Newspaper Page Text
THE GEORGIAN.
' nr~wu.MA.TnT niiTiiooa, '
OITV 48 cbu.VTV I'W’irtll,
And publishor of tho Ljiavs
HUSKY It. JACKSON, Am
MESNAOI
TtUoic-CilkcHS of the Senate
amt of the Ihusc of ftcprcsentati %
The anttunl nioeling of Ctingro?? ih always nu
interesting cvont. The Uoprosotitativos of tho
Status and of tho Poopio coino fresh from tliuir
comlifttoute to I tiled comisul logethur for tho COift?
inon good. Alter tin oxiatonco >qf iiour three-
fourths of u century ns a froa amHiutepomloiit
republic, tho problem no longer remains to lid
solved, whether man is eapiddo of solf-govorri-
incut. The success of our udmirabld system is
n conclusive reflitntiou of tho theories of thoao
in other countries who maintain tkafc!*a favored
f«\v” nro born to rule, and that thu nuw« of man*
kind must bo gnveruod by force. Subject to ,no
arbitrary or horedltary authority, the poopio tire
tho ohlv sovMoigns recognised by our eoiwtUu-
lion. Numerous emigrants of overy Jiuongo and
Inngungo, attracted by tho civil and religious froo-
dont avo. enjoy, nml by our lmppycammion, an
nually crowd to our shores,and transfer tlioir heart,
not less than thuirullegiunco, to tho country whoso
dominion belongs alouo to the people.
No couutry has buen so much favored,or shotild
Acknowledge with doepor revoronco tho manifes
tations of Urn Diviuo protection. An alUviso Cro-
ator directed and guarded us in our infiiut struggle
for freedom, and has constantly watched over our
surprising progress, until wo have become ono of
tliu groat nations of tho enrth.
Itte in a country thus favored, and under a go
vernment in which tho executive and legislative
branches hold their authority for limited periods,
»Hko from the people, und where nil uro respon
sible to their respective constituencies, that it is
again my duty to communicate to Congress upon
the state of tho Union, and tho present condition
of public affairs. r
During the past year the moat gratifying proofs
are presented that opr country has been blessed
with a wido-sproud and Universal prosperity.—
There lias beon no period since thu government
was fouuded, when all tho industrial pursuits oft
our people havo been more successful, or when
labor in all branches of business luus received a
fairer or bettor reward. From our ubuudunce wo
' havo been enabled to perform tho pleasing duty
of furnishing foo^l for tho starving uullious of loss
favored countries.
In tho enjoyment of tho bouuties of Providouco
at hqmo, such ns havo ruroly fallen to tho lot of
any people, it is causa of congratulation, that our
intercourse with all tho Powers of the eurtli, ex
cept Mexico, continues to bo of an amicablo
character.
It has ovor boon our chorished policy to culti
vate peace and goad will with all natious; and title
policy has been steadily pursuod by mo.
No cltango lias taken place in our relations with
Moxico since tho adjournment of tho last Con-
G The war in which tho United States were
to eugago with tha government of tin
country still continues.
I deom it unnecessary, after tho full exposition
of thorn containod in my mossngo of tho eleventh
of May, 1846, and in my anuuid mcasage at tho
comnioucomont of tho session of Congress in
December lost, to reiterate tho serious causes of
complaiut which wo bud agaiust Mexico boforo
she comineuced hostilities.
It is siifficiout on the present occasion to say,
that tho wuntaif violation oftho rights of ponton
and property of our citizens committed by Moxi-
co, nor repeated acts of bad faith, througha long
series of years, and hur disregard of solemn treat
ies, stipulating for indemnity to our injured cit
izens, not only constituted ample cause of war
on our port, but wore of such an aggravated char
acter as would havo justifiedi\s before tho whole
worldia resortiugto this extronie.»romody. With
ail anxious desire to avoid a rupture between tho
two countries, we forbore for years to assert our
’ clear rights by force, ntrd continued to seek re
dress for the wrongs wo had sutfered by uniicn-
ble negotiation, in tho hope that Mexico might
yield to pacific councils nud the demands ofjus-
tice. In this liopo we wore disappointed. Oar
minister of peace sont to Mexico was Insultingly
rejected. The Mexican government refused o-
ven to hear tho terms of adjustment which he
was authorized to propose ; ami finally, under
wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved tho two
countries uiwat, by invading tho territory of tho
State of Texas, striking tho first blow, and shed
ding the blood of our citizens on pur own soil.
. Though tho United State? word thdaggrioved
nation, Mexico commenced tho war, nud wo
were compelled, in solf-dufonco, to ropel tho in
vader, ana to vindicate tho national honor nml in
terests by prosecuting it with vigor until we could
obtain u just uud honorable pence.
On learning that hostilities had been commenc
ed by Mexico, I promptly communicated tlmt fact
accompauiud with a succinct statement of our oth-
er causes of complaint against Moxico, to Con
gress 5 and that body, by the act oftho thirteenth
of May 1846, declared Unit “by the net of tho re
public of Moxico, a state of war exists betwcuu
that government and tho United States,”—this act
declining the “war to exist hy tho act of tho re
public of Mexico,” nud making provision forits
prosecution “to a speedy and successful termina
tion,” wan passed with grout unanimity by Con
gress, there being but two negative voteH in tho
Senate, and but fourteen in tho Ilottso of Repre
sentatives.
Tho oxiriteuco of tho war having thus boon de
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under the
constitution and the laws, to conduct and proso-
cute it. This duty has boon performed; and
though, at every stage of its progress,! havo mani
fested a willingness to terminate it by a just peaco,
Mexico lias refused to uccodo to any terms which
could bn accepted by the United Suites, cousia-
toutlv with the nutionu! honor aud interest.
The rapid and brilliant successes of our arms,
and tho vast extent of the ouomy’s territory which
had beoii overrun and conquered, before the
closo of tho last session of Congress, were fully
Known to tlmt body. Since tlmt timo, the war
has been prosecuted witli increased energy, and I
am gratified to state with a succoss winch com
mands universal admiration History presents
no parallel of so many glorious victories uciiioved
by any nation within so Hliort a period. Our ar
my, regulars and volunteers, have covorcd them-
soIvoa with imperishable honors. Whonevor
aud wherever our forces have encountered tho
enemy, though he was in vastly superior num-
h0M» and often .entrenched in fortitied positions
of his own selection, and of great strongtu, ho lias
been defeated. Too much praise cannot bo bes
towed upon our officers and men, regulars and
volunteers, for their gullantry, discipline, indomi
table courage and perseveruuce, all seeking tho
postofdanger, aud vioing with ouch other in deeds
of noblo during.
. While every patriot’s heart must exult, and a
prido animate overy bosom, iu he*
holding the high proofs of courage, consummate
military skill, steady discipline, nml humanity to
the vanquished enemy, uxhihitud by our gallant
army, tho imtionis culled to mourn over the loss
ofinapy brave officers and soldiers who havo fill-
lou m detcuco of their country’s honor and inter
ests. The bravo dead mot their melancholy futo
in a foreign Innd, nobly discharging their duty, and
with their country’s flag waving triumphantly in
the fuce oftho loo, Their patriotic deeds are justly
appreciated,' and will long he remembered by
their grateful countrymen. The parental cure of
tho government they loved and served should bo
extended to tlioir surviving families.
Shortly after tho adjournment oftho lastsession
or Congress, tho gratifying iutelligonco was r«-
ceived oftho signal victory of Buena Visfuand of
tho full of tho city of Vera Cruz, and with it tho
strongcastlo of Sun Juan do Ullou, hy which it
was defended. Believing that uftur these and
other succosses so' honorublo to our arms and so
disastrous to Moxico, tho period was propitious
to atlord her another opportunity, if sho thought
proporto embrace it, to outer into negotiations
for peaco, a commissioner was appointed to pro
ceed to the headquarters of our army, with full
powers to enter upou negotiations, und to con
clude u just und honorable treaty of peace. He
was not directed to mako any now overtures of
S euco, but was tho bearer of a despatch from tho
ecretarv of State of the United States to the Min
ister of Foreign Affairs of Moxico, in reply toouo
received from the latter of tho twenty-second of
February, 1847, in whioh the Mexican govern
ment was informed ofhis appointment, and of his
presence nt tho headquarters of pur army, and
that he was iuYestud with full powers to cuuuludo
a definitive treutyof peace, whenever tho Mexi
can'government might signify a^deuire to do so.
While I was unwilling to subject tho United
States tp unother indignant rofiisai, I was yet re
solved that the evils of tho war should not be pro
tracted a day longer than might be rendered abso
lutely necessary by tlie Mexican government.
