Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-17


been placed under blockade and her territory in
vaded at several important points. The reports
from the Departments of War and the Navy will
inform you more in detail of the measures adopted
in the emergency in which our country was placed
and of the gratifying results whinh have been &C
complished.
The various columns of the army have perform
cd their duty under great disadvantages with the
most distinguished skill and courage The victo.
ries of Palo Alto and Resaca de Ia Palma and of
Monterey, against greatly superior numbers,
and against most decided advantages in other re-
spects on the part of the enemy were brilliant in
their execution, and entitc our brave officers and
soldiers to the grateful thanks Of their country
The Nation depores the loss of the brave officers
and men who have CALAMITY fallen while vindi-
eating and defending their country's rights and
honor.
II is subject of pride and satisfaction that our
volunteer citizen soldiers, who promptly respond
ed to their country's call with an experience of
he discipline of camp of only few weeks, have
borne their part in the hard fought battle of Monte
ey with a constancy and courage equal to that of
eteran troops, and worthy of the highest admi.a-
ii on The prvations of long marches through the
elneny's country, and through a wilderness have
b cen borne without a mnrnur. BY rapid move
NJ ents, the Province Of New Mexico, with Santa
Fe, its capital, has been captured without blood
SIZED. The navy has cooperated with the army,
and rendered important services if not so brilliant,
it is because the enemy had no force to meet them
on their own element, and because of the defences
wlich nature has interposed in the difficulties of
tn navigation on the Mexican coast. Our squad
TO n in the Pacific, with the cooperation of gallant
officer of the army, and small force hastily colec-
tie d in that distant country. have acquired blood
less possession of the CALIFORNIA;, and the Ameri
cr.n flag has been raised at every important point
in that province.
congratulate you on the success which he's thus
at tended our military and naval operations. lr1rss
tn nm seven months after Mexico commenced hos
tities, at time selected by herself VIC have taken
possession of many Of her Mexican ports, driven
ba ok and pursued her invading army and acquired
mi tury possession of the Mexcnn provinces of
n ew Mexico New Leon, Coahuila, Tamaulipas
and the CALIFORNIA;, territory larger in extent than
til 1t embraced in the original thirteen States of the
the Union, inhabited by con siderable population,
aud much of it more than thousand miles from
til 9 points at which we had to collect our forces
and commence our movements. BY our blockade,
tn import and export trade of the enemy has been
cut of. We'll may the American people be proud
Of the energy and gallantry Of our regular and
volunteer officers and soldiers. The events of
tn ese few months afford gratifying proof that our
country can, under any emergency, confidently re
ly for the maintenance of her honor, and the de
fence of her rights, on an effective force ready at
all times voluntarily to renqulsh the comforts of
home for the perils and prvations of the camp
a nd though such force may be for the time eX-
punsive it is in the end economical, the ability
to command it removes the necessity of employing
a standing army in time Of peace, and proves that
people love their Institutions and are ever rea-
dy TO defend and protect them.
Whilst the war was in a course of vigorous and
ccessu prosecution, being still anxious to arrest
its evils, and considering that, after the brilliant
victories Of our arms ON the eighth and ninth OF
May last the national honor could not be colnprom-
it ted by it, another overture was made to Mexico
by my direction, on the twenty-seventh of July last
to- terminate hostilities by peace Just and honora
bl @ 10 both countries. On the thirty first of Au.
gust following, the Mexican government declined
to accept this friendly overture, but referred it tC
tn decision of Mexican Congress, TO be assem-.
81 ed in the early part of the present month
CO communicate to You, herewith, copy of the letter
of the Secretary of State, proposing to reopen ne.
gotiations, Of the answer of the Mexican govern
ent, and of the reply thereto of the Secretary Of
S ate.
The war will contiLhe to be prosecuted. Will
vi gor, as the best means of securing peace IL is
h oped that the decision Of the Mexican Congress
to which our last overture has been referred, may
result in a speedy and honorable peace With ou
Sperience, however, Of the unreasonable course o
the Mexican authorities, it is the part of wisdom
II OF to relax in the energy of our military opera
ii ons 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 until
ed and ratified by the two countries.
The war has not been waged with view to con
utiest but having been commenced by Mexico, i
h rs been carried into the enemys country and will
b C vigorously prosecutedthere with a view to OBJ
tp.in an honorable peace, and thereby secure ample
indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well al
to our much injured citizens, who hold large pccu
iary demands against Mexico.
By the laws of nations conquered territory il
subject to be governed oy the conqueror during hi
military possession, and until there is either trea
ty of peace or he shall voluntarily withdraw from
it. The old civil government beng necessarily su
y erseded, it is the right and duty of the conquero
10 secure his conquest aid to provide for the main
snance of civil order and the rights of the nhab
a iants. This right has been exercised, and this du
y ty performed, by our military and naval command
RS by the establishment of temporary governments
in some of the conquered provinces in Mexico, as
Stimulating them as far as practicable to the free in
litutions of our own country In the provinces o
New Mexico and OF the CALIFORNIA;, little il u
ny further resistance Is apprehended from the IN
habitanis to the temporary governments which nav
thus, from the necessity Of the case and accordn.
t the laws of war; been established. 1t may b.
proper to provide for The security OF these import
ant conquess by making an adequate appropriation
for the purpose of erecting Notifications and de
frayng the expenses necessarily incident 10 tn
maintenance of our possession and authority owe
them.
Near the close of your last session, for reason
communicated to Congress, deemed it important
as measure for securing speedy peace wit
Mexico, that sum of money should be appropra
ted, and placed in the power ofthe Executive, sim
| liar to that which had been made on two former oc
casions during the administration of President Jel
| ferson.
On the Doth of February, 1903, an appropriate
of two millions of dollars made and placed a
the disposal of the President. Its object is we
known. 1t was at that time in contemplation t
acquire Louisiana from France, and it was intend
ed to be applied a part of the considerable
which might be paid for that territory On the thin
teenth of February, le06, The same sum WAS
Like manner appropriated, with view to the pul
chase of the FlorIdas from Spain. These apprc
priations were made to facilitate negotiations, an
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