The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


aDroad, and a general prosperity
vouchsafed to but few people. With
the exception of the recent devastat-
ing FIRE, which swept from earth with
q breath, as it were, millions of accu-
mulated wealth in the city ofBoston.
there has been no oVershadoWIng
calamities within the year to record.
It IS gratifying to note how like their
fellow citizens of the city Of Chica-
so under similar circumstances a
year earlier, the citizens Of Boston
are rallying under their misfortune,
and the prospect is that their ener-
gy and perseverance win overcome
sll obstacles and show the same
prosperity soan that they would
have shown, had not disaster Detal-
len them. Otherwise, we have been
free from pestilence, war, and calam-
tiles. which often overtake nations,
and as far as human judgment can
penetrate the future, no cause seems
to exist to threaten our present
peace.
THE ALABAMA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June
last, a question had been raised by
Great Britain and was then pending,
which for time seriously imperil-
led the settlement by friendly srbi-
tration of the differences existing
between this government and that of
Her Britannia Majesty by the treaty
of Washington had been referred to
the tribunal Of arbitration which had
met at Geneva in Switzerland. The
srbitrators, however, disposed ofthe
question which had jeopardized the
whole Of the treaty, and seriously
threatened to involve the two ma
tions in most unhappy relations to-
wards each other. In manner en-
tirely satisfactory to this Govern
ment, and in accordance with the
views and the policy which it had
maintained, the Tribunal which had
convened at Geneva in December,
concluded its la6orious session on
the I4th day of September last, on
which day having availed itself OF
the discretionary power given to if
by the Treaty, to award a sum in
gross, it made its decision whereby
It tawarded the sum of $I5,500,0OO
in gold as the indemnity to 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 standing difference between the
two Governments, and in connection
with another award made by the
German Emperor, under reference
to him by the same treaty, leaves
these two Governments without q
shadow upon the friendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may for
ever remain equally unclouded. The
report of the agent of the United
States appointed to attend the Gene
va Tribunal, accompanied by the
protocols Of the proceedings Of the
arbitrators, the arguments of the
counsel of both Governments, the
award of the Tribunal, and the opin-
ions given by the several arbitrators,
is transmitted herewith.
OUR GRATITUDE.
l have caused to be communieat
ed to the heads of the three friendly
powers who complied with the joint
request made to them under the
Treaty, the thanks of this Govern
ment for the appointment of arbitra-
tors made by them respectively, and
also my thanks to the eminent per-
sonages named by them, and my ap-
probation of the dignity, patience,
impartiality and great ability with
which they discharged their arduous
and high functions. Her Maiesty's
Government has communicated to
me its appreciation by Her Majesty
of the ability and indefatigable in
dustry displayed by Mr.. Adams, the
arbitrator named on the part of this
government during the political in
quiries and discussions of the Trib
unal I cordially unite with Her Mai
esty in this appreciation. 1t is due
to the agent of the q. S. before the
tribunal to record my high apprecia-
tion of the marked ability unwearied
patience, and the prudence and dis
cretion with which he has conduct
ed the very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, and it is
also due to the learned and eminent
counsel who attended the Tribunal
on the part of this government, to
express my sense of the talent and
wisdom which they brought to bear
on the argument and result so hap
PLY reached. twill be in the prov
idence of Congress to provide for the
distribution among those who may
be entitled to it of their respective
shares Of the money to be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not
payable until a year from the date
Of the award, it is deemed advisable
that no time be lost in making a
proper examination of the several
cases in which indemnifcation NAV
be due. I consequently recommend
the creation of Board of Commits
sioners for the purpose.
THE SAN JUAN CASE.
By the thirty-fourth article of the
Treaty Of Washington, the respec
tive claims of the United States and
of Great Britain in their construction
of the Treaty Of the 18th of June.
1916, defining the boundary line be-
tween their respective territories
were submitted to the arbitration.
and the award of his Majesty the
Emperor of Germany, to decide
which of those claims is most in ac-
cordance with the true interpreta-
tion Of the treaty Of 1916. His mai
esty, the Emperor of Germany. hay-
ing been pleased to undertake the
arbitration, has the earnest thanks
of this government and of the people
of the United States for the labor.
pains and care which he has devot-
ed to the consideration of this long
pending difference. I have caused
sn expression Of my thanks to be
communicated to his majesty. Mr..
the representative of this
Government at Berlin conducted the
case and prepared the statement on
the the part Of the United States
with the ability that his past ser
vice justified the public in expecting