April 9, 1865, became payable, under the
terms of the treaty, within the past year, and was paid upon the 21st
day of September, 1874. In this connection I renew my recommendation,
made at the opening of the last session of Congress, that a special
court be created to hear and determine all claims of aliens against
the United States arising from acts committed against their persons or
property during the insurrection. It appears equitable that opportunity
should be offered to citizens of other states to present their claims,
as well as to those British subjects whose claims were not admissible
under the late commission, to the early decision of some competent
tribunal. To this end I recommend the necessary legislation to organize
a court to dispose of all claims of aliens of the nature referred to in
an equitable and satisfactory manner, and to relieve Congress and the
Departments from the consideration of these questions.

The legislation necessary to extend to the colony of Newfoundland
certain articles of the treaty of Washington of the 8th day of May,
1871, having been had, a protocol to that effect was signed in behalf of
the United States and of Great Britain on the 28th day of May last, and
was duly proclaimed on the following day. A copy of the proclamation[84]
is submitted herewith.

A copy of the report of the commissioner appointed under the act of
March 19, 1872, for surveying and marking the boundary between the
United States and the British possessions from the Lake of the Woods to
the summit of the Rocky Mountains is herewith transmitted. I am happy
to announce that the field work of the commission has been completed,
and the entire line from the northwest corner of the Lake of the Woods
to the summit of the Rocky Mountains has been run and marked upon
the surface of the earth. It is believed that the amount remaining
unexpended of the appropriation made at the last session of Congress
will be sufficient to complete the office work. I recommend that the
authority of Congress be given to the use of the unexpended balance of
the appropriation in the completion of the work of the commission in
making its report and preparing the necessary maps.

The court known as the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims, created
by an act of Congress of the last session, has organized and commenced
its work, and it is to be hoped that the claims admissible under the
provisions of the act may be speedily ascertained a