The Portland daily press., 1871-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

hem accordingly. The past year has, under |
wise Providence, been one of general prosperity
70 the nation 1t has, however, been attended
with more than usual chastisements in the loss
Of life and property, but storm and fire, three
disasters, have served to call forth the best eie
ments of human nature in our country and 10
develope a friendship for us on the part OF Tor
eign nations which goes far towards allevlaung
the distresses occasioned by the elements. Inc
benevolent who have so generously shared their
means with the victims of these misfortunes,
will have their reward in the consciousness OF
having performed noble act and in receiving
the grateful thanks of men, women and chill
dren whose sufferings they have renewed
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States with for
eign powers continue to be friendly
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The year has been an eventful one in witness
ing two great nations, speaking one language
and having one lineage, settling by peaceIul ar
bitration, disputes of long standing, liable at
at any time to bring those nations 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 means finally of returning to productive IN
dustry, millions of men now maintained to set
tie the disputes of nations by the bayonet and
the broadsword. 1 transmit herewith copy OF
the treaty alluded to which has been concluded
since the adjournment of Congress with Her
Brittanic Majesty, and copy OF the protocols
of the conferences of the commissioners by
whom it was negotiated.
The treaty provides methods for adjusting the
questions pending between the two nations, the
various questions to be adjusted by arbitration.
Recommend Congress, at an 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,
I the President of the Swiss Confederation and ID is
Majesty, the Emperor of Brazil have consent
ed, on the joint request of the two powers, to
to name an arbitrator for the tribunal at Gene
va. 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 emimence and
learning to these important positions.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, has
been pleased to comply with the joint commits
sion Of the two governments, and has consent
ed to act as the arbiter of the disputed water
boundary between the United States and Great
Britain. The contracting parties in the treaty
have undertaken to regard, as between them
selves, certain principles of public law for
which they have contended from the COM
mencement of the history. They have also
agreed to bring these principles to the know
them to acceed to them Negotiations are 60
ing 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 opera
ton the articles of the treaty relating to the
fishing, and to other matters touching the re-
lations of the United States toward the British
North American possessions, to become opera
tive as soon as the proper legislation should be
had on the part of Great Britain and its posses
sions. 1t is much to be desired that this legis-
lation may become cooperative before the fish
ermen of the U. s. begin to make their arrange
ments for the coming season, l have address
ed a communication, of which copy is trans
mitted here with, to the Governors of New
York, Pennsylvania Ohio, Indiana, Michigan,
Illinois, and Wisconsin urging upon the gov
ernments of those States respectively, the nee
essary action on their part to carry into effect the
object of the article of the treaty which contem-
plates the use of the Canals in either side con-
nected with the navigation of the lakes and
rivers forming the boundary, on terms of
equity by the inhabitants of both countries. 1t
is hoped that the Importance of the object and
the benefits to flow therefrom will secure the
speedy approval and legislative sanction OF the
States concerned
renew the recommendation for an appro-
priation for determining 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 be-
tween the Lake of the Woods aud the summit
of the Rocky Mountains The early action OF
Congress on this recommendation named would
put it in the power of the War Department to
place force in the field during the next Sum-
mer.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY AND FRANCE.
The resumption of diplomatic relations be-
tween France and Germany have enabled me
to give directions for the withdrawal of the
protection 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 protection has
been performed by the minister and the consul
lar government at Paris and the various consuls
in France under the supervision of the latter
with great kindness as well as with prudence
and tact. This course has received the COM
mendation of the German government and has
wounded no susceptibility of the French. The
government of the Emperor of Germany con-
tinues to manifest friendly feeling towards
the United States and a desire to harmonic
with tie moderate and just policy which the
government maintains in it's relations with
Asiatic powers as well as with the South
American republics l have given assurances
that the friendly feelings of that government
are fully shared by the United States.
AUSTRIA.
The notifications of the consular and naturali-
cation conventions with the Austro- Hungarian
Empire have been exchanged.
ITALY.
have been officially informed of the annex
alton of tina States of the Church to the King
dom of Italy and the removal of the capital of
that Kingdom to Rome. In conformity with
the established policy of the United States
have recognized this change. The notifications
of the new treaties of commerce between the
United States and Italy have been exchanged.
The two Powers have agreed in this treaty that
private property at sea shall be exempted from
capture in case of war between the two powers.
of incorporating this rule into the Obligations
of nations
SPANISH CLAIMS COMMISSION.
Tho Eor+v-Eirct CopurasS at itc third sassiOn
made an appropriation for the organization of a
a mixed commission for adjudicating upon the
claims of citizens of United States against
Spain, growing out of the instruction in Gu
ba. That commission has since been organized
1 transmit herewith the correspondence re-
lating to its formation and its Jurisdiction
1t is to be hoped that this commission will
afford the claimants a complete remedy for
their injuries.
1t has been made the agreeable duty of the
United States to preside over conference at
Washington between the plenipotentiaries of
Spain and the allied South American republics
with the reasonable assurance of a permanent
peace.
RUSSIA.
The intimate friendly relation which have so
long existed between the United States and
Russia continue undisturbed. The visit of the
third son of the Emperor is proof that there
is no desire, on the part of the government, to
diminish the cordially of these relations The
hospitable reception which has been given to
the Grand Duke, is proof that, ON our side; we
share the wishes of that government. The in
eXcusable course of the Russian Minister at
Washington renders it necessary to ask his re-
call and to decline to longer receive that func-
tlonary as diplomatic representative 1t was
impossible with the self-respeet or with a just
regard to the dignity OF the country to permit
Mr.. Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse
with this government after his personal abuse
of government officials and during his persist
ent interference, through various MEANS with
the relations between the United States and
other powers. In accordance with my wishes
the government has been relieved of further in
tercourse with Mr.. Catacazy and the manage
ment of the affairs of the Imperial legation has
passed into the hands of a gentleman entirely
unobjectionable.
JAPAN AND CHINA.
Continue to maintain intimate relations
TIie capfnoo Of etret ilre et,e-efopo
of the last session of Congress, selected citizens
of the United States to serve in offices of i'm
portance in several departments of that govern
ment l have reason to think that this relation
is due to an appreciation of the disinterested-
ness of the policy which the United States have
pursued towards Japan. 1t is our desire to con-
tinue to maintain this diSinterested and Just
policy with China as well as Japan. The cor
transmitted herewith shows that
there is no disposition, on the part of this gov
eminent to swerve from its established course.
COREAN AFFAIRS.
Prompted by desire to put an end to the
barbarous treatment of our shipwrecked sea-
men on the Corean coasts, L instructed our Min
lister at Pekin to endeavor to conclude a con-
vention with Corea for securing the safety and
humane treatment of such mariners Admiral
Rodgers was instructed to accompany him with
sufficient force to protect him, in case of need
A small surveying party was sent out
and ON reaching the coast was treach-
attacked, at disadvantage
Ample opportunity was given for an explana-
ton and apology for the insult, but neither
come. A force was landed, and after an ardu-
ons march over rugged and difficult country.