The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-12-13
The Presidents Message.
40 ths Senate
and House of Representatives.:

gratifying to gtate that during the past year
moccss las generally attended the effort to exc
cute all the laws found upon the statute books.
The policy has been not to inquire into the
wisdom of the laws already enacted, hut tolearn
their spirit and intent, an enforce them accord
ingly. The past year hiss under q wise ProVi-
dence. been one of gen neral prosperity to the ma
ton. It has, however, been attended with moro
than usual Establishments in the los OF life ana
property by storm and nre. These disasters nave
served to call forth the best elements OF human
Dature inour country, snd TO develop a friend
ship for ms on the part offoreign nations, which
20 far toward alternating the distress occasion
90 eensrousIy shared their means with the vic
tins OF these misfortunes, will rcsp their re-
ward in the Consciousness OF having performed
noble act, and in receiving the grateful thanks
Of men, women and children whose sunerings
they have relieved.
The relations of the United States with for
eign powers continue to be friendly. The year
has been an eventual ono, in witnessing two
great nations speaking one languag-, and hav-
Ing one lineage, settling by peaceful arbitration
disputes OF long standing, and liable at any
time to brinS those nations into bloody and hos
tile conflicts. An example has thus been set
which, If successful in its nnaI Issue, may be
followed by 9th or civilized nations. and be the
final means Of returning to productive industry
millions Of men nov maintained to settle the
dispu-es of nations by the bSyonet and broas-
sword. / transmit herewith = copy of the trea-
" alluded to, which has been concluded since
the adjournment of Congress with her Britain
ulC NaJSBty, anQ copy VI u pfONOCOi ~ VI
the conferences of the commissioners by whom
1t vas Negotiated. This treaty provides meth
DDS for adjusting the questions pending be-
tween the two nations. Ths Alabama questions
are to be adjusted by arbitration 1 recommend
Congress 1t 40 early day 20 make the necessary
provision for this tribunal at Geneva, and for
the several commissions on the part of the Uni
ted States called for by the treaty. His Msjesty
Confederation, and bis Majesty the Emperor OF
Brazil have each consented, on the joint request
Of the two Powers, to name an arbitrator for the
tribunal At Geneva. L have caused my thanks
to be suitably expressed for the readiness " tn
which the jointrequest has been complied with
by the appointment of gentlemen of emin ence
and learning to these important positions. His
Majesty the Emperor of Germany has also beer
pie ssed to comply with the joint request IF 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 IN
dertaken to REGARD az between themselves Ger
tain princiPleso Of public law for which the Uni
ted States has eoltended from the commence
ment of its history. They have also sgreed to
bring these principles 70 th- knowledge of the
toher maritime power, and to invite t5om to
accedeto them. Negotiations are going on as
to the form of the note by which the invitation
10 to be extendedto the powers.
Ireeommend the Liquidation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into opera
ti"n the articles Of the treaty relating to the
fisheries, and to the other matters touch ing the
relations of the United SAFES toward the Brit
fish North american possessions, to become ope-
rative as soon ssthe proper Legislation shall be
had on the part of Great Britain and its pcs
sessions. 1t is much to be desired that this leg
~fslation may become operative before TIE fish
ermen of the United States begin to make ID cir
arrangeme nts for the coming season.
/ have addressed communication on, of which
q copy is ira usmitted herewith, to the Govern
ors of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, Indi-
ana Michigan q, Illinois and Wisconsin, urging
upon the governments of tloss States respect
lively the necessary action on their part to carry
into effect the object of the article of tn treaty
which ~contemplates the use OF tie canals on
either side, connected witt the navigation o;
the lakes and rivers forming the bound
arJ on terms Of equity, by the inhab-
itauts of both Countries. 1t il hoped that the
Importance of the object sDd tie bs1e6ts to
dow tn erefrom will secure the sp-edy appro-
val sni Legislative sanction Of TIE Ststes con
cerned-
1reneE the recommendation for an arp-opri-
alton for Determining the true position Of The
forty-ninth parallel of iatituie, where it forms
the boundary between the Unitsd Ststesand the
British North American Possessions, between
the Lake o. the Woods and the summit of the
Rocky Mountains. The early action Of Con-
gress on this recommends ton named would put
1t in the power of the War Department TO place
8 torceiu he field during the next summer.
