Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-07
Gbe Kennebef 5ournaI.
pub shed at Angus T A, MAINE, Water Street, foot
sCourt BY SPRAGUE SON.
Presidents Message.
To the Senate and House of Representatir
of the United States:


An appalling calamity has befallen the
American people since their chosen repre-
,entatives last met in the halls where YOU are
now assembled. We might else recall with
unaIloved content the rare prosperity with
which, throughout the year, the nation has
been blessed. Its harvests have been
plenteous, its varied industries thriven,
the health of its people has been pre-
served, it has maintained with foreign
governments the undisturbed relations Of
amity and peace. For these manifesto
tions of His favor, we owe to Him who
holds our destiny in His hands the tribute of
our grateful devOtions to that mysterious ex-
ercise of His will which has taken from us
the loved and illustrious citizen who was but
lately the head of the nation, we bow in sor-
row and submission. The memory of his
exalted character, of his noble achievements,
and of his patriotic life, will be treasured for
ever as a sacred possession Of the whole peo-
pie. The announcement of his death drew
from foreign government and peoples
tributes of sympathy and sorrow which his
tory will record as simple tokens Of kinship
of the nation and the federation Of mankind.
The feeling of good will between our own
government and that of Great Britain was
never more marked than at present. In rec
ognition Of this pleasing fact, 1 directed. on
the occasion of the late centennial celebra-
ton at Yorktown, that salute be given to
the British flag.
.r,o~s w,ru Eopr,ox Corxrprrs
save ior the correspondence 10 ~n'ch l
shali reler herearer, !" re'a'lo" 70 ,he pro-
little has occurred worthy of mention in the
diplomatic relation of the two countries.
Early in the year the Fortune Bay claims
were satisfactorily solved. by the British
government paying us IN iuii tne sum
of fifteen thousand pounds, most OF which
has been already distributed. AS the
terms OF settlement included the compehsa-
ton for injuries suffered by our fishermen at
Gaspe Bay. there has been retained from the
gross award sum which is deemed adequate
for those claims. The participation OF
Americans u the eNhioinon al Mel
bourne and Sydney will be aPProvingiy
mentioned in the reports Of the two exhibi-
tons soon to be presented to Congress.
They will disclose the readiness OF our
countrymen to make successful competi-
ton in distant fields of enterprise. Negotla-
tons for an international copyright conven-
ton are in hopeful progress. The surrender
of Sitting Bull and his forces upon the "a
madam frontiers has aliayed apprehension,
although bodies OF British INDIANS sun
cross kthe border in quest OF sustenance'
Upon this subject correspondence has been
opened which promises an adequate under
standing. Our troops have orders to avoid,
meanwhile, all collision with alien Indians.
The presence at the Yorktown ceieoratioh OF
representatives OF republican descenua"ts oi
Lafayette and his gallant compatriots, VINO
were our allies in the Revolution, has
served to strengthen the spirit OF eooo
will which has always exlstedv oe-
tween the two nations. You will be fur
hpd Wi he
lie Conference held during the summer at the
city Of Paris. No accord was reached, but
valuable interchange OF views was han' anu
the conference will next year be re-
newed. At the Electrical Exhibition
and Congress, also held at Paris
this country was creditably represented "y
eminent specialists, who. in the absence "'
an appropriation. generously lent their EN-
cient aid at the instance OF the state
Department While our exhibitors in
these almost distinctively American fields
of achievement have won several vaiu-
able awards, recommend that Con
gress provide for the repayment o, the
personal expenses incurred in the puoiic IN,
terest by the honorary commissioners ana
delegates.
No new questions respecting the status
of our naturalized American citizens in Ger
many have arisen during the year; and causes
of complaint, especially in -Alsace and Lor-
raine, have practically ceased, through the
liberal action of the imperial government IN
a.cent;ng our often EXPRESSED views on the
mb;ect The annlcation of the treaty of
1865 70 tho lately acquired Rhenish
provinces. has received very earnest atten-
ton. A definite and lasting agreement on
this point is confidently expected.
The participation Of the descendants OF
Baron Won Steuben at the Yorktown festvi-
ties, and their subsequent reception by their
American kinsman, strikiuely evinced the
tie, Of good will which unite the German
people and our own.
Our intercourse with Spain has been friend
ly. An agreement concluded in February
last fixes a term for the labors OF tue span
ish and American Claims Commission;
The Spanish government has been requested
to pay the awards of that Commission, ana
will, it il believed. accede to the request as
promptly and courteously as on former ocea-
sions. BY recent legislation oneious
burdens have been imposed "Poa,
American shipping in Spanish ana
Colonial ports for slight irresu'ari',es