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| Date | December 3, 1838 (1838-12-03) |
|---|---|
| Venue | House Chamber,United States Capitol[1] |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′23″N77°00′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W /38.88972; -77.00889 |
| Type | State of the Union Address |
| Participants | Martin Van Buren Richard Mentor Johnson James K. Polk |
| Format | Written |
| Previous | 1837 State of the Union Address |
| Next | 1839 State of the Union Address |
The1838State of the Union Address was delivered by the eighthpresident of the United StatesMartin Van Buren to the25th United States Congress on December 3, 1838. Van Buren presented an optimistic view of the nation's state, reflecting on fifty years of federal governance under the U.S. Constitution, which he described as a system preserving both "individual happiness" and "private interests." This year marked the nation’s half-century under the framework devised by theFounding Fathers, which Van Buren credited for the preservation of peace, liberty, and economic growth.[2]
Van Buren reflected on the United States’ significant advancements in education, religious freedom, and infrastructure development. He highlighted how the Constitution allowed for expansion westward while balancing the unique cultural and social attributes of the many new communities. Van Buren noted, “Each successive change made in our local institutions...has increased the direct influence of the mass of the community,” underscoring how democratic practices had grown to serve the broader population.[2]
The speech also covered key foreign policy issues. Relations withMexico were stabilizing through a new treaty that aimed to arbitrate longstanding disputes. Van Buren reported progress toward settling boundary disputes withGreat Britain over the northeastern U.S. border. Furthermore, he addressed concerns over unauthorized expeditions by American citizens intoCanada during times of unrest, vowing the government would "repress all attempts" by Americans to interfere in Canadian affairs.
On domestic matters, Van Buren focused on economic recovery following thePanic of 1837, mentioning efforts to stabilize the currency and the resumption ofspecie (gold and silver) payments. He acknowledged that the federal treasury had stabilized and attributed this in part to the return to specie-backed currency: "The short duration of [the suspension of specie payments]...proves how little our finances require such an institution" as a national bank.[3]
The president also discussed progress in Indian removal efforts, noting the complete relocation of theCherokee Nation and the near-total resettlement of other tribes, such as theChoctaw andCreek. Van Buren highlighted the challenges posed by theSeminole Wars, stressing continued efforts to remove Seminole forces resisting relocation inFlorida. He contended that this longstanding federal policy was intended to support "civilization" and independence for the tribes in newly designated lands west of theMississippi River.[2]
| Preceded by | State of the Union addresses 1838 | Succeeded by |
