The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

In the midst of great national prosperl-
ty. financial crisis has occurred that
has brought low fortunes of gigantic
proportions Political partiz anship 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 threaten
ed the most serious consequences, and
has agitated the public mind from one
end of the country to the other. But
this, happily, now is in the course Ofsat-
isfactory adjustment, preferable to both
nations concerned.
OUR RELATIONS WITH EUROPEAN pow
ERs SATISFACTORY.
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 minar European powers, with
Brazil and most of the South American
Republics, and with Japan, nothing b as
occurred during the year to demand
special notice. The correspondence be-
tween the Department of State and vari-
Gus diplomatic representatives in or from
these countries is transmitted herewith.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In execution Of the will ofCongress as
expressed in its joint resolution of the
l4th Of February last, and in accordance
with the provisions of the resolution,
= number of practical artisans, of scien-
tific men, and of honorary commission
ers on the part of the United States. 1t
is believed that we have obtained the OBJ
ject which Congress had IN view when it
passed the joint resolution, to enable the
people of the United States to partici-
pate in the advantages of the interna-
tional exhibition of the products of ag-
riculture, manufacture and the fine arts
to be held at Vienna take pleasure
in adding, that the American exhibitors
have received a gratifying number of
diplomas and of medals.
PROTECTION OF AMERICAN INVENTIONS
ABROAD.
During the Exposition, a conference
was held at Vienna for the purpose of
consultation on the systems prevailing
in different countries for the protection
of inventions. / authorised a represent
ative from the Patent Office to be pres
ent at Vienna at the time when this con-
frence was to take place, in order to aid,
as far as he might, in securing any
possible additional protection to the
American inventors in Europe. The re-
port of this agent will be laid before
Congress.
SUPPRESSION OF THE CooLIE TRADE.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to
Congress that the Emperor of China, on
attaining-his majority, received the di-
plomatic representatives of the Western
powers in person. An account of these
ceremonies, and of the interesting dis
cussions 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
Coolie trade. recommend Congress to
inouire whether additional Legislation
be not needed.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United
States by the tribunal of arbitration al
Geneva, was paid by Her Majesty's Gov,
ernment a few days in advance of th'
time when it would have become payable
according to the terms of the treaty. In
compliance with the provisions of the
act of March Sd, 1873, it was at once
paid into the Treasury and used to re
deem, so far as it might, the public deb
of the United States, and the amount 81
redeemed was invested in FIVE percent
registered bond of, the Unsted States 70
SIS, 100000, which is now held by thu
Secretary of State subject to the futur
dispoitison of Congress. I renew m,
recommendation, made at the opening o
the last session of Congress, that com
mission be created for the purpose of au
diting and determining the amount Q
the several direct losses growing out o
the destruction of vessels and their car
goes by the Alabama, the Florida or tn
Shenandoah after leaving Melborne, fo
which the sufferers have received n
equivalent or compensation, and of as
certaining the names of the persons er
titled to receive compensation for tn
came, making the the compensatfons III
on the basis indicated by the Tribune
of Arbitration at Geneva, and that pay
ment of such losses be authorized I
an extent not to exceed the awards {
the Tribunal at Geneva.
THE DISPUTED BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the 4th day {
February last, Congress made provisio
for completing, jointly with an officer {
commissioner, to be named by Her Bri
annie Majesty, the determination of 4
much of the boundary line between Il
territory ofthe United States and Il
possessions of Great Britain as was le
incomplete by the commissioners appoil
ed under the act of Congress- of Augu
11th 1856. Under the provisions of tn
act the northwest water boundary of Il
United States has peen determined al
marked in accordance with the award
the Emperor Of Germany. rrotoc
and copy of the map upon which Il
line was thus marked are contained
the papers submitted herewith. l al
transmit copy of the report of the col
missoners for marking the northe
boundary between the United States al
the British Possessions west of the La
the Woods, of the operations of the Co
mission during the past season. 81
veys have been made to a point 4
miles west of the Lake of the Woo
leaving about $50 miles to be survey
the field work of which can be comp
ted during the next season.
THE MIXED COMMISSION,
organized under the provisions of