MESSAGE l It K 8 1 I lTi T POLK. To Af .Senate ani Ilouxe of Itijiretentatitrt 0 f At United SlaUt : It in toiue a sourco of urtafTectcd satisfaction lo muct tho Representatives of Hie States nnd the people in Congress assembled, as it will be .1u receive the aid of their combined wisdom in sAitrtnistratiiiit of public affairs. In per Winning, Tor tlie first time, the duty imposed nn .'nMiy the Censtittnion, o( giving to you itifor nifctmn of the Gtto ot the Union, a ml ,r. coin nu iidinjr to your -consideration such measures tis in my judgment are nucersatv and expedient I 1 a n happy thul I can cnngra'tiliito yon on the ! continued prosperity of our coutitrv. Under the blotting of Divine Providence iinil the be- iiiirn.iiiHuenco of our free institution, it ftunriH helms the world aspuctttclc ol national huppi. Hera. , With our unexampled advancement in nil the . .'tnneiiid nf national greatness, lhe affection of! the people is confirmed lor tho union of Hie States, and for tho doctrine of popular liberty, 1 on... lie m ine tuiinnniton nt our government, It becomes us, in hutnilty, to make our do- ! Vut UckuuW'lednrnifnla Irt ilia Kiinrrmn I2u1i.tr ! !e UiMvarsn. f.ir the i..P!inMn e,v,l ..,,1 jiL'ious blessings with vhich wenra favored. i In calling trie attention of Congress to our re- In'ionH with foreiiin Powers. I 11111 cratilied tn Mb!e to slate, that, though w ith some of them ' t'.cre h jve existed 6ince your last se-fcion scri- orm causes of iiritolion and misunderstanding, yet no nctual hostilities have taken place. A- doj.it inr the maxim in the conduct of our loreign ', all nrs, to "ask nothing that is not right, and su'j- I out to nothing that is wrong," it boa been my j anxious desire to preserve peace! with all na- ... ... . . .1 nous; u'H, ai ine same limp, to oe prepared to rosi?t aggression, and to maintain all our just rights. In pitrsiisnco of the joint resolution of Cnn irress, "for anncxinsf 'Texas to the United .States, my predeceesor, nn tho third dnv of ; Mm:1i, 181"), elected to submit the first and so- ; eond sections of thBt resolution to -the republic ! of Texas, ss ,st qverture, on the part of Ihe U- j nited Stales, ior her eduiission of a Stt? into , our Union. This election I approved, and ac- ' eoidinply rthe Charge d'AfT.ires of the United . f'lwtea in Tcxns, under the instructions of the 1 teata of March, 154,3, rresented these sections ' ot ihe .resolution for the acceptance of that re- I therefore deemed it proper, ns n precaution public, i'iie Kxecutivc croveriiniont. tho Con-; ary measure, to order a strnirr niiuidren to the ere, rand the people of Texas in Convention buns 4iiiocessivelv complied with all the terms Ani conditions of the joint resolution. A eon st.tution for the government of the Stale of Tex if, foinicfl liy a convention of deputies, is here w i"Vi -before Coneress. t i. wi II known. Ill-H U, thct the people ot Texas at the p..!ls Imve J I'.-p'.td the terms of annexation, and ratified , ucc'irtu the terms ot annexation, and ratihed i!k-. constitution. ! I Communicate to Congress the correspondence ; In 4 eon Ine Secretary of Slate and our Charge ! tt 'Affaires in Texns.and als-n the correspondence 1 of'j.he latter with the authorities ot Texas, to- : tretiw with the official decutnents transuiitted , i-y inin to his own government. The terms of annexation which were offered by the U. Stnses having been accepted by Texas, : the public fiikh of both parties is solemnly pleged ' tuthe cuunpactoftlieir union. IWhing remains ; in cousumato tho cv?nt. but tho pnssasro of an j net by Congress to admit the Slate of Texas in t'J the Union upon an erpial footing with the ori- ' final SLutes. Strong reasons exii.t why this : should bo done at on earlv period of thu session. It will be observed that, by the constitution I Texas, the exii'tmcf rovprnment is only contin ueii teinpornnly till Congress can act ; and that ' t!,s third Monday of the present month is the manifiet to the whole world thatatiy f.irth.r at tiay appointed for hcldinz the first general clcc- ien.pt on the pirt i f Mexico to coroner her, or non. uii trial nay a governor, a lieutenant gov ernor, and both brauchec of the legislature will be 'iihosen by the people. The Presidents of Texas is rr quired, imme diately after the receipt of official information that the new State has been admitted into our Union by Congress to eonvenethe Legislature: liid, upon its meeting, the existing government will Lx! etiperseded, and the Glute government organized. Quest ous deeply interesting tn Tex as, in coirmvn with the other Slates; the extru sion of our rev'.ue bws nnd judicial sys'eui over her peipleann teiT;,ory, as well as im a furesofa local character, w ill cl:itn the early attention nf Congress; and, therefore, upon every principle of republican government, Fhe ought tube represented .in that body without iiKnr pes sary delay. I cannot too earnestly rocomnscnJ prumpt action on this important subject. As soon as the act to admit Texas as a State shall bo passed, tho union of tho two republics will hu coi.sumatcd by their own voluntary consent. This accession to our territory has been a bloodless achievement. No arm of force has been raised to produce the result. The sword has hid no part in tho victory. 