The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-12-29
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsalow Citizens, members Of tie Senate.
aade House OF Representatives


aadr House Of Representatives;
Sixty years have elapsed since the es-
tablishment of our government, and the
Congress of the United States is again
assembled to lcgislate for an empire of
freemen. The predictions of evil proph-
cts, who formerly pretended to foretcil
the downfall of the Constitution, are now
remembered only to be doubted, and the
United States of America, at this moment,
presents to the world the most stable and
and permanent government on the earth.
Such is the result of those who have gone
before us. Upon Congress will eminent
ly depend the future tendency of our
government, and the Transmission of it,
un:mpaircd, to our posterity.
We are at peace with all the world.a
seek to maintain our cherished relations
of auity with the rest of mankind. Dur
ing the past year we have been blessed
by kind Providence with an abundance
OF the fruits Of the earth, and although
5 the destroying angel, for a time, visited
extensive portions of our territory with
the rarages Of a dreadful pessilence, yet
the Almighty has at length deigned to
stay his hand. aud restore the nestima
he blessings Of general health toa people
who have acknowledged his power and
implored his mereiful protection.
While enjoying the benefits of famicable
intercourse with foreign nations, we have
not been insensible to the distractions
aad wars which have prevailed in other
quarters Of the world. 1t is a proper
theme ofthanksgiving to Him who rules
the destinies of nations, that we have been
able to maintain amidst all thesecontests
3 an independant and neutral position to-
wards all billigereht powers.
sa Our relations with Great Britain are
ssof the most friendly character. In con-
sequence Of the recent alteration Of the
British Navigation Acts, British vessels
from British and other foreign ports, will,
uade- our existing laws. after the first
day of January next, be permitted to en-
ter our ports with cargoes of the growth
manufactures, or productions of any part
of the world on the same terms as to du-
ties, imports, and charges as vessels of
the United States with their cargoes; and
our vessels will be admitted to the seme
advantagesin in British ports,entering there
in on the same terms as British vessels
s Should no order in Council disturb this
legislative arrangement, the late act Of
the British Parliament by which Great
Britain is brought within the terms pro-
posed by the Act of Congress of the lst
: March, 1917, it is hoped. will be produc-
tiye of benefit 10 both countries,
A slight interruption in the intercourse
which existed between this country and
France, am happy to say, has termina-
ted and our minister there has been re-
ce:.ed.
It is therefore unnecessary to prefer now
to the circumstances which led to that
interruption. / need not express to
you the sincere satisfaction with which
q we shall welcome the arrival of another
envoy extraordinary and minister pleni
potentiary from sister republic, to which
we have so long been and still remain
bound by the strongest ties of amity.
9 Shortly after ! had entered upon the
p discharge of the executive duties, I was
apprised that a war steamer belonging to
the German Empire was being fitted out
in the harbor of New York with the aid
of some of our naval officers, rendered un-
der the permission ofthe late Secretary of
the Navy. This permission was granted
during an armistiee between that EN-
pire and the Kingdom Of Denmark, which
had been engaged in the Schleswig Hol-
stem war. Apprehensive that this act of
interference on our part might be es-
teemed as a violation of our neutral obi
cations, incurred by the treaty with Den
mark, and of the provisions Of the act of
congress of the goth of April 1918, di-
rected that no further aid should be rem
sdered BY any agent or officer Of the Ma
w, and Iiustructed the secretary of state
to apprisc the MINISTER of the German
Empire. accredited to this government of
my determination to execute the law of
ths United States and maintain the pub
lie faith. The correspondence which en-
sued between the Department of State
and the Minister Of the German Empire
is herewith laid before you
The execution of the law anl the OBJ
servance Of the treaty were deemed by
me to be due to the honor of the coun-
try, as well as to the sacred obligations
Of the constitution. shall not fail to pur-
sue the same course, should similar
case arise with any other nation Having
s avowed the opinion, on taking the oath
OF Office, that in disputes between con-
flicting foreign governments, it is our in
terest not less than our duty to remain
strictly neutral, shall not abandon it
You will perceive from the correspond
ence-submitted to you in connection with
the subject that the course adopted in
this case has been properly regarded by
the belligerent powers interested in the
matter.
b. Although minister of the United
States tothe German Empire was appoint
ed BY my predecessor, in August La+8,
and has for a long time been in attend
sahce at Frankfort on the Maine, and al
though minister appointed to represent
that empire was received and accredited
nora x,af m c,,al, rero .,,yoo ant &c th.,f of