Daily Richmond Whig & public advertiser. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1833-1840, 1833-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, the PRIsipISr
" f1iE UNITED SrATgs communicated to both
Houses of Congress the following Message:
Fsitor Cifixess IF the Senate
AMI House Of Representatives.
trusts which the people Of the United States
have eonhded 10 you, Of legislating for their
common welfare, II gives me pleasure to con-
graduate you upon the happy condition Of our
beloved country. BY the favor OF Divine Pro
violence, health is again restored to US: peace
reigns within our borders: abundance crowns
che laeors Of our fields: commerce and domes-
tic industry flourish and increase, and individu-
al happiness rewards the private virtue and en-
terprise of our citizens.
Our condition abro? is no less honorable
than 1t is prosperous al home. Seeking nothing
that is not right, aud determined to submit 10
nothing that 10 wrong, but desiring honest
friends hips and liberal intercourse with all ma
lions, the United States have gained through
out the world the confidence and respect which
nre due to policy so just and so congenial to
she character Of the American people, and 10
the spirit Of their institutions.
10 bringing TO your notice the particular state
OF our Foreign affairs, il affords me high graft
fcation to inform you, that they are in condi-
ton which promises the continuance Of friend
ship with all nations.
With Great Britain, the interesting question
of our North Eastern boundary, remains still
undecided. a negotiation, however, upon that
subject, has been renewed since the close OF the
last Congress, and proposition has been sub
United TO the British Government, with the
view Of establishing in conformity with the re-
solutions OF the Senate, the line designated by
the treaty Of 1888. Though no defnitive an
swer has been received it may be daily looked
for, and | entertain hope that the overture
may ultimately lead 10 satisfactory adjust
ment Of this important matter.
Ihave the satisfaction 10 inform you that a
negotiation which, by desire Of the House Of
Representatives, was opened, some years ago.
with the British Government, for the erection
OF Lighthouses on the Bahamas, has been sue.
cessful. Those works when completed, to-
gether with those which the United States
live constructed on the western side of the
Gulf of Florida, which contribute essentially
10 the safety OF navigation in that sea. This
Joint participation in establishments interesting
TO humanity and beneficial to commerce, is wor-
thy OF two enlightened nations, and indicates
feelings which cannot fail TO have happy in
fuence upon their political relations. IL is gra-
hfying 10 the friends of both to perceive that
the intercourse between the two people is beco-
ming daily more extensive, and that sentiments
of mutual good will have grown up, befittng
their common origin, aud justifying the hope,
that, by wise councils on each side, not only
unsettled questions may he satisfactorily termi-
mated, but new cases Of misunderstanding pre-
vented.
Notwithstanding that continue TO receive
the most amicable assurances from the Govern
ment Of France, and that IN all other respects
the most friendly relations exist between the
United States and that Government, IL is 10 be
regretted that the stipulations Of the Convent
ION concluded on the 4Ih July, 1881, remain, in
some important part, nnfulhllet.
BY the second article Of that Convention, il
was stipulated that the sum payable TO the u
nifed States, should be paid at Paris, in six an
nual ins,alments. into the hands OF such person
or persons as should be authorised by the Co.
vernment Of the United States to receive IL; and
BY the same article the FIRST instalment was
payable on the second day Of February, 1893.
BY the actof Congress of the 18th of July, 1882,
Il was made the duty Of the Secretary of the
Treasury, to cause the several instalments, with
the interest thereon, 10 be received from the
French Government, aud transferred TO the u
hlted States in such manner as he may deem
best; and by the same act OF Congress, the slip
0lations on the part Of the United States, in the
Conventic1, were, in all respects, fulfilled
Not doubling that treaty thus made, and rati-
he'd by the two Governments, and faithfully
executed by the United States, would be
promptly complied with by the other party,
-. 6esniny' % avuid me risk al expense OF
intermediate agencies. the Secretary of the
Treasury deemed IL advisable TO receive and
transfer the first iostalment by means OF draft
upon the French Minister of Finance. A draft
for this puri <se was accordingly drawn in favor
Of the cashier of the Bank of the United States,
for the amount accruing 10 the United States
out OF the first instalmcnt, and the interest pay
able with il. The bill was not drawn at Wash
ington until five days after the nstalment was
payable at Paris, and was accompanied by
special authority from the President, autnori-
sing the cashier or his assigns, TO receive the
amount The mode thus adopted Of receiving
the instalmeni, was officially made known 10
the French Government by the American
Charge dAffairs at Paris, pursuant to instruc-
lions from the Department OF State. The bill,
however, though not presented for payment un-
ill the 23d day Of March, was not paid, and
for the reason assigned by the French Mdis-
ter Of Finance, that no appropriation had been
made by the French Chambers. II is moi
known TO me that, up TO that peroI, any appro-
pfiation had been required by the Chambers (;
aud although copmunication was suose-
quenily made 10 the Chambers, By the direction
Of the King, recommending that the necessary
provision should be made for carrying the Con-
vention into effect, il was at m advanced period
of the session, and the subject was finally post
poned until the next meeting ofthe Chambers.
Notwithstanding il has been supposed by the
French ministry, that the financial stipulatiors
OF the treaty cannot be carried into effect with
out an appropriation by the Chambers, IL APP
pears 10 me TO be not only consistent with the
character Of France hot due to the character Of
both Governments, as well as TO The rights Of
our citizens, TO treat the Convention, made and
falifeJ in proper form, as pleJgiDg the good
faith OF the french Government for its execu-
ton, and as imposing upon each department an
obligation TO fulfil it; and have received assn
RANGES through our Charge d'AfIairs at Paris,
and the French Minister Plenipotentiary nj
Washington, and more recently through the
Minister Of the United States at Paris, that the
delay has not proceeded from any indisposiiiou
on the part Of the King aud his Ministers TO full
al the treaty, and that measures willebe pre-
serted at the next meeting of the Chambers,
and with reasonable hope Of success to OBJ