up
NUMBER
.
422-NEW’
THE PllESlDENT’S MESSAGE,
DELIVERED TO
BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS
TUESDAY, DEC. 7, 1847.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives .-
The annual meeting of Congress is always an
interesting event. The representatives oi‘ 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 be
solved, whether man is capable of seif-govern-
merit. The success of our adrnii-able system isa
conclusive refutatioii of the theories of those in
‘other countries who maintain that “a favored
few " are born to rule, and that the mass of man-
kind must be governed by force. Subject to no
arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are
the only sovereigns recognised by our constitu-
tion. Numerous emigrants of every lineage and
language, attracted by the civil and religious free-
dom we enjoy, and by our happy condition, annu-
hlly crowd to our shores, and traiisfer their heart,
not less than their allegiance, to the country
whose dominion belongs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored, or should
aclcnowledre with deeper reverence the m:aiiit'es-
tations of the Divine protection An all-wise
Creator directed and gll':ii‘!.ltE-Cl us in our infaiit
struggles for freedom, and has coiist.'_~ntly watci‘.-ed
over 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 go-
vernment in which the executive and legislative
branches hold their authority for limited periods,
alike frcni the people, and where all are respon-
sible to their respective constituences,-that it is
again my duty to communicate with Congi'c-ss up-
on the state of the Union, and the present con-
dition of public affairs.
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
are presented, that our country has been blessed
with a wide spread and universal prosperity.-—
There has been no period since the government
was founded, when all the industrial pursuits of
‘our people have been more successful, or when
labor in all branches of business has received a
fairer or better reward. From our abundance we
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty
of ftiinishing food for the starving millions of less
favored countries.
In the enjoynient of the bounties of Providence
at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot of
any people, it is cause of congratubition, that our
intercourse with all the powers of the earth, ex-
cept Mexico, continu-cs to be of an amicable
chai-.~.r:ter. .
It has ever been our cherished policy to culli-
vate peace and good-will with all nations; and
this policy has been steadily pursued by me.
No change has taken place in our relations
with Mexico since the adjournment of the last
Congress. The war in which the United States
were forced to engage with the government of
that country still continues
I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition
of them contained in my message of the eleventh
of May, 1846, and in my annual message at the
commencement of the session of Congress in De-
cember last, to reiterate the serious causes of
complaint which we had against Mexico before
she commenced hostilities.
It is suflicient, on the present occasion, to say
that the wonton violation of the rights of person
and property of our citizens committed by Mexi-
co, licr repeated acts of bad faith, through a long
series of years, and her disregard of solemn trea-
ties, stipulating for indemnity to our injured cit-
izens, not only constituted ample cause of wai-
on our part, but were of such an agi-ivatcd char-
acter as would have justified us before the whole
world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With
an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the
two oountries, we forbore for years to assert our
‘clear rights by force, and continued to seek re-
dress for the Wrongs we had suffered by amica-
ble negotiation, iii the hope that Mexico might
yield to pacific councils and the demands of jus-
tice. In this hope we were disappointed. Our
minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly
rejected. The Mexican government refused even
to hear the terms of adjustment which he was
authorized to propose; and finally, under wholly
unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries
in war by invading the territory of the State of
Texas, striking the first bl'ow, and shedding the
blood of our citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States was the agrivated
nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were
compelled, in "self defence, to repel the invader,
and to vindicate the national honor and interests
by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain
a just and honorable peace. ~
On learning that hostilities had been com-
menced by Mexico, I promptly communicated
that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement
of our other causes of complaint against Mexico,
to Congress; and that body, by the act of the
thirteenth of May, 18-16, declared that “ by the
act of the republic of Mexico, a state of war ex-
ists between that government and the United
States,” this act declaring “ the war to exist _by
the act of the republic of Mexico,” and making
provisions for its prosecution “ to a speedy and
successful termination,” was passed with great
unanimity by Congress, there being but two neg-
ative votes in the Senate, and but fourteen in the
House of Representatives.
The existence of the war having thus been de-
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under the
constitution and the laws, to conduct and prose-
cute it. This duty has been performed; and
though, at every stage of its progress, I have
manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just
peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms
which could be accepted by the United States,
consistently with the national honor and interest.
id and brilliant successes of our arms,
The rapi _ _
and the vast extent of the enemy’s territory which
had been overrun and conquered, before the close A
of the last session of Congress, were fully known
to that body. Since that time, the war has been
rosecuted with increased energy. and I am grat-
ified to state with a. success which commands
universal admiration. History presents no paral-
lel of so many glorious victories achieved by any
nation within so short a period. Our army, reg.
ulars and volunteers, have covered themselves
with imperishable honors. Whenever and wher-
ever our forces have encountered the enemy,
though he was in vastly supericr numbers, and
often entrenched in fortified positions of his own
selection, and of great strength, he has been de-
feated. Too much praise cannot be bestowed
upon our officers and men, regulars and volun-
teers, for their gallantry, discipline, indomitable
courage and perseverance, all seeking the post of
dan er, and vieing with each other in deeds of
nob a daring.
