Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05
G0agrtssionaI.k
rHIRTY-THrRD CONGRESS.

SECOND SESSION.

There were ihiriy-seven Senators in attend.
The SECRETARY, by permission, read the fol-
lowing letter, addressed TO him by the Hon. Mr.
ATcHIsoN:
PLATTE CRY, November IL, 1854
DEAR SIN: IL will not be in my power 10 reach
Washington before the second or third week IN
December You will please announcethis iactt 10
the Senate al its meeting, that they may proceed
TO the election of presiding officer. o
DAVID R.ATCHISON.
AsBuRY DIcKISs, Secretary ofthe Senate,
On motion of Mr. HUNTER,
Mr. CAss was unanimously requested TO act as
President pro tempore for to-day.
Mr., CASS, on taking the chair, said: :: In as
sisling, gentlemen ofthe Senate, al your organiza-
ton, hold this seat to-day, but can hold il no
longer, as do not feel competent to preside over
the deliberations OF the Senate"
Mr.. FOOT presented the credentials of the Hon
LAWRENCE BRAINKRp, chosen by the Legislature of
Vermont q Senator from that State for the unex-
pred term of the Hon. WILLIAM UPHAM, de-
ceased
The credentials were read and the oath pre-
prescribed by law having been administered 10
Mr.. BRAINERp, he took his seat in the Senate.
Mr.. BRODHEAD submitted the following reso
luions which We're considered by unanimous
consent and agreedto:
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House
of Representatives. that quorum Of the Senate
has assembled, and that the Hon. LEWIS CAss has
been chosen President of the Senate pro tempors
for this day.
Oydersd That the Secretary wait on the Presi-
dent of the United States and inform him that the
Senate have chosen the Hon. LEWIS CAss Presi-
dent of the Senate pro tempoye for this day.
On motion by Mr.. DODGE, OF Iowa, il was
ResoiDed, That committee of three be appoint
ed by the President pro tempore of the Senate,
jointly with a committee TO be appointed by the
House of Representatives, 10 wait on the Presi-
dent of The United States, and inform him that
quorum of each House has assembled, and that
Congress is readyto receive any communication
he may be pleased 10 make.
Mr.. DoDGE, OF Iowa, Mr.. DAWSON and Mr.
ToucEY were appointed the committee.
Mr.. BRODHEAD submitted the following reso-
luton for consideration:
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be
directed 10 inquire into the expediency Of provid-
ing by law for the better security of life and prop.
erty on board of sea-going, steam, and other YES
sells.
He gave notice that he should call up the reso-
luton for action as soon the committee should
be organized.
On motion by Mr. HAMLIN, il was
Ordered, That the daily hour OF meeting OF the
Senate be Twelve O'Clock, m, until otherwise
dered.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, from the committee ap
pointed 10 wait upon the President OF the United
two Houses OF Congress, reported thai they had
discharged the duty assigned TO them, and were
informed by the President that he would immsdi
ately communicate in writing with the two Houses
A message was received from the President o
the United States by the hands of SYDNEY WEB
STIR, esq, his private secretary, which was reat
as follows:
FslIofc- Citizs,ks Of the SsEate
ande Of The House Of Representatives.:
The past has been an eventfnl year, and will be
hereafter referred 10 ms marked epoch in the his
tory Of the world. While we have been happily
preserved from the caamifies of war, our domes
tic prosperity has not been entirely uninterrupted
The crops, in portions Of the country have been
nearly cut of. Disease has prevailed 10 greater
extent than usual and the sacrifice Of human life,
through casualties by sea and land, il without O
parallel But the pestilence has swept by, and
restored salubrity invites the absent their homes
and the return OF business its ordinary channels
III the earth has rewarded the labor Of the hus
bandman less bountifuliy than in preceding sea
sons, II has left him with abundance for domestic
wants, and large surplus for expectation. II
the present, therefore, as IN the past we ind am
pie grounds for revereni thankfuness 10 the Goo
OF Grace and Providence, for bis protecting care
and merciful dealings with us as people.
Although our attention has been arrested BY
painful interest in passing events yet our country
feels no more Than the slight vibrations Of the con
yulsions which have shaken Europe. AS individ
uals. we cannol repress sympathy with humar
suffering, nor regret for thecauses which produce
IL. As a nation, we are reminded, that what
ever interrupts the peace, or checks the prosper
ity, OF any part Of Chrstendom, tends, more Of
less, 10 involve our own. The condition OF states
is not unlike that OF individuals. They are mu
tuaIly dependent upon each other. Amicable re
lAtions between them, and reciprocal good will
are essential for the promotion Of whatever is de
sirable 10 their moral, social and political condi
ton. Hence, II has been my earnest endeavor Il
maintain peace and friendly intercourse with al
nations
The wise theory Of this government, so earl,
adopted and steadily pursued, OF avoiding all en-
tangling alliances has hitherto exempted il from
many complications, in which il would otherwise
have become involved. Notwithstanding this on
clearly defined and well-suslained course OF &C
ton, and our geographical position 30 remoi.
from Europe, increasing dispositions has been mani
tested, by some Of its governments, 10 supervise
and in certain respects, TO direct, our foreigI
policy. Tn plans for adjusting the balance o
power among themselves, they have assumed 4
lake us into account, and would constran MS &,
conform our conduct 10 their views. One d
another of the powers Of Europe has, from tim,
10 time, undertaken 10 enforce arbitrary regula
tons contraryin many respects 20 established prin
ciples Of international law ThatIaw, the Uniies
States have IN their foreign intercourse, uniformly
respected and observed, and they cannot recog
Mise any such interpretations therein, as the TEN
porary interests Of others may suggest They d.
or Of a particular community Of States can legis
late for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations 10 adjus
.their political system in The way they may thinl
best for their common welfare, the Independent
powers Of this continent may well assert tb'
right 10 be exempt from all annoying interference
on their part. Systematic abstinence from init
mate political connection with distant foreign ma
tions, does not cosficf with giving the wides
range 10 our foreign commerce. This distinction
40 clearly marked in history, seems TO have beer
overlooked, or disregarded, by some leading Tor
eign States Our refusal 70 be brought within
and subjected 10, their peculiar system, has, fear
created jealous distrusi OF our conduct and in
dnced, on their part occasional acts Of disturbing
effect upon our foreign relations. Our present at
fifude and past course give assurances, which
should not be questioned, that our purposes ara
not aggressive, nor threatening 10 the safety snC
welfare Of other nations. Our military establish
ment in time Of peace, is adapted TO maintain eI
terror defences and 10 preserve order among the
aboriginal tribes within the limits Of the Union
Our naval force is intended only for the protection
Of our citizens abroad and Of our commerce
dihused as IL is, over all the seas Of the globe
The government OF the United States, being