Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-28
THE NATIONAL DEFENCEs.


THE NATIONAL DEFENCES.
The following is copy of the Message of the
President on the subject Of the National Defences
which was communicated to the Senate on Tuesday
last:
TO the Senate of he United States.
In to the inquiry Of the Senate contained in their
resolution of the 18th instant, whether in nv Judgment
any circumstances connected WITH growing out Of the
foreign relations Of this country, require this time an in
Of naval military force |" and, 50, what
those circumstances are" Ihave express the opinion that
wise precaution demands such increase.
In my annual message Of the ID Of December last recon-
mended to the favorable consideration of Congress increase
Of naval force especially of steam navy and the rails
ing Of adequate military force to guard and protect such Of
citizens might think proper cmigate to Oregon.
Since that period have cause to recall or modify
these recommendations On the contrary, reasons exist which,
in my Judgment render proper only that they should be
promptly carried into effect but that additional provision
should be made for the public defence.
The consideration of such additional provision brought
before appropriate committees of the two houses OF Congress-
in to calls made by them reports prepared with my
sanction by the Secretary Of War and the Secretary Of the
Navy, the 10Th Of December and the 9Th OF January last
mode Of communication with Congress not UNUSUAL and.
under existing circumstances believed be eligible Sub
sequen events have confirmed in the opinion that these
recommendations proper precautionary
It wise maxim Of the Father Of his Country, that o
be prepared for war; Of the efficient pre-
serving peace = and that avoiding occasions expense by
cuvating peace, should sremember aso that timely
disbursements prepare for danger frequently prevent much
greater disbursements repel it," The general obligation
perform this duty greatly by facts known the
whole world controversy respecting the Oregon territory
between the United States and Great Britain and
WHILE far know, the relations Of the latter with all
European nations Of the most pacific chaacts sh IS ma
king unusual and extraordinary ornaments and warke pre-
paraons naval and military, both home and in her North
American possessions
Il be disguised that however sincere may be the
desire peace the Of rupture these ornaments and
preparations would used against country. Whatever
been the original purposes Of these preparations
fact undoubed that they proceeding, in part at
least with view to the contingent possibility Of with
the United States The general policy of making additional
warke preparations distinctly announced in the speech
from the throne late January last and has since been
by the Ministers Of the Crown in both Houses Of
Parliament Under this aspect of relations with Great
Britain cannot doubt the proprety of increasing our
means OF defence, both by land and This give
Great Britain of offence increase the danger Of
rupture. IT, the contrary, should fold in
security and at last be suddenly involved in hoses for the
maintenance Of just rights without any adequate prepare
ton responsibility the country would be of the gayest
character Should collision between the counties be
avoided sincerely may be- the additional charge
upon the Treasury, making the necessary preparations will
be lost, whie in the event Of such collision, they
would be indispensable for the maintenance Of national
rights and national honor.
have change modify the recommended
Of my annual message regard the Oregon question
The notice abrogae the treaty of the 9th Of August 1897
anlhaszsd hx ssreais is and cannot be regarded
warike measure and cannot withhold my strong conviction
that it should bcsprompty given. The other recommends
tons conformity with the existing treaty, and would az
ford to American citizens in Oregon than the
of protection which has long been extended to
British subjects in that territory.
The Of relations with Mexico is still in an unset
tied condition. Since the meeting of Congress another revou
lion has taken place in that country by which hs Government
has passed into the hands Of rulers This has pro-
crasnated, and may possibly defeat the settlement of the diff
ferences between the United States and that country The
Minister of the United States Mexico the date Of the
last advces had not been received by the existing authorities
Demonstrations Of character hostile the United States
continue TO be made in Mexico, which has rendered proper
in my judgment, to keep nearly two-thrds of army
Southwestern frontier In doing this many Of the rs
lar military posts have been reduced small force ins
quae to their defence should an emergency arise.
In view of these circumstances il is my "udgmsnt
that 81 increase Of naval and military force at this
time required" to place the country suitable of de-
fence. At the time il is my settled purpose to pursue
such Of policy may be best calculated preserve
both with Great Britain and Mexico an honorable peace,
which nothing will efectualy promote unanmiy in
councils and firm maintenance Of all just rights.