The North-Carolina standard., 1846-08-12
.RELATIoNs WITH MEXICO. =

On Saturday last the following Message from
the President was laid before the House of Rep.
resentatives. 1t had not been acted on up to the
adjournment on Saturday night, but was no doubt
disposed of on Monday, the day fixed for ad-
journment: .cis;z r~se
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.
:.s .e,a 81 .513fa --ofMe United States i:
I inviteyour attention to the proprietY of making
an appropriation 10 provide for any expenditure
which it may be necessary to make in advance
for the purpose of settling all our difficulties with
the Mexican repoblic.. 1t is my sincere desire
to terminate, as il was originally to avoid, the
existing war with Mexico by peace just and
honorable 10 both parties 1t is probable that the
chief obstacle TO be surmounred in accomplishing
this desirable object, will be the adjustment of
boundary between the two republics, which shall
prove satisfactory, and convenient to both, and
such as neither will hereafter be Inclined 10 dis
turb. In the adjustment of this boundary, we
ought 10 pay a fair equivalent for any concessions
which may be made by Mexico.
Under these circumstances and considering the
other pIcaied questions be settled BY negola
tion with the Mexican republic, / deem it impor-
tant that sum of money should be placed under
the control of the Executive, TO be advanced, if
need be- TO the government Of the republic mme-
daelY after their ratification OF treaty. II might
be inconvenient for the Mexican government to
wait for the whole sum, the payment OF which may
be stipulated by this treaty until il could be ratified
by Senate and al appropriation to carry it into
effect made by Congress. Indeed the necessity
for this delay might defeat the object altogether.
The disbursement of this money would of course
be accounted for not as secret service money, but
ike other expenditures. t. - ,.... ..,.-.... ts..
Two precedents for such proceeding exist in
our past history during the administration of Mr.
Jefferson, to which | would call your attention.
On the 26th February, 1903, an act was passed
apPropriaiing millions Of dollars "for the Pur-
pose of deiraying any extraordinary expenses
which may be incurred IN the intercourse, between
the United States and foreign nations, TO be aP-
United States. who shall cause account Of the
expenditure thereof to be laid before Congress as
soon as may be; and on the 18th Of February,
1906 an appro? ?rialion was made of the same
amount, and in the same terms. In neither case
was the money actually drawn from The treasury,
and should hUpe that the result in this respect
might be similar on the present occasion, although
the appropriation may prove TO be indispensable
in accomplishing the object. 1 would, therefore,
recommend the passage of law aPPropriatlng
So 00OO 900 10 be placed at the disposal of the Ex-
ecutive, for the purpose which have indicated.
- In order TO prevent all misapprehension, it is my
duty state that, anxious as am to terminate the
existing with the least possible delay, 1t will
continue TO be prosecuted with the utmost yigor
until treaty of peace shall be signed by the par
ties and ratified by the Mexican republic.
....... JAMES K. POLK.
WAsHINGroN, 9th August, 1916. .+