The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-11-27
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fifth Annual Message, of u. 8.
Grant, Delivered to Congress De.
cember 2nd, 1873.

To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:
Tho year that has passed since the submis.
sion of my last message 10 Congress has, espe
cially the latter part Of it, been an eventful one
TO the country. In tho midst of great national
prosperity financial crisis has
occurred that has brought low
fortunes Of great proportions; political
partisanship has almost ceased 10 exist, espec-
tally In the agricultural regions ;ard the capture
upon the high eeas OF q vessel bearing our fiag,
has at one time threatened the most serious
consequences and attracted the public mind
from one end OF the country to the other. This,
happily, now, 1s in the course OF
satisfactory adjustment, honorable to both na-
lions concerned. The relation Of the United
States, however, with the most of other ma
tions continue to be friendly and cordial. With
France, Germany, Russia, Italy and the minor
powers, with Brazil and most of the Sonth
American Republics and with Japan, nothing
has occurred during the year to demand special
notice. The correspondence between the De-
pertinent of State and the various diplomatic
representatives in or from those countries is
transmitted herewith.
VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will of Congress as express
ed in the joint resolution Of the 14th of Febru-
airy last and in accordance with the provisions
of the resolution, a number Of practical art-
cans, of scientific men end Of honorary COM
missioners, were authorized TO attend the Ex-
position at Vienna, 40 Commissioners on the
part OF the United States. 1t Is believed that
we have obtained the object which Congress
had in view when 1t passed it's joint resolution
in order to enable the people of the, United
States to participate in the advantages of the
international exhibition OF the product Of agri-
culture, manufactures and the fine arts, to be
held at Vienna. take pleasure In adding that
the American exhibitors have received graft
flying number OF diplomas and medals.
During the Exposition 4 conference was held
at Vienna for the purpose Of consultation on
the systems prevailing In different countries for
the protection OF Inventions. authorized a
representative from the Patent Office to be
present ut Vienna at the time when this con-
ference was to take place, in order to aid AZ
far as he might in securing any possible addt-
tional protection to American inventors In
Europe. The report OF this agent will be laid
before Congress.
CHINA-THE COOLIE TRADE.
1t is my pleasant duty to announce to Corr
grees that the Emperor of China, on at.
tanning his majority, received the diplomatic
representatives of the Western Powers In per
son. An account of these ceremonies and of the
interesting discussions which preceded them will
be found in the documents transmitted here
with. The accompanying papers show, that
some advance, although slight, has been made
puring the past year towardslthe suppression Of
the Infamous coolie trade. l recommend to
Congress to inquire whether additional legisla-
ton be not needed on this subject.
THE ALABAMA AWARD.
The money awarded to the United States by
the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva was paid
by Her Majesty's government few days In ad-
vance of the time when it would have become
payable according to the terms of the treaty.
In compliance with the provisions Of the act Of
March Sd, 1873, it was at once paid into the
Treasury and used to redeem, as far as itmight,
the public debt of the United States, and the
amount go redeemed. WAS invested in q 8 per
cent registered bond of the United States for
fifteen million five hundred ihousapd .dollarr..
Which is now held by the Secretary Of Sl&tss
subject to the dispbsal: Of Congress- ;,,;.:
renew my recommendation made at the
aisembling,of the last session Of Csneresssthat
q convention be created for the purpose Of al I
d,ting and determining the amounts q. thessev-,
eral direct losses growing out OF the destruc.
ton of vessels and their cargoes by the alabama
and the Shenandoah after leaving Melbourne,
for which the sufferers have received NO equiv
alent Or compensation; and recording the
names of persons entitled to receive compen-
sation for the came; making the computations
on1the basis indicated by the Tribunal Of Arbi-
tration at Geneva, and that payment of such:
losses be suthorized to An extent not to exceed
the award of the Tribunal at Geneva.
NORTHERN BOUNDARY. y;
By an act approved on the 14th day of Feb
ruary last, Congress made proposition for
completing, jointly with An ofacer or commits
sioner to be named by Her Brittanic Majesty,
the determination Of the boundary line between.
sboT lett ol on1 no <nprl t.,pu ,Of
Britsin, which was left incomplete by the COM
niseionere appointed under the act Of Cougrues
of August nth, 1856. Under the provisions OF
this act the northwest water boundary OF the
United States has hecn determined and marked,
in accordance with the award Of the Emperor
of Germany. A protocol and copy of the
map upon which the line was thus marked are
contained in the papers submitted herewith, and
also transmita copy OF the report of the Com
m,ssioners who are working the boundary be-
tween the United States and the British Posses.
eions west Of the Lake Of the Woods, and of the
operations of tho Commissioners during the
past season. Surveys have been made TO a
point 497 miles west of the AXE of the Woods,
lesvir about $50 miles to lbe surveyed, the
field work OF which can be completed during
the next season. =
THE MIXED CLAIMS
The Commission organized under Inc PrOVle-
iona of the Treaty Of Washlngion~ for sAttl-
inh and determining the claims ofI citizens
of either power against the other. arising out
OF acts committed against their persons or
property during the period between April 18th
1861, and Apra 9th, 1865, made It's 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
Brittanic Majesty within twelve months OF the
date of award the sum Of $1,929,sl9 in gold.
The commission disallowed or dismissed all
the claims of British subjects against the Uni
led States. The amount Of the claims present
ed by the British Government, bnt disallowed
or disnis: ed, is understood to be about $685.
600 900. It also disallows al the claims of the
United states against Great Britain whichwere
referred to 1t. -o.,, ;.
recommend the passage Of An act appropri-
ating the amount necessary to pay thie:award
against the United Statee.