The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1872-12-11

struction now pronounced unfounde'
was liist advanced, and as the agen
and representative of the Governmen
to present the case aud to receive tn
award. he has been associated witt
the question in all of its phases, ant
at every stage has minifested patri
otic zeal aud earnestness in the main
tenance of the lain of the Unite,
States he is ent.tlcdito much credi
for the success which has attended
the submission.
After partial Investigation of tbs
case, and Of the statements of eaci
party, His Majesty the Emperor. OF
the 2lst day of October last, signei
his award in writing, decreeing tha
the claim of the Government of the
United States, that the boundary line
between the territories of Her Bri
ttanie Majesty and the United State,
should be drawn through the Hare
channel, is most in accordance with
the true Interpretation of the Treat,
concluded on the 18th of June, 1864
between the Governments of Hel
Brittanic Majesty and of the United
States.
QUIET POSSESSION OF THE DIsPurRI
TERRITORY.
Copies of the case were presented
on behalf of each government. and o.
the statement ON the reply of each
and a translation of the award, are
transmitted herewith. This award
confirms the United States in their
claim to the important archipelago ol
islands lying between the Continent
and Nancouyer's Island, which for
more than twenty-six years, ever
since the ratification of the treaty
with Great Britain, has been contes-
ted, and leaves Us, for the first time in
the history Of the United States, as a
nation without question Of disputed
boundary between our territory and
the possessions of Great Britain on
this continent. 1t ismy grateful duty
to acknowledge the prompt and
spontaneous action of Her Majesty's S
Government in giving effect to the
award. in anticipation Of any request
from this Government and that. be-
fore the reception in the United States
of the awards signed by the Emperor
Her Majesty had given instructions
for the removal of her troops. which
had been stationed there, and for the
cessation of oil exercise or claim of
jurisdiction, so as 20 leave the United
States in the exclusive possession of
the lately disputed territory. | am
grati.ied to he able to announce that
the orders for the removal of the
troops have been executed, and that
the military possession and occupa-
tion of San Juan has ceased, and the
Islands are now in the executive pos
session Of the United States. Ii now
becomes necessary to complete the
survey and determination of that por-
ton Of the boundary line through the
Haro Channel, upon which the Com
which determined the re-
part of thu line, were. unable
to gree. / recon- PEND the appoint
ment of a CommiG On TO act jointly
with. the cae-wkseh eaay .hs naased hY
Her Majesty for that purpose, and
the difficulties attending the deter
of our admitted line of
boundary
THE ALASKA INLAND BOUNDARIES
After the occupation of the terrific
nv, and It's settlement by those owing
allegiance TO the respective Govern
ments, it points to the importance of
establishing, by natural objects or
other monuments, the actual line be-
tween the territory acquired by pur-
chase from Russia and the adjoining
of Her Brittanic Majesty
The region is now so sparselv oceu-
pied that no conflicting interests fin
dividuals, or of Jurisdiction are likely
TO interfere to the delay or embarrass-
ment of the actual location of the
line. If increased population shall
enter and occupy the territory, trivial
of neighbors may again ar
raw the two Governments in antago-
nism. /, therefore, recommend the
Of Commission TO act
ointly with the one that may be ap-
pointed on.the part of Great Britain,
to determine the line between our
territory of Alaska and the eo-termln-
Al possessions of Great Britain.
THE FISHERIES.
In nv last annual message, l re-
the legislation necessary
,n the part of the United States to
bring into operation the articles of the
Treaty of Washington of May stb,
1871. relating to the fisheries, and to
,,her matters touching the relations of
he United States toward the British
North American possessions, to be-
.ome operative as soon as the proper
egislation should be had on the part
# Great Britain and its possessions.
That legislation on the part OF Great
Britain and its possessions had not
hen been had and during the session
f Congress question was raised,
which. for a time, raised doubt
any action by Congress in
he direction indicated would become
This question has since
,een disposed of, and | have received
Iotiee that the Imperial Parliament
nd other legislatures OF the provin-
iaI government have passed laws to
AIRY the provisions of the treaty OF
be matters referred tointo operation |
therefore recommend to You the
ame action as necessary on the part
f this Government.
The Joint Commission for deter
mining the boundary line between the |
Jnited States and British possessions
,etween the Lake of the Woods and
be Rocky Mountains has organized
nd entered upon IFS work 1t is de-
irable that the force be increased, in
rider that the competition of the sur
ey and determination of the line
nav be the sooner attained To this
nd, recommend that sufficient ap-
ropriation be made