during his persistent inter- 

 ference, through various means, with the relations 

 between the United States and other powers. In 

 accordance with my wishes, this Government has 

 been relieved of further intercourse with M. Catacazy, 

 and the management of the affairs of the Imperial 

 Legation has passed into the hands of a gentleman 

 entirely unobjectionable. 



With Japan we continue to maintain intimate re- 

 lations. The Cabinet of the Mikado has, since the 

 close of the last session of Congress, selected citizens 

 of the United States to serve in offices of importance 

 in several departments of government. I have 

 reason to think that this selection is due to an ap- 

 preciation of the disinterestedness of the policy 

 which the United States have pursued toward Ja- 

 pan. It is our desire to continue to maintain this 

 disinterested and just policy with China as well 

 as Japan. The correspondence transmitted here- 

 with shows that there is no disposition on the part 

 of this Government to swerve from its established 

 course. 



Prompted by a desire to put an end to the barbar- 

 ous treatment of our shipwrecked sailors on the 

 Corean Coast, I instructed our minister at Peking to 

 endeavor to conclude a convention with Corea for 

 securing the safety and humane treatment of such 

 mariners. Admiral Eodgers was instructed to ac- 

 company him, with a sufficient force to protect him 

 in case of need. 



A small surveying-party sent out, on reaching the 

 coast, was treacherously attacked at a disadvantage. 

 Ample opportunity was given for explanation and 

 apology for the insult. Neither came. A force was 

 then landed. After an arduous march over a rugged 

 and difficult country, the forts from which the out- 

 rage had been committed were reduced by a gallant 

 assault, and were destroyed. Having thus punished 

 the criminals, and having vindicated the honor of 

 the flag, the expedition returned, finding it imprac- 

 ticable, under the circumstances, to conclude a de- 

 sired convention. I respectfully refer to the corre- 

 spondence relating thereto herewith submitted, and 

 leave the subject for such action as Congress may 

 see fit to take. 



The Kepublic of Mexico has not yet repealed the 

 very objectionable laws establishing what is known 

 as the "Free Zone," on the frontier of the United 

 States. It is hoped that this may yet be done, and 

 also that more stringent measures may be taken by 

 that republic for restraining lawless persons on its 

 frontiers. I hope that Mexico, by its own action, 

 will soon relieve this Government of the difficulties 

 experienced from these causes. 



Our relations with the various republics of Cen- 

 tral and South America continue, with one exception, 

 to be cordial and friendly. 



I recommend some action by Congress regarding 

 the overdue instalments under the award of the Ve- 

 nezuelan claims commission of 1866. The^internal 

 dissensions of this Government present no justifica- 



tion for the absence of effort to meet their solemn 

 treaty obligations. 



The ratification of an extradition treaty with Nica- 

 ragua has been exchanged. 



It is a subject for congratulation that the great 

 Empire of Brazil has taken the initiatory step toward 

 the abolition of slavery. Our relations with that 

 empire, always cordial, will naturally be made more 

 so by this act. It is not too much to hope that the 

 Government of Brazil may hereafter find it for its 

 interest, as well as intrinsically right, to advance 

 toward entire emancipation more rapidly than the 

 present act contemplates. 



The true prosperity and greatness of a nation are to 

 be found in the elevation and education of its labor- 

 ers. It is a subject for regret that the reforms in 

 this direction, which were voluntarily promised by 

 the statesmen of Spain, have not been carried out in 

 its West-India colonies. _ The laws and regulations 

 for the apparent abolition of slavery in Cuba and 

 Porto Kico leave most of the laborers in bondage, 

 with no hope of release until their lives become a 

 burden to their employers. 



I desire to direct your attention to the fact that 

 citizens of the United States, or persons claiming to 

 be citizens of the United States-, are large holders, in 

 foreign lands, of this species of property, forbidden 

 by the fundamental law of their alleged country. I 

 recommend to Congress to provide, by stringent 

 legislation, a suitable remedy against the holding, 

 owning, or dealing in slaves, or being interested in 

 slave property in foreign lands, either as owners, 

 hirers, or mortgagers, by citizens of the United 

 States. 



It is to be regretted that the disturbed condition 

 of the Island 01 Cuba continues to be a source of 

 annoyance and of anxiety. The existence of a pro- 

 tracted struggle in such close proximity to our own 

 territory, without apparent prospect of an early ter- 

 mination, cannot be other than an object of concern 

 to a people who, while abstaining from interference 

 in the affairs of other powers, naturally desire to see 

 every country in the undisturbed enjoyment of peace, 

 liberty, and the blessings of free institutions. Our 

 naval commanders in Cuban waters have been in- 

 structed, in case it should become necessary, to spare 

 no effort to protect the lives and property of lona-Jide 

 American citizens, and to maintain the dignity of the 

 flag. It is hoped, that all pending questions with 

 Spain, growing out of the affairs in Cuba, may be 

 adjusted in the spirit of peace and conciliation which 

 has hitherto guided the two powers in their treat- 

 ment of such questions. 



To give importance and to add to the efficiency of 

 our diplomatic relations with Japan and China, and 

 to further aid in retaining the good opinion of those 

 peoples, and to secure to the United States its share 

 of the commerce destined to flow between those na- 

 tions and the balance of the commercial world, I 

 earnestly recommend that an appropriation be made 

 to support at least four American youths in each 

 of these countries, to serve as a part of the official 

 family of our ministers there. Our representatives 

 would not even then be placed upon an equality with 

 the representatives of Great Britain and of some 

 other powers. As now situated, our representatives 

 in Japan and China have to depend for interpreters 

 and translators upon natives of those countries who 

 know; our language imperfectly, or procure, for the 

 occasion, the services of employes in foreign busi- 

 ness-houses or the interpreters to other foreign min- 

 isters. I would also recommend liberal measures for 

 the purpose of supporting the American lines of 

 steamers now plying between San Francisco and 

 Japan and China, and the Australian lines almost 

 pur only remaining lines of ocean-steamers and of 

 increasing their services. 



The national debt has been reduced to the extent 

 of $86,057,126.80 during the year, and, by the nego- 

 tiation of national bonds, at a lower rate of interest, 



