Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

laid before both Houses OF congress on TUESDAY
Ft2oao-citseas Of he Senate
and Of The House Of Representatives.
The interest with which the people Of the Republic
tcpate the assembling of Congress- and the fulflmen
on that OCCASION the duty imposed upon Presi-
dent is OF the best evidences of their capacity to
aEe the hopes Of the founders Of political system at
once complex and symmetrical While the different
branches of the Government are to certain extent in
dependent Of each other the duties of all alike have d
reference to the of power Fortunately
der this system, is high, and humble,
in the scale of public station to escape from the
tiny, be exempt from the responsibility which all
official functions imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the Masses in a
Government thus organized is the sole reliance of the
Confederacy and the only security for honest and
devotion to its interests against the usurpaOns and
croachment of power the hand and the assaults
of personal ambition on the other.
The interest of which have spoken is inseparabe from
an inquiring selfgoverning community but stimulated
doubtless, at the present time, by the unsettled cond
ton of relations with several foreign Powers by the
obligations resulting from sudden extension of the
field of enterprises by the spirit with which that field has
been entered and the amazing energy with which its
for meeting the demands Of humanity
developed.
Although disease assuming at one time the character
left its sad traces upon portions of country
have still the abundant for reverent thankful
to God for accumulation of signal merces shower
ed upon as nation. 1t is well that conscious
of rapid advancement and increasing strength be
habitualy associated with abiding dependence
upon Him who holds in his hands the destiny of and
of nations
Recognising the wisdom of the broad principle Of abso
Lutte religious liberation proclaimed in fundamental
H.
exerted upon social and political condition. should
shrink from clear duty did fail express my deepest
conviction that place reliance upon any
apparent progress it be not sustained by national
egrity resting upon the great truths affirmed and illus
raed by divine citation. In the midst of
for the afflicted and suffering it has been consong
how promptly disaster made true neghbors Of districts
and cities separated widely from each other and cheering
to watch tn strength of that bond of brother
hood which unites all hearts, in all parts of this Union
when danger threatens from abroad calamity impends
at home.
Our diplomatic relations with Foreign Powers have un
dergone essential change since the adjournment of the
last Congress. With of them questions of dis
turbing character still pending but there are good
reasons to believe that these may all be amicaby ad
justed.
For years Great Britain has construed the
first article of the convention of the goth of April 1878 in
regard to the fisheries the northeastern coast
exclude our citizens from of the fishing grounds to
which they freely resorted for nearly quarter of
fury subsequent the date of that treaty The United
States have acquesced in this construction but
have always claimed for their fishermen all the rights
which they had long enjoyed without molestation
With view to all difficulties on the subject to
extend the rights of fishermen beyond the limits xed
by the convention Of 1915 and regulate trade between
and he North Am
vnces, negotiation has been opened with fair pros
pect of favorable result To protect fishermen in
the enjoyment Of their rights and prevent collision be-
tween them snd British fishermen, deemed it expedient
station naval force in that quarter during the fishing
Embarrassing questions have also arisen between the
two Governments in regard to Central America Great
Britain has proposed TO settle them by amicable
rangement and Minister at London is instructed
enter into negotiations that subject.
commission for adjusting the claims Of our citizens
against Great Britain and those Of British subjects against
the United States organized under the convention Of the
sth of February last is sitting in London for the
transaction of business.
1t is in many respects desirable that the boundary line
between the United States and the British provinces in
the northwest designated in the convention of the 10Th
of june 1885, and especially that part which separates
the Territory Of Washington from the British possessions
the north, should be traced and marked therefore
present the subject TO your notice.
With France relations continue the most friend
y footing The extensive commerce between the United
States and that country might is conceived be released
from unnecessary restrictions TO the mutual advan
tage of both parties With view TO this object, some
progress has been made in negotiating treaty Of
and navigation
Independently of valuable trade with SPAIN we have
important political relations with her. growing
neghborhood 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 colonies
Should any movement be manifested within limits all
the at my command will be vigorously exerted
repress it
Several annoying occurrences have taken place at
Havana, in the vicinity Of the Island Of Cuba be-
tween our citizens and the Spanish authorities Con-
sidering the proximity Of that Island TO shoresly
ing as II does in the track Of trade between Of
principal cites-and the suspicious vigilance with which
foreign intercourse particularly that with the United
Sates IS there guarded repetition of such
may wen be apprehended As diplomatic intercourse
Is allowed between our Consul Havana and the Cap
tain General Of Cuba ready explanations cannot be made
or prompt redress afforded where injury has resulted
All complaint on the part Of our citizens under the
present arrangement must be, in the first place. pre-
sented 70 THIS Government and then referred to Spain
spain again refers 1t TO her local authorities Cuba for
investigation and pospones an answer till she has heard
from those authorities To avoid these irritating end
yexatious delays proposition has made 70 provide
for direct appeal for redress the Captain General bv
our Consul, in behalf Of our injured fellow citizens Hth
erto the Government Of Spain has declined to enter into
any such arrangement This on her part Is deep
ly regretted for without some arrangement Of this kind
the good understanding between the two countries may
be exposed occasional interruption Our Minister at
Madrid is instructed TO the proposition and to
t again the consideration of her Catholic