Newspaper Page Text
prCStlJClU 0 XUCSSagC. j known lothol l>ody~ Since that time,
**"?£j creaieJ . , encr sy- and 1 1? gratified to
The annual tnceting^fCongres. is nl- *‘ a . ,e Wl, , b a s .-> c «“ w >'! ch '“tnmands
wars an interesting event. The Repre- un. versa admtrauon. History presents
•entatives of the States anilofthe people no , perrallel of so many glorious victories
come fresh from their constituents u. lake achieved by any nation within so short a .
counsel together for the common giml. I K:r,, td. Our army, regulars and voiun- meet the commissioner
After nn existence o! near throe-fourths leers, have covered themselves with im-
of a century as a free and independent pCTwhaWq - honors. Whenever and
republic, the problem no longer remains **
vherever our forces have encountered
>’be 'solved, 1 "wlie i herma n“i j cajmbie the enemy, though he was in vastly su-
of self-government. The success ofour P° ri " r numbers, and often entrenched
admirable system is a conclusive refuta- “ nwn sclecuon '
lion of the theories of those in other nr “ " " r “"* a,rnnnt *
countries who maintain that ♦* a favored
few” arc bora to rule, and that the mass
of mankind must be governed by force.
Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary au
thority, the people are the only sovereigns
recognised by our constitution. Numer
ous emigrants of every lineoge and lan
guage, attracted by the civil nml religi
ous freedom we enjoy, and by our hap
py condition, annually crowd to our
snores, and transfer their heart, not fees
ould at
States by the
the defences of their capital, and to
prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command of the ar
my deemed it expedient to suspend
hostilities temporarily, by entering in
to an armistice with a view to the open
ing of negotiations. Commissioners
were appointed on the part of Mexico to
meet the commissioner on the part of
the United States. The result of the
conferences which look place between
these functionaries of the two govern
ments was a failure to conclude a trea
ty of peace.
The comraissioneroflheUuited States
and of great strength, he has been de- took with him the project ot a treaty ul-
feu ted. Too much praise cannot be.be- ready prepared, by the terms of which latitude about thirty-two degrees, and to i vi
stowed upon our officers and men, reg- | the indemnity required by the United : obtain a cession to the United Slates of i is naturally connected with our western
ulars and volunteers, for their gallantry. Slates was a cession of territory. -the provinces of New Mexico and the ! settlements. The territorial limits ol
discipline, indomitable courage and per- j It is well known that the only indem* j Californios, and the privilege of the the Slate of Texas, too, as defined by
severance, all seeking the post of dan-j nity which it is in the power of Mexico i right of way across the isthmus of Tehu- j her laws, before her admission into our
ger atnl vieing with each other in deeds to make in satisfaction of the just and I autcpec. The boundary of the Rio; Union, embrace all that portion ot New
ible daring. long deferred claims of our citizens) Grande, and the cession to the United Mexico lying east of the ltio Grande,
The terms of the treaty proposed by
the United States were not only just to
Mexico, but, considering the character
and amount of our claims, the unjusti
fiable and unprovoked commencement
of hostilities by her, the expenses ot 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 was authorized to agree to the
establishment of the Rio Grande as the
boundary, from its entrance into the
Gulf to its intersection with the south-
our numerous whale ships, and other
merchant vessels employed in the Pacif
ic ocean, and would in a short period
become the marts of an extensive ami
profitable commerce with China, and
other countries of the East.
These advantages, in which the whole
policy ; whilst our own interest, and that
of the people inhabiting them, require
that a stable, responsible, and free gov
ernment under our aulhoritv should, as
soon as possible, be established over
them. Should Congress, therefore, de
termine to hold these provinces perma-
commercial world would participate, j neatly, and that they shall hereafter be
cured to*the United j considered as constituent parts of *
of this territory ; country, the early establishment of i
f
an honorable peace, and thereby secuie
ample indemnity for the expenses of the
war, as well as to our much-injured cit
izens, who hold large pecuniary demands
against Mexico.” Such, in my judge
ment, continues to be our true policy
—indeed, the only policy which will
probably secure a permanent peace.*
It has never been contemplated by
- - an object of the war, to make a
mains a part of the Mexican dominions, 1 important for the more perfect protcc-* Mexico, or to annihilate her separtffe"
they can be enjoyed neither by Mexico lion of persons and propel ty; ami I re- ( cxistcuce as an independent nation.—
herself nor by any other nation. ! commend that such territorial govern- On the contrary, it has ever been my
I to us intersection wild tue sootn-j New Mexico is a frontier province.; ments be established. It will promote desire that she should maintain her
bemudary of New Mexico, in north and has never been of any considerable . peace ami tranquility among the inhabit- 1 nationality, and, under a good govern-
to-Mexico*. From its locality, it j ants, by allaying all apprehension that menl adapted to her condition, be a free,
than their allegiance, to the
"try |
whose dominion belongs alone to the peo
ple.
