The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1872-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGR.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.


oNGRATULAToRY.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In transmitting to you my fourth an
nual message, it is with thankfulness to
the Giver Of all good that as nation we
have been blessed for the last year with
peace at home and abroad, and general
prosperity vouchsafed to but few people
With the exception Of the recent deyas-
tating fire which swept from the earth
with breath as it were millions of aeon
mulated wealth in the city of Boston
there have beenno over shadowing calam-
tiles within the year to record 1t is graf.
flying 10 note how like their fellow citizens
OF the city of Chicago under similar cir
cumstances year earlier, the citizens of
Boston are rallying under their misfor-
tune and the prospect is chat their energy
and perseverance will overcome all obsta-
cles and show the same prosperity soon
that they would had no disaster befailen
them. otherwise we have been freq
from pestilence, war and calamities which
often overtake nations, and as far as
human Judgment can penetrate the fu-
ture, no cause seems to exist to threaten
our present peace.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
When Congress adjourned in June last
q question had been raised by Great Brit
aIE and was then pending which for a
time seriously imperillcd the settlement
bY friendly arbitration of the differences
existing between this government and
that Of her Brittanic Majesty, but the
treaty Of Washington had been referred
10 the tribunal OF arbitration which had
met at Geneva, in Switzerland, The
arbltrators, however, disposed OF the
question which had jeopardized the
whole OF the treaty and threatened 10 In
vOlve the two nations in most unhappy
relations toward each other in a manner
entirely satisfactory to this government
and in accordance with tie views and the
policy which it had maintained, The
tribunal which had convened in Geneva
IN December concluded its laborious ses
sion on the 18th day OF September last, on
which bodv having availed itself of the
discretionary power given to it by the
treaty to aWaId sum in gross, made
ITS decision whereby it awarded the sun
OF $40, 500, 900 in gold as the indemnity
70 be paid by Great Britain to the United
States for the satisfaction of all the
claims referred TO its consideration. This
decision happily disposes of a long stand
ing difference between the governments
and in connection with another
award made by the German
Emperor under reference to
him by the same treaty, leaves the two
governments without a shadow upon the
friendly relations which it is my sincere
hope may forever remain equally un-
clouded.
The report of the agent of the United
States appointed to attend the Geneva
tribunal accompanied by the protocol of
the proceedings OF the arbitration, the
arguments of the council OF both Gov
ernments, the award of the tribunal and
the opinions given by the several arbitra-
tois, is transmitted herewith | have
caused to be communicated to the heads
Of the three friendly powers who compli-
ed with the joint request made to them
under the treaty, the thanks of this Gov
ernment forthe appointment of theaI bitra-
tors made by them respectively and also
my thanks to the eminent personages
named by them and my appreciation OF
the dignity, patience, impartiality aud
great ability with which they discharged
their arduous and high functions. Her
Majesty 'sgoverument communicated tome
ability and interchangeable industry display
ed by Mr. Adams, the arbitrator named
on the part OF this Government, during the
pFotracted inquiries and discussions of the
tribunal. | cordially mite with her Mai
eSty IN this appreciation. Ii is due to the
agent of the United States before the
tribunal TO record my appreciation oi
the marked ability, the patience, the
prudence and discretion with which he
has conducted the very responsible and
delicate duties committed to him, as il Is
also due to the learned aud eminent coun-
sci who attended the tribunal on the part oil
this government to express myself of the
talents and wisdom which they brOugh,
to bear IN argument and of the result SC
happily reached.
IL will be the province of Congress tC
provide for the distribution among thost
who may be entitled TO it of their respec
tive shares of the monRy TO be paid. Al
though the sum awarded is not payable
until a year from the date Of the award i
Is deemed advisable that no time be los
IN making a proper examination of the
several cases ln which indemni6cation may
be due. | consequently recommend The
creation of board OF commissioners fo
the purpose.
THE SAN JUAN DECISION.
By the thirty fourth article of thu
treaty of Washington, the respective
claims of the United States and Grea
Britain in their construction of the treat,
of the 18th of June, 1916, defining the
boundary line between their RESPECTIVE
territories we're submitted to the arbitra
ton and award Of his Majesty the Empe
ror of Germany, to decide viii sh Of thes
claims Is most in accordance with tn
true Interpretation Of the treaty OF lS46
His Majesty, the Emperor Uf Germany
having been pleased to undertake the ar
bitratlOn has the earnest thanks OF tn
people of the United States tor the labor
pains and care which he has devoted
to the consideration of this long pendiD
difference. have caused an expressio
of my thanks to be communicated to hi
Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft, the Represents
tive of this government at Rerlin, cor
Quoted the case and made the statemeI
on the part OF the United States with th
ability that his past services justified til
buDlAO ia SApNAbAhS ~ hAs lAAiAASs AAo
member OF the cabinet at the date of I'll
treaty which has given rise to the discu
sion between the two governments, as u
Minister to Great Britain whe
the construction now pronounced unfour
ded was first advanced, and rs the agel
and representative of the government
present the case and to receive the awar
he has been associated with the que site
in ali its phases and in every stage hi
manifested patriotic zeal and earnestne
in maintenance Of the claim of Tn
ted States. He is entitled to mu(
credit for the success which has attend
the submission. After patient invest
CATION Of the ease and Of the stauemen
OF each party his Majesty, the EmDerr
OF Germany, on the 2lst day Of Octob
last signed hIs award decreeing that Il
claim of the government of the Unite
States, that the boundary line betwe,
the territories Of her Britssnnlc Males
and the United States should be draw
through the Haro Channel is most in a
cordance with the true Interpretation
the treaty concluded ON the 18th Of Jul