d numbers. Gold has actually been found in paying quantity,
and an effort to remove the miners would only result in the desertion
of the bulk of the troops that might be sent there to remove them. All
difficulty in this matter has, however, been removed--subject to the
approval of Congress--by a treaty ceding the Black Hills and approaches
to settlement by citizens.

The subject of Indian policy and treatment is so fully set forth by the
Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and my
views so fully expressed therein, that I refer to their reports and
recommendations as my own.

The relations of the United States with foreign powers continue on a
friendly footing.

Questions have arisen from time to time in the foreign relations of the
Government, but the United States have been happily free during the past
year from the complications and embarrassments which have surrounded
some of the foreign powers.

The diplomatic correspondence submitted herewith contains information as
to certain of the matters which have occupied the Government.

The cordiality which attends our relations with the powers of the earth
has been plainly shown by the general participation of foreign nations
in the exhibition which has just closed and by the exertions made by
distant powers to show their interest in and friendly feelings toward
the United States in the commemoration of the centennial of the nation.
The Government and people of the United States have not only fully
appreciated this exhibition of kindly feeling, but it may be justly and
fairly expected that no small benefits will result both to ourselves and
other nations from a better acquaintance, and a better appreciation of
our mutual advantages and mutual wants.

Congress at its last session saw fit to reduce the amount usually
appropriated for foreign intercourse by withholding appropriations for
representatives of the United States in certain foreign countries and
for certain consular officers, and by reducing the amounts usually
appropriated for certain other diplomatic posts, and thus necessitating
a change in the grade of the representatives. For these reasons,
immediately upon the passage of the bill making appropriations for
the diplomatic and consular service for the present fiscal year,
instructions were issued to the representatives of the United States at
Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, and to the consular officers for whom no
appropriatio