IMS
i. r
VL. IV:
,
TUE Al AL MESSAGE , ' Ir.ully knowii to tbat body. Since that ' time,
• - OF the has beer prosecuted with increased
. ) i
energy, and I am gratified to state, with a sac
.
PlitSIDElt JAMES 4, POLk. .
I cuss which commands, universal admiration . .
Fellow Citizens ti'f the Senate . , History presen.ts no paralel of so many. glon
: pus : victories achieved by any nation within so
and House, of Representatives: 1
-, shod a period. Ogy •army, regulars and volun 7
The annual meilting of ConfOcss is always tee* have!coveredlhemselves with itnperisha
an interesting 'evetit. The Representatives of bio.)l
on'orti/ Whenever and wherever our for
the States and of the people come fresh from ces lasi) encountered the enemy, though he was
their conatituents,te take counsel together for in',y,,stly• sitperior numbers, and often entrench
the common good,i After an eiiistebee of near
;ad intfortifipd positions of his own selection, and
three-fourthi of a, - ,century as a ;free' and lode- ' - of, great sVength, he been deeated... Too
pendent Republiq the Problem no longer re-- b i d ,
pritioo
cannot be bestowed upon our ail
mama to bo solved whether man is capable of cars a d aim, regulars and volunteers, for their
self-government.:? The success ;of our admint
gallo ry, discipline, indomitable courage and
ble system is a Inclusive refetation of the
other, countries who main
theories tree eranite,. all seeking the post of danger,
o f those iti dad v
Lain that " i favated, few" are born to rule, and- n eirie with each other in deeds of noble
_ .
that the mass of riiankind must be governed by
.1v -
le ciery patriot's heart must exult, and
force. Subject t no- arbitrary or hereditary i a ills '. naiional — pride animate every boson], in
authority, the peutde are. the only soVereigns I
beliiil in g; be high p'roofs of courage, cohsutu
recognized by on: Constitutimi._ Numerous .!_. —lv
.. ..
emigrants of eveify lineage and language, att
tracted by tile civil and religious freedom we
enjoy, and by on happy condltioo, annually
crowd to our shore, and transfer their heart;
not less than their allegiance, io the country.
whose dominion belongs alone.tia t be . i people. 1
No country ha lie been so much favored, or
should acknowledge with deeper reverence tho
manifestations of =the Divine protection. An
all-wise Creator cOrected and guarded us in our
infant struggle fbn! freedom, and has constant
ly watched over onr surprising progress, until
we hare become olie-of the great nations of the
earth.
It is in a county thus favored, and tinder a
government in which the executive and legisla-1
tire branches hol their authority for limitedi
periods, alike &owe the people, and where.all are!
responsible to their respective constituencies. i
that it is again my,duty to communicate with
Congress upon thii state of the Union, and the I
present condition of public affairs.
i During the past: year the most gratifying
,proofs are presented that our country has been
blessed with a wile-spread and universal pros
perity.
There lists - been no period since the I
government was founded when all the industriall
pursuits of our pelmle have been more success-1
ful, or when laboriin all branehes of business
has received a fairer or better reward. From!
our abundance wOhave, been enabled to per-
funn the pleasing duty of furnishing food for
the starving millidos of less favored countricS.
In the enjoyment of the. bounties of Provi
dence at home, sufh as have rarely fallen to
the lot .of any people, it is cause of congratula-'
tiln that our inteteourse with nil the powers
of the earth exceo, Mexico, continues to be of
an amicable characiter.
It his ever be 4 our cherished puliey to enl
tivate peace atul A ..,-....41 ..411 -;*l,. .0.1 ~..,;•....,..
and this policy has been steadily pursued by;
me. r
No change has-taken place in pnr relation.
with Mexico sinc4 the adjournment of the last
Congress. The War in which the United States {
were forced to engage with the government oil
that country'stillfrantinues. I
I deem it unneCessary, after the full exposi- I
tion of them, contained in my message of the
11th of May, 184, and in my annual message
at the commencement of the session of Con- I
grew in Decembe* last, to reiterate the serious{
causes of complaint :which we had against,
Mexico beforelshit commenced hostilities.
It is sufficient ibn the present occasion to say
that the wanton a!iolation of the rights of per
son and property.of our citizens committed by
Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith, through
a long series 'of . years,-, and her disregard of
solemn treaties,•stipulating for ifidemnity to our
injured citizens, suet only constituted ample
cause of war on our part, but were of such an,
aggravated character as would have justified us
before the whole ;'world in resorting to this ex
treme remedy. ;,With an anxious desire to
avoid a rupture lietween the two pnuntries, we
forebore for years to assert our clear rights by
force, and continued to seek redress for the,
wrongs we had 4:iffered by atiticabla negotia
tion, in the hope that Mexico . might yield to
pacific councils add the demainutt of justice. In
this hope we were. disappointed:. Onr minister
of peace sent to Mexico was irielltingly reject
ed. The Mexican government refused eden to
hear the terms of adjustment which he was au
thorized te'propoSe; and finally, under wholly
unjustifiable pretxts, involved the two coun
tries in war, by jnvading the territory of the
State of Texas, s*iking the first blow, and shed
ding the blood o our citizens on ourrown soil.
