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V0L 6 ' -. " . ' ... . STROUDSBDRG, MONROE COUNTY, PA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1845. No'. "527.
PR-JGSIDEffT'S ITIESAGI3.
Fellow-citizens of the, Senate arid House
of Ileprebentattves:
It is to me a source of unaffected satisfac
tion to meet the Representatives of the States
and the people in Congress assembled, as it
will be to receive the aid oftheir combined
wisdom in the administration of public affairs.
In performing, for the first time, the duty im
posed on me by the constitution, of giving to
you information of the state of the Union, and
recommending to your consideration such
measures as in my judgment are necessary and
expedient, I am happy that I can congratulate
you on the continued prosperity of our country.
Under the blessings of Divine Providence and
the benign influence of our free institutions, it
stands before the world a spectacle of national
happiness.
With our unexampled advancement in all
the elements of national greatness, the affec
tion of the people is confirmed for the union of
the States, and for the doctrines of popular lib
erty, whic lie at the foundation of our govern
ment. It becomes us, in humility, to make our de
vout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler
of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and
religious blessings with which we are favored.
In calling the attention of Congress to our
relations with foreign powers. I am gratified to
be able to state, that, though with some of
them, there have existed since our last ses
sion serious causes of irritation and misunder
standing, yet no actual hostilities have taken
place. Adopting the maxim in the conduct of
our foreign affairs, to "ask nothing that is not
right, and submit to nothing that is wrong," it
has been my anxious. desire to preserve peace
with all nations ; but, at the same time, to be
prepared to resist aggression, and to maintain
xill our just rights.
In pursuance of the joint resolution of Con
gress, "for annexing Texas to tho United
States," my predesessor, on the third day of
March, 1845, elected to submit the first and
second sections of that resolution to the repub
lic of Texas, as an overture, on the part of the
United States, for her admission as a State in
to our Union. This election I approve, and
accordingly the charge d'affairs of the United
States in Texas, under instructions of the 10th
of March, 1845, presented these sectious of the
resolution for the acceptance of that republic.
The executive government, the Congress, and
the people of Texas in convention, have suc
cessively complied with all the terms and con
ditions of the joint resolution. A constitution
for the government of the State of Texas,
formed by a convention of deputies, is here
with laid before Congreess. It is well known,
also, that .the people of Texas at the polls have
accepted the terms of annexation, and ratified
the constitution.
I communicate to Congress the correspond
ence between the Secretary of State and our
charge d'affairs in Texas ; and also the cor
respondence of the Utter with thr authorities
of Texas; together with the offical documents
transmitted by him to his own government.
The terms of annexation which were offer
ed by the United States having been accepted
by Texas, the public faith of both parties is
solemnly pledged to the compact of their un
ion. Nothing remains to consumate the event,
but the passage of an act by Congress to admit
the State of Texas into the Union upon an
equal footing with the original States. Strong
reasons exist why this should bedoneatanear
ly period of the session. It will be observed
that, by the constitution of Texas, the exist
ing government is only continued temporal rity
till Conjures can act; and that the third Mon
day of the present month is the day appointed
for holding the first general election. On that
day a governor, a lieuteuant governor, and
both branches of the legislature, will be cho
sen by the people. The President of Texas
is required, immediately after the receipt of
official information that the new State has been
admitted jnto our Union by Congress, to con
vene the legislatue; and, upon its meeting, the
existing government will be superseded, and
the State eovernmenc organized. Questions
deeply interesting to Texas, in common with
the other States; the extension of our revenue
laws and judicial system over her people and
territory, as well, as measures of a local char
acter, wili claim the early attention of Con
gress; and, therefore, upon every principle of
"republican government, she ought to be rep
resented in that body without unnecessary de
lay. 1 cannot too earnestly recommend prompt
action oh this Important subject.
As soon as the act to admit Texas as a State
shall be passed, the union of the two republics
will be consumated by their own voluntary
consent.
This accession to our territory has been a
blooodles achievement. Noarm of force has
been raised to produce the result. The .sword
has had no part in the victory- We have nut
bought to extend our territorial possession by
conquest, or our republican institutions over a
reluctant people. It was the deliberate horn'
age of each people to the great principle ol
our federative union. ' .
If w.e consider the extent of territory invol
ved in the annexation jts prospective influ
ence on America the means by which it has
been accomplished, springing purely from the
choice of the people themselves to share thr
blessings of our union the history of the
world may be challenged to furnish a parallel.