While every patriot’s heart must exult, and a
‘mat national pride animate every bosom, in be-
' olding the high proofs of courage, consummate
military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to
the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant
army, the nation is called to mou.n over the loss
of many brave officers and soldiers who have fal-
len in defence, of their country’_s honor and inter-
_.cats. The brave dead met their melancholy fate
in a foreign land. nobly discharging their duty,
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 re-
membered by their grateful countrymen. The
parental 'care~of the government they loved and
glerved should be extended to their surviving fam-
1 ice.
» SERIES.
NORWALK GAZE
Published Every I;‘1’edncs¢lay Morning, by JAMES REED, at Two Dollars Per Annumiin A.d‘VallCc.
Shortly after the =J.djOL1t‘-'l!‘fl’.!iTllI of the last ses-
sion of Congress, the gratifying intelligence was ‘
received of the signal victory of Buena Vista, and 2
cf the full of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it E
the strong castle of San Jua'n _de Ulloa, by which
it was defended. Believing that after these and’
other successes, so honorable to our arms and so
disastrous to Mexico, the period was propitious
to afiord her another opportunity, it she thought -
proper to embrace it, to enter into iiegoiiations I
for peace, a commissioner was appointed to pro-
ceed to the head-quarters of our army, with full
powers to enter upon iiegotiatioiis, and to con-
clude a just and honorable treaty of peace. He
was not directed to make any new overtures of
peace, but was the bai-er of a despatch from the
S("Ct'_t:tE1l'.\‘ of State of the United States to the
Minister of Fort-igri Afiairs of Mexico, in reply to
one received from the latter of the twenty-second
of February, 1847, in which the Mexican govern-
ment was informed of his appointment, and of his
presence at ‘the hc~.~dqu,artcrs of cur army, and ;
that he was invested with full powers to conclude ;
a definite treaty of peace, whenever the Mexican 7
government might signify a desire to do so.-—
While I was unwilling to subject the United
States to another iiidigiiant refusal, I was vet re-
solved that the evils of the war should viiot be
protracted a d":y longer than might be rendered
absolutely necessary by the Mexican government.
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with millitztry operations, or relax our energies -
He possessed no i
in the prosecution of the war.
authority in any manner to control these opera-
tions. He was authorized to exhibit his instruc-
tions to the General in command of the army;
and in the event. ot"a treaty being concluded and
ratified on the part of Mexico, lie was directed
to give him notice of that fact. On the happen-
ing of such coiitiiigciicy, and on receiving notice ,
li‘icl'e0f, the general in coinniand was insIi'uctCd
by the Secretary of War to suspend furtlicr active
military operations until further orders. These
instructions \’Vt;1‘c given with a view to intcrniit
liostiliue-.:, until a treaty thus ratified by Mexico
could be liunsmittcd to Wasliiiigtoii, and receive
the action of the governnient of the United States.
The comniissioiicr was also directed, on reach-
ing the army, to deliver to the General in com.-
mand the despatch which he bore from the Liec-
retary of State to the Minister of Foi-eign Atlairs
of Mexico. and on receiving it. the General was
instructed by the Secretary of War to cause it to
be tr-aiisinitted to the commander of the hie:-iican
forces, with a request that it niight be communi-
cated to his government.
The commissioner did not reach the head-_quar-
tors of the army until after aiiothe-r brilliarit vic-
tory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The dcspatch which he bore, from the Secre-
tary of' War to the General in command of the
army, was received by that _ofhcer,then at Ja
lapa, on the seventh day of May, 1547, together
with the despatch from the Secretary of State to
the Minist'c1' of Foreign Afiairs of Mexico, having
been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. 'l'lic
COl'i'lIl1lSslOnt.‘l‘ arrived at the head-quarters of the
army a few days -.if'terv.':ii'ds. His presence with
the army, and his diplomatic cliaracter were
made known to the Mexican government, from
Puebla, on the twelith of %une, 16-17, by the
transmission of the despatcli mm the Secretary
of State to the Minister of Foreign Atiairs of
Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no
overtures were made, nor was any desire expres-
sed by the Mexican governinciit to enter int: no-
gotiations for peace.
Our army pursued its marcl. upon- the capital,
and, as it approached it, was met by formidable
resistance. Our forces first encountered the en-
emy, and achieved signal victories in the severe-
ly contested battles of Contreras and Churubusco.
It was not until after these actions had resulted
in decisive victories, and the capital of the ene-
my was within our power, that the Mexicali go-
vernment mauifested any disposition to enter in-
to negotiations for peace; and even then, as
events have proved, there is too much reason to
believe they were insincere, and that in agreeing
to go through the forms of negotiation, the object
was to gain time to strengthen the defences of
their capital, and to prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command of the army deemed
it. expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily,
by entering into an armistice with a view to the
opening of negotiations. Commissioners were
appointed on the part of Mexico to meet the
commissioner on the part of the United States.
