Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1871-12-23
TINE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Third Annual Message OF President
Grant TO Congress.
Delivered December 4th, 1871.

To the Senate and House OF representatives:
In addi". sing my third annual Mes
sage to the law-making branch of the
Government, it is gratifying to he able
to state that during the past year sue
cess has generally attended the effort
to execute all the laws found upon the
statute books. The policy has been not
to inquire into the wisdom of laws al
ready enacted, tut to learn their special
intent, and TO enforce them accord.
ingly.
The past year has, under q wise
Providence, iccn one of general pros
pcrtv to the nation. 1t has, however,
been attended with more than the
usual chastiscmcnt8 in loss of life and
property 10y storm and fire. These dis
asters have served TO call forth the best
elements of human nature in our coun-
try, and to develop "a friendship for us
on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far toward alleviating the distress
Occasonod by the calamltics. The
benevolent, who have so generously
shared their means with the victims of
these misiortunes, will reap their re
ward in the Consciousness OF having
performed a noble act receiving the
grateful thanks Of the men, women
and children whose suilerings they have
relieved.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event
iul one in Witnessing 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 conflict. An exam,
pie has been set, which, if successful III
its final issue, may be followed by other
civilized nations, and be the final means
of returning to productive industry mil
lions of men maintained to settle the
disputes of nations 10y tho bayonct and
sword. | transmit herewith u copy of
the treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since the adjournment of Con-
gress with Her Brtanic Majesty, and u
copy Of the protocols of the conferences
of the Commissioners by whom it was
negotiated. This treaty provides meth
DDS for adjusting the questions pending
between the two nations. Various ques
tions are to be adjusted by arbitration.
| recommend Congress at&n 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 Presl
dent OF the Swiss Confederation, and
His Majesty the Emperor OF Brazil,
have each consented, on the Joint re-
quest of the two Powers to name an
arbitrator for the tribunal at Geneva.
] 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 i'm.
portant positions. His. Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, has been pleased
to comply with the Joint action; OF the
two Governments, and has consented to
act as the arbitrator Of the disputed
water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. Tie con
tracing parties IN the treaty haye
undertaken to regard rs between them
selves certain principles of public law
for which the United States have con
tended from the commencement Of
their history. They have also agreed 10
bring these principles to the knowledge
OF the other maritime powers, and to
invite Others to accede to them. Ncgo
tiations are going on us to the form of
tho note 10y which the invitation is to
be extended to the Powers. recon-
mend 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