The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1871-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


efflrt to execute the law found upon the
statute books. TIE policy has been not 10
enquire into the wisdom Of the laws already
enacted, but 10 learn their spirit and intent
and enforce them accordingly.
YEA. OF PROSPERITY.
The past wear has, under wise Provi-
dence. been one of prosperity TO the nation.
Ii has, however, been attended with more
than usual chas,isements in the io-s OF life
aud property, by storm and fire. Ihesa dis
asters have served TO call forth the best ele-
ments OF human nature in our country, aud
to develop a friendship for US, on
the part of foreign nations, which
goes far towards allevia'ing the
distress cccssioned by the calamitIes. The
benevolent who have so generously shared
their means with the victims ofthese mistor-
tunes will reap their reward in The conscious
ness of having performed a noble act, and in
receiving the grateful thanks Of men, women
and children whose suferiDgs they have re-
lieved.
The wear has been an eventiul one in wit
Messing two great nations, speaking one Ian
guage, and having one Image, settling, by
arbitration, disputes Of long standing, and
liable, at any time, to bring those nations
into bloody and hostile conflicts. An example
has thus been set which, if successful in liz
issue, may be followed by other civilized
nations, and be the final means of returning
to productive industry millions of men now
maintained to settle the disputes of nations
by the bayonet and broad-ssord. trans
nit, herewith, a copy Of the treaty alluded
to, which has been concluded since the adj
journment of Congress with Her Britannia
Majesty, and a copy of the protocol OF the
conferences Of the Commissioners by whom
it was negotiated.
-hE TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
This treaty provides methods for adjusting
the questions pending tetween the two ma
tions. Various questions are TO b. adjus' by
arbitration. i recommend Congress, at an
early day, 10 make the necessary provision
for the Tribunal at Geneva, and for the sew
eral commissions on the part OF the United
States, lied for by the treaty. His Majesty,
the King of Italy, the President of the Swiss
Confederation, and His Majesty, the En-
peror of Brazil, have each consented on the
oint, or the joint request Of the two Power
to name an arbitrator for the Tribunal at Ge-
neva. / have caused my thanks 40 be suit
ably 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 Msjesty, the Emperor Of Germany, has
been pleased 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 be-
tween Themselves, certain principles of pub
lie Law for which the United States has con-
tended rom the commencement of their his
tory. They have also agreed to bring
these principles to the knowledge OF
the other maritime powers, and to invite
them to accede to them. Negotiations are
now going on as to the form Of the note by
which the invitation is TO be extended TO the
powers. recommend The legislation neces-
sary to bring into operation articles OF the
treaty relating to the fisheries, and to the
other matters touching the relations of the
United States toxard the British North
American Possessions, to become operative
as soon as the proper Legislation shall be held
on the part of Great Britain and her Posses
sions. Ii is much to be desired that this leg
islation may become operative before the
fishermen of the United States begin to
make their arrangements for the coming
season.
I have addressed q communication, OF
which copy is transmitted herewith, to the
Governors of New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana. Michigan, Illinois and Wis
con.in, urging up B..the governments ofthese
States respectively, the necessary action on
their part TO carry into effect the object of the
article ofthe treaty which contemplates the
use of the canals on either side, connected
with the navigation of the lakes and rivers
forming the boundary, in terms Of equity,
by the inhabitants of both countries. Ii is
hoped that the importance of the object and
the benefit to flow therefrom, will secure the
speedy approval and legislative sanction OF
the States conc erned.
lrenew the recommendation for an aprro-
pria,ion for determining the true position OF
the 40 parallel Of latitude, where il firms
the boundary between the United States and
the British North American Possessions
between the Lake of the Wood.
and the summit of the Rocky Mountains
The early action of congress in this recon-
mendation named, would put in the power
OF the War Department 10 place force in
the field during the next summer. The re-
snmp ion of diplomatic relations between
France and Germany have enabled me to
give directions for the withdrawal Of the pro
lection extended to Germans in France by
| the diplomatic and consular representatives
of the United States in that country. 1t is
just to add, that the delicate duty OF this pro-
lection has been performed by the Minister
and the Coaeul General, at Paris, and the
various 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 commentator Of the
German government, and has wound
ell no susceptibility Of the French.
The government Of the Empire of Ger
many continues to manifest friendly
feeling toward the United States, ard
desire &c harmonic with the moderate
and Just policy which this Government main
tains in its relations with Asiatic powers as
well as with the South American Repulic-.
| have given assurance that the friendly
feelings Of that government are fully shared
by the United States The ratification of
THE CONSULAR AND NATURAl.IZATIoN CON
INJECTIONS.
with the Austrian Hungary Empire have
been exchanged. have been officially in
formed OF the annexation o! the States of the
Church to the Kingdom of Italy and the re-
moval of the CaPstal of that Kingdom TO
Rome. In uniformity with the established
policy of the United States have recognized
this change. The ratification of the new
Treaty OF Commerce between the Unred
States and Italy have been exchanged The
two powers have agreed in their treaty that
property at sea shall be exempt from capture
IN case of war between the two powess; the
United States have spared no opportunity OF
Incorporating this rule into the obligations
Of nations The Forty-frst Congress in its
third sc sion, made an appropriation Tor
the organization Of a mixed Commits
sion for adjudicaling upon claims
of the citizens OF the United States -gainst
Spain growing out of the insurreciion in
Cuba. Thai Commission has sine been
organized. l transmit, herewith, the cor
respondence in relation to its formation and
its jurisdiction. 1t is to be hoped that this
Commission will afford the claimants COM
plete remedy for their injuries.
CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON.
II has been made the agreeable duy of the
United States to preside over a Conference
At Washington between the Plenipoient iary
of Spain and the allied South American |
Republics, which has resulted in an armistice
with the reasonable assurance of a perma-
nent peace.
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