The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-06
PRESIDENTS
M E s S A G. E. .

House OF Representatives ofthe u. s.:
1t any people ever had cause to render up thanks
to the Supreme Being for parental care and protec-
ton extended to them in all the trials and Difficult
ties to which they have been from time to time ex-
posed we certainly are that People. From the first
settlement of our forefathers on this continent
through the dangers attendant upon the occupation
of a savage wdeness-through a long period of
Colonial dependence-through the war of the Re-
voution-in the wisdom which led to the adoption
Of the existing Republican forms of government
IN the hazards incident to war subsequently wa
ged with one of the most powerful nations OF the
earih-in the increase OF our popuatlon-ln the
spread OF the arts and sciences, and In the strength
and durability conferred political institutions EN-
anang from the People and sustained by their Will
the superintendance of an overriding Providence
has been plainly visible. AS preparatory therefore,
to entering once more upon the high duties OF le-
gislation, it becomes US humby to acknowledge our
dependence upon Him as our guide and protector and
to implore continuance of His parental watchful-
ness over our beloved country. We have new cause
for the expression gratitude in the preservation
of the health Of our fellow citizens, with some par
son-for the abundance with which the earth
has yielded up its fruits to the labors OF the
husbandman-for the renewed activity which
has been impaired to commerce-for the revival OF
trade in all its departments for the increased re-
wards attendant on the exercise of the mechanic
arts; for the continued growth of our population
and the rapidly reviving prosperity OF the whole
country. shall be permitted to exchange congra.
Congress, on these suspicious circumstances. and
TO assure you, IN advance OF my ready disposition
to concur with you in the adoption of all such mea-
sres as shall be calculated to increase the happl-
ness of our constituents and to advance the glory
OF our common country.
Since the last adjournment of Congress, the Ex-
ecutive has relaxed effort to render indestructi-
Bile 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 interest is calculated TO en-
courage, and 1t Is most ardently to be hoped that
nothing may transpre to interrupt the relations of
amlty which it is so obviously the policy OF both
nations to cultivate.
question of much Importance still remains to
be adjusted between them. The territorial limits
of the two countries in relation to what Is COM
monty known the Oregon territory, still re-
main in dispute. The United States would be at
all times indlsposed to asgrandize themselves 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 well as that
ofindividuals, from setting up demand for terri:
tory which does not belong to them, they would
as unwillingy consent to surrender other rights
After the most rigid, and as far practicable, un-
BIASED examination of the subject, the United
States have always commended that their rights APP
Pacific, and embraced within the forty second and
fifty-fourth 40 deg. of north latitude. This claim
being controverted by Great Britain, those who
have preceded the present Executive, actuated,
|
upon terms mutually satisfactory to both countries,
have caused TO be submitted to the British Govern
ment, propositions for settlement and final adjust
ment, which, however, have not proved heretofore
acceptable to II. Our Minister at London has, under
Instructions again brought the subject to the con-
| slderation OF that Government; and while nothing
Will be done to compromIt the right, or ho-
nor OF the United States, every proper eXpedlent
will be resorted III order bring the negotiation,
now in the progress of resumption, to speedy and
happy termination In the meantime it is proper to
remark. that many OF our citizens are either AREA
| dy established in the territory or are their way
thither for the purpose offorming permanent settle
ments, while others are preparing to tolow-and In
view of these facts, must repeat the recommends
| ton contained in previous messages, tor the es-
tablishmeat Of military posts, at such places on the
line of travel, as will furnish security and protec-
ton to our hardy adventures against hostile trbes
of Indians inhabitng those extensive regions. Our
| laws should also follow them, modified as the
circumstances of the case may seem to require.
Under the influence of our free system OF govern
ment, new republics arc destined to spring upa no
distant day. on the shores of the Pacific, similar in
policy and in feeling to those xisns on this side OF
| the Rocky Mountains and giving wider and more
extensive spread to the principles OF civil and rell-
gious 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 pretence Of being engaged IN the slave
In the case Of the William & Francis, full satisfac
i ton will be allowed. In the cases OF the Tygri:
and Seamew, the British government admits thai
satisfaction is due In the case OF the Jones, the
sum accruing from the sale Of that vessel and cargo
| will be paid to the owners-while cannot but fiat
ter myself that full indemnifcaton will be allowed
for all damages sustained by the detention OF the
vessel-and in the case Of the Douglass, her MaJes
make indemnifcation. Strong hopes are therefore
entertained that most if not all of these cases vii
be speedily adjusted. No new cases have arlser
since the ratification of the treaty OF washington
aptlv trin tod hat
under the operation OF the eighth article OF thai
treaty, will be altogether suppressed:
| The occasional interruption experienced by oul
fellow citizens engaged in the fisheries on the
leighboring coast Of Nova Scotia, has not failec
to claim the attention of the Executive. Repre-
'entations upon this subject have been made, bu
.syet no sefintiye answer to those representation
las been received from the British Government.
Two other subjects of comparatively minor i'm
,ortance but nevertheless Of too much consequence
to be neglected, remain still to be adjusted between
the two countries. BY the Treaty between thu
United States and Great Britain, Of July 1915, It y
provided that no higher duties shall be levied II
ither country on articles imported from the other
than on the same articles imported from any othe
place. In 1896, rough rice, by act OF Parliament
was admitted from the coast OF Arca INTO Urea
Britain on the payment OF a duty OF one penny
quarter, while the article from all other coun
tries, including the United States, was SUBJECTED
to the payment of duty of twenty shilngs {
| Iuarter. Our minister at London has from time Il
line brought this subject to the consideration o
The British Government, but so tar without success
He is instructed to renew his representations upoI
Il.
Some years since claim was preferred agains
the British Government on the part OF certain
American merchants, for the return OF export dutie
| rid by them on shipments of woollen goods to the
United States, after the duty on similar articles ex
ported to other countries had heen repealed, ant
consequently in contravention OF the commercial
| convention between the two nations, securing L
IS equality in such cases. The principle on which
the claim rests has long since been virtually admit
ted by Great Britain, but obstacles to a settemen
nave from time to time been interposed, so that I
large portion of the amount claimed has not yet beer
refunded. Our Minister is now engaged In the pro
secution of the claim and cannot but persuade
myself that the British Government will no longe
! delay its adjustment
am happy to be able to say that nothing has oc
CURED to disturb in any degree the relations 0
amty which exist between the United states an an