Litchfield enquirer., 1871-12-14
THe pREssDEMT.s saEssAcE.

|
 To THE SENATE AND HoUsE OF REPRE- sEsTATIvRs: In addressing my third an nnal message to the law making branch 0i :! the government, it is gratifying to De able to state that during the past year, knecees has genera1Iv attended tho efforts to execute all laws found upon the statute books. The policy has been not to inquire into the wisdom of the laws already en- acted, but to learn their spirit and intent and to enforce them accordingly. The l past year has, under wise providence, been one of general prosperity to the na- tion. It has, however, been attended with more than usual chastisements in the 1 loss of life and property by storm or fire. 1 These disasters have served to call forth the best clements of human nature ill our country, and to deyelope friendship for 1 us on the part of foreign nations, which goes far towards alleviating the distress 1 Occasioned by the calamities. The be- nevolent who have so generously shared their means with the victims of these mis- fortunes, will receive their reward in the consciousness of having performed a no- ble act, and in receiving the grateful thanks of the men, women, and children, whose suferings they have relieved. r 9 FOREIGN RELATIONS HtA 'v' The relations of the United States with foreign powers continue to be friendly. The year has been an eventful one, in wit messing two great nations, speaking 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 con fiict. An example has thus been set which, if successful in it's finM issue, may be followed by other civilized nations, and be finally the means of returning to pro ductive industry millions of men now maintained to settle the disputes of na- tions by the bayonet and broadswUfd. a
 THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON ta
 I transmit herewith, Q copy of the treaty alluded ito, which has been concluded since the adjournment of Congress, with her Britannia Majesty and copy of the protocols of the conferences of the com missions by whom it was negociated. This treaty provides methods for adjust ing the questions pending between the two nations. Various questions are to be adjusted by arbitration. aa@ sa
 recommend to Congress at an early day to make the necessary provisions for
 
 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 Maies- ty the Emperor of Brazil, has each con sented, on the joint request of the two powers, to name an arbitrator for the tri- bunal at Geneva. I have caused my thanks to be suitably expressed for the readiness with which the joint request has been complied with by the appointment of gentlemen of eminence and learning to these important positions. His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, has been pleas ed to comply with the joint request of the two governments, and has consented to act as the arbitrator of the disputed 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 commencement of their history. They have also agreed to bring these principles to the knowledge of the other maritime powers, and to in- vite them to accede to them. Negotiations are going on as to the form of the note by which the invitation is to be extended to the other powers
 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 relations of the United States toward the British North American possessions, to become operGtive so soon as the proper Legislation shall be had on the part of Great Britain and it's possessions, It is much to be desired that this legislation may become cooper ative before the fishermen of the United States begin to make their arrangements for the coming season.
 have addressed communication of which copy is transmitted herewith, to the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, urging upon the governments of those States respectively the necessary action on their partto car1yinto effect the object of the article of the treaty which contemplates the use of 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. It is hoped that the inn portance of the object and the benefits to flow therefrom will secure the speedy ap- proval and legislative sanction of the States concerned. renew the recom- mendation for an appropriation for deter mining the true position of the forty ninth parallel of latitude where it forms the boundary between the United States and the British North American possessions, between the Lake of the Woods and the summit of the Rocky Mountains. The early action of Congress on this fecom- mendation named would put it. in the power of the War Department to place a force in the field during the next summer.
 PRoTEcToRATE OF GERMANS IN FRANCE.
 The resumption of diplomatic relations between France and Germany have en- abled me to give directions for the with drawal of the protection extended to Ger mans in France, by the diplomatic and consular representatives of the United States in that country It is just to add that the delicate duty of this protection has been performed by the Minister and the consul general at Paris, and the va rious Consuls in France under the super vision of the latter, with great kindness as we'll as with prudence and tact. Their course has received the connmendation of the German Government and has wound ed no susceptibility of the French. The Government of the Emperor of Germany continues to manifest friendly feeling towards the United States, and . desire to harmonize with the moderate and just policy which this Govefnment maintains in its relations with Asiatic powers. as well as with the South American Repub- lies. I have given assurance that the friendly feelings of that Government. are fully shared by the United States. The notifications of the Consular and nation- Hungarian Empire have been exchanged.