Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-12-14
CO N G r E S S.
TUESDAY, December 6, 1886.
M ESSAG E:
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate
and House Of Representa-

sage y Snau ever present 10 the OOuSIeSS V
the United States, IL is source of the most
heartfelt satisfaction To be able to congratu-
late you on the high state OF prosperity
which our beloved country has attained
with no causes at home or abroad to lessen |
the confidence with which we look to the |
future for continuing proofs Of the capacity |
Of our free institutions to produce oil the |
fruits Of good government, the general con-
dition Of our affairs may well excite our ma
tional pride. .s......
/ cannot avoid congratulaTing you and
my country, particularly, on the success Of
the efforts made during my administration,
by the Executive and Legislature, in con-
foruity with the sincere, constant and ear.
nest desire Of the people, to maintain peace,
and 70 establish cordial relations with all
foreign powers. Our gratitude Is due 70 the
Supreme Ruler Of the Universe, and in
vite you 70 unite with me in offering 70 Him
fervent supplications, that his proTdential
care may Be extended TO those who follow
us, enabling them to avoid the dangers and
the horrors OF war, consistently with just
and indispensable regard to the rights and
honor Of our country. But, although the
present state Of our foreign affairs, standing,
without important change, as they did when
you separated in July last, is hattering in
the extreme, l regrett to say, that many CUES
tons Of an Interesting character at issue
with other powers, are yet unadJusted.-
Among the most prominent Of these is that
Of the Northeastern Boundary. With an
undiminished confidence in the sincere de-
sire Of his Britanic Majesty's Government
70 adjust that question, am not yet in pos
session Of the precise grounds upon which
II proposes Q satisfactory adjustment.
With France our diplomatic relations
have been resumed, and under circumstan-
ces, which attest the disposition OF both
Governments TO preserve a mutually benef-
cial intercourse, and foster those amicable
feelings which are so strongly required, by
the true interests Of the two Countries
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Naples,
Sweden, and Denmark, the best understand
ing exists, and our commercial intercourse,
IS gradually expanding itself with them. it
Is encouraged in all these countries, except
Naples, by their mutually advantageous and
liberal treaty stipulations with US. ..
a. The claims Of our citizens on, Portugal
are admitted to be just, but provisions Tor
the payment Of them has been unfortunate
1y delayed by frequent political changes in
that kingdom. S+.'-.1
p The blessings Of peace have not been Sc
cured BY Spain. Our connections with that
country are on the best footing, with the ex-
cep,ion Of the burden still imposed upon ouI
commerce with her possessions out Of Eu'
The claims Of American citizens fol
losses sustained at the bombardment o
Antwerp have been presented to the Gov
ernmeufs OF Holland and Belgium; and vii
be pressed in due season, 70 settlement
@ With Brazil and all our neighbors Of thi
continent, we continue 10 maintain relations
of amity and concord, extending our com
merce with them as far as the resources o
e.. the people and the policy ofthe government'
will permit. The just and long standing
claims Of our citizens upon some Of them
are vet sources Of dissatisfaction and com
plaint. No dangeris apprehended however
that they will not be peaceably, although
tardily, acknowledged and paid by all, IN
less the irritating effect oil her struggle WI
Texas should unfortunately, make our i'm
mediate neighbor, Mexico, 40 exception.
is already known to you, by the cores
poudence between the two Government
communicated at your last session, that on
conduct in relation 10 the struggle is regr
lated by the same principles that goyerne
US in the dispute between Spain and Mexic
herself. and, trust, that il will be found, o
the most severe scrutiny. that our acts haV
strictly corresponded with our profession
That the inhabitants Of the United State
should feel slrong prepossessions for II
one party IS not surprising. But tins CT
cumstance should, Of itself, teach US gre,
caution. lest il lead Us into the great error
sufFerinr public policy TO be regulated
partialiiy or prejudice; and there are col
9siderations connected with the possible =
E.alt of this contest between the two partie
of so much delicacy and importance to q
United States, that our character requir
that we should neither anticipate event
nor attempt to control them. The know
desire Of the Texans 70 become part
our system, although its ratification Deepen
Z -uponthe reconciIement Of various and GO
netting interests, necessarily work Of tin
aud uncertain in itself, Is calculated to
pose our conduct 10 misconstructon IN I
eyes Of the world. There are already tho
who, Indifferent to principle themselv
and prone to subject the want Of it IN othe
charge us with ambitious designs and
accommodating documents, that the extra
dinarv mission from Mexico has been 4
minated. on the sole grounds that the OF
cations q this Government to itself and
MEXICO. under treaty stipulations, have CO
pelled me to trust a Discretionary author
70 4 high officer of our army, TO advance
20 the territory claimed as part Of Ter
~ necessary to protect our own or the Dei
borinr frontier from Indian depreciation.
The ooinion Of the Mexican functionary v
has lust left us, the honor Of his country J
h.younded by American soldiers enteri
,-;,h The most amicable ayowed purpo'
mon ground from which the followers Of
GoveTnment have been expelled, and Q
which there Is at present no certainty
..-;crs efIort ON lis part being made 90
.ssskl;sk ia dominion. The departur
~. M5uist.r was the more singular, as
~,ss auprised that The suficiency of
c.use assigned FOR the advance Of our trc
by the commanding General had been :