'We have not sought to extend our territorial possessions by eouipiest, or our republican institutions over a reluctant peopl,;. It wos the deliberate homage officii people to ihe great principle of uur le leriive union. If we consider the extent of territory invol v l1 in the annexation its prospective influence on Ainotica -the means by which it has been accomplished, springing purely from the choice (' ihe people themselves to share the blessings ol our union, the hist, ry of the world may be challenged to furnish a parallel. The jurisdiction of the United Slates, which st -tin) formation of the federal constitution was linunded Ly the St. Msry'w.oo the Atlantic has '"Slates, iudependeiitof rccMit insults in th jo. paired tho cape of Florida., and been peecet- j vernment and people by the la'e K.Airiuiiilinary fully extended to the Del Norte. In content- ' Mexican Minister, would just it v In the iyisii plating the grandeur nfthis event, it is not trbe ! all nitions immediate war.'' lie did not, few forgoitfi that t lie result was achieved in despite ever, recommend an immediate resort t thi of the diploinilic interference of I In ropes n mo- iiarcniea. L,cn r ranee ine country w n cn had been our ancient uily tiie country which his a common iuterest w ith us in maintaining he fiee.hiin of the seas the country which, by the cession of lmisiima, rt opened to us ac cess lo the (iulf of Mex co the country with which we have been every year (Irs win? more and more closely tins hondVof successful com merce most unexpectedly, and to our unfeigned regret, took prt in an tlort to prevent annexa tion, and to impose on Texas, as a condition of tho recognition ot her independence bv Mexico, that she would never j mi herself to tlic United State. We imy rej .ice that the tranquil and pervsd- iiij IniJiience of the Ameiican princiole of self (vvcrnuR'iit was suflictcnt to ilefeat the purposes t'f B.itisli and rreneh iuti i ft rcnc.e. and Ihat thi :il;iiot iinanimnna voice nt the oeontn iiPT'e I as given lo that interference a peaceful and t flcctive rebuke, Fnun liieir example. Furo pean gnvernn.rn's u.ay lei.ni daw vain dipln inat.c arts and intrigues must ever prove upon Itiui uoutinent, sguinrt Ihut sysleui t.f celf-go. lernuieut wlocli seeius natural to our sod, and wh'ch wiij ever rS'st lofei'ii iiileift rei.ee. Te..vaiu Tfas, I d" l it dk-'-ibi tf.ui a bUrtl fid generous spirit will actuate Congress in all that concerns her interests and prosperity, and t'tt.! she w ill never have cause to regret.that alio has united her "lone star" to our glorious con a!i-Hut Km. I regret tn inform yon that our relations with Mexitru since your last tension, have not "been cf the hiuicuIiIh character which it is our desire to ciilt i 0,0 wnli oil foreign nut ions. On llio si.xth day nt March last, tbe Mexican Envoy Hx traordini.ry and Minister l'lrhipntc.ulinry to lhe United Stule made a fbrmr.l protest, in the n&uie r(!' government, against the joint ruso- I luiion pasted by long res, ",or IIib tiiinrxrit iuii ! ol Texas to lhe United State?," which he chose to regard a a violation of the rights of Mexico, s,ld '" c.nn.iquenct' of it, he tlemiinded hie P'iP'""i. lie was informed ilml the fct vern- , !M'"1 ''n '-n'l,,d States did nut consider this j"1"1 "X'hilwn as a vioh.lien ol any of the ,s,,'u ol Mexico, or that it a Horded any just cause of offence In his covrrntneiil ; I hut tlie re public ol'Ti'Xus wim 0 n independent .power, ow- ing no nllprriHnne to Mexico, and constituting 1 no jh rt of her territory or rightful K-vereijrr.ty i and juritdietion. lie wns b!;o a:urcd that :t wiis lbr sniri re l!'sirf' ' 'his eoyernmonl to mainUlu with that ol Mexico relntions.ot peaco and good under stsnding. That functionary, bortevi r, notw it!i standing thee reprcsci'.tni.eiis and Hsfiirat.ces, ""fni'Hy terminated ! miw-ion, and shortly at- 1 terwurds left thft country. Our Knv .'y Kxtra- onlmnry and r.lin.ster I'lenipotentiury toMex co wus relusrd Hit otncial intereoiir.-e with Hint eo- veriinif nt, -nd, after remaining scural months, 1 by the JiPriiiisainn of his on giiveriuneiit, he 1 returned In the United States. Thosly the lots ( f Mxico, all diplomutic intcici-nr.-f Lu twecn Ihe two ceuntrits was suspended. 1 Since that time Mexiro hn:, until n pertly, occupied nn attitude of hosiiiity toward the United Sti.tes has been marshalling anil organ- i izing nnnie.", issuing proehmiatinns, niul avow inj the intention to make war on tliel'nitu! Stntes, eithprby an open etc hi rut ton, or bv in vading Texas. Hoth the Congress bhiI the Con vention of the people of Texas invited this (in vciiment to send an army into that territory, to protect and de'er d them against the nn r.uccd attnek. The moment tho terms c.f annexation, i fie red by the United Stntes, were accepted by Tr-XuP, the hitter became so far a part of'our own country, as to make it cur ou'y to chord such protection an ) defence coasts ot Mexico, ami to concent rule nn etiieient military foice on the western front :rr of Texas, tlurarmy was ordered to take pnsitnn in the country between the Nueces and the 1M Ni rte, and to repel any invasion of II.eToxm territo ry which niiiil.t be atti mnteii by the Mi x can forces. Our srjundron in Ihe (inlt wns ordered to co-ont rato with the am. v. lint il eu"h our aimv and navv were placid in n position to c!e- fend our ow n and the rigliis if Texns. they were ordered to commit no act if hostility agam.-t Mexico, unless she declared war, or was herself the aggressor by striking the tir.-t flow. The result tins been, that Mexico bus made no 8g- ; gretsive movemetil, and our military and naval j . . .-.i .1.. :- I ... .1. 