Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-08-21
Mexico and the United States.

The message Of the President calling for
an appropriation of g, 1000, to conclude
peace and establish the boundary between the
two countries, of which we made mention last
week, was then crowded cut of the Journal.
In order that our readers may fully under
stand the designs Of the President In asking
for the aforesaid sum, we have thought it best
to publish the message to-day, which is az
follows:
TO The Senate and Rosse of Representatives.
of tie United States )
invite your attention to the propriety of
making an appropriation to provide for any ex-
penditure which it may be necessary to make
in advance for the purpose Of settling all our
difficulties with the Mexican republic. It is
my sincere desire to terminate, az 1t was
originally TO avoid the existing war with Mex
leo, by peace just and honorable to both par
ties. 1t is probable that the chief obstacle to
be surmounted in accomplishing this desirable
object, will be the adjustment of a boundary
between the two republics, which shall prove
satisfactory and convenient to both, and such
as neither will hereaite: be inclined to disturb.
In the adjustment Of this boundary, we ought
to pay fair equivalent for any concessions
that may be made by Mexico.
Under these circumstances, and consider
ing the other complicated questions to be set
tied by negotiation with the Mexican republic.
| deem it important that a SUM Of money
should be placed unde: the control of the Eek.
ecutive, 20 be advanced, if need be, to the
government of that republic Immediately after
their ratification Of a treaty. II might be in
convenient for the Mexican government to
wait for the whole sum, the payment of which
may be stipulated by this treaty until itcould
be ratified by our Senate and an appropriation
10 carry it into effect made by Congress-
Indeed the necessity for this delay might de.
feat the object altogether. The disbursement
of this money would of cource be accounted
for, not as secret service money, but like 9th.
et expenditures.
Two presidents for such proceeding exist
in our past history during the administration of
Mr.. Jefferson, to which / would call you. at
tention. On the 26,h February, 1903, an ac,
was passed appropriatng two millions ofdol-
lars " for the purpose Of defraying any extra
ordinary expenses which may be incurred in
the intercourse between the United States and
foreign nations" " to be applied under the d.
rection of the President Of the United States,
who shall cause an account of the expendi-
tnres thereof to be laid before Congress as
5000 as may be-" and OH the 18th Of Febru-
AIRY, 1906. an appropriation was made of the
same amount, and in the same terms. In
neither case was the money actually drawn
from the treasury. and should hope that the
result in this respect might be similar Oh the
present occasion, although the appropriation
may prove to be indispensable in accomplish
ing the object. would, therefore. recommend
the passage ola law appropriatIng 50. 600 600
to be placed at the disposal Of the Executive,
fol the purpose which have Indicated
In order to prevent all misapprehe nsion, it
IS my duty to state that anxious as | am to
terminate the existing war with the least pos.
sibe delay, it will continue to he prosecuted
with the utmost vIeor until a treaty of peace
shall he signed by the parties and ratified by
the Mexican republic.
JAMES X. POLK.
Washington. 9th August, 1876.
We also deem it proper to lay before our
readers the following synopsis Of the proceed
ings before the Senate, i'm closed doors, respect.
ing the above message on the same subject,
which we compile from the Washington
Union Of the 18th instant
WASHINGTON. August 4, 1916,
To The Senate Of the United Statess
| herewith communicates to the Senate the
copy of letter, under date of the a7;h ult.
from the Secretary of State Of the 3. States to
the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Mex.
lean Republic. again proposing to open nego.
tlhtions and conclude treaty Of peace, which
shall adjust all the Questions in dispute be.
tween the two Republics. ConMderlng the
relative power of The two counlries. the plo,
rious events which have si2naIized our arms
and the distracted condition of Mexico, did
not conceive that any point of national honor
could exist which ought to prevent me from
making this overture. Equally anxious tc
terminate, by peace honorable for both par
ties. as was originally to avoid the existing
war, | have deemed 1t my duty again to ex
tend the olive branch to Mexico. Should the
Government of that Republic accept the offe
in the same friendly spirit by which it was
dictated, negotiations will speedily commenc.
for the conclusion Of a treaty.
THE rest of the message is the samo as tina
submitted to the House on the same subject
and published above.1
| also communicate to the Senate the cob,
OF letter from the Secretary of State to Com
modore Common, Of the 9th ult., which wa
transmitted to him on the day it bears date
JAMES K. POLK.
The following are the letters from the Sec
rotary of State 10 Com. Conner;
DEPARTMENT or SrArE,7
WASHINGTON, July 81, 1916.
SIa: The President of the United States
no less anxious to terminate than he was
avoid the present unhappy war with the Me,
: lean Republic, has determined to make an e
fort to accomplish this purpose. He has az
cordingly instructed the undersigned, Secrets
=. ~ of State. to propose through your Exceller
cy to the Mexican Government, that negotia
tons shall forthwith commence for the roncu