Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-27
Tuesday, December "a, 1899.


A message was received from the President of the
United States, by A. Van Buren, Esq, his private Sc
cretary.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The annual message of the President to the two
Houses of Congress then read by the Secretary O
the Senate, and was as follows:
Felloec- Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives.:
regret that cannot on this occasion congratulate
you that the past year has been of unaloyed pros
pcrty The ravages of fire and disease have painfully
afflicted otherwise hourishing portions of country
and serious embarrassmcnts yet derange the trade OF
many of our cities. But, notwithstanding these ad-
circumstances, that general prosperity which has
been heretofore beautifully bestowed upon BY the
Author of all good, still continues to call for
est gratitude. Especially have TO rejoice in
the exuberant harvests which have avshy rccompens-
ed well directed industry, and given to it that
ward which is vainy sought in visionary speculatons
cannot indeed view without peculiar satisfaction, the
evidences afforded by the past of the benefits
that spring from the steady devotion of the husband
to his honorable pursuit. No means OF individual
comfort is certain, and source of national pros
perity is so sure Nothing compensate people for
dependence upon others for the bread they cat and
that cheerful abundance which the happiness of
every much depends is to be looked for nowhere
with such sure reliance in the industry of the agr-
culturist and the bounties of the earth.
With foreign countries, relations exhibit the
favorable aspect which presented in my last annual
message, and afford continued proof of the wisdom of
the pacific, just, and forbearng policy adopted by the
first administration of the Federal Government and
pursued by its successors The extraordinary powers
vested in by act of Congress- for the defence Of
the country in an emergency, considered far proba
Die to require that the Executive should possess
pie means to meet it, have not been cxerted. They
have therefore, been attended with other result than
to increase, by confidence thus reposed in by obga
tons to maintain, with religious exactness the cardinal
principles that govern intercourse with other
tons Happily in our pending questions with Great
Britain out of which this unusual grant of authority
arose. nothing has occurred to require its exerton and
it is about to return to the Legislature trust that
future necessity may call for its exercise by them, its
delegation to another department of the Government
For the settlement of our Northeastern boundary the
proposition promised by GfeatBrain for commission of
exploration and survey has been received and counter
project including also provision for the certain and
final adjustment of the limits in dispute, before
The British Government for its consideration. just
regard to the delicate state of this question: and pro-
respect for the natural Impotence of the State of
Maine, not less than conviction that the negotiation
las been already protraced longer than is prudent
he part of either Government have led me to believe
hat the present favorable moment should accoun