The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-11

past year, and was paid upon the 2ist day of
September 1874.
Id this connection / renew my recon mend
alton, made at the opening of the last SEES
sion of Congress, that special court be
created to hear and report all claims OF aliens
against the United States, arising from acts
committed against their persons or property
during the instruction. IL appears equita-
BILE that opportunity should be offered to citi-
zens OF other States to present their claims
AZ we'll AZ to those British subjects whose
claims were not admissible under the late
commission, to the early decision OF some
competent tribunal To this end l recon-
mend the necessary Legislation to organize a
court to dispose of those claims of aliens of
the nature referred TO in an equitable aud
satisfactory manner, and to relieve Congress
and the Departments from the consideration
of these questions.
The legislation necessary to extend to the
colony of Newfoundland certain articles of
the Treaty of Washington OF the Sth OF Nav,
1871, having been had, a protocol to that eff
feet was signed in behalf of the United States
and of Grea; Britain on the 2Sth day of May
last, and was duly proclaimed on the follow
ing day. A copy OF the proclamation is sub
mtted herewith
A copy of the report Of the commissioners
appointed under the act of March 10, 1872, for
surveying and marking the boundary between
the United States and the British possessions.
from the Lake of the Woods to the summit of
the Rocky Mountains is herewith transmitted.
/ am haI by to announce that the field DIRK
OF the commission has been completed, and
the entire line from the northwest corner of
the Lake of the Woods to the summit Of the
Rocky Mountains has been run and marked
upon the surface of the earth. 1t is believed
that the amount remaining unexpended of
the appropriation made at the last session of
will ha a,,f, al 10 platA tl.n
Office work. recommend that the authority
of Congress be given to use the unexpended
balance OF the appropriation in the compile
ton of the work of the Commission in
making the report and printing the necessary
map.
The court known as the Court Of Commits
s0ners OF Alabama Claims, created by an act
OF Congress the last session, has organized
and commenced the work, and it Is to be
hoped that the claims admissible under the
provisions Of the act may be speedily ascer-
tanned and paid.
1t has been deemed advisable to exercise
the discretion conferred upon the Executive
at the last session by accepting the conditions
required by the government OF Turkey for
the privilege of allowing citizens of the
United States to hold real estate in the form
er country, by asserting to certain change in
the Jurisdiction of the courts in the latter.
copy of the proclamation upon these sub
jects is herewith communicated.
There has been no material change in our
relations with the Independent States Of this
hemisphere which were formerly under the
dominion OF Spain.
Marauding on the frontiers between Mexico
and Texas still frequently takes place, despite
the vigilance of the civil and military authori-
| ties in that quarter. The difficulty OF check
ing such traspasses along the course of river
OF such length as the Rio Grande, and 80 Of
| ten fordable, is obvious. 1t is hoped that the
efforts Of this government will be seconded
by those OF Mexico to the effectual suppress
ton of acts of wrong
From a report upon the condition of the
business before the American and Mexican
Joint Claims Commission, made by the
agent on the part Of the United
States. and dated October %, 1874
it appears that of the 1,0l7 claims filed
on the part of the citizens of the United
States 483 had been finally decided, and "a
were in the hands Of the umpire, leaving 49,
to be disposed of; and of the 99S claims
filed against the United States, 726 had been
finally decided on, one was before the umpire
and III remained to be disposed of. Since
the date OF such report, other claims have
been disposed of, reducing somewhat the
numbers still pending. and others have been
passed upon by the arbitrator. 1t has be-
come apparent, in view of these figures, and
of the fact that the work devoving on the
umpire is particularly laborious, that the
| Commission would be unable to dispose of
the entire number of claims pending prior to
the LIST day of February, 1875, the date fixed
for its expiration. Negotiations are pending
looking to the securing Of the results of the
decisions which have been reached, and to q
further extension of the Commission for linn
tied time, which, it is confidently hoped, will
| suffice to bring all the business now before il
| to final close
The strife in the Argentine Republic is to
be deplored, both on account of the parties
thereto and from the probable effects on the
interests of those engaged IN the trade to
| that quarter, of whom the Unitbd States arc
among the principal. As yet, so far as am
aware there has been no violation of oui
neutrality rights, which, as well as our duties
in that respect, it shall be my endeavor to
maintain and observe.
1t is with regret l announce that no further
! payment has been received from the govern
| ment OF Venezuela on account of awards in
favor of citizens of the United States. Hopes
have been entertained that if the Republic
could escape both foreign and civil war for a
few years It's great natural resources would
enable it to honor its obligations. Though il
is now understood to be at peace with other
countries, serious instruction is reported
to be in progress in an importont region of
that Republic This may be taken advantage
of as another reason to delay the payment of
the dues of our citizens.
The depl orable strife in Cuba continues
without any marked change in tho relative adj
vantages OF the contending forces. The in
surrection continues but Spain has gained no
superiority. Six years of strife give the in
surrection significance which cannot be ig-
nored. It's duration, the tenacii Of it's ad-
herence, together with the absence of mani
tested power of suppression on the part of
Spain, cannot be controverted, and may make
some positive steps on the part of other pow
ers matter Of self necessity.
l had confidently hoped at this time to be able
to announce an arrangement Of some of the
important questions between this government
and that of Spain, but the negotiations have
been protracted. The unhappy intestine dis
seneons Of Spain command our profound
sympathy, and must be accepted az, perhaps,
q cause for some delay. An early settlement,
in part at least, OF the questions between the
governments is hoped for In the mean time,
awaiting the results of Immediately pending
negotiations. L defer further and fuller COM
munication on the subject of the relations of
this country and Spain.
L have again TO call the attention of Con-
gress to the unsatisfactory condition of the
existing laws with reference to exoatriation
and the election of nationality. Formerly,
amid conflicting opinions and decisions, it
was difficult to exactly determine how far the
doctrine of perpetual allegiance was applica-
bic 10 the United States. Congress, by the
act of the 9th Of July, 1863 asserted the alb
strdct right of exDatriation as a Fundamental