The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-12-10
Presidents Message.

annual message, it is with thankfulness
to the Giver of all Good, rs IA nation, we
have been blessed for the last year, with
peace at home and abroad, and a general
prosperity vouchsafed to but lew people,
with the exception Of the rcc.nt dcvasta-
ting ire, which swept from earth with a
breath, as it were millions of accumulated
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 citizens Of the
city Chicago, under similar circumstances
a Jear earlier, the citizens of Boston are
rallying under their misfortune, and the
prospects that their energy and persever-
ance will overcome all obstacles, and show
the same prosperity soon, that they would
had no disaster bcfallen them Other
wise we have been free from pestilence,
war and calamities, which often overtake
nations, and, az far as human judgment
comprehends the future, no cause seems
to exist to threaten our present peace.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
When Congress adjourned, in June
last, a question had been raised 10y Great
Britain, and was then pending which for
a time, seriously imperlled settlement by
friendly arbitration, of grave differences
between this government and that oil
Her Britanic Majesty, which by the
Treaty Of Washington, had been referred
to the tribunal of arbitration, which had
met at Geneva in Switzerland. Arbitra-
tors however, disposed Of the question,
which had jeopardized the whole treaty
and theatcned to involve the two nations
in most unhappy relations toward each
other in manner entirely satisfactory TO
the government, and in accordance with
views of policy which it had maintained.
The tribunal which had convened at Cen
eva, in December, concluded its laborous
session on the lith day Of September last
on which day, having availed itself OF
discretionary power given to 1t by the
treaty to award full compensation. 1t
made its first decision whereby it award
ed the sum of SIS 800 900 in gold as the
indemnity to be paid by Great Britain to
the United States for the ratification OF
all the claims referred to its consideration.
This decision happily disposes of long
standing difference between two govern
ments, and in connection with another
award made by the German Emperor
under reference to him, Dy the same
treaty, leaves these two governments
without a shadow upon the friendly re-
lations, which it is my sincere hope may
remain forever equally unclouded. The
report OF the agent Of the United States,
appointed to attend the Geneva Tribunal
accompanied by protocols of the proceed
ings Of the arbitrators, the arguments OF
the counsel of both governm ,nts, the
award of the tribunal and the opinions
given by the several arbitrators is trans
mittcd herewith | have caused to be
transmitted to the heads Of the three
friendly powers, who complied with joint
request made to them under the treaty
the thanks of the government for the APP
pointment Of arbitrators made by them
respectively, and also my thanks to emi'
nent personages named by them, and my
appreciation of the dignity, patience and
great ability with which they DISCHARGED
their arduous and high functions. HeI
Majesty's government has communicated
to me its appreciation by Her Majesty. o'
the ability and indctatigabe industry
displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbitrator
named on the part Of thus government,
during the protracted inquiries and dis
cussons of the tribunal. | cordially
unite with Her Majesty in this apprecla
tion. 1t is due to the agent of the United
States before the tribunal to record my
high appreciation of the marked ability
universal patience and prudence and dis
cretion with which he has conducted the
very responsible and delicate duties com
mitted to him, as it il also due to the
learned and eminent counsel who attend
ed the tribunal, on the part OF this gov
ernment, to express my sense OF talcn
and wisdom which they brought to beal
in the attainment Of the result so happily
reached, 1t will be the province Of Con
gress to provide for the distribution
among those who may be entitled to it o
the respective shares Of money to be paid
Although the sum awarded is not paya
bic until year from the date of award
it is deemed advisable that no time b
lost in making appropriate examination
OF several cases in which indemDiiicatiol
may be due, consequently recommenC
the creation Of board Of commissioner
for the purpose.
THE SAN JUAN QUESTION.
BY the 34th article of the Treaty o
Washington the respective claims of tn
United States and of Great Britain il
their construction of the Treaty Of tn
18th Of June, lS46, defining the bound
ary line between their respective territor
les we're submitted to the arbitration an
award of His Majesty, the Emperor q
Germany, to decide which Of these claim
is most in accordance with the true inter
probation of the Treaty of 1916. Iii
Majesty. the Emperor of Germany, hay
i lilD DtCu DltdStu w alN at VI
tration, has the earnest thanks Of thl
government and of the people OF tn
United States for the labor, pains aud car
which he has devoted TO the considerable
of this long pending difference. | hav
caused an expression of my thanks to b
communicated to His Majesty. Nj
Bancroft, the representative Of the GOV
ernment at Berlin, conducted the cas-
and prepared the statement on the PAL
Of the United States, with the ability th'
his past services justified the public in e.
pecting at his hands, A member Of tn
cabinet, at the date of the treaty, whic
has given rise to the discussion betwec
the two governments as the minister {
, Great Britain when the construction no
pronounced unfounded, was first advance
and as the agent and representative
r the government to present the ease to r
. ceive the award he has been associat,
.n:I. a. $40. a.. =. "a, IL