Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-12-26
presioent's 4fIessaoe.
Gentlemen cfihs Sesnfe IL
and HS,.s. of Re,reo. - ,,,;rss

".cn. y. OuI Vo"cthuseht, anu tue congress
Of the United States again assemble to lsgis-
latefor ~ empire Or freemen. The pre-
dictions Of prophets, who formerly pretended
to foretelithe downfall Of our institutions are
now remembered only TO be derided, and the
United States Of America, at this moment,
presents to the world the most stable and per.
manaDt Government on eaIh.
Such il tho result Of the !ab,rs of those
who have gone before w. Upon Congres,
viii smi"entiy depcn,i tire future maintenance
OF CUR system OF free Government, and the
transmission CT it, unimpaired to posterity
we are at peace with all the world, and
seek 10 aintain cherished relations Of am
nifty with the rest Of mankind. During the
past year, we have been bIes. by kind Pro
violence, with an abundance Of the fruits of
the earth; and, although the destroying angel
tor time,' visited extensive portions Of our
territory, with the ravages Of dreadful pes
thence, yet, the Almighty has at length deign-
cd TO stay his hand, and to restore the inesti-
nabIc blessings of general health to a people
who have acknowledged His power, depreca-
ted his wrath, and implored his manifold pro-
lection. ...#.a 4.u+i
While enjoying the benefits of amcab!e
intercourse with fore ign nations, we have not
been insensible to the distractions and wars,
which have prevailed in other quarters of the
TO Heaven who rules the destinies Of nations,
that we have been able to maintain, amidst
all these contests, an Independent and neutral
position towards all beligcrcnt powers.
Our relations with great Britain are Of the
most friendly character. In consequence Of
the recent alteration Of the British Naviga-
ton acts, British vessels, from British and
other foreign ports, will, (under our existing
laws,) after the first day Of January next, be
admitted to entry in our ports with cargoes
Of the growth, manufactures, or productions
Of any part of the world, on the same terms,
rs to duties, imports, and charges, as vessels
Of the United States with their cargoes; and
onr vessels will be admitted to the same adj
vantagcs in the British ports, entering there
in on the same terms as British vessels.
Should no order in council disturb this le-
gislative arrangement the late acts Of the Bri-
tish Parliament, by which Great Britain is
brought within the terms proposed by the act
Of Congress Of the first Of March, IS47, it
is hoped will be productive of benefits to both
countries. A slight interruption Of diploma
tic intercourse, which occurred between this
Government and France, l am happy to say
had been terminated and our Minister there
has been received. 1t is therefore unneces-
sary to refer to the circumstances which led
to that interruption; l need not express to you
the sincere satisfaction with which we shall
welcome the arrival Of another envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary from a
sister republic, to which we have SO long been
and still remain bound by the strongest ties
Of amity.
Shortly after had entered upon the exccu-
tive duties, l was appraised that a war steam
or, 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,
-, ~k<l
rotary OF the Navy. This permission was
granted during an armistice between that EN-
pre and the kingdom of Denmark, which
had been engaged in the Solbesring Holstein
war. Apprehensive that this act Of interven-
ton, on our part, might be received as a vio-
lation Of our neutral obligations, incurred by
the treaty with Denmark, and Of the provis-
ions Of the act Of Congress of the Goth 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 apprize the Minister of the German
Empire accredited to this government, of my
to maintain the laws of the u
nited States, and to maintain the faith Of trea-
ties with all nations. The correspondence
which ensued between the Department Of
State and the Minister of the German En-
pire. is herewith laid before you. The ex-
ccution Of the laws and the observance of the
treaty were deemed by me to be due to the
honor of this country, as well as to the sacred
obligations OF the Constitution. shaii not
fail to pursue the same course, should a SIM
liar case arise with any other nation.
Having avowed the opinion, on taking the
oath of office, that in disputes between for
cign governments, it is our interest not less
than our duty, to remain strictly neutral, l
shall not abandon it. You will perceive, from
the correspondence submitted to you in con-
nection with the subject, that the course adop-
ted in this case has been properly regarded by
III. beligerent powers interested in the matter.
Although Minister Of the United States
to tho German Empire, was appointed by my
predecessor in August, 1si3, and has for a
long time, been in attendance at Frankfort on
the Maine; and altho' a Minister appointed
TO represent that Empire. was received, and
accredited; hut yet no such government as
that Of the German Empire has been definite
" constituted. Mr.. Donaldson, our repre-
at Frankfort, remained there several
months, in the expectation that Union of
The German States, under one constitution or
Iosm Of government, might at length be Or
sanized. 1t is believed uy those we'll ac-
mn tod thca