Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

SUBMISSION OF my ldSC meSSdSe W CoL-
gress, has, especially during the latter
part of it, been an eventful one to the
country In the midst Of great national
prosperity financial crisis has occurred
that has brought low fortunes of gigan-
tic proportions. Political partlsanship
has almost ceased to exist, especially in
the agricultural regions, and finally the
capture upon the high seas of a vessel
bearing our flag has, for 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, now is in the course of
satisfactory adjustment, honorable to
both nations CONCERNED. The relations
of the United States, however, with
other powers continue to be friendly
and cordial; with France, Germany,
Russia, Italy and the minor European
powers, also with Brazil and most of
the South American republics and Jap
pan nothing has occurred, during the year,
to demand special notcie. The correspon-
dence between the Department of State
and various diplomatic representatives
in or from these countries is transmitted
herewith.
SETTLEMENT OF THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The money awarded to the United
States by the tribunal of arbitration at
Geneva was paid by Her Majesty's Gov
eminent a 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 8, 1873, it was at once
paid into the Treasury and used to re-
deem, so far as it might, the public debt
of the United States, and the amount so
redeemed was invested in five per cent.
registered bond of the United States for
$l5,5OO,OOO, which is now held by the
Secretary of State subject to the future
disposition of Congress.
TAE NORTHWEST BOUNDARY.
By an act approved on the 18th day
Of February last, Congress made provis-
ions for completing jointly, with an
officer and Commissioner, to be named
by Her Britannia Majesty, the determin-
alton of so much of the boundary line
between the territory of the United
States and the possessions of Great Brit
ain as was left uncompleted by the Com
missioners appointed. Under the act of
Congress of August IL, 1856, under the
provisions of this act, the northwest wa
ter boundary of the United States has
been determined, and marked, in accord
ance with the award of the Emperor Of
Germany.
TREATIES.
Since the adjournment of Congress
the following treaties with foreign pow
ers have been proclaimed: A naturaliz
alton convention with Denmark f; con
vention with Mexico for renewing the
Claims Commission convention o.
friendship, commerce and traditia I
with the Orange Free State and nat
uralization convention with Ecuador.
THE ALL-IMPoRTANT sUBJEoT-oUR RE
LATIoN WITH SPAIN.
In compliance with the request o
Congress, L transmitted to the Amer
can Minister at Madrid, with instruc
tons to present it to the Spanish Gov
eminent, the joint resolution approve
on the Sd of March last, rendering
the people of Spain, in the name an
on the behalf of the American people
the congratulations of Congress upo
the efforts to consolidate in Spain tn
principles of universal liberty in n
publican form of government. The ez
istence Of this new republic was inau!
urated by striking the letters from tt
slaves in Porto Rico. This benefcel
measure was followed by the release
several thousand persons illegally he
as slaves in Cuba. Next, the Captai
General of that colony was deprived
the power to set aside the order of b
superiors at Madrid which had pertaint
to the Office since 1926; the sequester
estates of American citizens which b;
been the cause of long and frequent cc
respondence were ordered to be restor
to their owners. All these liberal ste
were taken in the face of violent OBJ
sition directed by the reactionary slar
erers of Havana who are vainly strivi
to stay the march of ideas which |
terminated slavery in Christendom, Gu
only excepted. Unhappily, however, t
baneful influence has thus far succeed
in defeating the efforts of all liber
minded men in Spain to abolish slav,
in Cuba, and in preventing the promi:
reform in that island.
In the interests of humanity, of eli
ization and of progress, it is to be ho]
that this evil influence may be S
averted. The steamer Virginius v
on the 26th day of September, Is
duly registered at New York as !
of the commercial marine of the I'm
States. On the 4th of October, Is
having received the certificate of
register in the usual legal form,