The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-05
TUESDAY EVENING. DEC. 5, 1871
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

to the law-maklng Drancn OF tue govern
ment it is gratifying to be able to state that
during the past year success has generally
attended the effort to execute all laws found
upon the statute books.
The policy has been not to inquire into
the wisdom of laws already enacted, but to
learn their spirit and intent, and to enforce
them accordingly.
The past year has, under a wise Provl-
dence, been one Of general prosperity to
the nation. 1t 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 COIN
try, and to develop a friendship for us on
the part of foreign nation which goes far
toward alternating the dlstresses occasioned
by these calamites.
The benevolent who have so generously
shared their means with the victims of these
inisfortunes will reap their reward in the
consciousness of having performed noble
act, and in receiving the grateful thanks of
men. women and children whose sutferings
they have relieved.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly. The
year has been an eventful one, in Witness
ing two great nations, speaking one Ian
guage, and having one lineage, setting by
peaceful arbitrations, disputes of long
standing, and liable at any time to bring
those nations into bloody and costly con-
hict. 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 pro-
ductive industry millions of men now
maintained to settle the disputes of nations
by the bayonet and the broadside.
transmit herewith a copy OF the treaty
alluded to which has been concluded, since
the adjournment of Congress, with her
Britanic Majesty, and copy of the
protocols of the conferences OF the com
missioners by whom it was negotiated.
This treaty provides methods for adjusting
the questions pending between the two
nations.
Various questions are to be adjusted by
arbitration, | recommend 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, Presi-
dent of the Swiss Confederation, and His
Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, have each
consented, on the joint request of the pow.
ers, to name an arbitrator for the tribuna
of Geneva. | have caused my thanks tt
be suitably expressed for the readiness
with which the joint request has been com
piled with by the appointment OF gentlemen
Of eninence and learning to these impor
tant positions.
His Majesty the Emperor Of Germany
has been pleased to comply with the join
request of the two governments, and ha'
consented to act as arbitrator OF the dis
puted water boundary between the Unitet
States and Great Britain.
The contracting parties in the Treaty
have undertaken to regard as between
themselves, certain principles of publ
law, for which the United States have con
tended from the commencement OF thel
history. They have also agreed to brinI
those principles to the knowledge of tn
other Maritime Powers, and to invite then
to accede to them. Negotiations are goinl
on as to the form of the note by which tn
invitation is to be extended to the othe
Powers.
recommend the legislation necessary Of
the part of the United States to bring int
operation the Articles of the Treaty relat
ing to the Fisheries, and to the other mat
tiers touching the relations OF the Unite'
States towards the British North Amer
can possessions, to become operative s.
soon as the proper legislation shall be ha'
on the part of Great Britain and its posses
sions.
1t is much to be desired that this legisla
ton may become operative before the fish
ermen Of the United States begin to maxi
their arrangements Tor the coming season
| have addressed communication, Q
,,h ic tad ouyIth
the Governors of New York, Pennsylya
mia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, ant
Wisconsin, urging upon the government
of those States respectively the necessar,
action on their part to carry into effect tn
object of the article Of the treaty whcl
cOntemplates the use of canals on eithe
side, connected with the navigation of tn,
Lakes and rivers forming the boundary, Oh
terms OF equality by the inhabitants of bot
countries 1t is hoped that the importanc
of the object and the benefits to flow there
from WIN secure the speedy approval an
legislative sanction of the States concerned
| renew the recommendation for an ap
preparation ior determining the true posi-
ton Of the forty-ninth parallel of latitud
where it forms the boundary between til
United States and the British North Amer
lean possessions between the Lake of th
Woods and the summit of the Rock,
Mountains. The early action of Congress
on this recommendation would put it in tn
power of the War Department to place
force in the field during the next summe,
The resumption of diplomatic relation
between France and Germany have emf
bled me to give directions for the witt
drawal of the projections extended to Gel
mans in France by diplomatic and consula
representatives Of the United States in ths
country.
1t is Just to add that the delicate duty c
this protection has been performed by tn
Minister and Consul General at Paris an
the various Consuls in France, under til
supervision of the latter, with great kline
ness, as well as with prudence and tao
Their course has Red the conlmends
ton of the German government and hs
wounded no susceptibility of the French.
The government of the Emperor OF Gel
many continues to manifest friendly fee
ing towards the United States, and q desil