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ment official organ, published the note of instructions sent by the Minister of War to General Treviño relative to the course he should pursue with respect to General Ord and the troops under his command. Indeed, the tenor of General Ord's instructions from the War Department, under date of June 1st, and especially the clause directing the American commander to pursue Mexican marauders, if necessary, across the Rio Grande, had provoked, as soon as they became known, a universal outburst on the part of the Mexican press at the capital, the instructions having been variously construed as dictated in contemplation either of annexation or of a movement in favor of Ex-President Lerdo, and at all events of a hostile invasion of Mexican territory. The more important features of the dispatch to General Treviño were as follows:

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The United States War Department has issued an order on the 1st instant, authorizing the troops of that country to invade our national territory, with the object of pursuing the evil-doers to which it refers, to capture the same, punish them, and recover the property stolen from the United States citizens. Although the Plenipotentiary of Mexico at Washington, who protested against that order, on account of the offense that it implies toward our country, assures the Foreign Department, by telegraph, that he has received friendly explanations from the American Government, the President thinks that the honor of the country will not be satisfied except with a modification of the said order, in such terms that it shall not be in contradiction, as it now is, with the treaties in force between Mexico and the United States, with the rules of international law, and even with the practice of civilized nations.

Mexico has celebrated with the United States an Extradition Treaty, which was published on May 20, 1862. This treaty is in full force, and you will subject your conduct to the same, whenever any criminals captured by your forces be claimed by the military or civil authorities of the neighboring Republic, and those that may have committed any of the of fenses stipulated in the said treaty.

You will at once communicate to General Ord, or to the commander-in-chief of the United States forces on the frontier, these instructions, acquainting him at the same time with such measures as you may resort to in order to render them effective. You will also endeavor to confer with the said commander with regard to the operations to be taken in combination with him for the capture and suitable punishment of evil-doers, giving him to understand that the desires of the President on this point have no other restrictions than those imposed upon him by international law, the treaties now in force between the two countries, and the dignity of the Republic. And, as a consequence of those restrictions, you will inform the said commander that, as the Government of Mexico cannot allow a foreign force to enter the national territory without the consent of the Congress of the Union, and much less that the said force shall come to exercise such acts of jurisdiction as are expressed in the order of the United States War Department, you will repel force by force, should the invasion take place.

In dictating this extreme measure, the President of the Republic believes that he faithfully interprets the feelings of the Mexicans, if he accepts the situation in which he is placed rather than the humiliation of an offense which would reduce Mexico to the con

Sr. Mariscal, accredited as minister plenipotentiary during the Lerdo administration, and consequently destitute of any recognized official character in 1877. VOL. XVII.-33

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dition of a barbarous country, and beyond the communion of international law. The President does not wish, however, that the attitude assumed by the soldiers of the Republic, in front of troops trespassing upon our territory, infringing international law, be reputed as an act of hostility toward the United States, but that it be considered as the exercise of the legitimate right of self-defense. Our national honor is herein interested, and it is therefore expected of your patriotism that you will act with the prudence demanded by this serious question, in order to avoid any cause of conflict between the two countries; acting, however, with due energy, and repelMexico by the invasion of her territory. ling with force the insult intended to be offered to PEDRO OGAZON.

CITY OF MEXICO, June 18, 1877.

The bitter attacks on the American Government, elicited by the instructions to General Ord, called forth, on June 23d, a memorandum from the American Minister, the salient points of which were to the effect that the instructions to General Ord were not the announcement of a new measure on the part of the United States. The depredations committed during the past four years were not common to both sides of the frontier. Mexico took no active, no vigorous measures to prevent the depredations or punish the outlaws. Mexico frequently acknowledged its inability to discharge its duty regarding the preservation of order on the Rio Grande frontier, giving as a reason internal dissension. The instructions to General Ord were misinterpreted by the Mexican Government. Therefore, the declaration made by the Mexican Minister of War was unwarranted in officially asserting that the instructions to General Ord were in contravention of treaties between Mexico and the United States. It might have been supposed that, in the haste with which the order of the Minister of War may have been written, there was no premeditated intent to so grossly question the motives which influenced the Government of the United States; but the intent of the Executive would seem to be deliberate, when, three days after the publication of the order, the Mexican Government had inserted in its official journal the statement that the order of the President of the United States, through the Secretary of War, was brought about by the efforts of a private citizen of the United States and Mr. Lerdo, through sinister motives, and by a group of adventurers and speculators.

In a more recent note (July 27th), Minister Foster renewed his affirmation of the responsibility of the Mexican Government for the editorial declarations of its official organ, that the orders sent to the commander-in-chief of the United States troops in Texas "had been issued by the President of the United States through sinister and disreputable influences."

