Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-17
MESSAGE
Ofahe United States.
TRANSMITTED TO
HOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS,
DECEMBER 9, $40.

DECEMbfh iPfp'
Fellow Citize"s Of The Senate
and House Of Representatives.
Our devout gratitude is due to the Su-
preme Being for having graciousiy cont'n-
ued to our beloved country, through the
vicisstudes of another year, the Invaluable
blessing of health, plenty and peace. Seldom
has this favored land been SO generally ex-
empted from the ravages of disease. or the
labor of the husbandman more amply re-
warded and never before have our rela-
tions with other countries been placed on a
more favorable basis than that which they
so happily occupy at this critical conJunc-
ture 10 the affairs of the world. A rigid
and perseyering abstinence from all inter
ference with the domestic and political re-
lations of other States, alike due to the
genius and distinctive character of our gov
eminent and to the principles by which 1t
is directed 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 conservatives Of the peace OF
nations q strict impartality in our mani
festatlons Of friendship, in the commercial
privileges we concede, and those we require
from others these accompanied by dis
position rs prompt to maintain, in every
emergency, our own rights, as we are IRON
principle ayerse to the invasion OF those OF
Others, have given to our country and gov
eminent standing in the great family Of
nations of which we have just cause to be
proud, and the advantages of which are ex-
perienced by our cilizens throughout every
portion of the earth 10 which their enter
prising and adventurous spirit may carry
them. Few, if any,, remain insensible to the
value of our friendship, or ignorant of the
terms on which it can be acquired, and by
which it can alone be preserved.
A series of questions of long standing,
difficult in their adjustment, and important
in their consequences, in which the rights
Four citizens and the honor OF the country
were deeply involved, have, in the course
of few years, Ghe most OF them during
the successful administration OF my imme-
dia,e predecessor been brought TO sails
factory conclusion; and the most important
of those remaining are, am happy to be-
lieve, in fair way of being speedily and
satisfactorily adjusted.
With all the powers Of the world our re-
lations are those of honorable peace. Since
YOUR adjournment, nothing serious has oc-
CURED to interrupt or threaten this desirable
harmony. If clouds have lowered above
the other hemisphere, they have not cast
their porteniious shadows upon our happy
shores. Bound by no entanglng alliances
vet linked by a common nature and interest
with the other nations of mankind, our as
pirations are for the preservation OF peace,
in whose solid aud civlizing riumphs all
may participate with generous emulation.
Yet it behoyes us to De prepared for any
event and to be always ready to maintain
those just and enlightened principles otna-
tional Intercourse for which this govern
snent has ever commended. In the shock of
contending empires, it is only by assuming
resolute bearing and clothing themselves
with defensive armor that neutral nations
can maintain their independent rights.
The excitement which grew out of the
territorial controversy between the United
States and Great Britain having in a great
measure subsidized, it is hoped that a favora-
BILE period is approaching for It's final set
element. Both governments must now be
convinced of the dangers with which the
question is fraught and 1t must be their
desire, as it is their interest, that this per-
petual cause of irritation should be remov-
I'D as speedily as possible. In my last an
nual Message, you were informed that the
proposition for commission Of exploration
and survey promised by Great Britain, had
been received, and that counter project,
including, also, provision for the certain
and final adjustment of the limits in dispute
vas then before the British Government for
its consideration. These were promptly
considered such as were deemed correct
in principle, and consistent with due re-
gard to the just rights OF the United States
and of the State of Maine, concurred in;
aud the reasons for dissenting from the res
ldue, with an additional suggestion on our
part, communicated by the Secretary of
State TO Mr.. Fox. That Minister, not feel
ing himself sufficiently instructed upon
ne ofthe points raised in the discussion,
felt it to be his duty to refer the matter to
his own Government for its further deci-
son. Having now been for some time I'M
der its advsement, a speedy answer may be
eouidently expected. From the character
Of he points still in difference, and the I'M
dou bted disposition of both parties to bring
he matter to an early conclusion, look
Win entire confidence to a prompt and sat
,ctory termination Of the negotiation
Tree commissioners were appointed short