No country has been so much favor
ed, or should acknowledge with deeper
reverence the manifestations of the Di
vine protection. “An all-wise Ctentor di
rected and guarded us in our infant strag
gle for freedom, nnd lias constantly
watched over our surprising progtcss,
ontil we have b« come one of the great,
nations of die earth.
It is in a country thus favored,nnd un
der a government in which the execu
tive and legislative brandies bold their
authority fir limited periods, alike from
the people, and where nil are responsi
ble to their respective constituencies,
that it is again my duty to communicate
with Congress upon the state of the Un
ion, and the present condition of public
affairs. *
. During the past year ihe most gratify
ing proofs arc presented that our coun-
. try has been blessed with a wide-spread
and universal prosperity. There has
been no periqd since the government
Was founded,when all the industrial pur
suits of our people have ltoen more suc
cessful, or w hen labor in nil branches of j
business has received a fairer or better
reward. From our abundance wc have
been enabled to perform the‘pleasing
duty of furnishing food for the starving
millions of less favored countries.
In the eujoyment of the bounties of
Providence at home, such as have rare
ly fallen to the lot of any people, it is
cause of congratulation, that our inter
course with .til the Powers of the earth,
except Mexico, continues to he of an
amicable character.
It has ever been our cherished policy
to cultivate peace and good will with all
nations; ana this policy has been stead
ily pursued by me.
No change has taken place in onr re
lations with Mexico since the adjourn
ment of the last Congress. The war in
which the United Stales were forced to
engage with the government of that coun
try Mill continues.
I deem it unnecessary, after the full
exposition of them contained in my mes
sage of the eleventh of May, 1840, and
in my annual message at the commence
ment ol the session oi Congress in De
cember last, to reiterate the serious cau-
- scs of complaint which we had against
Mexico beforeshecommenccdhostiiities.
It is sufficient on the present occasion
to say, that the wanton violation of the
rights of person and property ofour cit
izens committed by Mexico, her repeat
ed acts ol bad faith, through a long se
ries of years,and her disregard ofshlfeinn
treaties, stipulating for indemnity to our
injured citizens, not only constituted am
ple cause of war on our part, but were
ofsucli an aggravated character as would
Wh le every patriot’s licartjmustexult,
and n juft national pride animate every
j bosom, iiv beholding the high proofs of
; courage, consummaiemiJiiary skill, stea-
1 «ly discipline, and humanity to the i
quished enemy, exhibited by our gallant
iy, the nation is called to mourn over
agdinst her, and the only means by j States of New Mexico and Upper Cali- j while Mexico stjll claims to hold this
which she can reimburse the United lornia, constituted an ultimatum which territory as a j>ac| of her dominions.—
States-for the expenses of the war, is a ; our commissioner was, under no cir- The adjustment ot this question ol boun-
cession to the United States of a portion j cumstances, to yield. . j dary is important,
of her territory. Mexico has no money | That it might be manifest not only to _ There is another consideration which
to pay, and no other means of making Mexico, but to all other nations, that induced the belief that the Mexican
the required indemnity. It we refuse the United States were not disposed to j government might even desire to plac<
” I vantage of a feeble power, by
her all the
the loss of many brave officers and sol-j this, we can obtain nothing else. To take
diers who have fallen in defence of their reject indemnity, by refusing to accept
and interests. The brav
•lv»d met their melancholy fate in a for
eign land, nobly discharging ibeir duty,
and with their country’s flag waving tri
umphantly in the lace of the foe. Their
patriotic deeds are justly appreciated,
and will long be remembered by their
grateful countrymen. The parental care
of the government they’ loved and serv
ed should be extended to their surviving
families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the
last session of Congress, the gratifying
intelligence was received of the signal
victory ol Buena Visia and of the fall of
the city of Vera Cruz, and with it the
strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, by
defended. Believing that
after these and other successes, so honor-
aide toourarins and sodisastrous to Mex
ico, the period was propitious to afford
licr„ another opportunity, if she thought 1 duty to these citizens
proper to embrace it, to enter into nego- 1 L “
liaiions lor peace, a commissioner was
appointed to proceed to the head-quar
ters ofour army, with full powers to en
ter upon negotiations,-and to conclude
a just and honorable treaty of peace.—
lie was not directed to make any new
overtures of peace, but was the bearer
of a despatch from the Secretary of State
of the United Slates to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in reply to
one received from the latter of the twen-
roml of February, 1S47, in which
the Mexican Government was informed
of his appointment, ami of his presence at
the head quarters ofour army, and that
be was invested with full powerslocon-
cbulc a definite treaty of peace, when
ever the Mexican government might sig
nify a desire to do so. While I was un
willing lo subject the United Stales
to another indignant refusal. I was yet
resolved 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 no instructions
