Mobile register and journal., 1846-12-16
MESSAGE DE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
DECEMBER ,, lo1o. ls1.l..i u .rsus nf tht Nfnnff


 In resnming your labors Tn ihe service of the peo- pie, il subject of congraiulailon that there has been period in our past history, when all the ele- ments of national prosperity have been so fully de- veloped Since your last session no affiicung dls, pensation has visited our country; general good health has prevailed; abundance has crowned the to fthe husbandman and labor in all its branches IS receiving an ample reward, while education, science and the arts rapidly enarging the means ofsocial happiness. The progress of our country Tn her career o greatness, not only Tn the vast exen- son of our territorial limits and the rapid increase of our population, hut in resources and wealth, and in the happy condition of our people, is without ex- ample in the history of nations.
 As the wisdom, strength and benehcence oi our free institutions are unolded, every day adds fresh motives to contentment and fresh incentives 10 pa trioilsm.
 Our deyout and sincere acknowledgements are due 10 the gracious Give of all good, for the num- beress blessings winch our beloved country e1Joys.
 l. IS a source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the United States with all other nations, with single exception, are of the most am cable character Sincerely attached to the policy of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by thls govern m nt have RDxiJus desred 10 cultivate and cher favorable to the maintenance of such international harmony. In adhering 10 this wise policy, pre mnary and paramount duty obviously consists In the protection of our national interests from en- croachment sacrifice and our national honor from repToach. These must be maintained at any hazard. They admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be scIupulously and constantly guarded. In their sigilant vindicaIion collision and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes become unaVo- dable. Such has been our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice, in all foreign intercourse that though steadily and rapidly advancing Tn pros perity ani power, we have given no just cause ot complaint to any nation, and have enjoyed the bles- sings ofpeace for more than thirty years From policy so sacred humanity, and so salutary Tn It's effects upon our potca system, we should never be induced voluntarily to depart.
 The exlstng war with Mexico was neither de. sired nor provoked by the United States. On the contrary, all honorable means were resorted 10 to avert it. After years of endurance of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our part Mexico in violation of solemn treaty spulatons and Of every prlncple of justice recognised by civilized nations, commen- ced hostts and thus, by her own act, forced the war upon iIs. Long before the advance of our army 10 the left bank of the Rio Grande, we had ample cause of war against Mexico; and had the U States Tesorted to this extremity, we might have appealed to the whole civilized world for the justice of our cause.
 deem it to be my duty 10 present 10 you, on the present occasion, condensed review of the injuries we had sustained of the causes which led to the war and of its progress since it's commencement This is rendered the necessary because of the ms apprehensions which have to some extent prevailed as to it's origin and true character The war has been represented as unjust and unnecessary and as one of aggression on our part upon a weak and ln- jured enemy. Such erroneous views, though enter taned by but few, have been widely and extensively circulated not only at hume, but have been spread throughout Mexco and the whole world. more effectual means could moi have been devised 10 en- courage the enemy and protrac the war than 10 ad vocate and adhere 10 their cause and thus give them lad and comfort"
 It's source of national pride and exultation, that the great body of oul people have thrown no such obstacles in the way of the government Tn prosecut ing ihe successfully, but have shown themselves to be emluently patr otlc, and ready to vindicate their cou auys honor and interests al any sacrifice. The alacrliy and pronpiness with which our volnn- teer forces rushed to the field on their country's call, prove not nny the patriotism, but thelr deep convection hat cause just
 The wrongs which we have suffered from Mexico almost ever since she became an independent pow CT, and the patient endurance with which we have borne them, are without parallel in the history of modern cIvized natQns There ls reason 10 believe that if hese wrongs had been resented and Ieslstcd in the first instance, inc present war might have been avoided. One outrage, however, permitted 10 pass with npunliy, almost necessarily encouraged the perpetration of another, until at last Mexico seemed 10 attribute to weakness and mdeclslon on our part forbearance which was the offspring of magnanimily, and of sincere desire 10 preserve friendly relations with sister republic.
 Scarcely had Mexico achieved her independence which the United States were the first among the nations to acknowledge, when she commenced the system of insult and spOllaton, which she has ever since pursued. Our citizens engaged Tn lawful com merce were imprisoned their vessels seized, and our flag nsulied in her ports lfmoney was wanted the lawess seizure and confscation of our m rchant vessels and Iher caTgoes was ready resource; and If to accomplish ther purposes Il became necessary to imprson the owners, captains and crews, 1t was done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico in rapd succession, but still there was no change Tn thls sys tenn of depreciation. The government of the United States made repeated reclamatlons on behalf of it's citizens, but these were answered by the perpetraton of new outrages Promises of redress made by Mex leo in ihe most solemn forms were postponed or evadsd The files and records of the Department of State contain conclusive proofs of numerous law less perpetrate upon the property and persons of our citizens by Mexico, and of wanton insults to our national flag. The interpretation of our govern ment 10 obtain redress again and again invoked, under circumstances which no nation ought 10 dsre gard.
 IL was hoped that these outragcs would cease, and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws which regulate the conduct of civilized nations in their intercourse with each other after the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation of the 9th of April 1884, was concluded between the two republics; but this hope proved 10 be vain. The course of sci and coniscatlon of the property of our citizens -the violation of their persons and tho insults to our flag pursued by Mexico previous to that time, were scarcely suspended for even brief period, although the treaty clearly defines the rights and duties of the respective parties that it is impossible to msun derstand or mistake them. In less than seven years after the conclusion ftha treaty grievances had become so intolerabe that n the opinion of Presi- dent Jackson, they should no longer be endured In his message to Congress in February, 1887, he pre- scented them to the consideration of that body and declared that "The length of time since some of the injuries have been committed, the repeated and una yaling applications for redress, the wanton charac ter of some of the outrages upon the property and persons of our citizens upon the officers and flag of the United Stsles ndepende of recent insults to this government and people by the late extraordina. " Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate war" In spirit ofkindness and forbearance however. he recommended reprsals as a mllder modeof redress He declared that war should not be used remedy by just and gene rous nations, conhding lh their strength for injuries committed, fit can be honorably avolded," and add cd, lit has occurred 10 me that considering the pre- sent embarrassed condition of that country, we should act with both wisdom and moderation, by g wing 10 Mexico one more opportunity Co atone for ihe past before we take redress into our own hands Toavoid all misconceplon on the part of Mexico as we'll as to protect own naiional character from reproach, this opportunity should be given with the avowed design and full preparation lake immediate satisfaction if should not be obtained on a repetition ofthe demand for it. To this end recommend that an act be passed authorizing repr- sals and the of the natal fUrce ofthe U. States by the Executive. against Mexico, 10 enforce them Tn the event of a refusal by the Mexican govern ment to come to an am cable adjustment of the mat ters in controversy between us upon another de- mand thereof made from on board one of our ves- sells of war on the coast of Mexico"
 Committees ofboth houses of Congress, to which this message of this President was referred fully sustained his views of the character of the wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico, and recom- mended that another demand for redress should be made before author zing war or reprisas. The com- mittee on foreign relation of the Senate, in their port, say "After such demand should prompt justice be refused by the Mexican government, we may appeal to all nations not only for the equity and moderation with which we shall have acted to-