Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The following is a copy of the Annual Message
of the President of the United States, which was
on Monday laid before both Houses of Congress

OF the freSluent OF the Unlteu otates, WHICH was
on Monday laid before both Houses of Congress
Fsllop-eitisens Of the Senate,
and Of he House Of Representatives.:
The past has been eventful year, and win be here
after referred marked epoch in the history of the
world, While have been happily preserved from the
caamites of war; domestic prosperity has not been
entirely uninterrupted The crops, in portions Of the
country, have been nearly cutoff Disease has prevailed
greater extent than usual and the sacrifice of human
fe through casualties by and land is without pa
ralle But the pesence has swept by shdrestored sa
lubrty invites the absent their homes and the return
of business to its ordinary channels the earth has
waried the labor Of the husbandman less bouatfuy than
in preceding seasons il has left him with abundance for
domestic wants and large surplus for expectation In
the present, therefore, in the past we find ample
grounds for reverent thankfuness to the God of Grace
and Providence for his protecting and mercul deal
ings with US people.
Althoughou attention has been arrested by painful
interest in passing events yet our country feels no more
than the slight vibrations Of the commissions which have
shaken Europe. As individuals cannot repress sym
patty with human suffering regret for the causes
which produce it. As nation reminded that
whatever interrupts the peace checks the prosperity Of
any part of Chrstendom tends, less involve
own The condition of States is not unlike that Of
individuals They are mutually dependant upon each
other Amcable relations between them and reciprocal
goodwill essential for the promotion of whatever is
desirable in their moral, social and political condition
Hence has been my earnest endeavor to maintain
and friendly intercourse with all nations.
The wise theory of this Government early adopted
and steadily pursued of avoiding oil entangng alliances
has hitherto exempted it from many complications in
which it would otherwise have become involved. Not
Tithstandng this clearly defined and wel-sustaned
of action and geographical position remote
from Europe increasing disposition has been manifested
by of its Governments to supervise and in certain
respects to direct foreign policy In plans for ad
iustiDg the balance of power among themselves they
have assumed to take us into account, aud would con-
strain to conform conduct their views One
another of the Powers Of Europe has, from time tme
undertaken enforce arbitrary regulations contrary in
many respects established principles OF international
law That law the United States have, in their foreign
intercourse uniformly respected and observed and they
cannot recognise any such interpretations therein the
temporary interests of others may suggest They do not
admit that the soyereigns Of continent of par
ticuar community Of States egsate for al others
Leaving the transatlantic nations to adjust their poll
teal system in the way they may think best for their
welfare the independent Powers of this couti-
may well the right be exempt from all an
from intimate political connexion with distant
foreign nations does not conflict with giving the widest
range to foreign This distinction, SO
clearly marked history have been overlooked
dsregarded by leading foreign States. Our
fusa be brought within and subjected their peculiar
system has, fear, created jealous distrust Of
duct and induced, their part occasional of dis
turbiug effect upon our foreign relations Our present
attitude and past course give assurances which should
not be questioned that purposes not aggressive
threatening to the safety and welfare of other
tions. Our military establishment in time Of peace is
adapted to maintain exterior defences and preserve
order among the aboriginal tribes within the limits of the
Union Our naval force is intended only for the proec
ton Of our citizens abroad and of commerce. used
is all the Of the globe. The Government
Oft United States being essentially pacific in policy
Stands prepared repe invasion BY the voluntary
vice OF patriotic people, and provides no permanent
means offoregn aggression These considerations should
aay all apprehension that disposed to encroach
the rights endanger the security Of other States
Some European Powers have regarded with disqueting
the territorial expansion of the United States
This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate exer
else Of sovereign rights, belonging alike to all nations
and by many Literally exercised. Under such crcum-
stances, 1t could hardly have been expected that those
among them which have, within comparatively recent
period subdued and absorbed ancient kingdoms planted
their standards every continent and possess or
claim the control Of the islands of every as their
appropriate domain, would eok with unfrendly senti
ments upon the acquisitions of this country every in
stance honorably obtained would feel themselves JUS
tilted in mputng our advancement spirit of aggres-
sion or to passion for political predominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached q magnitude and
extent nearly equal 70 that of the first maritime Power
of the EARTH and exceeding that of any other Over this
great interest in which not only merchants but all
classes of citizens at least indirectly concerned it is
the duty of the Executive and Legislative branches of the
Government to exercise careful supervision, and adopt
proper measures for its protection The policy which
have had in view in regard to this interest embraces its
future as well as its present security
Long experience has shown that in general when the
principal Powers of Europe engaged war; the rights
OF neutral nations are endangered This consideration
led in the progress of the Of our Independence to
the formation of the celebrated conederacy of armed
neutrality, primary object Of which the
doctrine that free ships make free goods except in the
case Of articles conraband of war; doctrine which,
from the very commencement of our national being has
been cherished idea of the statesmen of this country
At one period another every maritime Power has by
come solemn treaty stipulation recognised that principle
and it might have been hoped that it would come to be
universally received and respected rule Of nterna.
tonal law But the refusal of Power prevented this
and IN the great which ensued Of the French
Revolution It failed to be respected among the beigeren
States of Europe Notwithstanding this the principle is
generally admitted 10 be sound and sautary one;
much SO that at the of the existing war
In Europe Great Britain and France announced their pur
pose TO observe II for the presents not however re-
cognsed international right but concession for
the time being The cooperation, however of these two
powerful maritime nations in the interest neutral rights
appeared to to afford occasion inviting and iust-
flying the part Of the United States renewed effort
to make the doctrine in question principle Of nterna
tonal law by means Of special conventions between the
several Powers Of Europe and America. Accordingly
proposition embracing only the rule that free ships