Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-07
Special Message of the Pfesid emf.
to- Congress-.
To The Senate ofMe Uniied Stafes-

=" ""'"e' :" '"o inquiry Vi the SenatG
contained in their resolution Of the I7,ly
instant, whether. in my judgement, any
circumstances connected with, or grow
ing out Of, the foreign relations OF hi,
country. require at this time an increase
of our naval or military forces" and, il
so, ''what those circumstances are,"
have to express the opinion, that wise
precauiIon demands such increase.
In my annual message Of the end Of
December last, | recommended 10 the
favorable consideration of Congress an
increase oil our naval force, especially Of
our steam navy, and the raising Of ar
adequate military force TO guard and
project such Of cur citizens as might
think proper TO emigrale TO Oregon.
Since tha. period have seen no cause
to recall or modify these recommends.
tons. On the contrary, reasons exist
which, In my judgement, render il proper
not only that they should be promptly
carried into effect. bu, ,ha, additional
provision should be made for the public
defence
The consideration Of such additional
provisions was brought before appto.
priaie committees Of the two house, Of
Congress, in answer 10 calls made by
;hem, in reports prepared, with my
sanction, by the Secretary of War and
the Secretary of the Navy, on the Goth
ofDecember and the 8 III of January last:
mode OF communication with Congress
not unusual, and, under existing circum-
stances believed to be most eliribla
Subsequent events have confirmed me i'm
the opinion that these Recommendations
were proper as precautionary mea-
sures.
Ii was wise maxim Of the Father Of
his country, tina. "to be prepared for
war. is one Of The most efficient means
of preserving peace;" and that, "avoid-
ing occasions Of expense by cultiva,ing
peace" we should remember also, that
timely disbursements to prepare for dan.
ger, frequently proven, much greater
disbursements TO repel it," The gen.
eral obligation to perform this duty is
greatly strengthened, by facts known TO
the whole world. A controversy re.
specting the Oregon territory now exist,
between the United States and Great
Britain; and while, as far as we know,
the relations Of the latter with all Eu-
ropean nations are Of the most pacific
character, she is making unusual and ex.
lraordinary armament and warlike pre-
paralions. naval and military, both ut
home and in her North American pos.
sessions.
1t cannot be disguised that, however
sincere may be the desire Of peace, in
the even, Of a rupture, these armaments
and preparations will be used agains, our
country. Whatever may have been the
original purpose of these preparations,
the fact is undoubied that they are now
proceeding. in part, AT least, with view
TO the contingent possibility of war
with the Uniled States The general
policy Of making additional warlike prep
arations was distinctly announced. in tho
speech from the throne, as late as Jan.
last, and has since been reiterated by the
ministers of the crown in both houses OF
Parliament. Under this aspect Of our
affairs with Great Britain, cannot
doubt the rropriely of increasing our
means OF defence. both by land and sen.,
This can give Grea, Britain no cause OF
offence, nor increase the danger Of Il rup.
lure. IL, on the other hand. we should
'old Our arms in security, and at las, be
suddenly involved in hosiil,ies for tho
maintenance of our jus, rights, without
any adequate preparation; our resi- on.i-
bili,v TO the country would be of the graz
vest character. Should collision Pc
tween the two countries be avoided, as
sincerely trust it may be, the additional
charge upon the treasury, in making the
necessary preparations. will no; be LOST;
while, in The event of such collision,
they would be indispensable for ihe
maintenance Of our national rights and
nat ional honor.
| have seen no reason to change or
modify the recommendations br my annu
al message in regard 10 the Oregon qnes:
ton The notice 10 abrogaie the treaty
Of the 9th Angus: 1927, is authorized by.
the treaty itself, and cannn, be regor ded
as II warlibe measures; and cannot with
hold my strong conviction that il should
be promptly gwen. The other rscom-
mendaiions are in conformity with the
existing treaty, and would afford TO A.
merican citizens in Oregon no more
than the same measure Of protection
which has long since been extended TO
British subjects in that territory.
The state of our relations with Mexi-
co is still in an unsettled condition.
Since the meeting Of Congress another
revolution has taken place in that coun-
try, by which the government has pas
sed into the hands of new rulers. This
event has procrasiinaicd, and may posi-.
bly, defeat the settlement Of the difieren-
ces between the United States and that
country. The minister of the United
Suites 10 Mexico. at the date of the las.
advices, had not been received by the ex
listing AUTHORITIES. Demonstrations OF q
character hostile 10 the United States
continue TO be made in Mexico, which
has rendered !; proper. in my Judgment,
to keep nearly two-thirds Of our army on
our southwestern frontier. In doing this,
many of those regular mili,ay posts
have been reduced to small force, made
qua,e TO their defence should an emer-
gency arise.
In view OF these circumstances" it
Is my Judgment" that "an increase Of
our naval and military force is ut this
time required" to place the country in