The Yazoo Democrat., 1844-12-31
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Q commencement OF your present session, which
l claim from their Importance, and doubt not
will receive, your calp and deliberate COnsidera-
ton. The extraordinary and highly offensive
; language which tho Mexican. Government has
thought proper to employ in reply, TO the remon-
STRANGE OF the Executive, through Mr.. Shannon,
against the renewal Of the war with Texas while
the question OF annexation was pending before
Congress and the people, and also, the proposed
manner Of conducting that war, will not fail to
arrest your attention.
Such remonstrance, urged ia no unfriondly
spirit TO Mexico, was called for by considerations
Of an imperative character, having relation as
we'll to the peace OF this country, and honor OF
i this Government, as 10 the cause OF humanity
and civilization. Texas has entered into the
Treaty Of Annexation upon the invitations Of
the Executive; and when, for that act she was
threatened with a renewal Of the war on the part
Of Mexico, she naturally looked 10 this Govern.
ment to interpose its efforts 10 ward off the
threatened blow But one course was left the
Executive, acting within the limits Of its const-
tutional competency, and that was to protest in
respectful, but at the same time strong aud deci.
ded terms against it,
The war thus threatened to be renewed, was
promulgated by edicts and DEGREES, which order
ed, on the part Of the Mexican military, the des-
Olation Of whole tracts of country, and the de-
structiOn, without discrimination, Of all ages,
sexes, and conditions of existence. Over the
manner Of conducting war, Mexico possesses no
exclusive control She has no right to violate
at pleasure the principles which an enlightened
civilization has LAID down for the conduct OF ma
tlons at waI and thereby retrogr0de to period
OF barbarism which, happily for the world, has
long since passed away. All nations are inter-
ested in enforcing an observance OF those princi-
pies, and the United States, the oldest of The
American Republics, and the nearest Of the civ.
,uaeu Peers to the theatre on which these enor
hltles were PToposo6-sa be enacted could not
quietly content themselves TO ,vs.aass snch a
state OF things. They had, through the lGxGe,.-7
llveS on another occasion, and as was believed
with the appreciation Of the whole country, re-
monstrated against outrages similar, but even less
iHhuman, than those which by her new edicts
and DEGREES she has threatened to perpetrate,
| and Of which the late inhuman massacre at To-
basco was but the precursor.
The bloody and inhuman murder of Fannln
and his companions, equalled only in savage
barbaritY by the usages of the untutored Indian
tribes, proved how little confidence. could be
placed on the most solemn stpuations Of her
| Generals, while the fate OF others who became
her captives in war, many of whom, no longer
able TO sustain the fatgues and prvations 0flong
journeys, were shot down by the way side while
their companions who survived we're subjected
| 10 suueFluss cNcn more pdlHlul Lnan ueALh-nad
| left an indelible stain on the page OF cviiza-
ton. The Executive, with the evidence of an
intention on the part Of Mexico to renew scenes
so revolving 10 humanity, could do no less than
renew remonstr0nCes formerly urged. For full.
| filling duties so imperative, Mexico has thought
proper, through her accredited organs, because
she had represented TO her the inhumanity of
such proceedings, to indulge in language un-
| known to the courtesy ofdiplomatic intercourse.
1 a mr. 0ffA0 in no hIuho = o.,
eminent and the People. Nor has she offended
in this only. She has not only violated exist
| ing conventions between the two countries by
arbitrary and unjust DEGREES against our trade
and intercourse, but withholds instalments OF
de5t, due to our citizens, which che solemnly
pledged herself to pay, under circumstances
which are fully explained by the accompanying
letter from Mr. Green, our Secretary of Lega-
ton. And when our Minister has invited the
attention Of her Government to wrongs commit
ted by her local authorities not only on the
property but on the persons OF our fellow citizens
| engaged in prosecuting fair and honest pursuits,
she has added insult to injury, by not even
deigning, for months together, to return any an
swer to his representations. Still further to
manifest her unfriendly feelings towards the u
nited States, she has issued DEGREES expeIIing
from some of her provinces American citizens
engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life, and
nov denies to those Of our citizens prosecuting
the whale fishery on the North west coast Of the
Pacific, the privilege which has, through ali time
heretofore been accorded to them, of exchanging
goods OF small amount in value Mt her ports in
California for supplies indispensable 10 their
| health and comfort.
Nor will it escape the observation of Congress
that In conducting correspondence with the
Minister of the United States, who cannot. and
does not, know any distinction between the geo. |
graphical sections Of the Union, charges wholly |
UniOunded are made against particular states
and an appeal 10 others for aid and protection
against supposed wrongs.-In this snme connec-
ton, sectional prejudices are attempted 20 be
excited, and the hazardous and objectionable
effort Is made to foment divisions among the
States of the Union, thereby to embitter their
peace. Mexico has still to learn, that however
freely we may indulge in discussion among our
selves, the American people will tolerate no in.
reference IN their domestic affairs BY any for
eign Government; aud in all that concerns the
constitutional guarantees and national honor
the people fthe United States have but one
mind and one heart.
The subject Of Annexation addresses itself I
most fortunately TO every portion Of tbe Union.
The Executive would have been unmindG,l ofifs
highest obligations, il it could have adopted
course Of policy dictated by sectional interests
and local feelings. On the contrary, it was be- ]
cause be question was neither local nor sectional
but made ITS appeal to the interests Of the whole
Unions and Of every State in the Union. that ~.
negotiation, and 6naly the the treaty of Apnex-
alton was entered into and II bas afforded me B
no ordinary pleasure to perceive that, So FAR ms
uen9hsIauons nave been made upon'it By the {
people, they have proceeded from all portions of i
the Onlon' Mexico may seek to excite divisions q
amongst us, BY utiering unjust denunciations
against naFf 1CulnF kfnfnr k.N - ] 4