the 8th of May, A.D. 1871, between
the United States of America and the Queen of Great Britain," approved
June 23, 1874, it is provided--

That the judges of the court created by this act shall convene in
the city of Washington as soon as conveniently may be after their
appointment; and the said court shall exist for one year from the
date of its first convening and organizing; and should it be found
impracticable to complete the work of the said court before the
expiration of the said one year, the President may by proclamation
extend the time of the duration thereof to a period not more than six
months beyond the expiration of the said one year; and in such case
all the provisions of this act shall be taken and held to be the same
as though the continuance of the said court had been originally fixed
by this act at the limit to which it may be thus extended.

And whereas it has been made satisfactorily to appear to me that the
said court convened on the 22d of July, 1874, and that a large portion
of the business of said court still remains undisposed of, and that it
is found impracticable to complete the work of the said court before the
expiration of the said one year from its first convening and organizing:

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the
provisions of the said eighth section of the act of Congress aforesaid,
do hereby extend the time of the duration of said "Court of
Commissioners of Alabama Claims" for a period of six months from and
after the 22d day of July, A.D. 1875.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and have caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 2d day of June, A.D. 1875, and of
the Independence of the United States the ninety-ninth.

U.S. GRANT.

By the President:
HAMILTON FISH,
_Secretary of State_.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

In accordance with a practice at once wise and beautiful, we have been
accustomed, as the year is drawing to a close, to devote an occasion to
the humble expression of our thanks to Almighty God for the ceaseless
and distinguished benefits bestowed upon us as a nation and for His
mercies and protection during the closing year.

Amid the rich and free enjoyment of all our advantages, we should not
forget t