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The Muscogee Democrat, AND MERCANTILE ADVERTISER. By Andrews & Griswold. Ctnttr of Randolph and Broad streets, (upstairs, ) COLIffiJUUcS, Cin. TERMS. THREE DOLLARS per annaiu —in ttthtaupe. Two eopies for $5, “ ** •• Ton eopies for S2O * Two dollars for six months. <* AH Letters must bs free of postage, except where taeeer ie enclosed. Vol. 111. The President’s Annual Message. Fellotr. Citizens of the Senafe, and House of Represcntalires : The annua] meeting of Congress is always an interesting event. The Representatives ol’ the States and of the People come fresh from their constituents to take counsel together for the com mon good. After an existence of near three fourths of a century as a free and independent , Republic, the problem no longer remains to he seivad whether man is capable of sett-govern ment. *The success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of those in •tliur countries who maintain that ‘a favored i few ’ ftre horn to rule, and that the mass of man- 1 kind must he governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are the only sovereigns recognised by our coustitu-! tion. Numerous emigrants, of every lineage : nd language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy, and by our happy condition* annually crowd our shores, and transfer their heart, not less than their allegiance, to the coun try whose dominion belongs alone to the people. No country has been so much favored, or should acknowledge with” deeper reverence the niauifastutions of divine protection. An all-wise Creator directed and guarded us in our infant j struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched ft? er our surprising progress, until we have be come one of the great nations of the earth. It is in a country thus favored, and under a Government in which the executive and legisla tive branches hold their authority for limited pe riods, alike from the people, and where all are responsible to their respective constituencies, that it is aguin my duty to communicate with Congress upon the stale, of the Union and the present condition of public utiitirs. During the past year the most gratify ing proofs are presented that our country has been blessed with a wide-spread and universal prosperity.— There has beeu no period since the Government was founded, when ail the industrial pursuits of •nr peopla have been more siicccsslui, or when 4ah*r ia ail branches of business has received a fairer or better reward. From our abundance w have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food fur the starving millions •f less favored countries. j In the enjoyment fthe bounties of Providence at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot ol any people, it is cause of congratulation, that our intercourse with all the Powers of the earth, ex ept Mexico, continues to be of an amicable char stclar. j It has evsr been ur cherished policy to culti vals peace and good will w ith all nations; and this policy has been steadily pursued by me. i fUS WAR oust HKXIUAN RKLATIOXS. No change has taken place, in our relations with Mexico since the adjournment of the last Congress. The war in which the United Stales wsre forced to engage with the government ol ( that country still continues. 1 deem it unnecessary, after the full exposi tion of them contained in my message of the 11th t May, 1840, and io my annual message at the commencement ot the session ol Congress in De cember last, to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against Mexico before she commenced hostilities. It is sufficient on the present occasion to say, that the wanton violation of the rights of person and property of our citizens committed by Mexi co, her repeated acts ot bad faith, through a long series of years, and har disregard of solemn trea ties, stipulating lor indemnity to our injured citi isens, not only constituted ample cause of war on oar part, but were of such an aggravated charac ter as wouid have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With tui anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we forbore lor years to assert our clear rights by three, and continued-to seek re dress for the wrongs we had antlered by amica ble negotiation, in the hope that Mexico might yield to pacitic councils and the demands of jus tice. in tliis hope we were disappointed. Our minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly rejected. The Mexican government refused • ven to hear the terms of adjustment w hich he was authorised to propose ; and finally, under wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries in war, by invading the territory of the Stats of Texas, striking the fast blow, and shed ding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. Though the United .States were the aggrieved nation, Mexico commenced the w ar, and w o w ere compelled, in sell-defence, to repel the invader, and to vindicate the national honor and interests by prosecuting it with v igor until we could obtain a just and honorable peace. On learning that hostilities had been comnienc d by Mexico,! promptly communicated that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement o! our other cause* of complaint against .Mexico, to! Congress ; and that body, by the act ot the 13th f,May, 1840, declared that ‘by the act of the’ republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that government and the United States ’ —this act, declaring ‘the war to exist by the act of ihe re public of Mexico,’ and making provision for its prosecution ‘to a speedy and successful termina tion,’ was passed with great unanimity by Con gress, there being only two negative votes in the Senate, and but tourteen in the House of Repre sentatives. The existence of the war having thus been declared by Congress, it became my duty, under the constitution and the laws, to conduct and pro secute it. l'his duty has been performed; and though, at every stage of its progress, I huve manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace, Mexico has refused to acee. e to any tcims which could he accepted by the United States, consistently w ith the national honor and interest. The rapid and brilliant successes of our arms, and the vast extent of the enemy’s territory w hicli had been overrun and conquered, before the elo*e of the last session o( Congress, were hilly known to that body. .Since that time, the war hai been prosecuted w ith increased energy, and | am gratuiml to state with a success which com. iminds universal admiration. History presents no parallel of so many glorious victories achiev ed by any nation within so short a period. Our j army, regulars and vohmteci's, have covered | themselves with imperishable honors. Wlienev- I cr and wherever our forces have encountered the enemy, though he was in vastly superior numbers, and often entrenched ia fbrtiiied posi- I -lions (if his own selection, and of great strength, tbe has been defeated. Too much praise canpot | be bestowed upon our officers and men, regu- I jars and volunteers, for their gallantry, discipline, indomitable courage and perseverance, all seek ing the post of danger, tuid vieing with each oth er in deeds of noble daring. While every patriot’s heart must exult, and a just national pride animate every bosom, in be holding the high proofs of courage, consummate j military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to ; the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant army, the nation is called to mourn over the loss ol many brave officers and soldiers who have fallen in defence of their country’s honor and in jto rests. The brave dead met their melancholy ; fate in a foreign land, nobly discharging their du ty, and with their country’s flag waving triumph antly in the face of the foe. Their patriotic deeds are. justly appreciated, and will long be remem bered by tlieir grateful countrymen. The pa rental care of tiin government they loved and served should be extended to their surviving fam ilies. I Shortly after the adjournment of the last, scss ion of Congress, the gratifying intelligence was j received of the signal victory of Buena Vista and I <d the fall of the city ol \ era Cruz, and with it I the strong castle of San Juan de Ullon, by w hich it was detruded. Believing that after these and other successes, so honorable to our arms and ■ so “disastrous to Mexico, the period was propi tious to tiffin'd her another opportunity, if she j thought proper to embrace it, to enter into nego- j tuition* tor peace, a commissioner was appointed ; to proceed to the headquarters of our army, with ! . full powers to enter upon negotiations, and to ! conclude a just and honorable treaty of peace. He was not directed to make any new overtures of peace, hut was the bearer of a despatch from the Secretary of State of the United States to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, in re ply to one received from the latter of the twenty, ’second of February, 1817, in which the Mexican government was informed of his appointment,! and of his presence at the headquarters of our j army, and that he was invested with full powers I to conclude a deftfiilive treaty of peace, whence- ; er the .Mexican government might signify a de ’ sire to do no. \V hile 1 was unwilling to subject the United States lo another Indignant refusal, 1 I was yet resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might be rendered al> o utely necessary by the Mexican government. Care was taken to give no instructions to the commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations, or relax our oner- ■ 1 gies in the prosecution of the war. Ho possess- j e l no authority in any manner to control these 1 operations. Ilew as authorized to exhibit his in structions to the (fenernl in command of the ar my; nnd in the event ol a treaty being concluded , and ratified on the part of.Mexico, he was direct- . ed to give him notice of that fact. On the hap- ; polling of such contingency, and oil receiving no- 1 tice thereof, the General in command was in structed by the Secretary of War to suspend fur ther ucuve military operations until blither or ders. These instructions were given with a view to intermit hostilities, until the treaty thus ratified hi Mexico could he transmitted to Wash ington, and receive the action of the government of the United .States. The commissioner was also directed, on reach ing the army, to deliver to the General in com mand the despatch which he bore from the Se cretary ofStatr to the Minister of Foreign A flairs of Mexico, and, oil receiving it, the General was instructed by the Secretary of War to cause it to be transmitted to the commander of the Mexican forces, with a request that it might he communi- 1 cated to his government. The commissioner did not reach the headquar ter* of Ihe army until after another brilliant vic tory had crowned our arms at Orro Gordo. The despatch which he bore from’ the Secreta ry of War to the Gmieral in command of the ar- : inv was received by that officer, then at Jahipa, : on the Tlh day of May, 1917, together with the ; despatch from the Secretary of State to the Min- ! ister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having been transmitted to him from Vera ( ruz. The com missioner arrived at the headquarters ofthe army ; a feiv days afterwards. His presence with the army and his diplomatic character were made 1 known to the Mexican government, from Puebla, on the 12th of June, 1847, by lift transmission of the despatch from the. Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign A flairs of Mexico. Many weeks ‘elapsed after its receipt, and no overtures were made, nor was any desire express i ed by the Mexican government to enter into ne gotiations for peace. i Our army pursued its march upon the capital, 1 ; and, as it approached it, was met by formidable j resistance. Our forces tirst encountered the en- j j orny, and achieved signal victories in the severe- 1 : iv contested battles of Contreras and Omnibus-1 j co. It was not until after these actions had re- i i suited in decisive victories, and the capita! of the s enemy was within our power, that the Mexican ; government manifested any disposition to enter ‘ 1 into negotiations for peace : and even then, as ! events have proved, there is too much reason to j 1 | believe they were insincere, and that in agreeing I j logo through the forms of negotiation, the object ; was lo gain time to strengthen the delenee* of > their capital, and to prepare for fresh resistance. I I The General in command of the army deemed ■ it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily, by • entering into an armistice with a \iew to the 1 opening of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed on the part ot Mexico to meet the Com missioner on the part ol the l nited States, 1 lie result of the colltbreuces which took place be. I tween these functionaries of the two “overmuetits ■ n* a failure to conclude a treaty ol peuco. AND MERCANTILE ADVERTISER. “AS LITTLE GOVERNMENT AS POSSIBLE J THAT LITTLE EMANATING FROM AND CONTROLLED BY TIIE PEOPLE, AND UNIFORM IN ITS APPLICATION TO ALL.” C 01*11 HI 15 US, Georgia, Thursday KvemiEg, I>eceabcr 16, 1547. The commissioner of the United Stales look w ith him the projet of a treaty already prepared,, by the terms of which the indemnity required by the United States was a cession of territory. It is well know n that the only indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfac tion of the just ami long deferred claims of our j citizens against her, and the only means by which she can reimburse the United States for the ex penses ofthe war, i* a cession to the U. S. of a portion of her territory. Mexico has no money, to pay, and no other means oi making the re quired indemnity. If we refuse this, we can ob tain nothing else. To reject indemnity, by refu sing to accept a cession of territory, would be to ( abandon all our just demands, and to w age the war, hearing all its expenses, w ithout a purpose or definite object. A state of war abrogates treaties previously j existing between the belligerents, and a treaty oi j peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity— for tortuous acts committed, under the authority of, one government against the citizens < r subjects qf another, unless they are provided for in its stip ulations. A treaty of peace which would termi nate the existing war, without providing for in-! denmity, would enable Mexico—the acknow ledged debtor, and herself the aggressor in the war—to relieve herself from her just liabilities. By such a treaty, our citizens, who hold just de mands against her. would have no remedy either against her, wouid have no remedy either against Mexico or tlieir own government. Our duty to j I these citizens must forever prevent such a peace, | i and no treaty which does not provide ample means of discharging these demands can receive my sanction. A treaty of peace should settle all existing dif ferences between the two countries. If an ade-! j quate cession of territory should be made by such 1 | a treaty, the l nited Slates should release Mcxi-j ; co from all her liabilities, and assume their pay. ; incut to our own citizens. If, instead of this, the j ; United States were to consent to a treaty by; ; which Mexico should again engage to pay the | heavy amount of indebtedness which a just in- ! denmity to our government and our citizens would , impose on her, it is notorious that she does not! possess the means to meet such an undertaking, i Froinjsuch a treaty no result could be anticipated ] but the same irritating disappointments which j have heretofore attended the violations of similar , i treaty stipulations on the part of Mexico. Such ! j a treaty would he but the temporary cessation of j j hostilities, without ther restoration of the friend-! ! ship and good understanding which should char- j acterize the future intercourse between the two i j countries. That Congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial indemnity w hen that body made pro- j vision for ilip prosecution of the war, is