10 the commissioner which could in-any
vfny interfere with our military opera
tions, or relax our energies in tiie prose
cution of the war. He. possessed no au
thority in any manner to control these
operations. He wasnulhorized loexbib-
11 his instructions to the General incom-
"mand of the army ; and in the event of a
treaty being concluded and ratified on
the part of Mexico, he was directed lo
give notice of that fact. On the hap
pening of such contingency, and on re
ceiving notice thereof, the General in
command was instructed by the Secre
tary of : War to suspend further active mil
itary operations until further orders.-
f territory, would be toubau- 1 other provinces,* including.many of her
»Ion all our just demands, and to wage principal towns and cities, which we
the war, bearing all its expenses, with- bad conquered and held in our military
out a purpose or definite object. ; occupat ion, but were willing to conclude
A state of war abrogates treaties pre- a treaty in a spirit o$iil>erality, ourcoin-
viously existing between the belligerents, missioner was authorized to stipulate
and a treaty of peace puts an end to all for the restoration to Mexico of all our
claims for indemnity—for tortious acts jollier conquests.
committed, under the authority of one As the territory to be acquired by the
government against the citizens or sub- j boundary proposed might he estimated
jects of another, unless they are provid- j to be of greater value than a fairequiv-
ed for in its stipulations. A treaty of peaee ; aleni for our just demands, our commis-
wbicb would terminate the existing war, j siouer was authorized to stipulate for
without providing for indemnity, would the payment of such additior&l pecunia-
enable Mexico—the acknowledged debt-1 ry consideration as was deemed reason-
or, and herself the aggressor in the war able.
—to relieve herself from her just liabil- j The terms of a treaty proposed by the
ities. By such a treaty, our citizens,! Mexican commissioners were wholly in-
who hold just demands against her, j admissible. They negotiated as if Alex-
have justified us before -the whole world ! These instructions were given with
in,resorting to this extreme remedy.—
With nn anxious desire to avoid a rup
ture between the two countries, we for
bore for years to assert oor clear rights
by force, and continued to seek redress
for the wrongs wc had suffered by ami
cable negotiation, in the hope that Mex
ico might yield to pacific councils and
the demands of justice. In this .hope
wc were disappointed. Our minister of
peace sent to Mexico was insultingly re
jected. The Mexican government re
fused even to hear the terms of adjust-
view to intermit hostilities, until the trea
ty thus ratified by Mexico could be trans
mit led to Washington, and receive the
action of the government of the United
Stales.
The commissioner was also directed,
on reaching the army, to deliver to the
General in Command the despatch
which he boro from the Secretary of
Stale lo the Minister of Foreign Affairs
at Mexico, and on. receiving it, thcGen-
would have no remedy either againsL j ico were the victorious, and not the van-
Mcxico or their own government. Our quished party. They must have known
si forever pre.- that their ultimatum could never be ac-
ventsuch a peace, and no treaty which cepled. It required the United Slates
does not provide ample meaus of dis- to dismember Texas, by surrendering
charging these demands can receive my ! to Mexico that part of the territory of
sanction. ' j that Slate lying between the Nueces and
A treaty of peace should settle all. the Rio Grande, included within her lim-
exisling differences between the two its by her laws when she was an tnde-
countries. If an adequate cession of pendent republic, an<i when she was
territory should be made by such a annexed to the United States and ad-
treaty, tbeJUnited States should release i mitted by Congress as one of the Slates
Mexico from all her liabilities, and as- | of ottr Union. It contained no provision
sume their payment to our own citizens, for the payment by Mexico of the just
If, instead of this, the United States claims of our citizens. It required in-
were to consent to a treaty by which deuinity to Mexican citizens for inju-
Mexico should again engage to pay the I rics they may have sustained by our
hqavy amount of indebtedness which a 1 troops in the prosecution of the war. It
just indemnity to our government and demanded the right for Mexico to levy
our citizens would impose on her, it is j and collect the Mexican tariff’ of duties
notorious that she does not possess the
means to meet such an undertaking.—
From such a treaty no result could be
anticipated, but the same irritating dis
appointments which have heretofore at
tended the violations of similar treaty
stipulations on the part of Mexico.—
Such a treaty would be but a lenipora-
ry ccssasion of hostilities, without the
joods imported in»o her ports while
in our military occupation during the
the war, and the owners of which had
paid to officers of the United States the
military contributions which had been
levied upon them ; and it offered to cede
to the United States, fora pecuniary con
sideration, that part of Upper Calafornia
lying north of latitude thirty-seven de-
eral was instructed by'the Secretary of
War to cause it to be transmitted to the
meat which he was authorized to *pro- commander of the Mexican forces, with
S i l nud finally, under wholly unjusti-!" re ‘l ue . 61 ll,al il mi 8 ht be communicat-
le pretexts, involved the two conn- j e< ^ b* 8 government.
