Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-12-17

that war existed by the act of Mexico between the
United States and that Republic, and granted the
means necessary tcr its vigorous prosecution. Be
ing involved Iii war thus commenced by Mexico
and for the business OF which on our part we may
confidently appeal to the whole world, resoScu 10
prosecute it with the utmost vigor Accordingly, |
the ports of Mexico, on the Gulf and the Pacific
have been placed under blockade, and her territory
invaded at several important points, The reports
from the Departments ofthe War and Navy will in
form you more in detail of the measures adopted in
the emergency in which our country placed and
of the gratifying results which have been accom-
plished.
The various columns of the army have performed
their duty under great disadvantages, with the most
distinguished skill and courage The victories of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma and of Monterey,
won against greatly superior numbers, and against
most decided advantages in other respects on the
part of the enemy, were brilliant in their execution,
and entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the
grateful thanks of their country. The nation de-
plores the loss of the brave officers and men who
have CALAMITY fallen while indicating and defend
ing their country's rights and honor.
1t is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our
volunteer citizen soldiers who so promptly respond
ed to their countrys call, with experience of the
discipline of a camp of only few weeks, have
borne their part in the hard-fough battle Of Monter
ey with a consistency and courage equal to that OF
veteran troops, and worthy of the highest Gmira-
ton. The privations of long marches through the
enemys country, and through wilderness, have
been borne without murmur. By rapid move
ments, the province of New-Mexico, with Sante Fe,
its capital, has been captured without bloodshed-
The navy has Cooperaed with the army, and rem
dered important services if not so brilliant, it is be-
cause The enemy had no force to meet them on their
own element, and because of the defences which
Nature has nterposed in the difficulties of the navi-
cation on the Mexican coast. Our squadron in The
Pacific, with the cooperation of gallant officer of
the army, and small force hastily collected in that
distant country, have acquired bloodess possession
of the CALIFORNIA; and the American flag has been
raised at every important point in that province.
] congratulate you on the success which has thus
attended military and naval operations. In less
than seven months after Mexico commenced hostil-
tiles, at time selected by herself we have taken
possession OF many of her principal ports, driven
back and pursued her invading army, and acquired
military possession Of the Mexican provinces of New
Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, Tamaupilas, and the
CALIFORNIA;, territory larger in extent than that
embraced in the original thirteen States of the
Union, inhabited by considerable population, and
much of it more than thousand miles from the
points at which we had to collect our forces and
commence our movements. BY the blockade, the
import and export trade Of the enemy has been cut
off. Well may the American people be proud of
the energy and galantry of our regular and volun-
teer officers and soldiers. The events of these few
months afford gratifying proof that our country
cam under any emergency confidently rely for the
maintenance of her honor, and the defence of her
rights on effective force, ready at all times vol
UNFAIRLY to relinqush the comforts of home for the
pcrilS and prvations of the camp. And though such
force may be for the time expensive, it is in the
end economical as the ability to command it re-
moves the necessity of employing large standing
army in time of peace, and proves that our people
love their institutions, and are ever ready to defend
and protect them.
While the war was in course of vigorous and
successful prosecution being still anxious to arrest
its evils, and considering that after the brilliant
victories Of our arms on the Sth and 9th of May
last, the national honor could not be compromised
by it, another overture made to Mexico, by my
direction, the 9th of July last, to terminate hos
tlities by peace Just and honorable to both coun-
tries. On the 3lst of August following, the Mexi-
can Government declined to accept this friendly o.
venture, but referred it to the decision of Mexican
Congress, to be assembled in the early part of the
present month. | communicate to you herewith
copy of the letter of the Secretary Of State pro-
posing to reopen negotiations, of the answer of the
Mexican Government, and of the reply thereto Of
the Secretary of State.
The war will continue to be prosecuted with
vigor, as the best means of securing peace. 1t is
hoped that the decision of the Mexican Congress- to
which our last overture has been referred, may re-
suit in a speedy and honorable peace. With our
experience, however, Of the unreasonable course Of
the Mexican authorities 1t is the part of wisdom not
to relax in the energy of our military operations UNI
til the result is made known. In this vcw it is
deemed important to hold military possession of all
the provinces which have been taken, until a defn-
lite treaty of peace shall have been concluded and
ratified by the two countries.
The war has not been waged with view to con-
quest; but having been commenced by Mexico, it
has been carried into the enemy's country, and will
be vigorously prosecuted there, with view to OBJ
tain an honorable peace, and thereby secure ample
indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well FOL
our much injured citizens, who hold large pecunia
ny demands against Mexico
BY the laws Of nations a conquered territory is
subject to be governed by the conqueror during his
military possession, and until there is either treaty
of peace or he shall voluntarily withdraw from it
The old civil Government being necessarily super
seeded, it is the right and duty of the conqueror tc
secure his conquest, and to provide for the manten
ance of civil order and the rights of the inhabitants
| This right has been exercised, and this duty per
| formed, by our military and naval commanders, by
the establishment of temporary Governments il
some of the conquered provinces Of Mexico, assimi
latng them as far as practicable to the free institu
Ilono vi Jul OWH Ill Ule provinces OF NeN
Mexico, and of the CALIFORNIA;, little if any farthe
resistance is apprehended from the inhabitants o
the temporary Governments which have thus, from
the necessity of the case and according to TIE
laws of war, been established. 1t may be proper tC
provide for the security ofthesa important conqucst
by making an adequate appropriation for the pur
pose of erecting Notifications and defrayng expen
ses necessarily incident to the maintenance of GU
possession and authority over them.
Near the close of your last session, for reasons
communicated to Congress, deemed it important
as measure for securing speedy peace with Mex
leo, that sum Of money should be appropriated
and placed in the power of the Executive similar t,
that which had been made upon two former occa
sons, during the administration of President Jetle
/ son.
On the Doth of February, 1903, an appropriation
of two millions of dollars was made and placed a
the disposal Of the President Its object is wei
known. 1t was at that time in contemplation to &C
qure Louisiana from France, and it was intended
to be applied to part of the consideration which
i might be paid for that territory On the 18th o
February, 1906, the same sum was in like name
appropriated, with q view to the purchase of th