The whole art op Government consists in the art of being honest. Jefferson.
STKOUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1847.
No.. 24
VOL 8.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Fcllozt-citizens of the Senate, and
House of Representatives:
The annual meeting of Congress is always an
interesting event. The Representatives of the
States and of the people come fresh from their
constituents to take counsel together for the com
mon good. After an existence of near three
fourths of a century, as a free and independent
republic, the problem no longer remains to be
solved, whether man is. capable of self-government.
The success of our admirable system is a
conclusive refutation of the theories of those in
other countries who maintain that a " favored
few" are born to rule, and that the mass of man
kind must be governed by force. Subject to no
arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are
the only sovereigns recognized by our Constitu
tion. Numerous emigrants of every lineage and
language, attracted by the civil and religious
freedom we enjoy, and by our happy condition,
annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their
heart, not less than their allegiance, to the coun
try whoee dominion belongs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored, or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the mani
festations of the divine protection. An all-wise
Creator directed and guarded us in our infant
struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched
over our surprising progress, until we have be
come one of the great nations of the earth.
It is in a country thus favored, and under a go
vernment in which the Executive and Legisla
tive branches hold their authority for limited pe
rioJs, alike from the people, and where all are
responsible to their respective constituencies,
that it is again my duty to communicate with
Congress, upon the slate of the Union, and the
present condition of public affairs.
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
are presented that our country has been blessed
with z. wide spread and universal prosperity.
There has been no period since the government
was 'founded, when all the industrial pursuits of
our people have been more successful, or when
'labdr in all branches of business has received a
fairer or better reward. From our abundance we
'have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty
of furnishing food for the starving millions of less
favored countries.
In the enjoymentof the bounties of Providence
at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot of
any people, it is a cause of congratulation, that
our intercourse With all the Powers of the earth,
except Mexico, continues to be of the most ami
cable character.
It has ever been our cherished policy to culti
vate peace and good-will with all nations ; and
this policy hag been steadily pursued by me.
No change lias taken place in our relations with
Mexico since the adjournment of the Jaet l.on-
mi t-t- . L TT..:. J G-tnc
cress, l ne war in wnicii
S. X He war in yyiuuu iuc uihiku
Lj-k TTnltnil
States
were forced to eri?are with tfie
government
of
that countrv. still continues.
i j
I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition
bf them contained in rny hiessage of the eleventh
f May, 1846, and in my annUaL message at the
commencement of the sessiorf dr Congress in De
cember last,to reiterate the serious causes bf bom
ploint which we had against Mexico before she
commenced hostilities.
It is sufficient on the present occasion to say,
that the wanton violation dt the rights of person
and property of our citizens committed by Mexi
co, her repeated acts of bad faith, through a long
series of years and her disregard of solemn trea
ties, stipulating for indemnity to our injured citi
zens, not-only constituted ample cause of war on
our part, but were of such an aggravated charac
ter as would have justified us before the whole
world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With
an anxious desire to ayoid a rupture between the
two countries, we loroore tor years to assert uur :nn.tne army, to deliver to the ueneral in corn
clear rights by force, and continued to seek re- mJn(j the despatch he bore from he Secretary of
dress tor the wrongs we nausuuereu uyiuiuauiu .
negotiation, in the hope that Mexico migni yieiu
to the pacific councils and the demands of justice.
In this hope we were disappointed. Our Minis
ter of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly re
jected. The Mexican government refused even
to hear the terms ot adjustment wnicii ne was
authorized to propose; and finally, under wholly
unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries
in war, by invading the territory of the State of
Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the
hnr nfntir citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States were the aggrieved ;
-
nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were j
compelled in self-defence, to repel the invader, .
il.t. xdttnngl hnnnr nnil interests!
