Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To the SenGte and House Of RepreseHtafirts
In addressing my third annual message to the
law-making branch of the Government, II 10
gratifying to be able TO state that during the
past year success hsr generally attended the efforts
10 execute all laws found upon the statute
books. The policy has been not to enquire INTO
the wisdom of the laws slready enacted, but TO
learn their spirit and intent, and to enforce !
them accordingly.
The past year has, under wise Pro'idenee,
been one Of general prosperity TO the nation IL
has, however, been attended with more than US
ual chastisement in the less of life and property
BY storm and hTe These disasters have served /
to cau forth the best elements Of human nature
in our country, and to develope friendship for
Us on the part of foreign nations, which goes far
toward alternating the distresses occasone4 by
the elemente The benevolent who have go
generously shared their means with the victims
OF these misfortunes. will reap their reward IN
the consciousness of having performed noble
act, and in receiving the grateful thanks Of men,
women and children whose suiierings they have
relieved.
raE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The relations of the United States with foreign
powers continue 10 be friendly. The year mas
been an eventful one. in witnessing two great
nstions. speaking one language and having one
lineage, settling, by peaceful arbitration, us
putes Of long standing, and liable al any time TO
bring those nations into bloody and hostile con-
tict. An example has thus been Get when, II
successful in its fna issue, may he follower oy
other civilized nations, and be the maj means
OF returning to productive industry millions OF
men now maintained to settle the dispute oil na-
tons by the bayonet aud the broad sword l
transmit, herewith, copy Of the treaty alluded
- he ksa afratta n
ment Of Congress, with Her Britanic Majesty,
and a copy Of the protocols Of the conference Of
the commissioners by whom 1t was negotiated.
The treaty provides methods Of adjusting the
questions pending between the two Nations
Various questions sre 70 be adjusted by sroitra-
ton. recommend Congress, at al early day,
to make the necessary provisions for the triounAl
at Geneva. and for the several commissions on
the psrt of the United States called for by the
treaty. His Msissty tho King Of Italy, the
President Of the SWIM Confederation, and Ills
Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, hay each con-
scented, on the joint request Of the $40 powers,
70 name an arbitrator for the tribunal at Geneva.
| have caused ny thanks TO be suitably expressed
for the readiness with which the joint request
hat teen compiled With, by the appointment OF
gentlemen Of cmiueuce and learning 20 these
imrortsut positions HIS Majesty the Emperor
Of Germsny has been pleased TO comply with
the jlint request Of the governments, and has
consented Is set as tue arbitrator Of the disputed
water boundary between the United States and
Great Britain. The contracting parties 10 the
treaty have Undertaken 90 regard, as between
themselves, certain principles OF public law, FOR
which the Uui-ci States have clntendet from
the commencement Il their history. They have
also agleed 20 bring these principles 70 inc
knowledge Of the other maritime powers anu
invite them TO ace=de 20 them Neg cations
are gong o. 81 Co the iosm uy winch lhe
invitation 90 te extended To- the o'ler
po"e'f' I,1'u-1- 'I' go So =
him into oDer,iion tie articles Of the treaty
roI,,5pg 10 t6e fsbsr,e.. and TO the other mat
,e-, t5,cbir, tla refstiauso OFF .hs J-ni.ei S,ates
toward The British North American possessions,
D., hr.sr,s lucrative So soon AS the proper legis-
i.,;or snail he had On the us-t Of Great Britain
All her r,s.es,ions. 1. f. much 10 be desired
that This ieris'stIau nav become c1-o1erzt.ve be-
f,-s the f.be-neu ol the Un-tei Sts,ss begin g.
make -heir arrenoemeats for the coming season.
have ali-esssl a communication, of which
,,r, &, tr.usa.itted herewith. 90 the Governors
ID Ees YORK. Prnrsv'sala. Ohio. indians.
Nli,b-rsn Illinois .rl Wisconsin. urring upon
iba g5rerumarts # those st.tes. respectively,
tle T7s,....r, ...... On their re-t Do carry into
,s.,, ts. .i..- t,s a.tf.-. of IN. treaty which
c91-emrIs,5s tis.r-e % the canals on either
..ie. connected With che navigation Of the lakes
All r.vers f,r-..r., tine isuuIt-e. on terms Of
e',,-v h. tbs i1r,tir,prs Of to.b countries.
10 boDei t4et tss ir.-srttrceo. the object and
rls bsr.5-. q. s.r -fe-etfor. viii secure the
srseir srr.o-L and legislative sanction of the
sr.,ss .6nesrD.l renew the zee nueniarion
for An npororris i.- determining the true po-