Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-12-14
wAsurxsrox. December 4. 1871.

LHls Iay QtbNcTeG 10 1OH2Ters.
To me s<aat> and Hoaxe Qf Rep,esentatises.
In addressing my third annual message TO
the Iaw-making branch Of the Government,
It is gratifying TO be able to state that dur
ing the past year success has generally at
tended the effort to execute all the laws
found upon the statute books. The poiicy
has been not TO inquire into the wisdom OF
laws already enacted, but to learn their spe-
cial intent, and to enforce them accordingly.
The past year has, under wise Froyi-
dencc, been one Of general prosperity TO the
nation. II has, however, been attended
with more than the usual chas,isements in
loss Of life and property by storm and fire.
These disasters have served 10 call forth the
best elements Of human nature in our coun-
try, and TO develop a friendship for us on
the part OF foreign nations, which goes FAR
toward alternating the distress occasioned
by the calamties. The benevolent, who
have so generously shared their means with
the victims Of these misfortunes, will reap
their reward in the consciousness Of having
performed noble act, receiving the crate
full thanks Of the men, women and children
whose suiferings they have relieved
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations Of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly. The
year has been an cyeDtfni one in witnessing
two great nations, speaking one language,
full arbitration, disputes Of long standing
and liable at any time to bring those nations
into bloody and hostile conflict An example
has thus been set, which, il successful in its
final issue, may be followed by other civil
lied nations, and be the final means
OF returning to productive indus.
try millions Of men maintained to
settle tie disputes uf nations by
the bayonct and broadsword. / transmit
herewith copy Of the treaty alluded to,
which has been concluded since the adjourn
mcnt Of Congress with Her Britannia Males
ty, and copy Of the protocols on the con
fcrences of the Commissioners by whom 1t
was negotiated. This treaty provides
methods for adjusting the questions pending
between the two nations. Various questions
are to be adjusted by arbitration. recon-
mend Congress 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 Emperor OF Brazil, have
each consented, on the joint request OF the
two Powers, TO name an arbitrator
for the tribunal at Geneva. j have
caused my thanks TO be suitably cx-
pressed for the readiness with which
the joint request has been complied with by
the appointment Of gentlemen Of einincnce
His Majesty, the Emperor OF Germany, has
been pleased TO comply with the joint request
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 contracting parties in
the treaty have undertaken to regard As be-
tween themselves certain principles of pub.
lie law for which the United States have con
tended from the commencement Of their his
tory. They have also agreed to bring these
principles to the knowledge Of the other
maritime powers, and to invite them TO
ccde to them. Negotiations are going on AS
TO the form Of the note by which the invita-
ton il to be extended to the Powers. / rec
on.nend the legislation necessary on the part
of the United States to bring into operation
the articles Of the treaty relating to the fish
cries, and TO the other matters touching the
relations Of the United States toward the
British North American possessions, to be-
come operative rs soon as the proper lcgisla-
ton shall be had on the part Of Great Britain
and It's possessions. 1t Is much to be desired
that this legislation may become operative
before the fishermen Of the United States be-
gin TO make their arrangements for the com
ing season.
| have addressed communication, of
which copy IL transmitted herewith, to the
Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin,
urging upon the governments Of those States,
respectively, the necessary action on their
part, to carry into effect the object Of the ar
ticlc Of the treaty which contemplatcs the
use of the canals on either side, connected
with the navigation of the lakes and rivers
forming the boundary, in terms of equity, by
the inhabitants of both countries. It's hoped
that the Importance OF the object, and the
benefits TO flow thercfrom, will secure the
speedy approval and legislative sanction OF
the States concerned.
/ renew the recommendation for an appro-
priation for determining the true position Of
the 10th parallel of latitude, where ii forms
the boundary between the United States and
the British North American possessions be-
tween the Lake of the Woods and the sum
init Of the Rocky Mountains. The early ac-
ton Of Congress in the recommendation
named would put it in the power OF the War
Department to place II force in the field dur
ing the next summer.
The resumption Of diplomatic relations be-
tween France and Germany has enabled me
to give directions for the withdrawal of the
protection extended to the Germans In France
by the diplomatic and consular representa-
tiycs of the United States in that country. IL
is just to add that the delicate duty of this
protection has been performed by the Minis
ter and the Consul at Paris and the various
Consuls in France under the supervision OF
the latter with great kindness US well AS
with prudence and tact. Their course has
received the commentator of the German
Government, and has wounded no suscept-
bility Of the French.
The Government Of the Emperor OF Ger
many continues to manifest a friendly feeling
toward the United States, and desire to har-
monte with the moderate and just policy
which this Government maintains in its rcla-
lions with Asiatic Powers, rs well as with
the South American Republics. | have given
assurance that the friendly feelings of that
Government are fully shared by the United
States. The Publications of the consular and
naturalization connections with the Austro-
Hungarian Empire have been exchanged.
] have been officially informed Of the annex
alton of the States Of the Church to the King
dom of Italy, and the removal of the Capital
of that Kingdom to Rome. In conformity
with the established policy of the United
States, have recognized this change. The
ratification of the new treaty of commerce
between the United States and Italy has been
exchanged, and the two Powers have agreed
in their treaty that property at sea shall be
exempt from capture in case OF war between
the two Powers.
The United States have spared no oppOr-
tunity Of incorporating this rule into the OBJ
legations OF nations. The Forty-first Con
gress, ut its third session, made an appro-
priation for the organization Of II MIXED
commission Of adjudication upon the claims
of the citizens Of the United States against
Spain, growing out of the Instruction in