The Message

FelUv-Oítixena oí the Símate and House of Representativos : With great gratltude to the Bountlful Glver of All Ekd, I congratulato rou that, at the beginning of your flrst regular sssion, 70U find our oountry blíssed wiih henil th and pcace, oud abundant harvests, and wiüi euoouraging prospecta of an early return of general prosperity, The Soutliern Policy, ïo ooinyleto and make permanent the püciñoaon of the country continúes to be, and, untü it le accomplished, muflt reniain üie most important of all our national intereets. The earnest purpose of good citizens generaily to unlte thclr efforts in those endeavors is evident. It found deoided eïpresslon in the reBoIations announced in 1876, by the national conventiona of the leading politica! parttes of the country. There was a widespread apprehenBion that tbe noölnentous resulta In our progrew na a nation, marked by the recent atnendments to the constitntion, were in Imminent Jeoprdy; that the good understanding which prompted their adoption in the interest of a loyal éevotion to the general welfare mlght prove a barren truoe, and that the sectionB of the oountry, once engaged in dril etrife, mieht be again almost as widely eujvered and diBtinited aa they were when arrayed in arms against each other. The courBe to be pnrsued which, in my judginent neenied the wisest, in the preeenoe of this eniergency, was plaiuly indicatod in the inaugural address. It pointed to the time, which all our people deBire to Bee, when a genuine love oï our Whole country and of all that concerns lts trüe welfare shall snpplant the destructivo forcea of mutual animosity of the racen and of poctional hostility. Opiniona have differed widely as to the meaBures best calcnlated to secure this great end. This was to be expected. The measures adopted by the adminIstration have been subjected to aevere and varied uriticiums. Any course whatever Which nügbt have been entered upon would certainly have encountered distrust and oppoaition. Theee measuroa were, in ïny Judgment, Biich as wero most in harmony with the constitution anrl with the genius of ur people, and best adapted, trnder all oirctlmetances. to attain the end in view, Beneficent reeults already apparent prove that these endeavors are not to be regardel ro ï mere experiment, and should supiain and sneourage ua in our efforts already In thf brief period. which has elapsed. Tho immediale effectiveness, no less than the justico, of the courpe pursned, i8 demonstrated, and l have an abiding faith that time will f nrnish ampie vindication in the mmds of the great majority of niy fel low-citizene. The dicontinuance of the Use of tïio army for the purpose of upholding the local Governmenta in two of the Statea of the uniön was no lesa a const itutional duty amVireqüirrineut, under the circuniat anees exiating at the time, than it was a much-needeti meomire for the restoration of local self-governïnent and the promotion of national harmony. The withdrawal of the troopa from such employ ment was effected deliberately, anti witü sollcitous care for the peace and good order of eociety and the proteotion of proporty and persona and every right of all claesPB 01 oitizens. The resulta that have followed are indeed Bigruficant and encourngIng All apprehension of danger from remitting ttïoeo States to local self-government is dispelled, and a most salutary change in the minds of the people haa begnn, and ís In progresa In every part of that sectton of country, once the theater of nnhappy civil strife, BUbstituting for sUBpicion, distrust ana aversión, eoncord. fiiendship and patriotic attachment to the Union. No uBprejudiced micd wül denythat the oftenfatal collisions, which for several ycare have boen of frequent occurrcnce, and have alarmad the public mind, havo aluiost entirely ceased, and that a spirit of mutual forbearance aud hearty national interest haa suoceeded. There has been a general re-establishment of order and of the orderly adminiftraüon of justice. Inatances of remaining lawleesness have become of rare occurrence ; politioal turmoil and turbulenco have disappeared; uaeful industries have been resumed; public credit in the Southern btates has been greatly Btrengthened, and the encouraging benefits of a revival of commerce between the bections of the country lately imbroiled in civil war are fully enjoyed. Such are some of the results a'.ready attained upon whicli the country is to be congratuJated. They are cf euch importance that we may wiUi confidence patiently await tho desired consumination that will surely oome wlth the natural progress of events. The Ëmancipated Race. It nifl.y not be improper here to say that it should be our ied and unaltórable determination to protect, by all available and proper means, under the conatitution and the laws, the latei y-emancipated race in the whole of their rights and privi leges, and I urge upon those to whom heretofore the colored people havo Biiatained the relation oi boudsmen tho wisdom and justice of humane and liberal local legialation, vith respect to their eduoation and general welfare,; a firm adherence to the Ia we, both national and State, aa to the civil and political rights of the oolored people, now advanced to full and equal citizenshipi; the immediate represaion and pure punishment, by the national and loca authorities within their reBpeotive jurisdictions, oí every inBtance of lawleBsness and violence towards them.as required for the securlty alike of both races, and justly demanded by the public opinión o] the country and the &ge. In this way the rf-storation of harmony and good wül, anc the complete protection of every citizen in ■- the full enjoyment of every oonstitutional right, will surely be attainöd. Whatever authority rests with me to thia end I shall not hesitate to put forth. Whatever belongs to the power of Congres and the jurisdiction of the courte of the Union, they may confidtntly be relied upon to próvido and perform, anc to the Legisïatures, the courte, and the executive authorities of the severa! States I earnestly appea to Becuro by adequate, appropriate, and seasonable means within their borders these oommon and uniform rights of a united people which lovea liberty abhorB oppressïoo, and reveres juBtice. These objects are very dear to my heart. I shall continue inoet earneBtly to strive for their attaiument. The cordial co-operation of all classes of all Bections o: the country, and of botu races, is required for this purpoee, and with these blesaings assured, and no other wise, we may safely hope to hand down our free inatitutions of government unimpaired to the ginerations that will succeed us. Kesumption 01 Specie Payments. Among the other subjects of great and genera importauce to the people of thia country, 1 canno be mietaken, I thiuk, in regarding es pre-eminen the policy and measurea which are designed to se cure the restoration of the currency to that iiorma and healthful condition in which, by the resump tion of specie payments, oux internal trade aud for eign commerce may be brought into harm'ony %vith the Bystem of excüanges which is based upon the precíous metáis as the intr-insic money of the world in tbe public judgment. That this end should be Bought and compassed as Bpeedily aud as securel; as the resources of the people and the wisdom o the Government eau acoomplieh, there is a mud greater degree of unanimity than is found to con our in the epecifio measures which will bring the country to this deeired end, or the rapidity of the steps by which itcan besafelyreached. Uponainoe anxious and delibérate examination which I have feit it my duty to give tb tho subject. I am but the more oonfirmed in the opinión which I exprecsed ii aocepting the nomination for the Presidency, anc again upon my inauguration, that the policy of re tmption should be puraued by every suitable n.eans and tbat no legislation would be wíbo tha should diaparage the importanco or retard the attainment f that result. I