The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-12-16
ABSTRACT
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
OF THE

Nearly all the members were present =
The gallaries arc crowded. large pro
portion of those present being ladies'
: The greatest anxiety is m manifested to hea
the reading Of the message.
The Private Secretary of the Presiden
appeared and handed in the message
which is now being read.
The President says there is n uch rea
son for gratitude when We compare tht
condition OF the country at the presep
day with what it was one year ago, at ths
n cetipg of Congress. Much had beer
done by the legislation of the last Con
gress to allay the sectional strife on The
subject Of slavery, which was fostered by
the application of Kansas for admission,
1t was well established position that all
American citizens have an equal right to
take into the Territories whatever is held
as property, and to~hold such property un-
der the guardianship of the Federal Con-
stltution, and the proceedings of the last
session were alone wanting to give it ef-
feet. Left to manage its own affairs, all
resistance to the Federal Government has
been fuaIly abandoned. Had the citi-
zeps been obedieut to lawful authority, it
would have contained large; additional
population. The refusal to vote for dele
gates to the Constitutional Convention
was fruitful source of all evils that fol-
lowed wiser spirit that prevailed first.
In January last, large majority of
the members elect belonged to the party
which bad previously refused to vote; the
apti-slavery power was thus in the ascen-
dart. If the State had admitted the Le-
compton Constitution, the Legislature
could have submitted the question of a.
mcnding the Constitution to the people,
aud the Kansas question would thus have
been fuolly settled. His recommenda-
ton for the immediate admission having
failed, he cordially acquieseed in the Eng
lsh bill. In accordance with this bill, it
is no; probable that the third Constitution
can be lawfully presented to Congress be-
fore.the population has reached the des-
lgneted number nor is it presumed they
will attempt to adopt constitution in
violation of an act of Congress.
By waiting for short time Kansas
will glide into the Union without the
slightest impediment, and the provision
applied to Kansas ought to be applied to
all tie Territories hereafter. Had this
been previously the rule of the country,
we would have escaped all the evils ex-
posed By the Kansas question. Justice
requires the estabii> hment of this rule,
aud for these reasons be recommends the
passage Of such an act He regards the
present condition of Utah as subiect for
congratulstion, the Governor and other
officers performing their Guties without
resistance, and be recommends the exten-
sion of the benefits of land laws to the
people of Utah.
The result of affairs in China bad
proved the wisdom OF the neutral policy
OF the United States, and the treaty which
tad been made would te submitted to
the Senate.
1t was his earnest desire that every
misundersta uding with Great BritiGn be
amicsbly and speedily adjusted The
question Of visitation and search had been
settled, By the abandonment of the claim
by Great Britain. A proposition for
mutual agreement had oeen submitted, in
reply to which the Secretary of State said
the Government was ready to receive any
proposals. lie had formed no opinion on
the subject, but did not believe any plan
could be adopted free of embarrassment.
He was sorry the difficulties growing out
of the Clayton. Buiwer treaty bad not
been settled: final settlement is greatly
desired, as it would wipe out the last re-
u mainiDg subject of dispute.
Our relations with France and Russia,
as well as all other Governments on the
Continent of Europe, except that of Spain,
continue to be of the most friendly char
actcr. A Spanish official insulted our
flag and inflicted injuries on our citizens,
and all attempts to obtain redress have
been baffled and defeated. 1t was great
grievance thatthis Government was otlig-
ed to apply to Madrid for the settlement of
questions when they are Immediately re-
ferred back to Cuba. Cuba was the con-
stant source Of injury aud annoyance to
the Americans, and so long as it remains
open as a market for the slave trade there
could be 30 hope for civilization. The
Island of Cuba commands the Missippi,
and with that Island under the dominion
of distant foreign power, our trade must
be exposed to the danger of being de-
stroyed in time of war. Whilst it is im
portant to US. the value of this Island to
Spain is comparatively unimportant.
The publicity of former negotiations,
and the large appropriation required to
effect the purpose, render it expedient to
lay the whole subject before Congress, as
it might become indispensable to success
th at be should be entrusted with the means
of making an advance to the Spanish
Government, after the signing of the trea-
ty, and before its ratification by the SEN
ate.
He repeats the recon me enda.ion made
in relation to the Amisted case, ss an sp-
-. r Al co,,lJ onk faiI