Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-12-12
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Fourth Annual Message Of Presi-
dent Grant, Delivered to
Congress at l O'clock
December "a.

message. il is with thankfulness to the Oliver
of all Good that, as nation, We nave Deen
bless ed for the past year with peace AT hoihe
and abroad, and a genera! prosperity 'oucn
safe to but few people. with the
execution of the recent devastating pre-
which swept from earth III breath'
az il we're millions Of accumulated wealth, III
the CITY of Boston. there have been no over
sbadowing caamities within tho year Ia re-
cord. 1t is gratifying to note how, IKE their
fellow.citzens Of the city OF chicago uhuer
similar circumstances a wear earlier, tue
citizens of Boston are rallying under thor
misfortunes. and there iss prospect thar their
energy and perseverance Will overcome All
obstacles and show the same prosperity soon
that thew would had no dsaster-Gallen upon
them. Otherwise we have been freo from pes
thence war and calamltics which often over
take nations and, as far as human judgment
can penetrate the future, 10 canse seems W
exist to threaten our present peace.
TUE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned in June last 4
question had been raised by Great Britain ana
was then pending, VIII ch tor a time seriously
imperied the settlement bT friendly Thltra-
ton, Of the differences existing b tween TINS
Government and that Of Her Bl1tanc Majesty,
that the Treaty OF Washington had referred TO
the Tribunal Of Arbitration which had met at
Geneva in Switzerland. The arbitrator,, how
over. disposed OF the question which had
ieopardzed the whole of the treaty and threat
pucd to involve the two nations III the most
unhappy relations toward each other in \
manner entirely satisfactory 10 thIs govern
meut and IN accordance with the views and
fine policy which il had maintained. The
tribunal which had convened IN Geneva IN
December concluded It's laborlous session on
the 18th day of september last, on which day,
having awaited itself Of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty 10 award sum
in gross it made its decision, whereby 1t
awarded the sum of 1880, coo in gold rs the
indemnity to bc paid by Great Britain to the
United States for the satisfaction Of all claims
referred 10 It's consideration. This decision
happily disposcs of a lOng-standlng difference
between the two governments, and IN connec-
ton with another award made by the German
Emperor under reference to HIM by the same
treaty, leaves the Government without a
shadow upon the friendly relations which 1t is
my sincere hope may forever remain equally
unchanged.
The report of the agent OF the United States
appointcd TO attend the Geneva tribunal, ac-
conpanid by the protocals Of the proceedings
OF the arbltrators, the arguments OF the conn
sci OF both Governments, the award OF the tn
buual aud the opinions given by the several
arbitrator, is transmitted herewith. nave
caused 10 be communicated to the heads OF
the three friendly powers, who complied with
the Joint request made to them under the
treaty, the thanks of this Government for the
appointment Of arbluatoIs made by
them respectively and also my
thanks TO the eminent personages
named 10y them, aud my appreciation OF the
dignity patience, imparuality and great abil-
ity with which they discharged their arduous
and high functions. Her Maiestys govern
mont has communicated 10 me its apprecia-
ton by Her Majesty OF the ability and indo-
iatigabc industry displayed by Mr.. Adams i'll
the arbitration named, on the part Of this Gov
Crument during the protracted lnqulrles aud
discussions of the tribunal. | cordially unto
with Her 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, unwoaried patience and the
prudence and discretion with which he has
conducted the very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, as it is also due to
the learned ana eminent counsel who attended
the tribunal on the part OF this Government TO
cNpress my sense of the talent and wisdom
which they brought to bear in the argument
and the results so happily reached. 1t will be
the province OF Congress to provide Tor the
distribution among those who may be entitled
10 il of their respective shares Of the money to
be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not payable
until wear from the date OF the award, it is
deemed blNlSablt luNl no lilNt NC lpsl Ill uldh
ing proper examination OF the sevcrsl cases in
which Naturalization may be due. ! cOnse-
quently recommend the creation of board OF
commissioners tor the purpose.
the NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
by the thirty-fourth article of the Treaty OF
Washington, the respective claims OF the
United States and Great Britain IN their con-
structlon at the treaty of the 18th of June,
1916, defining the boundary line between their
respective territories, were submitted for
arbitration and award To His Majesty, the
Emperor OF Germany, TO decide which OF these
claims was most IN accordance with
the true Interpretation of the treaty
OF lSi6 His Majesty the Emperor
OF Germany, having been pleased to assume
the arbitration, has the earnest thanks Of this
Government and OF the people OF the United
States tor the labor, pains and care winch he
has devoted e. the consideration of this long
pending difference. | have caused an
expression of my thanks te he COM
communicated 20 his Majesty. 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 service justified
the public IN expecting ut his hands, rs a
member 81 the Cabinet az the latc of the
treaty which has given rise 10 the discussion
between the two governments, as the
Minister to Great Britain when the
construction now pronounced untoundei, was
in 81 advanced, and as the agent aud repre-
sentative of the government, To present the
case and 10 receive the award, He has been
associated with the question in an ot its
phases, and IN every stage has manifested a
patriotic zeal and counsel m the malutaiuancc
Of the claim of the United States. lie is en-
titled % much credit tor the success which
has attended ,hc submission.
After patient Wvcs IT, alton OF the ease, and