The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-07
MESSAGE
FROM THE PRESIDENT or THE UNITED
STATES,
TO THE TWO HOUSES or CONGRESS,
AT the commencement Of the Second Session Of he
7icenty5ffA Congress

| A"e"egJJW So"Sfesf.
Esio,o. Citi=sns of he Senate
and House Of Representatives..
! We have reason to renew the expression of our
4 devout gratitude TO the GivER OF ALI. for his
benign protection Our country presents, on every
side, the evidences of that continued favor, under
whose auspices II has gradually risen from few
| feeble and dependent Colonies To prosperous and
| powerful Coniederacy We are blessed with domes-
Tic tranquility, and all the elements Of national pros
perity The pesilence which, invading for time,
some hourishng portions of the Union interrupted
the general prevalence of unusual health has happily
been limited in extent and arrested in its fatal
reer The industry and prudence of our citizens are
gradually relieving them from the pceuniary embar-
easements under which portions Of them have labor
ed udicious legislation and the natural and bound
less resources of the country have afforded wise and
timely aid to private enterprise and the activity al
ways characteristic Of our people has already, In a
great degree resumed its usual and profitable chan
nels.
The condition of our foreign relations has not
materially changed since the last annual message of
my predecessor. We remain at peace with all ma
ions; and no efforts on my part consistent with the
preservation Of our rights and the honor Of conn
| try, shall be spared 10 maintain position conso-
nant to institutions. We have faithfully sustain
ed the foreign policy with which the United States,
under the guidance of their first President took their
stand in the family of nations--thai of regulating
their intercourse with other Powers by the approved
principles OF private life asking and according equal
rights and equal privileges; rendering and demand
| ing Justice in all cases advancing their own and
discussing the pretensions Of others, with candor
direc;ness, and sinceriy appealing at all times to
reason, but never yielding to force, nor seeking to
acquire any thing for themselves by its exercise.
| A rigid adherence TO this policy has LEFT this Go
vernment with scarcely claim upon its justice, for
injuries arising from acts committed by its authority
The most imposing and perpexing of those of the
United States upon foreign Governments, for ag-
gressions upon our citizens, were disposed Of by my
ypIa If b. fst-
red upon citizens by restoring to the mercantile
community so many millions Of which they had been
wrongfuly Invested, great service was also render
ed to his country by the satisfactory adjustment Of so
many ancient and irritating subjects OF contention;
and irrenecis no ordinary credit on his successful
administration public affairs that this great object
was accomplished without compromising, on any oc-
casion, either the honor, or the peace of the ma
| ton. ".
With European powers no new subjects of diff
Guilty have arisen and those which were under dis
cusson, although not terminated, do not present
unfavorable aspect forthe future preservation OF
that good understanding, which il has ever been our
OF pending questions, the most important is that
which exists with the Government of Great Britain,
in respect to our northeastern boundary. IL is with
unfeigned regret that the people ofthe q States must
look back upon the abortve efforts made by the Exc
cutive for period Of more than half century, to
determine, what no nation should suffer long to
main in dispute, the true line which divides its pos
sessions from those of other powers. The nature OF
the settlements the borders of the United States,
and of the neighboring territory was for season
SUCH that this perhaps was not indispensable to a
faithful performance of the duties Of the Federal Go
yernment. Time has however changed this state
Of things; and has brought about condition of at
fairs in which the true interests OF both countries
imperatvely require thatthis question should be put
at Ii is not to be disguised that with full conf
dence, often expressed in the desire OF the British
Government TO terminate il, we are apparently, as
IA from lite aS
signing the treaty OF peSce in l1S3 The sole re-
suit of long pending negotiations, and perpexing
arbitration, appears to be conviction on ITS par
that conventional line must BE- adopted, from the
impossibiiy of asceraining the true one according
to the description contained in that treaty With
out conciding in this opinion which is not thought
to be well founded my predecessor gave the strong
est proof of the earnest desire OF the United States
oterminae satisfactorily this dispute, by proposing
the substitution Of conventional line, ii the consent
of the States interested in the question could be OBJ
tanned To this proposition, no answer has as yet
been received The attention of the British Go
to the subject and its reply cannot am confident be
much longer delayed The general relations be-
tween Great Britain and The United States are OF
the most friendly character and am well satisfied OF
the sincere disposition OF that Government to main
tain them upon their present footing. This DISPOSE
ton has also, am persuaded, become more general
with the people of England than at any previous pc
Rod scarcely necessary to say to you how cor
~
pie of the United States. The conviction which must
be common 10 all, of the injurious consequences that
result from keeping open this irritating question, and
the certany that its final settlement cannot be much
longer deferred will thrust lead to an early and sa-
tisfactory adjustment AT your last session, laid
before you the recent communications between the
two Governments, and between this Government and
the State of Maine, in whose soliciude, concerning
subject in which she has so deep an interest, every
portion ofthe Union participates
The feelings produced by a temporary Interrupt
ton of those harmonious relations between France
and the United States which are due as well to the
recollectons of former times as TO correct appre-
citation o: existing interests have been happily sue
ceeded by cordial disposition on both sides to Guilt
vae an active friendship in their future intercourse
The opinion, undoubtedly correct, and steadily en-
terlaned by us that the commercial relations al pre-
sent existing between the two countries, are suscep-
tible of great and recprocally beneficial improve.
ments is obviously gaining grounds in France; and
am assured the disposition of that Government to
favor the accomplishment of such an object. This
disposition shall be met ina proper spirit on our part
The few and comparatively unmportant questions
that remain to be adjusted between us, cam have no
doubt be settled with entire satisfaction, and without
difficulty
Between Russia and the United States, sentiments
of good will continue to be mutually cherished Our
minister recently accredited to that court, has been
received with frankness and cordially, and with
evidences of respect for his country, which leave us
no room TO doubt the preservation in future of those
amicable and liberal relations which have so long
and SO uninterruptedly existed between the wocoun-
tries On the few subjects under discussion between
u.s. an early and Just decision is confidently anici-
| pated.
correspondence has been opened with the Go
ycrnment of Austria for the establishment of diplo-
matte relations, in conformity with the wishes OF
Congress, as indicated by an appropriation act of
the session of 1887, and arrangements made for the
| purpose, which will be duly carried into effect
With Austria and Prussia and with the states of
| the German empire, now composing with the latter
/ the Commercial League, political relations are
Of the mos, friendly character, whilst CONNER
cal intercourse is gradually extending, with benefit
/ TO all who are engaged in 1t.
Civil war yet RACES in Spain, producing intense
suffering Io It's own people and 10 other nations in