Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WARRINGTON, D. c., Dec 4.

WAsuINGToN, d. c., Dec 4.
To the Senate and House Of RepressntS-
tiseS:
In addressing my third annual message |
10 the law.making branch of the govern
ment It 8 gratifying TO be sble 10 state |
that during The past year success has gen
orally attended the Effort to execute all |
laws found upon the Gtute books The
policy b b, en- rot to inquire into the
wisdom of laws already enacted, but 10
learn their special intent and TO enforce
them accordingly.
EVENTS or TnE YEAR.
The past year has, under wise Provi.
derce, been one of general prosperity TO
the nat on. 1t has, however. been stteLd.
ed with more than usual cbastisCment in
lots OF life AID property, by storm and
fire These disasters have served to call
forth the best elements of human allure
in our country, and t. develop u friend
ship for US on the psit Of foreign nations,
which goes far toward sleviating The dis
tress oocasiCned ly the calamities The
benevolent, no have so generously shared
their means with tie victims OF these mis-
fortunes, will reap their reward in the
NOAtNAOu MSS VI L1NAh, tN4lNi ihNNA AltbAS
act and in receiv ng the grateful thanks
of the IN n, women ard children wlo.e
ssffsrlngs they have relieved
TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
The relations Of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly.
The year has been an eventful one in wit
Messing two great nations speaking one
lar guage ard having one lineage settling
by elceful arbitration, the DISPUTES OF
long standing, which were liable at any
time TO bring those nations into bloody
and hostile conflict. An example has thus
been set which, if successful in its final
issue, msy be followed by other civilized
nations and be the final means Of return
ingto productive industry millions Of men
maintained to settle the disputes of nations
by the bsyonct and broadsSord.
l transmit herewith copy of the treaty
alluded to, which has been concluded tirce
the adjournment of Congress with her
Britsnic Majesty, and copy Of the proto-
coils of the conferences Of the Ccmmis.
sioners by whom it was negotiated. This
treaty provides methods for adjusting the
questions pending between the two ms
lions. Various questions are to be a3juste
by arbitration.
THE GENEVA COUNCIL.
recommend Congress at an early day
70 make the necessary provisions for tht
tribunal st Geneva, and for the severs
Commissioners on the part of the United
States called for By the treaty. His ma
iesty the King of Italy, the President o
the Swiss Confederation, and his majesty
tie Emperor of Brazil, have each consent
ed, on tie joint request OF the two power
TO name sn arbitrator for the tribunal a
Geneva. Lave caused my thanks TO b
suitably expressed for the readiness witt
which the JOINT request has been compile
with by the appointment of gentlemen
Of eminence ana learning to these import
AIT positions. His majesty the emperor o
Germany has been pleased 10 comply wit
the joint wish Of the two governments
and las consented 10 act Gs thu arbitrato
Of the disputed water boundary betTee
the United States ard Great Britain. Til
contracting parties in the treaty have VI
deItsken to regard as between themselvC
certain principles of public law for whic
the United States have coItended frol
the commencement of Their history. The
have also agreed to bring these principle
to the know ledge of the other MARTINI
powers, and to invite them to scccde
the m. Negotiations are going on as
the form of no:e by which the in7Itatio
is TO be extended to the powers.
FISHERIES, CANALS AND BOUNDARIES.
recommend the legislation necessal
on thefpart Of the United States to brir
into operation the srtic,eao Of the treaty T
lAting to the fisheries, and to the 9th
. rlos.g 81 lo Il,
ted States towards the Blush Nor
American provinces, to become opersti
as loon as the proper legislation shall
had on the part OF Crest Britain and
possessloEs. 1t is much to be desired th
this legislation may become co-opsrati
before the fishermen Of the United Sta
begin to make their arrangements for t
coming season.
| have addressed o communication,
which a copy is Transmitted herewith,
the Governors OF New York, Ptnusylv
mia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan. Illinois a
Wisconsin, urging upon tue governmeI
of those States respectively the neCess9
action on their part to carry into effect t
object Of the articles of the treaty VIII
coDtemplates the use Of the canals on eitl
side connecting with the navigation of /
lakes and rivers forming the boundary,
terms If equity by the Inhabitants OF bt
countries. 1t is hoped that the iDpo
ance of the object and the benefits to fl
therefrcm will secure tie speedy appro'
and legislative sanction Of the States G.
cerned ! renew the recommendation
On appropriation for determining the Il
position Of the forty ninth parallel Of
Itude, where it forms the boundary
tween the United States and the Brit
North American possessions between
Lake Of the Woods" and the summit
the Rocky Mountains. The early Set
OF Congress on the recommended
named would put it in the power of {
War Department to place force in
field during the next summer.
POLICY TOWARDS FRANCE AND eERHA
The resumption of diplomatic relati
between France and Germany has ensb
me to give directions for the withdra
of the protection extended to Germans
France by the diplomatic and cons,
representatives of the United States
that country. 1t is just to add that
delicate duty of this protection has b
performed by the minister and the col
at Paris, and the various consuls in Fra
under the supervision of the latter, v
great kindness as well az with prude
and tact. Their course has received
commentator of the German governn
and has wounded no susceptibility Of
French.
The government Of the Emperor Of {
many continues to manifest frisr