Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Ssuov.C Citizens Of The Senate

Xuvout gratitude 10 the GIyER or ALL GOOD 4
his benign protection. Our country presents, q
every side, tho evidences Of that continued fave
under whose auspices it has gradually risen from
1ew feeble and dependent Colonies, to prospero
and powerful C0nfederacy. We are blessed vii
domestic tranquility, and all the elements ofnatio.
81 prosperity The pestlence which, invading, 4
time, some f0urisliing portions of the Union, ii
tefuptod the general prevalence of unusual healtl
has happily been limited in extent, and arrested
iss fanl career. The industry and prudence of o,
citizens are gradually relieving them from the pc
flnnissy endorsements under which portions
"a have labored; judicious legislation, and tn
natural boundless resources Of the country, have
forded wise and timely aid TO private enterprise
and the activity always Characteristic of our paopl
has already, il, a great degree, resumed its usua
and profitable channels.
The coalition of our foreign relations has MI
materially changed since the last annual messag
fofmy predecessor. We remain at peace with al
nations, and no efforts ON my part, consistent witt
che preservation of Our rights and the honor of ti
country, shall be sparea,o maintain position 81
consonaat 10 or institutions. We have faithfully
sustained the policy wi.h which the United States
undeT the guidance Of their first President, toos
their stand in the family ofnatioas-t!,at regua-
ting their intercourse wit, oiAer powers by the APP
proved principles Of private life, asking and ac-
eortmg equal rights and equal privileges; render
Ing and demanding justice in all cases; advancing
their own, and discussing the pretensons Of others,
with candor, drcctness, and sincerity; appealing
a all times 70 reason, but never yielding 10 force,
nor seeking acquire any tning for themselves by
ia exercise
A rigid adherence to this policy has left this Go
vernment with scarcely claim upoh its justice, fof
Injuries arising from ac:s committed b. its auiho.-
ty The most i'm Josng ana perplcxing of those of
stod as>fG fny
aggressons upon our citizens, were disposed ofbY
my predecessors. independently Of the benefits
eoafsrrcd upon our citizens by restoring to the mer-
camille community SO many millions OF which they
had been wlongfully Invested, great service was
also rendered 10 his country By the satisfactory adj
Jusement of so many ancient and irritating subjects
Of contention, and it reflects no ordinary credit Oh
his successful administration OF public affairs. that
this great object was accomplished, without c1mpro-
nlsiDS, OH any oecasi0a, cithsftae honor, Or the
psace Of the nation.
w ith Eu:o2eaa powers 40 new subjects OF diff
Guilty have arisen ;aha those which were under dis
cussion although not determined, do not present
more unfavoable aspect for the future preservation
Of that good understanding, which il has ever been
our desire TO cultivate.
depending questions, the mos. important is that
which exists with the Government of Great Britain
IN respect to orr northeastern boundary Ii is with
unfeisned regret, thai the people of the u. States
must look back upOn the abostive efforts made by
tho Executive, for period of more THAI half
eshtury, TO determine, wha. no cation should snf-
Ter long 10 remain in dispute, the traa line which
divides its possessions from those of other powers
The nature Of the settlements OH the bordersof the
Unitsd States, and of the neighborihg ter:itofy,
was Tor season such, that this perhaps not in
dispensable to faithfulpsrformance of the duties
OF the Federal Government. Time has, however,
changed this state ofthings; and has bfouh, about
condition of affairs, in which the true interests
Of both countries imperativey require that this
question should be put al rest II is not TO be dis
guised, that with full confidence, often expressed,
in the desire Of the British Goveanment TO term-
nate il, we apparently as far from its ADJUST
ment rs we were at the time of signing the treaty
Of peace in 1888. The sole result of long pending
negotiations, anda perplcxng arbitration, appears
70 be conviction, OH its part, that conventional
line must b. adopted from the impossibility Of
certaining the true according the description
contained in that treaty, Without concding in
this opinion, which is not thought to be well foun-
ded, my predecessor gave the strongest proof ofthe
earnest desire of the United States 10 terminate sa-
tsiacsory this dispute, byproposing the substt,,-
ton Of conventional line, if the consent Of the
States interested in the question could be obtained
10 this proposition, no answer has yet been recev-
Cd. The attention of tho British Government has,
however, been urgently invited to the subject, and
fts reply cannot, l am confident, be much longer
delayed. The general relations betwcen Great
Britain and the United States are ofthe most friend
" character, and ain well satisfied Of the sincere
disposition OF that Government 70 maintain them
upon their present footing. This disposition has
also, I am persuaded, become more general with
The people Of England than at any previous period
IL 10 useless 10 say you, how cordially il is rec-
ProcrAted by the Government and people of the u.
States. The conviction which must be common to
all, Of the injurious consequences that result from
keeping open this irritating question, and the GER
tainty that its final settlement cannot be much lOng-
er deferred, will, trust, lead to an early an salts
factory adjustment. AT your last session, laid
before you the recent communications between the
two Governments, and between this Government
and that fthe State Of Maine, in whose solicitule,
eoncsrning subject in which she has so dcop nh
interest, sveiy portion Of the Union participates
The fselings produced by a temporary Interrupt
stoA OF those harmonious relations between France
and the United States, which are daa MS well 10
the recollecti0ns of former times as to correct an
Of existing interests. have been happily
succeedsd by cordial disposition %, both sides to
cultivate an active friendship ii their future inter-
cousae. The opinion, undoubtedly correct. and
steadily entertained by Us, that the commercial re.
lasions st present existing between the two conn
esies, are susceptible OF great AMI eciprocaly be-
Heeeial improsemonts, is obviously ming r,nl,d
u FSAHce; and am assured of the disposition Of
that Government 10 favor the establishment of such
m object This disposition shall be met ii, d ,,ros
pr spirit on our part. Tho few and compassionate
questions that remain 10 be sduIstcd
bsswesA w, ran, have no doubi, be settlei With
Dntirs sstisfaeti0h, and without difficulty.
8styssp Russia and tbs United States, sen,i-
.sents ~ good will continue to b n,,..pally cher
ahed. Our Minister recently srcrstlifed ia tha,
cssn, ms been received with tfankness and cor
liality, and with evidences ofrespect for his coun-
~, which leave ~ no roam TO doubt iAe ,reserr1-
ion Ia flnsre Ut these nppieabie and iisa,a rsla
ions which have 10 long and 50 vsintartaptedly
kissed bstwsea The two countries On the few
uhjeets uudsr Discussion betweeaus. an emily and
uss decision in confidently anticipated.