The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


line interest with which the people of this Re-
public anticipate the assembling Of Congress,
and the iuihlinent on that occasion of the duties
imposed upon a new President, is one of the
best eyeldences Of their capacity TO realize the
hopes OF the founders ofa political system, at
once complex and systematical. While the
different branches OF the government are, to
certain extent, independent Of each other, the
duties OF all, alike have direct reference to
those OF the other. Fortunately under THIS
system, no man is so high and none so humble
in the scale Of public station, as to escape from
ii e scrutiny, or 10 be exempt from the respcn
siellity, which all official functions imply. Upon
the justice aud intelligence of the masses. in
government thus organized, is the sole reliance
of the confederacy, and the only security for
honeat and earnest devotion to its interests
against the ,surpaticn and entertainments oil
power o. the one hand, and the assaults OF per-
sono ambition on the other.
The interest of which have spoken is inscp-
cradle from an lnquirinS SELF governing commit
nifty; but stimulated doubtless at the present
time by the unsettled condition of our relations
with several foreign powers by the new obli-
gatcas resulting from Sudden extension of the
field of enterprise by the spirit with which
that field has been entered, and the incre asing
energy with which its resources for rectipg
the demands Of humanity have been devei
oped.
Although, disease, assuming at one time the
thence, has left its sad trace upon portions of
our country, we have stll the most abundant
cause for thankiilness TO God, for an accumua-
ton OF signal merces bestowed upon us as ma
ton. In the midst of our sorrow for the afflicted
and suffering, it has been consoling to see how
promptly disasters made true neighbors of dis
trcts and cities, separated widely from each
other, and cheering to watch the strength OF the
common bond Of brotherhood, which unies all
hearts in all parts of this Union when dangers
threaten from abroad, or calami,ies impend over
US at home.
II is well that consciousness of rapid adj
vancement and increasing strength be habitu-
ally associated with All abiding sense of depen-
dance upon Hum who holds in his hands the des-
times of men and nations Recognizing the WIS
dom Of the broad princi pies OF absolute reig-
ious liberation, proclaimed IN our law, and re-
io;c z in the benign influence which it has eX-
crted upon our social and political condition.
- j shoRd shrink from a clear duty did tail to
express my deepest conviction that we can place
no secure reliance upon any apparent progress,
if 1t be no. sustained by national integrity res
ting upon lie great truths affirmed and illustrated
b. divine revelations.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers
have undergone no essential change since the
adjournment OF the last Congress.
With some OF them, questions Of disturD!n ing
character have arisen aud are still pending, but
there good reasons 10 believe that these may
be amicably adjusted.
For some wears past, Great Britain has so con-
strued the first article OF tie Convention of the
10th of April 1878, in regard to the Fisheries of
the northeastern coasts, as 10 exclude our cit-
zens from some Of the ishIng grounds, 10 which
they. formerly resorted for nearly quarter of a
century, subsequent TO the date of that treaty.
The United States have not acGuesccd in the
construction, but always claimed for our fisher
men, the rights which they had so long enjoy
ed without moiestatOn. With a view to re-
move all difficulties on the subject, TO extend the
rights of our fishermen beyond the limits fixed
by the convention OF 1918. and to regulate the
trade between the United States and the British
NORTH American Provinces, negotiation has
been opened with TAR prospect OF favorable
result.
To protect our fisaernen..in the enioyments of
their rights, and 10 prevent collIss on between
them and British fishermen, deemed it expe-
deut to station d naval force IN that quarter du-
ring the fishing season. Embarrassing questions
had also arisen between the two governments,
in regard TO Central America. Great Britain
proposed 10 settle them by amicable arrange
rnent and our Minister 1T London is Instructed
to enter INFO negotiations on that subject. A
commission Tor adjusting the claims Of our citi-
zeps against Great Britaian, and those British
subjects az ainst the L. s., and the british Pro-
ynces of the northwest. as designed III the
Convention of the 18th Of January, 1916, espec.
iaIy that part which separates the Territory Of
Washington from the British possessions, on the
north. should be surveyed and marked, and
therefore, present the subject 10 your netice.
With France our relations are on the most
friendly footing. The exclusive commercial in
tercourse between the L. S. and that Country,
might, it is conceded, be released from unneces-
sary restr ctOns to the mutual advantage OF both
parties. With view 10 this object some pro-
gress has been made in negotiating treaty Of
commerce and navigation. Independently of
our valuable trade, with Spain, we have impor-
tant political relations With her, growing out of
our ne ighborhood 10 the island Of Cuba and
Porto Rico.
am happy TO announce that since the last
Congress no attempts have been made BY unor.
tnorized expeditions within the United States
against either of these Colonies. Should any
such movement be manifested within our limits
all the means at my command will by vigorous
ly exerted to repress it. Several annoying cir
cumstances have taken place at Havana or in
the vicinity OF the island Of Cuba, between
our citizens and the Spanish authorities. Con-
sdering the proximity Of that Island to our
shores, lying as it does in the track Of trade be-
tween some OF our principle cities and the course
particularly that with the United States, is there
regarded, repetition OF such occurrences may
ret be apprehended AS no diplomatic inter-
tercou7se is allowed between our consulate al
Havana and the Captain General Of Cuba, ready
explorations cannot be made, or prompt red ess
effected, where injury hasj resulted. All com
plants on the part of citizens under the present
arrangement must be, in the first place, be pre-
scented to this Government and then referred to
Spain.
Spain again refers them to her local authori-
ties in Cuba for investigation and postpores ar
answer until she has heard from those authori-
ties. To avoid these irritating and vexatious de-
lays, Experimentation made to provide for
direct appeal for redress to the Captain General
by our Consul in behalf of our Injured fellow
citizens. Hitherto the Government of Spain has
TO enter into such arrangement. This course in
her past history is deeply regretted; for without
some arrangement of this kind the good under
standing betw cen the two countries MAY be ex-
posed to occasional Interruptions. Our Minister
at Madrid i. instructed TO renew the proposition
and to press it again upon Her Catholic Maiesty's
Government.
For several years Spain has been calling the
attention of this Government to a claim for los
ses by some of her subjects in the case Of the