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any attempted invasion which Mexico might
luttke. •
Our army had occupied a position at Corpus
Christi, west o the Nueces, as early as August
1845. without complaint from anv quarter "llad
the Nueces heen regarded as the true western
boundary of 1 exas, that boundary, had been
passed by our army many montbs before it ad
va red to the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, In
, lIV annual message of December last I informed
0 .ngress, that upon the invitation of both the
C-ngress and Convention of Texas, I had deem
ed U proper to order a strong squadron to- (he
constant Mexico, and to concentrate an efficient
military force on the western frontier of Texas, to
protect and defend the inhabitants against the
menaced invasion of Mexico. In that message
J informed Congress that the moment the terms
of annexation offered by tite United States were,
accepted -by 1 V.xas, the falter became so tar a
p-,rt oi out ow n country as to make it our dutv to
afford such protection and defence; and that for
that purpose our squadron had been ordered to
the Gulf, and uur.army to “take a position be
tween the Nueces and the Del Nolle.” or Rio
Grand v and to “repel any invashm ofthe Texan
territoiy winch might be attempted by the Mexi
can forces.”
It was deemed proper to issue this order, be
cause, soon alter tne.President ol Texas, in April,
•*45, had issued his proclamation convenina the
Congress oflhat republic, for the purpose ofsub
mitting to t at body the terms of annexation pro
n s; d by j.be United States, the government of
Mexico -made serious threats of invading the
1 exan territory. 1 hose threats became more
imposing as it became more apparent, in l lie pro
gross ol the? question, that the people of Texas
would decide in favor of accepting the terms of
annexation; anti, finally, they bad assumed such
a formidable character, as induced both the Con
gress and convention of Texas to request that a
military force should, lie sent by the United States
into her territory for the purpose of protecting
and defending her against the threatened inva
sum. It would have been a violation of good
faith towards the people of Texas to have refused
t> afford the aid wiiieh they desired against a
threatened invasion, to which they bad been ex
posed by their tree determination to annex them
selves to ou* Union, ie compliance with the over
ture made* to them by the joint resolution of our
Congress..
Accordingly, a portion of the army was order
ed to advance into Texas. Corpus Christi was
the position selected by Gen. Taylor. He en
camped at that place in August. 1845, and the
army remained in that position until the eleventh
0 March, 184 b, wh u it moved westward, and on
the twenty-eighth'of that month reached the east
bank ol the i«i<> Grande' opposite to Matamoros.
'1 bis movement was made in pursuance of orders
from the W ar Department, issued on the thir
teenth of January, 1846 Before these orders
were issued' the despatch ofour minister in Mexi
co, transmitting the decision of the Council of
Government of Mexico, advising that he should
not be recei ved, and also the despatch of our con
sul residing in tiie city of Mexico—the former
1 earing date on the seventeenth, and the latter
on the ei. hlcenth of December, 1845, copies of
both of which accompanied my message to Con
gress of the eleventh of’May last were received
ul tne Department of Stale. '4he.se communica
tions rendered U highly probable, it not absolutely
certain, that our minister would not be received
by the government ol Gen Heneia. It was also
well known that but little hope could be enter
tained of a di .Trent result from Gen. Paredes, in
ease the revolutionary movement which he was
prosecuting should prove successful, as was high
ly probable. The partizans of Paredes, as our
minister, in the despatch referred to, slates,
breathed the fiercest hostility against the United
States, denounced the proposed negotiation as
trea-on, and openly galled upon the troops and
the people to put dowq the government of Herre
ra hy force. Tile conquest of Texas, and war
with the United States, were openly threatened.
These were the circumstances existing, when it
was deemed proper to order tiie army under the
command of Gen. Taylor to advance to the west
ern frontier of 'Texas, and occupy a position on or
near the Rio Grande,
■The apprehensions of a contemplated Mexican
invasion have been since fu ly justified hy the
event. The determination of Mexico to rush
into hostilities with the Unit'd -States was after
wards manifested from the vvbole tenor ofthe note
ofthe Mexican" Minister of foreign Aft'ai r s to
our minister, bearing date on the twelfth of
March, 1816. p d r edes has then revolutionised
the government, and his minister, af'er referring
to the resolution for the annexation of Texas,
which had been adopted by our Congress in
March. 1845 proceeds io declare that “a tact such
as tliis, or to speak with greater exactness, so no
table an act of usurpation, created an imperious
necessity that Mexico, tor her own honor, should
repel it with*proper firmness and dignity. The
•Supreme Govt rn aent beforehand declared that it
would look Upon such an act as a casus belli; and,
as a consequence of this declaration, negotiation
was by its very nature, at an end, and war was
the only recourse of the Mexican governm, nt.”
It appears, also, that on the fouith of April 10l-
T.wing, Gen. Paredes, thr. ugh bis minister of
war. issued orders to tiie Mexican general in com
mand on the Ti x.m frontier to “attack” our army
“by every means whi h war permits. ’ 'To this
General Paredes bad been pledged to the army
and people of .Mexico during the military revolu
tion which had brought trim info power. On the
eighteenth of April, IB4fi, General Paredes ad
dressed a letter to the commander on that frontier,
in which he stated to him "at the present date 1
suppose you at the head of that valiant army, eith
er fighting already, or preparing for the operations
.of a campaign,” and ‘supposing you already on
the theatre of operations, and with all the forces
assembled, it is indispensable that hostilities be
yourself taking the initiative against
jthe enemy.”
