Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-04

Tuesday, June /, 1884
This day the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SITE SITE
transmitted TO both Houses of Congress the following
MESSAGE. - ;.
e.,., a,5 tJoyss of REPRESENTATIVES Of the L. S.
FrI,ow CITIZENS You have been assemoi.- i"
vour respective halls of legislation unoer iocian'
lion bearing the signature OF the INDUSTRIOUS
o wns so lately called by the direct SURFACES OF the
ao,l n the discharge Of the important functions OF
ibeir chief Executive Office. Upon the expiration "
nole month from the day of his installation ne mas
Maid the great debt Of Nature, leaving oehlne niu
name associated with the recollection OF numerous DC
ne6s conferred upon the country curing iong -. 70
nntrio,;c devotion With this public bereavement are
connected other considerations which Will not escape
the attention of Congress. The preparations necessa
nv for his removal to the seat OF Government w we"
OF a residence Of four years must haV@devoiVea upon
the late President heavy expenditures, which,, ~ per-
for,une NAV lend seriously TO the embarrassment OF
his surviving family and it is therefore respectfully
submitted to Congress whether the ordinary principles
of Justice would dictate the proprety OF lis ieg'se
tive interposton By the provisions OF the iunanme'
tai law, the powers and duties OF ,he h's" s'a"o
which he was elected have devolved upon me- ana III
the dispositions of the representatives, OF the Sles
and of the people will be found to great extent So
luton of the problem to which our institutions are ior
the first time subjected. ,,
In entering upon the duties Of this office, did not
feel that il would be becoming 10 disturb what had
been ordered by my lamented predecessor. Whatever
therefore may have been my OPINION, Originally; do
to the proprety of converting Congress at SO early
day from that of its late adjournment, iouna ne
and controlling inducement not to interfere win the
patroc desires of the late President the novelty OF
the situation in which l was so Unexpectedly placed
NV first wish, under such circumstances, wouia nese.
sarly have been have called 10 my aid IN the aom
nstraton of public affairs, the combined WISDOM OF
the two Houses Of Congress, in order to take 'eii
counsel and advice to the best mode OF e1rcalhS
the Government and the country from the emoarrass-
ments weighing heavily on both. am then most nap
py finding myself after my accession to Tue
Presidency surrounded by the immediate representa-
tives of the States and People.
No important changes having taken place IN our TO-
reur, relations the last session OF Congress- it's not
deemed necessary this occasion to 60 into detailed
statement in regard to them am happy to say, that
sc, nothing to destroy the nope oil Dehg aoie 70 pre-
serve peace
The ratification of the treaty with Portugal has been
duly exchanged between the two Governments. ihis
Government has not been inatentIve to the interest,"
of those of our citizens who have claims on the 20
vernment of Spain founded express treaty stPuia
TONS and hope is INDUCED that the representations
which have been made to that Government on this SUD-
ject may lead ere long to beneficial results.
correspondence has taken place between the Sc.
cretary Of State and the Minister of her Britannia Ma
jesty accredited TO this Government, the subject Of
Alexander McLeods indictment and imprisonment
copies Of which ure herewith communicated to Con
gress. :.
NAV be proper to state that Alexander Mcleod has
been heard by the Supreme Court OF the State OF New
York on his motion to be discharged from 'mprIson
ment, and that the decision OF that court mas not Us
yet been pronounced.
The Secretary of State has addressed to me pa
per upon subjects interesting to the commerce OF
the country which will receive my consideration, und
which have the honor TO communicate TO Congress
=. far as it depends on the of this Govern
ment our relations Of good will and friendship will be
seduousy cultivated with all nations. The true Anne
rcau 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
Gm,v of nations as we'll as the most powerful. Oc-
casonal conflicts Of opinion may arise, but when the
disc uss;ons incident them conducted IN the Ian
puage of TRUTH and with strict regard TO 1ustice the
scourpe of war will for the most part be avoided The
time ought to be regarded as having gone wnen
sort to arms IS to be esteemed the ony PoPe' VI
national differences.
The census recently taken shows regularly pro-
cressive increase in population upon the break
mo out of the war of the Revolution, our numbers
scorcSy eouaed three millions OF SOULS they already
exceed seventeen millions and will continue TO pro-
press in ratio which duplicates IN period oil ABOUT
years The old States contain territory
itself to maintain population OF additional
millions, and the most populous OF the new states
even yet be regarded but partially settled, while oil
the lands this side of the Rocky Mountains 70
say nothing of the immense region which stIetcne
from the base of those mountains to the NOUN Oh ue
Columbia river about 600 of acres, ceded ana
unceded, stu remain 10 be brought INTO market. We
hold out the people of other countries invitation
TO come and settle among members of rapidly
growing family; and for the blessings which offer
them we require Of them to look upon country as
their country, and to unite with in the great task of
preserving our institutions and thereby perpe,uatng
onr Iberties No motive exists for foreign conquest
We desire but 10 reclaim our almost mitable wilder
nesses and to introduce into their depths the lights of
civilization While we shall at all times be prepared
IN y;ndcate the national honor most earnest desire
will be to maintain an unbroken peace !,
hod n. eInresson Of the opinion that there exists
thing in the extension empire over our acknow-
o.seso;ons 10 excite the alarm Of the patriot