The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-12
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PRESIDENT GRANTS MESSAGE.

In transmitting to you this fourth annu
al message, it is with thankfulness to the
Givcr of all good that, as nation, we have
been blessed for the past year with peace at
home, peace abroad, and q general prosper
ity vouchsafe1 to but few peoples.
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
With the exception Of the recent devas-
tating fire, which swept from the earth with
breath, as it were, millions Of accumula-
ted wealth in the city of Boston, there has
been no overshadowing calamity within the
year to record. 1t is gratifying to note
how, like their fellow-citizens Of the city
of Chicago, under similar circumstances a
year earlier, the citizens of Boston are rail-
lying under their misfortunes, and the pros
pect that their energy and perseverance
will overcome all obstacles, and show the
same prosperity soon that they would had
| no disaster oefallen them. Otherwise we
have been free from pestilence, war and ca
| lamities 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 GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June last,
a question had been raised by Great Brit
ain, and was then peuding, which, for a
time, seriously imperilled the settlement
by friendly arbitration of the grave differ
ences between this government and that Of
Her British Majesty, which, by the treaty
Ipf Washington, had been referred to the
Tribunal of Arbitration which had met at
Geneva, in Switzerland. The arbitrators,
however, disposed Of the question, which
Ijeopardized the whole of the treaty, and
threatened to involve the two nations in
most unhappy relations toward each other,
in manner entirely satisfactory to this
government, and in accordance with the
views of the policy which it had MAINTAIN
ed. The Tribunal which had convened at
Geneva in December, concluded its labo-
rious session on the l4th day of Septem-
Der last, on which day, having availed it.
self of the discretionary power given to it
. by the treaty to award a sum in gross, it
made its decision, whereby 1t awarded the
sum of S15,500,000 in gold as the indem-
nifty 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 long
standing difference between the two gov.
|ernments, and in connection with another
award made by the German Emperor, un
der reference to him by the same treaty
> leaves these two governments without (;
| shadow upon the friendly relations, which
it is my sincere hope may forever remain
equally unclouded.
The report Of the agent of tho United
States appointed to attend the Geneva tri
. bunal, accompanied by the protocols 0
a the proceedings of the arbitrators, the ar
guments Of the counsel Of both govern
: ments, the award Of the tribunal, and tn,
# opinions given by the several arbitrators
is transmitted herewith. | have caused tt
{ be communicated to tho heads of the thre
friendly powers who complied with tn
joint request made to them under the trea
= ty the
! THAMES OF This GovERNMENT
:. for the appointment of arbitrators made J.,
them respectively, and also many thanks t
the eminent personages named by them
J, 1 and my appreciation of the dignity, pa
}. thence, impartiality, and great ability will
j which they discharged their arduous ane
n high functions.
!, / Her Majesty's government has commupi
y Gated to me the appreciation by Her Ma
t fjesty of the ability and indefatigable in
9 dustry displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbi
: traitor named on the part of this govern
'ment, during the protracted enquiries ane
!, discussions of the tribunal. 1 cordially
unite with Her Majesty in this apprecia
: ton. It is due to the agent Of the United
s States before the tribunal to record my
, high appreciation of the marked ability
unwearied patience, and the prudence and
discretion with which he has conducted the
0 very responsible and delicate duties com
mitted to him. AS it is also due to tn,
] learned and eminent counsel who attended
the tribunal on the part of this govern
ment to express my sense of the talents
and wisdom which they brought-to bear il
the attainment-of the result SO happily
reached.
It will be the province of Congress te
provide for the distribution among those
who may be entitled to it of their respec
tive shares of the money to be paid. AL
though the sum awarded is not payable
un il year from the date Of the award, il
is deemed advisable that no time be lost iT
making proper examination of the sever.
al eases in which naturalization may be
: due. I consequently recommend the Gre
} alton of
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,
for the purpose. By the 34th article Of
the Treaty of Washington the respective
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 between their respective ter
ritoriese were submitted to the arbitration
and award of His Majesty the Emperor Of
Germany to decide which of these claims
is most in accordance with the true inter-
probation of the treaty Of 1916.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany,
having been pleased to undertake the ar
bitration, has the earnest thanks Of this
government and of the people Of the Uni
ted States for the labor, pains and care
which he has devoted to the consideration
of this long pending difference. | have
caused an expression of my thanks to be
communicated to His Majesty Mr.. Ban
croft, the representative of this govern
ment at Berlin, conducted the case and
prepared the statement on the part Of the