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Webnesban inorninn, December 15;1847.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Delivered Tuesday, Deeember,7, 18-47.
Fellato-tit izens the, Smote and Holse of .Repre-
senlalims.
.
The-annual meeting of Congress is always an in.
I eresting event. The Representatives of the States
and of the people. come fresh from their constitu
entslo lake counsel together for the common veld.
After an existence of:near three-fourtlerof a centu
ry as A free and independent republic,- die problem
no longer ; remains to. be solved, whetfti3r man is
capable of self-government. The success of our
admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the
theories of those in other countries r: ho maintain
that I: a favored few".areborn to rule, and that the
111.1..QS ofmankinilmust be..governed.by force. sub
ject to no arbitrary or hereditary . authority, the peo
ple are the. only sovereigns recognized by our Coln
qitittion, • Numerous emigrants of every lineage
and attracted by iie civil and religious
freedom we enjoy, and by our happy condition,
annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their
hearts not less than their allegiance, to_ the country
whose dominion lielong alone to the people.
No coantrylras`been so much favored, or Should
acktOwleilo with,deeper,reverence the manifesta
tion 4of the Div.ina, protection. An all. wise Crea.
for directed anif guarded us in our infant stria e
for treedom: andlias constantly watched over our
surprising,progress. until we have become one of
the great nations of the earth..,
and .
It.is a- Country thus favored,udder a 20'
Nernment ih which the Executive and -Legislative
branchr , sbola ,their atzthorit - for litni ed • periods,
t i l
alike fro the,people;:end where all are responsi
ble to th i t respective constimencieso.hat it is again
my duty o communicate with •Congress upon the
:,talc of the l'rtiOn, amf th? resent condition. dimly.
lie affairs.. .
. .. . . i
.
During the. Past year the most gratifying proofs
are presenied that our country has been blessed
xi oh a wide spread and universal prosperity. There
Ito; been no period - Ainee "the, p,ovemment was
, t .,..
finitidedi when all the in ustrial pursuits ()four pen
',lei have been more su -sful, or when labor in
ail branches of . busine • has received a fairer or
better reward. From ou abundance we have been
1 nablea to perfiinu tiW pleasing duty of furnish
ing fond fir the starving millions of less favored
eintrories: .
fir the enjcivriactu of the bounties of Providence
it home, sueit as have rarely fallen to the lot of
un people, it is cause of congratulation, that our
ittfUrrouree with all the Powers of the earth, ex-A
rcpt contitinss to be of an atuicuble
rht
r:u•h•r.
It has ect' ftee,n l our cherished policy to cultivate
peac e and.wi s l•wili with all nations; and this poi
has btteit steadily pursued by me,.
No t:lti • ntte has taken place in our relations with
\ let tea since the adjoununent of the last Congress.
:11te wat in Which the United .States were forced to
iatzte2.e with the government - of that country, still
continuos.
1 deem it iintieetsitUry, after the full er.tohitinn
of them 'contained 411 my messaen or the eleventh
or May. 1846, antiOn my annual' hiessage at the
eonimencement of4he session of Congress in De
eentber last, to reiterate the seriat i m cause of com
plaint of had against .IM.oticsbefore she
commenced hostilities,
It is sufficient oft the liresent occasion to say,
that the wanton- violation of the rights of person and
propene of ottr'eitizens committed by Alexleo. her
'w,veateil acts of bait faith,Through a long series of
nears and her disregard of solemn treaties, stipulat-
Ily, for indemnity th our injured citizens, not only
constituted ample cause of war on: our part, but
were of such an •aggravated • character, as would
Live justified its before the X(Thole iiairld in resnit:
i.lg-to this-extreme remedy. iWith an anxious de
,ire to avoid a rupture between the two .countries;
xve forbore for years to assert our clear rights by
lorce, and continued to seek redress-'for the wrongs
Iv iv had 1414:red by arnieablb negefiation; hi the
(lope that Mexico niight yitvld to the pacific coun
i•ils and the demand, of justice. In this hope we
IA ere di-appointed. Our Minister of peace sent to
Me's ieo was insilltinniy rejected. The Mexican go,
vertinientrefu,ed even to hear. the terms of adjust
ment which he was authorized to propose;, mid ti
nail) , * under wholly unjustifiable pretexts. invoked
the two (mu:tries in .war, b,' invading the territory
q the Stale of Texas. striking the first blow, and'
shedding the blocid•of our citizens on our own soil.
• Though the -United ' States were the aggrieVed
(i:vtion,, Mexico commenced the war, and we were
einiqielleci, in self defence, to' repel the invaders,
tact to vindicate the national honor and interest by
"prosAieining it. with vigor until we could obtain a
just and honorable peace.. :-.
On leatiihr , that hostilities hair been 2.onimeneed
by Mexico, r promptly communicated that fact. ar- . .
I • ompanied with a suecient statement of our other
masa; ill etimplaint against Mexico, to Congress:
and that body, by the act of the thirteenth of May,
is 46, declared that "by the act 01 the'republie of
Mexico, a state ofwar exists between that govern
ment and the rniteif States "—tine act declaring
•• the war to exist by the act of the republic of Alex
's:n:7 and making provision for its ptosecutiOn " to
a speedy and successful termination," was passed
'mitts great unanimity by Congress, there being but
trio neLtativevvotes in the Senate, and bet , fourteen
sathe House of Represent:nix:as.
