The Portland daily press., 1872-12-03

determination OF our admitted line of boundary
atter the occupation of the territory and Its set
tiemeut by those owing allegiance to respective
governments, points to the Importance OF es-
tablishing by national objects or other monu-
ments. the actual line between the territory ac-
quired 10y us from Russia and the ADJOINING
possessions of Her Brittanic Majesty. The re-
gion is now so sparsely occupied that no con-
fiicting interests of individuals or OF Jurisdic-
ton are likely to interfere to the delay or en-
barrassment of the actual location of the line
If deferred until population shall enter and
occupy the territory, some trivial contest of
neighbors may again array the two govern
ments in antagonism. L, therefore, recon-
mend the appointment of a commission to act
jointly with one that may be appointed on the
part of Great Britain to determine the line be-
tween our territory of Alaska and the coter-
nlnous possessions of Great Britain,
LEGISLATION GROWING OUT OF THE WASHING
TON TREATY.
IN my last annual message, l recommended
inc legislation necessary on the part of the
United States to bring into operation the art-
cles OF the treaty of Washington of May, 1871,
relating to the fisheries and other matters
touching the relations of the United States to-
ward the British North American Possessions
TO become operative so soon as legislation should
be had on the part of Great Britain and its
possessions. That legislation on the part of
Great Britain and its possessions had not then
been had, and during the session of Congress, a
question was raised, which. for the time, raised
direction indicated would become Important
This question has since been disposed of and
have received notice that the Imperial Paria-
ineht and the legislatures of the Provincial Gov
ernments have passed laws to carry the provis
ions of the treaty on the matters referred to
into operation. therefore recommend an early
adoption of the legislation i'll the same direc-
ton, necessary on the part of this Govern
ment
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
w. -.
boundary line between the United States and
the British Possessions between the Lake of
the Woods and the Rocky Mountains. has
ganized and entered upon its work, 1. is desir-
able that the force be increased in order that
the completion of the survey and the determin-
ing of line may be sooner attained. To this
end recommend that sufficient appropriation
be made.
OTHER FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally; with Russia,
the constant and steady friend of the United
States; with Germany, with whose government
and people we have so many causes of friend
ship, and the other powers of Europe our rela-
tons are maintained on the most friendly
terms. Since my last annual message the ex-
change has been made of the ratification of a
treaty with the Austro- Hungarian Empire, re-
latng to naturalization; also q treaty with the
German Empire respecting Consuls and trade
marks; also treaty with Sweden and Norway
relating to naturalization; all of which treaties
have been duly proclaimed. "a
THE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS-
Congress at its last session having made an
appropriation to defray the expense of the
commissioners on the part of the United States
to the International Statistical Congress at St.
Petersburg, the persons appointed in that char
acter proceeded to their destination and attend
ed the sessions of the Congress. Their reports,
shall, in due season, be laid b, fore you. This
congress meets at intervals of about three
yeafs and has held its sessions in several of the
cOuntrlaS II et,hy 10 ayaci1
Grafton the propriety of extending an invitation
to the Congress to hold its next meeting in the
United States. The Centennial Celebration to
be held in 1876 would afford an appropriate oc-
casion for such a meeting.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
Preparations are making forthe Information
al Exposition to be held during the next year
at Vienna on scale of very great magnitude.
The tendency of these expositions is in the di-
rection of advanced civilization and of the ele
walton of industry and of labor and of the in
crease of human happiness as well as of
greater happiness and good will between the
nations. As this exposition is to be the first
which will have been held in Eastern Europe,
it is believed that American inventors and
manufacturers will be ready to avail themselves
OF the opportunity for the presentation of their
productions If encouraged by proper aid and
protection. vt the last session of Congress ar-
thority was given for for the appointment of
one or more agents to represent this Govern
ment at the Exposition. The authority thus
given has been exercised, but in the absence of
any appropriation there is danger that the i'm
portant benefits which the Exposition offers,
will, in large degree, be lost to the citizens of
the I'm ted States.
