The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS arEssAGE.

To tie Senate and House Of Repre-
se,.tdtices:: In transmitting TO you
my fourth Annual Message, it is with
thanktulness to the Giver of all
good. AS a nation, we have been
blessed for the last year with peace at
home and abroad, and general pros
perity has been vouchsated TO all but
a few people. With the exception of
the recent devastating fire, which has
swept from the earth with breath,
as it were, millions of accumulated
wealth in the city of Boston, there
have been no overshadowing calami-
ties within the year to record. 1t is
gratifying to noie how, like their tel-
low citizens of Chicago under sim
liar circumstances year earlier, the
citizens of Boston are rallying un-
der their misfortunes, and the pros
pect is that their energy and perse-
verance will overcome all obstacles,
and show the same prosperity soon,
that they would had no disaster be-
fallen them. Otherwise, we have
been free from pestilence, war, and
those calamities which often overtake
nations, and as far as human judg.
ment can penetrate the future, no
cause seems to exist to threaten our
present peace.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
When Congress adjourned in june
last, question had been raised by
Grea, Britain and was then pending
which for time seriously imperiled
the settlement by friendly arbitration
of the differences existing between
this Government and that of her Bri-
tannic Majesty. The Treaty OF Wash,
ington had been referred to the Tri
bunal of Arbitration which had met n,
Geneva IN Switzerland The arbitra.
tors, however, disposed of the ques
ton which had jeopardized the whole
of the Treaty and threatened to in
volve The two nations in unhappy re-
lations toward each other, in manner
entirely satisfactorily to this Govern
ment, and in accordance with the
views and the policy which it had
maintained. The tribunal which had
convened in December concluded its
laborious session on the 14th day OF
September last, on which day, having
availed itself of the discretionary pow
er given TO it by the Treaty to award
sum in gross, it made its decision
whereby 1t awarded the sum of sl5,
50U,L00 in gold, as the indemnity ID
be paid by Great Britain to The
United States for satisfaction of al
claims referred to its consideration
This decision happily disposes of q
long standing difference between the
two Governments, aud in connection
with another award made by the Ger
man Emperor, under reference L
him by the same treaty, leaves the
two Governments without shadow
upon the the friendly relations which
it is my sincere hope may forever re
main equally unclouded. The report
of the agent of the United States ap
pointed to attend the Geneva Tri
buual, accompanied by protocols o
the proceedings OF the arbitrators, ar
guments of counsel of both Govern
ments, award of the tribunal and
opinions given by the several arbitra
tors. is transmitted herewith.
l have caused to be communicated
to the heads of the friendly Power
who complied with the joint reques
made to them under the treaty, tn
thanks of the Government for the ap
pointment of arbitrators made b,
them respecting it; and also IN.
I .tappreciation of the dignity, patience
irnpartiality and great ability wit
which they discharged their arduou
and high functions. Her Majesty
Government has communicated t.
: me its appreciation by Her Majest
of the ability and indefatigable indus
try displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arb
TRAITOR named the On the part of thi
. Government, during the protracte'
; inquiries and discussions of the Tr
bunal. / cordially unite with He
Majesty in this appreciation. 1t
due to the agent of the United State
before the Tribunal to record my al
: probation OF the marked ability, uu
wearied patience and the prudenc
and discretion with which he has cor
b. Quoted the very responsible and del
cate duties committed to him, as it
also due to the learned and eminen
t counsel who ATTENDED the Tribune
on the part of this Government to eA
press my sense of talent and wisdor
which they brought to bear in the al
gument and upon the result SO hal
PLY reached.
1t will be the providence of Coz
gress to provide for the distribution
among those who may be entitled t
. it, of their respective shares of tn
: money to be paid. Although it
# not payable until year from tn
date of the award, it is deemed advi
able that no time be lost in maxim
e the proper examination of the sever;
cases in which ipdemnifcation may b
due. | consequently recommend th
creation OF a Board OF Commissioner
for that purpose.
THE SAN JUAN CONTROVERSY.
By the 34th Article of the Treat
of Washington, the respective claim
of the United States and of Gre'
Britain, in their construction of til
If Treaty of the 18th of June, 1916, d.
fining the boundary line between the
!; respective territories, were submitte
:. to the arbitration and award of III
k Majesty, the Emperor Of Germany,
decide which of the claims is most