JHIU tu viiiuiatc mcu"u"' ....-. .
prosecuting it with vigor until we couia ODiain
a just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilities had been commeM
'ced by Mexico, I promptly communicated that
fact, accompanied with a succinct statement of
our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to
'"Congress : and that body, by the act of the thir
teenth of May, 1846, declared that " by the act
'ol the republic of Mexico a state of war exists be
tween that government and the United States"
this act declaring "the war to exist by the act
of the republic of Mexico," and making provision
for its prosecution "to a speKuy and successful
termination," was passed with great unanimity
bv Cono-ress. there being but two negative voices
in ihp Rpnafp. and but fourteen in the Houe of
ilepresentative8.
The existence of the war having thus been de
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under the
constitution and the laws; to conduct and prose
cute it. This dutv has been- performed ; and
tftough, at every stage of its progress, I have
manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just
peace, Mexico has refused toaccede to, any terms
which cou-ld be accepted by the United piaies,
consistently wkh'tfie national honor and interest,
'"he rsoid and brilliant successes of our arms,
fifl t-flflt ?steitf of the enemy's territory
which had beri' overms and conquered, before
the-closa of the last aewien of uagrM, were
war has been prosecuted, with increased energy,
and I am gratified to state with a success which
commands universal admiration. History pre
sents no parallel of so many glorious victories
achieved by any nation within so short a period.
Our army, regulars and volunteers, have covered
themselves with imperishable honors. When
ever and wherever our torces have encountered
the enemy, though he t was in vastly superior
numbers, and often entrenched in fortified posi
tions of his own selection, and of great strength,
he has been defeated. ToonuchpraiBe, bannot
be bestowed upon our officers and, men, .regulars
and volunteers, for their gallantry, discipline, in
domitable courage and perseverance, all. seeking
the post of danger, and vieing with each other
in deeds of noble daring. ' !
While every patriot's heart must exult, and, a
just national pride animate every bosom, in. be
holding the high proofs of courage, consummate
military gkillt steady discipline, and humanity to
the vanauished eiiemY, exhibited by our gallant
nrmv. thfi nntinn is called to mourn the loss of
manv bVave offipers, and soldiers who have fallen
in defence of their country's honor and interests.
The brave dead met their melancholly fate in a
foreign land, nobly discharging their duty, and
with th'eir country's flag waving triumphantly in
the face of the- foe. .. Their patrioticJtleeds are
justly appreciated, and.-ivUl long be rertiembered
Dy tneir graieiiu couuiryuiuu. xuc paicmui wc
of the government they loved and served should
be extended to tlici'r surviving families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the.late session
of Congress, thd gratifying intelligence, was re
ceived of the signal victory of Buena Yista and
of the fall of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it
the strong castle of San Juan de UUoa. by. which
it was defended. Believing that after these and
other successes, so honorable to bur arms and sp
disastrous to Mexico, the period was prdpitious to
afford her another opportunity, if she thought
proper to embrace it, to enter into negotiations for
peace, a commissioner was appointed to proceed
to the headquarters of our army, with full.powr
ers to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude a
just and honorable treaty of peace. ,
He was not directed to make' any new over
tures of peace, but was the bearer of a despatch
from the Secretary of State of the United States
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs ot Mexico, in
reply to one received from the latter of the 22d
of Febuary, 1847, in which the Mexican govern
ment was informed of his appointment, and of his
presence at the headquarters of our army, and
that he was invested with full powers to conclude
a definite treaty of peace, whenever the Mexi
can government might signify a desire to do so.
While I was unwilling to subject the United
States to another indignant refusal, I was yet re
solved that the evils of the war should not be
protracted a day longer than might be rendered
absolutely necessary. by. .the Mexican government
Care was taken to give hp instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with our. military operations, or relax our ener
gies in the prosecution of the war. He possess
ed no authority in any manner to control these
stnictions to the General in command bf the ar-
mv ; ana in me event yi a treaty uciu tuuuiuu
ed and ratified on the part of Mexico, he.was di
rected to give him notice of that fact On the
Happening of such contingency, and on receiving
notice thereof, the General m command yas in
structed by the Secretary ol War. to suspend
further active military operations until further
orders. These instructions were given with a
view to intermit hostilities, until the treaty thus
ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Wash
ington, and receive the action of the Government
of the Uriited States.
