Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-12-07
MESSAGE

representatives., at the commencement OF tne
First Session Of the Nineteenth Congress.
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate.
and ofthe House Of Representatives.;
In taking a general survey OF the
concerns o. our beloved country, with
reference to subjects interesting to the
common welfare, the first sentiment
which impresses itself upon the mind,
is Of gratitude to the Omuipotent Dis
penser Of all Good, for the continuance
of the signal blessings OF his Prov,
dence. and especially for that health
which, to an unusual extent, has pre-
vailed within our borders; and for that
abundance which, in the vicissitudes oil
the seasons, has been scattered with
nrorusion over our land. Nor ought
we less 10 ascribe to Him the glory,
that we are permitted 10 enjoy the
boun,ies of His hand in peace and tran
GUILTY.; in peace with all the other ma
lions of the earth in tranquility among
ourselves. There has, indeed, rarely
been a period in the history ofcivilized
man. in which the general condition
of the Christian Nations has been
marked so extensively by peace and
prosperity. Europe, with a few par
tial and unhappy exceptions, has en-
loved ten years Of peace, during which
ali her Governments, whatever the
theory of their constitutions may have
been. are successfully taught to feel
that the end Of their Institution is the
happiness ofthe people, and that the
exercise Of power among men can be
justified only by the blessings II confers
upon those over whom 1t Is extended.
During the same period, our inter-
course with all those nations has been
pacific and friendly-it so continues
Since the close Of your last session, no
material variation has occurred IN our
relation with any one Of them. In The
commercial & navigation system OF u.
Britain, important charges OF munich
pal regulation have recently been sane
toned by acts Of Parliament, the effect
Of which, upon the interests OF other
nations, and particularly upon ours,
has not vet been fully developed. In
the recent renewal of the diplomatic
missions on both sides, between the two
governments, assurances have been
given and received Of the continuance
and increase Of that mutual confidence
a,d cordially by wLi;c;, the adjustment
Of many PORTS of difference had al
ready been effected, and which affords
.Ae sarest pledge for the ultimate sa-
tisfactory adjustment Of those which
still remain open, or may hereafter a
rise.
The policy Of the United States, in
their commercial intercourse With
other nations, has always been OF the
most liberal character In the mutual
exchange Of their respective produc-
tions, they have abs,ained altogether
from probibitions--they have interdict-
ed themselves the power Of laying tax
es npon exports, and whenever they
have favoured their own shipping, by
special preferences, or exclusive Privi-
lepes in their.own ports, 1t has been
only with view to countervaii similar
fayors and exclusions granted by the
nations with whom we have been en-
gagged in traffic, to their own people
or shipping, and to the disadvantage
of ours. Immediately after The close
of the last war, a proposal was fairly
made by the act Of Congress OF tie Sd
Of March, 1875, to all the maritime ma
tons TO lay aside the system OF retail
a,ing restrictions2 and exclusions, ard
to place the shipping OF both parties
10 the common trade, on footing OF
equality, in respect to the duties oil ton
mage and impost. This offer was par
tally and successfully accepted by
Great Britain, Sweden, the Neither
lands, the Hansea,ic Cities, Prussia,
SARDINIA, the Duke Of O'denburg, and
Russia Ii was also adopted, under
certain notifications, in our late com
meIcial convention with France. And,
by the &C, Of Congress Of 9Th January,
1924, it has received new conhrma-
ton, with all the nations who had &C
coded 10 it, and has been offered again
TO all those who are, or may hereafter
be. willing to abide in reciprocity by
il. Blu, all these regulations, whether
established by treaty, or by municipal
enactments, are still subject to one i'm
no,tant restriction The removal of
discriminating duties of tonnage and
of impost, is limited to articles OF the
growth, produce, or manufacture, OF
TIE country to which the vessel be-
longs, or to such articles as are most
usually FIRST shipped from her ports
II win deserve the serious consideration
of Congress, whether even this remnant
of restriction may not be safely aoan-
doned, and whether the general tender
of equal competition made in the act
Of sth January, 1924, may not be e1-
tended TO include all articles OF mer-
chandize not prohibited, Of what coun-
try soever they may be the produce or
D,o-ocfffOpS IN this et-