The Arkansas banner., 1843-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


 of last Sunday night, and supplied many of our readers with it, in an extra Banner, the next morning. It occupies the first page of our paper, to-day.
 The Message was delivered on Tuesday, the 9th instant, at 12 o'clock.
 On laying it before our readers, while we do not feel called upon to examine it in de- tail, there are a few of its features to which we would call attention
 As .-whole, 1t is not widely different from what was expected by those who were ac- quainted with the character of the President, or had observed the course of his adminis- tratlon. It IS mild, conciliating, yet manly and dignIIied, in its tone and spirit; giving a brief, yet clear and favorable, account oi the foreign, and domestic, affairs of our Co., vernment.
 In treating of our foreign relations, two subjects are considered, which, are already invested with much interest to every portion of our country, which are vitally important to the West and South West; and one oI which, at least, will prove the source ol much exciting controversy, between differ ent portions of our countrymen, both in and out of Congress. These subjects are our claim to the Oregon country, and the annex ation of Texas to the Union.
 On the former, or our claim to Oregon the President does not speak out as boldly and directly as we had hoped he would As to the claim itself, he says it is the present subject of negotiation between our Govern ment and Great Britain; our minister being instructed to do nothing which will compro- init the honor or interest of our country but make all proper contributions to speedy and satisfactory settlement of the question This all sounds very diplomatic; but to orl mind, 1t does not meet the merits of the case. In the language of the President,- " After the most rigid, and as far as practi- cable, unbiased examination of the subject. the United States have always contended that their rights appertain to the entire re- zion of country lying on the Pacific, and embraced within the forty-second and fifty fourth deg. 40 min. of north latitude" In our estimation this places the matter beyond negotiation. Our Government has determin- ed, and declared, that Oregon, within. the limits specified, is ours, by right. What has negotiation to do, in the matter, after this : If we understand the legitimate object of ne- gotiation, 1t is to examine the question of right; and not to consider whether it is to be maintained or relinquished But, in this case, the question of right has already been determined; and by an authority which is sufficient for, and binding upon, our people. Whatever 1t might once have been, 1t is no longer subject of negotiation. Negotiate for what? For the right2 No; for that is already ours For permission from Great Britain, to exercise our rights Perish the craven thought! Upon the policy of relin- quishing our rights? Out on the sugges- ton! What, then, can the negotiation con- template, or accomplish Nothing but de- lay; and that has continued already too long. Our statement of the case is this = Oregon is ours, of right; we wish to occu- py it; therefore we aoiH occupy 1t If Great  Britain, or any other power, set up claim to 1t, or desire to have possession of it, we will say to her, with arms in our hands, '' come and take ito Such is the spirit which should animate our people, such only is the language which becomes them. And, we are satisfied, such is their spirit, and such will be their language. We had hoped, and expected that such would be the language of the President We yet hope that such is his feeling.
 In regard to the occupancy of Oregon, the President speaks in somewhat more direct, and American terms. He states that some of our people have already gone into the country and others are going; and recom- mends that forts should be established along their line of travel, to project them against the hostile tribes of Indians, they may en- counter; and, further, that our Laws be made to follow the progress of our hardy pioneers. This is. much better than nego- tiaton. Let our people be thus encouraged, and protected, and the population of Oregon will soon make 1t waste of time, for the American and British Ministers to have ano- ther conference on the subject
 The other subject, of which we spoke as likely to prove of such exciting interest, Is the annexation of Texas to the Union.
 Upon this, the President holds language more decided and unequivocal But, even here, he is not so explicit as we hoped he would be. He does not speak in specific terms of the annexation; but alludes to it.