Thejurifidictisn ofthe United States, which
at the formation of the federal constitution was
bounded by St. Marv-'s on the Atlantic, hits
passed the Capes of ,FJor,ida,and been.ippape
Juljy extended to the Del Norte. In. cqntetuplu
ting he grandeur o' this .event, it is not to be
forgotton,''that the result vv as achieved .in des
pitc of-the- diplomatic 'interference5 of Europe.
,au .monarchies, .Even France the icuuntry
which had been our ancient ally the country
which has a common interest with us in main
taining the freedom of the seas the country
which, by the cession of Louisiana, first open
ed to us access to the Gulf of Mexico thecoun
try with which we have been every year been
drawing more and more closely the bonds of
successful commerce most unexpectedly, and
to our unfeigned regret, took part in an effort
to prevent annexation, and to impose on Tex
as as a condition of the recognition ofherintfe
pendenceby Mexico, that she would never join
herself to the United States. We mav re
joice that the tranquil and pervading influence
ot American principles of self government, was
suthcient to defeat the purposes of nritish and
French interference, and that the almost unan
imos voice of the people of Texas has fciven to
the interference a peaceful and effective re
buke. From this example, European gov
ernments may learn how vain diplomatic arts
and intrigues must ever prove upon this conti
nent, against that system of self government
which seems natural to our soil, and which will
ever resist foreign interference.
Towards Texas, I do not doubt that a liber
al and generous spirit will actuate Congress in
all that concerns her interests and prosperity,
and that she will never have cause to regret
that she united her "lone star" to our glorious
constellation.
J regret to inform you that our relations
with Mexico, since your last session, have not
been of the amicable character which .it is our
desire to cultivate with all foreign nations He did not, however, recommend an im
On the sixth day of March last, the Mexican ' mediate resort to this extreme measure.
envo' extraordinary and minister plenipoten
tiary to the United Slates, made a formal pro
test, in the name of his government, against
the joint resolution passed by Congress, for
the annexation of Texa to the United States,"
which he chose to regard as a violation of the
rights of Mexico, and, in consequence of it, he
demanded his passports. He was informed
that the government of the United States did
not consider this joint resolution as a violation
of any of the rights of Mexico, and constitu
ting no part of her territory or rightful
sovereignity and jurisdiction. He was also
assured that it was the sincere desire of this
government to maintain with that of Mexico
relations of peace and good understanding.
That functionary, however, notwithstanding
these representations and assurances, abruptly
hese representations and assurances, abruptly . ueen committed on the persons and pro
erminated his mission, and shortly afterwards - wf oup c;lizo,)S A specja asjent
eft the countrv. Our Envoy Extraordinary ' J ,, . ., ' f,-n
ind Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico was "as ; sent to Mexico in the summer of 1838,
term
1
and Minister rlenipotent
refused all official intercourse with that go
vernment, and, after remaining several months,
by the permission of his own government, he
returned to the United States. Thus, by the
acts of Mexico, all diplomatic intercourse
between the two countries was suspended.
