Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FslIoro Citizens Of the Senate
and House of Representatives.:


FslloD Citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:
We have reason to renew the expression of our de-
yout gratitude the Gver of all Good for his benign
protection. Our country presents on every side, the
evidence of that continued favor, under whose au-
spices it has gradually risen from few feeble ana de
pendant Colonies to prosperous ana poweriui Ooh-
federacy. We are blessed with domestic tranquility,
and all the elements of national prosperity. Inc
pestilence which, invading, for time some flourish
ing portions of the Union interrupted the general pre-.
valence OF unusual health, has happily been limited
in extent and arrested in It's fatal career me indus
try and prudence of citizens are gradually reiiev
ing them from the pecuniary embarrassmcnts under
which portions of them have labored Jadicious legs
laen and the natural and boundess resources OF the
country have afforded wise and timely AID TO private
enterprise; and the activity always characteristic oil
our people, has already IN great degree, resumed lis
usual and profitable channels.
The condition O our foreign relations has not ma
terally changed since the last annual message of my
predecessor We remain at peace with all nations;
and no efforts my part, consistent with the pre-
servaon Of rights and the honor of the country,
shall be spared to MAINTAIN position SO consonant
TO our institutions. We have faithfully sustained the
foreign policy with which the United STATES under
the guidance of their fl st president took their stand
in the family of nations that Of regulating their inter-
course with other powers by the approved principles
of private life; asking and according equal rights ana
equal privileges rendering and demanding justice IN
all cases. advancing Their own and discussing the pre-
tensions of others, with candor, drectness, and SIN
certy appealing at all times TO reason but never
yiedlHg To orce nor seeking to acquire any thng Tor
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 autno-
rity The most imposing and perplexng of those of
the United States upon foreign Governments Tor ag-
gressions upon our citizens, were disposed of by my
predecessor. Independently of the benefits conferred
upon our citizeas by restoring to the mercanie COM
munity, so many millions Of which they had been
wrongfuy Invested, great service was also render
ed TO his country by the satisfactory adjustment OF 50
many ancient and irritating subjects OF contention;-
and it reflects no ordinary credit on ms successful ad
ministraon of public affairs that this great object
was accomplished, without compromising, on any
occasion, either the honor or the peace OF the
nation. ,n ,
With European powers no new subjects of difficulty
have arisen and those which were under discussion,
although not terminated, do not present more unfa
yorabe aspect for the future preservation oil that good
understanding, which it has ever been our desire to
cultivate.
Offending questions the most important is that
which exists with the Government OF Great 4{aln,
in respect to our northeastern boundary: Us win
unfegned regret that the people OF the United States
must look back upon the abortve efforts made by the
Executive, for period OF more than half century,
10 determine what nation should suffer long to re-
main in dispute the true line which divides its pos
sessions from those Of other powers The nature OF
the settlements on the bordersof the United States,
and of the neighborng territory, was for season
such, that this perhaps was not indispensable to
faithful performance of the duties sf the Federal Ga
vernment. ime has, however, changed this state
Of things; and has brought about condition OF al
fairs in which the true interests OF both countries IN
psra,ivelv REQUIRE that this question ssand be pat at
rest. Ii is not to be disguised, that with full conn
dence often expressed in the desire OF the British Go
vernment to terminate it, we are apparently as far
from its adjustment we were at the time OF signing
the treaty of peace in l783 The sole result of long
pending negotiations and perpexng arbitration, ap-
pears to be conviction, on its part that convcn-
tional line must be adopted from the imposslby of
ascertaining the true one according to the description
contained in that treaty.
Wilheat coincdng in this opinion, which is not
thought to BIO well founded, my predecessor gave the
strongest proof Of the earnest desire OF the United
States terminate satisfactorily thls dispute ~ pro-
oosinp the substitution of conventional line, If the
consent of the States interested IN the question
could be obtained To this propost ton, no answer
has as vet been received The attention OF the British
Government has, however, been urgently invited to
the subject and its reply cannot am confident, be
much longer delayed The general relations between
Great Britain and the United States are OF the most
friendly character and am well satisfied OF the SIN
cere disposition of that Government TO MAINTAIN them
upon their present footing This disposition has also,
am persuaded become more general with the people
Of England than at any previous PERIOD; IL IS scarce
" necessary to say to you how cordially it Is reepro.
Gated by the Government and people OF the United
States The conviction, which must be common to
all, OF the injurious consequences that result from
keeping open this irritating question, and the certain
tv that its final settlement cannot be much longer
deferred will trust lead TO an early AMI satisfactory
adjustment At your last session, laid before you
the recent Communications between this Government
and that of the Stale Of Maine, in whose socitude,
concerning subject il which she has so deep an in
tereet, every portion Of the Union participates.
The feelings produced by temporary interruption of
those harmonious relations between France and the
United States, which are due well TO the recoilec-
tons of former times TO correct appreciation oil
existing interests have been happily succeeded by
cordial disposition on both sides to cultivate an active
friendship in their future intercourse. The opinion,
undoubtedly correct and steadily entertained by us
that the commercial relations at present existing be
tween the two countries susceptible OF great and
reciprocally beneficial improvements, ls obviously
saining ground in France; and am assured Of the
disposition of that government TO favsr the accom-.
pIishment of such an object This disposition shall
be met in proper spirit on cur part The few and
comparatively unmportan questions That remain 20 DC
adjusted between us, can have no doubt, be settled
with entire satisfaction, and without difficulty.
Between Russia and the United States, sentiments
Of good will continue 10 be mvtualy cherished. Our
minister recently accredited to that court, has been
received with frankness and cordially, ana
with evidence of respect for his country which leave
ne no room 10 doubt the preservation IN future OF
those amcabe and liberal relations which have so
long and 30 uninerrup,cdy existed between the two
countries. On the few SUBJECTS under discussion be-
tween us early and just decision is confidently an