The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-12-16
Albang Register.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON. December 4th

t0-usty
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives: In addressing my third
annual message to the law-making
branch of the government. it is graft
fying 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 laws already enacted, but to
learn their special intent, and to en-
force them accordingly. The past
year has, under a wise providence, been
one OF general prosperity to the nation.
1t has, however, been attended with
more than the usual chastisements in
loss of life and property by storm and
fire. These disasters have served to
call forth the best elements of human
nature in our country, and to develop
IA friendship for as on the part of for
eign nations which goes far toward
alleviating the distress occasiOned by
the calamfties. The benevolent who
have so generously 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
men, women and children whose sui
ferings they have relieved.
THE ALABAMA TREATY.
The relations of the United States
with foreign Powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event.
ftll one in witnessing two great ma
tions, speaking one language and hav-
ing one lineage, settling by peaceful
arbitration disputes of long standing
and liable at any time to bring these
nations into hostile conflict. An ex-
ample has thus been set which. if
successful i'm its final issue. may be fol-
lowed by other civilized nations and
become the final means of returning to
productive industry millions of men
maintained to settle the disputes of
nations by the bayonet and broad
sword. L transmit herewith copy of
the treaty alluded to (which has been
concluded since the adjournment of
Congress) with Her Britanic Majesty,
and a copy of pr otocols of the confer
euces of the Commissioners by whom
it was negotiated. This treaty pro-
vides methods for adjusting the ques-
tions 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 ut Geneva,
aud for the several Commissions 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 consent
cd, on the joint request of the two
Powers. to name an Arbitrator for the
tribunal at Geneva. I have caused
thanks to be suitably expressed for the
readiness with which the joint request
has been complied with. by the ap-
pointment of gentlemen of eminence
and learning to the important posi-
tions.
His Majesty the Emperor of Ger
many was pleased to comply with the
Joint wish of the two Governments, and
has consented to act as the arbitrator
of the disputed water boundary be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain. The contracting parties in
the treaty have undertaken to regard
as between themselves certain princi-
ples of public law for which this Gov
ernment has contended from the COM
mencement of their history. They
have also agreed to bring these prin-
ciples to the knowledge of the other
maritime powers and ask them to ac-
cede to them. Negotiations are going
on as to the form of the note by which
the invitation is to be extended to the
Powers. l recommend the legislation
necessary on the part of the United
States to bring into operation the arti-
Gle of the treaty relating to the fisher
les, and to the other matters touching
the relations of the United States to-
wards the British North American
possessions, to become operative as
soon as the proper legislation shall be
had ON the part of Great Britain and
its possessions. 1t is much to be de-
sired that this legislation may become
operative before the fishermen of the
United States begin to make their az
rangements for the coming season.
have addressed communication, OF
which a copy is transmitted herewith,
to the Governors of New York, Penn
sylvania. Ohio. Indiana, Michigan, Ill
inois and Wisconsin urging upon the
Governments of those States respec-
lively the necessary action on thell
part to carry into effect the objects OF
the article of the treaty which cOntem-
plates the use of the canals on either
side. connected with the navigation Of
the lakes and rivers forming the boun-
Diary, in terms of equity, by the inhab.
itants of both countries. 1T Is hoped
that the Importance of the object and
tine benefits to follow therefronl VIII
secure the speedy approval and iegis-
ed.
NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
renew my recommendation for an
appropriation for determining the true
position of the forty-ninth parallel OF
latitude, where it forms the boundary
between the United States and the
British North American provinces, be-
tween the Lake of the Woods and the
summit of the Rocky Mountains, to
the early action of Congress. l would
also recommend that Congress put it
in the power of the War Department
to place force i'll the field during the
next Summer.
IT;oTECTIoN OF GERMANS IN FRANCE.
fhe resumption of diplomatic rela-
tons between France and Germany
mas enabled me to give directions fol.
Che withdrawal of the protection ex-
tended to Germans in Erapno 1,.r a.,