The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

In addressing my third annual message to
the law-making branch of the government,
it is gratifying to be able to state that dur
ing the past year success has generally at.
tended the effort to execute all laws found
urcn the statute books. TIE policy has
ecu Lot to enquire into the wisdom Of the
laws already enacted. but to learn their spirit
and Intent ard to enforce them accordingly.
The past year has, under wise Provl-
dence. been one of general prosperity TO the
pation. 1t has. however. been attended
with more than usual chastisemerts in the
lass of life and property ty storm and fire.
These disasters have served to call forth the
best elements OF human nature in our coun-
try, and to develop friendship for US on
the part Of foreign nations, which goes far
towards alleyiating the distress occaeioned
by these calamities. The benevolent who
have go generously shared their means with
the victims of these misfortunes will reap
their reward in the consciousness Of having
performed noble act and in receiving tGe
gateful thanks Of men, women and children
whose sufferings they have reliev@d.
The relations Of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly. The
year has been an eyentfnl one in Witnessing
two great nstions. speaking one language
End having one lineage, settling by peaceful
arbitrat on disputes of long standing. snd
liable at any time to bring those nations in.
to bloody and costly conflict, An example
has thus been set, which if successful in its
final issue. may be followed by other cilvi-
lizcd natione, and finally be the means Of re-
turning to productive industry millions Of
men now maintained to settle the diputes Of
paticns by the bayone. and the broad side.
! transmit herewith copy Of the treaty al
luded to. which has been concluded since the
adjournment of Congress, with Der Britain
s,ic majesty, and copy Of the protocols Of
the conference after the conferences of the
commissioners by whom it was negotiated.
This treaty provides methods for adjusting
she questions pending between the two ma
tions. Various questions are to be adju t.
cd by arbitration. recommend Congress
at an early Coy to make the necessary pro-
visions 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 Ma
jesty, the Emperor OF Brazil have each con-
sentcd, on :he joint request Of tie two pow
era, 10 name an arbitrator for the tribunal
at Geneva. l 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
/ eminerce and bearing to these important
positions His majesty, the Emperor Of Ger
many. 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 undertaken to re-
gard as between themselves, certain princi
pies of public law, for which the United
States have contended from the commence
ment CT their history. They have also
agreed TO bring these principles to the knowl-
edge Of the other maritime powers, and to
invite them to accede to them. Negotiations
ere going cn as to the form ef the note by
which the invitation is to be EXTENDED to
ss.r vv ii, i,s----s. recommend the legis-
1ation necessary on the part Of the United
States to bring into operation the articles OF
tie treaty relating to the fisheries and to
the other matters touching the relations Of
the United States towards the British North
"a American possessions to become operative
go soon as the proper legislation shall be
had on the part Of Great Britain and its pos
sessions. 1t is much to be desired that this
legislation may become operative before the
fishermen of the United States begin to make
their arrangements for the coming season.
I have addressed comnlunication-of
which copy is transmitted herewith--to
the Governors Of New York, Pennsylvania,
Clio, Indiana. Michigan. Illinois and Wis
consin. urging upon the governments of
those States. respectively, the necessary ac-
tion on their part to carry into the effect
the object Of the article of the treaty which
contempiates 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 tie inhabitants Of both
countries. 1t is hoped that the objects and
the benefits to fow therefrom will secure
the speedy approval and legislative sanction
of the States concerned.
renew Experimentation for an appro-
priation for determining the true position
of the forty ninth parallel of latitude where
it forms the bou nd airy between tie United
States and the British North American pos
sessions, between the Lake of the Woods
and the summit of the Rocky Mountains.
The early action of Congress on this recon-
mepdatiou would put It in the power of the
War Department to place force in the
Geld during the next Summer.
The resumption Of diplomatic relations be-
tween Franch and Germany have enabled
NE to give directions for the withdrawal Of
the protection extended to Germans by repre-
sentatives of the United States in that coun-
try. 1t is just to add that the delicate duty
of this protection has been performed by the
Minister and Consul General at Paris and
tire various consuls in France under the su
pervisjon of the latter, with great kindness
as we'll as with prudence and tact. Their
course has received the commendation of
the German Government and has founded
no susceptibility of the French. The Gov
ernment of the Emperor of Germany con-
tinues to manifest friendly feeling towards
the United States and desire to harmonize
with the moderate and just policy which this
Government maintains in It's relations with
Asiatic powers as we'll as with the South
American Republics. I have given assn
RANGES that the friendly feelings of that
Government are fully shared by the United
L.. e Al i