Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-08-21
PEACE MESSAGE.

The following message from the President
of the United States, asking of Congress an
appropriation of $4,000, 900 to enable the 90
vernment to CONCLUDE A PEACE WITH MEX
leo, was received and read in both branches
of Congress. The Senate and the House,
we understand, both passed a bill granting
the desired amount.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.
| invite your attention to the proprieiy of
making an appropriation to provide for any
expenditures which it may be necessary to
make in advance for the purpose of settling
all our difficulties with the Mexican Rcpub-
lie. 1t l. my desire to terminate, as it oriri-
nally was to avoid, the existing war with
Mexico, for a peace justand honorable to both
parties.
1t is probable that the chief obstacle to be
surmounted in accomplishing this desirable
object, will be the adjustment Of a boundary
between the two Republics, which shall
prove satisfactory and convenient to both, and
such as neither will hereafter repent. In the
adjustment of this boundary, we ought TO
pay a fair equivalent for any concession
which may be made by Mexico.
Under the circumstances, and considering
the other complicated questions TO be settled
by negotiation with the Mexican Republic. |
deem it important thata sum of money should
be put under the control of the Executive, to
be advanced, if need be, to the Government
of that Republic Immediately after the rdti-
~fication Of a treaty. 1t might be inconveni-
ent for the Mexican Government to wait for
the whole sum, the payment of which may
be stipulated by this treaty until it could be
ratified by our Senate, and an appropriation
to carry it into effect made by Congress.
Indeed, the necessity for their delay might
defeat the object altogether. The disburse-
ment Of this money would, of course, be &C.
counted for not as secret service money, bu'
like other expenditures. Two precedent:
for such a proceeding exist in past history
during the administration Of Mr.. jefferson, Il
which | would call your attention. On tn,
Goth of February, 1903, an act was passe,
appropriating two millions of dollars for Tn
purpose of deCraying any extraordinary eN
penditures which may be incurred in the II
tercourse between the United States and fot
eign nations, to be applied under the dire,
ton of the President of the United State
/ who shall cause an account thereof to be lai
before Congress as soon as may be and O
the 18th of February, 1906, an Appropriate
was made of the sam on the same TERMS
In neither case was the money actually draw
from the Treasury and | should hope a re
suit in this respect might be similar on tn
present occasion, although the appropriation
may prove to be indispensable in accomplish
ing this object. | would therefore recon
mend the passage Of a law appropriating tw,
millions of dollars, to be placed at the dispo
sal of the Executive for the purpose | hav,
indicated. In order to prevent all misappre
h%ension, it is my duty to state that, anXiou,
as | am to terminate the existing war witt
the least possible delay, twill continue to bc
prosecuted with the utmost vigor until
treaty of peace shall be signed by the parties
and ratified by the Mexican Republic.
JAMES X. POLK.