The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-12-14

Having eSS8ye in the discharge OF my
duty to secure by negotiation the settle
and to remove q constant menace to the
good relations Of the two countries, and
continuing to be of the opinion that the
treaty of February last which failed to re-
ceive the approval of the senate did supply
q satisfactory, practical and final adjust
meat upon a basis honorable and just to
both parties of the difficult and vexed
question to which it related, and having
subsequently and u%navailingly recon-
mended other legislation to congress which
l hoped would suffice to meet the exigency
created by the treaty, I now again invoke
the earnest a1Al immediate attention of
congress to the condition of this important
question as it now stands before them and
the country, and for the settlement of
which l am deeply solicitous.
H sACKvILLE INCIDENT.
At the close of the month of October last
occurrences of a deeply re%gretable nature
made it my painful but imperative duty to
obtain, with as little delay as possible, a
new personal channel of diplomatic
intercourse in this country with
the government Of Great Britain.
The correspondence in relation to this
incident will, in due course, be laid before
you, and will disclose the objectionable
NVA0uVV VI V4O VluCl0l 1C1CAlCu w III Ai0
interference, by advice and counsel, with
the suffrages of American citizens in the
very crisis OF the presidential election, then
near at hand; also in his subsequent public
declarations to justify his action, superad-
ding an ~impugnment of the executive and
the senate of the United States in c0nnec-
ton with important questions now pending
in controversy between the two govern
ments. The Offense thus committed was
most grave, involving disastrous posi-
bilities to the good relations of the United
States and Great Britain, constituting a
gross breach of the diplomatic privilege
and an invasion of the purely domestic
affairs and essential sovereignty of the gov
eminent to which the envoy was accred-
tied. Having first fulfilled the just de-
,mands of International courtesy by afford
ing full opportunity for her majesty's gov
ernment to act in relief of the situation, l
considered a prOl0ngatiOn of the discussion
to be unwarranted, and thereup0n de-
clined to further recognize the diplo-
matte character of the person whose
continuance mani9 dss3rov in 1b.+ m such c functions
which is essential to the good understand
ing of the two governments, and was in
consistent with the welfare and self-respect
of the government of the United States.
The usual interchange of communication
has since continued through her majesty's
legation in this city.
ALASKAN AFFAIRS.
MY endeavors to establish by interna-
tional cooperation measures for the pre-
vention of the determination of fur seals
in Behring sea have not been relaxed. and
l have hopes of being enabled shortly to
submit an effective and satisfactory con-
ventional project with b maritime powers
for the approval Of the senate. The coast
and boundary between our Alaskan posses
siOns and British Columbia, l regret to say,
has not received the attention demanded by
its importance, and which on several occa-
sions heretofore l had the honor to recon-
practlcabi1ity, if not impOssibility, of max
ing an accurate and precise survey and de-
narration of the boundary line as it is re-
cited in the treaty with Russia, under which
Alaska was coded to the United States, rem
ders it absolutely requisite for the proven
ton of International complications that
adequate appropriation for a r%econnois-
knowledge of the locality and geographical
features of the boundary should be au-
thOrized by congress with as little delay as
possible. The knowledge to be only thus
obtained is an essential prerequisite for a
negotiation for ascertaining a common
boundary, or as preliminary to any other
mode OF settlement.
IL Is MUCH I'D O0 u6SlIeu tDdI SoluC ok!oO~
ment should be reached with her nlajesty's
government by which damages to life and
property on the great lakes may be ale
waited by removing or humanely regulating
the obstacles to reciprocal assistance 10
wrecked or stranded vessels. The act of
June IL, 1873, which offers a haven to
Canadian vessels who have access to our
inland waters in aid of wrecked OF dis
abled vessels, has not yet o
The due protection of our citizens OF
French origin OF descent from claim OF
| military service in the event OF their re:
| burning to or visiting France has called
| forth correspondence which was laid be.
fore You at the last session. In advance OF
q conventional agreement as to naturailza-
| ton, which is greatly to be desired, this
| government sees no occasion to recede
from the sound position it has maintained,
] not only with regard to France, but as to
| ali countries with which the United States
have not concluded special treaties.
Twice within the past year has the M
perial household of Germany been vlslted
BY death, and I have fastened to express
the sorrow If this people and their appre-
citation of the lofty character of b late
aged Emperor William, and their sympa'
thy with the heroism and suffering OF his
son. the late Emperor Frederick. l renew
nv recommendation Of two years ago FOL
the passage of a bill for the refunding tc
certain German steamship lines of the in
terest upon tonnage dues Illegally exacted.
On the 18th Of April last | laid before
the house of representatives full informa;
ton respecting our interests in Samoa. ano
in the subsequent correspondence on TIT
same subject, which will be laid before yor
in due course of time, the history of events
in those islands will be found.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
In a message accompanying my appro
val on October l last, Of a bill for the ex
clusion of Chinese laborers, l laid before
CONGRESS full information and all cores
pondence touching the negotiation OF tn
frorfv with China. concluded at this capl