The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
TO THE TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS
FtiIo'o-ctti=ens Of the Senate and
HoIgCa n = Do.,,.oaz..4

House Of Representatives.:
Our devout gratitude is due to the Supreme
being for having graciously continued 10 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 exemL ted from the raw.
ages OF disease, or the labor Of the husband.
man more amply rewarded; and never before
nave our relations with other countries beer
placed on more favorable basis than tina
which they SO happily occupy at this critica
conluncture IN the affairs of the world. A
rlgld and persevering abstinence from all in
reference with the domestic and political re
la1ons of other States, alike due to the genu
and distinctive character of our Government
and TO the principles by which it is directed
faithful observance, in the management O
our foreign relations, of the practice of speak
ing plainly, dealing justly. and requiring truth
and justice In return, as the best conservatives
OF the peace Of nations; strict impartiality in
our manifestations of friendship, in the com.
mercial privileges we concede, and those we
require from Others: these, accompanied by a
disposition as prompt TO maintain, in every en-
errgency, our own. rights. as we are from prin-
clple averse to the invasion of those of others.
nave gwen 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 experienced by our
citizens throughout every portion of the earth
10 winch their enterprising and adventurous
spirit may carry them. Few, if any, remain
msenslbie to the value of our friendship, or ig-
norant oil the terms on which it can be acquired.
and py which 1t can alone be preserved.
4 series oil questions Of long standing, diff
eult NJ ulelr adjustment, and important in their
coiPequshces, In which the rights of our citi-
2enf ana uie honor Of the country were deeply
c !ne course of few years, (the
MOST u lheH curing the successful administra-
uon o. my immediate predecessor,) been
Drought 70 satisfactory conclusion: and The
most important OF those remaining arc ~
happy to believe, in fair way Of BEING snao dii
ly and satisfactorily adjusted. 'p'eO''
With all the Powers of the world opr ro,.
tons are those of honorable peace. S;nca
your adjournment, nothing serious has occurred
to interrupt or threaten this desirable HARMONY
II clouds have lowered above the other hemis.
pheIe, they have not cast their portentous
shadows upon our happy shores. Bound by
no entangling alliances, vet linked by com.
mon nature and interest with the other nations
OF mankind, our aspirations are for the preser-
vation pr peace, In whose solid and civilizing
triump!hs all may participate with a generous
emulation. Yet it behooves Us to be prepared
fol- any event, and to be always ready TO main.
tam thote just and enlightened principles of
nahonaltntercourse, forwhich this Government
has evercontended. In the shock of contend
ing empires, it is only by assuming a resolute
bearing and clothing themselves with defen
sive armd, that neutral nations can maintain
their Independent rights.
Inc excitement which grew out of the terri.
lor,al controversy between the United States
and Great Britain having in a great measure
subsided, fis hoped that favorable period