The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-12-20


Congress With all the powers of Europe we
continue on the most friendly forms. Indeed il
affords me much satisfaction TO state That ut no
former period has the peace of that enlightened
and important quarter of the globe ever been, APP
parcntlv, more firmly established. The convic-
ton that peace is the true policy ofnations would
seem to be growing and becoming deeper amongst
the enlightened every where: and there is no
people who have q stronger interest in cherish
ing the settlements, and adopting the means of
preserving and giving it pcrnancncc, than those
OF the United States. Amongst these, the first
and most efficient are no doubt, the strict obscr-
vance of Justice and the honest and punctual full
iilmCut of all engagements. But II IA not to be
forgotten that, in the present state of the world,
it is leS' necessary to be ready to enforce their
observance and fultilmcnt, in reference to our
solves, than to observe and fulfil them, on our
part, in regard to others.
Since the close of your last session, Il ncgotia
ton has been formally entered upon between tho
Secretary of State and Her Britannia Majesty s
Minister PlCniPotcntary and Envoy EXtraordl-
nary 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 definite conclusion, the result will be prompt
" communicated to Congress. would, however,
again call your attention to the recommendations
tcct and facilitate emigration to that Territory.
The establishment of military posts at suitable
points upon the extended line of land travel,
would enable our citizens TO migrate in compar-
alive safety TO the fertile regions below the falls
of the Columbia, 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 available
than heretofore TO the latter.
1 I e Tor
the weary cmigrar here he would be sheltered
securely against thcdangcrs of attack from the
Indians, and be enabled to recover from the cX-
haustion of long line Of travel Legislative
cnactmcnts should also lee made which should
spread over him the pgis of our laws, so TO at-
ford protection to his person ana property when
he shall have reached His distant home, In this
latter respect, the British Government has been
much more careful to the interests of such OF her
people as are to be found in that country, than
the United States. She has made necessary pro-
vision for their security and protection against
the acts of the viciously disposed and lawess
and her emigrant rcposc5 in safety under the pan
oply OF her laws. Whatever may be the result Of
the pending negotiation, such measures are nee
essarY. 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 Gov
eminent will continue to be directed TO this end.
1t would have given me the highest gratiiica-
ton, in this, my last annual communication to
Congress, to have been able to announce to you
the complete and entire settlement and adjust
mcnt of other matters in difference between the
United States and the government of her Britain
mic Ma icsty, which were adyCrted to in Il prev
ous message. 1t is obviously the interest of both
countries in respect to the large and valuable
commerce which exists between them, that all
causes of complaint, however inconsidcrablc,
should he with the greatest promptitudc removed
that it must be regarded as of regret, that
any unnecessary delays should be permitted to
intervene. 1t is true that, in pccuniary point
of view, the matters alluded to are, altogether,
insignificant in amount when compared with the
ample resources of that great nation but they,
nevertheless, more particularly that limited class
which arise under seizures and dctcntion3 of Am
crican ships on the coast of Africa, upon the
mistaken superstition indulgod in at the time the
wrong was committed, of their being engaged III
the slave tradc-dccply affect the sensbililics of
this government and people. Great Britain hOv-
ing recognized her responsibility to repair Ill
such wrongs, by her action in other cases, leaves
nothing to be regretted on this subject, as to all
cases prior to the Treaty of Washington, than
the delay in making suitable rcparation in such
of them IA fall plainly within the principle of
others which she has long since adjusted. The
injury inflicted by the delays in the settlement
of these claims, fall with severity upon the indi-
vidual claimants, and makes a strong appeal to
her magnanimity and sense of Justice for spec
dy settlement Other matters arising out of the
construction of existing treaties, also rcmG0l I'M
adjusted and will continue to be urged upon her
attention.
The labors of the Joint committee appointed
by the two governments to run the dividing line,
established by the treaty of Washinrton were,
unfortunately, much delayed in the commence
mcnt of the season, by the failure of Con-
gress at the last session, to make a timely APP
preparation of funds to meet the expenses Of the
American party, and by other causes The Uni
ted States Commissioner however. expresses his
expectation that, by increased diligence and en-
crgy, the party VIII be able to make up for lost
time.
We continue to receive assurances of the most
friendly feelings on the part of all the other Eu-
ropCGn powers with each, and all of whom, it
Is 80 obviously our interest to cultivate the most
amcabc rotations. Nor can | anticipate the oc-
currcnco Of any event which would be likely, in
any degree to disturb those relations Russia,
the great northern power, under the iudcous
sway of her emperor, is constantly advancing in
the road Of science and improvement while
France, guided by the counsgl9 of her wise soyc-
reign, pursucs course calculated to consolidate
the general peace. Spain has obtained breath
ing spell of some duration from the internal con-
WILSON'S which have through so many years, mar
red her prosperity, while Austria the Neither
lands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of
Europe, reap rich harvest of blessings from the
prevailing peace.
informed the two houses Of Congress in my
message of December last that instructions had
been given to Mr.. Wheaton, our Mnixor at Der.
lin, tn negotiate treaty with the Germanic
States composing the Ioll Vcrein if it could be
donc-stipulating, as far as il was practicable to
accomplish it, for reduction of the heavy and
oncrous duties levied on our tobacco, and other
leading articles Of agricultural production and
yielding, in return, on our part, reduction of
duties on such articles, the production of their
INDUSTRY, az should not come into competition, or
but limited one, with articles the product of
our manufacturing industry. The Executive, in