The commissioner' Was also directed, on reach-
gtate tQ the -m,ster 0 foreign Attairsor mexi
co, and, on receiving it, the General was mstrub
tori inr thpRprmtarv of War to cause it to be
':..! f,. ua ??.rT,nn,inr r,'f jKp Mpirn fnf -
T 1
ces, with a request that it might be transmitted
to his government. sp . . .
m. to - im-! i. ul
lne commissioner uiuiioi ruuiiii iini.iiuau-4uai-
nf thp nrmv until nftPr another brilliant vie-
ters oi the armv
torv had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
10 "v " - .
The despatch which he bore from the Secre
tary of War to the General in command of the
armv. was received bv thatofficer, then at Jalapa,
! on the seventh day of May, 1847, together with
lne despatch from the Secretary of State to the
fljnjster 0f Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having
i ' , r . um Cnm Vom r.Mi-7 TIip
The
i Deen LranoIIlIlLcU IU mm iiuii vv.
commissioners arrived at the head quarters of the
.r-:.- rinninrls TIc nrpRPnpp with
t i,a irmv nn,l his dinlomatic character were made
knoWn to the Mexican government from Puebla,
the twelfth of June, 1847, by the transmission of,
ISUIUiUIUttlllt Luaiuwici iimu
, - t
knoVn to the Mexican government from rueuia,
the despatch from the Secretary of btate to uie
Minister of Foreign affairs of McaIco:
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no
overtures were made, nor was any desire express
ed by the Mexican government to enter into ne
gotiations for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the capital,
and, as it approached it, was met by formidable
resistance, uur iorces nrsi encounLeiuu mc cu-
pmv. and achieved sicrnal victories in the severe
ly Contested battles of Cohtreras and Churu.busco.
It was not until tnese acuuns uau iquhw
cisive victories, and the capital of the enemy was
within our power, that the Mexican government
manifested any disposition to enter into negotia
tions for peace, and even then, as events have
proved, there is too much reason to believe they
were. insincere, and that in agreeing" ta'go tlrfoagh
the'forms of negotiation, the object was to gam
time to strengthen the defences of theif capital,
and to-pfepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command of the army deemed
it expedient Co suspend hostilities temp rarily.by
enteriii!? into an armistice, with a view to the
opening of negotwtioaa. Commiseioriera were
missioned on the part of the United States. The
result of the conference which, took, place between
these functionaries of the twb.govebnientfl Was
a failure.to conclude a treaty of peace. 1
The. commissioner bf the United States took
with him the project of a treaty" already prepared,
by the terms of which the indemnity required by
the United States was a session of territory.
It is well known that the only indemnity which
it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction
of the just and long deferred claims of our citi
zens against her and, the only means by which
she can reimburse the United States for the ex
pehses of the. war, is a cession to the United
States of a oortioh of her territory. Mexico has
jio money to pay, and no means of matting the re
quired indemnity. If we refuse this, we can
obtain nothing else. To reject indemnity, by re
fusing, to accept a cession of territory, would be to
abandomall our just demands.and to wage the war,
bearing all its expenses, without a purpose or de
finite object.
. A state of war..abroga tea. treaties previously
existing between the belligerehts'.and a treaty of
peace puts arr end to all claims for indemnity--for
tortious acts committed, under the authority
of one government against the citizens or sub
jects of another, unless they are provided for in
the stipulations, A treaty of peace which would
terminate the -existing war without providing for
indemnity, would enable Mexico-r'tne acknowl
edged debtor, fd herself the aggressor in the
war to relieve her from her just liabilities,. By
such. a; treaty, our citizens,, who hold just demands
against her, would have no remedy either against
Mexico or their., own governmont. Our duty to
these citizens must forever preventuch a peace,
and no treaty which does not provide a.mple
means of discharging these demands can receive
myiSanctiori.
