Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-04
EVENING STAR.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
and Rsuss or Reprs,en,xttr,,:
To fac Senate

past year sScceSs has gonerslly attended the
effort TO execute all laws found upOn the statute
ooks.
The Esley has been not to inquire into the
wisdom Of laws already enacted. but to learn
their spirit and intent, and to enforce them ac-
cOTdHAg;y.
Tlrs past year hiss, under a wi. Providence,
beca one OfgeBeSal prosperity to the nation. 1t
has, however, been attended with more than
VISUAL Chastiss aients VA loss of lie and property
by storm and FIRE. These disasters have served
tO call forth The hess elements of human nature
,, our country, and TO develop friendship for
a. on the Psrt OF foreign nations whica goes far
toward alsoviatiny the distresses occasiOned by
these cai>mities.
The benevolent who have so generously shared
their u<Vsnss With the victims OF these misfortune
will ress, their reward in the Consciousness OF
avin< performed a noble act, and in receiving
the grateful thanks of men, women, and children
Whose Sufferings they have relieved.
The relations of the United States with Forcing
Powers continue To be friendly. The year has
been an eventful one, In witnessing tive great
nat1ns; SPeaking one ianga ss shd naSrng
aIspstes OF long standing, and liable At any
ii me 70 bring those nations into bloody and
c0stlJ conflict. An example has thus been set
which if suceeszful in its final issue, may be
followed by other civilized nations, and finally
be'the means OF returning TO productive indus
try millions of men now maintained 70 settle the
d. pGtes of nations by the bayonet and the
kFoadsIde-
/ transmit herewith a copy of the treaty
adjournment OF Congress, with her Britanic
Majesty, and a copy of the Protocols OF the son
ferenees of the commissioners by whom i was
negotiated. This treaty provides methods for
adjusting the questions pending between the
Two nations.
Varions questions are 10 be adjusted BY arbitra-
ton, l 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, President of
the Swiss Confederation, and His Majesty the
Emperor of Brazil, hare each consented, on the
joint request of the powers, TO name an arbitra-
tor for the tribunal of Geneva. i have caused
NV thanks to he suitably expressed for the rea-
diness with which the joint request has been
complied with by the appointment of gentlemen
of eminence and learning to these important po-
sitiOns.
His Majesty the Emperor of Germany has been
pleased 10 comply with the joint request OF the
two governments, and has consented 10 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 between themselves,
certain principles OF public law, Tor which the
United States have contended from the COM
mepcement Of their history. They have also
agreed TO bring those principles to the kno wledge
Of the other Maritime Powers, and to inv e
them TO accede TO them. Negotiations are going
on a. TO the form OF the note by which the invi
taton is to be extended to the other Powers.
recommend the legislation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into operation
the Articles OF the Treaty relating 10 the Fish
cries, and to the other matters touching the re-
lations OF the United States towards the British
North American possessions, TO become operat-
i've soon n the proper legislation shall be had
Oh the part Of Great Britain and its possessions.
IL is much to be desired that this legislation
may become operative before the fishermen OF
the United States begin TO make their arrange
ments for the coming season.
i have addressed a communication, OF which
"a copy Is transmitted herewith, TO the Governors
OF New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, urging upon
the governments OF those States respectively the
necessary action on their part carry into effect
the object of the article OF the treaty which
eentemplates the use Of the canals.
on either side, connected with the navigation of
the Lakes and rivers forming the boundary, on
terms of equality by the inhabitants OF both
countries 1t is hoped that the Importance Of
the object and the benefits TO hOw therefroIu
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
1ortyninth parallel Of latitude where IL for ms the
boundary between the United states and the
British North American possessions between
the Lake OF the Woods and the summit Of the
Rocky mountains. The early action Of Con-
gress on this recommendation would put II in
rhe power of the War Department to place Q
force in the field during the next summer.
The resumption OF diplomatic relations be-
tween France and Germany have enabled me
protection extended to Germans in France by
the diplomatic and consular representatives OF
the United States in that country.
protection has been Performed by the Minister
and Consul General at Paris and the various
CoDsuls in France, under the supervision OF the
latter, with great blindness, as well as with pru-
dence and tact. Their course has received the
CCmme pdatiOn of the German Government and
has wounded no susceptibility OF the French.
The government OF the Emperor Of Germany
continues 10 manifest a friendly feeling to wards
the nited States, and desire to harmonic
with the moderate and iast policy for which
this Government maintains in its relations with
AsaiatIc Powers, well with the South
American republics l have given assurances
that II friendly feelings Of this Government
are fully shared by the United States.
The Publications of the consular and ns.ursli-
zatlOn conventions with the Austr0- Hungarian
Empire have been exchanged.
have been officially informed of the annexa-
ton Of the States OF the Church 20 the King
dom OF Italy, and the removal Of the capital OF
n AZ kII gd0m TO Rome In confor m.ty with the
established policy OF the United States, have
recognized this change.
The IatincstiOns Of the new Treaty Of Com
merce between the United States and Italy
have been exchanged The two powers have
agreed IN this Treaty that private property at
sea SHAH be exempt from capture in case OF
war between the two powers. The United 81 ates
have spared ne opportunity OF incorporating
this rule info the obligation OF nations.
The forty INST Congress, at It's thlrd session,
mixed commission tor adjudlcating upon the
claims OF citizens OF the United States agsintt
Spain. growing out OF the instruction in Cuba
That Commission has since been organized. I
transmit herewith the correspondence relating
20 its formation and its jurisdiction. IL is 10 be
hoped that this Commission will afford the
claimants a complete remedy for their in uries
IL has been made the agreeable duty OF the
United States, 20 preside over a conference at
Washington. between the plenipOtentiaries OF
Spain, and the allied South American Repub-
lies, which has resulted in an armistice with the
reasonable assurance of permanent peace.
The intimate friendly relations which have 50
long existed between the United States and
Russia continue undistuTbed- The visit Of the
third son OF the Emperor is proof that
there Il no desire on the part OF his govern
nsnt 10 diminish the corSiiality OF those relations
The hoSpitabie reception which has been given
70 the Grand Duke Is proof that on our side
share the wishes OF that government. The
inexe disable cour-e OF the Russian Minister At
Washington rendered II necessary TO ask his
recall, and 20 decline longer 20 receive
chak fanetionary a. q diplomatic representative.
IL was impossible. 9th selfreepect, or with Q
just regard to the dignity OF the country. 70
permit n. CatacaEy to COSTUME TO hold inter
course with this governm emit after his personal
abuse OF government oohcials and during his
persistent interference through various
means, with the. relations
between TIE United states and other powers.
In accordance with my wishes this Government
has been relieved Of further intercourse with
A..