tries in war, by invading the territory of i ’Tire commissioner did not reach the . f „ , _
the State of Texas, striking the fi r3l i headquarters ol the army until after an- j him in the event thatsaid treaty, when If jh> re
blow, and shedding the blood ofour cil- j ol * ,e r brilliant victory had crowned our j signed by the authorized agents of the it in eil
izensenourown soil. arms at Cerro Gordo. two governments, and duly ratified by
Though the United States were the I ^ despatch which he bore from the J Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of
aggrieved, nation, Mexico commenced j Secretary of War to the General in! the same,
wnr' nml up wam In ..if. l command of the armv was received bv ! obiect of i
restoration of the friendship and good j grees. Such were the unreasonable terms
understanding which should character- : proposed by the Mexican commissioners,
ize the future intercourse between the ) The cession to the United Slates by
two countries. i Mexico, of the provinces of New Mexico
That Congress contemplated the ac- ! and the Calafornias, as proposed by the
quisilion of territorial indemnity when Commissioner of the United States, it
that body made provision for the pros- was believed, would be more in accor-
ecution of the war, is obvious. Congress ! dance with the convenience and interests
could not have meant—when; in May, jof both nations, than any other cession
1846, they appropriated ten millions of j of territory which it was probable Mex-
dollars, and authorized* the President ( ico could be induced to make,
to employ the militia and naval and mi- j It is manifest to all who have observ-
litary forces of the United States, and ed the actual condition of the Mexican
to accept the services of fifty thousand government, for some years past, and
volunteers, to enable him to prosecute at present, that if these provinces should
the War; and when, at tbeir last session, j be retained by her she could not long
and after our army had invaded Mexico, j continue to hold and govern them. Mex-
they made additional appropriations J ico’is too feeble* a power to govern these
and authorized the raising of additional | provinces, lying as they do at a distance
troops lor the sajjne purpose—that no t of more than a thousand miles from her
indemnity was to be obtained from Me*- j capital, and, if attempted to be retained
ico at the conclusion of the war j an^ jby her, they would constitute but for a
yet it was certain that, if no Mexican abort time, even nominally, apart of her
territory was acauireq»&K» iudemuiiy [dominions.