This movement of our army to tire R io Grande
tvas made hy the commanding general under pos
itive orders to abstain from all aggressive acts to
wards Mi xico, or Mexican citizens, and to re
gard the relations between tiie two countries as
peaceful, unless Mexico should declare war, or
commit acts ot hostility indicative of a stale of
war ; and these orders he faithfully executed
Whilst occupying his position on the east side of
■the Rio Grande, within the limits of Texas, then
recently admitted as one ot the States of our
Union, the commanding general ofthe Mexi
can forces, who,in pursuance of the -orders of his
government, had collected a large army on the
.opposite shores of the Rio Grande, crossed the
river, invaded our territory, and commenced hos
tilities by attacking our foices.
Thus, after all the injuries which we had re
ceived and borne from Mexico, and after she had
jnsullinglv rejected a minister sent to her on a
mi-sion of peace, and whom she had solemnly
agreed to receive, she consummated her long
jronrse of outrage against our country by commen
cing an offensive war and shedding the blood ot
our citizens on our own soil.
The United States never attempted to acquire
Texas by conquest. On the contrary, at ah ear
ly period after the people o: r l exas had achieved
their independence, they sought to be *nn< xed to
ethe United States. At a general election in Scp
embor, 1836, they decided with great unanimity
jn favor ol“ annexation ;!’ and in November tal
lowing, the Congress of the republic authorized
■the appointinent ofa minister to bear their re
quests to this government. This government,
however, hfiving remained neutral between Tex
as and Mexico during the war between them,and
considering it due to ihe honor of our country,
and our fair fame among tho nations ofthe oartti,
4hal weshouTd nut at this early period consent to
annexation, nor until it should be manifest to the
whole world that the re-conquest of Texas by
Mexico was impossible, refused to accede to the
.overtures made tty 'I exas. On the l2thi>l April,
1844, and after more tqan seven years had elapsed
since Texas had established her independence, a
treaty was concluded for the annexation oflhat
■republic to the United Slates, which was rejected
J»v the Senate. Finally, on the firs* of March.
I 15, Oongress passed a joint resolution lor *n
(iiexing her to the United States, upon certain
preliminary conditions to which her assent was
required. The solemnities which characterized
the deliberations and conduct ofthe government
and people of Texas on the deeply interesting
questions presented by lues.,* resolutions, arc
known to the world. 'J he Congress, the Execu
tive and the people of Texas, in a convention
elected tor that purpose, accepted with great una
| r,l,ull > tl “‘ proposed terms of annexation; and
thus consummated on her part the great act of
j restoring to our Union a vast territory which had
I een ceded to Spain by the Florida'treaty more
i titan a quarter ot a century before.
Afu r ihe joint resolution for the annexing of
I exas to the United States had been passed"l. y
our Cungn ss, the Mexican minister at Wash
top addressed a note to the Secretary of State,
bearing date on the sixth of Maach,‘ 1845, pro
testing against it as *• an act of aggression, the
I nost unjust winch can be found recorded in the
annals ot the world s history; namely, that of
d< spoiling a friendly nation, like Mexico, ofa
considerable portion of her territory ;” ami pro
testing against the resolution of annexation.as be
ingan act 'whereby the province of Texas, an in
| tegral portion of tiie Alt xican territory, is agreed
and admitted into the American Union,” and he
| announced that, as a consequence, bis mission
to the United States had terminated, and demand
ed his passports, which were granted. It was
ujH»n the absurd pretext, made by Mexico, (her
self indebted for her independence to a success
ful revolution) that tiie republic of Texas still
continued to be, notwithstanding all that bad
passed, a province oi Mexico, that this step was
i taken by the Mexican minister.
Every honorabieeffort has been made bv mo to
avoid Lire wai which followed, but all have proved
Vain. All our attempts,to preserve peace have
j been met by insults and resistance on the pait of
Mexico. My efforts to this end commenced in
i the note ol the Secretary ol State oft! e tenth of
; March, 1845. in answer to t a; ofthe Mexican
I minister. V\ hilst declining t<» reopen a diseus
j siou which had already been exhaust* d. and pro
v ng again w at was known tu the whole world,
, that i exas had long since achieved her inde-
I pendent e, the Secaetary of Stale exptessed the
regret of this government that Mexico should
have taken offence at the resolutions of annexa
tion passed hy Congress, and gave assurance that
“ our most strenm us efforts shall be devoted to
the amicable adjustment of every cause of com
plaint b. tween the two governments, and to toe
cultivation oi the kindest and most frienuly rela
tions between thesislcr republics.
That 1 have actio in the spirit of this assur
ance, will appear from tne events win h have
since occurred. Notwithstanding Mexico had
abruptly terminated ul! diplomatic intercourse
with the United states, and ought, therefore, to
j have been the first to ask for its resumption, yet,
waiving all ceremony, 1 embraced tne earnest
j f.vorable opportunity “to ascertain from the
; Mexican government whether they would re
ceive an envoy from tb* United Btates entrusted
with full power to adjust a 1 the questions in dis
pute between the two governments.’ In Sept.
1 (845, 1 believed the propitious moment lor such
’ an overture had arrived. 'Texas, by the enthu
-1 siastic and u*» osl unanimous will ot her people,
had pronounced in favor of annexation. Mexico
I had agreed to ackndwicde the independence of
Texas, subject to a conditi n, it is true, which
' she had n<» right to impose, and no power to en
force. The ia=t lingering hope of Ale xico, ifshe
j still could have retained any, that Texas would
; ever again become ope of her provinces, must have
i been abandoned,
| The consul of tiie United Stetos at the city ot
■ Mexico was, therefore, instructed by the JSecreta
; ry of fetate, on the fifteenth of September, 1845,
i to make the inquiry ofthe Mexican government.
