Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-12-13

the exclusive possession of the United
States. 1t now becomes necessary to com
plete the survey and determination OF that
portion of the boundary line through the
Iaro Channel upon which the Commission
which determined tho remaining part ofthe
line were unable to agree. l recommend
the appointment of n Commission TO act
jointly with one which may be named by
Her Majesty for that purpose. Experience
OF the difficulties attending the determna-
ton of our admitted line of boundary after
the occupation of the territory and its set
tlement by those owing allegiance to the
respective governments points to the import
ance of establishing by natural objects or
other monuments the actual line between
the territory acquired by purchase from
Russia and the adjoining possessions of Her
Britannia Majesty. The region is now so
sparsey occupied that no conflicting inter
ests of individuals or of jurisdiction are
likely to interfere to the delay or onbar-
rassment of the actual location Of the line.
If deferred until population shall enter
and occupy the territory, some trivial con-
test OF neighbors may again array the two
governments in antagOnism. l therefore
recommend the appointment of Commis-
sion TO act jointly with one that may be ap-
pointed on the part of Great Britain to de-
| terminc the line between our Territory OF
| Alaska and the cotcrminous possessions of
Great Britain.
OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE
TREATY.
In my last annual message recommend
ed legislation on the part of the United
States to bring into operation the arti-
cles Of the Treaty of Washington of May,
1871, relating TO the fisheries and other
matters touching the relations of the Unit
Oh Cfufp Too ri ~ Sb Amer
| can possessions, to become operative so
| soon MS the proper legislation should bo
| had ON tho part Of Great Britain and its
| possessions. That legislation on the part
| Of Great Britain and its possessions. had
not then been had, and during the session
| of Congress question was raised which
| for the time raised n doubt whether any ac-
| ton of Congress III the direction indicated
would become important This question
| has since been disposed of, and | have re-
| cevcd notice that the Imperial Parliament
| and the Legislature of the Provincial Gov
ernmont have passed laws TO carry the pro-
| visions Of the treaty ON the matters refer
red to into operation. | therefore recon-
mend your early adoption of the legislation
in the same direction necessary on the part
of this government. The joint commission
for determining the boundary line between
the United States and the British possess
ions between the Lake cf the Woods and
the Rocky Mountains has organized and
entered upon its work. 1t is desirable that
the force be increased in order that the
completion of the survey and determine
ton of the line may be the sooner attained.
To this end / recommend that a sufficient
appropriation be made.
OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER FOREIGN
POWERS.
With France, our earliest ally; Russia,
the constant and steady friend of the Unit
cd States; Germany, with whose govern
ment and people we have so many causes
of friendship and so many common SYM
paties, and the other Powers of Europe,
our relations are maintained Oh the most
| friendly terms. Since my last annual mes
| sage, the exchange has been made of the
ratification of treaty with the Austro-
Hungarian Empire relating to naturaliza-
| ton also, OF a treaty with the German
Empire respecting consuls and trade
| marks and, of treaty with Sweden and
| Norway relating to naturalization, all of
| which treaties have been duly proclaimed.
| Congress at its last session having made an
appropriation to defray the expenses of
| Commissioners on the part of the United
| States to the international Statistical Con-
| gress at st. Petersburg, the persons ap-
| pointed in that character proceeded to their
| destination and attended the sessions of
| the Congress. Their report shall in due
i season DE Iulu DclOTt you. MS tOHBItNS
meets at intervals of about three years, and
| has held its sessions in several countries OF
Europe. / submit to your consideration
| the propriety Of extending an invitation to
| the Congress to hold its next meeting in
| the United States. The Centennial celebra-
| tion to be held in 1876, would afford an ap-
| propriate occasion forsuch meeting. Prep
| arations are max ing for the International
| Exposition to be held during the next year
| in Vienna on scale of very great magni-
| tude. The tendency of these eXpositions
| is in the direction of advanced civilization
and of the elevation of industry and of la
| Dor and of the increase of human happi-
| ness, as well as of greater intercourse and
| good will between nations. As this Expo
| sition is to be the first which will have been
| held in Eastern Europe, it is believed that
| American inventors and manufacturers
will be ready to avail themselves OF the OPP
portunity for the presentation of their pro-
| ductions if encouraged by proper aid and
| protection. At the last session of Congress,
| authority was given for the appointment OF
one or more agents Ia represent this gov
| ernment at the Exposition. The authority
thus given has boel exercised, but in the
| absence of any appropriation there is dan
ger that the important benefits which the
occasion offers will in large degree be lost
to the citizens of the United States. ! com
mend the su biect strongly to your consid
Grafton and recommend that an adequate
QDprOprlatlOn he nlauc 'OT INC purpose. 1t
further aid American exhibitors at the Vi
emma Exposition, | would recommend, IN
addition to an appropriation of money, thai
the Secretary of the Navy be authorized tt
fit up two naval vessels to transport be
tween our Atlantic cities and Trieste, oi
the most convenient port to Vienna anC
back, their articles for exhibition.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Since our last session the President o
the Mexican Republic, distinguished by
his high character and by his services Il
his country, has died. His temporary sue
cessor has now been elected with great unan
unity by the people, q proof of confidence
on their part in his patriotism and wisdom
which it is believed will be confirmed by
the results of his administration. 1t is par
ticularly desirable that nothing should b'
left undOne by the government of eithe
republic to strengthen their relations a
noighbors and friends. 1t is much to b
regretted that many lawless acts continue
to disturb the quiet Of the settlements OF
the border between our territory and tina
of.MeXicO, and that complaints of wrong
to American citizens in various parts q
the country are made. The revolutionar,
condition in which the neighbOring Rcpub
lie has so long been involved has in som
degree contributed TO this disturbance. l
il to be hoped that with IA more settled rul
of order through the Republic, which ma
beexpected from the present government
the acts Of which just complaint is mad
) will cease.
The proceedings under the Commission
under the convention with Mexico OF tn
18th of July, 1865, ON the subject of claim
have unfortunately been checked by an oh
stacle Tor the removal of which measure
have been taken by the two governments
, which, It's believed, will prove successful
+ The Commissioners appointed pursuant t
the Joint resolution of Congress of the II
r of May last TO inquire into the depreda
! tions on the Texan frontier, have diligent
ly made investigations i'm that quarter
Their report upon the subject will be con
l. munica to you. Their researches wer
necessarily incomplete, partly on accour
= of the limited appropriation made by Con
!, gress. Mexico, on the part of that govern
i ment, has appointed similar commissio