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
oils word give)
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with our military operations, or relax our enur-
gics in tho prosecution oftho war. II« possessed
no authority in liny nmiiiiur'to control thorn ope
ns. lie wur authorized to exhibit his instruc-
MpM
nclmli
adirt
E‘
idled b'
_jfr nctivl ...
tier ordure. These instnic-
.—_ a ha view to intormk hostili
ties, lintil tho treaty thus ratified by Moxico could
be transmitted to iVushiugton, and recolvethe ac*
tioii oftho government oftho United States.
Tho commissioner was also directed, on reach
ing tho army, to dolivor to the Geueral in com
mand thtf "despatch which lid boro from tho Secre
tary of Statute the Minister of Foreign Affitirs of
Mexlbbi- and, on receiving it, tlio General was
instructed by tlio Secretary of War ta{ causd it to
bo transmitted to tlio.coiiunandur of tho Alexican
force?, with n request that It might bo: communi
cated to his government.
: Tho coinniistiotipr did not roach .tho headquar
ters of the army until after another brilliant vie-
tore hud crowned our arms nt Cerro Gordo.
Tho despatch which ho boro from f tho Secre
tary of War to tho Generalin command of tho
army was received by tlmt officor, then ut Jnlapn,
on tho 7th day of* Riuy, 1847, togothor with tlio
despatch from tho Secretary of State to tha Min
ister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; haviug boon
transmitted to him from Vorn Cruz. Tho com
missioner arrived at the hodd quarters of tho
nrmy a fexV days afterwords. Ilis prosenco with
the army nud hw diplomatic character wore made
known to tlio Moxicun government, from.Puebla,
on tho J2di of Juno, 1847, by the transmission of
the despatch from the Secretary of State to tho
•Minister of Foreign Afluirs of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no
overtures were made, nor was any desire ex
pressed by the Mexicuu goyornuiout to etiterinto
nogotidtions for peiico: • »* ..
Our artiiy.-puraued'its. rnttrch on tiio capital,
and, ns it approached it, was met by forinidnblo
resistance. Our forces, first encountered tho
enemy, and achieved signal victories jn thu se
verely contested battles of Contreras and Churu-
Ijuhco. It svus not until after thoso actions had
resulted in decisive victories, aud tlio capital of
tho enemy was within our power, tlmt tho Mexi
can guvormuent manifested uny disposition to
outer into negotiations for peace; ana ovon then,
as events havo proved, there is too.umoh reason
to believe they .were msiuccre, and that in agree
ing to go through tlio forms of negotiation, tho
object was to gain timo. to strengthen the de
fences of their capital, aud io prepare for fresh
resKtaitce. *
The General in command oftho army doomed
it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily, by
outoriug into uu armistico with a view to tho
oponiug of negotiations. Commissioners wore
appointed ou tho part of Moxico to meet tiio com
missioner on the part of the United States. Thu
result of tlio conferences which took placo bo-
tweon these functionaries of tiio two govern
ments was a failure to conclude a treaty of peace.
The commissioner oftho United States took
with him tho project of u treaty already prepared,
by tho terms of wbich tiio indemnity required by
tiio United States was a cession of territory.
.It if well known thut tho ouly indemnity which
it is in tlio power of Mexico to make iu satisfac
tion of the just and long deferred cluims of our
citizensagninst her, and tho only moans by which
she can reimburse tho United States for tho ox-
ponses of tno -war, is a cession to tho United
States of a portion of her territory. Moxico has
no money to pay, ami no other menus of making
the required indemnity. If wo refuse this, we
can obtain nothing clso. To reject indemnity,by
refusing to accent a cession of territory, would
bo to abandon-nil our just demuuds, uud to wngo
tlie war, bearing all its oxponscs, without a pur
pose or dufniito object.
A state of war abrogates treaties previously
existing between tho belligerents, aud a treaty of
peneo puts an end to all cluims for indemnity—for
tortious acts committed, under tiio authority of
oho government against tho citizens or subjects
of another, unless they are provided lor in its stip
ulations. A treaty of peace which would termi
nate tho oxisting war, without providing for in-,
domuity, would onnbla Mexico—the acknowledg
ed debtor, and horsolf tho aggressor in tho war—
to relieve herself from her just liabilities. Ity
such a treaty, our citizens who hold just donmmfs
agaiust her, would havo no remedy cither against
Mexico or their own government. Our duty to
theso citizens must forever prevent such u poaco,
ami no treaty which does not provldo ninplo
moans of discharging those demands can receive
my sanction.
A treaty of peace should sottle all oxisting dif
ferences between tlio two coimtries. If an ade
quate cession of territory should bo made by such
u treaty, the United States should roloaso Mexi
co from all hur liabilities, and assume tlioir pay
ment to onr own citizens. If, instead of this, tlio
United States were to consent to a treaty by which
Mexico should a^uin engago to pay the heavy a*
mount of imlobtuduuHH which a just indemnity to
our government and. our citizens would impose
on hur, it is notorious thut sho does not possess
tha means to meet such an undertaking. From
such a treaty no result could bo anticipated, but
the same irritating disappointments which have
heretofore atteudedtha violations ofsimilar treaty
stipulations oil tho part of Moxico. Such a treaty
would bo but a temporary cessutiou of hostili
ties, without tlio restoration of tlio friendshio nnd
good understanding which should characterize
the future intercourse between the two countries.
That Congress contemplated tiio acquisition of
territorial indemnity wheii Unit body mado provi
sion for the prosecution of tho war, is obvious.—
Congress could not luvvo meant—when, in May,
1840, thoy appropriated ten millions of dollars,
aud authorized the President to employ tho mi
litia and naval und military forces of tho U nited
Slates, and to accept tho services of fifty thous
and. volunteers, to enable him to prosecute tlio
wan and when, at tlioir last session, and after our
army had iuvadod Mexico, they made additional
appropriations and authorized tho raising of ud-
ditiouul troops for tlio same, purpose—tlmt no in
demnity was to be obtaiuod from Moxico at tho
conclusion oftho war; nnd yotit wus certain that,
if no Mexicuu territory wus acquired, no indem
nity could be obtaiuod.
It is further manifest that Congress contem
plated territorial indemnity, from the fact tlmt, ut
their last session, un act was passed, upon tlio
Executive recommendation, appropriating three
millions of dollars with that express object. This
appropriation wus made “to enable tlie President
to conclude a treaty of poaco, limits, and bounda
ries with tho republic of Mexico, to he used by
him iu the eveut that said treaty, when signed by
the authorized agents of tho two governments,
and duly rutified by Mexico, shall call for the ex
penditure of tho sumo or any part thereof.”—
Tho object of asking this appropriation was dis
tinctly stated in tho sevoral messages on tho sub
ject which I communicated to Congress. Simi
lar appropriations mado iu 1803 and 1806, which
wore referred to, wore intended to bo applied in
part consideration for the cession of Louisiana
uud the Florida?. Iu lilco manner it was antici
pated that in settling tiio terms of a treaty of
“limits and boundaries” with Mexico, a cession
of territory estimated to be of greater value than
tho umouut of our demands against her might he
obtained; and that tiio prompt puymunt of this
Hiun-t-m part consideration for tho territory co
ded—on tho conclusion of a treaty, and its
ratification on her part, might bo an inducement
with her to mako such a cos.-hoii of territory as
would be satisfactory to tho United States. And
although tlio failure to concludesuch a treaty has
rendered it unnecessary to use uny part oftho
threo millions of dollars appropriated by that act,
aud tlie entire sum remains in the treasury, it is
still applicable to that object, should the contin
gency occur making such application proper.
Tho doctrine of no territory is the doc
trine of no indemnity; aud if sanctioned, would
boa public acknowledgement tlmt our country
was wrong, und that the wur declared by Con
gress with extraordinary unanimity, wus unjust,
and idimtid bo abandoned; uuailmissiaii unfoun
ded in fact, aud degrading to the national charac
ter. /•
The terms oftho treaty proposed hy tho United
States were not only just to Mexico, but, consid
ering tlie character und amount of our cluims, the
unjustifiable aud uuprovoked commencement of
hostilities by her, tlie expenses of the wur to which
wo euve been subjected, uud the success which
had attended our arms, were deemed to be of u
most liberal character.
The commissioner of the United States was au
thorized to agree to tho establishment of tiio itin
Grando us the boundary, from its entrance into
the Gulf to its intersection with tho southern
boundary ofNcw Mexico, in north latitude njjout
thirty-two degrees, und to obtain a cession to the
United States of the provinces of New Moxico
and the California*, and the privilege of tlie right
of way itoross tlie isthmus of Tolmuutepoc. The'!
bouiuluiy of the ltio Grande, mul the cespiuii to
the United-States of New Moxico and lUp,
California, constituted an ultimatum which i
turn, or which may lie* .... ...
sitm ; that wo should press foi Mil ou
commissioner
yield.
