Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

since the SUBMISSION OF my last Hcsstge 10
Congress has, especially during the latter
part of 1t, been an eventful one TO the coun-
try. In the midst of great national pros
perily financial crisis has occurred that
has brought low fortunes of gigantic pro-
portions. Political partizanship has almost
ceased 10 exist, especially in agricultural
regions and, finally, the capture on the
hgh seas of vessel bearing our flag, has
for time threatened the most serious con-
sequences, and has agitated the public mind
from one end of the country to the other.
But this, happily, Is now in course of salts
factory ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to both ma
tons concerned.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations Of tho United States, how
ever, with most of the other powers contin-
ne to be friendly and cordial With France,
Germany, Russia, Italy, and the minor Eu
fopean powers; with Brazil, and most OF
the South American Republics, and with
Japan, nothing has occurred during the
year to demand special notice. I'll @ cor
respondence between the Department OF
Stale and various dlplomaticre
i'm or from those countries, 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, n number Of
practical artiZans, of scientific men and OF
honorary commissioners, were authorized
TO attend the exposition at Vienna, as com
missioners on the part of the United States.
IT is believed that we have attained the OBJ
ieet which Congress had in view when II
passed the Joint resolution, in order to ena-
BILE the people of the United States 10 par
ticipato in the advantages of the interna-
tional exhibition of the products ofagricul-
ture manufactures and fine arts, TO be held
of Vienna I tnEp Measure in adding tl al
the American exhibitors have received a
gratifying number of medals and diplomas.
During the Exposition conference was
held at Vienna for the purpose of consulta-
ton on systems prevailing in different
countries for the protection of inventions.
| authorized representative from the Pat
ent 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.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce TO
Congress that the Emperor of China, on at
tanning his majority, received the diplomat
ic 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 presented herewith.
The accompanying papers show that some
advance, although slight, has been made
during the past year towards the suppress
ion of the Infamous Chinese Coolle trade.
| recommend Congress to enquire whether
additional legislation be not needed on TINS
subject.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded TO the United States
by the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva,
was paid by Her Maiesty's Government a
few days in advance of the time when II
would have become payable, according to
the terms of the treaty. In compliance
with the provisions of the Act of March 3D.
1873, il was al 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 redeel ed was invested in five
per cent. Registered Bond of the United
States for SIS, 100000. which is now held by
the Secretary of Slate, subject to the future
disposition of Congress.
COMMISSION TO DIVIDE THE FIFTEEN
MILLIONS.
renew my recommendation, made Il,
the opening of the last session of Congress
that commission he created for the pur'
pose of auditing aud determining the
amounts of the sevt raj direct losses grow
ing out Of the destruction OF vessels ant
their cargoes by the Alabama, the Florida
or Shenandoah, after leaving Melbourne
for W iich the sufferers have received no e
quivalent or compensation, and OF ascer
tanning names OF persons entitled to receive
putatlons upon the basis indicated by th
tribunal of arbitration at Geneva, and tina
payment of such losses be authorized TO al
extent not TO exceed the awards of the Fri
bunal at Geneva.
NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY COMMISSION
BY an act approved on the Nth day O
February last, Congress made provision
for completing, Jointly with an officer o
commissioner to he named by Her Brit
annie Majesty, the determination of s.
much of The boundary line between th
territory of the United States and th
possessions Of Great Britain, as was LEI
uncompleted by the commissioners ap
pointed under The act of Congress OF Au
gust 18TH 1856. Under the provisions c
this Act the Northwest water boundary
the United States has been determined, an
marked in accordance with the award c
the Emperor of Germany. a protocol an
copy of the map upon which the line wa
thus marked are contained in the paper
submitted herewith.
PROGRESS OF THE NORTHERN. BoUNDAR
COMMISSIONER.
also transmit a copy of the report Of III
Commissioner for marking the Norther
boundary between the United States an
British Possessions west OF the Lake of ii
Woods showing the operations OF the Con
missioner. During the past season survey
of the Lake of the Woods, leaving about 81
miles to be surveyed, the field work
which can be completed during next sci
son.
THE MIXED CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The mixed commission organized und,
The provisions of the Treaty of Washington
for settling and determining the claims
citizens of either power against the othe
arising out of acts committed against the
-. 10
tween April -, 1861, and April 8, 1856
made its final award on the 18th day
September last. 1t was awarded that Il
government of the United States shout
pay TO the government of Her Britain
Majesty, within twelve months from Il
date the award, the sum of 81 ,929,Sl0
gold. The commission disalowed or di
missed all other claims of British subjec
against the United States. The amount
claims presented by the British COVER
ment, but disallowed or dismissed, is u
derstood to be about S93,000,OOO. 1t al
disalluwed all claims of citizens of Il
United States against Great Britain whit
were referred TO II. i recommend the ca
ly passage of an act approprating the
mount necessary to pay this amount again
the United States.
THE SERVICES OF COUNT CoRTI RECOGNIZE
have caused TO be communicated TO Il
government of the King of Italy the than
of this government tor the eminent servi
es rendered by Count Cortl as the thi
commissioner on this commission. WI
dignity, learning and impartiality, he d
charged duties requiring labor and co
slant patience 10 the satisfaction, 1 belle
of both governments.
A COURT FOR WAR CLAIMS RECOMMENDS
recommend legislation to create spec
court, TO consist of three judges, who sh
be empowered TO hear and determine
claims of aliens upon tho United stat,
arising out OF acts committed agail
their persons or property during the inst