Tire existence of the war having' thus dende-
clued by Congress, it became my duty, ider the
micaitutinn and. t6e lags, to Bond act and pmeeente,
• ha This duty has. been - performed ; and though. tit
I'very stage: of its progress, I' have manifested a'
witlin;messio terminate it by a just peace, ilitexico
Ins retu , ed to accede to any terms which could'be
accepte(Lby. the United Stales, consishtudy with the
national honor 'and interest.
'..4
• The rapid and brilliant successes ofout, arms,
and the vast extent of the enemy's territory which.
had been overrun and conquered, before he close!
-?1.., the last session of Congress ,, were. fully knowit
' that body. • Since that tittle, the 'war has been
prosecuted with i • reamed • energy, and .1 am kratifted,
to Matt with a s which commands universal;
aihnindion. If fry presents no parallel of so
- ma- . '
no glorious victo 'es achieved by any nation rith
in so short a riod. Oar army, regulars and
t s
r olunteers.-have covered. themselves - with impels,
ishable honors. Wheneverand wherever our kir;
can hare encountered the enemy, thongh lie was
an vastly superior numbers,' and often entrenched
)n knified. positions of his own. selection, and of
Peat strength, he has been aled. 'Too much
:Praise cannot be bestowed c heat' our officers' end
'lnv, regulars rand vohufteeriy for their gallantry,
discipline, tomitable courage and persevenince,
' all 'seekin g post °Wenger, and vienig with each
oiler in their deeds of noble . daring. -
, %lite every - patriot's• heart most eXult. and .a.
I t l national pride-animate every bosom, in . behold'
mg, the high -*oak of court*. , scrounge milita-
T Y skill ) stead, y discipline, and b anity to the *an:
calshed enemyi eSlubited by oui gallant artily, the
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nation is called to mourn over the loss of many
brave officers and soldiers who have fallen in de
fence of their country's honor and interests.. The
brave dead met their melancholy fate in &foreign
land, nobly discharging their duty, tind - iiith'their
country's fag waving triumphantly in the fee o 1
the foe. The ir patriotic deeds nrejustly 'appreciat
ed, and will les* remembered - their grateful
countrymen. The parental care of the govern.
ment they . loved and served should be extended to
their surviving families. .
Shortly after the adjournment of the .last session
of Congress, the grafifyingintelligence was,receiv
ed of the signal victory of Buena Vista and of the
fall of the city of Vera Cruz . , and with it the strong
rstie of San Juan .de Utica, by which it ';was de
ended. Believing that alter these and other sue
ewes, so honorable to our arras and so disastrous
. 0 Mexico, the period was propitious to afford her
nether opportunity, if she thought proper tp em
race it,. to enter into negotiations for peace, a corn
niis4ioner was appointed to proCeed to the head
quarters of our . army, with full power to enter upon
negotiations, and to conclude a just and honorable
treaty of peace. •
He was not directed to make any new overtures 1
-of peace, but was the bearer of &despatch from the
Secretary ofAtate of the United States to the Min
ister of Foreig'n Affairs of Mexico, in reply to one
received 'hem the latter of the twenty-second of
February, 1847, in Which the Mexican government
was informed of his appointment,' and of his pres
erve at-the headquarters of our army, irmi that he
wag invested with fell powers to conclude a defi
nite treaty of peace, whenever the Mexican govern
ment might signify a desire to do so. While Nits
unwilling to subject the United States to another in
`iltriantrefusal,,l was resolved that the e v ils of the
war• should not be protracted a day longer than
might be rendered . absolutelyfeecessary by the
:._
4ex ican government
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way intefere
With our Military' operations,. or relax our energ ies
in the prottecution of the war. He possesse d no
autitoritytin tiny manner to control these opetations.
Ile was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the
General in command of the - army i dud in the event
of a treaty being concluded and ratified on the part
of Mexico, he was directed to give notice of that
fact. On the happening of such coatingency, and
on receiving notice thereof, the General in com
mand was instructed
,by the Secretary of War to
suspend further active military °petitions until fur
ther orders. These instruCtions were given with a
view to intermit hnstilities, until the .treats thus ra
tified by Mexico could be transmitted to. Washing
ton, and receive the action of the Government of
tlic United Mates. • -
The cotninissiorier was 'also directed; on reaching.
