The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-07

with which throughout thc year tiie haIioh
has been blessed. Its harvests have been
plenteous, its varied industries have thriNen'
the health OF its people has been preserved,
il has maintained with foreign Govern
ments the undisturbed relations OF amlty
and peace. For these manifestations OF HIS
favor we owe to Him who holds our des-
tiny in His hands the tribute OF our CRATE
full devotion.
THE NATIONS CALAMITY.
To that mysterious exercise oil His VIII
which has taken from Us the loved Illus
trious citizen who was but LATELY the
head of the nation we bow III sor-
row and submission. The memory OF his
exalted character, OF his noble achieve
ments. and of his patriotic life Will be
treasured forever as a sacred possession OF
the whole people. The announcement OF
his death drew from foreign Governments
and peoples tributes OF sympathy and sor-
row which history will record AS signal
tokens OF the kinShip OF nations and the
federation OF mankind
KINDLY RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
The feeling OF goodwill between our
own Government and that of Great Britain
was never more marked than at present.
In recognition OF this pleasing TACT Ill
rected on the occasion OF the late Centcn-
NAL celebration at Yorktown that salute
be given to the British flag.
Save for the correspondence TO which /
shall refer hereafter in relation to the pro-
posed canal across the lsthmus OF Panama,
little has occurred worthy OF mention in
the diplomatic relations OF the TWO coun-
tries. Early in the year the FOrtune-bay
claims were satisfactorily settled by the
British Government paying in full the sum
of G15,000, most of which has been already
distributed. As the terms OF the settle
ment included compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen mt Aspee bay,
there has been retained from the gross
award sum which j. deemed adequate for
those claims.
FOREIGN EXHIBITIONS AND RELATIONS.
The participation OF Americans in the
exhibitions at Melbourne and Sidney will
be approvingly mentioned in the reports OF
the two exhibitions soon to be presented to
Congress. They will disclose the readi-
ness Of our countrymen to make successful
competition in distant fields of enterprise.
Negotiations for an international copy
right convention arc in hopeful progress.
The surrender of Sitting Bull and his
forces upon the Canadian frontier has al-
ayed apprehension, although bodies OF
British Indians still cross the border in
quest of sustcnance. Upon this subject a
correspondence has been opened, which
promises an adequate understanding. Our
troops have orders to avoid mean while all
collisions with aborigines.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.
The presence 1T the Yorktown cclebra-
ton of representatives of The French re-
public and descendants of Lafayette and Of
his gallant compatriots Who were our allies
in the Revolution has served to strengthen
the spirit of goodwill which has always
existed between the two nations.
You will be furnished with the proceed
ings Of the Bi-metallic Conference held du-
ring the summer at the city Of Paris. No
accord was reached, but valuable inter-
change OF views was bad, and the confer
ence will next year be resumed.
At the Electrical Exhibition and Con-
gress. also held at Paris, this country was
creditably represented, and by eminent Spe-
cialiStS, who, in the absence OF appropria-
ton, generously lent their efficient aid at
the instance OF the State Department.
While our exhibitors in this almost dis
tinctiyey American field OF achievement
have won several valuable awards, recon-
mend that Congress provide for the repay
ment of the personal expenses incurred in
the public interest by the honorary COM
missioners and delegates.
OUR GERMAN RELATIONS.
No new questions respecting the status
of our naturalizcd citizens in Germany
have arisen during the year, and the causes
of complaint, especially in Alsace and Lor-
rainc, have practically ceased through the
liberal action OF the Imperial Government
in accepting our often-expressed views on
the subject The application Of the treaty
of 1868 to the lately-acquired Rheinish
provinces has received very earnest attel.-
ton, and a definite and lasting agreement
on the poinu is confidently expected.
The participation of the descendants OF
Baron Won Steuben i'm the Yorktown fes-
tivities. and their subsequent reception by
their American kinsmen. strikingly evil
dence the goodwill which unites the Ger
man people and our own.
SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
Our intercourse with Spain has been
friendly. agreement concluded in Feb
ruary last fixes term for the labors Of the
Spanish and American Claims Commission.
The Spanish Government has been re-
quested TO pay the late awards OF that COM
mission, and will, it is believed, accede to
the request rs promptly and ms courteously
rs on former occasions.
BY recent legislation onerous fines have
been imposed upon American shipping in
Spanish and colonial ports for slight irreg-
ularities in manifests. One case OF hard
ship Is especially worthy OF attention. The
bark "AIasonic," bound for Japan, en-
tered Manila in distress, and is there
sought to be confiscated under Spanish
revenue laws for an alleged shortage in her
transshipped cargo. Though efforts for
her relief have thus far proved mayailing,
it is expected that the whole matter viii be
adjusted in friendly spirit.
FRIENDLY RELATIONS Win RUSSIA.
The Senate resolutions OF coincidence
on the assassination of the Car Alexander
III. were appropriately communicated to the
Russian Government, which IN turn has
expressed its sympathy in our late national
bereavement. II is desirable that our cor
dial relations with Russia should be
strengthened by proper engagements as
surfing TO peaccable Americans who visit
the Empire the consideration which Is due
TO them as citizens OF friendly State. This !
is specially needful with respect to Ameri-
can Israelites, whose classification with the |
native Hebrews has evoked energetic re-
monstrances from this Government.
OUR ITALIAN RELATIONS.
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 ship I
board.
Several important international confer
ences have been held In Italy during the
year. AT the Geographical Congress Of /