1 commanders have executed their orders w th such discretion, that the pet. re of th two re- ; publirshai not been dit'urhed. Texas had declared her independence, and ; maintained it by her urns lor mere than tunc : years. She has had an organized g. virnn' tit in succpsstdl operation during 'list period. II. r t separata existence, asnn indej endi nt State, I. hi! bi en recognized by the Umttd S air s snd the principal towers o! llun pe. Ticati-s ol j coinuif rcn ti i itl navigation had hern concluded with her l v different nitions, si.d it bed h. come overlhow her government, woiiM lie vain. Kirn Mexico herself had beeomn satisfied of this fact ; ai d while the question of amo .ntion was pending before Ihe pi of le of Texas, during Ihe past summer, li e gov rriiient of Mexico, by a formal net agreed to remgieze the indepen dence of Texas on condition that she would not annex herself to any other power. The agree- ; iik lit to nckiww ledgQ ih iinlepeidei.ee of Ti xr.s, whether with or without C. i- cot'dilii n, is conclusive) rif.sirii.1 f.ii xic. Ti e indrpen di nee of Texas is D h.ct ronreded l y Mi x eo herself, and she had no r e' ' i r loithonly to pre- tcribe restrictions as ! the form of government i which Texas might alt r.v unls cl.vosc to ss- ! sume. Hut though Mexico r cmot poiT'p'.i'n ef ihp United Stiles on 4Ccount ot Hie uni cx'i n ol ! '1 e;.T.s, it is to be regretted that ser.ons cnus'-s cf'inisnn.,crsta,'.dirg hi tivei n the twn cm. t. tins , continue to exist, grow ing out of undreM-ed injuries inflicted by the "' xic in auihoriiii e snd ; people on tho persons snd pf.aerty of citiz.ensr.f ! the United Stalce, though a hu..' tcrirs of yenis. : Mexico has admitted these injurib.4, hut has ue- glected and refused to repair tfieni. Such was ; the character r,( the wrongs, and nieh Ihe u suits repeatedly offered tn American citizens and Ihe American fijg by Mexico, in palpable violation of the laws of ni.tu ns ami i,e In sty between the two countries of lie .lib of April, , 131, that thev have been rep- uN-iily brought lo 1 the notice of Congress bv my predi resors. As early as the eight .f IVjrumv. !-;',7.ihe President of the l.'nitfd States dechiied 'n a i message to Congress, -that ihe !er;lh of tune siueo some of the injuries have been eoioii.i'teii i the repealed and uu.iv ailing apphcatious tor re ' dress, the wanton ctuiraet. r of some f the out- rages upon the persons and-pn perfy of..-!', ur ci tirens, upon the officers and (lug ol tl a Uni'ed i extreme measure, which, h' riecijred, should . not uo useu ny jum ami L'1'"! n.u. nations', eoi u dnn in their streninh for ininries committed it can be honorably avoided;" but, in a spirit forbearance, proposed that another I'.mai.l be j mode on Mex.co li r Hint nilress w Lis. h h.id In en ao long and unjustly will. he'd. I In these view s, committees it the two I looses ' of Congress, in reports n.aile to ihe respective bodies, concurred. Since these proceedings ! more than fight years haw; elapsed, during i which, in addition to the wrongs then complain ! ed of, others of an aggravated character have been eoiuuiitted on tho persons and property el i our cit'.en A special agent wbs sent to Mex i jC(, jn ,tl0 mnimcrol 1K.H, with full authority to inaKC hnntner ann nnai neioanu ior reuresii. Tne demand wss made; ihe Mexican govern j f. .'. i r i.. ment promised lo r. pair the wrongs ot w inch j f indemnity with that view was concluded le- tween the two Powets nn the eleventh or April, IS'1.'., and was duly ratified by both governments. I'v this trt aty a jvnt commission was created to adjudicstc and decide on ttie claims of Ame n. an e. likens on Is griernineut it Mexico. Tlie einmi'Sion w t.rgauutd t Washington tn tne loniiy-fif'Ii t'sy of A'Jtust, I-10. Their timo w as limitrd to eighteen month?, at the ex piration ol which they bad adjudicated and de cided claims amounting to two millions twenty six thousand one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents in liivor of citizens of the United States ogaintt the Mexican government, leaving a larpe amount of claims undecidrd. Of the hitter, the American commissioners had de cided in favor of our citizens, claim amounting to nine hundred and twenly-eight thousand six huuilred and tweiity-rcvc.ii dollars and eighty eight crnts, which were left unitcl'd en ly the mop le authorized l y the treaty. Still further eh. 10 s, Biiu.iintiiK' 10 eetwien thiee and timr .millions of dollars, wen; submitted to the boaid too lute tj be ceiu-idtred, cud Were left Undis posed ot. Tin Sc.in of twn m.llions twenty-six tl.ourafid Piie l iimircd and thirty nine iJollurs and s.xtv eijiht ci lit, decided ly the heard, Wiih r liqui dated 111 itdreriHim d d'tbt due by Mi x eo :o the ( luituiii.is, ni'd theie wan no ju.st fihhle reuson fi'T ii isj io(r its pny ment aeiordioi; to the tenna 1 fine treaty- it w 11s not, how ever, paid. Mext to 0 plii d f r further induljit i.ee j inn', in thst pint of libernlitv anil forbeorxnee whicli bus ever mnrked tbe policy of the United Stntes to words that republic, tin; n qoeM wsm grunted : ' aiut, nn the .itttli ot January, .Ir-JH, a new treaty wns eoiieliiu. it. I!y thin trPHty it wns provided, thtit the inte rest due no tin- awan's in lor of clnuurtits i.nder ti e convi ntion ef ihe 111!) t April. should lie paid on Mie.;;()lh of April, lvi:J ; and liiot the 'i hktijih i 01 ine Fain nwuiois urn lee iut.'-iest arising Iherenn, shtll be paid in five yciii.