The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-12-07
Presidents Message!
WAsEt NOTION. D., C.. Dec. 4.

past 7ear success has generally ct
the efforts 70 execute ell
the laws found upon the
statute books. The policy has been
not to inquire into the wisdom of
laws already enacted, but to learn
their special interests and to enforce
them, Accordingly, the past year
has, under . wise Providence, been
one of general prosperity TO tho
nation. II has, however, been at
tended with more than usual chastise.
ments in loss OF life and property by
fire and storms. These disasters
have served to call forth the best
elements of human nature in oar
country, aud to develope q friendship
for us on the part Of foreign nations,
which goes far towards aleviating
the distress ocoasioned by the o.
lamities. The benevolent who
have SO generously shared their
means with the victims of these mis-.
fortunes, will reap their reward in
the consciousness of having per.
formed y noble act, and in receiving
the grateful thanks OF men and wo'
men and children whose ~sufferingt
they have relieved.
goREIGN RELATIoNs.
The relations Of the United States
with foreign powers continue TO b.
friendly.
THE TREATY WITH ENGLAND.
The year has been an ~eventfnl one
in witnessing two great nations
speaking u language and having
one lineage, settling, by peaceful or
bitration, Of disputes long standing
and liable ct any time to bring those
nations in bloody and hostile conflict
aud an example has thus been Sc
which, If successful IN its anal issue
may be followed by other civilized
nations, and be tho final means Of re
turning to productive industry mil
lions of men maintained, TO settl,
disputes Of nations, by the bayone
and sword.
l tr::.nsmit herewith q copy OF tn
Treaty above alluded to, which ha
been concluded, since the adjourn
meDt Of Congress, with Her Britain
Majesty's government, and q copy Q
the Protocols Of the conferences q
the Commissioners by whom it wa
negotiated. This Treaty provides
method for adjusting the question
pending between the two nations.-
Various questions are to be adjuste'
by this arbitration.
l recommend Congress at no dit
tant day TO make the necessary pre-
visions Tor the tribunal at Genevs
and for the appointment OF the sey
eral Commissioners on the part Q
the u. S. called for by the treaty
His Majesty. the King Of Italy th
President Of the Swiss C~onfeders
ton, aud His Majesty, the Empero
of Brazil, have each consented o
the joint request of the two power
to name an arbitrator for the tribuns
at Geneva.
l have caused my thanks TO b
expressed for the readiness wit
which hejoint request has been con
piled with. His Majesty. the Empel
or of Germany, has been please
to comply with the joint requos
OF the two governments,a and has cor
sented to net as the arbitrator {
the disputed waterboundary betwee
the United States and Great Britain
Thecontracting parties on the Treat
have undertaken 10 regard, u b,
tween themselves, certain principle
of public law for which the Unite
States have contended from III
commencement OF their history
They have also agreed to bring thes
principles 10 the knowledge Of othe
maritime powers, and invite them t
accede 30 them. Negotiations ~
going on as to the form Of the not
by which the invitation is to be Q,
tended to the Powers.
THE FISHERIES.
recommend the legislation neceI
sary on the part Of the United State
to bring into operation the article
OF the treaty relating 70 the fisheries
and TO other matters touching til
relations Of the United States toward
the British North American Posse
sions, to become operative As DON &
the proper Legislation shall be had Q
the part of Great Britain and il
-posess,ons. 1t is much to be desire
that this legislation may becom
operative before the fishermen of til
United States begin to make the
arrangements for the coming season
INTERNATIONAL NAVIGATION OF I'll
NORTHERN LAKES ANDRrvERs.
l have addressed u communication
of which a copy is transmitted herr
with, to the Governors, OF Ne,
York. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indians
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin
urging upon the governments Z
these States respectively the Dece'
sary action on their part 10 carry int
effect the object Of the ARTICLES of tk
treaty which contemplates the use {
the canals on either side connecte
with the navigation of the lakes an
rivers upon terms of equity betwee
the inhabitants of beth ~countrie
1t is hoped that the Importance
the object and the benefits to flo'
therefrom, will secure the speedy q,
proval and Legislative sanction Of th
States concerned.
THE FoRTY-NiNTH PARALLEL.
renew Che recommendation fc
an appropriation for determining til
true position OF the forty. ninth para
lei OF latitude, where il forms tn
boundary between the United State
and the British North America
Possessions, between the Luke Of til
Woods and the summit of the Rock.
Mountains. The early action
Congress on the recommendation
named would put it in the power {
the War Department TO place . fore
in the field during the next summer
PROTECTION or GERMAN cILIzENs II
FRANCE.
The resumption OF diplomatic re
lations between France and German
has enabled me to give directions 70
the withdrawal of the protection ex
tended to Germans in France by tn
diplomatic and consular represents
tivcs of the United States IN tina