I BY JOHN B. BRATTON. YOIi. 34. THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEER. r i.tiiHsticd every Thursday, at Carlisle, ti.i by JOHN B. nRATrON, upon the following conditions, which will be Jigidly adhered to: terms op subscription. Pnrone year, tn advance, .. . . - .. . ' . $3 00 pJlii*mon»!M» « . i. ». •- 100 K aulisfrlntiou token for a Ices term, tHHn iixfnontiib, amt .linroniimmnce permitted until oil arrearages are paid. no Tilcniy-dvo nor ccnt.addlllnnal on tlio pried pf subscription. \ ill be required ofull those who do not pay in advance. . RATES OP ADVERTISING. 0n ci>qnnre, one Insertion, 9 50 ' One square, two Insertions,. . . . ... 75 Onow uarc, three insertions, , . . . 100 Fvcry subsequent insertion, |ier square, • - 23 i liberal discount wilt l>o made to those who advertise by itie year, or for three or blx . n . _The office of the Jlmerken Volunteer is in the sec- Jtltnri of James 11. Graham’s new stone building, in South nJrrivcr street, a few doors from Burkholder’s hotel, and di Jcctiy'opposite the Post-office, where those having business Sll please call. • ' ’■ PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. Fellow-citizens oj the Senate and House of Represen- tatives. ' -e ■ The annual meeting of Congress is always nn in icrcsling event. Tho Representatives of the Stales and of the people cotno fresh from their constituents toliko counsel together for thp common good. After an existence of near throe-fourths of a century ns a free and independent republic, tho problem ho longer remains to bo solved, whether .man' Is capable of seif, oovermnent. The success of-our admirable* system ?! a conclusive refutation of tho theories of those in ether counlnes'who' maintain that “a favored fcw’ ’ lire born to rule, and that tho mass of.mankind must be governed by force. Subject to no arbitnry or hereditary authority,the people nro the only sovereigns recognized by our Constitution. Numerous emi grants of cVery lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom wo enjoy, nnd by our happy condition, annually crowd to otir shores, and transfer their heart, not less than their allegiance, to tho country vtilibsc dominion belongs alone to the Hwdtinlrji haft been, bo much favored, or should acknowledge willl 'dcop'er reverence the mnnilcsto dons of the Divine protection. An .all-wise Creator directed and guarded us in our infant struggle for freedom, and has corislartlly watched over our surpri sing progress, until wo have become one of the great nations of the earth. ’ It j 8 in a country IhUft faYored, and under a gov- Mnnicht in which thb Bxebutive and Legislative brandies hold their authority for limited periods, dike from the people, and where all are responsible lo their respective constituencies, that it is again my duly lo communicate with Congress upon the slate of the Union, and tho present condition of public affairs. ... . During the past year thb most gratifying proofs arc presented that our country lias been blessed with a wide spread and universal prosperity. Ihcro hns been no period since thd gofcftinieni was founded, . when all tho industrial pursuits of’our people have been more successful, or When labor In «U branches , of business has received a fairer or bolter reward;— From our abundance wd have bcch enabled lo perform the pleasing duly of ftirmshing food for the starving millions of less favored countries. In tho enjoyment of the bounties of Providcrmo at home, such aS have rarbly lo lhc lot of any people, it isbaudeof eohgtnlulallot)} Ural blit■lnter course with all the Power* oftho earth,except Mexico; Continues lo he of.an amicable character. t it has ever been our cherished policy to cultivate peace and good will with all nations) and this policy Ins been steadily pursued mo; . *• j No change has taken place in our relation with Mexico since the adjournment of tho last Congress, i’lic war In which the United States wets forced to :ng.igc with the government of that, country, still continues. „ . r I deem it unnecessary, after the fdll exposition of hem contained in my message of tho eleventh ol Hay, 1846, and in my annual message ot the com icncemcnt of the session of,Congress in December ast, to reiterate the serious cause of Complaint ot rliich wo had against Mexico before she commenced °U'iaHnUAbicni on the present occasion to say, that ho wanton violation'dr ilurrlght* of person and prop rly of our citizens committed by Mexico, her repeat d acts of bad faith, through a long senes of years, nd her disregard of solemn treaties, stipulating for jfemaity lo our injured citizens,not only constituted mplc cau&c of war on our part, bu t were of such an fsravated character as would have justified us huUire tho whole woi Id in resorting to this extreme, remedy. With on anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we Torborc for years to tifiort onr clear rights by f.ircc, and conlinuod to seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by- amicable negotiation, in tho hope that Mexico might yield to the pacific councils and the demands of justice. Irv this hope wo were disappointed. Mimslcr.or peace sent lo Moxico was insultingly rejected. Ino Mexican government refused even to hoar tho terms of adjustment 1 whicli ho was authorized to propose; and finally, under wholly unjustifiable ore texts, involved the two countries in war,br invading the territory of tho Stale of Texas, sinking the first blow, and shedding llio.blood of our citizens on our 'Jwn Boil. ' , . . Though Iho United Sti.lcs wore the. aggrieved Mion, Mexico comrtiencod the war, and wo were compelled, in self.de'fcncc, lo ropol the invader, and to vindicate the national honor and interests by pros* coming it with vigor until wo could obtain a just *nd honorable pence. . On hearing that hostilities liudjbccn commenced by Mexico,! promptly communicated that fact, nc* conjpanied with a succinct statement of our other causes of complaint against Mexico, lo Congress, and that body, by the act of the thirteenth of May/1840, leclarod that “ by the act of the Republic of Mexico/ 1 sUlo of war exists between that gotornment ana Ihe United Stales”—this