-, in ijnil instalments i veiy three months the said term of five vei rs to couunenfC on the ti . :., ' 111. ti dny of April, 1K-IH, asaiorssnid t.rest cue on the li()th dsv of April, IrlH. and the tbrcp first of the twenty iuatalinenls, have i been paid. Seventeen oflliise iustiilmcnts re- 1 main unpaid, seu n ot wh'ch are now due. ) The claims w hich wt re left undi ci.'rd by the ; joint conni.ist ion, tinieiinling to mere thun three miMit.ns of dollars, topither w ith other claims i ti I spoil.. f .ons nn the properly of (or eil ens, weru substipii utly proK-nted to Ihp Mixican , enveriiineni I. r pj ment, nr.d were so far reci g- j nized, that a treaty, prov.ding for tl.eirexumina- ' lien and settlement by a i. iot ci.mmirsioe, was ' cepclui'cd and sinned at .Nli x co on the UO'h dsy ! of Nov-lober, lf'-Ul. This treaty was rat Sid l 1.) the t.inti'ii Suiti s, w .III ceita n Htiicudn ei.ts', to which no jitt exception could have been . tnkin; but it hns not yet rcciived the rat ficu tii'ti tit ' lie .Mexic in 'oveinnifnt. lu the mean time, cur citizens, who mllerril ;:rent hhts, ami seme of w hem have been re i ue i d fn ui atliience to bankru tcy, ore w i'heut r. inei y, unless their ricl.tK b enb reed by the;r i nment. Sueh a continui d and unprovi k. d ' srri' s of w roiigs c. u!d never have 1 een tolera ted ly the Umttd States, had tiny bun corn init'i d by one of the principal nations ot I'un ( e. ! Mexico was, however, a neighboring sister re- ', pi b'ie, hich, follow irg our example, hud nchie- ; veil her mdrpi pileiu-i-, and li r whose success i ; snd ptospiuity nil our sympathies were early enliMid. The United States were the first to r cognize her independence, and to receive her it tolhe family of nations, and have t ver been . ' . . . desirous or' cultivating with hers good urdri standing. We have, therefore, borne Ihe re (eatnd wrongs she has pninnoltid, withgrot patience, in the hope that a returning si r so of justice weu'd ultimately guide her councils, and lint we m'ght, it prrsib'e, hor.err.h'y aved any hostile collision with her. Without tie pitvieus authority of ("oppress, the Kk. cutivc pfissesnd r.o powir to adopt tr fli'orce adequate reinidies for tie injuries we had ruffe red, er to do more than be prepared to repel the threatened ngression en the part of .klX!(o. A'ter cur army end navy hud re iiia in d en the lioutier in.d ei ast of Mi x cu for many weeks-, without any hostile in. veil. lit on l.er part, tlii.u gh her niennos were continued, I i!i fined it important to put an end, if possible, lo this stale of th'ngs. nh this view, I cnusid steps to le taken, in the month nt September last, to iscertain d stinetly, and in an antlu ntic lot in, what the designs of the Mexican gi vern ment were; wlnlh.r it was tin ir intention to ill i: 'are war, r r invade Texas, or win ther i hf v weie cli-posed to adjust and settle, in an amica ble n.anui r, the pi ndieg d.Pt rent e bet w i en ti e l w o com ir es-. On the !ii of Xcven-brr an ifiiciril anw-rr was reci ived, that the Mi xlcun goveri inent con. sen ted lu renew ihp diplomatic relations which had In n suspinded in Match last, and tor th.it purpose w eie w .H ug to aecied.t i unn.ster In in the I'll i trd States. With a sinci ro ilpslre to ' prese've peace, nnd restore relalu nsnf getd un i'f rstar.dmg betwi rn the two republics, I waived all Ct.rt inony as to the inunnerot n ncw ing diph inst c intt ic-'iir.-e belwein thini ; nnd, astiining , the initiative, i ll the tenth of X. vi mhi r a ills--tinguirhed c l reii i.f Loiii.-iana wan appointed ; Luvov Kxiri.oriiinary t-nd Minister I'lc uipoteu- i tiBiy tn Mexxe, clothtd with lull powi is to ail- just, and definitively fettle, all pending riiji rcn- ' Ccs between the two countries, it elodirg those 1 of fco'.ihdury between Mexico and the State of Texas. i The minister oppoiolid lias set nut mi his) mission, un.l is .r. bally by llns lime near the . Mex enn enpi'tn I. lie has been instructed to j Irieg the n'getiation with which he is charged ' lo a conclusion at the earliest prs.e'icabli period, ; which, it is expect d, will be in tune to enable ine to communicate IheTrsiilt to Congress du- ring the present sess i n. Until I but result is knowti, I lorbi-ar In recommend lo Congress stich ii terier iiu'HMiri s nf redress tor the w renps mhI injur es we im e s hig bonip, as tt would ' be. ii pn pil lo rnukc had no sticli nt jjoti tr.in. 'i egress appropriated, at the Inst session, the , "irwi of two l.uncrrd and seventy fiiethrutand dollars lor the payment of the April and July ivn , stshneois tl ine Mexican ind. mnilies lie the ' :,r 1M : 'Provided it shall be psccrliiiiii d ti ihesatishicti in ofthe Amer'rcan goveruioeet that jf 'said instalment have been paid by the Mi x run , ,,, g. i rnniei.t tn i aent apiiinteil ly tlie l r.i- I. il Mate to receive the same, ill such iiiann. r . a- ti.disel.brge all c'aim on the M. x rBii gi v. rl'. on nt, snd said agent to be deliurpi. nt in ren.it ling tl.e urolny to the United Siutes." Tic unseltlt d Mate (.four relations wilh Mex ico has invoht d this subject in much niystery. 1 Tho first iiiformstion, in an authentic foitn, from j the agent of the United Slates, appointed under j the administration ( I my predecessor, was re ceived at the StBte Department on the llth of Nr v. tnher last. This is contained in pter. j U c l.,n "f 'f'eber, addressed by bun tn one ot our citi.eos then in Mexico, with the view of having it communicated lo that depart ment. From lb h it appesra that Ihe spent, en the 20th nf September, 1K14, gave a receipt to the treasiiiy f Mrxiro for the smount of the April snd July instalments ol the indemnity. f n ihe s.ane communication, however, he as serts that he bad r.ot received single dollar in rash ; but that lie holds such r.c unties as war ranted him bt the time nf giving the receipt, and tiitritaitis no doubt but that be w ill iventnally il'ta n the money. A tht iiulilrvc lit? ppfeir never to have been actually paid by the govern ment.ol Mexico to the agent, and as that govern ment h not therefore been released so as to duchargo theoJuitn, I do not feel my t If war ranted in directing .pnyiutnt to be made the claimants out of tb -treasury, without further legislation. Their ense, is, undouhlly, one of much hardship; and it remains for Conoress to decide whether any, and what relief ought to be granted to thent. Our minister tn Mexico has been initriifittd to rsccrtoin the faoUof the case from the Mi xiesn government, in tn an- j tbrntic and i fficial form, and report the result ' with as little delay as possible, j My attention us early directed tn the nego I tiation, which, en the fourth of March i.