Though the nited States- were the ag-,
grieved nation, Mexico commenced the war.
and we were compelled, in self-defence to repel
the invader, and to vindicate the national hom
or and interests tky prosecuting it with vigor
until we could Obtain a just and honorable
peace. i
?
e
On learning tltat hostilities had been coin
lanced by Mexido, I promptly communicated',
that fact, accompanied with a succinct state
, ment of our othef causes of complaint against'
Mexico to Congtsess :, and that body, by the
act of the thirteOth of May, 1846, declared
that, " by the stilt of the republic of Mexico, a
state of war exilts betiveen that government {
and the United States"—this' act ' declaring ,
"the war to exii by the act cram republic 'of
Mexico," and making provision forits prosecu
tion " to a speedy and successfil*mmation,"
was passed addl . : 'Teat unanimity' by Congreas,
there being but wo negative votes iti the Sen-.
ate, and - but fourteen in, the House of ''ltepre
sentatives. 6 -
;.' I
The existenc# of the war having thue been
declared by Congress, it became my duty, un
der the constitution. and the laws, :to conduct
end prosecute iti This duty has. been Per
formed ; and thdagh, at every stad of its pro
gress, I have manifested - a - willingness tojer
minate it by a jhst peace, Mexico has refused
to accede to soyterms which could be accepted I
by the United States, consistently With the ha»
tionsl honor andiinterest. I -
-..
The rapid and!nilliant successes of oar arms
aria the vast exthat of the enetozfi territ4t
which bad been Overrun .14 coriguered betb - re i
the d OD __ close of the kat- stoui 4....—,
etc M ran, _
en==M=M!!MWM!
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mare milifary sill]," steady discipline, and hu
manity to the 'anquishdd enemy, exhibited by
our, gallant army, the nation is called to mourn
over the I‘ -of many brave officers and 301-
dieis who have fallen in defence of their coon
'try's henok, and interests. The i brave dead met
their mel4claily fate in a foreign land, nobly
disebarging their duty, and with their country's
fla waving-triumphantly in the fice.of the foe.
Their patriotic deeds are, justly appreciated,
and will ling be remembered by their grateful
countrymen. The parental care of the Gov
ernment they loved and served should Le e*•
tended to :their surviving
•
Shortly a'ter
. the adjournment of the last 1 fr:, n ir,Ler just liabilities. By such' a treaty,
session of Congress; the gratifying intelligence our isitizens, who hold just demands against
was received of the si g nal vict o ry of temal her,i - j would have no remedy either against
Vista and l a the Ell of the city of Vera Crez,•!Mexico or their own government. Our duty
and/ with 4, the strong castle of San Joan de: to t{'` se citizens must forever prevent such a
noh, by ithich it was defended. Belipiegj pea , and no treaty which does not provide
that after these and other successes, so honor"- lamo,p means of discharging these demands can
ble , to otly, firms and so disastrous to Mexicp, iree4ve my sanction.
thep!er,iod,,,'?/a.s propitious to afford her another! _*ureaty of peace. should settle all existing
opportunity% if she thought proper to embrace diffdenees between the two countries. If an
it, to enteronto negotiations for peace; it com-. - ads oats cession of territory should- be made
miisioner was appointed to pieced to tae by .stieh a treaty, the United States should re
headquarters of - oor army, with full poWers :toleas• Mexico front all her liabilities, and as
enter upon; negotiations, and to conclude,a juSt I sum their payment to our own citizens. If,
and honorable treaty of p4e.e. Ile was notlinstOad of this, the United States were to con
di-reefed to make any new overtures of peace, sent4o a treaty by which Mexico should again
but was, the bearer of a dispatch from the Sec- I t engage to pay the heavy amount of indebted
retary of State of the United States to the !pes4which a just indemnity to our government
Mittister'cif Foreign Affairs•of Mexi•o, in reply I andiElour citizens would impose on her, it is no
to one received from the latter of the !,22d of! torilibs that she does not possess the means to
February,
.1647, in which the Mexican Gevern- I meen such' an undertaking. From such a tree
ment was informed of hi, appointment, and ofity nn result could be anticipated, but the same
his presence at the headilearters of our arn4., lirritiiting disappointments which have her4o
and_that he 't , :ras i )vested a ith full powers to ! foreffittended the violations of similar treat`,
conelode a tlefi lite treaty of peace whenever I•stipUlstious on the part of Mexico. Snell n
the:Mexican clover •ment mi:ht signify a de- treativ would lie but a temporary cessation of
sire to do sd. W ile 1 was tine illiro. t o stab.- t b o cAi t i,, s , with,„,, ,t,v ..srorai - tu..- , e.1.-c.:-..-J
lect the rotten :••tales' to atll . er todlgtiar t re- I env!! ana good ...ace-standing which should
fusal,.l was yet re-olved t!,at the evils of the chal;#Lterize the future intercourse between the
war 'should hot be protracted a day longe r than °, twvountries.
iniellt be rendered abs Mutely 'necessary by the That Congress contemplated the acquisition
Me'xicari Govenonent. . of etirritorial indemnity when that body made
Cate was taken to give no instructions to the ! protision for the.prosecution of the war, is ob
lCoMmissioner which could in any way inter- ! vin e. Congress could not have meant—when
fere With our military operations, or relax our :inMay, 1846, they apfiropriated, ten millions
energies in the prosecution of the war. lie !of :ia,,pars, and authorized the President to
I possessed no authority in any manner to con, I employ the militia and naval and military for-litrOl these operations. Ile Was authorized, to',ces;Cf the United States, and to accept the
' exhibit his instruetions,to the General in cote- servlces of fifty thousand volunteers, to q enable
I mated of tbelarmy ; and i ! the event of a treaty; hini`to prosecute the war ; and when, at their
i being eonelnded and ratified on the part of
,last;session, and after our army had invaded ,
.Mexico, he Ives directed to give him . notice of; Me' ice, they made additional appropriations!
