The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-12-13
Presidents MeSS8ge

PfGSld6nfS MESSAGE
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE of REPRE-
sKNTATIyEs.-In transmitting to you nv
fourth annual message, it is with thank
fulness to the Giver of all Good that as
a nation we have been blessed for the
past year with peace at home and abroad.
and q general prosperity youchsafed to
but few people. With the exception of
a devastating fire which swept from
earth with breath, as it were, millions
of property accumulated within the city
OF Boston, there have been no over
shadowi1g calamities within the year to
record tits gratifying to note how, like
their fellow-citizens of Chicago, under
similar circumstances year earlier, the
citizens of Boston are Irallying under
their misfortunes, and the prospect is
that their energy and perseverance Will
overcome obstacles, and show the same
prosperity soon that they would had no
disaster befallen them. Otherwise we
have been free from pestilence, war and
calamities which often overtake nations;
and as far as human judgment can pen
citrate, no cause seems to existto threat
en- our present peace When Congress
adjourned in June last question had
been raised by Great Britain and was
then pending, which, for time, seri-
ously imperilled settlement by friend
ly arbitration of differences existing be-
tween this Government and that of her
British Majesty, which, by the treaty at
Washington, had been referred to a tri-
bunal of arbitration, which had met at
Geneva The arbitrator, however, dis
posed of the question which had jeop-
ardized the whole of the treaty and
most unhappy relations toward each
other, in 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,
concluded its labOrious session on the
14th day OF. September last, on which
day, having availed itself of the disore-
ticni,ry power given to il by the treaty
to award a sum in gross, the tribunal
made its decision, whereby it awarded
the sum. of 81, ,000, 600 in gold rs the
indemnity to be paid by Great Britain
to the United States for the satisfaction
of all the claims referred to its consid-
Grafton. This decision happily disposed
of long standing difference between
the two Governments, and, III connec-
ton with another award made by the
German Emperor, under a reference
made to him by the same treaty leaves
the two Governments, without q shadow
upon the friendly relations, which, it is
my sincere hope, may forever remain
equally unclouded. Er-.a--
THE GENEVA DECISION.
The report of the agent of the United
States, appointed to send the decision of
the Geneva Tribunal, accompanied by
the protocols of the proceedings of the
arbitrators, the arguments of the coun-
sci of both Governments, the award
of the tribunal, and the opinions given
by the several arbitrators, is transmit
ted herewith. ..E rrihus-2 diffC
l have caused to be communicated to
the heads of the three friendly powers
how complied with the joint request
made to them under the treaty, the
thanks of this Government for the ap-
pointment of arbitrators made by them
respectively, and also my thanks to the
eminent personages named bythem, and
my appreciation of the dignity, patience,
impartiality and great ability with which
they discharged their arduous and high
functions Her Majesty's Government
has communicated to me the apprecia-
ton, by her Majesty, of the ability and
indefatigable industry displayed by Mr..
Adams, the arbitrator named on the part
of this Government, during the pro-
-tracted inquiries and discussions Of the
tribunal u cordially unite with her
Majesty in this appreciation. 1t is due
to the agent of the United States before
the tribunal to record my high appreci-
alton of the marked ability, unwearied
patience, and the prudence and discre-
tion with which he has conducted the
very responsible and delicate duties
committed to him, as it is also due to
the learned and eminent counsel who at
tended the tribunal on the part of this
Government to express my sense of the
talents and wisdom which they brought
to bear in the argument. OF the result
so happily reached it will he the prov
ince of Congress to provide for the dis
trib,tion among those who may be en-
titled TO it of their respective shares of
the money to be paid Although the
sum awarded is not payable until 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 is due !, con-
sequently recommend the creation of
a Board of Commissioners for the plr-
pose. By the third and fourth articles
of the treaty of Washington the respec-
tive claims of the United States and
Great Britain in their convention treety
III the 18th of June, 1916, defining the
boundary line between their respective
territories. were submitted to the arbi-
ira ion and award of his Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, to decide which
Of these claims is most IN accordance
With the true Interpretation of the treaty
IF 1876. His Majesty, the Emperor of
Germany, having been pleased to I'M
,lertake the arbitration, has the earnest
thanks of this Government and the peo-
pie of the United States for the labor,
pdiilS dfu care WHICH, ift HIS ucNctcu w
the consideration of this long pending
difference. / have caused an expression
of my thanks to be communicated to his
Majesty by Mr.. Bancroft, the represen-
tative of this Government at Berlin, who
conducted the case and prepared the
statement on the part of the United
States, with the ability that his past SER
vices justified the public in expecting at
his hands. Asa member of the Cabinet at
the date of the treaty which has given
rise to the discussion between the two
Governments, as the Minister to Great
Britain, when the construction now. pro-
nounced mfoumded was first advanced,
and as agent and representative of the
Government to present the case and to
receive the award, he has been associa-
ted with the question in all its phases,
and in every stage has manifested pa
triotic zeal and earnestness, in maintain
ing the cfsim of the United States. He
is entitled to much credit for the success
which has attended the submission. At
ter patient investigation of the case,
and statements of each party. his Maies-.
ty, the Emperor, ON the 21st, day of iOc-
toho,. loci c,unaJ hio ouorl ~, x,--.;f,,or