The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1853-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
Fellow. .Citiscrii Of the Senate,
ard Iiot,pc Of Rrprr.

The interest WIN W0lcH tue pcOp' VI
The Republic anticipate the assembling of
Congress, and the fulltilmcnt. on that oc-
cnsion. Of the duty imposed upon n new
President, 10 one Of the best evidences of
their capacity tn realize the hopes Of the
founders of political system at once com.
nlcx and symmetrical While the differ
ent branches of the Government are, TO
certain extent independent Of each other
tho duties of all alike, have direct reference
70 the source of power Fortunately, mn
der this system, no man is so high. and mono
no humble, in the scale Of public station,
ns 10 escape from the scrutiny or to be ex-
emit from The responsibility, which all
official functions imply.
Upon the Justice and intelligence oi
the masses, in Government thus orgnf'-
lied, ms the sole reliance Of the conieder-
ncy, and the only scrutiny Tor honest and
earnest d, voion 10 its interests, against the
usurpations and cncroachments OF power on
the one hand, and the assaults Of personal
ambition on the other.
The interest, oi which | have spoken is
inscpa,ahle from an enquiring. self-gbvern-
inv community hut stimulated, doubtless,
mt the present time, by the unsettled condl-
mowers: by the hrw obligations resulting
from n sudden extension oi the field OF ca
terprise Ivy the spirit with winch that
fcl' has bo.n entered, and the amazing en-
crgy with which lis resources tos meeting
the demands Of humanity have beet devel-
ioped.
Although disease, assuming At ohc time
the characteristics OF wide sprepd and de-
vas,ating pes,ilence has left IFS sad traces
upon some parts of our country. we have
st,ll the most abundant cause for revcicns
,hanklulness TO God for an accumulation of
signal mercies showcred upon us rs a ma
ton. II is well that conciou'ncss o'tap-
id advancement and increasing strength he
hab,tnally associated with M abiding sense
of dependence upon Him who holds in bls
hands the destiny of men and nations;
. Recognizing the wisdom Of III" broad
principle Of absolute religious tolctatl9n
proclaimed in our fundamental law. and re-
,oicing in the benign influence which IT has
excrtcd upon our social and political condl-
iion, should shrink from clear dttv. did
I fail TO express my deepest conviction.
that we can place no scc,ire reliance upon
any apparent progress. il it be not sustained
great truths affirmed and illustrated by d'.
vine revelation In the uiidst of our sor-
row for the afflicted and suffering, 1t has
been consoing TO see how promptly disas-
ter made true nrighhors ot districts arid
cities separated widely from each other,
and cheering 20 watch he strength oi that
common bord of brotherhood. which un,tes
all hearts, in all parts OF this Union, when
danger threatens from abroad, OF calamity
impends over us 1T home,
Our diplomatic relations eith toresn
powers have undergone u5essentlal change
since the adjournment Of last Congress.
With some OF them, questions OF disturbing
character arc still pending. bat there nre
good reasons to believe thit these may all
be amicably adjusted.
For some years past. Great Britain has
so constructed the first article OF the con-
vention Of the Goth of April, 1918, in regard
10 the fisheries on the Northwestern coast,
as to exrlude our citizens trom some of the
fishing grounds, to which they freely re-
sorted for nearly quarter oi'a century sub.
se1uent 10 the date Of that treaty. The
United States has never acquicsed in this
construction, but have ways claimed lor
v
lad 50 long cnloyed without moles'ation.
With a view 10 remove all difficulties on
the subject, to extend the rights OF our fish
crmcn beyond the limits fixed by the con-
vention o. 1878, and,to regulate trade be-
tween the United States and the British
North American provinces negotiation
has brcd opened. with a iair prospect oi a
favorable result. To protect o'r fishermen
in the enjoyment of their rights, and to
rrevent collision between them and Brit
Ssh fishermen deemed il expedient to sta
ton a naval force in that quarter during
the fishing season
Embarrassing questions have also arisen
between the two governments in regard to
Central America. Great Britain has pro-
posed to settle them by IN amicable ar
ranrament, and our Minister at London is
instructed to enter into negotiations on that
subject.
4 commission for adjusting the claims OF
our citizens against Great Bn'aln' and those
of British subjects against the United States.
organized unaer the convention of the sth
of February last, is now sitting IN london
for the transaction OF business.
Il is in many respects desirable 'hat the
Soundry line between the United States
aud the British provinces in the Northwest
hsedesisnatcd in the convention of the 18th
. of June. lsiG, and especially that part
which seperstes the Territory Of Wash
inrton from the B-itish possessions on the
north. should be traced and marked.
therefore present the subject to our no
tice.
With France our relations continue on
the most friendly footing The extensive
commerce between the United States and
that country might, it is conceived, be re-