obvious. Congress could not have meant—when, in May, i 1840, they appropriated ten millions of dollars, I and authorized the President to employ the ini i- ’ tia and naval and military forces of the United ; ; States, and to accept the services of fifty thousand j volunteers, to enable him to prosecute the war ; : j and when, at their last session, and after our ar-; j my had invaded Mexico, they made additional j appropriations and authorized the raising of addi- j j tional troops for the same purpose—that no in- j t denmity was to he obtained from .Mexico at the j I conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain j that, if no Mexican territory was acquired, no in- i ; denmity could he obtained. It is further manifest that Congress content-1 plated territorial indemnity, from the (bet that, at their last session, an art was passed, upon the Executive recommendation, appropriating three millions of dollars with that express object. This appropriation v,as made ‘to enable the Presi dent to conclude a treaty of peace, limits, nnd | boundaries with the republic of Mexico, to be 1 used by him in the event that said treaty, when , signed by the authorized agents of the two gov- ; erninents, and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call ! for the expenditure ofthe same, or any part there i of.’ The object of asking this appropriation was ! | distinctly stated in the seveial messages on the , subject which 1 communicated to Congress.— ! 1 Similar appropriations made in 180.*} nnd 1800, j j w hich were referred to, were intended to he np- ! plied in part consideration for the cession of Lou | isiana and the I’loridas. In like manner it was ! anticipated that, ill settling the terms ol a treaty of‘limits and boundaries ’ with Mexico, a cess ion of territory estimated to lie of greater value than the amount of our demands against her might he obtained; and that the prompt payment of this sum—in part consideration for the territo ry ceded—on tlie conclusion of a treaty, and its ratification on her pail, might be an inducement with her to make such a cession of territory as would be satisfactory to the I nited States. And! although the failure io conclude such a treaty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part of the! three millions of dollars appropriated by that act, and the entire rum remains in tho treasut v, it is j : still applicable to that object, should the contin gency occur making such application proper. The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of i , no indemnity ; and, if sanctioned, would be a ; ! public acknowledgment that our country was : ; wrong, and that the war declared by Congress ! j with extraordinary unanimity, was unjust, and 1 should be abandoned; an admission unfounded • in fact, and degrading to the national character, i j Tim terms ol the treaty proposed by the Uni- ! ted States were not only just to Mexico, hut, con- ; sidering the character and amount of our claims, ; the unjustiliabe and unprovoked commencement I of hostilities by her, the expenses of the war to j w hich wo have been subjected, and the success : which has attended our anus, were deemed to j he of a most liberal character. The commissioner of the United States was j authorized to agree to the establishment of the Rio Grande ns the boundary, from its entrance 1 into the Gift to its intersection with the southern boundary of New Mexico, in north hit it tide about 32 degrees, ami to obtain a cession to the United States of the. province* of New Mexico and the California*, and the privilege of the right of way across the isthmna oi'Telumntepoc. ’Hie boun dary of tli Rio Grande, nnd the cession to he ! United States of New Mexico and Upnor ( ali- lornia, constituted an ultimatum which our com’ ; missioner was, under no circumstances, to yield’ That it might he manifest not only to Mexico, but to all other nations, tluyt the United States were, not disposed to take advantage of a feeble power, by insisting upon wresting from her ail | the other provinces, including many ol her priu- j cipal towns and cities, which we had conquered j and held in our military Scoupathiu, but were j .willing to conclude, a treaty in a spirit of liberal- j commissioner v.is authorized to stipulate i tortile restoration to Mexico of all our other con- j quests. As the territory to he acquired by the botinda iry proposed might be estimated to be of greater value than a fair equivalent tor our just demands, our commissioner was author,zed to stipulate for the payment of such additional pecuniary cotisid -1 elation as was deemed reasonable, i The terms of a treaty proposed by the Mexican commissioners were w holly inadmissible. They ’ negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, nnd ■ not the vanquished party. They- must have ; known that their ultimatum could never he accep ted. It required the United States to dismember j Texas, by surrendering to Mexico that part of the territory of that State lying between the Nu-: sees and the Itio Grande, included w ithin her j limits by her laws when she w as an independent j republic, and when she was annexed lo the U. S. and admitted by Congress as one ofthe States ; oi our Union. It contained no provision tor the . 