Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-12-08

We publish those portions of the Presi-
dents Message of general interest to our
readers, leaving out only such parts as refer
to the routine of the Departments /:
To the Senate and
House OF Representatives.
In addressing my third annual message
to the law making branch of the government,
it is gratifying to be able to state that du-
ring the past year success has gen
orally attended the effort to execute all laws
found upon the statute books. The 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 accOr-
dinghy.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
The past year has, under a wise Provi-
dence, been one of general Prosperity to the
nation. It has, however, been attended
with more than usual chastisements 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 cOun-
try and to develop a friendship for us on
the part of foreign nations which goes far
towards alternating the distresseS occasioned
by these calamities.
Tie benevolent who have 50 generously
shared their means with the victims Ofthese
misfortuneS will reap their reward in the
consciousness Of having performed noble
act, and i'll receiving the grateful thanks of
men, women and children whose sufferings
they have relieved.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly. The
year has been an eventful one in witnessing
two great nations, speaking one language
and having one lineage, settling by peaceful
arbitration disputes of long standing, and
liable at any time to bring thOSt nations
into bloody and costly conflict
An example has thus been set which, if
! successful in its final ISSUE may be followed
by other civilized nations, and finally be
the means of returning to productive in
! duStry millions of men now maintained TO
settle disputes of nations by the bayonct
and the broadSide. | transfer herewith a
copy of the treaty alluded to, which has
been concluded since the adjournment OF
! Congress with her Britannia majesty, and
! a copy of the protocols of the conferences of
! the commissioners by whom it WIS negO-
/ tiated.
THE WASHINGTON TREATY.
! This treaty provides methods for adjust
ing the questions pending between the two
nations. Various questions are to be adj
justed by arbitration. l recommend Con-
gress at an early day to make the neces-
sary provision fol the tribunal at Geneva
and for the several commissions on the part
I of the United States called for by thetreaty.
His majesty, the King of Italy, the Presi-
dent Of the Swiss Confederation, and His
majesty, the Emperor of Brazil, have each
consented, on the joint request at the two
powers, to name an arbitrator for the tribu-
nal at Geneva. | have caused my thanks
to be suitably expressed for the readiness
with which the joint request has been COM
piled with by the appointment of gentlemen
of eminence and learningtO these important
positions.
His majesty the Emperor Ct Germany has
been pleased to comply with the joint re-
quest CT the two governments, and has con
scented to act as the arbitrator of the dispit
ted water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The contracting
parties in the treaty have undertaken to re-
gard as between themselves certain princi
Piles of public law for which the United
States have contended from the commence
ment OF their history. They have also
agreed to bring these principles to the
knowledge OF the other maritime powers
and to invite them to accede to them.
Negotiations are going on as to the form
of the note by which the invitation is to be
extended to the other powers. l recon-
mend the legislation necessary on the par
of the United States To bring into operation
the articles Of the treaty relating to the
fisheries, and to the other matters touching
the relations of the United States toward:
the British North American possessions, t.
become operative so soon as proper lc9iSla
ton shall be had on the part Of Great Brit
ain and its possessions. 1t is much to be-
desired that this legislation may become OF
eratiye before the fishermen Of the [ niteC
States begin to NAL Ike their arrangement!
for the coming season.
] | have addressed communication
j which copy is transmitted hereWith-tC
the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania
Ohio. Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wis
cOnsin, urging upon the governments o
those States respectively the necessary &C
ton on their part to carry into effect The
object of the article of the treaty which con
. templates the use Of the canals, on eithe
side, connected with the navigation Of thu
lakes and rivers forming the boundary OF
terms of equality by the inhabitants of boil
: countries. 1t is hoped that the importance
of the object and the benefits to flow there
from will secure the speedy approval ant
legislative sanction Of the States concerned
renew the recommendation for an apprO
priation for determining the true position 0
; the 10th parallel Of latitude where it form
the boundary between the United State
and the British North American possession
between the Lake Of the Woods and th'
summit Of the Rocky Mountains. The
f early action of Congress on this recommend
alton would put it in the power of the Wa
Department to place force in the field d1t
ring the next simmer
AMERICAN PKOTECTIOA.
The resumption Of diplomatic relations
, between France and Germany have enabled
me to give directions for the Withdrawal o
. the protection extended to Germans IL
France by the Diplomatic and consular rep
resentatiFGs Of the VHstcd sliites in tina
, Country. Il is just 10 add that the delicate
, duty of this protection has baau performed
by the minister and the consuEgeneral a
, Paris, and the various consulS i'll France
; undar t.LLc supervision of the latter, Will
, great Kindness, as III - WIN prudence
and tact. Their COURSE has TGcsRed Pm
commentator of the German governments
, and has wounded 10 susceptibility Of tin
French. The government of the Empero
of Germany continues tomanitest a friendl,
feeling towards the United States, and a de
sire to harmonic with the moderate ant
I Just pQlicy which this government maintain
!, | in its relations with Asiatic powers, as wei
as with the South American republics.
have given assurance that the friendly feel
= ings Of that government are fully shared b,
the United States. The notifications of th
consular and naturalization convention
with the Austro-IIungarian Empire hav
been exchanged.
UNITED STATES AND III SSIA.
,, The intimate friendly relations whicl
, have 80 long existed beta cen the Unitet
States and Russia continue undlStIrbed