Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
10 the Senate and House Of Representative

sion OF my last message 10 COGSEess HAS -eepe-
cay during the latter part OF lt-been an.
eventful one to the country. ln the midst OF
great national prosperity financial crisis has
occurred that has brought low fortunes OF 81
yau,ie proportious political parizanshlp has
almost ceased to exist, especially IN the agrI-
cultural regions; aud finally the capture upon
the high seas Of vessel bearing our t1ag has
for u time threatened the most serious conse-
oucnceS, and has agitated the public MUD from
one end of the couutry TO the other. But this,
happily, now is in the course OF satisfactory ad
iustmeut, honorable to both nations concerned.
The relations Of the Uuited States, however,
with most of the other Powers 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 oc-
curtcd during the year to demand special no.
tice. The correspondence between the Depart
ment of State and various diplomatic repre-
scutatiycs iu or from those countries Is trans-
mitted herewith.
In executing the will Of Congress, as express
ed 10 its Joint Resolution of the 18th OF Feb
luary last, aud in accordance with the provls.
ions of the resolution, number OF practical
artisans" of scientific men, and OF honor
airy commissioners were authorized to attend
the Exposition at Vienna as commissioners on
the part Of the Uoitcd States. 1t is believed
we have obtained the Object which Congress
had 10 view, when it passed the joint rcsou-
ton sin order to enable the people OF the
United States to partci pate IN the advantages
of the International Exhibition of the products
OF agriculture, manufactures, and the fine arts to
be held at Vienna" l take pleasure in add
ing that the American exhibitors have rccciv.
fl a gratifying number OF diplomas and OF
medals.
During the exhibition conference was held
at fenua for the purpose OF consultation on
the systems prevailing III different countries Tor
the protection OF iuyentlous. | authorized a
representative from the Patent Otlcc 10 be
present al Vienna at the time When this cou-
ference was TO take place, in order to AID, as lar
as he might, IN securing any possible addition
al protection to American Inventors 10 Europe.
The report of this agent will be land before
Congress.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to Con
gross that the Emperor OF China, on attaining
his majority, received the dipiomatlc repre-
senta,iges of the Western Powers 10 person.
An account of these crcmouiss, aud Of the in
terestiug discussions which preceded them, will
be found in the documents transmitted here.
some advance, although slight, has been made
during the past year towards the suppression
of the infamous Chinese coolle trade. l re-
commend Congress to inquire whether addl
tioual legislation be not needed on this sub ect
The money awarded to the United States by
the tribunal Of arbitration at Geneva was paid
by Her Majesty's Government few days IL
advance of the time when it would have be-
come payable according to the terms OF the
treaty. Iu compliance with the provisions OF
the act OF March 3, 1873 1t was at once paid
into the Treasury, aud used to redeem, so tai
as it might, the public debt of the United
States; and the amount SO redeemed was IN
vested 10 five per cent. registered bond or
the United States for fifteen million five hun
dred thousand dollars, which is now held by
the Secretary of State, subject to the future
disposition OF Congress.
| renew my recommendation, made at the
opening OF the last session OF Congress, that a
commission be created for the purpose Of au
ditiug and determining the amounts OF the
several direct losses growing out OF the de-
structon of vessels aud their cargoes' by the
Alabama, the Florida, or the Shenandoah, after
leaving Melbourne, for which the sufferers have
received 20 equivalent or compensation; and Of
asccrtaiuiug the names OF the persons entitled
to receive compensation for the same, making
the computations upon the basis Indicated by
the Tribunal Of Arbitration at Geneva; and
that payment OF such losses be authorized to
an extent not to exceed the awards OF the III
buual at Geneva.
By an act approved on the l4th day of Feb
ruary last, Congress made provision for com.
pleting, jointly with az officer OF commission to
be named by Her Britannia Majesty, the de-
termination of SO much of the boundary line
between the territory Of the United States and
the possessions Of Great Britain as was left in
complete by the commissioners appointed un.
der the act of Congress of August IL, 1856.
Under the provisions of this act the northwest
water boundary of the United States has been
determined and marked 10 accordance with the
award of the Emperor Of Germany. A proto-
col aud a copy OF the nap upon which the line
was thus marked arc contained 10 the papers
submitted herewith.
also transmit copy OF the report of the
Commissioners for marking the northern bound
ary between the United States and the British
POSSESSIONS west Of the Lake Of the Woods, OF
the operations Of the Commission during the
past season. Surveys have been made to q
point 497 miles west of the Lake of the w Gods,
leaving about $50 miles to be surveyed, the
field work of which can be completed during
A~'N>
the next season. ....
The Mixed Commission organized under the
provisions of the Treaty Of Washington for set
thug aud determining the claims of citizens of
either power against the other, rising out of
acts committed against their persons or prop
erty during the period between April 10, 1861,
and April 9, 1850, made Its hual award on the
18th day of September last. 1t was awarded
that the Government of the United States
should pay to the government Of her Britanlc
Majesty within twelve months FROM the date OF
the award, the sum Of 81, 929 SIG 10 gold. The
Commission disallowed or dismissed all other
claims of British subjects against the United
States. The amount Of the claims presented
by the British government but disallowed or
dismissed is understood to be aboutS96, 900, 00O
1t also diSaliowed all the claims Of citizens Of
the Uuted States against Great Britain which
were referred 20 it.
| recommend the early passage of an act APP
proprating the amount necessary to pay this
award against the United States.
| have caused to be communicated to the