Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-12-10

to those British subjects whose claims were
not admissible under the late commas
sion, to the early decision of some competent
tribunal. To this end 1 recommend the neces-
sary legislation to organize court to dispose
of those claims of aliens of the nature refer
red to in an equitable and satisfactory man
ner, and to relieve Congress and the depart
ments from the consideration of these ques-
tons.
The legislation necessary to extend to the
colony of Newfoundland certain articles of
the Treaty of Washington of the Sth Of May,
1871, having been had. a protocol to that
effect was signed in behalf of the United
States aud of Great Britain on the 28th day
CT May last. and was duly proclaimed on the
following day. A copy of the proclamation is
submitted herewith.
A copy of the report of the Commission
appointed under the act of March 49, 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 happy to announce that the field
work 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 unex-
| pended of the appropriation made at the last
session of Congress will be sufficient to COM
plete the office work. 1 recommend that the
| authority of Congress be given to use the I'M
| expended balance of the appropriation In the
completion of the work of the Commission
in making the report and printing she neces-
| sary map.
The court known as the Court of Commits
siopers 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 condition
required by the government of Turkey for the
privilege of allowing citizens of the United
| States 10 hold real estate in the former coun-
| try by asserting to q certain change in the
| jurisdiction of the courts in the latter. A
copy of the proclamation upon these subjects
| is herewith communicated.
| There has been no material change in our
| relah- ps 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 author
tiles in that quarter. The difficulty of check-
ing such trespasses along the course of a river
of such length as the Rio Grande, and so Of
ten forbade, is obvious. 1t is hoped that the
by those of Mexico to the effectual suppress
sion CT acts or wrong.
| From a report upon the condition of the
business before the American and Mexican
Joint Claims Commission, made by the agents
on the part Of the United states, aud dated
October 2S, 1874. 1t appears that of the 1.017
claims filed on the part of citizens of the
United States, 483 had been finally decided,
and 70 were in the hands of the umpire, leav-
ing 462 to be disposed of: and OF the 99s
claims filed against the United States, 726 had
been finally decided on. l was before the
umpire, and 271 remained to be disposed of.
Since the date of such report other claims
have been disposed of, reducing somewhat
the number still pending. and others have
been passed upon by the arbitrator. 1t has
become apparent, in view of these figures
and of the fact that the work devolyiDg 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 a
further extension of the Commission for a
limited time. which, ii is confidently hoped,
will suffice to bring all the business now be-
fore it to a final close.
Tho 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 tie trade to
that quarter, of whom the United States are
among the principal. AS yet, so far as 1 am
aware, there has been no violation Of ourneu-
trality rights, which, as we'll as our duties in
that respect, it shall be my endeavor to main
tain aid observe.
1t is with regret announce that no further
payment has been received fro m the govern
ment of Venezuela on account Of awards III
favor OF citizens Of the United States. Hopes
have been entertained that if the republic
could escape both foreign and civil war for q
few years its great natural resources would
enable it to honor its obligations Though it
| is now understood to be at peace with other
countries, serious insurrection is reported
to be in progress in an important region of
that republic. This may be taken advantage
OF as another reason to delay the payment of
the dues of our citizens.
| The deplorable strife in Cuba continues
without any marked change in the 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. Its duration, and the tenacity of its
adherence, together with the absence of man.
ifested 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.
had confidently hoped at this time to be
able to announce an arrangement of some of
| the important questions between this govern
ment and that of Spain, but the negotiations
have been protracted. The unhappy intestine
discussions of Spain command our profound
sympathy, and must be accepted as, perhaps,
cause for some delay. An early settlement,
in part at least, of the questions between the
governments is hoped for. In the meantime,
| awaiting the results of Immediately pending
| negotiations, / defer a further and fuller
communication ON the subject of the relations
of this country and Spain.
have again to cal the attention of Con-
gress to the unsatisfactory condition Of the
existing laws with reference to expatration
aud the election Of nationality. Formerly
amid Golf citing opinions and decisions. il
was difficult to exactly determine how far the
doctrine of perpetual allegiance was spplica-
BILE tn the United States. Congress, By the
act of the 9th of July. 1865, asserted the
abstract right of exps'ristion as q funda-
mental principle Of tLis government. Not
withs.andinS such assertion and the neces-
sity OF the frequent application OF the prin-
ciple, no legislation has teen had defining
what acts or formaliLies she'll work expatria-
| ton, or when a citizen shall b deemed to
have removed or TO have lost his citiz -nship
! The Importance of such dc fin ton is
| obvious. ne representatives of the
United States in foreign countries ere
continually called upon to lend their aid and