The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-12
STATEMENT IN REPLY

osaiiCccu herewith. This award
confirms the United States in their claim
.. !, the important Archipelago Of Islands
lying between the continent and Vancouy-
er,s Island, which for more than twenty
SIX years (ever since the ratification of the
treaty. Great Britain has contested, and
leaves US, for the first time in the history
OF the United States as nation, without a
question of disputed boundary between
our territory and the possessions of Great
Britain on this continent.
;, II is my grateful duty to acknowledge
the prompt, spontaneous action of Her
MaJesty's government in giving effect to
the award. In anticipation of any re-
quest 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
Tor the cessation Of all exercise or claim of
jurisdiction, SO as to leave the United
States in the exclusive possession of the
lately disputed territory.
REMOVAL OF TROOPS FROM SAN JUAN.
| am grati6ed 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 exclusive
possession of the United States. 1t now
becomes necessary to complete the survey
and determination Of that portion of the
boundary line Through the Haro channer)
upon which the Commission which deter
mined the remaining part of the line were
unable to agree. I recommend the APP
pointment of a commission to act Jointly
with one which may be named by Her Ma
[jesty for that purpose.
! AVOIDANCE OF SUCH TROUBLES IN FUTURE.
Experience Of the difficulties attending
the determination of our admitted line of
boundary after the occupation of the ter
ritory and it's settlement by those owing
allegiance to the respective governments
points to the importance Of establishing by
natural objects or other monuments the
actual line between the territory acquired
by purchase from Russia and the adjoining
possessions of Her British Majesty.
therefore recommend the appointment of a
commission to act jointly with one that m ay
be appointed on the part of Great Britain
to determine the line between our territo.
ry of Alaska and the coterminus posses
sions of Great Britain.
FISHERIES AND OTHER MATTERS.
touching the relations of the United State,
toward the British North american posses.
sions, to become operative as soon as the pro
per legislation shonld be had on the part O
Great Britain aud its possessions. That leg.
islation on the part of Great Britain and It:
possessions had not then been had, and dur
ing the session of Congress question was
raised which for the time raised doubt
whether any action by Congress in the di
rection indicated would become important
This question has since been disposed of. anc
| have received notice that the Imperial Par
lament and theslegislatures OF the provincial
governments have passed laws to carry The
provisions Of the treaty ou.thc matters refer
red to into operation. therefore recon
mend your early adoption Of the Legislation
in the-same direction necessary on the par
III; i, a:s Government.
/ Il Ias ;;oint commission for determining tht
boundary line between the United States ant
the British possessions between the Lake o.
the Woods and the Rocky mountains has or.
ganzed and entered upon its work. It is de-
sirabls that the force be increased in order
that Che cofapletioa Of the survey aud tor.
mnation of the iae may be the sooner at.
tanned. To this end | recommend that suf:
fcient appropr iasion be made.
FRIENDLY TERMS WITH OTHER NATIONS.
+ /. With France, our earliest ally; Russia
the constant and steady FREUD Of the UDi.cc
States Germany, with whose government
and people we have SO many causes Of friend
snip and 50 many common sympathies, and
the other Powers of Europe, our relations are
maintained on the most friendly terms.
NATURALIZATION.
Since my last annual message the exchange
has been made for the ratification Of a treaty
with the Austro- Hungarian Empire in rela
. ton to naturalization, also of treaty with
the German Empire respecting consuIs and
trade marks, also of q treaty with Sweden
and Norway relating to naturalization Of
which treaties have been duly proclaimed
1 Congress- at its last session, having made
an appropriation to dsfay the expense Of
| commissioners on the part Of tfec United
States to the
| INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS.
at St. Petersburg, the persons appointed in
| that character proceeded to their destination
and attended the sessions Of the Congress-
Their report shall in due season be- laid be-
fore you. This Congress meets at intervals
Of about three years, and has held its sessions
in several of the countries Of Europe. |
submit to your consideration the propriety of
extending an invitation to the Congress to
| hold its next session in the United States =
The centennial celebration to be held in 49,
rs would afford an appropriate occasion for
such meeting. Preparations are making
| forsths
INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION.
to be held during the next year in Vienna,
on scale of very great magnitude. The
tendency OF these expositions is in the direc-
ton of advanced civilization, and Of the ele-
walton of industry and Of labor, and Of the in
crease Of human happiness, as we'll as of
greater intercourse aud good will between
| nations.
| As the exposition is to be the first which
will have been held in Eastern Europe it is
believed that American inventors and manu-.
faoturers will be ready to avail themselves of
the opportunity far the presentation of their
productions if encouraged by proper aid and
nrntection