The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-09
The Pres dents Message.
To the Senate and Hoasc Of Representa-.

GENTLEMEN the year that has passed
since the submission Of my last message
to Congress has especially during the
latter part Of it, been an eyentiul one to
the country. In the midst Of great ma
tional prosperity a financial crisis has
occurred that has brought low fortunes Of
gigantic proportions. Political partizan.
ship has almost ceased to exist, especial
ly in agricultural regions; aud tiually,
the capture on the high seas Of vessel
bearing our flag has, for a time threat
ened the most serious consequences and
has agitated the public mind from one
end Of the country to the other. But
this, happily, is now in course of satsiac-
tory adju,tmcnt---honorablc to both ma
tlOns concerned
SATISFACTORY FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States,
however, with most Of the other powers
continue to DC friendly and cordial. With
France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and TIE
minor European powcr,; with Brazil and
most of South American Republics, and
with Japan nothing has occurred during
the gear to demand special notice. The
correspondence between the Department
of State and various diplomatic represen.
tatives. in or from those countries, is
transmitted herewith.
THE cooL1E TRADE
The accompanying papers show that
some advance, although slight, has been
made during the p 'st year towards the
suppression Of the infamous Chinese Coo
lie trade. 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 Mnjesty's Gov.
crument few days in advance Of the
time when it would have become payable,
according to the terms ofthe treaty, In
compliance with the provisions Of the Act
Of March Sd, 1873, it was at once paid
into the Treasury and usel to redeem, so
far as it might, the public debt OF the
United States, aud the amount so re.
deemed was invested in five per cent
Registered Bond Of the United States for
SIS, 100000, which is now held by the
Secretary of State, subject to the future
disposition Of Congress,
A COMMISSION TO DIVIDE THE FIFTEEN
MILLIONS.
| renew my recommendation made at
the opening Of the last session of Cou.
gress, 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
aud their cargoes by the Alabama, the
Florida, or Shenandoah. after leaving
Melbourne, for which the sufferers have
received no equivalent or compensation,
and OF ascertaining names of persons en-
titled to receive compensation for the
same, making computations upon the
basis indicated by the tribunal Of arbitra.
tion at Geneva, and that payment of
such losses be authorized to an extent not
to exceed the awards OF the tribunal at
Geneva.
TIE MIXED CLAIMS COMMISSION
The mixed commission organized under
the provisions Of the Treaty Of Washing
ton, for settling and determining the
claims OF citizens Of either power against
the other, arising out of acts committed
against their persons or property during
the period between April Is, 1861, and
April 9, 1865, made its final award on
the 25th day of September last, 1t was
awarded that the government Of the
United States should pay to the govern.
ment Of Her Britannia Majesty. within
twelve months from the date OF the award,
the sun Of Sl.920,9l9 in gold. Tue
commission disalowed or dismissed all
other claims Of British subjects against
the United States. The amount of claims
presented by the British government, bu,
disallowed or dismissed. is understood to
be about S03.U00,000. 1t also disal.
lowed all claims Of citizens of the United
States against Great Britain which were
referred to it. | recommend the early
passage Of an act appropriatiug tbs
amount necessary to pay this amount
against the United States.
THE SERVICES OF COUNT CoRTI RECOGNIZED
| have caused to be communicated to th,
government OF tho Kiur of Italy tn,
thanks of this government for the eminen
| laroH h,, naynt o.. th
third commissioner on this commission
With dignity, learning and impartiality
he discharged duties requiring labor an
constant patience, to the satisfaction,
believe, Of both governments.
COURT FOR WAR CLAIMS RECOMMENDED
| recommend legislation to create
special court, to consist Of three judge
who shall be empowered to hear aua dc
termine all claims Of aliens upon tn
United States arising out of injuries cor
niitted against their persons o: propert
during the insurrection. The recer
reference under the treaty Of Washingto
was confined to claims of British subject
arising during the period named in tn
treaty, bnt it is understood that there ar
5 other British claims of similar natur
arising after the 9th of April, 1865, an
it is known that other claims of lik
5 nature are advanced by citizens or sui
q ects of other powers 1t is desirable I
: have these claims, also, examined an
: disposed Of.
y THE ACHEENsE WAR.
Official information having been r
ceiva from the Dutch government of
state of war between the king of Il
: Netherlands and the Sultan of Achee
y the officers Of the United States, wi
v were near the seat of wsr were instruC
ed to observe an impartial Oeutralit
= II is believed that they have lone so.
THE MEXICAN COMMISSION