Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-12-15
PRE- ENT's
M E S S AG E.
To the Senate,
find House Of Representatives.,
0f he Ir,,ifad fain

to the Supreme Being for parental care and protec
tion extended to them in all the trials and Difficult.
ties to which they have been from time to time ex-
posed, we certainly are that people. From the first
settlement of our forefathers on this continent
through the dangers attendant upon the occupation
OF savage wilderness-through a long period of
Colonial dependence-through the war of the Rev.
olution-tn the wisdom which led to the adoption
Of the present Republican forms of government
In the hazards incident to n subsequently wag.
ed with one of the most powerful nations of the
earth-in the increase of our popuaton-in the
spread of the arts and sciences, and in the strength
md durability conferred political institutions en-
Ahatng from the people and sustained by their will
the superintendent of an overriding Providence
has been plainly visible. AS preparatory, therefore,
to entering once upon the high duties of legs.
1ation. it becomes us humbly to acknowledge our
dependence upon him guide and protector,
and to impore continuance Of his parental watch.
fuiness over our beloved county. We have new
cause for the expression of gratitude in the pre-
servation Of the health of fellow citizens with
some partial and local exceptions, during the past
season-for the abundance with which the earth
has yielded up its fruits TO the labor ofthe husband
man-for the renewed activity which has been i'm.
parted to commerce-for the revival of trade in all
its Experimentation the increased rewards attendant
upon the exercise of the mechanic arts-for the con-
t'nued growth of our population and the rapidly
wing prosperity of the whole country. shall be
permitted TO exchage congratulations with you, gen
tlemen of the two Houses of Congress, on these
suspicious circumstances and to assure YOU in nd.
IN the adoption OF such measures shall be cacu-
lated to increase the happiness of our constituents
and to advance the glory of common coun-
try
Since the last ad journment of Congress. the Elk.
ecutlse has relaxed efforts to render ndestructi-
BILE the relations of amy which happily exist be.
tween the United States and other countries The
treaty lately concluded with Great Britain has tend
ed greatly to increase the good understanding which
reciprocity of interest is calculated to encourage,
and 1t is most ardently to be hoped that nothing NAV
transpire to interrupt the relations of anty which
SO evidently the policy of both nations cul-
tvate.
question of much importance still remains TO
De adjusted between them The territorial limits of
the Two countries IN relation to what is commonly
known as the oregon territory, still remains in dis
Pute Inc United States would be at all times in.
disposed to aggrandise themselves at the expense of
any other nation but while they would be restrain
ed by principles of honor, which should govern the
conduct of nations well as that of individuals
from setting up demand for territory which does
not belong TO them, they would unwillinylv con.
sent to surrender of their rights. After the most
r!gd' ana as far as pTactlcnble unbiased examina
contended that their rights appertan to the entire
region Of the country lying the Pacific, and EN-.
braced within the forty-second and fifty fourth 40
deg of north latitude. This claim being ccntro
verified by Great Britain, those who have preceded
the present Executive, actuated doubt by an
earnest desire to ad ust the matter upon terms mu-
tually satisfactory to both countries, have caused to
Government
Tor settlement and final ad ustmcnt, which however,
have not proved heretofore acceptable to it, Our
Minister at London has, under Instructions again
brought the subject to the consideration of that
Government; and while nothing will be done to
compromise the right, honor of the United States
every proper expedent will be resorted in order
to bring the negotiation, in the progress of re
sumption, to speedy and happy termination. In
the meantime it is proper to remark, that many of
our citizens either already established in the ter
rtoy, or are on their way thther for the purpose of
forming permanent settlements, while others are
preparing TO follow-and in view Of these facts |
must repeat the recommendation contained in pre-.
vious messages, for the establishment of military
posts, at such places the line of travel, as will
furnish security and protection to our hardy adven.
turers against hostile tribes of Indians nhabiting
those extensive regions. Our laws should also fol-
low them, SO modified the circumstances of
case may seem to require. Under the influence of
our free system of government, new republics are
destined to spring up, at no distant day, on the
shores Of the Pacific, similar in policy and in feeling
TO those existing on this side of the Rocky Noun.
tains and giving wider and more extensive spread
to the principles of civil and religious liberty,
am happy to inform you that the cases which
have arisen, from time to time, of the detention of
American vessels by British cruisers the coast OF
Africa, under pretence of being engaged in the
slave trade, have been placed in iair train of adj
justment In the case of William & Francis full
satisfaction will be allowed. In the Tvgris and
Seamew, the British government admits that
satisfaction is due. In the case of Jones' the sum
accrung from the sale of that vessel and cargo will
be paid to the owners-while | cannot but fatter
myself the full indemnific alton will be allowed for
all the damages sustained by the detention of the
vesscl-and in the of the Douglass her Males
rvs government has expressed its determination to
make indemnlfication. Strong hopes are there
fore entertained that most if not all of these cases
will be speedily adjusted. No new cases have arts.
en- since the ratification of the treaty of Washington
and IT is confidently anticipated that the slave trade
under the operation of the eighth article of that
treaty, will be altogether SUPPRESSED
The occasional interruption experienced by our fell
low citizens engaged in tn the fisheries the neigh
boring coast of Nova Scotia, has failed TO claim
the attention of the Executive. Representations of
the subject have been made, but yet no definite
answer TO those representations has bee received
from the British Government.
Two other subjects Of comparative minor importance
but nevertheless OF too much consequence to be neg
leced, remain still to be adjusted between the two
countries. BY the treaty between the United States
and Great Britain, CT July 1915 it is provided thai no
higher duties shall be levied in either country ON an
article imported from the other than on the same
articles imported from any other place In 1886
rough rice, by act of Parliament, admitted from
the coast of Africa into Great Baln on the paymen,
Oh duty oil one penny quarter while the same art-
cie from all other countries, including the United
otates' was subjected to the payment of n duty of
,weny shihngs quarter Our minister at London
mas from time to time brought this subject TO the con
sder'ioh oil tho British Government but so far with
Out success lie IS instructed renew his represen
tations upon it.
49, e"i' s'hse cia,m was preferred against the
British Government on the part of certain American
merchants, for the return of export duties paid by
them on shipments of wooden goods to the United
states alter the duty on similar articles exported to
oiher countries had been repealed and
in conravention of the commercial convention he
tween the two yatons, securing equality in such
GASES The principle on which the claim rests has
long since been virtually admitted by Great Britain
but obstacles to a settlement have fiom time TO time
been interposed, so that large portion of the amount
claimed has not yet been refunded. Our Minister is
now engaged in the prosecution of the claim and |
cannon but persuade myself that the British Govern
ment will no longer delay its adjustment.
am happy to say that nothing has occurred to dis
turb IN any degree the relations of amty which exist