Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-01-06
PRESIDEN E'S MESS AGE.
FeIloU citizens IF the Senate
I IL D.. IL.


ai House of Representatives.:
| regret that cannot on this OCCASION cougrat
Ulatc You that the past year has been one Of uua-
ioyed rJ'r"riiy. ilc Tata-os OF lire anti disease
have painfully afflicted otherwise flourishng por
ions ui 1ur couury and serl ms embarrasSlenls
yet deS,ngo the trade OF many of our cities. But,
notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, that
general prosperity which has been heretofore so
buuntitully bestowed upon us by the Author Of
all good, sill continues to call for warmrst
gratitude. Especially have we reason to rejoice
in the cYliberent harvests which have lawshly res
omponsed we'll directed industry, and given to it
thar sure reward which is vany sought IN vision
ary specu atoms. ! cannot indeed view without
peculiar satisfaction, the evidences afforded by
the past season Of the benefits that spring from
the steady devotion OF the hushandman TO his
honorable pursuit. No means of individual com.
fort is more certain, and no source Of national
prosperity is sure. Nothing can compensate
people for dependence upon others for the bread
they ent AMI that cheerful abundance on which
the happiness of every one much depends, is
to he looked 'or no where with such sure reanre
as in the industry OF the agriculturjst and the
bonnie. of The earth.
Win luIrgn countries. our relations exhibit the
same fay urnhie aspect which presented in my
last annuH message, and afford continued proof of
the wisdom OF the pacific, just aud iorbearing pull
icy adapted by the first Administration Of The Fed
eral Government, and pursued by its successors
The extraordinary powers vested in me by an act
of Congress, { I the defence of the country IN an
emergency, considered so far Probable as TO re.
qIire that the Executive should possess ample
means To meet it, have not been exer,ed. They
have, therefore, been attended with no other re
suit shan to increase, by the confidence repo>ed
In me, my obligations to maintain, with religious
eXactuesS, the cardinal principles that govern our
intercourse with other nations. Happi y, in our
pending questions with Great Britain, out OF which
tis mn .iin grant Of authority nrosp uothinu has
occurred to require its exertiun, and it sa6out
TO return to tho Legislature, trust that no future
aecessity may call for its exercise by them its
delegation to another department of the Govern
ment.
For the settlement of our Northeastern boun-
diary, the proposition promised by Great Britain
for Il commission of exploration and survey, has
been received, and counter project, including
also n provision for the certain and final ndJuSt
ment Of the limiis in dispute now before the
British Government for its consideration. a Just
regnd 10 the delicate state OF this question: and n
proper respect for the natural impaiiencG Of The
State of Maine, not less Than n conviction ihui
this negotiation has been already proiracted long
err Than is prudent on the part OF either govern
ment, have ed me to believe thai the present IA
vorahle moment, should, IN no account, he suffer
ed to pass without putting the question forever al
rest. / feel confident Ihd the Cove nmGnt If her
B,ilanic Majesty will take the same view of this
subject, as am persuaded it is governed Ivy de
sres equally strong aud sincere Tor the aihlcablt
termination of the controversy.
To the intrinsic difficulties OF qneslious of boun
Diary lines, especially those Described in region:
unocrupied, and hat partially Known is to he adj
del in oIr country, the embarrassments neceSsa
ri'y arising out of our Constitution, 10y which tint
General Government is made the organ of nego
Glazing, and deciding uron the particular nercs.
of TIE States On whose frontiers these lines Il
be traced To avoid auo her controversy in wilicl
State Government might rightiuiIy claim 10 have
her wishes consulted, previously 10 the conclusion
of conventional arrangements concerning lIe
rights OF jurisdiction or territory, | have though
it necessary 70 rall the attention OF the Govern
meHt o! Great Britain 10 another portion nt on
contetn'nous dominion, of which the division
still r"nninS to he adjusted. ! refer to the n
from the entrance of Lake Superior to the mos
northwest point Of The Lake Of the Woods, stipi
lato1S for le settlement of " ch are tn he iOunt
in the seventh article OF the treaty Of Client. In
commissioners appointed under that article by iln
Two Governments, having differed in their opin
ions, made separate reports, according TO lis stip
ulnliunS, upon the polnis OF disagreement, AM
these differences now TO he submitted 10 In
arbitration of some friendly Sovereign or State
The disputed points should lie settled, and The lin
designated, before the Territorial Government, q
which It is one Of the boundaries, takes it's pac
in the Union as a state (; and rely upon the cor
dial cooperation of the British Government 10 eI
feet that object.
There is every reason 10 believe that disiwban
ces like those which lately agated the neighbor
ing Brush Provinces will not nTuln prove IN
sources of border confessions, or luerpoSe "bstt
Giles 10 the continuance of that good understand
ing whrh il is The mutuoI interest Of Great Br
au ami The United States to preserve aud maiI
tam.
Within The Provinces tranquility is restored, an
or our frontier thai misguided sympathy in fave
OF what WAS presumed To he Il general effort
behalf OF popular rights, and which in some il
stances nised few of our more Dexperience
citizens, hns subsidized into rational conrieto
strongly opposed TO all intrrlneddiing with III
internal affairs of our neighbors. The people ,
the United States feel, it is hoped they alwa,
will. warm soIlcltude for the success of all wi
are sincerely endeavOring IA improve the polite
condition of mankind This generous feeling the
cherish towards the nost distant nations; and
was natural, therefore, that it should he awakent
with more ihap COMMON warmth IN behalf
their immediate neghbors But il does not belol
TO their character, as n community, 70 seek Il
sratjical ion ofthose feelings IN nets which viola
their duty ns citizens, endanger the I,ease of the
country and tend 10 bring upon II the stain of
violated faith towards foreign nations. II, zeelo
10 confer benefits on others, they appear Tor m
ment 10 lose sight of the permanent obligatl0
jmposed upon them ms citizens, they are seldo
long ,nisled From all the information recei'
confirmed 10 some extent by personal observation
] am satisfied that no one can now hope TO enea
in such enterprises without eneouherng pup
indignation. in addition to the severe penalties
the law.
Recent information also leads me - hope Il
the emgranls from her Maiesly's Provinces, W
have sought refuge within our boundaries, IRE d
posed TO come peaceable residents, and TO
stain ON all atlemptsto endanger the peace
the country which has afforded them an asyiu
IN r.viey of The occurrences on both sides
the line it is satisfactory 10 reflect, that in nlm
every complaint against our country, the Offer
nny bc traced to emigrans from The Provln'