Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-12-15
PrssideRts Message
FsliOv Citi1As ofhs Senate
and Hosss Of Reprsssnlaiipes

hePuohc Anuelpate the assemoling OF Con
gress, aud ful6llment on that occasion, OF the
duty imposed upon . new President is one Of
The best evidence Of their capacity 10 realizs
the hopes ofthe founders Of political system
at once complex aud symmetrical, while the
different branches Of the Government are 70 a
certain extent in1ependant Of each other, the
duties Of all alike have direct reference TO the
source Of power Fortunately, under this avs.
TEN no man is so high. none 50 humble in the
scale Of public estimation as To escape from the
scrutiny or to be exempt from responsibility
which all official positions imply. UpOa the
justice and intelligence ofthe masseS Of gov.
ernment thus organized is the sole reliarce Of 4
cOnfederacy aud the only security for homes
and earnest devetions to its interests against
the usurpation and encroachments Of powor on
the one hand aud the assaults Of personal ambi
ton on the other. The interest Of which
have spoken is inSeparabie from an inquirinQ
self-governing community, but stimulated
doubtless At the presen, lime, BY the unsettled
condition ef our relations with several foreign
powers by the new obligatio resulting from
the sudden extension Of the 6eld Of enterprise
by the spirit with which that field has been en-
tered and the amazing energy with which its re
sources for meeting the demands Of humanit,
have been developed.
Although disease, assuming at one time I
character Of vide spread and devastating pc.
thence, has left its sad traces upon some por.
tons Of our country. we have still most abund
ant cauee for fervent thaDkfulness TO God fol
an accumulation Of signal mercies showeret
upon us as nation. 1t is well that a conscious
ness Of rapid advancement and increasing
strength be habtualy associated with an abb
ding sense Of dependence upon him who hold.
his hands the destiny Of men and Of nations
Recognizing the wisdom fthe broad prin.
cipe Of absolute religions federation prOcl aim.
ed in our fundamental law. and rejoicing in the
benign influence which it has excited upon
our social and political condition | should
shrink from clear duty did fail to express
my deepest conviction that we can place no se>
cure reliance upon any apparent progress, il il
be not sustained by rational integrity resting
upon the great truths affirmed and illustrated
by Divine revelation.
In the midst Of our sorrow FOR ths afflicted
and suffering it has been consoling to see how
promptly disasters made true neig ighbors of dis.
tricts and cities separated widely from each 9th =
er; and cheering to watch the strength Of the
common bond Of brotherhood which unites all
hearts Of this Union when danger threatens
froms abroad or calamity impends over us at
home.
Our diplomatic relations with Foreign Pow
ers have undergone more essential change since
the adjournment of the last Congress. With
some questions Of a disturbing character are
still prevailing; but there are good reasons to
believe that these may all be amicahly adjust
ed.
For some years past Great Britain has so
constructed the first article of the IN yention
Of the 20lh Of Of April 1918, in regard to the
fisheries on the North Eastern coast as to ex.
clude our citizens from some of the fishing
grounds to which they freely resorted for near
ly aquarter OF century subsequent 10 the
date OF that treaty. The United States have
always claimed for their fishermen all the right
which they had so long enjoyed without mo-
lestation. With view to remove all Difficult.
ties on this subject:to extend 'theiright Of our
fisherman bevond the limits fixed by the con.
ventiOn OF 1918 and to regulate the trade be-
tween the United States and British North
American provinces negotiation has been o.
pened with afair prospect of . favorable re-
suit.
To protect our fishermen in the enjoyment
of their rights and to prevent collision between
them and British fishermen deemed it expe-
dent to station naval force in that quarter
during the fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen be-
tween two governments in regard to Central
America. Great Britain has proposed to set.
tie them by an amicable arrangement. and our
Minister at London is instructed to enter into
negotiations on that subject A commission
for adjusting the claims Of our citizens against
Great Britain and those Of British subjects a.
gainst the United States organized under the
Convention Of the sth of February is nov sit
ting in London for the transaction of business.
II is in many respects desirable that the
boundary line between the United States and
the British Provinces in the::north west Is desg
mated in the Convention June 18th 1846
and especially that part which separtes the
territory of Washington from the British pos
sessions of the North should be surveyed and
marked; and therefore I 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 coun
try it is considered might be released from
some unnecessary restrictions to the mutual ad-
vantage of both parties: With view to this
object some progress has been made in negoti-
Ating treaty Of commerce and navigation.
Independently Of our valuable trade with
Spain We hare impor ant relations with her
growing out Of our neighborhOOd to the Islands
Of Cuba and Porti Rico / am happy to an
nounce that since the last Congress no attempts
have been made BY unauthorized expeditions
within the United States against either Of these
colonies. Should any movement be manifest
ed within our limits all the means at my COM
mand would be vigorously exerted to repress It.
Several annoying occurrences have taken
place at Havana. or in the vicinity of the is