Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
AN EvESryuL YEAR

To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:
AN EvENTYUL YEAR,
The year that has passed since the suDmis
sion Of my last Message to Congress has, es
pecially the latter part Of IL, been an esentIu
one to the country. In the midst OF great ma
tional prosperity q financial crisis has occur.
red that has brought low fortunes OF greal
proportion. Political partisanship has aimos,
ceased TO exist, especially In the agricuItuta'
regions; and the capture on the high seas OF
vessel bearing our dag has at one time threat
cned the most serious consequences, and ex'
cited the public mind from one end OF the
country TO the other This, happily, now Is 10
the course Of satisfactory adjustment,
honorable to both nations concerned
roRKroN RELATIONS.
The relations Of the United States, however,
with most Ut the other nations, continue 70 be
friendly and cordial. With France, Germany
Prussia, Italy and the minor powers, with
Brazil, and most Of the South American Re.
publics, and with Japan, nothing has occurred
during the year to demand special notice. The
correspondence between the Department oil
State and various diplomatic representatives
In or from those countries is transmitted here
with
VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will Of Congress-, as ex-
pressed In its Joint resolution OF the 18th OF
februaI last, and In accordance with the pro-
visions OF the resolution, q number OF prac-
tical artisans, of scientific men and OF hon.
orary commissioners were authorized TO at
tend the Exposition At Vienna, as Commi 2.
sioners on the part OF the United States. 1t
Is believed that we have obtained the object
which Congress had in view when 1t passed
the Joint resolution, In order to enable the
people Of the United States to participate In
the advantages OF the International Exhibi-
ton OF the products Of Agriculture, Manu-.
features and the Fine Arts TO be held at Vienna.
/ take pleasure In adding that the American ex-
hibitors have received q gratifying number OF
diplomas and medals. During the Exposition
q conference was held at Vienna FOR the pur-
pose Of consultation on the systems prevailing
In different countries for the protection OF In
ventors. authorized representative from
the Patent Office 10 be present ut Vienna at
the time when this conference was TO take
place, 10 order TO aid, as FAR rs he might In Sc
American inventors In Europe. The report Of
this agent win be laid before Congress.
CHINA
II Is my pleasant duty 10 announce to Con-
gress that The Empei or 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 dur
ing the past year toward the suppression OF
the infamous Chinese coolie trade. l recon-.
mend Congress TO Inquire whether additional
legislation be not needed on this subject.
THE GENEVA AwABn.
The money awarded to the United states by
the Tribunal OF Arbitration at Geneva was
paid by Her Majcsty's Government few days
In advance OF the time when II would become
payable according to the terms OF the treaty.
In compliance with the provisions Of the act
Of March 3, 1873, 1t was at once paid into the
Treasury, and used to redeem, so far as 1t
might, the public debt of the United States,
and the amount so redeemed was invested in a
8 per cent registered bond OF the United
States for $15, 500, 600, which Is now held by
the Secretary Of State, subject 10 the future
disposition of Congress.
/ renew my recommendation, made at the
assembling OF the last session of Congress,
that 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 leaving
Melbourne, for which the sufferers have re.
ceived no equivalent or compensation, and OF
asccrtaining the names OF the persons entitled
TO receive compensation for the same, making
the computations on the basis indicated by the
tribunal Of arbitration Mt Geneva, and that
payment OF such losses be authorized TO an
extent not to exceed the awards Of the tIibu-
nal at Geneva.
THE NORTHWEST BOUNDARY.
BY an act approved on the l4th day Of
February. the last Congress made provision
for completing, jointly with an officer or COM
missioner to bc named by Her Britannia Ma
jesty, the determination Of so much Of the
boundary line between the territory of Great
Britain and our own as was left uncompleted
by the 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 deter
mined and marked In accordance with the
award OF the Emperor Of Germany. proto-
col aud copy Of the map upon which the line
was thus marked are contained In the papers
submitted herewith.
also transmit copy Of the report OF the
Commissioners for marking the boundary line
between the United States and the British pos
sessions west Of the Lake of the Woods. Dur
ing the past season surveys have been made to
point 497 miles west OF the Lake Of the
Woods, leaving about $50 miles to
be surveyed, the feld-work of which can be
completed during the next season.
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The Commission organized under the pro-
visions OF the Treaty OF Washington for the set
tlement and determining OF the claims OF citizens
of either power against the other arising out Of
acts committed against their persons or prop.
erty during The period between April 49, 1851,
and April o, 1866, made its final
award on the 25th day OF September
last IL was awarded that the
Government OF the United States should pay 70
the Government Of Her BritannicMajesty,w within
twelve months from the date of the award, the
sum Of 81, 929, 8l9 In gold. The Commission
disallowcd or dismissed all other claims Of
British subjects against the United States.
The amount Of the claims presented by the
British Government, but disallowcd or dis
missed, Is understood to be about sos, 0O0, 600
II also disallowcd all the claims of the United
States against Great Britain which were refer
red to It. recommend the early passage of
an act appropriating the amount necessary to
pay this award against the United States.
have caused to be communicated to the Gov
erument Of the King Of Italy the thanks Of
this Government for the eminent services rem
dered by Count Cont MS the third Commits
sioncr on this Commission. With dignity,
learning, and impartiality he discharged duties
requiring great labor and constant patience, To
the satisfaction, believe, Of both Govern
ments.
SPECIAL COURT OF CLAIMS.
recommend legislation to create special
court, to consist Of three Judges, who shall
hn IN tha al ~ al