New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

In addressing my third annual messag
TO the law making branch Of the govern
ment, it is gratifying to be able to stat
! that during the past year success has gen
orally attended the effort to execute al
laws found upon the statute books. Tn,
| policy has been not to inquire into the wis
dom Of the laws already enacted, but tt
| learn their spirit and intent and to enforce
them accordingly. The past year has, under
wise Providence, been one of general pros
perity to the nation. 1t has, however
been attended with more than usual chas
tisements in the loss of life and property by
storm and fire. These Lisa >ters have
| served to call forth tie best elements
OF human nature in our country, and to
develop friendship for lis on the part OF
foreign nations. which goes far toward al
leviating the .listresses occasioned by these
calamlties. The benevolent who have 81
generously shared their means with the
victims Of these nistOrtunes will reap their
reward in the consciousness OF having per
formed noble act, and in proving the
grateful thanks OF men, women and chill
dren whose sutferings they have relieved.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue to he friendly.
The year has been an eventful one. In
witnessing two great nations. speaking one
language aud having one lineage, settling
standing, and liable at any time to bring
these nations into bloody and costly con
flict. an example has been set which. if sue
cesstnl in its final issue, may be followed by
other civilized nations, and finally be the
means OF returning to productive industry
millions Of men now maintained to settle
the disputes of nations by the bay onet and
the broadsiIe. l transmit herewith a copy
of the treaty alluded to, which has been
Iol <1,a 81
gress. with her Britannia majesty, and q
copy Of the protocols Of the conferences of
the commissioners by whom it was negO-
tiated. This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending between
the two nations. Various questions are to
be adjusted by arbitration. / recommend
Congress at an early day to make the
necessary provision for the tribunal at Gene
va, and for the several commissions on
by the treaty. His majesty the Hing
OF Italy. the President Of the Swiss
Confederation, and his majesty the
Emperor Of Brazil have each consented, on
the Joint request 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 the Joint request has been complied
with by the appointment of gentlemen of
clulutuct ana ltaTHlug 10 THESE lLupoTtaut
positions. His majesty the Emperor OF
Germany has been pleased to comply with
the joint request 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
contracting parties in the treaty have I'M
dertaken to regard as between themselves
certain principles of public law for which
the United States have cOntended from the
commencement of their history. They have
also agreed to bring these principles to the
knowledge Of the old maritime powers. and
to invite them to accede to them. Negotia-
tions are going on as to the form OF the
note by which the invitation is to be eX-
tended to the other powers.
recommend 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 British North American possessions,
to become operative SO soon rs the proper
legislation shall be had on the part OF Great
Britain and its possessions. Ii is much to
be desired that this legislation may become
operative before the fishermen oi the United
States begin to make their arrangements for
the coming season. l have addressed a
communication, of which a copy is to be
herewith. to the governors of
New York. Pennsylvania. Ohio. Indiana.
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, urging
upon the governments of those States re-
spectively the necessary action on their
part to carry into effect the object of the
article of the treaty which conte1nplates the
Use of the canals ON either side connected
with the navigation of the lakes and rivers
forming the boundary on terms OF equality
by the inhabitants of both countries. 1t is
hoped that the importance of the object, and
the benefits TO flow theretrom, vii! secure
the speedy approval and legislative sanction
)t the States concerned.
! renew the recommendations for an APP
for determining the true posi-
ton of the torty-ninth parallel of latitude,
where it forms the boundary between the
Emitted States and the British North Ameri-
IAN possessions, between the Lake of the
Woods and the summit OF the Rocky Noun
aims. The early action of Congress on this
would put it i'll the power
If the War Department to place a force in
,he field during the next summer
The resumption of diplomatic relations
between France and Germany have ena bled |
ne to give directions for the withdrawal Of |
he protection extended to Germans in |
France by the diplomatic and consular rep !
of the United States in that !
ountry. 1t is Just to add that the delicate |
luty Of this protection has been performed !
~ the minister and the consul general at |
Paris, and the various consuls in France |
lnder the supervision of the latter, with
,reat kindness. as well as with prudence
nd tact. This course has received the com
nendatiOn of the German government, and !
las wounded no susceptibility of the
french.
The government Of the emperor of Ger !
many continues to manifest Il friendly feel
ng toward the United States, and Il desire
o harmonic with the moderate and just |
olicy which this government maintains in
ts relations with Asiatic powers, as well as
With the South American republics. l have
iven assurances that the friendly feelings
f that government are fully shared by the
,nited States. The Publications. of the con-
lllar and naturalization conventions with
he Austro- Hungarian empire have been ex-
hanged. / have been officially informed Of
be annexation Of the States of the Church
D the kingdom of Italy, and tie removal of
he capital Of that kingdom to Rome In
with the established policy of
he United States l have recognized this
hange. The ratifications of the new treaty
t commerce between the United States and
taly have been exchanged The two powers
ave agreed in this treaty that private prop
rty at sea shall be exempt from capture in
ase OF war between the two powers. The
nited States have spared no opportunity of
this rule into the obligation
nations. The Forty-tirst Congress, at it's
lird session, made an appropriation tor the
rganization OF mixed commission for adj
upon the claims OF citizens of the
nited States against Spain. growing out of
le instruction in Cuba. That commission
as since been organized. transmit here
18th the correspondence relating to its
l.
Dped that this commission will afford the
aimants a complete remedy for their in