The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-03

l
the history of the United States as ma
I ton without question of disputed bound
airy between our territory and the posses
sions of Great Britain on the continent.
PRoMPTNEss OF HER MAJEsTY's GOV
ERNMENT IN GIVING EFFECT X
THE AWARD.
| II is my grateful duty to scknwledge tn
! prompt, spontaneous action OF her Majes
TVS government in giving effect to thu
award. In anticipation OF any roques
from this Government, and before the re-
ception 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 Tor the cessation of all exercise OF
claim Of jurisdiction, so as to leave the
United States in the exclusive possession
of the lately-dispured territory. | am
gratifled to be able to announce that the
orders for the removal of the troops have
been executed, and that the military joint
occupation of San Juan has ceased. The
islands are now in the exclusive possession
Of the United States.
ANOTHER BOUNDARY COMMISSION
RECOMMENDED.
1t now becomes necessary to complete
the survey and determination of that por-
ton Of the boundary limo Through the
Haro channeD upon which the commission
which determined the remaining part of
the line were unable to agree. recon-
mend the appointment of commission to
act jointly with one which may be named
by her Majesty for that purpose. Experi-
20 l,f{yo,,lt,oo ,<ko kh<l la,
mination Of our admitted line Of boundary
after the occupation of the territory, and
its settlement by these owing allegiance to
the respective Governments, points to
the importance of establishing by natu.
raj objects or other monuments the
actual line between the territory acquired
by purchase from Russia and the adjoining
possessions Of her Britannia Majesty. The
region is now SO sparsely occupied that no
confiictive interests of individuals or Of ju-
risdiction ore likely to interfere to the delay
or embarrassment of the actual location Of
the line. If deferred until population shall
enter and occupy the territory, some trivial
contest Of neighbors may again array the
two Governments in antagonism. there
fore recommend the appointment of COM
mission 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 coterminus possessions of
Great Britain.
In my last annual message l recon-
mended the legislation necessary on the
part Of the United States to bring into ope.
ration the articles of the Treaty of WASH
ington of May 8, 1871, relating to the fish
cries and to other matters touching the re-
lations of the United States toward the
British North American possessions, to
become operative so soon as the proper le-
gislation should be had on the part Of
Great Britain and its possessions. That
legislation on the part of Great Britain and
its possessions had not then been had, and
during the session of Congress question
was raised which for the time raised a
doubt whether any action by Congress in
the direction indicated would become i'm.
portant. This question has since been dis
posed of, and | have received notice that
the Imperial Parliament and the Legisla.
lures of the provincial governments have
passed laws to carry the provisions of the
treaty on the matters referred to into ope-
ration. l therefore recommend your early
adoption of the legislation in the same di.
rection necessary on the part of this Gov
eminent.
The joint commission for determining the
boundary line between the United States
and the British possessions between the
Lake of the Woods and the Rocky Noun.
tains has organized and entered upon its
work. Is is desirable that the force be in
creased, in order that the completion of
the survey and determination of the line
may be the sooner attained. To this end
l recommend that sufficient appropriation
be made.
OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER POWERS.
With France, our earliest ally Russia,
the constant and steady friend of the United
States Germany, with whose government
and people we have so many causes of
friendship and so many common sympa-
thies and the other Powers of Europe,
our relations are maintained on the most
friendly terms.
Since my last annual message the exchange
treaty with the Austro-H Hungarian Empire
relating to naturalization also of treaty
with the German Empire respecting con-
suls and trademarks ; also of q treaty
with Sweden and Norway relating to natu
radiation all Of which treaties have been
duly proclaimed.
INTERNATIONAL. STATISTICAL CON.
aREss AND EXPOSITION.
Congress at its last session having made
an appropriation to defray the expenses Of
commissioners on the part of the United
States TO the International Statistical Con-
gress at st. Petersburgh, the persons APP
pointed in that character proceeded to their
destination and attended the sessions of the
Congress. Their report shall in due season
be laid before you. This Congress meets
at intervals Of about three years, and has
held Its sessions in several of tho countries
of Europe. submit to your considera-
ton the propriety Of extending an invita-
ton to the Congress to hold its next meet
ing in the United States. The centennial
celebration to be held in 1876 would afford
an appropriate occasion for such meeting.
Preparations are making for the interna-
tional exposition to be held during the next
year in Vienna on scale of very great
magnitude. The tendency Of these expo
stlons is in the direction Of advanced civil
lization, and of the elevation of industry
and of labor, and Of the increase of hui
man happiness, as well as Of greater inter-
course and Of goodwill between nations.
As the exposition is to be the first which
will have been held in eastern Europe, it is