Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-12-17

coast Our squadron in the Pacific, with the
co.opeiarion of gallant officer of the army,
and small force hastily collected in that dis
lant country, have acquired bioodless posses
sim or the CALIFORNIA;, and the American flag
has been raised al every important point in ,ha,
province.
congratulate you on the success which has
thus attended our military and naval operations
In less than seven months after Mexico COM
menced hosli,ies, al a time selected by hrrsef,
we have taken possession of many Of her prin-
cipal ports driven back and pursued her nva-
ding army, and acquired military possession of
The Mexican provinces OF New Mexico. New
| Leon Coahua, Tamaulipas, and the Calilor-
Mas, territory larger in extent than that en-
braced in the original thirteen States of the Un-
ion, Inhabited Ivy considerable population, and
much of il more than thousand miles from the
points at which we had to collect our forces
and commence our movements. BY the block
| ade, the import and export trade of the enemy
has been cut off. Well may the American
people be proud of the energy and gallaniry of
our regular aud volunteer officers and soldiers
The events Of these few monts afford crafty
ing proof that our country can under any emer-
gency, confidently rely for the maintenance of
her honor. and the defence of her rights, on an
effective force, ready at all times voluntarily to
reIlnquish The comforts of home for The pers
and privations of the camp. And though such
force may be for the lime expensive il is in
he end economical, as the ability to command
II removes he necessity oi employing large
standing army i'll time Of peace, and proves that
oar people love their institutions, and are ever
ready to defend and protect them.
While the war in course of vigorous
aud successful prosecution, being still axous TO
arrest lis evils. aid considering that, after the
brilliant victories OF Cur arms on thu 9Th and 9Th
of May last, The national honor could not be
compro nted by IT, another overture was made
to Mexico, by nv direction, on The 9th of July
last. terminate hosllliies by a peace just and
honorable 10 both countries. On the 3lst o:
August following, the Mexican Government de.
clned TO accept this friendly overture, but re-
(erred it to the decision of a Mexican Congress,
to be assembled in The early part of the present
month | communicate 10 you, herewith, CO.
pv of The letter of the Secretary of State pro-
posing to reopen negotiations, OF the answer oi
The Mexican Government, and of the reply
thereto of The Secretary of State.
The war will continue 10 be prosecuted with
Vigor, as the best means Of securing peace. Ii
is hoped that the decision Of the Mexican Con-
gress, 10 which our last overture has been re-
ferred, may resul; in speedy and honorable
peace. With our experience, however, OF the
unreasonable course of the Mexican authorities,
it is The part Of wisdom not relax in the energy
of our military operations until the result Is
made known. In this view, 1t is deemed i'm
poriant TO hold military possession of all the
provinces which have been taken, until def
Inirve treaty Of peace shall have been conclu-
ded and ratified by the Two countries.
The war has moi been waged with view 10
conqesl; but having been commenced by Mexi-
CO, II has been carried into The enemy's coun-
try, and will be vigorousl y prosecuted there,
with view to obtain an honorable peace, and
thereby secure ample indemnity for the expen-
ses of The war. as well as 10 our much injured
citizens. who hold large pecuniary demands
against Mexico
BY the laws of nations conquered territory
is subject to be governed by the Lonqueror dur
ing his military possession and until there is
either treaty of peace, or he shall voluntarily
Withdraw from it. The old civil Government
heing necessarily superseded, 1t is the right and
duty oi the conquerer 10 secure his conquest,
and 10 provide for The maintenance of civil Or
der 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
in some of the conquered provinces in Mexico,
assimllating them d, far as practicable TO the
free institutions OF our own country. In The
provinces of New-Mexico, and of the 'Callfor-
MAS, ittle if any farther resistance is apprehen-
ded from the inhabitants 10 the temporary Gov
ernments which have thus, from The necessity
of the case and according to the laws of war,
been established. |, may be proper 10 provide
for the security of these important conquess by
making an adequate appropriation for the pur-
pose of erecting forilicalions and defraylng the
expenses necessarily incident TO the malnte-
nance Of our possession andauhori,y over them.
Near he close of your last session, for rea.
sons communicated to Congress- | deemed il
Important as measure for securing speedy
peace with Mexico, that sum of money shoud
be appropriated, and placed n the power of the
Executive, similar to that which had been made
upon two former occasions, during thu admin
lstration of Presipent Jefferson.
On the Goth of February, 1903, an appropri
alton of two millions of dollars was made, and
placed al the disposal of the President. Its
object is well known. Ii was at that time In