Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-06
Presidents Message.
concluded from first page

Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland aud
| Paraguay.
While thoroughly impressed with the custom Of
sound economy in the foreign service, as IN other
branches of the government, cannot escape the
conclusion that in some instances the Withholding
| of appointments will prove an expensive economy,
aud that the small retrenchment secured by q
change of grade in certain diplomatic posts IS not
an adequate consideration for the loss of influence
and Importance which will attend our foreign rep
representatives. under this reduction. am oil the
opinion that a denomination OF the SUBJECT WIN
| cause change, in some instances, in the cohcIu'
sions reached the these subjects al the last ses
| sion Of Congress.
ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The court of commissions OF Alabama c!al ms,
| chose functions were continued by act OF the
last session of Congress, u the first day oil jan
uary, 1877, has carried on It's labors with diligence
and general satisfaction. by report nom the
clerk of the court transmitted herewith, bearing
date November, All, 1876, it appears that within
the time now allowed by law, the court will have
disposed of all the claims presented for adjudica-
| ton. This report also contains statement OF the
general results OF the labors of the court to date
thereof Ii is cause of satisfaction that the method
adopted for the satisfaction OF the classes OF claims
submitted to the court which are of long Standing
and Justly entitled to early consideration should
have proved successful and acceptable.
| BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN UNITED STATES
| AND BRITISH POSSESSIONS ON THE NORTHWEST.
1t is with satisfaction that am enabled to state
that the work of the joint commission for deter
mining the boundary line between the United
States and British Possession from the northwest
angle Of the Lake Of the Woods to the Rocky
mountains, commenced in 1872, has been COM
pleted. The final agreements of the commission
rrs with the maps have been duly signed, and the
work OF the commission is complete. The fixing
OF the boundary upon the Pacific coast by the pro-
tocoi of March 10Th, 1872, pursuant to the award
of tue Emperor of Germany, by article NNNlN
of the treaty of Washington, with the termination
Of the work of the commission adjusts and fixes
tue entire boundary between the United States
and the British Possessions, except as to the
portion of territory ceded by Russia to the nited
States under the treaty Of 1867.
| The work entrusted to the commissioners and
| the officers OF the army attached to the commits
| sion has been well and satisfactorily performed.
/ he original of the final agreement Of the COM
missloncrs signed upon the 10Th of May, 1876,
with the original list of astronomical stations OBJ
served, the original lists OF monument marking the
International boundary line, and the map records
| and general report relating to the commission,
| have been deposited IN the department of State.
| The official report of the commissioner on the
part of the United States with the report of the
chief astronomer of the United States will be sub
mitted. to Congress within a short time.
GREAT BRITAIN AND FUGITIvEs.
| reserve for separate communication to Con-
gress statement OF the condition of the questions
which lately arose with Great Britain respecting
the surrender OF fugitive criminals under the
treaty of 1872.
THE OTTOMAN GovERNMENT.
The Ottoman government gave notice under
date of January 10, 1874 Of its desire to rescind
the treaty of 1862, concerning commerce and nav
igston, pursuant to the provisions of the twenty
second articles thereof Under this notice the
treaty terminated upon the 9th day of June, 1867.
| That government has invited negotiations towards
| the conclusion OF treaty. Nv the act of
Congress of March 23d, 1874, the President was
authorized, when he should receive satisfactory
information that the Ottoman government or that
of Egypt had organized new tribunals likely 10
secure TO citizens of the United States the same
impartial justice enjoyed under the exercise of
Judicial functions, by diplomatic and consular Of
tcers of the United States, to suspend the opera
ton Of the act of June 22d, 1860, and to accept
for citizens of the United States the jurisdiction
OF the new tribunals. Satisfactory information
having been received of the organization of such
new tribunals in Egypt, caused a proclamation
| to be issued on the 9th of March last, suspend-
ing the operations Of the act of June 3d. 1860, in
Egypt, according to the provisions of the act. A
copy of the proclamation accompanied this mes
sage
Tho United States has united with the Other
powers in the organization of these courts. 1t Ii
hoped that the jurisdiction questions which have
arisen may be readily adjusted, and that this ad
vance in judicial reform may be hindeIed by nc
obstacles.
HAWAIIAN RECIPROCITY.
The necessary legislation to carry into effect the
convention respecting commercial reciprocity
concluded with the Hawaiian Islands, in 1875
having been had, the proclamation to carry into
effect the convention, as provided by the act ap.
proved August l6, 1876, was duly issued upon the
9Th day of September last. A copy thereof &C
companies this message.
RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
The connections which have been prevalent in
Mexico for some time past, and which unhappiy
seem to be not yet wholly quoted, have led to
complaints of citizens of the United States of in.
Juries by persons in authority. 1t is hoped, how.
ever that these will ultimately be adjusted 10 the
satisfaction of both governments. The frontier o.
the United States in that quarter has not been ex
empt from acts of violence by citizens of one re-
public on those of the other. The frequency Of
these is supposed to be increased and their adjust
ment made more difficult by the considerable
changes in the course Of the lower part of the Rio
GIande river-whch river is part Of the bound
airy between the two countries.
| These changes have placed on either side of
that river portions of land which, by existing con-
ventions, belong to the jurisdiction of the govern
| nent on the opposite side of the river. The sub
ect OF adjustment Of this cause of difficulty Is an
der confederation between the two republics
COLOMBIA.
| The government of the U. S. of Colombia has
palu Tue hWhiu IN Tie case oil the steamer MOntl.
| jo, seized by the authorities of that governmen,
some years since, and the amount has been trans.
| feired to the claimants.
MEXICAN COMMISSION.
1t is with satisfaction that am able to an
uGunce that the joint commission for the adjust
ment Of claims between the United States and
Mexico, under the convention of 1868, the dura-
ton OF which has been several times extended
has brought its labors to close.
From the report Of the agent of the United
states which accompanies the papers transmitted
herewith, it will be seen that in the time limited by
the commission OH claims on the citizens of the
United States against Mexico were referred to the
commission. Of these claims S3l were dismissed
or disallowed aud in lS6 cases awards were made
in favor of the claimants against the Mexican re.
public, amounting in the aggregate to $i,l25,-
622.2O. Within the same peeiod 99S claims On the
part of citizens of the Mexican republic against
the United States we're referred to the commissisn
Of these claims S3l were dismissed or disallowed
and 10 l67 cases awards were made in favor Of
the claimants against the United STAGES, amount
ing IN the aggregate to $50, 498.4l.' BY thu
I terms Of the convention the amount of the awards
y to be deducted from the amount awarded il
favor of our citizens against Mexico, and thu
balance only TO be paid to the United States by
Mexico, leaving the United States to make pro
visions Tor this proportion of the awards in favo
| f.t ,ta ..sta