Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-07

abifity--The Ciru Serrice, etc., etc.
WASHINGTON, December g.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives Of the
United States.
An appalling calamity has befallen the Ameri-
can people since their chosen representatives last
met in the halls where you are now assembled.
We might else recall with unaloyed content the
rare prosperity with which throughout the year
the nation has been blessed Its harvests have
been plenteous, its varied interests have thriven.
the health OF Its people has been preserved. 1t
has maintained with foreign governments the
disturbed relations Of amity and peace For these
manifestations OF his favor we owe to him who
holds our destiny in his hands the tribute OF our
grateful devotions to that mysterious exercise of
his will which has taken from us the loved and
illustrous citizen who was but lately the head Of
the nation. We bow in sorrow and submission.
The memory of his exalted character of his noble
achievements and of his patriotic life will be
treasured forever as sacred possession OF the
whole people, The announcement of his death
drew from foreign governments and peoples tri-
butes of sympathy and sorrow which history will
record as signal tokens of the kinship Of nations
and the federation OF mankind.
OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
The feelings of good will between our govern
ment and that OF Great Britain was never more
marked than at present. In recognition of this
pleasing fact directed the occasion Of the late
centennial celebration at Yorktown that a salute
be given TO the British flag. Save for the CORE
spondence to which ! shall refer hereafter, in
relation to the proposed canal across the lsthmus
of Panama, little has occurred worthy of mention
in the diplomatic relations OF the two countries
Early in the year Fortune Bay claims were salts
factorily settled by the British government pay
ing in full the sum OF Eli, 600, most of which has
been already distributed As the terms OF the
settlement included the compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen at Aspee Bay, there
has been retained from the gross award a sum
which is deemed adequate for those claims. The
participation OF Americans In the exhibitions at
Melbourne and Sidney will be approvngy men
toned in the reports OF the two exhibitions
to be presented to congress. They will disclose
the readiness OF our countrymen to make success
fu competition In distant fields of enterprise. Ne
gotiatioDs for an International Copyright Conven-
ton are in hopeful progress The surrender Of
Sitting Bull and his forces upon the Canadian
frontier has allayed apprehension, although bod
les of British Indians still cross the border in
quest of sustenauce. Upon this subject a corre-
spondence has been opened which promises an
adequate understanding. Our troops have orders
to avoid meanwhile all collisions with alien In
dians.
WITH FRANCE
The presence at the Yorktown celebration OF
representative republicans, descendants Of La
fayette and his gallant compatriots who were our
allies in the revolution, has served to strengthen
the spirit of good will which has always existed
between the two nations. You will be furnished
with the proceedings OF the Bi-metallic Conference
held during the summer at the city OF Paris No
accord was reached, but valuable interchange
OF views was had and the conference will next
year be renewed. At the Electrical Exhibition
and Congress, also held at Paris, this country was
creditably represented by eminent specialists,
who, in the absence OF an appropriation, gener-
ousy lent their efficient aid at the instance of the
state department While our exhibitors in this
almost dstinctively American field of achieve
ment have won several valuable awards, recon-
tAA ~
the personal expenses incurred in the public in
terest by the honorary commissioners and dele
gates. No new question respecting the status Of
our naturalized citizens in Germany have arisen
during the year, and causes of complaint, es-
pecially in Alsace and Lorraine, have practically
ceased through the liberal action OF the imperial
government in accepting our often pressed views
on the subject. The application OF the treaty Of
1868 to the lately acquired Rhenish provinces has
received very earnest attention. definite and
lasting agreement on this point is confidently
pected. The participation of the descendants OF
Baron Won Steuben at the Yorktown festivities
and their subsequent reception by their American
kinsmen strikngly evinced the ties of good will
which unite the German people and our own.
WITH SPAIN.
Our intercourse with Spain has been friendly.
An agreement concluded in February last fixes
term for the labors Of the Spanish and American
claims commission. The Spanish government
has been requested to pay the late awards of that
commission and WILL 1t is believed accede to the
request as promptly and courteously as on former
occasions. By recent legislation onerous fines
have been imposed upon American shipping In
Spanish and colonial ports for slight Irregularities
In manifests. One case Of hardship Is specially
worthy of attention. The barque -" Masonic"
is there sought to be confscated under the Span
ish revenue laws for an alleged shortage in her
transhipped cargo Though efforts for her relief
have thus far proved unavailing, it is expected
hQf bn1a In lima
WITH RUSSIA.
The Senate resolutions OF coincidence on the as
sassination OF the Czar, Alexander H., were appro-
priately communicated TO the Russian govern
ment which, in turn, has expressed its sympathy
in our late national bereavement 1t is desirable
that our cordial relations with Russia should be
strengthened by proper engagements, assuring to
peaceable Americans who visit the empire the
consideration which IL due to them as citizens of
friendly state This is especially needful with
respect TO American Israelites, whose classifca-
tion with the native Hebrews has evoked ener-
getc remonstrances from this government
WITH ITALY
supplementary consular agreement with
Italy has been sanctioned and proclaimed which
puts at rest conflicts OF jurisdiction in the case OF
crime on shipboard Several important interna-
tional conferences have been held In Italy during
the year. AT the Geographical Congress OF Venice
the Beneficent Congress Of Milan and the Hygi-
ohic SohBiess vi iuiihj our country WAS repre-
sented by delegates from branches Of the public
service, or by pavate citizens duly accredited In
the honorary capacity. 1t il hoped that congress
will give such prominence to the results OF their
participation as they may seem to deserve.
WITH OTHER TRANSATLANTIC COUNTRIES
The abolition OF all discriminating duties
against such colonial productions OF the Dutch
East Indies rs are imported hither from Holland
has been already considered by congress trust
that at the present session the matter may be IA
vorably concluded.
The Insecurity OF life and property in many
parts OF Turkey has given rise TO correspondence
with the Porte, looking particularly to the better