Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-12-11
Our Foreign and Domestic
Relations.
The Capture Of the Virginius and
Our Demands Relating There.c.
Important Amendments to the COnstitu.
tiOn Recommended.
Slavery Cuba the Cause Of the
Trouble There.
WASHINGTON, December 2. 1873.

great proportion. Political partisanshlp
has almost ceased to exist, especially
in the agricultural regions. aud the
capture upon the high seas OF a vessel bearing
our flag, has at one time threatened the most
serious coneeq fences, and occnpied the pub
tic mind from one end OF the country tc the
other. THIS, happily, ia now in the course Of
satisfactory adjustment, Honorable to both
ma tions concerned. The relations OF the Uni
ted States, however, with most of the other
nations continue to bc friendly and cordial,
with France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the
South American Republics and With Japan.
Nothing has occurred during the year 10 de-
mand special notice. Tho correspondence
between the Department OF State and various
diplomatic representatives in or from those
countries is transmitted herewith.
In executing tho will of Congress as ex.
pressed in its joint resolution Of the 18th OF
February last, and in accordance with the pro-
visions OF the resolution, a number OF practi-
cal artisaLs and scientific men, and of honor
ary commissions were autl orzcd to attend
the Exposition at Vienna as commissioners on
the part OF the United States. It is believed
that we have obtained the object which Con.
gress had in view when it passed the joint
resolution in order to enable the people OF the
United States to participate il the advantages
of the international exhibition OF the pro iuct
OF agriculture, manufactures and the fine arts
L
adding that the American cxhibitors have re-
ceived gratifying number of diplomas and
medals during the Exposition.
A conference was held at Vienna for the
purpose OF consultation on tho systems p'e-
vaiIiDg in different countries for the perfec-
ton OF inventions. authorized representa-.
tive from the Patent Office to be present at
Vienna at the time when this conference was
to take place, in order to aid. rs far as he
might, in securing any possible additional
protection to American inventions in Europe.
The report of the agent viii: be laid before
Congress-.
It my pleasant duty to announce to Con-
gress that the Emperor OF China, on attain
ing his ma jority, received the diplomatic rcp.
resentatives of the western powers in per-
son. An account of these ceremonies, and OF
the interesting discussions which preceded
mltted herewith. The accompanying papers
show that some advance, although slight, has
been made during the past year towards the
suppression of the infamous Chinese cool,e
trade. l recommend Congress to inquire
whether additional legislation be not needed
on this subject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
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
| tISAtts HI COWpIdtlC0 Wltn rue DFOVlSlO0S OIL
the act OF March Sd, 1873, It was Al once laid
into the Treasury and used to redeem, as tai
as it might, the public debt OF the United
States, and the amount SO redeemed was in
vested in five per cent. reglatered bond ol
the United States tor fifteen millions Eve hun-
the Secretary Of State subject to the future
disposition Of Congress. / renew my RECON-
mendation, made at the assembling OF
the last session OF Congress, that q
commission be created for the purpose of au.
diting and determining the amounts of the
several direct losses growing out Of the de-
struct!on OF vessels and their cargoes by the
Alabama and the shenandoah after leaving
Melbourne, for which the sufferers have re-
ceived no equivalent or compensation, OF
ascertainirg the names Of the persons entitled
to receive compensation for the same; making
the computations ton the basis indicated by
the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva, and
that the payment Of such losses be authorized
to an extent not to exceed the awards of the
Tribunal at Geneva.
THE NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the l4th day
Of February last, Congress made proyislOn
for completing jointly with an officer
or commissioner to be named by Her Brit
tanic Majesty, the boundary line between the
territory OF Great Britain, as as left uncom-
pleted by the commissioners appointed under
tho act OF Congress OF August 11th, 1856.
Under tho provisions of this act the northwest
water boundary OF tho 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. I also transmit 4
copy of the report OF the Commissioners for
marking the boundary between the United
States and the British Possessions west of tho
Lake OF the Woods. of the operations of the
Commissioners. During the past season sur
veys have been made to . q point 497 miles
west Of the Lake Of the Woods, leaving a6out
$50 miles to be surveyed, the field work of
which can be completed dt1ring the next sea-
sdn.
The commission organized under the pro.
visions of the treaty of Washington for the
settlement and determination of 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 18th, 1861, and April 9th, 1865,
made its first award on the 25th day Of Sep.
tember last. It was awarded that tho Gov.
ernment OF the United States should nav to
the Government OF Her Britannia Majesty.
within twelve months from tbs date OF the
award, the sum Of Si,929,8l9 in gold, The
commission disallowcd or dismissed all the
claims OF British subjects against tile United
States. The amount OF the claims presented
dismissed, is nna. 1stood t. be about ninety.
three millions OF dollars. It also ,lisal.
lows all the claims OF tue United States
against Great Britain which were referred to
1t. recommend the early passing OF an act
appr0priating the amount necessary to nav
this award against the United States. have
caused to he communicated to the govern
mcnt OF the King Of Italy the thanks of this
government ior the eminent services rendered
by Count Cont, who, az the third commis-
sloner OF this commission, with dignity, learn
ing and mpartlailty discharged the duties re-
4ulrlng great labor and constant patience. to
the satisfaction, I believe, of both govern
ments.
I recommend legislation to create a
SPECIAL court to consist of three judges,
who shall be empowered to hear the
claiMs OF aliens upon the United
States, arising out Of acts committed against .T
their persons or property during the insur.
rcctlon. Tho recent conference under the
treaty OF Washington was confined to claims
! OF BRITISH subjects arising during the period
named IN tho locality, but it ia understood
that there are other British claims OF SINH.
lar nature arising after the 5th of April 1865
! ana II ls known that other claims of like
nature are advanced by citizens or subjects OF
other powers. It is desirable to have these
claims also examined and disposed Of
Ohclal information being received from tho
D0tch government of a state Of war hetweor
"ao AAahH w NctncFMnlS fnu the SuiCal
nt Acheen, the the officers Of tho Unitel
states who were ne ar tho seat Ut war, wer.
instructed to observ" an impartial neutrality
1t is believed that they have done So
The join: commission with Mexico OF 1868
having again been legally prolonged ha,
again resumed it's business. Which. n j,
honel,n,av be brought to an early concusion
The di :tn,suisled representative OF Hel
Britanic Majesty at Washington ha4 kindI,
consented, with the approval of his Govern
mcnt, to assume the arduous and RESPONSIBLE,
duties Of umpire in this commission. and /,
lend tho weight Of his character and name t,
such decisions as may Eut receive the acuu,
rsccnc' OF both the arhi,rators appointed b,
tho respective governments.
| oUTRAuEs ON THE TEXAS BORDER.
Tic commissioners appointed pursuant 1,
tho authority ti Congress to examine into TN
nature and eXtch, OF the fnrays by trcspasscr
from that country upon the herds of ,Itxa.
have made n report. which will be snbm,trc,
for your consideration.
| CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA
The VcncZuela Government having hoe,
appriscd Of tho sense OF Congress- IN regard Il
tho award ot the Joint commission under tl,
convention OF the 25th Of April, 1866, as cx
pressed IN the act Of tho 25th OF February last
it is apprcIIrndcd that that Cover,
M"nt does not realize the characte
at it's obligations under that conyontiou
As there is reason,;to believe, however, tia