The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, D. G., December 3.


70 the Senate aad House of Representatives.
In transmitting to you this my fourth
annual message, it is with thankfulness tc
the Giver Of oil good that a5 a nation we
have been blessed during the past year with
peace at home, peace abroad, and a gen.
eral prosperity youchsafed to but few
peoples.
With the exception of the recent devas-
tating fire which swept from the earth with
breath, as it were, millions of accumu.
lated wealth in the city of Boston, there
has been no oyershadowing calam.
ity within the year to record. 1t
IS gratifying to note how like
their fellow-citizens of the city Of Chicago,
under similar circumstances year earlier,
the citizens Of Boston are rallying under
their misfortunes, and the prospect that
their energy and perseverance will over
come oil obstacles and show the same
prosperity soon that they would had no
disaster befallen them. Otherwise, we have
been free from pestilence, war and calami-
ties which often overtake nations, and, as
far az human judgment can penetrate the
future, no cause seems to exist to threaten
our present peace.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
When Congress adjourned in June last a
question had been raised by Great Britain.
and was then pending, which for a time
seriously imperillcd the settlement by
friendly arbitration Of the grave differences
between this Government and that Of her
British Majesty which by the Treaty of
Washington had been referred to the tribu
nal OF arbitration which had met ut Geneva,
in Switzerland. The arbitrators, however,
disposed of the question which had eo-
parded the whole of the treaty and threat
ened to involve the two nations in most un-
happy relations toward each other in a
manner entirely satisfactory to this Gov
eminent and in accordance with the views
and the policy which it had maintained.
The tribunal which had convened at Geneva
in December, concluded its laborious ses-
sion on the 14th day Of September last, on
which day, having availed itself Of the dis
cretionary power given to it by the treaty
to award sum in gross, it made its deci-
sion, whereby it awarded the sum of s15,-
500, 600 in gold as indemnity to be paid by
Great Britain to the United States for
the satisfaction of all the claims refer.
red to its consideration. This decision
AoRPby StopOSSo vi u iOIE~StHllulIlS
difference between the two Governments,
and, in connection with another award
made by the German Emperor under re-
ference 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 reportof the agent of the
United States appointed to attend the
Geneva tribunal, accompani ed by the pro-
tocols Of the proceedings of the arbitrators,
the arguments Of the counsel of both
Governments, the award of the tribunal,
and the opinions given by the several arbi-
traitors, is transmitted herewith. I have
caused to be communicated to the heads OF
the three friendly Powers who complied
with the joint request made to them under
The treaty the thanks of this Government
for the appointment of arbitrators made by
them respectively, and also my thanks to
the eminent personages named by them
and my appreciation fthe dignity, patience,
impartiality, and great ability with which
they discharged their arduous and high
functions. Her Majesty's Government has
communicated to me the appreciation by her
Majesty of the ability and indefatigable in
dustry displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbi-
traitor named on the part ofthis Government,
during the protracted inquiries and discus
sions of the tribunal. 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 APP
probation Of the marked ability, unwea-
ried patience, and thu prudence and discre-
ton with which he has conducted the very
responsible and delicate duties committed
to him |; and it is also due to the learned
and eminent counsel who attended the tri-
bunal on the part of this Government to
express my sense of the talents and WIS.,
dom which they brought to bear in tho at
tainnent OF the result SO happily reached.
1t will be the province Of Congress to pro-
vide for the distribution among those who
may be entitled to it Of their respective
shares Of the money to be paid. Although
the sum awarded is not payable until q
year from the date of the award, it is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in
making 8 proper examination Of the several
cases in which indemnification may be due.
! consequently recommend the creation Of
board of commissioners for the purpose.
THE SOUTHWEST BOUNDARY.
By the thirty-fourth 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, l846, defining the boundary line be-
tween their respective territories, were sub
United to the arbitration and award of his
Majesty the Emperor Of Germany to de-
eide which of these claims is most in &C.
eordance with the true Interpretation of the
treaty Of 1S48. His Majesty the Emperor
Of Germany, having been pleased to UNDER
take the arbitration, has the earnest thanks
of this Government and of tho people of
the United States for the labor, pains, and
care which he has devoted to the considera-
ton 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 Government
at Berlin, conducted the case and repaired
the statement on the part of the United
States with the ability that his past services
justified the public in expecting at his
hands. As a member of the Cabinet at
the date Of the treaty which has given rise
to the discussion between the two Govern
ments, as the Minister to Great Britain
when the construction now pronounced
unfounded was first advanced, and as the
agent and representative Of the Govern
Tnent to present the case and to receive the
award, he has been associated with the
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