Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-12-17


points which we had collect forces and com
movements. BY the blockade the import and
export trade Of the enemy has been cut on
Well may the American people be proud Of the energy
and galaniry Of REGULAR and volunteer officers and
soldiers. The events Of these few months afford graft.
Tying proof that country under any emergency
confidently rely for the maintenance of her honor and the
defence Of her rights on effective force, ready all
times voluntarily 10 reinqnish the comforts Of home for
the pers and prvaons OF the camp. Aud though such
force may be for the time expensive il in the end
nomica the ability command the necessity
of employing large standing army in time of peace and
proves that people love their institutions, and
ready to defend and protect them.
Whilst the Is in a Of vigorous and sue
cessul prosecution being still anxious its evils
and considering that, after the brilliant victories Of our
the eighth and ninth of May last the national
honor could not be compounded by it, another
made to Mexico by my direction, the twenty
seventh of July last, terminate hostiles by peace
Just and honor able both On the thirty
of August following, the Mexican government declined
accept this friendly overture but referred il to the decision
Of Mexican Congress- be assembled in the early part
Of the present month"; communicate you, herewith
copy of the letter OF the Secretary Of State proposing
reopen negotiations of the of the Mexican govern
ment and Of the reply thereto of the Secretary Of State.
The will continue TO be prosecuted with vigor
the best of securing peace. II hoped that the
decision of the Mexican Congress- which last over
ue has been referred may result in speedy and hOnora-
BILE peace. With our experience however of the
sonaGe Of the Mexican authorities is the part
wisdom not to relax in the energy of military opera
tons until the result is made known. In this view, is
deemed important to hold military possessions of all tho
provinces which have been taken until denitve treaty
Of peace shall have been concluded aud ratified by the
countries.
The war has not been waged with view to conquest ;
but having been commenced by Mexico it has been carr-
ed into the enemy cOuntry and will be vigorously prose-
cued there, with view TO obtain honorable peace and
thereby ample indemnity for the expenses of the
war, well as TO much Injured citizens, who had
large pecuniary demands against Mexico.
By the laws of nations conquered territory is subject
to be governed by the conqueror during his military pos
sessions and until there is either treaty of peace or he
shall voluntarily Withdraw from The old civil govern
ment being necessarily superseded il is the right and duty
OF the conqueer to bis conquest and provide for
the maintenance Of civil order aud the rights the
hahltas. This right has been exercised and this duty
performed, by military and naval commanders by he
establishment of temporary in of the
conquered provinces IN Mexico, assmiaing them far
practicable 10 the free institutions of our own country
la the provinces of New Mexico, aud of the CALIFORNIA;
little any further resistance Is apprehended from the in
hahitans 10 the temporary which have thus
from the necessity of the case and according The laws
Of war; been established may be proper to provide for
the security Of these important conquesls by making
adequate appropriation for the purpose of erecting fo
cations and defraying the expenses necessarily incident
the maintenance of possession and authority over
them.
Near the close Of your last session. for
nlcated TO Congress, deemed important,
for securing speedy peace with Mexico, that sum OF
money should be appropriated and placed in the power
the Executive, similar which had been made upon
two former OCCASIONS during the administration of Pesi-
dent Jefferson.
ton of millions of dollars made and placed the
disposal Of the President Its object is well known 1t
was at that time in contemplation to acquire Louisiana
from France, and il was intended to be applied part of
H.. L..
On the thirteenth of February, 1906, the
in like manner appropriated with view TO the purchase
OF the FlOrdas from Spain. These appropriations
made TO facilitate negotiations, and enable
the President to accomplish the important object in view.
Though II Gid not become necessary for the President
use these appropriations yet state of things might have
arisen in which would have been highly important for
him TO do and the wisdom of making them cannot be
doubted 1t believed that the recommended at
your last session met with the appreciation of decided
Jorities IN both houses OF Congress- Indeed in different
forms, bill making appropriation of two millions of
dollars passed each House, and is much be regretted
that il did hot become law. The reasons which induced
me TO recommend the measure al that time still exist and
again submit the subject for your and sug-
gest The importance of early action Upon it, Should the
appropriation be made, and be not needed II will remain
in the treasury should be deemed proper apply it in
whole in part, it will be accounted for other public
expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recognized the exis-
tence of the with Mexico my attention directed
TO the danger that prvaeers might be fitted out In the
ports of Cuba and Porto Rico prey upon
of the United States and invited the special attention
the Spanish government to the fourteenth article of
treaty with that power of the twentieth of October 1885,
under which the citizens and subjects of either nation who
shall take commissions of marque TO act as pr-
vaees against the other shall be punished pirates
1t affords pleasure TO inform you that have received
assurances from the Spanish government that this article
OF the treaty shall be faithfully observed its part Or
des for this purpose Immediately transmitted from
that government to the authorities of Cuba aud Porto Rico
to exert their utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts
TO FIT out prIvateefs in those islands against the United
States From the good faith of SPAIN am fully satisfied
that this treaty will be executed in its spirit well its
letter; whilst the United States WILL on their part faith
fully perform all the obligations which it imposes on them
Information has been recently received the Depart
ment OF State that the Mexican government has
Havana blank commissions prvaeers and blank certi-
hcates of signed by General Saas the pre-
sent head of the Mexican government There u.s. also
reason to apprehend that similar documents have been
transmitted TO other parts Of the world. Copies of these
papers, IN translation, are herewith submitted.
As the prellnnares required by the practice of civil
zed nations for commissioning prvatees and regulating
their conduct appear not TO have been Observed and
these commissions are in blank, to be filed I'D with The
of citizens and subjects Of all nations who may be
willing to purchase them, the whole proceeding can be
construed es an invitation to all the feebooers upon earth
who willing pay for the privilege 10 cruise against
American commerce. IL will be for of Justice
to decide whether under such circumstances these Next
can letters OF marque and reprsa shall protect those who
accept them and commit robberes upon high un
der their authority from the pains and penalties of piracy
If the certificates of nauraIz lon thus granted be in
tended by Mexico to shield Spanish subjects from the gull
and PUNISHMENT OF pirates. under treaty with Spain
they will certainly prove unavang Such suhteIlugt
would be but weak device to defeat the provision of
solemn treaty.
RECOMMEND that Congress should Immediately provide
by law for the trial and punishment pirates of Spanish
of