-t-'. 1 I found pending at NYa?hinton betwei n the Liif J trd States noil (ireiit iJrilnin, on the subject of the Oregon Territory. Tbn e several attenipts hhd be prcvioosLy tiiMle to settle the qoeirtions ! in dihpute bflwien the two ceuntrwr, by iiet;o j tiation, .upon the principle of (.emprouii-c j Lut ench hud preved uiiMicefsfol. j Tin be nejietintions toi k plnce at lndop, in j the yers J, IMM, and l.-f!; ihe two firht ui;d. r the Bdministruiiin of Mr. Miuvrue,nnd live IhkI iniilc r that Mr. AiIiiioh. The nerotiaii.in of sl vine f.ile.l to cei.mrdifii its object, reMiltod in the convention oflhe twentieth of October nt that year. -Ry third article ofthnt ' ei nvention, it win "Hjjreed, tlmt any coiintry i that mny be el.'i'ineil tiy cither cany on t!u 1 nortliwest eo-u' of Aineriea, wehlward of the Stony uioiurtnUis shall, tiijieth. r with its l.ur- I l rs. buys, and ctn ks. and the iiaviiratimi of all r vers w it.li in the same the fie. and cpui tiir tin; term of loo years from the dat.; of Ihesigua tore of Ihe present conve.itmn, to the vessels, 1 . ', , . , .. . . ... tieing well unilerstood thst this agreement is not tn be consisted to the prejmliee of any claim which either r.f'lhe two h'gh roiitincting parties msy have to any part of the said ounliy, por slndl it be taken loatiecr. the cla huh of any othi r Power cr State to any part of tlm said country ; tbe only object of Ihp high contract ire parties io that respect being, to prevent disputes and diflercners among thimselves.' The nepotistirn of lCl was productive of no rrsn't, and the convention of llH wnslt i't uocl.sngi .1. 'I he negotiation of lJO, havii'g also failed to effect an niljnsinioTit by eemprou.ise. r' Milte.l in (he fonventiMi "t August the s xi Tt, I"-.?, bv w hich it was agreed to continue of tlieird ar ticle o' the convention of the 'J).h nf ( !ct Is-r, I If; and it wns furthrr provided, tint "it .-hall li i ci nipelenf, however, to cither of il.e en tric'ing parties', in c.is p either sh u!d thirl; fit, at any t nie after the V.'(Mh otOctoin r, 1 on g:v ng due notice of 1'2 inuuths to the other con trai ling parly, to biii n! and abrogate this enn ventlcn ; end it shall, in such case. -p nccnrd irglv enliiely annulled and abrogated after t.'ie expir.ilirn ol the said term of police." IntbesH attempts In adjust the controversy, the p-irsllel ef the !f!th degree of north lati tude hud hi en ofereil by the Uni'pd Stn'estn Grtst Hritsin, ami in those of I M" and l",f, w th a further cr.crssion of ll;e free nnv;oation , of the Columbia river routh of tli.il Lti'iu'e. i The pnr.illcl of the-IO'h ihgree, fr m the Ta csy '. tnoon'an s to its ioiercectii n with the inr''n'v teruir.i tt l.ri.nch if the ('..luinliia, ai.n tlu-ncA I down the channel of the river M he es, Inid ; bun ofered l y Creer Hrijin, wih an odd linn ' of a small di Cached ferrifory nerh of l e Co I lumh'S. Ech ot' (hes e proos!ipns had been re jected by the puries re'p'civrly. , In Oel. ler, 143, the Iliiiny F.ilrerdin Py ntul ' Mmistir Th nip.'tel-.licry e.f he Unitfil Stales in j London aii'h. r z .1 in make s eiiniLr . ff. i !o ihnse rrnde inlil8 sn.lt R'.'fi. Tbu sh o.l d.c I que iioe, wl en the n. eoci.eipii w n nhn.t'v afer. si i iiaosi. iir i io asnirc'on ; sen, on in.' -.ni of Aujiol, 1s t I, w;n foiunlly open.d, un 'i r ll e i 1 direriii n of my iirnvd'nie pre.!. ce-por. L'ke a I - the prcvi. us nrprcisth ns, it w hssul upon prin. ripl, ol 'rninpnmise;" and I lie avowed urp. fp of 'he p. olii was 't.. tr. nl el the ifs erlie c!aimr.f ' ll e iwo countries lo the Oregon lerrinvy, with the vitw to est.. Irish a fpimnmnt heundnry teiween tin in wi stwunl of the liurky jnounla Ins lo the I'a cificoc. se. Arro dinplv, en ll a Sfiih of August, 14 i. the I'ritish plenii o rnlis'v . ifered tu d vi. v the I 'reg..n i territory hv Ire 4'Jth parsllel nf in.rih Is iude, . ir m ibe liurly m. ueinii c to ti c point ef i s mn r ! si cli. it wilh the in rtl in t. rnniosl blanch ef tl.e C. Inn hi i riv. r, hi d iluiiee downihsi nv.r to ihi i . . . . .... H asina ihe l.er -n vie-.t.on ot tl.e riv. r lo np l ei J in con m..o bv both panics ll e. ronimy sou'h of this lii e In I eleng t,. Ihe l'ieit .1 Sistes, ai il li st i.onh of il 10 Ureal liil.iin. At the mine time, he proio.ed, in nddniiin, to yie'd lo ll.e Ui.i- ' ed Stales a detached n mt. ry, n. rlh of ih C'o 1. nil. in, extendi, g along tl.e I'anl'.c an.l ihe, Siiaiti. of Kucs, fr. in L'ullint It's bail or inrlnsite. i to 1 1 oud's canal, sn.l lo m ke free in the Ceiled! Chilis ant 1 ort or perts u'h cl hiiitudit -IS de- I pnes, which they mig' t de-be, ri b. r on ihe mam j Inn. I. or 00 Cjuadta or Vancouver's i-l.ir.1, 1 With the cc p ion rf the free poils, this was the same t (I'er which had been made by the Hri'Ssh, J iijectid by li e American g. v.mm.nt in Ihe j m g. tinit n pf JS-t". Thia roposuion was pro pi rlv irjcct. d bv ihr Amrricsii ph o;p"leiitiaf y on Ihr I'ny it w ss submlit'il. Th was ihe only pro 1 pi -ill. .i ol e. nipioinne otVeied by Bf tish pleoipe. Iriuiarv. Tip pri.posiion en the p..t of r. at U itnin having I een icjrciid, Ihe Hiiu-h pieiupn telilisiv n 01 Kle.l that a prop. sl should binuide l.v lhe I'.oteil &iulm for jit1 stiiuilahltt udlUslment - 1 t . 