30 DECEMBER 1837, Page 2

The usual session of the United States Congress was opened,

at Washington, on the 5th instant. The message from the Presi- deut VAN BUREN deals with several important subjects ; in two of which the people of this country have especial concern. The first occupies a prominent place in the message; and, although neglected by the wise men who have swayed the councils of Eng- land, tnust now force itself upon their attention. Since the peace of 1'783, when the independence of the American Colonies was acknowledged, to the present time, more than a hundred miles of the North-eastern boundary between the United States and the British Province of New Brunswick has been unsettled. Till of late years, the want of a recognized line of separation was of little consequence, as the population of both territories kept at some distance from the debateable ground. Recently, however, the in- habitants of the thriving State of Maine have discovered that the country claimed by the United States contains some thousands of acres of most valuable land; that it would give the possessors the command of the navigation of no inconsiderable portion of tile St. Lawrence, and interfere with the ordinary communication by land of St. John's and Fredericton with Quebec. The determination of these citizens of Maine to secure the disputed territory to them- selves, was manifested some months ago, when the Governor sent a party to stake out a portion of it and exercise other rights of ownership. This party were driven off by the British, and we are nor aware that the attempt has been renewed by the State of Maine. The difficulty of the question is increased by the fact, that the usual resource for the settlement of disputes between friendly powers has been tried without avail. As it was impos- sible to make out the line laid down in the old treaty of 1783, which mentioned landmarks and natural features nowhere to be found, the King of the Netherlands was made arbitrator. He tried to effect a. compromise by "splitting the difference,"—that is, by giving the State of Maine a handsome slice of British terri- tory, and awarding to New Brunswick so much of the land of Maine lying off the St. Lawrence as would have put the ambi- tious Republicans to a considerable distance from that river ; but his decree displeased both parties. The old treaty being discarded, and the award of the Dutch King rejected, the late President JACKSON made an offer of what he called a "conventional line" to the British Government. To this proposition, says the present message, no answer has been received- " The attention of Me British Government has, however, been urgently invited to the subject. and its reply cannot, I am confident, be much longer delayed. The general relations between Great Britain and the United States are of the most friendly character, and I am well satisfied of the sincere dispo- eition oi that Government to maintain them upon their present footing. This disposition has also, I am persuaded, become more general with the People of

England than at any previous period. It is scarcely necessary to say to you, how cordially it is reciprocated by the Government and people of the United

States. The conviction, which must be common to all, of the injurious con. sequences that result from keeping open this irritating question, and the cu.. dainty that its final settlement cannot be much longer deferred, will, I trust, lead to an early and satisfactory adjustment. At your last session, I laid before you the recent communications between the two Governments, and be- tween this Government and that of the State of Maine ; in whose solicitude concerning a subject in which she has so deep an interest, every portion of the Union participates."

The habit of procrastination, so characteristic of our Colonial Office, may produce in this, as it has in so many other instances, serious detriment to the country. President VAN BUREN feels that the present is a very awkward time for the British Govern- anent to come to a settlement of this question ; yet, pending the scar in Canada, it would be impolitic to leave a neutral ground bortlering upon the territory of the hostile State of Maine, asla place of refuge for the insurgents. Under these circumstances it is, that Viers Brat:4 becomes especially urgent for the settlement of the boundary hue; hinting at the " irritation " which prevails on the

subject, the injurious consequences thereof, and the participation of every portion of the Union in the solicitude of the State of Maine. From far more trivial causes of quarrel national wars have sprung ; and though there may be no sufficient ground for apprehending a rupture between England and the United States, whose mutual interests so strongly bind them to peace, yet it is indisputable that the angry feeling—the " irritation "—existing in Maine with reference to this question of boundary, may induce the people of that State to lend more assistance to the Canadian insurgents than they would otherwise be inclined to give. The other subject of the message, more immediately interesting to this country, is that of banking. The President, unmoved by

the elections in New York, the unfavourable result of which he attributes to party hostility rather than to disapproval of his finan- cial policy, adheres to his resolution not to charter a National Bank, or to place the public money with the State Banks. He still thinks that the revenue should be collected in specie, and de- posited with certain responsible officers of the Government. At the same time, he admits that if he is not supported in this scheme by the people, he must abandon it, and adopt any other called for by the public. The general impression appears to be, that VAN BUREN will not easily be driven from his own plan, but that he will put his veto on any bill inconsistent with it. He has more than three years of occupation of the Presidency yet before him ; and it may happen that the ground lost in New York may be balanced by acquisition in States now hostile to him.]

A considerable part of the message is devoted to the subject of public lands. There is, of course, much difference in the value of the lands, but the Government price for all is the same. The President recommends a careful valuation, and a scale of prices corresponding therewith. He also recommends Congress to sanc- tion the disposal to " squatters " of the lands they have occupied hitherto without a title. It has been the convenient doctrine of these persons, that to lay hold of public land, without paying for it, gives them a right of preemption whenever they are ready to buy. The truth seems to be, that land may be had for nothing in the United States, and that it is almost an act of unnecessary pa- triotism to give any price for it : " squatters," when required to pay for land they have probably exhausted, often move off to other " waste " but still fertile lands, which, as before, they may occupy without molestation.

The language of the message in reference to Mexico will not be displeasing to the adventurers in Texas. The President seems inclined to adopt stringent measures to procure reparation for the injuries inflicted in various ways on the property of his fellow citizens. He says that he has been equally unsuccessful with his predecessor in attempting to obtain satisfaction, and leaves Con- gress to decide on the time and made of redress.

It is recommended that the military force of the republic should be augmented ; also that a national foundry for cannou with additional manufactories of gunpowder and small-arms be esta- blished. The President refers with satisfaction to the increase of the effective force of the navy. The Ohio, Delaware, and Columbus, all ships of the line, have been put in a state of thorough repair. The Pennsylvania, a new ship of the line carrying 136 guns, has re-

cently been launched. Additions have been made to the American squadrons in the Pacific, on the Brazilian station, and on the West

India station. The number of captains, commanders, lieutenants, and surgeons, has been increased,—all, says Mr. VAN BUREN, to " answer the exigencies of a growing commerce." We had been under the impression that recently the foreign commerce of the country had not very much increased—certainly not enough to re- quire four fresh ships of the line to be put in commission. The American President may persuade Sir GEORGE GREY and Lord GLENELG that there is no ulterior object in these large arma- ments, but he will delude few others.

It is only necessary to add, that the message describes the United States as recovering from the late commercial disasters-

" The industry and prudence of our citizens are gradually relieving them from the pecuniary embarrassments under which portions of them have

laboured : judicious legislation, and the natural and boundless resources of the country, have afforded wise and timely aid to private enterprise ; and the ac- tivity always characteristic of our people, has already in a great degree resumed its usual and profitable channels."

Temporary embarrassment is the worst that befalls the indus- trious Republicans of America. Distress, in the sense in which it is used in England, is almost unknown in the United States. There is no fear of wanting the necessaries, or indeed the comforts of life in abundance. It might be so in England ; but the " class interests" obstruct national prosperity.