Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-02-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

4
The following message was received
from the President Of the United States
through Mr. JACKSON. Ills private Secre-
tary:
TO the Seno.e Of the United Ssaies:
At the beginning of this session, Con-
gress was informed that our claims upon
Mexico had not been adjusted, but that,
notwithstanding the irritating effect up
on her councils Of the movements in
Texas. l hoped. by great forbearance, To
avoid the necessity of again bringing the
subject OF them to your uotice. That
hope. has been disappointed. Having
in vain urged upon that Government, the
Justice of those claims. and my indispen-
sable obligation to insist that there should
be mo further delay in the acknowledge
:nent, II not in the redress of the inju.
ries complained Of" my duty requires
that tie whole subject should be pre-.
scented, rs it now is, for the action Of
congress, whose exclusive right il is TO
decide on the r;rther measures Of redress
to be employed. The length of time
since some of the Injuries have been
committed, the repeastd and unavailing
applications Tor redress. the wanton cha
ractrr OF some of the outrases upon the
property and persons of our citizens, up
OH the officers and flag Of the United
States. independent ofreceut results TO
this Government and People by the late
Extraordinary Mexican Minister, would
Justify, in the eyes of All nations, imme-
diate war. That remedy: however should
not be used oy just and generous ma
t'ons, confiding i'll their strength for in
juries committed, if it can be honorabIy
avoided and it has occurred 10 me that
considering the present embarrassed con :,
d'tion OF that country, we should act
with both wisdom and moderation, by
giving to Mexico one more opportunity
to atone for the past, before we take re-
dress into our own hands. To avoid all
mIsconception on the part of Mexico, as
well as to protect our own national cha
racter from reproach, this opportunity
should be given, with the avowed de-
sign and full preparations to take imme-
date satisfaction il it should not be OBJ.
tanned on repetition of the demand for
it. To this end | recommend that an
act be passed authorizing reprisals, and
the use of the naval force of the United
States by the Executive against nj exico,
to enforce them, in the event of refusal
by the Mexican Government to come to
An amicable adjustment of the matters in
controversy between us, upon another
demand thereof made from on board one
oil our vessels Of war on the coast OF
Mexico.
The documents herewith transmitted.
with those accompanying my message in
answer to call Of the House OF Repre-
sentatives Of the 18th ultimo, will ena.
bic Congress to judge of the propriety
OF the course heretofore pursued, and to
decide upon the necessity Of that now
recommended.
Ii these views should fail to meet the
concurrence Of Congress, and that BODY
be able to find in the condition of the af-
fairs between the two countries, as dis
closed by the accompanying documents,
with those referred to, any well-ground-
ed reasons to hope that an adjustment of
the controversy between them can be
effected without resort to the measures
have felt i. my duty to recommend
they may be assured OF my cooperation
10 any other course that shall be deemed
honorable and proper.
ANDREW JACKSON.
WIScoNc,N l..