The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-06
other nations. from better acquaintance

to reduce the amount usually appro-
priated for foreign intercourse by with
holding appropriations from representatives
OF the United States in certain foreign
countries, and for certain consular officers,
and by reducing the amounts usually appro-
priated for certain other diplomatic posts.
and thus necessitating change inthe grade
OF the representative. For these reasons,
Immediately upon the passage OF the bill
making appropriations for the diplomatic
and consular service for the present fiscal
year, instructions were issued to the repre-
sentatiyes OF the United States at Bolivia,
Ecuador, and Colombia, and to the consul
lar officers for whom no appropriation had
been made,to close their respective legations
and consulates, and cease from the perform
ance OF their duties; and in like manner
steps were Immediately taken to substitute
charges daTaiTeS for ministers resident IN
Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland,
and Paraguay. While thoroughly impressed
with the wisdom 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 appropriations will prove an eX-
peDsive economy, and that the
small retrenchment secured by n
change OF grade in certain, diplomatic
posts is not an adequate consideration for
the loss Of influence and importance which
will attend our foreign representatives
under this reduction. / am Of the opinion
that a reeXamination OF the subject will
cause a change in some instances in the
conclusions reached on these subjects: at the
last session OF Congress. The court OF
commissioners OF 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 its labors
with diligence and general satisfaction. BY
a report from the clerk OF the court, trans
mitted herewith, bearing date November Il,
1876. it appears that within the time now
allowed by law the court will have disposed
Of all the claims presented for adjudication.
This report also contains statement OF the
general results OF the labors OF the court to
the date thereof. 1t is cause OF satisiac-
ton that the method adopted for the salts
faction 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.
1t is with satisfaction ! am enabled to state
that the work of the Joint commission for de-
termining 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 1877, ohas been completed, the final agree
mcnts OF the commissioners 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-
tocol OF March 10, 1873, pursuant to the
award OF the Emperor OF Germany BY Arti-
Gle XXXIV. OF the treaty OF Washington
with the termination OF the work OF this
commission, adjusts and fixes the entire
boundary between the United States and
the British possessions except as to the por-
ton OF territory coded ly Russia to the
United States under the treaty OF 1867.
The work entrusted to the commits
sioncr and the officers OF the army attached
to the commission has been well and
satisfactorily performed. The original OF
the final agreement OF the commissioner,
signed upon the goth OF May, 1876. with the
original list OF astronomical stations OBJ
served, the original official list OF monu-
ments marking the international boundary
line, and the maps, records, and general re.
ports relating to the commission, have been
deposited in the Department OF State. The
official report OF the commissioner Oil the
part oil the United States, with the report
OF the Chief Astronomer OF the United
States, will be submitted to Congress within
a short time. .... .... ~.
| reserve for separate communication to
Congress statement OF the condition OF the
questions which lately arose with Great
Britain respecting the
SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE CRIMINALS
under the treaty OF 1912. The Ottoman
Government gave notice, under date OF
January u, 1874, OF its desire to terminate
the treaty OF 1862 concerning commerce
and navigation pursuant to tue provisions
OF the twenty-second article thereof. Under
this notice the treaty terminated upon the
9Th day OF June, 1876. That Government
has invited negotiations towards the conclu-
sion OF a new treaty.
81 The act OF Congress OF March %, 1874,
the President was authorized, when he
should receive satisfactory information that
the Ottoman Government or that OF Egypt
had organized new tribunals likely to Sc
cure to citizens OF the United States the
same impartial justice enjoyed under the
exercise OF judicial functions by diplomatic
and consular officers OF the United States,
to suspend the operation OF the act Of June
%, 1860, and to accept for citizens Of the
United States the jurisdiction OF the new
tribunals. Satisfactory information h&ying
been received Of the organization OF such
new tribunals in Egypt, caused prosla~
nation to be issued upon the 9th 0! 9iarch
last suspendinG the operation OF Tue
act of June -, 1850, 81 Egypt, ac-
cording to the provisions OF the act. \
copy of the proclamation accompanies TINS
message. The United states has united
with the other Powers in tlm organization
OF these courts. IL lis hoped that the juriSdic-
fioral questions which have arisen may be
readily adjusted, and that this advance in
fuSicial reform may be hindeGpd by no OBJ
aaclcs. The necessary legislation 10 carry
in4o effect the convention respecting COM
mercial reciprocity concluded with the
HagFaiian, Islands in; 1875 hayinG been had.
the proclamation to carry into effect the
convention as provi5bdby the a.5t approved
August ID, 1876, was duly issued upon the
9th day OF Septemberlast. A copy thereof
accompanies this message. The comlnotions
which have been prevalent in Mexico Tor
some time past, and which unhaap:iy seem
to bs not yet Wholly settled, have led TO
complaints OF citiZers. of the United States
of injuries by persons in authority 1T is
hoped, however, that these will ultimately
he adjusted to the satisfaction OF Both Gov
ernmsutS. p,
The frontier Of tha'United States ~ that
quarter has not been exempt frotn:acts Of
violence by citizens of one Republic on
those. OF the other. The frequency OF
these is supposed &c. be-increased and their
adjustment made cloro difficult BY the
considerable changes. in the course OF the
lower part Of the Rio. Grande river, which
river is part Of the boundary bctwcen the
two countries. These changes have placed
IN. either side nj fiat river OOrtiOuS. OF land