The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentdtipes

The year that has passed since the
submission of my last message to con
gress has, especially the latter portion
of it, been an eventful one to the coun
try. In the midst of general national
prosperity, financial crisis has occur
red that has brought low the fortunes
| of the great. Political partizan.
ship has almost ceased to exist. es
pecially in the agricultural region, and.
finally, the capture upon the high seas
Of a vessel bearing our flag has, for q
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 In the
course of satisfactory adjustment hon
Orable to both nations concerned. The
FOREIGN RELATIONS
of the United States, however, with
most of the other nations continue to be
friendly as well as 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 representatives, in or from
those countries, is transmitted here
with.
In executing the will of con-
gress, as EXPRESSED in its Joint resolu-
tion of the 4th of February last, and in
accordance with the provisions of the
resolution, a number of practical arti-
sans and scientific men. and of honorary
commissions, were authorized TO attend
the
EXPOSITION AT VIENNA,
as commissioners on the part of the
United States. It is believed that we
have obtained the object which congress
had in view when it passed a joint re-
solution in order TO enable the people
of the United States to participate in
the advantages of the international ex-
hibition of the products of agriculture,
manufacture and the fine arts, to be
held at Vienna. I take pleasure in
adding that the American exhibitors
have received a gratifying number of
diplomas and of medals. During the
exposition a conference was held at
Vienna for the purpose of consultation
on the systems prevailing in different
countries for the perfection of inven-
tions authorized the representative
from the patent 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 in
ventors In Europe. The report of this
agent will be laid before congress. It
is my pleasant duty to announce to con-
gress that the emperor of China, attain
ing his majority, received the diplo-
matte representatives of the western
powers in person. An account of these
ceremonies, and of the interesting dis
cussions which preceded 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 in
famous Chinese coolie trade. I recon-
mend coner to inquire whether ad-
legislation be not needed on .
this subject.
ALABAMA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United
States by the tribunal of arbitration at
Geneva was paid by her majesty's gov
few days in advance of the
time when it would have become paya-
BILE according to the terms of the treaty.
In compliance with the provisions of
the act of March 3, 1878, 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 redeemed was invested in a
five per cent. registered bond of the
United States for fifteen million five
hundred thousand dollars, which is now
held by the secretary of state subject
to the future disposition of congress.
I renew my recommendation made at
the assembling of the last session of
that a commission be created
for the purpose of auditing and deter
mining the amounts of the several
direct losses growing out of the destruc-
tion of vessels and their cargoes by the
Alabama and Shenandoah after leaving
Melbourne, for which the sufferers have
no equivalent or compensa-
lion, and of ascertaining the names of
persons entitled to receive compensa-
5ion for the same, making the computa-
lion on the basis indicated by the tribu-
nal of arbitration at Geneva. and that
the payment of such losses be author
ized TO an extent not to exceed the
awards of the tribunal at Geneva.
BRITISH BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the 14th of !
February last, congress made provision !
Tor completing jointly with an officer or |
to be named by Her Bri- !
5anic majesty, the determination of so |
much of the boundary line between the |
ierritory of Great Britain as was left |
by the commissioners ap- |
pointed under the act of congress of |
Aug. II, 1856. Under the provisions of |
his act, the northwest boundary of the |
United States has been determined and |
marked in accordance with the award |
If the emperor of Germany. A proto- |
,ol and a copy of the map on which the |
inc was thus marked are contained in |
he papers submitted herewith.
I also transmit copy of the report of
he commissioners for marking the |
of the line between the
United States and the British posses
lions, west of Lake of the Woods, and of /
During the past season surveys have
,een made to n point 297 miles west of
he Lake of the Woods, leaving about
80 miles TO be surveyed, the field work /
# which can be completed during the
lext season.
COTTON CLAIMS.
The commissioners organized under
he provisions of the treaty of Wash
ngton, for the settlement and deter
mining of the claims of citizens of
ither power against the other, arising
,ut of acts committed against their per-
ons or property duringthe period be-
ween April Is, 1861. and April 9, 1866,
made its final award on the 25th day
f September last. It was awarded that
he government of the United States
hOuld pay to the government Of her
Sritanic majesty, within twelve months
rom the date awarded the sum of
/ ,929, ,S19 in gold. The commissioners
isallowed or dismissed all other claims
{ British subjects against the United
tates. The amount of the claims pre-
ented by the British government, but
isallowed or dismissed, is understood
D be about S93, 600, 00O It also disal-
)ws ali the claims Of the United States
gainst Great Britain, which were re-
erred to il. I recommend the early
assing of an act appropriating the
mount necessary 'to pay lthis award
gainst the United States.
I have caused TO be communicated to
he government of the king of Italy the
hanks of this government for the en-
tent services rendered by Count Can't
J the third commissioner on this COM
iission. With dignity, learning and
npartality he discharged duties re-
T,n 4~r1 ta1saekngah Z