Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-14
Presidents Message.
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatiy

I EtGSS vi tHC ollltSu StutCS. IL Is u source
Of the most heartfelt satisfaction to be
able TO congratulate you on the high
state of prosperity which our beloved
country has attained with no cause
at home or abroad to lesson the conf
dence with which we look to the future
for continuing proofs Of the capacity Of
our free institutions to produce all the
fruits of good government, the general
condition of our affairs may we'll excite
our national pride.
canno avoid congratulating you
and my country, particularly, on the
success Of the efforts made during my
administration by the executive and
legislature, in conformity with the sin
cere, constant, and earnest desire of
the people, to maintain peace, and es-
tablish cordial relations with all foreign
powers. Our gratitude is due to the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and |
invite you to unite with me in offering
to Him fervent s~upplication, that his
providential care may eve be extend
ed to those who follow us, enabling
them to avoid the dangers and the hor.
rors of war, consistently with a just
and Indispensable regard to the rights
and honor of our country. But, al
though the present state of our foreign
affairs, standing, without important
change as they did when you separa-
ted in July last, is hattering in the ex-
treme, | regret to say, that many ques-
tons of an interesting character at is
sue with other powers, are yet unad-
justed. Amongst the most prominent
of these is that of our northeastern
boundary. With an undiminished con-
fdence in the sincere desire of his Brit
annie majcsty's government to adjust
that question, | am not yet in posses
sion of the precise grounds upon which
it proposes a satisfactory adjustment.
With France our diplomatic relations
have been resumed, and under circum-
stances which attest the disposition of
both governments to preserve a mutu-
ally beneficial 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 understanding ex-
lists, and our commercial intercourse is
! gradually expanding itself with them.
Ii is encouraged in all these countries,
except Naples, by their mutually adj
vantageous and liberal treaty %stipula-
tons with us.
The claims of our citizens on Portu-
| gal are admitted to be just, but provi-
sion for the payment of them has been
unfortunately delayed by frequent po-
litical changes in that kingdom.
The blessings Of peace have not been
secured by Spain. Our connexions
| with that country are on the best foot
ing, with the exception of the burdens
still imposed upon our with
her possessions out of Europe.
The claims of American citizens for
losses sustained at the bombardment of
| Antwerp have been presented to the
| government Of Holland and Belgium,
and will be pressed, in due season, to
settlement.
With Brazil and all our neighbors of
| this continent, we continue TO MAINTAIN
| relations of amitv and concord, extend
ing our with them as far as
the resources of the people and the po-
Icy Of their governments will permit.
The just and long standing claims of
| our citizens upon some Of them, are
| yet sources of dissatisfaction and COM
| plant. No danger is apprehended,
| however, that they will no be peace
| ably, although tardily, acknowledged
| and paid by all-unless the irritating
effect of her struggle with Texas should
unfortunately make our immediate
neighbor, Mexico, an exception.
It is already known to you, by the
| correspondence between the two 60
| vernments, communicated at your last
| session, that our conduct in relation to
| that struggle is regulated by the same
| principles that governed US IN the DIS
| pute between Spain and Mexico her.
! self, and, | trust, that it will be found
| on the most severe scrutiny, that our
| acts have strictly correspondent with
our professions. That the inhabitants
| Of the United States should feel strong
prepossessions for the n party is not
surprising. But this circumstance
should, of itself, teach us great caution,
lest it lead us into the great error OF
suffering public policy to be regulated
by partiality or prejudice /; and there
are considerations connected with the
possible result of this contest between
the two parties, of so much delleacy
and Importance to the United States
TINT our character requires that we
should neither anticipate events, nor
attempt to control them. The known
desire of the Texans to become a part
ofour system, although its qualification
depends upon the reconcilemcnt DIVA