act deciding “Inc war.to jsiat by the act of the rei übllo of Mexico, and mo. n g provision for its pfosccdtlort ”to a speedy and ■ucccaaful termination,” was passed with groat “canimity by Congress, there being but two negative fie* hi the Senate, and but fourteen in the House ol existence of the war having thus been declared Congress, it became my duly,under Ihoconalilu and the laws, to conduct and prosecute it. This auly has been performed ; nnd though, at every stage °HIB progress, I have manifested a willingness to winlnaloß by a just peace, Mexico has refused to jeecdo to any terms which could bo accepted by the United Stales, consistently with the notional honor lt1( l interest. . , „ Nic rapid and brilliant successes of our orms, end llc vast extent of the enemy’s territory which hod overrun nnd conquered, before the close of the session of Congress, were fully known to that Since that limb, the war lias been prosecuted *} 1 ‘ increased energy, and I am gratified to state JiUi a success which commands universal admiration, ■listory presents no parallel of so many glorious vie. °ucs achieved by any nation within so , short a >d. Our army, regulars and volunteers, have jjrcrcd themselves'with imperishable honors, vhcnover and wherever our forces havo'encounicrea “» M.«ray, thoutrli ho was In vastly suporior mim ami often'cnlroneliod in fortified positions of his .Jf 1 election, and of groat strength, he has been oated. Too imtah praise cannot be bestowed upon ofilcora and men, regular* and volunteers, for gallantry, discipline, Indomitable courage end Severance, all seeking tho post of danger, and .yff with each other in .deeds of noble daring. ybUo every patriot’s heart most exult, ond a just i ilf.i° na pfido animate every bosom,in beholding the J»l i )ro °i* a ef courage, consummate military skill, w y dlßO >plino,and humanity to the vangulshod exhibited by our gnllont army, the nation is V* "lourn over the lose of many brave officers 0 who have fallen in defence of their , B W* honor and interests. The brave dead met lr melancholy fate In a foreign lend.nobly die charging.their duty, and with their couniryVfiag waving triumphantly in the face of. the foo. Xh'olr-1 patriotic deeds are justly appreciated, and will long' be remembered by their grateful countrymen. The | parental care of the government they loved and set. I vcd.should be extended to thoir surviving families. Shortly after the adjotirprtlenl of Iho last session of: Congress, the gratifying intelligence was received of the signal victory of Bucnu Vista and of the city of i Verii Cruzi.and with it the strong castle of San Juan do Ulloa,by which U was defended. . Beliovinglhul after these and other successes so honorable to olir arms and so disastrous to Mexico, the period was propitious lo artbi’d Jior another opportunity, if she thought proper to cmbrbbo It, to bntor Into negotia. lions for peace, a .commissioner Was appointed to proceed to (he headquarters of our army, with fulf pbwqra to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude a I just and honorablc treaty of peace. . ! He \vqs not directed to make any new overtures of pbabe, but \yaelho ficirer of'a despatch from the Sec-, rotary, of Stole ofthe United Stales to the Minister of | i Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in reply to ohe received ,« from the latter of the twenty-sccond' of -Fcbruary, < 1847, in which the. Mexican government was inform* cd of his appointment* and of his presence ut the headquarters of our army, and that ho was Invested with full powers to conclude a definite treaty of peoeb, whenever the Mexican government might sig nify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject the United States to another Indignant refusal, I was yet resolved that the evils of the War should not be protracted a day longer than might bo render, ed absolutely necessary by the Mexican government. Care was taken to give no instructions to the commissioner which could in anyway interfere with our. military operations, or relax our energies in the ppicculion of the war. Unpossessed no authority, in.'any manner to control.these operations. He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the General in command, of the army) and in the event of a trea ty being concluded and ratified on Iho pari of Mexico, lie was directed to give notice of that fact. On the happening of such contingency, and on receiving notice thereof, the General in command was instruct, cd by the Secretary of War to suspend further active military, operations until further, orders. These in* slructions were given with a view to Intermit hostili ties, until the treaty thus ratified by Mexico could bo transmitted to Washington, and receive the action of the Government of the. United Slates. The commissioner was also directed, oh. reaching thb army, to deliver lo the'vGcncrol in command the despatch whicli ho boro from tho Secretary of Slate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, arid, on receiving it, the General was instructed by the Secretary of VVor lo causc.it lo be transmitted lo the commander of tho McxicanMbrcca, with a,request thiil,it might bo communicated lo his government. Tlic commissioner did not reach tho headquarlors of the army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo. The despatch which he here from the Secretary of War to.tho General in command of the. army, Was received by that officer,then atJalapa,on the seventh day of May, 1847, together with the despatch from tho Secretary of Stale to tho Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having boon transmitted Mo him from Vera Cruz. Tho commissioner arrived at tho headquarters of thb army a few days His presence with the army and hla diplomatic character were made known to the Mexican govern ment from Puebla, on thb twelfth of June, 1847, by the transmission of the despatch 4 lo tho Mioislcr of Foreign;,Affairs of Mexico. , 1 : Many, weeks clapscd-oftcr its receipt, and no over- were made, nor was any desire expressed by I lie Mexican government loonier into negotiations fof peace. Our army piirsocd its'march upon the capital, and, as it