The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-19

uent 70 tne maintenance Of our possession anu ~
thority over lhem
Near the close Of your last session, for reason
communicated to Congress, deemed itimportant
as measure tor securing aspeedy peace with Mex
ico. that q sum of money should be appropriate
and placed in the power Of the Executive, simiIa
TO that which had been made upon two former oc
casions, during the administration Of Presiden
| Jefferson.
On the 26th of February. 1903, an appropriation
oftwo millions of dollars was made, and placed q
the disposal Of the President Its object is wei
known. II was at that time in contemplation Il
acquire Louisiana from France, and II was intend
ed to be applied as part OF the consideration
which might be paid for that territory On the
18th of February, 1906, the same sum was in like
manner appropriated, with view to the purchase
| of the Floridas from Spain. These appropriations
were made 10 facilitate negotiations, and as means
to enable the President 10 accomplish the import
ant objects in view. Though 1t did not become
necessary for the President to use these apprt pra.
tions, yet state Of things might have arisen in
which it would have been highly important for him
to do SO, aad the wisdom of making them cannot
be doubted 1t is believed that the measure rec
ommended at your last session met with the ap-
probation of decided majorities IN both houses oi
Congress Indeed, in different forms, bill max
ing appropriation of two millions OF dollars pas
sed each house, and it is much to be regretted that
H a j a.
= da mol oecome aiaw. Inc reasons whicn IN
ouceo me 70 recommend the measure AZ tnat t'ne
still exist; and sgan submit the subject for your
consideration, and suggest the importance of early
action upon it. Should the appropriation be made,
and be not needed, il will remain in the treasury:
should It De deemed proper 10 apply II III wnoie or
In part, VIII be accounted ior as other PuDiic ex-
penditures
Immediately after Congress had recognised the
existence Oh the war WIN Mexco' my a'tention
was directed TO the danger mat Prvateers might De
hied out IN the potts oi Cooa ana fo,to RICO 10
prey upon tne coih,herce o' inc oneu o'a'e' anu
invited the speciai auehtion OF ne oPahish gov
ernmeht 10 'ne ,o'r.ee"' arucie OF our treaty Wild
tnat power OF the zo'n oi Cctouer, itSo' uhuer
"nicn tne ciiizehs ana suo)ects OF e'her natioh
VINO shaii take commissions OF ieuers OF mafque 10
act as Pfsaee's aga'hst 'ie o'hei' shaii 10 pun
isneu as pita'es'
ahoios me pressure 10 INFORM yau 'hat nave e
Ieceiveo assurances rou' u'e HPans" Rosernhen'
hat this article OF me eaty snail De iaithiuhy oo-
served on Hs part oraers Ior tnis purpose were
immeoiateiy transmitted from ihat government 10
the authorities OF Cuoa and Forto hico 10 exert
their utmost vigilance IN preventing any attempts
to ht out Privateers IN those Islands against the
United Suites. From the good faith OF Spain am
fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in
its spirit as well as its letter; whilst the United
obligations which II imposes on them.
Information has been recently received at the
Department OF State that the Mexican government
has sent 10 Havana blank commissions to prvateers
and blank certificates of naturalization, signed by
General Salas, the present head of the Mexican
government There Is, also. reason to aPrrehend
that similar documents have been transmitted to
other parts OF the world Copies OF these papers.
IN translation, are herewith transmitted.
As the prelnInaries required by the practice OF
civilized nations fr commissioning privateers and
regulating their conduct appear not TO have been
observed, and as these commissions are in blank to
be hed up with the names OF citizens and subjects
OF all nations who may be willing TO purchase them,
the whole proceeding can only be construed as an
invitation to all the freebooters upon earth, who
are willing to pay for the privilege, TO ,riise against
American commerce. Ii will be for our courts OF
justice to decide whether, under such circunstsi-
ces, these Mexican letters OF m rqne and reprisal
shall protect those who accept them, and commit
rooberies upon the high seas under their authority
from the pains and penalties "i piracy.
Il the certificates OF naturalization thus granted
ee intended by Mexico to shield Spanish subjects
IRON. me gulu aSo punishment OF pirates, under
OUT treaty WIN ophh' they VIII certainly prove
unara'nng' ouch suo'erIuge would De put
"eaA ue'ee " "e'ea' he P'o''siohs oi soiehn
treaty.
:sa lreeominena % una. oong,ess snoula lmmeala'e'y
poue y raw ioi uie l'al ano Punsn'hen' as P:'
,ses ,s ., oPan'sn subjects VINO, escaping 'ne .,g,
.aH.e .. .ne'r gove',ne,., sna, oe "uno guh'y OF
p.aIeas p"sa sEa"s, 'ne os,'eu S.ues uo NOT
eeu'ous a""ser ,'o'n .nese Pr.a'ees.-
"n Ou' uauy "n 'e S"n:y on ."e aler' 20 pIo,eo'
ou' oa''neIce: Desues IN case pI'-es snou,u oe
Ia, ~ a".eu S'' s, .ne u'.os. .s"a".'
WIZ 20 eAe'.eu ~ our o,oeAau"s sq.au'on 10 pre-
sen. 'e I'p'o's run 'dN,"s uen ,h.o NieN.:ah "