The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-06
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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

II = \
To me Senate and
House Of Rspresentatjres Of the u s.;
Ifsny People eser had cause to render up thanks
TO the sapssms leing for parental and pro'ec-
on extended 10 them in all the trials and difficulties
to which they have been FROM time to time exposed
we certainly are that People. From the hrst seuie-
ment of our forefathes on this coninen'-'hrougn
the dangers attendant upon the occupation OF saw
age wilderness through long period OF Colonial
depende nce--throagh the wal OF the Revo'suon--in
the wisdom which led to the adoption of the existing
R.n,,b can firms of GoverDment--n the hazards in
cilent 10 war subs. gu My waged with one OF The
mo-, power sui nations Of tho earth-in the incIeas,
of u pop .lioni the spre ad of the ats and sci
ences, and in the strength and durability erred
on political institute emanatirg from the People
and sus,ail ed by their w-the snperinien denoe OF
ng Providence has been plainly visible
AS prepa atny, therefore, entering upon
the hl duties of legislation, il becomes as humby
to acknowledge our dependence upon Hin our
guide and protector, and to implore continuance Of
His parental watchfulness over believe country
We have cause for the expression of our graft
tude 10 the Of the health Of fellow
cillzens with partial and local ceptons d.
rlng fhe past season-for the abundance with
VIII ch the earth has yielded up its fru to the abors
of the Observation-Disclosures the renewed activity which
has been imparted to commerce for the revival of
tradcin all its departmentsfor the increased rewards
attendant the exercise Of the mechanic ais--for
the continued growth Of our population and the rap
idly reviving prosperity Of the whole country. shall
be permitted to exchange congratulations with YOU
gentlemen of,hs two Houses Of Congress on these
suspicious circumstances, and assure you in ~.
vance Of my ready dispo~'.ien to ..
the adoption Of all such measures shall be calcua-
ted to increase the happiness Of constituents and
to advance the glory of our common country 3
Since thefiast adjournment of Con gress the Execu-
tive has relaxed effort to render understandable the
relations Of umity which happily exist between the
United States and other countries. The treaty late
ly concluded with Great Britain has tended greatly
TO increase the good unders andng which recipro-
city Of interest is calculated to encourage and t is
ardently 10 be hoped that hing Nay spire
interrupt the relations Of anity which 1T obv-
ously the policy of both nations tn cultivate.
A question Of much importance still remains to be
adjusted between them. The territorial limits of the
two countries in relation to what commonly known
as the Oregon territory still remain in dispute. The
United States would be at all times indsposed to ag
grandze themselves at the of any other naton
but while they would be restrained by principles of
honor which should govern the conduct of nations as
we'll that of vdua from setting up demand for
territory which does not belong TO them they would
os iilipgy consent to surrender Of their rights
bassed examination Of the SUBJECT the United Stale.
have always commended that their rights appertan tc
the entire region Of country lying on the Pacific
and embraced within the 42ia and 54tho 4O OF
North latitude This claim being controverted BY
Great Britain those who have preceded the present
Executive. actuated, doubt, by earnest desire
to adjust the matter upon terms mutually satisfactory
to both countries, have caused TO be submitted the
British Government, propositions for settlement and
final adjustment, which, however, have not proved
In go A.
has, under instructions again brought the subject to
the consideration of that Government; and while
nothing will be done TO compromit the rights or ho
nor of the United States, every proper expedien,
will be resorted to in order to bring the negotiation
now in the progress Of to speedy and hap
by termination. In the meantime is proper to remark
that many of cur citizens either already esta bish
ed in the territory or are on their way thher for the
purpose of forming permanent settlements, while
others preparing TO follow-and in view of these
facts, | must repeat the recommendation contained
.sA previous messages for the establishment OF
military posts at such places, the line of travel
as will furnish security and protection our hardy
Adventures against hostile tribes of Indians nhabit-
ing those extensive regions. Our laws should also
follow them, modified the circumstances of the
may seem to require Under the influence of
free system Of government, new republics are
destined to spring up, at no distant day. 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 spre ad to the prn
ciples Of civl and religious liberty.
am happy to inform you that the cases which
have arisen, from time to time, of the detention O
of American vessels by British cruisers on the coas
of Africa, under pretence Of being engaged in III,
slave trade, have been placed IN fair train of ad
jusiment In the of the William & Francis
full satisfaction will be allowed In the cases OF the
Tygris and Seamew, the British Government admit.
that satisfaction is due In the Of the Jones' the
accruing from the sale Of that vessel and cargo
will be paid o the OWners-while | canno, hnt az.
ter myself that full indemnicatoA will be allowed
for all damages sustained by the detention of the
vesseland IN the case OF the Douglass her Majesty
Government has expressed ITS determination to make
naturalization. Strong hopes are therefore enter
tanned, that most, if not all of these cases will bt
speedily adjusted. No new cases have arisen since
the ratification Of the Treaty of Washington; and
II confidently anticipated, that the slave trade un
der the operation OF the eighth article of that treaty
will be altogether suppressed.
The occasional interruption experienced by OIL
fellow citizens engaged in the fisheries on the neigh
boring coast Of Nova Scotia, has not failed to CLAIM
the attention of the Executive. Representation
upon tins SUBJECT have been made, but YET no def
nltiye answer 10 those representations has been re
ceved from the British Government
Two other subjects of comparatively minor npor
lance, but nevertheless of too much consequence IN
neglected remain still 10 be adjusted between the tw
countries ny The Treaty between the United State
and Great Britain, OF July, 1915, II is provided that NJ
higher duties shall be levied in either country ON
tlcles imported from the other than on the same ar
ticles imported from any other place In 1896 rough
rice, by act Of Parliament was admitted from ia,
coast Of Africa INTO Great Britain on the payment
duty OF one penny quarter, while the same arti
Gle from all other countries including the Unitef
States, was subjected to the payment Of a duty O
twenty shiIlIngs quarter Our Minister at Londor
has from time TO time brought this subject to the con
sderation Of the British Government but 80 ia
without success He is instructed to renew hi, rep
reservations upon it, ...t
Some years since a claim preferred aeains
the British Government the part Of certain Amer
lean merchants, for the return of export duties pai
by them on shipments Of wooen goods to the Tn,
ted States, after the duty similar articles exporte
10 other countries had repealed and
iy 10 contrsveDtson of the commercial convention
betweea the two nations securing to US equality i
such cases. The principle on which the claim res,
has long since been virtually admitted by Great Br
tain, but obstacles 10 settlement have from time Il