have no díspositíon, ant certainly no right, to question the sincerity or the integrity of oppoeing opinions, and would neither conceal nor undervalue tho considerable diffieulties and even occasional diatreaa, which may attend the progress of the nation toward this primary condi tion of its general and permanent prosperity. '. must, however, adhere lo my most eaj-nest conviction, that any wavoring In pnrpose, or unateadiness in methode, BO f ar from avoid ing or reduoing tbe ínconvenience inseparable from Üift tr.msltion from an irredeemable to a redecnnble paper curreiicy would only tend to an increascd and prolonged disturbance in values, which, nnlese reiieved, mus end in Berioua dieorder, dishonor ond disaster in the financial affairs of tho Government and of the people. The mischiefs whioh I apprebond ant urgently deprécate, are couftned to no cláss of the people; indeed, they but neem to me most eer tainly to threaten the industrious masses, whethcr their occupationa are of sltiïled or common labor 1 To them, it seems to me, it ís of prime importaüce ! that their labor ahould bc compcniated iñ rnone; : which Ij, in itself flxed in exchaugable valué, by boi ing lrrevocably measurod by the labor necessary to 1 it production. This permanent quality of all the ! mouey of the peoplo ia sought for and can only be I gained by the resumption of specie payment. Tbe I rich, the speculative, tho operaMng, the moue'yi Uealing classes, may not íihiys f fiel the mischiefB I of, or may find casual profit? ju, a variable citrrency ! but the niisfortnnes of sucü a curfeuc? to tbose vrho an paid salaries or wagcs aro inevitable and romedi ese, Tlie Sllver &o&aL. Closely-eofeneteá wlÜi tliis general subject of the rcmnppiión x)f Specie imnierUu is óns of BTEbora!nate, but Btill of grave iiüpoitancc - I mean the rcftdjuBtinentof oiircolna.;e gyBtorq b# tb ■ rennwal of the silver dollar aa all clCtócht in oúr spcoic cxirrency, rndoweü tiy Icfiislation witli Uio quallty of legaJ tender, to a gj.íatr or lessexte&te As tiioro iw bq doubt of tlie power of Congríes, uinler tlie coxiatitutlon, to coiu money and rescato the value tUor6'.f, and as this power cuvors the whole faagè of authority applicable to the metal, tho ratbd valtte, (ÜïÖ the legal-tendor quallty rvhih fthaiï OT Qomed for the cojoage, the coüejiieratou which should induce or dipoouraeo 'a iartioiilar measure connected with Uio cohiage belougs clearly to the provlnco of legislativo tliscretioii, and of piiblk) ftpedlenoy. Without intrudiiw ttpp tnia provlnee of logislation in t.e ViRtX, X ïiiive yet thought the snbiect oí tüch ci-itical importiince, in the actual cortdttlon of our ufïairs, as to present au occasion íol the exerciae of the duty imposed by the conetitution on tho President of recommending o the conBideration of Oongress auch nieasures as ie shall judge neceseary and exuedient. Holding be opinión, as I do, t.hat nelther tho interest of tlio Governraenl, hor of the people oï the Urfitc-d States, woïild be pronioted by dinparaging öilvtor as one oí' he two precioua motels which ffuraiah the coinago of the World, and that legislation which lookB to inaiutwining the volume of intrinsic money to as uil a meaaure of both metala as their relatíve commercial values will permit would be neither mjust nor inexpedicnt, I must wak ynur indulgence ta ft brief and donnite tatement of ocrtala ssBöntial features in any sueh cgislRtivo ineaBure whioh I feel it my duty to recommend. I do not proposa to enter tho debate representad on both sides by such able disputante n Congress, and before the people, and lu the ress, aa to the extent to which the íegislation of m y one nation can control tuis queBtion, even within itfi own bordears, against the laws of trade, or the )oaifcive laws of other Governnients. The .wisdom f Congresa in shaping any particular law that uiay c prsented for my approval may wholiy superseds he nocesBity of my entering into Üicae consideraiona, and 1 willinely avoid either vague or intricate nquiries. It is only the certain, plain aud practical xaits of such Íegislation that I deeire to reconimend toyour attention. 9t In any Íegislation providíng for a silVer coihage, regulating its value, and imparting to it tho quality of legal tender, it seenia to me of great ünportanoe that Congress should not loee Bight of its action as operating in a two-f old capacity and two distinct directions. If the United States Government were 'ree f roru a public debt, ita legislative deiiliug with ;he question of süver coinage would be pureJy aovereiga and governmental, under no restraints but ihoBo of conatitutionaf power and the publro good aa affected by the propoeed legialation ; but in tho actual circumstaiices of the ndtion, with a vaat pubic debt distributed very widely among our own citzenp, and held in great amounta aleo abroad, the nature of the tilver-coinago meaenre as affecting ;he rolatiou of the Government to the holders of the public debt beoomes in any proposed Íegislation of the higheat concern The obligation of the pubic faith transcenda all questions of proflt or public advantage; otherwise, ita unquestüonable maintenance is the díctate aa well as the highest expediency of the most neceaeary duty, and will be carefully guarded by Congress and the people alike. Tho public debt of the United States, to theaniount of $729,000,000, bears interest at the rateof 6 por cent., and $708 000,000 at the rate of 5 per cent.f and :he only way in which the country can bo relieved f rom the payment of the high ratea of interest is by advantageously refunding the indebtödnese. Whether the debt is ultimately paid in gold or silver cola is of but little moment compared with the poasibie reduction of iaterest one-third by refunding tt at 8Uch reduced rate. If the United States had the unquestionable right to pay tts bonda in silver ooin, the little benefit from the proccBa would be greatly overbalanced by the injurioua effect of such payment. If made as proposed, against the honest convictions of the public oredltorfl, all the bonda that have been iseued since Feb. 12, 1873, when gold became the only unliniitcd legaltender metallic currency of the country, fire justly pay able in gold coin, or in coin of equal value Durmgthe time of these iasues, the only dollar tha' cou!d be or was received by the Government in exchange for bonds was the gold dollar. To require the public creditors to take in ropayment any dollar of less commercial value would be regarded by them aa a repudiation of the full obligaiion aseumed The bonds issued prior to 1873 were iesued at a time when the gold dollar was the only coin %in ciroulation or contemplated by either the Governmeu or the holder of the bonds as the coin in which tliey were to be paid. Itisfar betterto pay tnssa bonda iu that coin than to seem to tako advantage of the unf ore seen fall of silver buliion to pay in a new iaaue o] silver coin made bo much lesB valuable. Tne power of the United States to coin money and to regúlate the value thereof ought never to be exercised for the purpose of enabling the Government to pay its obhgations ín a coin of less value than that contemplated by the partïes when tho bonde were issued. Any attempt to pay the national indebtedneBS in a coinage of lesa commercial value than the money of the world would involve a violation of the public faith and work irreparable injury to the public credit. It was the great merit of the act of March, 1869, that, in strengthening the public ciedit, it removed all doubt as to the purpose of the United, States to pay their bonded debt in coin. That act wa3 accepted as a pledge of public faith. The Government has deríved great benefit from ít. In the progresa tlruH far made In refunding the debt at low ratea of interest, an adherence to the wise and just policy of an exact observance of the public faith will enable the Government rapidJy to reduce the burden of interest on the national debt by an ainoiuit exceeding $20,000,000 per annurn, and efifect au aggregate saving to the Onited Statea of more than 300,000,000 before the bonda can be fully paid. In adapting the new silver ooinage to the ordinary nsee of currency in the every-day traseaotiona of lif e, and preserving the quality of legal tender to be aeeigned to it, a conslderation of the llret importance ahould be ao to adjust the ratio between the cüver and the gold coinage, wlüch now constitutes our specie currency, as to accompliah the deeired end of maintaining the circulation of the two metallic currencies, and keeping up the volume of the two precious metala as our intrineic money. It Is a mixed question forscientifie reasoning and historica! experíence to determine how far, and by what methoda, a practicable equllibrium can ba maintained which will keep both metáis in circulation in thelr appropriate spheres of common use. An absolute equality of commercial value, free from disturbing fluctuations, ie hardly attainable, and witbout it an untried legal tender for private transactione, assigned to both metáis, wouid tend to drive out of circulation the deareat coinage, and disappoint the principal object proposed by the Íegislation in view. I epprehend, therefore, that the two conditions of a near approach to equality of comtaercial value between the gold and süver coinage of tha same denomination, and of a limitation of the amouuts for whioh the ailver coinaee is to be a leral tender, are essential to maintaining bota in circulation. If theae conditions can be auccesefully observed, the issue from the mint of ailver doilara would aíford material a-sistance to the oommunity in the traneition to redeemable paper money, and would facilítate the resumption of specie payment and its permanent establishment. "Without these conditions I f ear that only niifccbief and misfortune would flow from a coinage of ailver dollars, with the quality of unlimited legal tender, even in private transactione; any expectation of temporary ease from an issue of aüver coinage, to pass as a legal-tender at a rate materially above its commercial value, íb, I am perBuaded, a delusion; nor can I think that there ia any substantial distinction betwoen an original issue of eilver dollara at a nominal value materially above tlieir commercial value and the restoration of the süver dollar at a rate which once was but has oeased to be ita commereial value. Certainly the issue of our gold coiuage reduoed in weight materially belowita legal-teuder value would not be any the less a preeent debasement of the coinage by reason of its equaling or even exceeding in weight a good coinage, which at sonie past time had been commercial! y cqual lo the legal-tender value assigned to the new ïasue. In ree jmmending that the regulation of any süver coinage which may be authorized by Congress BhouH observe tho conditions of value and ïimited legal tender I am governed by the feeling tint every possible increase bhould be given to the volume of metallie money which can be kept Ín circulation, and thereby every possible aid afforded to the paople lm the procesa of resuming specie paymentB. It ia because of my conviction that a disregard of theae conditions would frústrate the good reaults which are deired from the proposed coinage, and embarrass with new elements of confusión and uncertainty the business of the country, that I urge upon your attention these consideratione. I respectfully recemmend to Congresa that in any Íegislation providing for a silver coinage, and imparting to it the quality of legal tender, there be impressed in the moasure a ílriu provisión esempting the public debt hretofore issued and now outstanding from the payment, either of principal oí intereüt, in any coinage of less value than th ent gold coinage of the country. TliO Civil Serviré. The organization of lUo civil er rvi . ntry haa íor a number of years attracted moro and more of public attention. So general has bicorne he opinión that the methodsof udmisöion to it, and the conditiotts of remaining u it, aro unsound, that both the great politioal parties havo agreed, in the mout explicit deolarationn, on the neceSBity of reform, and in the mo?t empliatic deinands for ít. I have fully coneidertd the declaratloxiB and demanda to be the expressions of the sincere fonvictions of the intdligent mas sea of the people upon the subject, and that they fhonld be recognized and followed by carnRt aiia prompt aotion on ths part of the legiflative and cxecutive depurtuients of tht1 Government. In pursuiinoc of tli purpj before my acctHsion to oftlce, I ecdavoredto have my own views distinctly understood, uud upon my inauguratïon my accord with the public opinión was stated ín terins bQlieved to be plain and unninbiguoiu. My experience in the Executivo dutii a bas Btrongly oonflrmed ttie belief in iho rcat adviintace that the country woiild ftnd in obaen iua; IytbLp1ano[ tl:e cnuetit'iiiou, whit-li fÉ i i the solo úuty ;u.i - or tbc t-eTectlSn of thosë Federal omcers ■■ i - -- - , - ■ ■■■■'■ ".--'■- - law !■■ '.i,'i ■ '.,-.,- in ii'Efi manlier ussisna " tb' Ihe Sonate the compute right to advlse, and consent to or rejeot, tlie uouiinaUoiiBHo tuade, while the Hoüsp of EeprescntatiYf a stauda as tho public censor of tbo performance of official dutiea, wich the prerogaüve of iaTe&tlgaüou in all casofi of dereliction. Tbe blemishen and uiip.;i-r"-Uoi!B üi Ih6 ÖlVll ecrvióe ïnay, aa Í tliink, bo traccd ín most capee tü a pártial couf usion oí thedutiepassigned to the several dcpartments of tlio Govcrnmeut. My puxposa in thia respect bas beeu to return tp tbe BMtew.p.s+.ttbiisiid by toe fuiid.mT!iitM Ewf and to o üiis with i lia lirartiefít üo-ortralloii and a meet cordial iinderstArdiiJf? itfl the eiiate and Huuee of Representativtc, the polilical difüculticd tn the eeioction of numeróos oLlicers for posta of widely-varying respon si büities aud düties are acknowledgod to be.very great. Ko ByeteCQ can be expectcd tj eebure absolute freedcur from piistaïfefe, and tlio beglnning of any alTemptea Uaijgo of custom la qxiite lilely to be moro euibarrasgftd in iJus re-pect tliaa any Bübsoquent period. It ís hero tlutt the constitution tioems to most provo its claizn tu Ue gr&üt wiüdom aceordod to it. It ïives to the Exeeutire uio asairtanc of tb, knowladge and experience of tïie Öenate, whiuhj when uiting upoñ noniiuaüons ás to which üiey niay bo aisint?rewtedand imyartial judgos, Eecures aa Btrong a guaianty of i'reodtnu froin errors of ünportauee as is pcrhaps possiblo in huinan afi'alrB. lu additlou to this I reocguize the public advautage of makïDg all nomina Uouh as nearly as possible im ïersonul, ui the Bense cf being free frcm mere mprice or favor tn these directions, and in thoee oWoes whïsre RpeoiaJ training ia of grcatly tncrcased value, I be-litve suoh a rule as to tho ten ure oí oüioo sliouid obtainasniay induce men of proper qualiliciiíohb to apply tlicniaelves indiistriously to the taak of Decoming proficient. Bearing theae thinga in niiud, [ have endeavoredto reduce the amular, of changes iu Bubordinate places uauaüy mado upou tho chango of the gentrul admiiiistration, aud shall inost lieartUy oooperate with dongreas in the better e j atematiíiiug oí" euch methods and rules of adniissíon to the public service and of promotion witlijn it as may uromise to be raot successíul In making thorougli oompetency, eücJency and charaoU tho decisivo testa iu these luatters. I aak tho-renewedaUention of Congrees to what bas already been done by tho Civil Service Commission, appolnted in pursuance of the act of Congresa by my predecesaor, to prepare aud revise the civiUservice, rules. In regard to much of the departmeut service, eapecialfy at Washington, it inay be diificult to organize a botter yet m than that whioh hae thus been provided, and it is now beíng UBed to a considerable extent, uncler my direotion. The commitBion has stül a legal existence, althoitgh for aeveral years no appropriatinn has been made for defraymg