Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-12-14
MESSAGE
FROM
The President Of the U. States,
TO ROTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS-,
At the of the second OF the
ty-Gfth Congress,

ty-fnh Congress,
EeIlo,u- citizens fthc Senate,
and House IF Representatives.
We have reason to renew the express
sion of our gratitude to the GIvER OF
ALL GOOD for his benign protection. Our
couRtry presents. on every side, the EVIL
dences Of that continued favor, under
whose auspices it has gradually risen
from few feeble and dependent Colo
s,ies 10 prosperous aud powerful Con,
federacy. We are blessed with domes-
sic tranquility, and all the elements Of
nntional prosperity. The pestilence
which, invading, for time, some -four
fishing portions Of the Union, interrupt
ed the general prevalence of unusual
health, has happily been limited in ex-
sen., and arrested in its fatal career
The industry and prudence Of our citi-
zens are gradually relieving them from
the pecauiary embarrassments under
which portions Of them have iaboured !;
judicious legislation, and the natural and
boundless resources Of the country, have
afforded wise aud timely aid to private
enterprise and the activity always cha
racteristic of OUT people has already, in
great degree, resumed It's usual and
profitable channels.
The condition Of our foreign relations
has not materially changed siace the last
annual message Of my predecessor. We
remain at peace with all nations; and no
efforts on my part, consistent with the
preservation OF our rights and the honor
of the country, shall be spared to main.
tain position so consonant with our in
stitutions. We have faithfully sustained
the foreign policy which the U. States,
under the guidance of the first Presi-
dent, took their stand in the family of
nations-that Of regulating their inter
course with other powers by the APPROX
ed principles of private life asking aud
according equal rights and equal privile>
gpe, rendering and demanding justice
in all cases; advancing their own, and
discussing the pretensions of others, with
candor. directness, and sincerity APP
pea!ing 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 Government with scarcely a
claim upon its justice. for injuries aris-
Jag from acts committed by its authori.
ty. The most imposing and perplexing
of those of the United States upon for
eign Governments, for aggressions upon
our citizens, were disposed OF by my
predecessor. independently Of the ben
efits conferred upon our citizens by res
toring to the mercantile community SO
many millions of which they had been
fill
also rendered TO his country BY the salts
factory adjustment of SO many ancient
and irritating subjects of contention; and
it reflects no ordinary credit on his sue
eessful administration of public affairs.
that this great object was accomplished,
without compromising. on any occasion,
either the honor, or the peace of the ma
ton.
With European powers no new sub
jects of difficulty have arisen and those
which were under discussion, although
not terminated, do not present a more
unfavorable aspect for the future pres
servatien of that good understanding
which it has ever been our desire to
cultivate.
Of pending questions, the most i'm
portant is that which exists with the
Government of Great Britain, in respect
TO our northeastern boundary. 1t is
with unfeigned regret, that the people
oil the u. States must look back upon the
abortive efforts made by the Executive,
for period Of more than half century,
10 determine, what no nation should sut-
fer long to remain 10 dispute, the true
line which divides its possessions from
those Of other powers. The nature Of
the settlements on the borders Of the u.
States, and of the neighboring territory,
was for season such. that this perhaps
was not indispensable to faithful per>
Torrance of the duties of the Federal
Government. Time has, however, chan
ged this state Of things and has brought
about condition of affairs, in which
the true interests of both countries i'm
peratively require that this question
should be put at rest. 1t is not to be
disguised, that with full confidence, Of
ten expressed, in the desire Of the Brit
ish Government to terminate it, we are
apparently as far from its adjustment as
we were at the time OF signing the trea-
~ Of peace in 1875. The sole result Of
long pending negotiations, and a per-
clicking arbitration, appears TO be con.
viction, on its part, that conventional
line must be adopted, from the impossi-
bility Of ascertaining the true one accord
ing TO the description contained in that
treaty. Without coinciding in this o.
pipion, which is not thought 20 be well
The founded, my predecessors gave the
strongest proof OF the earnest desire Of