The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-23
MESSAGE.

punctual attention.
MESSAGE.
From the President of the United State:
TO the two Houses of Congress, at the
commencement of the Second Session
of the Twenty-Sixth Congress.
Fello,o citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:
Our devou. gratitude is due to the su-
preme Being for having graciously con-
ttinued to our beloved country, through
the vicissitudes of another year, the lnva-
Iuable blessings of health, plenty and
peace.-Seldom has this favored land
been so generally exempted from the ra-
wages of disease, or the labor of the hus-
bandmsn more amply rewarded; and ne
yer before have our relations with other
countries been placed on more taHora-
bic basis than that which they so happily
occupy at this critical conjuncture in the
affairs of the world. A rigid persever-
ing abstinence from all interference with
the domestic and political relations of
other States, alike due to the genius and
distinctive character Of our Government,
and to the principles by which it is direct.
ed; faithful observance, in the manage
ment of our foreign relations, of the prac-
tice of speaking plainly, dealing justly
and requiring truth and justice in return
as the best conservatives Of the peace OF
nations, a strict impartiaity in our mani
festations of friendship, in the CONNER
cial privileges we concede, and those we
require from others: these, accompanied
by disposition as prompt to maintain, in
every emergency, our own rights, as we
arc from principle averse to the invasion
of those of others, have given to our
country and Government standing in
the great family Of nations, Of which we
have Just cause to be proud, and the ad-
vantages of which are experienced by our
citizens throughout every portion of the
earth to which their enterprising and ad-
venturous spirit may carry them. Few,
if anv, remain insensible to the value OF
our friendship, or ignorant, Of the terms
on whichit can be acquired, and by
which it can alone be preserved.
A series of questions of long standing,
difficult in their adjustment, and lmpor,
tant in their consequences, IN which the
rights of our citizens and the honor OF
the country were deeply involved, have,
in the course of few years, 0he most
of them during the successful adminlstra,
ton Of my immediate predecessor,) been
brought to satisfactory conclusion; and
the most important of those remaining
are, l am happy to believe, in a fair way
of being speedily and satisfactorily ad,
iuaed. -..-
: With all the powers of the world ouI
relations are those of honorable peace
Since your adjournment, nothing serious
has occurred to interrupt or threaten this
desirable harmony. If clouds have low
cred above the other hemisphere, they
have not cast their portentous shadow:
upon our happy shores: Bound by nc
entangling alliances, yet linked by com
mon nature and interest with the othel
nations of mankind, our aspirations are
for the preservation of peace, in whose
solid and ,civilizing triumphs all may Partl
eipate with generous emulation. Ye
itbehooves usto be prepared for any
event, and to be always ready to main
tain those Just and enlightened principle!
of national intercourse, for which thi!
Government has ever contended. In the
shock of contending empires, it is only
.by assuming resolute bearing, ane
clothing themselves with defensive armor
that neutral nations can maintain their in
dependent rights.
The excitement which grew out OF ths
territorial controversy between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain having in !
great measure subsided, it is hoped that ;
favorable period is approaching for its fl
nal settlement. Both Governments mus
now be convinced of the dangers witt
:. which the question is fraught; and it mus
be their desire, as it is their interest, tina
this perpetual cause of irritation shoulc
be removed as speedily as practicable
In my last annual message you were in