Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-28
Presidents Message.
FeNeto Citizens Of the Senate,

n
Sixty years have elapsed since
the establishment Of this Government;
and the Congress Of the United States
again assemblies to legislate for an en-
pire of freemen. The predictions of e.
vii prophets, who formerly pretended to
foretell the downfall Of our institutions
are now remembered only to be derided.
And the United States of America at
this moment present TO the world the
most able and permanent government up
on EARTH. Such is the result Of The la
bors OF those who have gone before US.
Upon Congress will eminenly depend
the future maintenance Of our system OF
free government, and the transmission of
itlmimpaired TO posterily.
We are at peace with all the world,
and seem to maintain our cherished re-
lations Of amity with the rest Of man
kind. During the past year we have
been blessed by kind Providence with an
abundance of the fruits of the earth, and
although the destroying angel for time
visited extensive portions Of our terrific
ny with the ravages of dreadful pesti-
lence, vet the Almighty has a! length
deigned TO stay his hand, and to restore
the inestimable blessing Of general health
to our people, who have acknowledged
his power, and deprecated his wrath, and
implored bis merciful protection. While
enjoying the benefits of amicable inter-
course; with foreign nations, we have not
been nsensible to the distractions oil
wars which have prevailed in other quar-
tiers of the world.
1t is the proper theme of thanksgiving
to Him who rules the destinies of ma
tons that we have been able to maintain,
amidst all these contests, an indepndent
neutral position towards all belligerent
powers. Our relations with Great Brit
ain are of the most friendly character
In consequence of the recent alteration
of the British navigation acts, British
vessels, from British and other foreign
ports, will, under our existing laws, after
the first day Of January next, be admit
ted to entry, in our ports, with cargoes
of the growth, manufacture, OF produc-
ton of any part OF the world, on the
same terms as TO duties, imports, and
charges, as vessels of the United States
with their cargoes; and our vessels will
be admitted 10 the same advantages in
British ports, entering the m on the same
terms as British vessels, shoald no order
in council disturb this Legislative ar
rangement. The late act of the British
Parliament, by which Great Britain is
brought within the terms proposed by
the act of Congress Of the first of March,
1912, it is hoped, win be productive Of
benefit to both.
A slight interruption of diplomatic in
tercourse which occurred between this
country and France, am happy to say
has been terminated; and our minister
there has been received. tits, therefore,
unnecessary to refer to the circumstan-
ces which led to that interruption. l
need not express to you the sincere sat
isfaction with which we shall welcome
the arrival of another Envoy Extraor-
binary and Minister Plenipoten,iary from
our sister Republic, to which we have
so long been and shall remain bound by
the strongest ties of amity. Shortly at
ter had entered upon the discharge of
the Executive duties was apprized that
war steamer belonging to the German
Empire was being fitted out in the har-
Dor of New York, with the aid of some
of our naval officers, rendered under the
permission of the late Secretary of the
Treasury. This permissions was gran
ted during an armis,ice between that EN-
pire and the Kingdom of Denmark, who
had been engaged in the Scheswig Hol
stein war. Apprehensive that an inter
vention on our part might be construed as
a violation Of our neutral obligations, in
Cured by the Treaty with Denmark, and
of the provisions of the act of Congress
Of the 9th of April 1918. directed
that no further aid should be rendered by
any agent or officer of the Navy, and |
instructed the Secretary of State to APP
prize the Minister of the German En-
pire of my determination 10 execute the
law Of the u. s. and maintain the faith
of Treaties with all nations.
The correspondence which ensued
between the Department of State, and
the Minister of the German Empire, is
herewith laid before you, with the Sec
ton Of the law, and the Treaty, the OBJ
ject of which we're deemed by me to be
due TO the honor of the country, as well
as 10 the sacred obligations of the Con-
siitution.. / shall not fail to pursue the
same course, should similar case arise
with any other nation. Having ayowed
the opir ion, on taking the oath Of Office,
that in disputes between conflicting for
eign governments, it is our interest, not
less Than our duty, TO remain strictly
neutral, i shall not abandon it.
You will perceive from the correspon-
dence submitted to you, in connection
with the subject, that the. course adopted
in the case has been properly regarded
blythe belligerent powers interested in
the matter. 49,
Although the Minister of the United
States to the German Empire was ap-
pointed by my predecessorin August
l84s, and has for long time been in at.
tendance at Frank fort on-the- Maine; and