The result of the coiifercnce which took place
between these functionaries of the two govern-
ments was a failure to conclude a treaty of peace
The commissioner of the United States took
with him the project of a treaty already prepar-
ed, by the terms of which the indemnity required
by the United States was a cession of territory.
it is well known that the only iiidemnity which
it is in the power of Mexico to make, in satistac
tion of the just and long deterred claims of our
citizens against her, and the only means by which
she can reimburse the United States for the ex-
penses ot the war, is a cession to the United
States ofa portion of her territory. Mexico has
no money to pay, and no other means of making
the required indemnity. If we refuse this, we
can obtain nothing else. To reject indemnity,
by refusing to 3.CC(:pl. a cession of territory, would
be to abandon all our just demands, and to wage
the war, hearing all its expenses, without a pur-
pose or definite object.
A state of war abrogates treaties previously
existing between the belligererits, and a treaty of
peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity-—
t'o‘rto1-tious acts committed, under the authority
of one government against the citizens or sub-
jects ollanother, unless they are provided'for in
its stipulations. A treaty of peace which would
terminate the existing war, without providing
for indemnity, would enable Mexico—the ac-
knuwledged debtor, and herself the aggressor in
the wai'—to relieve herself from herjust l.abil-
ities By such a treaty, our citizens, who hold
just demands against her, would have no remedy
either against Mexico or their own government.
Our duty to these citizens must for ever prevent
such.t't peace, and no treaty which does not pro-
vide ample means of discliarging these demands
can receive my sanction.
A treaty of peace should settle all existing dif-
ferences between the two couiitries. If an ade-
quate cessioii of territory should be made by such
a treaty, the United States should release Mexi-
co from all her liabilities, and assume their pay-
ment to our own citizens. 11', instead of this, the
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-
demnity to our government and . our citizens
would impose on her, it is notorious that she
does not possess the means to meet such an un-
dci-taking. From such a treaty no result could
be anticipated, but the same irritating disap-
pointments which have heretofore attended the
violations of similar treaty stipulations on the
part of Mexico. _Such a treaty would be but a
temporary cessation _of hostilities, without the
restoration of the friendship and good under-
standing which should chaiacterize the future
intercourse between the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition of
territorial indemnity when that body made pro-
vision for the prosecution of the war, is obvious.
Congress could not.have meantfwhen in May.
1846, they appro riated ten millions of dollars,
and authorized t e President to employ the mili-
tia arid naval. and military forces of the United
Statesfand to accept the services of fifty thou-
sand volunteers, to enable him to prosecute the
war; andlwhen, at their last. session, and alter
~ our army had-invaded Mexico, they made. addi-
l the Rio Griiiido as the bouud:ii'_v, from its on-
l tional appropriations and authorized the raising
' of additional troops for the same purpose-—th:».t
no indemnity was to be obtained form Mexico at
the conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain
j that, if no Mexican territory was acquired, no
indemnity could be obtained.
It fs fui-ther manifest that Congress contempla-
ted teri'itorial indemnity, from the fact that, at
ot their last ser'sioii, an act was passed, upon the
_ executive recommendation, appropriating three
~ millions of dollars toi-that express object. The
appropriation was made “ to enable the Presi-
dent to conclude a treaty of peace, limits, and
boundaries with the republic of Mexico, to be
used by him in the event that said treaty, when
signed by the authorised agents of the two gov-
crnments, and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call
for the expenditure of the same, or any part
thereof.” The object of asking this a,_\propria-
tion was distinctly stated in the several messa-
gas on the subject which I communicated to
Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1803
and»l806, which were referred to, were intended
to be ap lied in part consideration for the cession
‘ of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like manner
it was anticipated that, in settling the terms of
a treaty of‘*limits and boundaries" with Mexico,
a cession of territory estimated to be of greater
value than the amount of our demands against
her might be obtained, and that the prompt pay-
ment of this sum-—iii part consideration for the
3 territory _ceded—on the conclusion of a treaty, and
its ratification on her part, might be an induce-
ment with hcr to make such a cession of territory
as would be satisfactory to the United States.-
And although the failure to conclude such a trea-
, ty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part of
the three millions of dollars appropriated by that
act, and the entire sum remains in the treasury,
it is still applicable to that object, should the
contingency occur making such application pro-
per.
The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of
no indemnity; and, if sanctioned, would be a
public acknowledgment that our country was
wrong, and that the war declared by Congress
with extraordinary unaniniity, was unjust, and
should be abandoned; an admission unfounded
in fact, and degrading to the National character.
The terms of the treaty proposed by the Uni-
ted States were not only just to Mexico, but,
considering the character and amount of our
claims, the unjusdfiable and unprovoked com-
mencement of hostilities by her, the expenses of
the war to which we have been subjected, and
the success which had attended our arms were
deemed to be ofa most liberal character.