"’hat it uii;
"luS
. <y l»
tlior prqvi
pal towns and c
held in otirtniHl
under ho circumstances,
..iifest not onlr t
ms, tlmt the Unlj
take advautago
jpon wresting f
(eluding many of]
. 'Inch wo hud conqnotod uuu
„ occupation,' but wore williug
to.conclude a trouty in a spirit of liberality, our
commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the
restoration to Mexico df ’all our othor conquests.
As tlio territory to bo acquired by tho houndu*
ry proposed might bo estimated to .bo of groutor
value than,a fiiirequivalentTor oiirjust demands,
irms.of, u.treaty proposed by $ho Moxi-
enu commissioners word wholly inadmissible.—
Thoy negotiated us if Mexico wore, tiio.victorioits
and not the vatwmUUad' party. They must havo
kiiovvu that their ultimatum could never be act
ceptod. It required tl|o United States.td dis-
inembor Texas, by surrendering to Mexico, thut
part of tho torritpry’of that State lying between
tho Nueces and the'Rio Grande, included within
hor limits bv her luws wlion silo was an indopo
ddnt Republic, aud when, she wus aunoxed to the
United States aiid admitted by Congress us one
of the Status of our .Union. It contained no
provision for the payment by Mexico of tho just
claims of our citizens. It required indemnity to
Mexican citizens for. injuries thoy may linvo : sus
tained by our troops in tho prosecution of tlio
war. It dbmuuded the right fur Moxico to levy
and collect tho Mexican tariff of duties on goods
imported into hur ports wile in our military oc-
ouputiouduriiig the wur, and the owners of which
had paid to officers of thu United .States tho
military contributions which had boon levied upon
thorny and it offered to code to tho United States,
for a pecuniary consideration, tlmt part of Upper
California lying north of latitudo thirty suvou do-
gruuN. Such wqro tiio onroasonatno terms pro
posed by tho Mexican commissioners.
Tho cession to the United States by Mexico,
oftho provinces of Now Moxico and the Califor
nios. as propqsud hy the commissioner of tho U’-
nitud States, it wus believed, would bo more in
accordance .with the convenience und interests of
both natious, than any other cession of territory
whioh it wus probable Moxico could be iuducud
to niuku.
It is manifest to nil who havo observed tho ac
tual condition of the Mexican government, for
some yonrs past, aud ut present, that if thoso pro
vince's should be retained by her, sho could not
long continue to hold nnd govern them. Moxico
is too feeble a powor to govorn those provinces,
lying as they do at a distance of more than a
thousand miles from hor capital, and, if attempt-
od to be retained by hor, they would constitute
but for a short timo, ovon nominally, a part of her
dominions.
This would he especially tho enso with Upper
California. Tho sagacity of powerful Ettropuau
nations has long since directed their attention to
tlio commercial importance of tlmt province, uud
there can bo little doubt that tho moment tho
United States shall relinquish their present occu
pation of it. and tiieir claim to it as indemnity, un
effort would bo made by some foreign I'ower to
Possess it, either by conquest or by purchase.—
If no foreign government slioflld acquire it iu
either of thoso modus, an independent re vain,
tionary government would probably bo establish
ed by the inhabitants, and such foreigners as may
remain in or remove to the country, as soou us it
shall bo known tlmt the United States Imvu aban
doned it. Such a government would bo too fee
ble) long to maintain its separate independent ex
istence, and would finally become tuiuoxed to, or
bo a dependent colony of, some more powerful
State.
Should any foreign government attempt to
posses? it as a colony,or otherwise to incorporate
it with itself, the priuciplo avowed by President
Monroe in 1824,nud reaffirmed iu my first mimiui
message, tlmt no foreign Powor shall,-with our
consent, bo permitted to plant or establish any
new colony or dominion on uny part of tlio North
American conliuont, must be maintained. Iu
maintaining this principle, und in resisting Us in
vasion by any foreign Power,wo might be involv
ed in other wars more oxpousivo and more diffi
cult than that iu which wo are now engaged.
' The provinces ofNuw Moxico and tho Ontt-
furnitis are contiguous to tlio territories of tlio
United States, nnu if brought under thu govern
ment of onr laws, their resources—mineral, agri
cultural, tnuimfucturiiig, uud commercial—would
soon bo developed.
Upper California is bounded on tlio north by
our Oregon possessions; aud if held by tlio Uni
ted States, would soon bo settled by a hardy, ou-
terprising, nnd intelligent portion of our popula
tion. The bay of Sun Fruucisao, nnd other har
bors along tho Californian coast, would atlord
shelter Jbr our liuvy, for our numerous wlinlo
ships, uud othor merchant vessels employed in
tho Pacific ocean, and would iu a short period
become tlio marts of «n oxtensivo and profitable
commerce with China, und oilier countries of tiio
East.
These advantages, in which the whole commer
cial world would participate, would at once bo
secured to tlio United States by tho cession of
this territory; whilo it is ccztain that us long as it
rouminsa part of the Mexican dominions, thoy
can bo eujnyed noithor by Mexico horsolf nor by
auy other nution.
New Moxico is a frontier province, nud lm«
never boon of any considerable vulno to Mexico.
From its locality, it is naturally connected with
our western settlemeius. The territorial limits of
the State ol'Toxas, too, as defined by her laws, be
fore her admission into onr Union, embrace all
that portion of New Moxico lying east of tho ltio
Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold this ter
ritory as a part of her dominions. The adjust
ment of this question of boundary is important.'
There is unother consideration which induced
the bolieftliat tho Mexican government might oven
desire to placo this provinco under the protection
of tho government oftho United States. Numer
ous bunds of fierce aud warlike savages wander
over it, and upon its borders. Moxico has been,
und must coutiuuo to bo too feoblo to restrain
them from committing depredations, robberies
uud murders, not only upou tlio inhabitant? of
Now Moxico itself, but upon thoso of tiio other
uorlhcrn States of Moxico. It would bo u bless
ing to all these northern States to have tlioir citi-
zeiw protected against them by tho power of tlio
United States. At this moment, many Mexicans,
principally females uud children, are in captivity
among them. IfNew Moxico were held undgov-
erned by tho United States, we could effectually
prevent these tribes from committing such out
rages, und compel them to ruloase thoso captives,
und restore thorn to their families and friends.
In proposing to acquire Now Mexico and tho
Californios, it was known that but an inconsidera
ble portion of the Mexicuu poopio would bo trans
ferred with thorn, the couutry embraced within
those provinces being chiefly an uninhabited re
gion.
Thoso wore tlio loading considerations which
induced mo to authorize tho terms of poaco
which wore proposed to Mexico. They were re
jected ; und, negotiations being ut an end, hostili-
tioswero renewed. An assault was made by our
gallant army upou tho strongly-fortified places
near tho gates of the city of Mexico, and upon
thu city itself; uud after several days of severe
conflict, tho Mexicuu forces, vastly superior in
number to our own, were driven from tho city,
and it was occupied hy our troops.
, Immediately after information was recoivod of
the unfavorable result of the negotiations, believ
ing tlmt his continued presence with the army
could bo productive of no good. I determined to
recall our commissioner. A despatch to this effect
wus transmitted to him on the sixth of October hist.
Tho Mexican government will be informed ofhis
recall; and that, in the existing stole of things, 1
shall not doom it proper to make uny further o-
vertures ofpuuce, but shall bo ut nil times ready
to receive und consider any proposals which may
ho mado hy Mexico. .
Since tho liberal proposition of the United
Steles was authorized to ho made in April last,
largo expenditures have been incurred, aud thu
precious blood of many of our patriotic follow-
citizens lias been shed in tho prosecution oftho
war. This consideration, and tho obstinate per
severance of Moxico in protracting the war,must
influence tho terms of-peaco winch it may be
doomed proper hereafter to accept.
Our arras having been every where victorious,
having subjected to our military occupation a
largo portion of tiio enemy’s country, including
his capital, and negotiations for pease having
failed, tiio importnnt questions arise, In what
manner the war ought to bo prosocuted J und
what should bo our future policy ? 1 cannot
doubt thut wo should secure amhreudor'available
(be conquests which wo have already -made; and
that, with this view,-we should hold and occupy,
by our naval and military forces, all tlie ports,
towns, cities, uud provinces now in our occupn-
r hereafter fa uto our
uur possos-
OI!l*4 , - 11II..--TU MIUIIIU iui CM44* -HIT Ulllltliry
operations] and.levy such niilit y\contributions
ou the enemy as may, a? fur as i icucable, defray
Itcs of the war. , . .
font of M ico acceded - td
Ibornl torn proposed, that
rould hav luuiu tirelcrred.