since that time Mexico has, until recently,
occupied an attitude of hostility towards the
United States has been marshalling and or
ganizing armies, issuing proclamations, and
avowing the intention to make war on the
United States, either by an open declaration,
or by invading Texas Both the Congress
and convention ot the people ot 1 exas in-;
vitfd this government to send an army into
that territory, to protect and detenu them
against the menaced attack. The moment the
terms of annexation, offered by the United
States, were accepted by Texas, the latter be
came so far a part of our own country, as to
make it out duty to afford such protection and
defence. I therefore deemed it proper, as a
precautionary measure, to order a strong
squadron on the coasts of Mexico, and to con
centrate an efficient military force on the
western frontier of Texas. Our army was
ordered to take position in the country be
tween the Nueces and the Del Norte, and to
repel any 'invasion of the Texian territory
which might be attempted by the Mexican
forces. Our Squadron in the gulf was ordered
tc co-operate with the army. .But though our
army and navy were placed in a position to
defend our own, and the rights of Texas, they
were ordered to commit nd act of hostility
against Mexico, unless she declared war. or
was herself the aggressor by striking the
first blow. The result has been, that Mexico
has made no aggressive movement, ana our
military and naval commanders have execntcfl
their orders with so much discretion, that the
peace of the two republics, has not been dis
turbed' j
Texas had declared her independence, and ;
maintained it by her arms for more than nine
years. She has' had an Organized government
in successful operation since th.it period. Her
seperate existence, as an independent State,
had been recognised by the .United States and
the principal powers of Europe. Treaties of
commerce and navigation had been concluded
with her by different nation?, alid it had be
come manifest to the. whole woild that any
further attempt on the part of Mexico to.con
quer her, or overthrow her government,
would be vain Even Mexico herself had
become satisfied of this fact ; and whilst the
question of annexation whs pending before
(the people of I exas, during the pst summer,
the government -ol Mexico., by a lurmal apt,
agreed to-recognize the independence ot'Texa
oil condition that she wotlld 'not annex herself
tb any other power.' The agreement to ac
knowledge the independence ol I exas wheth
er with or without this t gndition,.is conclusive
agamst Mexico The independence of Texas
is a fact conceded liy Mexico herself, and she
had no right or authority to pi escribe restno
lions as to the form , of governme.nt yhich
.l"tx.ts .migh,ul't6rward,s choose, to assume. ,
Hnl Ihnutih Mexico cannot conqi.laiu of
the Untied Slate,- on account of ih' annex
ation -of Texas," is.to .be. Higietted Uat
serious, caut-es of jnicUudejiaiiilinB-..bM
4tvin?llicaAvo; c.ounti jcaontihuo .tsj ex Uf.;
crowing out of unredressed injuries inflic
ted by the Mexican authorities and people,
on the persons and property of citizens of
the United Stales, through a long series of
years. Mexico has admitted these injuries,
but has neglected and refused to repair
them. Such was the character of the
wrongs, and such the insults repenledl)
offered to American citizens and the A
rnerican flag by .Mexico, in palpable vio
lation of the law of nalious and the trea
ty between the two countries of the fifth
of April, 1831, that they have been repea
tedly brought to the notice of Congiess
by my predecessors. As early as the
eighth of February, 18S7, the President
of the United State declared, in the mess
age (o Congress, that " length of lime
since some of the injuries have been com
mitted, the repeated and unavailing ap
plications for redress, the wanton charac
ter of some of the outrages upon the per
sons and properly of our citizens, upon
the officers and flag of the United States,
independent of recent insults to this gov
ernment and people by the late Extraor
dinnry Mexican minister, would justify in
the eyes of all nations immediate war,
which, he declared, " should not be used
by just and generous nations, confiding in
their strength for injuries committed, if it
can be honorably avoided but, to a spir
it of forbearance, proposed that another
demand be made upon Mexico for that re
dress which has; been so long and unjustly
withheld. In these views, committees of
the two Houses of Congress, in reports
made to their respective bodies, concurr
ed. Since these proceedings more than
etyhi years have elapsed, during which, in
addition to the wrongs then complained of,
others of an aggravated character have
wiin lull authority to make another and
final demand for redres3. 7'he demand
was made, and the .Mexican government
promised to repair the w.rongs of which
we complained ; and after much delay, a
treaty of indemnity with that view was
concluded between the two Powers on
the eleventh of April, 1839, and was duly
ratified by both governments, liy this
treaty a joint commission was created to
t adjudicate and decide on the claims of A-
merican citizens on the government of
Mexico. Ihe commission was organized
at Washington on the twenty-fifth day of
August, 1340. Their time was limited
to eighteen months ; at the expiration of
which, they had adjudicated and decided
claims amounting to two millions twenty
six thousand one hundred and thirtynine
dollars and sixty-eight cents in favor of
citizens of the Union against the .Mexican
government, leaving a Urge amount of
claims undecided. Of the latter, the A
merican commissioners had decided in fa
vor of our citizens, claims amounting to
nine hundred and twenty-eight thousand
six hundred and twenty-seven dollars and
eighty-eight cents, which were left unac
ted on by the umpire authorised by the
treaty. 6'tiil further claims, amounting to
between three and four millions of dollars,
were, sjibmim-d to the board too late to be
considered, and were left undisposed of.
