Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-12-08
Presidents Message
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 4


To the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatices:'
In addressing my third annual
message to the law making branch
of the government, it 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 laws already enacted,
but to learn their special intent,
and to enforce 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 usua al chastisement 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 de-
velope a friendship for the United
States on the part Of foreign nations,
which goes far towards alternating
the distress occasioned by the
calamities. The benevolent who
have so graciously shared their
means with the victims of these
misfortunes, will reap their reward
in the consciousness of having per-
formed noble act, and in receiving
the grateful thanks of men, women
and children, whose sutferings they
have relieved.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an
cventful one in witnessing two
great nations, speaking the same
language and having the same line
age, settling, by peaceful arbitra-
ton, disputes Of long standing, and
liable at any time to bring those ma
tons into bloody and hostile con-
flict. An example has thus been
set which, if successful in its final
issue, may be followed by other
civilized nations, and be the final
means of returning to productive in
dustrv millions of men maintained
to settle disputes of nations by the
bavonet and broadsword.
THE BRITISH TREATY.
T transmit herewith 4 COPY OF
the treaty alluded to, which has
been concluded since the adjourn
ment of Congress. with Her Britain
mic Majesty, and copy of the pro-
tocols of the conferences of the
Commissioners by whom it was
neeociated. This treaty provides
methods for adjusting the questions
pending between the two nations.
Various questions are to be adjust
ed by arbitration. l recommend
Congress- at an early day to make
the necessary provision for the tri-
bunal at Geneva, and for the
+ba several Commissions on
nart of the United States, called
for by the treaty. His Majesty the
King of Italy, the President Of the
Swiss confederation, and His Majes-
ty the Emperor of Brazil have each
consented, on the joint request Of
the two powers, to name an arbltra-
tor for the tribunal at Geneva. l
have caused my thanks to be suita-
Div expressed for the readiness with
which the joint request has been
complied with by the appointment
of gentlemen Of eminence and learn
ing to these important positions.
United STATES BOUNDARY LINE.
His Majesty, the Emperor of
Germany, has been pleased to COM
NV with the joint wish 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 con-
tracing parties in the treaty have
undertaken to regard as between
themselves certain principles OF
public law for which the United
States have consented from the COM
mcncement Of their history. They
have also agreed to bring these
principles to the knowledge OF the
other maratimc powers, and to IN
v;te them to accede to them. Nego-
Citations are going on as to the form
of the note by which the invitation
is to be extended to the powers.
FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY
The resumption of diplomatic re-
lations between France and Ger
many has enabled me to give dlrec-
tons for the withdrawal Of the pro-
lection extended to Germans IN
France by the diplomatic and con,
snlar REPRESENTATIVES of the United
states in that country. 1t is JUST
70 add that the delicate duty OF TINS
has been performed o.y
The minister and consul at laris
and the various consuls in France
under the supervision OF the latter
with great kindness as well as Pru-