The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-06
President Arthur Communi-
Gates to Congress. >
He Gives His Views on Mat
ters Domestic and Foreign.
The Full Text of To-davs Doc
ument.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. q. 6.--T10t1te Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of the United
An appalling calamity has befallen the
American people since their chosen repre-
sentatives who last met in the halls where
you are now assembled, we might else
recall with unalloyed content, the more
prosperity with which throughoutthey are
blessed, its harvests have been plen-
teous, its varied industries have been sue
cessful, The health of its people has been
preserved; it has maintained with foreign
governments, the undisturbed relation of
health and peace; for these manifestations
of His favor we owe to Him who holds
our destiny in His hands the trlb-
ute of our grateful devotions.
To that mysterious exercise Of viii which
has taken from us the loved and illustrious
citizen who was lately the head of the ma
tion, we bow in sorrow. and submission.
The memory of his exalted character, Of
his noble achievements, of his patriotic life
win be treasured forever as the sacred pos
session of the whole people. The an
nouncement OF his death drew from the
foreign governments and peoples tributes
of sympathy and sorrow which history we
viii record as q signal of the kinship of
nations and federation OF mankind. The
good will between our own government
and that of Great Britain was never more
marked than at present in the recognition
of this pleasing fact. I detected on the
occasion of the late centennial
celebration at Yorktown.
Save for the correspondence, Of which
shall refer hereafter, in relation to the
proposed canal across the Isthmus OF Pan
anna, hasnothing occurred worthy of men
ton in the diplomatic relations of the coun-
try early in the year. The Fortune Bay
claims were satisfactorily settled by the
British government paying in full the sum
of e15, 900, most of which has already been
distributed; as the terms of the settlement
included compensation for injuries suffer
ed by our fishermen at Aspee Bay. There
has been returned gross award sum
which is deemed adequate for these claims
The participation of Americans in the
exhibition at Melbourn and Sidney, VIII
be approvingly mentioned in the reports
of the two exhibitions, all soon to be pre-
sented to congress. They will disclose
the readiness of our countrymen to make
successful competition in distant fields OF
enterprise.
Negotiations for an international copy
right convention also is in hopeful pro-
gress. The surrender of Sitting Bull ana
his force upon the Canadian frontier allay
apprehensions, although bodies of British
Indians still cross the border in quest OF
sustenance Upon this subject cores
4 pondence has been opened which promises
an adequate understanding. Our troops
have orders to avoid any collisions with
all Indians. s-
The presence at the Yorktown centennial
of representatives of the republican de-
scendents of Lafayette, and OF hs gallant
companions, who We're all soldiers IN the
revolution, has served to strengthen the
spirit of good win which has always exist
ed between the nations.
You will be furnished with the proceed
Sngs of the Bi-metallic conference had
during the summer at the city OF Pans
No accord was reached, but valuable in
terchange of views was had, and the con-
ference viii next year be renewed.
At the electrical exhibition congress
held at Paris, this country was creditably
represented by eminent cities, who, IL
the absence of an appropriation, generous
ily gave their efficient aid and exhibited
in this almost distinctively American field
of achievement, have won several awards
/ recommend congress provide for the re-
payment of the personalexpenses rendered
in public interest by the honorary com
missioners and delegates.
No new questions touching the status ot
our naturalized citizens in Germany, have
arisen during the year, and causes OF com
plant, especially in Alsace and Lorraine
have practically combined, through the
liberal action of Imperial government IL
accepting our often expressed views on tht
subject. The application of the treaty ot
1865 to the lately acquired Rhenish provin
ces, has received very earnest attention.
definite lasting agreement on this point il
exceptaonalIv expected. The participation
OF the descendants of Baron Won Steubel
in the Yorktown festivities, and their sub
seuuent reception by their American kins
men strongly evinee the ties of good vii
which unite the German people with ou
Gown.
Our intercourse with Spain has bee1
hriehdlv. An agreement concluded Il
February last fixes term for the labor
for the Spanish and American claims com
missien The Spanish government ha
been requested to pay the late awarus
the ce,nmission and viii, it is believed &C
cept to the request as promptly ana coul
teously as on former occasions
By recent legislation fines hav
been imposed upon American shipping l
Spanish and colonial parts 10
slight Irregularities on manifests
One case of hardship is especial
worthy Of attention. The bark Masonic
bound for Japan, entered Manila IN dis
tress and there sought to be confiseate
under Spanish revenue laws for an aiiege
shortage in her ship. Though ef
1ofts 1or her relief has thus far proved un
aValnng, it is expected that the whole wi
DE aoJusted IN friendly spirit.
Inc Senate resolutions on the assasina
suon OF the Gar Alexander Second, wer
sappreclatedly and approximately commit
nicated to the Russian government. which
nm turn has expressed its sv,npathv in on
late national bereavement It is desirabl
that our cordial relations with Russi
should be strengthened by proper engage
ments, assuring to peaceable American
who visit the empire, the considerable
to which is due to Them as citizens of
friendly state, this is especially needfu
with respect to American israeIifes who's
classification with the native Hebrews ba
evoked energetic remonstrances from thi
government. Consular agreement with tn
states has been sanctioned and proclaimed
which puts at rest a conflict of iurisdictio
IN the case of crimes on ship board.
Several important International confe,
ences have been held in Italy during II,
year. At the geographical congress {
Venice the Bonfice congress of Milan {