Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-10

had TO collect our forces and commence GU
movements. BY the blockade, the import and
export trade OF the enemy has been cut OF.
Well may the American people BE- proud
or tie energy au1 gailantTy Of or regular and
volunteer officers and soialeTs. The events Of
these Few months afford a gratifying proof
that our country can, under any emergency
confidently rely sr the maintenance oil her hon
OF, AMI the defence Of her rights. on an efIec-
i've force. ready at all times voluntarily TO re-
linquish the comforts of home Tor the per.ls
and prvations of the camp. And though
such a force may be for ihe tune expensive. II
is in the end economical. as the ability to com
mand il remove, tie necessity of employing a
large standing army in time of peace, and
proves that our people love their i%nstitutous,
and are ever ready to defend and pro,ec' them.
Whilst the war was 10 a course OF vigorous
and successful proseo utIon, being still ANXIOUS
to arrest its evils. and considering that, alter
the brilliant victories, of our arms on the Sth
and 9th of Nav last. the national honor could
not be compromised by il, another overture
was made 10 Mexico, By nv direction, on the
9Th Of July last, TO terminate holtilities by 4
peace just and honorable to both countries
On the 3lst Of August following. the Mexican
Government declined to accept this friendly
overture, but referred ii to The decision of Mex
lean Congress, to be assembled ia the early
part Of tie present month. / communicate TO
you, herewith, a copy OF the letter of the Sec
rotary Of state proposing to reopen negotia-
tons. OF the answer of the Mexican Govern
ment, and Of the reply thereto Of the Secretary
Of State.
The wal will continue TO be prosecuted with
vIxor, as the best means OF securing peace. II
is hoped that the decision Of the Mexican Con
gress. 10 which our last overture has been re-
terred, may result in a speedy and honorable
peace. With Our experience, however, OF the
unreasonable course OF the Mexican auihori-
ties, II is the part OF wisdom not to relax in The
energy OF our military operations until the Ie-
suit is made known. Ia this view, IT IS deem
ed important to hold military possession OF all
the provinces which have been taken, until a
dehnitlye treaty OF peace shall have been con-
cluGel and ratified by The two countries.
The war has not been waged with a view to
conquest; bur having been commenced by
Mexico, it has been carried into the enemy's
country, and will be vigorously prosecuted
there, with a view TO obtain an honorable
peace, and thereby secure ample indemnity for
the expenses of the war, as well as TO our
much injured citizens, who hold large pecuni-
AIRY utiliduus against NItACO.
By the laws Of nations q conquered terrific
is subject to be governed by the conqueror du-
ring his military possession, and until there Is
either a treaty OF peace. or he shall voluntarily
Withdraw from it. The old civil government
being necessarily superseded, it is the right and
duty of the conqueror TO secure his conquest,
and to provide ior the maintenance Of civil or
der ana the rights OF the inhabitants. This,
rtCbt bac hnep ayarrtSud md tbIc tltt,y TarE,r
med. by our military and naval commanders,
by the establishment OF temporary Govern
r,snts III some of the conquered provinces in
Mexico, assimilating them as Ear a. practicable
10 the tree Institutions ofour own county. In
the province Of New Mexico, and o! the Cal
%ifornlas, little if any further resistance is appre-
hendsd from the inhabitants 10 the temporary
Governments which have thus, from the ne
cessity oil the case, and according To the laws of
war, been established. Ii may be proper TO
provide for tue security Of these important con.
quests by making aa adequate appropriation
Tor the purpose OF erecting Qualifications and de-
irayIng the expenses necessarily inciGen, 10 the
maintenance Of our possession and authority
over them.
Near the close of your last session, for rea
sons communicated to Congress, | deemed it
important, as a measure for securing a speedy
peace with Mexico, that a sum Of money should
be appropriated and placed IN the power OF the
Executive, similar TO that which had been made
upon w Former occasions. during the admin
is,ratlon Of President JEFFERSON.
On the 2Oih Of February. 1893, an appro-
prauon of two millions OF dollars was made,
ana placed at the disposal of the President
It's object is well known. 1t was at that time
contemplation to acquire Louisiana from
France, auI ii was intended to be applied as a
part Of the consideration which might be paid
for that territory. On the 18th OF February,
loC6, the same sun was IN like manner ap-
proprlated, with a view 10 the purchase OF the
rlorIdas from Spain. These appropriations
were made 10 facilitate negotiations, and as a
means to enable the President 10 accomplish
the important objects in view. Though u did
no. become necessary for the President to use
these appropriations, vet 4 state ri things might
have ARISEN in which ii would nave been high
ly important Tor HIM 10 do SO, and the wisdom
Of making them cannot be doubted. IL is be-
lieyed that the measure RECOMMENDED at your
last session met with the appreciation Of deci-
ded ma,orities in both houses OF Congress. In
deed, IN different forms, a bill making an ap-
appropriation OF two millions of dollars passed
each house, and ii is much TO be regretted that
it did not become. a law. The reasons which
induced me 10 recommend the measure at that
tlGle still exists, and | again submit the sub
jeci to oiir consideration. and suggest the mn
poltaice Of early actl1n upon il. Should Tie
Appropriation be m;ie, and be not needed, il
vii remain in the trvssu Y !: should il be deem
ed proper 10 apply ii in whole or in pat, il will
BE- accounted Tor as other public expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recognized
the existsnccof war with Mexico. my attention
vas directed to the danger that priyaleers might
be fitted out IN the ports OF Cuba and Porto
Rico to prey upon the of the United
States; and | invited the special attention of
the Spanish Government TO the l4th article OF
our treaty with that power of the 10Th OF DC.
,ober. l795, under which the citizens and sub
jects Of either nation who shall take commits
sions or letters OF maTque to act as privaieers
ageInst the other, "shall be punished as pi-
rates"
Ii affords me pleasure TO inform you that |
have received assurances from the Spanish
Government that this article ofthe treaty shall
be faithfully observed on lis part. Orders for
this purpose were Immediately transmitted
from that Government TO the authorizes OF
Cuba aud Porto Rico 10 exert their utmost Wig
Hence in preventing any attempts TO fit out
privateers in those islands against the United
States. From the good faith Of Spain | am
fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed
in its spirit as well as It's letter; Wills, the Uni
Ted States will, on their part, faithfully perform