Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1844-12-21

region to come up to the Capitol, so that
their constituents shall participate in ali
tn: = . benefits sni Of Federal legislation. Thus
u -, that in the progress Of time the ines
Unable principles Of civil liberty will be
enjoyed by millions yet unborn, and the
great benefits of our system Of government
be extended to now distant and uninhabit-
ed regions. In view Of the vast wilder
ness yet to be reclaimed, we NAV well in
vite the lover Of freedom of every land to
take up his abode among us, and assist us
IN the great work Of advancing the stand-
ard Of civilization, and giving wider
spread to the arts and reinements Of culti-
waited life. Our prayers should evermore
be Offered up to the Father Of the Universe
for his wisdom to direct us in the path of
our duty, SO as to enable us to conslmmate
these high purposes. ~
One Of the strongest objections which
has been urged against confederacies by
writer's on Government is the liability Of
the members to be ta,npered with BY for
eign Governments or the people OF foreign
States, either in their 'ocal affairs or in
such as affected the peace Of others or en-
dangered the safety Of the whole Confeder-
acy. We cannot hope to be entirely ex-
einpt from such attempts on our peace and
safety. The United States are becoming
too important in population and resources
not to attract the observation If other ma
tions. 1t therefore may, in the progress
oil time, occur that opinions entirely abb
stract in the States in which they may
prevail, and in no degree affecting their
domestic institutions, may be artfully but
secretly encouraged with view to under
mine the Union. Such opinions may be-
come the foundation Of political parties,
until at last the conflict Of opinion, produc-
ing an alienation Of friendly feeling among
the people OF the different States, may in
volve in one general destruction the happy
iristittti6hs under which We live. It
should ever be borne in mind that what ;s
true in regard to individuals is equally SO
in regard TO States. An interference Of
one in the affairs Of another is the fruitful
source Of family dissensions and neighbor-
hood disputes; and the Same cause affects
the peace, happiness, and prosperity Of
States. 1t may be most devoutly hoped
that the good sense Of the American peo-
pie will ever be ready to fepel all such at
temps should they ever be made.
There has been no material change in
our foreign relations since my last annual
message to Congress. With all the Pow
ers Of Europe we continue OH The most
friendly terms. indeed, it affords me much
satisfaction to state, that at no forl!et period
has the peace of that enlightened and i'm
portant quarter Of the globe ever been, ap-
parently, more firmly established. The
conviction that peace is the trne noli.:;a az
nations would seem to be growing and be-
coming deeper amongst the enlightened
every where; and there is no people who
have stronger in crest in cheri>hing the
sentiments and adopting the means Of pre-
serving and giving it pernanencc than these
Of the United States Amongst these, the
first and most elective are, no doubt, the
strict observance Of justice and the honest
and punctual fulfilment Of all engagements.
But it is not 10 be forgotten that, in the
present state of the world, it is no less
necessary to be ready 10 enforce their OBJ
servance and fulfilment in reference to our
selves, than to observe and fulfil them, ON
cur 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 Majesty's Minister Ple,ipoten-
tiary and Envoy Extraordinary residing
at Washington relative to the rights Of their
respective nations in and over the Oregon
Territory. That negotiation is still pend
ing. Should it, during your session, be
brought to a defnitive conclusion, the re-
suit win be promptly communicated to
Congress. l would, however, again call
your attention to the recommendations con-
tanned in previous messages, designed tc
! protect and facilitate emigration to that ter
ritory. The establishment 0fmilitary posts
at suitable points upon the extended line oi
land travel, would enable our citizens Ia
emigrate in comparative safety 10 The fer.
tile regions below the falls Of the Colum-
bia, and make the provision Of the existing
convention for the joint occupation Of the
territory BY subjects Of Great Britain and
the citizens Of the United States more avail
able than heretofore 10 the latter. These
posts would continue places of rest for the
weary emigrant, where he would be shel
tered securely against the danger of attach
from the Indians and be enabled 10 recover
from the exhaustation OF long line oftravel
Legislative enactments should also be made
which should spread over him the egis o
our laws, SO as to afford protection TO hi:
person and property when he shall have
reached his distant home. In this lattel
respect the British Government has bee,
much more careful OF the interests Of sucl
of her people as are to be found in tina
country than the United States. She ha'
]. made necessary provision for their secur
ity and protection against the acts Of th'
: vicionsly disposed and lawIess, and hel
emigrant reposes in safety under the pan
oply Of her laws. Whatever may be th'
result Of the pending negotiation, s,,cl
measures are necessary. Il will afford mi
the greatest pleasure to witness happy
and favorable termination to the existing
negotiation upon terms compatible will
ithe public honor; and the best efforts Q
the Government will continue to Be direct
ed TO this end.
i II would have given me the highes
lfefati6cstion, in this, my last annual com
L o 49,