The sum of two million? twenty six thou
sand one hundred and thiity nine dollars
and sixty-eight cents, decided by the
board, v.a a liquidated and nMV.riatned
debt due b) .Mexico to the claimants, and
there -was unjustifiable reason for delaying
Us payment according to the terms of the
lieal). It is not, however, paid. .Mexi
co applied for further indulgence ; and,
in that spun of liberality and forbearance
which h.-i ever marked the policy of the
United .States towards the repu-blic, tne
request was granted ; and, on the thirtieth
of January ,..IS43pn new treaty was con
cluded, liy this treat) it. was provided,
that the interest, du'e on the awards in fa
vorof clannui.t under the convention of
the eleventh of April, 1839, should-be
paid on the thirtieth of April, 1843 ; and
that V the. principal of the said awards,
and the interest arising thereon, should be
paid in five )ears, in equal iiK-talments
every three months ; the s;id term of five
r.V7,l!U.0 . cprnmenceion the thirtieth lavof
.April, , 1 ,843, as. aforesaid. " The interest
due, on the. thirtieth day of April, 1843,
and( the three first of the twi-nty instal-
.ments, have bi-en paid.' Seventeen of
these instalments remain unpaid5, even'of
.which aitvnow due.- dt?i! 1 4
The claims whicn were left undecided
by the joint commission amounting to more
than three millions of dollars, together
with other claims for spoliations on the
property of our citizens, were subsequent
ly presented to the 1exican government1
lor payment, and. were so far recognised,
that a treat), providing for their examina
tion and settlement by a joint commission,
was concluded and signed at .Mexico on
the twentieth day of November, 1843.
'I'.his treaty was ratified by the United
States, with ceitain amendments, to which
no just exception could have been taken;
but U has not yet recetyed the ratification
of the JMexican government. In the
meantime, our citizens who suffered great
losses, and some of whom have been re
duced from afiluence to bankruptcy, are
without remedy, unless their rights be en-
t i i . - . .sit
lorceo uy toeir government, oucli a con
tinued and unprovoked series of wrongs
could newr have been tolerated by the
United States, had hey been committee
by one of the principal nations of Europe.
Mexico was, however, a neighboring sister
republic, which, following our example,
had achieved her independence, and for
whose success and prosperity all our sym
pathies were early enlisted. The Uniled
Slates were the first to recognize her in
dependence, and to receive her into the
family of nations, and have ever been de
sirous of cultivating wilh her a good un
derslanding. have, therefore, borne
the repeated wrongs she has committed,
with great patience, in the hope that a
returning sense of justice would ultimate
ly guide her councils, and that we might,
if possible, honorably avoid any hostile
collision with her.
Fithout Ihe previous authority of Con
gress, the Executive possessed no power
to adopt or enforce adequate remedies for
the injuries we had sutiered or do more
than be prepared to repel the threatened
aggression on the part of Mexico. After
our army and navy had, remained on the
frontier and coasts of Mexico for many
weeks, without any hostile movement on
her part, though her menaces were con
tinned, I deemed it important to put an
end if possible, to this stale of things.
With this view, I caused steps to be ta
ken, in the month of September last, to
asceitain distinctly, and in an authentic
form, what the designs of the Mexican
government were
whether
it was their
intention to declare war, or invade Texas,
or whether they w;ere disposed to adjust
settle, in an amicable manner, the pending
difference between the two countries:
On Ihe ninth of November, an official
answer was received, that the Mexican
government consented to renew the di
plomalic relations which had been sus
ponded in March last, and for that purpose
were willing to accredit a minister from
the United States. With a sincere desire
to preserve peace, and restore relations
of good understanding between the two
republics, I waived all ceremony as to the
manner of renewing diplomatic inter
course between them ; and assuming the
initiative?, on the tenth of November a
distinguished citizen of Louisiana was ap
pointed Knvoy Extraordinary and Minis
ler Plenipotentiary to Mexico, clothed
with full powers to adjust, and definitely
sel(le,'all pending dilleiences between the
two countries, including Ihose of bouuda
ry between Mexico and the State of 7ex
as. The minister appointed has set out
on his mission, and is probably by this
time near the JMexican capital. He has
been instructed to bring the negotiation
with which he is charged to a conclusion
at the earliest practicable period ; which,
it is expected, will be in time to enable
me to communicate the result to Congress
during the present session. Until thai
result is known, 1 forbear to recommend
to Congress such ulterior measures of re
dress for the wrongs and injuries we have
so long borne, as it would have been pro
per to make had no audi hegbtiatfon been
instituted. '
" Congress appropriated, at the last sess
ion, the sum of two hundred ar.d seventy
five thousand dollars for the payment of
the April and July instalments of ihe
'Mexican indemnities for Ihe year 1S44.
ll .Provided it shall be ascertained to satis
faction of the American government that
said instalments have been paid by the
Mexican government to the agent app.oin
ted by the United States to receive" the
iunie, in such manner as to discharge all
claim' on the Mexican government, and
tj'aid'iigent to be delinquent in remitting
the money to the United States."
