PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. 



697 



either republic to strengthen their relations as neigh- 

 bors and friends. 



It is much to be regretted that many lawless acts 

 continue to disturb the quiet of the settlements on 

 the border between our territory and that of Mexico, 

 and that complaints of wrongs to American citizens 

 in various parts of the country are made. The revo- 

 lutionary condition in which the neighboring repub- 

 lic has so long been^involved has in some degree 

 contributed to this disturbance. It is to be hoped 

 that, with a more settled rule of order through the 

 republic, which may be expected from the present 

 government, the acts of which just complaint is made 

 will cease. 



The proceedings of the commission under the con- 

 vention with Mexico of the 4th of July. 1868, on the 

 subject of claims, have unfortunately been checked 

 by an obstacle, for the removal of which measures 

 have been taken by the two Governments T^hich it is 

 believed will prove successful. 



The commissioners appointed, pursuant to the 

 joint resolution of Congress of the 7th of May last, 

 to inquire into depredations on the Texan frontier, 

 have diligently made investigations in that quarter. 

 Their report upon the subject will be communicated 

 to you. Their researches were, necessarily, incom- 

 plete, partly on account of the limited appropriation 

 made by Congress. Mexico, on the part of that Gov- 

 ernment, has appointed a similar commission to in- 

 vestigate these outrages. It is not announced official- 

 ly, but the press of that country states that the fullest 

 investigation is desired, and that the cooperation of 

 all parties concerned is invited to secure that end. 1 

 therefore recommend that a special appropriation be 

 made at the earliest day practicable, to enable the 

 commissioners on the part of the United States tore- 

 turn to their labors without delay. 



It is with regret that I have again to announce a 

 continuance of the disturbed condition of the island 

 of C uba. No advance toward the pacification of the 

 discontented part of the population has been made. 

 While the insurrection has gained no advantages, 

 and exhibits no more of the elements of power or or 

 the prospects of ultimate success than were exhibited 

 a year ago,, Spain, on the other hand, has not suc- 

 ceeded in its repression, and the parties stand ap- 

 parently in the same relative attitude which they 

 have occupied for a long time past. 



This contest has lasted now for more than four 

 years. "Were its scene at a distance from our neigh- 

 borhood, we might be indifferent to its result, al- 

 though humanity could not be unmoved by many of 

 its incidents wherever they might occur. It is, how- 

 ever, at our door. 



I cannot doubt that the continued maintenance of 

 slavery in Cuba is among the strongest inducements 

 to the continuance of this strife. A terrible wrong 

 is the natural cause of a terrible evil. The abolition 

 of slavery, and the introduction of other reforms in 

 the administration of government in Cuba, could not 

 fail to advance the restoration of peace and order. 

 It is greatly to be hoped that the present liberal 

 Government of Spain will voluntarily adopt this 

 view. 



The law of emancipation, which was passed more 

 than two years since, has remained unexecuted in the 

 absence of regulations for its enforcement. It was 

 but a feeble step toward emancipation ; but it was 

 the recognition of right, and was hailed as such, and 

 exhibited Spain in harmony with sentiments of hu- 

 manity and of justice, and in sympathy with the 

 other powers of the Christian and civilized world. 



Within the past few weeks the regulations for 

 carrying out the law of emancipation have been an- 

 nounced, giving evidence of the sincerity of intention 

 of the present Government to carry into effect the 

 law of 1870. I have not failed to urge the considera- 

 tion of the wisdom, the policy, and the justice of a 

 more effective system for the abolition of the great 

 evil which oppresses a race, and continues a bloody 

 and destructive contest close to our border, as well 



as the expediency and the justice of conceding 

 reforms of which the propriety is not questioned. 



Deeply impressed with the conviction that the 

 continuance of slavery is one of the most active 

 causes of the continuance of the unhappy condition 

 in Cuba, I regret to believe that citizens of the 

 United States, or those claiming to be such, are 

 large holders in Cuba of what is there claimed as 

 property, but which is forbidden and denounced by 

 the laws of the United States. They are thus, in de- 

 fiance of the spirit of our own laws, contributing to 

 the continuance of this distressing arid sickening 

 contest. In my last annual message I referred to 

 this subject, and I again recommend such legislation 

 as may be proper to denounce, and, if not prevent, at 

 least to discourage American citizens from holding or 

 dealing in slaves. 



It is gratifying to announce that the ratifications 

 of the convention concluded under the auspices of 

 this Government, between Spain on the one part, 

 and the allied republics of the Pacific on the other, 

 providing for an armistice, have been exchanged. A 

 copy of the instrument is herewith submitted. It is 

 hoped that this may be followed by a permanent 

 peace between the same parties. 



The difficulties which at one time threatened the 

 maintenance of peace between Brazil and the Argen- 

 tine Republic, it is hoped, are in the way of satisfac- 

 tory adjustment. 



With these stateSj as with the republics of Central 

 and of South America, we continue to maintain the 

 most friendly relations. 



It is with regret, however, I announce that the 

 Government of Venezuela has made no further pay- 

 ments on account of the awards under the conven- 

 tion of the 25th of April, 1866. That republic is 

 understood to be now almost, if not quite, tranquil- 

 lized. It is hoped, therefore, that it will lose no 

 time in providing for the unpaid balance of its debt 

 to the United States, which, having originated in in- 

 juries to our citizens by Venezuelan authorities, and 

 having been acknowledged, pursuant to a treaty, in 

 the most solemn form known among nations, would 

 seem to deserve a preference over debts of a different 

 origin and contracted in a different manner. This 

 subject is again recommended to the attention of 

 Congress for such action as may be deemed proper. 



Our treaty relations with Japan remain unchanged. 

 An imposing embassy from that interesting and pro- 

 gressive nation visited this country during the year 

 that is passing ; but, being unprovided with powers 

 for the signing of a convention in this country, no 

 conclusion in that direction was reached. It is 

 hoped, however, that the interchange of opinions 

 which took place during their stay in this country 

 has led to a mutual appreciation of the interests 

 which may be promoted when the revision of the 

 existing treaty snail be undertaken. 



In this connection I renew my recommendation of 

 one year ago, that, u to give importance and to add 

 to the efficiency of our diplomatic relations with Ja- 

 pan 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 nations and the balance of the 

 commercial world, an appropriation be made to sup- 

 port, at least, four American youths in each of those 

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

 our ministers there. Our representatives would not 

 even then be placed upon an equality with the rep- 

 resentatives of Great Britain and of some other pow- 

 ers. As now situated, our representatives in Japan 

 and China have to depend, for interpreters and trans- 

 lators, upon natives of those countries, who know our 

 language imperfectly, or procure for the occasion the 

 services of employes in foreign business-houses, or 

 the interpreters to other foreign ministers." 



I renew the recommendation made on a previous 

 occasion, of the transfer to the Department of the 

 Interior, to which they seem more appropriately to 

 belong, of all the powers and duties in relation to 



