Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-12-21
/ ANNUAL MESSAGE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
of December 5, 1853.
FeHow-citizens Of the Senate
and House of Representatives. |:

The interest with which the people of the Re
public anticipate the assembling of Congress, and
the fulfllment, on that occasion, of the duty i'm
posed upon new President, is one of the best ev
licences of their capacity TO realize the hopes oi
the founders of q political SYSTEM at once com
pleX and symmetrical. While the different branch
es of the Government are, to certain extent, in
dependent of each other, the duties of all, alike
have direct reference to the source of power For.
tunately under this system, no man is SO high, and
none so humble, in the scale Of public station, as
to escape from the scrutiny, or to be exempt from
the responsibility, which all official functions I'M
ply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the masses
in government thus organized, is the sole reli-
ance of the Confederacy and the only security for
honest and earnest devotion to its interests against
the usurpations and encroachments of power on
the one hand, and the assaults of personal ambi-
tion on the other
The interest, of which have spoken, is INSOFAR
able from the inquiring, selfgoverning communi-
ty, but stimulated, doubtless, at the present time,
by the unsettled condition of our relations with
several foreign Powers: by the new obligations
resulting from a 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 human
ity have been developed
Although disease assuming at one time the char
acteristics of widespread and devastating pesti
lence has left its sad traces upon some portions
of our country, we have still the most abundant
cause for reverent thankfuness to God for an ac-
emulation of signal mercies showered upon us as
nation. 1t is well that consciousness of rapid
advancement and increasing strength be habitual-
ly associated with an abiding sense of dependence
upon Him who holds in his hands the destiny of
men and of nations.
Recognizing the wisdom Of the broad principle
of absolute religious liberation proclaimed in our
fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign influ
ences which it has eXerted upon our social and po-
litical condition, should shrink from clear duty,
did lfail, to express my deepest conviction, that
we can place no secure reliance upon any appa-
rent progress, If it be not sustained by national
integrity, resting upon the great truths affirmed
and illustrated by divine 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
widely from each other, 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
irnpends over us at home.
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 disturbing character are still
pendng but there are good reasons to believe that
these may all be amicably adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has so
Strued the hrst article of the convention of the 10Th
of April 1915, in regard to the fisheries on the
coast, as TO exclude our citizens from
some of the fishing grounds to which they free
~ resorted for nearly quarter of Il century sub
Sequcnt to the date of that treaty The United
States have never acquiesed in this construction,
but have always claimed for their fishermen all
the rights which they had so long enjoyed without
With view to remove all difficult
ties on the subject TO extend the rights of fish
ermen beyond the limits fixed by the convention
Of 1915, and TO regulate trade between the United
States and the British North American provinces,
a negotiation has been opened, with fair prospect
of favorable result To protect our fishermen in
the enjoyment Of their rights, and prevent colls-
ion between them and British fishermen, deemed
it eXpedient to station naval force in that quar-
ter during the fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen be-
tween the two Governments in regard to Central
America. Great Britain has proposed 20 settle
them by an amicable arrangement, and our Minis
ter at London is instructed to enter into negotia-
tions on that subject.
A commission for adjusting the claims Of our
citizens against Great Britain and those of Brit
ish subjects against the United State, organized
under the convention of the Sth of February last
is now sitting in London for the transaction of bu-
sness.
1t is in many respects desirable that the bounda-
ry line between the United States and the British
provinces in the northwest as designated in the
of the 18th Of June, 1916, and especial
ly that part which separates the Territory of Wash
ington 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 restrc-
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 our valuable trade with Spain,
we have important political relations with her,
growing out of our neighborhood to the Islands of
Cuba and Porto Rico. lam happy to announce,
that since the last Congress no attempts have been
made, by unauthorized expeditions without the
United States, against either Of those colonies.
Should any movement be manifested within our
limits, all the means at my command will be Wig
Orous!y eXerted to repress it. Several annoying
occurrences have taken place at Havana, or in the
vicinity of the Island Of Cuba, between our cti-
zens and the Spanish authorities. Considering the
proximity of that island to our shores, lying, as
it does, in the track of trade between some of our
principal cities,-and the suspicious vigilance with
which foreign intercourse, particularly that with
The United States, is there guarded, repetition of
such occurrences may well be apprehended. AS
no diplomatic intercourse is allowed between our
Consul at Havana and the Captain General OF Gu
Oa, 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,
presented 10 this Government, and then referred to
spain. Spain again refers il to her local authori-
ties in Cuba for investigation, and postpones an
answer lil sie mas ncaru trO1n tnOSc 0utnOrltlSS.
10 avoid these irritating and veXatious delays,
proposition has been made to provide for direct
appeal for redress to the Captain General by our
Consul, in behalf of our injured fellow-ctizens.-
the Government of Spain has declined
20 enter into any such arrangement. This course
)n her part is deeply regretted for without some
of this kind, the good understanding
between the two countries may be exposed to oc-
casional interruption. Our Minister at Madrid is
instructed to renew the proposition, and TO press it