The resumption of Diplomatic rela tious be-
tween France and Germany mas enabled ms,te
give directions for the Withdrawal of the pro-
lection extended to Germans in France by the
OlptOndLsc ana GOnSulaT representative al lie /
United 5 'ates in that country. L. is INST TO add
that the delicate duty OF this protection has
been performed by the Minister and the Corsu-
lar-Gsnersl at Paris and the various ConsuIs in
France, under the supervision OF the former,
with great kindness, as well as With prudence
AMI tact. THEN course has received the COM
mendation of the German Government and has
wounded no susceptibility of the French The
GovernuentOf the Emperor of Germany con-
tinues to manifest a friendly fee ling to~ardthe
United States and q desire to barnpniZe with
the mod crate Ind just policy which this Govern
ment maintaiHs in its relations wit tire Asiatic
as well as with the South Am srican Re
Pubiics- 1 have given assurance that the
friendly feeling of that Government are fully
shared by the United States The ratification
Of the Consular and Naturalization conventions
with the Austro H ungarian Empire have been
exchanged. l have BEEN officially Informed OF
the annexa att on of the States OF the Church to
the Kingdom of Italy, and the removal Of the
Of the kingdom to the city of Rome. In
conformity with the established policy OF tire
United States, l have recognized this change.
The ratification of the new treaty of c ON
merce between the United States and ItaIv has
been exchanged. The two powsrs have agreed
in their treaty that property at sea shall be
Kemp from capture IN case of war between the
powers. Tas United States Ave spared
no opportunity of Incorporating this rule into /
the obligations of nations-
The Forty-frst Congress at its third session.,
made sn appropriation for the organization ofa
Mixed Commission for adjudicating upon the
slaims of citizens of the UniteI States against
spain, growing out of the insurrection in Cuba.
The Commission has since been organized. l
herewith the correspondence relating
TO its formation and Jurisdiction. II is to be
that this Commission will afford the
,laimants a complete remedy Tor their inju-
.ies.
1t has been mi lie the agreeable duty of the |
United States to preside over a conference at
ashington between the Plsnipo:eutiaries o
pain and the allied South American Rc1ub-l
ice. which has resulted in m "a. miSfIeH w.fh ]
The reasonable assurance Of a permanent ,
peace. !
Tbeintimate friendly relations which have
long existed between the United States and
cen time undiEtQrbed. The visit Of tie {
bird Son OF the Emperor, is a proof that there /
u NO desire On the part Of his Cove nm.nr to :
diminish the cordiaiity of tEoss relations. The /
reception which has been Z ven To {
he Grand Duke lie a proof fha, on our SIDE w {
hare the WISH s Of tina, Government TIE % .
saeushble course a. ne RUssItu SIC. So - /
Washington rsn ,er.a ~ nee ssFv T 3. e
all, and L" dec. - To s"u.eT I.r,-Ve 'l,' -ar- h
ioDary ~ a dIph'mft. ? pr-raata,-y /: Sas p.
lnpnssI,ir W'ta se!f !tsPce. . -s-, s. Isl re =
to tEs Gigntty af f.c eBu Try t. t.rnit 4
hr. c3Iarszy [ continue t. .uIi Ut rc.urs. e
bis Government sitter hiss abuse of tIov- I
officials, and during sis persist nj in :
difference, t. rough various means, Will tue re- n
atoms between the United states and other V
,oVers. In accordance with my wishes J.
his Government has been relieved of further t
Intercourse with Mr. CatacEzy. and the man I
cement of the affairs of the imperial legation :.
las passed into the hsno- offs gentleman c. !
rely unobjest;onable. s
With Japan we continue to maint4in init j
tie re!Htiens. The Cabinet 81 tie MikliohIs, h
ince the close of the last session Of Congress. y
elected citizens OF the United suites to seIvsin 1
in the several depa, tInents q a
hat Government HAYS reIsUn to think thar =
his selection is due to an appreciation of the i
isinter esNsduess Of the policy. wh.ch tue Uni
I'd States has pursued toward Japan 1t is oar l.
esire to continue TO main cain this disinteresied a.
nd inst nn,icA nth CHM ns ralI NJ Ianan-I I