The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-04
INCREASE OF iTHE NATIOylr ~
FENCES. DE-

INCREASE OF tTHE NATIONlG mn
FENCES. 'N DL'
We give below the Message ortbo D..
dent ofthe United States, in reply obo.sn
of the Senate, asking information wbo,la'
sin his judgment, any circumstances Gonna.
ted with, or growing out Of, the foreigr ,ol.
tons of the country, require at this tmo =,
increase of our naval or military force H..
message was transmitted to the Senate os,L,
United States on Tuesday last.
To The Senate fHe United Siates
In answer To the enquiry of die Son,,,
contained in their resolution of Ne l7,b ~
slant, whether, in my judgment. any ci,sr"'
stances connected with or growing ond%.
foreign relations Of this country. rpoW,s y,
this time an increase of our naval or ml6nT
force" and, ifso, "what those circumsoncc,
are" | have TO express the opinion. thaa
wise prccaution demands such increase
In my annual message ofthe I'd of Decem.
Der last, l recommended TO the favorable con.
sidcration of Congress an increase ofour M
val force, especially Of our steam navy. and
the raising of an adequate military force 70
guard and protect such of our citizens ne
might think proper TO emigra,e TO Oregon
Since that period, have seen 10 cause to re.
call or modify these recommendations. On
the contrary, reasons exist which, in nv iudr
ment, render il proper not only that they
should be promptly carried into effect, but
that additional provision should be made for
the public defence. The consideration ofqlcb
additional provision was brought before 40.
propriate committees Of the two houses Of
Congress, in answer TO calls made by Them.
in reports prepared, with my sancliOn,Mhe
Secretary ofWar and the Secretary oflheNa.
w, on the 29th of December and the Eth Of
January last; mode ofcommuucation with
Congress not unusual, aud, under eXistingcr.
cumsiances, believed to be most eligible. Sub
segment events have confirmed me in the opn
ion that these recommendations were proper
and precautionary measures.
II was n wise maxim Of the Father of his
country, that ''tO be prepared for war, is one
of the most efficient means of preserving
peace" and that, avoiding occasion ofex.
pense by cultivatiug peace we should ire.
member, also, that timely disbursements to
prepare for danger Frequently prrem Mueb
greater disbursements To reTel H. The cen
eral obligation 10 perform this dutyis greatly
strengthened 10y iEciS known 10 I've Wuole
world. \ controversy respecting the Oregon
territory now exists between The United States
and Great Britaiu;a aud while, asiWGs We
know, the relations of the latter with all El'
lropean nations are Ofrhe most pacific chTar'
ter, she is milking unusual and extraordnaE
ornaments aud warlke preparations, naval
l,tl ,t hptnn and her NOrlh
American possessions.
IL cannot he disguised that, however SD
cere may be the desire OF peace, IN the event
of rupture those instruments aud PREP
arations would he used against our county
Whatever may have been the original purpos
ofthese preparations, the TACT Is undouoiH
that they are now proceeding, IN part, al eos'
with view to the contingent poSsbllty Ola
war with the United States. The general T0'
lev ofmakmg additional warlike preparations
was distinctly announced, in the speech from
the throne, as late MS January last ana nD
since been reiterated by the ministers o. 9E
crown in both houses of Parliament. lnG7
this aspect of our relations with Great br'sN
cannot doubt the propl'ety oiincreaslnE.. 1
means obedience, both by land and sea- LUZ
can give Great Britain no cause OF onCsct
nor increase the danger OF a rupture u~
the contrary, we should fold our aF"'S III y
curity, and at last he suddenly lnIoiVeu IaR"
tilities for the maintenance OF ourJ"S I'sDS
without any adequate preparation oI ,I.
sponsiblity To the country would NC VI ~,
gravsst character. Should collision ne'"SJ hn
the two countries be avoided, as slHVele!
trust il NAV be, the additional charge upUD
the treasury, in making the necessary p.r,
arntions, will not be lost while, IN me v,."
ofsuch collision, they would be h'ulSr IN.
bic for the maintenance ofour na'ionD''s'
and national honor. ..Ek
have seen no reason 10 change " '
the recommendations of my allI'u" T T no.
in regard to the Oregon question .f,mc,s,
tee to abrogate the treaty ofthe ON ..,T and
1897. is authorized by the treaty Us. ,,s. and
cannot he regarded asa warlike meSs ,;on ha
| cannot withhold my strong convcu .Sa, NJ NJ,
it should be promptly given ne ',; yI ttN
concentrations are in conformity wa, a,olt0n
listing treaty, and would AFFORD 10 - ,bp sane
citizens in Oregon no more man ,oms since
measure of protection which mas lV ,bst terri
been extended to British subjects III ''''
tory. al, ,Vpyicot
The state of our relations WV VIZ! ,he meet.
still in an unsettled condition. since ns taken
inc of Congress- another revolution ,Srnn,pr
place in that country, by whichtheu 'I0rs This
has passed iuto the hands of new r'n', n~,ssM
event has procrastinated, and ma! Noes BE-
defeat the settlement ofthe dlleI'" "o,,n,rr.
tween the United States ana .nu ~ Mexico
n tbo dnte ftbe last advices, had not . %s
receivedb by the existing authorities he g TSp
STATIONS ola character hostile to !nO which
States continue to be made IN Me ;,S'Tsment
has rendered it proper, in any my l ,%uS on or
keep nearly two thirds Gro% dnina this, many
of the regular military posts have e their, S, de-
duced TO small force, inadequate " "
fence, should an emergency arise. - i ismy
In view of these chromosomes ',s 'OaMyaIard
iudgment" that can increase .isno 81 required
% n1nce Se l country in suitable state oido
AZ the same time, it is my settled puiPbU e bes