A treaty of peace should settle all existing
differences between the two countries'. .If an ad
e'dtiate bession of territory should be made by
such a treaty, the United. Slates .should release
Mexico from, all her liabilities, and assume their
payment to our own citizens. If, instead of this,
the United States were to consent to a treaty by
wliich Mexico should :aga,in engage to pay the
heavy amount.of indebtedness which .a .just h
demnity.. to oiir government and our citizens
would impose on her, it is notorious that she docs
not possess the- means to in'eet such an underta
king. From such a treaty no result could, bean
ticipated, but.the fame irritating disappointments
which have: heretoforejattended the violations of
similar treaty stipulations on the part of Mexico
Such a treaty would be but a.temporary cessation
of hostilities, without the restoration of the friend
ship and good understanding ,which,should char
acterize the future intercourse between the two
countries. ' ' ' . '"!.
That Congress: contemplated the acquisition -of
territorial indemnity when that body made provis
ion fb.r the prosecution of j the war, isi-obvious.
Congress could, not have; meant wh,en, in May,
1846, they appropriated 4ten millions of dollars,
and authorized the President to employ the mili
tia and naval and military forces of the Unjted
States, and to accept. .the services of .fatty -thou-
sand, volen teers, to .enable, him to .prosecute the
war": arid when, at the.last session, andafter, our
army had invaded Mexico, they made additional
appropriation and authorized .the raising of addi
tional troops, for trie same purpose that no in
demnity .was to, be .obtained from Mexico at the
conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain
that, if no Mexican territory was acquired, no
indemnity could be obtained.
It is further manifest that Congress contempla
ted territorial indemnity, from the fact that," at
their last session, an act was passed, upon the
Rvpontifp. rfidnmmendation. aonrdbriatin three
millions of dollars with that express object. 1 his
mm w w v w - ------ 7 I 1 1 U
appropriation was maue yio enaajejuie ncaiuciu
tp conclude a treaty bf peace, lirfiitsand bounda
ries with the Republic of Mexico, to be itsed by
him in the event that said treaty, when signed by
the authorized agents of the two governments,
I TV
' and uulv fatineu dv
iffed by Mexico, shall call for the ex-
' penditure of tne same, or any part thereof. li e
V1 u?nm wa
cfafnrl in flip KPViT.il mpssaaPH ori the SUDlCCt
- - : --u -
which I communicated to Congress. feimiJar ap-
i iono l
propriations made in 1803 and 1806, which were
referred to, were intended to be applied in part
consideration for the cession of Louisiana and the
J?loridas. ...
In like manner it was anticipated that, in set
tling the terms of a treaty of "limits and boun
daries" with Mexico, a cession of territory esti-
; muted to be of greater value than tne amount qi
.our demands against her might be obtained, and
mat uie prompt, payment- oi. yuis. .o.um .
consideration for the territory ceded-on the con-
w.-. j .
I 1 ! I !4 ..4ihnntiAn nn not niPf
; ciusion oi a ueuiy,aiiu ii8uuu..iu.w . ,
elusion of a treaty, and its ratification on
might be an inducement with her to n:
) migill UK UH UlUUUUlllliUL Willi ni w iiiwn. uu..
L .or.;,,. a(" .nrfitni-ir n c i.T-.lll(1 lip Cfl t isfil P t (T V tf
the United States." And although the failure to
conclude such a treaty has rendered it unneces
sary to use any part of thcthree millions of dol
lars appropriated by that act, and the entire sum
remains in the treasury, it is still applicable to
that object, should the contingency occur making
such application proper.