1 payment by Mexico ofthe just claims of our citi- j zens. It required indemnity to Mexican citizens j for injuries they may have sustained by our troops j in the prosecution ofthe war. It demanded the ; j right for Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican ! tariff ot duties on goods imported into her ports j ! while in our military occupation during the war. ’ I and the owners of w hich had paid to officers of the United States the military contributions which j had been levied upon them; and it offered to cede j to the U. S., lor a pecuniary consideration, that ! part of Upper California lying north of latitude j 37 degrees. Such were the unreasonable trims j proposed by the Mexican commissioners. The cession to the United Stases by Mexico, ; oi the provinces ol New Mexico and the Calilbr j nias, as proposed by the commissioner ofthe U. j j States, it was believed, would tie more in accord- j ; mice with the convenience and interests of both J nations, than any other cession of territory which |it was probable Mexico could lie induced to! ■ make. | l It is manifest to all who have observed the 1 ! actual condition ofthe Mexican government, lor ! the some years past, ami at present, that ij'these ; provinces should lie retained by her, she couid j not long continue tw hold and govern them. Mex j ico is too feeble a power to govern these prov- j luces, lying as they do at a distance of more than a thousand miles from her capital,ami, it attemp ted to be retained by her, they wouid constitute ; but lor a short time, even nominally, a part of her j j dominions. This would be especially tlie case with Up : per California. The sagacity of powerful Euro-; ; pean nations lias long since directed tlieir alien- , lion to the commercial importance of that prov-, ; ince, and there can be Itilit: doubt I but the mo ment the l nised Stales shall relinquish their pie- j j sent occupation of it, and their claim to it as in- j denmity, an effort would be made by some Ibr jcign power to possess it, either by conquest or Iby purchase. If no foreign government should i i acquire it in either of these modes, ail indepen dent revolutionary government would pmhuhiv be established by Hie inhabitants, and siicli tor-j eigners as may remain in or lemuve to the conn- ! try, as soon as it shall be known that the l nited 1 States have abandoned it. fcjuch a government! would be too feeble long to maintain Us separate ; ! independent existence, and w ould finally become ! • annexed to, or be an dependent colony ot, some i j more powerful State. j Should any foreign government attempt to possess it as a colony, or olbeiwise noncorpo rate it with itself, the principle avowed by Biesi dout Monroe in 1824, and leaihnncd in inv first [annual message, that no foreign Bower shall, ; with our consent, be. permitted to plant or cstab : lish any new colony or and. minion on any part of! the North American continent, must be main tained. In maintaining this principle, and in : resisting its invasion by any foreign Bower, we i might be involved in other wars more expensive and more difficult than tint in which we, arc now j engaged. The provinces of New Mexico and the Cali ! fbrnias are contiguous to the territories of the U. States, and if brought under the government of our laws, their resources—mineral, agricultural,. manufacturing, and commercial—would soon be ; developed. I pper Calijonia is bounded on the north by ! I our Oregon possessions ; and if held by the U. ■ j States, would soon be settled by a hardy, enter- \ j prising, and intelligent portion of our population. jThe bay of San Francisco, and other harbors n iong the Californian coast, would afford shelter! ! for our navy, for our numerous whale ships, and ■ other merchant vessels employed in the Bacilic ; ocean, and would in a short period become the : marts of an extensive and profitable commerce with China, and other countries ofthe East. These advantages, in which toe whole commercial ! world would participate, would at once he secured to ! the U. States hy the cession of this territory ; while i it is certain that as long its it remains a part of the • Mexican dominions, they can be enjoyed, neither hy Mexico herself nor by any other nation. New Mexico is a frontier province, and has never been ot any considerable value to Mexico. From its locality, it is naturally connected with our western ! settlements. The territorial limits of the State of ! Texas, too, as defined by her laws, before her admis ! sion into ottr Union, embrace all that portion of .New i ; Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims lo hold this territory as a part of her do -1 minions. The adjustment ot this question of bounda ry is important. i There i* another consideration which induced the heliet that the Mexican government might even de sire to place this province under toe protection ol’llie U. S government. .Numerous bawls of tierce and warlike savages wander over it, and iq on its borders. Mexico has been, ami most continue to lie, too feeble | to restrain them I rum committing depredations, rub , buries and murders, not only upon the iulmbitanU ol New Mexico itself. Iml upon those of the other north ern Skates of Mexico. It would !jo a blessing to a!I these northern S ates to have their citizens protected against them by the power of the (J. States. At thi moment, many Mom cans, principally females ami children, are in captivity among thepi If New Mexi j co were held and gov eruotf bv the U. States, we