The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


To the Senate and House of Representatives:
The year that has pessed siace the submits
sion Of my last message to Congress has,
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 gigantic proportions, political partizan-
ship has almost ceased to exist, especially in
the agricultural regions, and, finally, the
capture upon the high seas of vessle bear
ing our flag has for q time threatened 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 most of the
other powers continue to be friendly and cor
DIAL With France, Germany, Russia Italy
and-the minor European powers, with Bra
zil and most of the South American repub-
lies. and with Japan, nothing has occurred
during the year to demand special notice
The correspondence between the Department
Of Estate and various. diplomatic representa-
ted herewith. -~s-
.3 THE VIENNA EXPOSITION.
In executing the will Of Congress as ex-
pressed in its joint resolution on the ,14th Of
February last. and in accordance. with the
provisions of the resolutions number of
practical artizans,". Of scientific men, and
Of honorary commissioners" were authori
zed to attend tie exposition at Vienna as
commissioners on the part of the United
States. It is beloved that we have obtained
the object which Congress had in view when
it passed the joint resolution Sin order to en-
able the people of the United States to par
ticipate in the advantages the Internation-
el Exhibition Of the products Of agriculture
manufactures and the fine arts to be held at
Vienna" take pleasure in adding that
the American exhibitors have received a
gratifying number of diplomas and of med
ais. .-9So A@'e eH's .
During the exposition a conference was
held at Vienna for the purpose Of consulta-
ton on the, systems prevailing in different
countries for the protection Of Inventions
authorized representative from the Pat
ent Office to be present at Vienna, at the
time the conference was to take place, in or
der to aid as far as he might, in securing,
if possible, additional protection to American
inventions in Europe. The report of this
agent will be laid before Congress, .@s.F i
It is my pleasant duty to announce to
Congress that the Emperor Of China on at
tanning his majority received the diplomatic
representatives Of the Western Powers in
person. An account of these ceremonies
and of the interesting discussions which per-
wade them will be found in the document
transmitted herewith The accompanying
papers show that some advance, although
slight, has been made during the past year
towards the suppression of the infamous Chi
nese coolie trade. I recommend Congress
to inquire whether additional legislation be
not needed on this subject.
'"Sa THE GENEVA TRIBUNAL. sgz4
The money awarded to the United States
by the tribunal Of arbitration at Geneva was
paid by Her Majesty's government 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 3, 1878, it was
a. once paid into the Treasury, aud used to
redeem SO far as it might the public debt of
the United States, and the amount SO re
deemed was invested in Eve per cent res is-
tered bond of the United States for fifteen
million five hundred thousand dollars which
| is now held by the Secretary of State sub
ject to the future disposition of Congress
| I renew my recommendation at the opening
Of the last session of Congress, that a com.
mission be created for the purpose Of audi.
ting and determining the amounts of the
several "direct losses growing out of the de-
structon Of vessels and the cargoes" by the
Alabama, the Florida, Or the Shenandoah,
after leaving Melbourne, for which the suff-
ers have received no equivalent or compensa-
tlon, and Of ascertaining the names Of the
persons entitled to receive compensation for
the same, making the computation 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
award of the tribunal at Geneva By an
act approved on the 14th day of February
last, Congress mado provision for compile
| ting jointly with an officer or commissioner
to be named by her Brittanic Majesty til e
determination of SO much of the houndar y
line between the territory of the United
States and the possession of Great Britain as
was left incompleted by the commissioners
appoi nted under the act of Congress Of Au-
gust 11th, 1885,. Under the provisions Of
this act the northwestern boundary of the
United States has been determined and mark
ed in accordance with the award of the En-
peror of Germany. A protocol and copy of
the map upon which the line was thus mark
ed are contained in the papers submitted
herewith
I also transmit copy Of the report of the
commissioner for, marking the northern
boundary between the United States and
the British possessions west Of the Lake Of
the Woods of the operations of the commits
sion during the past season. Surveys have
been made to a point 400 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.
a4 THE "MIxED COMMISSION"
The mixed commission organized under
the provision of the treaty of Washington
for settleing and determining the claims of
citizens Of either power against the other, a.
rising out of acts committed against their
person or property during the period be-.