The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-12-07

with foreign powers continue on s
friendly footing. Questions have arisen
from time to time, in the foreign rela
tons of the Government, but the
United States have been happily
free, during the past year, from
the complications and embarrass
ments which have surrounded some o.
the foreign powers. The diplomatic cor
respondence submitted herewith, con-
tains information as to certain of the
matters which have occupied the Gov.
ernment. The cordiality which attends
our relations with the powers of the
earth has been plainly shown.
THE EXPOSITION.
By the general participation of foreign
nations in the exhibition which has just
ceased, and by the exertions made by
distant powers to show their interest in,
and friendly feelings toward the United
| States, in commemoration of the Centen-
nial of the Nation, the Government and
people of the United States have not
| only fully appreciated this exhibition of
kindly feeling, but it may be justly
and fairly expected that no small benefit
Will ISsulb, uObu " OuiSSlfCo ohu OeAC1
nations, from better acquaintance and
better appreciation of our mutual ad-
vantages and mutual profit.
THE CONSULAR sERvICE-THE EFFECToF
REDUCED APPROPRIATIONS.
Congress, at its last session saw fit to
reduce the amount usually appropriated
for foreign intercourse by Withholding
appropriations for the representa-
tives of the United States in certain
foreign countries and for certain con-
sular officers, and by reducing the
amounts usually appropriated for GER
tain other diplomatic posts, and thus
necessits ting change in the grade of
representation. For these reasons, i'm
mediately upon the passage of the bill
making the appropriation tor the diplo-
matte and consular service, for the
present force, instructions were issued
to the representatives of the United
States at Bolivia, Ecuador, and
Columbia, and to the consular Of
fcers, for whom no appropriation
had been made, to close their respective
legations and consulates and cease from
the performance of their duties. In
like manner steps were Immediately
taken to substitute Charges dAffairs for
Ministers resident in Portugal, Denmark,
Greece, Switzerland and Paraguay.
While thoroughly impressed with the
wisdom of sound economy in the for
eign service. as in other branches of the
Government, l can not escape the
conclusion that in some instances
the withholding of appropriations
will prove an expensive economy,
and that small retrenchment secured by
change of grade in certain diplomatic
posts, is not an adequate consideration
for the lost influence and Importance
which will attend our foreign represent
atives under this reduction. l am of
opinion that a 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 Con-
gress.
THE ALABAMA COMMISSIONERS.
: The Commissioners of the 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 report from
the Clerk of the Court, transmitted
herewith, bearing date November IA,
1876. 1t appears that during the time
now allowed by law, the Court will
have disposed of all the claims pre-
sented for adjudication. This report also
contains statement of the general re-
suits of the labors of the Court to the
date thereof. 1t is cause of satifaction
of the classes of claims admitted to the
Court, which are of long standing, and
Justly entitled to early consideration,
should have proved successful and ac-
ceptable.
THE BOUNDARY LINE COMMISSION.
1t is with satisfaction that 1 am en-
abled to state that the work of the Joint
Commission for determining the bound
ary line between the United States and
the British Possessions, from the north
west angle of Lake of the Woods in the
Rocky Mountains, commencing in 1872,
has been completed. The final agree
ments of the Comm ssiOners with the
maps has 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 Germany, by article XXXIV,
of the treaty of Washington with the
termination of the work of this COM
mission adjusts and fixes the end of the
boundary between the United States and
the British Possessions, except as to the
portion of territory ceded by Russia
to the United States by treaty
of 1867. The work intrusted
to the Commissioners and the officers of
the army attached to the Commission,
has been well and satisfactorily per-
formed.
The original of the final agreement of
the Commissioners, signed upon the 29th
of May, 1876, with the original list of
astronomical stations observed, the orig
inal official test of monuments marked,
the international boundary lines and
maps, and the records and general re-
ports relating to the commission have
been deposited in the Department
of State. The official report of
the commissioner on the part of
GQ6 OulL6u SIdlce, Will tH0 ICpOl1 VI
the Chief Astronomer of the United
States, will be submitted to Congress
within a short time.
FOREIGN.
reserve for a separate communica-
tion to Congress statement of the con-
dition of the questions which lately
arese with Great Britain, respecting the
surrender of fugitive criminals under
the treaty of 1912.
The Ottoman Government gave notice,
under date of January 15, 1874, of its
desire to terminate the treaty of 1862,
concerning commerce and navigation,
pursuant to the 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 toward the conclu,
sion of new treaty.
By the act of Congress of March %
1874, the President was authorized Wher
he should receive satisfactory informa
tion that the Ottoman Government, OF
that of Egypt, had organized new tri
bunals. likely TO secure to the citizens O.