The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-04
M E S SAGE
OF THE

Z ! Il s
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
DECEMBER, l845.
Fello,o-citizens of the Senate and House
Of Representatives.
It is to me source of unaffected satisfaction to
meet the Representatives Of the States and the peo
pie in Congress assembled as it will be to receive
the aid of their combined wisdom in the admins
tration of public affairs. In performing, for the
first time, the duty imposed on me by the constitu-
ton, of giving to you information of the state Of
the Union, and recommending to your considera-
tion such measures as in my judgment are neces-
sary and expedient, am happy thatI can congrat-
ulate you on the continued prosperity Of our coun-
try Under. the blessings of Divine Providence
and the benign influence Of our ffoe institutions, it
stands before the world aspectacle OF national hap
piness sst3 sft r. f4fEag.g 5ss gi a
With our unexampled advancement in all the
elements of national greatness, the affection OF the
people confirmed for the union Of the States, and
for the doctrines of popular liberty, which he at
the foundation Of our government. 9 b., a.la.
It 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 rela-
tions with foreign powers, am gratified TO be able
to state, that though with some OF them there have
existed since your last session serious causes OF ir
rtation and misunderstanding, yetno actual hostli-
ties have taken place Adopting the maxim in the
conduct Of our foreign affairs, " ask 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 be pre-
pared to resist aggression, and to maintain all our
just rights. aa4sG.
In pursuance of,.the joint resolution Of Congress,
e for annexing Texas to the United States" my
predecessor, on the third day of March, l845,
elected to sumbt 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 a State into our Union. This cleo
ton / approved, and accordingly the charge DAFT
faires of the United States in Texas, under in
structions of the tenth of March, l545, presented
these sections Of the resolution for the acceptance
of that republic. The executive government, the
Congress, and the people Of Texas in convention,
have successfully complied with all the terms and
conditions of the joint resolution. A constitution
for the government of the State OF Texas, formed
by 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.
i communicate to Congress the correspondence
between the Secretary Of State and our charge
d'affaires in Texas and also the correspondence
Of the latter witithe authorities of Texas; together
with the official documents transmitted by him to
his own government.
Inc terms OF annexaLlOn WHICH were OHcTcu ny
the United States having been accepted by Texas,
the public faith of both parties is soemnly pledged
to the compact of their union Nothing remains
to consummate the event. but the passage of an act
by Congress to admit the State of Texas into the
Union upon an equal footing with the original
States. Strong reasons exist why this should be
done at an early period of the session. 1t will be
observed that by the constitution of Texas the ex
isting government is only continued temporarily
anf. nd hat ri
Of the present month is the day appointed for hold
ing the first general election. On that day gov
ernor, a lieutenant governor and both branches of
the legislature, will be chosen by the people The
President Of Texas is required, Immediately after
the receipt Of official information that the new
State has been admitted into our Union by Con-
gress, to convene the legislature; and, upon its
meeting the existing government will be super
seeded, and the State government organized. Cues
tions deeply interesting to Texas, in common with
the other States; the extension of our revenue
laws and judicial system over her people and ter
ritory, as well as measures of a local character,
will claim the early attention of Congress; and,
therefore, upon every principle of republican gov
ernment, she ought to be represented in that body
without unnecessary delay. cannot too earnestly
recommend prompt action on this important sub
ject.
AS soon as the act to admit Texas as State
shall be passed. the union of the two republics will
be consummated by their own voluntary consent.
This accession to our territory has been blood
less achievement No arm Of force has been raised
to produce the result. The sword has had no part
in the victory. We have not sought to extend our
territorial possessions by conquest, or our repub-
lican institutions reluctant people. 1t was
the deliberate homage of each people to the great
principle of our federative union
If we consider the extent of territory involved
in the annexation-its prospective influence on
America--the means by which it has been accom-
plished, springing purely from the choice Of the
people themselves to share the blessings of our
union the history Of the world may be challenged
to furnish parallel.
The jurisdiction of the United States which at
the formation of the federal constitution was
bounded by the st. Marys, on the Atlantic, has
passed the Capes of Florida, and been peacefully
extended to the Del Norte In contemplating the
grandeur of this event, it is not to be forgotten
that the result was achieved in despite of the di-
plomatic interference Of European monarchies
Even France-the country which had been our an
cient ally--the country which has common in
terest with us in maintaining the freedom of the
seas--the country which, by the cession of Louis
iaila first opened to us to the Gulf of Mex
ico--the country with which we have been every
year drawing more and more closely the bonds OF
successful commencement Unexpectedly, and to
our unfeigned regret took part in an effort to pre-
vent annexation, and to impose on Texas, as a
condition Of the recognition of her independence
by Mexico, that she would never Join herself tc
the United States. We may rejoice that the tran
auil and pervading influence of the American prin
e