The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-12-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
feilow Citizens ofhe Senate and
IauSe of REPRESENTATIVES


faction to meet the representatives of tn
states and the people in congress assem-
bled, as it will be 10 receive the aid o
their combined wisdom in the admnislra
ton at public affairs. In performing, fol
the first time, the duiy imposed upon me
by the constitution, OF giving to you lnlor
nation of the state of the Unlon. and re-
commenting to your consideration such
measures as in my judgment are necessa.
ny and eXpedenI, am happy that | can
congratulate you on the continued pros
peri,y of our country. Under the bles-
sings o! Divine Providence and the be-
nign Influence Of our free institutions, il
stands before the world spectacle OF
national happiness.
With our uneXampled advancement in
all the clements of national greatness, the
affection OF the people is confirmed Tor
the union Of the states and for the doce
tr'nes of popular liberty, which lie at III
foundation oil our government.
1t becomes us, in humility, to make
our devout acknowledgements to the SUI
premc Ruler of The Universe, for the in.
esiimabe civil and religious blessings
with which we are favored.
In calling the attention Of congress TO
our relations with foreign powers, | am
graiified to be able 10 state that, with some
Of them there have existed, since our las,
session, serious causes of irritation and
misunderstanding, yetno actual horlillics
have taken place. Adopting the maxim
in the conduct Of our foreign affairs, to
TASK for nothing that Is not right, and
submit TO nothing that Is wgoug,' II has
been my anxious desire to preserve peace
with all nations; but, at the same time, to
;be prepared to resist aggression, and
maintain all our just rights.
In pursuance Of the joint resolution Of
congress, "lor anueXjag Texas to the
United States, my predecessor, on the
third day of March, 1875, elected to sub.
nit the iss, and second resolutions to the
Republic of Texas as an overture on The
part Of the United States. for her admis-
sion as a state into our Union. This
election approved, aud accordingly the
charge d affairs Of the United States TO
Texas, under instructions, Of the tenth Of
March, 1875, pres entcd these sections Of
the resontions-for the acceptance Of that
republic. The executive government,
the congress aad people Of Texas, in con-
ven,ion have successfully complied with
the terms and conditions Of the joint re-
solution. 4 constitution for The govern
ment Of the state Of Texas, formed by a
convention Of deputies, IS herewith laid
before congress. Il is well known also
that the people of Texas, at the polls
have accepted the terms Of annexation,
and ratified tn. constitution.
communicate TO congress the cores
pondence between the secretary Of state
and our charge d affairs in Texas, and
also the correspondence Of the latter with
the authorities in Texas, together with
the official documents transmitted by him
to his own government.
The terms of annexation which were
offered by the United States, having been
accepted by Texas, the public faith Of
both parties is solemnly pledged to the
compact of their union. Nothing re-
mains TO consummaie the event, but the
passage Of an act of 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, tia; 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 governor, lieutenant gov
ernor, and both branches OF the legIsla-
ture will be chosen by the people. The
president of Texas is required Immediate
ly after the receipt Of the official iniorma-
ton that the new state has been admitted
into our union by congress, to convene
the legislature, and upon its meeting, the
existing government will be superseded,
and the state government organized.
Questions deeply interesting to Texas, in
common with the other states, the exten-
sion of our revenue laws and judicial sys.
TEN over her people and territory. MS well
as measures Of local character. will claim
the early attention Of congress; and,
therefore, upon every principle of repub-
lcan government she ought to be repre-
scented in that body without unnecessary
delay. | cannot TOO earnestly recommend
prompt action on lhs important sub
ject.
As soon as the act to admit Texas, as
a 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 boodless achievement. No arm
Of force has been raised TO produce the
result. TIE sword has been no part of
the victory. We have no, sought to ex.
tend our territorial possessions by con