I The inquiry was made, and on the Isth of (Jet.
i 1845, tne Minister of Foreign Affairs of theMex
| ican govi rnment, in a note addressed to our con
; sul, gave a favoroble response, r< questing, at the
; same time, that our naval force might be with
drawn from Vera Cruz while negotiations should
be [lending. Upon the receipt oi tins note, our
naval force was promptly withdrawn from Vera
Cruz. A minister was immediately appointed,
j and departed to Mexico. Everything borfi a prom
ising aspect tor the speedy and peaceful adjust
j merit of all our difficulty's. At the date oi mv
j arniiual message to Congress, in December last,
i nodoubt was entertained but that he would be
received by the Mexican government, and the
hope was cherished that all cause of misunder
standing between the two countries would be
speedily removed. In the confident hope that
such would be the result of his mission, I inform
ed Congiessthat I for ho real that time to “recoin- .
■ mend such ulterior measures of redress for toe
wrongs and injuries we had so long borne, as it
j would have been proper to make bad no such ne
gotiation been instituted.” To my surpjise and
j regre', the Mexican government, though soleinn-
I ly pb dged to do so, upon the arrival oi our minis
ter in Mexico, refused to receive and accredit him.
! When he reached Vera Cruz, on the thirtieth of
j November, 1845, he found that the aspect ofaf
i fairs had undergone un unhappy change. The
government ot General Herrera, who was at thjt
time President of tiie republic, was tottering to
its tail Genetal Paredes (a miiitaiy leader) had
, manile.stod ids determination to overthrow the
| government of Herrera hy a military revolution;
J and one of tiie principal means which he employ
| ed to effect bus purpose, and render the govern
j merit of Herrera odious lo the, army and people of
j Mexico, was hy loudiy condemning its determi
nation to receive a minister of peace from tiie
United States, alleging that it was the intention
of Herrera, by a treaty with the United Stairs,
to dismember the territoiy of Mexico, hy ceding
away ti.e department of Texas, The gov ( rn
ment of Herrera is bel ever! to have been well
disposed to a pacific adjustment of exist ng dilii
j cutties; but probably alarmed lor ts own security,
; and in order to ward off the danger of tiie revo
j lution led by Paredes, violated its solemn agree
! ment, and refused b-receive or accredit our min-
I ister; and this, although informed that lie had
been invested with full power to adjust all quea
i lions in dispute brtween the two governments.
' Among the frivolous pn tr xts for this lefusal, the
| principal one was, that our minister had nut
1 gone upon a special mission, confined to file
question of'Texas alone leaving all the outrages
upon our flag and our citizens uoredressed ’1 ue
Mexican government well knew that both our
national honor and the protection due |o ».qr citi
zens imperatively required that ti e two questions
ofboundary and indemnity should be treated of
together, is naturally and inseparably blended,
and they ought to have seen that this course was
best calculated to enable the United Stales to ex
tern) to them the most liberal justice. On the
thirtieth of December, 1845, General Herrera re
signed the presidency, and yielded up the govern
ment to General Paredes without a stuggle.
Thus a revolution was accomplished solely by
the army commanded by Paredes, ami the su
preme power in Mexico passed into the hands of
a military usurper, who was known lo be bitterly
hostile to the United Statt s.
Although the prospect of a pacific adjustment
with the new government was unpromising, from
the known h< stility of its head to the United
States, yet, determined that nothing should be
left undone on our part to restore friendly rcla
tior s between the iwocoqntrit s, our minister was
instructed to present his credential? to the non
government, and ask to be accredited by it ip the
diplomatic character in which he had been com
missioned. '1 hse instructions he executed by
his note of the first of March, 1846, addrpesed to
the Mexican Minislpr pf Foicign Affairs, buthis
request was insultingly refused bv that minister
in his answer ol the tv/elflh ol life same month..
No alternative remained for our minister but to
demand his pasports, and return to the United
Slates.
Thus was the extraordinary spcctacde present
ed to the civilized world, of a government, in vio
lation of its own express agreement, having
tsvice rejected a minister of peace, invested with
full powers lo adjust all the existing differences
between the two countries in a manner just and
honorable to both. lam not aware that modern
history presents a parallel case, in which, in time of
peace, one nation has refused even to hear pro
positions rrom another for terminating existing
difficulties between them.
Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties,
even at a. remote day, or of preserving peace with
Mexico, could be ciirnslud while I'a redes re
mained at the head rtf’ the* government. He had
acquired the supreme powar by a military revel u
tii'n, and upon the most solemn pledges to wage
war against the United States, and to re-conquer
J exas, which he claimed as a revolted prrtvineeot*
Mexico. He bad denounced as oui ly of treason
all those Mexicans who considered Texas as no
longer constituting a part of t he territory of Mexi
co, ami who were friendly to the cause of peace.
'1 he duration ofthe war wliicit he waged against
the United States was indefinite, because the end
which fie jrroj osed, ofthe ic conquest ot Texas,
was hopeless. Besides, there was good reason to
believe, from all his conduct, that it washL inten
tion to convert the republic of Mexico into a
monarchy, and to call a foreign European prince
to the throne. Preparatory to this end he had,
during his short rule, destroyed the liberty, ot the
press, tolerating that portion of it only which
openly advocated the establishment of a mon
archy. The bettor to secure the success of his
ultimate designs, he had. hy an arbitrary decree,
convoked a Col.gre>s-not to ho elected l y the
tree choice ot the people.hut to be chosen in a man
ner 11 make them subservient to his will, and to
give him absolute control over their deliberations.
Undei all these circumstances, it was bel'evod
that ano revolution in Mexico, founded upon
opposition to the ambitious projects of Paredes,
would tend to promote the cause of peace, as well
as prevent any attempted European interference
in the a Hairs ol tru* North American continent
both oh’eets of deep interest to tire Tnited Slates.
