The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

-AA
To the Senate aud
House Of Representatives. Of the U. S.
If any People ever had cause TO render up
+ thanks to the Supreme Being for parental
care and protection extended to them in all
the trials and difficulties to which they have
been from time to time exposed, we certain
ly are that People. From the first settlement
of our forefathcrs on this cOntinent-throush
the dangers attendant upon the occupation
of Il savage widcrncss-through long pc
Rod of Colonial ependence-through the
war of the RcvOlution-in the wisdom which
letl to the adoption of the existing Republi-
can forms of Government-in the hazards in
cidcnt to a war subsequently waged with one
Of the most powerful nations Of the earth-in
the increase of our populaton-in the spread
OF the arts and sciences, and III the strength
and durability conferred on political institu-
tons emanatins frum the People and sustain
ed by their wil-ihc superintendent of an
overruling Providence has been plainly WISH
bic. As preparatory, therefore, to entering
once more upon the high duties of legisla-
ton, it becomes us humbly to acknowledge
our dependence upon Him as our guide and
protector, aud to implOrc a continuance of
His parental watchiulncss over our beloved
country. We have new cause for the ex-
preston of our gratitude in the preservation
of the health of our fcllow-citizcns with
some partial and local exceptions, during the
past Season-for the abundance with which
the earth has yielded up its fruits TO the Id
bOrs of the husbandman-fOr the renewed
activity which has been impaired TO COM
mercc-fOr the revival Of trade in all its de-
partmcnts-ior the increased rewards atten-
dant on the exercise of the mechanic arts
for the continued growth of our population
and the rapidly rcviving prosperity of the
whole country. ] shall lie permitted to OK
change congratulations with you, gentlemen
of the two Houses of Congress, On these au-
Spicious circumstances, and TO assure you in
advance, of my ready disposition to ocncur
with you in the adoption of all such measures
as shall be calculated TO increase the happi-
ness of our constituents, and to advance the
glory of our common country.
Since tho last adjournment of Congress,
the Executive has relaxed no effort to render
understandable the relations of antlty which
so happily exist between the United States
and other countries. The treaty lately con-
Guided with Great Britain has tended greatly
to increase the good understanding which a
reciprocity Of interest is calculated to en-
} ]
that nothing may tranSpire to interrupt the
relations of amity which is so obviously the
policy of both nations to cultivate.
A question of much importance still re-
; mains to be adjusted between them. The
territorial limits of the two countries i'll rela-
ton to what is commonly known rs tine Or
cgon territory, still remain in dispute. he
United States would be at all times indiSpOS-
{ ed to agsrandize themselves at the expense
: of any other nation /; hut W lille they would he
restrained by principles Of honor, which
should govern the conduct of nations rs well
as that of individuals, from setting up a de-
mand for territory which does not belong TO
them, they would as mWillinSly consent to "A
surrender of their ris hts. After the most rig
i'd and as far as practicable, unbiased exam
nation of the subject, the United States have
always cOntcndcd that their rights appertain
to the entire region of country lying Oh tie
Pacific, and embraced within the lOrty-sec-
ond and lifty-fourth 40 of North latitude.
This claim being controvertcd by Great
Britain, those who have preceded the present
Executive, actuated, no doubt, by an earnest
desire to adjust the matter upon terms mu-
tIally satisfactory to both countries, have
caused to be submitted to the British Gov
, ernmcnt, propositions for settlement and final
adjustment, which, however, have not prov
. ell 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 cOmpromt the rights, or honor Of the
United States, every proper expcdlCnt will
be rcsOrted to in order to bring The nesocia-
ton now in the progress Of resumption, to IA
speedy and happy termination. In tie mean
II.