Icclincd to do is, and failed to
rin^wltichcoii bo accepted by
--io United States, tho national 1 nor, no low than
Ule public interests, requires th tho wur should
be prosecuted with Increased o irgy and power
'until a just and satisfiiotory/jioi n can bo obtain
ed., In tlio moan time, ns Aicxfco refuses all in
demnity,wo shouldkdrij/t fneMuras to indemnify
d . wolves, bypnprqijriidmg pjWnnently tt. ppr-
tioil of hoi-territory.7 Eurly af r the commence*
inant of tlio war, Now Moxio atld tho Califor
nia? .wore-taken possession V Jiy our forces.
Our military und niVal cdmmmders were ordor-
ad to.cauquur aud hold them, ubjoct to bo dis
posed of by treaty of pejico.//'*•
Thoso provinco* are how itj ouy undisputed oc
cupation, and have boon so fenpnuy mouths; all
resistance on the part of Mexico having caused
within their limits. I am satisfied tlmt they
should novor bo sufrondoroil to *Moxlco. Should
Congress concur with tno in this opinion, aud that
thoy should ho retimed hy tiio Unitiid States as
indemnity,I cun pofpuivo no good-roaiqu why tlio
civil jurisdiction aid laws of the l/uited Slates
should not ut oncelo oxtendud over them. To
wqit.for a treaty o^peaco, such us wo are willing
to umko, by whichpur relations towards thorn
would not bo clmifood, cannot bo good policy,
whilst our own intotest, and that of tho poopio in*
habiting thorn, reqiire tlmt a stable, ’responsible,
luid free gqyermeui under our authority should,
us soon as possihl^ bo established ovor them.
Should Congress, therefore, determine to hold
thbse provinces permanently, und that they ahull
hereafter bo considered ns constituent parts of our
couutry, tlio curly establishment of territorial
governments over them wU\ bn important for tho
more porfect protection of persons aud propnty;
aud L rccommoud timt such tbrrlrarl.il govern;
incuts no osiamisliod. It will promote peace nnd
tranquility among the inhabitant*, by allaying all
apprehension tlmt they may still entertain of being
jiguiu subjected to tiio jurisdiction of Mexico. I
invite, the early and favorable' consideration of
Congress to this important subject.
Besides Now Mexico nnd tho Californios, there
are other Mexican provinces which havo been re
duced to our possession hy conquest. Those
other Mexican provinces are now governed by
our military and naval coinmjnders, umlor tho
general authority which is conferred upon a con.
quoror hy tlio laws of war. Trey should contin
ue to ho field its u moans of coercing Mexico to ac
cede to just terms of peace. Cjvil ns well ns mil
itary officers are required to conduct such n gov
ernment. Adequate compensation to.ho drawn
from contributions levied on tlieenmuy should ho
fixed by law for such officers as may ho thus
ompioyml. What furtliar provision limy become
necessary, nud wlmt final disposition it may bo
proper to niuko of them, mnst depend on tlie fu
ture progress of tho war, and the coursu which
Mexico may think proper hercuflor to pursito.
With tho views I entertain, [ cannot favor the
policy which him been suggested; either to with
draw our army altogether, or to retire to a de
signated line aud simply hold and defend it. .To
withdraw onr army altogether from the conquests
they liuvu mado by deed? of mipurntcilcd bra
very, aud at tlio oxpeuse of so much blood aud
treasure,ilia just war on our part, and ouo which,
by tlio act oftho enemy, wo could not honora
bly havo avoided, would ho to degrade the nation
iu its own estimation jtnd in that of the world.
To retire to a lino, and simply hold and defend
it, would not terminate he war. Ou tho contra
ry,.it would oneonrago Mexico to persevere, ami
tend to protract it indefinitely. It is not to bo
oxpucted thut Mexico, after refusing to establish
such a lino as a permanent boundary, when our
victorious many are in possession of her capital,
nnd inthohonrtof her country, would permit
us to hold it without resirftaueo. That she would
continue the wur, nnd in tho most harassing aud
annoying forms, there enu bo no doubt. A
border warfare of tlio most savage character, ox-
tending overu long lino, would bo unceasingly
waged. It would romiiro a large army to bo
kept constantly iu the field, stationed nt posts nml
garrisuusaluug such a fine to protect uud defend
it. Tiio ououiy, rulioved from tlio pressure of our
arms on iiis coasts nnd in tlio populous parts of
tho interior, would direct his attention to this fine,
und seluctmg un isolated post for attack, would
concentrate his furcus niton it. This would bo
a condition of affairs Which tiio Mexicans,' pur
suing tlioir favorite system of guerilla warfare,
would probably prefer to any other. Were we
to ussuuio a defensive uUiltufu on such a line, all
tho advantages of snob a state of war would bo
cm the side of tho enomy. We could lovyno
contributions upon him, or in any other way
mako him fee! tho pressure of the war, hut must
remain inactive anti await his approach, beiug in
constant uncertainty nt wlmt point on t o line,
or at wlmt timo, ho might make an assault.
Ho may assemble and organize un overwhelm
ing force in tho interior, on his own side of the
line,arid, couceuliug his purpose, mako a sudden
ussuult upon some one ofonrpostsso distant from
any othor us to prevent the possibility of timely
succor or reinforcements; unci in this way our gal
lant army would be exposed to the danger oflio-
ing-cut oft* in detail; or if, by their unequalled
bravery und prowess everywhere exhibited during
this wur, they should repulse tho enemy, their
numbers stationed ut any ono post may bo too
small to pursue hint. If tlie enemy lie repulsed
in one attack, ho would have nothing to do Imt to
retreat to hisowu side ui'theline, and, beiug in no
fear cf a pursuing army, may reinforce himself ut
leisure, lor another attack on tho same or some
other pent. Ho limy, too, cross tiio lino between
our posts, make rapid incursion? into tlio country
which we hold, murder tlio inhabitants, commit
depredations on them, and then retreat to the in
terior before a sufficient force ctin ho concentrated
to pursue him. Bitch would probably he the
harassing character of a mero-defensive war on
our part. If our forces, when attacked, or threat-
Gucci with attack, be permitted to cross tho lino,
drive lmck the enemy, uud conquer him, this
would ho again to sdvatlo the enemy’s country, af
ter having lost all the advantages oftho conquests
we have already mado, by having voluntarily
abandoned them. To hold such a lino success
fully und in security, it is llir from being certain
that it would not require as largo an army as would
he necessary to hold all the conquests wo havo al
ready made, and to coutimieitlioprosecution of
tiio war in tho heart of tho enemy's country. It
is ulso fur from being certain that tlio expenses of
tlio war would bo diminished hy such u policy.
I am persuaded thut the best means of vindica
ting tho nntiounl honor nud interest, aud of bring
ing the wur to au houorablo close, will be ta pro
secute it with increased energy, and powor in tho
vital part? of tho enemy’s country.
In my. nnuual message to Congress of Decem
ber last, I declared tlmt “tlio wur has not boon
waged with u view to conquest; but having been
commenced by Mexico, it bn? been carried into
the enemy’s country, nml will bo vigorously pros
ecuted there with a view to obtain nil honorable
peace, nnd thereby secure amnio indemnity for
thu expenses oftho war, ns well us to onr much
injured citizens, who hold lurgu pecuniary de
mands against Aloxico.” Such, iu my judgment,
continues to be ourtruo policy—indeed, tlie only
policy which will probably secure a permanent
peace.
It Im? never been contemplated by me. ns an
object of tho war, to mako a permanent conquest
oftho republic of Mexico, or to annihilate her
separate existence ns an independent nation.-?
On tlio contrary, it has over been my desire that
sho should maintain her nationality, nml, under a
good government adapted to her condition,« bo a
Iroo, independent, nnd prosperous republic.—
The United States wore tiioffirst among the nations
to recoguiso her independence, and have always
desired to bo oii terms of amity aud good neigh
borhood with her. This she would not suffer.—;
By hor own conduct wo have boon compelled to
engage iu the present war. In its prosecution,
we seek not liei; overthrow as a nation; but, in
Adjudicating our Rational honor, avu seek to ob
tain redress for tho wrongs sho has donous, and
indemnity for onr just domain!? against her. Wo
dumutul an houorablo peace, and that poaco must
bring with it indemnity for the past, nml security
for tho future. Hitharto AIcxico has refused all
nccommocntiou by which* aty'ch a peace could bo
obtained.
Whilst onr armies havo advanced from victory
to victory, from tho commencement of tiio war,
it has always beon with the ojive-brunch of peaco
in their hands; arid it has been in tho powor of
Moxico, at ovory step, to arrest hostilities 'by
accepting it.
