The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-05
Presidents Message.

Gentlemen OF me Oenote ana nouse !"
Representatives
In addressing my third annual NEE.
sage to the Law making branch OF the
Government, it is gratifying to be able to
state that during the past year success
has generally attended the effort to exc
cute all the laws found upon the statute
book. The policy has been not to in
ouire into the wisdom OF the laws
Already enacted, but to learn their
spirit and intent and to enforce them
accordingly.
THE PAST YEAR
bas. under wise Providence. been one
Of general prosperity. to the nation. 1t
has. however, been attended with more
than usual chastisements 10 the loss Of
life and property, by storm and fire.
These disasters have served to call forth
the beet element of human nature 10
our country, and develop friendship
for US on the part OF foreign nations
which goes far towards alternating the
distress occasioued BY these calamities.
The benevolent who have 30 generously
shared their means with the victims OF
these misfortunes will reap their reward
10 the consciousness Of having per
formed a noble act, and will receive the
grateful thanks Of the men, women and
Children whose sufferings they have
relieved. r. ar. -- .r..
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event
full one in witnessing two great nations
spe .king one language and having one
lineage settling, by peaceful arbitration,
disputes of long standing, and liable at
any time to bring those nations into
bloody and hostile conflict. An exam
ple has thus been set which, if success
iul in its final issue, may be followed by
othe! civilized nations and be the final
means OF returning to productive In.
dustry millions of men now maintained
to settle the disputes Of nations by the
bsyonet and sword.
fHR TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
I transmit herewith a copy OF the
treaty alluded to, which has been con-
cluded since the adjournment OF Con.
gress with Her British Majesty, and of
the conferences OF the commissioners by
whom it was negotiated. This treaty
provides methods for adjusting all the
questions pending between the two
nations The Alabama questions are
to be adjusted BY arbitration. AMI l
recommend Congress at an early day to
make the necessary provision for the
meeting Of this tribunal at Geneva, and
for the several commissioners on the
part OF the United States called
for By the treaty. His Majesty the
King o. Italy, the President OF
the Swiss Confederation, and His
Majesty the Emperor of Brazil
have each consented on the jontrequest
OF the two powers. to name an arbltrat-
or for the tribunal al Geneva. | have
caused my thanks to be suitably ex,
pressed for the readiness with which
the joint request has been compile d
With by the appointment OF gentlemen
ofeminence and learning to those i'm
portant positions. His Maj esty the EN-
peror ofGermany has also been pleased
10 comply with the joint request OF
the two Governments, and has consented
70 act as the arbitrator OF the disputed
water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The con-
tending parties in the treaty have un-
dertaken to regard. as between them.
selves, certain principles Of public law
for which the United States has con.
tended from the commencement OF its
history. They have also agreed to
bring these principles to the knowledge
OF the other maritime powers and to
invite them to accede % them. Nego-
ustions are going On as to the form in
which the invitation is to be extended
to these powers.
THE FISHERIES.
I recommend the legislation neces-
sary. on the part OF the United States,
TO bring into operation the articles Of
the treaty relating to the fisheries and
70 the other matters touching the rela-
tons Of he United States toward the
British North American Possessions, to
become operative as soon as the proper
legislation shall be had on the part Of
Great Britain and its Possessions. 1t is
much to be desired that this legislation
may become operative before the fisher
men Of the United States begin to make
their arrangements for the coming sea-
son.
THE LAKES AND CANALS.
have addressed q communication,
Of which a copy is transmitted here
with, to the Governors Of New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan.
Illinois, and Wisconsin, urging upon
the Governors Of these States, respect
lively, the necessary action on their part
10 carry into effect the object OF the
article OF the treaty which contemplates
the use OF the canals on either side,
connected with the navigation Of the
lakes and rivers forming the boundary,
on terms of equity by the inhabitants Of
both countries. 1t is hoped that the
importance OF the object, and the benefit
10 flow thereirom, will secure the
speedy approval and legislative sane
ton OF the States concerned.
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION.
renew the recommendation for an
appropriation for determining the
true position Of the forty.ninth parallel
Of latitude where it forms the boundary
between the United States and the
British Provinces, between the Lake
OF the Woods and the summit Of the
Rocky Mountains. The early action Of
Congress on the recommendation named
would put it in thepower Of the War
Department to place force in the field
during the next summer.