lts expenses. Believing that thia commisBioii has rendered valuable service, aud will be a most unusual agency in improving the adminlstratlon of tbc civil arr ice, I respectfully reeonimend thftt a suitable appropriation be immediately made to enable it to continue ita service. It is my purpoac to transm.it to Congrc-ea, as early as practicable, the report by the Chairman of the commission, and to ask your attetition to auch meaaurea pon thi8 BUbjcct as, ia. my opinión, will iurtlier pi-omote the improvemei.t of the civil service. lYro'fin Relations. During the paet year the United Sta-tes bas continned to maintain pcaceful relatiun wilhtheforeign powers. The outbrtaïi of war bftween Itussia Tui'key, though at one timo attended by grave apprehencion &h to its cfl'ect upon other European nalious. haa had no tendeucy to diaiurb the aniicaDle relatioDS existing between the United States and each of the two contendiug powers. Au attitude of Juat and impairtial neutrality haa been preserved, and I am graïified to state that, in tbeniidsl oí their hostüities, both the Euasian and the Tnrkipli Governruents have shown an earnest desire to adhrre to the obligationa of al] treaties with. ihe United StateB, and give due regard to the iliis of American citizens. Itaïy. " By the terms of the treaty defining ihe rJghts, imxuuniüeB and privileges of Consuls betw-cen ÏU y and tbc United S;atefi, ratified in 1808, either Göternment may, after th,e lapse of lea y e-ars, termínate the exittence of the treaty, by givlng twelve months' notice of its iutontiou. Tne O:)vernment of Italy, availing itaelf cf this faciliiy, baa now givon the required notio, and the treaty iU accordintily end on the 15th of Septrmber, 1878. It ie understood, ho wever, that the Italian Govcrrmnt ishea to rencw it iu ts general t-cope. dcpcr ling only certain mqdiücations in come of ifcs artíclé?. In this dispoai'tion I concur, aud f hall hope that uo Fer;oua obíítaclea may intervene to prevent or ileiay the negotiation of aeatisfactory treaty. Pasaporta, NaturalEzatïon, Etc. Numerous 'queetinuÑ ín regard to passports, natnralizatlon, and exenaption trom military tervice have continuod to arise in the 0B866 of emigran t from Germany, who have retume-] to their naüve country. The provisions of the troaty of ïeb. 22, 1868, however, nave provecí t5"be so ampie aud so judicious that the IiCgatiou of the United States at Berlin haa teen able to ad jus t all claims ari8DR under it, nol only without detriment to the amicablo relationa exiatiDg betweeu tïte two Governmenta, but, it Ís believed, without in jury or inju?tice to duly naturalized American cittiecs. It Ie ; Birabïe that the treaty origiuaJiy made with the ! North Gorman Union? in lö67, shoukl now be extended so as to apply cqtially to aJi the Rtates of rae empire of Germany. Tii o Paris Kxposltïon The invltation of the Government of Franca to particípate in the Exposition af íhe producía, agricülture, üidustry and fine" arta, to be held at Paris during the oominj? year, was submitted to your oonBideration at the extra aesaion, It is uot doubt ed tbat ita acceptance b-y ttíb United States, and a wcllgeleoted exhibition of the products of Amerioan ;ndustry on that occasion, will tend to stimiüate internationel commerce ami emigrailün, as well as to promotö the traditional friendsbip between the two co un tri es. Ertratlition. A question aroee some time slnce as to the jjropéi mearung of Ure extradition articlea of the treaty of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. Both Goveramonta, however, are now In accord in the belief that the question is not one that sbould be allowed ío frústrate tbc onds of juatice or to disturb the friendship between the two nations, and no seriouB difflculty baa ariaen in accomplishlng the estradition of crimináis when necessary. Itia probable tbat the points of disagreement wi)l in due time be settled, and, if need be, more explioit declarationa be made in a new treaty. The Fishery Question. The Fiahery Commission under articles 18 and 35, treaty of Washington, has ooncluded itssession. The result of the deliberationa of the commiasion, as made public by the Commissloncra, will be communicatedto Congress. Tradeiuarlcs. A treaty for the proteotion of tradOTnarUu batí been negotiated with Great Britain, which has been submitted to the Senate for its oonsideration. Mexico. The revolution which recently occurred inMexioo was followed by the accession of the succepsful party to power and the inatallation of its ohief General, Porfirio Diaz in the Presideutial office. It has been the cuatom of tho Unitel Slatea, when auoh changea of government have heretofore occurred in Mexico, to recognize aud enter intoofticial relations with the de facto Government as Boon as it tliould appear to have the appmval of tlie Mexican people, and should manifest a, dispoBitaon to aühere to ihe obUeations of treatiea and international friendfhip. In tlie present case auch ofucial reooffüitioa ban been deferred by the occurrencee on the UiojGranue border, tbe redbraa of which bave already héén eommunicated to each house of Congres, in answer to tli e ir respective rèsplution&pf inoulry. Aseurances havo been releiea Uiiit the authorities at tbe Beat of the Mexiean Government have both the disposition and the xower to prevent aud punish Buch unlawf ui invasions and depredationa. It is earneetly to be hoped tbat events may prove theaeii3BuranceB to be well founded. The bent intercBta of both countries require the maititenanoa of peace upon the border aud the development of commerce betweeu tbe two república. It is gratifyiog to add tbat thia temporary interruptiou of official relations bas not prnvented due attention by tbe repreeentativeB of the United States iu Mexico to tbe prottcüou of American citizens aa f ar aa practicable, nor ñas it interfered with the prompt payment of the amounta duo from Mexico to the United States, under the treaty of July 4, 1RG8, and the awards of the joint commissiou. While I do not expect an intermption of tbc friendly relations with Mexico, yct I cannot but look witb some solicitude upon acontimvuice of the border diBorders, as expoamg the tv:o countriea to ïnitiationa of popular feeung and niipchaucea of action which are naturally u-nf avoi-able to complete amity. Firuily determined that nothing shall be wanting on my part to promote a good understandlng be tween the two nations, I yet muat ask the attention of Congrees to the actual oecurrencoa on tbe border, that tbe Uves and properfy of our citizens may be adequately protected andteace preserved. The Cuban War. A nother year bas passc-d without bringing toa ' ■!-.; e tfio protractcd contr't betweeu the ypaiilh Govefnnjeííi and tbc ineurrection in the island of . Wbile the United States haa sedulously ab' '1 from any intervention iu thie controversy. It ifl taapOêfible not to feel ihat it in attended byinci: dcuta affecting the righta of American citizetiB, a[art from the eflect of tbe hostilitiea pon tradi ii the Unitf-d .States and CuUa. Their prov, ■. .