approached it, was met by formidable resistance. Our forebs first encountered the enemy,and achieved signal victories in the severely contested battles of Contferna and Cljlirhbusco. It was until after these actiond had.fcsullcd In decisive victories, and tho capital oftho cncitiy was within our power, that the Mexican fcovcrllmcnl manifested any disposition lo enter Into negotiations for peace, and even then, as events havb proved; there Is 100 much reason to believe they wore insincere; and that in agreeing to go through the forms of the object was lo gain time (©.strengthen tho defenbeSof Ihbir capi tal, and lo prepare for fresh resistance;. Tho General in command of the afmydeemed it expedient to suspend hostilities .temporarily, by on loring into an armistice, with a view to tho opening of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed on the part of Mexico, to meet the commissioner on the part of tho United Slates. The result of the confer ence which look placo between these functionaries of the two governments was d failure lo conclude a. The comfcissioncr of the United Stales look wiili him the project of a treaty already terms of which the indemnity icquircdby the United, States was a session oflcrritory. . -■ II is well known tint tlieoniy indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to moke in satisfaction of the just and long deferred claims of nur citizens •gainst her, and the only moans by which she ran reimburse the United States for Iho expenses of the war, is a cession lo tlioUnilcd Slates of a portion of her territory. Mexico lias no money to pay, and no moans of making Iho required indemnity If wo re fuse this, wo can obtain nothing else. To reject in. demnity, by refusing to accept a cession of territory, would bo to abandon all. our just demands and to wago the war, hearing all expenses, without a pur pose or definite object. , .. A state of war abrogates treaties previously exist ing between the belligerents, and « treaty i‘JT™™ puts an end lo all claims for indemnity—for.torlious net. committed, under tlio authority of one govern, moot against the citizens or subjects of another, un less ll,ey are provided for In Its stipulations. A treaty of peace wbicli would terminate the existing Waf, without providing for indemnity, would enable Mexico—tlio acknowledged debtor, and '|' r f e,f . h “ aggressor in the wnr-to rolioyfj.cr.e rfrom er a.l liabilities, By such a treaty,‘bur citizens, who Mold lost demands against her, would have no remedy, eillef Tnln.t Mexico of their owl,.government Our daty to these citizen, must forever, pievont saeb a peace, andno treaty which does not amm means of discharging lliese rt^ **Atn»ly of jioacc Should settle enfes between Iho two countries. If nn n,leq,.«fe cession of territory should ho mndo, by such a , the United States sliould rolosso Mexico from nil lies &SK- rdTfthittb%x si:.es r/e citizens. If, ’ nßl . b w hi c u Mexico should sgnin looonsenttoe frosty by wive jndcl)tcdncg! , “TP •« T i y „,iimnitv lo y ’o*u government end elf w noi. a jtfst ' O VLr il is notorious that .ho pi tfei. IfVo-^nO^rVitn<fnff l™ly l 's\T^la[ion Q . l on flic part of treaty would bo but a temporary lies, without Iho restoration of the friondsmii ana good understanding which -kobrd.clmrs "rizo the ftituro intercourse between tho two oounln • . Tliet Congress contemplated the sequisilion lorriforial Indemnity wheh that body made provision S'Jto pro Son of the Congros. could nolhsvo meant—when, Ip M"Vi 1 ‘ { snoronriated ton millions of dollors, and authorized iho /resident to .employ tho militia and naval and nillllMV fore-exofthb United Slates, and to acceptdim ” rolma of firtv Uioumnd volunteers, to enable li|in services ol mi} . . ftt l|ieir j aat ICM i O n 1 ndXroSr army Viad invaded Mexico, they made i CO iU, b furulwma»i(b.t that Congress conlemplelcd 1 *‘ouro ountry—may it always be right—but right or wrong, our countrVJ* CARLISLE, PA-, THURSDAY, DEj territorial indemnity, fromtlic fact that at ( thcir lastl session, an act wad- pasiedj uppn.iho Executive re* I cotnmcndalion, appropriating throe millionso£dol!ars! „.j,appropriating throe mm... with that express object. This appropriation was niqde “to enable the President to conclude a treaty; of peace, limits and boundaries with the republic of Mexico, to-be used by him 1 in.tho event that said treaty; when signed by the authorized agents of the two governments, and duly ratified by shall Call for the expenditure Of the, same, or any part thereof.’* The object of asking tins appropriation was distinctly stated in the several messages on the subject which 1 communicated to Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1803 and 1806, which wfero [referred to, were intended to bo applied in part con fiidetation for .the cession of. Louisiana' and the Floridas. '■ Iniiße manner it wap anticipated that, in settling .Hid terms of a treaty of “ limits and boundaries!’ with Mexico, a cession of territory estimated to bo of grea ter value than the amount of our demands against her might be obtained; and that the prompt payment of this sum—in part consideration for ihe^ territory cedcdr-on the conclusion of a treaty, and its ratifi cation on her part, might be on inducement with her to make such a, cession of. territory as would be sat isfactory to the United States. And although the failure to conclud.o such a treaty has rendered it un necessary'to ;usobny part of the three millions of dollars by that act, and the entire sum remains In thp"treasury, it is ptill applicable to that object, should* the contingency occur making such application proper. The doctrine of. no territory is the doctrine of no indemnity; and, if sanctioned, would be a public acknowledgement that our country was wrong, and that the war declared by Congress with extraordina ry unanimity, was unjust, and should bo abandoned; an admission unfounded in fact, and degrading to the national character. The terms of the treaty proposed by tiro U. States were not only just to • Mexico, but, considering the character and amount of our claims, the unjustifiable and unprovoked commencement of hpstiliUcs by her, tho