Year: 1872

Franling Privilege Recommended


Civil Service Reform Sustained.


To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-


TIvEs:-


In transmitting to you this my fourth annual Mes
sage, 1t Is with thankfulness to the Giver Of all
good that as nation we have been blessed for the
last year with peace at home and abroad and
general prosperity vouchsafed to but few people
With the exception of the recent devastating fire
which swept from the earth with q BREATH as 1t
were. millions of accumulated wealth in the city
of Boston, there has been no overshadowing
calamity within the year to record. 1t is crafty
ing to note how like their fellow citizens OF the
city of Chicago under similar circumstances year
earlier, the citizens Of Boston are rallyng under
their mislortunes, with the prospect that
their engergy and perseverance will overcome
all obstacles and show the same prosperity they
would have enjoyed had no disaster betallen them.
Otherwise we have been free from pestllence, war
and calamities which often overtake nations, and,
as far as human judgment can penetrate the future,
no cause seems to exist to threaten our present
peace. When Congress adjourned in June last
question had been raised by Great Britain, and
was then pending, which Tor time seriously i'm
pered the settlement by friendly arbitration OF the
grave differences between this government and
that OF Her Britannia Majesty, which, by


THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON,


had been referred to the tribunal of arbitration
which had met at Geneva, In Switzerland. The
arbitrators, however, disposed OF the question,
which had jeopardized the whole of the treaty
and threatened to involve the two nations in
most unhappy relations toward each other in
o manner entirely satisfactory to this govern
ment and in accordance with the views and
the policy which 1t had maintained. The tribunal
which had convened in Geneva In December con-
Guided its laborious session on the 14th day Of
September last, on which day, having avaied itself
OF the discretionary power given to 1t by the treaty
to award q sum in gross, 1t made its decision
whereby 1t awarded the sum Of $15, $780, 600 In gold
as the indemnity to be paid by Great Britain to the
United States for the satisfaction OF all the claims
referred to It's consideration This decision hap
PLY disposes Of long-standng difference between
the two governments, and, in connection with an
other award made by the German Emperor under
q reference to him by the same treaty leaves these
two governments without o shadow upon the
friendly relations, which it is my sincere
hope may forever remain equally unclouded.
The report OF the agent of the United
States appointed to attend the Geneva tribu-
nal, accompanied by the protocols of the pro-
ceedings OF the arbtrators, the arguments Of the
counsel OF both governments, the award OF the





arbitrators Is transmitted herewith. 1have caused
to be communicated to the heads Of the three
friendly Powers who compiled with the joint re-
quest made to them under the treaty the thanks OF
this government for the appointment OF arbitra-
traitors made by them respectively, and also my
thanks TO the eminent personages named by them,
and my appreciation OF the dignity, patience, i'm
partialty and great ability with which they dis
charged their arduous and high functions. Her
Majesty's government has communicated to me
Its appreciation by Her Majesty-o the ability and
indefatigable industry displayed by Mr.. Adams
the arbitrator named on the part OF this govern
ment, during the protracted inquiries and discus
sions of the tribunal


CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS.


Icordlally unite with Her Majesty In this appre-
citation. 1t Is due to the agent OF the United
States before the tribunal to record my high appre
ciation OF the marked ability, unwearied patience
and the prudence and discretion with which he has
conducted the very responsible and delicate duties
committed to him; 1t Is also due to the learned
and eminent counsel who attended the tribunal on
the part OF this government to express my sense OF
the talent and wisdom which they brought to bear
In the attainment Of the result SO happily reached.
II will be the province OF Congress to provide
for the distribution among those who
may be entitled TO it Of their respect
i've shares OF the money to be paid.
AgnOUSH tnc SUN dWHIucu Is not payable until
year from the date Of the award, 1t Is deemed ad.
visable that no time be lost In making proper
examination OF the several cases In which indem-
nifcation may be DUE consequently recommend
the creation OF board OF commissioners for the
purpose. BY the thirty article Of the Treaty
Of Washington the respective claims OF the United
States and OF Great Britain, in their construction
OF the treaty OF the 18TH June, 1s46, defining the
boundary line between their respective territories,
were submitted to the arbitration apd award OF
HIS Majesty the Emperor OF Germany, to decide
which OF those claims Is most In accord
ance with the true Interpretation OF the
treaty OF 1S46 His Majesty the Emperor OF
Germany, having been pleased to undertake
the arbitration, has the earnest thanks OF this
government ana OF the people OF the United States
ior the labor, pains and care which he has devoted
10 the consideration OF this long-pcnding differ
ence. have caused an expression OF my thanks
70 oe communicated to His Majesty. Mr.. Bancroft,
sns representative OF this government at Berlin,
Cohuucted the case and prepared the statement


nat nis past service nstffed the public in expect
ing ~ MS hands As a member oil the Cabinet at
tne datc OF the treaty which has given rise to the
uiscuesl0n Detween the two governments az the
minister 10 Great Britain when the construction
now pronounced unfounded waa arst ad
vanccd, and as the agent and representa-
tive or the government to present the
case and 10 receive the award he has
been associated with the question in ali OF ia
phases and IN every stage has manifested a patri
otic zeal and earnestncss in maintenance OF the
claim OF the United States. He Is entitled TO much
credit for the success which has attended the sub.
mission. After patient investigation OF the case
pnd Of the statements Of each party. His Majesty