The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-14

to exchange ngratulatons with you
gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress
on these suspicious circumstances, and tc
assure you, in advance, of my ready dis
position to concur with you in the adop
| ton of all such measures as shall be cal.
culated 70 increase the happiness of oul
constituents, and to advance the glory O
our common country.
Since the last ad journment of Congress
the Executive has relaxed no effort tc
render indestructible the relations OF am.
ity which so happily exist between the
United States and other countries. The
treaty late y concluded with Great Brit.
ain has tended great to increase the good
understanding which a reciprocity of in.
terest is calculated 10 encourage, and it is
most ardent y 10 be hoped that nothing
may transpre to interrupt the relations Of
amity which it is so obviously the policy
of both nations to cultivate.
A question Of much importance still
remains to be adjusted between them. -
The territorial limits of the two countries
in relation 10 what is commonly known
as the Oregon Territory, still remains in
dispute. The United States would be at
all times indsposed to aggrandize them
selves at the expense of any other nation !;
but while they would be restrained by
principles of honor, which should govern
the conduct of nations as we'll as that of
individuals, from setting up demand for
territory which does not belong 10 them,
they would as unwillingIy consent to a
surrender of their rights. After the most
rigid. and as far as practicable, unbiased
examination of the subject, the United
States have always contended that their
rights appertain 10 the entire region of
country lying on the Pacific, and en-
braced within the forty second and fifty
fourth deg. 40 min. of North latitude.
This claim being controverted by Great
Britain, those who have preceded the
present Executive, actuated, no doubt, by
an earnest desire 10 adjust the matter upon
terms mutually satisfactory to both couE-
tries, have caused to be submitted to the
British government, propositions for set.
Element and final adjustment, which, how.
ever, have not proved heretofore accepta.
bic 10 it. Our Minister at London has,
under instructions, again brou9h bit the SUBJ
ject 10 the consideration of that govern
men,; and while nothing will be done to
compromit the rights, or honor of the u.
States, every proper expedient will be
resorled to in order to bring the negolia-
ton now in the progress Of resumption,
to speedy and happy termination. In
the mean time it is proper TO remark, that
many of our citizens are either already
established in the territory, or are on their
way thither for the purpose Of forming
permanent settlements, while others are
preparing to folio Wand in view of these
facts, must repeat the recommendation
contained in previous messages, for the
establishment of military posts, at such
places. on the line of travel, as will furn.
ish security and protection 10 our hardy
adventures against hostile tribes of In
dams inhabiting those extensive regions,
Our laws should also follow them, so
modified as The circumstances OF the case
may seem 10 require. Under the nfu-
ence 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
Mountains, 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 on the coast of Africa,
under preface of being engaged in the
slave trade, have been placed in a fair
train of adjustment. In the case OF the
William & Francis, full satisfaction will
De allowed. In the cases of the Tygris
and Seamew, the British government adj
mits that satisfaction is due. In the case
of the Jones, the sum accruing from the
sale of that vessel and cargo will be paid
10 the owners--whle can not but fatter
myself that full indemnifcatan will be
allowed for all damages sustained by the
detention Of the vessel - and in the case
of the Douglass, her Majesly's govern
ment has expressed It's determination to
make indemnification. Strong hopes are
therefore entertained that most, if not al
of these cases will be speedily adjusted,
No new cases have arisen since the rati-
fcation of the Treaty OF Washington
and 1t is confidently anticipated that the
slave trade, under the operation of The
eighth article of that treaty, will be alto.
gelher suppressed.
| The occasional interruption experienced
by our fellow citizens engaged in the
fisheries on the ighboring coast of Nova
Scotia, has not failed to claim the attention
of the executive. Representations upon
this subject have been made, but as yet
no definite answer to those representation;
has been received from the British gov
ernmen:.
Two other subjects of comparatively