Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-18
the BURLINGTON FREE PRESS.
PRESIDENTS MESSAG E
rcllor Citisem Of the Senate,
and ofhc House Of Representatives.:

(1Nr devOut Rrutltuuc Is uuC w tuC OupiSHS
Being for having graciously continued 10 our
beloved country, through the vicissitudes of
another wear, the invaluable blessings OF
health, plenty and peace. Seldom has this
favored land been so generally exempted
from the ravages of disease, or the labor OF
the husbandman more amply rewarded and
never before have our relations with other
countries been placed on a more favorable
basis than that which they so happily occupy
at this critical conjecture in the affairs OF the
world rigid and pcrscverng abstinence
from all interference with the domestic and
political relations of other states, alike due to
the genius and distinctive character of our
government, and to the principles by which it
isdirected n 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 conservative of the peace OF nations;
strict impartiality in our manifestations OF
friendship, in the commercial privileges we
concede, and those we require from others
these accompanied by disposition as prompt
10 maintain, in every emergency, our own
rights, as we are from principle aversc TO
the invasion Of those of others, have given to
our country and government a standing in
the great family OF nations, OF which we
have Just cause to be proud, and the advan-
tages of;which are experienced by our eiti-
zcns throughout every portion of the earth to
which their enterprising and adventurous
spirit may carry them. Few if any. remain
inscnsiblc to the value of our friendship. or
ignorant of the term. on which it can alone
be preserved: -,
A series of questions OF long standing, dif-
hcult 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 the course of
few years, uhe most of them during the
successful administration of my immediate
predecessor been brought 10 a satisfactory
conclusion and the most important Of those
remaining are, am happy TO believe. in
fair way of being speedily and satisfactorily
adjusted
With all the powers Of the world. our rela-
tons are those of honorable peace. Since
your adjournment nothing serious has occur.
red to interrupt or threaten this desirable har-
mony If clouds have lowered above the
other hemisphere, they have not east their
portentous shadows upon our happy shores
Bound by no enangling alliances. yet linked
BY a common nature and interest with the
other nations of mankind. our aspirations are
for the preservation of peace. in whose solid
and cvilizing triumphs all may participate
with generous emulation. Yet it behooves
us to be prepared for any event and to be al.
ways ready to maintain those just and enligh.
tened principles of national intercourse. for
which this government has ever contended-
In the shock of contending empires. il is only
by assuming a resolute bearing, and clothing
themselves with defensive armor. that neu-
trail nations can maintain their independent
rights.
,,l:.k ~ he
territorial controversy between the U. States
subsidized. it is hoped that favorable period
is approaching for its final settlement. Both
governments must now he convinced of the
dangers with which the question is fraught
and it must be their desire. as it is their in.
terest that this perpetual cause Of irritation
should be removed as speedily as practicable
In my last annual message you were inform
ed that the proposition for commission Of
exploration and survey promised by Grea
Britain had been received. and that eoun
ter-projec,. including also arrovsion for the
ment for its consideration. The answer .i'S Of
that government. accompanied by additional
propositions OF It's own, was received through
ITS minister here. since your separation
These were promptly considered such as
were deemed correct in principle. and con-
slstent with due regard to the Just rights of
the United States and of the state OF Maine.
concurred in ;and the reason for dissenting
from the residue. with an additional sugges-
ton on our part. communicated by the Secre.
tary of State 10 Mr.. Fox That minister.
not feeling himself sufficiently instructed up.
on some OF the poidts raised in the discussion.
felt it to be his duty to refer the matter to his
own government for its further dccison-
Having now been for some time under its ad.
visement, speedy answer may be confident.
ly expected From the character of the
points still in difference. and the undoubted
disposition OF both parties to bring the matter
to an early conclusion, look with entire
confidence to prompt and satisfactory termi.
nation OF the negotiation. Three commits
sioncrs were appointed shortly after the ad-
lournmtnt OF congress. under the act of the
last session providing for the exploration and
survey OF the line which separates the states
OF Maine and New Hampshire from the Br.
tlsh provinces ; they have been actively EN-.
p'oyed until their pro gress was interrupted by
the lnclemency OF the season, and will re-
sumo their labors as soon as practicable in the
ensuing year.
1t is understood that their respective exam.
NATIONS VIII throw new light upon the sub.
)ecl IN controversy. and serve to remove any
erroneous impressions which have been mad.
elsewhere prejadicial TO the rights of the
Cnited states. 1t was, among other reasons
with view OF preventing the cmbarrassments |
winch, IN our peculiar system of government,
impede and complicate negotiations involving
the territorial rights of state, that thouob1i
1t my duty, as you have been informed on a
previous occasion, TO propose to the British |
government, through its minister at Wash. |
inygton, that early steps should be taken to
adjust the points at difference on the line NJ
boundary from the entrance of Lake Super.
or to the most northwestern point of the
Lake OF the Woods. by the arbitration of n
friendly power. in conformity with the sew.
enth article OF the treaty of Client No an.
swer has yet been returned by the B,itsh
government to this proposition.
With Austria, France, Prussia. Russia and
the remaining Powers of Europe, am han.
Py to inform you our relations continue to be
OF the most friendly character. With Belg;.
YIN, treaty of commerce and nav;pot;Gn
based upon liberal principles of reciproc,v
and equality, was concluded in March lasi
and having been ratified by the Relg;,r $50