Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


ing the latter part of it, been eventful one to
the country In the midst of great national
prosperity a financial crisis has occurred that
has brought low fortunes of gigantic proportions
| political partsanshp has almost ceased to exist
especially in the agricultural regions; and final
| ly, the capture upon the high seas of vessel
bearing our flag has for time threatened the
most serious consequences, and has agitated the
public mind from one end of the country to the
other. But this. happily now is in the course
OF satisfactory adjustment. honorable to both ma
| tions 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 Powers. with Brazil and most of the
South American Republics and with Japan.
nothing has occurred during the year to demand
special notice The correspondence between the
Department of State and various diplomatic rep
resentatives in or from those countries is trans
mltted herewith.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will of Congress as express ed
in its joint resolution of the 18th of February last
and in accordance with the provisions of the res
oluton. number of practical artisans" of
scientific men," and of 'honOrary commission
ers" were authorized to attend the Exposition at
Vienna as commissioners on the part of the
United States 1t is believed that we have OBJ
tanned the object which Congress had in view
when it passed the joint resolution sin order to
enable the people of the United States to partic-
lpate IN the advantages of the international ex-
hlbltion OF the products of agriculture, manufac-
lures. and the fine arts to be held at Vienna" 1
take pleasure in adding that the American ex-
hlDltors have received gratifying number of
diplomas and medals.
During the Exposition conference was held
at Vienna for the purpose of consultation on the
systems prevailing in different countries for the
protection OF inventions. | authorized repre-
sentative from the patent-office to be present ut
Vienna at the time when the conference was to
take place, IN order to aid as far as he might in
oil I0v,% - -
ventors in Europe. The report of this agent
will be laid before Congress-
CHINA.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to Con-
gress that the Emperor of China, on attaining
his majority. received the diplomatic represen-
tatlves of the western Powers in person. An ac-
count of these ceremonies, and of the interesting
discussions which pervade them, will BE found
IN the documents transmitted herewith. The
accompanying papers show that some advance
although slight, has been made during the past
year towards the suppression of the infamous
Chinese coolie 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 Majesty's Governments few days in advance
of the time when it would have become payable
according to the terms of the treaty In compli-
ance with the provisions of the act of March 8.
1873 it was at once paid into the Treasury and
used to redeem so far as it might, the public
debt of the United States, and the amount so
deemed was invested in five per cent. regis
tered bond of the United States for fifteen mill
lion FIVE hundred thousand dollars, which is now
held by the Secretary of State subject to the fu-
ture disposition of Congress
LOSSES BY CONFEDERATE wAR-vEssELs.
I renew my recomm en- dation, made at the
opening of the last session of Congress. that
ha tod for of
ing and determining the amounts of the several
direct losses growing out of the destruction of
vessels and their cargoes" by the Alabama the
Florida, or the Shenandoah, after leaving Mel
bourne, for which the sufferers have received
no equivalent compensation, and of ascer-
tanning the names of the persons entitled to re-
ceiye compensation for the same, making the
computation upon the basis indicated by the tr-
of such losses be authorized to an extent not to
exceed the award of the tribual at Geneva.
BOUNDARIES.
By an act approved on the I4th day Of Febru-
ary last, Congress made provision for compile
ting, jointly with an officer or commissioner to
be named by her Britannia Majesty, the deter
mination of so much of the boundary line be-
tween the territory of the United States and pos
sessions Of Great Britain as wa left uncompleted
by the commissioners appointed under the act
of Congress Of August IL, 1856. Under the pro-
visions of this act the north western boundary of
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 herewith.
l also transmit copy of the report of the COM
missioner for marking the northern boundary
between the United States and the British pos
sessions west Of the Lake of the Woods, and of
the operations of the commission during the past
season. Surveys have been made to point 400
miles west of the Lake of the Woods, leaving
about $50 miles to be surveyed-the fed-work
of which can be completed during the next sea-
son.
THE MIXED COMMISSION.
The mixed commission organized under the
provisions of the Treaty of Washington for set
fling and determining the claims of citizens of
either Power against the other arising out of acts
committed against their persons property
during the period between April 13, 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 Government of her Britannia Majesty with
in twelve months from the date of the award the
sum of ST. 929,S79 in gold. The commission dis
allowed or dismissed all other claims of British
subjects against the United States The amount
of the claims presented by the British Govern
ment but dsallowed or dismissed is understood
to be about 500, 100000 1t also disallowed all the
CLAIMS of citizens of the United States against
Great Britain which were referred TO it. [ rec
ommend the early passage OF an act appropria-
ting the amount necessary to pay the award
against the United States | have caused to be
communicated to the Government of the King
of Italy the thanks of this Government for the
eminent services rendered by Count COST as the
third commissioner on this commission. With
dignity, learning and impartiality he discharged
duties requiring great labor and constant pa
tience to the satisfaction, believe, of both Gov
ernments. / recommend legislation to create a
special court, to consist of three judges, who
shall be empowered to hear and determine all
claims of aliens upon the United States arising
out of acts committed against their persons
or property during the insurrection. The recent
reference under the Treaty of Washington was
confined to claims of British subjects arising dur
ing the period named in the treaty, but it is un-
derstood that there other British claims of q
similar nature arising after the 9th of April
1865 and it is known that other claims of a like
nature advanced by citizens or subjects OF
other Powers 1t is desirable to have these
claims also examined and disposed Of
NEUTRALITY.
| Official information being received from the
| Dutch Government of state of war between the
| King of the Netherlands and the Sultan OF
| Acheen the officers of the United States who
were near the seat of the war were instructed to
| observe an impartial neutrality. 1t is believed
| that they have done SO.
THE MEXICAN JOINT COMMISSION
| The Joint commission under the convention
with Mexico of 1868 having again been legally
| prolonged has resumed It's business, which it i
| hoped may be brought to an early conclusion =
The distinguished representative of her Britain
mic Majesty at Washington has kindly consent
| ed with the approval of his Government to as
sumo the arduous and responsible duties of UNI
pire in the commission, and to lend the weight
of his character and name to such decisions a:
| may not receive the acquiescence of both the ar
| bltrators appointed by the respective Govern