The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-06-10
MN S SAGE

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HEgSA@E
FROM THE
President Of the United States
10 the two Houses OF Congress.
First Session. Tweniy-sevenlh Congress.
Washington. Jane I. 1871.
TO fks Senate and Hsass Of Representatives.:
FELLOW CITIZENS You have been
assembled in your respective halls Of le-
gislation under proclamation bearing the
signature OF The illustrious citizen who
was so lately called by the direct sufra-
ges Of the people 70 the discharge Of the
important functions Of their chief execu-
tive officer. Upon the expiration of a
single month from the day Of his installa-
ton, he has paid the great debt of nature,
leaving behind him a name associated
with the recollection ofnumerous benefits
conferred upon the country during long
life Of patriotic devotion. With this pub
lie bereavement are connected other con-
siderations which win not escape the al
tention Of Congress. The preparations
necessary for bis removal 70 the seat Of
government in view Of residence Of four
years must have devolved upon The late
President heavy expenditures, which, il
permitted TO burden the limited resour-
ces Of his private fortune, may tend Sc
riously TO the embarrassment Of his sur
viying family; and il is therefore re-
specially submitted TO Congress whe-
Their the ordinary principles Of justice
would not dictate the propriety Of its le-
gislatiye interposition. BY the provisions
Of the fundamental law, the powers and
duties Of The high station 10 which he wa.
elected have devolved upon me, and in The
| dispositions Of the representatives Of The
states and Of the people will be found, L
, great extent, a solution Of the problem
to which our Institutions are for the frs
time subjected.
I In entering upon the duties Of this OF
fee, did not feel that il would be be
!. coming in me to disturb what had beer
> ordered by my lamented predecessor
e Whatever therefore may have been m,
I opinion, originally, as to the propriety o
: convening Congress at so early da,
1 from that of its late adjournment, foun'
new and controlling inducement not d
. interfere with the patriotic desires Of til
late President, in the novelty Of the stu
alton in which | was so Unexpectedly pla
e ced. My first wish under such circum
9 stances would necessarily have been 3
j, have called to my aid in the administra
j. ton Of public affairs the combined wis
q dom Of the two houses Of Congress, i
q order to take their counsel and advice a
4 to the best mode of extrica,ing the gov
e eminent and the country from the embal
. easements weighing heavily on both.
n am then most happy in finding myself S
d soon after my accession 10 the Presidenc
!, surrounded by the immediate represents
a tives Of the states and the people. -
n No important changes having take
{ place in our foreign relations since tn
last session of Congress, II is not deeme
/. necessary on this occasion to go into
i detailed statement in regard to them.
IS am happy to say that l see nothing to de
k stroy the hope Of being able to preserv
n peace.
ri The ratification of the treaty with POI
h tugal has been duly exchanged betwee
d the two governments. This government
!. has not been inattentive tothe interests G
those of our citizens who have claims o.
the government of Spain founded on ex
i, press treaty stipulations, and hope
:, INDUCED that the representations whic'
. have been made to that government OF
!. this subject may lead ere long to benefi
:. cial results.
!, A correspondence has taken place be
= tween the Secretary of State and the Mi
:. mister of Her Britannia Majesty accredit
: ed to this government on the subject o
!, Alexander M.Leod's Indictment and i'm
: prisonment, copies'of which are herewith
communicated to Congress.
In addition to what appears from thes'
! papers, it may be proper to state that AL
- exander Mcleod has been heard by tn,
kSuDTtlue SUuEb ctttC Va WV \ vi
!, on his motion 10 be discharged from i'm
" prisonmeut, and that the decision Of tina
Court has not as yet been pronounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed
to me a paper upon two subjects, inter
esting to the commerce Of the country
II which will receive my consideration, ant
!, which have the honor to communicate
!. to Congress.
k So Ear as depends on the course Of thi
n governments, our relations of goodwill
X and friendship will be sedulously cultiva
9 ted with all nations. The true American
y policy will be found to consist in the ex
II ercise of spirit of justice. to be manifest
ed in the discharge Of all our internationa
obligations, to the weakest of the famil,
!. of nations as well as to the most powerful
% Occasional conflicts of opinionmay arise
% but when the discussions incident to then