tin- army. to deliver to the General in command the
despatch Which he bore front. the Secretary of State -
to the Minister of Foreig n • A ff airs of Mexico, and,
on receiving it, the Geleal was instructed by the
Secretary of War to cause it to be transmitted to
the commander of the Mexican forces, with a re
quest that it might be communicated to. his govern
-ment.i':
The commissioner did not reach the head-quar
ters of the army until after another brilliant victory
had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the Secretary
of War to the General in command of the army,
was received by that officer, then at Jalapa, on the
seventh day of May, 1841, urgetlier with the des
patch from the Secretary, of State, to the Minister of
Foreign . Affairs of Mexico, having been tfansmitted
to him from Vera Cruz. The cOinruisaioper arriv
ed at the head-quarters of the army a ',fey" days 'af
terwards. Hit presence with the arm j 'rind his di
plomatic character were. made known to the ;%lexi
can government tronx Puebla, on the twelfth of June,
1847, by theoransmissioh of the despatch from the
Secretary of State to the Alittiater of Foreign Af
fairs of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after. its receipt, and no
overtures were made, nor was any desire expres
sed by the Mexican government to enter into nego
tiations for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the Capital,
and, as it approached it, warunel by lormidable re
sisianee. Our forces first eptionnteretl the enemy,
and achieved signal victories in the severely con
lested battles of Contreras and Chumbusco. It was
riot until after these actions had resulted in decisive
.vietories, - and the capital of the enemy was within
our power. that the Mexican government rnanifes
itedtany disposition to enter into negotiations for
peace. and even'then, as events have proved, there
is too much reason to believe they were insincere,
and that in agreeing to go, through the forms of tie
gotiation, the object was to gain time to strengthen
the defence of their capital, and to prepare for fresh
resistance.
The General in command of the army deemed
it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily, by
entering into an armistice, with a,view to the open
ing of negotiations. Commissioners were appoint
ed on the part of Mexico, to meet the commissioner
on the !no of the United Slates. The result of the,
conferenad - whiclu took place between itte°lo3 fent
tionaties of the tiro goildrnments was a failure to
conclude a treaty of peace.
The commissioner of the United States took with
him the project of a treaty already prepared, by the
terms of which the indemnity rdquncti by the Uni
ted Stales was a cession of territory.
*lt is well known that the only indemnity which
it is in the ,power of Mexico to make in satisfaction
of the just Ind long-deferred claims of our citizens
against her. anti the only means by which she can
reimburse the United States for the expenses of the
'war,. is a cession to the United States of a portion
of her territory. Mexico has no money to pay, and
no Means of making the required indemnity. It
we refuse this, we can obtain nothing else. To re
ject indemnity, by ieftising , to accept a cession of
territor, would be to abandon all our jest . demands
Surd wage the war, beating all expenses, without a
purpose or definite, object
A state of war abrotes treaties previously ex
Lsting between -the betigtrems, and a treaty of
peace puts an end to ail claims for indemnity--4or
tortious acts committed. under the authority of one
government against the citizens or subjects of an
other, unless they are provided for in its stipula
tions. A treaty of peace which would terMrnatti
the existing war without providing for indemnity,
would enable Mexico—the acknowlectged debtor,
and herself the a t %resscr in the war—to relieve
herself from her just liabilities. By mill a treaty,
onr citizens, who hold. rat demands against her,
would have no remedy, either against Mexico or
their-own government. Our duty to these citizens
must-forever prevent. such a peace, and no treaty
wine' b does not provide ample means of discharg
ing, these demands eau twelve my sanction.
A. treaty of peace should settle all existing dif
ferences between the two countries. If an ade
quate cession oftetritory should be made, by such
a treaty, the United States shotidd release Mexico
from, all her liabilities and assume- their paymen t
to our mint citizens. if, instead - of this, the United
States were to consent to a treaty by svhichMexico
should again , engage to pay the heavy amount of
indebted:a:4s which a jest indemnity to our govern
meat and our citizens wOnM impose on her, it is
notorious that she does not possess the sheens to
meet such an undertaking. -From such a treaty no
result could be anticipated ) but the same irritating
ir
'._.PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY, 'AT TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, fA., 4 BY E. O'MEARA GOODRICH.'
disappointnlents which have' heretiifiire aftended
the. vrolationsl of similar treaty stipulations` on the
part of 31exicp. Such a treaty would be but a tem
porary cessation of • •~eeaa,, without the restora
tion of the friendshiplood underiaanding which
should characterize the future intercourse between
the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition of
territorial indemnity, when that body made provi
sion for the prosecution of the war, is obvious.—
Congress could not have meant—when. in May,
1846, they appropriated ten millions of dollars, and
authorized the President to employ the militia and
naval and military threes of the United States, and
to' accept the services of filly 'thousand volunteers,-
to enable him to - prose. cute the war; and when, at
their last session, and after our ermy• had invaded
Mexico, they milde additional appmpriaticma, and
' authorized the raising of additional tmops for the
same purpose=--that no indemnity,was to be obtain..
ed from Mexico at the conclusitm of the war; and
yet it was certain that, if no Mexican territory was
acquired, no indemnity could be obtained. •
It is farther manifest that Congress contemplated
territorial indemnity, from the tact that at their last
session, an act was passed, upon the Executive re
commendation, appropriating three millions of dol
lars with that express object. This appropriation
was made " to enable the President to conclude a
treaty of peace, limits and bocndaries with the re
'public of Mexico, to be used by him in the event
that said treaty, when signed by the authorized
agents of the two governments, and duly ratified by
Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of the same,
or any part thereof." The objeet of asking this ap.
propriation..was distinctly stated in the several mes
sages on the subject which I communicated to Con
gress. Similar appropriations made in 1803 and
181)e. which were referred to, were intended to be
applied in part consideration for the cession of
Louisiana and the Floridas.
