Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-12-17

Fellow citizen: of the Senate,
and House of Representatives:
In performing my duty at the opening
Of your present session, it gives me plea
sure to congratulate ysn again upon the
prosperous condition af our beloved
country. Divine Providence has favor
ed AS with general health, with rich re-
wards in the fields OF agriculture and in
every branch of labor, and with peace
to cultivate and extend the various re-
sources which employ the virtue and en-
terprize Of our citizens. Let US trust
that, in surveying scene so fattering
10 our institutions, our Joint deliberations
to preservs them may be crowned with
success.
Our foreign relations continue, with
but few exceptions, to ~aintain the fa-
vorable aspect which they Asre IN n,
last annual message, and promise to OK
tend those advantages which the princi-
Piles that regulate our intercourse With
other nations ars so yell calculated to
secure.
The question of the northeastern bouu-
dairy is still pending with Great Britain,
and the proposition made in accordance
with the resolution Of the Senate for the
establishment of liae according to the
treaty of 1893, has not been accepted BY
tina: government. Believing that every
Disposition is felt on both sldes to adjust
this perplexing questis~ to the satisfaction
Of all the ssrt!.s interested in it, the hope
yet iadulged that it may be effected on
tho basis of that proposition.
VITA the governments Of Austria, Rus
sia, Prussia, Holland, Sweden aud Dem
mark, the best understanding exists Com
merce, with al, is foslered aua protected
by reciprocal gedd will, under the sane.
ton of liberal convention or legal provis-
ions.
In the midst of her internal difficulties,
the Queen of Spain has ratified the con
vention for the payment of the claims of
eur citizens arising since 1919. 1t is in
tho course of execution on her part, and =
copy of it is nov laid before you for such
legislation as may 10 found necessary to
enable those interested to derive the bene-
fits Of it.
Yielding to the force of circumstances,
md t. the Wise counsels Of time and expe-
rience, that power has finally resolved no
lengar to occupy the unnatural position in
which she stood to the new governments es,
tnblshsd IN this hemisphere. [ have the
great satisfaction of stating TO you that in
preparing the way fer the restoration Of
harmony bstween those who have sprung
from the same ancestors, whe are allied by
rnrAf mt H.. Il.
Eion, aud speak the same language, the
United stes have been actively instru-
mental. Our efforts to effect this good
wers, will be persevsred in while they are
deemed useful TO the parties, and our entire
disinterestedness continues to be felt and
understood. The act of congress to coun-
tervall the discriminating duties, levied to
the prejudice of our navigation. in Cuba
and Porto Rico,' has been transmitted tothe
Minister Of tho United States at Madrid, TO
be communicated to the government of the
Queen. No Intelligence of its receipt ha.
yet reached the Department of State If
tho present condition of the country per-
nits the govm't to make careful and en-
larged examination Of the true interests of
these important portions of its dominions
no doubt is entertained that their future in
tcrcourse with the United States will be
placed upon more Just and liberal basis
The Florida archives have not yet been
selected and delivered. Recent orders
have been sent to the agent of the United
States at Havana, to return with all that
he can obtain, so that they may be in Wa
fhington before the session of the supreme
court, to be used in the legal questions
there pending to which the government is
aparty.
Internal tranquility is happily restored
TO Portugal. The distracted state of the
country rendered unavoidable the postpone
ment OF final payment of the Just claims
Of our citizens. Our Diplomatic relations
will be soon resumed, and the long subsis-
ting friendship with that Power affords the
strongest guarantee that the balance due
will receive prompt attention.
The first instalment due under the con-
vention Of indemnity with the King of the
Two Sicilies, has been duly received, and
an offer has been made to exiinguish The
whole by prompt payment-an stier
did not consider myself authorized to ac-
eePt, as the indemnifcation provided is the
exclusive property of individual citizens of
the United States. The original adjust
ment of our claims, and the anxiety dis
played to fulfil at once the stpulatens
made for the paymant of them, are highly
honorable to the government of the Two
Slcilies. When it is recollected they were
the result Of the injustice of an intrusive
power, temporarily dominant in its terrific
~, a reprgnance to acknowledge and 10