, , it This would be especially the case with
Congress | .Upper California. The sagacity of pow-
t ludeBiQS^IrocDlerful European nations has long since
the fact that, at their-last session^ an ’ directed their attention to the commer-
act was passed, upon the Executive re- j cial importance of that province, and
commendation, appropriating three mil- j there can be little doubt that the moment
lions of dollars wiin that express object..; the United.States shall relinquish their
This appropriation was made “ toena--; present occupation of it, and their claim
ble the President .to^oncludc a treaty i to it*
of peace, limfts, 'wi^Cpoundaries \vith : mat’
the republic of Mexico, to be nscitf by j it,
| any part ^fhereof.** The
the war, and we were compelled, in self-1 «°tnmanil of the army was received by ’• object of asking this appropriation was
defence, to repel the invader, and to viu- \ l,ial *I«en at Jplapn, on the sev- j distinctly stated in the several messages
dicale the muional honor and interests emf ' 0 *'May,. 1S47, together with!on the subject which I .comrquhicated
.. 1 •*"— -*——-»- c ° H ^ o: n— appropriations
’i were re
applied
w u , J promptly coin- { trom Vcra Gruz. The .commissionerin part consideration lor the cession of
municatcd that fact, accompanied with \ arrived at the headquarters of the army j Louisiana and the Floridas. In like
a succinct statement ofour other causes ■ a f i ; w afterwards. His presence j manner it was anticipated-that, —
of complaint against Mexico to Congress;; the army awl his diplomatic char- i ding the terms ofa treaty of “limits and i tempt
-..J l.n.l.. I .i .... r.1 . - ' arlnr were mmlH liniiwn tn thi* \fn\!^nn hmindnrins” with Mexico, a cession of eAvise
yaa effort would be
•i|p^ Power to possess
estyir by purchase,
nment should acquire
anodes, an idepend-
jjpfefnment would
&bed by the inbabit-
fipreigners as may re-
ivy to the country, as
_ known that the Uni
ted Slates, have abandoned it. Such a
government3i3muld be too feeble long to
uiainl/tin Uftlsdparate independent exis
tence, andgdfimd finally become annex
ed to, or bea&pendenl colony of, some
more powerful -
Should forefon ^vernmeht at-
'.Jjfc -: m
posstss-it TTs a colony, or oth-
atad that hod v, hv ihe net of the° lhir-' acler WeT * kopwn to the Mexican! boundaries’* with Mexico, a ccssion qL eAy^q|kiiiQprporate it with itself, the
teenth of May, 1S4G, declared that “ by [government, from Puebla, on the twelfth. territory estimated to be of greater yal-\prinftpl^a£o\vecUjy President Monroe
the act of the' republic of Mexico, a state) °l done, 1S47, by the transmission of juc than the amonnt of our demands in 1S24>
of war exists between that government | ** ,e despatch from the Secretary of Stale j against her might be obtained ; and that
and the United States”—this act dcclar- to the Minister of, Foreign Affairs of. the prompt payment of this sum—in
ing •• the war to exist by the act of the * Mexico. part consideration for the territory ced-
republic of Mexico,” and making provi-! Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, jea—on the conclusion of a treaty, and ^
•ion for its prosecution “ loaspectiv and am * no overtures were made,, nor was. its ratification on her part, might bo, arn^ean ctwunihit^must bo-maintained. In the Califormas were taken possession of
•ccccssful termination,” was passed with »ny desire expressed by the Mexican inducement with her to make such this ormcinlc. and in resist-, bv our forces. Our military and naval
great unanimity by Congress, there be- j government to enter into negotiations j cession of territory as would be satisfacc
ing but two negative votes in the Senate. ’ « ,r T >cacc * ' I fory to the United States. And' alUio*
nnd but fourteen in the House of Repre-1 Our army pursued its march upon • *k e failure to conclude .sach a treaty
•entatives. | the capital, and, ns it approached it, i ^ as rendered it unnecessary to nse any
The existence of the war having thus • was met by formidable resistance.-^—} P art lar ® e millions of dollars ap-
bcen declared by Congress, it became' Our forces first encountered the enemy, j propriated by that act, and the. entire
my duty, under the constitution and the j and achieved signal victories in the se- ! sum remains in toe treasury, it is- situ
laws, to conduct and prosecute it.. This verelv contested bailies of Contreras ^applicable .to that object, should the
duty has been performed; and though,; and Churubus^o. It was not until after jcontingepqy qceur making such appli-
at every stage of its progress, I have, these actions had resalted in decisive
mhnifested a willingness to terminate ir victories, and the capital of the enemy
by a just pence, Mexico has refused to (was within oor power, that the Mexi-
accedo to any terms~wInch could bcac-^can government manifested any disposi
cepled by the United States, consistent-, lion to enter into negotiations for peace;
ly with ih© national honor and interest.' and even then, at events have proved,
The rapid and brilliant successes’ of t there is too much reason to believe they
our arms, and the vast extent oflhe one-1 were insincere, .ami that in agreeing to
iny’s territory which had been overrun | go through the forms ofnegbtiation, the
Olid conquered, before the close of the object was to gain time to strengthen
canon proper.
The doctrine of no territory is the
doctrine of no indemnity ; and, if sanc
tioned, would be a public acknowledg
ment that bur country was wrong, and
that tbr war declared by Congress with
extraordinary unanimity, was unjust,
and should be abandoned ; an admis
sion unfounded in fact, and degrading
to the n&tfoual character.
reaffirmed in my first on-
tliat no foreign Power
this province under the protection of the
ernmeut of the United States. Nu-
rous bands of fierce and warlike sav-
s wander over it, and upon its bor-
s. Mexico lias been, and
tinue to be, too feeble to rest
they may still entertain of being
subjected to the jurisdiction of Mexico.
