Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-12-18
PR II y Il I'D Il TBS
MI T. s S A G. T.
Feiio0 Ctiisens Of The Senate, and
House Of Representatives.

We have reason to renew tho expression Of
our devout gratitude to the Giyer of all Good |
for his benign protection. Our country presents,
on every side, the evidences Of that continued |
Favor, under whose auspices il has gradually rls- |
on from few feeble aud dependent Colonies to "A
prosperous and powerful conioderacy. We are
blessed with domestic tranquility, and all the elo-
menls Of national prosperity. The pestlIencc,
which, invading for time, some lourishing por-
lions of the Union, interrupted the general prev
aencc Of unusual health, has happily been hmi-
ted in extent, and arrested in its fatal career
The industry and prudence Of our citizens arc
gruduaIly relieving them from the pecunary en-
barrnssmauts under which portions Of them have
labored; iudicious legislation, and tho national
aid boundless resources OF the country, havo ni-
forded wise and timely mid 10 priynie Gnterprlse
and the activity always Characteristic of orr pco-
pie, has already, in great degree, resumed its
usual and profitable channels
The condition of our foreign relations has not
materially changed since the last annual message
Of my predecessor We remain al peace with
all nations; and M efforts on my part consistent
with the preservation Of our rights and the hou-
or Of the country, shall he spared to maintain H
position SO consonant 10 our institutions. We
have faithfully sustained the foreign policy with
which the Unitd States, under the guidance of
their first president, took their stand in the family
of uatians-lhat of regulating their intercourse
with other powers by the approved principles of
private life; asking and according equal nights
and equal privileges; rendering and demanding
Justice in all cases; advancing their own and dis
oussiug the pgetensions of others, with candcr
dnectnoss, and sincerity; appealing at all times
to reason, but never yielding to force, nor seeking
to acquire any thing Tor themselves by its exer-
else.
a rigid adherence 10 this policy has left this
government with scmCe clnn upon iis Justice,
Tor injuries arising from acts committed Ivy its an-
thorty The most imposing and perplexng OF
those the United States upon Iolcign govern
ments, for aggrcssions upon our clt'zens' were
disposed of by my predecessor. Independently
Of the benefits conferred upon our citizens by req
toring to the mercantile community so many mill
ions Of which they had been wrongruiy Invested
a great service was also rendered to ha country
by the satisfactory adjustment of so many ancient
and irritating subjects Of contention; and it re
hcc,s no ordinary credit on lis successful admins
trallon of public affairs that this great object was
accomplished, without compromising, on any oc'
otsion either the honor or the pence of tho ma
ton.
With European powers no nowsuhlects of DIFF
6cultv have arisen; and those which were unde
discussion, although not terminated, do not pre-
sent a more unldyorab!c aspect for the future
has ever been our detro 10 cultivate
OFFENDING qaesions the most important i
that which exists with the government OF Grea
Brtain. in respect TO our Northeastern boundary
Il is with unlcigned regret, that the peope OF III
United States must look back upon the nbortlv
efforts made by the Executive, for a period q
more than half century, to determine what N
nation should suffer long 10 renain In dispute
the true line which divides ITS possessions fror
those of other powers The nature of the settle
ments on the borders Of the Unued States, an
Of the neighboring territory, was for season
such, that this perhaps was not Indispensable to
faithful performance of tho duties Of the Fedcri
Government Time has, however, changed thu
state of things; and has brought about coud
lion Of ailars, IN which the true interests of bot
countries impertiyely require that this ques,o
should be put at rest 1t il not 10 be disguised
that with full confdenc, often expressed, in ii
desire of the British Government to terminate
we are apparently as far from It's adjustment
we were at the signing the treaty OF peace
1888. The sole result of loug pending negocit
tons, and perpexing arbitration appears to be
conviction, On It's part, that conventional lii
mast be adopted, from the mposslbity of asce
tanning the true one according to the descriptit
contained in that treaty.
Without coinciding in this opinion, which
not thought to be well founded, my predecess
o7ve the strongest proof Of tho earnest desire
Tho United States 10 terminate satisfactorily III
dispute, by proposing the substitution of co
ventonal line if the consent Of the States intere
ted in the question could be obtained To Ii
prouositon no answer has MS yet been receive
'rhe attention of the British Government ha
however, been urgently invited to the subjet
and lis reply cannot am confident, be ma
LONGER Delayed The general relations bolwe
Great Britain and the United States are of /
mos, friendly character, and am well satisfied
the sincere disposition Of that Government
. maintain them upon their present footing.
This disposition has also, am ersuaded, |
come more general with the people OF EngIa
thon at any previous period. 1t is scarcely r
oessary to say to you, how cordially ii is reclpr
Gated by the government and people OF the Unit
States The conviction, which must be comm
to all of the injurious consequences that res
from keeping open this irritating question, and t
certainty that its final settlement cannot be mu
longer deferred, will, trust, leud to IN early Il
satisfactory adjustment. Al your last session
laid before you tho recent Communications
tween the two governments, and between t
government and that Of the state of Maine,
whose soliciiude, concerning subject in viii
she has so deep an interest, every portion of
Union participates.
The feelings produced by a temporary int
rupton of those harmonious relations bctwe
France and the United States, which are due
wall 10 the recollection Of former times as to
correct appreciation Of existing interests, ha
been happily succeeded by cordial dispos
ON both sides to cultivate active friendship
their future intercourse. The opinion, undou