During an interview between Generals Ord and Treviño, at Piedras Negras, amicable and satisfactory arrangements were made for the suppression of raids. General Benavides was commissioned by the Mexican Government to

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the month of August, been officially recognized by those of Germany, Guatemala, San Salvador, and Italy; and the American residents were said to be most anxious for the recognition by the Washington Government, as from the suspense considerable advantage accrued to Europeans.

MICHAEL, GRAND-DUKE, the commander of the Russian army of the Caucasus, is the youngest brother of the Czar, and was born October 25, 1832. He received a military education similar to that of his brothers, and, like them, has long been invested with the highest military dignities. He is General of the Artillery, Quartermaster-General, and Imperial Adjutant-General. In 1873 he was appointed Governor-General of the Caucasus, and, as such, is responsible to none but the Emperor himself. As Governor-General he is also commander-in-chief of the troops stationed in the Caucasus, and was, as such, the nominal commander of the forces operating against Turkey in Asia. Having been married, in 1857, to Princess Cäcilie of Baden, he made his residence at Tiflis, impressed upon that city the character of European civilization, and took a special interest in promoting civilization in the Asiatic dominions of Russia.

MICHIGAN. The biennial session of the Legislature convened January 3d, and contin

ued until May 27th. Number of general acts passed, 207; local acts, 364; joint resolutions, 49. Among the latter were two for submitting to the people proposed amendments to the constitution. The first of these proposed to give to the Supreme Court the appointment of its own clerk. He is now elected by popular vote in the county in which the capital is situated. The second proposes to strike from the constitution the following: "The stockholders of all corporations and joint stock associations shall be individually liable for all labor performed for such corporation or association," and substitute, "The stockholders in all corporations and joint stock associations shall be individually liable in an amount equal to the par value of their respective shares which they own or have owned in such corporations or associations for all labor done in behalf of such corporation or joint stock association during the time of their being such stockholders." The proposed amendments are to be voted upon at the April election, 1878. Among the public acts was a very stringent one to prevent and punish cruelty to animals, also acts to preserve the purity of elections. One of these requires the ballot deposited by every person challenged as an unqualified voter to be numbered by the inspectors, so as to be capable of identification in case of a contest,

and provision is made under which the ballot is rejected from the count in case, on trial, the voter is found to have been unqualified. Another provides for punishing with fine and imprisonment persons who shall lay wagers upon the result of elections, or sell pools upon such result. Another defines and punishes bribery in elections. The following cases are specified: 1. Giving or offering money, or other thing of value, to influence votes or to induce voters to refrain from voting. 2. Agreeing to give or procure, or offering or promising to procure, or to endeavor to procure, any office, place, or employment for the like purpose. 3. Making any gift, loan, etc., in order to induce persons to procure, or endeavor to procure, the election of any person to a public office, or the vote of any voter at an election. 4. Agreeing, in consequence of a gift, loan, etc., to procure, or endeavor to procure, the election of any person, or the vote of any voter. 5. Advancing or paying money to be used for bribery, or knowingly paying or causing to be paid moneys in discharge or satisfaction of moneys so used. The penalty imposed is a fine of $200. Candidates for office, however, are permitted to pay the reasonable cost of printing, advertising, holding meetings, procuring speakers, distributing tickets, "getting out the people" to meetings, and "bringing voters out to the polls." A similar penalty is imposed upon voters who, for a consideration, refrain from voting. Candidates are prohibited from furnishing refreshments to voters in order to influence their action, under penalty of from $25 to $200. The election of a voter procured by bribery or corrupt practices is declared void. The sale of spirituous liquors on election days is absolutely prohibited under penalty of fine and imprisonment. Any person who shall threaten to discharge persons in his employ in order to influence votes, "and any priest, pastor, curate, or other officer of any religious association or society, who shall impose or threaten to impose any penalty of excommunication, dismissal, or expulsion, or who shall command or advise, under pain of religious disapproval, for the purpose of influencing any voter at an election," is declared guilty of corrupt practice, and punishable by fine of from $25 to $200. To promise office, place, or employment under the Government of the United States in order to influence votes for United States Senator, or the endeavor to procure the same on account of any member of the Legislature having voted or refrained from voting for any person for that office, is made punishable by imprisonment not more than five years in the State-prison, or by fine not exceeding $1,000. General acts were passed under which corporations may be formed by voluntary associates, as follows: Mutual and coöperative associations; Knights of Pythias; military companies; St. Andrew's societies; temperance reform clubs; eclectic medical societies; for the prevention of cruelty to animals; for receiving,

