The Arkansas banner., 1846-12-23

,o the connrvs cail with expefieBce oi the deep fine ot camp of only few weeks. haye borne ibair patt in the Lard fought battle of Monterey, with co stanty and courage equal to that Of vetefah troops, and worthy the highest udtnirasleH he pFFvatlahs of long ueaTeiles through the eHemys country, and through wilderness, have been borne without n'ir mur By rapid movements the province ct New Mexico. with Santa Fe it's capital has been captuscd without bioodshet The navy has cooperated wiih the army ai,d rendered imroran; services 1T not 30 brilliant It is because the enemy had no forre to meet them their own eleHent, and besatse tAe deien- ccS which aattTe has nterposed. in tie difficulties o lle navigation on inc Mexican coast. Our squadron in the paeiGe wiih tue cooperation of gallant ohi cer o the army and small force hastily collected Tn that distant country, have acquired bioodsss ses sion of the Cafornias, and the American Hag aas been raised a every important point in that province congratulate you on the success which has thus attended, onr military aad naval operations. h less than seven months after Mexico commenced hossih- tiss al time selected by herself, we have taken pos session of many of her principal ports, driven back and pursued her invading army, and acquired null tary possession cf the Mexican provinces of New | Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, Tamaupas, and the CaIilornias, territory larger in extent than that eln braced n the original thirteen States Of tie Union, Inhabited by a considerable population, and much of 1 il more than thousand uiics from the points at which we had to collect our forces. and commence our movements. By the blockade the import and ex | noyt trade 6f the enemy have been cut of.
 We'll may the American people be proud Of the fenergy and gallaRtTy of our regular and volunteer offers and soldiers Tine events of these few months afford gratifying proof that our coantrymen, under any emergency, confidently rely for the m intenance of her honor, and the defence of her rights, on an effective orea ready at all times voluntarily to relin au.s the comforts of home for the periis and the pr yatiops of the camp. And though sstch force may be for he time expensive, is in the end economical. the ability lo command it removes the necessity of employing large standing army in time of peace. and proves Hat our people love their institutions and are ever ready to defend and protect them
 Whilst the war in course of vigorous and successful pro ecgton being still anxious to arrestits evils, and considering that, after brilliant victories ci onr arms oa the sh and 9th of May last, the national honor could not be comr Ionitted by it. another tare was made 10 Mexico, by nay direction, on the 27h of July last to terminate hostiliiies by peace just and honorable to both counties. On the ls of August following, the Mexican government declined to accept this friendly overture, but referred it to the decision of Mexican Congress. to be assembled in tn early part of the present moath communicate to yon herewith copy of the letter of the Secretary of Stae proposing To reopen negotiations, e the an 1 swcr of the Mexican government, and ot the reply i thereto of the Secretary of State.
 The war wili continue to be prosecuted with vigor IS the best cl securing peace Ii is hoped that the decision of the Mexican congress, 10 which our last overture has been referred, may result in speedy and honorable of inc Mexican authorities. il is the part ot wisdom not o relax in the energy of military operations until the result is made known In this view, 1t Is deemed important o held military possession of ait the provinces which have been taken unil definite treaty of peace shall have been ciudsd and ratified by the two countries.
 i The war has not been waged with vi w 10 con- quest hut having been commenced by Mexico 1t has been carried into the enemys country, and will be vigorously prosecuted there with view to obtain honorable peace, and thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war, well as to our much injured citizens who hold large pecaniary demands against Mexico.
 Near the close of your last session. for mnnleaied 10 Congress, deemed it important, as a tfuaa fnfc Mngfrn that sum of money should be appropriated and pla- eed in inc power of the Executive, similar to that which had been made upon the two former occasions during the administration of President Jefferson.
 On tue 26th of February 1S,3, an appropriation of two millions of dollars was made. and placed at the ,tsposS Of the President. It's object is we'll known. II was at that time in contemplation to acquire Lou siana from France, and 1t was attended to be applied part of tie consideration which might be paid for that territory On the 18th February. iso6, the stw was In like manner appropriated. wih q view to purchase inc Floridas from Spain. These apptopria- lions were made 10 facilitate negotiations, and d means 10 enable the President to accomplish the i'm portant objects in view. Though it did not become necessary for the President use these appropriations yet stale of things might have arisen in which it would have been highly important for him to do so, and the wisdom of making them cannot be doubted. IL is believed that the measure recommended at your las, session met with the appreciation of decided ma jorities in both Houses of Congress. Indeed in diff ierent forms bill making an appropriation of two
 
 10 be regretted that it did not become law.
 The reasons which induced me to recommend the measure at that time still exists; and agaln submit the subject for your consideration, and suggest the nnaoriance of carly action upon 1t. Should the ap- profTafon be made, and not be needed, it will re- main in the treasury; should it be deemed proper 10 apply 1t in thewholc m part, it will be accounted Tor as other public expenditures.
 I Immediately after Con. had recognized the ex- ls'eDce of the with Mexico, my attention was d- rected 10 ;e danger that privateers might be fitted out in the ports of Cuba ahh Porto Rico to prey upon the commerce of the t. States; and invited the spe- eal attention oSthe Spanish government to the lilh article of our irea;y with that power of the 20h of October i795, under which the citizens ane subjects of either nation who shall take commissions or letters
 f marqe 10 act prisaieers against the niher shall be punished as pirates
 II affords pleasure 10 inform you that have te- ccived assurances from the Spanish government that this article of the treaty shall be faithfully observed on its part Orders for this purpose immediate. y transmitted from That government to the authorities ot Cuba and Porto Rico to exert their most vigilance in preventing any attempts to fit ont prsaiaers in those islands against the U. States. From the good faith of Spain am fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in its spirit we'll it's letter. whilst the U States will, eir part, faithfully perform all the obligations which Il imposes on them. Information has ben recently received at the Department of Stae that the Mexican government has sent to Havana blank commissions te priyateers blank certificates oi standardization signed by Gen Salas, the present head et the Moxiaaa government There is also req son to apprehend that similar documents have been transmitted tO other parts of the world. Conies of these papers in translation, herewith transmitted
 As the preiminacs required by thA practice of ci- v<ed nations for commissioning priyateers and regu- aing their condnct appear not to have been observed aud as ilese commissions are tn the blank 10 be filled up with the names of citizens and subjects of all na- tions who may be willing to purchase them, the whole proceeding can only be construed invitation to all the free beoters upoa earth who willing to pay ihe privilege, cruise against American commerce. It will be Tor courts of justice 10 decide whether under such circumstances, these Mekicon letters of marque and rcprsal shall pgoteet those who accept them, and commit rohberies upon the high seas under thrir authority, from the pains aud penalties Df piracy
 Ii the certificates of naturaizaon thus granted De intended hv Mexisn f., ah