that fact. pn the happening. of such coniin- an 1 uthorized the raising of additional troopsi
i
geney, and n receivimg notice thereof, the Gen- • for the same purpose-Lthat no indemnity was
leral in corn land was instructed by the Seem' to be obtained from Mexico at the conclusion',
itary of Wa to suspend further active military ',of the war; and yet it was certain that, if no'
logerations til further orders. These instruc- ,M4ican territory was acquired, no indemnity
itions were iven with a view to intermit hes- !mild be obtained.
tilities. ant' the treaty thus ratified by Mexi- I ''l:t, is.fierther manifest that Congress content
, co could' b ' transmitted to Washington, and i plated territorial indemnity, from the fact that, ii
-redeive the etiou of the Government of the! at their last session, an act was passed upon
United Sta s. Itlunxeentive recommendation, appropriating
The CO missioner was also directed, on 1 these millions of dollars with that express ob
reaching th army, to deliver to the Genera in ! jecitt. This appropriation was made "to enable,
le
codamand tge despatch :which he bore from the i ttl4President to conclude a, treaty of peace, i
1
Secretary State to the Minister of Foreign Pinup, and boundaries with the, republic -of
Affairs - of 11 exico, and, on receiving it, the - Gen , lM4ieo, to be used by him in the event thatl
eral was in rutted by the'Secretary of War tolsala treaty, when signed by the authorized a-'
canse - it to t e transmitted to the commander of gents of the two governments, and duly ratift•
the blexicai forces, with a request that it might, edlby Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of
be continuo cated to his Government. ihd'eame, or any part - thereof.' ' The object of,
The Corstnis,tioner did not reach the bead.
,asking this appropriation was diStinctly stated
quarters °tithe. army until after another Mil, in the several messages on the subject which I
liaitt: Viet() hard crowned our arms at Cerro coMmunicated to Congress. Similar appropri-1
11GiirdO. i
1
atins made in 1803 and 1806, which were re- i
'' The des . telt which he borefrann the Seem : felted to, were intended to be applied in part
Lary of Wet tOthe General in command of the cotiSideration for the cession of Louisiana andi
array ; , Waseceived by that officer; 4hen at ja. thOloridas. In like manner it was anticipi
lapa, on th ith day of May, 18.17, together tettthat, in settling the terms of a treaty of
I F,
With the d MA :from the Secretary of State ",f its and boundaries" with Mexico, a ces
to the Minitter of Foreign Affairti of Mexico, eio of territory estimated to be of greater val.
i ll
ha6tg *to transmitted to bun ' from Sera. no! ban the amount of our demands against her
Cries: • Th 4 Counnissioner_arrived al, the Ifead- mi6t be obtained ; and that the protnpt paY
;q :2404 of/ the army a few* days a i fterwitilAti. meriit of this sum . -Lin part consideration. for the
lit - pre nee with the army and his diploroatie , territory ceded on the conclusion of,a treaty:
erect, were made known .. the Meiican 1 andj its , ratificationon her part, might be an
4 ,e`fertiut, from Puebla „ on' he 12th of Xine lin eminent with her to make such a session of
it
1 1847,, i b the transmission of the despatch from,'' to "'gory as wound be satisfactory . to, the Ni
-1 tile Secetary of State to.the Minister of Por- ti 'States. And although , the failure to eon
eign Affairs of Mexico. , chi e suelta treaty has rendered it unnecessa
y
, Many , weeks elapsed aftei. its:receipt, and no ry i fio use any part of the three millions of dol
o''4rtures were Mad% nor was any desire Or- 4 harpy appropriated by that act, and the entire
pressed-4 4,1/e Na= l Government
. to enter uni remainsin the treasury , it is still applies
-110 nentiationa for peace. ' bleito that object, should the contingency occur
, ,
Gur army, pt4sueerits marekupon the ea it mieg such application proper.
t4ll and, as it appl:o,4lo it, - was Met hY kritel e ~Who doctrine dno territory is the doctrine
likiele resistance. ' Our forees firat:encount4ed of tieincletrinity ; and, if sanctioned, would be
Clip enmity, and aebieved'sigUal victories ip 'the aptiblie acknowledgement,that our country was
siVerely contested 'battles of Centreras and I wr'ing, an& that,the war declardd by . ; Congress
dfAxrpb6co t i It vraii not until after the) 4 - 0: with extraordinary unanimity, was unjust, and
thins hid resulted u, Veer - sive victories; an the slur t 4ll be abandoned; an admission ; , unfound-
Icapttal Of 'UM enemjr was withi 'Mir power that ed t i ll fact, and degrading to t 4 national char
thd.Mexicar Gover scent meld(' sted any i.spo- actio. ,- • -, ' ,
it
i sitieu to enter into egotiations for pewee' and ~ The terms" of the t sty proposed lay the
l
Oen then, or-event have prov d; there i toll thitted States were not only just to Mexico,
mnOb re*" to beli@ve they were insincer „ana bu 4 considering the oh raster land 'mount of
Oak:hi:age ell* Co lit-, through the forittsi of ;on , claims , the
,unjttsti able . a 'd, unprevolted
.-, . • 1
nelmttattoo ? the elect: was to tithe tO, co‘enceutent, of hatitili ietftY her; the expen
etrengthen &Aare, eei of Abair , capital, irate s et of the War tO which' e . hay keen stitbjeet
;
pretiare for freidt,reSiatanci -', ' . :i:
,' '` '1
ed4ndibe".sucemis wh eh baf iittendad oar.
