Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The fourth annual message Of President
Grant was submitted to Congress- yesterday.
The President opens with a congratulation to
the nation that it has been blessed with peace
at hone and abroad and for general
prosperity vouchsafed to but few people.
Save the Boston confagration, no overshad-
owing calamity has happened, but the
President is gIatihed to note that the citizens
Of Boston are rallying under their misfortunes,
and the prospect that their energy and persever-
ance will overcome all obstacles, aud show the
same prosperity soon that they would had no
disaster befallen them.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ALABAMA AWARD
The communication of the Treaty OF Washing
ton has imposed new duties upon Congress in
the distribution among those who are entitled
TO it of the damages awarded by the Arbltrators.
The President therefore recommends the crea-
tion OF Board OF Commissioners for the pur-
pose.
THE SAN JUAN BOUNDARY,
Referring to the disputed houndry between
the United States and the British possessions in
Canada, the President first thanks Emperor Will.
liam of Germany, for the labor, pains, and care
which he has devoted to the consideration OF
this long pending difference. and Mr.. Bancroft
is also complimented for the ability with which
he conducted the case Of our Government. Tne
award the President continues, confirms the
United States in their claim to the important
archipelago of Islands lying between the conti-
nent and Vancouvers 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 a nation without question of
disputed boundary between our territory and
the possessions of Great Britain on this conti-
nent. The islands are now in the Executive
possession OF the United States. 1t now be-
.laa.
termination of that portion Of the boundary
line through the Haro Channel upon which the
commission which determined the remaining
part OF the line were unable to agree recon-
mend the appointment of a commission to act
Jointly with one which may DO named by her
Majesty for that purpose.
OUR ALASKAN POSSESSIONS.
Experiences of the difficulties attending the
determination of our admitted line OF boundary
after the occupation of the territory and ts set
tlement by those owing allegiance to tue respec-
| tive Governments, points to the importance OF
| establishing by natural objects or other monu-
ments the actual line between the territory ac-
| qnired by purchase from, Russia, and the adjoln-
| ing possessions OF her Britannia Majesty. The
region is now 30 sparsaly occupied that no con-
icting interests OF individuals Of jurisdiction
are likely to interfere to the delay or embarrass
ment of actual location Of the line. II defer sd
| till population shall enter and occupy the terri
| tory, some trivial contest of neighbors may again
/ array the TWO governments IN authROulhul L
| therefore recommend the appointment OF com
| mission to act Ii1tly with one that may be ap
| pointed on the part of Great Bi;ain to determ
inc the line between our territory of Alaska and
the exterminus possessions OF Great Britain.
OUR RELATIONS ABROAD
Our relations with France, our earliest ally
| Russia, the constant and steady friend of the
| United States Germany, with whose Govern
| ment and people We have 80 many canses o.
friendship, and 10 many common sympathies, ant
the other powers OF Europe ere maintained OF
the most friendly terms Since my laat annua
message the exchange has been made of the
ratiications OF treaty with the eAustro-HuOgar'
tan Empire, relating to naturalization also of 9
| treaty with the German Empire, respecting CON
suls and tFAde marks also OF treaty witt
Sweden and Norway. relating to naturalization
all Of which treaties have been dulV proclaimed
MEXICAN BORDER WARFARE.
II is much to be regretted that many lawles
acts continue to disturb the quiet OF the settle
ments on the border between our territory ant
that OF Mexico, and that complaints of wrong
| to American citizens in various parts OF TIN
| country are made. The revolutionary condition
in which the neghboring republic has no lonl
been involved has in some degree contributed
to this disturbance. II is to be hoped that, witt
a more settled rule of order through the liepub
| lic,iwhich may be expected. from the presen
Government the acts of which just complaint i
made will cease, Ii ia not announced officially
| but the press of that country states that tn
fullest investigation ia desired, and that the co
operation OF all parties concerned is invited t
secure that end. therefore recommend that
special appropriation be made at the earliest da
practicable to enable the Commissioners on th
| part of the United States to return to eir la
, bors without delay.
THE CONDITION OF CUBA.
1t is with regret that have again to announc
continuance of the disturbed condition OF tn
} | island of Cuba. No advance towards the pact
cation Of the discontented part of the population
, has been made, while the insurrection ha
gained no advantages and exhibits no more o
the elements of power than were exhibited
. year ago. Spain, on the other hand, has no
; succeeded in its repre- ssion, and the parte
8 stand apparently in the same relative attltnd
which they have occupied for long time pas
8 This contest has now lasted for more than fou
a | years We're it seen at a distance from ou
3 | neighborhood we might be Indifferent to its rt
suit, although humanity could not be unmove
y by many of its incidents wherever they may OF
cur 1t is, however, ut our door.
Deeply impressed with the conviction that th
b continuance OF slavery ia one OF the most ACTIVE
. | causes of the continuance of the unhappy cOnd
= ton in Ouba, l regret that citizens of tn
I. United States, or those claiming to be such, al
J, large holders in Cuba of what is there elaine
y ss GToparty but which IL forbidden and denoun,
= ed by the laws Of the United States. Tney al
o thus in defiance of the spirit OF our own law
contributing to the continuance of this distres
o ing and eickening contest. In my last annui
b message referred to this subject and again
l. recommend such legislation as may be proI
or to denounoe, and if not prevent, at least
discourage American ctizens from holding
j. dealing 10 slaves,
)r INTERNAL NAVIGATION,
: Locking at the great future growth OF IL
% country and the increasing demands Uf con
merce, it might be well not only to have exam
v ined and reported upon, the various Practical
ia routes for connecting the Mississippi with tit
o water on the Atlantic, but the feasibility OF a
?, almost continuous land locked navigation fro
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Such a rou