Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-06-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of


bled in your respective halls OF Legislation ur'
der proclamation, bearing the signature OF the
illustrious citizen, who was so lately called by
the direct SURFACES Of the people, to the dis
charge of the important functions of their CHIEF
Executive ofice-upon the expiration of sim
Gle month from his installation he has paid the
great debt of nature, leaving behind him name
associated with the recollection of numerous
benefits conferred upon the country, during a
long life of patriotic devotion. With this pub
lie bereavement are connected other considera-
tions which will not escape the attention OF
Congress. The preparations necessary for his
removal to the seat of Government. in view Of
a residence of four years, must have devolved
upon the late President heavy expenditures,
which if permitted to burthen the limited re-
sources Of his private fortune, may tend to the
serious embarrassment of his surviving family,
and it is therefore respectfully submitted to
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 OF
the representatives Of the States and of the
people, will be found, to great extent, So
luton Of the problem to which our institutions
are for the first time subjected.
In 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 la
mented predecessor. Whatever, therefore, may
have been my opinion originally as " the pro-
priety of converting Congress at SO early day
from that Of its late adjournment, found
new and controlling inducement not to inter
fere with the patriotic desires of the late Pres
ident, in the novelty of the situation in which
was so Unexpectedly placed. My first wish,
under such circumstances, would necessarily
have been to have called to my aid, in the ad-
ministraiion of public affairs. the combined
wisdom of the two Houses of Congress, in or
der to take their counsel and advice as to the
best mode Of extricating the Government and
the country from the endorsements weigh
ing heavily on both. am then most happy
in finding myself so soon, after my accession
to the Presidency, surrounded by the immedi-
ate representatives of the States and people.
No important changes have taken place in
our foreign relations since the last session Of
Congress, it is not deemed necessary, on this
occasion, to 90 into detailed statement in re-
gard to 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
Governments. This Government has not been
inattentve to the interests of those Of our citi-
zens who have claims on the Government of
and hope is INDUCED that the representations
which have been made to that Government on
this subject, may lead, ere long, to beneficial
results.
A correspondence has taken place between
the Secretary Of State and the Minister Of Her
Britanic Majesty, accredited to this Govern
indictment aud Imprisonment, copies of which
are herewith communicated to Congress.
In addition to what appears from these pa
Mcleod has been heard, by the Supreme Court
discharged from imprisonment, aud that the
decision of the court has not as vet been pro-
nounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed to me
a paper upon two subjects, interesting to the
commerce of the country, which will receive
my consideration, and which have the honor
10 communicate to Congress.
So far as it depends on the course of this
friendship will be ceduously cultivated with
all nations. The true American policy will be
found to consist in the exercise of spirit of
justice to be manifested in the discharge of all
our International obligations to the weakest of
the family of nations as well to the most pow
erful. Occasional conflicts Of opinion may rise,
but when the discussions incident to them are
conducted in the language of truth, and with a
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 a re-
sort to arms is to be esteemed as the only prop
er arbiter eff national differences.
The census recently taken shows regular
ly progressive increase in our population. Up
on the breaking out of the war Of the revolu-
ton our numbers scarcely equalled 100000
of souls, they already exceed 1900 900, and
will continue to progress in ratio which du-
plicates in period ofabout twenty three years.
The old states contain territory sufficient in
itself to maintain population of additional
millions, and the most populous Of the new
states may even yet be regarded as but partial
ly 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 27O,000,OOO of acres, ceded
and unceded, still remain to be brought into
market. We hold out to people of other coun-
tries an invitation to come and settle among us
as members Of our rapidly growing family,
and for the blessings which we offer them, we
require them to look upon our country as their
county, and to unite with US is the great task
Of preserving our institutions and thereby per-
petuating our libertes.-No motive exists for
foreign conquests-we desire but to reclaim
our almost iIlimitabie wilderness, and to in
troduce into their depth the lights of civiliza-
ton. While we shall at all times be prepar-
ed to vindicate the national honor, our most
earnest desire will be to maintain an unbroken
peace.