Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-03-03
Congress-.

SENATE, MONDAY, FER. 22. The
new Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. II. J
Walker, appeared and took his seat.
The President of the u. S. by the hands
of Major Donelson, communicated the
following
MESSAGE.
To the Senate and Iiouse of Representa-
tires
transmit herewith, to Congress,
copies of the correspondence between
the Secretary of State and the Charge
d'Afairs of his Britannia Majesty relative
to the mediation of Great Britain in our
disagreement with France, and to the dc.
termination of the French Government
to execute the Treaty of Indemnifcation
without further delay, on the application
for payment by the agent of the United
States.
The grounds upon which the mediation
was accepted will be found fully dcvel-
oped in the correspondence. On the part
ofFrance the mediation had been public
ly accepted before the offer Off could be
received here. Whilst each of the two
Governments has thus discovered just
solicitude to resort to all honorable means
of adjusting amicably the controversy be-
tween them, it is matter of corgratula-
ton that the mediation has been unne-
cessary. Under such circumstances the
anticipation may be confidently indulged
that the disagreement between the United
Stofac and Erunca v.ill N ~ 4 va n1
more than temporary estrangement. The
healing effects of time, n just consdera.
ton ofthe powerful motives for cordial
good understanding between the two Ma
tons, the strong inducements each has to
respect and esteem the other, will 10
doubt soon obliterate from their remem
branee all traces of that disagreement.
Il OF the elevated and disinterested part
the Government of Great Britain has act
ed, and was prepared to act, have al
ready had occasion to express my high
sense. Universal respect, and the coli
sciousness ofmeriting it,are with Govern
ments as with men, the just rewards OF
those who faithfully exert their power tc
preserve peace, restore harmony, anu
lIperpetuatc SOOu VIII.
1 ] may be permitted, TRUST, at this time,
without suspicion OF the most remote
desire to throw OF censure from the
Executive, or to point it to any other De.
partmcnt or tranch Of the Government,
to refer to the want of effective prepara-
ton in which our country was found at
the late crisis. From the nature OF our
Institutions, the movements of the Govern
mcnt in preparation for hosiiities must
ever be- too slow for the eXigenccs of
unexpected war. Isubmit it then to you,
| whether the FIRST duty VIC owe to the
! People who have COZ fded to Ms their
! power. is not to place our country in such
an attitude as always to be so amply sup
! piled with the means Of self.defence as to
afford no inducement to other nations to
presume upon our torbearance, or to ex-
Pect important advantages from sudden
assault, either upon our commerce, our
seacoast, or our interior frontier. 10 case
of the commencement ofhostilities during
the recess of Congress, the time inevita-
bly, elapsing before that body could be
called together, even under the most ia.
vorable circumstances, would be preg-
nant with danger, and if we escaped
without signal disaster or national dis
honor, the hazard of both unnecessarily
incurred, could not fail to excite feeling
of deep reproach. earnestly recon.
mend to you, therefore, to make such
provisions, that in 10 future time shah we
be found without ample means to repcl
aggression, even although it may come
upon us without note Of warning. We
are now, fortunately, so situated, that the
expenditure for this purpose will not be
! felt and, if it were, it would be approved
BY those from whom all its means are
derived, and for whose benef. only il
should be used with liberal economy
and an enlightened forecast.
In behalf of these suggestions, l cannot
forbear repeating the wise precepts OF one
whose counsels cannot be forgotten -
;. {" The United States ought not to indulge
persuasion, that, contrary TO the order OF
human events, they will forever keep at a
distance those painful appeals to arms,
with which the history OF every other ma
ton abounds. There is rank due TO the
United States among nations which will
be withheld, ifnot absolutely lost, by the
reputation Of weakness. If we desire to
avoid insult, we must be able to repcl 1t.
! IL we desire 10 secure peace, one OF the
most powerful instruments Of our rising
prosperity, il must be known that we are,
at all times, ready for war"
II ANDREW JACKSON.
II FEpRUARy %, 1886.
t1he documents which accompanied
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