The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-12-10


lslC of each Government, and Of the
statement in writing of each, and. a
translation of the award, ale! transmit
ID herewith. Ills award confirms the
United States in their claim in the i'm
portant archipelago of Islands lying lie
ween tie continent ard Yanconver's
Island, which for twenty y-six years since
he ratification Of the treaty, Great Brit
,fn has contested, and leaves u, for the
irst time in the history of.the United
States as Nation, without question
Of disputed boundary between our ter
ritory ard the possessions Of Gleat
Britain on this continent. 1t is crate
full duty to acknowledge the prompt,
spontaneous action of Her Majesty's
Government in giving effect 10 the
award. In anticipation of any request
from this Government, and Ntefore the
reception in the United States of the
eward, signed by the Emperor, Her
Majesty had given instructions for the
removal of her troops which had been
stationed there, and for the cessation of
all exercise or claim of jurisdiction, SO
as to leave the United States in exclu-
sive possession of the lately disputed
territory. am grateful to he able TO
announce that the orders for the reno
val of the troops have been executed.
and the military joint occupation of San
Juan has ceased. The islands. are now
in the exclusive possession of the Uni
ted States.
1t now becomes necessary to complete
the survey and determination of that
portion of the boundary line through
the Haro Channel, npon which the Com
mission which determined the remaining
part of the lire were unable to, agree :
/ recommend the appointment.of q COM
mission, to act jointly with one which
may be named by Her Msjesty for that
purpose. ~ ~.
Experie of the difficulties attend
ing the determination of our admitted
line of boundary, after the occupation
of the territory and its settlement by
those owing allegiance to the respective
governments, points to the importance
Of establishing by natural objects OF
other monuments the actual line be-
tween the territory acquired by pur-
chase from Russia and the adjoining
possessions of Her Britannia Majesty
The region is now so spalsely occupied
that no conflicting interests of individ-
uals or of Jurisdiction are likely to in
terfere to the delay or embarrassment
Of the actual location of the line. II
deferred until population shall enter
and occupy the territory some trivial
contest of neighbors may again array
the two Governments il sntagonism =
1 therefore recommend the appoint
ment of commission to act Jointly
with one that may be appointed on the
part of Great Britain, to determine the
line between our territory OF Alasks
and the coterminous possessions oi
Great Britain.
In my last annual message / recon-
mended the legislation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into
operation the articles of the Treaty oi
Washington of May, 1871, relating to
the fisheries and to other matters touch
ing the relations of the United States
toward the British North American
possessions, to become operative &c
aoon as the, proper legislation should
be had on the part of Great Britain ant
possessions.
That legislation on the part Of Grea'
Britain and its possessions had not ther
been had, and during the session o.
Congress question was raised, which
for the time, raised q doubt whether
aEy action by Congress in the direction
indicated would become important
This question has since been disposed
Of and ] have received notice that the
Imperial Parliament and the Legislature
of the Provincial Government have
passed laws to carry the provisions o.
the treaty on the matters referred tc
into operation ! therefore recon
mend your early adoption of the legis
lation in the same direction necessary
on the part of this Government.
The Joint Commission for determin
ing the boundary line between the Uni
ted States and the British Possessions
between the Lake of the Woods and The
Rocky Mountains, has organized and
entered upon its work. 1t is desirable
that the force may be increased in or
der that the completion of the survey
and determination of the line may b,
the sooner attained. To this end | re
commend that a sufficient appropria
ton be made.
oCR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally; Rus
sia, the constant and steady friend o
the United States; Germany, with who's,
Government and people We have Sc
many causes of friendship and so man,
common sympathies, and the othe
Powers of Europe, our relations ar,
maintained on the most friendly terms
Since my last message the exchange ha
been made OF the, rsti6cations of ;
treaty with the Austro- Hungary Empire
relating to naturalization also of {
treaty with the German Empire, respect
ing Consuls and trade marks; also of
treaty with Sweden and Norway, rela
ting 10 paturalization-al of whicl
treaties have been duly proclaimed.
Congress, at its last session.. having
made an appropriation to defray the ex
pense of Commissioners on the part o
the United States to the Internationa
Statistical Congress at st. Petersburg
tie persons appointed in that characte
proceeded to their destination and at
tended the sessions of the Congress,
report of which shall in due season b
laid before you. The Congress meet
at intervals Of about three years, ant
has held its sessions in several of th
countries of Europe. 1 submit to you
consideration the rropriety Of extend
| ing an invitation to the Congress t.
hold its next meeting in the United
States. The Centennial Celebration tt
be held in 1876 would afford an appro
pirate occasion for such meeting.