The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-25


/ States, 10 both Houses of Congress, al HE
Commencement of The first session 81 Tie
TVcnty-siuh Congress.
i MESSAGE.
FsliOp- CHi-ens The Senate
and House Of Representatives.;
Iregret that cannot on this occasion congratulate
YOU that The past year has been one ot unalloyed
prosperity. The ravages of fire and disease have
painfully afflicted Otherwise furnishing portions Of
our country; and serious embarrasSments vet de
range the trade OF many Of our ctIes. But, notwilh
standing these adverse circumstances that general
prosperity which has been heretofore so bountifuy
bestowed upon US by the Author OF all good still
tinues 10 call Tor our warmes gratitude. Especially
have we reason TO rejoice in the exuberant harvests
which have layiShly recompensed well directed in
dusfrv and given 10 II that reward which Is vain
i ly sought 10 visionary speculations. cannot indeed
view without peculiar satisfaction the evidences az
forded by the past season OF the benefits that spring
from The steady devotion OF the husbandlpan 10 his
honorable pursuit No means OF individual comfort
Is more certain and no OF national prosperity
Is SO sure. Nothing can compensate people for a
dependence upon others for the bread they eat: and
that cheerful abundance which the happiness OF
every one SO much depends, be looked for no.
where with such sure reliance 10 the industry Of
the agriculiurist and the bouneS of the earth.
! With foreign countries, our relations exhibit the
same favorable aspect which was presented in my
last annual message, and afford continued proof OF
the wisdom OF the pacific just and foIbearng policy
adopted by The first Administration Of The Federal
Government, and pursued BY its successors The
extraordinary powers vested in me by an act of Con-
g;esS iar the defence Of the country in an emergen-
Cyl considered so tar probable as 10 require that the
Executive should possess ample means 10 meet II,
have not been exerted They have therefore been
attended with no other result than TO increase by
The confidence thus reposed in me- my obligations 10
maintain, with religious exactness the cardinal
principles mat govern our intercourse with other
nations. Happily, in pending questions with
Great Britain, out Of which this unusual grant Of
authority arose, nothing has occurred to require its
exerion and as is about TO return to The Ieoisa-
tufe, trust that no future necessity may call for It's
exercise by them its delegation to another depart,
ment of the Government =.
For the settlement Of our Northeastern boundary
the proposition promised by Great Britain Tor com.
mission OF exploration and survey, has been recev-
cd and counter PROJECT including also q provision
iof The certain and final adjustment of the limits in
dispute, is now before the British Government for
It's consideration. just regard 10 the delicate state
" inns question, ana proper respect for the natural
impatience OF the State of Maine not less than con-
vlclion that The negotiation has been already pro-
tracted longer than is prudent the part of either
Government, have led me 10 believe that the present
favorable moment should ON no account be suffered
TO pass without putting the question for ever at rest
ieel confident that the Government Of her Britain
mic Majesty will lake the same view of This snbec
as am persuaded il is governed by desires equally
the controversy,
To the intrinsic difficulties OF questions of bound
AIRY lines, especially those described in regions un-
occupied, and but partially known, is 10 be added in
ouI country the embarrassment necessarily arisin
out OF our constitution, by which the General Gov
eminent Is TO be made the organ Of negotiating and
deciding upon The particular Interests OF the States
on whose frontiers these lines re to be traced tn
avoid another controversy in which State govern
nent might rightiuy claim to have her wishes con-
sult9S, previously To the conclusion of conventional
arrangements concerning her rights OF jurisdiction
or territory, have thought il necessary To call the
government Rr;t
other portion OF our coniermnouS dominion of
which the division still remains 10 he adjusted
refer 10 the line from the entrance of Lake Superior
TO The most northwestern point Of the Lake of the
Woods, stipulaons for The settlement OF which are
10 be found IN the seventh article Of the treaty of
Ghen ihe commissioners appointed under that
aiucie, py lhe Two governments, have differed in
their opinions made separate reports, according to
its StipulaonS, upon The points OF disagreement and
these differences are 10 be submitted 10 the ar
Duration OF some friendly sovereign or State The
alsPu'ed points should be settled and the lines desg-
mated, before the Territorial Government, of which
II is one or the boundaries takes its place in the
Union as State and | rely upon the cordial CO.
operation Of the British Government to effect that
object.
There is every reason to believe that disturbances
like those which lately agtated the neighboring Bri-
fish Provinces, will not again prove the sources Of
border contentious, or in'erPose obstacles TO The
nnuance OF that gooc understanding which il is the
mutual interest Of Great Britain and the United
States 10 preserve and maintain
within the Provinces themselves tranquility is
restored, and on our frontier that misguided sympa-
my IN favor OF what was presumed TO be general
effort in behalf of popular rights and which in some
instances mised few of our more inexperienced
citizens has subsidized into a rational conviction
strongly opposed 10 all intermeddng with the inter
nal affairs OF our neghbors. The people of the
United States feel, as IL is hoped they always will
warm solicudc Tor the success of all who are sin
cerely endeavoring TO improve the political condition
OF mankind. This generous feeling they cherish
ap6i Z 81
therefore, that II should be awakened with more than
common warmth in behalf of their immediate neigh
blrs But II does not belong TO their character as
community, TO seek the qualification of those feelings
in acts which violate their duty as citizens endan-
ger The peace Of their country and tend to bring upon
1.-THE stain Of violated faith towards foreign nations
II, Jealous to confer benefits Others they appear
tor moment 10 lose tight of the permanent obga-
tons imposed upon them as citizens they are seldom
long misled From all the information receive
confirmed TO some extent by personal observation
am satlsled that no one can now hope 10 engage in
such enterprises without encounteIing public indig-
nation in addition 10 the penalties of the
law.
Recent information also leads me to hope that the
cmi2rants from her Maesty'S Provinces who have
sought refuge within our boundaries, are disposed to
become peaccable residents, and 10 abstain from all
attempts to endanger the peace Of that county which
has afforded them an asylum. On review of The
occurrences on both sides OF the line il is safiSac-
tory 10 reflect that in almost every complaint against
country, the offence may be traced 10 cmigrantS
from the Provinces who have sought refuge here
In The few instances in which they were aided by
citizens of the United States the acts of these mis-
guided men were not only in direct contravenlon OF
the laws and well known wishes OF their own Go
vernmeul, but met with the decided diSapprob1lion
of the people Of the United States
j regret TO state the appearance of a different
spirit among her Maesty's subj cts in the Canadas.
The sentiments OF hostility people and insti-
tuIions, which have been SO frequently expressed
there, and The disregard OF our rights which have
been manifested some occasions have am