In like manner it was anticipiled that, in settling
the terms of a treaty of " limits and boundaries . '
with Mexico, a cession of territory estimated to be
of greater value than the atitount of our demands
against her might be obtained ; and that the prompt
payment of this sum—in part consideration for the
territory ceded—on the.conclusion of a treaty, and
its ratification on her part, might be an inducement
with her to make such a cession of territory as
would be satisfactory to the United States. And,al-
though the failure to conclude such a treaty has ren
dered it unnecessary to use any part of the three
millions of dollars appropriated by that act, and the
entire sum remains in the treasury, it is pain appli
cable to that object, should the contingency occur
Making such application proper.
,The doctrine of ao 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 extraordi
nary unanimity, was unjust, and should be abandon
ed ; an admission , unlbunded in fact, and degrading
to the national character.
The terms of the treaty proposed by the United
States were not. only just to Mexico, but, consider,
ing:the character and amount of our claims, the un
justifiable and unprovoked commencement of hos
tilities by her, the expense of the war to which we
have been subjected, and the success which had at
tended our arms, were deemed to be of a must lib
eral character.
The commissioner of the U. States was authorized
to agree to the establishment of the Rio Grande as
the boundary : ftnert its entrance into the Gull to its
intersection. with the southern boundary of New
Mexico, in north latitude about thirty-twO degrees,
and to obtain a cession to the United States of the
provinces of New Mexico and the Californias and
the privilege of the right of way across the istitmus
of Tehuantepec. The boundary of the Rio Grande,
and the cession to the United Stales of New Mexi
co and Upper California, constituted an ultimatum
which our commissioner was, under no circumstan
ces to yield.
That it might be manifest not only to Mexico,
but to all other nations, that the U. States were not
disposed to take advantage of a feeble power, by
insisting upon wresting from her all the other pro f
vinces, including many of her principal towns and
cities, which we had !conquered and held in our
military occupation, but were willing to conclude a
treaty in a spirit of liberality, ourcommissioner was
authorized to stipulate for the restoration to Mexico
of all our other conquests.
As the territory to be acquired by the boundary
proposed might be estimated to be of greater value
than, a fair equivalent for our just demands, our com
missioner was authorized to stipulate for the pay
ment of such additional pecuniary consideration as
was deemed reasonable.
The terms of a treaty proposedtby the Mexican
commissioners were wholly inadmissible. They
negotiated as if Mexico were the 'victorious; and
not the vanquished pasty. They must have known
that their ultimatum could neeer be accepted. It
required the rnited States to dismember Texas, by
surrendering to Mexico that part of the territory of
that State lying between the Nneees and the Rio
Grande, included within her limits by her laws
when she was an independent republic, and when
she was annexed to the United States, and admit-
ted by Congress as one of the States of our Union.
It contained noprovisioq for the payment by
Mexico of the just claims of ourcitizens. It requir
ed indemnity to Mexican citizens for injuries they
may have sustained by our troops in the prose. cu
tion of the war. It demanded the right for Mexico
to levy and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on
goods imiented into her ports while in our military
occupation during the war, and the owners of which
had paid to officers of the U. States the military
contributions which had been levied upon them ;
and it offered to cede to the United States, fora pe
cuniary consideration, that part of Upper California
lying north of latitude thirty-soften degrees. uch
were the unreasonable terms proposed by the Mexi
ean Commissioners.
The cession to the U. Stales by Mexico, of the
provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, as
proposed by the commissioner of the U. Stales t it
was bUk:eved; would be more in accordance midi
the convenience and interests of both nations, than
any other cession of territory which it was proba
ble Mexico could be induced to make.
It is manifest to all who have observed the ac
teal cxmditiod of the Mexican government, for
some years past, mid at present, that if these Pith
vioces should be retained by her, she conkl not
long continue to hold and:gove'in .them.
_Mexico
is too. feeble a power to govern these provincek
lying as they do, at a distance Of more than at19,0-sand
sand miles from tier ctypital. and; if attempted td
be retained by her, ther•wonld constitntefielt for a
very shorttime, even nominally, apart of.herdo.
nmitons.• . •
•
This would especially be, the eaee with AUpper
California. The sagacity of . erful Phopean na
tions has long since their attention to the
commercial importance of that province,.and there
can be litthl doubt that the moment the U. States
shall relinquish their preient . oceupsaion of it, and
their claim to it as an indemnity, an effott would be;
made by some foreign Power to pastiest it. either
by conquest, or by purchase. If no foreign goy
emment should acquire it in either of these modes,
an independent revolutionary government. would
probably be established by the inhabitants, and
such fcmignect as may remain' in or renlove to the
country, as soon es it shall be known that the Uni
" arasaraxil Or marziscurzos MOM. Mil( WASTER."
ted States have abandoned it. Snell a government
would be too feeble ,tang to maintain its separate
independent existence, and would finally become
annexed to, of be adepeudent colony of some more
powerful State. ..
Should any foreign governinent attempt to pos
sess it as a colony, or otherwise to incorporate it
with itself, the pnuciple avowed by President Mon
roe in 1824. and re-affirmed in any first annual
message, that no foreign power shalL with our con
sent, be permitted to plant or establish any new
colony or dominion on any portal the North-Ameri
can continent, must be maintained. in maintain.
ing this . principle, and iii resisting its invasion by
te,
elir.c y
any foreign power, 'we might be involved in nthe
wars more expensive and more di ffi cult tha"..ti at
in which we are now engaged.
