The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-06
u p u /.
forelga Relations.

time to time in the foreign relations O
the government, but the United State
nave beer, happily free during the pas
year from the complications and smbar
easements which have surrounded some
Oh the foreign powers. The diplomatic
correspondence submitted herewith con.
taips information as to certain matters
which have occupied the government,
ana the cordially which attends our
relations with the powers of the earth
has been plainly shown.
congress at its last session saw fit 10
reduce the amount usually appropriated
Tor foreign intercourse by Withholding
appropriations for representatives of the
United States in certain foreign coun-
tries and for certain consular officers. and
by reducing the amounts usually appro-
priated for certain other diplomatic posts,
and thus necessitating q change in the
grade Of the representative. For these
reasons, in my opinion, the passage of the
bill making appropriations Tor the dIplo-
matte and consular service for the pres
ent hscal year, instructions were issued
to the representatives of the United
States at Bolivia, Ecuador and Colum.
oia and to the consular offices for whom
no appropriations had been made, to close
their respective legations and consulates
and cease from the performance of their
duties, and in like manner stop the steps
which were being taken to substitute
Charges d Affaires for the Ministers res
idsnt In Portugal Denmark, Greece,
Switzerland and Paraguay. While thor
oughly impressed with the wisdom of.
! SOUND economy in foreign service as in
the other branches of the government, |
cannot escape the conclusion that in
some instances the withholding of APP
preparations will prove an expensive
economy, and that the small, retrench-
ment secured by change of
grade in certain diplomatic posts
Is not an adequate consideration
for the loss of influence and impor-
lance which Will attend our foreign
representation under this reduction. /
am of the opinion that re-examination
of the subject will cause a change in
some instances in the conclusions reached
on these subjects at the last session of
Congress.
Boundary Lines.
1t is with satisfaction that | am ena
bled to state that the work of the Joint
Commission for determining the bound.
airy line between the United States and
the British Provinces from the north
west angle of the Lake of the Woods to
the Rocky Mountains, commenced in
1872, mas been completed The final
agreements of the Commissioners, with
the maps, have been duly signed, and
the work of the Commission is COM
plete.
The fixing of the boundary upon the
Pacific coast, by the protocol OF March
10th, 1873, pursuant to the award Of
the Emperor Of Germany, by Article
XXXIV of the treaty of Washington,
with the termination of the work of
their commission, sdjusts and fixes the
entire boundary between the United
States and that portion of the territory
ceded by Russia to the United States
under the treaty of 1867. The work en-
trusted to the Commissioners and the
officers of the army attached to the Com
mission has been well and satisfactorily
performed. The original of the final
agreement by the Commissioners signed
upon the 29th of May, 1876, with the
original list of astronomical stations
observed, the original official list of
monuments marking the international
boundary line, ard the maps,
records and general reports relating
to the commission, have been depoS
tied in the department OF State. The
official reports of the commissioners on
the part of the United States, with the re-
port of the Chief Assistant Commissioner
OF the United States, will be submitted to
Congress within short time.
| reserve for separate communication
to Congress statement of the condition
of the question which lately arose with
Great Britain respecting the surrender
of fugitive criminals under the treaty OF
1872. The Ottoman Government gave
notice. under date of January
18th. 1874, of its desire TO
terminate the treaty of 1862, concerning
commerce and navigation. Pursuant
to the provisions of the 22d Article there
of, under this notice of the treaty, terml-
mated upon the 9th day of June, 1876,
that the govern ment has insugurated ne.
gotistions towards the conclusion OF new
treaty By an act of Congress of March
23d, 1874, the President was authorized,
when he should receive satisfactory In
formation that the Ottoman government
or that the government of Egypt had
organized new tribunals likely to
secure to the citizens OF the
United States the same impartial
iust,ce enioyed under the existing judicial
functions by the diplomatic and consular
officers OF the United States to suspend
the operations of the act OF June Y, loOo,
and to accept Tor the citizens OF the
United States the jurisdiction OF the new
tribunals. satisfactory information hav.
ing been received OF the organization OF
such new tribunals in Egypt, caused
nroclsmstion to be issued upon the 2Tth
Of March last suspending the operation
of the act of June -, 1860, in Egypt
According to the provisions OF the act
copy of the proclamation accompanies
this message. The United states mas
united with the other powers IN the or
ganizstion of these courts, and 1t is hoped
That the jurisdiction question which has
arisen may be speedily adjusted, ana
that this advance Judicial reform may De
hindered by no obstacles. The necessary
legislation 70 carry into effect the course
respectlne the commercial reciprocity
concluded with the Hawaiian Islands IN
1878, having been had. the proclamation
! IA carry INTO effect the course NJ PROVIDED
by the act approved August Is, 1875, was
d8'v issued upon the 9th day OF septem-
Der last. A copy thereof accompanies. tins
message. ,;,h hovo h.sn
prevalent In Mexico for some time ana
which unhsppily seem to be not yet
Wholly quie;ed, have led to cOmpIs!ints
nv citizens of the United States ST injury
by persons in authority. 1t is hoped,
however, tina: these will ultimately be
adjusted to the satisfaction OF both gov "
er1ments. The frontier OF the United
States 10 that quarter has not been ex-