The Van Buren press., 1872-12-10

sociated with the question in all it's pha
sss, and in every stage has manifested
patriotic zeal and sarnsstness in ths
maintenance of the claims Of the United
States He is entitled to much credit fol
the success which has attended the sub
mission. After q patient investigation
) of the case and Of the statement Of each
party, his majesty, ths emperor, on the
2lst day Of October last signed his award
in writing, deeresing that tho claim si
the United States. that the boundary
line between the territories OF her Britain
ic majesty and the United States should
be drawn through tho Haro channel, il
in accordance with the true interpreta-
ton Of the treaty concluded on the 18th
OF June 1916, between the agents Of her
Britonic majesty and the United States
Copies of the case presented on behalf
Of each govvrnmsnt. and OF ths state
meet in reply Of each, and a translation
of the award, is transmitted herewith.
This award confirms the United States in
thsir claim on the important archipelago
lying between the continent and Van
couvers fIsland, which for twenty-six
years, since the ratification OF the treaty
with Great Britain, has been contested,
and leaves us, for tho first time in the
history OF the United States, as a nation
without question Of disputed boundary
A btlw en- our territory and the posses
sions of Great Britain on this part Of the
continent 1t is grateful duty to ac-
knowledge the prompt, spontaneous ac
ton Of her msjesty's government IN civ
ing effect to the award in anticipation OF
any request from this government and
before the reception in The United States
Of the award signed by the emperor her
majesty had given Instructions for the
removal Of her troops which had been
stationed there. and for the cessation OF
all exercise or Claim Of jurisdiction so as
TO leave the United States in exclusive
possession Of the late disputed territory.
am grateful to be able to announce that
the orders for the removal Of the troops
have been executed and the military
joint occupation Of San Juan las eased ;
the islands are now in the exclusive pos.
session of the United States. II is now
accessory to complete the survey and de-
termination of that portion OF the boun-
dary.line through the lIaro channel upon
which the commission which determined
the remaining part Of the line were una
bic to agree. ! recommend the appoint
ment Of commission to act jointly with
one which may be named by her majesty
for that purpose. Experience has shown
the difficulties attending the determine
tion Of our admitted line Of boundary af-
Sc
its settlement by those owing allegiance
to the respective governments, and the
;mnor.ores ~ oesaunsnn's oy nao"'",
! objects or other monuments the actual
line between the territory acquired by
purchase from Russia and the adjoining
possessions Of her Britanic majesty. Tue
region is now so sparsely occupied that
no conflicting interests Of individuals or
jurisdiction are likely to interfere to the
delay or embarrassment Of the actual To-
cation of the line, but il deferred until
the people shall center and occupy the
territory, some trivial contest OF neigh
bors may again array the two govern.
ments in antsgonism. ! therefore rec
ommend the appointment OF commis
sion to act jointly with one that may be
appointed on the part of Great Britain to
determine the line between our territory
OF Alaska and the terminus OF the pos
sessions OF Great Britain.
THE FIsHERIis QUESTION
In my last message recommended
the legislation necessary on the part OF
the United States to bring into operation
the articles ofthe treaty Of Washington,
OF May. 1871, relating to the fisheries,
and to other matters touching the rela-
tions ol the United States toward the
British North American possessions to
become operative Sc soon a. proper leg
islation should be had on the part OF
Great Britain and her possessions. That
, legislation had not then been had, and
|, during the session Of congress question
was raised which, for the time, caused a
J doubt whether sny action taken by con
press in the direction indicated would he
come important That question has
since been disposed OF, and ! have re
ceived notice that the imperial parlla-
mens and the legislature Of the proyin-
eial government have passed laws TO car
, nv tho provisions Of the treaty on the
matter referred To lHto op"iat'oh
{ therefore recommend your early adop'
tion, in the same direction, the legislation
necessary on the part of this govern
} ment.
, The Joint commission for the deter
mining Of the boundary line between the
United States and the British possessio oa'
between Lake Of the Woods and th'
Rocky Mountains, have organized ant
entered upon its work 1t 10 desirable
that the force be increased, in order tha
the completion OF The survey and the de
, termination Of the linc may be the soon
|. or attained to this end ! therefore rec
ommend that n sufficient appropriation
, be made.
. FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally. Russia
the constant and steady friend of th
q United States. Germany. with who's
e government and people we have so ma
ny cases Of friendship and 30 many com
=. mon sympathies, and the other power
. of Europe, our relations arc maintained
on the most friendly terms Since m,
a last message. the exchange has been mad
a Of the ratification OF II treaty with tn
Austrian and Hungarian empires, relat
J. ing to naturalization, also of treat
v with the German empire, respecting con
suls and trade, also treaty with Swede