cles.

The necessary legislation to carry into effect the convention respecting
commercial reciprocity concluded with the Hawaiian Islands in 1875
having been had, the proclamation to carry into effect the convention,
as provided by the act approved August 15, 1876, was duly issued upon
the 9th day of September last. A copy thereof accompanies this
message.[116]

The commotions which have been prevalent in Mexico for some time past,
and which, unhappily, seem to be net yet wholly quieted, have led to
complaints of citizens of the United States of injuries by persons in
authority. It is hoped, however, that these will ultimately be adjusted
to the satisfaction of both Governments. The frontier of the United
States in that quarter has not been exempt from acts of violence by
citizens of one Republic on those of the other. The frequency of these
is supposed to be increased and their adjustment made more difficult
by the considerable changes in the course of the lower part of the
Rio Grande River, which river is a part of the boundary between the
two countries. These changes have placed on either side of that
river portions of land which by existing conventions belong to the
jurisdiction of the Government on the opposite side of the river.
The subject of adjustment of this cause of difficulty is under
consideration between the two Republics.

The Government of the United States of Colombia has paid the award
in the case of the steamer _Montijo_, seized by authorities of that
Government some years since, and the amount has been transferred to the
claimants.

It is with satisfaction that I am able to announce that the joint
commission for the adjustment of claims between the United States and
Mexico under the convention of 1868, the duration of which has been
several times extended, has brought its labors to a close. From the
report of the agent of the United States, which accompanies the papers
transmitted herewith, it will be seen that within the time limited by
the commission 1,017 claims on the part of citizens of the United States
against Mexico were referred to the commission. Of these claims 831 were
dismissed or disallowed, and in 186 cases awards were made in favor of
the claimants against the Mexican Republic, amounting in the aggregate
to $4,125,622.20. Within the same period 998 claims on the part of
citizens of the Mexican Republic against the United States were referred
to the commission. Of these claims 83