The noviuces of New Mexico • a e Califor
nias are contignoui to the territorj . of the United
States, and if brought under th government of our
laws, their resources—mineral, agricultural, mann
facturing and commercial—would soon be devel
oped.
Tpper California is hounded on the north by our
Oregpn possessions, and if held by the IT. States,
would soon be sealed by a hardy, enterprising and
intelligent portion of our population. • The bay of
San Francisco, and other harbors along the Cali
fomian coast, would afford shelter for our navy, for '
our numerous whale ships, and other merchant res
sels employed in the Pacific ocean, and would, in
a short period, become the marts of an extensive
and profitable commerce with China, and other
countries of the East..
These advantages, in which tho whole commer
cial world would participate, would at once be se
cured to the l'niteel States by the cession of thister.
ritory ;; while it is certain'that, as lenges it remains
a part of the Mexican dominions, they can be en
joyed neither by Mexico hers.elf, nor by any other
nation.
New Mexico is a frontier province. and has nev
er been of any considerable value to Meiico. 1! mm
its locality, it is naturally connected with our west
ern settlements. The territorial limns 4. the Slate
of Texas too, as de fi ned by her laws before her ad
mission into cur Union, embrace all that portion of
New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, while
Mexico still claims to hold this territory as a part of
her doininions. The adjustment of this question of
boundary, is important.
There is another consideration which induced the
belief that the Mexican government might even de
sire to place this province under the protection of
the Government of the United States. Numerous
bands of fierce and warlike savages wander over it,.
and upon its bordert : Mexico has been, and- must .
continue to be, too feeble to restrain them from com
mitting depredations, robberies, and murders, not
only upon the inhabitants of New Mexico itself,
but upon those of the other Northern States and
Mexico. It would be a blessing to all these North-.
ern States to have their citizens protected against
them by the power of the United States. ,At this
moment many Mexicans, principally female 4 and
chihkren, are in captivity among them, If New .
Mexico were held and governed by the U. States,
we could effectually prevent these tribes from mom
milting such outrages, and compel them to release
these captives, and restore them to their families
and friends.
propo.ing to acquire New Mexico and the
Californias, it was known that but an uiconsidera•
ble portion of the Mexican people would be trans.
tarred with them, the country• embraced within
these provinces being chiefly of-an Janinhabited re
gion.
These were the leading considerations which in
duced me to authorize the terms of peace which
were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected :
and negotiations being at an end, hostilities were
renewed. An assadh was made by our gallant
army upon the strongly fortified places near the
goes of the city of Mexico, and upon the city it
self; and after several days of severe conflict, the
Mexican forces, vastly superior in number to our
own. were driven from the city and it was occupi
ed by our troops.
Immediately after information was received of
the unfavorable result of the negotiations, believin ,,
that his continued presence with the army could
be productive of no good, I determined to recall our
commissioner. A despatch to thiseflect was trans
mitted to him on the sivth'of October lasf. The
Merit= oremment will be informed of his rec a ll
and that in the existing state of things, t shaft not
deem it proper to make any further overture of
peace, but shall be at all times ready to receive
and consider any proposals which may be made
by Mexico.
Since the liberal, proposition of the U. States Wale
authoriied to be made in Apnl last, large expendi
tures have been incurred, and thee precincts blood of
many of our patriotic fellow-citizens has heel:lashed
in the prosecution of the war. This aftusideration,
and the obstinate perseverance of Mexico in pro.
trading the war, must influence the terms of peace
which it may be deemed proper liereatter tb tte:
cept.
Our arms having been everywhere victorious,
having subjected teour military occupation a large
portion of the enemy's country:, including hisaapi
talrand negotiations for peace having failed, the
important questions arise—ln what manner the war
ought to be prosecuted t And what should be our
future policy I I cannot doubt that We should se
cure and render available the conquest which we
have - already made; and that, with this view, w e
should hold. and occupy; by our naval and milita
ry forces,
i all the ports, towns, cities, and previn
cei now n our occupation, or which may hereaf
ter fall into our Possession ; that we should press
forward our military operations and levy such mill;
Lary contributions on the enemy as may, as far as
practicable, defray the future expenses of the war.
Had the government of Mexico acceded td the
equitable and liberal terms proposed, that mode of
adjustment would - have been preferred. • Mexico
hating declined to do this, and failepito offer any
other terms which could be accepted by the United
States, the national honor, no less than the public
interests, requires that the war should be prosecu
ted with increased end end power until a Ins
and satisfactOry peace can be obtained. In the
mean time, as Mexico refuses all indemnity, we
should adopt measures to indemnify ourselves, by
llPProPtilligeh permanently; a portkin of ,her terra.