The couiniissioucr oftlie United States was
t|1.1l.ll0l‘lSt’-Cl to agree to the establishment of
trance into the Gulfto its ll1feI‘se(:tl0n wit.h the
southern bouiidury of New Mexico, in north
latitude about t.hirt.y-two de,<;i'ees, and to ,ob-
tuin n cession to the United States of the pro-
vinces of New Mexico and the Californins
and the privilege of the right of way across the’
Isthmus of Tehtiantepec. The boundary of
the Rio Griinde. and the cossioii to the United
States of New M cxico and Upper Culifornio.,
coiistituted Rn ultimiitum which our commis-
sioiier was, under no cii'cimistiiuccs to yield.
That it might be iniinifest not only to Mexi-
co, but to all other nations, that the United
States were not disposed to take advantage of
ti feeble power by insisting upon wrestiiig from
her till the other provinces, including many of
her principal towns and cities, which we had
conquered and held in our military occupation,
but were willing to conclude a treiily in u spi-
rit. of liberzility, our rouiinissioner was uutlior-
ised to stipulate for the restoration to Mexico
ofall our other conquests. '
As the tei'ritoi'y to be acquired by the boun-
dary proposed might be estimated to be of
gi'eaitei' value than tl fair equivalent for our
just demands, our coinmissionor was author-
ized to stipulate for the piiyiiieot of such addi-
tional pecuiiiary cuiisideratioii as was deemed
rezisoiinble.
The terms of a treaty proposed by the Mex-
icim commissioners were wholly inadmissible.
They m=got.iated as if Mexico were the victo-
rious, and not the vii iiquislied party. They
must have known that their ultimatuin could
never be accepted. It required the United
States to disineiiiber Texas, by surrendoi-iiig
to Mexico that part. of the territory of that
State lying between the Nucces and the Rio
Grziide, included within her limits by her laws
when she was an independent ropubl'ic,,and
when she was annexed to the United States
and admitted by Congress as one ofthe States
of chi‘ Union. I1. contziiiied no provision for
the payment by Mexico of the just: claims of
ourcilizens. it required indemnity to Mexi-
can citizens for injuries they may have sus-
tained by our troops in the prosecution of the
war. It demanded the right for Mexico to
levy and collect the l\’loxicun tariff of duties on
goods imported into her ports while in our
military occupation during the war, and the
owners of which had paid to officers of t.he
United States the military contributions which
had been levied upon them; and it offered to,
cede to the United States, for a pecuniary con-
sideration, that part. of Upper California lying
north of latitude 37 degrees. Such were the
uni-egisoiiable terms proposed by the Mexican
commissioners.
The cession to the United States, by Mexico,
of the provinces of New Mexico, and the Cali-
foriiias, as proposed by the commissioner of the
United States, it was believed, would be more
in accordance with the convenience and interests
of both nations, than any other cession of terri-
tory which it was probable Mexico could be in-
duced to make.
It is manifest. to all who have ohseived the ac-
tual condition of the Mexican government, for
some years past, and at present, that if these
provinces should be retained by her, she could
NORWALK, CT. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 15, 1847.‘
I
dent Monroe in 1824, imd l'8t_lffll'l1l(‘Cl in my first
annual message, that no foreign power shall,
with our consent, be permitted to plant or estab-
lish any new colony or dominion on any part of
taincd. In maintaining this principle, and in re-
sisting its inviisioii by any foreign power, we might
be involved in other wars, more expensive. and
more difficult than that in which we are now
engaged.
The provinces of New Mexico and the Cali-
fornizis are contiguous to the territories of the U.
States, and it brought; under the government of
our laws, their resoui'ces——ini_uoi-aI, iigriculturnl,
niaiiuhu.-tui-ing, and commercial-would soon be
developed.
Upper California is bounded on the iioith by
prising, and intelligent portion of our population.
The M of S- n F- ' ~d 1, ~ - --
:y .1 iaiicisco oi. oi. oi lltllbotb
tor for our navy. for our nuinerous whule ships
and other inercbiint vessels employed in the Pa-
cific ocean, and would in a short period become
the murts of an extensive and profitable com-'
nierce with China, and other countries of thel
East.
These advantages, in which the whole com-I
Llgegciag V'Vé)lt‘lOdt\g’0l_ll_l]tl _])t1:‘ltl§lptlfC, woulld at once ,
80 Y6 e nite .‘tates b * t 10 cession:
ofthis territory; while it is certaiii that as lougi
as it remains a part ofthe Mexican doiniuions,
they caube enjoyed neitlier by Mexico herself,l
nor any other nutiou.
New Mexico is a frontier provinco,.azid has
never been of any considerable value to Mexico.
