Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-06-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives,
of the United states:
FELLOW CITIZENS 4:

the signature of the IllustrIous citizen who was
so lately called by the direct suiirages OF the PEG
pie TO the discharge Of the important functions "l
their chief executive Office. Upon the expiration
of a single month from the day OF his installation,
no has paid the great debt OF nature, leaving be-
hind hn a name associated with The recollection
of numerous benefits conferred upon the country
during long life OF patriotic devotion. with
this public DeI ouvmont are Conducted other cun-
siderations which will not escape the attention Of
Conpress The preparations necessary .or his re-
noval to the seat OF government: IN view OF resi-
4Ieuce of four years must have devolved upon
the late President heavy expenditures, which, II
permitted to burden the limited resources OF his
private fortune, may tend seriously to the embar-
rasment of his surviving family. and 1t Is there
foro respectfully submitted Congress whe Their
the ordinary principles Of justice would not die
tate the proprlety Of its legislative lnterpostIon
By the provisions Of the fundamental law, The
bowers and duties of the high station to which he
was elected have devolved upon me, and IN the
dispositions of the representatives OF the States
aud of the people will be found TO great extent
a solution Of tho problem To which our institu
tons FOR the first time subjected.
I'm entering upon the duties Of this Office did
not feel that it would be becoming IN me to
disturb what had been ordered by my lament
ed predecessor. Whatever, therefore, may
have been my opinion, originally, as 10 the pro
pfiety of converting to Congress at 50 early
duy from that of It's late adjournment, found Il
new apda controlling Inducement not t" Interfere
with the patriotic desires Of the late President,
al the novelty Of the situation III which was so
unexpectedly placed Ny first wish under such
circumstances would necessarily nave been Ia
have called to my aid, III the administration OF
public affairs, the combined wisdom OF the two
Houses Of Congress- III order to take their coun-
sci aud ads TO the best mode OF eXtrIcating
the Government and the country from the
barrassmenis weighing hea, lily on both. |
then most happy IN finding myself, 50 soon alter
my accession to the Presidency surrounded by the
immediate representatives of the States and peo-
pie.
No important changes having taken place in
our foreign relations since the last session OF
CONGRESS, IL is not decmed necessary on this
caslou 10 go into a detailed statement In regard t"
them. am happy to say that see nothing to
destroy the hope OF being able to preserve peace
The ratification Of the treaty with Portugal has
been duly exchanged between the two Govern
tnenis This Gov ernment has not been iuatien
tive 10 the interests of those OF oar citizens who
have claims on the Government of Spain founded
express treaty stIpu!a'ons, and hope Is IN
jug cd that the representations which have been
made that Government on this subject may
iead ere long To beneficial results
A correspondence has taken place between the
Secretary of State and the Minister of Her Bri-
,ann,c Majesty accredited 10 this Governments,
on the subject of Alexander McLood's lnd,ct-
gncut and imprisonment, copies OF which are here
Ia addition To what appears from these papers,
II may be proper 10 state that Alexander Mcleod
has been heard by the Supreme Court oi the
State Of New York tn his motion 10 be discharged
from imprisonment, and that the decision OF that
Court has is yet been pronounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed 10 me
paper upon two subjects. interesting to the com
ncrce Of the country, which Will receive my con
sidcration aud which bave the hoaor 10 commu-
ncate 10 Congress.
So far ii depends on the course OF thus Go
vernmcnt, relations OF goodwill and friend
ship will he sedulousIy cultivated with all nations.
The true American policy will be found to
sIst IN the exercise OF spirit OF justice 10 be
manifested in the discharge OF all our ntcrna-
tlonal Obligations, to the weakest OF the family OF
nations well as to the most powerful. Occa-
sional conflicts Of opinion may arse, but when
the discussions incident to them conducted IN
the language of truth and with Il strict 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 to to Re
esteemed as the only proper arblter Of national
differences
The census recently taken shows regularly
progressive increase in our population. L pom
the breaking of the of the Revolution.
or numbers scarcely cquaed three millions of
souls; they already exceed seventeen millions,
and Will continue to progress a ratio which
duplicates period of about twenty three
years The old States contain a territory sutti
cIent III itself 10 maintain n population of addi-
tIonal 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 Columbia
river, about 40, 100000 Of acres. coded and un-
coded, still remain TO be brought into market
We hold out 10 the people of other countries an
invitation TO come and settle among mem
Sp lx fan ytL and
blessings which we offer them, require of them
10 look npon our country as their country and to
unite with US IN the great task of preserving our
institutions, and thereby perpetuating Iiber-
tes No motive exists for foreign conquest
we desire but 10 reclaim almos, llmitable viii
ne,hess, and TO introduce into their depths the
Iish's Oh cilVtl'za;ion. While shall at all