Early a er the commencement of the war,
New Mexico and the Calikomias Imre taken pop
ofby our forces, Oar inUitary and navel
ccennianders wire ordered to conquer and hold
them, subject Ribs-disposed of by a treaty of peace:
E Thnse OnTiinces ere new — in 'dor undisputed oe.
cupation, *Alum been se for many months ; all
resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased
within their-limit& am,satished i thattlirry shrtald
e.ter eulTeutferellteiMesi-w- _MtlCbelfress
eencet.WilitAteistkikspinien;and.that they sheald
be retallied'hy'the V. Mated as' indemnity, I can
perceive no Oa reason why the Civil jurisdiction,
and laws ofthe U. States Aced not at once be ex
tended Over them. To wait fora natty of .peace,
such.as We are willing:to make,, by Which our re,
lations towards them wouldinel be changed, cannot ,
be good policy ;. whilst our own interes4 and that
of the people inhabiting *ern, require that a stable,
reiponsible,_ anti free government under.. Our an.'
lherity therdd, is soon as possible, be oWishe4
over them.
!•/*
Should Congress, therefore, determine to held
these provinces permanently, and that they shall
hereaf:er be considered as cunstitsient parts -ofoar
conutry, the early establislfineut of - territorial j• -
ernments over them will be important tart , Mare
perfect protection of persons andpmpert I re
commend that such territorial goy • mews be
established. It will pmmote .13 and tramphqty
among the inhabitants, by yiugall apprehension
that they may still elite nof .being again subject
ai to the jurisdietio• of Mexico. I inyitethe early
and favorable sideration of Congress to this im
portant sot • t. t
Iles . • New Mexico a.. 4.1 the Californias, there
titer Alexican provinees whith have been: rtc.
need to our possession by calque:4. • These other
Mexican prrivinces are now gov,epied by our mili
tary and naval commanders, under the genend an.
thorny which is conferred upon a conqueror by the
laws of war. Then should continue to be held As
a means of coereind Mexico to accede to pert terms
of peace. Civil as well as military officers are re
quired to conduct such a government. Adequate
voutpensi:aion to be drawn from &attributions levied
on the enemy should be axed by law fur such offi
cers as may be thus employed: What turther
provision may become necessary, mid what fund
disposition it may be proper to make of them, must
depend on the future progress of the war, and the
course which Mexico may think proper hereafter
to pursue.
With the views I entertain, I cannot favor the
policy which has been suggested, either to ttitlidraW.
our army altogether, or to retire to a designated tine,
and simply hold and defend it. To withdraw our
army altogether from the conquests they have made
by deeds of Unparalleled bravery, and at the ex
pense of so much blood and treasure, in ajust war
on our part, and one which, by the net of the ene
my. we could not honorably have ainfilett, worth!
by to degrade the nation in its own esthnanon -and
in that of the world.
To retire to n line, and simply bold and defend
it, would not terminate the war. On the contrary.
it would encourage Mexico to persevere, and tend
to protract it indefinitely.
4 lt is not to be exported that Mexico, after refu
sing to establish such a line as a permanent bound.
ary, when our victorious army are in possession of
her rapt id, and in the heart of her country. wraftif
permit us to hold it without resistance. That she
would continue the war; and in the most harrass
ing and annoying terms, there can be no dotibt.
A border war fa re of the moat savnge character, ex:
tending over a long line, Would be unceasingly
'waged. It would'require a large - army to be kept
constantly in the field, stationed at poets and gar
risons along such a line, to protect and defend it.
The enemy, relieved from the presstire - ot our
arms on his coasts and in the populous parts of the
interior, would direct his attention to this line, and,
selecting an isolated posi for attack, would con
ceutrate his forces upon it. This - would be a con
dition of affairs which theSlexicans, pursuing their
favorite system of guerilla warfare, would proltb!y
prefer to any other. Were we tO assume a defen
sive attitude on such a lino, all the advantages of
such a state of war would be on the side' of the
enemy. IVe could levy no contributions upon him,
or in any other way make him feellhe presence
of the war, but must remain inactive and await his
approach, being in constant uncertainty at what
point on the line, or at what time, he might make
an assault.
He may:asseinble and:organize an overwhelm
ing force in the interior, on his own side of the line,
and, concealing his purpose, make a sueden assault
upon some one of our posts so distant from any
other as to prevent the possibility of timely succor
or reinforcements; and in this way our gallant ar
my would be exposed to the danger of being cut
otf in detail ; or if, by their unequalled bravery and
prowess, every where exhibited during this war, ,
they should repulse the enemy, their numbers sta.:
tinned at any one post.may be too small to pursue
him.
If the enemy be repulsed in one attack, he weillfl
have nothing to do but to retreat to his own side of
the line . , arid, being In no fear of a pursuing army,
may reinforce himself at leisure, for another attack
on the same or some other post. He ffiay t too,
cross the line between our- posts, make rapid in
cursions into the country which we hold, murder
the inhabitants, mitt:nit depredations on them. and
then-retreat to the interior before a sufficient force
can be concentrated to pursue him. Such would
probably be the barrassing character of a mart do:
feusive war on our part.
