The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1850-01-01
MESSAGE

Of tie President OF THE UNITED STATES
to both Houses of the THIRTY-FIRsT
CoNGREss, December, 1S49.
FeLLou-citizens ofMe Senate and House Of
Representatives.:
Sixty years have elapsed since the estab-
lishment of this Government, and the Con-
gress of the United States again assemblies,
to legislate for an empire of freemen. The
predictions of evil prophets, who formerly
pretended to foretell the downfall OF our IN
stitutions, are now remembered only TO be
derided, and the United Statss Of America
at this moment present to the world the most
stable and permanent Government on earth
Such is the result Of The labors oil those
who have gone before US. Upon Congress
will eminently depend the future mainten-
ance of our system of free government, and
tho Transmission Of it, unimpaired, to poster
ity.
We are at peace with all the nations of
the world, and seek to maintain our cherish
ed relations of amity with them. During the
mast wear, 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 dread
full pestilence, vet, the Almighty has at length
deigned to stAv his hand, .and TO restore the
inestimable blessing of general health to a
people who have acknowledged his power,
deprecated his wrath, and implored his mer-
ciful protection.
While enjoying the benefits Of amicable
intercourse with foreign nations, we have not
been insensible to the distractions and wars
which have prevailed in other quarters OF the
world 1t is proper theme OF Thanksgiving
TO Him who rules the destinies of nations,
that we have been able to maintain, amidst
all these contests, an independent and neu-
trail position towards all beliiserent 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 car
goes of the growth. manufacture. or 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 car
goes; 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 legis-
latiye arrangement, the late act of the Brit
ish Parliament, by which Great Britain is
brought within the terms proposed by the
act of Congress of the 1st of March, 1917,
it is hoped, will be productive of benefit to
both countries.
A slight interruption of diplomatic inter-
course. which occurred between this govern
ment and France, am happy to say, has
been terminated, and our minister there has
been received. 1t is therefore unnecessary
to refer. now, to the circumstances which led
to that interruption. / need not express to
Won The sincere satisfaction with which we
Shall welcome the arrival of another Envoy
Extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
from sister republic, 10 which we have so
long been, and still remain, bound by the
strongest ties of amity.
Shortly after l had entered upon the dis
CHARGE of the Executive duties, was ap-
prized that 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 under the
permission OF the late Secretary OF the Ma
w. This permission was granted during an
armisrice between that Empire and the King
dom of Denmark. which had been engaged
in the Schleswig- Holstein war. Apprehen-
sive that this act of Intervention, on our part,
might be viewed as a violation OF neutral OBJ
legations, incurred by the treaty with Den
mark, and of the provisions OF the act OF
Congress of the 20th of April, 1918, d.
rectcd that no further aid should be render
ed by any agent or officer of the Navy; and
| instructed the Secretary of State to ap-
prize the Minister of the German Empire
accredited 10 this Government, of my deter
mination 10 execute the law OF the United
States. and to maintain the faith of treaties
with AL nations The correspondence which
ansued between the Department OF State
and the Minister of the German Empire, IS
herewith laid before you. The execution OF
the law and the observance Of the treaty
were deemed by me to be due to the honor
of the country, as well as TO the sacred obli-
cations of the Constitution. / shall not fail
TO pursue the same course, should similar
case arise with any other nation. Having a.
vowed the opinion, on taking the oath of Of
flee, that, in disputes between conflicting for
eiqn governments, it is our interest, NOT less
than our duty, to remain strictly neutral,
shall no. abandon it. You will perceive,
from the correspondence submitted TO you,
IN cOnneNlOn Win tnis suuJcct,'hae tnS Soui -
adopted in this case has been properly re-
garded by the beligerent powers interested
in the matter.
Although Minister of the United States
TO the German Empire was appointed by my
predecessor, in August, lS4S, and has, for
long time. been in attendance, at Frankfort
on-the- Main; and although Minister, ap-
pointed to represent tina, Empire, was re-
ceived and accredited here, yet no such Gov
ernment as that of the German Empire has
been definitively constituted. Mr.. Donei-
son, our representative at Frankfort, remain
ed there several months in the expectation