The record-union., 1891-12-10
Special to the REooRD-Ux1oS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The message of
President Harrison was presented to Con-
gress at noon to-day. Itis as follows:
TO The Senate ard House Of Representatives:
The reports of the heads of the several execu-
tive departments, required by law to be sub
lnitted 10 me, which are herewith transmitted,
and the reports Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury ana Acknowledgement made direct to
Congress, fun n sh a comprehensive review of
The administrative work of the last fiscal year
relating to internal affairs. 1t would be of
great advantage If these reports could have
an attentive perusal by every member of Con
greSs and by all who take an interest in pub
lic affairs. such a porusal could not lal to
excite higher appreciation of the vast labor
and conscientious efforts which are given to
the conduct Of our civil administration The
reports viii, I believe, show that every Ques-
ton has been approached, considered and de-
cided from the standpoint of public duty, and
upon considerations affecting the public in
tereSts alone. Again [ invite to every branch
of the service the attention and scrutiny of
Congress.
The work of the State Department during
the last year has been characterized by an I'M
usual large number of important negotia-
lions, ana by diplomatic results o. a notably
and highly beneficial character. Among these
are
RECIPROCAL TRADE ARRANGEMENTS.
Which have been concluded in the exercise of
powers conferred by Section 3 Of the tariff
law, with the Republic OF Brazil, with Spain
Tor its West India possessions and with san
Domingo. Like negotiations with other coun-
tries have been much advanced. and il is
hoped that before the close OF the year further
Gciinite trade arrangements of great value
viii be concluded.
THE SEAL QUESTION.
in view of the reports which had been re-
n : To ~ of b. ,le
in Behrng Sea- deemed il wise to prouosc TO
Her MaJestys Government, in February last
that an agreement for Il closed season should
bc made pending the negotiations for arhitra-
ton. which then seemed 10 be approaching n
favorable conclusion. After much correspond
ence and delays, for which this Government
WAS not responsible, an agreement was
reached on the 18th of June by which Great
Britain undertook. from that date and until
May l. 1892, TO prohibit the killing by her
subjects OF seals in BehriCg Sea, and the Gov
ernment of the United states during the same
period TO enforce its existing prohibition
AGAINST pelagic sealing, and to limit the catch
1900 skins If this agreement could have
been reached earlier in response TO the strenu-
Gus endeaNorS OF this Government il would
have been more effective, but coming as late
is it aid, it unquestionably resulted in greatly
diminishing the destruction of seals by Cana
dian SealcrS
in my last annual message stated that the
basis OF arbitration proposed by Her Males
ty's Government for the adjustment of the
cries was not acceptable. | am glad now to
lie able to announce thai terms satisfactory to
this Government have been agreed upon, and
that an agreement as 10 the arbitratorS is all
that Is necessary to the completion OF the con-
VenuOn.
In view of the advanced position that this
Government has taken on the subject of
International arbitration, this renewed eX-
rtSSiOn of our adherence to this method Tor
the settlement Of disputes, such have
arisen in Behring Sea, WILL doubt not meet
with the concurrence OF Congress.
BOUNDARY DISPUTES.
Provision should be made for a Joint de-
marcation OF the frontier line between Canada
ana the United States whenever required by
the increass d border settlements and espe-
clally for the exact location of the water
boundaries in the s1aits and rivers.
I should have been glad to announce some
favorable disposition Of the boundary dispute
between Great Britain and NencgueIa folcn-
ing the western frontier OF British Guina. but
The friendly efforts 81 the United States in this
direction have thus far been Ulavailng
This Government VIII continue 10 express
its concern at any appearance OF foreign en-
croachment on territories long Under the :id-
miniStratiVe control OF the American states.
The determination of disputed boundary is
easily att1inaole by ami' aoie arbitration,
where the rights OF the respective parties rest
as here, on historic facts readily asc rtain-
able.
DTsCHIMINATIoN AGAINST AMERICAN MEATS.
The laws OF the last Congress, providing n
system of inspection Tor our meats intenaed
lor export, asd clothing The President with
power to exclude foreigu products from our
market, in case the country sending them
should perpetrate unjust Determinations
aaainst any product OF the United states.
placed this Government in position 10 tf-
iectively urge the removal OF such discrimina-
items against our meats. 1t IS gratifying 10 lie
;l,owea to 5 a.e that Germany, DenIaaTS,
Italy, Austria and II ancc, IN the order named,
Lave opened their ports 10 inspected Ah4erl-
can pork products.
The removal or these restrictions in evary
instance was asked foT, and given solely upon
The ground that we ilau aoW proyiCea Il mat
inspection that sCo1ld be accepted as q q
esyate 10 the complete rennorai o the dangers,
,sat or flncicG- y iica rad been pre- lousy
uIgeo & 1LiS ~. .iis.5t, !1'L - -, - ?
to-oT Grated with Jnaagging ana intelligent [
zeal tor the accomplishment Of this great re-
suit.
TRADE RELATIONS WITH GERMANY.
The outlines Of an agreement have been
reached with Germany looking TO equitable