Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-22

Message of the President Of the United States
to the tiro houses Of Congress, at The com
mencement ofhe second session ofthe Twen-
ty-S,IM Congress.
Feloic- Cniscas of the Senate,
and Of the House Of Representatives.
Our devout gratitude is due to the Supreme
Being for having graciously continued to our
beloved country, through the vicissitudes Of
another year, the invaluable blessings OF health,
plenty, and peace. Seldom has this favored
land been so generally exempted from the raw
ages of disease, or the labor Of the husband
man more amply rewarded and never before
have our relations with other countries been
placed on more favorable basis than that
which they so happily occupy al this critical
cnnuncture in the affairs Of the world. rigid
and perscverlng abstinence from all Interior
ence with the domestic and political relations
of other states, alike due 10 the genius and
distinctive character OF our government and
to the principles by which it 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 conservatives of
the peace of nations; a strict impartality in
our manifestations Of friendship, IN the com
mercial privileges we conceds, and those we
require from Others these accompanied by a
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 govern
ment a standing in the great family of nations,
of 'shich we have Just cause to be proud, and
the advantages of which are experienced bv
our citizens throughout every portion Of the
earth to which their enierprsing and adven-
ferrous spirit may carry them. Few if any,
remain insensibe to the value of our friend
ship, 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, diff
fcult in their adjustment, and important in
their consequences, in which the rights OF our
citizens and the honor OF the country were
deeply involved, have, in tl,e OF a few
years, ,the most Of them during the success
full administration Of my immediate predeces-
sor,) been broughtto a satisfactory conclusion;
and the most important oflhose remaining are,
| am happy TO believe, in a 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 occur
rcd to interrupt OF threaten this desirable har-
mpnv If clouds have lowered above the 9th
er misphere, they have not cast their por-
ienious shadows upon our happy shores. -
Bound by no eniangling alliances, yet linked
by a common nature and interest with the
other nations OF mankind, ogr aspirations are
for the preservation Of peace, in whose solid
and civilizlng triumphs all may participate
with generous emulation. Yet II behoOycs
US 10 be prepared for any event, and To be al
ways readyto maintain those jusiand enlighlen-
ed principles of national intercourse, for which
this government has ever commended. In the
shock Of coniending empires, u IS only by as
suming "a resoluie bearing, and clothing them
selves with defensive armof, that neutral ma
tions can mainiin their independent nights.
The excitement winch grew out at the ter
ritor al controversy between the United States
and Great Britain, having IN great measure
subsidized, il is hoped that favorable period
is approaching for iis final settlement. Both
I governments must now be convinced Of The
dangers with which the question is ffa0giai
and Il must be their desire, as II is their IN
ieresi. that this perpetual cause Of irritation
should be removed as speedily az practicable
Inmy las, annual message you were IN