: 4 1' The pre' ' !Alin command of the army' !Op., arto,:were deemed:to I 0 of ii Most - Aberat:
id 0, e'pe" t. to :sus end hostilitieS to po.W Ohirrietei. • : ~ , l' , ,
14 4
Vilyihy_en . 'rig hit° an armistice With view; , ,Vie commisstenli:Of the 'tilted States I,was
to the; tOl opt i n g of Inegetiations Qom ' soitin- i i"ntherited Wrists(' teibe'' eatablishmant of the,
ors yr or o.. , o • led on the . part - 'of- iiii •' '0 1 11103iindi tif thsliaittnhuilVelik IflitotoMos
atlcKo
I ' 'fr
EME
T=T=Ml=====MZ2==4
t MONTROSE PA., THURSDAY, .
ineetlthe commissioner on the part of the Uni
ted Sates. The result of the conferences which
tonkilace between
,these functionaries of the
two 1 . 15-overnments.was a failure to -conclude,a
treat of peace. -
'TWO Commissioner of' the United States too*,
with:him the project of a treaty already pre
pareit by the terms of which the indemnity re
quire 4, by the United States was a cession of
territory.
Its well 'known that the only indemnity
whiet, is in the power of Mexico to make in '
sati4ction of the just and lung deferred claims
of oult citizens against her, and the only means
by she can reimburse the United States
for the expenses of the war, is a cession to the
Uldtiid States of a portion of her territory.—
Mexico has no money to pay, and ,no other
oleos of making the required indemnity. If
we reuse this, we can obtain nothing else:
To reject indemnity, by refusing to accept a
cession of territory, would be to abandon all
our litst demands, and to wage the bear
ing 411 its expehses,, without a purpose or defi- ,
nite hbject.,
Al state of war abrogates treaties previously
exis(ng between the belligerents, and a treaty
of prince puts an mid to all claims for indemni-.
ty---ttor tortuous ac u te committed, under the au
thority of one government against the citizens
or sdbjects of another, unless they are provi
dedtar in its stipulations. A treaty of peace
wbi4 would terminate the existing war, with
out , 41providiiig for indemnity, would enable
l'e3(mo, the acknowledged debtor, and herself
the aggressor in the war : --to relieve herself
EMM , MEMM
E EMBEII 16;1847.11
into t ie Gulf to itsinterseciion with the south:
ern btuudary of NewMeal* in north latitude
about• thirty-two degrees„ tl . to obtnin a ces
sion Li the United States o the pr binges of '
New Lexie° and the lialifo ias, and the priv
ilege Of the right of we' , ac4Oss the i thinus 4 1
Tehuantepec. The boundare l of the It . Grande,' i
and the cession to the United Stat of Now
MexiCo Ind Upper California, constituted an 1
ultimetum which our commissioner whs, under I
4 -
no circumstance's, to fi eld. 1 1 - * '
Th&t it might be manifest net onl to Mex. 1
ico, b t to.all other nations that th e United •
State Were not disposed to 'take ad4antage of '
a fieb e power, by ins'is'ting npon wresting from 1
, herthe other provinces, = including many of 1
her p 'ncipal toms and ci es, which we had , 1
conq red and Geld in our
,ilitary oticupation, •
•
but w re willing to concludt a treaty 'in a spir
it of 1 berality, our commissioner was authori
zedi t stipulate for the reitoration t o liexico
ofall hur other Conquests. 1
)
Asithe-territdry to be acquired bi the bowl.
dary Iproposed might 'he admitted to -be of
greater value
,than a 'fair 'equivalent for our
just demands, oer coremis4oner viaS, authori
zed t stipulate for t 6 payieent of such addi.
tiona pecuniary consideratl i on as wis deemed
• .
reaso able. ..1 -
1.• i
Th terms of, a treaty penposed by ithe 3lea
can C mmissioners were wholly inadmissible.
They negotiated as iflexii i o were the' victors= '
ons, end not the vatiquie ed party. They
inustdiave knotvn that the r ultimatum could
never] Rbe accepted. r ' uired the United
State!' to dismember Tex by surrendering
to 3Rixico that part of the territory of that
Stater lying between the Nneces' mid the Rio
Grande, included within her limits by her laws
when ] she was an independent repqblic, and
Whenishe s was annexed tolthe United States
and admitted by congress is one of the States
of oui Union. It con'taintid no provision for
the payment by. Mexico of the just , claims of
our citizens. it required ifidetrinity 'to Mexi
can °Wizens for injuries they may hale sus
tainea by our troops in thk prosecution of the
war.' It demanded the right for Mexico to
levynd collect the Mexican tariff of duties on
goo ' imported into her po is while in our mil
itar ,oc upation • during tb war, and the own
ii,
era df which had paid to o cers of the United
States the military contributions Which had
been levied upon them ; and it offered to cede
to the United States, for afpecuniary, consider
atiol, that part, of Upper lalifornia lying north
of latitude 37 degrees. Stich were the.inrea- i
sonahle terms proposed 14 the Mexicali coin
miss
... 0,
ioners. it ,
Tbe cession to the Unittil States by Meal-'
co, df the provinces of Now Mexico and tihe
Cali nrnias, as proposed bi, the Commissiorr
'....c ..1 v Tzroi,:-..2 0,....—..e, i o vvriv-reta, vrtruva VC
ra or in accordance with, he convenience and
interests of both nations, an any other ces'-.
