Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-12-03
Presidents Message.
INTRODUCTORY.

The year that has passed SINCE the suoihis
sion of my last message to Congress has
especially during the latter part OF it, been
an eventful one to the country. In tie
midst of great national prosperity fnan-
cial crisis has occurred that has brought low
fortunes of gigantic proportions. PolItlca
partizanship has almost ceased to exist, es-
pecially in the agricultural regions, and
finally the capture upon the high seas OF
vessel bearing our flag has for time thre It
eued the most serious consequences, and has
agitated the public mind from one end OF the
country to the other, but this happily DOW
is in the course of satisfactory adjustment
honorable to both nations concerned. 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 minor European pow
ers, with Brazil and most of the South
American Republics, and with Japan moth
ing has occurred during the year to demand
special notice. The correspondence between
the Department of State and various diplo-
matte representatives in or from those coun-
tries is transmitted herewith.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION
In executing the will of Congress, as ex-
pressed IN its joint resolution of the l4th of
February LAST, and in accordance with the
provisions Of the resolution, number of
practical citizens, of scientific men, and OF
honorary commissioners were authorized to
attend the ex position at Vienna as commiss-
toner's on the part of the United States. 1t
is believed 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 advantages of the International Expo
sition of the products of agriculture, manu-
features and the fine arts to be held at Vi
emma. L take pleasure in adding that the
American exhibitors have received crafty
ing number of diplomas and of medals
During the exposition a conference was held
at Vienna, for the purpose of consultation
on the systems prevailing in different coun-
tries for the perfection of inventions
authorized a representative from the
Patent Office to be present at Vienna at the
time when this 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 re-
port of this agent will be laid be fore Con-
gres5.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Ii is my pleasant duty to announce tc
Congress that the Emperor of China on at
tanning his majority received the diplomatic
representatives of the Western powers in
person. An account of these ceremonies
and of the interesting discussions which
preceded them, will be found in the docu-
ments transmitted herewith. The accom-.
panying papers show that some advance
although slight, has been made during the
past year towards the suppression of the
infamous Chinese Coolie trade. | recon.
mend 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 a
few days in advance of the time when il
would have become payable according to the
terms of the treaty.
In compliance with the provisions of thu
act of March 3, 1873, it was at once paiC
into the treasury and used to redeem so fal
as it might the public debt of the United
States, and the amount redeemed was invest.
ed in a five per cent. Registered Bond O.
the United States for fifteen millions five
hundred thousand dollars, which is now held
by the Secretary of State subject to the
future disposition of Congress.
L renew my recommendation made at the
opening of the last session of Congress. tina
a commission be created for the purpose o
auditing and determining the amounts o
the several direct losses growing out Of the
destruction of vessels and their cargoes b,
the Alabama, the Florida, or the Shenandoah
Nttor leaving Melbourne, for which the su If
erers have received no equivalent or compen.
sati0n, and OF ascertaining the names of th(
persons entitled to receive compensation fol
the same, making the compu taton upon til,
basis indicated oy the Tribunal of Arbitra
ton at Geneva, and that the payment Of
such losses be authorized to an extent not t,
exceed the awards of the Tribunal at Geneva
THE BRITISH BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the 18th day o
February last, Congress made provisions 70
completing jointly, with an officer or com
missioner to be named by Her British Males
ty, the determination of 50 much of tn
boundary line between the territory Of th
United St;tes and the possessions of Grea
Britain as was left uneompleted by the com
missloners appointed under the acts of Con
sress of August IL, 1856 Under the pro
visions of this act the Northwest water boun
dairy of the United States has been deter.
mined and marked in accordance with tn,
award of The Emperor OF Germany.
A protocol and copy of the map upor
which the line was thus marked are contained
in the papers submitted herewith
| also transmit copy of the report of tn
Commissioners for marking the northern
boundary between the United States and tht
British possessions west Of the Lake of the
Woods, of the operations of the Commission
during the past season. Surveys have beea
made to a point 497 miles west of the Lax,
of the Woods, leaving about $50 miles to bt
surveyed, the field work of which can b.
completed during the next season. The mix
ed Commission organized under the provis
ions Of the Treaty of Washington for settlin;
and determining the claims OF citizens 0
either power against the other, arising from
acts committed against their persons or pro
perty during the period between April l3
1861, and April Q, 1865, made it's final awar,
on the 18th day of September last.
1t was awarded that the Government o.
the United States should pay to the Govern
ment of her Brittanic Majesty within twelve
months from the date of the award the sun
OF S1,929,Sl9 in gold. The Commission
disallowed or dismissed all other claims O
British subjects against the United States.
The amount of the claims presented by thu
British subjects, but disallowed or dismissed
is understood to be about S93 900 900. 1t al
so disallowed all the claims of citizens of tn
United States against Great Britain which
were referred to it.
L recommend the early passage of an ac
appropriatiDg the amount necessary to pa
this award against the United States.
have caused to be communicated to the Gov
eminent of the King of Italy thanks of thi
Government for the eminent services render
ed by Count Corti as the third Commission
er on this Commission, with dignity, learn
ing and impartiality. He discharged dutie
requiring great labor, constant patience, t
the satisfaction, believe, of both Govern
ments.
| WAR CLAIMS.
recommend legislation to create a specia
court to consist of three judges who shall b