Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-12-10

mission. After patient Investigation of the
case, and of the statements of each party, his
Majesty the Emperor, on the 21st day of Oc.
tober last, signed his award in writing, de-
creeing that the claims of the government of
the United States that the boundary line be-
tween the territories of her Brittanic Majesty
aud the United States should be drawn
through the Haro channel, is most in accord.
ance with the true. e.interpretation of the; treaty
concluded on the 18th day of June, 1886,
between the governments of her Britannia
Majesty and of the United States
Copies. of the case presented on behalf of
each government, and of the statement in re-
ply of each, and a translation of the award,
are transmitted herewith. This award cons
firms the United States in their claim to the
important Archipelago of islands between the
continent and aVancouver's' Island, which, for
more than ,twenty-six years, ever since the
ratification of the treaty, Great Britain has
contested, and leaves us for the first time in
the history of the United States as nation
without question of disputed boundary be-
tween our territory and the possessions of
Great Britain on this continent.
1t rs my grateful duty to acknowledge the
prompt, spontaneous action of her Majesty's
government in giving effect to the award.-
In anticipation of any request from this gov
ernment, and before the reception in the
United States of the e:award signed by the En-
peror, her Majesty had given instructions for
the removal of her troops which had been sta
toned there, and for the cessation of all ,ex-
ercise or claim of jurisdiction, so as to leave
the United States in the exclusive possession
of the lately disputed territory 1 am graft
fed to be able to announce that the orders
for the removal of the troops have been exc.
cuted, and that the military joint occupation
OF San Juan has ceased. The islands are now
In the exclusive possession of the United
States.
1t now becomes necessary to complete the
survey and determination of that portion of
the boundary line through the Haro channel,
upon which the commission which determined
the remaining part Of the line were unable to
agree. [ recommend the appointment of
commission to act Jointly with one which NAV
be named by her Majesty for that purpose.
Experience of the difficulties attending the
determination of our admitted line OF bounds
ary, after the occupation of the territory and
Its settlement by those owing allegiance to the
respective governments. points to the impor>
tance OF establishing, by natural objects or
other monuments, the actual line between the
territory acquired by purchase from Russia
and the adjoining possessions of her Britannia
Majesty.
The region is now so sparselv occupied that
no conflicting interests of individuals or of
jurisdiction are likely to interfere to the de-
lay or embarrassment of the actual location
of the line. Ifdeferred until population shall
enter and occupy the territory, some trivial
contests of neishbors may again array the
two governments In antagonism. I therefore
recommend the appointment of commission
to act jointly with one that may be appointed
on the part of Great Britain to determine the
line between our territory of Alaska and the
cotermlnous possessions of Great Britain
THE FISHERIES, ETC.
In my last annual message I recommended
the Legislation necessary on the part of the
United States to bring into operation the ar
tlcles of the treaty of Washington of May
9Th, 1871, relating to the fisheries, and to
other matters touching the relations of the
United States toward the British North Amer
lean possessions, to become operative So soon
as the proper legislation should be had on the
part of Great Britain and its possessions
That legislation on the part of Great Bri-
tain and its possessions had not then been
had, and during the session of Congress a
question was raised which, for the time.
raised doubt whether any action by Con-
gress, IN the direction indicated, would be-
come important. This question has since
been disposed of, and I have received notice
that the imperial Parliament and the legisla>
lures OF the provincial governments have
passed laws to carry the provisions of the trea-
ty on the matter referred to into operation
l, therefore, recommend your early adoption
OF the legislation in the same direction neces-
sary on the part of this government.
The mint commission For
boundary line between the United States and
the British possessions between the Lake of
the Woods and the Rocky Mountains, has or
ganized and entered upon its work 1t is de-
slrabie that the force be increased in order
that the completion of the survey and deter
mlnat!on OF the line may be the sooner att
tanned. To this end recommend that a suf.
tcient appropriation be made
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally, Russia. the
constant and steady friend of the United
States Germany, with whose government and
people we have so many causes of friendship
and so many common sympathies, and the
other powers of Europe, our relations are
maintained on the most friendly terms Since
my last annual message the exchange has been
made OF the ratification of treaty with the
Austro- Ii hungarian empire relating to natu-
rallzation also of treaty with the German
Empire respecting consuls and trade marks.
also OF treaty with Sweden and Norway re-
lating to naturalization, all of which treaties
have been duly proclaimed
STATISTICAL CoNGREss-AMER1cAN CEN.
= TEANIAL, ETC.
Congress at its last session having made an
appropriation to defray the expenses of com,
mIssioners on the part of the United States to
the International Statistical Congress at St.
Petersburg, the persons appointed in that
character proceeded to their destination and
attended the sessions of the Congress Their
report shall, IN due season, be laid before you.
This Congress meets at intervals of about i.
three years, and has held its sessions in SOW