The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-12-11
Presidents Message


The year that has passed since the
submit, sion of my last message to COA-
gress has, especially the latter part of
it, been an eventful one to the cOun-
try. In the midst of great national
prosperity, a financial crisis has oc-
CURED that has brought low fortunes
of great proportion political parti-
sanship has almost ceased to exist,
especially in the agricultural region,
and finally, the capture upon the high
seas of q vessel bearing our flag has
for time threatened the most serious
consequences, and has agitated the
public mind from one end of the coun-
try 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 most of
the other nations continue to be
friendly and cordial. With France,
Germany, Russia, Italy and the mi
nor European powers, with Brazil
and most of the South American Re-
public 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 these countries is transmitted
herewith. In executing the will of
Congress as expressed in its joint reso-
luton of the 14th of February last,
and in accordance with the provis-
ions of the resolution, a number of
practical artisans, scientific men, and
honorary commissioners were au-
thoTiZed 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
Fpassed joint resolution in order to
enable the people of the United States
to participate in the exhibition of the
products of agriculture, manufactures
and the fine arts to be held at VII
emma. / take pleasure in adding that
the American exhibitors have receiv-
ed gratifying number of diplomas
and medals. During the exposition
a conference was held at Vienna for
the purpose of consultation on the
systems prevailing in the different
countries for the perfection of inven-
tiOns. ! authorized a representative
from the Patent Office TO be present
at Vienna at the time when the con-
ference was to take place, in order to
aid as he might in securing any pos
sible additional protection to inven-
| tors in Europe. The report Of this
agent will be laid before Congress.
! 1t is my pleasant duty to announce
4 to Congress, that the Emperor of
China, on attaining his majority, re-
eeived the diplomatic representatives
of the Western powers in person. An
/ account OF these ceremonies, and of
The interesting discussions which pre-
ceded 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, to-
wards the suppression of the infam-
Gus Chinese Coolie trade. / recon-
mend Congress to inquire whether |
additional legislation is not needed on |
this subject.
The money awarded to the u. S. by
the Tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva
was paid by her Majesty's Govern
ment a few days in advance of time,
when it would have become payable
according to the terms of the treaty,
in compliance with the provision of
the act of March 8, 1873. 1t was at
once paid into the Treasury, to be used
to redeem, so far as it might, the pub
lie debt of the United States, and the |
amount so redeemed was invested in |
five per cent. registered bond of the |
United States. for SIS. 100000, which
is now held by the Secretay of State, |
subject to the future disposition of
Congress. Irenew my recommends |
tion no ade at the assembling of the !
last session of Congress, that a COM
mission be created for the purpose of
auditing and determining the amounts
Of the several direct losses growing
out of the destruction of vessels and
their cargoes by the Alabama and the |
Shenandoah after leaving Melbourne,
for which the sufferers have received |
no equivalent or compensation, and
of ascertaining the names of the per-
fsons entitled to receive compensation |
for the same, making the compensa-
ton upon the basis 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. |
By the act approved on the 14th day |
of February last, Congress made a |
provision for completing, jointly, with |
an officer or Commissioner, to be
named by Her Brittanic Majesty, the |
determination of so much of the bOun-
Diary line between the territory of
Great Britain as was left uncomplet-
ed by the Commissioners appointed
under the act of Congress, of August
11tb, 1856. Under the provision of
this act, the Northwest water boun-
Diary of the United States been deter
mined and marked in accordance with |
the award of the Emperor of Ger
many. AprOtOcol and a copy of the |
map upon which the line was thus
marked, are contained in the papers |
submitted here. I also transmit q |
copy of the report of the Commission
er for marking the boun larry between |
the United States and the British pos
sessions west of the Lake of the |
Woods. or the operations of the
Commissioners during the past season,
surveys have been made to q point 1
497 miles west of the Lake of the
Woods, leaving about $50 miles to be
surveyed, the field work of which can
be completed during the next season.
The Commission organized under the
provisions of the treaty of Washing
ton for settlement, and determining
the claims of citizens of either power
against the other, arising out of acts
committed against their persons or
property, between the period of April
l3, 1861, and April 9Th, 1865, made its
final award on the 25th day of Sep
tember last. It 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 S1,929,Sl9 in gold. The
Commission disallowed or dismissed
all other claims Of British subjects
against the United States.
The amount of the claims present.
ed by the British Government, but
disallowed or dismissed, is under
stood to be about S93, ,000, 900. 1t also
disallows all the claims of the United
States against Great Britain which
were referred to it. recommend The
early passing of an act appropriating
the amount necessary to pay this
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 this
government by the Count Cont as
the third Commissioner on this Com
mission, for the dignity, learning
and impartiality with which he dis
charged his duties requiring labor
and constant patience, to the satisfac-
ton, I believe, of both Governments.
recommend legislation to create q
special court to consist Of three iudg-
es, who shall be empowered to hear
and determine the claims of aliens
upon the United States arising out of
acts committed against their persons
or property during the insurrection.
The recent conference under the
treaty Of Washington was confined TO
claims of British subjects arising du-
ring the period named in the treaty.
but it is understood that there are 9TH
er British claims Of a similar nature
arising after the 9th of April, 1855,
and it is known that other claims of /
like nature are advanced by subjects
Of other powers. It is desirable to |
have these claims also examined and !
disposedof. Official Authorization being
received from the Dutch Govern
rnent of a state of Uor hafDoan the