Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1872-12-05
Presidents Message.

To r.R SENATE AND HOUSE, OF REP.
fEsHNrATINEs:
In Transmitting, to You my fourth
annual mcssagc, it is with thankful-
ness to the Wiver Of all good, that, as a
nation. we9have been blessed for the
last year with peace at home and
abroad, and a general prosperity vouch-
safed 10 but few people. With the cx-
ception of the recent devastating fire.
which swept from earth with a breath,
rs it were, millions of accumulated
wealth in the city of Boston, there
have been no overshadowing calami-
ties within the year to record. 1t is
gratifying to note how, like their fell
low-citizens of Chicago, under similar
circumstances, a year earlier, the citi-
of Boston are rallying under their
misfortnnes and the prospect, is that
their energy and perseverance will
overcome all obstacles, and show the
same prosperity soon that they OTHER
wise would had no disaster befallen
them. We have been free from pesti-
lence, var and calamities which often
overtake nations; and as far as human
judgment can penetrate the future, no
cause seems to exist to threaten our
present peace.
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
When Congress adjourned in June
last, a question had been raised by
Great Britain. and was then pending,
which for a time seriously imperiled
the settlement, by friendly arbitra-
ton, the differences existing be-
tween this Government and that of her
Brittanic M&jesty's. Bnt the treaty Of
Washington had been referred to the
Tribunal of Arbitration which had
met at Geneva, in Switzerland. The
arbitrators, however, disposed Of the
question which had jeopcrdized the
whole of the treaty and threatened to
involve the two nations in most un-
happy relations towards each other, in
q manner entirely satisfactory to this
Government, and in accordance with
the views and the policy which it had
maintained. The Tribunal which had
convened in Geneva in December con-
cluded it's laborious session on the 18th
day of September last ON which day
having availed itself of the discretion
airy power given to it by the treaty, to
award a sum in gross, it made its de-
cision, whereby, it awarded the sum
OF $l5,5O0.0OO in gold, as the indemni-
ty to be paid by Great Britain to the
United States, for the satisfaction of
all the claims referred to its considera-
ton. This decision happily disposes
of a long standing difference between
the two Governments and in connec-
ton with another award made by the
German Emperor under a reference to
him by the same treaty leaves the two
Governments without q shadow upon
their friendly relations, which it is my
sincere hope may forever remain
equally nncNuded.
The report Of the agent ofthe United
States, appointed to attend the Geneva
tribunal, accompanied by the proto-
coils of the proceedings of the arbitra-
tors, the arguments of the counsel Of
both Governments, the award of the
Tribunal, and the opinions given by
the several arbitrators, is transmitted
herewith. | have caused to be COM
municated to the heads of the three
powers who complied. with the joint
request made to them under the treaty,
the thanks of this Government Cor the
appointment of arbitrator made by
them respectively, and also my thanks
to the eminent personages named by
them, and my appreciation of the Dig
nifty, patience, impartiali,y and great
ability with which they discharged
their arduous and high functions. Her
Maiesty's Government has communi.
Gated to me its appreciation by Her
Majesty, of the ability and indefatiga-
bic industry displayed by Mr.. Adams,
the arbitrator named on the part OF
this Government, during the protracted
inquiries and discussions of the Tribu-
nal. | cordially unite with Her Ma
jesty in this appreciation and 1t is due
to the agent of the United States be-
fore the Tribunal, to record my ap.
probation of the marked ability. UNI
wearied patience and the prudence and
discretion with which he has conduct
ed the very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, as it is also
due to. the learned and eminent coun-
sci who attended the Tribunal, Oh the
part of the Government to express my
sense of the talent and wisdom which
they brought to bear in the argument
for the result so happily reached. 1t will
be the province Of Congress to provide
for the distribution among those who
may be entitled to it, of their respec-
tive shares of the money to be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not
payable untila year from the date of
the award, it is deemed advisable that
no time be lost in making a proper ex-
animation of the several cases, in which
naturalization may be due. ! conse-
4uently recommend the creation Of q
board of commissioners for that pur-
pose.
III san JUAN BOUNDARY.
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 fifteenth of June,
1916, defining the boundary line be-
tween their respective territories, were
submitted to the arbitration and award
of the Emperor of Germany to de-
eide, which of these claims is
most in accordance with the
true Interpretation of the treaty of
1916. His Majesty. the Emperor Of
Germany, having been pleased 10 un-
dertake the arbitration, has the earnest
thanks Of this Government, and of the
people of the United States for the la
Dor, pains and cart which he has devo-
ted 10 the consideration of this long
pending difference. ] have caused an
expression of my thanks 10 be COM
municated to his Majesty. Mr.. Ban
croft. the representative of this 0sv-
ernment at Berlin, conducted the case
and prepared the statement OH the part
Of the q. S., with the ability that his
past service justified the public in ex-
pecting at his hands, since as a men,
Der of the cabinet at the date of the
treaty which has given rise to the dis
cussion between the two Governments /:
asthe minister TO Great Britailf when
the construction now pronounced UNI
founded was first advanced. and as the
agent and representative Of the Gov
ernment to present the case and to re-
ceive the award he has been associated
with the question in all its phases. and
every stage has manifested a patri-
otto zeal and earnestness in maintain
ing the claim Of the United States,
that entities him to much credit for
the success which has attended the
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