One great obstaclo to tho attainment of pence
has, undoubtedly, arisen from tiio fact,-that Mex
ico bag been so long held iu subjection by quo
fitciion dr military usurper alter unother; and
such has boon tho condition- of insecurity in
which their successive governments ha\'e boon
placed, that each has beou deterred from making
ti rival faction
. VenuhmtHerrera’sadministratioiUniel^fbr
being disposed oven to listen to tho overtures of
tho United States, to prevent;tho war, as U fully
confirmed by ; an official correspoiidonci) which
ok place In the month or August last, botwoon
iu mul his gavorjinumt, a copy of which is
h&rowjth communicutcd. “For this causa ulono,
tiio revolution which displaced hint from powor
wus sot on foot” by General Pnrcdos. Such
may bo tho condition of insecurity of tiio present
govorntuent.
There enn bo no doubt that tho poaooqblo and
well-disposed inhabitants of Alcxico arc convinced
that it is tlie trim interest of their country to con
clude un honorable peaco with tho United States;
but fho apprehension of bocojuiug tho victims of
some military' faction or usurper may have pro-
vonted tiicm from manifesting their feelings by
uny. public act. Tho removal of any such ap
prehension would probably cause thorn to spook
their sontimonta frooly, and Jo udopt tlio mea
sures uocessaty for jho restoration of poaco.—
With a people distracted and divided by’con
tending factions, und a government subject to
constant changes, by successive revolutions, tlio
continued successes of our arms' may fail to se
cure u satisfactory peace. In such event, it
may become propor for our cnnimaudinggeiio-
..... t.... '’aid to
rals in tho field to givo encouragement "and as
surances of protection to tho friends of poaco in
Mexico in tlio eHtnblishmout nml muintoiumco of
a free republican government of their own choice,
able and Avilling to coucludo a poaco which
woitld bo just to ffioin, and secure to us tiio indem
nity wo demand. This may bocome tho only
mode of obtaining such n peace. Should such
bo tho result, tho war which Mexico has forced
upon us would thus bo convnrtcd into un endur
ing blessing to herself. Alter fiudiiig hor torn
und distracted by factions, and ruled ny military
usurpers, wo should thou leave hor with a repub
lican government iu tho onjoyincut of real inde
pendence, nnd domestic peace and prosperity,
performing all her relative duties in the groat
riimlly of nations, nnd promoting her own Imp-
pinoss by wise laws and their faithful execution.
If, after affording tills encouragement aud pro
tection, nml after all tho persevering nud siucoro
efforts avo havo mado, from tho moment Aloxico
commenced tlio war, und prior to tlmt time, to
adjust our differences with her, wo slmll ultimate
ly fail, then avo shall have exhausted all honora
ble means in pursuit of poaco, and toast con
tinue to occupy her country with, our troops,
taking tlio full measure of indemnity into' onr
own Imnds, and must enforce the terms which
our honor demands.
To act otherwise, iu tho existing state of tilings
ill Aloxico, aud to witiulruAv our army without a
ponce, would not only leave nil tlio wrongs of
which wo complain unredressed,Imt would be tho
signal for now nnd lierco civil disseusious and new
revolution?—all aliko hostile to peaceful relations
with tlio United States.
Besides, there is danger, if our troops were
withdrawn before a poaco was concluded, that
the Mexican people, wearied with successive rev
olutions, uml deprived of protection for tlioir
persons uud property, might at length bo inclined
to yield to foreign lutluences, und to cust them
selves into the arms of somo European monaruli
for protection from tlio anarchy aud suffering
which would uusuo. This, for our own safety,
nnd in pursuance of onr established policy, wo
should be compelled to resist. Wo could never
consent tlmt Mexico should bo thus converted
into a monarchy govomed by a foreign prince.
a Mexico is our nour neighbor, and her huiiuda-
ries are coterminous with our own, through
tho Avholo extent across tlio North American con
tinent, from ocean to ocean. Both politically
uud commercially, avo havo tho deepest interest
in horregoneratain ami prosperity. Indeed, it is
impossible tlmt, Avitli any just regard to our own
safety, wo cau over become uulilVurout to her
Into.
It may bo thut tiio Mexican government nud
poopio have misconstrued or mismmloratoud onr
forbearance, nud our objects, iu desiring to com
chute an aiuicubto adjustment of tho existing dif
ferences bctAveon tlie two countries. Thoy may
have supposed tlmt avo avoiiIU submit to terms
degrading to tlio nation; or they may havo drawn
false inferences from tho supposed division ofo-
piiiion iu tho United State? on tho subject oftho
Avur, and may havo calculated to gain much by
protracting it; uud, indeed, tlmt avo might ulti
mately abandon it altogether,Avithout insisting on
any indemnity, territorial or otherwise. What
ever may bo the false impressions under Avhich
they lmvo acted, tho adoption uml prosecution of
tho energetic policy proposed must soon unde
ceive them.
Iu the future prosecution of tho Avar, the enemy
must ho mado to fool its pressure more than they
have heretofore done. At it? commencement, it
avus deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit offor-
boaranco and lihuraiity. With this end in
vioAV, enrly measures wore adopted to couciii
ate, ns fur as a state of Avar would permit, the
mass of theMcxicun population; to convince them
that tlio Avar avus wagon not against tho peaceful
iuhuhitums of Aloxico, but uguiust tlioir fiiitiitess
government, Avhich hud commenced hostilities; to
remove from tiieir minds the false impressions
Avhich their designing aud interested rulers had
artfully attempted to muko, thut tho Avar on our
pnrt avus one of conquest; tlmt it was a Avar uguiust
tiieir religion uud their churches, Avhich were to bo
desecrated und overthrown; and that their rights
of person nml private property Avotild bo violated.
To remove these false impressions, our com
manders in tho Hold Avere directed scrupulously to
respect their religion, tlioir churches, nnd their
church property, Avhich Avero in no manner to bo
violated; they Avero directed also to respect tlio
rights of persons aud property ofalUvlio should
not take up arms against us.
Assurances to this effect Avero given to tho Mexi
can people hy Major General Taylor, in a pro
clamation issued iu pursuance of instructions from
the Secretary of War, in the month of Juno, 1846,
and again by Major General Scott, avIio acted up
on his own convictions oftho propriety of issuing
it in a proclamation of tho eleventh of May, 1847.
In this spirit of liberality and conciliation, and
Avitli a view to prevent the body of tlio Mexican
population from taking up arms agaiust us, avos
tlio Avnr conducted on our part. Provisions and
othor supplies furnished to our nrmy by Alexican
cUtzens wore paid for at fair und liberal prices
agreed upon by tho parties. After tho lapse of
n few months, it became appnreutjtimt these as
surances, uml this mild treutmeut, had failed to pvo-
dneo tlie desired oficct upou tho Alexican popula
tion. White the Avar lmd been conducted on our
part according to the most Immune and liberal
principles observed by ch'ilized nations, it avus
waged in a far different spirit on tho part of Moxi
co. Not appreciating our forbearance, tho Mexi
can people generally became-hostile to the United
Slates, and uvniled themselves ofevery opportuni
ty to commit tlio most snA'nge excesses upon our
troops. Large nmnbors of tlio population took up
arms, und, engaging in guerilla Avnrfiirq, robbed
mul murdered in tho most cruel manner individual
soldiers, or k smnll parties, Avliom accident or oilier
causes hud separated from tho main body of our
nrmy; bands of gucrrilloros aud robbers infested
tho roads, harassed our trains, and, ivheuevor it
Avna in their power, cut off our supplies.
Tlio Alexicnns having thus sIioavij themselves to
bo wholly incapable of appreciating our forbear-
ancennd liberality,it avos deemed proper to change
thommmer of conducting tiio Avar, hy making
them feel its pressure uocordiug to tlie ( usages ob
served under similar circumstanced by ull other
civilized nations.
Accordingly, as ogrly ns the tAventy-seeond of
September, 184J5, instructions Avero giveu by tho
Secretary of Wur to Muj. Gen. Taylor to “ draw
Supplies” for our nrmy “ from the enemy, with
out paying for them, und to require contributions
for its support,” if in tlmt Avay lie was satisfied ho
could “ get abundant supplied for his forces.”
In directing the execution of thoso instructions,
much aa'us necessarily left to thu discretion of
tlio conuuauding officer, who was host acquainted
Avitli tlio circumstances hy which lie Avns sur
rounded, tho Avnuts of tho nrmy, nud tiio practi
cability of enforcing tho measure,
Gen. Taylor, on tho tiventy-sixth of October,
1846, replied, from Aloutercy, that “it Avouldhuvo
been impossible hitherto, and is so now, to sus
tain tho nrmy to uny extent by forced contribu
tions of money or supplies.” For tho rensous
assigned by him, lie did not adopt tlio policy of
his instructions, but declared his readiness to do
ro “ should tho army, iu its future operations,
reach n portion, of^10 country which may be
nmdo to supply the troops with advantage.” Ho
cautinuod to uny for tho articles of supply which
were drawn from tiio onemy’s country.