could i ellectnally prevent these tribes from committing such | outrages, and compel them to release these captives , I and restore them to their families and friends. In proposing to acquire New .Mexico and the Cali- j ! formas, it was known that but an in cotvs pqr- i j firm of the Mexican people would he traft s nrft'd \vi m j them, the country embraced within these provinces ; being chiefly an uninhabited region. These were the leading considerations which in duced me to authorize the terms of peace which were { proposed to Mexico. They were rejected ; and ne- ‘ gotiatioas being at an end. hostilities were renewed, i An assault was made by our gallant army upon the j strongly fortihed places near the gates of the city ol Mexico, and upon the city itself; and alter several days of severe conflict, tire Mexican forces, vastly su perior to our own. were driven from the city, and it was occupied by our troops. Immediately alter inlormalion was received of the unfavorable result hi the negotiations, believing that his continued presence with the army could he pm ductiveol no. good, I determined to recall our com missioner. A despatch to this effect was transmitted •to him on the tjth oi October last. The Mexican gov | eminent will be informed ol his recall; and that, in | the existing state ol things, 1 shall not deem it prop- ( ! or to make any limber overtures of peace, but shall j : be at all times ready to receive and consider any pro- j j posals which may he made by Mexico, i Mince the libera! proposition of the United States ] “'us authorised to be made in April last, large ex- I ’ penditures have been incurred, and the precious blood ■ I of many of our patriotic fellow-citizens lias been shed .in the prosecution ol the war. This consideration, j j and the obstinate perseverance ol Mexico in protruct i ing tiie war, must influence the terms ol peace which ; may be deemed proper berealter to accept, i Our arms have been every where victorious, having j | subjected to our military occupation a large portion , ol the enemy’s country, including his capital, and ne gotiations lor peace having tailed, the important ques- ! j tious arise : In what manner ought the war to he j prosecuted ! and wuut s.iould be our future policy ! \ I cannot doubt that we should secure and render a- j j vailuble the conquests which we have already made; ; j ami that, with tins view, we should hold and occupy, J hy our naval and military forces, all the ports, towns, j : <:,, ies, and provinces now in ourocciipation,or which 1 may berealter fall into our possession ; that we should piess lorvvard our military operations, and levy such military contributions oil the enemy us may as lar as practicable, defray the lull.re expenses of the war. | j Had tiie government ot Mexico acceded to the equi- | I table and liberal terms proposed, that mode of adjust- j nient would have been preterred. Mexico having de- 1 I dined to do this, and tailed to offer any other terms 1 which could be accepted by t.he-U. States, the nation- j ; ul honor, no less than the public interests, requires j tiiat the war should he prosecuted with increased en : ! ergy and power until a just and satisfactory peace: ! can he obtained. In the meantime, as Mexico re j (uses ali indemnity, we should adopt measures to in- j I demnily ourselves, by appropriating permanently a j portion of her territory, idarly after the commence- I ; incut of the war, New Mexico and the Calil'oriiias j | were taken possession ol by our forces. Our miiita- \ j ry and naval commanders were ordered to conquer 1 and hold them, subject to he disposed of hy a treaty iot peace. * These provinces are now in our undisputed occu- ; I patinn, and have been so for many months : all re- j I sistance on tin* puit ot Mexico having ceased within | their limits, iam satisfied that they should never he surrendered to Mexico. .Should Congress concur with me in this opinion, and that they should lie re i Lained hy the U. M. usan indemnity, lean perceive no ■ good reason wiiy the civil jurisdiction and laws ol the . i U. M. should not be at once extended over them. To wait .or a treaty ot ueace, such as we are willing to | “'“ke, by which our relations towards them would j ; ‘“ot he cnangtd, cannot he good policy; whilst our j own interest, and that ol the people im,aiming them, require that a stable, responsible, and tree govern ment under our authority should, as soon as possible ! he established over tnein. .Should Congress, therefore ; determine to hold these provinces permanently, and I mat they shall berealter he consideieil as constituent | purls ot our country, tiie eariy establishment otter- ! | ritorial government.- over them will he important for ! the more perlect protection ol per-ous and property ; and 1 iecomuii’iid that such territorial government he ! ’ established. It will promote peace and tranq .iliiy alining the inhabitants, by allaying all apprehension ; tiiat they may stiii entertain ol being again subjected j to the jurisdiction ol Mexico. 1 invite the eaiiy and I j favorable consideration of Congress to this important | subject. besides New Mexico and the California.