■■ !:ifi itably accotiipanied by complaints, hayiug vaoff or tesg lonndation, of BCarchea, arresta, embarga es and opprebeivotaxesupon thepropertyof American residents, aud of uuprovokecl ínterfereocc with American vessels and commerce. It is oue to the Gawrument of Spain to nay that during . year it has promptly d:f=.jvovul and offeteu raparattoo for any unauthorizcd acts of uu-lnly cdinafc 3 whenever such acts have been bronght to ite attention. Nevertholess such occurreneéa can uot lnt tend to excite feelings of annoyance, suppicionnnd resentment, which are preatly to bo deprecated between the respective snbjccta and cltizcne of two friendly i-owers. A'enezuela. Mueb de]ay,cniuequeTit tipoil accusationsof fraiul In some of the awards, has occurred in riéápect to tli ■ nti-tribution of the limited amounts received om Venezuela, under tile tíeaty oí Áprll 55, 1866, ipllcahlft to the awards of the joint oommlesioïl ( ated by that treaty, 8o long as these mattors are monding ín Congrfsa the Executive cannot aasume itlicr to p#bb upon tho questions presented, or to Btribute the fund received. It ie eioinently desirable that definite legislativo ction phould ; be taken, either deciding the awards o bo ílnaJ, or providiiíg aome method íor ft re-extuiiinatieu of tho claim. . ., n. tt ti Soutfce.n American Natlons. Oor relations Mth the republios of Central and outh Aiüerioa and wlth the empir of Braell bye ontüiued without ferious chance, further than fiie empoxary Interraptioa oí diplomatic tnteroourse -ith Yenexnela and with Guatemala, Amicable rations have already been f ully restored Tvith Ven zvlela, and it ia npt doubted lliat all grounds fi ralaundf-rstanding with Guatemala will Bpeedily be gxqotoA. From all these countries thero are avorablte indications f a dlBposition on the part of ieir Goveriuncnts and people to reciprócate our HorU ín the directiou oí increada aommeroial lnercourse. 4a vi na. The Goveramenfc of the Samoan islauda has seut n en voy, in the person of ite 8eretary of State, o invite theGovernment of the United Statea to adTise and protoct their independenoo to eetabllsh ummercial relations with thetr people, and to asitit them iu Uieir etopï towarde reaponeible and ogular goverument. The inhabitants of theBe plands, havinff made coneitlerable progresa in ïhristian oivilization. and the devolopment of rade, are doubt t' ui of their abtiity to maintain )eace and independenoe wlthotit the aid of some itronger power, 'i ho subject ie deenaed worthy of reepeotf ui attention, and the claims upn our aeBistance by tlilB diatant oommunity wlll be caiefuljy couBlderod. Foreign Cominero. The long oominercial depre6Blon In the United Hatee has directeü. attention to the subject of the x8fcible incrcase of our forelgn trade and the r.ethod for its dcvelopment, not only with Europe, but with other countriea. and especially with tbe states and eovereignties of the Western hemÍBphero tnstructions from the Department of Stat were lBBiied to the various diplomatio and Consular offlcei'8 of the Government, aebing them to devote a1tcntion to the qxiestion of methods by which trade between the respective countries of their official reeidenceB and the United States cóuld he jnost judicioiiBly forwarded. In obedience to the instruottons, esaininations and reporta upon ttiie subject hmyc been mado by many of these omoere and transzulttcd to the department, and tho same are submitte4 to the consideration of Congress. National Xinanoes. The annual report of the Secretary of the Treaaury en the etate of the finances preBents important questions f or the action of Congress, upon some of whioh I have already reniarked. The revenues of the Government during the riecal year ending June 30, 1877, were $269,000,586.62. The total expenditures for the eazno period were $238,660,208.03, leaving a surplus revenue of $30,310,577.69. This haa Bubfctantiully eupplied the requiremeiits of the Binking fund for that year. The estimated revenuea of the current' fiscal year are $205,800,000, and the eetimated eipendittires fqr the same period are $232,43Ü,613.T2. If theee eetimates prove to be correct, thcre wiU be a surplus revenue oí $33fl3Q,356.23, an araount nearly tsjitticient for the einking f una for thia year. The cstliïiated reveuues for the next fiscal year are $260,2'50,000. It appeara from the report tha duiúng the last fiscal year the revenuea of the Government, compared with the previous yoar, have largéfy deoreaeed. Thls deorease, airiounting to the Bum of $18,41.152,64, was mainly ia onstoms dutiee, caused partly by a large falllng off of the amount of ünnorted dotlable goods, and partly by the general faíl of prlces in the mar.kets of productiou of Buch articlcB as pay ad valorem taxes. WhiJo thie is feit injurious in the diminuiion of the revenue, it has been accompanied with a very large ulerease of exportatious. The total exports during the last fiscal year, inoluding coin, havo been $653,637.467, and the imports have been $492.097,540, leaving a balance of trade in favor of the United States amounting to tti'e euna oí $166,5'iO,917, the beneücial effects of which extend to all branches of bueiness. Hevenue. The oBÜmated revenuO for the next fieoal year wili irupose upon üongress the dnty of etrictly limiting appropriaüonB, inotuding the requieite pum for the maintcnance of tho sinking f and within the aggregatfi estímate of the recepte, whüe the aggregate of taxes should not be increased AlnendnientB migüt be made to the Revenu laws that would, without dimüiiöhlng Üae reveuue, relieve ths pooxle from unneco.seary burdens. A tax on tea and coiï'ee is fchown by the esperieuc, not oniy of our o-mi coimtry, but of other couutriee, to be easily collíctod without lose by iindcrvahiation or fraud, and larfjely borne in the country of preduetion. A tax of 10 cents a pound on tea and 2 cents per pound oncoffee would produce a revenue exceeding $12.()ü) 000, and thus ena.ble Congrens to repeal a niuititudft of annojiiig taxes yieldmg a rovenuo uot exttediug tliat euni. The iuternal-revenue eyetem ütw out of the neoRsities of the war, and moet of íhi begielflíáon kúpoaing taxea upon domestio predjacts un.ler thi-i HTStem taa been repealed. By the flubBtUution 01 a tai on tea and coffeo, aJl formt of iuteiuul taxation inay be repealed, except tliat on liitiky, npiritt, iobaooo and beer. Attention is aleo caUcd to the necesslty of enactïcg more vigorous lawe for the punishnient-of frauds and smuggling. Tlüs can be best 'done by judicioua provibions that wül induce tho dieclosure of attenipted fraud by undervaluation and enmggling. All revenue laws Khoiüd bo timple in tbelr provieions, and easily understood. üo far as practicable the rates of taxation should be in the form of epeciftc duties, and not ad valorem. requiring the juditment of exporienced meu to aecertain values and expofcing revenue to the temptation of fraud. cimonis Aouses My atteiitioa hps been oolled, during the reoees of Congres?, to the "abuses existing in the eolleotion of the custouif. and stivnuous efl'orts have been inadc for their cor'rectiou by Executive orders. The recommeudatioiis subrmttid to the Secretary of tho Treasury by a oommission appomted to esamüie into the coliection oí customs dutioe at the port of New York eontaiu ixmny Buggeetions for the rnodification, of the custoniB lafrs, to which the attrntion of Congress is invited. Pabilo Credit. It is a matter of oongratiilatlou that, notwiUiBtanding the Bevore burdens caused by the war, the public faithwith all croditors has been prc3ervedt and as the retmlt of this poliny ths public credit has ooutíuuou.ly advancod, and public spcuiities are regardel with the higbest favor in the markets of the world. I triiit tbat no act of tho (iovernmont will cast a shadow upon ita credit. The Public Debt. The progress of rot undiug tho pubHc debt hae been rapid and eatisfactory. Under tho contract exjstiug wheu I eulered upon the discharge of the dutusof niy office, bonda bearing interest at the rato of 4% per cent. were being rapidly sold, and within three months the agRregato sales of these j bonds had rcached the Rum of $200,000,000. With my sanclion, the Secretary of the Treasury entered iutoai:cw contract for the Bale of 4-peroent, honda, and within thirty duys ofter the popular eubscription for btieh bon dB was opened eubHoriptioiiB werexhad amóuntiug to $75,49ií,560, whioh were paid for vithinninety days af ter the date of Bubficrlption. By this process, within but Uttle moro than one year, the annual interest on the public debt was reduced in the siun of $3,T76,000. Suvings Funds. J reconuiiend that enltable proviaioïi be made to enablo the people to easily convert their savingB into Güvornment tjecurities, as the best mode ín which tiuall savings may be well-seoured and yield B motlerato inttTcet. It ia an object of publio policy to retain aáiong own people the securities of tne United Statos. In thiw way oiir country is guarded sgalntt their midden return froin countries, caused by war or other diturbanccB, beyönd our 'limita. American Shipping. 