I invito the early and favorable consid
eration of Congress to this important
subject.
Besides New Mexico and the Califor-
nias, there are other Mexicau provinces
which have been reduced to our posses
sion by conquest. These other Mexican
provinces are now governed by our mil
itary and naval commanders, under the
general authority which is conferred
upon a conqueror by the laws of war.—
They should continue to be held as a
means of coercing Mexico to accede to
just terms of peace. Civil as well as
military officers arc required to conduct
- such a government. Adequatccompcn-
Ihem I satiou to be drawn from contributions
from committing depredations, robbe
rs, and murders, not only upon the in
habitants of New Mexico itself, but up-
those of the other northern States of
xico. It would be a blessing to all
se northern States to have their citi-
s protected against them by the pow-
of' the United .States. At this mo
ment, many Mexicans, principally fe
males and children, are in captivity
among them. If New Mexico were held
anti governed by the United Stales, we
could effectually prevent these tribes
from committing such outrages, and
pel them to release these captives,
restore them to their families and
friends.
In proposing to acquire New Mexico
and the Californias, it was known that
i inconsiderable portion of tlieMex-
peoplc would be transferred with
them, the country embraced within
these provinces being chiefly an unin
habited region.
These were the leading considera-
ns which induced me to authorize the
terms of peace which were-proposed lo
Mexico. They were rejected ; and, ne
gotiations being at an end, hostilities
were renewed. An assault was made
by our gallant army upon the strongly
fortified places near the gates of the city
of Mexico, and upon the city itself; and
after several days of severe conflict, the
Mexican forces, vastly superior in num
ber to our own, were driven from the
city, and it was occupied by our troops.
Immediately after information was re
ceived of the unfavorable result of the
negotiations, believing that his contin
ued presence with the army could be
productive of no good, I determined to
recall our commissioner. A despatch
to this effect was transmitted to him on
the sixth of October last. The .Mexican
government will be informed of his re
call; and that, in the existing state of
things, I shall not deem it proper to
make any further overtures of peace,
but shall be at all times ready to receive
and consider any proposals which may
be made by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition of the
United States was authorized .to be made
.in April last, large expenditures hav
been incurred, and the precious blood
of many of our patriotic fellow-citizens
has been shed in the prosecution of the
war. This consideration, and the ob
stinate perseverance of Mexico in pro
tracting the war, must influence the
terras of peace which it may be deemed
proper hereafter to accept.
Our arms having been everywhere
victorious, having subjected to our mil
itary occupation a large portion of the
enemy’s country, including his capital,
and negotiations for peace having failed,
the important questions arise, In what
manner the war ought to be prosecuted ?
and what should be our future policy?
I cannot-doubt that we should secure
and render available the conquests
which we have already made; and that,
with this view, we should hold and oc
cupy, by our naval and military forces,
all the ports, towns, cities, and provinc
es now in our occupation, or which may
hereafter fall into our possession; that
we should press forward our military
operations, and levy such military con-
tributionson the enemy as may, as far
as prac^able, defray the future expen
ses of thaw a r.
Had the government of Mexico acce
ded to the equitable y and liberal terms
proposer], that mode readjustment would
have been preferred. Mexico having
declined to do this, and failed to offer
any other terms which-could be accept
ed by the United States, the national
honor, no less than the public interests,
requires that the war should be prose
cuted with increased energy and power
until a just aud satisfactory peace can
be obtained.. In the meantime, as Mex-
refuscs all indemnity, we should ad-
indemnify ourselves, by
^ opt measures
consent, be permitted to! appropriating permanently a portion of
^ .^ftsh any uew colony or do-^j her territory, Early after the.com-
p cfh &y*paftl>f the North Ameri- j mencement ot the
, New Mexico and
tqafcifiling lhis principle, and in resist-by our forces. Our military and naval
in^tijt^invasfoh by any foreign Power,! commanders were ordered . to conquer
*'-'jjovolved in other wars more and hold them, subject to be disposed ol
rad more difficult than that. by a treaty of peace.
s now engaged. ! These provinces are now in our un-
3 of New Mexico and the disputed occupation, and have been so
contiguous to the terrilo- for many mouths; all resistance on the
ted States, and if brought part of Mexico having ceased within
^rnrnent of our laws, their her. limits. I am satisfied that they
neral, agricultural, man- should never be surrendered to Mexico.
