Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-12-27
M Il . > A q r


BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS,
COMMENCEMENT OF THE FIRST SESSION
TWENTY. SIXTH CONGRESS.
Eslloso Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives.:
Iregret that cannot on this occasion congratu
late YOU that the past year has been one OF unaloy
ed prosperity. The ravages OF hre ana disease nave
painfully afflicted otherwise fourishing portions OF
country; and serious embariassmem en-. yeu ae-
range the trade Of many of our cities. But notwith
standing these adverse circumstances, the general
prosperity which has been heretofore SO Douniiiuiiy
bestowed upon US by the Author OF III good, sun
continues to call for Our warmest gratitude. EsPe
cially have we reason to rejoice IN the exuberant
harvests which have lavishy recompensed well d.,
rected industry, and given to 1t that sure reward
which is vainly sought in visionary specuations
cannot indeed view without peculiar satisaction the
evidences afforded by the past season OF the Dement'S
that spring from the steady devotion OF the
man TO his honorable pursuit. No means OF in9ivi-
dual comfort is certain, and no source OF ma
tional prosperity is So sure. Nothing can compen-
safe people for a dependence upon others Tor me
bread they eat and that cheerful abundance
the happiness Of every one so much depends, Is 70
be looked for where with such sure reliance as IN
the industry Of the agrcuturist and the bountes OIL
the earth.
same favorable aspect which was presented in my
last annual message, and afford con inued proof 81
the wisdom Of the pacific, jasr aud torbearing pom
cy adopted by the first Administration OF the Feoe-
ralGovernment, and pursued by its successors: The
extraordinary powers vested in me by an act OF Con
gress for the defence Of the country IN an
considered far probable to require that the Exc
cuiive should possess ample means to meet II, nave
NOT been exerted. They have, therefore, been at
tended with other result than to increase by the
confidence thus reposea in rue, my obligations 10
maintain, with religious exactness the cardinal Prin
ciples that govern our intercourse with other ma
ti0ns Happily, in our pending questions with Great
Britain out Of which this Hnusual grant oil authority
arose. nothing has occurred to require It's exerion
and Il is about to return to the Legislature. trust
that no future necessity may call Tor ITS exercise oy
them, its delegation to another department OF the
Government.
the proposition promised by Great Britain for com
mission of exploration and has been recelved
aud counter project, including also provision Tor
the certain and final adjustment OF the limits In dis
pute, is now before the British Government for ITS
ration just gard to the delicate state OF
this question, and proper respect Tor the haturai
impotence Of the State Of Maine not less than con-
viction that the negoa' has been already protrac-
ted longer is prudent the part oil either Gov-
ernment have red believe that the present IA
vorabe moment should on no accoont be suffered to
pass without putting the question forever Al rest
feel confident that the Government OF her Britannia
Majesty will take the view OF this SUBJECT as
/ am persuaded il is governed by desires equally
strong and sincere for the amlcable terminaonot me
controversy.
To the Intrinsic difficulties Of questions Of boun.
Diary lines, especially those dc scrbed in regions
occupied, and but partially known, rs to be added IN
our country the embarrassment necessarily arising
out Of our Constitution, by which the General Gov
eminent is made the organ OF negotiating and de-
ding upon the particular interests OF the States
on whose frontiers these lines arc to be traced To
avoid another controversy in which State Govern
ment might rghtfnlly claim to have her wishes con-
suited pre- vonsy to the conclusion OF conventional
arrang ements concerning her rights OF jurisdiction
or territory, have thought il necessary 10 call
the attention Of the Government OF Great br.ant 10
another portion Of our conterminous dom'nion' ~
which the division still remains 10 be adjusted.
r.fr 20 the line from the Of Lake Superior
70 the most northwestern point oil the Lake OIL the
Woods st pulations for the settlement OF which are
IN h found in the seventh article OF the treaty OF
Ghcnt. The commissioners appointed under that
article by the two Governments having differed IN
their opinions made separate reports, according 10
its stipuations, upon the points OF disagreement,
and these differences to be submitted to the
arbitration of some friendly sovereign or state The
disputed points should be settled and the line de-
signated, before the Territorial Government, oil
which is of the boundaries, taxes ts place an
the Union as a State, and i rely upon the cordial
cooperation Of the British Government To effect
that object
like those which lately agitated the neighborng
British Provinces will not again prove the sources
of border contentious interpose obstacles TO the
continuance Of that good understanding which Il is
the mutual interest OF Gren' Britain and he United
States TO preserve aud maintain.
Within the Provinces Themselves tranquility Is
restored, and our frontier that misguided sympa-
thy in favor of what was presumed to be general
effort in behalf ef popular rights and which IN some
instances misled few Of our more inexperienced
citizens has subsidized into a rational conviction
strongly opposed TO all nermeddling with the inter
nal AFFAIRS Of our neighbors. The people Of the
United States feel IL is hoped they always will,
warm socitude for the success OF all who are sin
crey endeavorng improve the political condition
Of mankind. This generous feeling they cherish
towards the most distant nations and u was NATURAL
therefore, that IL should be awakened with more than
common warmth in behalf Of their immediate neigh
bors. But IL doe. not belong to their charaet as
community 10 seek the qualification Of those feelings
In acts which violate their duty citizens, endaRger
the of their country. and tend To bring upon II
the stain Of violated faith towards foreign nations.
IT. jealous to confer benefits others, they appear
fer moment to loose sight Of the permanent cbga-
tons imposed upon them citizens, they are seldom
long misled.A From all the inform alton receive,
confirmed to some extent by personal observation,
am satisfied that can now hope to engage in
nation In addition to the severest penalties OF the
law.
Recent information also leads me 10 hope that the
emigrants from her majesty's provinces, who have
sought refuge within our boundaries are disposed TO
become peaceable residents, and To abstain from all
attcmpts 10 endanger the peace of that county which
has afforded them an asylum On review 81 the
occurrences both sides 81 the line IL satisfacto-
nv TO reflect, that in almost every complaint against
our country, the offence may be traced 10 emgranfs
from the provinces who have sought refuge here
In the few instances in which they we're aided by