The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-06-08

nected OF her considerations which will not es-
cape the attention of Congress. The prepa-
rations necessary for his removal to the seat oil
government, in view of a residence of years,
must have devoveed upon the late President
heavy expenditures, which. if permitted 10 bur-
then the limited resources of his private for
tune. may tend to the serious embarrassment
of his surviving family; and it is therefore re-
specially submitted 10 congress, whether the
ordinary principles of justice would not dictate
The propriety of its legislative interPosition.-
BY the provisions Of the fundamental law, the
powers and duties of the high station TO which
he was elected, have devolved upon me; and in
the dispositions fthe states and of the people,
will be found TO great extent, solution OF the
problem TO which eur institutions are, for the
first time, subjected.
In entering upon the duties oil this office,
did not feel that it would be becoming in me to
disturb what had been ordered by my prede'
cessor. Whatever, therefore, may have been
my opinion originally as to the propriety OF
converting congress at so early day from that
of its late adjournment, found new and con-
trolling inducemcnt not 10 interfere with the
patriotic desires of the new President, in the
novelty of the situation in which was so un-
expectedIy placed. My first wish, under such
circumstances, would necessarily have been to
have called TO my aid, in the administration OF
public affairs, the combined wisdom of the Two
houses of congress, in order TO take their coun-
sci and advice as TO the best mode of extricating
the government and the country from the en-
burrassments weighing heavily on both. am
then most happy in finding myself SO soon af.
ter my accession to the Presidency, surrounded
by the immediate representatives of the STATES
and people,
No important changes having taken place in
our foreign relations since the last session of
Congress, it is not deemed necessary on this
occasion, to go into detailed statement in re-.
gard to them. | am happy to say that | see
nothing 10 destroy the hope Of being able 10
preserve peace.
The ratification Of the treaty with Portugal
lins been duly exchanged between the two gov
ernments. This government has not been in
attentive 10 the interests of those of our citi.
zens who have claims on the government Of
Spain. founded on express treaty stipulations /;
and hope is INDUCED that the representations
which have been made 10 that Government on
this subject, may lead, ere long, to beneficial
results.
correspondence has taken place between
the Secretary Of State and The Minister of Her
Britianic Majesty accredited to this govern
ment on the subject of Alexander M'Leod's in.
dlctnent and Imprisonment, copies of which
are herewith communicated to congress.
In addition to what appears from these pa
pers, it may be proper 10 state, that Alexander
Mcleod had been heard. by the Supreme Court
CT the State of New York, on his motion to
be discharged from Imprisonment, and that tie
decision Of that court has not as yet been pro.
nounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed 10 me
paper upon two subjects, interesting to the
commerce Of the country, which will receive
my consideration, and which have the honor
TO communicate to Congress.
So far as it depends on the course of this
Government our relations of good will and
friendship will be sedulously cultivated with all
nations. The true American policy will be
found 10 consist in the exercise ofa spirit OF
justice to be manifested in the discharge of all
our international obligations to the weakest of
the family of nations as well as 10 the most
powerful. Occasional conflicts of opinion may
arise, but when the discussions incident to
them are conducted in the language of truth,
and with sacred regard TO justice, the scourge
Of war will for the most part be avoided. The
time ought to be regarded as having gone by
when resort 10 arms is 10 be esteemed as the
only proper arbiter of national differences.
The census recently taken shows a regular.
ly progressive increase in our population. Up
on the breaking out Of the war Of the Revou.
ton, our numbers scarcely eqraled three mil.
lions of souls. They already exceed II, OOO,.
900. and will continue 10 progress in a ratio
which duplicates in period Of about % years.
The old states contain territory sufficient in
itself to maintain a population of additional
millions, and the most populous of the new
States may even yet be regarded as but par.
TALLY settled. while of the new lands on this side
of the rocky mountains, TO say nothing of the
immense region which stretches from the base
! of those mountains to the mouth of the Colum.
bia river, about 270,OOO,OO0 of acres. ceded
ano unceded, still remain TO be brought into
market. We hold out TO the people of other
countries an invitation to come and settle
among US as members oil our rapidly growing
family, and for The blessings which we offer
them, we require of them to look upon our coun.
try as their country, and 10 unite with US in
the great task ofpreserving our institutions and
! thereby perpetuaiing our liberties. No motive
exists for foreign conques!s-we desire but 10
reclaim our almost ill.mitable wilderness, and
10 introduce into their depth the lights ofcivli.
cation. While we shall at all times be pre-.
pared to vindicate the national honor, our most
earnest desire will be to maintain an unbroken
peace.
In presenting the foregoing views, cannot
withhold the expression of the opinion, that
there exist, nothing in the extension of our EN-.
pire. over our acknowledged possessions, TO