Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-10
pREs1DENr,s ANNUAL MESSAGE
Fstlow-citizens of the Senate
= r Al m D.. AT

While the different branches of the government are
to certain extent, independent Of each other, the
d.tes of all alike, have direct reference to the
source of mower Fortunately, under this system.
no man is so high and none humble, in the scale
of public station as to escape from the scrutiny, OF
to be exempt from the responsibility, which all ON
cials functions imply.
5 Upon the justice and intelligence of the masses
in government thus organized is the sole reliance
of the conederacy, and the only security for honest
and earnest devotion to its interests against the usur
pations and encroachments of power on the one
hand and the assaults of personal ambition on the
other
The interest, of which have spoken, is lnsepara-
Bic from an nquiring, selfgoverning community OUT
stimulated, doubtless, at the present tme oy the w
settled condition of our relations with seNeTu lo
eipn powers; BY the obligations resulting from
sudden extension of the field of enterprise, by the
spirit with which that field has been entered and the
amazing energy with which its resources for meeting
the demands of humanity have been developed
Although disease, assuming at one time the char-
actersticS of wide spread and devastating peslc
lence has left its sad traces upon some Poruons vi
our country we have still the most abundant cause
for reverent thankfulneSS to God for an accumula-
ton of signal merces showered upon us as natloh
It is we'll that consciousness of rapid advancement
and increasing strength be habtualy associated WIN
an abiding sense of dependence upon Him who holds
in his hands the destiny of men and nations.
Recognising tn G wisdom of the broad principle OF
absolute religious liberation proclaimed IN our tunda
mental law, and rejoicing in the benign influence
condition should shrink from clear duty, did
fail to express my deepest conviction, that we can
place reliance upon any apparent progress
if it be not sustained by national integrity, resting
upon the great truths affirmed and illustrated by dl-
vine revelation In the midst of our sorrow Tor the
afflicted and suffering, it has been consolnS TO see
how promptly disaster made true nelghbors OF as
trictS and cities separated widely from each otner,
and cheering to watch the strength of that common
bond of brotherhood which unites all hearts, In all
parts of this Union, when danger threatens from
abroad, or calamity impends over us at home.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers have
undergone no essential change since the journment
of the lst Congress. With some of thcm questions
of disturbing character still pending, but there
are good reasons to believe that these may all be
amicably adjusted.
For some years past Great Britain has so con-
strued the first article of the convention of the
goth of April 1875 in regard to the fisheries on the
northeastern coast, as to exclude our citizens from
of the fishing grounds, to which they freely re-
sorted for nearly quarter of century subsequent
the date of that treaty. The United States have
acquiesccd in this construction but have al
ways claimed for their fishermen all the tights which
they had so long enjoyed without moestatOn. With
a view to remove all difficulties the subject to eX
tend the rights of fishermen beyond the limits
fixed by the convention of 1918, and to regulate
trade between the United States and the British !
North American provinces, negotiation has been |
opened with fair prospect of a favorable result.
To protect fishermen in the enjoyment of their
rights and prevent collision between them and Brit
lSh flSherIncn deemed eXpedlent 10 Statlon
val force i'll that quarter during the fishing season.
Embarrassing Questions have also arisen between ,
the two governments in regard to Central America |
Gr>at Britain has proposed to settle them by an am
icable arrangement, and minister to London is |
instructed to enter into negotiations that subject
A commission for adjusting the claims of citi- |
against Great britain, and those of British sub
jccts against the United States, organized under the
convention of the 9Th of February last, is sit
ting in London for the transaction of business.
Is in t1eSir he
line between the United States and the British pro-
vnccs in the northwest, designated in the conven
ton of the th of June 1916, and especially that
part which separates the Territory of Washington
from the British possessions on the north should be
traced and marked. therefore, present the subject
to your notice
With France our relations continue on the most
friendly footing. The extensive commerce between
the United States and that country might it is con-
ceived be released from some unnecessary restric-
tions to the mutual advantage of both parties With
view to this object, some progress has been made
IN negotiating treaty of commerce and navigation
Independently of valuable trade with Spain
have important political relations with her. grow
ing out of our neighborhood to the islands of Cuba
and Porto Rico am happy to announce, that since
the last Congress attempts have been made, by
unauthorized expeditions within the United States
against either of those colonies Should any move
ment be manifested within our limits, all the means
at my command will be vigorously excrted to represS
It Several annoying occurrences have taken place
at Havana, in the vicinity of the island of Cuba
between citizens and the Spanish authorities
Considering the proximity of that island to our
shores-lying, as it does in the track of trade be-
tween some of our principal citics-and the susp-
cious vigilance with which foreign intercourse par
ticularly that with the United States is there guard
ed, repetition OF such occurrences may we'll be ap
pretended AS no diplomatic intercourse is allowed
between our Consul at Havana and the Captain-Cen-
eral of Cuba ready explanations cannot be made or
prompt redress afforded where injury has resulted
All complaint the part of citizens under the
present arrangement must be, in the first place. pre-
sened to this government and then referred to SPAIN
Spain again refers it to her local authorities in Cuba
for investigation and postpones till she
has heard from those authorities. To avoid these
irritating and vexatious delays, proposition has
been made to provide for direct appeal for redress
to the Captain General by Consul in behalf Of
our injured fellowcitZenS Hitherto the government
ofSpan has declined to enter into any such arrange
ment. This course on her part is deeply regretted;
tor without some arrangement of this kind the good
understanding between the two countries may be ex-
posed to occasional interruption. Our Minister to
Madrid is instructed to the proposition and to
press it again upon the consideration of her Catholic
Majestys government
For several years Spain has been calling the attcn-
ton OF this government to claim for losses by some
of her subjects, in of the schooner An.istdd
This claim is believed to rest the obligations mpos
cd existing treaty with that country Its Justice
was admitted, in diplomatic correspondence with
the Spanish government asearly as March, 1847; and
of my predecessors his annual message of that
year, recommended that provision should be made |
for its payment. In January last it was again SUBJ
mitted to Congress by the Executive It has receiv-
cd favorable consideration by committees of both
branches, but yet there has been final action