Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-05-23


IA accept volunteers, not from Texas only, but
from the States of Louisiana, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi. Tennessee and Kentucky; and cores
handing letters were addressed to the respectiyel
Governors of those States. These instructions
were repeated, and in January last soon after
theincorporation of "Texas into our Union of
States" Gen. Taylor was further authorized
nv the President to make a requisltion upon the
Executive of that State for such of its militia
force as may be needed TO repel invasion, or to Sc
cure the country against unprecedented invasion.
On the Cd day Of March he was again reminded,
"in the event fthe approach OF any considerable
force, promptly to use the authority with which
he was clothed to call to him such auxiliary force
as he might need" War actually existing, and
our territory having been invaded, Gen. Taylor,
pursuant to authority vested in him by my drec.
lion, has called on the Governor of Texas for four
regiments of State troops, two to be mounted and
two TO serve on foot, and on the Governor OF Lou
isana 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 recognize the existence OF the war,
and TO place ut the disposal Of the Executive the
means of prosecuting the war with ylgor, and
thus fastening, the restoration to peace. 10
this end | recommend that authority should be
given to call into the public service large body
of volunteers, to serve for not less than SIX or
twelve months, unless sooner discharged a
volunteer force is. beyond doubt, more eihcleht
than any other description OF citizen soldlers;ahd
it is not to be doubted that number lar Oeyohu
that required would readily rush to the held up
on the call Of their country. ! further fecom'
mend that liberal provision be made lof sus
tanning our military force and furnishing II WIN
l,re., I,,,,, c1fpg
The most energetic and prompt measures, ana
the immediate appearance in arms OF large ana
oyerpowerinr force, are recommended to Con
gress as the most certain and efficient means OF
bringing the existing collision with Mexico to
speedy and successful termination.
In making these recommendations, ! deemlt
proper to declare that it is my anxious desire not
only to terminate hostiIities speedily, but to
bring all matters in dispute between this Gov.
eminent and Mexico to an early and amcable
adjustment; and in this view | shall be prepared
to renew negotiations whenever Mexico shall be
ready to receive propositions, or to make proPos'
itons of her own.
transmit herewith copy of the correspond
ence of our Envoy to Mexico and the Mexican
Minister for Foreign Affairs, and so much Of the
correspondence between that Envoy and the Sec.
retarv of State, and between the Secretary oil
War and the General in command on the Del
Norte as are necessary to full understanding OF
the subject. ,r,
The proceedings that followed the read
ing of the Message, was very interesting,
in each House of Congress. We have,
however, no room for details. The flnaI
result was, the passage by the House OF
the following important bill, by a very
large maiorlty--l74 TO "A. The fourteen
nays are as follows John @. Adams,
Ashmun, Cranston, DuIver, Delano, Cd
dipgs, GrlnneII, Hudson, D. P. klnk, Root,
Severance, Strohm, Tiden and Vance.
The bill, as it passed the House OF
Representatives, is as follows:
A BILL
To authorize the President Of the United
States, under certain contingencies
therein named, TO accept the services Of
volunteers, and for other purposes
Whereas, by the act Of the Republic Of
Mexico, a state Of war exists between that
Government and the U. States: There:
fore
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of the United States oil
America in Congress assembled, That tor
the purpose of enabling the Government
Of the United States to prosecute SAID war
TO a speedy and successful termination,
the President be, and he is hereby au-
thorized to employ the naval and military
forces of the United States, and to call
for and accept the services OF any number
of volunteers, not exceeding fifty thousand,
who may offer their services, as cavalry,
artillery, infantry, or rihemen, 10 serve
six or twelve months after they shall
have arrived at the place of rendezvous,
or to the end of the war, unless sooner
discharged. That the sum Of ten mil
lions of dollars be, and the same is here
by appropriated out Of any money in
The Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
for the purpose of carrying the provls-
ions Of this act into effect.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That
the militia, when called into service of the
United States, by virtue Of this act, or any
other act, may, if in the opinion of the
President Of the United States the public
interest requires it, be compelled TO
serve for term not exceeding six months
after their arrival to the place OF rendez,
vous, in any one year, unless sooner dis,
charged.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That
the said volunteers shall furnish their
own clothes, and, il cavalry their own
horses; and, when mustered into service,
shall be armed and equipped at the ex,
pense Of the United States.
Sec. A. And be it further enacted, That
said volunteers when called into actual
service, and while remaining therein
shall be subject to the rules AND articles
of war, and shall be, in all respects ex'
cept TO clothing and pay, placed on the
AZ nA