The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-12-22
WI les 8 "A GE
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. STATES.
Feiloao Citizens Of the Senate,
and HoNSe of REPRESENTATIVES.


Our devout gratitude is due to the Supreme Be-
ing for having graoousy cor tinued 10 our beloved
country, through the vicissitudes of another year,
the invaluable blessings of health, plenty and peace.
Seldom has this favored land been generally ex-
emp.ed from the ravages of disease, or the labor Of
the husbandman more amply rewarded; and mover
before have our relations with other countries boen
placed a more favorable basis than that which
they happily occupy this critical ronluncture
in the affairs of the world A rigid and perseverlng
abstinence from all interference with the domestic
and political relations of other States, alike due to
the genius and distinctive character Of our govern
and to the principles by which is directed;
a faithful observance in the Management. of our for
eign relations, of The practice Of speaking plainly,
dealing justly. and requiring truth and justice IN
return the best conservatives of the pence of ma
tnus n strict impArtlGlity our manifestations OF
friendship in the CONNER cial privileges we concede
and those we require from Others: these accompa-
MED by disposition as prompt To maintain, in eve
~ omer gency our own rights. as we are from prin-
ciple to the invasion ofthose OF others have
given to country and government standing IN
the great family of nations Of which we nave just
cause to be proud, and the advantages of which are
exptrien ced by citizens throughout every por-
lion Of the earth which their enerPrising and nd
venturous spirit may carry them. Few, If any, re-
main insenshe 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 nsequen
ces, which the ri hs of on CITIZENS and the hon
of the country were deeply Involved, have, in the
course of few years, (the most OF them during the
successful administration oil my Immediate prede
cessor) been brought TO satisfactory Inclusion,
and the most important of those remaining are,
Am happy to believe, in fai: way Of being speed.
iy satisfactorily adjusted
With all the powers the world our relaions
are those Of honorable peace. Since your adjourn
menf, nothing serious has occurred tn interrupt or
threaten this desirable harmony. II clouds have
lowered above The other hemsp h5re, they have not
cast their portentous shadows upon our happy
shores Bound by entangling alliances, yet
linked by a common nature and interest with tho
other nations of mankind, our aspirations are tor
the preservation of peace, in whose solid and civil
izing trumphs all may participate with generous
cmuiaion. Yet it hehovos us to be prepared for
any event. and to be always rea!y to MAINTAIN those
lust and enlightened principles OF national inter-
course for which this Government has ever CON
tended In the shock of contendIng empires, It Is
only by assuming a resolute bearing, and clothing
themselves with defensive armor, that neutral ma
tons can maintain their independent rights.
The excitement which grew out OF the territoria!
controversy between the Unied States and Great
Britain having in great measure subs'ded It is
hoped that favorable period IS approaching Tor It's
final settlement. Both Governments must now De
convinced of the dangers with which the questoh
is fraught; and it must be their desire, as II Is ther
interest that this perpetual cause OF irritaloh s""o
be removed as speedily as possible m my ihs'
Animal Message Won were informed that the pro-
position for a commission ofexploration and survey
promised by Great Britain, had been received. ana
that counter project, including, also, provision
for the certain and final adjustment of the limits IN
dispute was then before tho British Government
for its consideration. The answer OF that Govern
ment, accompanied by the additional propositions
of its own was received, through its Minister here
since your Sc paration. These were promptly con
sidered such as were deemed correct in p'inciPIe
and consistent with due regard to the Just ,el's
of the United States, and OF the state o Nia a.
concurred in; and the reasons for dissenting ron
the residue with am additional suggestion - on ou'
part, communicated by the Secretary OF State " ~
MIR Fox. That Minister, not feeling himself iuu
enty instructed upon so mo Of the points raiset