The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
| Hitherto, all the documents which il has been
| Mr.. TYLER's fortune TO address either TO the
public or to Congress, since his accession TO the
Presidential Office, have related to the most ge-
neral principles of Executive action, or to abb
stract and controverted subjects. We have now
the satisfaction of laying before our readers the
first annual message of President TYLER, com
municated in the regular discharge of his spe-
cfc constitutional duties TO the first regular ses-
sion of the 9th Congress.
The Chief Magistrate appears now, therefore,
before his counlrymen not merely on single
abstract point TO be judged, but upon the broad
platform of his constitutional duties, bringing
in review before the People Of The Union, the
exact condition Of their Federal Government.
We need not say we have read the Message
we have e-perused it with care and attention,
and if we may be allowed to express an opinion
unobnoxious to the charge usually alleged against
US of indscriminate praise, we hesitate not 10
say that in the entire volume Of Messages from
the Inaugural Of the first President down to this
day, not one can be found more true to the De-
mocratic Republican faith, more conservative
OF our institutions, our morals, or liberties,
or breathing an honester or oftier spirit of
virtue and patriotism.
Opening with Acknowledgements TO a superin-
tending Providence becoming Christian Ruler,
il proceeds directly to perspicuous statement
of the views entertained by the Executive of the
various and important subjects claiming the at
tpntipp of The Government and noopIa II
treats Of our Foreign Relations Of the African
Slave Trade of the Florida War; of the Cen
sus; Of the Tariff; Of the Currency and Ex-
changes; of sustaining the Public Faith; of
protection TO our Frontiers; Of maintaining our
power and rights upon the Ocean; of giving
additional facilities TO the Post Office; of regu-
lating and restraining official abuses; of apply
ing the Smithsonian bequest to the diffusion Of
knowledge, and Of giving an efficient police TO
the seat Of Government
Among these various topics there are proba-
bly, none which have not before been treated of
in other messages. But few of them have ever
been presented in more interesting aspect, or
accompanied by more important suggestions.
The doctrines asserted by the President in
maintenance Of the rights and the integrity of
the Union against the pretensions and encroach-
ments Of Great Britain, cannot fail to meet a
cordial response in the breast Of every true Anne
rican. In answer TO the demand Of the release
Of Mcleod who made his choice between
trial by jury in State court and an appeal to
the federal judiciary, the State authorities as
serted therrights and released the prisoner in the
usual course and on the usual terms of justice.
In the present state of our laws no other answer
TO the demand could have been Justly made
To prevent future difficulties in similar cases,
and as the Federal Government is responsible
for peace or war, the President submits the
propriety of some Legislation BY which all such
cases may in future be referred TO the Federal
Judiciary. He will maintain, however, the in
tegrty Of our soil, and our rights Of jurisdiction,
denying 10 any foreign power the right TO invade
our territories with impunity under any pretext
whatever.
The seizure Of our vessels engaged in lawful
trade with Africa by British cruisers, is treated
in the proper spirit. If Great Britain means to
make interpretations in the maritime code, claim
ing the right Of searching our vessels, the Uni
ted States will choose to discuss that question
with that arrogant power While this Govern
ment will go as far as necessity and humanity
require in suppressing the slave trade, il will
nevertheless protect its citizens engaged in law
| ful pursuits against all illegal prosecutions and
embarrassments, at all hazards. The sound and
clear views Of the President on ,hcse questions
Of international law, will be maintained by the
American People. doubtless without distinction
of party, and will not, we trust, pass without
their Just effect upon the Government and peo-
pie Of Great Britain
The handsome reference made in the Mes
sage to the young Republic Of Texas, cannot
fail 10 find applause among the friends Of popu-
lar government.
The condition Of the public finances is by
no means SO hopeless as some have appre-
hended The estimated receipts into the Urea
sury during the year, added to the balance on
hand on the first Of January last, amount to
81, 397,5l2 so. The estimated expenditures
to S32, 025,070 20, leaving deficit on the frs,
y Of January next, of about S627,557 90.