The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Fellou, Citizens of the Senate
and Of the House Of Representatives.
The past has been eyentfuye and will be hereafter
referred marked epoch in the history of the world
While have been happily preserved from the caaties
Of war domestic prosperity has not been entirely unn
terupted The crops in portions of the country have
been nearly of Disease has prevailed to greater ex
tent than usual and the sacrifice OF human me- through
casualties by sea and land is without parallel But the
pesenee has swept and restored alubry invites the
absent their homes and the return OF business 10 Its or
binary channels If the earth has rewarded the labor OF
the hbandman less boutfy than ia preceding seasons,
it has left him with abundance for domestic wants, and
large surplus for expectation In the present therefore as
in the past find ample grounds for reveren thankful
ness God of Grace and Providence for his protect
ing care and mercful dealings with people.
Although attention has been arrested by painful in
eres in passing events yet country feels no more than
the slight vibrations of the commissions which have shaken
Europe. AS individuals cannot repress sympathy with
suffering regret for the which produce it.
As nation, reminded that whatever interrupts the
peace, checks the prosperity of any part Of Chrsten
dom, tends, less, involve our own The c0nd
ton of states is not unlike that of individuals. They
mutually dependent upon each other Amicabe relations
them and reciprocal good will essential for the
promotion of whatever is desirable in their moral social
and political condition Hence 1t has been my earnest en-
deavor to maintain peace and friendly intercourse with all
nations.
The wise theory of this government early adopted and
steadily pursued of avoiding all entangng alliances has
hitherto exempted it from many complications, in which it
would otherwise have become involved. Notwithstanding
this clearly defined and susaned of action
and geographical position remote from Europe, IN
creasing disposition has been manifested, by OF its
supervise, and in certain respects, to di
rect foreign policy In plans for adjusting the balance
of power among themselves they assumed to take
account and would constran to conform conduct
their views One another of the powers of Europe
has from time undertaken to enforce arbitrary reg
uations contrary in many respects TO established Prnc
pies of international law. That law, the United States
have in their foreign intercourse uniformly respected and
observed and they cannot recognise any such interpoa
tons therein the temporary interests OF Others may
suggest They do not admit that the soveregns OF one
continent, of particular community of states can
legslate for all others
Leaving the transatlantic nations adjust their poli
cal system in the way they may think best for their
welfare the independent powers of this continent
well tho right be exempt from all annoying inter-
ference their part. Systematic abstinence from init
political connexon with distant foreign nations, does
not conflict with giving the widest range foreign
This distinction, clearly marked in history
to have been overlooked, disregarded by
leading foreign states Our refusal to be brought within
and their peculiar system has fear created
jealous dstrust Of conduct and induced, their
part occasional of disturbing effect upon foreign
relations. Our present attitude and past give
surnnces, which should not be questioned that pur-
not aggressive, threatening the safety and
welfare of other nations Our military establishment In
time of peace is adapted to maintain exterior offences
and TO preserve order among the aboriginal tribes within
the limits of the Union Our naval force intended only
for the protection of citizens abroad, and of
diused it is all the of the globe The
of the United States being essentially pacific
in policy stands prepared to repe invasion by the vota
service of patriotic people, and provides permanent
of foreign aggression These considerations should
aay all apprehension that disposed encroach
The rights, endanger the security of other States
Some European powers have regarded with dsqueting
concern the territorial expansion of the United States
This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate
OF sovereign rights belonging alike all nations and by
many literally exercised Under such circumstances,
could hardly have been expected that those among hem
which have within comparatively recent period subdued
and absorbed ancient Kingdoms planted their standards
every continent and possess claim the control Of
the islands OF every their appropriate domain
would look with uiriendy sentiments upon the acqus-
tons OF this country in instance honOraby obtained
would feel themselves justified in mputng advance
nent to spirit of aggression to passion for political
predominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached magnitude and ex-
tent nearly equal 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 the duty
OF the executive and legislative branches of the govern
eit 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, general when the
principal powers Of Europe engaged war; the rights
of neutral nations endangered This consideration led
IN the progress of the of independence the
formation of the celebrated conederacy Of armed neutral
ity primary object of which was the doctrine
that free ships make free goods except the case of ar
Giles conraband of doctrine which, from the very
been cherished
idea OF the statesmen of this country At period
another, every maritime power has, by solemn treaty
stipulation recognised that principle and it might have
been hoped that it would be universally received
and respected rule of international law But the
refusal of power prevented this and in the great
war which ensued that of the French revolution it failed
TO be respected among the begerent States of Europe
Notwithstanding this the principle is generally admitted
be sound and saluary much that, at the
menccment of the existing in Europe Great Britain
and France announced their purpose observe for the
present; not however, recognised international right
but concession for the time being The co-ope
ration however, of these two powerful maritime nations in
the interest OF neutral rights appeared afford
occason inviting and ustyng the part of the United
States renewed effort make the doctrine in question
principle of international law by of special conven
lions between the several powers of Europe and America
Accordingly proposition embracing only the rule
that free ships make free goods except conaband articles
but also the less contested one that neutral property
other than contraband, though board enemys ships
shall be exempt from conscaton, has been submitted BY
this government to those of Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter and convention
was concluded between that country and the United States
providing for the observance of the principles announced
not only between themselves but slso between them
and all other nations, which shall into like spua-
tons None of the other powers have yet taken final
action the subject am aware, however, that any
objection to the proposed spuatons has been made but
on the contrary they acknowledged to be essential
the security OF Neutral and the only apparent
obstacle to their general adoption in the possibility that
it may be encountered by inadmissibe conditions.
The King of the Two Scies has expressed to our min
lister at Naples his readiness in proposition
relative to neutral rights and to enter into convention
thnt an