The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

TO both Houses OF Congress, by the hands Of
RongRT TYLER, Esq:
To The Senate and House
Of Representatives Of he United States.
FELLow-CrrIzENs You have been assem-
bled in your respective halls of legislation un-
der proclamation bearing the signature Of the
iustrious citizen, who was so lately called by
the direct sutirages Of the people, 10 the dis
charge of the important functions of their chief
Executive Office. Upon the expiration OF a 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 recolec-
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 TO the seat Of Govern
ment, in view Of a residence of four years, must
have deyolved upon the late President heavy ex-
penditures, which, if permitted to burthen the
limited resources of his private fortune, may
tend to the serious embarrassment Of his sur
viving family and it is therefore respectfully
submitted to Congress whether the ordinary
principles of justice would not dictate the pro-
priety Of its legislative interposition. 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
of the people will be found, TO great extent,
solution Of the problem to which our institutions
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 converting Congress at so early a day from
that of its late adjournment, found new and
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 TO the best mode of extricatlng
the Government and the country from the EN-
barrassmenis weighing heavily on both. am
then most happy in finding myself so soon, after
my accession 10 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 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.
has been duly exchanged between the two Go
yernments 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 stpulations 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
Ma,n tod III
ment on the subject of Alexander McLeod's in
are herewith comnanieaisd 10 Congress. "''
In addition to what appears from these papers,
il 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 to be
discharged from Imprisonment, and that the de-
| cison 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 il depends on the course of this Go
vernment our relations of good will and friend
ship will be seduously cultivated with all ma
tions. 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
ofnations as well as to the most powerful Occa-
siona conflicts of opinion may arise, but when
the discussions incident to them are conducted
| in the language of TRUTH and with a strict
gard to justice, the scourge of war will for the
most part be avoided. The time ought to be re-
garded as having gone by when a resort to arms
is TO be esteemed As the only proper arbier of
national differences.
| The census, recently taken, shows regularly
| progressive increase IN our population Upon
no az he
our numbers scarcely equalled 100000 Of souls,
they already exceed 100000 and will con
tlnue TO progress IN ratio which duplicates In
period of about % years. The old States
contain a territory sufficient in itself TO main
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,
,osay nothing Of the immense region which
stretches from the base of those mountains to
the mouth of the Columbia river, about no.,
100000 Of acres, coded and unceded, still re-
main to be brought into market We hold out 10
the people OF other countries invitation To
come and settle among us as members of our ra-
pidly growing family, and for the blessings which
we offer Them, we require Of them TO look upon
our country as their country, and To unite with
US IN the great task of preserving our institu-
tons and thereby perpetuating our Liberties. No
motive exists Tor foreign conquests- desire
bu TO reclaim our almost llimilable wildernesses,
and TO introduce into their depth the lights Of
civilization. While we shall at all times be
prepared 10 vindlcate the national honor, our
most earnest desire will be TO maintain an un-
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, 10 excite the
alarm Of the patriot for the safety of our inslitu
TONS The Federative system, leaving TO each
State The care OF its domestic concerns, and de-
volvog IN the Federal Government those of