The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


The wear tnat ms Ia>>cu slilfc lhc sun
mission of my last message 10 Congress
has. especially the last part OF It, been an
eventfll one To the country. In the midst
of great national prosperity financial
crisis has occurred that has brought low
fortunes of great proportion. Political
partiZ .nship has almost ceased 10 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 serious consequences,
and has agitared the public mind from one
end of the country 10 the other but
this, happily. now is i'm the course of salts
factory adjustment, honorable TO both ma
tons concerned.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations OF the United States. how
ever. with most of the other nations
continue to be friendly and cordial. With
France. Germany. Russia, Italy and the
minor European powers, with Brazil and
most of the South American Republics,
and with Japan, nothing has occurred
during the year 10 demand special notice.
The correspondence between the Depart
ment of State and various diplomatic rep
resentatyes i'm or from these countries l.
transmitted herewith.
In executing the will of Congress n eX-
pressed in it, joint resolution of the 18th
of February last. and in accordance with
the provisions of the resolution number
OF practical artisans. and scientific men
and OF honorary commissioners were au-
thOrized to attend the Exposition at Wen
ma As commissioners on tile part OF the
United States 1t j. believed that We have
attained the object which Congress had in
view when il passed the joint resolution
named In order 70 enable the people OF 'he
United States 10 participate in the advantage
of an International exhibition OF the pro-
ducts OF agriculture, manufactures and the
fine arts 10 Ice neld at Vienna. | take pleas
ure in adding that the American exhibitors
have received gratifying number OF
diplomas and of medals. During the cX-
position A conference was held at Vienna
for the purpose of consultation on the sys-
tens pervading in different countries for
the protection of inventions. authorized
the representative from the Patent Office
TO be- present at Vienna AT the time when
the conference was To take place. in order
TO aid Is far a. he might in securing any
possible additional protection 10 American
inventors in Europe. The report of this
agent will be laid before Congress.
IL j. my pleasant duty 10 announce to
Congress that the Emperor of China, on
attaining his majority. received the diplo-
matte representatives of the Western Pow
ers in person. An account of these cere-
monies aud Of the Interesting transactions
which preceded will be found in the docu-
ments transmitted herewith. The accom-
PAVING papers show that some advance.
although slight has been made during the
past year towards the suppression OF the
inmmou, Chinese cOolie trade. | recon-
mend Congress 10 inquire whether addl-
tional legislation be notneeded on this sub
iect
The money awarded 10 the United States
by the tribunal Of arbitration at Geneva
was paid by Her MaieSty's Government a
few days in advance of the time when II
would have become payable according 10
the terms OF the treaty. In compliance
with the provision OF the act OF March 81.
1873, il was at once paid into the Treasury
and used To redeem. so far n itmight. the
public debt of the United States. and the
amount 80 redeemed was invested IN a five
per cent. registered bond of the United
StateS for fifteen million five hundred thou-
sand dollars. which j. now held by the Sec
tlry OF State subject To the future DISPOSE
ton of Congress.
| renew my recommendation made M
the assembling OF the last session of Con-
grcss that a commission be created for
the purpose Of auditing and de-
ternining the amounts of the several
direct losses growing ont OF the destruc-
ton Of vessels and their cargoes by
the Alabama and Shenandoah. after
leaving Melbourne, for which the suffer-
erS have received no equivalent or com
pensaiion; and Of ascertaining The names
Of persons entitled 20 receive compensa-
ton for the same. making the computa-
ton on the basis indicated by the 1rlbu-
a 49, .fl .tt. Il lNF
payment OF such losses be- authorized to
an extent not to exceed the awards OF the
Tribunal al Geneva.
Bv net approved on hcllih Of February
last. Congress made provision for COM
plotting jointly with nm officer or com
mi. -ioner To be- named by her Britannia
Majesty the determination OF 80 much Of
the boundary line between the territory OF
Great Britain. ~ was left uncomplcted by
commissioners appointed under the act Of
Congress Of August II, 1856. Under the
provisions of this act the northwest water
boundary of the United States has been de-
tcrmined and marked in accordance with
the award of the Emperor of Germany.
a protocol and copy Of the map on
which the line was thus marked are con-
tanned in papers submitted here and ! also
transmit a copy Of the report Of tho com
missioner for making the boundary be-
tween the United States anu the British
possessions west of the Lake Of the Woods.
and Of the operations Of the commissions
ciS during the past season. Surveys have
been mail 90 point 90 miles west OF the
Lake OF the Woods. leaving about $50
miles TO be surveyed. the field work OF
which can be completed during the next
season.
The commission organized under pro-
visions Of the Treaty of Washington for
settlement and determining the claims OF
citizens OF either power against the other.
arising out OF acts committed against their
persons or property during the period be-
tween April IL. 1861 and April .. 1865.
made it, final award on the 18th day of