Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-03
Presidents Message.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives;
An EyENTFUL YEAR.

An EvENTFUL YEAR.
The year that has passed since the submis-
( sion of my last message to Congress, has, es-
pecialy during the latter part OF it, been an
eventful one, to the country. In the midst
of great national prosperity a financial crisis
! has occurred that has brought low fortunes of
! giganuc proportions, political partsanship
has almost ceased to exist, especially in the
agricultural regions, and finally the capture
upon the high seas of vessel bearing our
flag has for a time threatened the most ser
Gus consequences, and has agtated 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 ma
tons concerned.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations OF the United States, how
ever, with most of the other powers continue
to be friendly and cordial. With France, Ger
many, Russia, Italy and the minor European
powers, with Brazil and most of the South
American Republics, and with Japan, moth
ing has occurred during the gear TO demand
special notice. The correspondence between
the Department OF State aud various dplo-
mantle representatives in or from those
countries Is transmitted herewith.
COMMISSIONERS TO THE VIENNA EXPOSITION
pressed in its joint resolution OF the lith of
February last, and in accordance with the
provisions of the resolution, a number of
practical artizans, of scientific men, and of
honorary commissioners, were authorized to
attend the exposition at Vienna as commits
sloners 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 10 participate in
the advantages of the international exhibition
OF the products of agriculture, manufactures,
and the fine arts, to be held at Vienna. |
take pleasure in adding that the American
exhibitors have received gratifying number
OF diplomas and of medals. During the ex-
position conference was held at Vienna for
the purpose of consultation on the systems
prevailing in different countries for the pro-
lection OF inventions. | authorized a repre-
sentative from the Patent Office to be pres
ent at Vienna at The time when this confer
ence was to take place, in order to aid as far
as he might in securing any possible addition
al protection to Arierican inventors in
Europe. The report of this agent will be
laid before Congress.
KELATIOSS WIFI CHINA.
1t is my pleasant duty TO announce to Con-
gress that the Emperor of China, on attaining
his majority, received the diplomatic repre-
sentatlves of the western powers in person.
An account of these ceremonies and of the in
teresting discussion which preceded them, will
be found IN the documents transmitted here
with. The accompanying papers show that
some advance, although slight, has been made
during the past year towards the suppression
Of the Infamous Chinese coolle trade.
recommend Congress to inquire whether ad-
dtonal legislation be not needed on this sub
Ject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded TO the United States
by the tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva was
paid by her Majesn's 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 50, 1878. 1t 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 in
vested in five per cent. registered bond of
the United States for fifteen million five hun
dred thousand dollars, which is now held by
the Secretary of State subject to the future
disposition of Congress.
l renew my Recommendation made at the
opening OF the last session of Congress- that a
commiss ion be created for the purpose of au-
several direct losses growing out of the des-
truction Of vessels and their cargoes by the
Alabama, the Florida and the Shenandoah,
after leaving Mel Bourne, for which the suffer
ers have received no equivalent or compensa-
ton, and of ascertaning the names OF the
persons entitled to receive compensation for
the same making the compensation upon the
basis indicated by the tribunal of Arbitration
at Geneva, and that the payment of such loss
es be authorized to an extent not to exceed
the award of the tribunal at Geneva.
NORTHWEST AND NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the Nth day of Feb.
last, Congress made provisions for complet
ing jointly with an officer commissioner to
be named by her British majesty, the deter
mination OF so much of the boundary line be-
tween the territory of the United States and
the possessions of Great Britain as was left
uncempleted by the commissioners appointed
under the act of Congress of Aug. llth, 1886
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 copy of the map upon which
the line was thus marked or contained in the
papers is submitted herewith.
also transmit copy of the report of the
commissioners Tor marking the northern boun-
dary between the I nlted States ana the BRIT
ISL possessions west of the Lake OF the Woods.
OF the operations of the commission during
the past season, surveys have been made to IA
point 1917 miles west of the Lake ofthe w oods,
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 set
tlng and determining the claims of citizens
of either power against the other arising from
acts committed against their persons or prop
erty during the period between April 18Th,
1861 and April OH, 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 government OF Her
Britanic Majesty within II months from date
# the award the sum Of s. ,929 Sl9 in gold.
The commission dlsallowed or dismissed all
other claims of British subjects against the
United States. The amount of the claims
presented 10y British subjects but disallowed
or dismissed, is understood to be about $685.
600 600. 1t also disaliowed all the claims of
citizens of the United States against Great
Britain, which were referred to it. | recon-