Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-14
MESSAGE.
Fello,p citizens efhe Senate
and House of Representatives.:


! We have reasons to renew the expression
of our devout gratitude to the Giver Of all
good for his benign protection. Our country
presents on every side, the evidences OF that
continued favor, under whose auspices 1t has
gradually risen from few feeble and depen-
dent Colonies to prosperous and powerful
confcdcracy. We are blessed with domestic
Tranquility, and all the elements of national
prosperity. The pes,ilence which, invading
for a tir,e, some flourishing portions of the
Union, interrupted the general prevalence OF
unusual health, has happily been limited in
extent, and arrested in its fatal career. The
industry and prudence Of our citizens are
gradually relieving them from the pccunary
embarrassmen,s under which portions ofthem
have labored; judicious lcgislation,and the ma
tural and boundless resources of the country,
have afforded wise and timely aid to private
enterprisc and the activity always charac-
teris,ic of our people has already in great
degree resumed its usual and profitable chan
nes.
The condition Of our foreign relations has
not materially changed since 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 enr
rights and the honor of the country, shall be
spared to maintain a position so consonant
to our institutions. We have faithfully sus-
tained the foreign policy with which the Uni
ted States, under the guidance OF their iirs'
President, took their stand in the family ol
nations-that Of regulating thei- intercourse
with other powers by the approved principles
of private life asking and according to equal
rights and equal privileges; rendering ana
all nd ~ N O
their own, and discussing the pretensions OF
others, with candor, directness and sincerity;
appealing at all times to reason, bit never
yielding to force, nor seeking to acquire any
thing for themselves by its exercise.
A rigid adherence to this policy has lett
this Government with scarcely claim upon
its Justice, for injuries arising from acts com
mitted by it's authority. The mos, imposing
and perplexing of those OF the United States
upon foreign Governments, for aggress'ons
upon our citizens. were disposed OF by my
predecessor. Independent of the benefits
conferred upon our citizens by restoring to
the mercantile community so many millions
Of which they had been wrongfnlly dvested,
great service was also rendered to his coun-
try by the satisfactory adjustment of SO many
ancient and irritating subjects of contention
ana " rcHeCts no orulUaTy Vr'u'' WI n'' SUI
cessfu administration Of public affairs, that
this great object was accomplished, without
compromising, on any occasion, either the
honor. or peace Of the nation.
With European powers no now subjects OF
difficulty have arisen; and those which were
under discussion, although not terminated, do
not present more unfavorablo aspect for the
future preservation Of that good understand
ing. which it has ever been our desire to cul-
tivste.
Ofpeni;ng questions, the most important
is that which exists with the Government of
Great Britain, in respect to our northeastern
boundary. II is with unfeicned regret, TINT
the people Of The United States must look
back upon tho aborivc efforts made by the
Executive, for period Of more thnn half a.
century. to determine. what no nation should
suffer long to remain IN dispute, the true line
which divides its possessions from those Of
other powers. The nature Of the settlements.
on the borders Of the United States, and of.
the ncighboring territory, wns for season
such. tha, this perhaps was not indispensable
TO q faithful performance Of the duties Of the