, 1876-12-09

joyed under the exercise of judicial func-
tions by the diplomatic and consular officers
of the United States, to suspend the opera
ton of the act of JuAe "a, 1860, and to ac-
cept for citizens of the United States juris-
diction of the new tribunals. Satisfactory
information having been received of the or
ganization of such new tribunals in Egypt,
l caused proclamation to be issued on the
9th Of March last, suspending the opera
ton of the act of June %, 1860, in Egypt.
According to the provisions of the act, a
copy of the proclamation accompanies this
message. The United States has united
with other powers in the organization of these
courts. 1t is hoped the jurisdictional ques-
tions which have arisen may be duly adjust
ed, and that this may be hindered by no
obstacles.
THE HAWAIIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The necessary legislation to carry into ef-
feet the convention of commercial reciproci-
ty concluded with the Hawaiian Islands in
1875 having been had, proclamation to
carry it into effect, as provided by the act
approved August l5, 1876, was duly issued
upon Tuesday, September 3Oth. A copy
thereof accompanies this message.
MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLES.
The connections which have been preva-
lent in Mexico for some time past, and which
unhappily seem to be not yet wholly quiet,
have led to complaint of citizens Of the
United States of injuries by persons in au-
thority. 1t is hoped, however, that these
will ultimately be adjusted to the satisfac-
ton of both governments. The frontier of
the United States in that quarter has shown
examples of acts of violence by citizens of
one Republic upon those of the other The
frequency of these is supposed to be in
creased and their adjustment made more
difficult by considerable changes in the
course of the lower part of the Rio Grande
river, which river is a part of the boundary
between the two countries. These changes
have placed on either side of the river por
tions of land which by existing conventions
belong to the jurisdiction of the government
on the opposite side of the river The sub
ject of adjustment of this cause of difficult
ty is under consideration between the two
Republics.
THECOLOMBIAN INDEMNITY.
The government of the United States of
Colombia has paid the award in the case of
the steamer Mohtejo, seized by the authori-
ties of that government some years since,
and the amount has been transferred to the
claimants.
MEXICAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
1t is with satisfaction that am able to an
nounce that the joint commission for the ad-
iustment of claims between the United
States and Mexico, under convention of
1868, the duration of which has been sever
al times extended, has brought its labors to
a close From the report of the United
States commissioners which accompanies the
papers transmitted herewith, it will be seen
that within the time limited by the COM
mission, one thousand and seventeen claims
on the part of citizens or the United States
against Mexico, were referred to the COM
missioners. Of these claims eight hundred
and thirty-one were dismissed or disallowed,
and in one hundred and eighty-six cases
awards were made in favor of the claimants
against the Mexican Republic, amounting in
the aggregate to 81, 125, ,622.2O. Within the
same period nine hunered and ninety eight
claims on the part of citizens of the Mexi-
can Republic against the United States were
referred to the commissioners Of these
claims eight hundred and thirty-one were
dismissed and disallowed, and in one hun
dred and fifty seven cases awards were made
in favor of claimants against the United
States, amounting in the aggregate to $780,
498.41, By the terms of the convention
the amount of these awards is to be deduct
ed from the amount awarded in favor of our
citizens. l invite your attention to the leg
islation which will be necessary to provide
for the payment
In this connection l am pleased to be able
to express the acknowledgement due to Sir
Edward Thornton, the umpire of the COM
mission, who has given to the consideration
of the large number of claims submitted to
him much time, unwearied patience, and
that firmness and intelligence which are we'll
known to belong to the accomplished repre-
sentative of Great Britain, and which are
likewise recognized by the representative in
this country of the Republic of Mexico
THE VENEZUELA CLAIMS.
Monthly payments of a very small part of
the amount due by the government of Ven-
ezuela to citizens of the United States on
account of claims of the latter against that
government continue to be made with
reasonable punctuality. That government
has proposed to change the system which it
has hitherto pursued in this respect, by is
suing bonds for part of the amount of the
several claims. The proposition, however,
could uot, it is said, properly be accepted,
at least without the consent of the holders
of certificates of indebtedness of Venezuela
These are so much depressed that it would
be difficult if not impossible to ascertain the
disposition on the subject
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
In former messages have called atten-
ton Of Congress to the necessity of legis-
lation with regard to fraudulent naturali-
zation, and to the subject of expatriatioc,
and election of nation .lity. The number
of persons of foreign birth seeking home
in the United States, and the ease and
fidelity with which the honest emigrant
may, after the lapse of reasonable time,
become possessed Of all the privileges of
citizenship of the United States, and the
frequent occasion which induces such