The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-12-05


To the Senate and House of Representatives.:
In transmitting to you my fourth annual
message it is with thankfulness to the Giver
of all good, that as a nation we have been
blessed for the last year with peace at home
ana abroad, and general prosperity vouch-
safed to but few people. With the excep-
ton of the recent devastating fire, which
swept from earth with breath, as it were,
millions of accumulated wealth in the city
of Boston, there have been no over-shadoW1ng
calamities within the year to record. 1t IT,. is
gratifying to note how like their fellow citi-
zens of the city of Chicago, under similar
circumstances year earlier, the citizens OF
Boston are rallying under their misfortunes,
and the prospect is that their energy and
perseverance will overcome all obstacles and
show the same prosperity soon that they
would have had, had no disaster befallen
them. Otherwise, we have been free from
often overtske nations And, as far as
human judgment can penetrate the future,
no cause seems to exist to threaten our
present peace.
THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.
When Congress adjourned ia June last,
question had been raised by Great Britain,
and was then pending, which for a time Sc
riOusly imperi1ed the settlement by friendly
arbitration OF the differences existing be
tween this Government and that of Her Bri-
fannie Majesty, which, by the Treaty of
Washington, had been referred to the tribu-
nal of arbitration which had met at Geneva,
Ill u.
disposed Of the question which had jeopar-
died the whole of the treaty and threatened
to involve the two nations in most unhappy
relations toward each ether. IN a manner en-
tlrely satisfactory to this Government,
and in accordance with the views
and the policy which it had main
tanned. The tribunal which had convened
in Geneva, in December, concluded its 1abo-
rious session on the 14th day of September
last, on which day, having availed itself of
In
treaty to award sum in gross, it made its
decision whereby it awarded the sum of
SIS, 600 in gold, as the indemnity 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 be-
tween two governments, and in connection
with another award made by the German
Emperor under a reference to him by the
same treaty, leaves the two governments
without shadow upon the friendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may forever re-
main equally 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 arbitrators, the argu
ments of the counsel of both governments,
the award of the tribunal, and the opinions
given by the several arbitrators is transmit
ted herewith.
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 Govern
ment for the appointment 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 discharged their arduous and
high functions.
Her Majesty's Government has communi-
Gated to me the appreciation by Her Majesty
OF the ability and interchangeable industry dis
played by MIR. Adams, the arbitrator named
on the part of this Government, during the
protracted inquiries and discussions of the
tribunal l cordially unite with Her Males
ty in this appreciation.
1t is due to the agent of the United States
before the Tribunal to record my apprecia-
ton of the marked ability, unwearied
patience, and the prudence and discretion
with which he has conducted the very re-
sponsible and delicate duties committed to
him. And 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 talent and wisdom which
they brought to bear in the argument of the
result SO happily reached. 1t will be the pro-
vince of Congress to provide for the distri-
button, among those who are entitled to it.,
OF their respective shares of the money to
be paid.
Although the sum awarded in not payable
until year from the date of the award,
1t is deemed advisable that no time be lost
IN making proper examination of the sew
eral cases in which Naturalization may be
uue. L consequently recommend the crea-
ton of board of Commissioners for the
purpose.
THE SAN JUAN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
By the thirty -fourth article of the Treaty
of Washington the respective claims of the
United States and of Great Britain in their
construction of the treaty of the 18th June,
1916, defining 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 having
been pleased to undertake the arbitration
has the earnest thanks of this Government
and of the people of the United States for
The labor, pains, and care which he has de-
voted to the consideration of this long
pending difference. 1 have caused an eX-
preston of my thanks to be communicated
to His Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft, the represen-
conducted the and prepared the
statement on the part of the United
States with the ability that his
past service 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 the construction now pronounceds I'M
founded was 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 its phases, and in every stage has mani
Tested q patriotic zeal ard earnestness in
maintenance of the claim Of the United
States. He is entitled to much credit fol
the success which has attended the submits
sion, after a patient Investigation of the
case, and of the statements of each party
His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, or
the 21st day of October last, signed his
award in writing, decreeing that the claim
CT the Government of the United States
that the boundary line between the Terri
ritories of Her Britannia Majesty and the
United States should be drawn through the
Haro channel, is most in accordance with
the true Interpretation of the treaty conclud
ed on the 18th of June. 1916, between the
agents of Her Britannia Majesty and of the
United States.
Copies of the case presented on behalf OF
each Government, and of the statement in
reply of each, and translation of the ard
are transmitted herewith. This AVA con
firms the United States in their claim to the
important archipelago of islands lying be-
tween the confident and Vancouver'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 il
the history of the United States natioT
without a question of disputed boundary
between our Territory and the possession:
of Great Britain on this continent.
1t is my grateful duty to acknowledge the
. prompt, spontaneous action eff Her Males
tvs 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 instruc
tiOnS for the removal of her trOors which