State journal & flag. [volume] (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 1843-1846, 1846-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE MEXICAN WAR, AND THE
CAUSES WHICH LED TO IT.
The existing war with Mexico was Meth
er desired nor provoked by the United States
On the contrary, all honorable means vert
resorted to to avert it. After years of en-
durance of aggravated and unredressee
wrongs on our part, Mexico in violation o.
solemn treaty st:puations, and of every prin,
cple of justice recognised by civilized ma
tons, commenced hostilities, and thus. by
her own act, forced the war upon US. Long
before the advance of our army to the left
bank of the Rio Grande, we had ample cause
of war against Mexico and had the United
States resortec to this extremity, we might
have appealed to the whole civilized world
for the justice Of our cause.
deem it to be my duty to present TO YOU,
Oh The present occasion, condensed review
OF the injuries we had sustained, the caus.
es which led to the war, and Of its progress
since its commencement. This is rendered
the more necessary because of the misap.
prehensions which have TO some extent pre-.
vailed as TO its origin and true character.
The war has been represented as unjust and
unnecessary. and as one of aggression on our
part upon week and injured enemy. Such
erroneous views, though entertained BY but
few, have been widely and extensively cir.
culated not only at home, but have been
spread throughout Mexico and the whole
world. A more efectual means could not
have been devised to encourage the enemy
and protract the war than 10 advocate and
adhere 10 their cause, and thus give Them
laid and comfort.
1t IS source of national pride and exul.
tatlon that the great body Of our people have
thrown no such obstacles in the way of the
government in prosecuting the war success.
fully, but have shown themselves to be emf.
nenI!y patriotic, and ready 10 vindicate their
countfy's honor and interests at any sacri.
flee. The alacrity and promptness with
which our volunteer forces rushed TO the field
on their counry's call, prove not only their
patriotism, but their deep conviction that our
cause is just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico almost ever since she became an in
dependent power, and the patient endurance
with which we have borne them. ire without
a parallel in The history Of modern civilized
nations. There is reason 10 believe that if
these wrongs had been resented and resisted
10 the first instance. the present might have
been avoided. One outrage, however. per.
mltted TO pass with IMMUNITY. almost neces-
sarlly encouraged the preparation of anoth
er, until at last Mexico seemed to attribute
to weakness and indecison on our part
forbearance which was the offspring of mag.
nanimity, and of sincere desire to pre-.
serve friendly relations with sister repub,
lie.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indie
pendence, wich the United States were the
first among The nations to acknowledge. when
she commenced the system of insult and
spoliation, which she has ever since pursued.
Our citizens engaged in lawful commerce
were imprisoned, their vessels seized, and
our flag insulted in her ports. If money
was wanted, the lawless seizure and con6s.
cation OF our merchant vessels and their car.
goes was ready resource and if to &C.
compllsh their purposes it became necessary
to imprison the owners, captains, and crews,
1t was done. Rulers superseded rulers in
Mexico In rapid succession, but still there
was no change in this system of Interpretation.
The government of the United States made
repeated rec lamations on behalf of its citi-
zens, but these were answered by the perpe.
trallon OF new outrages. Promises of redress
made by Mexico in the most solemn forms
were postponed or evaded. The files and
records OF the Department of State contain
conclusive proofs of numerous lawless acts
perpetrated upon the property and persons
OF our citizens by Mexico, and of wanton
insults to our national flag. The interposi.
ton OF our government TO obtain redress
was again and again invoked, under circum.
stances which no nation ought to disregard.
1t was hoped that these outrages 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 amy, cons
merce. and navigation of the fifth Of April.
1881, was concluded between the two re.
publics; but this hope soon proved to be
vain. The course of seizure and confisca.
ton OF the property ofour citizens: The vic.
latlon OF their persons and the insults to our
flag pursued by Mexico previous to that time
were scarcely suspended for even brief pc.
Rod, although the treaty so clearly defines
the rights and duties of,he respective parties
that It is impossible to misunderstood or
mistake them. In less than seven years
after the conclusion Of that treaty our gre
vances had become so intolerable that, in
the opinion OF President Jackson they should
no longer be endured. In his message to
Congress in February. 1887, he presented
them to the consideration OF that body, and
declared that "The length OF time since some
OF the injuries have been committed, the re.
Peated and unav allied applications for re.
dress, the wanton character of some of the
outrages upon the property and persons Of
our citizens, upon the officers and flag of the
United States, independent of recent insults
10 this government and people by the late
extraordinary Mexican minister, would jus.
liiy in the eyes of all nations Immediately
war" 10 spirit of kindness and forbear-
ance, however, he recommended reprisals as
mider mode of redress. He declared that
war should not be used as a remedy .by lust
and generous nations con6ding in their
strength for injuries committed, il it can be
honorably avoided" and added, "it has oc,
Cured to me that considering the present
embarrassed condition of that country, we
should act with both wisdom and modera-
ton, BY giving TO Mexico one more oppor-
t..s~t ..k - Al