Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-16

eventS oil these fewMo1.i1 atford graft
flying proof that out eoontfy can under
any emergency, conidenilx rely for the
maintenance of her hoAor I'D the defence
Of her rights, on an effaciise force, ready
at all times voluntarily 10 relnquish the
comforts Of home for the perils and priva.
tions of the camp.
And though such force may be for the
time G tensive, it is IN the end economical
as the ability TO command it removes the
necessity of employing a large standln g
army in time Of peace and proves that our
people love their institu lions, and are ev-
er ready 10 defend and protect them.
Whilst the war was in course of Wig
orous and successful prosecution, being still
anxious to arrest its evils, and considering
that, after the brilliant victories Of our arms
on the 9th and 9th Of May last, the nation
al honor could not be compromledttby it,
another overture was made to MeGico, by
my direction, on the 9th Of July last, to
terminate hostilities by peace just and
honorable to both countries On the 3lst
of August following, the Merican govern
ment declined TO accept this friendly over
ture, but referred it to the decision of a
Mexican Congress, to be assembled in the
early part Of the present month. COM
municate TO you. herewith, a copy of the
letter of the Secretary of State proposing
to reopen negotiations, Of the answer of
the MEXICAN. government, and of the reply
thereto Of the Secretary Of State.
The war will continue to be prosecuted
with vigor, as the best means of securing
peace. 1t is hoped that the decision Of
,he Mexican Congress. to which our last
overture has been referred, may result in
speedy and honorable peace. With our
experience, however, of the unreasonable e
course of the Mexican authorities, it is the
part of wisdom not to relax in the energy
OF our military operations until the result
is made known. In this view,it is deemed
important to hold military possession Of all
the provinces which have been taken, un-
til definite treaty ofpeace sholl have been
concluded, and ratified by the two coun-
tries.
The war has not been waged with view
to conquest; but having been commenced
by Mexico, it has been carried into the en- .
emy's country. and will be vigorously pros.
ecuted there, with view to obtain an hon.
orable peace and thereby secure ample
indemnity for the expenses Of the war, as
we'll as to our much injured citizens, who
hold large pecuniary demands.against Mex.
leo. ..s. .--..
BY the laws Of nations conquered ter.
ritory is subjectto be governed by the con-
querer during his military possession, anc
until there is either a treaty Of peace, OF
he shall voluntarily withdraw from it
The old civil government being necessarily
supers seded, it is the right and, duty of ihe
conqueror to secure his conquest, and to
provide for the maintenance of civil order
and the rights of the inhabitants. This
right has been exercised, and this DUTY per-
fcrmed,by our military and naval comman
ders, by tho establishment Of temporary
governments in some of the conquered
provinces in Mexico, assimila'ing them as
far as practicable to the free institutions OF
our own country. In the provinces Of New
Mexico and of the CaliIornias, little if any
further resistance is apprehended from the
inhabitants to the temporary governments
which have thus, from the necessity of the
case, and according 10 the laws Of wal
been established. ltmay be proper to pro.
vide for the security Of these important
conquests by making an adequate appropri.
alton for the purpose Of erecting fortifica'
tions and defraying the expenses necessar
| ly incident TO the maintenance Of our pos
session and authority over them.
Nearthe close of your last session, for
reasons communicated to.Congress,l deem
ed it important, as a measure for securing
q speedy peace with Mexico, that sum o
money should be appropriated and placet
in the power Of the Executive, similar tc
that which had been made upon two former
occasions, during the administration ol
President Jefferson. ...
+ On the 26th Of February. 1903, an appropriation
of two millions of dollars was made and placed a
the disposal Of the President. Its object is wei
known It was at that time in contemplation 10 nc
quire Louisiana from France. and it was intende,
to be applied as part of the consideration whlc
might be paid for that territory On the 18th o
February, 1906, the same sum was in like manne
appropriated, with view to the purchase of tn
Floridas from Spain @ NV aa,t.tA..
a. These appropriations were made 10 facilitate ne
potiations and as means TO enable the Presiden
to accomplish the important objects in view Tho
it did not become necessary for the President
use these appropriations, yet state Things Nigh
have arisen in which 1t would have been highly i'm
portant for HIM to do so, and the wisdom of maxim
them cannot be doubted 1t is believed that tn
measure recommended at your last session me
with the appreciation Of decided majorlties in bot
Houses of Congress Indeed, in different forms,
bill making an appropriation of two millions of do
lars, passed each House, and it is much to be re
gretted that il did not become a law The reason
which induced me to recommend the measure |
THAT time still exist, and again submit the subje
lfor your consideration, and suggest the importano
of early action uponit Should the appropriate
| be made, and be not needed, it will remain in tt
treasury: shouldl 1t bo deemed proper to apply il
whole or in part. it will be accounted for as 9TH
public expenditures
Immediately after Congress had recognized tt
existence OF the war with Mexico, my attention WI
directed to the danger that priyateers might be Il
ted out in the ports of Cuba and Porto kico to Pre-
upon the commerce Of the United States, and Il
vjted the special attention of the Spanish COVER
ment to the fourteenth article ofour treaty with tn