Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-01-01
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.


 MESSAGE:
 FeloD Citizens efthe Senate and House ef Representatives,
 The pleasure 1 have in congratulating you upon your return to your constitutional duties, is much heightened by the satisfaction which the condition of our beloved country at this period justly inspires. The benefcent Author of all good has granted to us, during the pre- sent year, health, peace, and plenty, and lu- merous causes for joy in the wonderful success which attends the progress of our Tree insti- tutions.
 With a population unparalleled in 'ts in- crease, and possessing character which com pines the hardihood of enterprise with the considerateness of wisdom, we see in c cry section of our happy country stead9 n- provement in the means of social interco9r.e. and correspondent effects upon the genius snd laws of our extended republic.
 The apparent exceptions to the harlaeny of the prospect are, to be referred rather to inevitable diversities in the various intefs sts which enter into the composicson if so esis r- sive wholes than to any want of attacH.ASpt 1. to the Union-interests whose collisions serve only, in the end, to foster the spirit of conci- liation and patriotism, so essential to the pre- servation of that union which, Imost devouty hope, is destined to prove imperishable.
 In the midst of these blessings, we have re- gently witnessed changes in the condition of othernations, which may, in their consequent ces, call for the utmost vigilance, wisdom, and unanimity in our councils, and the exercise of all the moderation and patriotism ofour people.
 The important notifications of their go- venment, effected with so much courage and wisdom by the people of France, afford a happy presage of their future course, and has naturally elicited from the kindred feelings of this nation that spontaneous and universal burst of applause in which you have partici- pated. In congratulating you, my fellow citi- zens, upon an event so suspicious to the dear est interests of mankind, I do no more than respond to the voice of my country, without transcending, in the slightest degree, that sa- lutary maxim of the illustrious Washington, which enjoins an abstinence from all interfer- ence with the internal affairs of other nations. From apeople exercising, in the most unlimit- ed degree, the right of self-government, and enjoying, as derived froN this proud charac- teristic, under the favor of heaven, much of the happiness with which they are blessed; people who can point in triumph to their free institutions, and challenge comparison with the fruits they bear, as well as with the moderation, intelligence, and energy, with which they are administered; from such a people, the deepest sympathy was to be ex- pected in struggle for the sacred principles of liberty, conducted in a spirit every way worthy ot the cause, and crowned by an he- rolc moderation which has dsarmed revolu- ton ot its terrors Notwithstanding the strong assurances which the man whom we so sim cerely love and justly admire has given to the world of the high character of the present King of the French, and which, if sustained to the end, will secure to him the proud appella- tion of Patriot King, it is not in his success, but in that of the great principle which has borne him to the throne-the paramount au- thority of the public will-that the American people rejoice.
 : lam happy toinform you that the anticipa- tions which were indulged at the date of my last communication on the subject of our for eign affairs, have been fully realized in several { important particulars.
 An arrangement has been effected with Great Britain, in relation to the trade between the United States and her West India and North American colonies, which has settled aquestion that has for years afforded matter tor contention and almost uninterrupted dis
 lssion, and has been the subject of no less an six negotiations, in manner which pro
 ses results highly favorable to the parties.
 The abstract right of Great Britain to mo- opolize the trade with her colonies, or to ex- Jude us from participation therein, has ne- CT been denied by the United States. But we have contended, and with reason, that if, at any time, Great Britain may desire the pro ductions ot this country, as necessary to her colonies, they must be received upon princi- pies of just reciprocity; and further, that it is making an invidious and unfriendly distinction, to open her colonial ports to the vessels of O. ther nations, and close them against those of the United States.
 Antecedently to 1794, portion of our pre- ductions was admitted into the colonial islands of Great Britain, by particular concession, li- mited to the term of one year, but renewed from year to year. In the transportation of these productions, however, our vessels were not allowed to engage; this being privilege reserved to British shipping, by which alone our produce could be taken to the islands, and theirs brought to us in return. From New foundland and her continental possessions, all our productions, as well as our vessels, were excluded, with occasional ielaxatiops, by which, in seasons of distress, the former were admitted in British bottoms.
 By the treaty of 1794, she offered to concede ,ous, for limited time, the right, of carrying to her West India possessions, in our vessels
 ,t exceeding seventy tons burden, and upon
 same terms as British vessels, any product
 ms of the United States which British vest
 Is might import therefrom. Bat this pril
 ege was coupled with conditions which ard supposed to have led to its rejection by the Se1 nate; that is, that American vessels should land their return cargoes in the United States cnly; and, moreover, that they should, during :he continuance of the privilege, be preclud- d from carrying molasses, sugar.. coffee, CO., coa, or cotton, either from those islands, or from the United States, to any other part of Al <, ,,,,rld fsraot p,.;+a;r raoJ,l., .opss,+a1