Year: 1872

To The Senate and House Of Representatives


In transmitting to you my fourth annual
message, it is with thankfulness to the Giver
of all Good that, as a nation, we have been
blessed for the past year with peace at home
and abroad, and general prosperity vouch
safe to but few people. With the
exception Of the recent devastating fire
which swept from earth in a breath,
as it were, millions OF accumulated wealth. in
the city of Boston there have been no over
shadowing calamities Eijl,n the year 10 re-
cord. 1t is gratifying to note how, like their
fellOw-citiZens of the city of Chicago under
similar circumstances q year earlier, the
citizens of Boston are rallying under their
misfortunes, and there IS prospect that their
energy and perseverance Will overcome all
obstacles and show the same prosperity soon
hat they would, had 40 disasters fallen upon
them. Otherwise vs. have been free from pes
thence, war and calamltles which often over
take nations, and, as far as human judgment
can penetrate the future, no cause seems to
exist to threaten our present peace.


THE GENEVA ARBITRATION.


When Congress adjourned in June last
question had been raised by Great Britain and
was then pending, VIII ch for time seriously
imperilled the settlement, bv friendly arbitra-
ton, of the differences existing between this
L
that the Treaty Of Washington had referred to
the Tribunal of Arbitration which had met at
Geneva in Switzerland. The arbitrators, how
ever, disposed of the question which had
jeOpardized the whole of the treaty and threat
ened to involve the two nations in the most
unhappy relations toward each other in a
manner entirely satisfactory to this govern
ment and in accordance with the views and
the policy which it had main tanned. The
tribunal which had convened in Geneva in
December concluded its labOriOus session on
the 14th day Of September last, on which day
having avaied itself of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty to award sum
in gross, it made its decision, whereby it
awarded the sum of S15,500, 900 in gold as the
indemnity to be paid by Great Britain to the
United States for the satisfaction of all claims
referred to its consideration. This decision
happily disposes of long-standing difference
between the two governments, and in connec-
ton with another award made by the German
Emperor under reference to him by the same
treaty, leaves the Government without
shadow upon the friendly relations which it is
my sincere hope may forever remain equally
unchanged.


The report of the agent Of the United States
appointed to attend the Geneva tribunal, ac-
cOmpanid by the protocals of the proceedings
OF the arbltrators, the arguments OF the couu-
sci of both Governments, the award of the tri-
bunal and the opinions given by the several
arbitrators, is transmitted herewith. l have
caused to be communicated to the heads of
the three friendly powers, who complied with
the joint request made to them under the
treaty, the thanks Of this Government for the
appointment of arbitrators made by
them respectively, and also my
named by them, and my appreciation of the
dignity, patience, impartiality and great abil-
ity with which they discharged their arduous
and high functions. Her Majesty's govern
ment has communicated TO me it's apprecia-
ton by Her Majesty. OF the ability and indie
fatigable industry displayed by Mr. Adams. in
the arbitration named, on the part of this Gov
ernment, during the protracted inquiries and
discussions OF the tribunal. | cordially unite
with Her Majesty in this appreciation. 1t is
due to the agent of the United States before
the tribunal 10 record my appreciation of the
marked ability, unWeared patience and the
prudence and discretion with which he has
conducted tie very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, as it is also due to
the learned ana eminent counsel who attended
the tribunal on the part Of this Government to
express nv sense of the talent and wisdom
which they brought to bear in the argument
and the results so happily reached. 1t will be
the province OF Congress to provide for the
distribution among those who may be entitled
to it of their respective shares of the money to
be paid.


Although the sum awarded is not payable





deemed advisable that no time beIost in maxi
ing proper examination of the several cases in
which indemnifcatlOn may be due. [ cOnse-
quently recommend the creation of a board of
commissioners for the purpose.


THE NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.


By the thirty fourth article of the Treaty of
Washington, the respective claims Of the
United States and Great Britain in their con-
struction of the treaty of the 18th of June,
1916, defining the boundary line between their
respective territories, were submitted for
arbitration and award to His Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, to decide which of these
claims was most in accordance with
the true Interpretation of the treaty
of 1876. His Majesty, the Emperor
of Germany, having been pleased to assume
the arbitration, has the earnest thanks OF this
Government and of the people of the United
States for the labor, pains and care which he
has devoted to the consideration of this long
pending difference. | have caused an
expression of my thanks te be COM
communicated to his Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft,
the representative of this government at
Berlin, conducted the case, and pre- ared the
statement on the part of the United States
with the ability that his past service justified
the public in expecting at his hands, as a
member OF the Cabinet at the date of the
treaty which has given rise to the discussion
between the two governments, as the





construction now pronounced unfounded, was
first advanced, and as the agent and repre-
sentative Of the government, to present the
case and to receive the award He has been
associated with the question in all of it's
phases, and in every stage has manifested a
patriotic zeal and counsel in the maintainance
Of the claim of the United States. He is en-
titled to much credit for the success which
has attended the submission.


After patient investig of the case. and
of the statements of each party, His Majesty
the Emperor eff Germany, on the twenty-first
day of October last, signed his award IN writing.
decreeing that the claim of the government Of
the United States that the boundary line be-
tween the territories OF Her Britannia Majesty
and the United States should be through the
Haro Channel, is most IN accordance with the
true Interpretation of the treaty concluded on
the 18th Of June, 1846, between the agents OF
Her Britannia Majesty and ofthe United States


Copies of the case presented on behalf oi
each government and of the statement in re-
ply of each, and a translation OF the award
are transmitted herewith. This award con-
firms the United States in th elr claims to the
important archipelago OF islands lying between
the continent and Van COuyers Island which
for tWenty-SiX years, ever since tho
ratification of the treaty, Great Brit
ain has contested, and leaves us, for the
first time in the history of the United States
as a nation without a question Of disputed
f'pS
sessions of Great Britain on this content. i
is my grateful duty to acknowledge the prompt
and spontaneous action of Her Majesty's
Government in giving effect to the award


In anticipation of any request from this
Government. and before the reception in the
United States of the award, signed by the
Emperor, Her Majesty had given instructions
for the removal of her troops which ha6
been stationed there. and for the cessation OF
all exercise or claim of as to leave
US conclusive possession of the disputed ter
ritory. L am grateful to be able to announce
that the orders for the removal of the troops
have been executed, and the military joint oc
patton OF San Juan has ceased. The island:
are now in the exclusive possession OF the
United States. 1t now becomes necessary to
complete the survey and determination of tha
portion Of the boundary line through the Hare
Channel, upon which the commission, which
determined the remaining part of the line ,WerC
unable TO agree, L Recommend the appoint
mont OF commission to act Jointly with one
which may be named by Her Maiest,
for that purpose. The experience of tho
difficulties attending the determination
OF our admitted line Of boundary after the oc
cupttlon Of the territory, and It's settlement b,
those owing allegiance to the respective gov
ernments, points 10 the Importance OF estab