Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-24
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
To The Senate of he United States -

To the Senate Of The United States =
In answer to the resolution of the Senate of
the 18th inst. requesting to be informed "wheth.
er, since the commencement of the neaotiaa
tions which resulted in the treaty now before
the Senate for the annexation of Texas TO the
been made or ordered by the President, for, or
in anticipation of war; and, if so, for what
cause, and with whom was such war appre-
hended, and what are the preparations that
have been ordercdi And TO communicate to
the Senate copies Of all orders or directions civ.
en- Tor any such preparation, or for any such
movement or disposition, or for the future con-
duct of such military or naval forces" | have
70 inform the Senate that, in consequence of
the declaration of Mexico communicated to this
Government, and by me laid before Congress
At the opening Of IFS present SESSION, amour
cling the determination OF Mexico TO regard as
declaration of war against her by the United
States the definitive ratification of any treaty
with Texas annexing The territory of that Re-
public TO the United States, and the hope and
belief entertained by the Executive that the
treaty with Texas for that. purpose would be
speedily approved and ratified by the Senate it
was regarded by the Executive TO have become
emphatically its duty TO concentrate in the Gulf
of Mexico and its vicinity, as a precautionary
measure, as large portion Of the home SQUAD
ron under the command oil Captain Conner as
could be well drawn together; and, at the same
time TO assemble at fort Jessup, on the borders
of Texas, as large military force as the de-
mands of the service at other encampmepts
would authorize to be detached. For the num-
Der OF ships already in the Gulf and the wa
tiers contiguous thereto, and such as are placed
under orders for that destination, and of troops
now assembled upon the frontier, refer you TO
the accompanying reports from the Secretaries
of the War and Navy departments.
1t will also be perceived by the Senate by re-
ferring to the orders of the Navy Department,
which are herewith transmitted that the naval
officer in command of the fleet, is directed 10
cause his ships TO perform all the duties of
feet Of observation, and to apprze the Execu-
tive Of any indication Of hostile design upon
Texas, on the part o! any nation, pending the
deliberations Of the Senate upon the Treaty,
with view that the same should promptly be
submitted to Congress for its mature delibera-
ton. At the same time. ii Is due to myself
that should declare il as my opinion, that the
United States having by the Treaty OF annex
alton, acquired title TO Texas, which requires
only the action of the Senate TO perfect It, no
other Power could be permitted to invade, and
by force Of AIMS to possess itself Of, any por-
ton of the Territory of Texas, pending your
deliberations upon the Treaty, without placing
itself in hostile attitude TO the United States,
and justify the employment of any means at
our disposal to drive back the invasion AT the
same time, it is my opinion that Mexico or any
other Power, will find in your approval of the
Treaty, no just cause OF war against the u.
States; nor do believe that there is any ser-
Gus hazard of war TO be found in the TACT of
such approval. Nevertheless, every proper
measure will be resorted TO by the Executive to
preserve upon an honorable and just basis, the
public peace, by reconcng Mexico, through a
"O'''' s''''' = p'"' JOHN TYLER.
Washington, May as. 1874.
frhe documents accompanying fbe above consist os
letters and orders from the War and Navy departments
The FIRST is letter to the President from the Secre-
tary OF war tsnsnhsng the orders issued from his De-
troops to tl,e eo-,is.,vss-rn Oorder.
ters state that the sixteen companies composing the %
and 4t regiment were ordered from Jefferson barracks
tNissouri1 Fort Jessup where there were alreany
seven companies Of the I'd Dragons and that me force
~ Fort Jessup near Natchtoches was otherwise IN
creased 10 twenty three companies or about ioO men
The command of this post was gwen to Cen q. lnyior
and the 28th Of April conhaeaus On, Viii be
,Inter his command, and concludes as follows j
You VIII take prompt measures in the first instance
nv confidential officer and subsequently by the ordn
ary mail special expresses, as yoe may Ieen p;
,yv to mt Yourself in communication with the Pres
dent of Texas order to inform him OF your presen
position and force, and TO learn and 10 transmit 70 u
ce lal confdentally1 whether any and what externa
DANGERS may threaten that Government or It's people,
Should such danger be found to exist and appear 70 D
imminent you will collect and march the iooes %
indicated TO the Sabine river, but not to proceed pc
nd the frontier without further Instructions keepaa
in readiness in the supposed, all the neceseaf
means of transportation well as ample stores Oh SUD
sistence and ammunition.
Nv these instructions it is not meant to impress upo
youy mind the belief that the Government apprehen
hostility with any other Power. They are given 20 70
for the purpose Of enjoning circumspecnon ana ateI
,ion to the condition of your force 4 repeat tne y
junction of confidence and the full reliance reposeo
your judgment and prudence by the ooyernmen.
MIA fhei inst
demonstration with the General-in-chiei
In am sir, respectfully, your obi seIyi. e,,.,.
n Brevet Brig. Gen. z. TAyaoR ,, r.
Fl Commanding LIST Mil Dep. Fort Jessup' La
The other docaments are from the Navy DeParmer