Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Feliop Citizens Of The Senate
and House of Representatives 4:

United States, it is Il source cf the mos
heartfelt satisfaction TO be able to congratu
late you on the high state OF prosperity which
our beloved country has attained with M
causes at home or abroad to lessen the con
fidence with which we look to the future fo
continuing proofs of the capacity of our fire.,
institutions 10 produce all The fruits of COCO
government, the general condition of our ac
lars may well excite our national pride
cannot avoid congratulatiug you and my
country, particularly, on the success of the
efforts made during my administration BY
the Executive and Legislature, in conformi
ty with the sincere, constant and earnest de-
sire of the people, TO maintain peace, and cs
tablIsh cordial relations with all foreign pow
crs. Our gratitude is due to the Supreme
huler OF the Universe, and invite YOU to
unite with me in offering to Him fervent
suppllcatlon, that his providential care may
ever be extended to those who follow us, en-
abling them 10 avoid the dangers and the
horrors OF war, consistently with lust 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 Sc
parated IN July last, is flattering in the ex-
IRENE, regret to say, that many questions
OF an interesting character at issue with other
powers, are yet unadjusted Amongst the
most prominent of these is that of our North
eastern Boundary With an undiminished
confidence IN the sincere desire of his Britain
nc NlaJestys Government to adjust that oues
tlon, am not yet In possession of the pre-
else grounds upon which it proposes salts
factory adjustment
With France our diplomatic relations have
been resumed, and under circumstances which
attest the disposition of both Governments to
preserve mutually 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 exists, and our CONNER
cia intercourse is gradually expanding itself
with them. 1t is encouraged in all these
countries except Naples, by their mutually
advantageous and liberal treaty stipula,ions
with us
The claims of our citizens on PORTUGAL
are admitted 10 be just, but provision for the
payment of them has been unfortunately de-
layed by frequent political changes in that
kingdom
The blessings Of peace have not been Sc
cured by Spain. Our connections with that
country are on the best footing, with the ex
ception OF the burdens still imposed upon our
commerce with her possessions out of Eu-
rope.
The claims of American citizens for losses
sustained at the bombardmcnt of Antwerp
have been presented to the Governments off
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 amity and concord, extending our com
merce with them as far as the resources OF
the people and the policy of their Govern
ments vii! permit. The just and long stand
ing claims of our citizens upon some ofthem,
are yet sources of dissatisfaction and com
plant. No danger is apprehended, however
that they Will not be peaceably, although tar
Oily, acknowledged and paid by ALL unless
the irritating effectof her struggle with Tex
as should unfortunately make our immediate
nelghhor, Mexico, an exception
1t is already known to you, by the cores
Pondence between the two Governments,
communicated at your last session, that our
conduct in relation to that struggle is regu-
lated by the same principles that governed
us in the dispute between Spain and Mexico
herself, and trust, that it will be found. on
strictly corresponded with our professions
That the Inhabitants of the United States
should feel strong preposssssions for the one
party Is not surprising. But this circum-
stance should, of itself, teach us great eau
ton, lest 1t lead us into the great error of
suffering public policy to be regulated by
partiallty or prejudice; and there are cons-
deratlons connected with the possible result
OF this contest between the two parties, of so
much delcacy and importance to the United
states, that our character requires that we
should neither anticipate events, nor attempt
to control them. The known desire of the
Texans TO become part Of orr system, al
though its qualification depends upon the re-
concilement Of various aud conflicting inter.
ests, necessarily work of time, and uncer-
tam In itself, is calculated to expose our con-
duct to misconstruction in the eyes of the
world. There are already those who, indif-
ferent to principle themselves, and prone to
suspect the want of it in others, charge ms
with ambitious designs and insidous policy.
You will perceive, by the accompanying do.
cuments, that the extraordinary mission from
Mexico has been terminated. on the sole
grounds that the obligations of this Govern
ment to itself and to Mexico, under treaty
stipulations, have compelled me to trust a
discretionary authority to high officer oil
our army, to advance into a territory claimed
as part Of Texas, il necessary to protect our
own or the neighboring frontier from Indian
depreciation. La the opinion of the Mexican
functlonary who has Just LEFT us, the honor