Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-12-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
AT THE OPENING OF THE PRESENT SESSION
OF CONGRESS.

AT THE OPENING OF THE PRESENT SESSION
OF CONGRESS-.
Addressing to you the last annual mes
sage shall ever present TO the Congress
of the United States, it is a source of the
most heartfelt satisfaction to be able tc
congratulate you on the high state of pros
perity which our beloved country has at
tanned. 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 pro.
duce all the fruits of good government, the
general condition Of our affairs may we'll
excite our national pride.
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-
formity with the sincere, constant, and ear
nest desire Of the people. to maintain peace
and establish cordial relations with all for.
cign powers. Our gratitude is due to the
Supreme Ruler Of the Universe; ; and ill.,
vite YOU to unite with me in offering TO
Him fervent supplication, that his providen-
tial care may ever be extended to those
who follow US, enabling them 10 avoid the
dangers and the horrors of war, consist.
emily with a just and indispensable regard
to the rights and honor of our country.
But, although the present state of our for
eign affairs, standing without important
change as they did when you separated in
July last, is flatering in the extreme, re-
gret to say that many questions OF an IN.
teresting character, at issue with other
powers, are yet unadiusted. Amongst the
most prominent Of these, is that of our
northeastern boundary. With an undimin-
ished confidence in the sincere desire OF
his Brittanic Majesty's Government to ad-
ius, that question, am not yet in possess
sion of the precise grounds upon which it
proposes a satisfactory adjustment.
With France, our diplomatic relations
have been resumed, and under circumstan-
ces which attest the disposition of both
Governments TO preserve mutually bene-
fetal 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 commercial intercourse is gradu-
ally expanding itself with them. 1t is en-
couraged in all these countries, except Ma:
ples, 6y their mutually advantageous and
liberal treaty stpulations with US.
The claims Of our citizens on Portugal
are admitted to be just, but provision toI
the payment of them has been unfortunate
" delayed by frequent political changes IN
that kingdom.
The blessings of peace have not been
secured by Spain. Our connections with
that country are on the best footing, with
the execution Of the burdens still imposed
upon our commerce, with her possession:
out of Europe.
The claims Of American citizens to-
losses sustained at the bombardment o.
Antwerp, have been presented TO the 10
yernments of Holland and Belgium, ant
will be pressed in due season, for settle
Inent.
With Brazil, and all our neighbors o
this continent, we continue to MAINTAIN re-
lations of amity and concord, extending ou
commerce with them as far as the rcsour
ces of the people and the policy of their 60
vernments will permit. The just and long
standing claims of our citizens upon som'
of them, are yet sources of dissatisfaction
and complaint. No danger is aPprehend
ed, however, that they will not be peace
fully, although tardily, acknowledged an
paid bv all, unless the irritating effect OF ne
struggle with Texas should unfortunatel,,
make our immediate neighbor, Mexico, al
exception.
1t is already known to YOU, by the cores
pondencc between the two Government
communicated at your last session, that ou
conduct in relation to that struggle is reSu
lated bv the same principles that governe
us in the dispute between Spain and Mex
CO herself; and trust that it will be tount
on the most severe scrutiny, that our act
have strictly corrcsponded with our prote>
sions. That the inhabitants Of the Unite
States should feel strong prepossesslons io
the one party is not surprising. But tn
circumstance should, of itself, teach US gre;
canton, lest it lead us into the great erro
ofsufferlng public policy to be regulated b
partiality or prejudice: and there are cor
siderations connected with the possible re
suit of this contest between the two parties
of so much delcacy and Importance to tn
United States, that our character require
that we should neither anticipate events nc
a,temptto control them. The known de de
sire otthc Texans to become part OF o.,
system, although its qualification depend