The Van Buren press., 1871-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Especial to L. X. Gauette.l

suSh p''tious ~ aie VI niost Importance 10
our room win no, admit of the whole appear
ingl
WARRINGTON. d. C.. Dec. 4. ISL.
To the Senate and House cf Representatives,
In addressing my third annual message to
the law-making branch ofthe government IL
| Is gratify ing to be able tn state that during
the past year success has generally attended
the effort TO execute all laws found upon the
statute books The policy has been not to in
Quire into the wisdom OF the laws already en-
acted. but to learn their special interest and
enforce them accordingly. The past year has.
under wise Providence. been one Of general
prosperity to the nation. 1t has. however,
| been attended with more than usual calami-
ties In the loss OF life aud property by storm
| and fire. These disasters have served to call
| forth the best elements of human nature IN
our country, and to develope n friendship for
| on the part Of foreign ns.:cas. "hici, goes
| FAR toward alleyiatng the distress occasioned
| by the cslsmities. The benevolent. who have
50 generously shared their means with the
victims of these mi fortunes, will reap their
| reward in the consciousness of having per
| formed noble act, and in receiving the CRATE
| iul thanks OF men. women and children whose
sullerings they have relieved, The relations
ofthe United States with foreign powers con-
| tnues TO he friendly. The year has been an
eycntful one in witnessing two great nations
speaking one language and having one line
age. settling. by peaceful arbitration disputes
Of long standing. and which were llabiv atahN
time to bring those nations In bloody ana hos
tile conflicts An example has thus been Sc"
which. II successful in the final issue, may be
followed by other civilized nations an" be
the final means of returning to productive in
dustry millions of men now maintained 10
settle the disputes Of nations By the bayonet
and brnadsword.
Thk TREATY WITH ENGLAND.
/ transmit herewith copy of the trraty al
Iuoed to. which has been concluded since the
adjournment OF Congress with her Brittanc
majesty. and "a copy of the protocol OF the
conference of the commission by whom 1t was
negotiated This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending between the
two nations Various questions are 10 be adj
iusted by arbitration, md recommend Con-
gre,s at an early day to make the necessary
provision for the tribunal at Geneva and 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 en-
peror of Brazil. have each consented on the
Joint request of the two powers named to
name an arbitrator for the tribunal at &C.
neva. | have caused my thankt To be suitably
expressed for the readiness with which the
Joint request has been complied with 10y the
appointment ot gentlemen of eminence and
learning To these important positions. His
majesty, the emperor OF Germany. has been
pleased to comply with the joint request of
tie two governments, and has consented to
act as the arbitrator of the disputed water
boundary between the United States and
Great Britain. The contracting parties in the
treaty have undertaken to regard as between
thelvcs certain principles OF public law for
which the United States have conlended from
,I,a nf hai Ttnr
have also agreed to bring these principles to
the knowledge of the other maritime powers
and invite them to accedo to them. Negotia
tions are going on as 10 the form Of the note
by which the invitation l. to he cNtcuded to
the powers. recommend the legislation nee
essary on the part OF the United States to
bring into operation the articles oftle treaty
relating to the fisheries. and to the other mat
tiers touching the relations of the United
States towards the British Norta American
possessions TO become operative aS soon as the
proper legislation shall had on the part Of
Great Britain and its possessions. 1t is much
ta be desired that this 4 gislation may become
operative before the iiShcmen Of the United
States begin TO make their arrangements for
the coming season.
THAT LITTLE CoRENN MATTER.
II 1. onr desire to continue to maintain this
disintcrcstedness and just policy with China
u.
herewith shows that there Is no disposition
ON the part of this government to swerve
| from It's established course. Prompted by Il
desire to put ne end to the burbarous treat
| ment Of our slipwrecked sailors on the Co
rean coast instructed our minister ut Pekin
| to endeavor Ia conclude = convention with
Corea tor securing the safety and humane
treatment OF such marines. Admiral Rogers
was instructed to accompany him with a suit
| tcient force to protect him. in ease of need.
| A small survey ing party sent out on reaching
| the coast. was trcacherously attacked at dis
advantage. Ample opportunity was given
for an explanation and apology for the insult,
| Neither came. "A force was then landed. and
after an ardunus march over rugged and
difficult country, the forts from which the
outrages had been committed Sere gallantly
assaults,l and were DESTROYED, Having thus
punished the criminals, and having yindica-
(, ted the honor of tho laga tha expedition re-
turned. Finding it inpractlcable, under the
circumstance to conclude the desired con-
vention respectfully refer TO the corrr:pon-
dence relating thereto, herewith submitted
and leave the subject for such aclinh rs con-
gress may see lit to take.
PRESIDENTIAL REGRETS
1t isa subject for regret that the reforms in
this direction which were voluntarily prom
ised by the statesmen OF Spain have not been
earn led ont In the West Indian colonies Tie
laws and regulations for the apparent aboli.
ton of slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico leave
most OF the laborers in bondage with no hope
OF release until their lives become Il burden
to their employer. desire to direct your at :
tention to the fact that tae citizens OF the
United States are large holders in foreign
lands Of this species OF property. forbidden by
the fundamental laws Oft their adopted coun-
try recommend to Congress to provide by
stringent legislation suitable remedy
against the holding. owning or dealing IN
slaves. or being interested in slave property
i'm foreign lanes. either AS owners. heirs or
mortgages. BY persons of the United States
1t 10 90 be regretted that the disturbed condi-
ton Of
THE ISLAND OF CUBA
continues to he a source OF annoyance and OF
anxiety. The existence of n protracted strug-
yle In such close proximity to our own terri
tory. without apparent prospect of an early
termination cannot be other than an object
oi concern to people who, whilo abstaining
from interference in the affairs of other pow =
ers. naturally desire to see every country In
the undisturbed enjoyment Of peace. liberty.
and the blessing of free institutions.
THE DIGNITY OF THE FLAG.
Our naval commanders in certain waters
have been instructed, In case It should become
necessary. to spare no effort to protect the
lives and property Of bona diie American cit
liens and to maintain the dignity Of the flag.
1t is hoped that all pending questions with
Spain. growing out of the affairs Of Cuba, may
be adjusted In the spirit of peace and concili-
alton which has hereto guided the two pow
ere in thsir treatment ol such upxtiOna