The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-12-07

United States IN certain consular Omceey
and by reducing the amounts usually sp-
propriated for certain other diplomatic
posts, and thus necessitating q change in
the grade of representatives. For these
reasons, Immediately upon the passage of
the bill making appropriations for diplo-
matte and consular service for the present
force instructions were issued to the repre-
sentatives OF the United States at Bolivia,
Ecuador and Colombia, and to the consul
lar officers for whom no appropriations had
been made, to close their respective lega-
items and consulates and cease from the
performance of their duties, and in like
manner steps were Immediately taken to
substitute charge d'afaires for ministers
resident in Portugal, Denmark. Greece,
Switzerland and Paraguay. While thor
oughly impressed with the wisdom Of
sound economy in the foreign service as in
other branches Of the Government, l can
not escape the conclusion that in some in
stances the Withholding of the sppropria-
tons will prove an expensive economy,
and that the small retrenchment gained BY
a change of grade in certain diplomatic
posts is not An adequate consideration for
the loss of influence and importance which
vii! attend our foreign represen-
tatives under the reduction. l am
of the opinion that re examination of the
subject will cause a change in some in.
stances in the conclusion reached on these
subjects at the last session Of Congress.
ALABAMA CLAIMS.
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 to general
satisfaction. 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
presented for adjudication. This report
also contains statement Of the general
results of the labors of the court to date
thereof 1t is a cause Of satisfaction that
the method adopted for the satisfaction Of
the classes Of claims admitted to the court
which are of long standing and lastly en-
titled TO consideration. should have proved
successful and acceptable.
BOUNDARY COMMISSION
1t is with satisfaction that |
am enabled to state that the work
of the joint commission for determin.
ing the boundary line between the
United States and the British possessions
from the northwest angle of the Lake ofthe
Woods to the Rocky Mountains, com nenc-
ed in 1872. has been completed. The
final arrangements of the Commissioners
has been duly signed, and the work of the
commissioners 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 Germany,
by article thirty fourth 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 portion of the territory ceded By
Russia to the United States by the treaty
of 1867. The work entrusted to the officers
of the army attached 10 the commission has
been well ana satisfactorily performed.
The original of the final agreement
of the commission signed upon the
29th of May, 1876, with the original
Inst of astronomical stations observed and
the original official list of monuments mark
ed, and international boundary lines, maps
aud 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
OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS.
| reserve for a separate communication to
Congress a statement of the condition of
the questions which lately arose with Great
Britain respecting the surrender of fugitive
under the treaty of 1872. The
Ottoman government gave notice, under date
Of January Is, 1874, of its desire to termi
nate the treaty Of 1862, concerning com
merce and ma yigation, pursuant to the pro
visions of the twenty second article thereof.
Under this notice the treaty terminated on
the 9TH day of June, 1876. That govern
nent has invited negotiations toward the
conclusion of a new treaty. By the act of
Congress of March %, 1874, the President
was authorized, when he should receive
satisfactory information that the Ottoman
or that OF Egypt had organized
new tribunals likely TO secure to the
citizens of the United States the same
impartial justice employed under the exer-
Use of judicial functions by diplomatic and
consular officers of the United States, to
uspend the operation of the act of June |
- 1Akn nd 10 .,f, h.,
United States the jurisdiction of the new !
Satisfactory information having !
'een received of the organization of such |
lew tribunals in Egypt, | caused procla-
nation to be issued on the 9th Of March !
asst, suspending the operation of the act
f June p. 1860, in Egypt, according to
he provisions of the act. A copy of the
reclamation accompanies this message.
he United States has united with the
Their powers in the organization of these
ourts. 1t is hoped that the jurisdiction
uestions which have arisen may be readily
djusted. Legislation to carry into effect
lie convention respecting commerce and
,ciprocity concluded with the Hawaiian
lands in 1875 having been had, the proc
NATION to carry into effect the convention
J provided by the act approved August
), 1876, was duly issued upon the -
uesday of September last A copy there
accompanies this message.
OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
The connections which have been prev
ent in Mexico for some time past, and I
hich unhsppily seem to be not wholly
lieted yet, have led to complaints of the ,
items of the United States of injuries by {
'rsons in authority. 1t is hoped, however, $
at these will ultimately be adjusted to s
e satisfaction of both Governments. The i
ontier of the United States in that quar-. {
r has not been exempt from acts of VIC i
nee by the citizens of one Republic on
ose of the other. The frequency of these q
supposed to be increased, and their ad-
stment made more difficult by the change
the course Of the lower part Of the Rio +,
-ande river, which river is part of the !;
undary between the two countries. !,
lese changes have placed on either side !.
that river portions of laHd which by ex- :
ing conventions belong to the jurisdiction i
the government on the opposite side =
the river. The subject of adjustment of ;,
is cause Of difficulty is under considera- =
N between the two Republics. !,
The Government of the United States of :.
lombia has paid the award in the case of =
, steamer Montijo, seized by the authori- .