New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-05


experience Of the difficulties ATTENDING III,
uetei1mnation oil our admitted line of bound
-! ai,er the occupation Of the territory an,
tL, '...,elhent by those owing allegiance IL
the respective Governments. roints to ,h,
Importance of establishing by natural object.
al other monuments the actual line between
a territory acquired by purchase from Rus.
SKI, ana the adjoining possessions Of her Bri
fannie Majesty. The region is now so sparsely
occupied that no conflicting interests Of indi.
.iauals or OF jurisdiction are likely 10 inter.
lere to the delay or embarras sment of The
actual location of the line. If deferred until
population shall enter and occupy the terri.
tory, some trivial contest of ncighbors NAV
again array the two Governments in antaro.
iie'n. therefore recommend the appoint.
M,ent OF a commission to act jointly with one
mat may be appointed on the part of Great
Britain to determine the line between o"r
territory Of Alaska and the cotcrminous nos.
sessions Of Great Britain.
In my last annual message recommended
tne legislation necessary on the part of the
United States to bring into operation the ar.
tlcles OF the Treaty of Washington of Nav 8.
1871, relating to the fisheries and to other
matters touching the relations of the United
States toward the British North American
possessions, to become operative so soon as
the proper legislation should be had on the
part OF Great Britain and its possessions.
mat legislation on the part of Great Brit
ain and its possessions had not then been
had, and during the session of Congress a
question was raised which for the time raised
a doubt whether any action by Congress in
tho direction indicated would become import
ant. This question has since been disposed
of, and have received notice that the I'M
perial Parliament, and the Legislatures Of
the Provincial Government, have passed
laws to carry the provisions of the treaty on
the matters referred to into operation.
therefore recommend Your early adoption of
the legislation in the same direction neccs-
sary on the part Of this Government
The Joint Commission for determining the
boundary line between the United 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 be increased, in order
that the completion of the survey and deter
mipatiOn Of the line may be the sooner at
tanned. To this end recommend that a s,,f.
ticient appropriation be made.
With France, our earliest ally-Russ;a, the
constant and steady friend of the United
States-Germany, with whose Government
and people we have so many causes of friend
ship and so many common sympathies, and
the other powers of Europe, our relations are
maintained on the most friendly terms.
Since my last annual message the exchange
has been made Of the ratification of a treaty
with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, relating
to naturalization also of a treaty with the
German Empire respecting consuls and.tradc
marks; also 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 dcfray the expense of Com
missioners on the part of the United States,
to the International Statistical Congress at
st. Petersburg, the persons appointed in that
character proceeded to their destination and
attended the sessions Of the Congress. Their
report shall in due season be laid before YOU.
This Congress meets at intervals Of abont
three years, and has held its sessions in sew
eral of the 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 Cen
tennial celebration to be held in 1876 would
afford an appropriate occasion for such meet
ing.
Preparations are making for the Intcrna-
tiOnal Exhibition to be held during the next
year in Vienna on scale Of very great mag
nitude. The tendency of these eXpositions
is in the direction of advanced civilization,
Dor, and OF the increase Of human happiness
as well of greater intercourse and good will
between nations.
As this Exposition is TO be the first which
will have been held in Eastern Europe, it is
believed that American inventors and manu-
iacturers will be ready to avail themselves Of
the opportunity for the presentation of their
productions, if encouraged by proper aid and
protection.
At the last session Of Congress authority
was given for the appointment of one or more
agents to represent this Government at the
Exposition. The authority thus given has
been exercised, but, in the absence Of any
appropriation, there is danger that the inn
pOrtant benefits which tho occasion offers
will. in large degree, be lost to citizens Of
the United States. 1 commend the subject
strongly to your consideration, and recon-
mend that an adequate appropriation be made
for the purpose. To further aid American
exhibitors at the Vienna Exposition would
recommend. in addition to an appropriation
Of money, that the Secretary.of the Navy be
authorized to tit up two naval vessels to
transport between our Atlantic cities and
Triest, or the most convenient port to Vienna,
and back, their articles for exhibition.
Since your last session the President Of the
Mexican Republic, distinguished by his high
character and by his services to his country,
has died. His temporary successor has now
been elected with great unanimity by tho
people, proof of confidence on their part in
his patriotism and wisdom, which, it is be-
lieved, will be confirmed by the results Of
his administration. 1t is particularly desir-
able that nothing should be left undone by
the Government Of either Republic to
strengthen their relations as neighbors and
| friends.
1t is much to be regretted that many law
less acts continue to disturb the quiet of the
settlements on the border between our terri
tory, and that of Mexico, and that complaints
Of wrongs to American citizens in various
parts of the country are made.
The revolutionary condition in which the
neighboring republic has so long been in
volved has, in some degree, contributed tl
this disturbance. tits to be hoped that with
a more settled rule Of order through the Re
public, which may be expected from the
present Government, the acts Of which just
complaint is made, will cease.
The proceedings of the commission under
| the convention with Mexico of the 4th OF
| July, 1868, on the subject Of claims, have
unfortunately been checked by an obstacle
for the removal Of which measures have beer
taken by the two Governments which ii is
believed will prove successful.
| Tho cop,miSs iODars onDojnfad Oursuani 4,