Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-14

Outrage and exiorion which the Mexican
authorities have pursued against them, whilst
their appeals through their own Government
for indemnity have been made in vain. Our
iorbealancc has gone 10 such an extreme Us To-
be mistaken in It's character. Had We acted
with vigOr in repelng the insults and re-
dressing the injuries inflicted by Mexico at the
commencement, We should doubtless have eS.
capped all the difficulties ia which We ale now
involved.
Instead Of this, however, We have been exert
ing our best efforts To propiate her good will
Upon the prctcxt that Texas, nation as indie
pendent as herself thought proper 10 unite its
dc,inies with our own, she has affected 10 be-
ieye that we have severed her righlful territory.
and, in official proclamalions and manifesios.
has repeatedly thi eatcncd 10 make war upon us
for the purpose Of reconquering Texas. In the
mean time, We have tried every effort at recon-
ciiaion The cup Of forbearance had been eX-
haus,ed, evea before The recent information from
the frontier Of the Del Nortc. Bot now. after
reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the
boundary Of the United States, has invaded our
errnory, and shed American blood upon the
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostil-
tiles have commenced, and that the two nations
are now at war
AS war exists, and nothw outstanding all our
efforts TO avoid 1t, exists by the act OF Mexico
herself, we are called upon, by every considera-
ton OF duty and patriotism, 10 vindicatc, with
decision, the honor, the rights, and the interests
of our country.
Anticipating the possibility Of crisis like
that which has arrived, instructions were given
IN August last, 'as precautionary measure
against invasion, or threatened invasion, au.
horizing General Taylor, if the emergency rc.
qured, 10 accept volunteers, not from Texas on
y, but from the States OF Louisiana, Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky; and
corresponding letters were addressed to the re.
spec,ive Governors Of those Statcs
The instructions were repeated and in Jan.
uary last soon after the incorporation Of Texas
into our union Of States General Taylor was
farther authorized by the President 10 make
requisition upon the Executive OF that State for
such Of its militia force US may be needed 10 re.
pei invasion or TO secure the country against
apprehended INVASION On the I'd day Of
March, he was again reminded, in the event of
the approach of any considerable Mexican force,
promptly and efficiently 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 hav.
ing been invaded, General Taylor, pursuant to
authority vested in him by my direction, has
called on the Governor Of Texas for four regi.
ments Of Stale troops-two to be mounted and
two to serve On foot; and on the Governor Of
Louisiana for four regiments Of infantry, To- be
sent to him as soon as practicable.
In farther vndicalion Of our rights and dc.
fence of our territory, invoke The prompt &C.
tion Of Congress TO recognise the existence Of
the war, and to place at the disposition Of the
Executive the means of prosecuting The war
with vigor, aud thus Fastening the restoration
OF peace. To this end recommend that author
ity should be given to call into the public ser.
vice large body Of volunteers, 10 serve for not
less than six or twelve months, unless sooner
discharged.
A volunteer force is, beyond question, more
efficient than any other description Of citizen
soldiers; and il is not to be doubted that mum.
Der far beyond that required would readily rush
to the field upon the call Of their country. |
further recommend that liberal provision be
made for sustaining our entire military force,
and furnishing it with supplies and munitions
of war.
The most engetic and prompt measures, and
the immediate appearance in arms of large
Ioverpowering force, are recommended to Con.
SreSs as the most certain and efficient means Of
bringing the existing collision with Mexico TO a
speedy and successful termination
In making these recommendations, deem il
proper TO declare that it is my anxious desire no,
Ionly TO terminate hostlities speedily, but to
bring all matters in dispute between this govern
ment and Mexico to on early and amicable nd,
iJnslment; and, in this view, shall be prepared
TO renew negotiations whenever Mexico shall
be ready TO receive propositions, or To make
propositions Of her own.
transmit herewith copy Of the Correspon
dence between our envoy to Mexico and the
MEXICAN Minister for Foreign Affairs; and so
much OF the Correspondence between that envoy
and the Secretary of State, and between the
Secretary of War and the General in command
on the Del Nor,e, a. are necessary to full I'M.
. JAMES X. POLK,
WAsHINcroS May lllh, 1876.
! motion was made that &C, 900 extra COP.
ies be prinled,-aher long debate the mes.
sage and documents were jointly referred to
the Com. on Military Affairs and the Com, on
Foreign Relations, and the motion to print
10000 extra copies was carried. No other
action on it in the Senate.
In the House., the War Message of Prcsi.
aen, Polk was read. The House appeared
delighted with the prospect Of o war with
Mexico, and grca, confusion prevailed among
the war spirits,
The bill introduced by Mr.. HARRISON, was
finally passed, after amendment, by q vote Of
la to ID. The title is so amended rs to read
IAN act to provide for tho prosecution of
the existing war between the United States
and the Republic OF Mexico"
The bill was subsequently concurrcd in by
the Senate by Il vote Of so 10 3.
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