1'
sionlof territory which it t ins probable Mexico
could be induced to make{
It is manifest to all whit:have observed the
acttal condition of. the '3 . xican government,
for some years past, and a t present, that if
, these provinces should be :Mained by her, she
could not long continue hold and govern
therii. Mexico is too fe e a powtir to govern
the+ provinces, lying as my do at a distance
of ore than a thousand fil es from her capital,
and if attempted to be t wined by her, they
i
wol' d constitute but 'Coda short time, even
norriinall • al part of lier dOminions.
1
), alp a rt
This would be espeeiallf : the case with Upper
California. The sagrityle powerful Europe
an .iittions has long since directed their atten
tion to . commercial
the tmportanee of that
protinee, and there an e little doubt that
the moment the Unit4d States shall relinquish
their present , occupation (if it, and their clann
to it as indemnity, an, eff4tt would be made by
some Foreign Power to possess it, either by
conquest or by purchise.7? If no foreign gay
ern'nent shoulffacquire ik in either of these
moOes, an independent re y olutionary govern
ment would probably be rtablished by the in
hahitants, and such forei 'tiers as may remain
in qr remove to' he country, as soon as it shall
he known that the United; States have khan=
doied it. Such a government would be too
feeble bong to maintain 14 scparate independ
ent existence, and would gnally become annex
ed o, or be a dependent colony of some more
poiterful State. • 4.
shonld any foreign', goernment attempt to
posness it as a colony orff?therwise to incorpo
rat.
~,
..
i i. it' with itself , the ' principle avowed by
Pr silent Monroe, in :1824,,and, re-affirmedin
my'' first annual message, ;that no foreign Pow
erhall, with our consentjhe'permitted to plant
i
or stablish any new' cofi r iny or dominionn
any, part of the North American continent,
m utt be maintained. In maintaining this prin
ciple, and in resisting t its invasion by any for
eign Power, we might l involved in other
wails more expensive iantri, more difficult than
that in which we are uovrieng . aged.
- The piovineei of new, Lexie° and the Cali
fonias aro contiguouB to. he territories of the
United States, and if ihr' ghtr under the gob=
ern ent of our laws, thei . ; resonrens-.-minerBl,
1
x i , cultural, minufautiurittg and commercial—
,ln
ti
wed soon be develOped4i '
per_ California is lionfided ou,the north hy
Oregon ou - ogcm petisessians4f,"and" if held by the
i f
IMted states, liana soof 13e Settled' by a har
dyenterprisiiit, and into . likent portion of our
Po 'illation. --; The bay otiSan . Franeiseo, and
at ' r harbors 816fig'thi3 etliforiiian.eonst, - would
i l i
a (f i
r r ch d i
se ,
.; sheltereworldiid vs
n fl. 9
ge.tF o l u tio r , : i
p r 1: 1 . 1
i ' p, , 7 . pb f , a tt r eh,
te o v
t! l' our numerous ia_to,n
IA frehiPs,.itid othet . ; ' reliant vessels rti 7 ,
plo ed 'in the ' Paeifie'Oe ita, and ,winditl in t o
sh , t period become - be ''arts ofarrextenwe
an profitable' cOmineine with Chins, and other
ntries of Oni!East. • I'g' . . -
whole
co ~
e
sute e d . t9 t . ttin Uni el , !a!" . y t . hnine_ cession
bin t r 0 0 7 ; w ,- 01, is certain that ,t hil. #
is i riisois,is Wire qo.,l,l:isij3lin Art
ions, ,they ., iiti be 0, - iijoyed neioer by,11143r...
herself ho,i'llysailltiithisr notion: : . •
it litezi4lBii, tr4tititr likaiince,, Oilliii.
ir biOn nfilloilfinpiii*c• bin ;inane
n to Niniti_
Fratiatiz locality
,it Is itiur#N - Onnii*
Ithiinfiripintnisitlinjoiatit: - Thiiiisiateg
me
be
of
nti
co.
EA
lIIN
U
Ail limits of the State 4f Talks, te.o, as defined
by he '',laws, beam heriadmii , sion into our
Un
ion, embrace Ulf that poilieit of New Makico
lying east of the . Rio t 'Grande, while Ilexiee.
still claims to Wild thiS territory 14 -a part of
her doMinions. 'The edjustnient cif ' , this ques
tion ofbOuridary is insPnrtine.