loaning, and investing money; land companies; cooperative savings societies. By another act, any person selling, giving, furnishing, or causing to be sold, given, or furnished to minors under 18, any intoxicating, spirituous, malt, brewed, or fermented liquors, cider, or wine, or permitting such liquor, etc., to be drunk by such minor on his premises, is made liable for actual and exemplary damages to the father, mother, guardian, master, or other person standing in the place of parent, the recovery to be not less than $50 in any case. Druggists selling on request of parent, etc., or on the written prescription of a physician, are excepted. The only general election for the year was for Justice of the Supreme Court and Regents of the University. For the first-named office the vote was as follows: Thomas M. Cooley, Republican, 112,653; Henry F. Severens, Democrat, 85,748; scattering, 1,195; Cooley over Severens, 26,905. For Regents the vote was: Victory P. Collier, Republican, 110,545; Geo. L. Maltz, Republican, 111,230; Anson E. Chadwick, Democrat, 87,600; John Lewis, Democrat, 87,844; scattering, 1,263. Collier over Chadwick, 22,945; Maltz over Lewis, 23,386. Mr. Collier did not qualify, and George Duffield was appointed in his place. The election of United States Senator, to succeed Thomas W. Ferry, resulted as follows:

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The receipts into the State Treasury for the year were: For delinquent taxes, tax statements, etc., $346,435.98; receipts into trust funds, $164,087.31; taxes, 1876, and redemptions, $691,127.77; specific taxes paid by corporations, $512,904.08; interest and penalty, $58,677.84; sales of reports, etc., $5,458.45; received for fees in State offices, $5,761.63; rents, $200; St. Mary's Canal, $24,744.38; earnings of State-prison, $14,866.67; other items, $8,560.66. Total, $1,833,824.77. The debt of the State to the several trust funds is as follows:

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$69,800 54

Primary School.

Agricultural College.

Asset.

State Building.

Salt Spring.

University

Swamp

Swamp (excess on licenses)..

Swamp (homesteads patented).

Total..

Lands remaining, owned by the State..

50,835.72

Acres. 8,049,903.46

Reserved to meet road-contracts and grants.... 1,817,054.25

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$57,968 05

$18,167 51 with an aggregate tax of about $385,000-a decrease that speaks favorably of the operation of the law. Under the prohibitory law of 1855, which gave place to the tax-law of 1875, the liquor traffic was substantially free-prosecutions for the sale being few and convictions fewer-and no revenue aided in paying for the support of the paupers and criminals made by the traffic. The friends of regulation are hopeful of the future.

At the State election in November, 1876, an amendment of the constitution was voted upon, which struck out the provision of the constitution which prohibited the granting of a license for the sale of liquors, which had been in force twenty-five years. It was adopted by a majority of 8,072 votes.

The Commissioner of Insurance, in his report for the year ending December 31st, states the aggregate of fire and marine risks written during the year about $5,000,000 greater than in 1876, with premium receipts reduced by $170,000, and losses increased by $335,000. Entire capital stock represented by companies licensed, $40,565,042.70; admitted assets, $96,781,279.35; surplus, as regards policy-holders, $64,625,707.59; surplus over capital, reinsurance fund, and all other liabilities, $22,590,366.40; total impairments of capital, $80,627.58. Aggregates of risks, premiums, and losses, with division between Michigan and other

Full returns will show about 4,000 dealers, companies, were:

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The cut of pine lumber for the year was in excess of any former year, and, reducing shingle and lath to board measure, aggregated nearly 3,000,000,000 feet. The table on page 518, compiled for the Saginaw Courier, comparing the cut with former years, is both suggestive and valuable. The compiler of the table, probably the best authority in the State, says: As compared with other lumber-producing districts, Michigan produces more than double the quantity of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Mississippi Valley together. Our maximum doubtless has been reached, and future years will more likely show a diminution than an increase in the consumption of pine timber."

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43,712 28 $31,913,026 26

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Upper Peninsula, for the year ending DecemThe total product of the copper mines of the ber 31st, is given by the Mining Journal as 24,958 tons and 35 pounds. Total product from 1845 to 1877, inclusive, 289,188 tons. Ingot copper for 1877 (80 per cent. of product), 19,966 tons, valued at $7,586,480. Total value of product from 1845 to 1877, $116,928,280. Total assessments since 1845, by working mines, $3,960,000. Total dividends paid in same time, $21,870,600. Dividends paid in 1877, $1,740,000.

The amount of iron ore raised and shipped in 1877, including 57,538 tons consumed by local furnaces, was 1,018,520 tons (of 2,240 lbs.), valued on board of cars at $3,848,365. Quartz for Bessemer converters, etc., 2,399 tons, valued at $4,678. The aggregate product of the iron mines (in ore), from 1856 to 187721 years-is 10,549,874 tons; and of quartz for Bessemer converters, 6,394 tons. The shipment of pig-iron from the Lake Superior furnaces in 1877 was 29,685 tons (of 2,268 lbs.), valued at $636,385. Aggregate shipments of pig-iron from 1858 to 1877 inclusive, 684,488 tons.

The following statement of the crops of the State for 1876 was obtained by the census reported this year. A number of townships made

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