, 1840-12-26

States. 1t was, among other reasons, with 4;
viewofpreventing the elnharrasslnentS which
in our peculiar system of government. impede
and complicate negotiations involving the
territorial rights of a State, that | thought i
my duty, as you have been informed on {
previous occasion, 10 propose TO the British
Government, through its minister at Wash
ington. that early steps should be taken L
adjust the points of difference on the line o
boundary from the entrance of Lake superior
TO the most northwestern point of the Lake
oil the Wood, by the arbitration of 4 friendly
Power, in conformity with the seventh arti
Gle of The treaty Of Client. No answer ha:
yet been returned by the British Government
to this proposition.
With Austria, France. Prussia, Russia and
the remaining Powers of Europe am happy
To inform you our relations continue to be oil
The most friendly character. With Belgium,
Il treaty of commerce and navigation, based
upon liberal principles of reciprocity and
equality, WAS concluded in March last, and,
having been ratified by the Belgian Govern
ment. will be duly laid before the Senate
1t is Il subject at congraiulation that 1t pro-
vldes for the satisfactory ad justment oi 4 long
standing question of controversy; thus reno
wing the only obstacle which could obstruct
the friendly and advantageous intercourse be-
tween the two nations.
A messenger has been despatched with the
Hanoveriln treaty to Berlin. where, accord
ln@ 10 stipulation, the notifications are TO be
exchanged. | am happy to announce 10 you
that. after many deia:s and difficulties, 4
treaty Of commerce and navigation between
the United States ana Portugal, was cOnclu-
del and 81 sGed at Lisbon. on the Goth Of Au-
gust last, hy the plenipotentiarieS of Tie two
Governments. lis stipulations are founded
upon those principles of mutual liberality and
advantage which The United States have al
ways >ou.ht 10 make tire basis OF their inter,
course with foreign Powers. and is hoped
they will tend 10 foster and strengthen the
commercial Intercourse Of the twu countries.
Under the appropriation OF the last session
OF Congress. an agent hls been sent To Ger
many. Tor the purpose OF promoting the IN
terests o! our tobacco trade.
The commISSIIn erS appointed under the
convention for the I'D justment of claims Of
citizens OF the United States upon Mexic"
having met and organized at Washington. in
August last. the papers in the possession Of
the Government, relating to those claims.
were communicated TO the board. The
claims not embraced by that convention are
now the subject Of negotiation between the
two Governments. through the medium of
cur ministers 1T Mexico.
Nothing has occurred to disturb the harmo,
ny of our relations with the different Govern
mcnis of South America. | regret. howev-
er. 10 be Obliged to inform Won that the claims
of orr citizens upon the late Republic Of Co,
lumbia have not vet been satisfied by the Sc
para;e Governments into which il has been
resolved.
The charge d'afiaires Of Brazil having ex-
pressed the intention of his Government not
to prolong Tie treaty of 1928. it viii cease
TO be obligatory upon either party on the 18th
day of December. 1911. when the extensive
commercial intercourse between The United
States and the vast empire will no longer be
regulated 10y express stIpulatlOns.
Ii affords me pleasure 10 communicate To
You that the Government oil Chila has entered
into an agreement 10 identify the claimants
IN the case Of the Macedonian, for American
property seized in 1919; and To add that in.
formation has also been received which ims-
titles the hope Of an early adjustment of the
remaining claims upon that Government.
The commissioners appointed in pursu-
ance Of the convention betwecn the United
States and Texas, for marking the boundary
between them. have according 10 the last re-
port received from our commissioners. sur
veved and established the whole extent of.
the boundary north along the western bank
Of the Sabine ,i'Cr. from its entrance into
the Cult Of Mexico 10 the thirty-second de-
gree of north latitude. The commission
adjourned on the 18th Of June last, 10 re-
assemble IN Tie LIST of November, for the
purpose of establishing accurately the inter-
section Of the thir;y-second degree of IaIi-
tude with tie western bank of The Sabine,
and the meridian line thence TO Red River.
1t is presumed that the work will be ~cunclu-
ded IN the present season..
The present sound condition Of their f.
nances. and the success with which embar-
easements in regard to them, at times appa-
rently in~surmouniabIe. have been overcome,
are matters upon which the people.and the
Government of the United States may well
congratulate themselves. An Overlooking
tretsury'. however, it may be regarded as