Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-25
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
limited STATES,

MESSAGE OF TIE PRESIDENT OF TIE
UNITED STATES,
IN ousrer 10 HE resolution ot Tie House NJ Repre-
s.uioiirss n The l5M instant, concerning M
s,uetioas 10 our officers N Califo'n'a anu "e
Pacifc, &c.
To TIE House Of Representatives
Of fie United States:
In compliance with The request contained W
the resolution of The House Of Representatives
OF The 18Th instant, communicate neie@ S ,e'
morris from The Secretary Of War and The Secreta-
~ Of the Navy, with The documents which &C
company them.
These documents contain all the 'ordcrs or IN
s'rucions" TO any military, naval, oil other OH
Ger of The Government lin relation TO The eslao-
Iishmenl on organization OF civil government IN
any portion OF the territory Of Mexico which mas
or might be taken possession OF BY the army or
navy OF the U. States"
These orders and instructions were gwen 10
regulate the exercise Of The rights OF bellige-
rent, engaged in actual war, over such portions
Of the territory of our enemy as, by military con-
quest, nigh, be "taken possession OF, and occu-
pied by, our armed iolces-rlghls necessarily re-
sultng from state OF war, and clearly rccos-
nized by The laws OF nations. This was all Inc
authority which could be dees gated to our militia
~ and naval commanders, and its exercise was
session Of territory Of The enemy which might be
conquered. The regulations authorized were
temporary, and dependent on The rights acquired
by conquest. They were authorized as beiliee-
rent rig hts and were 10 bs carried into effect oy
military or naval officers. They were but the
ameloralion Of martial law. which modern civil
lizaton requires, and were due as we'll to The Sc
curity Of the conquest, as 10 The inhaolants Of
the conquered territory.
The documents communicated aiso contain The
reports Of several highly merilorious officers OF
our army and navy, who have conquered ana
taken possession Of portions Of The enemy's terfi-
tory.
Among The documents accompanying he repor
oi The Secretary oil War. will be found form
Of government" established and organized" by
the military commander who conquered and &C.
copied with his forces The territory of New Meri-
CO. This document was received al The War De-
parlment in the latter par! Of the last month, and
las will be perceived by the report OF The Secre
tary oil War was not, for The reasons stated by
that officer, brought 10 my notice until alter my
annual message Of The Sih December was conmu-
Gated 10 Congress
Ii is declared on its face to be Temporary 60
vernmcnl of the said lerrilory" but there are por-
lions OF il which purport 10 establish and organ
IL" permanent territorial government oil the
United States over The territory, and 10 impaTt 10
its inhabitants political rights which, under the
Constitution Of The United States, can be enjoyed
permanently only by citizens OF The United States.
These have not been approved ard recognised"
by me. Such organized regulations as have been
established in any Vi The conquered territories for
the security OF our conquest, for the preservation
OF order, the protection Of he rights OF the in
|, btaat,, and Tor depriving the enemy Of The adj
vanaecs Of these territories while The military
possession Of them b. The forces OF The United
5 a.e, coa,inue, will b, recognised and approved
Il will lie apparent, from the reporis OF the off
GERS who have been required by The success which
las crowned their aims 10 exercise the powers Of
temporary government over the conquered terri
torres, that il any excess OF power has been eser-
Used, the departure has teen The offspring of
latri.tic desire 10 give to The nhabi anls The pri.
vilcges and immunitcs so cherished 10y he peo-
pie Of our own county, and which they believed
calculated 10 improve heir condition and pro-
mole their prosperity. Amy such excess has re-
suited in no practical injury, but can and will he
carly corrected in manner 10 ALLEVIATE as little as
possible he good feelings Of the nhabilanisof The
conquered territory. JAMES *. POLK.
WASHINGTON December %, 1876.