The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, December 4.

In addressing my third annual message to the
law making branch Of the government 1t is gra.
tlfyng to be able to state that curing the past
year success has generally attended the effort to
execute all laws found upon the statute. booss.
Ine policy has been not to inquire into the wisdom
OF the laws already enacted, but to learn their
spirit and Intent. and to enforce them accord.
tngly.
The past year has, under a wise Providence,
been one OF general prosperity to the nation. 1t
has, however, been attended with more than usual
chastisements In the loss OF life and property by
storm and DIRE. These disasters have served to
call forth the best elements OF human nature in
our country and to develop friendship for us on
the part OF foreign nations, which goes far to-
wards allevlaling the distress occasoned by the
caldmites
The benevolent who have SO generously shared
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 ofmen, women, and children whose suffer.
tngs they have relieved.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS,
The relations OF the United States with foreign
powers continue TO be friendly. Tile year has b. en-
eventful in witnessing two great nations. sneak.
ing one Language, aud having one lineage, set.
Ting ny peaceful arbitration disputes of long
stanulng, ana liable at any time to bring those
nations INTO bloody and hostile conflict, An ex.
ample mas thus been set which II successful in its
hnal issue, may be followed by other civilized na
.ons, aad pc nnally the means OF returning 10
productive industry millions Of men now main.
taneu 70 settle the disputes Of nations by the bay.
onet and broadswurd.
TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN
TRANSMIT herewith copy OF treaty alluded to
which has beeu concluded since the adIournmpni
oI Congress. with her Brittanc Majesty and A
copy OF the protocols OF the conferences of the
commissioners by whom 1t was negotiated This
treaty provides methods for adIudicating the
questions pending between the two nations Va.
rious questions are TO be adjusted by arbitration
recommend Congress at an early day IL make
tne necessary provision for the tribunal at Geneva
anu ior the several Commissions on the part OF the
Unled states called for by the Treaty. His males.
~ .he King VI Italy, the President of the Swiss
4 tha Eptpa nf Ira
IN nave each consented. on the joint request Of
sne TWO powers, to name an arbitrator for the
tribunal at GENEVA. lhave caused my thanks to
be suitably expressed for the readiness with
which the joint request has been complied with
oy lhe appointment OF gentlemen Of eminence and
learning 10 these important positions. His Majes.
ty, the emperor OF Germany has been pleased 10
comply with the Joint, wish OF the two govern.
ments, and has consented to act as the arbitrator
OF lhe disputed water boundary between the
United States and Great Britain.
Ihe contracting parties In the treaty have under
taken 10 regard as between themselves certain
principles OF public law for which the United
States have commended from the commencement Of
their istory. They have also agreed to bring
these principles to the knowledge OF tile othel
maritime powers, and to invite them to accee to
them. Negotiations are going on TO the form Of
the rule by which tue invitation is to be extended
recommend the legislation necessary on the
part OF the United 81 ates necessary TO bring into
operation the articles OF the treaty relating to tn,
fisheries, ana 10 the other matters touching the
latlons Of the United States toward the British
North American possessions, to become operative
30 sOUn as the proper legislation shall be had Oh
the part OF Great Britain dld Its possessions. 1t s
E much to be desired that this legislation may be.
come cooperative before the fsnpr,uen Of the
United states begin to make their arrangements
Tor the coming season.
| lave addressed a communication, OF which II
copy Il transmitted herewith, TO the Governors o.
New YORK, Pennsylvania, ohio, Indiana, Michi.
gan, Illinois, and Wisconsin urging upon the gov.
ernments OF their States respectively the neces.
sary acton their part to carry into effect III,
a W iph tauI
plates the use OF the canals on either side connect
ed with the navigation OF the lakes and r.vers
forming the boundary, on terms OF equity by tht
inhabllauts OF both countries.
