Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1841-06-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

w.ClrIzESs:-You have been assem- /
bled 10 your respective halls OF legislation under +
proclamation bearing the Signature OF The Illus .
trious citizen wso was so lately called by the Dr. T
rect surfaces Of the people to Tie discharge Of
the important functions Of then calci Executive
office. Upon the expiration Of single month
from the day OF his installation, he has pad The
great debt Of nature, leaving behind han name
associated with the recollection OF numerous ben
e6,s conferred upon the country during long
life ofpatriotlc devotion. With tals public be.
reayemeni are connected other considerations
which will not escape the attention oil Congress.
The preparations necessary for his removal to the
seat of Government, in a view OF res dence OF
four wears, must have deyoyed upon the late
President heavy expenditures, which, iipermt,ed
to burden the limited resources OF his private Tor
tune, may tend seriously 10 the embarrassment OF
his surviving family; and il is therefore respect
fully submitted 10 Congress whether the ordina
nv nrincples of Justice would not dictate the pro
preiy OF its legitimate lnterposon. by the pro
visions Of the fundamental law, the powers and
duties or,he high station TO which he was elect
ed. have deyolyed On me, and IN the dispositions
of the Representatives. Of the States and ct the
people, will be found to great extent a solution
If the nrobIem to which our institutions are for
the first time subjected.
In entering upon the duties OF ths oihce' did
not feel that it would be becoming IN me to dis
turb what had been ordered BY my amented pre-
decessor. Whatever. therefore, may have been
nv opinion, originally as to the Propney Of con
yeninu Congress at so early day itom that OF
rs late adjournment found new and controil'
ing lnducement mol to interfere with the patriotic
desires Of the late President IN the novelty oil the
| situation in which was Unexpectedly placed
| Nv first wish, under such circumstances would
necessarily have been TO have called to my ald
| in the administration OF public al1alfs' me coiho
ned wisdom of the two houses OF Congress, IN
order ia take their counsel and advice as to the
! hest mode of extricatng the Government and the
| country from the embanassments weighing heaV'
| ilv on both. am then most happy IN hndIng
myself, so soon after my accession 10 me ffesl'
| dency, surrounded by the immediate representa-
lives of the States and people,
No important changes having taken place IN
our foreign relations since the last session OIL So"
gress, it is not deemed necessary on TINS occa'
sion to 90 into detailed statement in regard 10
them. am happy 10 say that see nothing TO
destroy the hope OF being able 10 preserve
peace. -,
The ratification OF the treaty with Portugal has
been duly exchanged between the two Govern
ments TINS Government has not been ."allen'
tive to the interests Of those Of our ciuzens VINO
have claims on the Government Of Span, found
ed ON express treaty sHpuIalloas, and nope l.
indulged that the representations which nave peer
made 10 that Government on tbs subject may
lead, ere long, to beneficial results
correspondence has taken place between Inc
Secretary of State ana the Minister oil her BrItta
mic Majesty accredited to this Government, OF
the subject of Alexander Mcleod's ndlclmen
and Imprisonment, copies OF which are het1"ili
communicated to Congress.
The Secretary of State has addressed to me
paper upon two subjects interesting to The com
merce ofthe country, which will receive my con
sideratlon and which | have the honor to com
municae TO Congress.
So far as II depends on the course OF this Gov
eminent, our relations Of good will and friendship
will be scduousy cultivated with all nations / n
true American policy will be tound TO consist u
the exercise Of spirit OF justice 10 be manifesto
in The discharge of all our international obhga
tons. 10 the weakest Of the family of nations, a
well as the most powerful. Occasional conflict
of opinion may arise, but when the discussion
iucden, to them are conducted in the languag
of ruth, and with strict regard 10 justice, III
scourue of war will for the most part be avoided
The time ought to be ,egarded,as having gone b
when resort to arms is to be esteemed as Il
only proper arber Of national differences
q The census recently taken shows regular
J impressive increase in our population. UpC
y The breaking out Of the war OF the Revolu0o
ou numbers scarcely exceeded three m'ilons
: souls; they already exceed seventeen million
: and will continue 10 progress I'M ratio, wh'
: anolca,es il. period of about % years. III
u old States contain territory sufficient N itself
y maintain population of additional Millions al
e The most populous Of the new States may be ev
o. We, regarded as but partially settled whie oil I
!, new land, on this side Of the Rocky Mountain
Il 10 say nothing OF the immense region which
Z tends from the base of those mountains to t
: mouth of the Columbia r'yer, about 77o'ooo'O
Of acres, ceded and unceded, st'il remain 10
n brought into market We hold out to the peoE
N rothor countries an invitation TO come ana s.
0 lie among us as members of our rapidly grow
T. family. and, for the blessings which we otter tn
900 reoul,e of them to look upon our country
n. their country, and TO unite with US IN The ef'
es task Of preserving our institutions, ana mere
We pcrpeluating our liberties NO motive exists
i'd foreign conquest We desire hui to reclaim
"a almost illimltable wilderness, and TO introduce
er 10 their depths the light ofclvllizalIon, NhI'e
shall at all times be prepared to vndica'e Inc
uona honor, our most earnest desire VIII NC
al maintain an unbroken peace.
or In presenting the foregoing views J can
$. withhold the expression ofthe opinion mat IN
exists nothing IN the extension oil our empire =
our acknowledged possessions to excHe me ala