Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-05-20
Anticipating the possibility Of a crisis

~
Anticipating the possibility ofa crisis
like that which has arrived, Instructions
were given in August last, ''as a pre-.
cautionary measure" against invasion,
or threatened invasion, authorizing Gen.
Taylor, il the emergency required, TO
accept volunteers not from Texas only,
but IRON the States Of Alabama, Louisi-
ana, Mississippi, Tennessee. and Ken
lucky; and corresponding letters were
addressed to the respective Governors
Of those States. ~ sa5fsf
These instructions were repeated;
and in January last. soon after the in.
corporation of"Texas into our union of
States," General Taylor was farther
authorized by the President to make
requisltion upon the Executive of that
State for such Of its militia force as may
be needed to repel invasion or to secure
the country against apprehended inva-
sion.,' On the Cd day Of March, he was
again reminded, sin the event of the ap.
proach of any. considerable Mexican
force, promptly and efficiently 10 use the
authority with which he was clothed 10
call to him such auxiliary force as he
might need, u .5
War actually existing, and our terri
tory having beed invaded, General Tay~
lor, pursuant to authority vested in him
by my direction, has called on the Gov
ernor of Texas for four regiments Of
Slate, treopsi-two to be mounted and
two to serve on foot, and on the Covers
nor Of Louisiana for four regiments Of
infantry, to be sent to him as soon as
practicable. @ ''..@
In further vindication of our rights
and defence Of our territory, | invoke
the prompt action Of Congress to recog>
die the the existence Of the war, and to
place at the disposition Of the Executive
the means Of prosecuting the war with
vigor, aud thus Fastening the restora.
ton Of peace. To this end | recommend
that authority should be given to call into
the, public service large body of VOL
unteers, to serve for not less than six or
twelve months, unless sooner discharg-
ed. H5-E III +@ >s.,s2''
A volunteer force is, beyond question,
more efficient than any other description
OF citizen soldiers, and it is not to be
doubted that number far beyond that
4 required would readily rush to the field
upon the call oflheir country. | further
recomm end that liberal provision be
made for sustaining our entire militia, y
force, and furnishing it with supplies and
!, munitions OF war. ..... .'......
The most energetic and prompt meas
; ures, and the. immediate appearance in
arms ofa large and overpowring force,
/, are recommended oCongress as the mos,
, certain and efficient means of bringing
! the existing collision with Mexico to .
speedy and successful termination.
o. In making these recommendations.
deem it proper to declare that it is my
D anxious desire not only to terminate hos
tilt'es speedily, but to bring all matters
| in dispute between this government and
, Mexic to ali early and amicable adjust
ment; and in this view, shall be pre-
!. pared to renew negotiations, wheneve,
Mexico shall be ready to receive propo'
sitions, or to make propositions Of hel
J cwn. .' -"
: ! transmit herewith copy ofthe.. Cor
respondence between our envoy to Mex
' leo and the Mexican Minister OF Foreigr
a Affairs; and so much Of the Correspon
!. dence between that envoy and the Sec
r retary of State, and between the sccre
n tary of War and the General in com
!. mand on the Del Norte, as are necessa
;. ~ to full understanding Of the subject
. '',.' ,a.as '.... '' JAMES K. POLK.
WAsHlNaToN, May 1lth 1916.