The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-12-14
MESSAGE

MESSAGE
President Of the United States.
WASHINGTON, December 4, 1871.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tives:
In addressing my third annual
message to the law-makiug branch
of the Government, if is gratifying
to be able to state that during the!
past year success has. generally at
tended the effort to execute all laws
found upon the statute books. The
policy has been not to inquire into
the wisdom Of the laws already en-
acted, but to learn their spirit and
intent, and enforce them accordingly.
The past year has, under wise
Providence, been one Of general
prosperity TO the nation. It has,
however, been attended with more
than usual chastisements in the loss
of life and property by storm and
fire. These disasters have served to
call forth the best clements Of our
human nature in our own country,
and to develope a friendship for US
on the part of foreign nations which
goes far toward alleviating the dis
tre5s occasioned by the calamities.
The benevolent who have so gener-
ously shared their means with the
victims of these misfOrtunes, will
reap their reward in the conscious
ness of having performed a noble
act, and in receiving the grateful
thanks of the men, women and chill
dren whose sufferings they have re-
lieved.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an
.eventful one in witnessing two great
nations, speaking one language, and
having one lineage, settling by peace
full arbitration disputes of long stand
ing, and liable at any time to bring
those nations into bloody and hostile
conflicts. An example has thus been
set, which, if successful in its final
issue, may be followed by other civ
ilized nations, and be the final
means of returning to productive in
dustry millions of men now main
tanned to settle the disputes of ma
tions by the bayOnet and broad
sword.
I transmit, herewith, a copy of
the treaty alluded to, which has
/ been concluded since the adjourn
ment of Congress, with her Britain
mic Majesty, and a copy of the pro-
tOcol. and of the conferences of the
Commissioners by whom it was ne
gotiated. This treaty provides meth
od3 for adjusting the questions pend
ing between the two nations. Va
riOus questions are to be adjusted by
arbitration. I recommend Congress
at an early day to make the neces.
sary provisions for the tribunal at
Geneva, aud for the several Commits
sions on the part of the United
States, called for by the treaty. His
Majesty, the King 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. I have caused my thanks
10 be suitably expressed for the
readiness with which the joint re,
quest has been complied with by
the appointment of gentlemen Of
| erninence and learning to these i'm.
portant positions.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Ger.
many, has been pleased to comply
with the joint request of the two
Governments, and has consented tC
act as the arbitrator of the disputed
water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The con-
tracing parties in the treaty have
undertaken to regard, as between
themselves, certain principles of pub
lie law, ior which the United State;
has contended from the commence
ment of their history. They have
also agreed to bring these principles
to the knowledge of the other mari
time powers, and to invite them II
accede to them. Negotiations art
going on as TO the form of the not
by which the invitation is to be ex
tended to the Powers.
| 1 recommend the legislation nee
essary on the part of the United
States to bring into operation the ar
tieles of the treaty relating 10 tn
fisheries, and TO the other matter
touching the relations of the Unitet
States toward the British Nortl
, American possessions, to become op
erative as soon as the proper leglsla
+ tion shall be had on the part c
Great Britain and its possessions
It is much to be desired that thi
Legislation may become operativ
before the fishermen of the Unite
States begin to make their arrange
ments for the coming season.
I have addressed a communication
of which a copy is transmitted here
with, to the Governors of Ne7
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin
, urging upon the governments {
those States respectively, the nece
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