expenses of the war'lowhich wo hove been sub jected, and tho success which had aliened our arms, were deemed to be of a most liberal character. ■ The commissioner of the U. States was authorized to agree to the establishment of tho Rio-Grande as tho boundary, from its entrance into the Gulf to its intersection with the soulhcrii boundary of New, Mexico, in • north latitude about thirty-two degrees, and to obtain a cession’ to the-JJnUcd Stales.of the] provinces of New Mexico and the Californians, and the privilege of the right of way across the isthmus of Tehuantepec. The boundary of tho Rio Grande, I and (he cession to the United Slates ofNcw.Mcxico, and. Upper- California, constituted on ultimatum I which our commissioner, was, under no circumstah-1 cca to yield. i That it might bo manifest not only to Mexico, but to all other notions,' that tho United Slates were not disposed to take advantage of a feeble power, by in*, slating upon'wresting from her all the other provin ces, including many of her principle towns and'cllies which we had conquered • and, hold - in our military occupation, but wore ready to conclude a treaty in a spirit of liberality, our commissioner wa< author-' ized to stipulate for tho restoration to Mexico of all, our other conquests. , As the territory to ho acquired by the boundary] proposed might bo estimated to bo of greater value than a fair equivalent for our just demands, our com missioner was authoriscd^lfl^ .stipulate-for - thc~pay ’ raent of such : addillohal pecuniary considerations us was deemed reasonable.' ' v • ? The terms of a treaty proposed by tho Mexican commissionerr.wcro wholly Inadmissible. TJicy ne gotiated os Jf Mexico word the victorious, and not tho vanquished party. ‘ They must have known that their ullimotum could never be accepted. It requir cd lhe United Slates to dismember Texas, by surren dcring to Mexico that part of the territory of that Statu lying between the Nueces and the Rio Orando, included within her limits by her laws when she was annexed to the United Slates, and admitted by Con gross as one of the Slates of our Union. ■ It contained no provision for the payment by Mex ico of Ihejusl claims of our citizens. It required in demnity lo Mexican citizens for .injuries they may have sustained by our troops in (he prosecution o/ the,war. It demanded life right for Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on goods im h&rlcd into her ports while in our military occupa lion during the war, and the owneis of which had paid io'ofligcts of the United Slates the military con tributions which had been levied upon them ; and it offered to cede lo tho United Stales, for a pecuniary consideration, that part of Upper California .lying north of latitude thirty-seven degrees. Isuch were ihc.u'nrbaeohubfe tcflh's proposed by tlib Mexican .commissioners. , r ., '.The cession lo the United Stales by Mexico* of the provinces. of Now-Mexlto ahd {lroCunrornias,asppa'. poseffby the commissioner of tiro United Slates, it Wes'believed, would to more in accordance with the convenience and Intofcsis ofboih notions, than any other cession of Icrrftory which it was probable Mox ico could be induced lo make. < , It is manifest lo all who have observed the actual condition of the Mexican government, for some years past, and at preschl, lhat JflMw provinces shot, d ’ be retained by her,’ she could noUongfcollnuotohold and govern them. Mexico is too feeble a power to govern those provinces; lying os they do, nt n distance of more than a thousand miles from her capital, and, | , if attempted lo bo retained by her, they would con » stilulo but for a short lime, even nominally, a part • of her dominions. . ... TT a , • Tills would especially ho thb case with Upper Cal ■ ifornia. The sugocily of powerful European nations i ha. long ainco directed their altcnlioti to tho com I incrcinl importance of that province, and tl.cro can , ho litllo douht that the moment Iho United Slates •hall rcllnqul.il (heir, nrcacnl occupation of it, and their claim to il uyp indemnity, an effi.rl wonld.bo made by some forafgu' Power lo posscss'llj either by conquest, or hy pimtbqac., If no foreign should acquire it by either of theao mode*, oh mdo; pendent revolutionary government would probably ha C catahlialild by Iho inhabitants, 'ond ehcli •.fqjeignerq f an raay.temain in or remove to ll(o domitry, as Boon W oa it .[mil lie liiiown Dial tho United Stntea havooban- » dohed it. Such a government would bp 100 feeble “ ' lontf.tP maintain its separate independent existence, an'd.wquld finally become annexed to, orbo n-dopen, P 1 dent colony'of aomo more pnwcrldi fatale. ;; • I Should any foreign government allcraptto poseoad |> ■jtaa a colony, or otherwise incorporate it with IMU the principlo avowed by President Monroe in 18~d. and roafllrV«.Ui.my first annual moasago, that no foreign' pbiiioflflihlt, with mir consent, ho permitted lo plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the North American font nenl, mu.H bo maintained. In rnuihlainVng tl* Rn*l|ilc, an Hi<) resisting ifa invasion hy any foreign WW. wemight ho involved in other wore more, oxpcn.ivlj npd mofo difficult than that in which WO are now engaged, ~ Tim provinces of Now Mexico'and the Cahffirnjns are conligumu to the territories oflho United Statea, and (f broilglit Odder flic government. of onflows, tliclr resource—nii^ofal.