There is another consideration which indu-=
ced the belief that - the Reiman' government
might even desire' tn this province under
the protection of the - Goiernieent of the Uni:
ted,Statei. NumeroiW bandg of Scree and
warlike savages Wendell over`; it, and upon its
border S. Mexico his been afid • Must continue
to be, too feeble to restrain ;them from com
mitting depredations, riebbertes and - murders
not only upon-the inballitants New Mexico
itself, but - upon those' !IA the other' northern
States of Mexico.. It *mild '''be - a blessing to
all these northern States' to Itave their citizens
protected against them by the power of the
United States. At. this moment, Many Mexi
cans, principally females eror children, are lb
captivity among them.:' If New Mexico were
held and gOverned biri the United States, we ,
could effectually prevent these tribes from
committing such outrages, and compel them
to release these captives, and; restore them to,
their families and frieeds.
In proposing to acquire NeW Mexico and the .
Catifornia , ., it was known that' but an inconsid
erable portion of-the Mexican people would be
transferred Ili h them, the country embraced
within these provincei 'beinechiefly an unin
habited region.
These were the leading considerations which,
induced me to.authorize the ,terms of peace
which 'were proposed, to Mexico. They were
rejected'; and, negociations being •at an end,
hostilities were renewed. Ae assault was made
by our gallant army upon thestrongly fortified
places near the gates. of the city of Mexico,
and upon the city itself ; aixiafter severs) days
of severe conflict, the' MexiCan forces, vastly
superior in number to our'ewu, were driven
from the city, ,and it was occupied by . our
troops.
Immediately- after , incormatioa was received
of the unfavorable result of the negotiations,
believing' that his continued presedce with the
army 6ould, be productive of no good, I deter
' mined to recall our commissioner. A de:.
epatch to this effect Was transmitted to him on
the sixth 'of 'October last. The Mexican gov
ernment will be informed f his:recall; and
that, in the existing state or i thinga, I shall not '
deem it proper to make_ ant farther overtures,
ofpedce, but shall li e at alt times ready, to re =
ceive and Consider any proposals which may be
made by 'Mexico.
. Since the liberal proposition of the United
Stet& was authorized to'heinade in April last,
Stater
wirtinirtrionrcla hemp fir,nrrnmonrrrill . mnl
-
the
,precious blood 'of- many of our .patriotic
fellow-citizens has. been -shed in tbe prosecution
of the war. This consideration, and the obsti
nate perseverance of Mexico in 'pretracting the
war, must influence-the terms of peace which it
may be deemed Proper - hereafter to accept:
Oui arms having been everywhere victorious,
having subjected to bur military 'occupation a
large portion 'of the enemy's 'country, including
his capital, and negotiations for 'Peace, having
failed, the important question's prise, in what
manner the war ought to be prosecated ? and
what should be: our. future. 'policy? I cannot
doubt that we sbould.securetnd render availa
ble 'the conquests which, ire 'have already made;
and that, with this view,' we shodld -hold_and.
°wilily, by our naval ' and inilitabi forces, all
the ports, towns, cities, and provinces now in
our occupation,'or which may herdifter fall in
to our possession ; that we, shmild press,fer-
Viard our military, Operations, and levy such
military contrib-ttions on the CbcznY as may, as
fir ainracticable, defray-the - ' flitifre expenses
of the war.
pad the governMent of Me.xieo acceded to
the Otiuitable and liberal terms Oeposed, that
mode' of adjustment would haCe been preferred.
Mexico having declined to do this, and " failed
to offer any other terms which - ould be‘accept
ed by the United States, the mttionrd honor,
no less than the Puhlie interests, requires that
the war should be prosecut'c'd! with increased
energy and power until a just and satisfactory.
peace can . be obtaiaed. In i the meantime, as
Mexico ` refuses all indemnity , ;ire should adopt
measures to it;denmily oursaves, : by appropri
ating, perManently a portion of her territory.
Early after the, coraniencementipf the' war,
NeW Mexico. and the - Califciridas , wcre taken
possessiop of, by our forces. „Our hnilitarf and.
naval commanders Were ordered to , eonquer and
hold ibeni,,stibjeet tb be dispOsed of by 4 treaty
OePeac°. , -• . ' 1 ) ; I , .
These provinces 'OW now n'on' undispOted
occupation, and, have been so fel. Many montliii
all reststinee, on the part or, 'Mcitticci baring
ceased withielkOiriim P s• ' I am.i i ial4; 36 o that
shOuld never
,lie surreedere 'to'Mex,
Should Congress concur with or - l' iiii?
it this - opin
inn, and that they. should lie 'rataned by the
United gtates, as indemnity , I] can pcipieve no
1
good icaion why the eiriljurtidietton arilitlaws
of the United StOtek.stiOnlir nirt oVenee by ex=
tende 4 , ofel''00 14 ;Ii) 1 / 1 4itf41 * -ir e° 4 of
FaCi4 kuA ils.."':lurl lll i9:o' tomli4e, !) . wbich
one, relations „ tiiiii.arda . the* *Mid not 'be
chancd, ' - eiuMnCl4'gcled,. POlieyij whilst our
own intereit, iiiiii'll;it ril;tbe i ;peoPle inhabiting
them,, Trim that, a Atablei responsible, 'and
l'Jie,governmeni . wideripur authority should, as
soon -ail ..p.): .ssib*' Ve Tltat4b ll 444 l 'Oyer; thorn.
