The Arkansas banner., 1850-01-08
PRESIDENTS MRSSAGI
FsiIsss cisiztas eftas ssssss


 who formerly Pretended to fosessi the downfall Q ear institutions, are nov remembered only to b
 derided, and the United States of Anaeric4 at thi
 moment, Pressnt to the world the most stable an. permanent government on earth
 Such ts thekesalt Of the iabeFs Of those Who hav gone before us UpOa Congress will emineniIy Y depend the future maintenance of eur system c
 free government and the tEansHiisaiSa of 1t uniHs paired to pOsterity.
 I We ara at peace with all the world, and seek {,
 maintain Ous cherished relations of asnity with ths rest of mankind. During the past year we hay, been blessed by kind Providence with sband
 anee of the fruits of the earth. and althoagh ths destroying angel, for time visited extensive DOT tiens of eur tefrtary with the rzvages of dreadful Pesiilsnee, yet the Almighty has al length dsgaee stay his hand and to restore the nessimabls bses sing Of general health te people who have ac- lknewiedged his power. deprsraie4 his wrath and imPiored his mercifuf protection.
 While enjoying the beEefiis of an amicable inter- course with foreign nations we have not been ia. sensible to the distraction and wars which have prevailed in ether quarters of the world, It is : proper theme of thanksgiving to Him whe rules the destnies of nations ihaE we have been ab3e te maintain amidst all their contests an independen, and neutral position towards all bclligereag pow 1 CTS.
 1 Oar relations with Great Britain are of the most friendiy character. In consequence of the recent alterations of the British Navigation Act British vessels from British and other foreign ports, will 1 (nnder existing laws) after the first of January next be admitted to entry in our ports with eargoes of the growth, manufacture or production of any part of the world. ths same terms, io duties, imports. and charges, IS vessels of the United States with their cargoes; and our vessels will be admitted 10 the advantages in British ports, entering them on the sane terms British vessels. Should oGder in counsli disturb this Legislative 1 arrangement. the late Act of the British Pariia- 1 ment, by which Great Britain Is brought within the terms proposed by the Act of Congress, of the first Of March, lo+T, il hoped will be productive of benefit to both counties.
 A slight interruption of diplomatic inte rconrse which occurred between this Government and France, am happy to say has been tOrnnated, and our minister there has been received. 1t Is therefore unnecessary ta refer now to the crcum- 1 stances which led to the interruption. l need not express to you the sincere satisaction with which shall welcome the arrival of another Envoy Extraordinary aud Minister Pienipotentiary from a sister Republic, to which ve have 50 long been and still remain bound by the strongest ties of amity.
 Shortly after had entered upon the discharge of the Executive duties, 1 va apprsed that a war steamer. belonging to the German Empire was be- ing fitted Out in the harbor d New York, with the aid of some of our Naval officers, rendered under the permission of the late Secretary of the Navy ~@AA-A0AAN- between that Empire and the Kingdom of Dem mark, which had been engaged in the Scieswig Hoistein war Appreheusivs that this act of iGteT- vention on our part might be received as violation of our neutral obligations, nearred by the treaty with Denmark, and of the provisions of the act ot Congress of the 20th of Apri, lsIs directed that no farther aid should be rendered by any agent or officer of the Navy; and instructed ihe Secretary of State ts apprt-- tbs Minister of the Gernan Empire accredited 10 this Government, of my de- termination To execute the law of the United States. and to maintain the faith of the treaty wilh all tions.
 The correspondence which easued between the Department of State and tbe Minister of the Ger man Empire, is herewith laid before you. The ex- eeution of the law and the observance of the treaty were deemed by me to be due to the honor of the country well as 10 the sacred obligations of the Constitution. shall not fail to pursue the course should similar case arise with any other nation. Having ayowed the opinion, on taking the oath of ofice that in disputes between conflicting Govern menis it is interest, less thaa duty, to remain strictly neutral. 1 shalt not abandon it. You will perceive from the correspondence sub mtled to you, in connection with the suject, that the course adopted in this case has beeu properly regarded by the begerent powers iaterested in the matter
 Although Minister of the United States to the German Empire was appoi1ted by my predecessor, in August. ls4s, and has for a long time been in attendance at Frankfort on the1 Maine and altho' Minister appointed to represent that Empire was received and accredited here, yet no such Govern ment the German Empire has been definitely constituted Mr. Douelson, our representative at Frankfort, remained there several months, in ex- peetstoa that Union of the German States, under one constitutional fern of government, might at length be organized. It is believed by those well acq cqusinted with the existing relations betweea tha oft no union can be permanently established without her operation. the event of the formation of such a union and the organization of central power in Germany, in which she should form part. it would become necessary to withdraw our Minister at Der lin; but while Prussia exists an indcpe endent kingdom, and diplomatic relations are maintained with her, there can bs no necessity for the eontin- uance of the mission at Frankfort.
 Having been apprised that considerable number of adventnrers engaged ia fitting outa military expedition, within ths United States, against for eign coaHtry, and believing. from the besttaforna ton could obtain, il was destined to invade the island of Cuba. deemed it due to the friendy re- iatioRs existing between the United States aud Spsn ito the treaty between the two natious-to tue laws Of the United States. and above all, to the American honor, to exert the lawful authority of this government in suPpFezsing the expedition and preventing the invasion. To this end l issued proclamation eajoinBg if upon the officers of the U nited States civil and mitary-to asa ai lawful means within their power to that end A copy of that proclamation is herewith submitted The ex- pedition has been saPpresssd So long as the act Of Congress of tAe 20th of April. icio, which owes ts existence 10 the laws of nations and o the policy of W ashington himself, shail remain on our statute book. hold ii to be the duly of the Executive faithfully to obey its injunctions
 White this expedition was ia progress, vas in- formed that foreigner who claimed cur protection had beea ciaBdestinely and was supposed sfercI- by carried ef ia vessel from New Orleans to the lssand of Cuba. 1 iGmediateiy caused such steps as thoagat necessary in case the information had received should prove correct. to vndcste the honor of the coaatry asG the rght o every persoa seeking an asy isn on so to inc pfoiscsioa of our faws Tue PefsoR alleged to have been abducted was promptly restored. and the circumstances of the ease are now about 10 undergo aa investigation be- lore Judicial tribunal 1 would respectfully sug gsst that eagh ths crime charged to have been in ,hts held odious as being In coaiiiet with our opiaIons the sabect of naiIon- al sovereignty aud personal freedom, there is no prshioisioa Of il or punishment for il provided tn aay set ef Congress The expediency of suPPling the defect R our criminal code. Is therefore recom me Hded to yoar consideration.