Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-04-18

dIlu mas SlDCE OCCh lOltClolCu Wy AllI hA'h
listers OF the crown in both houses of
Parliament. Under this aspect of our
relations with Great Britain, | cannot
doubt the propriety OF incr leasing our
means OF defence both by land and sea-
This can give Great Britain no cause of
offence, nor increase the danger OF rup,
ture.' II, on the contrary, we should fold
our arms in security, and at last be sud
denly involved ia hostlities for the main
tenance of our just rights, without any
adequate preparation, our responsibility
to the country would be Of the gravest
character. Should collision between the
two countries be avoided, as | sine, ly
trust it will be, the additional charge up
ON the treasury, in making the necessary
preparations, will not be lost; while in
the event Of such collision, they would
be Indispensable for the maintenance oil
our national rights and national honor.
| have seen no reason to change or
modify the recommendations of my an
nuaI message in regard to the Oregon
question. The notice to abrogate the
treaty of the 9th of August, 1927, is au-
thorized by the treaty itself, and cannot
be regarded as warlike measure; and
connot withhold my strong conviction that
it should be promptly given. the other
recommendations are in conformity with
the existing treaty and would afford to
American citizens in Oregon no more
than the same measure of protection
which has long since been extended to
British subjects in that territory.
The state of our relations with Mexico
is still in an unsettled condition. Since
the meeting of Congress another revolu,
ton has taken place in that country, by
which the Government has passed into the
hands of new rulers. This event has pro
crastnated, and may possibly defeat, the
settlement OF the differences between the
United States and that country. The Min
lister of the United States TO Mexico, al
the date Of the last advIces, had not been
received by the existing authorities. De
monstrations of character hostile TO the
| United States continue 10 be made IN Mex
leo which has rendered it proper in my
Judgment, TO keep nearly two.thlrds o.
our army on our south western frontier
In doing this, many Of the regular militia
nv posts have been reduced to a small
force, in adequate TO their defence shouI'
an emergency arise.
In view OF these ''circumsta nces," 1t |
my Judgment" that ''an increase of gu
naval and military force is at this tim
required" to place the country I'M suta
BILE state of defence. At the same time
it is my settled purpose TO pursue such
course of policy as may be best calcula
ted to preserve both with Great Brial
and Mexico, an honorable peace; which
nothing will SO etfectually promote a
unaniml,y in our councils, and fir
maintenance of all our Just rights.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1916.
[The following is full report of wha
took place n.the Senate, alter the messag
was read
The clerk having read the message,
On motion Of Mr.. Allen, it was laid o.
the table and ordered to be printed.
, Mr.. Webster then rose and SAID: ="
f for the purpose of submitting an inqulr.
| relative 10 a matter referred TO in III
: message, and not for the purpose of ma
/ king any commentary or remark whateV
ever on the message itself. We perceive
from the message just read, that 1t is tn
Judgment of the President that an in
crease of our means Of defence, both mil
tary and naval, has become necessary b,
E the circumstances Of the country. Tn
6 amount or extent o: that necessary in
crease is not stated in the message; bu
the President says that estimates shown
q the extent of the necessary Increase c
our means of defence, military and naVa
have been communicated from The apprC
pirate departments OF the Executive Gov
ernment TO the appropriate committees
his and the other house of Congress, for
!, their Amusement and consideration.
will not complain, sir, at all, of this mode
4, of communicating TO the members ot Con
/ gress the Judgment Of the Executive upo'
S such highly important ahu Vi'a' queSI'"iS
and do not complain Of it because, a
the President says, it is not usual. 1t
Gently i. is not unusual but the pruc!lce
of recent origin, and, in my judgment,
not 10 be encouraged. DC not know whett
sr the honorable members OF the Senat
who are respectively at the head of lhes
committees have communicated these es
Inmates in any way TO the body TO who
they belong; and | rise, therefore, 10
E the purpose oil inquiring of them--begr
ming with the honorable member iron
!. Missouri I'M. Benton the head oil tn
o Military Commitlee--what that commu
nicaton, TO which reference has bee
. made, is, and whether he cannot suggee
$ some form Of bringing a knowledge oil
h 10 the whole body of the Senate; becaus
t, i, is stated in the mess age that these e.