American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-12-09
ArSsaGf
Fello,c Citizens Of the Senate,
and of the House of Representatives

ing to the common welfare, the first sentiment
which mpresses itself upon the mind, is OF graft
tude to the Omnipoent Dispenser OF all Good, lor
the continuance OF the signal blessings Of his Prov
idence and especially for tina, health which, to an
unusual extent has prevailed within our bordersj
and for that abundance which, in the vcissitudes Of
the seasons, has been scattered with profuslon over
land. Nor ought we less To sscriee to HIM the
glory, that we permitted to enjoy the oounties OF
his hand in peace and tranquility in peace with all
the other nations OF the earth, in tranquility among
ourselves. There has, indeed, rarely been period
in the history Of civilized man, in which the gene
raj cundion OF the Christian Nations has been
marked SO extensively by peace and prosperity Eu-
rope, with few partial and unhappy exceptions,
has enjoyed years OF peace, during whic all her
Governments, whatever the theory of their consti
tutons may have been, are successiyey taught to
feel that the end of therinsiitution is the happiness
Of the people, and that the exercise Of power among
men be justified only by the blessings 1t conters
upon those over whom II is extended.
During the same period. our intercourse with all
these nations has been pacific and irendly-it SO
continues Since the close OF you, last session, no
material variation has occurred in our relations with
any OF them. In the commercial and navigation
system of Great Britain, important changes of mu
niclpa regulation have recently been sanctioned by
oil Parliament, the effect OF which, upon the in
,ere.s of other nations, and particularly upon ours
ntwsl Of the iplomstic missions on both sides, be-
tween the two governments, assurances have been
sisen and received OF the continuance and increase
OF that mutual confidence end cordially by which
the adjustment OF many points Of difference had 81
ready been effected, and which affords the surest
pledge Tor the ultimate satisfactory adjustment oil
those which still remain open, or may hereafter a
rise.
The policy OF The United States, in their COM
Inercial intercourse with other nations, has always
been Of toe most liberal character. In the mutual
exchange OF their respective productions, they have
Sustained altogether from prohbltions-they have
iaierdoted themselves the power OF laying taxes
upon exports and whenever they have favored their
shipping, by special preferences, or exclusive
privileges III heir own polts, II has been only with
view to counterya 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 oars. Immediately after
the close OF The last var, proposal was fairly made
by The act oil Congress ol the Sd oil March, 1915
to all The maritime nations TO lay aside the system
Of retaiia ing restrictions and exclusions, and 10
place the shipping Of both PARTIES 10 The common
trade. on footing OF equality IN respect 10 the du
ties of tonnage and impost. This offer was par
tally and successfully accepted by Great Britain,
Sweden the Netherlands the IIanseatic Cities Prus.
sa, Sardina, the Duke OF Olden5urg, and Russia.
X was also adopted, under certain modification IN
our late commercial convention with France And
by the ac Of Congress Of 6h January, 1924, it ha,
received confirmation with all The nations who
had eccsded to it, and has been offered again 10
all those who are, may hereafter be- willing TO
abide in reciprocity by it. But all these regulations
whether established by treaty or by municipal en-.
sc'nents are still subject TO one important restric-
tim. The removal OF discriminating duties of ton
mage and of lmpost, is limited to articles OF the
growth produce, or manufacture, CT the country
to which the vessel belongs, to such articles as
most usually frs. Shipped from her ports. II
will deserve the serious consideration of Congress-
whetlvr even this remnan, OF restriction may not
ae safely abandoned, and whether the general ten
der OF equal competition made in the act Of Sth
January, 1924. may not be extended 10 include all
articles OF merchandise not prohibited OF wha,
country soeser they may be the produce or manu-.
facure Propositions to this effect have already
been made 10 US by Than one European gov
ernment, and it is probable that if once established
by legislation or compact With any distinguished
martime State. II would recommend itself by the
experience Of its advantages to the general acces
siln OF all.
The Convention Of Commerce and Navigation
between the United States and France, concluded
on the 24th Of June, 1922. was, in the understand.
ing and intent Of both parties, appears upon its
face, only a temporary arrangement OF the points
of difference between them, Of the most immediate
and pressing urgency. 1t was limited, in the first
instance, to two Years, from tie 1st of October
1922, but with provso. that it should further con-
time in force. till the conclusion of general and
dehnitive treaty of commerce unless terminated
by notice six months in advance, of either of the
parties to the other. Its operation, SO far as il ex-
tended. has been mutually advantageous; and il
still continues in force, by common consent But
IT left unadusted several objects of great interest
70 the citizens aud subjects Of both countries, and
particularly mass OF claims, to considerable
smnnut. of citizens of the United States upon the
Government of France. Of indemnity for property
taken or DESTROYED under circumstances of the most