The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-04
E1E@S AGN

meHCeneHt Ol lne HtSt Session Oh inc |
twentv-sixth Congress.
Feit0sO citizens Of Tie Senate
and HouSe Of Representatives.;
regret that cannot, on this occasion !
congratulate you that the past year has been
one of uualoyed prosperity. The ravages
of fire and disease have painfully afflicted
otherwise nourshing portions of our coun- f,
try; and serious embarrassments yet derange !
the trade Of many Of our cities. But not /,
wiihstanding these adverse circumstances,
that general prosperity which has heretofore
been SO bountiluly bestowed upon us by the |
Author of all good, still continues to call for
our warmest gratitude, Especially have
we reason to rejoice in the eXuberent har-
vests which have lavishly recompensed well
directed industry, and given to it that sure
reward which is vainly sought in visionary
speculations. | cannot indeed view, with
out peculiar satisfaction, the evidence ullor-
ded by the past season of the benefits that
spring from the steady devotion of the hus-
bandman to his honorable pursuit. No
means of individual comfort is more certain,
and no source of national prosperity is so
sure. Nothing can compensate people
for dependence upon others for the bread
they eat; and that cheerful abundance on
which the happiness of every one so much
depends, is TO be looked for nowhere with
such sure reliance as in the industry Of the
agriculturalist and the bountes of the earth.
With foreign countries our relations eX-
hibit the same favorable aspect which WAS
presented in my last annual message, and
afford continued proof Of the wisdom Of the
pacific, just and lorbcarng policy adopted
by the first administration OF the federal
government, and pursued by its SUCCESSORS.
The extraordinary powers vested in me by
an act of Congress, for the defence of the
country in an emergency, considered so far
probable as TO require that the executive
should possess ample meals to meet it, have
not been eXerted. They have, therefore,
been attended with no other result than 10
increase, by the confidence thus rcposed in
me, by obligations TO maintain, with re!igi-
lous exaciness the cardinal principles shat
govern our intercourse with other nations.
( Happily in our pending questions with Great
Britain, out of which this unusual grant Of
authority arose, nothing has occurred TO re-
quire its eXerlion; and as it is about to re-
turn to the legislature, trust that no future
necessity may call for its exercise by them,
4 or its delegation to another department OF the
government
For the settlement of our Northeastern
boundary, The proposition promised by Great
Britain for u commission for exploration and
survey, has been received, and a counter
project, including also a provision for the
certain aud final adjustment of the limits in
dispute, is now before the British Govern
ment for its consideration. A just regard
to the delicate state Of the question, and a
proper respect for the natural impalieuce OF
the State oil Mane,n not less than conviction
that the negotiation has been already pro-
sracted longer than is prudent on the part Of
i either Government, have led me to believe
Mat the present favorable moment should
on no account be suffered to pass without
| putting the question forever at rest. | feel
| confident that the Government of her Bri-
.tanic Majesty will take the same view Of
,this subject as | am persuaded it's govern
led by desires equally strong and sincere for
I,the amicabIe termination OF the conroyer-
tsy.
To the intrinsic difficulties of questions
of boundary lines, especially those describ-
ed in regions unorcupied, and bat partially
Known, is to be added in our county the
|embarrassments necessarily arising out Of
keur Constitution,by which the General Gov
Iernment is made the organ of negotiating,
md deciding upon the particular Interests OF
4he States on whose frontiers these lines
Are to be traced. TO avoid another conro-
kersy in which State Government might
kighifully claim to have her wishes consul
Ied, previously to the conclusion Of conven-
honal arrangements concerning her rights
Vf jurisdiction or territory, have thought
knecessarr TO call the attention Of the Gov
Eminent of Great Britain to another portion
sf our conterminous dominion, of which
Skhe division still remains to be adjusted. |
qbeflf TO the line from the entrance OF Lake
hyperion to the most northwestern point Of
he Lake of the Woods, stipulatons for The
htiement of which are to be found in the
Ieyenth article of the treaty of Ghent The
ommissoners appointed under that article
the two governments having differed in
ker opinions, made separate reports, ac-
ptding TO the stpulailons, upon the points
disagreement, and these differences are
Nv TO be submitted 10 the arbitration of
Gtota The die.