The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-13
MESSAGE
OrAe President Of the United States,
Communicated to both Houses, at the COM
meucement of the Second Session of
the Nineteenth Congress.
To The SENATE AND HOUSE oE RETREsEN-
TArIvEs OF THE UNITED STATES.


To THE SENATE AND House OF irTREsEN-
TArIvEs OF THE UNITED STATES.
Fello,c- Ciiisens Of the Senate,
and Of The House Of Representatives.
The assemb'ase Of the Representatives OF
our Union in both Houses of Congress at TINS
sime occurs uuder circumstances calling ior
the renewed homage OF our grateful acknowl-
edgments to the Giver Of all good. With the
exceptions Incidental to the most teicltous
condition of human existence, we continue TO
bc highly favored in all the elements which
contribute to Individual comfort, and to ma
tional prosperity. In the survey Of our extern
siVe country, we have generally TO observe
the abodss of health and regions of plenty.
Ia ouG civil and political relations, wei have
peace without, aud tranquility within our
borders. We are, as people, increasing with
unabated rapidly in population, wealth, and
national resources; aud, whatever d,ferenc-
Cs Of opinion exist among US, win REGARD 10
The mode and the means by which we shall
Turn the beuefcence of Heaven to the i'm
provement of our own condition, there is yet q
spirit, animatins us all, which will not suffer
the hounties of Providence to be showered up
on US in vain, but will receive them with
grateful hearts, and apply them with unwea-
good.
OF the subjects recommended to the consid-
Grafton Of Congress at their last session, some
were then definitely acted upon. Others left
unfinished, but partly matured, will recur to
your attention, without needing a renewal Of
notice from me. The purposes Of this commu-
nication will be to present TO your view the
general aspect Of our public affairs at this mo-
ment, and the measures which have been TAX
en- to carry into effect the intentions Of the
Legislature as signifed by the laws then and
heretofore enacted.
In our intercourse with the other nations Of
the earth, we have still the happiness OF en-
.joyins peace aud a general good understand
unqualified, however, in several important
instances, by collisions of interest, and by un-
satisfied claims Of justice, 20 the settlement of
which, the constitutional interpolation Of the
Legislative authority may become ultimately
indispensable.
By the decease of the Emperor Alexander,
oi Russia, which occurred contemporaueously
with the commencement Of the last session of
Congress, the United States have been depriv
ed of long-tried, steady, and faithful friend.
Born TO the inheritance Of absolute power, and
trained in the school OF adversely, from which
no power on earth, however absolute; is ex-
enpt, that monarch, from his youth, had been
taught TO feel the force aud value of public
opinion, and to be sensible that the interests
Of his own government would best be prcmot-
ed by frank and friendly intercourse with
this republic, as those of his people would be
advanced by liberal commercial intercourse
with our country. A candid and confidential
interchange Of sentiments between him and
the Government Of the United States, upon
the affairs Of southern America, took place at
II L 4 rrI
contributed TO fix that course OF policy which
left to the other governments Of Europe no al
Tentative but that of sooner or later recegniz-
ing the independence Of our southern neigh
bo-s, of which the example had, by the United
States, alres6y been set. The ordinary oiplo-
matte communications between his successor,
the Emperor Nicholas, and the United States,
have suffered some interruption by the the ILL
ness, departure, and subsequent decease of
his minister residing here, who enjoyed, as he
Yneritcd, the entire confidence Of his new sove-
Eeign, as he had eninently responded TO that
of his predecessor. But we have had the
most satisfactory assurances, that the senti-
ments.of the reigning Emperor towards the
limited States are altogether conceivable to
those which had SO long and constantly ami
mated his imperial brother and We have rea-
son to hope that they will serve to cement that
harmony ana good understanding between the
two nations. which, founded in congsnial ~
terests, cannot but result in the advancement
Of the welfare and prosperity Of both.
Our relations of commerce and navigation
with France are, by the operation of the Con-
ven;ion Of oath June, 1922, with that nation,
in state of gradual ard progressive improve
ment. Convinced by all our experience, no
less than by the principles of fair and liberal
reciprocity which the United States have con-
stantly rendered TO all the nations Of the earth,
as the rule of commercial intercourse, which
they would universally prefer, that fair and
equal competition is most conducive 10 the in
tesests of both parties, the United States, in
the negotiation of that Convention, earnestly
commended for a mutual remuneration Of dis |
eliminating duties and charges in the ports OF
the two countries. Una5le to obtain the i'm
mediate recognition of this principle in its full
extent, after reducing the duties of discrimiu-
alton, so far as twas found attainable, IL was a.
greed that, at the expiration Of two years from
the 1st of October, 1922, when the Convention
was 10 60 into effect, unless a notice Of six
months on either side should be given TO the
other, that the Convention itself must termn-
ate, those duties should be reduced by one
fourth; and that this reduction should be year.
ly repeated until all discrimination should
cease, while the Convention itself should con-
tinue in force. By tho effect of this stipula-
ton, three-fourths Of the discriminating duties
which have been levied by each party upon |
the vessels of the other in IFS porte. have al |
ready been removed; and, on the 1st October
next, should've Convention be still in force, |
the remaining fourth will be discontinued
French vessels, laden with French produce,
will be received in our ports on the same terms
as our own; and ours in return will enjoy the |
same advantages in the ports OF France. BY |
these approximations TO an equality of duties
and Of charges, not only has the commerce be-
tween the two countries prospered, but friend
ly dispositions have been, on both sdes, en-
couraged and promoted. They will continue !