Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-14

tttnEI uudDte OF WluiI5 W SDsOsNe W. -
cuiion Of such treaties, fails to perform one o.
its plainest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been alrnosi
annihilated 1t was formerly highly beneh-
cal to both nations; but our merchants have
been deferred from prosecuting il BY the sys-
tenn Of outrage and extorton which the Mexi
can authorities have pursued against them
whist their appeals through their own govern
ment for indemnity have been made In vain
Our forbearance has gone to such an extreme
as to be mistaken in its character. Had we &C
ted with vig0r in repelling the insults and re-
dressing the injuries inflicted by Mexico the
commencement, we should doubtless have es-
capped all the difficulties in which we are now
involved.
Instead OF this, however, we have been ex-
erting our best efforts to propitate her good
Will. Upon the pretext that Texas "a nation as
independent as herself, thought proper TO unite
its destinies with our own, she has affected to
believe that we have severed her rightfu terri
ritory, and, in official proclamations and man
ilestoes, has repeatedly threatened 10 make
war upon us for the purpose Of reconquerln2
Texas. In the mean time, we have tried ey-
cry effort at reconciliation. The cup of for
bearance has been exhausted, even before the
ttItUl uiOiHldl4OIl HUH AHt vi lili iS'l
Norte. But now, after reiterated menaees,
Mexico has passed the boundary of the United
States, has invaded our territory, and shed
american blood up9R the American soil
She has proclaimed that hostilltles have com
menced, and that the two nations are now al
war.
Aswsr exists, and, uoiw outstanding all our efforts
TO avoid it.exists BY the act cf Mexico hrrself
we called upon, BY every consideration Of duty
and patriotism, to yndicate. with decision, the hou
or, the rights, and the interests Of our country.
Anticipating the possibility Of crisis like tina,
which has arrived, instructions were given In Au.
gust last, 'as precautionary measure" against in.
vssoD, or threatened invasion, authorising Gen.
TAYLOR, II the emergenty required to accept vol
anteers, not from Texas only, but from the States
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and
Kentucky aud CORES ponding letters were addres
sed to the respective governors Of those States.
These instructions were repeated aud in Janua.
ry last, after the Incorporation Of "Texas iuto
onr union of the States" Gen TAYLOR W as further
upon the Executive Of thai State for such Of its mi
tia force may be needed to repel invasion, or 10
secure the country against apprehended invasion. 81
Ga the I'd day OF March he again reminded,
Sin the event Of the approach Of any conside rahe
Mexican force. promptly and differently to use tho
authority with which he was clothed 10 call to him
such auxiliary force as he might need" War &C
uatly existing, aud our territory having been nva
ueu, Ten AVLoR 10 authority vested ~
him BY my direction, has called on The Governor Of
Texas for four Regiments Of State troops-two to be
moRnted, and two 10 serve Oh foot and on the Go
vernon of Louisiana for four Regiments of infantry
TO be sent TO him as soon az practicable.
In further vindication Of our rights and defence oil
our territory, invoke the prompt action of Con
gross to recognise the existence Of the war, and 10
place at the disposition Of the Executive the means
OF prosecuting the war with vigor, and thus hasten
ing the restoration Of peace. TO this end recon.
d. he, 4
public service large body Of volunteers TO serve
for less than six twelve mouths unless soon 81
DISCHARGED. A volunteer force is, beyond ques; ion
Efficient than any other description Of citizen
soldiers; aud il is not 10 be doubted that a nutnb Der
far beyond that required would readily rush 10 the
field upon the call Of their country. ! further re
commend that liberal provision be made for sus
tanning our entire military force. and furnishingl,
with supplies and munitions Of war.
The NEST energetic and prompt measures, aud the
immediate appearance in arms Of large and over.
towering force are recommended TO Congress as the
most certain and efficient means Of bringing the ex
istng collision with Mexico TO a speedy and sue
cessiu termination.
er 10 declare that it is my anxious desire not only
TO terminate hosiilities speedily, but TO bring all
matters in dispute between this Government and
Mexico 10 early and amicabie adlus tment; and
in this view, shall be prepared TO renew negota
tious, whenever Mexico shall be ready to receive
propositions or TO make propositions OF her own
! transmit herewith copy of the correspondence
between onr Envoy 10 Mexico and the Mexican Mi.
mister for foreign affairs aud so much ofthe cores
pondence between that Envoy and the Secretary Of
State, aud between the Secretary Of War and the
General in command on the Del Norte. as are neces
sary TO inil understanding OF the subject
JAMES X. POLK.
WAsHiNoroE, May ilth, ls46.
1t will be seen from the annexed proceed
ings which we clip from the Congressional re-
port of the Baltimore Sun of the 18th inst that
the House OF Representatives have responded
with great promptness to the Message-and
the Senate will doubtless concur in the action
Of the House,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
As the cars left the bill Containing Mr..
Boyd's amendment was read third time
and passed by vote ofyeas Ia, nays IA
The bill recognizes the existance OF
war, appropriates $1,000. 600 and auiho-
rises the President to accept the services
of so, 900 volunteers.
In addition 10 the present military and
naval force the President is authorised to
complete all the public armed vessels, and
to purchase such merchant vessels and
steamboats, as can easily be converted into
armed vessels.
/ The title of the bill was amended so as
10 read, an act to provide for the prosecu-
ton of the existance Of war between the
United States and the Republic of Mexico
The amendments OF the Senate 10 the
bill providing for the increase of the rank
aud file of the army, were taken up and
concurred in. They increase the number
Of men in each company from 40 TO 100
and extended the term OF service from
three to FIVE years. The House then ad-
journea.
RETROCESSION OF ALEXAN-