-, there are : other .Mexican provinces which have been reduced to our pu- session by conque-t. ’1 iicse are governed by j our military and naval commanders, under lire gene ral authority conlerred upon a conqueror by the laws ot war. They should continue to he held as a menus oi coercing Mexico to accede to just terms ol peace. : ’ Civil as well as military officers are required to con- : j duct such a government. Adequate compensation to he drawn I rum contributions levied on the enemy,! should be fixed by law tor such officers as mav lie ; , thus employed. v\ hut lurtlier provision may become nece-sary, and wliathiia! disposition it may he proper . to make ot them, must depend on tiie tiilure progress ; ol the war, and the course which Mexico may think ! proper berealter to pursue. j \\ ith the views 1 entertain, 1 cannot favor the poli | cy which lias been suggested,either to withdraw our army altogether, or to retire to a designated line, and -imply hold and defend it. To withdraw our urriiv ; altogether I rum the conquests they have made b"t deeds ot unparalelied bravery, and a! the expense ol so much blood and treasure, in a just war on our part, and one which, hy I lie act ol tiie enemy, vve could not honorably have avoided would he to degrade the na tion in its own estimation and in tiiat oi the world. j To retire to a line, and simply bold and defend it, * would not terminate the war. On the contrary, it \ would encourage Mexico to persevere, and tend to protract the war indefinitely. It is not to he expect ed tiiat Mexico, alter refusing to establish such a line as a permanent boundary, when our victorious army ! are in possession of her capital, and in the heart ul her country, would permit us to hold it without re sistance. That she would continue the war, and in i the most liarrassing and annoying forms, there can be no doubt. A border vvarlare ot the most savam* ; character, extending over a long line, would he mi- ; I coasingly waged, ft would require a large a:iuv to he kept constantly in the held, stationed at posts anil 1 garrisons along such a line to protect and detentl it. I'lie enemy, relieved from tiie pressure of our arms on In- coasts and in the populous p.n ts ol I lie interior, [ would direct his attention to the line, and, selecting I nil isolated post lor attack, would concenirato Ins ■ ; lorces upon it. This would be a condition of utliiiis which the Mexicans, pursuing their favorite system 1 ol guerrilla warfare, would probably prefer to any I ■ other. Were vve to assume a defensive attitude on * nt'h a line, all the advantages of auch a slate of war t would la* on the side of the enemy. Weeonld lev y Book & Job Printing Oilce. Ky Andrews <fc Ctrl*vt old, ■wrnfr nf RatttMph find Brtxt-1 tlrnts, fiip-mirs.') - -a I’Ji.Wa and PRINTING, kurh as Ifiil !I* tda, Pas’ foul?, ILiiulvill*, Circula ; CVA, Pant;.}Bin's of Ltd ing, Bil n f Iff n *t.* t ‘tnd:ofknktt etfrfr * * tit icfip/rnttf **\M6n in fhi? noisfrxT ?t\ fV* us tUf Ar!, tr uritutf lnk* t c\ in golH, ants Urmse, i- r ivt. the very lowest rates, jfj no com i ibiitions upon him, or in any other tvay make him tee! the pressure ol the war. but must renin’ ‘ inactive and await his approach, being in constant uncertainty at what point on the line, or at what tiro lie might make an as.-mlt. He. may assemble am. organize an overwhelming force in tin* interior, cu Ilia own side ol the line, and, concealing his purpose, make a sudden assault upon someone of our po-iss j distant from any other as to prevent the jjosjhbility e j timely succor or reinlorceincuis ; and in this way or I gallant army would he exposed to .. s danger of hein. ! cut oti'ill dcluii; upv tttfb- uecytiaVed braver j and proves- evdfy sffiertrbxMfctfG; ehe ** ; ■ they should repulse tiie enemy, their numbers sic i tinned at any one post mav be too small too pnrsu . ; him. If the enemy he repulsed in one attack,] j would have nothing to do hut to retreat te his > - j side of the line and being in no fear oi pursuing j my, may rcintoree himself at leisure, lor another a ; tack on tiie same or some other post. He may, to . cross the line between our posts, make rapid 1 1; . sions into tiie country which we hold, murder the ; . habitants, cunimffdepiedaiionson them, and then re treat to the interim* belore.a sufficient force can b*. concentrated to pursue him. Much would probably be the harassing character of a mere defensive w. ■ on our pan. If our lorces when attacked, or threat ened with attack, be permitted to cross the line,driv hack the enemy, and conquer him, this would boa gain to invade the eneuiys’s country, after having los ali the advantages ot the conquests vve have ahead ! made, by having voluntarily abandoned them. T j hold such a line successfully and in security, it., I far from being certain that it would not require j large an arm / as would he necessary to hold ali .* I conquests vve have already made, and to conti; ! the prosecuton ol the war in the heart of the enemy , | country. It is also far from being certain that tv. ! expenses of the war would be diminished by such •- 1 policy. j iam persuaded that, the best means of vindicate , : the national honor and interest, and of bringing th ! war to an honorable close, will he to prosecute it wit j increased energy and power in tiie vital parts oi th*. I enemy’s country. In my animat message of December last, I decla: : ed that ** the war has not been waged with a view : | conquest; but having been commenced by Mexico,:. | has been carried into the enemy’s country, and vvib j be vigorously prosecuted there, with a view to ob j tain an honorable peace, and thereby secure amp! • indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well as to ! our much-injured citizens, who hold large pecuniary j demands against Mexico.” iSucb, in my judgment, i continues to he our true policy—indeed, the only . policy which will probably secure a permanent peace. ft has never been contemplated by me, as an object • oi the war, to make a permanent conquest ot the re public of Mexico, or to annihilate her separate exist ence as an independent nation. (Jr. the contrary, it has ever been my desire that, she should mainlaiii her nationality, and, under a government adapted to her condition, he a free, independent, and prdkperous re t public., ‘i’l.e (J uvc.