lilbottl(lTotOos,
,ibirefore, deter to:itol4
itkiti.loo l ltKel Peo4entkt,- 10 4' :tbai.: - ....b-0
' 1 . 11411 1 beieirtOr be. 'Ainiaid'eted itil.:'onsiittorit,
1)r*9):-4** 06 uPtrii ill#-Viek eatiib lithiniatt of
tettit , itiiekinze*Pveir then . t " tba:jall.
iiii.,. 1. for f1ie , 144 . 4 lie.rfe#:iiiotrtioi;iitina<
w inal
'eons{' d iii 3 Opirty,j ond'iret39pintOil#, !RA
tiliii 4 i l 4. l ::o7Ormenk l •*P lt er il li t t a tikitl'ii# l .
tri'llifikk:PC..vit )4: 1 44-lit'luP 2)',0 1 k :' Ak4. 1 ! 1 7
b140,100;` fm,f 11 .101#1,41 1 4P , , :tiaorintAhtti
*
'iliti iniy:sal*Otirloia titboteC ' ':iiiikiiiii;'
ed to the jurisdiction L ot 1 1 40,04. 1 t .inoitirtitii
elOW#l,a Tlictioblor-oklaidenktitl :. .
to "4"sitOttitikilt.V-4'. T.. l *- .. . - (. - -;l'!'' ,.
'..ll4lfill'*Ov.tialeoFokA: . &trona*
6 4 1 Y-Aiii*JAierveldliiii:**4 l 3 firolilitia
bil m athistwitiodiosmoute..— ..- • --,1.i
, . LI .
.my„ ~'~
-
,
!MEE
MI
a
MEE
i - t
,i -. ..„ - ._ ti __ v ,.. ,.--,
~A. 10 ,,,,,,,,,, ,
, 1..:,,,;,...i:
. ..t
_ _______ . .
, ,„
These other 14 1*zieibt pro * neig4 ' at -
FnedAlt our military , and , ie,V4
nndiTilbe general anthoriii 10114-. spooned
upon a c onqueror by the lows-of wai.:f ilitel
ihonld'nontione to beheld lai a mistshirobinaii4
einglOtiori- - _ loraccedl to just tees, or
Well :
Civil'at as , .Pilitarfr racers
conduct ' such a iovernment... 'Adastatattainsa
pensatibn to boiltuntroin'eontribudotilleoisdi
on the . 4netofshould be 'fined by lawintrasek ,
upp l
'officers Yas 'msy - ftti;-_thtti employed. - "Win i t„ , . -
titer prOvision may honmel nocessasy,:and '
d ii
final' `PositiMit ' 61 7' 1 4' ProPe.r Ift'srak: .
them, nit! depend; en tbirfutsk"
the wV, and 'the course ; Oki eisms
think roper` hertsaiterr itooninith", - ;,:-. -- 2. 1 4 , ', z:‘ ,
Wit the views I ' entertain s ' ,
the policy Which has liseOtoggeated,lshiarr "
withdraw nuitrmy altoiethariOr*Stiirt V
designated lintandiimplt bbid littkiliCtial
,_
To withdraw 'Our Ormraltogether:finoribav
quests they have made : by deeds of *
bravery, and at the eiperle of wain*:
and treasure, in 'skies war eit - IntliW ,
one whieb - , - by the act - of the'enenty, , ;:*** -
not honorably have': avoided,' would 'bole
grade
-
grade the nation in its own'estimatka male
that of-the world. , ,
To retire to. .a line,, 'and, simply hold 11U4- lu.
I fend k wOuld not'terminate thewarthathuit
contrary, it would encouragel.MexkOttlier
vere, and'tend-topretratt it !ndifitituly--It lig .
not to be expected that Mexmoiiiiiiiit -- --Wasipt
to - establish Inch a line as' t -pruasei
dary, Whewtsur vietoriinktruiyare , :liat pcu.iS-:
sion of her eapital,-And in ' the' beirtl:lifliari
country, would permit us toiholiittitlitimumel
sistanee. That 'abelrould , aeitiniii4l44*
and in thelneat lininisinerid ainniying MA)
there eatii`b+ ao doubt. A 1 *Wier',„ii*rhir4l.:lf
the most savage character, exte*Celninzao
long - -line;- ironld 'be neciaiiiiefziragelL
~ : "It
would*** a large army to •bp . ..INK/caw
stantly in the field, etationedat Sita:itniger.! , '
risons along such -a line, tnprete*tuile4 c
it. - The.enenpy, relierectfrem the p* **4 at
our, arms on ' , his
. coasts and ia- - the-poililout
parts.ef theinteror, would direettiwittentit'as
to this line, -and. suelootkng aa ;isolat ed
attack, :would' concentrate his , forces upon it.
This worl dbe a condition of-affairs Which-the
Mexicankt:ptirsuing their favorite - 44sta* z . c . 4 .
guerilla:warfare, would probably fret*, tto VII
other. Were we to assume a
such definialva,
on a line, all the idiantner-ofesitelix*
state-of war would lie on the isidest_thPriessay.
