Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllo,o- Citizens Of the Senate
and House of REPRESENTATIVES..

IL is to me source of unaffected satisfaction
to meet the Representatives Of the States aod.,be
people In Congress assembled, as it will be TO !
receive the aid OF their combined wisdom in the
administration OF public affairs. In performing,
Tor the hrst time, the duty imposed on me by the
Cohsu'ouon' OF giving TO you information of the
STATE OF me Union, and recommending to your
consideration such measures as in my iudomen,
aro necessary and expedient,I am happy That
can congratulate you on the continued prosperity
OF our country. Under the blessings of Divine
frovidence and the benign influence of our free
institutions, 1t stands before the world spec,a-
Gle OF national happiness.
With our 'uneXampled advancement in all tho
elements ofnatonal greatness, the affection of The
people is confirmed TOR the union of the States,
ana ior the doctrines Of popular liberty, which
ie az inc foundation Of our government.
becomes us, in humility, to make our devout
acknowledgements to the Supreme Ruler of the
UhNeIse' ior the inesiimable civil and religious
blessings with which we are favored,
In calling the attention of Congress to our 70.
laIons with foreign powers, am gratiGed to be
aoie 10 state, that, though with some of them
'"efe nave existed since your last session se,ious
causes OF Irritation and misunderstanding, vet no
actual hostllilies have taken place. Adopting
'e maxim IN the conduct of our foreign affairs,
70 ask nothing that is not right, and submit to
no'nin9 that is wrong" il has been my anxious
ues'le 10 preserve peace with all nations; but, at
Tue same time, TO be prepared to resist agrees
si0n' and to maintain all our just rights.
IN pursuance OF the joint resolution of Con-
gfesS, "ior annexing Texas to the United States,'
NY pleaecessor, on the third day Of March, 1916.
elected to submit the first and second sections of
'na' resolution to the republic of Texas, as an
overture, on the part of the United States for her
auuilssion as State into our Union. This cleo
coh approved, and accordingly the charge DAT
ameS Oh inc United States in Texas, under in.
,Muouohs Of 'he tenth OF March, 1916, presented
'ese sections OF the resolution for the acceptance
OF that republic. The executive government. the
congress and the people of Texas in convention
nave successfully complied with all the terms
anu conditions of the joint resolution. consti
cunoh ior aiie government Of the State of Texas
,oilhea oy convention OF deputies, is herewith
iaid before Congress. 1t is well known. also
that the people Of Texas at the polls have accent
ca the terms OF annexation, and ratified the cor.
stitution. WIZ e0"
communicate to Congress the CORRESPONDENCE
1e'Ween the Secretary of State and our CHARGE
aanaires IN Texas; and also the correspondence
VI Inc iat!er with the authorities of Texas; to-
gelher with the official documents transmitted by
MN 10 his own government.
ine terms OF annexation which were offered by
'no ohi'ed States having been accepted by Tex
as inc public faith of both parties is sojemnjy
Pieoged 10 The compact Of their union. No,hino
remains TO consummate the event, but the mas
So vi an act by Congress to admit the State oil
texas into the Union upon an equal FOOTING will
inc original States. Strong reasons exisf vhy
ms s"0uid De done at an early period of the SEES
SON. 1t will be observed that, by the cons,itr.
uoh Oh leXas, the existing government is only
con'inued temporarily till Congress can act; and
mat the third Monday of the present month is the
Gay appointed for holding the first GENERAL e,oc
ton. On that day Governor, Lieutenant e.
vernon and both branches of the Legislature, will
oe CHOSEN by the people. The President of Tex
as Is required, Immediately after the RECENT nj
o',iciai information that the new State has beer
aulpI''ed into our Union by Congress, to convene
80; islature' and, upon Its meeting, the en-
tslhg government will be superseded, and the
eta'e government organized. Questions deeply
interesting to Texas, in common with the otbe,
oldtes, the extension Of our revenue laws and
Juuiciai system over her people and territory, as
Wen as measures of a local character, will claim
lhe early attention of Congress; and, therefore
upon every principle OF republican government
she ought to be represented in that BODY withou,
unnecessary delay. | cannot too earnestly re-.
commend prompt action on this important sinh.
ject. '''
AS soon as the act to admit Texas as a State
snail be passed, the union of the two republics
consent. ~
Ihis accession to our territory has been a
bloodless achievement. No arm of force b.S
oeen raised to produce the result The sword
mas had no part in the victory. We have not
sought 10 extend our territorial possessions bv
conquest, or our republican institutions over =
reluctant people. 1t was the deliberate homaue
Oh each people to the great principle of our fede
rative union. ~
Ii we consider the extent Of territory involved
IN the annexa,ion-i!s prospective influence on
America-the means by which it has been ar.
compiished, spnngng purely from the choice of
the people themselves to share the BLESSINGS of
our Onion,-the history of the world NAV be
challenged to furnish parallel.
The jurisdiction of the United States, which at
the formation Of the Federal Constitution was
bounded by the st. Mary's, on the Atlantic, has
passed the Capes OF Florida, and been peaceful.
~ extended to the Del Norte. In contemplating
he grandeur OF this event, it is not TO be forgot
Ten, that the result was achieved in despite of the
diplomatic interference of European monarchies.
Even fTance-the country which had been our
ancient aliy-the country which has common
interest with us in maintaining the freedom OF
the seas--the country which, by the cession of
louisiana, hrst opened to US access to the Gulf
OF MeX.co-the country with which we have
oeen every year drawing more and more closely
Inc bonds OF successful commerce-lnost uneX-
Pectedly, and to our unleigned regret, took part
III an effort to prevent annexation, and to impose
ON leXas, as condition OF the recognition of her
independence by Mexico, that she would never
join herself to the United States. We NAV re-
Joice that the tranquil and pervading influence of
'he american principle OF self-government, was
sufficient to defeat the purposes OF British and
French interference, and that the almost unani-
nous voice 1.-THE people of Texas has given to
that interference peaceful and effective rebuke
from this example, European governments may
learn how vain diplomatic arts and istroues
must ever prove upon this continent, against that
system OF selt-goyefnment which seems natural
10 our soil, and which will ever resist FOREIGN in