The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-12-20


has. especially the last part of it, been an
eyentftll one to the country, In the midst
of great national prosperity a financial
crisis has occurred that has brought low
fortunes of great proportion. 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 a time
threatened the most serious consequences,
and has aeitated the public mind from one
end of the country to the other; but
this. happily, now is in She course of salts
factory adjustment, honorable TO both ma
tiOns 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 to demand special notice.
The correspondence between the Depart
ment of State and various diplomatic rep
resentatives in or from these countries is
transmitted herewith.
In executing the will iof Congress as eX-
pressed in its joint resolution of the 14th
of February last, and in accordance with
the provisions of the resolution number
of practical artisans, and scientific men
and of honorary commissioners were aIl-
thorized to attend the Exposition at Wen
ma as commissioners on the part of the
United States. 1t is believed that we have
attained the object which Congress had in
view when it passed the joint resolution
named in order to enable the people of the
United States to participate in the advantage
of an International exhibition of the pro-
ducts of agriculture, manufactures and the
fine arts to be held at Vienna. | take pleas
ure in adding that the American exhibitors
have received gratifying number OF
diplomas and of medals. During the ex-
position a,conference was held ut 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 as far as he might in securing any
possible additional protection to American
inventors in Europe. The report of this
agent will be laid before Congress.
1t is my pleasant dnty to 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 and of the interesting transactions
which preceded will be found in tile docu-
ments transmitted herewith. The accom-
panying papers show that some advance,
although slight, has been made during the
past year towards the IMPRESSION ~0f fiIe
Infamous Chinese coolie trade. recon-
mend Congress to inquire whether addi-
tional legislation be not needed on this sub
iect. m
The money awarded to the United States
by the tribunal Of arbitration at Geneva
was paid by Her Maiesty's Government a
few days In advance Iof the time when it
would have become payable according to
the terms of the treaty. In compliance
with the provision Of the act of March Sd,
1878, 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 redeemedwas invested in five
per cent. registered bond of the United
States for fifteen million five hundred thou
sand dollars, which is now held by the Sec
tary Of State subject to the future DISPOSE
ton of Congress.
renew my recommendation made at
the assembling of the last session of Con-
gress that q commission be created for
the purpose Of auditing and de-
termining the amounts of the several
direct losses growing out 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
pensation; and of ascertaining the names
OF persons entitled ito receive compensa-
ton for the same, making the computa-
ton on the basis indicated by the Tribu-
nal Of Arbitration at Geneva, and that
payment Of such losses be authorized to
an extent not to exceed the awards OF the
Tribunal at Geneva
BY act approved on thel4th of February
last, Congress made provision for COM
pleung Jointly with an officer or COM
missioner to be named by her Britannia
Majesty the determination of so much OF
the boundary line between the territory OF
Great Britain, as was left uncompleted by
commissioners appointed under the act OF
Congress of August IL, 1856. Under the
provisions of this act the northwest water
boundary of the United States has been de-
termined and marked in accordance with
the award of the Emperor of Germany
A protocol and aI copy of the map on
which the line was thus marked are con-
tanned in papers submitted here and also
transmit copy of the report of the COM
missioner for making the boundary be-
tween the United States and the British
possessions west ofthe Lake of the Woods.
and OF the operations of the commissions
efs during the pastseason. Surveys have
peen made to point 497 miles west of the
Lake of the Woods, leaving about 35C
mlieS to be surveyed. the field work Of
winch can be completed during the next
season.
The commission organized under pro
visions of the Treaty of Washington, fon
settlement and determining the claims o.
CITIZENS of either power against the other,
arising out of acts committed against theil
persons or property during the period be
tween April Is, 1861 and April 8, 1865
made its final award on the 25th day O.
september last. 1T was awarded that the
government of the United States should
pay the Government of Her Britannia Maj
Rsty within twelve months from the dafs
OF the award the sam of S.. .929. $40 in gold
Inc commission, after long deliberation
dismissed all other claims Of British sub