From its locality, it. is niituriilly connected with
our western settlements. The territorial limits
oflhe Spite pt Texas, too. as defined by her
laws, bc ore ieradmission into our Union om-
hrace all that. portion of New Mexico lying: east
of the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims to
liili»33§..§?§.§éi‘3{i.i“fi.s‘§ 2f3I.§.?§..‘Li-'i..§l?.§’.l2i3§"i.;
important. '
1 r.l.‘tl)l(]1‘eflS pnother consideration which induced
tie a is tint the Mexican overnment; mi lit.
even desire to plaice this proviigice under the p%'o-
tection oftlie governnient of the United States.
Numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages
wander over it, and upon its borders. Mexico
has been, and must continue to be. too feeble to
restrain them from coinmitting deprediitions,
robberies and murders, not only upon the inhab-
itants of New Mexico itself, but open those of
the other Northern States of Mexico. It would
be a blessing to all these Northern States to have
their citizens pi'otect.i=-d against them by the
power of the United States. At this moment,
many Mexicans, principally females and chil-
dren, are in captivity among them. If New
Mexico were held and governed by the United
States, we could effectually preventtliese tribes
from committingsuch outrages, and compel them
to release these captives. and restore them to
their fiimilies and friends.
In proposing to acquire New Mexico and the
Ciilifornias, it was known that but an incocsido
rablo portion of the Mexican people would be
ti'aiisl'e~.i'red with them, the country embraced
within these provinces being chiefly an unin-
hiibited region.
These were the leading considerations which
induced me to autliorize the terms of peace
which were proposed to Mexico." They were
iojocted; and negotizitioiis being at an end, hos-
tilities were renewcd. An assault was made
by our gallant-iiriny upon the strongly fortified
places near the gates oftlie city of Mexico, and
upon the city itself, and, after several days of
severe conflict, the Mexican forces, vastly supe-
rior iu number to our own, were driven from the
city. and it. was occupied by our troops.
lminediiitely after iuforiiiation was received of
the uiifuvoriible result of the negotiations, believ-
ing that his continued presence with the army
could be productive of no good, I determined to
recall our commissioner. A despntcli to this
effect was transniittcd to him on the sixth of
October last. The Mexican government will
be informed of his recall ; and that, in the exis
ting state of things, I shall not deem it proper
to in-ake any further overtures of peace. but shall
be at all times ready to receive and consider any
proposals which may be made by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition of the United
States was authorized to be made in_ April last,
large expenditures have been incurred, and the
precious blood of many of our patriotic fellow
citizens has been shed in the prosecution ofthe
war. This consideriition, and the obstiiiute per-
severance of Mexico in protructing the war, must:
influence the terms of peace which it may be
deemed proper horerftei‘ to accept. ‘
Our arms having been every where victorious,
have subjected to our military occupation in large .
portion of the enomy’s country, including his,
capital, and negotiations for peace having failed, .
the important questions ai°ise——in what manner;
the “VHF ought to be prosecuted? and what
should be our future policy’! I cannot doubt:_
that we should secure and render available the '
conquests which \vc have already made; and
that, with this view, we should hold and occupy, l
by our naval and military forces, all the ports. ‘
towns, cities, and provinces now in our occupii-;
tion, or which may liei'eiift.er fall into our pos-3
session; that we should press forward our mi i- ‘
tiiry operations, and levy such mizitary contribu- l
tions on the enemy as may, as far as practicable, 5
defray the future expenses of the war. I
Had the government of Mexico acceded to the
not long continue to hold and govern them.
Mexico is too feeble a power to govern these
provinces, lying as they do at a distance of more
than a thousand miles from her capital, and, if
attempted to be retained by her, they would
constitute but for a short. time, even nominally, 5
a part of her dominions.
This would be especially the case with Up-
per California. The sagacity of poweiful Eu-
ropean nations has, long since, directed their at-
tention to the commercial importance of that."
province, and there can be but; little doubt that:
the moment the United States shall relinquish
their present occupation of it, and their claims
to it as indemnity, an effort would be made by
some foreign power to possess it, either by con-
quest or by purchase. If no foreign government
should acquire it in either of these modes, on in-
dependent: revolutionary government; would
probably be established by the inhabitants, and
such foreigners as may remain in or remove to
the country. as soon as it shall be known that
the United States have abandoned it. Such a
government would be too feeble to maintain its
separate independent existence, and would final-
ly become annexed to. or be in dependent colony
of some more powerful State.
