Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow Citizens ofhe Senate

and House of Representatives.:
Our devou. gratitude is due to the Su-
preme Beng for having graciously con-
Linued to our beloved country, through
the vicisstudes ofanother year, the inval-
liable blessings Of health, plenty and peace
Seldom has this favored land been SO gen.
orally exempted from the ravages of dis
ease, or the labor Of the husbandman
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 at this
critical conJunc:ure in the affairs of the
world. A rigid and persevering absti-
nence from all interference with the do
nestle and political relations of other
states, alike due 10 The genius and distinct
i've character of our government and to
the principles by which it is directed
faithful observance, in the management OF
our foreign relations, of the practice OF
speaking plainly, dealing justly, and re-
lquning truth and justice in return, as the
best conservative OF the peace Of nations
strict impaItality in our manifestation
Of friendship, in the commercial priviIeg-
es we concede and tho e we require from
others; these accompanied by DISPOSE
lion as prompt to maintain, in every emer-
gency. our own rights, as we are from
principle averse 10 the invasion Of those OF
others, have given 10 our country and gov
ernnenl standing in the great family Of
nations, of which we have just cause 10
be proud, and the advantage Of which are
Experienced by our citizens throughout
Eevery portion of The earth to which ;leil
lenterprsing and adventurous spirit may
carry them. Few.if any. remain insensi
BILE 10 the value OF our friendship, or ig
norant Of the terms on which it can be nc
quired, and by which it can alone be pre-
served.
A series Of questions of long standing
difficult in their adjustment, and impor
tanl in their consequences in which th
rights Of our citizens and the honor 9th
country were deeply involved, have, i
the course Of few years, (he most
r Itaem during the successful administering
) of nv immediate predecessor been bro
10 a satisfactory conclusion; aud themo;
important Of those remaining are, az
! happy to believe, in fair way of bein
speedily and satisfactorily adjusted.
4 With all the powers Of the world on
relations ale those Of honorable peace
! Since yoar adjournment, nothing seriou
has occured4o interrs 9t or threaten til
desirable harmony Lie cIouds have lov
: erred about the other hemisphere, the
, have not cast their poTtentous shadows a
] on our happy shores. Bound by no e
! tangling alliances. yet linked by comnc
J. mature and interests with the o.her natlol
: of mankind, our aspirations are for Il
j preservation of peace, in whose solid al
b. civllizing triamphs all may participa
II. with'a generous emu alton. Yet it !
- hooves us to be prepared for any eveI
. and to be always ready 10 maintain tho
IS just aud enlightened principles Of nation
N intercourse, for. hich this governmt
6c nas ever contenled. In the shock OF &C
ia tending empires. il is only bv assuming
"A resolule bearing, and clothing themsel,
with defensive armor, that neutral natic
can maintain their independent rights.
lu The excitement which grew out of
ro- lerrilorial controversy between the I'M
M States and Great Britain hhvinO IN = Of
20 measure subsidized it is hoped that a fav
to able period is approaching for its 4
ent settlement. Both governments must i
lis- be convinced ofthe dangers with WI
the the question is fraught; and it musl