Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-12-11
Established in 1873
The Presidents Message.
RECENT EVENTS.


The year that has passed since the
Submission of my last message to Con-
IgreSs has, especially the latter part or
lit, been an eventful one to the country.
In the midst of great national prosperi-
ity financial crisis has occurred that
has brought low the fortunes OF great
proportion. Political partisanshIp has
almost ceased to exist, especially in the
agricultural region, and finally the cap
ture upon the high seas of vessel bear
ing our fiag, has for a time threatened
the most serious consequeuces, and has
agitated the public mind from one end
OF the country to the other. But this,
happily, now is in the course OF satls-
/ factory adjustment, honorable to both
parties Concerned. k-- -rEA.aST
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
The relations of the United States,
however, with most of the other ma
tions continue to be friendly and cor
dial. Nv ithsF France, Germany, Russia,
Italy, and the minor European powers,
with Brazil and most of the South
America republics, and with Japan,
nothing has occurred during the year 10
demand special notice. The cOrrespOn-
dence between the Department OfState
and the various diplomatic representa-
tives in or from those countries is trans
mitted herewith.
THE GENEVA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United
Estates by the Tribunal of Arbitration
| at Geneva was paid by her Majestys
government a few days in advance OF
the time when it would have become
payable, according to the terms of the
treaty. In compliance with the pro-
visions of the act of March g. 1873, it
was at once paid into the Treasury and
used TO redeem, so far as it might, the
public dett of the United States; and
the amount so redeemed was Invested
in per cent registered bond of the
United States for '$15, 500, ,000, which is
now held by the Secretary of State, sub
lject to future disposition of Congress. /
renew the recommendation made at
the assembling of the last session of
Congress, that commission be created
for the purpose of auditing and deter
miniug the amounts of the several di-
rect losses growing out of the destruc-
tion of vessels ana their cargoes by the
Alabamaan and Shenandoah, alter leaving
Melbourne, forw hich the Sufferers have
received no equivalent or compensation
and of fiaseertalRiBg the names of per-
sons entitled to receive compensation
for the same, making the computation
ON the basis indicated by the Tribunal
of Arbitration at Geneva; and that the,
ipayment Of such loses be authorized
to an extent not to exceed the awards
of the tribunal at Geneva.
- THE NoRTHWEsTBoUNDA -
u By an aetEapproved on the 18th Of
February last, Congress made provis-
ion for completing Jointly, with an off,
Ger or commissioner to be named by
Her Brittanlc Majesty, the fdafermina-
ton OF SO much of the boundary line
between the territory of Great Britain
las was left uncompleted by the COM
ImissionerS appointed under the actss of
fCongress OF August IL, 1856. Under
1.-The provisions OF this act the nOrthwest
iwater boundary of the United States
has been determined and marked in
accordance with the award of the Eu-
i peror of Germany. A protocol and 4,
scopy of the map ON which the line was
JthuS marked are contained in the pa
lpers submitted here. also transmit
copy of the report of the Commissioner
for marking the boundary line between
the United States and the British pos
sessions west of the Lake of the W Woods
and OF the operations of the commission
ers during. the past season. Surveys
nave been made to point 497 miles
west of the Lake of the Woods, leaving
iabout $50 miles 10 be surveyed, the
| field work of which can be completed
during the next season. "a,
THE CONGRATULATIONS TO SPAIN.
In compliance with the request of
i Congress, 1 transmitted to the Ameri-
ican Minister at Madrid, with instruc-
tions to present tito the Spanish gov
ernment, the joint resolution approved
ON the Sd of March last, rendering to
the people of Spain, in the name and
on behalf of tine American people, the
congratulations of Congress upon the 4
efforts to consolidate in Spain the prin-
ciples of universal liberty in q republic
tcan forInaof government. The exist-
fenee ofths nav republic was inaugur
ated BY striking the letters from slaves
in Porto Rico. This beneficcnt meas
ure was followed by the release of sew
eral thousand Persons illegally sold as
slaves in Cuba. Next the Captain-Gen-
eral of that colony was deprived OF the
power to set aside the orders of his SUI
periors at Madrid, which had pertained
10 the office since 1875. The sequestered
4 estate of American citizens, Which had
been the cause of long aud frequent
correspondence, were ordered to he re-
stored to their owners. All these lib-.
eral steps were taken in the face Of Viz
lent opposition, directed by the reac-
ltionary Shareholders of Havana, who
lare vaifily striving to stay the march
,tofideas which have terminated slavery
in Christendom, Cuba only excepted.
j lUnhappily, however, this hanefui in
fiuence has thus far succeeded in defeat
ing the efforts of all liberal minded
men in Spain to abolish slavery in Gu
ba, and in preventing the promised re-
form in that island. The Struggle for
political supremacy still continues.
IL The proslavery aristOcracy of Cuba is
gradually arraigning itself in more and
more open hostility and defiance of the
4home government, while it still main-
sttaips a political connection with there
public in the peninsula, and although
, usurping and defying the authority of
: the home government, whenever such
e usurpation or defiance tends in the di-
: rectiOn OF oppression, or OF the main
tenance OF proslavery abuses, it is still
a power in Madrid, and recognized by
J the government. 2 ssfles tleE13
Thus, an element more dangerous to
continued colonial relationsF between
Cuba and Spain than that which inspir-
J ed the insurrection at Yara, an element
opposed to granting any relief from
misrule and abuse, with no aspirations
D. after freedom, commanding no sympa-
re thies in generous beasts, aiming to riv-
d ct still stronger the shackles of slavery
5, and oppression, it has seized many OF
oi the embiems of power I'm Cuba, and.
!, under professions Of loyalty TO the
y, mother country, is exhausting the re-
= tsources of,the island, and is doing acts
which are at variance with those prin-
Iciplts Of justice, of Aliberality, and OF