Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-12-13


ing spirit of vain exul,a,ion, should
serve to impress upon us the great prin
ciples from which they have sprung
constant and direct supervision by the
people over every public measure stric
iorbearancc on the part Of the Govern
ment fiom exercising any doubtful OF
disputed powers: aud'a cautious absti,
nence from all interference with con.
Germs which properly belong. and ar.
best lett TO State regulations aud indivi
dual enterprise.
Full information Of the state of our
foreign affairs having been recently, on
two different occasions, submitted to
Congress, l deem il necessary now to
bring TO your notice only such events as
have subsequently occurred, or are OF
such importance as TO reqnige particular
attention.
The mos, amicable dispositions con.
tinus TO be exhibited by all the nations
with whom the Government and citizeus
ot the u. States have an habitual inter-
course. AT the date OF my last annual
message, Mexico was the only nation
which could not be included in 80 gratis
| lying reference 10 our foreign relations.
l am happy TO be now able TO inform
on that an advance has been made to-
wards the adjustment of our difficulties
with that Republic, and the restoration
OF the customary good feeling between
The two nations. This important change
has been Effected by conciiiat ory nego.
tia,iohs, that have resulted in the con-
clusion OF a treaty between the two
Governments, hich, when ratified will
refer TO the atbilrament Of a friendly
power all the subjects Of controversy
between us growing out Of Injuries to
individuals. There is, at present. also
reason to believe that an equitable settle
ment OF all disputed points will be at
tanned without further difficulty or un.
necessary delay. and thus authorize the
Tree resum ption of diplomatic intercourse
with our sister Republic.
With respect to the northeastern bonn
dairy OF the u. States, no official cores
pondcnce between this Government aud
that OF Great Britain has passed since
thAt communicated 10 Congress towards
the close OF their last session. The offer
to negotiate convention for the ap-
poIntmeht O! u joint commission OF sur
vey and exploration, | am. however, as
sured will be met by her Majesty s Gov
eminent in conciliatory and friendly
spirit, and instructions TO enabl. the
BRITISH Minister here TO conclude such
an arrangement will be transmitted to
him without needless delay. 1t is hop
ed and expected that these instructions
will be Of liberal character, and tina,
| n i'll
to be al important step towards the sat
isiactory aud final adjustment of the con
tToversy.
had hoped that the respect for the
laws an'i regard for the peace and honor
OF their own country, which has ever
characterized the citizeus of the United
States, would have prevented any por-
ton OF them from using any means to
promote instruction i'll the territory oil
a power with which we are at peace,
aud with which the u. States are desiI-
Gus OF maintaining the most friendly re.
iauons. l regret deeply. however, to
be obliged to Inform you that this has
not been the case. Information has been
given to me, derived from official and
other sources, that many citizens Of the
| United States have associated together
to make hostile incursions from our ter.
rItory into Canada, aud to aid and abet
insnrrection there. in violation Of the
Obligations and laws of the u. States.
aud III open disregard Of their own du-
ties as citizens. This information has
been in part confirmed, by hostile in-
yasion actually made by citizrus Of the
y. States, i'll conjunction with Canadi-
ans aud others, and accompanied by a
!orcible seizure of the property Of our
citizens. and an application thereof to
the prosecution OF military operations a
gainst the authority and people of Cans
ada.
The results Of these criminal assaults
upon the peace and order of neighbor-
ing country have been, as was to he ex.
pected, fatally destructive TO the mis-
guided or deIuded persons engaged in
them, and highly injurious to those in
whose behalf they are protested to have
been undertaken. The authorities in
Canada, from Intelligence received of
such intended movements among our
citizens, have felt themselves OBLIGED 10
take precautionary measures against
them have actually embodied the mill.
tia. and assumed al attitude to repel the
invasion TO which they believed the Co.
lonies were exposed from the u. States.
a state OF feeling on both sides Of the
frontier has thus been produced, W hicb
tailed Tor prompt and vigorous interfer.
ence. Ii an iuSurrection existed IN Can