The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-06-08
GJrThe following Message was delivered at
p'clocl, on Tuesday, jane l.
PRESIDENT 'TYEEgS'S
= wi e s s a g g.

I'VE = > > a y.
. To the Senate and House Of Representatives If the
United States:
FELLOW CirIzENs:--You have been assembled
10 your respective halls ef Legislation urder proc
iama bearing The signature of the iilusrious Gil
izen who was so lately called by the direct sutfra-
ges of the people the discharge of The important
functions Of their chief executive officer. Upon
the expiration of single month from the day Of
his installation he paid the great debt Of nature,
leaving behind him his name associated with nu-
merous benefits conferred upon the try during
long life Of patriotic devotion With this public
Bereavement are concerted other considerations
which will not escape the attention OF Congress.
The Preparations necessary for his removal the
seat Of Government in view Of residence Of four
,ears must have devo,ved upon The late Presiden,
heavy expenditures, which if per mited 10
bu,den the limited resources Of hrsprvate
fortune, may tend seriously TO the embar
rassment ofhs surviving family; and is therefore
respectfully submitted to Congress whether the
dinn,y principles of Justice would not dictate the
propreiy Of it's legislative Interposi,ion. BY the
provision of the fundamental law, the powers and
duiies OF the high station to which he was elected
have devolved on me, and in the disposition Of the
will be found to a great extent solution of the
problem to which institutions for the first
lime Subjected
In entering upon the duties OF this office, | did
NOT feel that it would be becoming me to disturb
what had been ordered by my lamented predeces.
sor.--W Whatever, therefore may have been my o.
pinon, originally, as to the propricty ofconvening
Congress a, so early day from that of its late ad-
I ;rIn
ment not to interfere with the patriotic desires Of
the lae President, in the novelty of the situation
in which was unex pectedIy placed. My frs,
wish, under such circumstances, would necessari-
Iy have been to have called to my aid, in tho nd
intimidation OF public affairs, the combined wis.
dom OF the two Houses of Congress, in order to
take their counsel and advice to the best mode
of exTicating the Government and the country
from the embarrassmen,s weighing heavily on both
am then most happy in finding myself, 50 af
tar my accession to the Presidency, surrounded by
the immediate Representatives IF tho States and
People.
No important changes having taken place in our
foIcign relations since the last session of Congress
it is not deemed necessary this occasion to go in
30 detailed siatemen. IN ssgard to them. l am
happy TO say that nothing destroy the hope
OF being able TO preserve peace.
The ratification of the trerty with Portugal has
been duty exchanged between the two Govern
ments. This Government has not been inatten-
two to the interests Of hdsc of our citizens who
have claims on the Government of Spain founded
on express treaty stipuatons 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 Britain
mic Majesty accredited to this Government, the
subject OF Alexander Mcleod Indictment and i'm
prisonment, copies of which are herewith Comm,.
ncated to Congress.
In addition 10 what appears from these papers, il
may be proper to state that Alexander Mcleod has
been heard by the Supreme Court Of New York on
his motion 10 be discharged from imprisonment, q
that the decision OF tina, Court has not vet been pro
'nounced.
The Secretary Of State has addressed to mo pa
per on two subjects, interesting 10 the commerce
Of the country, which will receive my considera-
ton, and which have the honor to communicate
10 Congress .r
So fur as il depends the of this Govern
ment, our relations of good will and friendship viii
be sedulously cultivated with all nations. The
true Amer lean policy will DO found to conss. in
the exercise ola spirit OF justice TO be manifested
an the discharge of all our internal obligations, 10
the weakest Of the family of nations, we'll as to
she most powerful. Occasional conflicts Of opin.
ion may arse, but when the discussions incident
TO them are conducted in the language of truth and
with strict regard to justice, The scourge of war
will for the most part be avoided. The time oush,
to be regarded as having gone by when a resort TO
arms is to be esteemed as the only proper eber of
national differences.
The census recently taken shows regularly pro
gresslve increase in our population Upon The
breaking out Of the war OF tho Revolution. our
number scarcely equaiied ihres million, Of souls;
Aosy already exceed soyenseea millions, aad will