I Wit - enuld leyy no contributions-
any other way make`, hint- feel -the frasimraf
the war,:biat-must remain inactive tans tiiialt ,
his approach, being, in constant iencertaktrit
1 what point on the line, or -it' wba'M •ties Che
mightliake ,an assault. Ile may aisegibleuial
- N. -An,-.-wnth e i r ijiti v i o ref r jur4 a . Wink
,on hie own aide . of the line, rand,itOn . , liia '
I purpose, make a sudden assault -" upo n se
of-our pots so distant fr - em 'any othiit'Awia
prevent the possibility of:timely ciiriuf,
inforcementa i and id this way our genes***
would be exposed-to , the ',ldansei; of - belsii**
off ini - iletailt - or if, by theirunixittallettirallety
, and proweweverywhire axhibitadAitiiitiat
, war, 'they should repulse theenenth-thearitilW _
hers stationed at any , one Iptret!ritytiettiollllll
~_to pursue.him. Lithe- enemy" be' reps i s
. one attack ite would have nothinito - tiolnitili
retreat -tol is own side of the line,te,tbilait
in mi - fear of 'S. pursuing ' *rum - may iAthata
hiniself- at leisure, ..1 - or mutter , attic:Waft illit
..
same of-sonleuther poet. Ile niay;:aso,Fax*
the line between el* posts;-eidie -IS a dineiri•
sloths into the Country - which -` ww-hoI '-' , 114 , 11ir
the inhabitants, commit depredatio - ' I* theta,
j
and theuletreat toihe interior beforiliirail- '
cient tortan be"concentrated - tolinfaistaliriai.
Su.9h,iniul , prohablY be thwhiriaraing-elituitii.
ter-of a liriere defensive Jwar tO' eiripiriellcif
our forece44 4 , whed atnickek 'or thriiitiliWaiiiitli
attatleilskPerimitted 'tn - l'erott the tiltObiiii
liack- - the=eheniy. edit conquer hits , oiiikiltdifi '
vy
be' atainto-intede tbe enemy's ''do' ' ,
. - wit
!laving last allthe advantages-of t,liioo,o#llit
ire Itare'-elreadymide,-4414vingl*uniargy
- abandoned item.' To hold such 4i "linir
Tully ainlin ieenrity,; it is fitt-froni ' teartils
T t.
that le.,would not; egaire-; ne lir& ' 'lira" y lit
would het neeesearyite 'hold ill th -, Celitiliiiatil
we Iniii• ilready ' bide, - *id'-to • eiiiiitintli.ll4
peciecation-ef the n. wi inliiiiibeiret cif ainfelig
nits country . - It islaliolhifi*ltiint *Obi
thaftiieesttepsed• 'of ' the; ' iviir - would Ithireabi:
ished byy. suck' s poliey, i. • •-,- -;-,',: t:-;tl4 - 1 'a,
I iiii - AimiaddaVosiVgie heat - means 44'n - fj. -
dicatiiiktkeMationo honor; and littereat w .fiiiik
of bringing the war to an - honorable c1#1,:7-fire
l* lelltesselite, it - with increased, en: ergrula
- 'ntifa; villiC vital parts '!ef.the ftele 11.016`.. !
~ 4 .z, :f,..*.14 ,941 . ?-
ti . : 7 ' , ' l%:- '`': • ! _
, Inliiy•i*inal 1 me ss age to ' Cong r reeirianpar.
gUillie leak*/ 'decia4ed that " the' *ollaittiot,
,been Wigeil' With a:; view ' tn'tiiiiiiiireitliK
-beiiiil,eep commenced
„,,4 Me „3 1-bali
- ,Cirriedinto he enetny's Uotintrzi.lll4 l olo
vigorously thercirith_Cirlair kW
ta w , 0 -ielice,F and;:theit*, ,
ample ifidenii ity - for the -
- le s ipiricia' t of tjiii , *,
as - well as 't o 'OR' inneli.lOinied_ eialilink'':'`iitui
hold late . ; -
i z tu
Suehi - InfV,o#o4 - enntiiinelityle,iiiititiii
polici4.l ll d4o;:lhit.,orfli - formf* 7 1 4;.7 4 1k .
probably. itee' iris_ permanent *wit if-,_ . -- P " .4 ,
.-- 4.liliiiieriftilleim Oiliteitiplaltair: . .-'itit:#
object - tif:tbd,ii, , ur, to maw i'liiip 4 . e,,!.
**kat' ilia republic of -- -litexleu;' - irrtn iileW
' late);lierjlia'a lepa,riti *id !independent itliiii.t.2-,'-
,0* the, - iiiiikrirOt '. l iii - ,ifililieCp !ili . ',:feAlfr
AO iaiiltiatild**biliiir ilia . 1 - ssial
'a.„.",4 1 .-,a'0 0 : 41- 07 -- :ojitimbritea'4.: .r# ll '
_amoklke..:,o7*-: 'o' ntentA4 -.,,, ). .
republic - .The IN - Stikfil'were't .' . ' -li
-4ite
u s t,soniiheitiilailCivioche i brelia ,:, :.
en e9.c 4 , 0 4 illo4ldiri ' aestied iebel - , - -,,,•
tal i ,
ofitriityz*lfßow = , hkilitiOLl . 1ttie. , :4,.,
c ar
Thrtivii:*4a:'tite '' .: I**r % 'AO'
miairwliioueri 0610141 k ..
'
i110k1.401 , 44. In its* oll otkilt;* •'W.
it** ll 4 l o l 4C*o l .4***._# l-I k . '
*. : *** 1 11 1 0 114 A- 1 0 1 ***1- 0 "
1
* eat: -- itlarW il ittitliiit*,'l l '
blitiWtioxikit o =
41144* . :.ark: ,
11 3 04
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MEZEII
rs <•
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man
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