equitable and liberal terms proposed. that mode
ofadjustmeiit would have been pref'e.rred. Mexi- ;
co having declined to do this, and failed to offer
any other terms which could be accepted by the ,
United States, the national honor. no less than
the public interests,requires that the war should
be prosecuted with increased energy and power
until a just and siitisfiictory peace can be obtain-
ed. In the meantime, as Mexico refusesiull in-
demnity, we should adopt measures to iiidem-
nify ourselves, by appropriating permanently a
portion of her territory. Early after the com-
mencement. of the win‘, New Mexico mid the
Californias were taken possession of by our for-
ces. Our military and naval commanders were
ordered to conquer and hold them, subject to be
disposed of by a treaty of peace. _
These provinces are now in our undisputed
occupation, and have been so for manyanoiiths;
all resistance on the part: of Mexico having cens-
ed within their limits. I am satisfied that they
should never be surrendered to Mexico. Should
Congress concur with me in this opinion, and
that they should beretaiiied by the United States
as indemnity, I can perceive no good reason why
the civil jurisdiction and laws of the U. States
should not at once be extended over them. To
rate it. with itself, the principle avowed by Presi- i
the North American continent, must: be main-'
~I'-u-/\>>-p-I\_t‘/Nr-_r~.~, ...._...,._-,-,
VOLUME 30o-NUMBER 50.
possess it. as a colony, or otherwise to incorpo— ,ing to make, -by which our relations towards In its prosecution we sock not her overthrow as
them would not be changed, cannot be good a nation ;§[,ut in v3,,d§(.,,,;,,g om. ,,.,t;0,,,,_, h0',,m_
‘ ‘ 9 - - u .
' U
policy : whilst our own interests, and that of we seek to 0; t d . , , _ .
the people inhabiting them, require that u stzi- has done us, ,,),,:j ?rd’;.3ml,:,i?: f§:i°t,:i,eJ-D2: gggrznzge
, _ . I _ 3
file, responsible, and free government. under our ngningt her,
VVe denmud ttn honorable peace «;
fltltlloj-lty should as soon as possible, be estnb- and that peace iimst bring with it indemnity fo,
lislied over them.
Should Congress, tberetbro, the past, and ,,S_.,,,,.,,y for the future
Hithei't,o_
determine to hold these proviiicesperm"nently Blegico has refu.,,,] -
, ‘ W -. . -.- all , . '
and that they shall hereafter be considered nsl such a peace could be oliiiiidliillodatlon by “hi!-‘ll
constituent parts of our country, the early es-
\Vliilst our m-inies have udva need from victory
tublislinient oftei-ritoiial govermneiits ovcrtliem to victory, from the comineviconiont of ti -
5 will be important for the more perfect pi'otec- it. has always beenwn}, glje ;,j;,.-G brunch 0;-6 Wm‘
tion ofpersons and property; and Ii-ecoinmeiid in their lmiids; and it lids been in the ouhfnc;
that such territol-ial govermiie 1'.-ts be established. Mexico, at every step to m.,.8St hosmmgs b r 9
It will promote peace and tranquility amongtlie cepting it, i i y 8"’
inhabitants, by-ulliiying all apprehension that
0116 flreut obstacle to the attainineiit ofgieuce
they may still eotertaiii of beiugagnin subjected has undoubtedly arisen from thefact that Mex"
, -
our Oregon possessions, and if held by the U. Elms lmpormm Subject-
Stiites, would soon be settled by a hardy, onter- l
"been reduced to our pos
upon 8. conqueror by the laws of war.
:,to the jg;-isdictioii of Mexico. - I invite the en}, ico has been so long held in subjection by om;
ly and favorable consideration of Congress to faction or mmm,.-,- u5u,.,,c,. ,,,,0,. ,,,,0,he,_; and
‘such hnsoboon the condition of ' -‘t ‘
Besides New Mexico and the Cnlifornius, which their siiccessive gOV‘el'nln0DllS)slTtTVl'16nby86lll
there are other Mexican provinces which have placed, that each has been deto--red from making»
' . . ‘ _ _ _i 1:
“ion m C If . _ The M1 ermexii n .S(‘3’SSlDl] be CuX),qt1e.SI.-— peace, lost. for this very cause. It rival faction
- g e «fl i oiniiin coast, would nffoid shel- 39 1 _«_ W [>10 "Ices me no“ govcin might expel it from power. Such was the fate
ted by our military and naval coinmanders. tin- of President Hei'i'era’s udministirtion in 1845
.dei-the general authority which is conferred for being digpcsed oven to “Stan to the ’0,.e,.m~,.-e~;
Fhey ofthe United States to prevent: the war, as is
should continue to be bold as a means of cocr- fully confirmed by an Omega] (.e,.,.,,_s,,0,,de,,cG
ciug Mexico to accede to just terms of prince. : which took place in me month of August 135:‘.
Civil as well as military officers are required to_ between him rind his government, a copy of
Conduct Such *1 g0veI'nment- A<l“<1Ufl10 00m-lwbich is lierewith coinmuiiicated.
“For this
pensiition to be drawn from contributions levied cause alone the mmjmgon which displaced him
on the enemy should be fixed by law for such of- , from power was set on foot” by General Para.
ficors as may be thus employed. \Vhatfui'lher l dos. Such may be the condition of insecurity
provision may become necc-.ssary.& whatfiiiiil dis-
position it may be proper to mulio of tliem,must
depend on ‘the future progress of the war, and
the course which Mexico may think proper
hei'eafter to pursue.
