Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-14
result both to ourselves and other nations
from a better acquaintance Inc a better app
probation of our mutual advantages.

States in certain foreign countries, and for
certain consular officers, and by reducing
the amounts usually appropriated for certain
other diplomatic posts, and thus neoessitat-
ing a change in the grade Of representative.
For these reasons, Immediately upon the
passage Of the bid making appropriation for
consular and diplomatic service for the
present force, instructions were issued to
representatives of the United States in Be-
livia, Ecuador and Colombia, and to the
consular officers for whom no appropriations
had been made. to close their respective le-
cations and cOnsulates and cease from
the performance of their duties. And
in like manner steps were immedi-
for ministers resident in POrtu-
gal, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland and
Paraguay. While thoroughly impressed
with the wisdom of sound economy in the
foreign service, as inother branches OF the
Government, l can not escape the conclu-
sion that in some cases the Withholding of
appropriations will prove an expensive
economy, and that the small r~etrenchment
secured by a change of gradein certain dip
lomatic posts is not an adequate c0nsidera-
ton for the loss of influence and import
ance which will attend our foreign repre-
sentatives under this reduction. I am of
the opinion that a REORGANIZATION OF the
subject will cause a change in some instances
in the conclusions reached on these subjects
at the last session OF Congress.
ALABAMA CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Court of Commissioners on Alabama
Claims, whose functions were continued by
an act Of the last session Of Congress until
the first day Of January, 1877, has carried
on it's labOrs with diligence and general
satisfaction. By a report from the Clerk of
the Court, transmitted herewith, bearing
date November IL, 1876, it appears that
during the time now allowed by aw the
Court will have disposed of all the claims
~~aco,%aI - olSrlinofioo This rannrt
alse contains a statement Of the general re-
suits of the labOrs of the Court to date
thereof. 1t is q cause of satisfaction that
the method adopted for the satisfaction of
the classes of claims admitted to the Court,
which are of long standing and justly enti-
titled to early consideration, should have
proved successful and acceptable.
BOUNDARY QUESTION.
1t is with satisfaction that 1 am enabled to
state that the work of the Joint Commission
for determining the boundary line between
the United States and British possessions
from the northwest angle Of the Lake Of the
Woods to the Rocky Mountains, commenced
in 1872, has been completed. TIL final
agreements of the Commissioners, with
maps, have been duly signed, and the work
of the Commission is complete. The fixing
of the boundary upon the Pacific coast by
the protocol OF March 10, 1878, pursuant to
the award Of the Emperor Of Germany by
Article XXXV. of the treaty Of Washington,
with the termination of the work Of this
Commission, adjusts and fixes the end
boundary between the United States and the
British possessions, except as to the portion
of territory coded by Russia to the United
States under the treaty Of 1867. The work
entrusted to the commission Of officers Of
the arm attached to the Commission has
been well and satisfactorily performed. An
original of the final agreement of the Com
mission, signed upon the 18th day of May,
| 1879 u1ith tho nrinirol list af aStronnrlino I
stations observed, and the original official
list Of marked, international
boundary lines, and maps and records and
general reports relating to the Commission,
have been deposited in the Department of
State. The official report of the Commits
sioner on the part of the United States,
with the report Of the chief astronomer of
the United States, will be submitted to
Congress within a short time.
GREAT
| reserve for a separate communication to
Congress a statement of the condition Of the
questions which lately arose with Great Brit
ain, respecting the surrender of fugitive
criminals under the treaty Of 1912.
THE OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT
gave notice under date Of January 10, 1874,
OF it's desire to terminate the Treaty of 1862
concerning m and navigation, pur-
suant to the provisions Of the twenty-second
article thereof. ind this notice the treaty
LeEHl1QatCu UPON lu0 jill Udy VI UuuSs 1ClOs
That Government has invited negotiations
towards the conclusion Of a new treaty.
BY the act Of Congress Of March %, 1874,
the President was authorized, when he
should receive satisfactory that
the Ottoman Government or that of Egypt
had organized new tribunals likely to secure
to citizens of the United States the same
impartial justice enjoyed under the eXer-
else of the judicial functions by the diplo-
matte and consular officers of the United
States, to suspend the operation of the act
Of une %, 1860, and to accept for citizens
of the United States the Jurisdiction of 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, suspending the
operation of the act Of June %, 1860, in
Egypt, according to the provisions of the
act. A copy Of the proclamation accompa
MES this message. The United States has
united with the other powers in the organi-
cation OF these courts. 1t is hoped that the
may be readily adjusted, and that they may
be hindered by 40 obstacles.
The necessary legislation to carry into
effect the conditions respecting the CONNER
cial reciprocity concluded with the
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
in 1875 having been had, the proclamation
to carry into effect the convention as pro
vided by the act approved August 10, 1876
was duly issued upon the 10th day of Sep.
TENDER last. A copy thereof accompanies
his message.
The connections which have been preva'
lent in.
EXICO
for some time past, and which unhappil,
seem to be not wholly quieted yet, have lee
to complaints of citizens of the United State
of injuries by persons in authority. 1t i
hoped, however, that these will ultimatel.
be adjusted to the satisfaction Of both Gov
ernments. The frontier of the United State
in that quarter has not been exempt from
) acts Of violence by citizens of one republi
on those of the other. The frequency o
these is supposed to be increased and thei
{ adjustment made more difficult by tn
|, change in the course of the lower part o
the Rio Grande. which river is a part of tn
boundary between the two countries. Thes
changes have placed on either side Of tina
river portions of land which, by existing
conventions, belong to the Jurisdiction o
the Government on the opposite side of tn