Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-12-08
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To the Senate and H. Of Reps. Of the U. ):
We have continued reason to express
our profound gratitude to the great Crea-
tor of all things for the numberless bene-
fits conferred upon US as people. Bles-
sed with genial seasons, the husbandman
has his gamers filled with abundance:
and the necessaries of life, not to speak
of its luxuries, abound in every direction.
While in some other nations steady and
industrious Labor can hardly find the
means OF subsistence, the greatest evil
which we have to encounter, is. surplus
OF production beyond the home. demand,
which seeks, and with difficulty in,ts,
partia! market in other regions. The
health of the country, with partial excep-
tons, has, for the past year, been well
preseryed; and under their free and
wise institutions, the United States are
rapidly advancing towards the consum-
nation of the high destidy which an o.
verruiiug Providence seems to have mar
ked out for them. Exempt from domes-
tic convulsion, and at peace with all the
world, we are left free to consult as to
the best means Of securing and advan-
cling the happiness Of the People. Such
are the circumstances under which you
now assemble 10 your respective cham
bers, and which should lead US to unite
in praise and thanksgiving to that great
Being who made us, and who preserves
us as a nation.
congratulate you, felow-citizens, on
the happy change in the aspect of our
foreign Affairs since my last annual mes
sage. Causes Of compla amt at that time
existed between the y. States and Great
Britain, which, attended by irritating
circumstances, threatened most serious
ly the public peace The difficulty Of
adjusting amicably the questions at issue
between the two counties, was in no small
degree augmented by the lapse of time
since the7 had their origin. The opin-
ions entertained by the Executive on sew
eral Of the leading topics in dispute, were
frankly set forth in the Message at the
opening Of your late session. The ap-
peintment of special minister by Great
Britain to the United States by power to
negotiate upon NEST Of the points of diff
erence, indicated desire on her part
amicably to adjust them. and that minis
ter was met by the Executive in the
same spirit which had dictated his mis-
sion. is1he treaty consequent thereon,
having been duly ratified by the two Gov
! ernments, copy, together with the COR
respondence which accompanied it, is
herewith, communicated. trust that
whilst you may see in it nothing objec.
| tionable, it may be the means Of pEeser-
wing. for an indefinite period, the ea;mica-
BILE relations happily existing between
the two Governments. The question oil
peace or war between the United States
and Great Britain, is question OF the
deepest interest not only to themselves,
but to- the civilized world, since itit
scarcely possible tlratsa war could exist
between them without endangerng the
peace of Christeudom. The immediate
effect of the Treaty upon ourselves Will
be felt in the security afforded to mer-
camille enterprise, which, no longer ap-
prehensive of interruption, adventures
| its specalations in the most distant sea:
and, (reighted with the diversified pro
auctions >.of every land. returns Ito bies.
our own. There is nothing in the Trea.
ty which, in the slightest degree, com.
pro,aits the honor or dignity of either na.
lion. Next to the settlement of the boun.
barry line. which must always be mat
ter of difficulty between States as be-
tween individuals, the question which
seemed to ,threaten the greatest embar
rassment, was that connected with the
| African slave trade.
BY the 10th article of the treaty o
Client, it was expressly declared tba
''whereas the traffic in slaves is ifrecon
cilable with the principles of humanit,
and justice; and whereas both his Ma
jesty and the United States are desirou,
OF continuing their Efforts to promote it,
entire abolition; it is hereby agreed tina
both the contracting parties shall use
their best endeayors to accomplish Sc de