Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-12-29

b tie Senate and House of

Representatives Of the United States:
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 the trials and difficulties to
which they have been, from time TO time,
exposed, we certainly are that People,
From the first settlement of our forefalhers
on this continent-through the dangers at
tendant upon the occupation of savage
wilderness-through long period of CO.
lonial dependence-through the war of the
Reyolu,ion-in the wisdom which led to
the adoption Of the existing Republican
forms Of GoYernment-in the hazards in>
cident 10 war subsequently, waged with
one of the most powerful nations of the
earth-in the increase of our population
in the spread Of the arts and sciences, and
in the strength and durability conferred on
political institutions emanating from the
People and sustained by their will-;he
superintendent Of an overriding Provi-
dence has been plainly visible. As pre-
para:ory, therefore, to entering once more
upon the high duties of Registration, it be-
comes us humbIy to acknowledge our de-
pendence upon Him as our guide and
protector, and to implore continuance Of
his parental wa!chfulness over our beloved
country.
| We have new cause for the expression
! of our gratitude in the preservation OF the
health of our felIow-c,izens, with some
partial and local exceptions, during the
past season-fort the abundance with which
the earth has yielded up its fruits to the
labors Of the husbandman-fo the renew
| ed activity which has been impaired TO
| commerce-fo the revival of trade in all
| its departments for the increased rewards
! attendant on The exercise Of the mechanic
arts-for the continued growth Of our
population and the rapidly reviying pros
perity of the whole country. l shall be
| permitted to exchange congratulations
with you, gentlemen of the two Houses of
Congress. On these suspicious circumstAn-
ces, and TO assure you, in advance, of my
ready disposition to concur with you in
the adoption of all such measures as shall
be calculated to increase the happiness Of
our constituents and TO adance the glory Of
our common country.
|
i.he Executive has relaxed ~ effort to
render indestruc,ibie the relations of amity
which SO happily exist between the Uni
ted States and other countries. the trca'
e ty lately concluded with Great Britain has
tended greatly TO increase the good under
standing which reciprocity of interest is
calculated to encourage, and it is most ar
IDENTIFY to be hoped ,ha: nothing may trans
Dire to interrupt, the relations Of amity
which it is so obviously the policy of both
nations to cultivate.
A question of much importance still re-
mains to be adjusted between them. The
territorial limits of the two countries in re.
lalion to what is commonly known as the
Oregon territory, still remain in dispute.
The United States would be at all times
indisposed 10 aggrandize themselves at the
| expense of any other nation; but while
they would be restrained by principles of
honor, which would govern the conduct OF
nations as we'll as that of individuals, from
setting up a demand for territory which
does no. belong to them, they would as
unwillingly consent to surrender OF their
t rights. After the most rigid, and as far as
: practicable, unbiased examination of the
subject, the United States has always con-
tended that their rights appertain to the
|, entire region of country lying on the Pa,
ciic, and embraced within the forty-sec-
ond and fifty-fourlh 40 min. of north lati-
tude. This claim being controyerted 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 10 both
: countries. have caused to be submitted to
: the British Government, propositions for
settlement and final adjustment, which,
however, have not proved heretofore ac-
ceptable TO it. Our Minister a: London
has under instructions, again brought the
subject to the consideration of that Gov
eminent and while nothing will be done
to compromit the rights, or honor Of the
United States, every proper expedient
will be resor,ed to in order to bring the
negotiation now in the progress or re-
sumption, TO speedy and happy termina-
ton. In the meantime it is proper TO re-
mark, that many of our citizens are either
. already established in the territory, or are
on their way thither for the purpose OF
forming permanent settlements, while 9th
ers are preparing to follow and in view
,, of these facts, must repeat the recon-
mendation contained in previous MESA
ges, for the establishment Of military posts
at such places, on the line of travel, as
will furnish security and protection to our
! hardy adventures against hostile tribes Of
t Indians inhabting those extensive regions