Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-01-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
feiio'e c'tiseas Of The Senate,

and House IF Representatives.:
] regret that ! cannot on this occasion con-
graduate you that the past year has been one
OF unslloycd prosperity. The ravages OF fire
and disease have painfully afflicted otherwise
| hourshIng portions of our country, and seri-
Gus embarrassmcnts yet derange the trade Of
many of our cities. But Notwithstanding these
adverse circumstances that general prosperity
J which has heretofore so bountfully bestowed
upon us by the author of all good. still contin-
ues TO call for our warInest gratitude. Espe-
cially have we reason TO rejoice in the exu-
beran, harves,s which have lavishy recon-
pensed well-directed industry, and given to il
tina, sure reward which is vainly sought in Wis
ionary speculation. | cannot but view with
I peculiar satisfaction the evidences afforded by
the past season of the benefits that spring from
tho lady devotion of 1,e husbansman 10 his
1 honorable pursuit. No means Of individual
comfort is more certain, and no source of ma
tional prosperity is so sure. Nothing can
compensate a people for dependence upon
others for the bread they eat and that cheer
full abundance on which the happiness Of eve
ry one SO much depends, is TO be looked for
nowhere with such sure reliance in the in
dus,ry of the agriculturalist and the bountes
of the earth.
With foreign countries our relations exhibit
the same favorable aspect which was present
ed in my last annual message, and afford con-
tinued proof of the wisdom of the pacific, just
and forbearing policy adopted by the first Adj
ministra,ion of the Federal Government, and
pursued by his SUCCESSORS The cxtraordina
ry powers vested in me by an act of Congress
for the defence of the country in an emergen-
/ cy considered so far probable as TO require
that the Executive should possess ample
means to meet it, have not been exerted.-
Al IL
other result than to increase by the confidence
thus reposed in me, my obligations to main
tain, with religious exactness, the cardinal
principles that govern our intercourse with
other nations. Happy, in our pending ques-
tons with Great Britain, out of which this I'M
usual grant Of authority arose, nothing has &C.
Cured to require its eXertion and as 1t is a
bout to return TO the legislature, trust that no
future legislature may call for its exercise by
them or its delegation to another department
of the government.
For the settlement of our north -eastern
boundary, the proposition claimed by Great
Britain for commission of exploration and
survey has been received, and counter pro-
ject, including also provision for certain
and final settlement of the limits in dispute, is
aow before the British governmentfor its con-
sderation. A just regard 10 the delicate
state of this question, and proper respect for
! The natural Impotence of the State of Maine
not less than a conviction that the negotiation
has already been protracted longer than is
prudent, on the part of either government,
have led me TO believe that the present favor
able moment should on no account be suffer
ed to pass without putting the question forever
to rest. feel confident that the government
of her Britanic majesty will take the same
view of the subject, as ] am persuaded it is
naI hx,1 ne llv an1 Sip-
cere. for the amicablc termination of the con-
troversy
To the intrinsic difficulties of questions of
boundary lines, especially those described in
regions unoccupied and but partially known.
is to be added, in our country, the embarrass-
ment necessarily arising out of her Consttu-
ton, be which the General Government is
made the organ of negotiating and deciding
upon the particular interests of the State on
whose frontiers these lines are to be traced.
To avoid another controversy in which state
government might rightfully claim to have her
wishes consulted, previous TO the conclusion
OF the conventional arrangements concerning
her right of jurisdiction of territory, have
thought it necessary to call the attention of
the government of Great Britain 10 another
portion of our contermnous dominion, of
which the division still remains to be adjust
ed. / refer to the line from the entrance from
Lake Superior 10 the most northwestern point
of the Lake of the Woods, stipulations for the
settlement of which are 10 be found in the 9TH
article of the treaty of Client The commits
sioners appointed under that article by the
two governments having differed in their opin-
ions, made separate reports, according TO its
stipulations, upon the points of disagreement,
and these disagreements are now TO be sub
mitted to the arbitration Of some friendly sove-
. stata Tho Hicp,taI pnints Shou11 hp