l commend the subject strongly to your con-
sideraton and recommend that an adequate
Appropriation be made for the purpose to fur
Their aid American exhibitions at the Vienna
Exposition. l would recommend in addition
that the Secretary of the Navy be authorized to
tit up two vessels to transport between our At
lantic cities and Trieste or the most convenient
port to Vienna and back, their articles for the
Exposition.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Since your last session the President of the
Mexican Republic, distinguished by his high
character and by his services to his country,
has died. His temporary successor has now
been elected with great unanimity by the
people, proof of confidence on their part In
his patriotism and wisdom, which, it is be-
lieved, will be confirmed by the results of his
administration. 1t is particularly desirable that
nothing should be left undone by the Govern
ment Of either Republic to strengthen their re-
lations as neighbors and friends
1t is much to be regretted that many lawless
acts continue to disturb the quiet of the settle
ments between our territory and that of Mex
leo, and that complaints of wrongs to American
citizens in various parts of the country are
made The revolutionary condition in which
the neighboring Republic has so long been in
volved has, in some degree contributed tO.this
disturbance. 1t is to be hoped that with more
settled rule of order throughout the Republic,
which may be expected from the present Gov
eminent, the acts of which just complaint is
made, will cease.
The proceedings of the Commissioners under
the Convention with Mexico, of the 4th of July,
1863 on the subject of claims, have unfor-
tunatey been checked by an obstacle for the
removal of which, measures have been taken by
the two Govern ments, which, it is believed, will
prove successful. The Commissioners appoint
L - <l1 .~,,,
of the It'll of May last to enquire into depreda-
tions ON the Texas frontier, have diligently
made investigations in that quarter. Their re-
port upon the subject will be communicated to
you. The researches were necessarily interrupt
ed, partly on account of the limited appropria-
ton made by Congress Mexico on the part OF
that government has appointed a similar COM
mission to investigate these outrages. 1t is not
announced officially, but the press of that
country states the fullest investigation is desir-
ed and that the cooperation of all parties con-
cerned is invited to secure that end. 1, there
fore recommend that special appropriation be
made at the earliest day practicable to enable
the commissioners on the part of the United
States, to return to their labors without delay.
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
1t is with regret that 1 have again to an
nounce q continuance of the disturbed condi-
ton of the Island of Cuba. No advance toward
the pacfcaton of the discontented part of the
population has been made. While the insur-
no more of the element of power or of the pros
poets of ultimate success than were exhibited a
year ago, Spain, on the other hand, has not sue
ceeded in its repression and the parties stand
in apparently the same relative attitudes which
they have occupied for Q hong time past. This
contest has lasted now for more than four years.
Were it seen at distance from our neghbor-
hood, we might be Indifferent to its result, al
though humanity could not be unmoved by
many of its incidents, wherever it might occur.
1t is ever at our door. L cannot doubt that the
continued maintenance of slavery in Cuba is
among the strongest inducements to the con-
FINANCE of the strife. A terrible wrong is the
natural cause of terrible evil. The abolition
of slavery and the introduction of other reforms
in the administration of the government in
Cuba could not fail to advance the restoration of
peace and order 1t is especially to be hoped
that the present liberal government of Spain
will eventually adopt this view. The law OF
emancipation which was PASSED more than
two wears since has remained unexecuted in
the absence of some regulation for its enforce
nent. 1t was but feeble step towards eman-
cipation, but it was the recognition of right,
and was hailed as such and exhibited Spain in
harmony with the sentiments of humanity and
Justice. and in sympathy with the other por-
lions of the Christian and civilized world.
Within the past few weeks the regulations for
carving out the laws of emigration have been
announced, giving evidence of the SINGER ty of
4he intention of the present government to
carry into effect the law of 1870. have not
failed to urge the consideration of the wisdom,
o,,I tho ustica of moro effective