IL Is hoped that the Importance Of the subject
and the benefits 10 now tnerefrOm will insure The
speedy approval and legislative sanction OF III,
States concerned. l renew the recommendation
for an appropriation for determining The TRUE po.
siton oil the fortyninth parallel Of latitude, wh re
IL forms the boundary between the Unired States
and the British North American possessions, be
tween the Lake Of the Woods anu the summit OF
the Rocky Mountains. The early action Of Con-
gress on this recommendation named would put
II in the power Of the War department to place
force In the field during the next summer.
FRANCE AND GERMANY.
The resumption OF diplomatic relations between
France anu Germany have enabled me 10 give di.
rectous for the withdrawal OF the protection eX,
tenued to Germans IN France by the diplomatic
and consular representatives of the United States
In that country. 1t IL just to add that the delicate
duty OF this protection has been performed by the
Minister aud ConsuGeneral at Paris, aud the vali
GUS consuls in France under the supervision OF the
latter, with great Kindness as wel as with pru.
dence and tact. Their course has received the
commentator Of the German government and
has wounded no susceptibility OF the French.
The government OF the Emperor Of Germany
continues TO manifest u friendly feeling toward
the United States, and d desire 10 harmonize with
the moderate and Just policy which this govern.
meat maintains In its relations with Asiatic pow
ers, as well as ith the South American republics
have given assurances that the friendly feelings
of that government are fully shared by the Uuied
States. The ratitcatons ofthe Consul and Natural
lzaiion conventions with the Auslro hungarian
EfLpie have been exchanged
ITALY AND ROME.
have been officially informed OF the an eXation
OF the States OF the Church to the kingdom o.
Italy, and tie removal OF the capital Of that king.
dom to Rome. In conformity with The established
policy Of the United States have recognized thus
change.
The ratifcations OF the new treaty Of commerce
between the United States and Italy have been
exchanged. The two powers have agreed IN this
treaty that private property at sea shall be exempt
from capture in case OF war between the two pow
The United States have spared no opportuni
~ ofincorporating this rule into the obligations oi
nations.
THE SPANISH CLAIMS.
The Forty first Congress, at its third session,
made an appropriation for The organization oi
mixed comm ssion for adju'ica;ing upon the
claims OF ciliZens OF the United States against
spain, growing out OF The insurrection in cuba,
That commission has since been organized.
transmit herewith The correspondence relating TO
that this commission Will afford the claimants u
complete remedy Ior their injuries.
II has been made the agreeable duty OF the Unit
ed States 10 preside over conference at wash
ington between the penipUtenliaries OF span
amt the allied south American Republics, which
has resulted in an armstice, with the reasonable
assurance OF permanent peace
RUSSIA.
The intimate friendly relations which have SO
long existed between the United States and Rus
SID continue undsiurbed. The visit of the third
son oI the Emperor Is proof that there is no de-
sue on the part OF ms government TO diminish
the cDrdiality OF those relations. The hospitable
reception which has been given TO the Grand
Duke Is q proof that on our side we share the
wishes OF that government. The ineXcusable
course OF the Russian Minister at Washington
rendered u necessary 10 ask his recall and to de.
cine 70 longer receive that functionary as a
ulPlomhuc representative. II was impossible,
Win sen respect, or with just regard TO the
nlgnity oi the country 10 permit Mr.. CataCaZy 10
hod intercourse with this government after his
personal aouss u government officials, and during
his persistent Interference, through various means
with the rrlatiens between the United States and
other powers In accordance with NV wishea
this 'vernment has been relieved OF further in.
tercourse with Mr.. Catacazy, and the manage.
ment OF the affairs OF the Imperial legation has
passed into the hands OF q gentleman ENTIRELY
unobjectionable.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
With Japan we continue 10 maintain intimate
relations. The Cabinet OF the Mikado has since
the close OF the last session OF Congress selected
citizens OF the United States TO serve In ONCE of
importance In several departments OF government
have reason TO thak that this selection Is due to
an appreciation Of the dslnterestedness OF the
policy which the Uuited states have pursued
towards Japan. II Is very desirable TO maintain
this dsinterested and just policy with China as
well as Japan. The correspondence transmitted