The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-12


and giving wider spread to the arts and
refnements Of cultivated life, Our prayers
should eyermore be offered up to the Faith
err of the Universe ior his wisdom to direct
us in the path of our duty, so as to enable
US to consummate these high purposes.
Ono ofthe strongest objections which
has been urged against confederacies, by
writer's on Government, is, the liability of
the members to be tempered with by for
egn governments, or the people of foreign
states, either in their local affairs, or IN
. such as affected the peace Of others, or
endangered the safety Of the whole Com
iederacy. We canno, hope to be entirely
exempt from such attempts on our peace
and safety. The United States are becom-
ing too important in population and re-
sources not to attract the observation of
other nations, 1t, therefore, may, in the
progress of time, occur that opinions en-
tlTeI y abstract IN the States in which they
may prevail, and in no degree affecting
their domestic institutions may be ar!lulIy
but secretly encouraged with view to
undermine the Union. Such opinions
may become the foundation Of political
parties, until at lasi,the conflict Of opinion,
producing an alienation Of friendly feeling
among the people Of the different States,
may involve in one general destruction the
happy institutions under which we live
1t should ever be borne in mind that what
ever is true in regard to individuals, is G.
qually so in regard to states, An ntcicr-
ence of one in the aliairs Of another is
the fruitful source Of family discussions
and neighborhood disputes; and the same
cause affects the peace happiness aud pros
perity Of States. 1t may be most dcyoutIy
hoped that the good sense of the American
people will ever be ready to rcpe all such
attempts should they ever be made.
There has been no material change in
our foreign relations since my last Annu-
al Message to Congress. With all the
Powers Of Europe We continue On the
most friendly terms, Indeed, it affords
me much satisfaction to state, that at TO
former period has the peace Of that en-
Iightcned and important quarter Of the
globe ever been apparently, more firmly
established. The conviction that peace
is the true policy of nations, would seem
to be growing and becoming deeper a.
mongst the cnlighted every where; and
there is no people who have stronger
interest in chcrishing the sentiments, and
adopting the means of preserving and
giving 1t pcrmancnce, than those Of the
United States. Amongst these, the first
and most effective are, no doubt, the strict
observance of Justice, and the honest pune
tual iulGlment Of all engagements. But it
is not to be forgotten that, in the present
state of the world, it is no less necessary
to be ready to enforce their observance
and fulilmcn,, in reference TO ourselves,
than to observe and fulfil them: on our
part, in regard to others.
Since the close of your last session,
negotiation has been formally entered
upon between the Secretary of State and
Her Britannia MWcsty's Minister plcui.
potcniary and Envoy Extraordinary rcsid-
ing at Washington, relative TO the tights
of their respective nations in and over
Oregon territory. The negotiation is still
pending. Should it, during your session
be brought TO defnliye conclusion, tAo
result will be promptly communicated TO
Congress. would, however, again call
your attention to the recommendations
con'a nel in previous messages,de igning to
protect and facilitate emigration TO thai
Territory, The establishment Of military
posts at suitable points upon the extended
line Of land travel would enable our cili-
zcns TO migrate in comparative safety TO
the fertile regions below the falls Of the
Columbia, aud make the provisions for tho
existing convention for the joint occupa-
ton of the Territory by subjects Of Great
Britain, and the citizens Of the United
States, more available than heretofore to
the latter. These posts would continue
places Of rest for the weary emigran,.
where he would be sheltered securely a.
gainsi the danger Of attack from the Indi-
ans, and be enabled TO recover from the
exhaustion OF long line Of travel Legs.
laiiyc attachments should be made which
should spread over him the Tgis of our
laws, so as to afford protection to his per-
son aud property when he shall have reach.
ed his distant home. In this latter respect
the British Government has been much
more careful of the interests of such OF
her people as arc TO be found in that cnun-
try, than the United States. She has made
necessary provision for their security aud
protection against the acts Of the viciousIy
disposed and lawess; aud her emgran,
reposes in safety under the panoply Of her
laws. Whatever may be the result OF the
pending negotiation, such measures are
necessary. 1t will afford me the greatest
pleasure to witness happy and favorable
termination TO the existing negotiation,
upon terms compatible with the public
honor, and the best efforts of the Govern
mcnt will continue to be directed to tins
end.
( 1t would have given me the highest graf
icaiion, in this, my last annual commun-
cation to Congress, to have been able 10
announce to you the complete and entire
settlement and adjustment Of other matters
in difference between the United States