Any such foreign interference, if attempted must
have been resisted hy the United States. My
views upon that suited wcrelu.ly communicated
to Congress in my lastunnu.d message. In any
event, it wascertain that no change whatever in
the government ot Mexico which would deprive
Parities of power could lie for the worse, so fai as
the United States were concerned, while it was
highly probable that any change must he tor the
hei ter.
This was the state of afTtirs existing when
Congress, on the thirteenth of Mav last, recog
nized the existence of the war which had been
commenced hy the government of I'aredes; and
it became an object of much importance, with a
view to a speedy settlement of our difficulties and
tin* restoration ot an honorable peace, that Pare
des should not retain power in exico.
Before tnat lime there were symptoms of a revo
lution in Mexico, favored, as it was understood to
he, hy the more liberal party, and especially hy
those who were opposed to foreign interior, nee
and to the monarchical form of government.—
Santa Anna was then in exile in Havana, having
been expelled from power and banished from his
country by a revolution which occurred in De
cember, 1844; but it was known that he hud still
ac. usiderahle party in his favor in Mexico. It
was also equally well known that no vigilance
which could exerted by our squadron woiud mall
probability, ha'o pievented him from effecting a
landing acme whereon the extensive <rulf coast ot
Mexico, ifhedesin dto return to his country. He
had openly professed an entire change in policy;
had expressed his regret that he bad subverted
the federal constitution of 1824, ank avowed fln.t
he was now in favor of restoration- He had pub
licly declared his hostility, in the strongest terms,
to the establishment of a monarchy, and to Euro
pean interference in the affairs oflus cotfntry. —
Information to this effect had been received, from
sources believed to he reliable, at the date of tne
recognition ofthe existence of the war by Con
gress, and was afterwards tally confirmed hy the
receipt of the despatch of our consul in tlie city
of Mexico, wuh the accompanying documents,
which are herewit,. transmitted. Besides, it was
reasonable to sup; ose that he must see the ruin
ous consequences to Mexico ofa war with the
United Stales, and that it would be his interest to
favor peace.
It was Under these circumstances and upon
these considerations thd it was deemed expedi
ent not to obstruct his return to Mexico, should
he attempt to do so. Our object was the restora
tion of peace; and with that \it w, no reason was
perceived why we snouid take part with Paredes,
and ni I him, by means of our blockade, in pre
venting the return ot his rival to Mexico. On the
; contrary, it was believed that the intestine divi
sions which ordinary sigacity could not tmt an
ticipate as the fruit of Banta Anna's return to
M exico, and his contest with Paredes, might
strongly tend to produce a disposition with both
parties to restore and preserve peace with the Uni
ted Btales. Paredes was a soldier by profession,
and a monarchist in principle He had hut re
cently before been successful tn a military revolu
tion, by which he had obtained power. Hi* was
the sworn t nemy of the United Sides, with which
lie had involved His country in the existing war.
Banta Anna had been expelled from power by the
army, was known to be in open hostility to Pare
des, a lid publicly pledged against foreign inter
vention and the restoration of monarchy in Mexi
co. In view' of these facts and circumstances it
was that, when orders were issued to the com
mander of our naval forces in the Gulf, on the
thirteenth day of May lust, the dav on which the
existence ot tne war was recognized by Congress,
to place the coasts of Mexico under blockade, he
was oirecti d not to obstiud the passage ol Santa
Anna to Mexico, should he attempt to return.
A revolution took place in Mexico in the carl}’
paitof August loilowing, by which the power of
Paredes was overthrown, and he has since I een
bani-hed from the country, and is now in exile.—
Shortly afterwards, Santa Arina returned. It
remains to he seen whether his return may not
yet prove to be favorable to a pacific adjustment of
the existing difficulties, it being manifestly Ids in
terest not to persevere in the pmsecution ofa war
commonci d by Paredes, to accomplish a purpose
so absurd as the re conquest of i exas to the Sa
line. Had Paredes remained in power, it is
morally certain that any pacific adjustment would
have been hopeless.
Upon the commencement of hostilities by
Mexico against the United Slates, ‘ he iudignanl
spirit of the nation was at once aroused. Con
gress promptly responded to the expectations of
the country, and, hy the act ofthe thirteenth of
May last, recognized the fact that war existed,
by the act of Mexico, between the United States
and that republic, and granted the means neces
sary for its vigorous prosecution. Being invol
ved in a war thus commenced fry Mevico, and for
the justice of which on oqj part we may confident
ly appeal to the whole world, I resolved to prose
cute it with the utmost vigor. Accordingly, the
ports of Mexico on the gulf and on the Pacific
have been placed under blockade, and her territo
ry invaded at several important points. The re
ports from the departments of \\ arand Navy will
inform you more in detail ofthe measures adopted
iu the emergency in which our country was
placed, and of the gratifying results which have
been accomplished.
The various columns ofthe army have perform
ed their duty under great disadvantages, with the
most distinguished skill and courage. The vic
tories sfPalo Alto, Kesaeade la Palma, and of
Monterey, wop, against greatly superior numbers,
and against most decided advantage? in other les
pects op the part of the enemy, were brilliant in
their execution, and entitle our brave oncers and
soldiers to the grateful thanks of their country.
1 he nation deplores the loss of the brave officers
and men who have gallantly fallen while vindica
ting and defending their country’s rights and
honor.
