The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-12-14
GEO. W. TlPPETT, Editor.
POINT PLEASANT, WEST VA,
Thursday, 80: December "A, 1871.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

it a. follows:
The message opens with tho statemen,
that during tho past year success has attcn-
dol tho effort to enforce tho laws aud tho
period has been one Of general prosperity
to tho nation. The disasters sustained by
storm, and Ere, though more extensive than
usual, have served to develop the friend
ship Of foreign uatious.
The relations Of tho United States with
foreign powers continues to be friendly,
and reference ia made to tue settlement by
peaceful arbitration Of the long standing
disputes with great Britain; and the mode
ofsettlcment commended as an example for
other civilized nations. The necessary
legislation on the part Of the United States
to make operative the provisions of the
treaty relating to tho fisheries, and other
matters touching the relations Of the United
States towards the British North American
posscssions,i Is recommended.
Directions have been sivon for the with.
drawal Of tho protection extended to Ger.
mans in France by diplomatic and cousu.
lar representatives Of tho United States in
that country since the resumption Of dip
loma.lc relations between France aud Ger.
many.
The ratification Of the consular and nat
uralized conventions With the Austro-Hun.
garian Empire has been exchanged
The annexation Of the States OF the
Church to the Kingdom Of Italy aud tho
removal oithe capital to Rome has been
officially recognized, and in the rati6ca.
ton Of new treaty Of commerce which
has been exchanged the contracting pow
ers have agreed that private property at
ses shall ba exempt from capture in case
Of war between them.
The mixed commission, authorities by
the Forty.arst Congress, for adjudcia,ing
upon the claims Of citizens Of the United
States against Spain, growing out Of the
insurrection in Cuba, has been organized.
The conference at Washington between
the plenipotentiaries Of Spain and the al,
lied South American Republics, presided
over by the United States, has resulted in
an armistice, with reasonable assurance OIL
permanent peace.
The course Of the Russian Minister aI
Washington, his personal abuse of govern
meut officials, and interference with the re-
lations between the United States and
other Powers, rendered it necessary to ask
his recall. This, however, has not dis
turbed the friendly relations between the
United States and Russia and the visit o.
the Grand Duke is cited as evidence tina
there is no desire on the part Of the En-
peror's government to diminish the cord
atty Of those relations.
A desire to put an end to the batborou
treatment Of American ship.wrecked sailors
on the ocean coast led to an endeavor tt
conclude a convention with China having
that end in view. A small party sent on
in futherance Of this purpose was treacher
ously attacked at disadvantage, aud ii
the absence Of explanation or apology tn
forts from which the outragcs had beef
committed we're reduced. Under tue cir
cumstances it was impracticable to con
clude the desired convention The subjec
is loft for such action as Congress may SCI
ct to take.
The hopeis expressed that Mexico ma
take more stringent measures for restrain
ing lawless persons on its frontier aud re
lieve our Government Of the difficultie
experienced from this cause.
Action by Congress is recommended re
garding tho overdue installments under til
award Of the Venezala Claim Commssio
.oflS66.
It is remarked as subject for congrat
ulation that Brazil has taken Tie iuitiator
step toward the abolition Of slavery
and tho recommendation is made to Con
gress to provide by stringent legislation
suitable remedy against tho holding, ow
;ngor dealing in slaves, or being in!ercstc
III slave property in foreign lands.