The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Third Annual Message of President
Grant to Congress.
Delivered December A, 1871.

Government, it is gratifying to be able
to state that during the past year sue
cess has generally attended the effort
to execute all the laws found upon the
statute books. The policy has been not
to inquire into the wisdom of laws al
ready enacted, but to learn their special
intent, and to enforce them accord
ingly.
The past year has, under wise
Providence, been one of general pros
perity to the nation. 1t has, however
been attended with more than the
usual chastisements in loss OF life and
property by storm and fire. These dis
asters have served to call forth the best
elements of human nature in our coun-
try, and to develop a friendship for us
on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far toward alternating the distress
occasioned by the calamities. The
benevolent, who have so generously
shared their means with the victims of
these misfortunes, will reap their re-
ward in the consciousness of having
performed a noble act, receiving the
grateful thanks of the men, women
and children whose sufierings they have
relieved.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event
full one in witnessing two great nations,
speaking one language, and having one
lineage, settling by peaceful arbitration,
disputes Of long standing and liable at
any time to bring those nations into
bloody and hostile conflict. An exam
pie has been set, which, if successful in
its final issue, may be followed by other
civilized nations, and be the final means
Of returning to productive industry mil
lions of men maintained to settle the
disputes of nations by the bayonet and
sword. | transmit herewith q copy of
She treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since the adjournment of Con
gress with Her Britanic Majesty, and a
copy of the protocols of the conferences
of the Commissioners by whom it was
negotiated. This treaty provides meth
DDS for adjusting the questions pending
between the two nations. Various ques-
lions are to be adjusted by arbitration.
| recommend Congress atan early day to
make the necessary provision for the
tribunal at Geneva, and for the several
Commissions on the part of the United
States, called for by the treaty. His
Majesty, the King of Italy, the Presi
dent Of the Swiss Confederation, and
His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil,
have each consented, on the Joint re-
quest of the two Powers to name an
arbitrator for the tribunal at Geneva.
| have caused my thanks to be suitably
expressed for the readiness with which
yhe Joint request has been complied
with by the appointment of gentlemen
of eminence and learning to these i'm.
portant positions. His Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, has been pleased
to comply with the joint action of the
two Governments, and has consented to
act as the arbitrator of the disputed
water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The con-
tracing parties in the treaty haye
to regard as between them
selves certain principles of public law
for which the United States have con-
tended from the commencement of
their history. They have also agreed TO
oring these principles to the knowledge
of the other maritime powers, and to
invite others to accede to them. Nego
tiations are going on as to the form Of
the note by which the invitation is to
oe extended to the Powers. ! recon-
mend the legislation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into
operation the articles of the treaty
relating to the fisheries, and to the other
matters touching the relations OF the
United States toward the British North
American possessions, to become opera
tive as soon as the proper legislation
shall be had on the part of Great Brit
ain and its possessions. 1t is much to
be desired that this legislation may be-
come operative before the fisherman of
the United States begin to make their
arrangements for the coming season.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy shows an improvement in the
number and efficiency Of the naval
force, without material increase in the
expense of supporting it. This is due to
the policy which has been adopted, and
is being extended as fast as our mate
rial will admit, of using smaller vessels
as cruisers on the several stations. By
these means we have been enabled to
occupy at once larger extent of cruis-
ing ground, to visit more frequently the
posts where the presence of our flag is
desirable, and generally to discharge
more efficiently the appropriate duties
of the navy in time of peace.
Without exceeding the number of
men or of expenditures authorized by
law during the past year, the navy has,
in addition to its regular service, sup
piled the men and officers for the ves-
sells of the Coast Survey, and has com.
pleted the surveys authorized by Con-
gress of the Isthmus of Darien and Te-
hauntepec, and, under like authority,
has sent out an expedition, completely
furnished and equipped, to explore the
unknown ocean of the North. The
suggestions of the report as to the ne
cessity for increasing and improving the
material of the navy, and the plan re-
commended for reducing the personnel
of the service to peace standard, by
the gradual abolition of certain grades
of officers, the reduction of others, and
the employment of some in the service
of the commercial marine, are well con-
sidered and deserve the thoughtful at
tention of Congress. | also recommend