Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To The Senate and House of Representatives. !:
In addressing my third annual mes.
sage to the law'making branch of the
Government, it is gratifying to be
able to state during the past year sue.
cess has generally attended the efforts
to execute all the laws found upon
the statute books The policy has
been not to enquire into the wisdom
Of laws already enacted, but TO learn
their special interest and enforce them
accordingly.
The past year has, under a wise
Providence, been one of general pros
pcrity To the nation. 1t has, how
ever, been attended with more than
the usual chastisements in loss of life
and property by storm and fire. =
These disasters have served TO call
forth the best elements of human ma
ture in our country, and to develop
friendship for us on the part of for
eign nations, which goes far towards
alleviating the distress occasioned by
the calamities. The benevolent who
have so generously shared their
means with the victims of these mis-.
fortunes will reap their reward in the
consciousness of having performed
noble act, and in receiving the CRATE
full thanks of the men, women and
children whose suiferings they have
relieved.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations OF the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an
eventful one in witnessing two great
nations, speaking one language, and
of one lineage, setting, by peaceful
arbitration, disputes of long standing,
and liable at any time to bring these
nations into bloodshed and state of
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 re-
turning to productive industry mill
lions Of men maintained to settle the
disputes of nations by the bayonet
and broad-sword.
TIE WASHINGTON TREATY.
transmit herewith copy of the
treaty alluded to, which has been con.
cluded since the adjournment Of
Congress with Her Britannia Males
ty, and copy of the protocols of the
conferences of the Commissioners by
whom it was negotiated.
This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending be-
tween the two nations. Various
questions are to be adjusted by arbi-
tration. recommend to Congress,
at an early day, to make the neces.
sary provisions for the tribunal at
Geneva, and for the several commits
sioners on the part Of the United
States called for by the treaty. His
Majesty the King of Italy, the Presi.
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 those important positions. His
Majesty, the Emperor of Germany,
has been pleased to comply with the
Joint request of the two governments
and has consented to act as the arbi-
trator:of the disputed Costar boun:
Diary between the United States and
Great Britain.
The controlling partiesin the treaty
have undertaken TO regard as settled
between themselves, certain princi-
pies 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 other
maritime powers and to invite them
to accede to them. Negotiations are
going on as to the form of the note
by which the invitation is to be OK
tended to the powers.
| recommend the legislation neces.
sary on the part of the United States
to bring into operation the articles in
the treaty relating to the fisheries,
and to the other matters touching the
relations of the United States towards
the British American possessions, to
become operative as soon as the pro.
per legislation shall be had on the
part Of Great Britain and its posses
sions. 1t is much to be desired that
this legislation may become cooper.
alive before the fishermen Of the
United States begin to make their
arrangements for the coming season.
have addressed communication
of which a copy is herewith trans
mitted, TO the governors of New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,
urging upon the governors of those
states, respectively, the necessity Of
activity on their part to carry into
effect the object of the article of the
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 and it is hoped that the
Importance of the object, and the
benefits to flow therefrom, will Sc
cure the speedy approval of the leg
islatures of the states concerned.
THE NORTHWESTERN FOUNDRY.
renew the recommendation for an
appropriation for deterwining the
true position of the 4sth parallel of
latitude, where in 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 Noun
tains. The early action of Congress
on the recommendation named, would
put in the power of the War Depart.
ment to place force in the field dur
ing the next summer.
1 ppnrrrTTON or GEpNANs IN pApYs