The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-12-31

and distinctive character OF our govern
ment, and TO the principles by which 1t
is directed; a faithful observance, in the
management of our foreign relations, of
the practice of speaking plainly, dealing
Justly, and requiring truth and justice in
return, as the best conservative OF the
peace of nations; a strict impartiali1y in
our manifestations of friendship in the
commercial privileges we concede and
those we require from others; these, ac-
companied by disposition as prompt to
maintain, in every emergency, our own
rights, as we are from principle averse to
the invasion of those of others, have
given to our country and government a
standing in the great family of nations,
of which we have just cause to be proud,
and the advantages of which are expert
enced by our citizens throughout every
portion of the earth to which their enter
prising and adventurous spirit may carry
them. Few, if any, remain insensible
to the value of our friendship, or igno-
rant of the terms on which it can be &C
CURED, and by which alone it can be pre-
served.
Foreign relations.
A series of questions of long standing,
difficult in their adjustment and important
in their consequences, in which the rights
of our citizens and the honor of our coun-
try were deeply involved, have in the
course of a few years (the most of them
during the successful administration of
my immediate predecessor, been brought
to satisfactory conclusion; and the most
important of those remaining are, am
happy to believe, in fair way of being
speedily and satisfactorily adjusted.
With all the powers of the world our
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 shrowds
upon our happy shore. Bound by no
entangling alliances, yet linked by a
common nature and interest with the
other nations of mankind, our aspirations
are for the preservation of peace, in
whose solid and civilizing ,riumphs all
may participate with generous elnula-
ton. Yet it behooves us to be prepared
for any event, and to be always ready to
maintain those just and enlightened prin-
ciples of national intercourse, for which
this government has ever contended. In
the shock of contending empires, it is
only by assuming a resolute bearing, and
clothing themselves with defensive armor,
that neutral nations can maintain their
independent rights.
Northeastern boundary.
The excitement which grew out of the
territorial controversy between the Uni
ted States aud Great Britain having in a
great measure subsidized, it 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 it must be their interest,
that this perpetual cause Of irritation
should be removed as speedily as practi-
cable. In my last annual message yon
were informed that the proposition for a
commission of exploration and survey
promised by Great Britain had been re.
ceived, and that a counter project, inclu.
ding also provision for the certain and
final adjustment of the limits in dispute
was then before the British government
for its consideration. The answer of
of that government, accompanied by adj
ditional propositions of its own. was re-
ceived through its minister here since
your separation. These were promptly
considered; such as were deemed correct
in principle, and consistent with a due
regard to the just rights of the United
States and of the state of Maine, were
concurred in; and the reasons for dissen-
ting from the residue, with additional
suggestions on our part, communicated
by the secretary of state TO MIR Fox.
That minister not feeling himself suf1i-
GENTLY instructed upon some of the points
raised in the discussion, felt it his duty
to refer the matter to his own government
for further decision. Having now been
for some time under its advisement, a
speedy answer may be confidently ex-
pected. From the character of the points
stillin difference, and the undoubted dispo.
sition of both parties to bring the matter to
an early conclusion, look with entire
confidence to prompt and satisfactory
termination of the negotiation. Three
commissioners were appointed shortly
after the adjournment Of Congress, under
the act of the last session providing for
the exploration and survey of the line
which separates the state Of Maine and
New Hampshire from the British prov
inces; they have been actively employed
until their progress was interrupted by
the inclemency Of the season, and will
resume their labors as soon as practicable
in the ensuing year.
1t is understood that their respective
examinations will throw new light upon
the subject in controversy, and serve to
remove any erroneous impressions which
may have been made elsewhere prejudi.
cial to the rights of the United States
1t was, among other reasons, with view
| of preventing the cmbarrassments which,