-agrioOllornl.mamifacloting and commercial —wooiti' do’Crt’ fio dovclepod; Upper California is bomided on; the horll l , by .out Oregon possession!!,-and If ItolU hy,flta Umtcd Slatpe would 'soon ha sotM % a ftafdWentOTrislng.andln. tolligont portion of our population. Tho hsy.of San Francisco, and otimr harbor, along tho Californiart ooa.t, would nfiord .bolter for onr navy, for onr nu morous wlialo oliipo, nndolhog.morohant vessels out. olovod In tho Facifio accent and would, in a abort po.; find. booomo.lho.maiW oforiMtortsivo and profitable commerce with China,-mltf, other countries of flii Eaflf. - ~ - - . ■fheao advantages; in which tlm wholoeommornioi world would participate,hvouid at nnco ho .enured to tho United Slates by tho cession of this territory I while it l« certain lliot, no long no it remain.,-a’ dart oflho Mexican dominions, they can bo enjoyed najlii or by Mexico herself, nor by any ether nation. ' Now Mexico la a frontier ptifflnco, nr|d lio«i nfvor boon of any considerable Value tdWoilce., from (u locality! llla naturally connected' wllli dnr ,vtf *,» CplßEll IG, 1847. settlements. VTho territorial lirnlls of the State of Texas, too, as\Heßnfcd by her laws before.her admis sion into , pVjnn; cmbfacb nil that portion of New Mexico of the l|lo Grande, while. Mexico still cUlms to Md this.territory os a part of her do* minions. .Thtuidjuslmcnt of this question of bound* ary is impbrjirfi There is cohsidetatlon which induced the i belief that llur* loxican government might oven do* sire to place'Oj&provinco under the protection ofthe Government’oßtfro Uqitcd Slates. Numerous bands of fiorcc bud wntlikc savages wander over it, and up* on its.bordenrfcMcxico bus been, and must continue to be, too fecld&.lo restrain them from committing doprodniiqnsi»«bcricB and murders,- not .oply upon the iniiubltamUofNew Mexico itself, but upon those, of the othcrJ*sracrn Stales of .Mexico, ; |t;would boa these Northern States to have tbeir cUizefasffiptcctcd against them by the power.of thn At this moment many Mexicans, and children, are m captivity among New Mexico were .held, and gov erned by States, wo could qffectubtiy pre vent these committing such outrages, apri compel thcsccuptivcsbod rcslorcthem 116 tticir funiilflA and friends. 'ln acquire New Mexico nnd the Call , fornios, It watFknown that but an inconsiderable por tion of thq Mtytfcon people would be transferred with i them, the embraced within these prov inces bcisifJß'nSßnySTi' uninhabited region.' ' I These leading considerations which in -1 dticcd mo tkttjitttortyqthe terms of peace which wore proposed lo' were rejected ; and nc- end, hostilities were renewed. An assault WitSraaac by our gallant army upon (he strongly pUccs near the gales of the city of Mexico, ond)upon the city itself; and after several dnyi of the Mexican* forces vastly su perior In bumper to our own, were driven from the city, and ibwidroccupicd by our troops. ~ Immqdialclyihfler information was received of tho unfavorable rcrqnlt of the negotiations, believing that his with Iho. army could bo pro* dnclivc ofns’good, 1 determined to recall our'eom- to this effect was trnnpmlf ledlo hirti ort-wfc (Ith of October lust.. The M&tctTh' governmental be informed ofhis recall; in cxistingvstutc of things, I shall not proper to further overtures of pcac^jpH bIiqII be at all tunes ready to receive* and consider any may be made by Mexico. Since proposition of llic United Slates was authorized to be made in April lust, large expen* dl.tlircs have been incurred, and the precious blood of ninny of out: patriotic fcllow.ciliibnn has been shed ih tire, prosccnlion of the war. This consideration and the obstinate perseverance of Mexico in protract ing the mbsl influence the terms of ponce which It may proper hereafter to accept. Our armshavn hern every where victorious, hav* mg subjected (o our military occupation a large por tion ofthe' etre/fly’s country, including lira capital, and peace having failed, the impor tant qucslionjr'iTisc—ln what manner the war ought to. bo proaoeUW'd? And what should bo our future 'policy? - I dO-bnot doubt that we should secure and render availaUejhn conquests which we have already made; and tlsfet, with this view, wo should hfcld and occupy, by fiir naval and military forces, all the ports, towns, rfcics, and provinces now in our oceu pattern, or hereafter fall into our posses sion! that \ytjfh°ub > »n r csa forward our military op pprntißuell militnry contributions on the enemy os dir, os practicable, the fu luirc cx/MuisePtiStiie .: rf . Hud the government of Mexico acceded to the equitable and liberal terms proposed, that, mode of j adjustment would hove been preferred. Mcxicohnv ipg declined to do this, and failed to olfor any other terms whi’ph could bo accepted by the United States, the national.honor, no.lcss than the public interests, requires that, the war should bo prosecuted with in-' creased energy and power until a just and salisfac torV peace can be obtained. In the mean, lime ns Mexico refuses nil indemnify, we should adopt mens-; tires to indomnify.oursclvcs, hy appropriating perma . ncnlly, a portion of her territory. Early nOor the commencement of the wir, NowJVloiclco and t/ioCnf. /ornlas were (aken possession of by our forces. Our Imilitary ond riaval commanders were ordered locdn quer and holnlhcm, subject to bo disposed of by a treaty of peach. • • ' These provinces arc now in, our undisputed occu pation,and hbvebecn so for mafty months; allrc-sir lanccon the finrt of Mexico having ceased within their limits. !l am satisfied that they should neVer be surrendered to Mexico. 'Should Congress concur with me m tills opinion, and that they should he re tained by lhaUnilod Stales ns indemnity, I can per- , ccive no gone reason why the civil jurisdiction and laws n( the (Jolted States should not be at once ex tended over Hiem. To Wail for a treaty of peace, such as we bVc willing to make, bv.which our rclo lions them would not he changed, cannot he good policy i ( whilst our own interest, and that of the people Inhabiting them, requlrc.lbal a stable, rcepon siblc, am( free govcrnmcnlunder our authority should as soon as possible, bo established over them. ,v Should Congress, therefore, determine to hold these provinces permanently, and that they shall hereafter bo copsidcred as constituent parts of our country, the early establishment of territorial governments over (hem will be important for the more perfect protec tion of.person and properly; and I recommend that, suchja/ritoriul governments bo established. It.will promdlo peace und tranquility among the inhnbl by allaying all apprehension that they may stilt entertain of being again subjected to Iho juris diction of tyeiico. I invite the early and favorable consideration ofCongress to this important subject, j liwUlcs New Mexico and the Cnmbrnias.llicrc are other Mcxftuft provinces which have been reduced to our possession conqurSi; Thcseolhcr Mexican provhiccßaru now governed by our mil it 11 ry and na V aJ Commanders, undcf the general authority which is cbrderrbd upon a conqueror hy the laws of war—■ ] /should.ho continued to bo held as a mentis of clog Mexico to accede to just terms of ponce.