The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-18
M ESSA G. T.
OF the President of the L. States
FELLOW citizens Of The Senate,

Fell0W citizens Of The Senate,
and House Of Representatives.:
Our devout gratitude is due to the Supreme Be
ing for having graciously continued to our beloved
country, through the yicssitudes of another year
the invaluable blessings of health, plenty and peace
Seldom has this favored land been so generally ex.
empted from the ravagcs of disease, or the Labor
Of the husbandman more amply rewarded; ant
never before have our relations with other coun
tries been placed ON more favorable basis thar
that which they so happily occupy ut this crtca
juncture in the affairs of the world. A rgid ant
persevering abstinence from all Interference witt
the domestic and political relations of other States
alike due to the genius and distinctive character Of
our Government aud TO the principles by which il
is directed; faithful observance, in the manage
lnent of our foreign relations, of the practice Of
speaking plainly, dealing justly, and requiring trutl
ind Justice in return, the hest conservatives Of
the peace of nations; strict immrtiality in oul
manifestations of friendship, in the commercial pr
vileges we concedc, and those we require from 9th
ers; these, accompanied by II disposition as prompt
to maintain, in every emergency, our own rights
as we are from principle aycrse to the invasion OF
those of others, have given to our country and gov
eminent standing in the great family Of nations
Of which we have Just cause TO be proud, and the
advantages of whoh are experienced by our cili
throughout every portion of the earth to which
their enterprsing and adventurous spirit may carry
them. Few, fany, remain inscnsble TO the value
of our friendship or ignorant of the terms on which
1t can be acquired, and by which it alono BIT
preserved.
A series Of questions of long standing, difficult II
their adjustment, aud important in their consequcn-
ces, in which the rights of our citizens and the hon
or of our country were deeply involved have in the
course of a few years, Che most of them during
the successful administration ofmy immediate pre-
decessor, )beCn brought 10 satisfactory conclusion
and the mos, important of them are, am happy 10
believe, in fair way Of being speedily and salts
factorily adjusted.
With ali the Powers of the world our relations
are those of honorable peace. Since your adjourn
ment nothing serious has occurred to interrupt and
threaten this desirable harmony. If clouds have
lowered above the other hemisp hcrc, they have not
cast their porenlous shadows upon our happy
shores. Bound by no entanglng alliances, YET
linked by a common nature aud interest with the
other nations of mankind, our aspirations are for
the preservation of peace, in whose solid and civ
ilizng irlumphs all may participate with generous
emulation. Yet il behoovcs us to be prepared for
any event, aud to be always ready to maintain
those just and enlightened principles of national in
tercourse, for which this government has ever con-
tended. In shock of contending empires, it is
only by assuming resolute bearing, and clothing
themselves with defensive armor, thlt neutral ma
tons can maintain their Independent rights.
The excitement which grew out of the territorial
controversy between the United States and Great
Britain, having in grca, measure subsidized, 1t is
hoped that favorable period is approaching for its
final settlement Both governments must now be
convinced of the dangers with which the question
is fraught and it must be their DESIRE as is their
hiatt el,,
be removed as soon Ms practicable In my last an
nual message You were informed that the propo-
sition for II commission Of exploration and survey
promised by Great Britain had been received, and
that counter project, including sole provision
for the certain and final adjustment of the limits in
dispute, was then before the British Government for
its consideration The answer of that government
accompanied by additional propositions of its own
was received through its minister here, since your
separation. These were promptly considered
such as were deemed correct in principle, and con.
sistent with due regard 10 the Just rights OF III,
United States and of the State of Maine, concur
red in; and the reasons for dissenting from the
residue, with an additional suggestion on our part
communicated by the Secretary Of State 10 Mr.
Fox. That Minister, not feeling himself sufficient.
ly instructed upon some of the points raised in tn,
discussion, felt il to be his duty to refer the matter
Having now been for some time nndcr its advise
ment, speedy answer may be confidently expect
ed. From the character Of the points still in diff
ference, and the undoubcd disposition Of both
parties TO bring the matter to an early conclusion
look with entire confidence TO prompt and sal
islnctOry termination Of the negotiation. Three
commissioners were appointed shortly after the ad-
jOurnmcnt of Congress- under the act of the last
session providing for the exploration and survey Of
the line which separates the States of Maine and
New Hampshire from the British Provinces; they
have been actively employed until their progress
was interrupted by The inccmcncy Of the season,
and will resume their abors as soon as practicable
IN the ensuing year.
1t is understood that their respective eAanina-
tons will throw new light upon the subject in con-
troversy, aud serve 10 remove any erroneous I'M
pressons which may have been made clscw here
prejudicil 10 the rights Of the United States. II
was, among other reasons, with view Of prevent
ing the en,barras'mcnls which, in our peculiar sys-
TEN of government impede and compralc ncgo.
iiaions involving the territorial rights Of a State,
that Thought II my duty, US You have been III
formed on previous occasion, 10 propose to the
british Government, through It's minister at WASH
ngton, that early steps should be taken 10 adjust
the points of difference on the line of boundary
from the entrance Of Lake Superior to the most
northern pant Of the Lake of the Woods, BY the
arbitration Of a friendly power, in conformity with
the Seventh Article of the Treaty Of Client. No
answer has yet been returned by the British Gov
eminent 10 this proposition.
With Austria France, PRUSSIA, Russia, and the
remaining Powers of Europe, am happy to inform
you relations continue 10 be of the most friend
ly character. With Belgium, a treaty Of com
mcrcc and navigation, based upon liberal princi.
pies of reciprocity and equality, was concluded in
March last, and having been ratified by the Belgian
Government, will be duly laid before the Senate
1t is subject of congrauaion that it provides for
the satisfactory adjustment Of long -slanding ques-
tion of CONTROVERSY thus removing the onl, obsta-
Gle which could obsruct the friendly and mutually
advantageous intercourse between the two nations.
messenger has been despatched with the IIano-
verian treaty TO Berlin, where according TO stipu-
lation, the notifications are 10 be exchanged am
happy tn announce 10 you that, after many DELAYS
and difficulties, treaty of commerce and na,ign
ton between the Cni!cd States and Portugal. wns
concluded and signed at Lisbon on the 2G,I Of An
gust last, by the pIcnipotentiarics Of the Two Gov
ernnenis. Ils stipulallons are founded upon those
principles of mutual berality and adv an,agc which
thp Iutta haze 4, ,I,