Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-12-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FsIjop-cii;seas ofthe Senate
and of the House off !


and Of The House of Representatives.:
The interest, with which the people OF the Republic
anticipate the assembling OF Congress. and the alhment
dent of the best evidences Of their capacity to
aze the hopes Of the founders Of political system, at
once complex and symmetrical. While the diilerens
branches of the government are, certain extent m
dependent Of each other the duties OF all alike have d.
rectreferenee to the OF power Fortunately I'M
der this system, no man is high and none 80 num-
bic, in the scale Of public station, escape from the
scrutiny, or to be exempt from the responsibility which
all official functions imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence OF the masses, IN
government thus organized, is the sole reliance OF the
eonederacy, and the only security for honest and earnest
devotion interests against the usurpatons and en-
croachmens of power the hand and the assaults
of personal ambition on the other.
The interest, of which have spoken, is insepaable
from inqniring, selfgovenIng community, but stimu
lated doubtless at the present time, by the unsettled
dition Of our relations with several foreign powers by
The 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 resources for meeting the demands OF humanity
have been developed.
Although disease assuming at one time the character
lstlcs OF widespread and devastating pesence, has
left It's sad traces upon portions OF country
have still The most abundant cause for reyeent thankful
TO God for accumulation OF signal mercies show
cred upon us a nation Ii is well that conscious
ness OF rapid advancement and increasing strength be
habtuaily associated with abiding OF dependence
upon Him who holds in his hands the destiny of men
and OF nations.
Recognising the wisdom OF the broad principle of ab
solue religious liberation proclaimed in our fundamental
law, and rejoicing in the benign influence which it has
exerted upon our social and political condition, should
shrink from clear duty, did fail to express my deepest
conviction, that place reliance upon any
apparent progress il be not sustained by national neg
rity resting upon the great truths affirmed and illustrated
by divine revelation In the midst OF sorrow for
the afflicted and suffering, it has been consong TO
how promptly disaster made true neghbors Of districts
and cities separated widely from each other, and cheer
ing to watch the strength of that common bond Of
BROTHERHOOD which unites all hearts, in all parts of this
Union when danger threatens from abroad, calamity
impends over us at home.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers have I'M
dergone no essential change since the adjournment of
the last Congress With some OF them, questions OF a
disturbing character still pending, but there are good
to believe that these may all be amicaby ad-
justed.
For some years pasi Great Britain has SO construed
the rst article OF the convention of the 20th of April
1885, in regard TO the fisheries the Northeastern coast
as to exclude our citizens from some of the fishing
grounds TO which they Freely resorted Tor nearly quar-
ter OF century subsequent 10 the date OF that treaty
The United States have never acquesced in this con-
structon but have always camed for their fishermen all
the rights which they had g long enjoyed without
lesaiion, With view 10 remove all difficulties on the
subject, to extend the rights oil our fishermen beyond
the limits fixed BY the convention of 1918, and egu.
late trade between the United States and the British
North American provinces, negotiation has been
opened, with fair prospect OF favorable result, To
protect our fishermen in the enjoyment OF their rights
and prevent collision between them and British fishermen
| deemed II expedient to station naval force in that
quarter during the fishing season.
Embarrassing questions have also arisen between the
two governments in regard 10 Central America. Great
Britain has proposed to settle them by an amcsble ar
rangement, minister London is instructed to
enter into negotiations on that subject
commission for adjusting sa claims of our citizens
against Great Britain, and these OF British subjects
Sn 81 he s sn q Fssaa last now sitting in Ton
don for the transaction OF business.
1t in many respects desirable that the boundary line
between the United States and the British provinces in
the northwest, designated in the convention of the
18th OF june 1885, and especially that part, which sepa
rates the Territory of Washington from the British pos
fhu oIn ,lA IL.
therefore present the subject to your notice.
With France our relations continue ON the most friend
ly footing The extensive commerce between the Uni
ted States and that country might it is conceived be
leased from unnecessary restrictions, to the mutual
advantage OF both parties. With 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 with her. growing out
Of our neghhorhood TO the islands Of Cuba and Porto
kto am happy TO announce, that since the last Con-
gTess attempts have been made, by unauthorized
pedtons within the United States, against either OF
iDose colonies Should any movement be manifested
within limits all the means at my command will be
vigorously exered TO repress Several annoying
have taken place Havana, in the vicinity Of
the island OF Cuba, between citizens and the Span
ish authorities Considering the proximity OF that island
to shoresying as does III the track OF trade be-
tween some OF our principal cites-and the suspicious
vigilance with which foreign intercourse, particularly
that with the United States, is there guarded repetition
OF such occurrences may well be unprecedented AS no
diplomatic intercourse allowed between our consul at
lions cannot be made, prompt redress afforded, where
injury has resulted All complaint the part OF
Zcns under the present arrangement, must be- In the
6rs place, presented to this goyernmen and then refer
ed TO Spain Spain again refers II TO her local author
es in Cuba for investigation, and postpones answer
II she has heard from those authorizes 10 avoid these
IRRITATING and vexatous delays proposition has been
ade provide for direct appeal for redress to the
kCapain General BY consul, in behalf OF our injured
fellow citizens Hitherto, the government OF Spain has
declined enter into any such arrangement This course
on her part 10 deeply regretted; for without some
rangemen OF this kind, the good understanding between
the two countries may be exposed TO occasional Interrupt
propositions and press again upon the consideration
of her Catholic Maesiy's government
For several years Spain has been calling the attention
of this government TO claim for losses, by some oil her
subjects in the case OF the schooner Unlisted THIS
claim is believed TO rest on the obligations imposed by
our existing treaty with that country. lis justice was
admitted, in our diplomatic correspondence with the
Spanish government, early March, lS47 and one
OF my predecessors his annual message OF that year,
recommended that provision should be made for It's pay
ment In January last il again submitted 10 Con-
sress by the Executive. 1t has received favorable
Consideration by committees of both branches, but yet
there has been final action upon IT, conceive hat
good faith requires its prompt adjustment and present
Il to your early and favorable consideration.
Martin Koszta, Hungarian by birth, came to this
country in 1850, and declared his intentions IN due form
xof law 10 become citizen of the United States Alter
REMAINING here nearly two years, he visited Turkey.
while al Smyrna, he forciby seized, taken on board
nstrian brig of war, then lying in the harbor OF that
and there confined in irons with the avoWed design
him into the domnlons OF Austria. Our consul
fna and legation al Constannople lnterposed Tor
ease, but their efforts Intellectual. While
prisoned, Commander lngraham, with the United
him OF war st. LOUIS arrived at Smyrna, and