Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-12-19
Presidents Message.
FeLiOW- citizens Of The Senate
and House Of Representatives
DECEMBER, 1915.

OtdIeS anu lle IeoPle III OOlSl eSS assem-
bIed, as it will be to receive the aid of their
combined wisdom in the administration of
public affairs. In performing, for the first
time, the duty imposed on me by the Con-
stltutlon, OF giving to you information of
the state OF the Union, and recommending
to your consideration such measures as in
my Judgment are necessary and eXped-
ent, ana happy that ! can congratulate
you on the continued prosperity OF our
country. Under the blessings of Divine
Providence and the benign influence Of our
free institutions, il stands before the world
a spectacle OF national happiness.
With our uneXamped ad gancement in
all the elements Of national greatness, the
affection Of the people are confirmed for
the Union Of the States, and for the doc
trines Of popular liberty, which lie at the
foundation of oar Government.
1t becomes us, in humility, TO make our
deVout acknowledgements to the Supreme
Ruler Of the Universe for the inestimable
civil and religious blessings with which we
are favored.
IN calling the attention of Congress to
our relations with foreign Powers, | am
gratifed TO he able to state, that, though
with some Of them there have existed since
your last session serious causes of irritation
and misunderstanding, yet no actual hos
tlItjes have taken place, Adopting the
maxim in the conduct Of our foreign at-
fairs, TO task nothing that is not right, and
submit to nothing that is wrong" it has
been my anxious desire to preserve peace
with all nations; but, at the same time, to
he prepared to resist aggression, and to
maintain all our Just rights.
In pursuance Of the Joint resolution OF
Congress "tor annexing Texas to the Uni
ted States," my predecessor, on the third
day Of March, l845, elected to submit the
first and second sections of that resolution
to the Republic Of Texas, as an overture,
on the part of the United States, for her
admission as State into our Union The
election approved, and accordingly the
Charge d'Affaires of the United States in
Texas, under instructions of the tenth OF
March, l845, presented these sections otthe
resolution for the acceptance of that Re-
public. The Executive Government, the
Congress, and the People of Texas in Con.
vention, have successfully complied with
all the terms and conditions OF the i0''t,.t
resolution. A Constitution for the govern
ment OF the State of Texas, formed by a
convention Of deputies, is herewith laid
before Congress. 1t is well known, also
that the people Of Texas at the polls have
accepted the terms of annexation, and
ratified the Constitution.
l Il,
poAdence between the Secretary of State
and our Charge d'Affares in Texas; and
also the correspondence of the latter with
the authorities of Texas; together with
the official documents transmitted by hin
10 his own Government.
The terms of annexation which were Of
fered by the United States having beer
accepted by Texas, the public faith OF botl
parties iF solemnly pledged to the compact
OF their union. Nothing remains to con
summate the event but the passage of ar
act by Congress to admit the State Of Tex
as into the Union upon an equal footing
with the original States. Strong reasons
exist Why this should be- done at an earl,
period OF the session. 1t will bs observed
that, by the Constitution of Texas, the ex
isting Government is only continued tenn
pOrary till Congress can ac'; and that the
third Monday Of the present month is the
day appointed for holding the first genera
election. On that day Governor, a Lieu
tenant Governor, and both branches of tho
Legislature will be chosen by the people
The President of Texas is required imme
diately after the receipt of official intorma
ton that the new State has been admitted
into our Union by Congress, to convene
the Legislature; and, upon its meeting, tn,
existing Government will be superseded
and the State Government organized
Questions deeply interesting to Texas, il
common with the other States; the exten
sion OF our revenue laws and judicial sys
tenn over her people and territory, as wei
as measures of local character, will claim
the early attention of Congress; and, there
fore, upon every principle of Republican
Government, she ought to be represented
in that body without unnecessary delay
/ cannot too earnestly recommend promp
action on this important subject.
As soon as the act to admit Texas as
State shall be passed, the union of the twt
Republics will be consumnated by thei
own voluntary consent.
This accession to our territory has beef
bIoodless achievement. No arm Of fore
has been raised to produce the result. Tn
sword has had no part in the victory. w
have not sought to extend to our territoria
possessions by conquest, OF our republican
institutions over IA reluctant people. Itwa
the deliberate homage Of each people t.
the great principle of our federative union
If we consider the extent Of territor
involved in the annexation-its prospeC
tive influence on America-the means b
which it has been accomplished, spring
ing purely from the choice Of the peopl
themselves to share the blessings Of on
union-the history Of the world may b
challenged to furnish parallel.
The jurisdiction Of the United States
which at the formation Of the Federal Con
sututon was bounded by the st. Marv's
on the Atlantic, hps passed the Capes {
L. Nd koon f,I Il,, i ! .