The unsettled stateof our relations with
Mexico has involved this subject in much
.... .. j
mystery. Ihe lust information, m an an
thentic form, from the agent ui the United
Slates appointed under the admiiiist ni
tion of my predecessor, was received at
the State Department on the ninth day of
No ember last. This is contained in a
letter, dated the seventeenth of October,
addressed by him to one of our citizens
then in Mexico, with the view of having
it communicated to that department.
From this it appears that the agent, on
the twentieth of September, 1 844, gave a
receipt to the treasury of Mexico-for the
amount of the April and July instalments
of the indemnity. In the same commu
nication, however, he asserts that he had
not received a single dollar in cash ; but
that he holds such securities as warranted
him at the time in giving the receipt, and
entertains no doubt but that he will even
tually obtain the money. As fhese instal
ments appear never to have been actuall
paid by the govornment of .Mexico to the
agent, and as that government has not
therefore beeii released so as to discharge
the. claim, I do not feel myself warranted
in directing payment to be made to the
claimants out of the treasury, without fur
ther legislation. Their case is, undoubt
edly, one of much hardship ; and it re
mains for Congress to decide whetherany,
and what, relief ought to be granted to
them. Our minister to .Mexico has been
instructed to ascertain the facts of the
case from the Mexican government, in an
authentic and official form, and report the
result with as little delay as possible.
My attention was early directed to the
negotiation, which, on the fourth of March
last, I found pending at Washington be
tween the United States and Great Britain,
on the subject of the Oregon territory.
Three several attempts had been previously
made to settle the questions in dispute be
tween the two countries, by negotiation,
upon the principle of compromise; but each
had proved unsuccessful.
These negotiations took place at London,
in the ycarsl818, 1824, and 1826; the two
first under the administration of Mr. Mon
roe, and the last under that of Mr. Adams.
The negotiation of 1818 having failed to
accomplish its object, resulted in the con
vention of the twentieth of October of that
year. By the third article of that conven
tion, it was "agreed,, that any country that
mav be claimed by either party on the
north west coast of America, westward of
the Stony mountains, shall, together with
its harbors, bays and creeks, and the navi
gation of all rivers within the same, be free
anopen for the term of '.en years from the
date of the signature of the present conven
tion, to the vessels, citizens, and subjects of
the two Powers ; it being well understood
that this agreement is not to be construed
to the prejudice of any claim which either
of the two high contracting parties may
have to any part of said country ; the only
object of the high contracting parties in
that respect being, to prevent disputes and
differences among themselves."
The negotiation of 1824 was productive
of no result, and the convention of 1818
was left unchanged.
The negotiation of 182G, having also
failed tooffectan adjustment by compromise,
resulted in the convention of August the
(3th, 1827, by which it was agreed to con
tinue in force, for an indefinite period, the
provisions of the third article of the con
vention of tho 20th of October, 1818; ami
it was further provided, that "it shall be
competent, however, to cither of the con
tracting parties, in case cither should think
fit, at any lime after the 'Utli ot Uctober,
1838, on giving due notice of 12 months to
the other contracting party, to annul and
abrogate this convention : and it shall in
such case, be accordingly entirely annulled
and abrogated after the expiration of the
said term of notice." In these attempts to
adjust the controversy, the parallel of the
forty-ninth degree of north latitude had
been offered by the United States to Great
Britain, and in those of 1SS and 1320.
with a further concession of ;bo free navi
gation of the, Columbia river south of that
latitude. The parallel uf the forty-ninth
degree, from the Rocky Mountains to its in
tersection with the northwestern-most branch
of the Columbia, and thence down the chan
nel of that river tdthe sea, had been ofFered
by Great Britain, with an addition of a
small detached territory north of the Col
umbia. $ach of these p opositions had
been rejected by the parties respectively.
In October, 1813, the Envoy Extraordi
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary of tho
United States in Lond6n, was authorised
to inake a similar dfTer to those made in
1818 and 1S26- Thus stoud the nucstiau