New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-05
FOURTH ANNUAL MESSAGE
PRESIDENT GRANT.

Giyer OF all gOOu tnat, as nation, VIC have
been blessed for the past year with peace at
home, peace abroad, and general prosper.
ity youchsafed to but few peoples.
With the exception Of the recent deyasta,-
inc fire which swept from the earth. with n
breath as it were, millions of accumulated
wealth in the city Of Boston, there has been
10 overshadowing calamity within the year
to record. II is gratifying to note how, like
their fellow citizens Of the city of CHICAGO
under similar circumstances a wear earlier
the citizens Of Boston are rallying under their
misfortunes, and the prospect that their en-.
ergy and perseverance will overcome all oh.
stacles, and show the same prosperity soon
that they would had no disaster befeli them.
otherwise we have been free from pestilcnce
war, and calamities which often overtake ma.
lions; and as far as human Judgment can
penetrate the future, no cause seems to exist
to threaten our present peace.
When Congress adjourned in June last. a
question had been raised by Great Britain
and was then pending, which for n time So
liously imperi!ed the settlement of 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-
ton, which met at Geneva, in Switzerland.
The arbitrator, however, disposed Of the
question which bad ieOparded the whole of
the treaty, and threatened TO involve the
two nations in most unhappy relations TO.
ward each other, in manner entirely salts.
factory to this Government, and in accord
ance with the views and the policy which it
had maintained.
The tribunal which had convened at &C.
neva IN december concluded its laboriOus
sessions Oh the 18th day of September last. ON
which day, having availed itself of the discre-
tionary power given to it by the treaty, TO
award sum in gross, it made its decision.
whereby it awarded the sum of fifteen mil
lions five hundred thousand dollars in gold.
as the indemnity to be paid by Great Britain
10 the United States, for the satisfaction of
all the claims referred to in its consideration.
This decision happily disposes of long
standing difference between the two Govern
ments, and in connection with another award
made by the German Emperor, under a
reference to him by the same treaty, leaves
these two Governments without shadow
upon the friendly relations which it is nv
sincere hope may forever remain equally I'M
elouded.
The report of The agent of the United States
appointed Ia attend the Geneva tribunal,
accompanied by the protocols of the proceed
ings 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.
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
rny appreciation Of the dignity, patience.
impartiality, and great ability with which
they discharged their ariluous and high func-
tons.
Her Majesty's Government has communi-
Gated to me the appreciation by her Majesty
Of the ability and indefatgable industry dis
played by Mr.. Adams. the arbitrator named
on the part OF this Government, during the
protracted inquiries and discussions of the
tribunal. cordially unite with her Moiesty
in this appreciation.
1t is due to the agent Of the United States
before the tribunal to record my high appre-
cation of the marked ability, nnwearied pa
thence, 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 coun-
sci 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 hap
pily reached.
1t will be the province Of Congress TO pro-
vide TOR the distribution among those who
may be entitled to it Of their respective shares
Of the money to be paid.
Although the sum awarded is moi payable
until year from the date Of the award, it is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in
making proper examination Of the several
cases in which indemnifcation NAV be DUE
! consequently recommend the creation Of a
Board Of Commissioners for the purpose.
BY the 34th article Of the Washington
Treaty the respective claims OF the United
States and Of Great Britain, in the construc-
lion Of the treaty Of the 18th Of June, 1876,
defining the boundary line between their re-
spective territories, were submitted to the
arbitration and award Of his Majesty the En-
peror of Germany, to decide which of those
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 arbtra-
ton, has the earnest thanks of this Govern
ment and Of the people Of the United States,
for the labor, pains, and care which he has
devoted to the consideration Of this long
pending difference. 1 have caused an eX-
preston Of my thanks 10 be communicated to
his Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft, the representa-
tive 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
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
Governments-as the Minister to Great Bri.
tain when the construction now pronounced
unfounded was first advanced, and as the
agent and representative Of the Government
to present the case and to receive the awards
he has been associated with the question
in all Of its phases and in every stage has
manifested patriotic zeal and canestness
in maintenance Of the claim Of the United
States. He is entitled to much credit for thu
success which has attended the submission
After a patient investigation of. the case
and Of the statements Of each party, his
Majesty the Emperor, on the 2lst day of Oc
tober last, signed his award in writing, de.
erecting that the claim Of the Government o
the United States, that the boundary line be-
tween the territories Of her Britannia Majest,
: and the United States should be drawn
through the Haro channel, is most in accord
ance with the true Interpretation of the treat,
concluded on the 18th Of June between thu
Governments Of her Britannia Majesty ant
Of the United States. Copies of the "case'
presented on behalf of each Government, ant
Of the statement in reply of each, and I