It is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our
volunteer citizen-soldiers, w 7 ho so promptly res
ponded to the.r country’s call, with an experience
of the discipline of a c#;pp of only a few weeks,
have borne their part in the hard fought battle of
Monterey with a constancy and courage equal to
that of veteran troops, and worthy of the highest
admiration. The privation of long marches
through the enemy’s country, and through a vv I
derncss, have been borne without a murmur. By
rapid movements the province of New Mexico,
with Santa Fe, its capital,has been captured with
out bloodshed. The navy has co-operated with
the army, and rendered-dmporiant services ; if not
b.i brilliant, H is because the enemy had no furce
to meet them on their own element, and because
ofthe defence which nature has interposed in the
difficulties of the navigation on the'Mexican
coast. Our squadron in the Pacific, with theco
i operation ofa gallant officer of the army, and
: a small force hastily collected in that distant
! country, baye acquired bloodless possession ut the
Califon.ias, and the American Hag lias been
raised at every important | uiut in that province.
1 congratulate you on the success which has
thus attended our military and naval operations.
In less than ‘Seven m mills after Mexico com
| iiienced hostilities, at a time selected by herself,
we have taken possession of many of principal
l>urls, driven back ami pursued her iuvatiisig army,
and acquired military possession ol the Mexican
province sos New A.exico, New Leon. Coahuiia.
Tamaulipas, and the Calif rnias. a territory larger
fn extern than that embraced m tue Original tu.r
teen States of tue Uno>n, inhabited hy &.consid
erable population, and much more than a thou
sand nubs from the points i.t which vve had to
coil etour loros and commence <>ur movements.
By the blockade, the import and export trade of
the enemy has been cut off.
Well may the American people he proud ofthe
energy ano gallantry of our regular and volun
teer officers and soldiers The events oi these few
months affords a gratitying proof that our country
c»n, under any emergeaoy, confidently rely for
the maintenance of her honor, and the defence of
her rights, on an effective three, ready, at all
times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of
home for the perils and |>rivutipps ofthe caqib.—
And though sueli a force may be for the lime*ex
pensive.it is in the end economical, as the ability
to command it removes the necessity us eni) 1 wing
a large standing army in time of peace, and proves
that our people love their institutions, and are
ever ready to defend and protect them.
Vv luisl the war was in a course of vigorous and
successtoi prosecution, being slid anxious to ar
arrest its evils, and considering that, alter the
brilliant victories of our arms on the eighth ami
ninth of May last, the national honor could not
he eomprom tUd hy it, another overture was
made to Mexico, by my direction, on the twenty
seventh of July lust, to terminate hostilties by a
j jieact just and honorable to both countries. On
the thirty-first of August following, the Mexican
! government declined to accept this fiiendly over
lure, but.referred it to the decsion ot a Mexican
Congress to be assembled ini the early parr of the
present month. ! communicate to you, In rewit i,
a copy ot the letter ofthe Becietarv ot Slate pro
positions to reopen negotiations, ofthe answer of
the Mexican government, and ofthe repily there
to ofthe Secretary ofßlale.
The war will continue to be prosecuted with
; vigor, as the best means of securing peace. It is
■ Imped that the decision of die Mexican Congress,
i to which our last overture has been referred, may
i result in a speedy and honorable peace. With
. our experience, however, of the unreasonable
course ot tilt? Mexican authorities, it is the part of
wisdom not to relay in the energy of our military
1 operations until Ifie result is made known, in
i this vii w, it is deemed important to hold military
| possession or all the provinces which have been
j taken, until a definitive treaty of peace shall have
| been concluded and ratified by the two countries.
1 The war has not been waged with a view to
1 conquest; but barring been commenced by Mexi
j co, it has been carried into the enemy’s country,
j and will he vigorously prosecuted there, with a
view to obtain an honorable peace, and thereby
secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the
war, as well as to our much injured citizens, who
hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico.
By the laws of nations a conquered territory is
subject to be governed by the conqueror durum
ins military possession, am! until there is either a
treaty -of peace, or lie shall voluntarily withdra .v
from it. ihe old cim! government being neces
sarily superseded, it is the right and duly of the
conqueror to secure his conquest, and to provide
for t tie mail Acnonce of civil order and the rights
ok.he inhabitants, 'i his right has been excreisui
and this duty performed, by our military and na
val commanders, by the establishment of tempo
rary governments in some of the conquered pro
vinces in Mexico, assimilating them us tar as
practicable to the tree institutions.of our own
country. In the provinces of New Mexico, of
the California*., little if any further resistance is
j apprehended Horn the inhabitants to the tempora
( ry government winch have thus, from the neces
sity of .lie case, and according to the laws of war,
j been established, it may be proper to provide tor
| the security of these important conquests by ma
king an adequate appropriation for the purpose ol
j erecting fortifications and defraying the expenses
i necessarily incident to the niamti nance of our
I possession and authoi ity over them*
! Near tlie close of your last session, for reasons
j communicated to Congress, 1 deemed it impor
tant, as a measure for securing a speedy peace
with Maxico, that a sum of money should he ap
propriated ami placed in the pow» r oi the Exei u
tiye, similar to (hat which had been made upon
twoformer occasions, during the administration
of President J< flersom.
On the twenty sixt h of February, 1803, an ap
■ prvpriation of two millions of dollars was made,
and placed at the disposal of the President. Its
object is well known. Jt was at that time in
contemplation to acquire Louisiana from France,
and it was intended to be applied as a part ofthe
cunsideraiion w hich might he paid for that ur
-1 ritory. On the thirteenth ol February, I80(>, the
same sum was in like manner appropriated, with
; a view to the pun base of the Flondas from
i Spain. J hese appropriations were made to
| facil tate negotiations, and as a means to enable
| the President to accomplish the important objects
i in view. 1 hough it did trot become necessary
I for the President to use these appropriations, vet
: a state of things might have arisen in which it
; would have been highly important lor him to do
so, and the wisdom of making them cannot be
doubted. It is believed that the measures recoin
| mended at your last session met with the appro
bation ot Ueeidcil majorities in both houses of
Congress, indeed, in different forms, a bill ma
: king an appropriation of t>yo millions ot dollars
passed each house, and it is much to he regretted
that it did not i ecome a law. The reasons which
induced me to recommend the measure at that
i time still exist; .and i again submit the subject
: tor your consideration, and suggest the impor*
I tance of early action upon it. Bnould she appro-
J priatron be made, and be i ot n< eded, it will re
main in the treasury; should it he deemed prop
er to apply it in wnolc or in |mrt, it will be ac
counted lor as other public expenditures.
