Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1872-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Boston, there have been no oTershadowing
caiamitics within the year to record. 1t is
gratifying to note how, like their fellow citi-
zens of the city of Chicago under similar cir
cumstances year earlier the citizens Of bos-
Ton are rallyiDg under their tiisfortuues, and
the prospects, that their energy and persever-
ance Will overcome all obstacles, and show
the same prosperity soon that they would
nave had, had no diaster befalIen them
otherwise we have been free from pestilence,
war, and the calamities which often overtakc
nations, and, as far as human Judgment can
penetrate the future, no cause seems to ex-
lst to threaten our present peace. When
congress adjourned, in June last, question
mad been, raised by great Britain, and was
tnen pending, which for time seriously I'M
pefiled the settlement by friendly arbitra-
tiop OF the differences existing between this
government and that of Her Britanic Ma
lestY; but the treaty of Washington had
been referred to the Tribunal Of Arbitration
whlch had met at Geneva, in Switzerland.
The arbitrstors, however, disposed of the
question which had jeopardized the whole
OF the treaty and threatened to involve
the two nations in most unhappy relations
Toward each other, in manner entirely sat-
1sfactory to this Government, and in accord
ance with the views of the policy which it
had maintained. The Tribunal, which had
convened at Geneva in December, concluded
ATS ia6orfous session on the 14th day of Sep
temper last, on which day, having availed
atself of the discretionary powers given to
1t by the treaty to award sum in gross, it
made its decision whereby it awarded the
SUM of SIS, 500, COO in gold as the indemnity
to be paid by Great Britain to the United
States for the satisfaction of all the claims
referred to in its consideration. This decis-
ION happily disposes of long-standing diff
ference between the two Governments, and,
In connection with another award made by
German 70
him by the same treaty, leaves the two Gov
ernments without shadow upon the friend
ly relations which it is my sincere hope may
forever remain equally unclouded. The re-
port of the agent of the United States, ap-
pointed to attend the Geneva Tribunal, ac-
lpgs OF the Arbitrators, the arguments of
the counsel OF both Governments, the
award OF the Tribunal, and the opinions
given BY the several Arbitrators, is
transmitted herewith. I have caused to be
communicated to the heads of the three
friendly powers who complied with the
JOINT request made to them under the trea-
ty, the thanks of this Government for the
appointment Of Arbitrators made by them
respectively, and also my thanks to the enl-
1nent personages named by them, and my
appreciation of the dignity, patience,
MbEsh ,%bpEah5'lal1sy tSsv and great ability with
GUS and high functions. Her
Males6y's government has communicated to
me It's appreciation by Her Majesty of the
anlllty and indefatigable industry displayed
by MIR. Adams, the arbitrator named on the
part OF this Government, during the pro-
.facted inquiries and discussions of the Tri-
ounal. cordially unite with Rer Majesty
IN this appreciation. 1t is due to the agent
OF the United States before the Tribunal to
record my appreciation of the marked
ability, unwearied patience, and the pru-
dence and discretion with which he has CON
Quoted the very responsible and delicate du-
Ties committed to him, as it is also due to
the learned and eminent counsel who at
tended the Tribunal on the part of this Gov
ernment, to express my sense of the talent
and wisdom which they brought to bear in
the argument of the result so happily
reached. 1t win be the province of Con
gress to provide for the distribution among
those who are entitled to it of their re-
spective shares of the money to be paid Al
though the sum awarded is not PAYABLE un-
tli year from the date Of the award, it is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in
making a proper examination of the several
cases In which indemnifcation may be due.
1 consequently recommend the creation of a
Board OF Commissioners for that purpose.
BY the 34th article of the Treaty of Wash
lngton, the respective claims of the United
States and OF Great Britain, in their con
struction of the Treaty of the 18th of June.
1916, defiRing the boundary line between
their respective territories, were submitted
to the arbitration and award of His Majesty,
the Emperor of Germany, to decide which
OF these claims is most in accordance with
the true Interpretation of the Treaty of 1916.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, hay
ing been pleased to undertake the arbitra-
tion, has the earnest thanks of this Govern
ment and OF the people of the United States
Tor the labor, pains and care which he has de-
voted to the consideration of this long pend
ing difference. Ihave caused an expression of
my thanks to be communicated to His Mai
esty. Mr. Bancroft, the representative of
this Government at Berlin, conducted the
case and prepared the statement on the part
OF the United States with the ability that his
past services justified the public in expect
ing at his hands. AS a member of the Cabi-
net at the date of the treaty which has given
rise to the discussion between the two Gov
ernments, as the Minister to Great Britain
when the construction now pronounced un-
founded was first advanced, and as the agent
and representative of the Government to
present the case and to receive the award. he
mas been associated with the question in all
OF its phases, and in every stage has mani
rested patriotic zeal and earnestness in the
maintenance of the claims of the United
States. He is entitled to much credit for
the success which has attended the submis-
sion. After patient investigation of the
case and of the statements of each party,
His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, 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 interpre-
tation of the treaty concluded on the 18th of
June, 1876, between the agents of Her Britain
nic Majesty and of the United States.
4 q co mt faH hob
each Government and OF the statement in
reply OF each, and transition of the award
are transmitted herewith. This award con-
firms the United States in their claim to the
important archipelago of islands living be-
tween the continent and Vaneouver's Island.
which for 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 a nation
without a question of disputed boundary
between our territory and the possessions of
Great Britain ON this continent. 1t is nv
grateful duty to acknowledge the prompt
and spontaneous action of Her Majesty's
Government in giving effect to the award
In anticipation OF any request from this
Government, and before the reception in the
United States of the award signed by the
Emperor, Her Majesty had given orders for
the removal OF her troops which had been
stationed there, and for the cessation of all
exercise or claim of jurisdiction so as to
leave the United States in conclusive DOS
session OF the lately disputed territory. I
am grateful to be able to announce that the
orders for the removal of the troops have
been executed, and the military joint occu-
patton 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, up-
on which the commission which
determined the remaining part of the line
were unable to agree. Recommend the an
pointment OF commission to act jointly
with one which may be named by Her Majes-
ty for that purpose. Experience of the diff
culties attending the determination of our
admitted line of boundary after the occupa-
tionof the territory and its settlement by
those owing allegiance to the respective
Governments points to the Importance of es-
tablishing, by natural objects, or other
monuments, the actual line between the ter
ritory acquired by purchase from Russia and
the adjoining possessions of Her Britannia
Majesty. The region is now so sparsely oc-
cCDied that no cODf1ictiDp jntarasts of indi-