The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-12-09

Third Annual Message Of Presiden.
Grant TO Congress.
Delivered December 4 1871.

Congress: lo the Sehi'e au0 ho"se Vi ANePrc'
sentatives:
In addressing nv third annual Message to
the law.msking branch of the Government, 1t 10
gratifying to be able TO state that during the
past year success has generally attended the
effort to execute all the laws found upon the
statute-books. The policy has been NOT to In
quire into the wisdom OF laws already enacted,
but to learn their special intent, and to enforce
them accordingly .
The past wear has. under wise Providence,
been one of general prosperity to TIE Il ,tion.
It has however, been tttendei with noIe than
the usual chastiseipsnts i'll loss IT lie and prop
erty by storm aud fire. Tiesr disasters have
served to call forth the best elem ntS mum n
nature in the country, aud to develop iriend-
ship for US the part OF foreign nations, which
goes far toward alternating the distress
stoned by the calumities. Tue beue violent, who
have so generously shared their ineans with the
victims of these misfortupes, will resp tieir
ward in the Consciousness Of having performed
noble act, receiving the grateful thanks OF tho
men, women and children whose sufferinss they
have relieved.
The relations OF the United Statss with foreign
powers continue to be friendly. The year has
been An eventual one III witnessing two great
nations speaking one language, aud having one
lineage, settling, by peaceful arbitration, DIS
putes OF long standing and liable at any time
to bring those II tons into bloody and hostile
conflict 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 millions of
men maintained to settle the disputes of nations
by the bayonet and broadswsrd. I transmit
herewith copy of the treaty alluded TO- which
has been concluded, since the adjournment of
Congress, with Her Britannia Majesty, and q
copy of the protocols Of the differences of the
Commissioners by whom it WAS negotiated. This
treaty provides methods for adjusting the Ques-
lions pending between the two nations. Various
questions to be adjusted by arbitration. I
recommend Congress at an early day to make
the necessary provision for the tribunal At Ge.
neva, End 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 con-
sented, on the joint request of tho two Powers,
te name an arbitrator Tor the tribunal ct Geneva
l have caused nay thanks to DO suitlbly ex-
pressed for the readiness with which the joint
request has been complied with by the appoint.
ment of gentlemen of emiuencs and learning to
these important positions His Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, has been pleased 70 com.
ply with the joint action of the two Govern
ments, and has consented 10 act the arbitr.-
tor of the disputed water boundary between the
United States and Great Britain. The con.
tracing parties in the treaty have undertaken
TO regard as between themselves certain princi.
pies OF public law for which the United S. ,t.s
nave contendec from the commencement Of then
history. Ihey lave also agreed to bring these
principles TO the knowledge of the other mari.
time powers, unl to INVITE them to accede to
them Negotiations ere going on as to the form
OF the note by which the invitation is to be ex.
tended TO the Powers. I recommend the lexisla.
ton necessary OF the part Of the United States to
bring into operation the articles Of the treaty
relating to the fisheries, and to The other mat.
tiers touching the relations of the United States
toward the British North American possessions,
to become operative rs soon as the proper levis.
lation shall be had on the part of Great Britain
and its possessions. L i, much to be desired
that this legislation may become operuiv. bt.
fore the fishermen Of the United State. begin 10
make their arrangements for the coming season.
Without exceeding the number OF men or of
expenditure; authorized by law, during the past
year, the navy has in addition to its regular ser.
vice, supplied the men and officers for the vessels
OF the Coast Survey, and has completed the sur
vcys authorized by Congress of the Isthmus of
Darien aud TehaInsapec and, under like au-
thorlty, has sent out an expedition, pletely
furnished and equipped, to explore the unknown
ocean OF the North. The suggestions of the re.
port as to the necessity for increasing and i'm.
proving the material of the navy, aud the plan
recommended for reducing the personnel OF the
service to q peace standing, by the gradual abo.
ltlon OF certain grades of officers, the reduction
OF Others, and the employment Of some in the
commercial marine, are well considered and de.
serve the thoughtful attention Of Congress
also recommend that all promotions in the navy
above tho rank OF Captain be by selection in.
stead of priority This course will secure, in
the higher grades, greater efficiency, and hold
out an incentive to young officers to improve
themselves IN their profession. The present
cost OF maintaining the navy, its cost compared
with that of the preceding year, and the e.ti.
mates Tor the ensuing year, are contained in the
accompanying report OF the Secretary of the
Navy.
The enlarged receipts of the Post Office De.
partment rs shown by the accompan wing Re.
port OF tae Postmaster General, exhibit. an in.
crease In that branch OF the public service. II
Is the index OF the growth of education aud of
the prosperity of the paople-two elements
Mghiy conducive to tie vgor and stability of
republics With q vast territory like ours much
OF 1t spatsc!y populated, but all requiring the
services OF the mail, it is not at present to be ex.
pected that tins department can be made self.
sus'i1"i'g' out gradual approach to this end,
ir.,a year to year, is confidently relied upon,
1nr VIZ Gay " not far distant when the Post
Office Department of the Governmen, viii nrovs
h'uch greater blessing to the whole people
than it is now. f''f''
The suggestion OF the Postmaster General for
improvements III the Department pre.ided over
by MN, are earnestly recommended to yonr
tpecnl attention; especially to the Documents
favorable 70 the Consideration os the nl",, en-
uniting the telegraph system Of ,h. rni,.I
state, with the postal system. Il il leh.ysJ
that by such course the cost of ,eleyrunhi,,,