The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-

especially during the latter part of 1t, been
an eyentiul one TO the country. In the MIDST
of great national prosperity financial crisis
has occurred that has brought low fortunes
of gigantic proportions; political partisan
chin has almost ceased to exist, especially IN
the agricultural regions; and, finally, the cap
ture upon the high seas of vessel bearing
orr flag has for time threatened the most
serious consequences, and has agltated the
public mind from one end of the country 10
the other. But this. happily, now Is IN
the course of satisfactory adjustment,
honorable to both nations concerned
The relations of the United States, however,
with most of the other Powers continue to
be friendly and cordial. With France, Ger
many. Russia, Italy, and the minor Etl-
ropean Powers, With Brazil and most of the
South American Republics, aud with Japan,
nothing has occurred during the year to de-
mand special notice. The correspondence
between the Department of State and vari-
Gus diplomatic representatives In or from
those countries is transmitted herewith.
THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will Of Congress rs ex-
pressed in its joint resolution OF the 1ith oil
February last, and in accordance with the
provisions of the resolution, number OF
. practical artisans" of scientific men"
and of "honorary commissioners were au'
thorized to attend the Exposition at Vienna
as commissioners on the part Of the United
States. 1t is believed that we have Obtained
the object which Congress had in view when
it passed the joint resolution in order to
enable the people Of the United States to par
ticipate in the advantages OF the lntcrna
tiopal exhibition Of the products Of agricul'
turc. manufactures, and the fine arts TO be
held at Vienna" I take pleasure in add
inc that the American exhibitors have re-
ceircd gratifying number Of diplomas ano
medals.
During the Exposition n conference wa:
held at Vienna for the purpose of consulta
ton on the systems prevailing in different
countries for the protection =. OF inventions
| l authorized representative from the pat
ent-oflicc to be present at Vienna ut The
| time when the conference was to take place
in order to aid as far as lie might in securing
additional protection to American inventor:
in Europe. The report Of this agent will bt
laid before Congress.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce
to Congress that the Emperor Of China
on attaining his majority, received
the diplomatic representatives Of the west
ern Powers in person. An account OF these
ceremonies, and of the interesting discus
>ioUs which pervade them, will be found il
! the documents transmitted herewith. TIE
accompanying papers show that some adj
vance, although slight, has been made dll
ring the past year towards the suppression
| of the infamous Chinese coclie trade re
commend Congress to inquire whether add
tioual legislation lie not needed On this sub
ject.
The GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United states
| By the tribunal Of arbitration at Geneva was
paid by her Maesty's Government. few
DAYS in advance Of the time when il would
have become payable according to the terms
Of the treaty. In compliance with the pro-
visions Of the act of March s. 1873, it was at
once paid into the Treasury and used TO re-
deem, 50 far is it might. the public debt OF
the United States, and the amount so rc.
deemed was invested in 4 five per cent.
registered bond Of the United States for
fifteen million tive hundred thousand dollars,
which is now held hy The Secretary Of State
subject to the future disposition Of Congress
LOSSES III lUNfEIEk-ilE " AMY ESSELS,
renew my recommendation, made at the
openinr of the last session of Congress, that a
commission be created for the purpose OF
auditing aud determining the amounts of the
several "drcct losses growing out Of the
destruction of vessels and their cargoes" by
the Alabama, the Florida, or the Shenan-
doah. after leaving Melbourne, for which
the sufferers have received no equivalent Or
compensation, and of aScertaining the
names of the persons entitled to receive
compensation for the same, making the
computation upon the basic 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
tribunal at Geneva.
BOUNDARIES.
By an act approved on the 18th dry
of February last Congress made provi-
sion for completing, jointly with an Off
Ger or commissioner TO be named by
her, Britainnc Majesty, the determination
Of SO much of the boundary line be.
tween the territory of the Unitel States
and possessions of Great Britain as was left
ncompleted by the commissioners ap-
pointed under the act Of Congress of Au-
gust II, 1886. Under the provisions of this
act the northwestern boundary CT the United
States has been determined and marked in
accordance with the award OF the Emperor
Of Germany. A protocol aud a copy of the
map upon which the line was thus marked
are contained in the papers submitted here
with.
/ also transmit copy Of tue report Of the
commissioner for marking the northern
boundary betw zen the United States and
the British possessions west Of the Lake OF
the Woods, and of The operations Of the
commission during the past season. Sur
veys lave been made 10 Il point 400 miles
west Of the Lake Of the Woods, leaving
about $50 miles to be surveyed-the field.
work Of which Gun be completed during the
next season.
THE MIXED 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 8, 1855, 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 within twelve months
from the date Of the award the sum of
Sl,929,s79 in gold. The commission disal-
lowed or dismissed all other claims of Bri-
fish subjects against the United States. The
amount of the claims presented by the Bri-
fish Government but disallowed or dis.
missed is understood to be about S93,0O0,-
600. 1t also disallowed all the claims
of citizens of the United States
against Great Britain which were referred
to it. / recommend the early passage Of
an act appropriating the amount necessary
TO pay the award against the United States.
T have raused 10 be commitment ed to the