1 .:, Ul III.' JI. I loll. Wl cn I rsme into elTice. 1 fuimd ll is 10 h. iVe n.ip ot the nrC- tia'ion. Though eiitnlainii g tire Fritted r nv ctioii ihatihv Itiitish pel.n.iens "Mule could nut he maniHini 'l n. ai y j urtieu of l!ie Otegi 11 it rriiory upon any principle of public law rte. g"it .1 bv nslioi a. )cl in defer, nrc 1.1 what had heeei done by my retlctvssnrs, and rsp. tiuliy in 1 oi.fiderstion ihst pi. pesiliuna ol cmnprife hail beru ihrire niadebv two pre.t ding ailininntr.Uions, t.i r iljin I the question on the pi.rill' l nMt) degrees, 1 nn, I iu is'ti ol ihrm yie.Juiii m local loii..in I lie Ine iiavigiiivii ol lhe (!. Itiu. bia, an.l th I the en. , nit g in gtitia'ion ha.l I reu c mnunce,! 00 Ihtt bt i ..f eoiupioinise, I d'Hti.d n t-j l' my du y not ; ahtup'ly to break it otf. J'l cotisi'leratioii, tro. "isl order tl.e ennven- . t:oi of )MS and lv'4.'7, tht citueus and subjects j oi the two Powets behl a joint occupancy ofthe coin try, I Was induced to make another effort to I utile tl.t long pemlii g controversy in the spirit j of moderation which l ad given birth to the i newed discussion. A proposition was accord ingly made, which was rejected by the British' plenipotentiary, who. without submitting any other proposition, suffered the negotiation no his pait to drop, expressing bis trust that the United States would offer w bat he saw fit to call "some further proposal for the setllrmrnt of the Oregon question, more eonsistent with fairness and equi ty, and with the reasonable expectations of tbe Lritish government " Tbe proposition thus offered and rejected re peated the offer ofthe narrllel of forty-nine de- free of north latitude, which bad been made by two preceding administrations, but witbnut pro posing to surrender to Great Britain, a they had done, the fret navigation ef the Columbia river. 1 he right of any foreign power to the free navi gation of any ef onr rivers, through th heart ef cur tt'jiitry, - erg wh.rh 1 wsi unwillir j to It l,o fuibxaccd a provision to make ' at Britain any port or ports on cape free to Great of Quadra and Vancouver's Island, soutli of this parallel. Hail (hi been a new question, coming under discussion for the Jirsl time, this proposi tion woultl not have been made. The extraordinary and wholly inadmissible de mands of the U riiixh Government, and the rejec tion oflhe proposition made in deference alone to what hod been dune by my pn dei rsbors, and the imiliud obligation which their sets tremed to i,n ! I pmtf, atfjid talislsclory evidence lhal no cniiipr.i j tn se which Ihe United eJiatet ought to aceej t, csn j be iff.clcd. With this rontidion, ifae (i-f.siliuii j ofconipif mi-e wh:ch had been made and rejected, wis, ny my ilircclnin, sunsequent'y withdrawn, and our title to the whole Oregon Territory n-netied, nd, as is bilievrd, nibiiiloiiird by irrefmgahle facts I and r.Tgum. nn: ' The civilized woilJ will see in thes procej.! 1 ii'gs a spirit of liheial concession on the rmt ol : tin? United Slates; and this government will bo ' relieved from all responsibility w hich may follow i the failure to settle the controveisy. I All atteuips at compioniite having (ailed, it ! becomes the duty of Congress to consider what ' on asm e it may be proper to adopt lor the seen I l it y and piotection of our citizens now inhabit I iug, or who may hereafter inhabit Oregon, and 1 for '.he maintenance of our just title to tli.it ter . titoiy. In adopting measun for this purpose, care should be taken that nothing be none tu vio late the stipulations of the convention ol IS-.'T, w hich is still in force. The faith ol" treat us, in their letter and spirit, las ever been, and. 1 ti list , will tvtr be, sciopu l insly obseived by the United btutes. I'lub-r that convention, a year's notice H reijuind to be F " " ner, u.-wre " joint occupancy shall teiunnate, and bel'itu el- by Iherenn rightfully asseit ox exercise exclusive juiisil-.i-t ion over any portion of the territory I'hif notice it would, in my judgment, be pioper t.i pi ve : audi r.-eeniue ml tl.nt pi ovisiou ba made by law for cifin; it arconlmtily, and tejioina tnig. in this maimer, the convention of the Gth of Anjiti-.t. 17 It ui'l become proper' Utr Cnncross to deter mine what legislation they ran. in the mean time, adopt without t jointing this convention, nt-yond all iptcstion, the piotection of our laws and our jui isdict; on. civil and criminal, oojht to be iin nied.iitely extended over our citiz.-ns in Oregon. 1 hey hue had just ciiuse to complain of our Ions ne;J. ct in this paitieular, and have, in const' 4111 nee, been compelled lor their own secmity ai d protection, to establish a provisional l'ovciu tner.t tor thsiosel ves. Strong in their allegiance and anh-nt in their attachment to the .'nit.-d States, they have hern thus cut upon their ow n resentvcs. They are anxious that on r l.iw 'l.ould be extended over them, am! I rerun. mend that this be done by Coneress with as little delay 11s pnssihb. in th full extent lo which the I'ri tish Parliament have piorcede.l in regard to I'ri tish subject in that territory, bv their act ol Ju ly tbe C.I. 101, "for reeuLtine the fur-tt.ele. and ; est.-blisiii.g a criminal and civil jtirUdtction I within certain parts of Not til Ameiicv " Ty tills act Ctoat I.'ritulii etnded her law-, and jurisdic'ion. 1 ivil and criminal, over h-r .uh jects. euga.vl iu tlie fnr-ti.vh! in tha'. teiriloiy. 1 I'y it. the courts ofthe province of L:per Cana da were empowered to tike ropnizance of r.