The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-01

To the Senate and House

FELLOW CITIZENS You have been assem-
bled in your respective halls of legislation un-
der proclamation bearing the signature Of the
ilustrious citizen, who was so lately called by
the direct suiirages Of the people, to the dis
charge OF the important functions of their chief
Executive otlice-upon the expiration Of sin
gle month from the day of his installation he
has paid the great debt of nature leaving be-
hind him name associated with the recollec.
ton Of numerous benefits conferred upon the
country, during long life of patriotic devotion
With this public bereavement are connected
other considerations which will not escape the
attention OF Congress. The preparations ne
cessary for his removal 10 the seat Of Govern
ment, in view of residence Of four years. must
have devolved upon the late President heavy ex-
penditures, which, Il permitted TO burlhen the
limited resources of his private fortune, NAV
tend to the serious embarrassment of his sur
wing family; and il is therefore respectfully
submitted to Congress whether the ordinary
principles OF justice would not dictate the pro-
prlety OF It's legislative interposilion. BY the
provisions OF the fundamental law, the powers
and duties of the high station to which he was
elected, have devolved upon me; AMI in the dis
positions OF the representatives of the States and
OF the people, will be found, TO great extent, a
solution OF the problem to which our institutions
are, Tor the first time, subjected.
In entering upon the duties Of this office,
did not feel that il would be becoming in me TO
disturb what had been ordered by my lamented
predecessor. Whatever, therefore, may have
been my opinion originally as to the proprety
OF convenlng Congress al so early day from
that of its late adjournment, found new and
controlling inducement not TO interfere with the
patriotic desires of the late President, in the no
velty OF the situation in which | was so unex-
pectedly placed My first wish, under such cir
cumstances, 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 10 take their coun-
sci and advice as to the best mode of extrcating
the Government and the country from the en-
barrassments weighing heavily on both. am
then most happy in finding myself so soon, after
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 a detailed statement in re-
gard to them. am happy to say that see no
thing to destroy the hope of being able to pre-
serve peace.
The ratification Of the treaty with Portugal
has been duly exchanged between the two Go
vernments. This Government has not been in
attentive to the interests Of those of our citizens
who have claims on the Government of Spain,
founded on express treaty stipulalons and a
hope is INDUCED that the representations which
have been made to that Government on this sub
ject, may lead, ere long, TO beneficial results.
A correspondence has taken place between
the Secretary Of State and the Minister of Her
Britannia Majesty accredited to this Govern
ment on the subject of Alexander McLeod's in
dlctment and Imprisonment, copies Of which
are herewith communicated TO Congress.
In addition n what n frat nh % nan
1t may be proper to state, that Alexander Nc
Leod has been heard, by the Supreme Court of
the State of New York, on his motion 10 be
discharged from imprisonment, and that the de-
cslon OF that court has not as yet 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
TO communicate to Congress.
So far as it depends on the course of this Go
vernment our relations of good will and friend
ship will be sedulously cultivated with all ma
tons. 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 inter
national obligations to the weakest of the family
ofnatons well as to the most powerful. Occa-
sional conflicts of opinion may arise, but when
the discussions incident to them conducted
in the language of truth, and with strict
gard to Justice the scourge of war will for the
most part be avoided The time ought be re-
garded as having gone by when a resort TO arms
is TO be esteemed "a the only proper arbiter of
national differences
The census recently taken shows regularly
progressive Increase in our population. Upon
the breaking out Of the war of the revolution
our numbers scarcely equalled 3,OOO,O 900 of souls,
they already exceed 100000 and will con
tnue TO progress in ratio which duplicates IN
period of about % years. The old States
contain territory sufficient in itself to mann
tain population of additional millions, and the
most populous of the new States may even yet
be regarded as but partially settled, while OF the
new lands on this side of the Rocky mountains,
tosay nothing Of the immense region which
stretches from the base of those mountains TO
the mouth of the Columbia river, about 270,-
100000 Of acres, ceded and unceded, still re-
main 10 be brought into market. We hold out to
the people OF other countries an invitation TO
COME and settle among US as members OF our ra-
pdy growing family and for the blessings which
offer them, we require OF them TO look upon
our country as their country, and 10 unite with
u III the great task OF preserving our instltu-
t.ous and thereby perpetuating our liberties. NO
motive exists for foreign conquests-we desire
butte reclaim our almost illlmitable wilderness,
aud to introduce into their depth the lights of
civilization. While we shall at all times be
prepared to vlndlcate the national honor, our
most earnes, desire will be to maintain an I'M
broken peace.
In presenting the foregoing views, | cannot
withhold the expression OF the opinion, that there
exists nothing in the extension OF our empire,
over our acknowledged possessions, TO excite the
alarm OF tue patriot for the safety of our nsttu-
tons. The Federative system, leaving 10 each
State the care OF lis domestic concerns, and de-
volving on the Federal Government those OF
general import, admits in safety of the greatest
expansion but, at the same time, | deem il
proper to add, that there will be found to exist,