VVith the views I entertain, I cannot favor
tlieipolicy which has been suggested, either to
withdraw our army altogether, or to retire to it
desigiiatod line, and simply hold and defend it.
To withdraw our army altogether from the
conquests they have made by deeds ofur:p:irnl-
olled bravery, and at the expense of so much
blood and treasure, in a just. war on our part,
and one which, by the act of the enemy, we
could not honorably have avoided, would be to
degrade the nation in its own estimation and in
that of the world. ‘
To return to a line, and simply hold and de-
fend it would not tei-iiiiiiate the war. ()n the
coutrai-y, it would encourage Mexico to persevere
and tend to protrnct; indefinitely. It. is not to
be expected that Mexico, aft or i'cfusin§_v, to estab-
lish such 23. line as a periiiuiieiit boundary, when
our victorious army are in possession of her cup-
itiil, and in the heart; of her country, would per-
mit us to hold it without resistance. That she
would continue the wiir. and iii the inost hur-
rassing and annoying forms there can be no doubt.
A border wm'furo oftlie most savage character,
extending over a long line would be llllt.'CttSlI':gl_V
waged. It. would require. fl large flfmy to be kept.
constiintly in the field, st.ut.ioned zit posts and gar-
risons along such tl line to protect and defend it.
The enemy, relieved from the pressure of our
arms on his coasts and in the populous parts of
of the interior, would direct hisuttontion to this
line, and, selecting an isolated post for attack,
would ciiiiceiimite his forces upon it. This
would be it coiiditieu of atfiiirs wliicli the Mexi-
cans. pursuing their favorite system of guerilla
warfare, would probably prefer to any other.
\Vei'o we to assume a (ls-foiisive. attitude on such
It line, all the advantages of such 8 state ofwar
would be on the side of the enemy. ‘We could
levy no contributions upon him, or in any other
way make him feel the pressure of the war, but
must; remain, inactive and awiiit: his approach,
being in constant uncertainty at what point on
the line, or what time, he might make an assault.
He may assemble and organise an overwhelm-
ing force in the interior, on his own side of the
line, and, concealing his purpose, make a sudden
nssault. upon one some of our posts so distant
from tiny other as to prevent the possibility of
timely succor or iteinforceineuts : and in this
way our gallant army would be exposed to the
danger of being cut off in detail; or if, by their
unequalled bravery and prowess everywhere
exhibited during this war, they should repulse
the-oiieiny, their numbers statioiicd at any one
post; may be too small to pursue him. If the
enemy be repulsed in one attack, he would have
nothing to do but to retreat to his own side of
the line, and, being in no fear ofa pursuing ar-
iny, nmy"roinfoi'cehimselflit leisure for aiiotlier
attack on the some or some other post. He
may, too, cross the line between our posts, make
rapid incursions into the country which we hold,
uiurder the inhabitants, commit depredatzions
on them, and then retreat to the interior before
a sutiicieiit force can be concentrated to pursue
him. Such would probably be the linrrassing
character of 21 more defensive war on our part.
If our forces, when attached, or threatened
with attack, be permitted to cross the line, drive
back the enemy. and conquer him, this would be
again to invade the enemy’s country, after hav-
ing lost all the advantages of the conquests we
have already made, by having voluntmily aban-
doned them. To hold such a line successfully
and in security, it is far from being certain that
it would not require as large an army as would
be necessary to hold all the conquests we have
already made, and to continue the prosecution
of the war in the heart of the eiieiny‘s country.
It is slso far from being certain that the expen-
ses ofthe war would be diminished by such a
olicy.
1 am persuaded that the best. means of
eating the national honor and interest, a
bringing the war to a close. will be to prosecute
it with increased energy andpower in the vital
parts of the enemy’s country.
In my annual message to Congress of Decem-
ber last, I declared that “the war has not been
waged with ii view to conquest; but having been
commenced by Mexico. it has been carried into
the enemy’s country, and will be vigorously
prosecuted there, with a view to obtain an hon-
orable peace, and thereby secure ample indem-
nit._v for the expenses of the war, as well as to
our much injured citizens, who hold large pecu-
niary demands against Mexico.” Such in -my
judgment, continues to be our true policy—-in-
deed, the only policy which will probably secure
it permanent peace.
It has never been contemplated by me, as an
object of the war, to make 11 permanent conquest
of the republic of Mexico, or to annihilate her
separate {existence as an independent nation.
On the contrary, it has. ever been my desire that
she should maiiitain her nationality, and, under
a good government, adapted to her condition, be
:1 free indepeiideot and prosperous republic.