Similar instructions were issued to Major Gon-
erul Scott ou tho third of April, 1847, who re
plied, from Jalapa, on the twentieth of Alay, 1847,
that, if it bo expected tlmt u the army is to sup
port itself by forced contributions levied upon
tiio country, avo may ruin ayd exasperate the in
habitants, and starve btirsolves.” The same dis
cretion AvnB given to him that had been to Gen.
Taylor iu this respect. Gen. Scott, for tho ‘rea
sons assigned by him, also contintiod to pay for
the articles of supply
dniAvn.from tiio enemy.
•After the army had l
most Avoiflthy portion of j
that the obstacles which’
vonted.it (would not- be t
ticabie the levy of forced
port; and on tiio first of S'
tho sixth of October, 1847;
in despatches addressed by : tlfe Secretary of War
to General Sctht, and his attention avus again
culled to the iinpoitatico of making the enemy
bear the burdens oftheVvar by requiring thorn to
furnish tiio moans of supporting onr army; nnd
hO'was directed to adopt this policy, unlos*, by'
doing so, there wus danger of depriving the army
oftho uocessery supplies. Copies of those dos*
patches Avere forwarded to Gouerai Taylor for
lus government.
On thp thirty-first of March last, I caused an
order to bo issued to mir military and naval
couunaudors.to levy and collect a military con
tribution, upon all vessels and liierelmndiso
which might enter any of tho ports of Aluxico
in our military occupation, and to apply such
contributions towards defraying tiio expenses of
tho Avar. By virtuo of the right of conquest nnd
the laws of Avar,tlio conqueror,consulting his oAvn
safety or convenience, may either exclude for
eign commerce altogether from all such ports,
or pomitit upon such term? uud conditions os he
may prescribe. Boforo tho principal ports of
Mexico Avoro blockaded hy our Navy, tho
tho rovonuo derived from impost duties, under
tho Iuavs of Mexico avus paid into tiio Alexican
treasury. After those porta hud fulleu into our
military possession, tiio blockade avhs raised, und
commorco Avitli thorn, permitted upou proscribed
terms aud conditions. Thoy Avere opened to tho
trade of ull nations upon tlio payment of duties
more moderate iu tiieir amount than those
which had boon previously levied by Mexico;
uud the rovuuuo Avhich avus formerly paid into
tlie Alexican treasury, Avns directed to bo collect
ed by our military a nil. naval officers, and applied
to the use of our army and navy. Cure avus ta
ken tlmt tlio officers, soldiers and sailors of our
army and navy, should bo exempted from the
operations, of tlio order; aud as tho mardiamhsu
imported upon Avhich ffio ordor operated must
ho consumed by Mexican citizens, the contribu
tions exacted Avoro, iu effect, tiio seizure of the
public rovoiuios of Moxico, aud tho application
of them to our uavu use. Iu directing this mea
sure,'tiio object avos to compel tho enemy to
contribute, us far as practicable, towards tho ex
penses of the Avar.
For tlio amount of contributions wliioli lmvo been loviod
in tuts form, I rufrr you to tU« «cm\m;mnyuu* report* of
tiio occi clary of War and of tlio ftuerntury ofllm Nn-*\ bv
which it appears Hint n sum axcoodiny hull' a million of
dollars Into Jm.ni cnllnctud.
This amount would undoubtedly tmvn been much larger,
(nil for tlio dilllrully of keepiii# open communications be
tween tlm const nnd interior, so us to nimble the owner* of
tlio inercliuiidist! imported, to trun-porl utul vend Uto tha
iulmbitaiits of tlm country. 11 i i confidently expected that
this diflleally will, to a ereut extent, Im soon removed by
our iucroasnil forces whioh have been neiit to the Held.
Measures lmvo recently born adopted by which Die In*
tnrilul iu* well n* tlm external revenues of Mexico, in all
places iu our military occupation, will lie soi/.ed uud ap
propriated to (he u*e of our nrmy mill imvy.
'I l«« policy of lovyini; upon I lie enemy contribution* iu
every form, eomiisteutly with the law* of nations, which it
•uny •»' practicable for mir military commanders to ndopt,
should, In my Judgment, he rigidly enforced, uud ordor* to
this effect havo accordingly been given, riy such a policy,
ut tlio sumo lime that our own treasury will Im relieved
from a heavy drain, tho Mexicuu people will Im mado to
feel tha burduas of tlm war, uml, commitiii# their own in
terests, may Im induced the more readily to require their
ruler* to nucmlo to a just pence.
A-ttar the adjournment of thu hwt »r*«h>n of Comnena,
events transpired ill thu prosecution of thu wur which, iu
my jilil(fiiiiiiit. raipiirod u grantor imtubor of troops iu tho
Held than had hoon anticipated. Tho *trctii;tli oftho nrmy
hundred nml’slxty-Tour dif a ; * ,,„,i -^7
wde.orpublieUuwt*, two minion ftwlSdii'*"'/* *«■
ol ? ht thousand three hundred nuVl ifflJi 1 -^ I"', '"H
twenty cento s aud from incidents affi J
cm, mm iiuiuirod thousand five huudr , !! , l,iu "' 0 "’“'«
Ihrt and flfiy ono cents. Tlm lJ{
this amount was received, omliMceil n„A our,ll 1 lri "? »kie]
operation oftho tariff uct of 18-ld, nud 8 »«»« W " Ut '* '""ter
wh.ch tho IdrifT net P r IMG waiTiu taito Vv". U i" lw ! 1 "''
months uuder tho net or 181:2, tlm ainouniV., U ! ,ri, !*. ,lm 1
tom*Wastovon million olght hundred Lyf V f dlrr0,n *'
•and throe hundred aud .!».lolln„ «”| ^^‘»» Ha
ring the seven.rnoptha under the net of
eolved was fifteen million n| M hundreds.ftl*?."" 1 ' 1
fivoliundrodniid fifty savou dollars and s v“ u
Tho non ruvuimo from ciutoSaffiSWl
roll- ondmg on tho llrat urDnc:ciul,"r, gin f. ! 1 '
HS JJ5 r u,lr O.o opurnltcin of l,rS“"
mivonty-ono tlionsnm! fin,, hundred ii
dullnrn und ton cental und tho nett rev "i .. f
cutttuuui durmn tho yet c„din B 0 n iffiff 1
December, l8lV, bciig thu find Z r I'P t
operation of tho tarilf uct of ffffl J"
ihtriy-ono million five hundred Uto,“mid
being tiu incrotwe ofrcvctmo for the v ,771
tho htnlhcl Of 184(1, ofntoro than eigh „S3
five hundred lliotianto tI.atof3.Ll.
your under tho tariff of1842. Iasl
The expenditures tinder tho fiscal year
on the thirtieth of Juno last, were fifty-niim ,
lion four hundred nnd fifty-ono tho,,,,, j "1
linndred rn.il Hovonty-scvcn dtillurs trad j
cents; nl winch throe million fi vo jJj'H
twcnty-tivo thousand and oightv-two dollar,
tlnrly-scvcn cents «•»« on nccount of pnvmmul
priuciplo anil interest oftho public dubl, U 1
treasury notes redeemed and not funded Iu
cxpendiutre., eschwivo or pnyment or t„i|J'
debt, rvero fifiy-tivo million nmn Itiitulml
twoiity-nine thmtreuil uud uiuoty-tlvo doll,in
twenty-eight emit,. ”
It in Ofltiiunted that that the receipts ittla id
trensury for thu finalI year Bjd|ljg on tlio tliinietl
J ,| e '"“''"'"'B tho hidanco in troE
on tlm first ol July last, will a nut to l.irtv-t.re]
nulltnn eight hundred and olgltty-iix tl,,,;,"'* 1
If" hundred nnd forty-livo dulbirs a„d 253
ee,us„l wluelt thirty-tme million, it lie.finSL
will ho derived from customs i Ihree nfilU® ,
hundred thou,aud from tlm sale of tlm
ititidn; Tour huudred thonsnud front |,£3
sources, including sales Hindu by tlm golicijl
lltolretuntryt and six million two hundred J
otg Ily-fivo tlioiisaud two bmidred uud niiiitlv-f,,,
dollars uud hfiy-Un, cunts ftm,, |,mn. nhcailv ■ 1
fit'■fitted hy law, whioh, together with tbs boL,l
in the treasury on Uto first of July Ian,
sum eslimotetl. 1
Tho cxpomlitiiro, for the same period, ir n t«,
"’lilt Aloxico shall not bo ctmchnlml, nnd ilio a r
my shall bo incrouscil as is prujiuse.l.willni
including tho ltooossary puymouts on noooiiiiii.fi
principal nml intorost of tin* niibliu iloln mul | rM *.
ury notes, to fifty-oight million six huiiilrdnM
hftoon tlioiisaud six hundred uml sixiy tlollunnul
seven cents. “
On the first of tho present month, tlio niifoum
of the public debt actually iticurml, indinlin.
treasury notes, avus forty-livo uiUlum six \mw\u\
uml lilly-nino thousand s x hiiiiihetl anil iillv-uiH
dollars aud forty cunts. The public debt .in,.,.,
the fourth of March, 1845, including tronsun
notes, was sovuntceu million seven hiimln d mi
eighty-eight thousand seven hundred ami uinn,.
nine Utflhirs and sixty-two cents; nud coiiscimcniL
the addiliou uiude to the puldie debt siunii iki
time is twonty-seven million eight lituulred aaj
seventy thousand eight huudred uud fifty-ninetl4
lnrs nud suveiity-uiglitceiih'.