'l'hc cuinmerce of thö United StateB with foreigu natione, and espeoi&Uy the export of domestic prodnctions, bas of late years largely inoreased, but tho greater portion of this trade is conducted in fprelgn vessels, The importanco of enlargiug our foreigu trade, and eepecially by direct and speedy Íntercbangö with countries on thls continent, cannot be over-etitinmted, and it is a matter of greut moment that our ojvti Bhlpping interest should reoefve, to the utmost practical ex tent, tho benefit of our comtnerce with other lands. Theee ooneideratloiiB are forcibly urged by all tbelarge commercial cJlics of the couniry, and public attention is generally and witely attraoted to the solution of the problema they present. It is not doubted that Oongress will take them np, in the broadest spirit of liberality, and respond to tho publio domaud by practicable logislation upon thJs subject. The ludían Wars. The report of' the Secretary of War bTiows that the arruy has been nctively employed dnring the year, and haa rendered very important service in rewrssiughoátiIiticB intbe Indian country, and preserving peace and protecting life aud propertj in the interior as wcll as along the Mtxican border. A long amï arduaus campaign lias been prosecuted, with iinal and cúmplete buco sM, against a portion of the Npz Perces tribo of Indiana. A f account of tkin oiunpaign will be found in the report of the General of the Army, It wi!l be seen that in it courifi fseveral battles were fonght, In which a nuiuber oí' galïaut oilicei-b and men lost iheir )ives. I join with the Secretary of War and General of the Aruay in awanling to the oiliecrs und men employed in the long and toilsome pursuit and in the final capture of these Indiana the honor and praise whichare so jnstly thoír duo. The Labor Klots. The vrry serious riots which ocenrred in fieverul of the States in July last rendered necessarj' )!)■ einploywent of a considerable xortiou of the ariuy, to preserve tho peaco and maintain ordr-r In the StatfH of West Virginia, MaryIa?Hl, Pennsylvaiiia ai '. [illnois, Tlh-sf disturbancea wëre so f ormidnb!1 :i to defy tho local and State authoi-iljes, and il krqal Executive was called apou, in thenunle provided by tUe coustitution and laws, to furnleh military, and J am gratiiied to bc able to state that the troop sent in reenonse to thope eallis for aid in the Buppression of domestic violente wero ablo, Cy the influence of their presencó in tfaè dtsturbeil reglons, to preserve the peace and restore ördLr without tbc UBeofforce. In.the discharge of tlüs delicate and important duty botti offlcers and men aeted vrith great prudence and oourage, and for thelr services deaerve the thanks of the country. TUe Blo Grande Troubleg. The barder disturbinees along the Kio Grattde, in Texas, to which I have already referred, have rendered-neceasary the constant einployment of ,a. military f drce in that viotnity. Á f uil report oí all reiwnt military operatione tu that quarter has been transmitted to the House of Representativas in answer to a resolution of that body, and it will not theref oro"be neaöfieary to enter Into details. I regret to eay that these lawlesa inourslon into our territojy by arml bands f roin the Mexioan side oí the line, for tliïvurpoBe of robbery, have been of frequent ocourrence, and, ín spite of the moet vigorous eff orts of the comniander of our foroes, the maraudcra have generally sucoeeded in escaping into Mexico with their plunder. In May laat, I gave orders for the eïsrolse of th ntmost Tigilanc on the part of our troops for the suppression of these raids, and the punishment of the guilty partiea, au well m the recapture of the property stolen by tkem. Gen. Ord, commandant in Texas, was directed to invite the co-opexatiou of the Mexican authoritiee ín fforts to thia end, and to aesure them that I waB anxious to avoid giving the least offenee to Mélico. At 'ne eame time Èe was directed to iv iwtice of my determjnatiom to put an end to (he invasión of our territory by lawlees bands, intent apon the plunder of our peaceful citizens, even if the effectual punishment of toe outlaws should make the orossing of the border by our troops in their pursnit neceseary. It is believed that tuis jiolioy has had the effect t check, Bomewhat, these depredataons, and that, with a considerable inorease of our foroe upon that fontie. and the establishment of scveral addltional military posts along the Rio Grande, so as more ef f ectualiy ♦ ) guard that extenBive border, peace may be-preserred, and the llves and property of tizensv In Texas fully protected. Tlie Army. Prior to the let day of July last the army was, In accordanoe with law, reduced to the maximum of 25,000 énllsted rúen, being a rednction of 2,600 below the frce previously authorized. This reduction was made, as reqntrcd by law, entlrely from the infantry and artlllery branches of the service, ■without any reduotion of the cavalry. TJnder the law, as it now stands, it is neoeesary that the oavalry regiments ehould do recriaited to 100 men in eaoh company'for serYice on the Mexioan and Indian f rontiere. The necessary effect of thl8 legislation la to reduce the infantry and artillery arms of the Bervice below the number required for éfñciency, and I concur vrtth the Secretary of War in recommending that authorjty be given to recruit all companioe of infantry to at least fifty men, and all batteries of artüiery to at leaet seventyflve men, with power, in oase of an emergency. to increaEe the former to 100 and the latter to 125 men each. I invita your special attention to the foliowing reeommendationB of the Scretary of War : First, that a provisión be'made for eupplying to tlM anny a more abundan and better supply of reading matter Second, that oarly action bc taken by Congress, looking to a complete revisión and republication of the army rpgnlatlons. Third, thit section 1 258 of the K-evised Statutes, limitiug the DTimber 'of offloers on the retired list, bo rejrealed. Fourth, that'Uie claims arieing nndor the act of Jaly i, 1864, for BUpplies taken by the army during the mr, be taken from the offices of tho Quartermaster and Commissary G:nera]s, and traniftwed to the Southern Olaline Oommission, or Bome other tribunal havlng more time and better faoiliües for their prompt investílation and deolBion than are possessed by tueee offleere. Fifth, that 0Bgress provide for an annuity fund for the families of deceased soldiers, as recommended by the Payraaster General of the annyThe Havy. The report of the Secrotary of the Navy shows that we have Bix squadrons now engaged in the protetiou of our eommeroe and other dnties pertaintug to naval service. The oondition andoperations of the (ifpartment are alBO shown. The total expendltvroB for the fiscal year ending June 30, 28TTÍ were ($16,077,974.54. There aro uepaid elaüns against the denartmont, chirgeable to the laet year, whlt;h are pfeöented to the coneideration of Congrees by the report of the Secretary. The eetimates for the fiscal year oommencing July 1, 1878, ara $16,233,254.40, exclusive of the Bmn of Í2,31'4.231 Bulimitted for new buKingB, repairs and improvetaente at the several navy-yards. The appropriatlons for the present ftecal year, commencing July, 1877, are $13,Í92,!)32.W). The amount ijraim froin the treasury from July 1 to Nov. 1, 1877, ia Ï5 313,037.40, of which tbere is estimated to be yet available 11,02828.80, Rhowing the amount at actual "esponditure during 'the first four months of Uie present fiscal year to have been $4,318,509.10. The Postal Service. The report of the Postmaster General contains a full and clear statement of the condición of the Postofflce Department. The ordinary revenuea of tha depar!merit for th fiscal year eniiing Jnne 30, 1H77, includlsg reoipts from the inoney-order