Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-23
free institutions Of our country. In The
province of New Mexico, and Callior-

Temporary governments which have thus,
from the necessity OF the case, and accor-
ding 10 the laws Of war, been established.
It may be proper 10 provide for The Sc
Guilty Of these important conquesis in
making an adequate appropriation Tor the
purpose Of erecting Notifications and de-
fray wing the expenses necessarily incident
TO the maintenance Of our possession and
authority over them.
Near the close Of your last session, Tor
reasons communicated 10 Congress,
deemed il important. rs measure oil Sc
curing speedy peace with Mexico, that
a sum of money should be appropriated
and placed in the power of the Execu-
tive, similar TO that which has been made
upon two former occasions, during The
administration Of President Jefferson.
On The Goth of February, 1903. an
appropriation Of Two millions OF dollars
was made, AM placed al the dispo-
posal OF the President. Its object
is we'll known. 1t was at that time in
contemplation 10 acquire Lousiul-a
from France, and it was intended to be
applied us par, Of the consideration
which might be paid for that terrnory
On The 18th Of February, 1906, the same
sum was in like manner appropria-
ted, with view 10 the purchase oil the
Floridas from Spain.
These appropriations were made TO
facilitate negotiations. and us means
to enable the President 10 accomplish the
obiec, in view. Though it did not be-
come necessary for the President to use
these appropriations.y YET state OF things
might have arisen in which il would have
been highly important for him 10 do so.
and The wisdom OF making them cannot
be doubted. Ii is believed that :he mea-
sure recommended at Your las, session
met with the appreciation of decided ma
lorites in bo'h Houses Of Congress. In
deed, in different forms, q bill making
IN appropriation Of two millions Of dol
lars passed each House, and it is much
10 be regretted that ii did not become a
law The reasons which induced me
10 recommend the measure at that time,
still exist and again submit the sub
ect for consideration, and sugges, The
importance Of early action on ii. Should
the appropriation be made, and be not
needed, il will remain in the treasury
should i; be deemed proper TO apply II in
whole or in part, it will be accounted for
us other pulic expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recog-
nized Tie cx silence Of The war with
Mexico, my attention was directed 10 the
danger that privateers might be fitted
out in the ports Of Ceba and Porto Rico
TO prey upon the commerce OF the Uni
ted States, & invited the special alien
lion Of the Spanish government
To The fourteenth article Of our treaty
with that power Of the 20;h Of October,
1896, under which the citizens and sub
jects Of either nation who sill take com
missions or letters Of marque to act as
privateers against the other ''snall DE
punished MS pirates"
1t affords me pleasure to inform you
that have received assurances from the
Spanish government that this article Of
the treaty shall be faithfully observed on
its part. Orders for this purpose were
Immediately transmitted from that gov
eminent by The aulhor,les of Cuba and
Porto Rico 10 exert their utmost vigil
ance in preventing any attempts TO Fl
out privaieers in those islands in the
United States. From the good faith o!
Spain am full satisfied that this treaty
will be executed in It's spirit as we'll as
It's letter /; whilst the United States will
on their part faithfully perform all the
obligations which il imposes on them.
Information has been recently receiv-
ed at the department Of State that
the Mexican government has sent 10 IIa,
vana blank commissions TO priva,eers.
and blank certificates Of natural za,ion.
signed by Gen. Silas. the present head OF
the Mexican government. There is also
reason TO apPrehend that similar docu-
ments have been transmitted to other
parts Of the world. Copies of these pa.
pers, in translation, are herewith trans.
mired.
AS The preiiminaries required by the
prac ice OF civilized nations for commits
sioning privateers and regulating their
conduct, appears not 10 be observed, and
as these commissions are blank 10 be
filled up with the names Of citizens and
subjects of all niiions who m av be will
ling TO purchase them, the whole proce-
ding can only be construed as an invita-
ton TO all The freehoo,ers upon earth,
who are willing to cruise ngains, Ameri-
can commerce. II will tie for our courts
OF Justice 10 decide whether under such
circumstances, these Mexican letters
of marqne and reprsal shall protect
those who accept them, and commit rob-
berries on the high seas under their au.
thori,y. from The pains and penalties
of piracy.
1t the certificates Of naturalization
thus granted, be intended by Mexico TO
shield Spanish subjects from The guilt of
pirates, under our treaty with Spain,
will certainly prove unavailng. Such u
subterluge would be q weak device to de.
feat The provisions OF plain treaty.
| recommend that Congress should
Immediately provide by law for the ,r.
al and punishment as pirates of Spanish
subjects who, escaping the vigilance Of
their government. shall be found guilty
of privaieering aginst the U. States.
DO hot apprehend serious danger from
these DrivntearS 0ur p.y1, u;lI Lo