Oftho loan of twenty-three millions, mitliorizcj
by tho act oftho twanty-eighth of Jaimnry, ltd*,
the sum of fivo millions avus paid out to tlm pub!
lie creditors, or exchanged nt par for specie; the
reiimining eighteen millions wusolfereil lor*|H!i‘s
to the highest bidder uothelmv par, hy nu mlvi-t.
tisement. issued hy tho Beeretary of tlui Treiwun,
utul published from the ninth of February unlil the
tenth of April, .1817, when it aviw awarded in the
several highest bidders, at premiums vary tug ftmn
one-eighlliofoue pereeul. to two percent, ubiue
par. The prumiuiii lias liiam paid into tlm tna*-
ury, nnd thu sums awarded deposited in spent*m '
the treasury as lust as it avus required by lint wimu j
>f the government.
To meet tho expenditures for tiio rouiuiinW
oftho present und for the next fiscal year, c-nduig
ou the thirtieth of June, 184'.), u tiirthcr loan,in
aid oftho ordinary rcA'onues of tlie govoriiimaii.
will hu necessary. Retaining a sutlieieut surjiliu
iu the treasury, the loan required for the remain
der of the present fiscal year will ho iilimil eigh
teen million five hundred thousand dollar?. If
tho duty ou tea and cufl'eu he imposed, uud the
graduation oftho /nice ul'tho puhho lauds slmll he
mado at au unity period of your session, as recom
mended, llw lean for tiio present fiHCul year may
hu reduced to seventeen millions of dollars. Tlio
loan may bo further reduced by Avimiovcruuioiiiit
of oxpt'iuVttnrea can be saved bv military con
tributions collected iu Aloxico. Tlm most rigor
ous measures for tlio augmuiilatioii oftiiu.se con
tribution? lmvo been directed, nnd u very consid
erable sum is expected from that source. It? a-
mount cannot, however, be calculated will]any
certainty. It is recommended tlmt the loan to Im
made be authorized upon tlm same tornw, mul
for the same time, a? tlmt Avhich avhs nulhori/.i*d
under the provisions of the uct of tlie twenty-
oigih of January, 1847.
Should tlm war with Mexico, ho continued
until tho thirtieth of June, 184!). it is estimated lint
a further loan of twenty million live hundred
thousand dollar? will be required for tlm fiscal
year ending on tlmt day, in case no duty bo im
posed on ten nnd coffuuguitl the public lauds lie nut
reduced nnd graduated in price; and lie military
contributions slmll lie collected in Moxico. Iftho
duty on ten nud cofi’ee ho imposed, ami tjm lands
liu reduced und graduated iu price,ns proposed,^the
loan limy ho retluced to seventeen million? m
dollars, and will ho subject to ho still further
reduced hy the nmouqt of the military <•««•
tritmtioiis which may ho collected in Aloxico. It
is not proposed, htiAVovor, nt present, to ask Con
gress fur authority to negotiate this loan for tw
next fiscal year, us it is hoped that the loan wk™
for the remainder oftho present fiscal year, ju««
by military contributionsAvhieh maybe collected
iu Mexico, may ho sufficient. If, contrary to
expectation, there should ho a necessity tor it.Uie
fact will ho comimuiicuted to Congress in tiine for
tlioir ucliou during the present session. In ||#
event will n sum exceedin'* six million? of tluuars
of this amount be needed before the meeting
thoVossiou of Congress iu December, 1848. ,
The net of the thirtieth of July, 1810 “ rediwroj
the duties on imports,” has been ill force on™
tlie first of December last; and I am gratified»
state, that all tho beneficial effects Avhich AAfit
anticipated from it? operation Imre been f»Hj
realized. Thu public revenue derived fr«»
customs during thu year’ ending on tlio first
December, 1847, exceeds, hy moro tiiati eigw
milUotts of dollars tho amount received iu «
preceding year under tho oporatioiw ol w
net of 1842, Avhich avos superseded und repeal'd
by it- Its effects are visible iu tim grout aiw
almost unexampled prosperity avIiicIi prevail?
every branch of business.
Wiiilsl tho repeal of tho prohibitory mul re*
Ktrictivu ililtiiw of Mio mil nl J*l-f. nnd tlm «"“•
ttttion in tliuir [.liter uf ren»oimb o roroiiin n»
Irvieil on iirlidm iinpmtril nccurtlmg to Utott *•
inn! vnlnn, linn liicnnwcd tlm rpvuuun mid »(•
montrdmir liireign train, nil tlm grenl"" '#
of tile country Imvobcou advanced uml 1‘W
""tIw gri-nt nml imiiorlmit Inlorctn of ngrir*
lure, wliirli Im*I Imon nol only loo nnwli ""6 “'"
but actually taxed under Uio iirolt-mivo 1>oIk)»'
the benefit afnUter tntorenu, havo boon rtl ■
oftlui burden, whip)* Hint pf Imy imjnMOd ™
nnd our furmore mul lilmiton, “'iLj
mul liberal cnwmoreinl pohoy, ■tre.liuillng non «g
prulltitlilo hmrltol. abroad for diotr .nifetn
1 Onr commorco t-> miiiilly inoroa«ing, nod• b”
tending inbro widely Iho oirclo. o nitfiinti
oxchtutgr.. Groutbn, boon tlio incroM ofoW
hnpoft. during Urn iitwl year, onr ox
inertio yroducU.old iu foreign uinrltou halt
'“our”navigating i'ntoro.l b tllta* PWjj
ous. Tlm number ol* vo.iml, limit m tlm hi
Status has boon greater Uial|dlinngn|iy prooiomi
noHb'd of.Sinnl Tonstli. Lnrgo probtobivo b»
derived by dipso trim bare ooiutruotod u
by tlto.o wlio lmvo huvlgalod thorn. ^
ratio ofincroimo in tho munlior ol onrm ,
vorecl. he |,rogre.»ivo, nml ho iw groat lor lh
turn a, during the past year, tho nmo lit l ...^
lion ourtbunngo uud uiartno
rgor than that of any othor nation in die WOW
Whibtdio interests ofngneuttiiro,uf t,onunoic,
nml of navigation havo boon onlargod tu ' I
orated, it i« highly grot lying to oh.orvo dmt.py
monnliioturo. are ol.o in a pro.nprpu. coadm™
Nonoofthoruinou.oirect.upontlu.llitore.l'Wl'aa
tvoro upprehonded by eome, a. tho fPfV., j
operation, of the rovonuo »y.tem gfHW
tho act oflHIt*, have boon kxpononood. On JJ
contrary, tho number of ninniifuotono., n to
amount of capital invented an
and rapidlyim remmig, nflordtng gral'V'"* f'J°
that Amorioan untcrprtao aud .lull outploj" 1
thi. branch of UfflVcwttc iinlu.lry, with no ,
aVautago. thmilho.o fiiirly and incidentally
... nntlehmtoil. Tlm*trrm;tli oftho nrmy
avos nrcorilbiffly iucrimscil liy “uci:<'|itimt" tlm sorviiins of
nil tlm voidutoor fiirciiH nntliuri/.ml liy tlionnl of tlm lliir-
tnontli of May, IS-Jit, without |Mit'tbi|;uRoii*triictii»i<»ii tlmt
net, tho corrocuiuM wtiteh wtw snrbwntv »pin»tb»n«il.-—
Tlm voluiitourrnrcDs nmv in thnflnltl, with llmin iviiicli lmd
howl “ uceDptrit" to "sorvn for hvnlvn umntlis,” utul wore
dbdinrgod nl tlm mid of tlioir term of snrvico. «ixlmu*t tlm
fifty thnu*iiiid nutlmrl/.nd hy tlmt not. Had H Imcn idtntr
Hint u proper coiutrin tinn of tlm net wnmintnd it, tlm *»>r-
vlctts of nil liddltimiiil iiiiintiur would lmvo Imuimillnd Ihr
uml nenoptud; but duuliU uxisting upon this puiut, tim
powor was not tt.\i)rui*ad.