business and from official stamps and stainped envelopes ainounted to the suni of $27,531,385.26. The additional (ram, $7.013,000, was realized from apjiropriatioiiB from t!ie general treaeury for various ptirposos, niaking the reccipts from all eonrces $4 544 aa" 26. The total oxpeuditures during tho fiscal year amounted to $33,496,3!ia., kaing au excC3S of total receipta over total expenditnres of $1.058,562.82, and an exoess of total rpenclitures over ordinary receipts of $5,954,757.18. Declucting from the total receipis the 6um of $(53,261,811 rcoeived from international money orders of the preeeding fiscal year, and deductiñg from the total p.xpendituree the emu of $1,163,818 20 paid ou HaWlitioa Incurred ia prerioUB iiijcal years, the expeuduures and reoeipts apiertaining to üie business of the last flseal year w ere ub iollows: Expendituros, $3ï,S22,504.24 ; receipts f rom tlic nioney-order business and from official postase stamps), $27,408,323.42 ; excess of éxpenclltures, $4,854,180.42. Postofflce Department. The ordinaxy revcnues of the Postoffiee Department f or, the year endlng June SO, 1878, are eetiinated at! au iucrease of 3 per cent. over those of 1877, rbaking $29,034, 098.28, and the espenditures for the same year are estiinated at 36,427.771, leavlng an estimated deiiciency for 1873 of $7,393,392 02. The adtlitional legisfcition rectSnmended by the Poetmaster General for iniproveiucnty of the ioaü service and to protect tue postal revenuee from the abuses praoticed undfr ejisiing km is respeetfiüly comtuended to the careful consideration of Ooi greef. Judlciary. The report of the Attorney General contatos several enggestions as to the administration of justico, to wnioh I invite yoir attention. llie pressure of buBiness in the 8upreme?0ourt and in cert&in Cirouit CkiTirts of the United States ie now euoh that serious dolays. to the great in jui-y and even oppreseion of suitors, ocour, and a remedy ehould be sought for this condition of affairs - whether it wi}l be toxmi in the plan bricfly sketched in the report, of inereasing the number of Judges of thn Circuit Courts, and, by nieans of this addition tó the jndicial f orce, of croating an intermedíate Court of Erroi-s and Apjjeals, or whether some othor mode can be devieed for obviatiug the difficulties wlilch now exiBt. 1 nrifan íTairfl. I leave to your mature eonsideratiou the present condition of the Indian tribes on the territory of the TJnitcd Stales, and onr relations with them are f ully eet f orth in the reporta of the Secretary of Interior and the Commissioners of Indian Affairs. After a serles of moet deplorable conflicto, the succeeeful termination of which, whilereflecting honor upon thebrave soldiers wlio accomplished it, canno t lesson ourregret attheoccurrences. We are now atpeace with all the Indian tribes on onr border. To preserve that peace by a just and humane policy will be the object of my earntst endeavors. Whatever may be said of tlieir eharactor and savage propcnBities, of the difflculties of introducing among them the habita of civihzed life, and the obstaclea they have offered to the procreas of settling in eertaiu parts of the country, thu Indians are certainly eutitled to our eympathy and to a conscientiouB reapect on our part for ilieir claims upon our Bent e of futtioe, Thcy were tlie aboriginal oecupaute of the land we now poöBeea, They have been driven froni placo to place. The purchase inoney paid to them in Bome cases for what thoy called their own lian fitill left thein poor, In many instaaceH, wheu they ! had ettled down upon land aseigned to them by compact, and l;gun to support themselves by their ovra labor, they were rudely joelled ofl' and thrupt into the wilderneös again. Many, if not moet, of oiii' Indian Vars havo had their orlgin in broken pvomises and acts of injustiee upon our part, and the advance of tbe Indian in civilization hae been slow, becau&e the treatment they rreived did not permit it to be faeter and more general, We caunot expe t them to improve and to follow our guidanee unk-ss we keep faith Ariih Ihem ín renpectiiig the rights thcy possees, and unleea, instead of depri ving them of their opportunities, we lend thema úelping hand. I cordiaily approve the policy i'Cgarding the management of Indian aft"airs outlined in the reporta of the Secretary of the Interior and of the Coinniipsioners of Iiuliiui Affairs. The faithiul pei-ïoriuance of or proinieeB is the first oondiiiun of a good imderstauding with the Indiaas. I caunot too urgentiy reeommend to Congrcss thut a prompt ami Hleral provisión be made í'or the conHcientiouH fuiñlimeait o all agreements entcred into by the ftovernment with the Indian tribes. To withhold the means neceB6arj" for the performance of a nromise ia always false economy, and is apt to prove disastrous in itB conscuences. Especial caí e Ib recomuií-nded tu pro vide for tho Indians Bettlod cnüicir reservations, cattle and aricultural iniploments to aid tof m la wbatever efforts thcy may make to support tlirmselve, and by the re-entabltehïaent iii'i maiütenuiioe of Bchoolg to bring them tmder the control of civilizod toflucnecs. 1 see no roapon wbjIndiaLB whp eau givo Batiefactory prooi of baving by their own labor kupported their luii.ilisfora nuuiljpr of ,i :irs, uud i)io are willing to detacn ín' meelves from iJielr trihal relax ióB,6lioul tl not be admittcd to the binefits of the homesUvü ad and the privileges of cttLzenfthip; and I recornznei '■■ the pLssags of a law to that effect. It will be an act ' of justice aa well as a measuré of encouragerment. , Sames t efforte are brmg made to purify the Ihdian service, po that evory dollar appropriated by I OúDgT t-hall redound to the benefit of tho Indiana inteaded to be benefitf d. These effert WÜ1 fev wy flrm support. Withan improved service and every poueibie enooiiragenient held out to tiie Indiana to better Uieir condition, and to elévate themselvea in ih& scale of civiUzatioD, we may hope to do, at the aan time, a good work f or thein and for oarselves. The Tlmber Thievo. I Invlie tho attontiou of Congress to tke üoportanoe of the Btattxnentir and suggeatlons by the Secretary of tue Interior coüceriing the depredations committed upon the timbe-lands of tbe United States, and uie necessity for the preeerfation af the forets, It Is believed tKt the measures taken in pureuanco of tbe exlstlng law to arrest these depredations wül be entirely snooessful, if Congress, by an approprlation for that purpoee, readers their oontinued enforoement poseible, e The experience of other nations teaches us that a country oannot be stripped of ita foresta wltli im punity, and we shall exposé oiiveelves to the gaveet couaeqiences unlesB the wasWul and lmprovideut manuer in which the foresta tf tho United Statea are destroyed be effectually ohecked. I earneaöy recommend tha,t the méaeureB euggeeted by the Seeretary of the Interior for the Buppression of depredations'on the publio timber lande of the United otates. for the selling of timber from the public lande, and for the preservation of the foreste, be embodled in law, and that, conBldering the urgent neceasity of euabling the people of oertain States and Temtories to purchase timber from the public lands in a legal manner, which at preeent tiiey cannot dd, Buoh ft law be paBBed without unavoidable delay. ' I)eaert Iands. I would also cali tlie attention of Congreee to the tatémente made by the Secretary of the interior tonceralng lie disposition that might be made of he deaert lands, not irrigated, weBt of the one lundredth (lOOtb) meridian. These lands Bre praoicaily unaalable under exisíing laws, and the sugestión ia worthy of cousídoration, that a sy&tem of easehold tenure would maketheni a Bource of proflt o the United States, while at the same tuno legalzing the business of cattle-raising, which íb at íresent carried on upon them. Agricultura. The report of the Commissloner of Agriculture ontains the gratifyiDg announcement of