Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESsiCE.
Felioae- Citizens Of he Senate
and Of the House Of Rspr

public anticipate the assembling OF Congressman
the fnl6llment on that OCCASION Of the duties i'm
posed upon a new President Is one Of the best
evidences of their capacity n realize the hopes
of the founders Of political system NJ once
complex and symmetrical. While the different
branches of the government are, te#a certain eN-
tent independent of each other. the duty ri ALL
alike have direct reference IL the scarce # pow
er Fortunately under this system 100 man is
- high, aud none 50 humble, IN the scale II pub
lie station, a. 10 escape from the scrutiny, ar 10
be exempt from the responsibility, which all OH
cial functions imply.
Tfpon the Justice and INTELLIGENCE Of the ma>ss,
in a government thus orgauized,i- the sole foli-
auce ~ the eonfedefaey. aud thr only security
for honest and earnest devotion 10 iis interests
against the Hsurpatiens aud enereaeimenfs "i
power on the one hand aud the assaults OF person
al ambition On the other
Tie interest. Of Which have ~rakenI- insep-
arnfle from an nqairing self governing com
munity. but stimulated doubtle-~. At thu present
time lbs the unsettled condition of ON relations
with several foreign pewers;by the IA obligation
resulting from a sudden extension nf the heid oi
enterprise hy the spirit with which TINT held
has been entered and the unazuF energy with
which it, resources for meeting he demands OF
humanity have been developed.
Although disease assuming Al ,ue amethe ehar-
acterisiics Of a widespread and devastating pes
tilaMee.ha. ef it, sad trace upun safHc pafi1on-
of onr country. we haYe -lill TIE most abundant
cause for rovereut thanktulns jo I'D tor unnc-
cuulalaiiou If siguul nsrcles eho"eftd upon az
as n nafiou II is we'll thai q c1ussfau-uezs #
rapid advancement aud increasing strength bc
bahiiualiy assoes it'd aih uuahid0g n e. eide
pendaltee ui.an / !jU vino ha1s iu his hauds the
destiny 81 men aud nations.
Recognising the wisdom Of the broad principle
of absolute religious federation proclaimed IN our
fundamental law, aud rejoicing a. tie hmeo IA.
huenee which II has ezertcd nPuu our suctal mud
political condition, should shrink from rror
duty did fail Ia express my deepest conviction
that sc can pacc no secure reliance upon Any alp
parent proeresz. II II be not =u= Jay natiou
al integrity. resting upon tie great truths allfm
ed and illustrated la divine revelation. In The
midst Of our sorrow for the afflicted md suffering
it hus been eonsoltug to see h"v promptly dis
aster made true noighhor- ~ district aud cities
separated widely from cuch other. md cheering
To watch the strength Of that common bond Of
brotherhood, which uuites all bearts Ia nil
parts of the Union when danger thfeatcu- FROM
abroad. calamity impcnds etrr us AT hone.
Cur diplomatic relations with foreign power
have undergone no essental change SINCE the nd
iournmput Of the last tougres-. With sume ct
them, question, of disturbing chafactcrarr sill
pending. but there good reasons tu believe
that these may all be alucall, adjusted.
For some wears past, Great Britain hn- 50 con
strued thu first article pt the convention of the
goth Of April, l-l-. in regard to thu fshcre. on
the northeastern coost as a. exclude our ciiizeus
from some OF the fishing grounds, Ia which they
freely resorted for nearly qunrtcr ot % century
subsequent Ia the DAFT of that treaty. The
United States have never aequie-ced IN thu con
struetion hut have always claimed ior thorli-h-
ermen all the rights which they had 50 long IN
joyed without molestatlou. With eIrv IL re-
move all difficulties on the subject, tueAtcua the
iights of our fishermen bcVoud the limits fixed
by The convention OF lsl~, ana 60 regulate trade
between the lnitcd States and the British North
American proYinCcs,n negotiation has been open
ed, with far prospect OF favorable result. To
protect our fishermen ia tho enjoyment of their
right, and prevent collision between them aud
British fishermen, deemed II cNpeaient To stu
ton naval forec ia that qunrter during the fish
ing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen he
tween the two governments IN regard to Ccuiul
America. Great Britain has proposed to settle
them by an amieahie arrangement md our min
lister at London j, instructed 10 enter INTO negu-
tatoIz thai subject,
commission for adjusting the cuims OF our
citizens against Great Britain. and t5o4r AZ Brit
ish subject, against thu mtea State, orean2
ed uu 'er the convention uf lie -th ei February
last, snow sitting loudent8r the transact ton
of business
Itizin many respects de- irallo Int thc iaou-
dary line between fire uit,d ~ttfe- und jhv
British provinces in The northwest, IL -eaated
in the convention of tho 10Th at juno. T. is. and
especially thai part which stla. oes tly Terrific
ry ot Washington from the BRUSH possessions
in the north should be traced aud marked. I
therefore present the subcet Ia Your notice.
With fuucc our relations continue ON the
most friendly footing. The extensive commerce
between the United States and that country
might il is conceived, be released from some
unnecessary restriedons,t to the mutual advantage
of 10th parties. With II view 10 ths object some
progress has been made ia negotiating a treaty
of commerce aud navigation
Independently of our valuable trade with Spain.
we have important political relations with her.
growing ont oi our neighhofhood Ia the stands
of Cuba and Porto Rico. i am happv to an
nouuee, that since the last Congress. no attempts
have been made, by Unauthorized expeditions
within the United States. against either OF tho.,
colonies. Should any movement he manifested
within our limits, all the means ut my command
will be vigorously eNerted 10 rcprcss It. Several
annoying occurrences have tnkcu place al liza.
yaua, or in the vicinity of the isand Of Cuba. he
tween our citizens and the spanish authorities.
Considering the proximity OF that islnnd To our
shures-lyins,-as il does, in the truck of trade
between some of our princpni cities-una the
suspicious vigilance with which foreign inter
course, particularly that with the United States,
Is there guarded repetition OF such occurrences
may well be apprehended. - no diplomatic in
tereoursc Is allowed between our consul at lla-
vana and the Captain General OF Cuba, rcadveN-
plantations cannot be made or prompt redress at
forded where injury has resulted. All conninint
ON the part OF our citizens. under the present ar
rangement, must be, in the first place presented
to this government, and then referred 10 Spain.
Spain again refers il to her local authorities in
Cuba for investigation, and stDOnps AN an 5urr