The doctrine of fib' territory is the doctrine of
no indemnity ; and, if sanctioned, would be a pub
lic acknowledgment that our country was wrong,
aritf that the War declared by Congress with ex
traordinary unanimity, was unjust, and should be
abandoned ; an admission unfounded 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, consid
ering th(k fihafnrHer and amount of our claims, the
uniiifitiGable and unorovoked commencement of
hostilities by hor, the expenses of the war to
which we have been subjected, and the success
which had attended our arms, were deemed to be
of a most liberal character. .
The commissioner of the United States wai
authorized to agree tothe establishment of the Rio
Grande as the boundaryffrom its entrance into the.
r. r : vi t
Girlf to its intersection with the southern boundary
ofeMejeico.; is.nor.th latitudo about thirty-two
dbgrees, and to obtain a cession to. the l'nited
States of the provinces of New Mexico arid.tlle
Californias, and the, privilege of the right of way
across the isthmds of Tehuante'peq. The,b'oqnr
darv of the Rio Grande, and the cession to the
United States of New Mexico and Upper Califor
nia, constituted an ultimatum which our commis
sioner wasr under hb qircumstanc'es to,ytield. .
That it might be manifest not only to Mexico,
but to all other nations, that the United States
were not disposed.to take advantage cf a feeble
power, by insisting upon wrestirig frdrh" her all
the other provinces, including many of. her prin
cipal towns and cities, which we have conquered
and h'eld in ouc military occupation,, but were
willing to conclude a treatyin a spirit-of, liberal
ity, our commissioner was authorized to stipulate
for the restoration to Mexico of all our other con
quests. ! t .
As the territory to be acquired by the boundary
proposed might be estimated to be of greater val
.ue . than ax.fair equivalent.for our just demands, our
commissioner was authorized to. stipulate, for the
payment of such additional pecuniary considera
tions, as was deemed reasonable.
1 he terms of a treaty proposed by the Mexican
commissioners were wholly uhadmissibje, They
negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, and
not the vanquished party. They must ..have
known that their ultimatum could nevefc.be ac
cepted. :It required the United States to dismem
ber Texas, by surrendering to Mexico that part
of .the territory of that State lying, between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande, included within her
limits by her laws when she was an independent
republic, and when she was. annexed to the Uni
ted States, and admitted by Congress as one of
the States of our Union.
ft contained no provision for the payment by
Mexico of th,e just cIaims,of our citizens. It re
quired indemnity to Mexican, citizens for injuries
they may have sustained by our troops in tlie
nmsRciition of the war. It demanded the right
for Mexico to levy and collect (the Mexican tariff)
bf duties on goods imported into her. ports :Vtii!e
in our military .occupation during the war, and
the-, owners of which Had paid to officers of the
United States tbe .military contrib.utipnsj.w.hich
had been levied upon them ) and it "offered to cede
to.tfie-United States, for a; pecuniary considera
tion, that part.of, California lying north of lati
tude thirty-severi "degrees. Such were the un
reasonable terms proposed by tbe Mexican com
missioners. ..;.. '.:....." . .
. The cession to. the United States by, Mexico; of
provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, a?
proposed tothe commissioner bf the United States,
it was believed, would be more in accordance
with tfie cdnveiiiehc'ef ,a'n.d. inte.rqstsqf, bbj.h J?ar
tions', than any .other, cession of territory which it
wis probabjeqsicp could tbe ind.uce,d to, make,
s - It iaanifest taail who have observed the ac
tual condition of the Mexican government, for
some .yearg .pst, and, at present, that if these
provinoes should be retained, by her, she could
not .long, continue to hold and govern them..-r-Mexicols
too feeble a power to govern these., pro
vinces, lying as they do, at a distance of more
than a thousand miles from her capital and, if at
tempted to be retained by herthey, would consti
tuted but for a short time, even nominally, a part
of her dominions. , . , -. ?. .