-.iis,' I civil and criminal. Justices of tiip peace and o- . ilu r judical oliiccrs vvrtc aulhoriicd to be ap pointed in Oregon, with jiowi r to xecute all i pioeess issuii e from the courts of that province, and to "sit and hold coutts of rcord for the trial 1 of criminal offences and misdemeanors," r.ot made the subject of canit.il nmiishnient. and also ! of civil rases, where the cause ol action shall not I '-exceed in value the amount or sum of two bun- . dm! pounds. '' t Siib.-r.juriit to the date of this aet of l'..r'l.i meiit. a srant was made fioni the '-Pritish crown'' I to the Hudson s Pay Company, of the exclusive i tra le with the Indian tribes in the Oregon t.-iri- tciy, sul jeet to a reservation tiiat it shall not n peiate to the exclusion "of the subjects of any loreicn f-tat. s who. tinder or by force of any con trillion for the time beini, between us ami such foreign ?ates respectively, may 1 untied to. and shall be enpaped in, the said trade." It is much to be regretted that, while under this act I'rltish subjects have enjoyed theprotet tion of I'ritish huts and I'riti-h judicial ti ibuna' thioochoiit the whole Oregon, A inei iean citizens. in the same teiritory. luive enjeyed no such pro tection fioni their j;nvei nnient. At the same . tune, the result illustrates the character of cur ! I people slid their institutions. In spite ofthis ne glect, thry have multilit d, and tneir nuniher is . lapidly increasinjt in t! at temtoiy Thev have made no appeal to arms, but have peacefully for- : tilled themselves in their new horr.es, by the a- : doption of republican institutions for themselves, ; furnisbini; another rxaniple of that tiuth that self povriiiment is inh.-rcr.t in the Americnn breast, and must prevail. It is due to them that they should be embiaced ar.d piotcctcd by our . laws. It is deemed important that our laws rpetila ting traiie and inteirotirse with the Indian ti ibes ; east ofths Kocky Mountains, should be extended ) to such tribes a dwell beyond them. ; The increasing emieration to Oregon, and the rare and protection w hich is due from tie envern- 1 ment to its citizens in that distant region, make it our duty, as it is our interest, to cultivate ami cable relations with the Indian tribes of H.at ter- ; rit.iry. For this purpose, I recommend that pro , v.-ion be made for esthblishinf:an Indian sency, . , and such sub-agencies as tray be deemed neces sary, beyond the Rocky Mountains. 1 For the protection ef pmiurants w hi'st nn their ; I way to Oregon, ajainst the attacks of tint In. ban i . tribes occupying the country tbioiich which ' Is,. pass, recommend that a suitable nun her ; of stockades and bloekhnime forts be erected m lorg the usual route between any fiontier M-tiU. 1 ments on the Missouri and the Rocky mountains , i and that an adequate force of mounted riflemen I be raised tf guoid and protect them on their jour ; r.ev. The iunn. ihste a,ioptioii of these recom mendations by Congress will not violate the pro 1 visions of tfie exi.-tini; treaty . It will be doing j nothing more for American ritiens than I'ritish ' l.vts Lave long since done lor Urilith subjects iu ' t!:e same ten itory. t requires Several months to neifnrm the vov . ace by sea from the Atlantic Statesto Oregon, and ,.lihou;h we have u lurge number of whale ships in tne Purine, but few rt them nfl'oril nn oppm ' (unity of irterrhangieg intolliirenee, without . treat delay, between our Settlements in that (Its- talil region ami the I'nited Stales An overland ' mail i believed lo be entirely piarticable ; and I the impoitance ef establishing such a mail, at least once a month, is submitted to the favoiahle consideiation of Congress. It is submitted to the wisdom of Congress to determine whether, at their pressnt session, and until after the expiration of the year notice, any other measure may be adopted, consistent ly with the convention of 18V7, for the security ef our rights, and the eoverumrnt and piotection of our citicens in Oregon, That it will ultimate ly, be wise and proper to make liberal grant of land to the patriotic pioneers, who, amidst priva tions and danger, lead the way through savage tribes inhabiting ths vast wilderness intervening between onr frontier settlements and Oregon, and who cultivate, and are ever ready to defend the soil, I am fully satiified. To doubt whether they will obtain such jrantf as snon as the con vention between lb United States and Great Fritain shall have ceased to exist, would be to doubt the justice of tha Congress, but, penrliPX the utr i.ot;ce , it 1 wrtlhy ef ccn'-irieration concede. . - ' whether n itipuUtion to tbiselTect may be made conitenlly w Ith the spititi of that convention ' 1 hu recomtnendationf which have mads, as to tbe best manner obscuring our rights in Oregon, are submitted to Congresi with Rrsat deference. Should they in their wUdom, devise any other mode better calculated to aecomplUh the same object, itshtt'lmect with my hearty concur rence. At the end nf the year s notirs, should Con eress think it pioper to make provision for jiv in? that notice, we shall have reached a period when the national rights in Oregon must either beaba-idonsdor firmly ma nta ncd 1 hat they cannnt be abandoned without a sacrifice of both national honor and interest, is too clear to admit of doubt. Oregon it a part of the North American con tinent, to which, it is confidently affirmed, the titb of the United States is the best now in exis-t-Miro. Tor the grounds on which that title i est , I refer you to tho correspor Jence of the late an.l present SecretatV of Slate, with the I'rit'nh pie nipotenliary during the negotiation. The Uritish propoMt'&n of coioM.nii, which would msk; the Columbia the line v. mil of foity-nine degrees, with s trilling addition ef detached territory Un united States, north of that river, and