Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-12-09
Fourth Annual Message Of
President Grant.
INTRoDUCToRY-REFE TO THE Bos-
TON FIRE.

my Fourth Annual Message, it is with
thankfulness to the Giver of all good
that as nation we have been blessed
for the last year with peace at home and
abroad, and general prosperity vouch-
safed to but few people. With the ex-
ception 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 overshadowing calamity within
the year to record. 1t is gratifying to
note how, like their fellow citizens of
Chicago, under similar circumstances a
year earlier, the city of Boston are raj
lying under their misfortunes, and the
prospect is that their energy and perse-
verance will overcome all obstacles, and
show the same prosperity soon that they
would had no disaster befallen them.
Otherwise we have been free from pesti-
lence, war, and other 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 TREATY OF WASHINGTON AND ITS
When Congress adjourned in June
last, question had been raised by Great
Britain and was then pending, which
for a time seriously imperlled the settle
ment by friendly arbitration of the grave
differences between this Government and
that of her Britannia Majesty, which by
the Treaty of Washington had been re-
ferred by the tribunal of arbitration
which had met at Geneva, in Switzer-
land. The arbitrators, however, dis
posed of the question which had leopard
lied the whole Treaty and threatened to
involve the two nations in most unhappy
relations toward each other, in manner
entirely satisfactory to this Government,
and in accordance with the views of the
policy which it had maintained. The
Tribunal which had convened in Geneva
in December, concluded its laborious
session on the 18th day of September
last, on which day, having availed itself
of the discretionary power given to it by
the Treaty to award sum in gross, il
made final decision whereby it award
ed the sum of $14,OOO,OOO in gold a:
the indemnity to be paid by Great Brit
ain to the United States for the ratifca
ton of all the claims referred to its con
sideration. This decision happily dis
poses of a long standing difference be
tween the two governments, and in con
nection with another award made by tn
German Emperor, under reference t.
him by the same treaty leaves these tw
governments without shadow upon tn
friendly relations which it is my SINGER
hope may forever remain equally un
clouded. The report of the Agent of tn
United States appointed to attend tn
Geneva Tribunal accompanied by tn
protocols of the proceedings of the arbi
traitors, the arguments of the Council Q
both Governments, the award of th
Tribunal, and the opinions given by tn
several arbitrator is transmitted here
with. | have caused to be communica
ted to the heads of the three friendl
Powers who complied with the joint re
quest made to them under the Treaty
the thanks of this Government for tn
appointment of arbitrators made by thel
, respectively, and also my thanks to tn
eminent personages named by them. an
my appreciation of the dignity, patienc
and great ability with which they di'
charged their arduous and high funt
tions. Her Majesty's Government ha
communicated to me its appreciation b
Her Majesty of the ability and indefa
igable industry displayed by Mr.. Adam
t the arbitrator named on the part of tn
f Government during the protracted il
quiries and discussions of the Tribuna
| cordially unite with Her Majesty
this appreciation.
1t is due to the Agent of the Unite
States before the Tribunal to record N
high appreciation of the marked abilit,
= unwearied patience and the prudent
= and discretion with which he has col
Quoted the very responsible and delica
duties committed to him, as it is all
n due to the learned and eminent couns
: who attended the Tribunal on the pa
S of this Government, to express my sen
of the talents and wisdom which thu
n brought to bear IN the attainment of Il
result so happily reached. 1t will
= the province of Congress to provide f
u the distribution among those who M;
+ be entitled to it, of the respective shar
Il of money to be paid. Although t
. sum awarded is not payable until a We
from the date of award, it is deemed a
u visable that no time be lost in maki1
h a proper examination of the sever
IS cases in which Naturalization may
,e due. consequently recommend t
creation of a board of commissioners
/ the purpose. By the 34th article of t
H. Treaty of Washington, the respecti
lie claims of the United States and Gre
l. Britain, in their construction of t
W Treaty of the 18th of June, 1916, def
: ing the boundary line between their
'e spective territories, we're submitted
er the arbitration and award of his Maj
IL ty the Emperor of Germany, to deci
which of those claims is most in accol
ance with the true Interpretation of t
Treaty of 1916. His Majesty the E
q peror of Germany, having been pleas
= to undertake the arbitration, has t
." earnest thanks of the Government a
IN of the people of the United States
l. the labor, pains and care which he /
IN devoted to the consideration of this lor
i; pending difference. | have caused
J expression of my thanks to be comm
IL nicated to His Majesty. Mr.. Bancrc
n the Representative of this Governme
as at Berlin. conducted the case and p
of pared the statement on the part Of I
- United States with the ability that
~ past services justified the public in
OF pecting at his hands. A member of
n Cabinet at the date of the Treaty VIII