If nur forces, when attacked, or threatened with
attack, be permitted to cross the line, dnve back the
enemy and conquer him, this Wotrld,be again to in
vade the efieriari country, after hating lost all the
adrfintages of the conquest we have already made,
by havtv voluntarily abandoned them. Tb held
such a hue successfully and in security, it is far
from beiniteestaM that it would not require as large
an army ir i s would be necessary to hold all the (1)11•
quest we have already made : and to continue the
prosecutiela of the war in the heart of the ennui • 's
country. tis also &r from being certain that the
e i lvensee bf the war would be diminished by such a
po4cy: 1
I ant persuaded that the best means of vindica
ting the national honor and interest, and of bring
ing the wet. to au honorable close, will be to prose
cute it with increased energy and power in the vital
parts ofenemy's country
In my nit
al merfte to C6ngress of December
elalast, I d red that a the war has not been 'waged
with a view to to conquest but having been com
menced try Mexico, it has bean carried into the en
emy's couptry v and will be Vigorously prdsecuted
there, with d fithir Id obtain an hOnorable peace
and thereby Secure ample inlemnity for the ex
penses of the war, as well as to our much injured
citizens,
,'who hod pecuniary demands against
Mexico .° Snell iti ttiy jtid*nelnt, continues to be
our true policy—indeed, the only policy which will
probably ;secure a permanent peace..
. It hat never been eantemplated by me, as an ob- 1
ject of the war, to make a permanent conquest of
the republic of Mexico, or to annihilate her sepa
rate
existence as. an independent nation. On the ,
'central, it Vas ever been my desire that she should
maintain her nationaliy, and, 'under a good govern-
ment adapted to hemnidition, be whips, indepen-i
dent and prosperous repubrie. The United States 1
were the first =tang the, maims to ,re cognise . heti
independence, aid have !drum Aesired - to to '04,4
terms of amiq• and good neigh bo r h ood with ie,gla
This she would not stiffen.. 1
By her own conduct we have been eortmened in!
engage in the present war. In'its prosecation we ,
seek not her. overthrow as a nation; but, in vindiii
eating 011r,natklaal boaor, werogrell. tonbtain redline;
for the wrongs she has done mond intiergniti kir,L
our. 414 demand, implUt her: We r 4 1 P 1 4 1 9
honrible . peace ; I.6ldnd Oft,lice; iii*Vta wal tga
l 1
indemnity fotthe pi* and ansurity tot - frithrii•
mile& menicalsoxernott ailliteriffinksiarual o f
which nutria pease tad& be obtained: - -
Wbtisf ors arm** lam advanced from . victory
to victory, from the
with
of the War, -
. 1
has always been with the o)ive branch of peace •
their hands; and it has been in the polar of lifezj i
co, at every step, to - erred hoaities byecceptingy it T
()de great °beta& to ale attainment OSPam has."
undoubtedly, arisen frail the Oct that Mexico tali
been:oolong held in subjection by One loction or
Military usurper after another, and such has been
the condition at inseicerity.in which staves,
MEM
sive r .',r'rrnnu-nt Irate been titfl "fl . i tlrnt kWh' has
, ..n ,leterred from making pi`ntr? f fra for this v er y
',Anise. a rind faction misfit ex - petit from pnWer.
li:tath . was pf "President 'Herrera s admin.
iAnit ion in 18-15, for belie; dis d even to. listen
in the overture: of the United 15 aes to prevent the
war, :Ls is fully confirmed by the lficini correspon
dence which intik Place in the mo th of AuLnist fait
between him and government n corytif.which
is herewith commiiiiiettWil. I ."Fot t this cansc
the }evolution which hint frqm pink- s ei tvav
Att. en Mot " Ily General ! Stick May be.
. . .
the icouilit on of insecurity of the
meat.
.. .i
There can bt.: . tin ifOlibt that the: Peaceable and
well-disposed inhibitants Of Mexico'are convinced
that it is true interest of their cothury to conclude
an honorable peace Olt the United Saes; but the
apprehension of becoming ter ' it ins of.some;mil
itary facile!, of usurper Mar liar . prevenfeil theta
Imm manifesting their feelings b - any poblib act.
The removal of any such appreh tision would pro
bably cause themto speak their,. ..ntiments freely,
and lo Mlopt the measures necess ry for the, resto
nithm of peace. , ..i-
With a people distracted and di,
ind factious, turd a g . ofernment sit
ch e atutes, by successive revo:ntioi
successes of our arms may fail te
tory peace. In such event. it ma
for our co:mounding general in th
cilltrgertient and assurance of
fribnils of peace in IVl'exicO in the
maintenance of a free republic:
their . own choice, able anti' will
pee which-would be just to the
us the IMleninitv we dement)
This may bkome the only mole •of cbtaining
such a peace. ,Should.such be the result, the war
viiiich Mexi'co has forced upon u would-thus be
converted into :in enduringbles ire , to herself—
After
finding her torn antrdi-tra tet e !' by factions;
and ruled bytnilitary usurpers, w should then lean
her c"?fli a result ic:in governme
a t in the eajoytnent
ofof real. independence. and dont ..- is peace and priA
perity, performing all .her tau' ve duties in the
;peat family of nations,!and prom ling her awn hap
puwas by anise tans and their fa' hful excution.
ff . , after adording this eneou r cement. and pro
tection, and after all the perseve ng and sincere ef
forts we have made, from the ruemeut Mexico
commenced the war, and prior to that .time, to mi t ,
_pea our differences with. ft.e.v:iVe shall ultimately :
fag), 'then We &A' have exhati,ted all tiootamhlti.:2-
naleans in pursuit of peace; and Must continue to
occupy her country with ou i r troops, taking the full
measure of inderimlty into our; own hands, and
must enforce the. terms w ikttli or honor demands.
