, 1873-12-11

COUNSEL anu u OtOktS JuTOIS.
London Hour says it has Trustworthy
information that by the privately ex-
pressed wish of Plus TX, the car
dinals have been in consultation and
elected Cardinal Pecci, Arch Bishop of
Perugioa, for the next Pope. He was
born in 1910 and became cardinal
in 1852. He is hardworking bishop
and is called an Ultra -Montainist, but
would, No doubt, live on friendly terms
with the Italian Government. Even
the free thinkers of Italy greatly respect
Cardinal Pecci.
Presidents Message.
The SENATE AND House OF REPREsrN-
TAT1vEs-The year that has passed
since the submission of my last message
to Congress, particularly the last part
of it, has been an eventual one to the
country. In the midst of great nation
al prosperity financial crisis has oc-
Cured that has brought low the for
tunes of great many. Political par
tizanship has almost ceased to exist, es-
pecially in the agricultural regions.
THE vIRGINIUs.
The capture upon the high seas of a
vessel bearing our flag has for a time
threatened the most serious consequence
es, and agitated the public mind from
one end of the country to the other
This, happily, is now in tile course Of e
satisfactory adjustment, honorable to
both nations concerned. The relations,
however, of the United States with most
of tile other nations continues to be
friendly and cordial. With France,
Germany, Russia, Italy and the minor
powers; with Brazil and most of the
South American Republics and japan
nothing has occurred worthy of special
notice. The corrssr rondence between
the Department of State and the various
diplomatic representatives from those
countries is transmitted herewith.
PATENT CONFERENCE.
A conference was held in Vienna for
the purpose of consultation on the sys-
TENS prevailing in different countries for
the protection of Inventors. I author
lied a representative from the Patent
Office to be present at Vienna at the
time the conference was to take place,
in order to aid as far as he might in Sc
curing any possible additional protec-
ton to American inventors in Europe.
The reports of this agent will be laid be-
fore Congress.
THE AUDIENCE QUESTION.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to
Congress that the emperor of China, OH
attaining his majority, received the di-
plomatic representatives of Western
powers in person. An account of these
ceremonies and the interesting discus
sion which preceded them will be found
in the documents transmitted herewith.
THE CooLIE TRADE.
The accompanying papers show that
some advance, though slight, has been
made .during the past year toward the
Infamous Chinese coolie trade. I re-
commend Congress to inquire whether
additional legislation bo needed on this
subject.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS AWARD.
The money awarded to the U. S. by
the Tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva
was paid by Her Majesty's Government
. few days before it would have become
payable according to tho terms of the
treaty. In compliance with the act of
March Sd. 1873, it was at once paid into
the Treasury and used to redeem the
national debt.of the United States, and
5te amount &c redeemed was invested
in per cent bond ofthe United States
for SIS, ,000,0G0, which is now held by
the Secretary of State subject to the fu-
trre disposition Of Congress- 1 renew
my Recommendation, made at the as
sembling Of the last session of Congress
that a commission be created for the
purpose of auditing and determining
tho amounts of the several direct losses
growing out of the destruction of the
vessels and their eargees by the Alabama
and the shenandc ali, after leaving Mel
bourne, for which the sufferers have
received ne equivalent or compensation,
and Of asesrtaining the names of per
sons entitled to receive compensation
for the same, making the computation
ON the basis indicated by the Tribunal
of Arbitration at Geneva, and that pay
ment of such losses be auth orizsd 10 an
extent not to excede the award of the
tribunal at Geneva
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION.
By the act approved on the 14th of
February last. Congress made provision
for completing, jointly with an officer
or commissioner to be named by Her
Britannia Majesty, the determination of
no much of the between the territory of
Greet Britain as was left incomplete by
the Commissioners appointed under the
act of Congress of August. II, 1866
Under the provisions of this act the
Northwest water boundary of the United
States has been determined and marked
protocol, and copy Of the nap upon
which the line was thus marked are
contained in the paper submitted here.