New-York tribune., 1876-12-06


and to the consular officers for whom no appropria-
tion had been made to close their respective lega-
tions and consulates, and cease from the perform
of their duties; and in like manner steps were
Immediately taken to substitute charges daffaires
for ministers resident in Portugal, Denmark Greece.
Switzerland and Paraguay. While thoroughly i'm
pressed ith the wisdom of sound economy in the
foreign service as in other branches of the Govern
ment, cannot escape the conclusion that in some
instances the withholding of appropriations
will prove an expensive economy ana
that the small retrenchment secured by
a change of grade in certain diplomatic
posts is not adequate consideration for the loss
of influence and importance which will attend our
foreign representatives under the reduction. am
of the opinion that a determination of the subject
will cause a change in some instances, in the con-
cusons reached these subjects at tine 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 LIST day of jan
uary, 1877, has carried its labors with diligence
and general satisfaction. BY report from the
Clerk of the Court, transmitted herewith, bearing
date Nov ID 1876, it appears that within the time
now allowed by law the Court will have disposed OF
all the claims presented for adjudication. This re-
port 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 of long standing aud justly
entitled TO the early consideration should prove
cessful and acceptable.
1t is with satisfaction that am enabled to state
that the work of the Joint Commission for determn-
ing the boundary line between the United States and
the British Possessions from the northwest angle of
the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains,
commenced in 1872, has been completed The final
agreements of the Commissioners with the maps
have been duly signed, and the work of the Com
mission is complete The fixing cf the boundary
upon the Pacific Coast by the protocol of March TO-
1873 pursuant to the award of the Emperor of Ger
many. by Article XXXIV. of the Treaty of WASH
ington with the termination of the work of this
Commission, adjusts and fixes the entire boundary
between the United States and the British Posses
sons except the portion of territory ceded by Rus
sa TO the United States under the Treaty OF 1867
The work intrusted to the Commissioner and the
officers of the army attached to the Commission has
been well and satisfactorily performed. The orgi-
nal of the final agreement of the Commissioners,
signed upon the Goth of May, 1876, with the origi-
nal list of astronomical stations Observed" the
original official list of monuments marking the
international boundary line" and the maps records
and general reports 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 submitted
to Congress within short time
reserve for a separate communication to Congress
q statement of the condition of the questions which
lately arose with Great Britain respecting the sur
render of fugitive criminals under the Treaty of
1912.
The Ottoman Government gave notice under date
of January 10, 1874 of its desire to terminate the
treaty of 1862 concerning commerce and navigation
pursuant to the provisions of the 22d article
thereof Under this notice, the treaty terminated
upon the 9TH day of June. 1876. That Government
has invited negotiations toward the conclusion of
new treaty. BY the act of Congress OF March ~.
1874, the President authorized, when he should
receive satisfactory information 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
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 having
| been received Of the organization of such new
! tribunals in Egypt, l 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. copy of
| the proclamation accompanies this message. The
United States have united with the other Powers in
the organization of these courts. il Is hoped that
| the iurisdctonal questions which have arisen may
be readily adjusted, and that this the advance in
judicial reform may be hindercd by no obstacles.
The necessary legislation to carry into effect the
convention respecting commercial reciprocity con-
| tI,o T. in Il hoy
been had, the proclamation to carry into effect the
convention, as provided by the act approved Aug.
49, 1876, was duly issued upon the 9th day Of Sep
tenber last A copy thereof accompanies this mes
sage.
| The connections which have been prevalent in
| Mexico for some time past, and which, unhappily,
seem to be not yet wholly Quieted, have led to com
plants of citizens of the United States of injuries
by persons in authority. 1t is hoped however, that
these will ultimately be adjusted to the satisfaction
| of both governments. The frontier of the United
States in that quarter has not been exempt from acts
/ OF violence by citizens Of one republic or those OF
the other The frequency of these s supposed to be
increased and their adjustment made more dhcult
| by the considerable change III the course OIL thc
lower mart Of the Rio Grande River, which river is
part of the boundary between the two countries
These changes have placed either side of the
river portions of land which. by existing conven-
tiong belong to the jurisdiction of the government
on the opposite side of the river. The subject of the
adjustment of this cause of difficulty is under con-
| sideration between the two republics.
| The Government Of the United States of Colombia
| has paid the award in the case of the steamer
Montjo, seized by the authorities Of that Govern
ment some years since, and the amount has been
| transferred TO the claimants.
II is with satisfaction that | am able to announce
| that the joint commission for the adjustment OF
| tha oil Mo n