The examiner., 1881-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS 7 MESSAGE.
To tue Senate aud House of Representa- tines Of the LTn!tl.d StIkes:

tiues of the U,s'ted States:
 An appalling calamity has befallen the American people since their chosen representatives last met in the halls of e where you are now assembled. We might else recall with unalloyed con tent the rare prosperity with which throughout the year the nation has been blest. It's harvests have been plente- Ous, it's varied industries has thriven, the health of it's people has been pre- served, it has maintained with foreign governments the undisturbed relations of amity and peace. For these mani festations of His favor we owe to Him who holds our destiny in His hands, the tribute of our grateful devotions. To that mysterious exercise ot His will which has taken from us the loved and illustrious citizen who was but lately the head of the nation, we bow in sorrow and submission. The memory of his eX- alted character, of his noble achievements and of his patriotic life, will be treas ured forever as a sacred possession of the whole people. The announce ment of his death drew from foreign governments and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow which history will, record as signal tokens of the kinship of nations and the federation of man. kind.
 |, OUR RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN. The feeling of goodwill between our own government and that of Great Britain was never more marked than at 3 present. In recognition of this pleasing fact directed, on the occasion of the late centennial celebration at Y ork- town, that salute be given to the British flag. Save forthe correspondence to which I shall refer hereafter in rela- ton to the proposed canal across the Isthmus of Panama, little, has occurred worthy of mention in the diplomatic relations of the two countries. Earlyin the year the Fortune bay claims were satisfactorily settled by the Brit Il ish government paying in full the sum of f15 ,O0O, most of which has been al- ready distributed. As the terms of the settlement included 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 Syd- ney will be approvingly mentioned in the reports of the two exhibitions soon to be- presented to Congress. They will disclose the readiness of our cOun- tfymen to make successful competition in distant fields of enterprise. Nego- tiations for an International copyright convention are in hopeful progress. The surrender of Sitting Bull and his forces upon the Canadian frontier has allayed apprehension, although bodies of British Indians still cross the border in quest of sustenance. Upon this subject a cor respondence has been opened which promises an adequate understanding 1I1T.f fY-nn n1.1o Tn while all collisions with alien Indians.
 FOREIGN TOPICS.
 No new question respecting the status of our naturalized citizens in Germany have arisen during the year and causes of complaint, especially in Alsace and Lorraine have practically ceased through y the liberal action of the imperial gov ernnent in accepting our often expressed views on the subject. The application of the treaty of 1868 to the lately ac- quired Rhenish provinces has received very earnest attention. A definite and lasting agreement. on this point is con- the descendants of Baron Won Steuben in the Yorktown festivities and their subsequent reception by their American kmsmen strilIngly evinced the ties of goodwill which unite the German peo- pie and our own. = 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, it is believed, accede. to the request as promptly and courteously as on for mer occasions. By recent legislation inn hox nI1 American shipping in Spanish and CO., lonial ports for slight irregularities in manifests. One case of hardship is spe- cially worthy of attention. The bark Masonic, bound for Japan, entered Ma niia in distress, and is there sought to be coniscated under Spanish revenue laws for an alleged shortage in her trans shipped cargo. Though efforts for her relief have thus far proved unavailing it is expected that the whole matter will be adjusted in friendly spirit.
 The Senate resolutions of coincidence on the assassination of Car Alexander H., were appropriately communicated to the Russian government, which in turn has expressed its sympathy in our late national bereavement. It is de- sirable that our cordial relations with Russia should be strengthened by proper engagements, assuring to speaceabIe Americans who visit the empire the consideration which is due to them as citizens of friendly state. This is especially .needful with respect to American Israelites. whose classified. tion with the native Hebrews has evoked energetic remonstrances from the gov ernment. Z
 A supplementary consular agreement with Italy has been sanctioned and pro- claimed, which puts at rest conflicts of jurisdiction in the case of crimes on shipboard. F'El
 Several important international con- ferenoes have been held in Italy during the year. At the Geographical Con- gress of Venice, the Beneticent Con- gress of Milan, and the Hygienic Con- gross of Turin, this country was repre- sented by delegates from branches of the public service, or by private citizens duly accredited in an honorary capa- city. It is hoped that Congress will give such prominence to the results of their participation as they may seem to deserve.
 The abolition of all discriminating du- ties against such colonial productions of, the Dutch East Indies as are imported hither from Holland has been already considered by Congress. trust that at the present session the mattar may ha