The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-11-04

character and facilitated the abors of the dstin
guished negoiator Onlhe part of the United States
and that TO those suggestions and to the readiness
with which he devoted hinsefto the task of as
ssling in the removal Of difficulties. and TO III,
constant, steady and firm support which he rem
dered to the American representative, may usll,
be ascribed much of the success which crowned
the negotiation Ofcourse | shall not be under
stood as diminishing in the least, the honor ant
praise which belong 10 the unweared and most n.
BILE efforts ul the Secretary of State. do but re.
iteraie the Acknowledgements he has publicly made
Of the assistance rendered by the President Ia
truth, no one acquainted with The mullrarous op.
eratons Of this Government, expects the Presi.
dent, on any occasion, TO do more than preside o.
YER them, lay down the principles on which they
are to be conducted, and supervise their execu-
ton. The Secretary OF the proper department
does the rest, and if it be done with ability an ey-
dence Is afforded to the country, that in admins
tcrng The government, the President has selected
competent agents. BY this treaty, controversy
respecting our Northeastern Boundary. which on
one occasion had nearly kndled into war, and
which has baied all former efforts for It's adjust
ment, has been settled to the mutual satisfaction
of the States directly interested in the territory in
dispute. The United States has acquired a strip
of land on The northern boundary of New York
and Vermont, upon which forllfcalion has been
commenced of vital importance TO the defence of
that frontier. The right of navigating the channel
OF the ST. John, and Of other straits, exclusively
within the British territory, has been guaranteed,
and reciprocal provision for the delivery of lugi-
lives from justice, so long refused by Great Brit
ain, has been made, by which our northern and
northwestern borders will he relieved from the
hordes of lelons who made them their refuge and
~ thn hpn nj inv ity az, hal, 4
out 10 criminals from our territory, is extingushed
This Is in itself Il great triumph of law, order and
justice, over RIGHTEOUSNESS and crime. The har-
dy pioneer of the frontiers, now shares with his
fellow citizens, the protection of his Government,
and his life and property will no longer be held
or enjoyed at the will Of maraudcrs and incen-
diaries
In Florida the Success of our forces under the
gallant Worth, and his associates, in an unceasng
warfare upon the hostile Indians, had so reduced
their numbers and dishearlencd those who remain
cd, that the security Of the Territory justified what
humanity demanded, pacifcalion. A miserable
contest which was unworthy the nane of war, on
the part of this nation, has been terminated. The
sluices of reckless and exavagaet expenditure,
which had been opened wide, and through which
the treasure of the country had been poured out in
prolusion almost boundless, have been closed
Strict accountability and rigid economy have been
praclsed; and this dram upon our resources, has
been died up, it is hoped, forever, A hardy pop
ulalion, capable Of taking care of themselves, has
been invited to oceupy the rich lands of the Terri
tory, by offers of gratuitous grants, fully adequate
to their support
The same determination TO settle existing diff
cuies, has caused an adjustment of one in which
from your local position, You have taken an inter-
n,t | all e., al al,
cas-, by which controversy that had excited the
sympalhies OF the whole country, and which hrca-
tened endless litigation, has been settled on terms
of justice to all parties
While thus cuIlivating peace. and seeking TO cs-
tabsh order and JUSTICE the Executive has not
been unmindul of threatened indignilies or viola
tons of our rights The signal rebuke which the
government of Mexico received for its groundless
complaints and its empty menaces, seems TO have
been as eflecuaI rs il was satisfactory TO our fel
low citizens
Other measures might be enumerated, Of less
general importance, but all evincing the sedulous
care of the President and his administration, in
watching the great interests entrusted TO their
charge The quiet and regular operations Of the
different Departments, moving in their appropriate
spheres with order, accuracy and despatch, dispo-
sing of the vast amount of business which our en-.
tended country with its various interests constantly
presents, without embarrassment or difficulty, al
though not calculated TO arrest attention, ARE yet
Of more importance to the permanent and steady
welfare of The people, than many Of those single
and brilliant acts which attract the notice Of men.
may be permitted to remark that the manner in
which these operations have been conducted,
throughout year, during three lourihs of which II
Congress has been in session, distinguished for its
numerous calls, requiring extraordinary labor, may
be inferred from the fact that the voice Of COM
plant on the subject has not been heard.
You have had the kindness, gentlemen, to al.
lude TO my own position and say that it has been
the subject of Misrepresentation and of misrepre
senlaon. Reluctant rs nm to prolong COM
muncotion already too extended, have no right
TO disregard tia, reputation which Is the property
of my children, and to some extent OF my country;
and am therefore compelled to speak Of myself
With respect 10 my acceptance OF seat in the
Cabinet, il is proper TO state thai 1 was made after
consultation with the prominent men Of the State
Of New York, then my political associates, COM
prising the State officers, with one exception, all
the members of the Senate 10 Shom access could
be had, many members Of the assembly, and
large number of our most esteemed citizens, and
upon their advice, without single dissenting opn-
ion The press throughout tho country, parlcu-
larry the wing press, spoke fhvorably Of the ap-
pontment, and furnished evidence Of The general
sentiment ofhal party. Nothing has occurred TO
change my own convictions Of the propriely of ac-
cepling an office which was rendered without So
licalion, nor 10 render the reasons and motives
which induced tina, course, less obligatory in re-
quiring continuance in the same station. Facts
which came TO my knowledge, before concluded
to accept the offer Of the President, and some Of
which have been stated in this communication,
satisfied me that the impressions produced by the
manifesto Of certain whg members Of Congress,
which did not receive the sanction, and was un-
known to very many Of those whose views it ap-
peared TO express, wsrc erroneous and unjust tow
ards the President, and that motives and objects
had been ascribed to him, with the semLlance but
wi,hou, the reality of truth And between his
principles MS explained TO me, and my own,
found no incongruiy that could prevent hearty