The Portland daily press., 1872-12-03
BY TELEGRAPH.
The Presidents Message.

To the Senate and House of Representatives
In transmitting to you this my fourth annual
message, it is with thankfulness to the Giver
of all good that u nation we have been
blessed for the last year with peace at home
and abroad and a general prosperity vouch-
safed to but few people. With the exception of
the recent devastating fire, which swept from
the earth with breath as it were millions of
accumulated wealth in the city Of Boston,
there has been no oversbadowing calamity
within the year to record. 1t is gratifying To
note how. like their fellow citizens of the city
of Chicago under similar circumstances,
a year earlier, the citizens of Boston are raj
lying under their misfortunes. and the pros
poets that their energy and perseverance Will
overcome all obstacles, and show the same
prosperity soon that they would had no dis
aster befallen them. Otherwise we have been
free from pestilence, war and calamitieS which
often overtake nations and as far as human
Judgment 'comprehends the future, no cause
seems to exist to threaten our present peace.
THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL.
When Congress adjourned in June lat a
question had been raised by Great Britain,
and was then pending, which for time scri-
ously imperilled the settlement of friendly ar
bitration of the grave differences between this
government and that of Her Britannia Majesty
which by tie Treaty of Washington had been
referred to the Tribunal of Arbitration which
had met at Geneva in Switzerland. The aI-
bitrators, however, disposed of the question
which had jeopardized the whole treaty and
threatened TO involve the two nations in most
unhappy relations toward each other, in
manner entirely satisfactory to the govern
ment and in accordance with the views of tee
policy which il had maintained
The Tribunal which had convened in
Geneva in December, concluded its labori-
Gus session the l4th day Of
September last, on which day,
having availed itself of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty TO award
full sum in gross, it made its fist decision,
whereby it awarded the sum of $l5.500,000 in
gold as the indemnity, TO be paid by Great
Britain to the United States for the ratification
of all the claims referred to its consideration.
This decision happily disperses OF long
standing difference between the two govern
ments and in connection with another award,
made by the German Emperor under a refer
ence to him by the same treaty, leaves these
two governments without shadow upon the
friendly relations, which it is my sinesye hope
may forever remain equally uncloaded.
The report of the agent of the United
States, appointed TO attend the Geneva
Tribunal accompanied by the protocols of the
proceedings 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 here
with.
have caused to be communicated to the
heads of the three friendly powers who COM
piled with the joint request made to them I'M
der the treaty, the thanks of this gov
eminent for the appointment of arbitrators
made by them respectively, and also my
thanks 10 the eminent personages
named by them, and my appreciation of the
dignity, patience and great ability with which
they discharged their arduous and high func-
tons. Her Majesty's government has COM
municated to me its appreciation by Her Maj
esty of the abilities and interchangeable industry
displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbitrator
named on the part of this government during
the protraeted inquiries and discussions of the
Tribunal. l cordially unite with Her
Majesty in this appreciation.
1t is due to the agent of the United States
before the Tribunal to record my high appre-
citation of tie marked ability, unwearied
patience, and the prudence and discretion with
which he has conducted the very responsible
and delicate duties committed to him, as tits al
SO due TO the learned and eminent counsel who
attended the Tribunal on the part of this gov
eminent. to express my sepse Of the talents
and wisdom which they brought to bear in
the attainment of the result so happily reach
ed.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE AWARD.
1t will be the province of Congress to pro-
vide for the distribution among those who
may be entitled to it, of the re-
spectiye shares off money to be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not payable I'M
80 - .. Il
advisable That no time be lost in making a
proper examination of the several cases in
which naturalization may be due eonse-
quently recommend the creation of board of
Commissioners for that purpose.
SETTLEMENT OF THE SAN JUAN DIFFICULTY.
BY the Bath article of the Treaty of WASH
ington the respective claims of the United
States and of Great Britain, in their construc-
ton of the treaty of the 18th of June,
1916, defining the boundary line be-
tween their respective territories, were
submitted to the arbitration and
award of His Majesty the Emperor of Ger
many, to decide which of those claims
is most iii accordance with the true in
depreciation of the treaty OF 1916. His Mai
esty the Emperor of Germany having been
pleased to undertake the arbitration has the
earnest thanks of the government of the peo-
pie of the United States for the labor pains
and care which he has devoted to the consid-
Grafton of this long pending difference. I
have caused an expression of my thanks to be
communicated to His Majesty.
MIR. Bancroft, the representative of thi,
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 expecting at his
hands. AS member of the Cabinet 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 our construction was pronounced I'M
founded as first advanced, and as the agent
and representative of the government to
present the case and to receive the award.
he has been associated with the question in
all It's phases, and III every stage has mani
Tested patient zeal and earnestness in the
of the claim of the United States.
He is entitled to much credit for the success
which has attended~the submission after
patient investigation of the case and of the
statements of each party.
Ills Majesty the Emperor on the 2lst day of
October last signcd his award in writing, de-
,reeing that the claim of the government of
me United STATES, that the boundary line be.
tween the territories Of Her Britannia Majesty
and the United States should be drawn
through the HaIu elGnnel, is most in
accordance with the true Interpretation of the
treaty concluded on the l5;h of June, 1916,
between the agents of their Brttanic Majes-
lies and of the United States. Copies Of the
case presented on behalf of each government
and of the statement in reply of each, and
4 translation of the award, are transmitted
herewith.
This award confirms the United States in
heir claim to the important archipelago Of
Stands lying between the continent and Van
,ouvers Island, which for more than twenty
'ix years, ever since the ratification
If the treaty, Great Britain las contested, and
caves us, for the first time in the history of
he United States as a nation, without ques-
ion of disputed boundary between our terri
ories and the possessions Of Great Britain on
his continent.
1t is my grateful duty to acknowledge the
prompt spontaneous action Of Her Majesty's
government in giving effect to the
ward. In anticipation of any
eQuest from this government and
efore the reception in the United States Of
he award signed by the Emperor. Her
iajesty had given instructions for
ne removal of her troops which
ad stationed there, and for the'cessat,on of all
xercise or claim of jurisdiction, so as to leave
lie United States in executive possession of