The organizer., 1850-01-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

y
ReprcsentdtiUes I
Sixty years have elapsed since the es.
,sblishment of this government. and the
Congress Of the United States is again as
ssm6led to legislate for an empire of free.
men. The prediction of evil prophetss
who formerly pretended to foreteh the
Hownfall of our institutions, are now re-
membered only TO be derided. aud the
limited States Of America, at this momenG
hresent 10 the world the most stable and
permanent Government on earth. Such is
ihe result of the labOrs Of those who have
rome before US.
Upon Congress will onnihently depend
the future maintenance of our system of
free government, and the transmission of il
unimpared to posterity. We are at peace
with all the world, and seem to maintain
our cherished relation Of anIity with the
rest of mankind. During the past year,
we have been blessed by a kind Providence
with abundance OF the fruits of the earth.
and although the destroyer for time, vis-
tied extensive portions of our country with
ravages Of a dreadful pestilence, yet the
Almighty has at length deigned to stay his
hand, and to restore the inesimable bless.
ing Of general health to our people, who
lave acknowledged his power, deprecated
his wrath and imp!Ored his merciful pro.
lection.
While enjoying the benefits of amicable
intercourse with foreign nations, we have
not been inssnsble to the distraction and
wars which have prevailed in other quar-
lers Of the world. II is proper theme Of
thanksgiving TO Him who rules the dest-
nies Of nations, that we have been able to
maintain, amidst all these contests, an in.
dependent neutral position towards all bel |
ligerent powers.
Our relations with Great Britain are Of |
most friendly character. In consequence
of recent alteration Of The British naviga.
ton acts, British vessels from British and |
other foreign ports will, under our existing
laws, afIer the first day OF January next, be
admitted TO entry in our ports with car
goes OF the growth, manufacture or pro-
ductiOh Of any part Of the world, on the
same terms, a. TO duties. imposts, and
charges, as vessels Ofthe u. g., with their
cArgOes and our vessels will be admitted
10 the same sdvafages ia British ports,
entering therein on the same terms as
British vessels Should no order in coun-
ell disturb this Legislative arrangement
the latest act Of the British Parliament,
by which Great Britain is brought within
the terms proposed by the act OF Congress
on tho first Of Ma ch, 1917, il is hoped
will be productive Of benefit TO both.
A slight interruption of diplomatic in
tercourse which occurred between this
government and France, ! am happy to
say, has been terminated, aud our Minister
there has been received. Il is, lheref1Ee,
unnecessary TO refer now TO the circum.
stances which led to that interruption. i
need not express 10 you the sincere satisf
faction with which wo shall welcome the
arrival Of another Envoy Extraordinary
Minister PlenipOtentiaFy from = sister Re. {
public, 10 which we have 81 long been, and {
stfll remain, bound by the strongest ties Of \
amity.
shortly after had entered upon the I
discharge Of the Executive duties, was
appriEed that a war steamer, belonging 10
the German Empire, was being fitted out {
in the haTbor Of New York, with the aid I
of some Of our naval officers rendered un.
der the permission Of the late Secretary Of Z
the Treasury. This was granted during
an armistice between the Empire and the I
Kingdom Of Denmark, which had been en-
gagged in the Schleswig HOlslein War.
Apprehensive that this act Of Intervention
on our part might be viewed as a viola I
ton Of our neutral obligations. incurred BY
the treaty with Denmark, and Of the pro-
visions Of the act Of Congress Of 20th Of I
April, 1878, directed that no further aid
should be rendered by any other agent or
officer of the navy, and ! instructed the
Secretary Of State TO aPPrizs the Minister
OF the German empire, accredited TO this
Government, ofmy determination 10 ere
cute the law Of the United States aud
inaiutain the faith Of treaties with all na-
tions. Ii
The correspondence which ensued be- I
I ween the Department Of Safe and the I
Minister Of the German Empire, is here
with laid before you, with the section Of
ne law and the observance Of the treaty
which were deemed BY me 10 be due 20 I
the honor Of the country, as well as to the I
sacred oDNgauona oi tho ~"nsutuuon. Il IL
shall not fail 10 pursue the same course
should similar case arise with any other
ration. having avoWed the opinion, on Ia
king the cath Of Office. that in eispuies be. :
tween confieiing foreign Governments, Il &
l. our interest, NOT less than our duty, 10 {
remain strictly neutral. shall not aban-
doa h. {
You win perceive from the correspond
snse submiifed to you in eonneHion With