— I as well us military officers are required to con- Speh i government. Adequate compensation j:drftwp fioni contributions levied on the enemy Id bo tod by law for such officers as may bo ;eu’w»U>ycd, w.hul provisions may bc incwsiiary; and what final disposition it may bo cr tti'twahc ofllicm, mu'st depend on Iho future rcfs.ot’-lho war, and the course vyhlch Mexico thiqk proper hurcnflor to pursue. • itlkhio views I entertain, 1 cannot favor Iho pol vliich lias been suggested; either to withdraw ifniy altogether, or to retire io,a designated lino, dmply hold und defend it; our r altogether from the conquests they Ipivo made ;cds of unparalleled bravery, and nt the expense tjal'so (nncli bioori mid troasuro/in a jftsl w'ar on. our murt/and one which; I>y iho nit of thc'.dn'p/ny; wo Wild nni-bavo honorably avoided; would hb to de grade lha nation in its own estimation and In that oflho world. ( .*| | . •< , , 'io retire to a line, and ss'rtfpHJ ,( M and defend it, vv,on|d rtot terminate.the war. On Ilia contrary, It would epeourugo Mexico to persevere,' and lind to protract ft indefinitely.' .. it is npt to bo expoefnd that Mexmo,' nfiir refus ing to dbluftlish silch a lino as a permanent boundn-| ry, .whemotfr vifclorlouk army ore in'possession of her capulal, and In the hoorfof her country, woo'd permit pto hold it without rcnfnlnnco. Hint oho would oontiiiuo tho wnr.ond in Iho most hnrrao.injr nnd nnnnjinit forms, Ihoro con he no dm'h'.A'or. dor warn.ro of tho n.osl snv« B o ohnr oWr f « over n lone lino, woflld ho iincoulngly wot™; V " Tim on hin eenßin nnJ n ll , t J n fi on lo thin line, nnd .0- nor, would dlrccU 1 allnc |, would onncontrnlo looting nn Uoln ■'! P«J j , oondil ion ofnr- Inn r-ree- their fnvorU. incrllln wnrftro, would prohnblv, prefer to »ny odlbn- Word Wo to nnsumo, a dt.ronn.Co nlUlodo on such a line, all tho advantages' of such-astaljF of I War would bo on the side of,the enemy. Wq cotild llovy no contributions upon him, or.in.any other way make him feel the pressure of the wari but must ro* j main inactive and await his approach, being in con stant uncertainty ol what point on tho'linc, or at’ what lime, ho might make an assault. 1 He may assemble and organize an overwhelming! (orcein tho.interior, on his own side of the Uneiand,! concealing his purpose, make a sudden assault upon some one of our posts so distant from any other as to prcvcntlho possibility of timely succor or rein fofcemqnts jTind.in this way our gallant army, would bo‘9*poso(J t&ktr<hingcr of being cat off in detail; or if, by thj&nVbquailcd bravery and prowless, every whore exhibited during this war, they should rOflulsu the enemy, their numbers stationed at qny one post may betoo imniVttrfmrßuc him. V* ' If the enemy bo repulsed in ono attack, he would have nothing to dp tml to retreat to his own side of the lino, and, being in no fear of a pursuing army, may reinforce hirqqylf at liesurc, for another attack bn-lhertmie or some.other post, He may, loo,cross tho line between ony posts, make rapid incursions in tft llio coUnlry whFchvwp hold, murder tho (nhabif tanls, commit dcjiredararaMn thcnt,nnd then retreat to the interior before Qmrocient force enn be con* ccntrutcd to pursue hras|' Suck would probable be tho hurruseing charactowof a there defensive war on onr port. . If our forces, when attacked, qr‘threatened with at tack, be permitted to cross the line, drive back the enemy and conquer him, thin would ha again to in vade Ikd enemy’s country, after having lost oil the advantages oflhe conquests wo have already made, by having voluntarily abandoned them, To hold such a lino successfully and In security, it is'far from hcingixertninth.ilit .would not require as largo nn army as would bo necessary to hold all the conquests •wo hove already made, and to continue the prosecu tion oflhe warin the heart ofllio enemy’s country. It is also far from being certain that the expenses of tho war would he diminished by shcb a policy. I am persuaded that the hesl'meuns of vindicating th&riatipuidiftonor and interest, and of bringing the! close, will be to prosecute it with I increased energy and power in the vital parts of the! enemy’s country, * 1 i In my annual message to Congress of December Kid, I declared that “the war has not been waged 1 , with a view to conquest; but having been common ced by Mexico, it, hits been carried into the enemy’s country, and Will .bo vigorously prosecuted there, with a view to .obtain an honorable peace, and there by for the expenses of the war, as wcU Oar much 'injured citizens, who hold pec6nlaryrdcmonds againsl Mexico." Such, in my judgment, our true policy—in dcod t 'lho only policy'.whiebwiJl probably secure a permanent peace.* >' ■[s t/has rtcyer been contemplated by me, as an ob* jefcfbflhe war, to make u permanent conquest oflhe republic of-Mcxlco, or to annihilate her separate ex istence as ah'independent nation.' On the contrary, it has -everbeen my desire that sheslfofild maintain her nationality, and, under a g6od government ted to her condition, bo n free, independent and pros porous - republic. The United- Stales were tho first among tho nations to recognize her and have always desired to be on terms of amity anO good neighborhood with her. This she would not suffer. By her own conduct we have been compelled to engage In the! present war. In its prosecution we seek nol-hcr pVerlhroyv -ns.