Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-08
PRESIDENTS
Nj e s s A q e.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.
of the United States:

OF tHe OHlteu IctuteS'
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
" are that People. From the first settle
ment Of our forefathers on this continent
through the dangers attendant on the occu-
patton Of savage wilderness-through
long period of colonial dependence-th through
the war Of the Revoution-in the wisdom
which led TO the adoption of the existing
Republican forms of Government---in the
hazards incident to a war subsequently wag-
ed with one of the most powerful nations of
the earth-in the increase of our population
i'm the spread of the arts and sciences,
and in the strength and durability conferred
on political institutions emanatng from the
Peopie and sustained by their wll--the SUI
perintendence of an overriding Providence
has been plainly visible. As preparatory,
therefore, to entering once more upon the
high duties of legislation, it becomes hum
bly, to acknowledge our dependence upon
Him as our guide and protector, and to i'm
plore continuance of his parental watchful-
ness over our beloved country. We have
new cause for the expression of our graft
tude in the preservation Of the health of our
fellow citizens, with some partial and local
exceptions, during the past season--lor the
abundance with which the earth yielded up
lis fruits to the labors of the husbandman-
for the renewed activity which has been i'm
parted to commerce-for the revival of trade
in all its deparlments-fo the increased re-
wards attendant on the exercise Of the me-
chanic arts-for the continued growth of
our population and the rapidly reviviug pros
perity Of the whole country. ] shall be per-
United to exchange congratulations with
you, gentlemen of the two Houses of Con-
gress, on these suspicious circumstances, and
to assure you, in advance, of my ready dis
position 10 concur with you in the adoption
Of all such measures as shall be calculated
to increase the happiness of our constituents
aud to advance the glory of our common
country.
Since the last adjournment Of Congress,
the executive has relaxed no effort to render
understandable the relations of amty which
so happily exist between the United States
and other countries The treaty lately con-
cluded with great Britain has tended great
~ to increase the good understanding which
courage, and it is most ardently to be hoped
that nothing may transpire to interrupt the
relations of ami,y which it 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 in re-
latiou TO what is commonly known as the
Oregon territory, still remain in dispute,
The United States would be at all times in
disposed to aggrandize themselves at the ex-
pense of any other nation; but while they
would be restrained by principles of honor,
which should govern the conduct of nations
as well as that of individuals, from setting
up a demand for territory which does not
belong to them. they would as unwillingIy
consent to a surrender OF their rights After
the most rigid and as far as practicable, I'M
biased examination of the subject, the IT, S.
hare always contended that their rights ap-
pertain to the entire region of country lying
on the Pacific, and embraced within the forty
second and fifty fourth 4O of north latitude
This claim being controverted by Great
Britain, those who have preceded the present
Executive, acluated, no doubt, by an earn
est desire TO adj ast the matter upon terms
mutually satisfactory to both countries, have
caused to be submitted TO the British Govern
inent, propositions for settlement and final
adjustment, 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 compromit the rights, or honor
of the United States, every proper expedient
l. -. -. Il
gotation now in the progress of resumption
to speedy and happy termination. In the
meantime it is proper to remark, that many
at our citizens are either already established
IA the territory, or are on their way thither
for the purpose of forming permanent settle
ments, while others are preparing to follow
--aRd in view Of these facts, | must repeat
the recommendation contained in previous
messages, for the establishment of military
posts, at sach places, on the line travel, as
will furnish security and protection to our
hardy adventures against hostile tribes of
Indians inhabiting these extensive regions
Our laws should also follow Them so modi-
fed as the circumstances of the case may
seem TO require. Under the influence of
our free system of government new repub-
lies are destined to spring up, at no distant
day, on the shores of the Pacific, similar in
policy and ia feeling to those existing on
this side Of the Rocky Mountains, and Civ
ing 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 ofthe American vessels by British
cruisers on the coast Of Africa, under pre-
tence of being engaged in the slave trade