The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-12-14

United States have been happily free,
during the present year, from the com
plications and embarrassmcnts which
have surrounded some OF the foreign
Powers. The diplomatic correspond-
ence submitted herewith contains in
formation as TO certain of the matters
which have occupied the Government.
The cordiality which attends our
relations with the Powers of the earth
has been plainly shown by the partic-
ipation OF foreign Nations in the Ex-
hibition which has just closed. aud by
exertions made by the distant Powers
to show their interest in and friendly
feelings towards the United States in
cOmmemOratiOn OF the Centennial of
the Nation. The Government and peo.
pie 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 ben
etits will result both to ourselves and
other Nations from better acquaint-
ance and better appreciation of our
mutual advantages and relations. i.
HOW YOU HANIPERED ME.
Congress at its last session saw fit to
ated tor foreign intercourse by with
holding appropriations for represent
atives of the United States in certain
foreign countries and for certain secu-
lar officers, and by reducing the
amounts usually appropriated for cer-
tain other diplomatic posts, and thus
necessitating a change in the grade OF
representatives for these reasons. I'm.
mediately upon the passage of the bill
making appropriation for diplomatic
and consular service for the present
force, instructions were issued TO the
representatives of the United States al
Bolivia, Ecuador and Columbia, and to
the Consular officers for whom no ap-
preparations had been made, to- close
their respective legations and consu
lates and cease from the performance
of their duties, and in like manner
steps were Immediately taken to sub.
stitutc Charges a. fairs for Ministers
resident in Portugal, Denmark, Greece
Switzerland, and Paraguay. While
thoroughly impressed with the wis.
dom of sound economy in the foreign
service as in other branches of the
Government, l can not escape the con
clusiOD that in some Instances Tho
Withholding of appropriations will
prove an expensive economy, and tha
the small retrenchmeut secured by s
change of grade in certain diplomatic
posts is not an adequate consideration
for the loss of influence and import
ance which will attend our foreign
representatives under this reduction
l am of the Op Mon that a rc-examin'
alton of the subject will cause a change
in some instances in the conclusion
reached on these subjects at the last
session of Congress. 1ai
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS
The Court of Commissioners of AL
ALBANIA Claims, whose functious were
continued by an act of the last session
of Congress until the first day OF Jan
nary, 1877, has carried on it's labor,
with diligence. and general satisfaction
BY report OF the Clerk of the Court
transmitted herewith, bearing dat.
November Ii. 1876, it appears tha
during the time now allowed by law
the Court will have disposed of all The
claims presented for adjudication
This report also contains q statemen,
of the general results of the labors oi
the Court to the date thereof. 1t is d
cause of satisfaction that the method
adopted Tor the satisfaction OF claims
TO this Court, which are ol
long standing and justly entitled tC
early consideration, should have prov.
ell successful and acceptable. .,..
Ny SURVEYING PARTY IN THE NORTH
Ii is with satisfaction that l am ena.
bled TO state that the work of the
Joint Commission for determining the
boundary line between the United
Stated and British Possessions from
the northwest angle of Lake of the
Woods TO the Rocky Mountains, cOm-
menced in 1872, has been completed.
The final agreements of the Corhmis-
sioners with the maps haye been sign.
ed, and the work of the Commission
is complete. The fixing of the bound
ary upon the Pacific Coast by the pro.
tocol of March 10, 1873, pursuant te
the award of the Emperor of Germany
by article thirty-tour of the Treaty Of
Washington, with the termination OF
the work of this Commission, adjusts
and fixes the true boundary between
the United States and the British Pos
sessions, except as to the portion o
States in the treaty of 1867. The work
intrusted to the Commission and the
officers of the army under the Com
mission has been well and satisfacto
rily performed. The original of the
final agreement the Commission. sign
ed upon the 29th of May, 1876, will
the original list of astronomical sta
tions observed, the original official lis
of monuments marked, internatiOna
boundary lines and maps and records
aud general reports relative to tht
Commission have been deposited il
the Department of State. The otiicia
report of the Commission on the par
of the United States with the repor
of the Chief Astronomer of the Unitet
States, will be submitted to Congress
within short time.
wINSLOw.
l reserve for separate cOmmunica
ton to Congress statement OF tn
condition of the questions which late
ly arose with Great Britain respecting
the surrender OF fugitive criminals un
der the Treaty of 1872.
WHAT HAVE DONE FOR THE oTToMEN
The Ottoman Government gave no
tice, under date of January l5, 1874, o
its desire TO terminate the Treaty o
1862, concerning commerce and navi
CATION, pursuant to the provisions o
the twenty-secOnd article thereof
Under this notice the Treaty termi,,
ated on the 9th day of June, lS7t
That Government has invited negotia
tions toward conclusion of new
treaty. BY the act of Congress q
March %, 1874, the President was au
thorized, when he should receive sat
isfactory Information that the Otto
man Government, or that OF Egypt
had organized new tribunals, likely T.
secure TO the citizens of the Unite,
States the same impartial justice en-
joyed under the exercise of juiicia
functions by diplomatic and consulei
officers of the United States, TO sus
pend the operations of the act of jun
22d, 1868, and to accept for citizens o
the United States jurisdiction of new
tribunals satisfactory. Information
having been received of the organiZa