.T 6 apt otherwise, in the ei:isting state Of things
in ?dexico, andio willidn4W o r mini - without a
peace, would not only. leaVe
.. all the wrongs of
which we complain tinredresn , but would be the
signaller new and fiercetvil dissensions and
new revolutions--all alike h stile to peaceful rela.:
thins with the United States.'
ti
Besides, thi‘re is ?danger, i our troops • Were
ei l x.
Withdrawn before li peace was • onclinled, that the
Mexican people wearied with su essive revolutions
and deprived of protection for their persons anitpro
perty, might et length:he inefinid to yield to fiireim
influences, and to cast themselves into the arms of
seine EurOpean monarch for ptotection from
.of
anarchy and suffering which would ensue: This,
for our own safety, and in pursuance of oar estab
lished policy r -we should be coMpelled to resist.—
We could never consent that Mexico should be thus
converted into tt monarchy governed by a foreign
prince. ,
Mexico is our. near neighbor, nd her boundaties
are co-terminous with our own,. throtigh the whole
extern nertiss the North Alfieri an.-contiftent, horn. •
ocean to wean. Both political' • and eurr mercially
we have the deepest interest in her regeneration
and prosperity. Indeed, it is iMpossible that, with
any Just regard to our own safety, we can never be=,
come indifferent tb her fate.' : •
It !fifty be that theillefrican gtwernment and peo
ple have miscomartiell or miatinderstood our for
bmrance, and out objects,. in desiring to conclude
an amicable adjustment (Agile existing dillerences
been the two countries. .Iliey may have sop
hat we would submit t terms degrading to
the nation :or they may have drawn false infer
ences from the stippmed divisien of opinion in the
'United States on the subject o f the wart and may
have calculated to min much by • pmtracting .it
and, indeed, that we might ultimately abandon it'
altagether, without insisting bti any indemnity, ter-
ritonal or otherwise.. Whatever may be the false
impressions, under which they have acted the adop
tion and prosecution of the energetic policy pro;
!posed Must undeceive them.
In the future proseution of the war, the enemy
must be made to feel its pressure more than they
haie heretotbre done. At its coinmencement, it wag
deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit of forbear
ance anittiberality. With this end in view; early
measureewere adopted to conciliate, as far as a
slate of vase ttofld permit, the mass Of the Mexi-•
can ixrpulittiriti :to Convince them that the war wag'
waged not against the peaceful inhabitants of Mexi
co, bin agmust their faithless government, which
had cfmlienced hol•tilitles•, Id: remove from their
Minds tfalse impressiond Which their designing
and interested rulers had adfully attempted to
make, that the *ter oh ern: parSivas one elm:Tents! ;
that it Was a warlivinia their religion and their
churches, whim' were to be de secrated serrated and over
thrown; and that their rights of person and private
property Would be violated. '
Tti remove these false impressions, our •com.
menders in the field were directed scrupulously to
respect their religion , their churches and their
i i ,
rhttrch prorterty a which were in no manner to be
violated; they were directed also to respect the
ri g hts of person and property f all who Shoed hot
take up arms against us. ! - „
Assurances to this effect were Oven to the Mexi-
can people by Major General ruler, in a pickle
illation Issued in First:ranee of InstaY4lons froitt_the
;
'Secretary of War, in th e men of J ane , 1846, and
again by Major General Scott 'who acted urn( big
own convictions'of the prepri Of lissiiin..,i , it hi a
proclamation of the eleventh 0 May, 1847.
In this spiro of liberality hnd dontifiatien, and
wßik n'tiet, to'lprevent the Body of;'the= Meiican
1
"population fro* taking 'up 6. a4ainst at, *as the
war,eoPtinete on impart. rovnticehi and other'
inVitilei fininshipl to our anti y:Miiitsc . ari citizens
'Ate; taiidliiiiit fair and libe Prices agreid upon
by aril - pities. Alter the ht se tita a* irtento . l,
it became apparent that di rimiurtinetic 'Md this
milittniatraent had fade d Toroth= talk desired
effect upon the Mexican p ip titian:
" - Wrde-the war hail Peen *ducted Mt our part
acm - irding-to the itiboilitiMan ttnd liberal PrineWle
cd3gerveti by eitilized nra . it,ilias4iced in d
Actlirtifitifili t e pltt hOixictg . }riot.
~
PitA.
.=bet ottmirmipa, I itie—AfeVclnPeo.
generallY ' bbititi - to ilia Vatted States, and
availed theiriselvesof every- oppoMmity to commit
the .ilenstri a rne 4cessese upon our troops. Large
' ,nrittiberis of the populaiiim took up annoy and, en:
1 g in guerilla warfare, robbed and urfurdered in
e moat cruel manner individual soldiers, or
parties; whom accident or other causes had separa- -
ted from the main body of the army ; bands of guer• - •
rillmos and robbers infected the. roadtL, hadiassed
our trains, and, whenever it waste their power, cm
off our supplies. '
tSEE FOURTH PAGE.}
MEI
prege4i
ided by conttinti t
jest to coristae
s, the continued
secure a Rttisfar;
beeome proper
field to give ea
roteclion to the
tablishmeht and
,n g,ovemmtmt . of
'rig to conclude a
rn., and secure to