This speaks volumes for the substantial character of the settlement going on, as the crops are principally raised by persons who are either free holders or are in a fair way for becoming so — men in au analogous position to those whom one of our favorite poets describes as " a bold peasantry — their country's pride."

By the late message of President Grant to Congress it appears that during the four years of his rule twenty-five thou sand miles of railway were built in the States, and some millions of acres of land opened up by them for cultivation. Manufactories had multiplied ' ' beyond all precedent." There had, however, only been an increase of one per cent, in 1873 as compared with 1872 in the amount of freight carried in American bottoms, while eighty millions of dollars were paid annually to foreign vessels to carry surplus American products to market, thus increasing the balance of trade against America. The President recom mended to Congress that the whole of the canals now the property of the States of New York and Illinois should be taken up by the General Government, that their navigation by larger vessels might be facilitated and prices of food lessened in the Eastern States. He also recommended that a vessel of the navy should be sent to ascend the River Amazon, with a view to the extension of American trade with the countries bordering on that great river. The postal department, it was stated, had produced only 22,996,741 dollars, while the expenditure in working it was 29,084,945 dollars. The increase of the post-office revenue over the pre vious year had been 1,081,315 dollars, but the expenditure had increased in a greater ratio, having been 2,426,758 dollars. The total number of post-offices was 33,244. The total length of railway mail route open at the close of the financial year (June, 1873) was 63, 457, being an increase of 5546 miles. The number of letters " exchanged with foreign countries " was 27,459,185 ; the foreign correspondence weighing 912 tons. Pensions had been paid during the year io an amount close upon thirty millions of dollars. 