, 1876-12-09

The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue on friendly foot
ing Questions have arisen from time to
time in the foreign relations of the govern
ment, but the United States have been hap
PLY free during the past year from the COM
plication of foreign powers. The diplomatic
correspondence submitted herewith, contains
information as to certain of the matters
which have occurred. Thefriendly relations
of this government with the powers of the
earth have been plainly shown by the gener-
al participation of foreign nations in the ex-
hibition which has just closed, and by the
exertions made by distant powers to show
their interest in and friendly feeling towards
the United States, in commemoratlon OF the
Centennial of the nation. The government
and people of the United States have not
only fully appreciated this expressic n OF
kindly feelings, but it may be expected that
no small benefit will result both to ourselves
and other nations, from better acquaintance
and better appreciation of our mutual ad-
vantages and mutual wants.
Congress at its last session saw fit to re-
duce the amount usually appropriated for
foreign intercourse by withholding the ap-
preparation 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 it has necessita-
ted change in the grade of representatives.
For these reasons, Immediately upon the
passage of the bill making appropriations
for diplomatic and consular service for the
present force, instructions were issued to the
representatives of the United States at Bo-
Gvia, Ecuador and Columbia, and to the
consular officers for whom no appropriation
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
substitute charges de affairs for ministers
resident in Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Swift
zerland, and Paraguay. While thoroughly
impressed with the wisdom of sound econ
omy in the foreign Office as in other branche-
of the government, / cannot escape the con-
clusion that in some instances the withholds
ing of appropriations will prove an expen-
sive economy, and that the small retrench-
ment secured by change of grade in GER
tain diplomatic posts is NJ t an adequate con
sideration for the loss of influence and i'm
portance which will attend our foreign rep
resentatives under the reduction. l am of
the opinion that an examination of the sub
ject will cause change in some instances in
the conclusion reached on these subjects at
tee last session of Congress.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
The court of commissioners of the Alaba-
ma claims, whose functions were continued
BY an act of the last session of Congress un-
til the 1st day of January, 1877, has carried
on its labors with diligence and general sat
isfaction. By 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 presentation
adjudication. The report also contains
statement of the general results of the la
bors of the court to the date thereof It is
cause for satisfaction that the method adopt
ed for satisfaction of the classes of claims
submitted to the court, which are of long
standing and Justly entitled to early con-
sideration, should haveproved successful and
acceptable.
OUR NORTHERN BOUNDARY.
1t is with satisfaction that I am enabled to
state that the work of the joint commission
for determining the boundary 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 commission is completed. The fixing
of the boundary upon the Pacific coast by
the protocol of March 10, 1872, pursuant to
the award of the Emperor of Germany, by
article "a of the treaty of Washington, with
the termination of the work of this COM
mission, adjusts and fixes the boundary be-
tween the United States and the British
Possessions, except as to the portion of ter
ritory ceded by Russia to the United States
under the treaty of 1867. The work en-
trusted to the commissioners and the officers
of the army attached to the commission has
been well and satisfactorily performed. The
original of the final agreement of the COM
missioners was signed upon the 29th of May,
1876, with the original list of astronomical
stations observed, the original office list of
monuments marking the international boun-
dairy lines, and the maps, records and gener-
al reports relating to the commission, have
been deposited in the Department of State.
The official report of the commissioners on
the part of the United States, with the re-
port of the chief astronomer of the United
States, will be submitted to Congress within
short time
EXTRADITION WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
l reserve for separate communication to
Congress statement of the condition of the
questions which lately arose with Great Brit
ain respecting the surrender of fugitive
criminals under the treaty of 1842.
TERMINATION OF THE TREATY OF 1862 WITH
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.
The Ottoman government gave notice, un-
der date of January Is, 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, 1874. That government
has invited the nominations towards the con-