Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

10 Me Senate and House IF Representa-
tires: In transmitting to you my fourth
annual message, it is with thankful
moss to the Giver of all good to the Ma
ton. We have been blessed for the
past year with peace at home and abroad,
and u general prosperity has been
vouchsafed to us.
TIE BOSTON FIRE.
With the exception of the recent de-
vastatinS fire which swept from the earth
with q breath, as it were, millions Of
accumulated wealth in the city of Bos-
ton, there have been no Overshadowing
c.lamities within the year to record. 1t
is gratifying to note how, like their fell
low citizens in the city of Chicago, un-
der similar circumstances, year earl
ier, the citizens of Boston are rallying
under their misfortune, and the pros
pect is that their energy and persever-
ance will overcome all obstacles, and
show the same prosperity that they
would have attained had no disaster be-
flllcn them; otherwise we have been
free from pestilence, war, and those
calamities which often overtake nations
and Us far as human judg ment can
penetrate the future no cause seems to
exist to threaten our present peace.
TIE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June q
que 'tion had been raised by Great
Britain, and was then pending, which
for time seriously imperiled the set
tlement by friendly arbitration of the
differences existing between this Gov
crnment and that of Her Britanic Ma
jesty. The Treaty of Washington had
been referred to the Tribunal of Arbit-
ration which met at Geneva, in Switz-
erland. The arbitrators, however, dis
posed of the question which had ieo-
parlized the whole of the treaty, and
threatened to involve the two nations
in unhappy relations towards each other,
i'll manner entirely satisfactory to this
Government, and in accordance with
the views and policy which it has main
tanned. The Tribunal, which convened
in December, concluded its laborious
session on the 14th of September last ;
on that day, having availed itself of the
discretionary power given to it by the
Treaty to award sum in gross, it made
its decision, whereby it awarded the
sum of SIS, SOC, 900 in gold as the in
demnity to be paid oy Great Britain to
the United States for satisfaction of all
claims referred to it's consideration.
This decision, happily, disposes of q
long standing difference between the
two Governments, and, in connection
with another award made by the Ger
man Emperor under reference to him
ny the same Treaty, leaves the two
Governments without shadow on
their friendly relations, which it is my
sincere hope may forever remain euu-
ally unclOuded. The report of the
agent of tae United States appointed to
attend the Geneva Tribunal, accompan-
led by protocols of the proceedings of
the arbltrators, arguments of coun-
sci OF both Governments, award of the
Tribunal and apinions given by the sew
eral arbirators, is transmitted here
with. have caused to be communi-
Gated to the heads of the three friendly
Powers, who complied with the Joint
request made to them under the Treaty.
the thanks of this Government for the
appointment of arbitrators made by
tnem respecting it. and also my thanks
10 the eminent personages named by
them, and my appreciation of the dig
nifty, patience, impartiality, and great
ability with which they discharge their
arduous and high functions. Her Ma
jesty's Government has communicated
to me its appreciation BY Her Majesty
OF the ability and indefatigable indus
try displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbi-
traitor named on the. part Of this yGey~
ernment, during the protracted inquir-
les and discussions OF the Tribunal. I
cordially unite with Her Majesty in
this appreciation. It is due to the
agent OF the United States before the
Tribunal to record my appreciation of
Tue marked ability, unwcaried patience