Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-05

/ ed, but to learn their spirit and interest and
enforce them accordingly. The past year
/ has, under a wise providence, been one of
general prosperity TO the HAtion; it has,
however, been attended with more than
usual chastisements in the loss of life and
property by storm and fire. These disas-
I ters have served to call forth the best ele-
ments of human nature in our country, and
( to develop friendship for us on the part OF
/ foreign nations, which goes far towards
alleviating the distress occasioned by the
| calamities. The benevolent who have so gem
/ erouslv 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
! sufferings they have relieved.
! Foreign Relations Alabama
Treaty.
! The relations of the United States with
! foreign powers continue to be friendly. The
/ year has been an eventful one in witHbssing
| two great nations, speaking one language
I and having one lineage, settling by arbitra-
I ton disputes of long standing, and liable at
/ any time to bring those nations in bloody
/ aad hostile conflicts. An example has thus
! been set which, if successful in its
/ final issue, may be followed by
other civilized nations and be the final
means of returning to productive industry
/ two millions of men now maintained to
settle the disputes of nations by the bayOnet
! and broadsword.
l transmit herewith copy Of the treaty
alluded to, which has been concluded since
the adjournment of Congress with her Brit
anic Majesty, and copy of the protocol of
the conferences of the Commissioners
| by whom it was negotiated. This treaty
provides methods for adjusting the ques-
! tions pending between the two nations, and
various questions are to be adjusted by ar
( bitration. l recommend Congress at an
I 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 ar
bitrator for the tribunal at Geneva. | have
caused my thanks to be suitably expressed
for the readiness with which the joint re-
quest has been complied with by the ap-
pointment of gentlemen of eminence and
learning to these important positions. His
Majesty, the Emperor of ofGermany, has been
pleased to comply with the joint re-
quest ofthe two Governments, and has con-
sented to act as the arbitrator of the dis
puted water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The con-
tracing parties in the treaty have
undertaken to regard as binding be-
tween themselves certain principles of pub
lie law, for which, the United States has
contended from the commencement of their
history. They have also agreed to bring
these principles to the knowledge
of the other maratime powers and
TO invite them to acoede to them.
Negotiations are going on as to the form Of
the note by which the invitation is to be ex-
tended to the powers. l recommend the
legislation necessary on the part OF the
United States, to bring into operation the
articles of the treaty relating to the fisheries,
and to the other matters touching the rela-
tions of the United States towards the
British North American possessions to be-
come operative as soon as the proper legis-
lation 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 fishermen of the United
States begin to make their arrangements for
the coming season.
State Action.
have addressed a communication, OF
which copy is transmitted herewith, to the
Governors of New Ydfk, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and West
Virginia, upon the governments of those
States, respecting the necessary action on
their part TO carry into effect the object Of
the article of the treaty which contemplates
the use of the canals on either side con-
nected with the navigation of the lakes and
rivers forming the boundary in terms OF
equity by the inhabitants of both countries.
1t is hoped that the Importance of this OBJ
iect and the benefits to, flow therefrom will
secure the speedy approval and legislative
sanction of the States concerned. | renew
the recommendation for an appointment
for determining the true position of the
forty-ninth parallel of latitude where it
forms the boundary between the United
States and the British American posses
sions, between the Lake Of the Woods and
the summit Of the Rocky Mountains. The
early action of Congress in this recon-
mendation named would put it in the
power of the War Department to place a
force in the field during the next summer,
France and Germany.
The resumption of diplomatic relations
between France and Germany have enabled
me to give directions for the withdrawal OF
the protection extended to Germans in
France by the diplomatic and consular
representatives of the United State in that
country.
1t is just to add that the delicate duty
of this speculation has been performed by
the Minister and Consul General at Paris
and the various Consuls in France, under
the superyisions of the latter, with great
kindness as we'll as with prudence and tact.
Their course has received the commenda-
ton of the German government, and has
wounded no susceptibility of the French
The government of the Emperor of Ger,
MANY continues to manifest friendly feel
ing toward the United States, and desire
TO harmonize with moderate and just policy
which this government maintains. In its
relations with Asiatic powers, as well as
with the South American republics
. have given assurance that the friendly
feelings of that government are fully shared
by the United States.
Austria and Italy.
The ratification of the consular and natu-
ralization connections with the Austria.
Hungary empire have been exchanged,
have been officially informed Of the annexa-
ton of the States of the Church to the
kingdom of Italy, and the removal OF the
capital Of that kingdom to Rome. In con-
, formity with the established policy OF the
United States, I have recognized this
change. The ratification Of the new treaty
of commerce between the United States
, and Italy have been exchanged; the two
powers have agreed in their treaty that prop.
= erty at sea shall be exempt from capture in
case of war between the two powers. The
United States have spared no opportunity
, of incorporating this rule into the
, obligations Of nations.
Spanish Claim&s
The Forty-first Congress, at its third
session, made an appropriation for the
organization of a mixed commission
= for adiudicating upon the claims Of
citizens of the United States against
Spain growing out Of the insurrection in
: Cuba. and that commission has since been
I organized. transmit herewith the CORE
spondence relating to its formation and Its
| jurisdiction. 1t is to be hoped that this
commission will afford the claimants com.
plete remedy for their injuries. It has beer