Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

The President's Message.—Many people are expecting to receive much information from the president's message at the opening of the next session of congress. We heartily wish he could communicate something to dispel the gloom which at present overspreads the mercantile world. But we candidly acknowledge that we expect no such thing. Our affairs with France are certainly in no better situation than they were twelve months ago. And our differences with England are unsettled. It appears to be impossible to settle with one nation, without offending the other: and our government have attempted a middle course, which has, as yet, had no effect but to leave our affairs unsettled, and to give offence to both nations. How long we are to remain in this undecided and degraded situation is not for us to determine. We think, however, that the time is fast approaching when we must determine either to cease to hold out the shadow of independence, or assert our rights. We are at present a nation only in name—no power thinking us of sufficient consequence either to court our friendship or deprecate our enmity.