Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-12-04
PRESID ENT'S
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meet the Representatives ofthe States and the peo
pie in Congress assembled, as 1t 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 upon me by the Con-
stitution Of giving to you information Of the state
of the Union, recommending TO your consideration
such measures as in my judgment are necessary
and expedient, am happy that 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 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 States and
for the doctrines Of popular liberty which the
foundation Of our government
1t becomes us, in humility, to make our devout
Acknowledgements to the Supreme Ruler ofthe Uni
verse, for the inestimable civil and religious bless
ings with which we are favored.
In calling the attention of Congress TO our rela-
lions with foreign Powers, am gratifed to be able
to state, that, though with Of them there have
existed since your last session serious of r
ritaon and misunderstanding, yet no actual HOSTILE
ties have taken place. Adopting the maxim in the
conduct of our foreign affairs TO task nothing that
is not right, and submit to nothing that is wrong"
it has been my anxious desire 10 preserve peace
with all nations but, the same time to be pre-
pared to resist aggression, and TO maintain all
Just rights
In pursuance of the joint resolution Of Congress,
"for annexng Of Texas to the United States" my
predecessor, on the third day Of March, 1916,
elected TO submit the first and second sections of
that resolution to the republic ofTexas as an over
ture, the part Of the United States for her adj
mission a State into the Union. This election
approved, and accordingly the charge daffars Of
the United States, under instructions OF the tenth
of March, 1915, presented these sections of the
resolutions for the acceptance of that republic
~ u
people OF Texas IN convention, have successfully
complied with all the terms and conditions of the
joint resolution A constitution for the govern
ment Of the State Of Texas, formed by a conven-
ton 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.
communicate to Congress the correspondence
between the Secretary of State and our charge
daffairs in Texas; and also the correspondence of
the latter with the official documents transmitted by
him to his own government.
The terms of annexation which was offered BY
the United States have been accepted by Texas,
the public faith of both parties is soemny pledged
10 the compact Of their Union. Nothing remains
to consumae 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 ofTexas, the ex-
sting 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 governor,
lieutenant governor and both branches of the
legislature, will be chosen by the people The
President Of Texas is required Immediately after
receipt Of official information 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 deem.
peopre ana territory as Wen
as measures of local character, will claim the
early attention Of Congress, and, therefore, upon
every principle Of republican government, she
ought to be represented in that body without I'M
necessary delay, / cannot too earnestly recon.
mend prompt action on this important subject
As soon as the act to admit Texas as State
shall be passed, the union of the two republics will
be consumated by their own voluntary consent
This accession to our territory has been blood
less achievement. No arm of force has been rails.
ed to produce the result. The sword has had no
dart in the victory We have not saught to extend
our territorial possessions by conquest or our re-
publican institutions over reluctant people IL
was the deliberate homage Of each people to the
great principle of our federate union
If we consider the extent OF territory involved in
the annexatlon-its prospective influence on Amer
iNo-thC iHCduS Ny WHICH IL mas been ACCOMPLISHED
sprnglng purely from the choice of the people
themselves to share the blessings of our union,-
the history OF the world may be challenged to furn-
ish parallel.
The jurisdiction Of the United States, which at
the formation of the federal constitution was boun
ded by the St Mary's on the Atlantic, has passed
the Capes of Florida, and been peacefully extend
ed to the Del Norte. In contemplating the Grand
eur oil this event, il is not to be forgotten that the
result was achieved in despite the diplomatic inter
ference Of European monarchies Even France
the country which had been our ancient ally-tbe
country which has common interest with us in
maintaining the freedom of the seas-the country
which, by the cession of Louisiana first opened TO
us access to the Gulf Of Mexco-the country with
which we have been every year drawing more and
more closely the bonds Of successful commerce
most unexpectedly, and to our unfeigned regret.
ook part In an effort TO prevent annexation g. 10 i'm
pose on Texas, as condition of the RECOGNITION or
her independence by Mexico, that she never would
Join herself to the United States We NAV rejoice
that the tranquil and pervading influence of the
American principle of selfgovernment was sniff
eient to defeat the purposes of British and French
interference, and that the almost unanimous voice
oil the people OF Texas has given to that interfer
ence peaceful and effective rebuke From This
example, european governments may learn how
VAIN diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever prove
upon this continent, against that system of self
government which seems natural TO our soil ond
which will ever resist foreign interference
Towards Texas do not doubt that liberal
and generous spirit will actuate Congress in ali
That concerns her interests and prosperity and that
she VIII never have cause TO regret that she has
ton. 49,
regret to inform YOU that our reIa,;ons ,.;,b