Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-12-27
LIGHTNING DESPATCH ES.
MESSAGE.
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE OFFICE,
Tuesday Dec. IS, 1? M, 1s49. !
wASuN9roN. Dec. -.


BURLINGTON HAwK-EyE OFFICE,
Tuesday Dec. IS, - M, 1S49.
WASHINGTON, Dec. -.
Fellow Citizens Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:
Sixty years have elapsed since the establishment,
of this government, and the Congress OF the united
States again assemblies to legsate for an empire OF
freemen. The predictions Of evil Prophets, VINO
formerly pretended TO fOreteil the downfall Oh our
institutions, are now remembered only 70 DC uert-
ded, and the United States OF America az TINS mo-
ment presents to the world the most able and per-
mauent government on earth. Such is the result
ofthe labors OF those who have gone before u.s.
Upon Congress will eminently depend the future
maintenance of our system of free government, ana
the transmits sion of it unimpaired to posterlty.
We are at peace with all the world, and seem TO
maintain our cherished relations Of amity With the
rest of mankind.
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 territory
with the ravages of the dreadful Pestence, yet the
Almighty has at 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 His
mercifnl protection.
While enjoying the benefits Of amicahle inter-
course with Foreign Nations, we have not been in
sensible to the distraction and wars which have
prevailed in other quarters Of the world it is the
"
the destinies of Nations that we have been able to
maintain, amidst all these contests independent
neutral position towards all belligerent powers.
Our relations with Great Britain are of the most
friendly character. In consequence of the recent
alteration Of the British Navigation Acts, British
vessels from Great Britain and other foreign ports
will, under existing laws. after the first day OF
January next, be admitted to entry into our ports,
with cargoeS of the growth and manufacture OF pro-
auctions of any part of the world, on the same
To n N charges
of the United States with their cargoes and our
vessels will be admitted to the same advantages In
British ports, entering therein on the same terms
as British vessels. Should no order in Council
disturb this legislative arrangement, she late act
of the Bri .sh Parliament, by which Great Britain
is brought within the terms proposed by the Act of
Congress Of the list of March, 1917, it is hoped will
be productive Of benefit to both.
A slight interruption Of Diplomatic intercourse
which occurred between this Government ana
France, am happy to say has been terminated and
our Minister there has been received. 1t is there
fore, unnecessary to refer now to the circumstan-
ces which led to that interruption. need not ex-
press to you the sincere satisfaction with which
we shall welcome the arrival of another Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Pienipocntary from our
Sister Republic to which we have so long been and
shall remain bound by the strongest ties of amy.
Shortly after had entered upon the discharge OF
my Executive duties, l was apprised that war
steamer belonging to the German Empire was be-
ing fitted out in the harbor of New York, with the
aid Of some of our naval officers, rendered under
the permission of the late Secretary the Treasu-
ry. This permission was learned during an armis-
tice between the Empire and the Kingdom Of Dem
mark, who had been engaged in the Schleswig Hol-
stein war. Apprehensive that any intervention
on our part might be viewed violation of our
neutral obligations, incurred by the Treaty with
Denmark, and Of the provisions Of the act OF Con-
gress of the Goth Of April 1918, directed that no
further aid should be rendered by any agent or Off
Ger OF the Navy, and instructed the Secretary Of
State to apprise the Minister of the German Empire,
accredited to be Governor, of NV determination to
execute the Law ofthe United States, and maintain
the faith Of treaties with all nations. correspon
dence which ensued between the Department Of
State and the Minister of the German Empire. is
herewith laid before you with section OF the Law,
and to the observance of the Treaty, were deemed
by me due to the honor of the country, as well as
to the sacred obligations of the Constitution.
shall not fail to pursue the course, should a
similar case arise with any other nation. Having
avowed the opinion on taking the oath OF office,
that in disputes between conflicting foreign gov
ernments, il is interest not less than duty
to remain strictly neutral. shall not abandon it,
YOn viii perceive, from the CORES ondence, submit
ted to you in connection with the subject, that the
adopted in the has been properly regard
ed blythe heligerentpowers interested in the matter
Aithou yh III, Minister of the United States 10 the
German Empire was appointed BY my predeces sor,
in August 1885, and has for long time been in at.
tendance at Frankfort on the Mine, and although
Minister appointed to represent that Empire was
received and accredited here, yet no such govern
ment as that ofethe German Empire has been def
nitely constituted. Mr. Donaldson. our rerresen
tative at Frankfort, remained there several months
in the expectation that union Of the German States
under one Constitution, or form of government
might at length be organized. 1t is believed BY
those well luained with the existing relations
between Prussia and the States of Germany that n,
such Union can be permanently established, with
out her cooperating in the event of the formation
| of such union, and the organization of Contra
| Power in Germany, Of which she should form
| part. 1t would become necessary to withdraw ou
Minister at Berlin, but while Prussia expects ar
| independent Kingdom and Diplomatic Relations ar,
maintained with her, there can be, necessity fo
the continuance of the Mission to Frankfort. hav,
therefore, recalled Mr. Donaldson, and directed thu
Archives Ct the Legation at Frankfort to be trans
| ferred to the American Minister at Berlin.
Having been appraised that considerable numbe
OF adventurers were engaged in fitting out militia
~ expedition within the United States against
foreign country, and believing from the best infor
nation could obtain that it destined to invade
the Island OF Cuba, deemed it due to the friendly
relations existing between the United States an,
Spain, to the atybetween the two nations, to tn
Laws of the United States and above all to the A
merican honor to exert the lawful authority of th
government in suppressing the expedition, and pre-
venting the invasion. To this end, issued Procla
NATION enjoning it upon the officers of the United
States civil and military, to use all lawful means
within their power. copy of the Proclamation il
| herewith sun. mitted. The expedition has been sup
! pressed. As long as the act OF Congress of thu
goth Of April 1918, which owes its existence to thu
law of Nations and to the policy of Washington
shall remain on our Stat,, book, hold it to be the
duty of the Executive to obc,- its injunctions.
While the Expedition was in progress, was In
formed that foreigner, who claimed our protec
ton, had been clandestineiy, and as vas supposed
forclbiy carried OIL in vessel from Ne,y Orlean!
to the Island of Cuba. Immediately cause, snct
| steps to be taken as thought necessary, in case
| the information had received should prove cor
rect, to vindcate the honor OF the country, and the
| rights OF every person, seeking an asylum on on,
! soil, to the protection Of our laws. The person
| alleged to have been abducted, was promptly res
tored, and the circumstances of the case are now
about to undergo Investigation before judicial tri-
| bunal. would respectfully suggest that although
the prime charge, to have been committed in th $
case is held odious, as being in conflict with our
opinions on the subject OF national sovereignty and
personal freedom, there is prohibition Of it, or
punishment for it, provided in any act Of Congress.
The expediency of supplying this defect in our
| criminal code, is therefore recommended to your
consideration.
l have purposely avoided any interference in the
wars and contentious which have recently distract.
ed Europe, during the late conflict between Austria
and Hungary. There seems to be prospect that
| the latter might become independent nation
however faint that prospect at the time appeared,
Thought it my duty, in accordance with the gone
| raj sentiment OF the American people, who deenlv
sympathise with the Magyar patriots to stand pre-
| pafea, upon the contingency Of the establishment
oy her OF permanent government, to be the fir st
| 20 welcome the independence of Hungary into the
family OF nations. For this purpose 7 Invested
our agent then IN Europe, with power to declare