Washington telegraph., 1850-01-09
P-s A1&ggDssN MESSAGE.
Fell0U-CuieenS of the Senate
md EIaa1co Of Y ocol1tutia,oS

tahllshment of the Government, and the
Congress of the United States is again as
sembled to legisla,e for our empire of
freemen. The prediction of evil prophets
who formerly pretended to torelell the
downfall of our institutions, are now re-
membered only to be derided, and the U.
States of America, at this moment, pre-
sent to the world the most stable and
permanent government on earth.
such is the result Of the !abors of those
who have gone before us. Upon Con-
gress will eminently depend the future
maintenance of our system of free govern
ment, and the transmission OF 1t unlm-
paired to posterity.
We are at peace with all the world,
and seek to maintain our cherished rela-
tions of amity with the rest of mankind =
During the past year We have been bless
ed by kind Providence with all abun
dance of the fruits of the earth, and al
though the destroying angel, tor a time
visited extensive portions of our territory
with the ravages of dreadful pestilence,
yet the Almighty has at length delgned
to stay his hand and to restore the mes
timable blessing of general health to
people who have acknowledged his pow
er, deprecated his wrath, and Implored
his merciful protection
While enjoying the benefits Of an ami
cable intercourse with foreign nations
| we have not been insensible TO the dis
traction and wars which nave prevailed
| in other quarters of the world. 1t is
proper theme of thanksg givlng to Him who
| rules the deslinies of nations, that we
have been able to maintain amidst all
their contests an independent aud neutral
position towards all beligerant powers
Our relations with Great Britain are Of
the most friendly character. In conse-
uuence of the recent alterations OF the
British Navigation Acts, British vessels,
| from British aud other foreign ports, VIII
(under existing laws) after the first Of
| January next he admitted TO our ports
with cargoes OF the growth, manufacture
| or production of amy part OF the worio. on
| the same terms, as TO duties, lmposts ana
I charges, as vessels of the United states
with their cargoes; and our vessels VIII
be admitted to the same advantages N
British ports, entering them on the same
terms as British vessels. Should no order
in counsel disturb this Legislative az
rangement, the late Act of the British
Parliament, by which Great Br ain IS
brought within the terms proposed by the
| Act of Congress, of the first OF Marct,
lS47, it is hoped will be productive OF
| benefit 20 both countries.
A slight interruption Of diplomatic IN
tercourse which occurred between this
Government and France, | am happy TO
| say has been terminated, and our mlils-
| ter there has been received. Ii Is there
fore unnecessary to refer now to the cf-
| cumstauceS which led TO the interrupton4
| need not express to you the sincere SAT-
| iefactiou with which we shall welCome
the arrival of another Envoy EXtraordi-
nary and Minister Plenipotenliary from
sister r Republic, to which we have so long
been and still remain bound by the strong
est ties Of amity.
Shortly after | had entered upon the
discharge of the Executive duties, was
apprsed 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 Navy. This permission was grant
ed during an armistice between that En-
pire and the Kingdom of Denmark, which.
had been enga ged in the Schleswig Hoi-.
stein war. Apprehensive that this act
of intervention on our part might be re-
ceived 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
dered by any agent or officer Of the Navy.
and | instructed the Secretary of State to
apprlse the Minister Of the German En-
pire accredited to this Government, Of
my determination to execute the law of
the United States, and to maintain the
faith of the treaty with al! nations.
The correspondence which ensued be-
tween the Department of State and the
Minister of the German Empire. is here
with 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 OBJ
legations of the Constitution. [ shall not
fail to pursue the same 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 Governments 1t Is our inter
est, not less than our duty. to remain
strictly neutral, | shall not abondon it.
You will perceive from the correspondence
submitted 10 you, in connection with tue
subject, that the course adopted in this
case has been properly regarded by the
belligereut powers interes ed IN the mat
ter.
Although a Minister of the United
States TO the German Empire was APP
pointed by my predecessor, III August,