Connecticut western news., 1872-12-13
A FEW EXTRACTS FkOM THE RESIDENTS 1 ESSAG.E.

L6ceS.
 In Transmitting to you this, my fourth annual message, it is with thankfulness tu the G,ver of all good that, ss x nation, We have been blessed for the last year with peace at home and abroad, and . general prosperity vouchsafed to but few people. With the exception of the recent deyas, tating fire which swept from the earth with breath, us it were, millions of accu mulatcd wealth ia lhe city of Boston, there has been no overshading calamity within the year to record. It is gratifying to note how, like the fellow-citizens of the city of Chicago, under similar .circum stances a year earlier, the citiztns Of Bos- ton are ralying under their misfOrtunes, and the prospect that in their energy and perseverance will overcome all obstacles and show the same prosperity soon thai they would had no disaster befalen them. Otherwise We have been free from pe5ti- lence, War and calamilies, which often overtake nations. anlus far ss human jndge mert can penetrate the future no cause seems 10 exist to threaten our present peace.
 OUR RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.
 When Congress adjourned, in June last . question had been raised by Great Brit ain and was then pending, which for a time, seriously imperIled the settlement by friendly arbitration of the grave diff fcrences between the Government and that of Her Britanic Majesty, which. by the Treaty of Washington, had been referred to the Tribunal of Arbitration which had met at Geneva, in Switzerland. The arbi trators, however, disposed of the question which had jsopardiz':d the whole ot the treaty, aud threatened to involve the two nations in the most unhappy relations toward each other. in nlanner entirely satisfactory to the government, snd in ac- cordance with the views and policy which it had maintained. The Tribunal which convened in Geneva in December, cOnclu- ded it's sessions on the fourteenth day Ot September last, on which day having availed itself of the discretionary power given to it by ,hetreaiy to award a sum in gross it made its decision whereby i. awarded ihc sum of Sl5 5OO,OOO in gold as the indemnity to be paid by Great Britain to the United States for the satisfaction of all claims referred to it's consideration.
 This decision happily disposes of A long standing diff,.rence between the two Gov eInments, and in connection with another award, made by the German Emperor un- der reference 10 him by the same treaty, leaves these two Governments without Q shadow upon the friendly relations which it is my sincere hops may forever remain equally unclouded. The report of the a.ent of the United States appointed to attend the Geneva Tribunal, accompanied by the protocols of the proceedings of the arbitratOrs, the arguments of the counsel of both Governments, the award of the tribunal, aud the opinions given by several arbilralors, is transmitted herewith. have caused to be communicated to the heads of the three friendly powers who complied with the joint request made to them under the treaty, the thanks of this Government for the appointment of arbitrators made by them respectfully, and also my thanks to the eminent personages named by them, and my appreciation of the dignity, pa tience. impartiaIity and great ability with which they discharged their ardunus and high functions. Her Najesty's Govern ment has communicated to me it's sppre- ciation, by her M,jesty of the ability and indefatigable industry displayed by Mir. Adams, the arbitrator named on the part of this Government during the proiracted inquiries and discussions of the tribunal. I cordially unite her Majesty in this appre- citation. It is due to the agent of the United States before the tribunal to record my high appreciation of the marked al'il- fly. the unwsaried patience, and the pru- dence and devotion with which he has conducted the very responsible and deli. cate duties committed to him; as is also due to tue learned and eminent counsel who attended the tribunal on the part of this Government, to express my sense Ot the talent and wisdom which they brought to bear in the attainment of the result SD happily reached. It will De tue province of Congress to provide for the distribu ton among those who may be entitled 10 it of their respective shares of the money to be paid. Although the sum awarded is not payable until B year from the date of the award, it is deemed advisable that no time be lost in making proper examina- ton of the several eases in which imdcm niication may be due. 1 eOnse quenily rec ommend the creation of a Board of Com missioners for the purpose.
 OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER EUROPEAN
 POWERS.
 With France. our earliest ally, Russia, the constant and steady friend of the Uni ted States, Germany, with whose govern ment and people We have many cau"s of friendship. and so many common sympa- thies, and with 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 ratifica'inns of Il treaty with the. Aus,ro Hungarian empire relating to the naturaiizAiions; also, of treaty with the German Emperor respecting coDsus anti trade marks; also treaty with Sweaden and Norway relating 10 ualuril"z .iion; all of which treaties have been duly proclaim cd.
 RIVER AND HARE )R iMPR ITEMENTs.
 The river and harDor improvements have been carried on with energy, though many are only partially completed; the results have saved to commerce many times the amount expended. The increase of commerce with greater depth of chan nels, gre&eer security in navigation, and the saving of time, adds millions to the