, 1890-12-04

forecast II II should become link In the
projected inter-continentul railway. |
recommend that our minister to the
Ci'y OF Mexico be raised to the first
class.
Tho cordial character of our relations
with spain warrants the hope that by
the continuance of methods of friendly
negotiations much may be accomplished ed
In the direction of an adjustment of
pending questions. The increase and
development OF our trade with tho island
OF Cuba invest the commercial relations
oil the United States and Spain with q
peculiar importance. IL is not doubted
that special arrangements IN regard to
commerce, based upon the reciprocity
provision OF tho recent tariff act, would
operale most beneiicially Tor both gov
crnments. This subject is now reoeiv.
ing attention.
The restoration of the remains of John
Ericsson to his native land of sweden
afforded gratifying occasion to honor
the memory ofa great inventor, to whose
genius our country owes so much. and
to bear witness to the unbroken friend
snip which has existed between the land
that bore him and our own, which
ed him MS citizen.
ON the 22d day of September last the
com mission appointed 10 revise tho pro.
ceedings OF the commission under tho
NNNlAHA w NHt convention DtINttu lHt
United States and Venezuela, OF 1866
brought its labors to n close within the
period liked for that purpose. Tho pro-
ceedings Of the late commission were
characterized by n spirit of impartiality
and q sense of justice, and an incident
which was for many years the subject
OF discussion between the two govern
ments has been disposed of in man =
ner alike honorable and satisfactory to
both parties. For the settlement of
the claim of the Nsnezula Steam Trans
portation Company, which was the sub -
ject of joint resolution adopted at
the last session of congress, negotiations
are still in progress, and their early con.
olusion is anticipated.
The legislation of the past few years
has evinced on the part OF congress a
growing realization of the importance
OF the consular service. In fostering our
commercial relations abroad, ana in
protecting the domestic revenues as the
scope OF operations expand, increased
provision must be nude to keep the es-
sentiul standard of efficiency. The ne
cessity OF some adequate measure OF
supervision and inspection has been so
often presented that | need only COM
mend the subject to your attention.
Reports from our minister at Santiago
warrant the expectation of an early and
satisfactory adjustment.
for several years occupied an important
place in our diplomatic history, have
called for careful consideration, and
have been tho subject of much cor
respOndencc. The communications Of
the Chinese minister have brought into
view the whole subject of our conven-
tional relations with his country, and at
tho same time this government, through
its legation Mt Pekin, sought to
arrange various matters and COM
plants touching the interests and
protection of our citizens in
China. In pursuance of concurrent
resolution of October |, 1890, | have pro-
posed that the governments of Mexico
and Great Britain consider o conven-
tional regulation of the passage of
Chinese laborers across our southern and
northern frontier.
On the 22d day of August last Sir Ed
mund Monson, the arbitrator selected
under Il treaty December o, 1888. rem
dered an award to the effect that no
com pensation was due from the Spanish
government to the United States on ao-
count OF what was commonly known as
the Carlos Buttertield claim.
Our relations with the French con-
tinue to be cordial.