** nation; but, in vindica ting ouruonJriaJ honqf, we s«&Md obtain rcdreyUJir the-wrortj» : kh'e his done* ttVbnd Indomni ty-io Pindr just demands against her. ,\Ve demand«h*honora» blc peace;-and that peace must bring vvitli it indem* nlty for the past, and sccurUyvfpr the future. Hith erto Mexico has refused alt'accommudution by which such h’peaco could be obtained.. Whilst oUr ( armies have advanccd.irom victory to victory, from •■tile commcncotncnl of the war, it lias always been with the olive branch ot poaco in their hands;'and it has-been in the power of Mexico, at every step, to nrfest hostilities by accepting it. One groat obstacle to the attainment of pence has, undoubtedly, arisen from the fact that Mexico him been So Jong held in subjection by one ftolion or,mil itary usurper after nnol/ior, and such Jill's been,the condition of-irisccorily .In whichlhclr successive go. vernments have been placed, llmt each Jibs been dc. lerred from making peace, lest for litis very pause, a rival /action might expel it from power* Such was the fate of President Herrera’s adminis Tration in 1845, for being disposed even lo.listen to the overtures of*the United Stales to prevent the war, oh Is fully confirmed by the oflicinl correspondence which look pined in the month of August last,.be tween him and his government, a copy of which Is herewith communicated. “ Fortins cause alone, the revolution which displaced him from power was set on fool” by General Paredes. ‘ Such may be the con dilion of Insecurity of the present government, There can be tin doubt that the peaceable and well disposed inhabitants of Mexico ore convinced that it is the true interest of their country to conclude an honorable pcnce-'with the United States; but the ap prehension of becoming the victims of some- military faction nr usurper may hove prevented them from manifesting their feelings by any public net. The removal of any such -apprehension would probably , cause them to speak their sentiments freely, and lo adopt the measures Accessary for the restoration ol | peace. ’ - With a people distracted and divided by contending . factions,, and. a government subject lo constant , changes, by successive revolutions, the .continued successes of our arms may fail to secure n satisfacto ry, peace., In such event, it may become proper mr our commanding generals in the 1 field lo give cn courngernent-und assurances of. protection to the friends of peace in Mexico In.the establishment and maintenance of a free republican government o( their own choicei-ablo and willing to conclude a peace winch would bo just lo them, and secure to us the Indemnity wo,demand. , This may become tlio only mode of obtaining such a peace. Should such .bo the result, the war which Mexico has forced upon us would thus boi converted into an enduring blessing |o' herself, Alter finding jjor lorn and distracted by factions, and ruled by military usurpers, wo should then leave, her with u republican government in the enjoyment of real In dependence; and domestic peace and prosperity, per forming all her relative duties In the groalTurnly or nations, and’promoting her own’happiness by wise laws and their faithful execution. If, after affording this encouragement and proloc. thin, and after nil the persevering mid sincere eflurls wo have made, from the moment Mexico commenced the war, and prior lo that lime, to adjust °‘ ,r "‘‘.Jj’jjl cnees with hcr. wc .Inill ultimately fail, then wo Ml have exhausted all hunnrahle tneana " peace, and mti.l cnnllm.o to occupy f.Tn u nur troop., takln? the lull n.oa.uro " ' nur own hand.; and ,t|6.t oitrorde (ho W , would, J?o( only Icnv 1 jj tho signal for complain‘unrodresjtc * no w revolutions *“'• ,ho "• dr “ W noonfc‘wontlcd»vi]l> n»<l dcnrfvcii of prolccllan for their persons and prppofly,, mlrlit nl length lio inclined to yield to foreign inflv „„,l to cunt IheroeelvfS into lire arms of some liuropdim monarch for protection from tho nnurcliy andauderhig wliiofi would cinue. I Ms, for onr own 1 enfotV. Q>id In pursuance of our established ppjlcy, wo Should bo compelled to resist. Wo could never con-1 sent that Mexico should bo thus converted into a monaroy governed by a foreign prince. , Mexico i« our near neighbor, and her boundaries! nro cn-tcrmlnpu. with o'ur own, through the whole extent across the North American continent, from I ocean to ooonn. ’ Doth politically nnd commorelally, wo liavs lire deepest interest lb bet regcnaralioit'aod ATS 2 00. PEE ANNDB. prosperity "Indeed, it.is impossible that, with any just regard to our own safety, we cwj ( cver becomt indifferent to her fatei f , I It may.be that the Mexican gotaftimfchl and peq. pie havoniiscdHstrdcd or misunderstood our forbear ance, and pur objects; iri dcslriHg to tonciiidcan am* icable adjustment of Hie existingdlfferchbca between the two countries, may have supposed tKai we woakLsubmil to terms degrading to tlib nation i or they may harp, drawn false idftsrcncei from.the supposcd'itiivislotflif opinion in the United States on the subject of the war; and may, have calculated to [gain nuicli by protracting it | and,’ indeed,-that,wo might uUiinalcjy abandon it altogether,’ without in sisiingfip any indemnity, territorial oT otherwise.— Whatever ntny be the false impressions undet which they have acted, the adoption and prosecution oftho cnetgmte policy proposed mdst t|ndeceiyc lhem,>: . fiilbro.ptdflccntiorj of llie war,’fhc enpmy must be made to feel Its pressure more than they have heretofore done. At its commencement, tywa# deemed proper to conduct it in n spirit of torbearaneb and liberality. With this end in view, early roca eurea were adopted to conciliate, is far as a slate of . - war would permit, the the Mexican popula; Hnnj lo convince them tlipt the w.ar was.waged hot against ihc peaceful inhabitants of against , fhclr faithless government, which had .Commenced hostilities j to remote from thoir minds the faUc lm* pressions which their designing apd interested rulers had artfully .attempted to make, that the war bn our. part was ono of conquest / that it wan* a war against their religion and their churches, which.were Jo be desecrated and overthrown, and that their, tights off I person ami private properly would bo violated. ! To remove these false Impressions, our command- I brs.in the held were directed scrupulously to respect 'their religion, their churches and their church pro perty, which were in no manner tp bo violated ; they were directed also to respect tliC' rights of persons and property of all. who should not. take .up arms against us. ' • •• Assurances id' this effect were given to the