would leave on the British side two thirds of the whols Oregon territory, inr.liidin the free navigation ef the Columbia and all tbe valuable hai burs on thf F'arific, can never, for a moment, be enter tained by the T'mted Slates, without an abandon ment ol" their just and clear territorial rights, their own ."lf-lepct, and thp national honor. I'er the information of Congress. I communicate herewith tbe correspondence wh'eh took p'aca between the two governments during the late nogot iat ian rt.7"" In rej.ul to the doctrine of "a balance of power" on thia continent, lately broached by nine of the powers of Muiope, the President 1 speaks in strong un.l empinitic hinguaue. lit says any 'European interference on the North A-ne-riean cont n m ', will be resisted at all hazards. t lie alno reeoinmendi to Cnnuress some ac'i.nj ' in relation to the duty on Port wine from Por tugal. Culfe from fava, and tho tonnage duty of Spanish vess 'Is in our ports. lie recommends . the payment of a small claim to Texas, on ac- i count of a seizure of sum.; goods by our troops. The Commissioner ti China, who r-tiirti-d when on his passage, on account of ill health, w ill auaiu proceed on b'S voyage In the quarrrd of our South American neigh bors, he ay, w e cannot meddle, though they have , our sympathies. The resident says. except ing li'reat Britain ami Mexico we are on good terms with all civili.e.l nations The imjmrtt for the fiscal year ending on th i ;n !h June hist, were of the value of SI I7.25I..'J-. ol wloen the amount exported was l.' tl Ianim l.a:a"c of 1 ul ,'jl)7,7:tl for omestic eni.MinipW.ii The ,.r;f.r.'s tin; same year were of the value of -11 ! .; !'.i5u(5. 'l he receipts i,,ta the Treasury, the fan." year, were S'.".,7';9.1'!'l, of which th-re were derived from the sales of public lands, $. 077. ti'J-J. The expenditures for the same p;riod were S'JO.SC VJOlJ. of which iH,-flt-.'i. 157 were npplied to the payment of the pub lic debt. The balance in the Treasury, on the 1st of July last, was $T.f;5S,rhW The amount of the public debt remaining on 1st ol'Oct. idsf, wai ; 17,07,1, 1 1.1. Purtlier pay ments would Imvp been made but for our unset tied relations with Mexico The hop.' is cher ishcJ. that the country will soon ajin b.; with out a debt In regai. 1 to the Tariff the President is in fa vor of discriminating, duties, within the revenue stale Ihi. I, which he cttptcii-s as follows : If Congress levy n duty for revenue of one per cent. 1 n a e'veii article, it will produce tjiven i int tint ot 'rimm v to Ihe treasury, and w i I inc. dentally nr.d necessarily aft. trd protection, or advantage, to the amount of one per cent tn the Lome mnnu'acl.irer of a similar or like a r tk'le over the importer. If ihe duly be raised to ten per cent., it w ill prisliice a greater amount of money, and uiTord greater protection. If it be still ra.s.'.l to fw rn'y, twentv-five, or thirty per Ctnt , nnd i:', as it is raised, the reienne .'o rive.l tr. in it is found to be increased, tbe pro tection or advantage w ill also be increased ; but if it be rais-cd to thirty one per cent , and il 14 tiriiurf that th" revf iuie pr.xlucrd at that rtite is U-ss tln-n nt thirty per cent , it ceases to be a revenue duly. The pr i isp p-.int in the ascending sct'e of tli lies at which it is ascertained fnun experience that th revenot- is erealet. i the mnxinnnii rate ol doty which can be laid tor Ihe btma i.r purpose of collertinrr money ft.r the support of pnverritr n. To raise the duties hirrhor than ( that H'ii.l, and thereby diminish the amount rol lected, i to levy thetn for protect ion merely, and not for revenue As lotia, then, as Congress : may gradually increase the rate of duty on a gi ' yen srliele, and the revenue is increased bv such , inert sse of duty, they are within the revenue standard. When tin v Co bet oiid that point, and as they inerense the duties, revenue is di ; minished or destroyed, the act cease lo liave lor its 1 bji et the rsix ng of money tn support r f t.vernniei.t, lot is for protection merely. He does not favor the highest rat of dnti" an article can bear. Nor is he in favor of the I.eiixontal duties. He thinks Congress should . select the ubjei'tk of taxation, while so. ne should be u.lm ttrd duty tree. He proceeds to say: 1 11 rePnmirendinif tn Congsess a reduction of tie pre-etit rales of duty, and a revisiunand inn. ditiration ofthe art of 1 !, I mn far from enter nHinine oninions unfriendly to the manufacturers. I recommend tn Congress the abolition of thi iti!tiiii.tiii principle, or assumed, arbitrary, ami t.i'pe values, nnd of specific duties, and the sub siitii'i. n iu their place of ml vilnri ni duties, m the fairest and most equitable indirect lax which , ewn he imiinsed. Bv then. ti.ioiein (iriuririle, nil articles are taxed according to their crt or value, and tho.-e which are of inferior quality, ' or of small cost, bear only Ihp just proportion of the tax w ilh those which are of superior quality or greater cost. The articles consumed by all sre taxed et lhe same rate. He next recommend the Sub Treasury, gi ving strong reason, showing that Bank tork holders should not bold the public funds without interest, to loan out to their customer, and thus converting the public revenue into a banking cap ital A reduction of the price of the public land un told is recommended, an I pre-emption granted to settler. A change in ths management of the mineral land is alto recommended, the expenses of which are now greater than the income. Th army and navy is next alluded to, and high ly romplimentsd for thtir promptness sad tifi-c.enrv.
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