Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-12-17

The consideration which might be paid for that
territory. On The 18th of February, 1906, the
same sum was in like manner appropriated,
with a view TO the purchase OF The Floridas
from Spain. These appropriations were made
10 facilitate negotiations, aud as a means 10 en-
able the President to accomplish the important
objects IN view. Though II did not become
necessary for the PresIden, to use these appro-
prialions, yet STATE of thugs might have arisen
m which II would have been highly imporian.
for him TO do 20, and the wisdom of making
hem canno. be doubled. Ii Is believed that
the measure recommended a, your last session
mel with The appreciation of decided najoriiies
IN bo'h houses Of Congress- Indeed, in differ
ent forms, bill making an appropriation Of Two
millions OF dollars passed each House, and 1t
much TO be regretted that it did not become a
law. The reasons which induced me TO re-
commended The measure al lhal ume still exist;
and again submit The subjecl for your consd-
GRAFTON, and suggest The importance of early ac-
non upon ii. Should The appropriation be made.
aud be not needed. il will remain IN the Treas
ury; should il be deemed proper 10 apply il in
whole ar in part, it will be accounted for as
other public expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recognised
ihe existence OF the war with Mexico, nv al
ienllOn was directed TO the danger that prva.
'eers might be fued out Ia the ports Of Cuba
and Porto Rico 10 prey upon the commerce OF
he United States; and invited he special at
reu,ion Of the Spanish Government To The l4ih
article of our Treaty with that Power of the
20ih Of Oc,ober, 1895, under which the ci,i-
zens and subjects of either nation who shall
take Commissions of Leuers OF Mareue 10 act
privaleers against The other shall be pun
lshed pirates"
II affords me pleasure 10 inform You that
have received assurances from the Spanish
Government that IhI> article OF the treaty shall
he faithfully observed on its part. Orders for
this purpose were Immediately transmitted from
that Government 10 the authorities Of Cuba and
Porto Rico TO exert their utmost vigilance in
preventing any attempts 10 fiji on, priva,eers in
those islands against The United States. From
'he good faith of Spain am fully satisfied that
this treaty will be executed in It's spirit as well
as its letter; while the United States will, on
their par', faithfully perform all The obligations
which il imposes on Them.
Information has been recently received at the
Department Of State that the Mexican government
has sent 10 Havana blank commissions to priva-
teers, and blank certificates of naturalization,
signed by General Salas. the present head of the
Mexican government. There is, also, reason 10
apprehend that similar documents have been trans
mitted to other parts of the world Copies Of these
papers, in translation, are herewith transmitted.
As the prellminaries required by the practice Of
civilized nations for commissioning privateers and
regulating their conduct appear not to have been
observed, and as these commissions are in blank,
10 be filled up with the names OF citizens and sub
lecls OF all nations who may be willing TO purchase
them, the whole proceeding can only be construed
as an invitation to all the freebooters upon earth
Who are willing TO pay for the privilege, TO cruise
against American commerce. 1t will be for our
courts of Justice 10 decide whether, under such
circumstances, these Mexican letters Of marque
and reprisal shall protect those who accept them,
and commit robberies upon the high seas under
their authority, from the pains and penalties OF
piracy.
If the certificates of naturalization thus granted
be intended by Mexico TO shield Spanish subjects
from the guilt and punishment of pirates, under
our treaty with Spain, they viii certainly prove
unavaing Such subterfuge would be but a
weak device 10 defeat the provisions Of a solemn
treaty.
recommend that Congress should Immediately
provide by law for the trial and punishment pi-
rates Of Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigi-
lance OF their government, shall be found guilty OF
privateering against the United States. do not
apprehend serious danger from these privateers.
Our navy will be constantly on the alert to protect
our commerce. Besides, in case prizes should be
made of American vessels, the utmost vigilance
will be exerted by our blockading squadron to pre-
vent the captors from taking them into Mexican
ports, and il is not apprehended that any nation
will violate its neutrality by suffering such prizes
TO be condemned and sold within its jurisdiction.
recommend that Congress should Immediately
provide by law for granting letters of marque and
reprisal against vessels under the Mexican flag.
1t is true that there are but few, if any, CONNER
cial vessels Of Mexico upon the high seas and
il is, therefore, not probable that many American
privateers would be fitted out, in case law
should pass authorizing this mode of warfare
Il is, notwithstanding certain that such privateers
NAV render good service TO the commercial inter
eSts of the country by recapturing our merchant
ships, should any be taken by armed vessels un-
der the Mexican flag, as well as by capturing
these vessels themselves. Every means within
our power should be rendered available for the
protection Of our commerce.
The annual report of the Secretary of the Trea-
sury will exhibit detailed statement of the con-
dition of the finances. The imports for the fs-
cal year ending the 18th of June last were of the
value of Sl2l, ,69l ,797; of which the amount ex-
ported was SIl,3t6,623, leaving the amount re-
tanned IN the country for domestic consumption
SlI0,345,l74. The value of the exports for the
same period was $ll3, ,4S8, SIG of which Sl02.-
l4l 1873 consisted OF domestic productions, and
$ll346,623 Of foreign articles