Immediately after Co gress bad recognized the
| existence of the war with Mexico, my attention
Was directed to the danger that privateers
might he fitted out in the ports of Cuba and Pop
to Rico to prey upon the commerce ofthe United
Stall's ami 1 invited the special attention of the
•Spanish Government loiffe fourteenth article of
our treaty with that power on the twentieth of
October, 17U5, under which the citizens and sub
jects of either nation who shall take commissions
or letters ot marque to act as prviateers against
the other, “ shall he punished as pirates.”
It affords me pleasure to inform you that 1 have
received assurance from the Bpanish government
that this article ofthp trea’y shad be faithfully ob
served on its part- Orders forthjjj purpose were
immediately transmitted from that government to
the authorities «>f Cuba and Porto Rico, to exert
their utmost influencejq preventing any attempts
to fit out privateers in those fslands against tiie
United States.
information has been recently received at the
department of State ihat the Mexican govern
ment has sent to Havana blank commissions to
privateers, and blank certificates of naturalization
signed by Gen. Balas the present head ot the
Mexican government. 'J here is also reason to
apprehend that similar documents have been
transmitted to other parts ofthe world. Copies
of these papers, in translations, are herewith trans
mitted.!
As the preliminries required by the practice of
civized nations for commissioning privateers and
regulating their conduct appear not to have been
observed, and as these commissions are in blank,
to be filled up with the names ot citizensanu sub
jects ot all nations who may bo willing to purchase
them, the whole proceeding can only be construed
as an invitation «.o all the freebooters upon earth, ;
who are willing to pay for the privilege, to cruise
against American commerce. It wil be for our
courts ot justice to decide whether under such
circumstances, these Mexican let ers o marque
and reprisal shall protect those who accept them,
and commit robberies upon the high seas under
ti eir authority, from the pains and penalties of
piracy.
I t the certificates o naturalization thus granted
lie intended by Mexico to shield Bpanish subjects
trom the guilt and puifisinqeqt ot pirates,under our
treaty with Bpatn, they waff cetuuuly prove una
vailing, Bach a subterfuge would be but a weak
devi« e to defeat the provisions »d a solemn treaty.
1 reeommend that Uongrc ss should inune liute
ly provide by law tor the trial and punishment os
pirates of Bpanish subjects who, escaping the
ilam-c ot their government, shall be found gut Tv
of pi i\altering against the United Btates. °1 do
not apprehend serious danger from these priva
teers. Uur navy \m|| b e constantly on the a kit
To protect out commerce. Besides, in ease prizes
should be made of American vessels, the utmost
vigilance will be exerted by onr blockading
squadron to prevent the cap ors from takingt lem
into ports, and it is noi apprehended r,bat any na
tion will violate its neutrality bv suffering such
prizes to be condemned and sold within its juris
diction.
1 leeommcnd that Congress should immediately
piovide by law for granting letters of marque and
reprisal against vessels under ihe Ateiican flag
It is true that iliere are but few. if anv, commer
cial vessels ofltiexieo upon the high seas; and i; is
therefore not probable that many American priva
teers would be lilted out, in ease it law should
piss authorizing this mode of w arfare. It is, not
vviihstatiding, certain tlutl suc h privateers may
render good <er\ice to the commercial inferesis of
the country, by recapturing our merchant ships,
should any be taken by aimed vessels under ilie
Mexican flag, as well as by capturing these vessels
themselves Every means within our power
should he rendered available for the protection of
onrconimerce. jn, ..
The annual re pork of the Secretary of the
Treasury will exhibit a detailed statement of
the condition ot ihe nuances. The imports
for the fiscal year ending on the thirtieth of
June last, were of one hundred and twenty
one million six hundred and ninety-one thou
sand seven hundred and ninety-seven dollars;
of which the amount exported was eleven
million three hundred and forty-six I ousand
six hundred and twenty-three dollais; leav
ing the amount .elained in the country for do
mestic consumption, one hundred and ten
million three hundred and forty-five thousat d
one hundred and seventy-four dollars. The
value of the exports for the same period was
one hundred and thirteen ini ISi n four hun
dred and e;ght\ e ghl thousand five hundred
and sixteen dollars; of which one hundred
and t'Vo million one hundred and forty-one
thousand eight hundred and nine-tlnee dol
lars consisted of domestic productions, and
eleven million three hundred and forty-six
thousand six hundred and twenty-three dol
lars of foreign articles.
The receipts into the treasury for the same
year were tvventy-ni.se million f ur hundred
and ninety-nine thou.sand two hundred and
forty-seven dollars ;• nJ six cents; of which
there was derived from customs twenty-six
million seven hundred and twelve thousand
s x hundred and sixty-seven dollars and eigh
ty-seven cents —I rt»m sales of public land*
two million six hundred and ninety-four
thousand four hundred and fifty two dollar*
and foily-eight cents, and from incidental
and miscellaneous sources ninety-two thous
and one hundred and twenty-six dollars and
seventy-one cents. The expenditures for the
same period were twenty-eight million thirty
m e thousand one hnndied and so trieen dol
lars and twenty cents; and the balance in
the treasury o: the first day of July la-l was
nine million one hundred and twenty-six
thousand tour hundred and lliiity-nine dollars
and eight cents.
