The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, December =

annual. message, IL 10 WIN -. -.
moss to the Giver of all good tnat as
a nation we have been blessed iof tne
last wear with peace at nome anu
abroad. and a general prosperity
vouchsafed to but few people. win
the exception of the recent devasta-
ting fire, which swept from the eartn
with n, breath, as it were, millions OF
accumulated wealth in the city OF
Boston. there have been no over
Swallowing calamities within the
wear to record. 1t is gratifying TO
note, like their fcllow-citiIens OF .he
city of Chicago, under similar CT
cumstances a year earlier. the GU
zens of Boston are raliyihS unNe.
their misfortunes, and d prospect
;s hat their energy and perseverance
will overcome alI~lobstacles, and show
rh. same prosperity soon that they
wonId have shown had no disaster be-
fallen them. Otherwise, we have
been free from pestilcnce, war anu
,.aIamities which often ovcrtakc ma
fions and as far as human Judgment
can penetrate the future, no cause
seems to exist to threaten our PRES
cnt peace. INN, :,
question had been raised by Urea
6ritain. and was then pending, which
for a time seriously imperllled II
settlement bv friendly arbitration OF
the differences existing between this
government and that of Her Brltanlc
Maiesty's, by the treaty OF wash
;n.}on b,s, beet referred to the trib-
uuaI of arbitration which a met Ill
Switzerland. The ~arbitrators, how
ever. disposed of the question which
had ieopardized the whole OF the
treaty and threatened the Two ma
tions in q most unhappy relation 10
wards each other, in a manner entire-
ly satisfactory to this government;
and in accordance with the views and
the policy which it had maintained.
The tribunal. which had convened in
Geneva in December, concluded ITS
laborious session on the 14th day OF
September last, OH which day, hav-
ing ayailcd itself of the discretionary
power given 70 it by the treaty to
award q sum in gross, made its dScis-
ion whereby it awarded the sum OF
$l5, 500, 900 in gold as the indemnity
to be paid by Great Britain TO the
United States for the satisfaction. OF
all claims referred to its consider;i-
ton. This decision happily disposed
of a long standing difference between
the two governments, and i'll connec-
ton with another award made by
the German Emperor under a refer
ence TO him by the same treatv.ieaves
the two governments without a
shadow upon the friendly relations,
which, it is ny sincere hope, mav,
= forever remain equally uHclouded:
The report of the agent of the Uni
ted States appointed to the Geneva
tribunal, accompanied by the proto-
coils of the proceedings Of the arbi.
traitors, the arguments of tie counsel
q fboth governments, the award OF
The tribunal, and the opinions given
nv the several arbItrators, is trans
mitted herewith. l have caused tt
he communicated to the heads OF tht
three friendly powers who compiled
with the Joint request made to- then
under the treaty the thanks OF thu
government for the appointment O
arbitrators made by them respective
". and also nv thanks to the eminent
Dersonages named by them, and IN!
appreciation of the dignity, patienc.
impartiality and great ability witt
which they discharged their arduou'
and high functions.
Her Majesty's Government ha
communicated to me its appreciation
by her Majesty of the ability and in
defatigable industry displayed b.
MIR. Adams, the arbitrator named oil
the part Of this government, during
the protracted inquiries. and discus
sions of the tribunal. l sordiall,
unite with Her Majesty in this ap
probation.
1t is due to the agent of the United
States before the tribunal to RECORD
my high appreciation of the marked
ability, unwearied patience, and TIL
prudence and discretion with which
he conducted the very responsibl
and delicate duties committed to him
as it is also due to the learned ant
eminent counsel who attended tn
tribunal on the part of the govern
ment to express my sense of the tai
ents and wisdom which they brough
to bear IN the argument of the result
SO happily reached. 1t will be with
in the power of Congress TO provide
for the distribution among those wilt
may be entitled to.it Of their respec
tive shares of the money to be paid
Although the sum awarded is no
payable until a year after date of tn,
reward, 1t it deemed advisable tia
NO time be lost in asking q proper ex
animation Of the several cases il
which indemnification may be due
Consequently, l recommend the crea
ton Of q Board Of Commissioners fol
the purpose.
The claims of the United States ani
Great Britain, i'll their constructio,
ofthe treaty Of the 18th Of June, 1916
defining the boundary line between
their respective territories, were sub
mitted to the arbitration and aware
Of his Majesty the Emperor OF Ger
many, to decide which Of those
claims is most in accordance with thu
true Interpretation of the treaty o
1916. His Majesty the Emperor o
Germany having been pleased to un
dertake the arbitration. has the earn
est thanks of this government and o
the people Of the United States fol
the labor, pains and care which he
has devoted to the consideration o.
this long pending difference. 1 have
caused an expression Of nay thank.
to be communicated to his Majesty
Mr.. Bancroft, the representative OF
this government at Berlin, conducted
the . and prepared the statement
on the part of the United States with
the ability that his past service justi
fed tic public IN expecting at hi:
halsds. Asa iacmbcr Of the Cabinet