The United States were the first; among the
nations to recognize her Independence, and
have always desired to be on‘ terms of amity
and good neighborhood with her. This she
would not suffer. By her own conduct; we have
vindi-
Shouldany foreign government attempt to
Wait for g.trea.t.y of peace. sucbas. We are will-
been compelled to engage in the present war.
of the present government,
Thc:‘o can be no doubt that the peacubla and
well-disposed inliubitaizts of Mexico are convin-
cod that it is the true interest of their country to
conclude an honorable pence willi the United
States, but; the apprehension of’ becoming the
victims of some military faction or usurper may
have prevented them from manifesting their
ftlellngs by any public act. The removal of any
such iippi-c-hcnsion would probably cause them
to speak their seiitiiiieiits freely. and to adopt
the measures neccss.-iry for the resin;-“(ion of
peace. Vfitli ii people distracted and divided
by contending factions, and £1 government subject
to constant cliiingcs, by successive revolutions,
the coiztiiiuocl successes of our arms may fail to
secure Z1 szitisliictory peace. In such event, it
inaybeconie proper for our coimiiaiiding gene-
This in the field to giro eiicoiiragcineiituiid assu-
ration of protection to the friends of peace in
Mexico in tho establishment and muim.en;;ncu
of it. free republican goveriiinent of their own
(M30100. able and willing to conclude (1 peace
which would be just to them, and secure to us
the indemnity we deinan_d. Tliis may become
the only mode ofobtainiiig such ii pence; Should
such be the result, the win" which Mexico has
forced upon us, would thus be converted into an
enduring blessing to herself. After finding her
torn and distracted by tiictioiis, and ruled by mil-
itary usurpors, we should then leave her with
a re;>ublicuu government: in the enjoyment of
real l[lLl€‘-[)(‘.X]IleIlC0, and domestic penco and
pi'ospei°ity . perforniing all her relative duties in
the great family of nations, and promoting her‘
own liuppiriess by wise laws and their faithful
execution.
If‘, after affording this encoura cement and
protection and after all the porsevei-lug and sin,
core efforts we have made, from the moment
Mexico commenced the _\-.':ir, and prior to that
time, to adjust our dill‘ei'euce.s with her, we shnj]
ultirmitely fail, then we shall have exlmusted
all lionoriiblo menus in pursuit of peace, and
must continue to occupy her country with our
troops, taking the full meiisure of indemnity
into our own hands, and must enforce the terms
which our honor demands.-
To not otherwise, in the existinrr state of
things in Mexico, and to withdraw ‘Bur at-Inv
without tl peace would not only leave an m},
wrongs of which we complain uuredressed bu;
would be the signal for now and fierce civifdig-
seiisious and new revolutioiis—all ulike hostile
to peaceful relations with the United States.
Besides, there is danger, if our troops were
withdritwii beforo npeuco was concluded that
the Mexican people, wearied with succdssive
revolutions, and deprived of protection for their
persons and propoi't_v, might; at length be inc-]i-
nod to yield to foreign influences, and to cast
tlieinselves into the arms of some European
monarch for protection from the anarchy and
suffering which would ensue. This, for our
own safety, and in pursuance of our established
policy, we should bo compelledto resist. 3VVe
could never consent that Mexico should be thus
converted into a inouarcliy governed by 9. foreign
prince.
Mexico is our near neighbor, and her bounda.
ries are co-terminus with our own through the
whole extent across the Noith American _
tiiient, from ocean to ocean. Both politica ly
and commercially, we have the deepest interest
in her regeneration and prosperity. Indeed it
is impossible that with any just regard to our
own safety, we can ever become indifferent; to
her fate.
It may be that the Mexican government and
people have misconstrued or misunderstood our
forbearance, and our objects. in desiring to con.
clude an amicable adjustment; of the existing
differences between the two countries. They
may have supposed that we would submit to
terms degrading to the nation ; or they may
have drawn false iiiforoiices from the supposed
division of opinion in the United States’ on the
subject of the war, and may have calculated to
m] Of‘ gain much by protrnctiiig it; and, indeed, that wo
might ultimately abandon it altogether, withoug
insisting on any indemnity, territorial or other-
wise. Whatevei- may be the false impression;
under which they have acted, the adoption -and
prosecttion of the energetic policy proposed must
soon undeceive them.
In the future proeecutiou of the war, the one-
my must -be made to feel its pressure more
than they have heretofore done. At its com-
mencement, it was deemed proper to conduct it‘
in a spirit of forbearance and liberiility.. Wm};
this end in view. early measures were adopted
to conciliate, as far as 3 state of win‘ would pay.
mit, the mass of the Mexican population ; to
convince them that: the war was waged not
against the peaceful inhabitants of Mexico, but
against their faithless government, which had‘
commenced hostilities ; to remove from their
minds the false impressions which their designing
and interested rulers had artfully attempted to
make, that the war on our part was one of con.
quest, tbai it was a war against their religion and
their churches, which were to be desecrated :1; cl
overthrown; and that their rights of person and
private property would be violated. Toremove
these fiilse iinpi'essions, our commanders in tho
field were directed scrupulously torespect their
iteligioo, their churches, and their church prop.
orty. which were in’ no manner tobe violated .
they were directed also to respect: the rightgioif
Norwalk Chronicler