The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1843-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To The Senate and

House of Representatives. ofMe Z, S.
If any people ever had cause to render
up thanks TO the Supreme Being for pa
rental care and protection extended TO
them in all their trials and difficulties to
which they have been from time TO time
exposed" we certainly are that people
From the first settlement Of our torelath-
ers on this continent-through the dan
gers attendant on the occupation of a saw
age wilderness--through long period of
colonial ependence-through the war Of
the Revolvtion--in the wisdom which
led to the adoption of the existing repub-
iican form of governmental the hazards
incident to a war subsequently waged
with one of the most powerful nations Of
the earlh--in the increase of our pOpula-
ton--in the spread of the arts and sclenc-
cs, and in the strength and durability con-
lerred on political Institutions omanating
from the people and sustained by their
will-the uperintendence ofan overriding
Providence has been plainly visablc.--As
preparatory, therefore, to entering once
more on the high duties Of legislation, it
becomes us humbly 10 acknowledge ourde-
pendence on him as guide and protector,
and to inpl)re continuance ofhis parental
watchlulness over our beloved country.
We have new cause for the expression Of
our gratitude in the preservation Of the
health of our fellow citizens, with some
partial and local exceptions, during the
past season--tor the abundance with
which the earth has yielded up It's fruits
TO the Observation-Disclosures The renewed az
iivily which has been impaired to con-
merce--fDr the revival of trade in all lis
depar,men,s--i0r the increased rewards
attendant on the exercise of the mechanic
arts--for the continued growth of our po-
pulation and The rapidly revivng pros
perily Of the whole country. | shall be
permitted TO exchange congratulations
will, you, gentlemen of the two houses of
congress, on these suspicious circumstance
es, and to assure you, IN advance, of my
ready disposition to concur with you in
the adoption Of all such measures as shall
he calculated To increase the happiness of
our constituents and to advance the glory
Of our common country.
Since the last adjournment of congress,
the executive has relaxed no effort TO rem
der understandable the relations of amity
which so happily exist between the
United States and other countries. The
treaty lately concluded with Great Britain
has tended greatly TO increase the good
understanding which reciprocity of in
terest is calculated to encourage and it is
mos, ardently to be hoped that nothing may
transpire to interrupt the relations of ami
ty which it is so obviously the policy of
both nations 10 cultivate.
A question of much Importance still re-
mains to be adjusted between them, The
territorial limits of the two countries in
relation to wha, is commonly known as
the Greg N territory. still remain in dis
quite. The United States would be at all
times in,lisposed TO aggrandize themselves
at the expense of any other nation; but
while they would be restrained by princi-
pies Of honor. which should govern the
conduc; of nations as we'll as that of ndi-
viduals, from setting up demand for ter
ritory which does no, belong to them,
they would as unwilIinyly consent to sur.
render their rights After the most rigid
and as far as practicable, unbiased exam-
nation Of the subject, the United States
have always con,ended that their rights
apperiain to the entire region of country
lying on The Pacific, and embraced within
the forty-second and ffty-fourth 40 Of
North latitude. This claim being con,ro-
verted by Great Britain, those who have
preceded the present executive, aclua,ed,
no doubt by an earnest desire TO adjust the
matter upon terms mutually satisfactory
to both countries, have caused to be sub
mited to the British government, propo-
sitions for settlement and final adjustment,
which, however, have not proved hereto
fore acceptable to 1t. Our Minister al
London has, under instructions, again
brought the subject TO the consideration
of that government and while nothing
will be done't compromit the rights, or
honor Of the United States, every proper
expedient will be resored to in order to
bring the negotiation now in the progress
Of resumption, TO speedy and happy
illumination In the mean,ime !, il nvo
per to remark, that many Of our citizens
are either already established in the ter.
ritory, or are on their way thi,her for the
purpose offorming permanent settlements,
while others are preparing 10 follow
and IN view Of these facts, | must repeat
the recommendation contained in pew