Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-12
PRnsIDnNT's MESSAGE.
Fellow citizens Of the Senate
and House of Renresentati,

Fellow .citizens Of the Senate
and House of Representatives:
It 10 TO me source of unaffected satisfaction to
meet the representatives Of the states and the PEG.
pie in Congress assembled, as it will be to receive
the aid OF their combined wisdom In the admin.
istration Of public affairs. In performing for the
first time the duty imposed by the constitu
tion, Of giving to you information Of the state Of
the Union, and recommending 10 your considera>
ton such measures as in my judgment are neces-
sary and expeGient, am happy that can congratu.
late you on the continued prosperity of our country.
Under the blessings OF Divine Providence and the
benign influence OF our free institutions, it stands
before the world spectacle of national happiness
With our unexampled advancement in all the
elements Of national greatness, the affection Of
the people is confirmed for the union Of the
siates, and for the doctrines Of popular liberty,
which lie at Ire foundation Of our government.
1t becomes us, in humility, to make our devout
Acknowledgement to the Supreme Ruler of the
Universe, for the ineslimable civil and religious
blessings with which we are favored.
In calling the attention oil Congress to our rela-
tons with foreign powers, am gratiied 10 be 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.
tilities have taken place. Adopting the maxim in
the conduct of our foreign affairs to task nothing
that 10 not right, and submit to nothing that is
wrong" il has been my ANXIOUS desire TO preserve
peace with all nations but at the same time, to
be prepared to resist aggression, and 10 maintain
ali our just rights.
In pursuance Of the joint resolution Of Congress
''for anncxng Texas TO the United S,ates," my
predecessor the third day of March, 1915, elect.
ed 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 a State into our Union This electi on APP
proved, and accordingly the charge daffares of the
United States in Texas under instructions Of the
tenth Of March, 1915, 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
-t0mr lied with all the terms, and conditions of the
Joint resolution. A constitution Tor the govern
ment Of the Stale of Texas, formed by convention
Of deputies, is herewith laid before Congress. 1t
10 we'll known also, that the people OF Texas at the
polls have accepted the terms of annexation, and
ratified the constitution.
1 communicate II Congress the corr dependence
between the Secretary Of State and our charge
d'afares in Texas; aud also the correspondence Of
the latter with tie authorities of Texas together
with the Official documents transmitted by him to
his own government.
Tie terms al Annexation which were offered
BY the United States having been accepted by
Texas the public faith OF both parties is soeMnly
pledged 10 tire cot.ipact Of their uninn. Nothing
remains To conslnm tie the event. but The ssage
Of an act by Congress 10 ad mt the state of Texas
ina1 states. Strong reasons exist why this should
be done at an early period Of the session 1t will
De obser ed that by the Constitution of Texas, the
existing government is only continued temporarily
till Congress can act and that the third Monday Of
the present month is the day appointed for holding
the first general election. On that day, a govern
or, Ieulenan, 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 slate
has been admitted into Union by Congress. 10
convene the legislature; and, upon lis meetingthe
existing government will be superseded, and The
state government organized. Quest ions deeply in
teresting 10 Texas. in common with the other
states, the extension Of our revenue laws and judi.
cal system over the people and territory, as well
as measures Of local character, will claim the
early attention Of Congress; and, therefore, upon
every principle Of republican government, she
ought Ia be represented in that body without un.
necessary delay. l cannot too earnestly recon.
mend prompt action on this important subject.
As the 10 admit Texas State shall be
passed the union Of the two republics will be consumma
ted by their own voluntary consent.
This accession 10 our territory has been bloodle
achievement No Of force has been raised produce
theresn The sword has had part in the victory
We have sought extend territorial possessions
by conquest or republican institutions over reluctant
people. II the deliberate homage OF each people 10
she great principle Of our iederatve union.
If we consider The extent Of territory involved in
the annexa,ion-ts prospective influence on Amer
ica-,hc means by which 1t has been accomplished,
sprnging purely from the choice Of the people
themselves to share the blessings of our unon,-
the history of the world may be challenged to fur
nish parallel
The jurisdiction Of the United States, which a,
the formation Of the federal constitution was bound.
ed BY the st. Mary's, on the Atlantic, has passed
the Cape OF Florida, and been peacefully extended
to the Del Norte. In contemplating the grandeur
this event, is not to be forgotten that the result
was achieved in despite of The diplomatic ,nierler.
ence Of European monarchies, Even France-,he
country which had been ancient allv-the coun
try which has common interest with US in main,
tanning the freedom of the seas-the country which
by the cession of Louisiana, first opened to acces,
to the Gulf Of Mexco-the country with which we
have been every yesr drawing more and more
CLOSELY the bonds Of successful commerce-mos
expeciedyyaBd to our unfeigned regret, took par
in an effort to prevent annexation, and to impose OF
Texas, as a condition of the recognition Of her indie
pendence bv Mexico, that she would never join her
self to the United States We may rejoice that h'
Tranquil and pervading Influence of the American
principle Of self government was sufficient TO delea
the purposes of British and French interference, am
that the almost unanimous voice OF the people G
Texas has given 10 that interference a peaceful
and effective rebuke. From this example, Europe
an governments NAV learn how vain diplomatic art
and iutrigues must ever prove upon this continent
against that system of self-government which seem
natural to our soil, and which will ever resist fol
eign interference.
Towards Texas, do not doubt that liberal an
generous spirit will actuate Congress IN all that cor
Germs her interests and prosperity, and that she vi
never have cause to regret that she has united he
clone star" to our glorious constellation.
Iregrct to inform you that our relations wit
Mexico, since your last session, have not been
the amicable character which il is our desire to Gu
tiyate with all foreign nations On the 9th day
March last, the Mexican envoy extraordinary all
minister plenipoe ntary to the United States mad
formal protest. in the name Of his government
against tho joint resolution passed by Congress, 9"
tSe annexation OF Texas to the United States.
which he chose to regard as violation Of the righ
of Mexico, and. in consequence of it. he demande
his passports. He was informed that the govern
ment of the United States did not consider this jo
rssolutiou as violation of any Of the rights Of Mel
leo. or that il afforded any just cause Of offence
bis government; that the Republic Of Texas was
d., ma laVianca 10 McXc