Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-12-09
Gh9 Presidents Message.

the lsw-making branch Of tie Government, it I
l. gratifying to be able Ca state that during the I
last wear success has generally attended the .
,u,tt to execute all laws found eYon the statute /
books. The policy has been n,t TO iuquiro IN
to the wisdom Of the lsvsalready eu9 I'd, but
10 learn their spiYi, sud latent, ao2 10 enforce
them accordingly.
The past yen has, under wise Providence,
bccn one Of general prosperity to the Nation.
20 has however, been attended with more than
usual chastiSements ia the loss Of life and pro-
vcrty ~ storm aud fre These disasters have
served to call forth the bestelements Of human
raturein our country, and to develop friend
ship for as on tue part Of foreign nations which
goes mr. towards alternating the distreSSeS occa-
stoned by these calamities. The benevolent
who haveso generously shared their means with
rhc victims Of these misfJr,unes viii reap their
reward in the consciousness Of having perform
e.! a noble act, and 10 receiving the grateful
thanks Of men, women and children, whose
sulTerings they have relieved.
The relations Of the United States with for
eign Powers continue to be friendly. The
wear has been an eyentful one, in witnessing
two great nations, speaking one language and
having one lineage, settling, BY peaceful arbi-
any time TO bring those nations into bloody
and costly conflict An example has thus been
set. which, If successful in It's final issue, may
be followed BY other civilized nations, and h
nally be the means Of returning 20 productive
industry millions Of men now maintained 70
settle the disputes Of nations by the bayonet
aud the broadside.
transmit herewith a copy % the treaty al
luded TO, which has been concluded since the
adjournment Of Congress, with Her Britannia
Majesty, and copy Of the protocols at the con-
ferenccs Of the Commissioners by whom 10 was
negotiated This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending between the
two nations Various questions are TO be ad-
usted BY arbitration. ] recommend Congress
az an early day to make the necessary provl-
sion for the tribunal at Geneva and Tor the Sc
vcral 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 re-
guest Of the two Powers, to name an arbltIa-
tor for the tribunal at Geneva. have caused
NY thanks to be suitably expressed for the rea-
diness with which the joint request has been
complied with by the appointment OF gentle
men Of emiuence and learning to these imp0r-
tant positions His Majesty the Emperor Of
Germany, has been pleased 70 comply with the
Joint request Of the two Governments, and has
consented TO act as the arbitrator of the diSpu-
ted water boundary between The United States
and Great Britain.
The contracting parties in The treaty have
undertaken to regard as between themselves
certain principles Of public law, for which the
United States have contended from the COM
mencemeut Of their history. They have also
agreed to bring these principles to the kDowl-
edge of the other maritime Powers, and % III
yite them to accede 70 them
Negotiations are going on as to the form Of
the note by which tie invitation IS TO be ex-
tended to the other Powers.
recommend the legislation necessary on the
part Of the United States to bring into opera
ton the articles Of the treaty relating to the
fisheries. and 10 the other matters touching the
relations Of the United States towards the Bril-
fish North American Possessions, 20 become
operative as soon as the proper legislation shall
he had on the part Of Great Britain aud It's /.
possessions. Il is much % be desired that this /
legislation may become operative before the I.
fishermen Of the United States make their ar .
Iangements for the coming season.
/ have addressed a communication, Of which
a copy is transmitted herewith, TO the Cover
uors Of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, ludl-
aua Michigan. Illinois aud Wisconsin, urging
upon the Governments of those States respect
lively, the necessary action on their part to car
~ into effect the object Of the article Of The
treaty which contemplates the use OF the canals
on either sid, connected with the navigation
If the lakes and rivers forming the boundary,
on terms Of equality, by the inhabitants OF both
countries. II is hoped that the importance Of
the object and the benefits to t0w thcrelrom
viii secure speedy approval and legislative
sanction Of the States concerned
renew the Recommendation for on appro-
p1iation for determining the true position Of
the 49th parallel Of latitude where it fort
the boundary between the United States an
British North American possessions, between
the Lake Of the Woods and the summit Of the
Rocky Mountains The early action Of Con-
grcSs in this recommendation would put It in I
the power Of the War Department to place
force in the field during the uext summer.
The resumption Of diplomatic relations be- I
tween France and Germany have enabled NE I
20 give directions for the withdrawal Of the /
protection extended % Germans IN France by (
Of the United States IN that country. Ii is /
lust TO add. that the delicate duty Of this pro- 4
lection has been performed 10y the Ministry .
and the Consul General AZ Paris, and the var
ioUs Consuls IN France, under the supervision
II the latter, with great Kindness, as well as
with prudence and taste Their course has re-
oeived the COMMUNICATION Of the German Gov +
eminent, and Las Wounded no susceptibility .
Il the French Tie Government Of the I'm
pirc Of Germany continues 20 manifest a friend
ly feeling towards the United States, aud a de-
sire to harmonic with the moderate and Just
policy which this Government maintains In lis
relations with Asiatic Powers, as well as with
the South American Republics.
l have given assurance that tie friendly feel
iugs Of that Government ere fully shared by
the United States
The ratification Of the Consular aud Natural
ization Conventions with the Austro-IIunga-
Iian Empire has been exchanged. Lave been
officially informed Of the annexation Of the
State Of the Church 20 the Kingdom Of Italy,
and the removal Of tic Capital of that King
dom 20 Rome lu Conformity with the estab-
Ished policy Of tie United States, have re-
c0guizcd this change The mtihcations of
the new treaty of commerce between the
United States and Italy lave been exchanged
The two Houses have agreed in this treaty thar
private property at sea shall be exempt from
capture 10 case Of war between the two pow