Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-12-10

=; and again submit he sub;sc{ o your e..
sltcE1flon, and recommend tarlr aSfiGn uror h
Should The .ppsopri4tioa = maie. ~ +.
not needet, 1 VIII renain ii tks lrcI.I.. /.
Should { y teemsd proper u applr / IN 0I5'.
@ p pm. 4 win y sccountsd for = ot1sr y.
lie expenditure.
Imneti.lely alsr Co1risss ~ rrcoroizsd
tne existe1ce Of he var Vii M1Elto. ~ a.
tendon uas difecte1 d IL dStrsf tL1l rrisa-
leers might be 6tled o1I u lie p6rts q C1ba q
Porto klco % rfag 1roa th5 c1nn1fes q The
United States. and invited he special alien
ton q The Splni&l E1ve-ansnf Il The four
teenth article q 90 treaty with tbat power Of
he twenLiet1 Of Ociobsf, 1855 uodsr which
the ciiizeu1 md snb;ects Of either nation who
shall take commissions or letters Of marque 70
act A. privalcers against the oiker -shall Be
punisheda ~ pirafesn
i adonis me pleasure 10 inform yon that
have received assurance from The Span
ish government, that this article Of the tfea-
y shall Be faithfully observed on is part
Orders iora this purpose were Immediately
transmitted from that government 10 the an-
th0rities of Cuba and Por0 Rico ID exert their
Utmost sigiiance in preventing any attempts to
IT out pfiVateefs in those islands against the
Y. States. From the goDd faith Of Spain | am
fully satisfied thai this treaty win be executed
N is spirit as well as is letter ;:whilss the
United States will on their part. faithfully per-
form all the obligations which il imposes on
them 34
information has been received Il jhe Depart
ment Of State thar the Mexican government
has sent 20 Havana blank commissions TO pTi-
vateers. and blank certificates Of naturalization,
signed BY General Salas, the PRESENT bead Of
the Mexican government. There Is, ALSO, rea-
son 70 apprehend that similar documents have
been transmitted 10 other parts Of the world
Copies Of these papers, in translation, are here
with Transmitted.
As the pfelminaries required by the practice
OF civilized nations FOR commissioning priva-
teers and regulating their condect appear not
to have been observed, and As these commits
sions are III the blank, 10 be filed up with the
names Of citizens and subjects Of all nations
who may Be willing 10 purchase them, the
whole proceeding can only be construed as an
invitation 10 all, The freebooters ON earth, who
are willing to pay for the privilege, to cruise
against American commerce. il will be lor
our courts OF justice TO decide whether, under
o circumstances, these Mexican letters Of
msfque and reprisal shall protect those who
accept them, and commit robbencs upon the
high seas under their authority, frpm the pains
and penalties OF piracy.
II the certificates of naturalization Tins
granted be intended by Mexico 10 shield Span.
ish subjects from the guilt and punishment Of
pirates, under our treaty with Spain. they will
certainly prove unayaiing. Sucha sahterfuee
would De but weak device to defeat the provi.
sions Of , solemn treaty.
: ! recommend that Congress should imme-
diately provide BY law for the trial and push
ment as pirates Of Spanish subjects who, es.
Gaping the vigilance Of their government, shall
pc ionnd guilty OF priyateering against the Uni
ted States. ! do not apprehehd any serious
danger IRON. these privaieers. Our navy will
be constantly on the alert to protect our COM
MERGE Besides, IN case prizes should Be- made
OF American vessels, the utmost vigilance win
be exerted BY our blockading squadron to pre.
vent the captors from taking them into Mexican
ports, and i Is not apprehended that any nation
viii violate it's neutrality by suffering such
prizes to be condemned and sold within its iu-
risdiciion.
] recommend that Congress shonld imme-
diately provide by law for granting letters Of
marqne and reprisal against vessels under
the Mexican flag. u is true that there are but
few, il any, commercial vessels from Mexico
upon the high seas and il is therefore not pro-
bable that many American priyaieers would be
titted out in case law should pass authorizing
this mode Of warfare. II is, notwithstanding,
certain tina. such Privvteers ui<y render gu0d
service to the country, by recapturing our mer-
chant ships, should any be taken BY armed ves-
sells under the Mexican flag, as well as captur-
ing these vessels themselves. Every means
within our power should be rendered available
for the protection Of our commerce.
: q nf a. .f.L. n
4 wihexhibit q detailed statement Of the condi.
ton ufthe finances. The imports for the fiscal
1 year ending on the thirtieth Of Jone last were
ofthe value Of one hundred and .wenty.one mil.
lion six hundred and ninety mine thousand sew.
en- hundred and ninety-seven dollars; Of which
the amount exported was eleven million three
hundred and forty -six thousand six hundred and
twenty three dollars; leaving the amount re-
J tanned in the country for domestic consumption
one hundred and ten million three hundred and
forty-fye thousand one hundred and seventy
four dollars. The vslue Of the exports for III,
same period was one hundred and thirteen mil
Z lion four hundred and eighty-eight thousan,
FIVE hundred and sixteen dollars: Of which on,
hundred and two million one hundred and fort,
one thousand eight hundred and ninety -thre,
dollars consisted Of domestic productions, an,
eleven million three hundred and forty six thou
sand six hundred and iwenty-three dollars 0
foreign articles.
4 The receipts into the treasury for The SAM
year were twenty mine million four lhundre,
and ninety-nine thousand two hundred and for
ty-seyen dollars and six cents OF which ther,
was derived from customs twenty-six million
seven hundred and twelve thousand Six hun
died and sixty seven dollars and eighty sever
cents; from sales Of public lands, two million
six hundred and ninety-four thousand four hun
dred and ifty-two dollars apd forty-eight cents
and from Incidental aud miscellaneous sources
ninety-two thbasand one hundred and twenty
six dollars and seventy-pne cents. The expen
ditures for the same period were tifenlyseigh
million thirty-one thousand one hundred an,
fourteen dollars and twenty cents !; and the bal
ance inthe treasury on the first day of Jul,
last was nine million one hundred and twenty
!; six thousand four hundred and thirty mine dol
lars and eight cents. III -
Il The amount Of the public debt, intluain,
j treasury notes on the first Of the present. mont
xas twenty four mill Jon two hnnaEed AID tittr
II 81 seTefteen millions seven hundred and eight
i eight thousand seven hundred and Aineiy min
dollars and sixty-two cents was outstanding O
the fourth of March, I6+5, leaving the amour
incurred since that time six million lour hun
dred and sixty-seven thousand six hundred am
| ninety-four dollars and ninety-eight cents.
i lnorder to prosecute the war with Nexicl
with vigor and energy, IS the best means Q
bringing Il to speedy and honorable tefmina
ton, iurther loan viii be necessary, 70 NEE
the expenditures Of the present and the mex
fiscal year, and II the war should be continues