Mexi can people by Major General Taylor, in a proclama tion issued in pursuance of instructions from the Sci cretary of War, in the .month of June, 1646,' and again by Major General Scott, who ailed toffon Ms own , couvittions of the propriety of Issuing, it in a procla matinri of the 11 ill of May, 1847. In thin spirit'of liberality, and conciliation; ana with,a view to prevent ,lhc body ol tjie Mexican pulalion from taking up arms ngaijisl us,“ was the war conducted on .pur part. Provisions, and - ,other , supplies Turn'Ufjcd (p °. U|l ardiy by Mexican citizens were pnitTfor at fair and liberal pricesj agreed upop by tho parties. After the Japso of. a jew. became.apparent that these assurances and this mila treatment Jiadj folfad to. produce, the desired effect upon l|i,d Mexican p’oppfaliqtf. \ u tfiiilo the tvni 1 had.qcen condubled on oar part ac cording to.the most humane dhd liberal .principles, observed by civilised nations, it was waged in.a far different spirit on the part of Mexico.' Not apprecia ting dur forbearance, th« Mexican people beeatnrd, liostHfl .loathe United Stales, and availcq themselves of every to commit the mpst [savage excesses upon our troupe. Largo numperapf the population took up arms, and, engaged in guerilla, warfare, robbed.and murdered, in the most.cruel manner individual soldiers, or small parlies, whom accident or other causes hod separated frona the plain body of our ormy ; bands of guorrijleros.ahd infested tips roads, harassed our trains,and, whichever it wa4 in. their power, cut off our supplies.' i;-'*. s . . - t The Mexicans having thus shown lhomBntvcs ( to bC; W bpiiWn ?q la ti ,end^l|be>pK|y^a^^^ro6d manndr oTcondßcnngluc'war, ils premuro occqrdipg to the under similar all'oilier civilized nations. Accnrdinglvr as, early as tho twenty-second of Sop lemher, 1840,’instructions were givep lury of War to Maj. Gen. Taylor to “draw supplies" for our army “from tho enemy, without, paying for, them, and to acquire contributions tor its support,”, if in thill way ho was satisfied hp could “get abun dant supplies for his forces.” Indirccllnglhocxeciii lion oi these instructions, much was necessity left to the discretion oftho commanding officer, who. was best acquainted with the circumstances by which .ho was surrounded, tho wants of* the army,'and the prac ticability of enforcing the measure.' . Gen. Taylor, on tfie 261 b of October,‘lB46, replied, from Monterey, that'*'it wonltf baVd, been impossible hitherto, and. is so now, to sustain' Ihdofniy uxtenl by forced contributions of mohoy or’.s up plies." For tlio masons assigned by him, lie did not adopt the policy ofiiia instigations,hut, declared his readlncis lo do so, “should the army in, its future operations,’ nnch a portion oftho country which may bo mqdq lo supply the troops with advantage.’* He continued lo pay fur. tho articles of supply which were prawn from the enemy's country. » Similar were issued'lo Major General gcotl on the thitd of April* 1817, who- replied from t Jainpn, on the 20lh of May 1847, that, II HJjh pcctcd that “the army is lo support itself by forced contributions lovied upon the country, w® roita. and exasperate, the inhabitants, artd starve oinsel^ea-. f The same discretion was given lo him that had been to Gen. Taylor in this respect.- Gen. Scott,, for llm; reasons assigned by him, also Continued lo pay for the articles of supply for the army which wetsdrawn from the enemy. After the onemy had reached the heart of tho nrosf wealthy portion of Mexico, it wad*supposed that tho, obstacles which had before that time prevented it would not Im such ns to render impracticable Hie io-. vy of farced contributions for its support; andoirCho first of September, ond Again on tlio sixth ofOctpMr, 1647, the order was repealed in despatches address cd by the Secretary of VVar, to Gen. Scott, and; l|is attention was again culled lo the importance of aia- enemy bear the burdens oftho war, by re quiring them lo furnish Hid means of supporting our army { and ho was directed to adopt tills poueyfun-, less, by doing so, there was danger of depriving Hid army of the necessary' supplies. Copies of despatches were forworded 16' Gen. Tayhrf for his thirty-lint of Mardi 1««<. I «uied dcr lo bo Issued to our military and iiafol command ors to levy and collect a military contribution upon nil vessels and merchandise which might enter ony oftho porta of Mexico in mi ilnl.l.rf nml to r.pi.ly .itch conlrlttilinn.' lmv.rd derr yinr ■ (tic oxiicn.c. of tho war/ tj wloo of tlio ri,M -ol connnc.l ond the ton'd dfrfor.'llnl coiiijuerir, oon.ul lino lii» own eafcly or ednvemenoe, may oil or «•. & hreTnn co.„ y mcreo olto ? eth«r from .1 .oel. : ;?pmltit,?>oii'idl>l , '*r.i» ond condition. "'Before tlio prino'yol port, of Mcoloo wore hlooko. tA‘ niVy nnVv. the ruVcniio derfved-.from .Impbst tiro Ihw. Mexico/ wo, r.ld.lnto the Mexican treoilli-y. AHer thosei port, had fallen In loodr military |i,..c..ion,the bloek.do wo. roiMd. and coinmOrco with them per,nllled u,»n pre.cr.bed ler’ilio and oondiliono. Tlioji were opened to tho (redo of nil notion, upon tlio payment of dot «.moto moderate in their amount limn tlioio which hod boon nfcvibii.ly levied by Mexico f and the revenue, which waa fonnorly paid into tho Mexican troo.ury, w.a directed lo be collected by our militory ond n.vol oinccreVohd applied to tlio noo of our ormy ond tto. vy.' Cure wan ulon that the offleor»f«olj\lWs',pA'i salj/ ors of our army and nafy should bp .exempted frohi 1 |if) rtporutinns of fiid order nut) *% the meroliandiio Imported, upon which the order operated, muat bo consumed by Mexican ci»Wcns,'tlic aeled were, In effect, the solknre of Vne public reve*, nuoi of Mexico, and tho duplication of then* 10, mu’ riwn use,. In directing this measure,' the to compel tho enemy lo contribute, bio, towards tbc expenses of Hie n,n t' i ;;, i V ia 'p« ,heVn For Hi. conirlbM^jjWJ^^ lovioti in tins lorm, I referSccrolnry, reporU or tho Boorolnry * >um oxcoM of lit. Navy, by. 'bion ccllccln.l.- > ing lmir a mlllinn liavo boon irniah i , dJi,ic,l ' ,r ° rW|,i " f ol,en * om- N0.'27.
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