The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-01

v.~tfac
,o,hs Snorsme beinq for parental care anu
ion sr,sodsd to them in all the trials ana
=, .,h;ob ,hav have been from time 10 Tune eAPo'.'
~. ..,,o;n,y ars that People From inc hr'' so'ie
49,, % o,r Goref.thers on this conlinen'-thtough
A.. a.uors attendant upon the occupation OF saw
.a. ,v,dsroess-through a long period of Colonial
,s..,dsnce-t through the war of the Revoluiion-in
the wisdom which led to the adoption OF the existing
Republican forms of Government--n the hazaroS III
cident to war subsequently waged with one oil 'hc
most powerful nations of the elrth--n The increase
of our populationn the spTc ad OF the arts anu SCI
ences, and in the strength and Durability concfreo
on POLITICAL institute. ns emanating from the FeoPie
and sustained by their will-the superin'endenee OF
an everything Providence has been plainly Slsip'e
As preparatory therefore, to entering once more
the high duties of legislation, It becomes ns mummy
TO acknowledg our dependence upon HIN as our
guide and protectors and to mplore continuance u
His parental watcbfulness over our beloved country
We have new cause for the expression of our graft
tude in the preservation of the health of fellow
citizens with some partial and local exceptions. du-
ring the past season-for the abundance with
VIII ch the earth has yielded up its fruits to the abors
of the husbandman-for the renewed acu'i'y when
has been impaired to commcIcc-fOr the re"ival OF
tradein all its Experimentation the increased rewards
attendant on the exercise of the mechanic aItsfor
the continued growth OF population and the rap
idly revving prosperity Of the whole country shall
be permitted to exchange congratulate ons with you,
gentlemen of the two Houses Of Congress, these
auspicious circumstances, and to assure you, in i'd
vance, of my ready disposition to concur with you in
the adoption Of all such shall be calcutta
ted to increase the happiness OF our constituents and
to advance the glory of our common country.
Since the last I'D journment of Congress- the Execu-
tive has relaxed no effort render understandable The
relations Of amty 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 anding which recpro-
city of interest is calculated to encourage, and It is
most ardently be hoped that hing ~ ny transpire
10 interrupt the relations of amty which lii obyi-
OusIy the policy ofhoth nations to cultivate.
A question of much Importance still remains TO be
adjusted between them. The territorial limits of the
two countries in relation to what is commonly known
as the Oregon territory, still remain in dispute The
United States would be at all times ndisposed az
grandize themselves al the expense any other naton
but while they would be restrained by principles of
honor which should govern the conduct of nations
well that of individuals from setting up demand for
territory which does not belong to Them they would
unwillingy consent to surrender Of their rights.
After the most rigid, and as far practicable, un-
BIASED examination Of the subject the United States
have always contended that their rights appertan to
the entire region of country lying the Pacific and
embraced within the forty second and ilty-fourh 4O'
OF North latitude This claim being controverted by
Great Britain, those who have preceded the present
Executive actuated, doubt, by an 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
heretofore acceptable TO il. 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 ho-
nor of the United States, every proper expedienl
will be resorted to in order to bring the negotiation
in the progress OF resumption TO speedy and hap
by termination. In the meantime is proper to remark
that many of our citizens either already establish
ed in the territory their way thithcr for the
purpose of forming permanent settlements, while
others are preparing 10 follow-and in view of these
facts, / must repeat the recommendation contained
IN previous messages, for the establishment of
military posts, at such Places the line of travel
will furnish security and protection to our hardy
Adventures against hostile tribes of Indians nhabit.
ing those extensive regions. Our laws should also
follow them, so modified as the circumstances of the
may seem to require. Under the influence of
our 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 those
existing this side of the Rocky Mountains, and
giving wider and more extensive spread to the prin.
cples Of civil and religious liberty.
1 am happy to inform you that the cases which
have arisen from time to time, OF the detention of
of American vessels by British cruisers on the coast
of Africa, under pretence of being engaged in the
slave trade, have been placed IN fair train of ad-
justment In the case Of the William & Francis,
full satisfaction will be allowed In the cases of the
Tygris and Seamew, the British Government admits
that satisfaction is due. Ia the case of the Jones' the
accruing from the sale of that vessel and cargo
will be paid to the owners--while | cannot but flat
ter myself that full naturalization will be allowed
for all damages sustained by the detention Of the
vessel-and in the of the Douglass her Maesy,s
Government has expressed ITS determination to make
indemnication. Strong hopes are therefore enter
tanned, that most if not all Of these cases will be
speedily adjusted. No new cases have arisen since
the ratification of the Treaty Of Washington and
it is 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 our
fellow citizens engaged in the fisheries on the neigh
boring coast of Nova Scotia, has not failed to claim
the attention of the Executive. Representations
upon this subject have been made, bJlt yet no def
nltive answer to those representations has been
ceived from the British Government.
Two other subjects of comparatively minor impor-
taDcc but nevertheless of TOO much consequence TO be
neglected remain still TO be adjusted between the two
countries. by the Treaty between the United States
and Great Britain Of July, 1875 is provided that no
higher duties shall be levied in either country on ar
ticles imported from the other, than the same ar
tices imported from any other place. In 1886 rough
rice, by act OF Parliament, adm. tied from the
coast of Africa INTO Great Britain the payment of
n duty oil one penny quarter, while the same arii-
Gle from all other countries, including the United
States, was subjected to the payment of duty of
twenty shillings quarter. Our Minister at London
has from time to time brought this subject TO the con-
sderatlop of the British Government but so far
without success. He is instructed TO renew his rep
reservations upon it.
Some years since claim preferred against
the British Government on the part of certain Amer
lean merchants, for the return of export duties paid
by them on shipments of wooIlen goods to the Uni
ted States, after the duty similar articles exported
to other countries had been repealed and consequent
~ IN contravention of the commercial convention
between the Two nations securing to us equality in
such cases The principle which the claim rests
has long since been virtually admitted by Great Bri-
tain, but obstacles to settlement have from time TO
time been interposed so that large portion of the
amount claimed has no, yet been refunded Our
Minister Is now engaged in the prosecution of the
claim, and cannot but persuade myself that the
British Government will no longer delay its adjust
ment.