Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-03
national NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
MESSAGE

Felio,c citisens of the Senate
and House of Representatives.:
On your assembling to perform the high trusts
which the people of the United States have con-
fded 10 you, oflegslating for their common welfare,
il gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the
happy condition of our beloved country. BY the
favor of Divine Providence, health is again re-
stored to u.s. peace regns within our borders abundance
crowns the bors of fields: commerce and domestic
industry flourish and increase: and individual happiness
rewards the private virtue and enterprise OF our
Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it IS
PROSPEROUS at home. Seeking nothing that is not right,
and determined to submit to nothing that is wrong but
desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all
nations the United States have gained throughout the
world the confidence and respect which are due to the
character of the American people, and to apology so just
and so congenia to the spirit of their institutions
In bringing your notice the particular state OF our
Foreign Affairs il affords high qualification to inform
YOU that they are in condition which promises the con-
tnuance of friendship with all nations.
With Great Britain the interesting question OF our
Northeastern boundary remains still undecided ne
collation. however, upon that subject, has been renewed
since the close Of the last Congress, and proposition has
been submitted to the British Government with the view
of establishing in conformity with the resolution OF the
Senate the line designated by the treaty OF l83 Though
no e6ntive has been received, It may be daily
looked for, and entertain hope that the overture may
ultimately lead satisfactory adjustment OF this import
ant matter.
have the satisfaction to inform YOU that negotiation
which, by desire of the House of Representatives, was
opened, years ago, with the British government
for the erection of lighthouses on the bahamas, has
been successful Those works, when completed, toge
Their with those which the United States have constructed
the western side OF the Gulf ut Florida, Will conr
butte essentially the safety of navigation IN that sea-
This Joint participation in establishments interesting TO
humanity and beneficial to commerce, is worthy OF two
enlightened nations and indicates feelings which cannot
fail to have happy influence upon their pohncai rc-
tons. is gratifying to the friends OF both to perceive
that the intercourse between the two people becoming
daily extensive, and that sentiments OF mutual good
will have grown up, betting their common origin, JUST
flying the hope that by wise counses on each side, not
only unsettled questions may be satisfactorily terminated,
but new causes of misunderstanding prevented.
Notwithstanding that continue TO receive the most
amcabc assurances from the Government OF France and
that in all other respects the most friendly relations exist
between the United States anil that Government, 1t to
be regretted that the spuatons of the Convention con-
Guided the 4th July, 1851, remain, in some important
parts, unfuhlled.
By the second article Of that Convention, it was spu-
lated that the PAYABLE TO the United States should be
paid ut Paris in six annual instruments, into the hans OF
such person persons should be authorized by he
Government of the United States TO receive 1T and oy
the same article the first instanent payable on the
second day of February 1855. by the act OF Congress
of the 18th July, 1852, was made the duty OF the se
cretary of the Treasury to cause the several instruments
with the interest thereon be received from the French
Government and transferred 10 the United States IN suc
manner rs he may deem best; and by the same act OF
Congress- the sPutons the part OF the United States
in the Convention, were, in all respects fulfilled NOT
doubling that treaty thus made, and ratified by the Two
Governments, and faithfully executed BY the United
States, would be promptly complied with by the oher
party, and desiring avoid the risk and expense Oh III
termetatc agencies, the Secretary OF the treasury
deemed il advisable receive and transfer The hrss IN
salmcn by of draft upon the French Minister OF
Finance. A draft for this purpose was accordingly
drawn in favor of the Cashier OF the Bank OF the United
States for the amount accrng to the United states OUT
of the first instalment and the interest payable win IT,
This bill was not drawn Washington until hive days al
ter the nstament payable at Paris and was accom-
panied by special authority from the President au'ho-
rzing the Cashier hls assigns, TO receive the amount
The mode thus adopted OF RECEIVING the hslaen' was
officially made known to the French Government by the
American Charge dAares at Paris pursuant to nstruc
tons from the Department OF State. The BILL however,
though not presented for payment until the twenty
day of March, was paid and tor the reason assigned
nv the French Minister of Finance that appropriation
had been made by the French Chambers. II IS not
known that, up to that PERIOD any appropriation
had been required Of the Chambers; and although
communication subsequently made to the Chambers
by direction Of the King recommending tha the neceS-
sary provision should be made for carrying the Conveh
ton into effect it was at advanced period OF the ses-
son and the subject finally postponed until the next
meeting of the Chambers.
No,w;,bstandine has been supposed by the French
ministry that the financial spuatons OF the treaty cam
not be carried into effect without nappropraaon by the
Chambers it appears to be not only CONSISTENT with
the charter of France but due to the character OF both
Governments as we'll to the rights OF our citizens, to
treat the Convention made and ratified, in proper or
pedenr the good faith of the French Government Tor It's
execution and imposing upon each department an OBJ
gaon to fulfil it. and have received assurances through
our CHARGE dAffares at Paris, and the French Minister
Plenpotentary at Washington and more recently through
the Minister United States at Paris that the delay
has not proceeded from any nsposhon OH the part Of
the King and his Ministers to fulfil the treaty. and 'at
measures will be presented at the next meeting OF the
Chambers and with reasonable hope OF success to OBJ
tain the necessary appropriation.
It's necessary state however, that the documents
excep, certain lists of vessels captured, condemned or
burnt at sea- proper facilitate the examination and IL
ouston of the recamaons comprised IN the
If the Convention and which, by the 9th article France
engaged to communicate the United States by the IN,
termediary of the Legation though repeatedly appheo
for by the American Charge dAaires,
from this Government, have not yet been communicated
and ,h, delay It'll apprehended will necessarily prevent
the completion of the duties assigned 10 the ComsSo
era within the time at present prescribed By law.
The reasons for delaying to communicate 'hese docu
ents have not been explicitly stated and TINS the
% be regretted it is not understood that the n'erPo
,on of the Chambers in any manner required ior the
delivery ofthose papers >,
Hinder these circumstances in case SO important &c