The amount of the public debt, including
treasury notes, on the first of the present
mon’h, was twenty-four million two htindr d
and fifty-six thousand four hundred and nine
ty-four dollars and sixty cents;.of whi h the
i sum of seventeen million seven hundred and
; eighty-eight thousand seven hundred ninety
| nine dollars and sixty-two cents was out
; standing on the fourth of March, 1845, leav
ing the amount incurred since that lime six
I million four hundred and sixty-seven ill ms
| and six hundred and ninety-four dollars and
n nety-eight cents.
In order to prosecute the war with Mexico
; with vigor and energy, as the best means of
i bringing it to a speedy ami honorable termi
nation, a further loan will be necessary, to
| meet the expenditures (or the present and
next fiscal years. It the war shoo'd be con
tinued until the thirtieth of June, 1848—be
ing the end of the next fi-cal year—it is es
timated that an additional loan of twenty
| three millions of dollars will be required.—
! This estimate is made upon the assumption
1 that it will be necessary to retain constantly
; in the treasury four millions of dollars, to
; guard again*! contingencies. If such sur
plus were not required to be retained, then
a loan of nineteen millions of dollars would
be sufficient. It, however. Congress should,
at the present session, impose a revenue duty
on the principal articles now embraced in the
I free li*t, it is estimated that ap additional an-
I nual revenue of about two millions and a
1 half, amounting, it is estimated, on the thir
| fielh of June, 1848, to four millions of dol
j lars, would he derived from that source; and
the loan required wnqid be reduced by that
amount. It is estimated, also, that should
Congress graduate and reduce the price ol
such of lije public lands as have been long in
the market, the additional revenue derived
from that source would be annually, for se
veral years ip come, between half a million
and a million pf dollars; and the loan re
quired may be reduced by that amount also.
Should these measures be adopted, the loan
required would not probably exceed eigeteen
or liipgtget) tnillioqs pi dollars—leaving in the
treasury a constant surplus of tour millions
of dollars. The loan proposed, it is esi final
ed; will he sufficient to cover the necessary
expenditures, both for she war and for all
other purposes, up to the thirtieth of June,
1848; and an amount of this Joqn, not ex
ceeding one-half, may he required during the
present fiscal year, and the greater part of
the remainder during the first half of tne fis
cal year succeed.ng."
In order that timely notice may he given,
and proper n.easuaes taken to effect the loan,
or such portion of it as may be required, it
is important (hat the authoriliy of Congress
to make it be given at an early period of
your present session. It is suggested that
the loan should be contracted for a period of
twenty years, with authority to.purchase the
stock and pay it off, at an earlier period, at
its market value, out of any surplus which
may at any time be in the treasury applica
ble to that purpose. After Ihe establishment
of peace with Mexico, it is supposed that a
considerable surplus will exist, and that the
debt may be extinguished in a much shorter
period than that for which it may be con
tracted. The period of twenty years, as that
for whch the proposed loan may be contract
ed, in preference to a shorter period, is sug
gested, because all experience, both at home
and abroad, has shown that loans arc effected
upon much better terms upon long time than
when they are reimbursable at short dates.
Necessary as this measure is to sustain
the honor and the interests of the cpuniiry,
engaged m a foreign war, it is not doubted
but that Congress will promptly authorize »!.
I he balance in the treasury on fhetffirslrOf
July last exceeded nine millions of dollars,
notwithstanding considerable expenditures
had I sen mack* 'or the war dnr ng the months
ol May an f June preceding., lim | or
war. the whole public debt tv«ld and wi*uld
have been extinguished within a short period;
and n was a pari of my settled policy to do
so. and (tins relieve the people from its bur
den, and place the government in a position
which would enable it tu rrduce the public
expenditures to that economical standard
wnicli is most consistent with the
well are, and the pure and wholesome pro
gresofotir institutions, i
Among our just causes of complaint against
Mexico, arising out of bis refusal to treat for
peace, as well before as since the war so
unjustly commenced on her part, are the ex-v
traoid nary expenditures in which we havo
been involved. Justice to our own people will
make it proper that Mexico should be held
responsible tor these expenditures.
Economy in lae public expenditures :* at til
‘into a high duty which all pubi c functionaries
of the government owe to the people. This duty
becomes the more imperative in a period of war*
wtieii large and ex.raordiuary expenditures be
come unavoidable. During the existence of the
war with .Mexico all out resources should be hus
banded, and no approp iai ions should tie made ex
cept such as are absolutely necessary fy* vi«»or
oils prosecution and the due ad mint.-triton of ihe
government. Uhjeciso! appropriation,. v\ Inch in
peace m,.y !»e deemed useful and prop-r, but which
are not indispensable toe the public service, may,
when the country is engaged in a foreign war, bo
well post|>oned to a future period. By ihe observ
ance of this p.licyat your present session, large
amounts may ne saved to the treasury, and he ap
plieil to objects of pressing and urgent necessity,
and thus the creation of a corresponding amount
of public deb; may be avoided.
It is not meant to recommend that the ordi
nal)' and necessary appropriations for the support
of government should be withheld, hut it is well
known that at every session of Congress appro
priations are propi sed for numerous object; which
may or may nut be made, without materially affect
ing the public iut rests; and these it is recoiu
mei.ded should not be granted.
The act passed at your last session “reducing the
duties on imports” not having gone into operation
until Ihe first of the present month, there has tphl
been time loMIs practical effect upon the revenue,
and tlie* business of the country, to be developed.
