Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-11-23
Pre6dent's MeAage.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 1so4.

HSLAANS Wv GNoVs q, IdO4s
THIS DAY at - O'Clock, the Pre-
sident of the United States delivered
the follow Message TO both houses Of
Congress, BY Mr.. Burwcn, his See
csetary.
To the Senate and House Of Rctre.ensa-
hres Of the United States.
Two people, fellow citizens who
i sincerely desire the happiness and
prosperity Of other nations, to those who
Justly calculate that their own well be.
ing is advanced BY that of the nation,
with which they have intercourse, il
will be satisfaction to observe that the
war which was lighted up in Europe, a
little before our last meeting, has not vet
extended its flames to other nations, nor
been marked by the calamities which
sometimes stain the footsteps Of war.
The irregularities too on the ocean
which generally harrass the commerce
ofneutral nations, have, in distant PARTS
disturbed surs less than on former &C.
casions. But in the American seas,
they have been greater from peculiar
causes; and even within our harbours
and Jurisdiction infringments ON the.
authority Of the laws have been, COM
mitted which have called for serious
attention. ri The friendly conduct or the
governments from whose officers and
subjects these acts have proceeded. in
other respects, and in places more nm
der their observation and control, gives
us confidence that our representations
on this subject will have been properly
regarded.
While noticing the Irregularities COM
lniteed on the ocean by others, those on
our part should not be admitted or left
unprovided for. Complaints have been
received chat persons residing within
the United States, have taken on them
selves to arm merchant vessels and to
force Commerce into certain ports and
countries, in defiance OF the laws of
those countries.--- That individuals
should undertake to wage private war,
independently of the authority of their
country, cannot be permitted in well
ordered society. Its tendency to PRO
duce aggression on the laws aud rights
OF other nations, and to endanger the
peace Of our own is so obvious, that I
doubt not you viii adopt measures for
the restraining it eHectually in future.
Soon after the passage Of the act Of
the last session, au,horising the esta-
blishment of a district and port of en-
try on the waters of the Mobile, we
learnt that It's object was misunderstood
on the part Of Spain. Candid explana-
items were Immediately given, and as
surances, that reserying our claims in
that quarter as a subject Of discussion,
and arrangement with Spain, no act was
smed1tated in the mean time inconsistent
with the peace and friendship existing
between the two nations and that con-
formally TO these attentions would be
the execution Of the law. That govern.
tnsnt however had thought proper to
suspend the ratification Of the consen-
ton OF 1909. But the explanations which
would reach them soon after, and still
more The confirmation Of them BY the
tennor Of the instrument establishing the
port aud district may reasonably be sx-
Pectsa to replace them in the dispositi-
ons and views Of the whole subject
which originally dictated the eonyen-
ton. = =
; have the Satisfaction TO inform you,
that the objections which had been url
ged by that government against the va
lidity Of our title to the country Of Loui-
siaua have been Withdrawn, its exact
limits however remaining s.ill to be set
tied between us.-And to .thn is to be
added that having prepared and delive-
red the stock created in execution Of the
convention Of Paris Of April soth, 1905
in consideration Of the session OF that
country, we have received from the
government Of France an acknowledge
- l,,. foe,x. - 81. E,lEl,nn sxf