New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-07
FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives. Of
United States:

To the Senate and House of Representatives. Of tho
United States:
An appalling calamity has befallen the American
people since their chosen Representatives, last met
III the halls where you are assembled. We
might else recall with unalloyed content the rare
prosperity with which throughout the year the
Nation has been blessed. It's harvesss have been
plentcOus its varied industries have thriven.' the
health of its people has been preserved II has main
tanned with foreign Governments the undsturbed
relations OF amiy and peace. For these manifesta-
tons of His favor we owe to Him who holds our
destiny in His hands the ribute OF grateful de-
v0tlOns: To that mysterious exercise or HIS VIII
which has taken from lis the loved and ilustrlous
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
n sacred possession of the whole people. The an
nouncement of his death drew from foreign Gov.
ernments and peoples tributes of sympathy and
sorrow which history will record as signal tokens Of
the kinshp of nations and the federation of man
kind
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The feeling of good will betNee our own Govern.
ment and that of Great Bri' ain was never moro
marked than at present. In recognition of this
pleasing fact directed the occasion of the late
Centennial celebration at Yorktown that salnteibe
given to the British flag. Save for the correspond
to wii ch shall refer hereafter in relation to
the proposed canal across the Isthmus of Panama,
little has occurred worthy of mention in the diplo-
matte relations of the two countries. Early IN the
year the Fortune Bay claims were satisfactorily
settled, by the British Government paying in full
the sum of 1000, most of which has been already
distributed. As the terms of the settlement in
cluded compensation for injuries suffered by our
fishermen at Aspee Bay, there has been retained
from the gross award sum which is deemed ade-
quate for those claims. The participation OF Ameri-
cans in the exhibitions at Melbourne and sydney
will be approvingy mentioned in the reports of tho
two exhibitions, soon to be presented TO Congress.
They will disclose the readiness OF our countrymen
to make ssfu competition in distant fields OF
enterprise. Negotiations for an international copy
right 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 guest of sustenance. Upon this subject q
correspondence has been opened which promises an
adequate understanding. Our troops have orders to
avoid meanwhile all collision with alien Indians.
The presence at the Yorktown celebration or
representative of the French Republic and de-
scondants Of Lafayette and of his gallant compa-
triots, 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 proceedings of tho
Bimetallic Conference held during the summer at
the City of Paris. No accord reached but q
valuable Interchange of views was had and tho
Conference will next year be renewed. At tho
Electrical Exhibition and Congress, also held at
Paris, this country was credtably represented by
eminent specialists who, in the absence OF an APP
preparation, generously lent their efficient aid at
the instance of the State Department. While our
exhibitors in this almost distinctively American
field of achievement have won several valuable
awards, recommend that Congress provide Tor the
the public interest, by the Honorary Commissioners
and Delegates.
No new questions respecting the status OF our
naturalZed citizens in Germany have arisen during
the wear and causes of complaint especially in
Alsace and Lorraine, have practically ceased
through the liberal action of the Imperial Govern
ment in accepting often expressed views on the
subject The application of the Treaty of 1865 TO
the lately cqured Rhenish Provinces has received
very earnest attention, aud definite and lasting
agreement this point Is confidently expected.
The participation of the descendants of Baron Won
Steuben in the Yorktown festivities and their SUBJ
seduent reception by their American kinsmen
striklngly evinced the ties of goodwill which unite
the German people and our own. ~
Our intercourse with Spain has been irieennly.
An agreement concluded in February iast nHes
term for the labOrs of the Spanish anu Ame.iIan
Claims Commission. The Spanish Gov ernmenI mas
been requested TO pay the late awards OF that Com'
mission and WILL il is believed, accede 10 tho re-
0uest as promptly and cOuTteOusy as on former oc-
casions By recent legislation, onerous nnes nave
been imposed on American shipping IN spanish ana
Coloriai nors for slight irregularities in manfests.
One case OF hardship is worthy Of attention. The
bark Masonic, bound for Japan, entered Manila IN
Distress and is there sOughtto be coniiscaed under
spanish revenue laws for an alleged shortage In
her tTaushipped cargo Though efforts for her re.
if have Tins far proved unavang. il is expected
that the whole matter will be adjusted in friendly
spirit. ,, -. a..
assassination of the Gar Alexander III. were APP
nronriateiy communicated to the Russian Goyernf
inent which in turn has expressed its sympathy IN
our late National bereavement IL desirable thau
our cordial relations with Russia should Do
strengthened by proper engagements, assuring to
peaceable Americans who visit the Empire the
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