The Portland daily press., 1873-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

esnec;a,lv during the latter part OF 1t, been an
eyyentfuI one to the country. In the midst OF
e,reat national prosperity financial crisis has
Occurred that has brought low fortunes of
gigantic proportions; political partizanship
has almost ceased to exist, especially in the
agricultural regions; and finally the capture
upon the high seas of a vessel bearing our
flag, has for time threatened the most Sc
rious consequences and has agitated the pub
lie mind from one end of the country to the
other, but this happily now is in the course of
satisfactory adjustment honorable to both
nations concerned.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States, however,
with most of the other powers continue to be
friendly and cordial. With France, Germany,
Russia, Italy and the minor European pow
ers, with Brazil and most of the South Amer
lean republics, and with Japan, nothing has
occurred during the year to demand special
notice. The correspondence between the De-
partment of State and various diplomatic rep
resentatives in or from those countries is
transmitted herewith.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will of Congress as ex-
pressed in its joint resolution of the l4th OF
February last, and in accordance with the
provisions of the resolution, number of
practical artizans, of scientific men and of
honorary commissioners, were authorized to
attend the exposition at Vienna as commits
sioners on the part of the United States. 1t
is believed that we have obtained the object
which Congress had in view when it passed
the joint resolution, in order to enable the
people of the United States to participate in
the advantages of the international exhibit
ton of the products of agriculture, manufac-
IL. C.. l. hr1d dnk
I take pleasure in adding that the American
exhibitors have received gratifying number
of diplomas and of medals.
During the exposition conference was held
at Vienna for the purpose of consultation on
the systems prevailing in different countries
for the perfection of inventions. l authorized
a representative from the patent office to be
present at Vienna at thetime when this con-
ference was to take place. in order to aid as
far as he might in securing any possible addi-
tional protection to American inventors in
Europe. The report of this agent will be laid
before Congress.
CHINA AND THE CoOLIE TRADE.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to Con-
gress thot the Emperor of China, on attaining
his majority, received the diplomatic represen
tatives of the western powers in
person. An account of these ceremonies, and
of the interesting discussions which preceded
them will be found in the documents trans
mitted herewith.
The accompanying papers show that some
advance, although slight, had been made dur
ing the past wear towards the suppression Of
the infamous Chinese cooGe trade. recon-
mend Congress to inquire whether additional
legislation be not needed on this subject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United States
by the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva was
paid by her Majestys government few days
in advance of the time when it would have
become payable according to the terms of the
: treaty. In compliance with the provisions Of
the act of March 8, 1873, it was at once paid
into the treasury and used to redeem SO far as
it might the public debt of the United states
and the amount so redeemed was invested in
five per cent. registered bond of the United
States for fifteen millions five hundred thou
sand dollars, which is now held by the Secre-
tary of State, subject to the future disposition
of Congress. .r-f
renew my recommendation made at the
opening of the last session of Congress, that
a commission be created for the purpose of
auditing and determining the amount of the
several direct losses growing out of the de-
struction of vessels and their cargoes by the
Alabama, the Florida or the Shenandoah after
leaving Melbourne, for which the sufferers
have received no equivalent or compensation.
and of ascertaining the names OF the
persons entitled to receive compensation for
the same making the compensation upon
the basis indicated by the tribunal of arbitra
ton at Geneva, and that the payment Of such
losses be authorized to an extent not to ex-
ceed the awards of the tribunal at Geneva.
THE NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the l4th day oi
February last, Congress made provisions fol-
completing jointly with an officer or commits
sioner to be named by her British
Majesty. the determination Of so much
of the boundary line between
the territory of the United States and the
possessions of Great Britain as was left un-
completed by the commissioners appointed
under the act of Congress of August ii, 1856
Under the provisions of this act the north
west water boundary of the United States
has been determined and marked
In accordance with the award OF
the Emperor of Germany. A protocol and
a copy Of the map upon which the line was
thus marked, are contained in the papers sub
mitted herewith.
I also transmit a copy of the report
of the commissioners for marking the
northern boundary between the United
States and the British Possessions
west of the Lake OF the Woods
Of the operations of the commission during
the past season, surveys have been made to a
point 497 miles west of the Lake Of theWoods
leaving about $50 miles to be surveyed, the
field work of which can be completed during
the next season,
THE MIXED COMMISSION.
The mixed commission, organized under
the provisions of the Treaty of Washington
for settling and determining the claims Of
citizens of either power against the other,
arising from acts committed against their
persons or property during the period between
April Is, 1861, and April 9, 1865, made its
final award on the 25th day of September
last. 1t was awarded that the government Of
the United States should pay to the govern
ment of her Britannia Majesty within
twelve months from the date of the award,
the sum of $i,929.Sl9 in gold. The
commission disallowed or dismissed
all other claims of British
subjects against the United States. The
amount of the claims presented by the British
subjects, but disallowed or dismissed, is un-
derstood to be about $93 100000 1t also dis
allowed all the claims Of citizens of the United
States against Great Britain which were re-
ferred to it.
! recommend the early passage OF an act
appropriating the amount necessary to pay
this award against the United States.
have caused to be communicated to the
government of the King Of Italy the thanks
of this government for the eminent services
rendered by lCount Corti as the third
commissioners on the commission.
With dignity, learning and impartial
ity ne discharged duties requiring great labor
and constant patience to the satisfaction,
believe, of both governments,
recommend legislation to create a special
court, to consist of three judges, who shall be
empowered to hear and determine all claims
of aliens upon the United States, aris-
Ing from acts committed against their
persons or property during the
insurrection. The recent reference under the
treaty of Washington was confined to claims
of British subjects arising during the period
named in the treaty; but it is also under
stood that there are other British claims of
similar nature arising after the 9th of April,
1865, and it is known that there are other
claims of like nature, advanced by citizens
or subjects of other powers. 1t is desirable
to have these claims also examined and dis
posed of.
THE ACHEEN WAR.
Official information is being received from
the Dutch government of state of war be-
tween the king of the Netherlands and the
Sultan of Acheen. The officers of the Unit
ed States who were near the seat of the war