The Cecil Whig., 1872-12-07
THE MESSAGE.

lamlty by fire at Boston, in connection will
the energy displayed by the people of tina
city in extricating themselves from thei
misfortune. The settlement of our long
pending disputes with Great Britain is thu
next topic, briefly reviewing the decisions
at Geneva and Berlin, and highly compli
menting Charles Francis Adams and the
agents and the counsel employed by til,
United States, and also Mr.. Bancroft, oul
Minister at Berlin, for his agency and ser
vices in the settlement of the San Juan dis
pute. The marked compliment paid to Mr.
Adams is responsive to a communication
from the British Government expressing iti
appreciation of the ability displayed by Mr.
Adams, as Arbitrator on the part of the
United States. Referring to the decisions
at Geneva and Berlin, the President says,
that the results under the treaty of Wash.
ington leave the two governments without a
shadow upon their friendly relations, which
condition he expresses the sincers hope may
forever remain. The award at Berlin
leaves the United States, for the first time
in its history as nation, without ques-
ton of disputed boundary with Great Brit
ain. Referring to the fact that the $15,-
800, 900 awarded to the United States, at
Geneva. is not payable for one year, the
President recommends the creation of a
Board of Commissioners, who may, in the
meantime, examine individual claims under
the award, SO that no time may be lost in
making the distribution. Legislation SIM
liar to that of Great Britain and Canada on
the question of the "fisheries, under the
Treaty of Washington, is recommended
The cordial relations existing with France.
Russia and Germany are mentioned; and
also the negotiation of certain treaties with
the Austro- Hungarian Empire, and Sweden
and Norway, generally with respect to
naturalization. A recommendation is made
to invite the International Statistical Con-
gress to hold its next meeting in the Unit
ed States, at the time of the Centennial
Celebration, in 1876; and following this, is
a reference to the International Exposition,
to be held next year in Vienna, with rec
ommendation that an adequate sum be ap-
propriated to aid in the effort to have the
products and inventions of Americans fair
ly represented in that Exposition; and a
further suggestion that the Secretary Of the
Navy be authorized to fit up two naval
vessels to transport American articles in
tended for exhibition at Vienna.
Regret is expressed in view of the many
lawless acts which disturbed the quiet of
our Mexican border during the recent rev.
olutionary condition of Mexico, accompan-
led by an expression of the hope that with
more settled rule and order under the ex-
isting Mexican Government, chosen with
such unanimity, these disturbances and
depreciation may cease. Nothing should
be left undone to strengthen the relations
between the two governments, as neighbcrs
and friends. The President also regrets
that he has again to announce a continu-
ance of the disturbed condition of Cuba, no
advance having been made towards the
pacitication of the discontented part of the
people. This contest has lasted now for
more than four years, and is at our door.
The President does not doubt that the con-
tinued maintenance of slavery in Cuba is
among the strongest inducements to the
continuance of the strife, and he holds the
opinion that its abolition and the introduce
ton Of other reforms in the government
of Cuba could not fail to advance the re-
turn of peace and order. He hopes the
present liberal Government of Spain may
take the same view. After further obser-
vations in relation to the emancipation of
the slaves in that island, the President ex-
presses his regret in having to believe that
citizens of the United States, or those
claiming to be such, are large holders of
slaves in Cuba. This is in defiance of the
spirit of our own laws, and, in view of the
fact, he again recommends such legislation
by Congress as may be proper to discour-
age, if not to prevent. American citizens
from holding Or dealing in slaves in that
island or elsewhere.
The armistic concluded under the aus
oc 81, ni{ {oI hot,
and the allied South American Republics
that it may be followed by permanent
peace. With these States, and with the
other republics of Southern and Central
America, and with Brazil, our Government
maintains most friendly relations.
Venezuela. however, has made no furth-
er payments on the awards in our favor
under the convention of 1916. The atten-
tion of our Congress is invited to the mat
ter. The President renews the recommen-
dation that sum be appropriated for the
education and support of at least four
American youths in each of the empires of
China aud Japan, SO that when educated,
our ministers and consuls there may have
interpreters and translators belonging to
our own country; he also suggests that pro-
foreign countries to relieve cases of distress
occurring to our seamen and other citizens.
Then follows summation of the receipts
and expenditures of the United States, and
the condition ofthe public debt, from which
it appears that the total reduction of the
debt since 1st of March, 1869, to the 1st of
November. 1872, was $363. 696, 999.S7. On
the subject of taxation, the President says
&c doubtful vyhafhor tbar
reduction can be made in addition to that
provided for by recent acts of Congress-
AS measure of justice to the holders of
the national debt certificates, he recon-
mends that no more legislation to reduce
the taxes be had, unless to correct errors
in the present laws, until time shall prove
that further reduction ought to be made
The preservation Of our national credit is
of the highest importance, and next in
importance is the duty to provide note
currency, which at as early period as is
practicable will be conve rted into gold at
par.
Following this important subject is the
usual reference to the reports of the De-
partments. There is a necessity for full
medical corps for the army, there being
now fifty nine vacancies in that corps
hlNcT dLtl udIbOI Improvements itTe Gu
dorsed as returning more than their cost to
the country in the losses thereby prevent
ed. The attention of Congress is invited
to the desirability Of better facilities for
the transportation of the surplus products
of the West to the Atlantic seaboard, and
in this connection certain interior water
routes are mentioned, such as the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, although no recon-
mendation for National aid is made at
present. The Message suggests a Commits
sion to examine the whole subject. A Com
mission is also recommended to inquire in
to the best method for acquiring for the
Government the title to all telegraph lines
in operation, SO as to connect them with
the postal service. Liberal contracts to
certain mail steamship lines are recon-
mended, with a view to benefitting trade
and commerce. Lawless acts have become
less frequent in the Southern States, and
at the close ofa conciliatory passage under
this head, the President expresses his hope
that there may never be any further cause
for the execution of the Enforcement Acts.
The present Indian policy of the Admins
tration, which continues to work well, will
be maintained without material change.
Referring to Territorial affairs, the Presi-
dent recommends the passage of a law for
Utah, to secure peace and equality among