The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
of the Senate

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
| EAow-citzenS of the Senate
and Of The House of Representatives.
The interest with which the People of the
Republic anticipate the assembling of Con-
yress, and the fulhlment, on that OCCASION OF
' the duty imposed upon q new President, is one
| Of the best evidences of their capacity to real
lse the hopes of the founders of a political sys-
ten, at once complex and symmetrical. While
the different branches of the Government are,
10 q certain extent, Independent of each other,
the duties of all, alike, have direct reference
to the source of power. Fortunately, under
this system, no man is 80 high, and none so
humble, in the scale of public station, Us TO
escape from the scrutiny, or to 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 earnest devotion to its
interests, against the usurpations and encroach-
ments of power on the one hand, and the as
saults . personal ambition on the other.
The interest of which | have spoken is in
separable from an inquiring, self governing
community, but stimulated, doubtless, at the
present time, by the unsettled condition of our
relations with several foreign Powers by the
new Obligations resulting from sudden ex-
tension of the field of enterprise; by the spirit
with which that field has been entered, and
the amazing energy with which its resources
lr meeting the demands of humanity have
been developed
Although disease, assuming at one time the
characteristics of q widespread and deyasta-
ting pestilence has left its sad traces upon
some portions of our country, we have still the
most abundant cause for reverent thankfulness
u God, for an accumulation of signal mercies
shOwered upon us rs a nation. 1t is well that
a consciousness of rapid advancement and in
creasfng strength be habitually associated with
an abiding sense of dependence upon Him who
holds in his hands the destiny of men and OF
nations
Recognising the wisdom of the broad prin-
cPlc OF absolute religious federation proclaim
ed IN our fundamental law, and rejoicing in
the benign influence which it has exerted upon
our social and political condition, | should
shrink from clear duty, did fail to express
my deepest conviction, that we can place no
secure reliance upon any apparent progress, if
1t be not sustained by national integrity, rest
ing upon the great truths affirmed and illus-
'Tatad 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 cheer.
ing TO watch the strength of that common
BOND OF brotherhood which unites all hearts,
IN all parts Of this Union, when danger threat
en-. from abroad, or calamity impends over us
at home
Oar plomatic relations with foreign Powers
haVe undergone no essential change since the
Aolrnment of the last Congress With some
4 them, questions of disturbing character
ale still pending but there are good reasons to
believe that these may all be amicably ad-
us'ed
For some years past, Great Britain has so
Construed the first article of the convention
Of the Goth of April, 1918, in regard TO the
fisheries On the Northeastern coast, as to ex-
cloie our citizens from some of the fishing
grounds to which they freely resorted for near
va quarter of a century subsequent to the
late Of that treaty The United States have
never acquiesced in this construction, but have
always claimed for their fishermen oil the
rIgnt' which they had so long enjoyed without
niOiestatiOn. With a view to remove all diff
C1l'es Oh the subject to extend the rights Of
'ar fishermen beyond the limits fixed by the
CONVENTION OF 1918, and to regulate trade be-
,Seen the United States and the British North
A@rfiean Provinces, negotiation has been
Olened, with fair prospect Of favorable re-
INIT TO protect our fishermen in the enjoy
Nett Of their right, and prevent collision be-
tween them and British fishermen, | deemed it
eAPedlent to station naval force in that quar-
Ter during the fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen be-
.'een the two Governments in regard to Cen
ua America. Great Britain has proposed to
'e''le item by an amicablc arrangement and
olf Minister at London is instructed to enter
III" regulations On that subject
commission for adjusting the claims of
OSr n citizens against Great Britain, and those
nfnsh subjects against the United States,
1'nIed under the convention of the sth Of
vD'uary last, is now sitting in London for the
transaction of business.
Is IN many respects desirable that the
- o'Tnuary line between the United States and
on'ish Provinces in the Northwest as des-
' saa"l In the convention Of tho 18th of June,
uLe aud especially that part which separates
'etF''Ory OF Washington from the British
.ns IN the north, should be traced and
,In, I no ! therefore present the subject to
'"n France our relations continue ON the
'' friendly footing The extensive com.
'oe between the United States and that
o4n'ry might, 1t is conceived, be released from
e 'af Unnecessary restrictions, 10 the mutual
~ 'A0,age of both parties. With a view 10
r r"s object some progress has been made in
, eos0'atng treaty Of commerce and naviga.
muetehdently Of our valuable trade with
xp II We have important political relations
n" H ner growing out Of our neighborhood to
Stands OF Cuba and Porto Rico ! am
ffy 70 announce, that since the last Con-
tho, no attempts have been made, by unau-
Gyo;na expeditions within the United States,
n"r either Of those Colonies Should any
the ,ment he manifested within our limits. ali
EXERT Sahs at my command will be vigorously
tetce. " repiess It, Several annoying occur
yein;,. nave taken place at Havana. or in the
city OF the island Of Caba, betw cen our
erns >. and the Spanish authorities. Consid-
a@s, Tue proximity Of that Island TO our
be,r-iy'ng, as il does, 10 the track of trade
usrc Su some OF our principal cites--snd the
vigilance with which foreign inter