It is not doubled, however, that the just policy
which d adopts w ill mid largely t> I ur foreign trade,
and promote the general protqiemy. Although it
cannot he certainly tureseen what a mount of reve
nue it will yield, U is estimated that it will ex< eed
licit produced hy the act «>f »bl 2, whitfi it super
seded. The leading principles established by U
are, to levy the taxes with a vie vy to raise revenue,
ami to impose them upon the articles imported ac
cording to their actual value.
Tire act of 1842, by the excessive rates tlfduiy
w hich U unpused "h m my articles, en her lofcV.ly
excluded Ihetn from importation, or greatly re
d ced the amount imported, and thus dm ini Ir
en instead of producing revenue. By it the ax •
were imposed not lor ihe legitimate purpose
of ra sing revenue, hut to slf<>rd. advantages to fa
vored classes, at the expense of a large nnjority of
their fellow-citizens. Those employed in agricul
ture, mechanical pursuits, commerce, and naviga
tion, were e. mpeiled to contribute from lhair sub
stance to swell the profits and overgrown wealth
of the comparatively few who had invested their
capital in manufactures. The taxes were not lev
ied in proportion to the value of the articles upon
which they were imposed; but widely departing
from this just rule, the lighter taxes w ere, in many
cases, lev ted upon articles ol luxury and high price',
ami the heaver taxes on those of tiecespjty find
low price, con-unfed by the great mass pi’ t lie people
It was a system, the inevitable effect of w inch wan
to relieve favored classes ami ihe wealthy few
from contributing their just proportion for.the sup
port of government, and to lay the buidt-n on tin?
labor of ihe many, engaged in other pursuits than
manufactures.
A system so unequal and unjust has been super
«eded by the existing law, which imposes duties
not for the benefit or injury of classes or pursuits,
hut distributes, and, as far as piaciicable, equal
izes the public burdens among all classes and oc
cupations. 'i'he favored classes, who, under the
unequal and unjust system which has been repeal
ed, have heretofore realized large profits, and
many of them amassed large fortunes, at the ex
pense of the many who have been made tributary
to them, will have no reason to complain, if they'
shall be required to bear their just proportion of
the taxes necesary for ihe suppmt ol government.
So far from it, it will he perceived, by an exami
nation ol the existing law, that discriminations jp
the rams of duly imposed, w ithin the. revenue prim
ciple, have been retained in their favor. The in
cidental aid against foreign competition which
they still enjoy gives them an ad vantage which no
other pursuits possess; but of this none others will
complain, because the dunes levied are necessary
for revenue. These revenue dmies, including
freights and charges, which the importer must pay
before he can couje in competition with the home
manufacturer in our vparkcls, amount, on nearly
ail our leading branches of manufacture, to mure
than one-third of ihe value of the impoped article,
and in some eases to almost one-half its value.—
W ith such advantages, it is not doubted that our
domestic m uiufar-tiires will continue to prosper,
realizing in well c nducted establishments even
greater profits than can be derived from any other
regular bu-iness. Indeed, so fir from requiring
the protection of even incidental revenue duties,
our manufacturers in several leading branches are
extending their business, givjng evidence nf great
ingenuity and skill, and oj l|teir ability to c< raje-te,
wnli increased prospect of success, for the open
market of the world. Domestic manufactures, to
the value of several millions of dollars.' which can
not find a market at home, are annually exported
to foreign countries. VV uh such rates of duty, as
those established hy the existing law, the s\stem
will probably be permanent; and capitalists, who
have made or shall hereafter make, their invest
ment* in tnanulac ures, will know upon what to
rely. The country will he satisfied wijh these
rates, because the ad vantages w hich ll.e manufac
turers still enjoy result necessarily from the collec
tion of revenue for the support of government.—
High protective duties, (ruin their unjust operation
upon the masses of the people, cannot la if to gjye
rise to extensive dissatisfaction and complaint, anti
to constant effuts to change or repeal them, ren
dering all investments in manufactures Uncertain
and precarious. Lowerand mure permanent rate*
of duty, at the same lime that they will yield to
the manufacturer fair and remunerating profit*,
will seeme him against the danger pf frequenj
changes in the system, which Caortol fail to ruin
ously affect his interests.
Simultaneously with the relaxation of the re
strictive policy by the United States, Great Bri
tain, from whose example we derive the system,
has relaxed tiers, bite has modified her coni lawi
and reduced many other duties to moderate rove*
nne rates. Alter ages of experience, the states
men of that country have been constrained by a
s ern necessity, and by a public opiniou having its
deep fiiundatioe in the sufferings and wants of im
poverished millions, to abandon a systejp tjte effect
of which was to hui d up iirpuense fortunes in the
hands of the few, and to reduce the laboring mil
lions to pauperism and misery. Nearly in the same
ratio that labor was depressed, capital was in
creased an® concentrated by the British protective
policy,
J he evils of the system in Great Britain \vcre at
length rendered intolerable, and it hat been aban
doned, but not w ithotn a severe struggle on the
part ot ihe protected and favored classes to retain
the unjust advantages which they have so long en
joyed. It was to be expected that a similar strug
gle would he made by the same classes in the U.
Sitates whenever an attempt ifraa t*f modify
or abolish the same unjust system here. The pro
teclive policy had been ip operation in the United
States for a rnuc h shorter period, and its perni
cious effects were not, therefore, so clearly per
ceived and felt. Enough, however, wasiyiown of
these effects toinduce its appeal.
It would he strange if, in the face of the example
of Great Britain, our principal foreign customer,
and of tbe evils of a system rendered manifest in
[SKE SUPPLEMENT‘.J