Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-06-09

FELLOW CITIZENS:
You have been assembled in your respective
halls of Legislation under proclamation bear
ing the signature of the llustrious citizen who
was SO lately called by the direct suffrages o.
the people to the discharge of the important
functions of their chief executive Office Upon
the expiration of a single month from the day ol
his installation, he has paid the great debt of na
ture, leaving behind him name associated with
the recollection of numerous benefits conferred
upon the country during a long life of patriotic
devotion. With this public bereavement are
connected other considerations which will not
escape the attention Of Congress. The prepa-
ratlons necessary for his removal to the seat OF
| Government i'll view of residence of four years
must have devolyed upon the late President
heavy expenditures, which, if permitted to bur-
den the limited resources of his private fortune,
may tend seriously 10 the embarrassment of his
surviving family; and it is therefore respectful
ly submitted to Congress whether the ordinary
principles of justice would not dictate the pro-
priety of It's Legislative interposition. By the
provisions of the fundamental law, the powers
and duties of the high station to which he was
elected have deyolyed upon me, and in the dis
positions of the representatives of the States
and Of the people will be found to great ex-
tent a solution Of the problem to which our in
stitutions 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 lamented
predecessor. Whatever therefore may have
been my opinion, originally, as to the propriety
of convening Congress at so early day from
tb,t of 1o4o al 7
controlling inducemeEt not to interfere with
the patriotic desires of the late President, in the
novelty of the situation in which was so unex-
pectedly placed. My first wish, under such
circumstances, 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 to take their coun-
sci and advice as 10 the best mode of extrica-
ting the Government and the country from the
embarrassments weighing heavily on both.
am then most happy in finding myself, so soon
after my accession to the Presidency, surround
ed by the immediate representatives of the
States and the 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 60 into a detailed statement in re-
gard to them. l am happy to say that l see
nothing 10 destroy the hope Of being able to pre-
serve peace.
The ratification of the treaty with Portugal
has been duly exchanged between the two Gov
ernments. 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 stipulations, and
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
dctment and Imprisonment, copies of which
are herewith communicated to Congress.
In addition to what appears from these pa
pers, it may 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 Imprisonment, and that the de-
clsion OF that Court has not yet been pronounced.
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
Government, our relations of good will and
will be sedulously cultivated with all
nations. The true American policy will be
found to consist in the exercise of a spirit of
Justice to be manifested in the discharge of all
our international obligations, to the weakest of
the family of nations as well as to the most
powerful Occasional conflicts of opinion may
arise, 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 10 be regarded as having gone by when
Il resort TO arms Is TO be esteemed as the only
proper arbiter of national differences
The census recently taken shows regular
Iy progressive increased in our population. Upon
the breaking out of the war of the Revolution,
our numbers scarcely equalled three millions OF
souls; they already exceed seventeen millions,
and will continue 10 progress in ratio which
duplicates in period of about twenIy-three
years. The old States contain territory sui
ficient in itself to maintain population of ad-