The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-13

the agent and representative of the
Government to present the case and
to receive the award, he has been as
sociatcd with the question in all its
phases, aud in every stage has mani
tested patriotic zesl and earnestness
in the maintenance Of the claim of the
United States. He il entitled to
much credit for the success which has
attended the submission. After n
patient investigation OF the case and
of the statement of each party, His
Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, on
the 21st day OF October last, signed
his award in writing, decreeing that
the claim of the Government of the
United States that the boundary line
between the territories OF Her Britain
mic Majesty and the United States
should he drawn through the DeIaro
Channel, is most in accordance with
the true Interpretation of the treaty
concluded on the 9th of June. 1916,
between the agents of her Her Britain
mic Majesty and of the United States.
Copies of the case presented in behalf
of the Government and of the state
ment in reply of each, and transla.
ton of the award are transmitted
herewith. This award confirms the
United States IN their claim To the i'm.
portant archipelago of Islands lying
between the continent and Vancouver i
Island, which has been in dispute for
twenty-six years, ever since the ra,iii'
cation of the treaty.
The claim of Great Britain has
ceased and leaves us for the first time
in the history of the United States
without question of disputed bound.
airy between our territory and the
possessions of Great Britain on this
continent. 1t is my qualification to
acknowledge the prompt and sponta-
neous action of Her Majesty's Govern.
ment in giving effect to the award
In anticipation of any request from
this Government, and before the re.
ception OF the award signed by the
Emperor, Her Majesty had given in
structions for the removal of her
troops which had been stationed
there, and for the cessation of all ex.
ercise or claim of jurisdiction so as 10
leave the United States in the excln-
sive possession of the lately disputed
territory. | am grateful to be able to
announce that the orders for the re
moval OF the troops have been exc.
cuted and the military joint occupa
ton of San Juan has ceased. Th,
Islands are now in the exclusive pos
session of the United States. It now
becomes necessary to complete the
survey and determination of that por
ton of the boundary line through DE-
Haro Channel upon which the com
missioners which determined the re
naming part OF the line were unable
TO agree. | recommend the appoint
ment of commission to act joint,
with one which may be named b,
Her Majesty for that purpose.
THE ALASKA BOUNDARY.
The experience of the difficulties at
tending the determination of our ad
mitted line OF boundary after its oc
cupation of the Territory aud its Sc,
tlement by those owing allegiance u
the respective Governments, points te
the Importance of establishing by nat
ural objects or other measurements
the actual line between the Territor,
acquired by purchase from Russia ant
the adjoining possessions of Her Brit
annie Majesty. The region is now SC
sparcely occupied that no oomplicat
ing interests of individuals or OF juris
diction are likely to intervene TO th'
delay or embarrassment of the actua
location OF the line. Ii deferred
until population shall enter and ocup,
the Territory, some trivial contests o
neighbors may again array the twe
governments into antagonism.
therefore recommend the appoint
ment of a Commission to act joint,
with one that may be appointed oil
the part of Great Britain, TO determin
the line between the Territory of Al
aska and the coterrninous possession
of Great Britain.
THE FISHERIES.
In my last annual message I recon
mended the legislation necessary Of
the part OF the United States to brin,
into operation the articles of tn
Treaty of Washington, of May, 1871
relating to the fisheries and othe
matters touching the relations of tn
United States toward the Britis
North American possessions to be
come operative SO soon as proper leg
islation should be had on the part @
Great Britain and her possessions
That Legislation on the part OF Grea
Britain and her possessions ha
not then been had, and during til
session of Congress question wa
raised which for time caused dout
whether action by Congress in the d
rection indicated would become i'm
portant,--a question which has sine
been disposed Of and have receive
notice that the Imperial Parliamen
and tine Legislature of the Provint
tial Government have passed laws t
carry the provisions of the treaty o
the matters retired to into operation
| therefore recommend your earl
adoption of legislation in the same d
rection, to carry out the treaty on th
part of this Government.
THE BOUNDARY EAST OF THE ROCK
MOUNTAINS.
The Joint Commission for dete
mining the boundary line between tt
United States and the British Posse
sions, and between the Lake OF th
Woods and the Rocky Mountains hs
organized and went upon its work.
1t is desirable that the force be il