Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


especially the latter part of it, been an event.
full 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 partisanship has
almost ceased to exist, especially in the agri-
cultural regions and the capture on the high
seas of vessel bearing our flag has at one
time threatened the most serious conse-
quences and excited the public mind from one
end of the country to the other. This, hap
PLY, now is in the course of satisfactory ad-
justment, honorably to both nations con-
cerned.
The relations of the United States, however,
with most of the other nations continue to be
friendly aud cordial. With France, Germany,
Prussia, Italy and the minor powers, with
Brazil and most of the South American Re
pubics and with Japan, nothing has oc-
CURED during the year to demand special
notice. The correspondence between the
Department of State and various diplomatic
representatives in or from those countries is
transmitted herewith.
pressed in its joint resolution of the 14th of
February last, and in accordance with the pro-
visions of the resolution, number of prac-
tical artisans and scientific men and of hon
orary Commissioners were authorized to at
tend the Exposition at Vienna Commission
on the part of the United States. 1t is be-
ieved 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 to participate in the advan-
tages of the International Exhibition of the
products of agriculture, manufactures and the
fine arts to be held at Vienna. Itake pleasure
in adding that the American exhibitors have
received gratifying number of diplomas and
medals. During the Exposition conference
was held in Vienna for the purpose of consul
tation on the systems prevailing in different
countries for the protection of inventors 1
authorized representative from the Patent
Office to be present at Vienna at the time
when this conference was to take place, in Or
der to aid, as far as he might, in securing any
possible additional protection to American in
ventors i'll Europe. The report of this agent
will be laid before Congress.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to Con-
gress that the Emperor of China, on attaining
his majority, received the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of the Western Powers in person.
An account of these ceremonies, and of the in
teresting discussions which preceded them,
will be found in the documents transmitted
herewith.
The accompanying papers show that some
advance, although slight, has been made
during the past year toward the suppression
of the infamous Chinese coolie trade. I rec
ommend Congress to inquire whether addi-
tional legislation be not needed on the sub
ject.
The money awarded to the United States by
the Tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva was
paid by Her Majesty's Government few days
in advance of the time when it would have be-
come payable according to the terms of the
treaty. In compliance with the provisions of
the act of March 8, 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 redeemed was in
vested in per cent. registered bond of the
United States for $15, 500, 900, which is now
held by the Secretary of State, subject to the
future disposition of Congress.
1 renew my recommendation, made at the
assembling of the last session of Congress,
that a commission be created for the purpose
of auditing and determining the amounts of
the several direct losses growing out of the
destruction of vessels and their cargoes by
the Alabama and the Shenandoah, after leav-
ing Melbourne, for which the sufferers have
received no equivalent or compensation, and
of ascertaining the names of the persons en-
titled to receive compensation for the same
making the computations on the basis indi-
Gated by the Tribunal of Arbitration at Gene
va, and that payment of such losses be author
lied to extent hot to exceed the awards of
the Tribunal at Geneva.
By act approved on the 14th day of Febru-
ary, the last Congress made provision for COM
pleting Jointly with an officer or commission
er to be named by Her Britannia Majesty, the
determination of SO much of the boundary
line between the territory of Great Britain and
our own as WAS left uncompleted by the COM
-naissioners appointed under the act of Con-
gress of August IL, 1856. Under the provis-
ions of this act, the northwest 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 are contained in the papers submitted
here.
1 also transmit a copy of the report of the
Commissioners for marking the boundary
line between the United States and the British
possessions west of the Lake of the Woods.
During the past season surveys have been
made to point 497 miles west of the Lake of
the Woods leaving about $50 miles to be sur
veyed, the field work of which can be COM
pleted during the next season.
The commission organized under the Treaty
of Washington for the settlement and deter
mining of the claims of citizens of either
power against the other arising out of acts
during the period between April 13, 1861, and
April g. 1869, made its final award on the 25th
day Of September last It was awarded that
the Government of the United States should
pay to the Government of Her Britanic Mai
esty, within twelve months from the date OF
the award, the sum of 81, 929, 819 in gold. The
Commission disallowed or dismissed all othel
claims of British subjects against the United
States. The amount of the claims presented
by the British Government, but disallowed Oh
dismissed, is understood to be about
$93, 600, 600. It also disallowed all the claims
of the United States against Great Britain
which we're referred to it. 1 recon-
mend the early passing of an act appropriatine
the amount necessary to paw this award
against the United States. have caused tC
be communicated to the Government of th,
King of Italy the thanks of this Government
for the eminent services rendered by Coun
Cont as the third commissioner on this com
mission. With dignity, learning and i'm
partiality he discharged the duties, requirin,
great labor and constant patience, to the salts
faction, believe, of both Governments.
recommend legislation to create a specia
court, to consist of three Judges who shal
be empowered to hear the claims of alien
upon the United States arising out of act
committed against their persons or propert
during the insurrection. The recent confer
ence under the Treaty of Washington was cor
fined TO claims of British subjects arising dun
ing the period named in the treaty, but it
understood there are other British claims of
similar nature arising after the 9th of Apri
1865, and it is known that other claims of
like nature are advanced by citizens or sui
jects of ether powers. 1t is desirable to hay
these claims also examined and disposed Of
Official information being received from til
Dutch Government of state of war betwee
the King of the Netherlands and the Sultan
Acheen the officers of the United States wh
were near the seat of war were instructed t
preserve an impartial neutrality. 1t is b,
heved they have done SO.
The Joint Commission, under the CONVEX
ton with Mexico, of 1868, having again bee
legally prolonged, has resumed its busines
which, it is hoped, may be brought to an earl
conclusion.
The distinguished representative of He
Britannia Majesty at Washington has kind
consented, with the approval of his Govern
ment, to assume the arduous and responsible
duties of umpire in this commission, and
lend the weight of his character and name