Litchfield enquirer., 1846-12-17
Gbt lPrest0r,rt'a Raessape.
FeLLO'O citizens gf the Senate and House oF
 Representatives.

the People, it is . subject of reorganization
 that there has heen no period in our past his.
 tory, when all the elements of natural proS-
 perity have been 50 fully developed Since
 your last session no affecting dispensa,ion
 has visited our country; general good health
 has prevailed; abundance has crowned the
 toil ot the huScandman; and labor in all its branches is receiving an ample reward, while education, science and the arts are rapidly enlarging the means of social hap PineSs. The progress of Our country in the career of greatness not only in the vast ex- tension of her territorial limits and the rap. i'd increase of our population, but in resour. ces and wealth, and in the happy condition of our people, is wi.hou. example in the his tory of nations.
 As the wisdom, strength and benifcence ot our free institutions are un(0ldsd. every day adds fresh motives to contentment 1; and fresh Incentives to patriotism.
 Our devout and sincere nowledgements are due to the gracious Giver "f all good for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys. ...
 lis source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the United States with all other nations, with a single exception, are of the most amicable character. Sin cerely attached to the policy of peace, early adopted and steadily pursued ny this Gov. ernment, 1have anxiously desired to culti. vate and cherish friendship and commerce with every foreign power. The spirit and habits of the American people are favora- ble to the maintenance of such information al harmony. In adhering to this wise poll. cy. preliminary and paramount duty ob- vionsly consists in the protection of our na. tional interests from encrOachment or sacra. nee, and our national honor from rcproach. These must be maintained al any hazard. They admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be scrupulously and constantly guarded. In their vigilant vindication col. lison and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been our scrupulouS adherence to the die. tateS Of justice, in all our foreign intercourse that, though steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we have given no Jast cause of complains to any nation, and have enjoyed the blessings "f peace for more than thirty years. From policy so sacred to humanity, and so salutary in its effects upon onr political system, we should never be ind"ted voluntarily to depart.
 
 Here follows very long history and defence of tho war with Mcxico-qui.e too long for our columns. A synopsis of this part of the Message will bc found on the inside of this days Enquirer.l
 I recommend that Congress should imme- diately provide by law fer the trial and pun ishment as pira:ts of Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigilence of their Government shall be EOand guilty of privateering against the United States. l do not apprehend SC. riouS danger from these pTivateers. Our navy will be constantly on the alert 10 pro. ,ecs our commerce. Besides, in case prizes should be make of American vessels, the utmost vigilence will be exerted by our squadron to prevent the captors from taking them into Mexican ports, and it is not apprhended that any nation will violate its neutrality by suffering such pri- zes to be condemned and sold within its ju. risdiction.
 recommend that Congress should imme. diateiy provide by law for granting letters of marque and reprisal against vessels un. der the Mexican flag. 1t is true that there are but few, if any commercial vessels Of Mexico upon the high seas and i, is, there, fore, not probable that many American pri- va.eers would be fitted out, in case law should pass authorizing this mode of war. fare. It is, notwithstanding, certain that such piivateerS may render good service to the commercial interests of the country by recapturing, our merchant ships, should aay be taken by armed vessels un6er the .Mexi- can flag, as well as by capturing these yes. sells themselves. Every means within our power should be rendered available for the protection of commerce.
 The annual report of the Secretary Of the Treasury will exhibi, a detailed statement of the condition of the finances. The i'm ports of the fiscal year ending the 18th of June las, were Of the value Of one hundred and twenty .one million six hundred and ninety -one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven dollars of which the amount exported was eleven million three hundred and forty-six thousand six.hundred and twenty three dollars, leaving the amount retained in the country for domestic con sunni ption one hundred and ten millions three hundred and forty-fv thousand one hundred and seventy four dollars. The val ue of tue exports for the same period was one hundred and thirteen millions four hnn- dred and eighty eight thousand five hundred and sixteen dollars; of which one hundred and two million one hundred and forty one eight hundred and ninety.three dollars consisted of domestic productions, and eleven million three hundred and forty six thou>and six hundred and twenty three dollars of foreign articles. ...
 The receipts into the Treasury for the same year were ,weniy-nine millions four and ninety nine thousand and two hundred an1 forty-seven dollars and six ceuts; of which there was derived from customs twen,y-six millions seven hundred and twelve thousand six hundred and sixty seven dollars and eighty-seven cents: from sales of public lands two million six hun. dred and niaety i've thousand four hundred and 6fty-tvo dollars and .0rsy-eight cents, and from incidental and miscellaneous sour ces ainety-iwo thousand one hundred and twenty dollars and seventy. one cents The for the same period were twen- ty. eight million thirty y-one thousand one hundred anj fourteen dollars and twenty