This would especially ..be the case with Up
oer California: . The.sajracity of powerful Euro
pean nations has long since directed their atten
tion to the commercial importance of that prov
ince, arid there carl, be little, doubt that the md
ment thetJnited States fehajl relinquish their pres
ent occupation of it, and their claini to it as an
indemnity, an effort would be, made by some for
eign Power to" possess it, either by conquest or
by purchase, lr no loreign government, ,snoum j
acquire it.jn. either of these mddes, an iydepeil-,
dent revolutionary government would probably
be established by the inhabitants, and such for
eigners as rnay.rernainjn or remqve to the coun
try, as soon as it shall be known that the .United
States hatfe. abandoned it Suci a government
would be too feeble Idiig to maintain its separate
independent existence, and would finally be an
nexed to', or b2 a" dcitenent colony of some more
powerful State. ,
Should any foreign government attempt to
possess it as-a colony, ot otherwise to incorporate
it with itself; the principle avowed by President
Monroe in 1824, and. reaffirmed in my first annual,
message, that no foreign power shall, with our
consent, be permitted to plant or establish 4 any
new colony or dominion on.any part Of the North
American continent, must be maintained. In
maintaining this principle, and in resisting its
invasion by any fo'reigfi' power, vve .rnight be. in
volved in other wars more expensive and more
difficult than that in which we are now engaged.
The provinces of New Mexico and the Cali
per, nro rnntiminnH to the" territories of the
United States, and if brought under the govern
ment of our laws, their resources mineral, ag-
riculturai,manujaciui'ing uu wuhhciuhu ""'u
soo'a be developed.'
TJoper California is bounded on the north bv
our Oregon possessions ; and if held by the United
States would soon be. settled by a hardy, enter
prising, and intelligent portion of our population;
The bay of San Francisco, and other harbors
along the California Coast would afford, shelter
for our navy, for our numerous whale ships, ana
nthp.r merchant vessels emnloved in the Pacific
ocean, arid would, in a short period; become Vhe
marts of an extensive a'fVd profitable coriimerce
with China, and other countries of the. Bast.
Thesa advantatres. in which the whole com
mercial world would participate would at oaCq
be secured to the United States by the CJVidh 0f
this territory ; while it is certain that, 0g. as
it remains a part of the Mexican orinriions, They
can be erii ployed neither by 'leico herself noY
by any other nattoh.
New Mexico i", a frontier orovincei wd. has
never been of foy V'Oiiderab0 value tQ ftlwio
Vrnm it localitv. it is naturally connected with
our westera settlements. The territorial limits
of the State of Thxas, too, as defined by her
jaws heforieiheradrjlission into our Union; em:
brace 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 dominions.
The adjustment of this question of boundary is
important. , . 4.
There is another consideration Which' induced
the belief that the. Mexican government t rnight
even desire to place this, province under tlie pro
tection ot the government of the United States.
Numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages
wander over it, and Upon its .borders ; Mexico ha
been, and mqst cqntinue to be, too feeble to re
strain them from committing depredations, rob
beries, and murders, not only upon the inhabit
tants of, New Mexico itself, but. upon those of
the other.. Northern States and Mexico. It would
be a ble'siiig Vo all these Northern Slates to have
their citizens; protected against them by the pow
er of the United States. At this moment, many
Mexicans,, principally feniales and children', are
iju .'captivity among them. If New Mexico were
held and governed by the United States, We could
effectually prevent these tribes from committing
such outrages, and.conipelt them to release these
"captives; arid restore theni to their families arid
friends. ...
In proposing to acquire New Mexico and tne
Californias, it was known that but an incorisideri
able portion bf- trie Mexican people would be
transferred with them, the country embraced
within these provinces being chiefly ari uriirihal)
iteU region.
