The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-12-08

herewith contains information as to certain
OF the matters which have occupied the
Government. The cordially which attends our
relations with the powers of the earth mas been
plainly shown by the general participation OF
foreign nAtions in the Exhibition which mas
Just closed, and by the exertions MADE py as
tant powers to show their interest ana irienoly
feelings toward the United States In common
Grafton of the Centennial OF the nation. The
Government and people of the United States
have not only fully appreciated this eXhibiuon
of kindly feeling, but Il may be justly Ind fair-
ly expected that no small benefits will result
both to ourselves and other nations, from
better acquaintance aud a better appreciation
of our mutual advantages and mutual wants.
The Consular Service.
Congress- Mt its last session saw fit to reiuce
the amount usually appropriated for foreign
intercourse by Withholding appropriations for
representatives OF the United States in certain
foreign countries and for certain consular
offices, and by reducing the amounts usually
appropriated for certain other diplomatic posts
and thus necessitating change In the grade
of representatives. For these reasons imme
diately upon the passage OF the bill making
appropriations for the diplomatic and consular
service for the present force, instructions were
issued to the representatives Of the United
States at Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia, and
TO the consular officers for whom no appropiia-
ton had been made, to close their respective
legations and consulates and cease from the
performance of their duties, and in like
manner steps were Immediately taken to sub
stitute Charges d'Affaires for Ministers Resi-
dent in Portugal, Denmark, Greece, SwitZer-
land 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 expensive economy, and that the small re-
trenchment secured by change of grade in
certain diplomatic posts is not an adequate con-
sideration for the loss Of influence and i'm
portance which will attend our foreign repre-
sentatives under this reduction. I am of the
opinion that reorganization of the subject
will cause change in some instances in the
conclusions reached on these subjects at the
last session Of Congress.
The Alabama Claims.
The Court of Commissioners Of the Alabama
claims, whose functions were continued by an
act of the last session OF Congress until the 1st
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 IA, 1876, it
appears that during 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 for 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 con-
sideration, should have proved successful and
acceptable.
Our Northern Boundary.
1t is with satisfaction that l am enabled TO
state that the work of the Joint Commission
for determining 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 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, 1873,
pursuant to the award OF the Emperor of Ger
many. by article 81 or the Treaty Of Washing
ton, with the termir alton Of the work OF this
commission, adjusts snd fixes the entire boun-
Diary between the United States and the Brit
ish Possessions, except as TO the portion OF ter
ritoiy ceded by Russia to the United States
under the treaty of 1867. The work intrusted
TO the Commits soners and the officers of the
army attached to the commission has been
we'll and satisfactorily performed The orig
inal of the final agreement of the Commission
ers. signed upon the Goth of May, 1876, with
the original list OF astronomical stations OBJ
served, the original official list of monuments
marking the international boundary lines, 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 Uni
ted States. with the report Of the Chief
Astronomer of the United States, will be
submitted to Congress within short time.
Extradition.
l reserve for separate communication to
Congress a statement of the condition OF the
questions which lately arose with Great
Britain respecting the surrender of fugitive
criminals under the treaty of 1912.
Relations with Turkey.
The Ottoman Government gave notice,
under date of January Is, 1874, Of its desire
to terminate the treaty Of 1862, concerning
commerce and navigation. pursuant to the
provisions Of the twenty-second article there
Of. Under this notice. the treaty terminated
upon the 9Th day of June, 1876. That Gov
eminent has invited negotiations towards the
conclusion of a new treaty. BY the act of
Congress of March 20, 1874 the President was
authorized. when he should receive salts
factory information that the Ottoman
Government, or that of Egypt. had
organized the new tribunals likely to secure
to the citizens of the United States the same
impartial justice enjoyed, under the exercise
of judicial functions bv the diplomatic and
consular officers of the United States. to sus-
pcHu luo VI tho uSt VI Juuo 81.
1860, and to accept for the citizens of the
United States the jurisdiction of new trihu-
nails. 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 accompanies this
Message. The United States has united with
the other powers in the organization of these
courts. II is hoped that the jurisdictional
questions which have arisen may be readily
adjusted. and that this evidence in judicial
cases may be hindered by no obstacles.
Commercial Reciprocity.
The necessary legislation to carry into ef-
feet the convention respecting commercial
reciprocity concluded with the Hawaiian
Islands, in 1875, having been had, the
proclamation to carry it into effect as
provided by the act approved August Is,
1876 was duly issued upon the - Tuesday
OF September last. A copy thereof accompa-
MES this Message.
foreign Complications.
The connexions which have been prevalent
in Mexico for some time past which unhap-
PLY seem to be not yet wholly quieted. have
led 10 complaints 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 the
Governments. The frontier of the United
States in that quarter has not been exempt
from acts of violence, either by citizens of