the exuaordinary succes which has rewarded the agricultural industry of the couutry for the past year. VVith the fair pr ices which obtain for the producto of the 80 1, eBpecially for the surplus which our people bave to export, we may confidcutiy turu to this aa the niost important of all our resources for the revival of the depressed industries of the country. The report shows our agricultura! progresa during the year, and contains a utat .ment of the wort done by this departinent for the advancement of the agricultural industi y upon which the proBperity of our people so largely dependa. Matters of information are includeu, of great Interest to all who Beek, by the expei ienoé of others, to imjirove their oto tnethods of cultivation. The efforta of the department to increase the production of important articlesof consumption will, it ie hoped, improve the demand for labor and advance the business of tho country, and eventually resïüt in sariug some of the many millions that are now annualiy paid to foreign naiions for sugar and other Btapïe products, which habitnal use has made neceseary in our domestic every-day life. Centennial ïïoard. The board, on behalf of the United States executive departments at the International Esposition of I87G, has concluded lts labors. The ñnal report of the board was tranemitted to Congress at the last eession. As these papers aro understood to contain interesting and yaluable inf onnation, and will constitute the only report emauating f vom the Government on the subject of the exhibition„I invite attention to the matier, and recoüimend that the report be published for general iuformation. District of Columljla. CongresB ie empowered by the constitution with the authority of exclusive legislatiou over the District of Columbia, in which the seat of the Government of the nation is located. The interests of the District ha ving no direct representation in Congrees, are entitled to especiai coneideration and care at the hands of the Genera' Government. The capital of the United States biongs to the nation, and it is natural that the American people flhould take pride in the eeat of their National Govenu-ient, and desire it to be an ornament to the couutry. Much has been done to reuder it healthful, convenient and attractive, but much remains to be done, which its permanent inhabitants are not aMe and oughtnot tobí expectei to do. To impose upon them a large pn portion of the cost required for public improvements, which are in a great meaeure planned and executed for the couvenienoe of the Gorernmenl and of the ïnanythouKande of vi?itorg from all pirtf of the country who teniporarily roeide in the capital of the nation, is an evident injuetice. Your attention is invitod to tho BUT&estlon of tfct ComiAissioncrs and of the Board nf Health for th( organizatinnof a Board t,f Cbarifes to have enpfirvisión and control of the disbursomont tf all moneys for charitable purposes from the District treaaury. x ücsire ateo to aeK yonr espeelal attermon to ux need cf adding to the efficiency of the publk schools of the District by supplement ai iid from tht natiqnal treasxiry. This is eepeciaUy juflt since se large"a number of thdse attending echools are children of employé of the Government. I earnesüy commend to your care the interest öi the peopïo of the District who are no intiniately associüted wlth the Government establishment, aad te ■whose eiiterprise the Lood order and attractivenees of Uie Capital a re largely due, and I ask your aUeution to the requi ei of the Oonmiissioners for legislaiion ín behalf oi the lnteresta iutrusted to their care. The appropriatiüns askefl for the care of reservaUosB belongiog to the Government within the city by the CominieBioner of PubJic Buildings and Grounde, aie also commeuded to your favorable consideration. The Washington Monument. The report of the joint corumission ereatod by the act approved August 2, 1876, au act provlding for the completion of the Waehingten mom-mettT, is also herewith tranemitted, with acoompanying documenta. The board of engineer oilicere detailed to eianüne the monument in complmnce with the second section of the act, have reported that the foundation is insuíncient. No authority exists for making the expondituree necesaary te secure itg stabüity. I therefore reoommend that the commiesion be authorized to expend Buoh portion of the suin appropriated by the act as may be neceesary for the purpose. The preBent unflniehed condition of the monument, begun bo long ago, Ib a reproaoh to the nation. It cannot be doubted that the patriotic sense of the counVy wül mainly respond to eucïi prompt provisión as may be mado for its Oompletion at an early day, and I urge unon Oongress the propriety and neceeeity oí immediate legislation for tlüs purpose. Pnbllo Education. The wisdom of Jggielation upon the part of Oongress in aid of the Statee for the education of the wïiole peoDle in those branches of study which are taught in he common schools of the ooiintry, e no Iouger a question. The intelligent judginent of the ooiiutry gocs stül further, regarding it as also both conatitutional and expedient for the General Government to extend to technical and hieher education such aid as ia deemed epsential to the general welfare., and to our dne prominonco among the enlightened and cultured nations of the world. The ultímate settleinent of all questions of the future, whether of adminietraüon or ftnanoe, or of true nationality of sentiment, clepends upon the vlrtne and intelligence of the people. It Is Tain to hope for the suceese of a fréé government withont the meane of insiiring the inteliigence of those who are the eource of power. No less than one-seventh of the entire votiug population of our country are yet unable to read and write. It is enoourag:ng to observe, in eonnection with the growth of fraternal feeling in those States In which slavery formerly existed, evidences of increasing interest 'ín uni%'ersal education, and I Phall be glad to give xny apjiroval to any appropriate meaeures ■which may be enaoted by Congrcss for the purpose 01 supplomeiiiitig, with national aid, the local eyptews oí' educa ion in these States and in all the Staten ; and, having already invited yonr attenüon tothenccdu of ihe District of Oolnmbia with respect to its pubItc-sclvoo] system, I here add that I btlieve it deiirable. not so ruuch with reference to the local wanta of tlie District, but the great and lasting leneflt of the entire country, that this syst?m thould be crowned with a nnivorsity in all roppects in keeping with tho National Capital, andthereby realize the cherinhed hope s of Washington on this subject. I also earnestly commend the request of the Regents of tho Smithsonian Institnte, that au adequate appropiation bo made for the repleuishinent and con duet of a national museum 'vinder .heir supervisión. And So Forth. TIio request of providing for the preservation and growth of the library of Congress is also one of national importance. As the depository of copyright publications and records, thie library bas outgrown the provirtions for ita accommodation, and the ereotlon, on i.uch site as the judgment of Congress may approve, of a fire-proof library building, to preserve the troasures and cnlarge the usefulness of this valuable collection, is recommended. I recoinmeüd aleo Biich legislation a wÜJ render availabie and effleient for tho purpo?e of iustruotion, so far as is consistent with the piiDlic servtoe, tbe cabiiietfl or museums of inventíou of surgery, of education, of agrieultnre and other collecuona, the troperty or the national Govcrnioent, ThP capita) (f tho natino èhould lo pomethii)g more than a mere politica! ceuUr. We shoulcl ava 1 oupSítlvea oF all the oppartunitiee which Provirteuíe has Iiere placed at onr command to euhance i -i ■ ' mi r:i! inteiliijence of the1eop!e and increase : most favorable to the succuks and perpettttty of'onr iastitutions. (iSigned) B. B. Hayks. December 3. 17T.