The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1872-12-03

much credit for the success which has at
tended the submission. After patient
investigation of the case and of the state
/ ments of each party, His Majesty the EN-
peror, on the 2lst day of October last,
signed his award in writing, decreeing that
| the claim Of the Government of the United
States that the boundary line between the
territories of Her Britannia Majesty and
| the United States should be drawn through
the Haro Channel, is most in accordance
with the true Interpretation of the treaty
concluded on the 18th of June, 1876, be-
tween 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
reply of each, and the translation of the
award are Transmitted herewith. This
award confirms the United States in their
claim, to the important archipelago of
islands lying between the continent and
Vancouver'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 his
tory of the United States as nation with
out question of disputed boundary be-
tween our territory and the possessions Of
Great Britain on this continent. 1t is my
grateful duty to acknowledge the prompt
spontaneous action Of her Majesty's gov
eminent in giving effect to the award in
anticipation of any request from this gov.
eminent, and before the reception in the
United States of the award signed by the
Emperor, her Majesty had given instruc-
tons for the removal of her troops which
has been stationed there, and for the ces
sion of all exercise or claim Of jurisdiction.
So as TO leave the United States in the
| executive possession of the lately disputed
territory, am gratified to be able to an.
nounce that the orders for the removal of
the troops have been executed, and that
the military point Of occupation of San
Juan has ceased. The islands are now in
the Executive possession of the United
States. 1t now becomes necessary to conf
plete the survey and determination of that
portion of the boundary line through
! the Haro Channel upon which the COM
mission which determined the remaining
part of the line were unable to agree.
recommend the appointment of commits.
ision to act jointly with one which may be
named by her Majesty for that purpose
| Experience of the difficulties attending the
determination of our admitted line of
boundary after the occupation of the ter
| ritory and its settlement by those owing
allegiance to the respective governments,
/ points to the Importance of establishing,
by natural objects or other monuments,
| the actual line between the territory &C.
euired by purchase from Russia, and the
adjoining possessions Of her Britannia
Majesty, The region is nov so sparsely oc.
cupied that no conflicting interests of indi.
viduals or Of jurisdiction, are likely to in
terfere to the delay or embarrassment OF
actual location of the line If deferred till
population shall enter and occupy the ter,
ritory. some trivial contest of neighbors
may again array the two governments in
antagonism. | therefore recommend the
appointment of commission to act jointly
| with one that may be appointed on the
part of Great Britain, to determine the
| the line between the territory OF Alaska
and the exterminus possessions of Great
Britain. In my last annual message | re-
commended the legislation necessary on
part of the United States to bring into
operation the articles of the Treaty of
Washington, of May s, 1871, relating to
the fisheries, and to other matters touching
the relations of the United States toward
the British North American 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
Britain 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 an, action by Con.
/ gress in the direction indicated would be-
come important. This question has since
been disposed Of. and have received no.
tice that the Imperial Parliament and
other Legislatures of the provincial gov.
eminent have passed laws to carry the
/ provisions of the treaty on the matters re-
ferred to into operation. l therefore re-
commend your early adoption of the legis.
lation in the same direction necessary on
the part of this government.
The joint commission for determining
the boundary line between the United
States and British Possessions, between
the Lake Of the Woods and the Rocky
Mountains,has organized and entered upon
its work. 1t is desirable that the force be
increased, in order that the completion OIL
the survey, and determination of the line
may be the sooner attained to this end, /
recommend that sufficient appropriation
be made. 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 mes
] sage the exchange has been made of the
notifications of q treaty with the Austro-
Hungarian Empire, relating to naturaliza
tion also of a treaty with the German
Empire, respecting consuls and trade
marks also of treaty with Sweden and
Norway, relating to naturalization !; all OIL
which Congress. at its last session having
made an appropriation to defray the ex.
penses of commissioners on the part of the
United States to the International Statisti.
cal 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 dne
season, be laid before you. This Congress
meets at intervals of about three years,
and has held its sessions in several OF the
countries Of Europe. Isubmit to con
sideration he propriety of extending an
invitation TO the Congress to hold its next
meeting in the United States, the Cen.