-vl States were tl.e tirst among; the nations to recognise her independence, and have al ways desired to he on terms of amity and good neigl borhood with her. This she would not suffer. J her own couiliict vve have been compelled to enga* in the present war. In its prosecution, we seek ;,* her overthrow as a nation; but, in vindicating 1 u: i national honor, vve seek to obtain redress for ir | wrongs she has done us, and indemnity for our in; j demands against her. We demand an honorable peace, and that peace must bring with it indemnity lor the past, and security for the future. Hitherto I Mexico has refused all aroomniodtttion by which such ! a peace could he obtained. j Whilst or r armies have advanced from victory to victory, from the commencement of tiie war, it has always been with the olive-branch of peace ir. their hands ; and in the power of Mexico, at every step, to : arrest hostilities by accepting it. One great obstacle to the attainment of peace has, j undoubtedly arisen from the fact, that Mexico lias : been so long held in subjection by one faction or mil itary usurper alter another, and such has been the condition o! insecurity in which their successive gov ernments have been placed, that each ha- been dt— i terred Ifoin making peace, lest, tor this very cause, i a rival faction might expel it from power. Much vva the fate of President Herrera’s administration in 18!.*. : for being disposed to listen to the overtures cd the l . States to prevent the war, a- i- fully confirmed by an official correspondence which took place in the month i oi August last, between him and his government, a ! copy ot which is herewith communicated. “ For this j cause alone, the revolution which displaced him lrom ; power was set on loot” hv Gen. I aiedes. Such may he the condition o. in incerity ol the present govern ; nient. ! There can he no doubt that the peaceable and Weil disposed inhabitants of Mexico are convinced that it is the true interest of their country to conclude an honorable peace witii the l’. States; hut the appre hension of becoming the victim.-of some military tac tion or usurper may have prevented them from mani festing their Heelings by any public act. The remo val of any such apprehension would pfobabiy cause them to speak their sentiments ireoiy, and to adopt tiie measures necessary lor the restoration of peace. With a people distracted and divided by contending tact ions, and a government subject to constant chang es, by suceesiv revolutions, tee continued success of our arms mav tail to secure a salislac‘-.ry peace. In such event, it may become proper for our command ing general-in the field to give encouragement and assurances of protection to the friends of peace in Mexico in the establishment and maintenance of a free republican government ot their own choice, able and willing to conclude a peace which would lie just to them, and secure to ns the indemnity we demand Should such lie tin* result, the war which Mexico has lorced upon us would thus he converted into an en during hie-.-ing to herself. Alter muling her torn an distracted hv tactions, and ruled by military usurpers, we should men leave her with a republican govern ment ill tile eii.ovnieut ol real ill iepriid**nce, and do inesiic peace ami prosperi.v, perlarming all her rela tive duties in the great family ol nations, and promot ; in- her own nuppmos.: by wi-e laws and their faith . Im execution. it, after a Hording this encouragement and protcc • lion, and alter all toe persev ering aud sincere efforts vve have made, from me moment Mexico commenced tin* war, and prior to I hat time, to adjust our differ ences with her, vve -hail ultimately fail, ihen we shall have exhausted all honorable means :n pursuit of peace, and must continue’ to occupy In r country wit! our troops, taking the luli'uieasuic ot indemnity iliti our hands, ami must eiiiorce the terms which on honor demands. To act olhei wise, in the existing slate ol tilings in Mexico, and to withdraw our army ’ without a peace, would not only leave an the wrongs ol which vve complain miredro-sed, but would be tin signal lor new and fierce civil dissensions and revo lutions—all alike hostile to peacelul ictttUona with ! ihu United States. Besides, there is danger, if rttr troops were with drawn in. tore a peace was concluded, that the Me.vi ’ can peopic, wearied with successive revolutions, and ’ deprived ol protection lor their poisons aud projer'y, l might at length be inclined to yield to foreign inl’ u- I cnccii, and to cast themselves into tlm arm** of srmo Ihiropeiiu monarch tor protection worn the anarchy ’ which woulrlcn*n * Thi* tor rur oi sso.ty, and in No. sOa