1 commercial—would^oon Should. Congress concur with me in this
be deN|gJoped. ’ I opinion, and that they should be retain-
Upppr^tJ^Ufonria isf* bounded on the ed by the United States as indemnity, I
north .by ou£ Of^gon possessions ; aad^ can perceive no good reason why the
if held by thc^Unhed States, wouta£tii£ civil jurisdiction and laws of the United
be setlled 1>yihardy,enterprising.^MKr States should not at once be extended
intelligent porfen of our popnlation.— over them. To wait for a treaty of
The bay of’SanfFrancisco, and other peace, such as we are filling to make,
harbors *along *hc California edast, by which our relations _towards them
would afford shej|er for our navy, for would not be changed, cannot be
uY
©dependent, and prosperous republic.
The United States were the first among
the nations lo recognise her indepen*
dcnce, and have always desita£'to be v
on terms of amity and good neighbor-,
hood with her. This she ,p t\
suffcr. By her own conduct wfc httv» i
been compelled to engage in the presenc i
war. In its proseemion, we seek noti
her overthrow’ as a nation ; but, in vin* I
dieating our national honor, we seek lo»
obtain redress for the wrongs she has i
done us, and indemnity for our jnst de- •
mauds against her. We demand ac. ••
honorable peace; and that peaee must
bring with it indemnity for the past, and
security for the future. Hitherto Mex
ico has refused nil accommodation by
which such a peace could be obtained.
Whilst our armies have advanced
from victory to victory, from the com
mencement of the war, it has always
been with the olive-branch of peace in
tbeir hands ; and it has been in the pow
er of Mexico, at every step, to arrest
hostilities by accepting it.
One great obstacle to the attainment
of peace has, undoubtedly, arisen from
the fact, that Mexico has been so long
held in subjection by one faction or mil
itary usurper after another, and such
has been the condition of insecurity m
which their successive governments
have been placed, that each has been
deterred from making peace, lest, for
this very cause, a rival faction might ex
pel it from power. Such was the fate
of President Herrera’s administration in
1845, for being disposed even to listen
to the overtures of the United States to
prevent the war, as is fully confirmed
by an official correspondence which
took place in the month of August last,
between him and bis government, a copy
of which is herewith communicated.-—
“ For this cause alone, the revolution
which displaced him from power was
set on fool” by General Paredes. Such
may be the condition of insecurity of
the present government.
There can be no doubt that the peace
able and well-disposed inhabitants of
Mexico are convinced that it is the true
interest of their country to conclude an
honorable peace with the United States;
but the apprehension of becoming the
victims of some military faction or usur
per may have prevented them from
manifesting their feelings by any public
act. The removal of any such appre
hension would probably eause them to
speak their sentiments freely,, and to
adopt the measures necessary for the
restoration of peace. With a^people
distracted and divided by contondmg
factious, and a government subject lo
constant changes, by successive involu
tions, the continued successes of our
arms may fail to secure a satisfactory
peace. In such event, it may become
proper for our commanding generals in
the field to give encouragetneni and as
surances of protection to the friends of
peace in Mexico in the establishment
and maintenance of a free republican
government of their own choice, able
and willing to conclude a peace which
would be just to them, and secure to us
the indemnity we demand. This may
become the only mode of obtaining such
a pep.ee. Should such be the result,
the war which Mexico has forced upon us
would thus be converted into an endu
ring blessing to herself. After finding
her torn and distracted by factions, and
ruled by military usurpers, we should
then leave her with a republican gov
ernment in the enjoyment of real inde
pendence, and domestic peace and
prosperity, performing all her relative
duties in the great family of nations,
and promoting her own happiness by
wise laws and their faithful execution.
If, after affording this encouragement
and protection, and after all the perse
vering and sincere efforts we have made;
from the moment Mexico commenced
levied on the enemy should be fixed by
law for such officers as may be thus em
ployed. What further provision may
become necessary, and what final dis
position it may be proper to make of
them, must depend on the future pro
gress of the war, and the course which
Mexico may think proper hereafter lo
pursue.
With the views I entertain, I cannot
favor the policy which has been suggest
ed, either to withdraw our army alto
gether, or to retire to a designated line,
and simply hold and defend it. To
withdraw our army altogether from the
conquests they have made by deeds of
unparalellcd bravery, and at the ex
pense of so much blood and treasure, in
a just war on our part, and one which,
by the act of the enemy, we could not
honorably have avoided, would be to de
grade the nation in its own estimation
and in that of the world.
