Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-12-15
MESSAGE



A Cssgrcs., Nee. o, 1880.
Fsklov-eifizens Of TIE Senate,
and House Of Representatives.
Addressing 20 you the last annual
message ! shall ever present to the
Congress Of the United States, il is ,
source Of the most heartfelt satisfaction
to be able 20 congratulate you on the
high state Of prosperity which our be.
loved country has attained. With nc
causes at home or abroad to lessen the
confidence with which we look to the
future for continuing proofs Of the ca.
lpacity Of our free institutions to pro-
duce all the fruits ofgood government
the general condition Of our affair.
may well excite our national pride.
| i cannot avoid congratulsting you
and my country, particularly, on the
!success Of the efforts made during nv
administration by the Executive and
Legislature, in conformity with the
sincere, constant. and earnest desire oil
the people. 10 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 duplication that his
Proyidentiai care may ever be extended
to those who follow ns, enabling them
to avoid the dangers and the horrors OF
var. consistently with Just and indie
Pensable regard to the rights and homo,
Of our country. But although the pre-
sent state Of our foreign affairs, stand.
ing without important change as they
did when you separated in July last,
Is hauering in the extreme, I regret to
say that many questions Of an interest
ing character, ct issue with other DOW.
ers, are yet unadjusted. Amongst the
most prominent oil these, is that Of ouI
north-eastsrn boundary. With an un.
diminished confidence in the sincere
desire OF his Britannia Majesty's Go.
vernment to adjust that question, I am
not yet IN the possession of the precise
grounds upon which it proposes sat.
isfactory adjustment.
With France. our diplomatic rela.
tons have been resumed, and under
circumstances which attest the DISPOSE.
Ition Of both Governments 10 preserve a
mutually beneficial intercourse, and
foster those amicable feelings which
are so strongly required by the true in.
terests Of the two countries. With
Russia, Austria. Prussia, Naples, Swe.
den, and Denmark, the best under.
standing exists, and our commercial in.
tercourse is gradually expanding itsel
With them. II is encouraged in al
these countries, except Naples. by their
mutually advantageous and liberal trea.
ty stipulations with Us.
The claims Of our citizens on Por.u.
gal are admitted to be just. but provi.
sion for the payment of them has been
unfortunately delayed by frequent pc.
litical changes in that kingdom.
The blessings Of peace have mol
been secured by Spain. Our connex-
ions with that country are on the best
footing, with the exception Of the bur-
dens stIll imposed upon our commerce,
with her posse ssions on: OF Europe.
The claims Of American citizens for
losses sustained at the bombardment 81
Antwerp, have been presented to the
Governments Of Holland and Belgium,
and will be pressed in due season, &c
settlement.
With Brazil, and all our neighbour
Of this continent, We continue to main.
tain relations Of amity and concord
extending our commerce with them a,
far - the resources Of the people and
the policy OF their Governments will
permit. The just and long standing
claims Of our citizens upon some oil
them, are yet sources Of dissatisfaction
and complaint. No danger is appFe-
headed. however, that they will not be
Peaceably, although tardiIy acksow-
lodged and paid by al, unless the irri-
taiing effect Of her struggle with Tex
- should unfortunately make our i'm
mediate neighbor. Mexico, an excep-
ton.
II is already known TO you. by the
correspondence between the two Co
veFnments communicated at your last
session, that our conduct ia relation Ia
that struggle is regulated BY the same
principles that governed US in the dis
pDle between Spain and Mexico her
sell; end I trust thai !. Sill be foand,
on the most severe scrutiny, that our
acts have strictly eonesponded with
our professions. That the inhabitants
Of the United States should feel strong
PFePossessions Tor the oce party is moi
surprising. But this circumstance
should, Of itself. teach US great caution
lest q lead us into the great error Of
suffering public policy 10 be regulated
BY partially OF prejudice, and there
are considerations connected with the
possible result Of this contest between
The tao parties Of 80 much dslicscy
and imporisnee 10 the United States
thst ouf character requires that W.
should neither anticipate events. MI
aitemps 10 cooirol them. The knowr
desire Of the Texans 10 become . par
q our system, although its grati6ea
ton depends upon the Fsconcilemenl
% various and conflicting interests
nscessaTiiy aWork Of time, snd uncer.
So. -. I'LL -.