The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15
FIRsTANNUAL MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT
PIERCE,
Read in the two Houses of Congress, Dec. g..
1853,


Republic anticipate the assembling of Con-
gress and the fulflment, on thatoccasion, of
the duty imposed upon new President, is
one of the best evidence of their capacity to
realize the hopes of the founders of politi-
cal system, at once complex and symmetrical
While the different branches of the govern
ment are, to certain extent, independent of
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, with all
official functions imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the
masses, in 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
encroachmentS of power on the one hand and
the assaults of personal ambition on the other.
The interest, of which | have spoken, is
inseperable from an inquiring. self-goyerning
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
extension of the field Of enterprise; by the
spirit with which that field has been entered,
and the amazing energy with which its re-
sources for meeting the demands of humanity
have been developed
Although disease assuming al one time the
characteristics of a widespread and devasta-
ting pestilence, has left its sad traces upon
some portions of our country, we have still
the most abundant cause for reverent thank
fulnesS to God for an accumulation of signal
mercies showered upon us as a nation. 1t is
well that a consciousness of rapid advance
ment and increasing strength be habitually
associated with an abiding sense of depend
ence upon Hin who holds in his hands the des-
tiny of men and of nations.
Recognising the wisdom Of the broad prin-
ciple Of absolute religious liberation proclaim
ed in our fundamental law, and rejoicing in
benign influence which it has exerted upon
our social and political institutions, / should
shrink from clear duty, did fail to express
my deepest conviction, that we can place no
secure reliances upon any apparent progress,
if it be not sustained by national integrity,
resting upon the great truths affirmed and
illustrated by divine revelation. La 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 brother
hood, which unites ali hearts, in all parts of
this Union, when danger threatens from
abroad or calamity impends over us at home.
Our Diplomatic relations with foreign pow
er have undergone no essential change since
the adjournment Of the last Congress. With
some of them, questions of disturbing char
acter are still pending, but there are good
reasons to believe that these may all be ami
cable adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has so
construed the first article of the convention of
the 20th of April, 1918, in regard to the
fisheries on the northeastern coast, as to ex-
clude our citizens from some Of the fishing |
grounds to which they freely resorted for
nearly quarter of a century subsequent
to the date of that treaty The United
States have never acquesed in this construc-
.tiOn but have always claimed for their fisher
men all the rights which they had so long en-
joyed without molestation. With a view to
remove all difficulties on the subject, to eX-
tend the rights of our fishermen Eeyond the
limits fixed by the convention Of 1878, and
to regulate trade between the United States
and the British North American provinces,
a negotiation has been opened with a fair
prospect of a favorable result. TO protect
our fishermen in the enjoymentof of their rights, /
and prevent collision between them and Brit I
ish fishermen, deemed it expedient to sta
tion 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 an amicable arrange /
ment, and our minister at London is inStruc-
ted to enter into negotiations Oh that sub
ject.
A commission for adjusting the claims of I
our citizens against Great Britain, and those
of British subjects against the United States, [
organized under the convention of the 9Th of
February last is now sitting in London for 4
the transaction of business.
1t is in many respects disirahle that the
boundary line between the United States and /
the British provinces in the northwest, as
designStea in the convention of the 18th of
.;uu, lSAe, anGa especially that part which
separates the ter;-;;tory Ct Washington from
the British possession On the 2orth, should
be traced and marked therefore present
the subject to your notice.
With France our relations continue on the
most friendly footing. The extensive com
merce between the United States and that
country might, it is conceived, be released
from some unnecessary restrictions, to the Is
mutual advantage of both parties. With a
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