It isdimumd iiupnrtiint tlmt Con;fru?8 shoiihl, at nil enrly
period of tlioir siit>sioii, cntifnr tlmuiitlmrity to ruisn mi ml-
ditiomil rimuhir for go to sorvo during tiio war with Mexico,
nud tu ho dinclmri'ud upon tim couchi-dun uud rntillcntion of
a treaty of pcuco. I Invito tlm attention nf Congress tn tlm
views presented by tlio iJccrelnry of War III his report up
ou tills subject.
I rocoiiiniend, iiInd, tlmt authority Im irivcii liy law to cull
for uud nccept tlm services of an udditimiul iiiiinlicr of vol
unteers, lo Im exereised ulkiich limn mu) to such extent us
tlm emergencies of tlm service may require.
Iu pio'umitiiq.' tlm war with Mexico, whilst the utmost
cure (ins been tuhcii to avoid every• in-t t-iiiisu of eoinpluiut
on the part of neutral nation*, a’ini mine Inm been jriveil,
liberal privileges lmvo been grunted lo tiieir cnuiuiorcu in
tlm |mrt* oft Im enemy hi onr military occupation.
ThoiliffiettUy with tho JVni/.Hi.ni government, which nt
one lime tiireutnimd to interrupt the tVieinliy relnlioim lie-
tween the twncoitutries.will, I trust, lie speedily inti»*ted. I
have received information tli.u un out oy (•xlrimnliimry und
iiiiiiistur pli-uipolDiilinry to tlm United JStntes will shortly bo
appointed by hit- Imperial majesty' j und it is Imped tlmt lie
wiilcnmu iimtriicted und prepared to udjiist uli remaining
ttifl'erences between the two governments in n manner tn-
eoptaMe nud lioiiorable to both, fu tlm meantime, I liuvu
every ron.-mn to believe tlmt notliiog will occur to|intcrriipt
oiirnniicublu relutions witli liruvtil.
It bus boon my constant ellort to iiiiiiiituiu nud cultivate
tlm limit intimate relations of frieinlhliip with uli tlm inde
pendent Fownr? of South America; uud this policy hns
been uto’nd.ul with the happiest voselt*. It is true, that tim
settlement uml pnyinmitof many just claim* of Aumriean
citizens ngniiixt these nation? have been lougdelayed. Tin
poeiiliur position In which they have been iilacud, and tin
desire on tlm part of my predecessors, as well us myself, to
yniut them the utmost indulgence, lmvo hitherto prevented
these claim* from lining urged in a iiiiiuimr ileiiiaiulnd hy
strict just ice. Tlie tlmu Hum tu-rrived vv him they ouglit to he
filially adjusted nnd liquidutud, uud e/lorto uro now making
for that piirpiiMi. .
It is proper to inform you Hint tlm government of Peru Im*
in ’nod fultli paid the first two iii?tiduiniitn of tim Indemnity
of thirty thousand dollar? each, uud thu groutor portion of
tlm interest due there on,'in execution uf the convention be
tween tlmt government mul the United Stutoa, the ratified-
thin? of which worenxchiin,sod nt Limn mi tlm thirty-first of
October, 18-1(1. The Attorney Geimrnl of the United Slate?,
early ill AugltM lust, completed tile adjudication of the
ciiiiiii? under till? convention, and made hi? report there
in jHi/piiaiico or the net of the eighth of August, 181(1. 'i
mi un to which thu claimant? uro respectively entitled will be
paid ou demand nt tlm treasury.
I invito tim ourly attention of Congress to tlm present
condition of our citizens iu Chinn. Under ourtrenty with
tlmt power, American citizen? ure withdrawn from the ju
risdiction, whether civil or criminal,of thu Chinese govern
ment, und placed under tliut of our public functionaries in
that country, liy these alouo can our citizen? he tried uud
punished for tho commission of any crime; by these alone
cun question? be decided between them,involving tlm right?
of person nud property; nud by thoso ulono can contract*
Im enforced, into which thoy iiiuy lmvo entered with tho
citizens or subjects of foreign powers. Tho merchant
vessel? oftho United States, lying in the water? oftho liv-
1 o it* of China open to foreign commorco, nro undertlie ex
elusive jurisdiction of ollieers of tiieir own government-
Until Congress slmll establish competent tribunals to try
und iitiniriii crimes, nnd to exercise jurisdiction in civil ca
ses in Chinn, American citizen? there ure subjects to no
law whatever. Crimes may Im committed with Impunity,
mul debts may bo contracted without any mean? to enforce
tlmir payment. Inconveniences lmvo already resulted from
the omission of Congress to legislate upon tho subject, ami
still groutor nro apprehended. Tho llrltlsh authorities in
China have already complained that this government im?
not provided for tho punishment of crime* or the enforce
ment of contract* ogiuttot American citizens iu thut coun
try, whilst their government has established trihiimtl* by
which nil American citizen cun recover debts due from Ilrit-
i?h subjects.
Accustomed ns the Cliineso nre to nummary justice, they
could not Im made to comprehend why criminal?, who nro
oitizgu? of tho Uuitud States, should escape with impunity,
in violation of treaty obligations, whilst tlm nnnlsliinent of
u Chinese, who had’commit tod any crime iiguliint un Ameri
can citizen, would Im rigorouslv exacted. Indeed, tim con
sequence? might be fatal to American citizen? iu China,
should ullagraut crime lie committed by one ofttimm upuii.’a
Chinese, und should trial mid punishment not follow accor
ding to tlm requisition* of the treaty. This {might disturb,
if not destroy our friendly relations with that empire, uml
cause an interrupt ion of our valuable commerce.
Onr treaties with the Sublime l’orte, Tripoli, Tunis Mo
rocco, und Muscat,utoq require tlm legislation of Congress to
curry them into execution, though tlm necessity for iinum-
diutu uctioii may not lie so urgent a* in regard to China.
The Secrotary of State has submitted nu estimate to de
fray the expciue of opening diplomatic relations with tim
Papal State?. Tho interesting political events now in pro
gress in Ihcso States, us well us a just regard to our com-
morcinl interests, have,in my opinion, rendered such a mea
sure highly expedient-
I-totiinntu* lmvo also boon submitted for tho outfits nnd
snlnrios of charges d'ufi'aircs to tlie republics of llolovin,
(luutaumlu, uud Uc.uudur. Tim uuiuilest importance ul
cultivating tho most friendly relutions with nil tlm inde
pendent State* upon this con I incut Im* induced me to re
commend uppropriutiou* necessary for the inuintciianco of
thoso mission?.
I recommend to Congress tlmt nu appropriation lie mado,
to bo puid tu tlm .Spanish Government lor tho purpose oi
distribution among tlm clniinmits in "tlm Amtotnd case."
1 cuturtuiu tlm conviction that this is dim to Spuiu under
tlm treuty of tho twentieth of Uctolmr, 17P5; und, moreo
ver, that, from tho curliest manner in which the claim con
tinue* to bo urged, so long ns it ahull remain unsettled, it
will bo a source of irritation niid'dtocnrd between tha two
cnuulrios, which may prove highly prejudicial to tlio in
forests of tho United timte*. Good policy, t no less than
faithful compliunce with our treaty obligations, require
tliut tho inconsiderable appropriation demanded should hu
made.
A detailed Mutamcut uf tha condition af the fittauce* will lltlOMllll „„ B ,„ v . j - . .
bo proseutoil In tlio annual report of the Secretary of tlm • mir , n , um I collimurciiii marine W" 7
Treasury. The import? for tim last fiscal year, ending on “m- 1 * 1 . nilmr nation ill tho AvorW*
thirtieth of June, IH17, were of the value .if ono hundred , '* n ” ,,,n * nl auv otllLr 11,11,0,1 ,n
and forty-six million fivo linndred nml forty-five thou
sand tix hundred and ihirly-eiglit dollar* 5 of which thu
amount exported wu* eight million eleven f lioiinuidoue hun
dred uud fifty-eight dollars, leuviug one hundred nnd thlr.
ty-eight million five linndred and thirty-four thousand four
hundred and nighty dollars in tho country for domestic ure.
Tho value of tho exports for the inmo pariod wa» ono hun
dred und fifty olght million »ix hundred and forty right
thousand six hundred and twenty two dnllur*; of which
ouo hundred and fifty million *lx, hundred and thirty seven
thousand four hundred aud sixty-four dollars couatoted of
domestic productions, and right million eleven tlioiisaud
one hundred end fifty eight dollars of foreign articles.
•Tlio receipts into tlie treasury Ibr tlio tame period a-
mountctl tq twenty-six million three hundred and forty-six
thousnud seven hundred and ninety dollars nnd thirty-seven
cents, of which there was derived from customs twenty-
tlira)million seven hundred uud forty-seven thuu-nud eight