Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-01-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
'eiiotc- Citizens cfMs Sena,e
and House of Represeniatires.

and House Of Representation
Iregret that cannot on this occasion con.
graduate you that the past year has been
one Of unalloyed prosperity. The ravages
OF fire and disease have painfully afflicted
Otherwise Aourishing portions Of our coun-
try and serious embarrassments vet de-
range the trade of many Of our cities. But,
Notwithstanding these adverse crcumslan.
ces, that general prosperity which has been
heretofore so bountlfully bestowed upon us
by the Author Of all good. sill continues to
call for our warmest gratitude. Especially
have we reason to rejoice in the exuberen,
harvests which have lasishly recompensed
well directed industry, and given 10 il tina,
sure reward which is vainly sought in Wis
ionary speculalions. | cannot indeed view
without peculiar satisfaction, the evidences
afforded by the past season OF the benefits
that spring from the steady devotion OF the
husbandman TO bis honorable PURSUITS. No
means Of individual comfort is more certain,
and no source Of national prosperity is so
sure. Nothing can compensate a people
for dependence upon others for the bread
they eat and that cheerful abundance OF
which The happiness ofevery one so much
depends, is 10 be looked for nowhere with
such reliance as in ihe industry of the agri-
cul,urist aud the bounties Of the earth
With foreign countries, our relations ex-
hibii the same favorable aspect which was
presented in my last annual message, and
afford continued proof of the wisdom Of the
pacific, just and forbearing 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 10 require that the Executive
should possess ample means 10 meet it, have
not been exerted They have. therefore,
been attended with no other result than to in
crease, BY the confidence reposed in me, my
obligations TO maintain, with religious ex-
actness, the cardinal principles that govern
our intercourse with other nations. Happi-
ly, in our pending questions with Great
Britain. out Of which this unusual grant OF
authority arose, nothing has occurred to re-
quire its exertion; and rs it is about TO re-
turn to the Legislature. trust that 20 future
necessity may call for its exercise by them or
its delegation 10 another department OF the
Government.
For the settlement of our Northeastern
boundary. the proposition promised by Great
Britain for commission OF exploration and
survey, has been received, and a counter
Iprojeci, including also provision for the
certain and 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 this question, and prop
er respect for the natural impotence of the
State OF Maine. not less than conviction
that this negotiation has been already pro-
tracted longer than is prudent on the pari OF
either Government have led me 10 believe
that the present favorable moment should on
no account be suffered TO pass without put
ting the question forever al rest feel con-
fident that the Government OF her Britanic
Majesty will take the same view OF this sub
feet. as am persuaded II is governed by de-
sires equally strong and sincere for the ami
cable termination of;he controversy.
1'othe intrinsic difficulties Of questions oil
boundary lines, especially those described
in regions unoccupied, and bur partially
known, is TO be added in our country the EN-
lbarrassment necessarily arising out of our
Constitution by which the Genera! Govern
ment is made the organ Of negotiating, and
deciding upon the particular interests of the
States on whose frontiers these lines are TO
betraced. To avoid another controversy in
which State Government might rightfully
lclaim 10 have her wishes consulted, previ-
ously to the conclusion of conventional ar
Engagements concerning herIights OF jurisdic.
lion or territory, have thought il necessary
10 call the attention of the Government OF
Great Britain to another portion Of our con.
terminons dominion, OF which the division
still remains TO be adjusted | refer TO the
line from the entrance of Lake Superior to
the most north western point OF the Lake OF
the Woods. stipnlations for the settlement OF
which are 10 be found in the seventh article
OF the treaty Of Client. The commission
ers appointed under that article by the two
Governments. having differed in their opin-
ions, made separate reports. according 10 lis
slipulations, npon the points of disagreement,
and these differences are now TO be submit
ted to the arbitration Of some friendly sover-
leigh or State The disputed points should
be sellled, and the line designated, before The
Territorial Government of which It is one OF
the boundaries, takes its place in the Union
as Stale and | rely upon the cordial coop
GRAFTON OF the British Government TO effect
that object, .e'.5
There is every reason to believe that dis
lturbances like those which lately agitated
the neighboring British Province. will not
again prove the sources ofborder contention,
or interposc obstacles to the continuance OF
that good understanding which it is the