, 1840-12-26
P~nrslaEAT,'S MESSAGE.

Eeing for having graciousiy continued to our
beloved country, through the vicissitudes OF
another year, tie invaluable blessings Of
health, plenty. and peace. Seldom, has this
favored land been SO generally exempted
from the ravages Of disease or the labor of
the husbandman more amply rewarded; and
never before have our relations with other
countries been placed on a more favorable
basis than that which they SO happily occupy
az this critical coniuncture in the affairs of
the world. A rigid and persevering absti
nence from all interference with the domes-
tic and political relations of other States,
alike due to the genius and distinctive char
acler of our Government and to the prnci-
pies by which it is directed; 4 faithful obser
vance, in the management OF our foreign re.
lations. of the practice of speaking plainly.
dealing justly. and requiring truth and justice
in return, as the best conservatorS OF the
peace OF nations; a strict impartlality in
our manifestations Of friendship. in the COM
mercial privileges we concede, and those we
require from others; these, accompanied by 4
disposition rs prompt t9 maintain. IN every
emergency, our own rights. as re are from
principle averse TO the invasion of those of
others. have given 10 our country and Gov
eminent a standing in the great family OF ma.
tions, of which we have just cause to be proud.
and the advantages of which are experienced
by our citizens throughout every portion Of
the earth TO which their enierprislng and ad-
venturous spirit may carry them. Few. If
anv. remain insensible to the value of our
friendship. or ignorant of the terms on which
it can be acquired, and by which it ian alone
be preserved.
\ series Of questions Of long standing, diff.
ficult in their adjustment. and important in
their consequences, in which the rights Of our
citizens and the honor of the country were
deeply involved, have, in the course of Il few
wears, (lhe most Of them during the success
tul administration Of my immediate predeces-
sor,) been brought to i satisfactory %conclu-
sion; and the most important OF those renal
ming are. | am happy 10 believe, in a fair way
OF being speedily and satisfactorily adjusted.
with all the powers Of the world our rela-
tons are those of honorable peace. Since
your Al adjustment, nothing serioug has occur
red TO interrupt or threaten this desirable har-
monv. If clouds have lowered above the
other hemisphere, they have not cast their
portentous shadows upon oar happy shores.
Bound b. no ~entangling alliances. yet linked
By 4 common nature and interest with the
other nations OF mankind. our aspirations are
for the preservation of peace. in whose solid
and civi!izing ~triunpllS all may participate
with a generous emulation. Yet it beho0vcS
US 10 be prepared for any event. and to be
always ready 10 maintain those just and en-
liglitened principles of national intercourse.
for which this government has ever coatend
ed. In the shock OF contending empires. it
is only by assuming 4 ~resolute bear ing. and
clothing Themselves with defensive armour.
that neutral nations can maintain their indie
pendent rights.
The excitement which grew out Of the ter
ritorial controversy between the United
States and Great Britain having in a great
measure subsidized. it is hoped that a favorable
period is approaching for its final settlement.
Both Governments must now be convinced
OF the dangers with which the question is
irduyht. and it must be their desire, as ii is
their interest, that This perpeturi cause Of ir.
~ri,ation should be removed as speedily as
practicable. In my last annual message Won
were informed that the proposition for a com
mission of exploration and survey promised
by Great Britain had been received, and that
a counter project. including also n prov isi"n
for the certain and final adjustment of the H.
mits in dispute. was then before the british
Government for its consideration.
The answer of The Government, accompa-
MED BY. additional proposition, of its own.
was received through the minister here since
your separation. These were promptly con
sidered; such as were deemed correct in prin-
cip!e, and consistent with IA due regard 10 the
just rights Of the United States and of the
State of Maine. concurred in. and the reasons
for dissenting from the residue. with an addi-
tionai suggestion on our part, communicated
by the Secretary of State TO Mr.. Fox. That
minister, not feeling himself sufficiently H.
structed upon some of the points raised in
the discussion. felt it TO be his duty To refer
the matter to his own Government for its
further decision. Having now been for
some time under its advisement n speedy an
swer may be confidently expected. From
the character of the points still in difference.
and The undoubted disposition of both parties
20 bring the matter to an early conclusion, |
look with entire confidence to a prompt and
satisfactory termination of the negotiatIon.-
cnna pnISsIon ~ q 1nnoIntn1 clnrtlr |