Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,O Citizens Of the Senate

The fnlfllment, ON that occasion, OF the duty lTf
posed upon a new Presidents rs one ofthe bestepLa
licences of their capacity to realize the hopes of
the founders of political system, at once complex
and symmetrical. While the different branches
of the government are. to certain extent, indie.
pendent each Other aud the duties OF all, allke
have direct reference to the source of power. For.
turateIy, uudet this lsysteni,lo man is SO high,
aud so humble, IN the scale of public station,
rs 10 escape from the scrutiny, or TO be exempt
from the responsibility Shich all official functions
imply.
5UpoH the Justice and intelligence oftheimaSses,
in government organized,is the sole reliance
of the eonfedeTacy, and The only security forihon.
est earnest devotion TO its interests, against
the uSurpations and encroachmentS OF power on
the one hand, and the assaults oil personal hoi-
ton the other. .-la De-. aa- i.-4. -'.l stsL
The interest, of which, have spoken, is insep-
arably from an inquiTing, Sef-goveTning conlnu-
nifty, but stimulated, doubtless, at the present
time, by the unsettled condition OF our relations
with seyt raj fCreign Powers; by The new oollga-
tons resulting from sudden extension of the field
Of enterprise; by the spirit with which that field
has been entered. and tbs amazing energy with
which its resources for meeting the demands oil hu-
hianity have been developed. .ssa,l.. -.4l.-Lyll
Although disease, assuming at one time the ch1-
Iacterisls of n widespread and devasting pestl-
Ience has left its sad traces upon some portions oil
our country, have still the most abundant cause
for reveIent thankulneSs TO God for an accumula'
ton of signal meIcies showered upon us as a ma
ton. Its well that consciousness of rapid adj
Yancement md Increasing strength be habitually
associated with IN abiding sense Of Dependence
upon him who holds lnhIS hands The destiny oimen
and of. nations. l --tt.-lt. VI. ttt-st t%i tiH|-
Recognizing the wisdom of the broad principle
of absolute religious liberation proclaimed III our
fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign in
fuence which it has exeTted upon our social and
POLITICAL condition, l should shrink from clear
duty, did fall TO express my deepest conviction;
that We could place no secure reliance upon any
apparent progress, IL it be not sustained by nation
al integrity, resting upon the great truths affirmed
and illustrated bydIYIne revelation. In the midst
of our sorrow for the afflicted and suffering, it has
been COnSOling to see how promptly disaster made
true neighborS of districts and cities separated
,.idely from each other, and cheering TO watch the
strength of that common bond of brotherhood,
which unites all hearts, IN oil parts OF this Unlol,
when danger threatens from abroad, or calamity
impenls over US at home. 0si -. t- -i FL. ."''-
Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers
have Undergone no essential change since the ad-
journment Of the last Congress. With some of
them, questions OF ahlSturbng character are SILL
pending, but there good reasons 10 believe that
these may all be arnieabiy adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has so con-
stned the first article of the convention of the goth
of April, 1878, IN regard TO the fisheries OF the
northeastern coast, as 10 exclude our citizens from
some of the fishing grounds, to which they freely
'TeSurted fer nearly quarter OF century subSe-
queit TO the date OF that treaty. The United States
have never acqI'ieSced IN this Construction, but
have always CLAIMED for their fisherman HIl the
rights which they had SO long enjoyed without mo-
lesta'on; With view to remove all difficulties
on the subject, TO extend the rights of fisher
men beyond the limits fixed by the convention of
1913, and TO regulate Trade between the United
States and the British North American PROVINCES,
negotiation has been opened, witha fair prospect
OF favorable result. 10 protect our fishermen
in the enjoyment of their lights and prevent COLI
sion between Them and British fishermen, L deem 1t
eXpedtn tn establish military lorce in thatquar-
ter during the fishing season. ... o.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen between
the two governments in regard to Genital America.
GIeat Britain has proposed TO settle them by ali
amicable arrangement, and our minister at Lon
don is instructed TO enter into negotiations on that
subject. tt- 80 ..- e..0. .-.l
a commission for adjusting the claims OF our cit
liens against GTea. Britain, and those OF British
subjects against the United States organized under
the convention Of the Sth of February last, is
sitting i'll London for the transaction of bust
ness. #s.=arr--..p# i..n..ra.# .a..E
1t is in many respects desirable that the boun-
Diary line between the United States and the British
provinces in the northwest, as designated in the
convention of tue 10th Of June, 1886 and eSpe-
cialIy that part OF il which separates the Territory
ofWAshington from the British possessions on the
north, should be racetll and marked. | therefore
present the subject to your notice. 81 Is
With France our relations continue oil the most
friendly footing. The extensive commerce be-
tween the United States ard that country might it
is conceived, be released from some unnecessary
TeSrlctlonS' 10 Inc mutual ouVantage OIL Uoth pai-
ties. With view 10 this object some progress
has been made i'll negotiating u treaty OF commerce
and navigation. sF- rla,s... .f 3.
independently of our valuable trade with Spain ,
we have important political relations with he'll
growing out of our neighbothood to The Islands of
Cut 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 movement be manifested within cur
limits, all the means at my command will be Wig
orOuSly exerted to II press it.. Several annoying
occurrences have taken place at Havana, or in the
vicinity of the Island of Cuba, between our citi-
Eeus aud the Spanish authorities. .'..-'i-
Considering the proximity of that island to our
shores-lying, it does, i'll the track of trade be-
tween some of our principal CitieS-and the SlS-
,pcious vigilance with which foreign intercourse,
particularly that with the United States, is thete
guarded, repetition of such occurrences may
we'll be. apprehended. As no diplomatic inter-
course is allowed between our consul at Havana
and the Captain General OF Cuba, ready explana-
lions cannot be made, or prompt redress afforded,
where injury has resulted All complaint on the
part of our citizens, under the present arrange
ment, must be, IN the first place, presented TO this
government and then referred 10 Spain. Spain
again refers il 10 her local authorities in Cuba for
investigation and poSponeG an answer Till she has
heard rom those authorities. To avoid these irri-
tating and veXatouS delays, proposition has been
made TO provide for direct appeal Tor redress to
the Captain General by our consul, in behalf of
our iriured fellow citizens. Hitherto the govetn-
ment Of Spain has declined to enter into any such
arrangement This course on her part is deeply
regretted for, without some arrangement OF this
KIND, the good understanding between the two
ctuntrieS may be exposed 10 occasional Interrupt
ton. Our minister OF Madrid is instructed 10 re-
new the proposition, and 10 press it again upon The
consideration OF her Catholic MajesIy's Govern
ment. ,.'i. ''itss q. s.ss 1t.s fi i i HiIta rl.'
For several years Spain has been calling the attention
tn TO claim for losses by some OF her
subjects in OF the steamer ''Amstead. This
cam believed the obligations imposed by
existing treaty with that country It's justice admitted
our diplomatic eofTesPOudeDee with the Spanish Govern
nent, as early March, fT and one OF mJ predecessors,
his annual Of that year, recommended that
vision should made for its payment. In January last
again submitted 70 Congress by the Executive II has
received favorable Consideration By committees OF both
branches yet there has been final action upon it,
good iah requires its prompt adjustment.
and present early and favorable consideration
Knsztn. innga rian by hirh.