To retire to a line, and simply hold
and defend it, would not terminate the
war. On the contrary it would encour
age Mexico to persevere, and tend to
protract it indefinitely. It is not to be
expected that Mexico, after refusing to
establish such a line as a permanent
boundary, when our victorious army
was in possession of her capital, and in
the heart of her country, would permit
us to hold it without resistance. That
she would conliuuc the war, and in the
most harassing forms, there can be no
doubt. A border warfare of the most
savage character, extending over a long
line, would be unceasingly waged. It
would require a large army to be kept
constantly in the field, stationed at
posts and garrisons along such a line,
to protect*and defend it. The enemy’,
relieved from the pressure of our arms
On his coasts and in the populous parts
of the interior, would direct Ins atten
tion to this line, and, selecting an iso
lated post for attack, would concentrate
bis forces upon it. This would be a
condition of affairs which the Mexicans,
pursuing their favorite system of guer
illa warfare, would probably prefer to
any other. Were we to assume a de
fensive attitude on such a line, all the
advantages of such a slate of war would
be on the side of the enemy. We could
levy nocontributions upon him, or in any
other way make him feel the pressure of
war, but must remain inactive and the
await his approach, being in constant
uncertainty at what point on the line,
or at what time, he might make an as
sault. He may assemble and organ
ize an overwhelming force in the interi
or, on his own side of the line, and,
concealing his purpose, make a sudden
assault upon some one of our posts so
distant from any other as to prevent the
possibility of timely succor or reinforce
ments ; and in this way our gallant army
would be exposed to the danger of being
cut off in detail; or if, by their unequal
led bravery and prowess everywhere
exhibited during this war, they should
repulse the enemy, tbeir numbers sta
tioned at any one post may be too small
to pursue him. If the enemy be repuls
ed in one attack, he would have nothing
to do but to retreat to his own side of j the war, and prior to that time, to
the line, and, being in no fear of a pur- adjust our differences with her, we
suing army, may reinforce himself at i shall ultimately fail, then we shall have
leisure, for another attack on the same j exhausted all lionorable means in pur-
or some other post. He may, too, cross I suit of peace, and must continue to oc-
the line between our posts, make rapid j copy her country with our troops, ta-
incursions into the country which we king the full measure of indemnity into
hold, murder the inhabitants, commit de- our own hands, and must enforce the
predations on them, and then retreat into terms w’hich our honor demands,
the interior before a sufficient force can | To act olherwise, in the existing state
be concentrated to pursue him. Such of things in Mexico, arid to withdraw our
would probably be the harassing char- ■ army without a peace, would not only
acter of a mere defensive war on our leave all the wrongs of which we com
part. If our forces, when attacked, or plain unredressed, but would bethesig-
threatened with attack, be permitted to , nal for new and tierce civil dissensions
cross the fine, drive back the enemy, and new revolutions—all alike hostile
and conquer him, this would be again to peaceful relations with the United
to invade the enemy’s country, after hav- Stales.
ing lost all the advantages of the con-j Besides, there is danger, if our troops
quests we have already made, by hav-: were withdrawn before a-peace was
i.igvoluntarilyabandoncdlhem. Tohohl con cluded, that the Mexican people,
such a line successfully and in security wearied with successive revolutions,
it is far from being certain that it would j anc j deprived of protection for tbeir per-
not require as large an army as would [sons and property, might at length be
be necessary to hold all the conquests inclined to yield to foreign influences,
we have already made, and to continue . an d to cast themselves into the Arm* fif
the prosecution of the war in the heart some European monarch for projection
of the enemy’s country. It is also far f rom tj ie anarchy and sufieriugk^bjph
from being certain that the expenses of : would ensue. This, for,our ownqsa^ity*
the war w*ould be diminished by such a an d in pursuance of our established ftol-
policy. j icy, we should be compelled to resist.
Iampnrsuaded that the best means j We could never consent that Mexico
of vindicating the national honor and in- j should be thus converted into a monar-
terest, and of bringing the
honorable close, will be to prosecute it
with increased energy and power in the
vital parts of the enemy’s country.
Inmyaunual message to Congress of
December last, I declared that‘* the war
has not been waged with a view to con
quest; but having been commenced by
Mexico, it has been carried into the ene
my’s country, and will bo vigorously
uted there, with a view to obtain
chy governed by a foreign prince.
Mexico is our near neighbor, and ber^
boundaries are coterminous with our J
own, through the whole extent acrossj
the North American continent, from
ocean to ocean. Both |»ofitically an4
commercially, we have the deepest ii
terest in her regeneration and prosperig
Indeed, it is impossible that, with an^
just regard to our own safety, we can
ever become indifferent to her fate*