These were the leading considerations which
induced me to authorize the terms of peace which
were proposed, to Mexico. They were rejected ;
and', negotiations being at ari end, hostilities were
renewed An assault was made by our gallant
army upon tlie strgngly-fbrtiried plates near thd
gates of the city of Mexico, and upon the city
jtself ; and after several days of severe conflict;
the Mexican forCes, vastly superior in numbers to"
our own, were uriven irom uie uitjr uu i. wuo
occupied by our troops. .
Immediately after information was received UF
the unfavorable result of the negotiatia'tiori's", ue
li,evip.that his continued presence with lite ar--my
could be produbtive of ho good, 1 detenhined
to recall our commissioner. A despatch to thi3
effect was transmitted to him on the sixth of Oc
tober .last. Trie Mexican government will bo
informed df his recall ; & that i.nthe existing state
of things, I shall not deem it prpper to make any
further overtures .'of peace, but shall be at all
times ready to receive and consider any proposal
which may be made by Mexico.
Since the libera,! proposition of the United
S.tates was authorized to be made in April last
large expenditures have been incurred, and the
precious blood of many of tiur patriotic fellow
"pitizeha his. been shed in the prosecution of the1
jwar. This, consideration,. and the obstinate per
severance of Mexico in-protracting the war, must
influence,.. the tennis, bfpeace which it may be
deemed proper hereafter to accept.
Our arms having.been everywhere victorious
haying subjected to our military occupation a
large portion of the. enemy's country, including
his capital! and negotiations for peace having fail
ed, the important questions arise in what mati-
her' tll'e war ought to be prosecuted 1 And what,
should be our future policy 1 I cannot boubt that
we should secure and renderavauaoie tne conquest
which we have already made ; and thatj with thia
viewi ye should hold and occupy, by bur naval
and military forces, all the ports; towns, cities,
and provinces now in our occupation, or which
may hereafter fall into our possession ; that we
should push forward our military occupations and
lew such military contributions on the ehemy as
may, as far as practicable, defray the fbtu-re ex
penses of the Svaf." , . . -
Had the government of Mexico acceded to tho.
equitable and liberal terms proposed, that mode:
of adjustment would have been preferred. - Mex
ico having declined to do this and failed to offer
any other terms which could be accepted by the
Uriited States, the natidnal honor, no less than the
public interests, requires that the war should be
prosecuted with' increased energy and power un
til a just and satisfactory peace can be obtained.
In the moan time," as Mexico refuses all indemni
ty, we should adopt measures to indemnify our
selves, by appropriating, permanently, a portion
of her territory. Early after the commencement
of .tlie war, New Mexico and tire Californias
were tak'eri possession of by our forces. Our
military arid naval commanders were- ordered to
conquer and hold them, subject to be disposed of
by a ifeaty ot peace.
These provinces are now in our undisputed
occupation, and have beefn so for many montlia;
all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceas
ed within their limits. I am satisfied clp.t ihev
should never be surrendered to Mexico. Should
Congress coricdr with me in. this opinion, and
that they should be tetaice'by tlie United Stales
as indemnity, I Can perceive ',io good reason why
the civil jurisdiction ami laws of the United
States? should not a on,ce be extended over them.
To' wait for a treaty 0f peace, such as vve are
willing to make., Dy wnieh our relations toward
them wouM , e changed, cannot be good policy ;
whilst op-f own inteest, and that of the people
inhali'.Vmg them, require that a stablej responsible,
&nd free government undar our authority should,
Cts soon as possible, be established over them.
Should 'Congress, therefor determine to hold
these provinces permanently, and that they shall
hereafter be considered as constituent parts of our
f'uuntrv.tlie early establishment of territorial gov-
ernments over tnem win u milium.
more.perfect protection of persons and property ;
and I recommend that Buch territorial govern-
ments be established. It will promote peace and
tranquility among the inhabitants, by allaying all
apprehension that they WstiU entertain ,of be
ing again bjectwI U the juriadiction of Mexico.
tZii .fpobtcd on lA ft of Mexico, to meo tbe co.
1
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