Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-12-05
President s Mess AGE
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 2.

WASHINGTON, d. C., Dec. 2.
To the Senate aud HOUSE of Representa-
tices::
In transmitting to you this, my
fourth annual message, it is with
thankfulness to the Giver of all
Good, that, as a nation, We have
been blessed for the past year with
peace at home, peace abroad, and
general prosperity, vouchsafed to
but few people. With the exception
of the recent devastating fire, which
swept from tho earth with breath,
as it were, millions of accumulated
wealth in the city of Boston, there
has been no oyershadowing calami-
ty to record. 1t is gratifying to
note, how, like their fellow-citizens
of the city of Chicago, under simi-
lar circumstances year earlier, the
citizens of Boston are rallying ''un-
der their misfortunes, and the pros
pect that their energy and persever-
ance will overcome all obstacles and
show the same prosperity soon that
they would had no disaster befallen
them. Otherwise We have been free
from pestilences, war and calamities
which often overtake nations, and,
as far as human Judgment can pen
trate the future, no cause seems to
exist to threaten our future peace.
When Congress adjourned, in
June last, a question had been rails
ed by Great Britain, and was then
pending, which for time seriously
imperiled the settlement by friendly
arbitration of the grave differences
between this government and that
of her Britannia Majesty, which, by
the treaty of Washington, had been
referred to the Tribunal of Arbitra-
tion which had met at Geneva, in
Switzerland. The arbitrators, how
ever, disposed of the question,
which had jeopardlzed the whole Of
the treaty and threatened to involve
the two nation in the most unhappy
relations toward each other, in a
manner entirely satisfactory to this
government, and in accordance with
the views and the policy which it had
maintained. The tribunal which
had convened at Geneva in Decem-
Der, concluded its laborious session
on the 14th day of September last,
on which day, having availed itself
of the discretionary power given to
it by the treaty toward a sum in
gross, it made its decision, whereby
it awarded the sum of fifteen mil
lions five hundred thousand dollars
in gold as the indemnify to be paid
by Great Britain to the United
States, for the satisfaction of all the
claims referred to its consideration.
This decision happily disposes of a
long standing difference between the
two governments, and, in connection
with another award made by the
German Emperor, under reference
to him by the same treaty, leaves
these two governments without a
shadow upon the friendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may for
ever remain unclouded. The report
of the agent of the United States
appointed to attend the Geneva Tri-
bunal, accompanied by the protocols
of the proceedings of the arbitra-
tors; the arguments of the counsel
of both governments; the award of
the tribunal, and the opinion given
by the several arbitrators, are trans
mitted herewith. 1 have caused to
be communicated to the heads of
the three friendly Powers, who COM
piled with the joint request made to
them under the treaty the thanks of
this government for the appoint
ment of arbitrators made by them
respectively, and also my thanks to
the eminent personages named by
them; and my appreciation of the
dignity, patience, impartiality, and
great ability with which they dis
charged their arduous and high
functions. Her Majesty's govern
ment has communicated to me its
appreciation by Her Majesty of the
ability and indefatigable industry
displayed by Mr.. Adams, the arbi-
traitor named on the part of this
government, during the protracted
inquiries and discussion of the tri-
bunal. 1 cordially unite with Her
Majesty in this appreciation. 1t is
due to the agent of the United
States before the the tribunal to re-
cord my high appreciation of the
marked ability, unwearied 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 and eminent counsel
who attended the tribunal on the
part of this government, to express
my sense of the talents and wisdom
which they brought to bear in the
attainment of the result so happily
reached. 1t will be the province of
Congress to provide for the distrib-
ution among those who may be en-
titled to it of their respective shares
of the money to be paid.
Although thu sum awarded is not
payable until a year from the date
of the award, it is deemed advisa-
BILE that no time be lost in making a
proper examination of the several
cases in which indemnification may
be due, consequently recommend
the creation of Board of Commits
sioners for the purpose.
By the thirty fourth article of the
treaty of Washington the respective
claims of the United States and
Great Britain in their construction
of the treaty of the 18th of June,
ls46, defining the boundary line be-
tween their respective territories
were submitted to the arbitration
and award of His Majesty the EN-
peror of Germany to decide which
of these claims is most in accord:
ance with the true Interpretation of
the treaty of 1916. His majesty the
Emperor of Germany having been
pleased to undertake the arbitration,
has the earnest thanks of this gov
ernment, and of the people of the
United States for the labor, pains
and care which he has devoted to
consideration of this long pending
difference. / have caused an eX-
preston of my thanks to be com
municated to His Majesty. Mr..
Bancroft, the Representative Of the
governmental Berlin, conducted the