, 1843-12-23
Presidents Message.
To the Senate end

ing Tor parental care and protection
extended to them in all the trials and
difficulties to which they have from
time to time been exposed, we cer-
family are that people. From the
frs: settlement of our iorefathers on
this continent-through the dangers
attendant upon the occupation Of a
savage wIlderness-through o long
period of Colonial dependence
through the war of the Revolution
in the misdom which led 10 the adop-
ton Of the present Republican form
If Government-in the hazards Of a
war subsequently waged with n Of
the most powerful nations of the
earih-m the increase of our popu-
larion--in the spread of the arts and
the sciences. and in the strength and
durability conferred on political InstI-
tutions emanating from the people
and sustained by their wil!--the SUI
perintendanceof an over ruling Provi-
drnce has been plainly visible. As
preparatory, therefore to entering
once . upon the high duties OF
legislation, II becomes u. humbIy 10
acknowledge our dependence upon
HIM US our guide and protector, and
To implore Il continuance of His pa
rental watChfuiness over our beloved
country. We have new cause for
the expression of Il gratitude in
the preservation of the health OF our
teIIow.ci,iHenS, with some partial and
local exceptions, during the past sea
Sun-ior The abundance with which
Ihe earth has yielded Up its fruits TO
the la ors Of the huSbaniman-tor the
renewed activity winch has been I'M
parted 10 commerce-fOr the revival
Of trade in all It's departments-tor
the increased rewards attendant on
The exercise OF the mechanic arts
Tor the continued growth Of our
population and lhe rapidly rcviviHg
prosperity OF TIE whole country. |
shall! be permitted to exchange CON
gratuIa,l0ns vita You gentlemen q.
the TWO houses Of Congress, on these
suspicious circumstances and 10 as
sure YOU, IN advance, "t my ready
disposition to one win You 10 the
adoption Of all such measures ~ shall
be calculated 10 Increase the happI
ness of our constituents and 10 ad-
vance The glory of our common coun-
try.
Since the last adjournment oFCon-
grrss, the Executive has relaxed no
etiou 10 render indestructible the re-
!ations Of amity winch SO happily eA-
lst between the United States aud
other countries. The treaty lately
concluded with Great Brlsin has
tended greatly to increase the good
understanding which 4 reciprocity OF
interest is likely TO encourage, and II
is most ardenIy 10 be hoped tina,
nothing may transplre TO interrupt
the relations Of a4llty which it is So
obviously the policy Of both nations
10 cultivate.
A question of much importance
still romans 10 he adjusted between
them. The territorial limits Of the
two countries, IN relation TO what is
commonly known as the Oregon ter
rilory, still remain in dispute. The
United States would be at all times
indisposed 10 aggrand,ze themselves
at the expense OF any other nation,
out while they would be restrained
by principles Of honor, the conduct
of nations rs well US that of indIvidu-
ais, from setting up demand for ter,
ritory which does not belong to them,
thew would as unw!IllngIy consent 10
a surrender of their rights. After
the most rigid, and Us far as practical,
bic, the most unbiased examination
of the subject, the u. 5. have always
coutended that their rights apPeIlaIn
10 the ea,ire region Of country lying
ON the Pacific, and embraced within
the forty-second and f%fty.iourth 40
min. of north latitude. This claIm
being controverted by Great Britain
those who have preceded the present
Executive, actuated, no doubt, by an
earnest desire to adjust the matter
upon terms mutually satisfactory &c
both countries-have caused TO be
submitted to the British Government
propositions for settlement and tina
adjustment, which, however, have moi
proved acceptable to it. Our Minis
ter at London has, under instructions
again brought the subject to the con
slderation OF that Government; anC
while nothing will be done to com
promit the rights or honor Of the Uni
led States, every proper ~exPedlen'
will be resorted to 10 order to bring
the necotiat on now in the progress