The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Concluded.


Concluded.
Whilst the war was in a course Of vigor-
Gus and successful prosecution. being still
anxious TO arrest its evils, and considering
that, after the brilliant victories of our arms
Oh the eighth and ninth of May last, the
national honor could not be compromised by
it, another overture was made 10 Mexico, BY
my direction, or the twenfy-sevenih Of july
last, 10 terminate hoslili'ies by peace just
aud honorable to both countries On the
thirty. first Of August following. the Mexican
government declined 10 accept this friendly
overture, but referred it TO the decision of a
Mexican Congress, 10 be assembled in the
early part of the present month. commu
nieate to You, herewith, a copy OF the letter
Of the Secretary Of State proposing TO re-
open negotiations. of the answer OF the Mexi-
can government, and Of the reply thereto OF
The Secretary Of Stale.
The war will continue TO be prosecuted
with vigor. as the hest means of securing
peace. il is hoped that the decision Of The
Merican Congress, 10 which our last over
turc has been referred, may result in spec
dy and honorable peace. With our expert
ence. however, OF the unreasonable course OF
the Mexican authorities, it is the part of wis
dom not TO relax in the energy of our militia
~ operations until definite treaty OF peace
shall have been concluded aud ratified by the
two countries.
The war has not been waged with a view
TO conquest; but having heen commenced
by MerlcO, il has been carried into the en-
emy'S country, and " i'll be vigorously prose
cuted there, with view to obtain an hOuora-
bic peace, aud thereby secure ample indem-
nifty for the expenses of the war, as well as To
our much-injured citizens, who huid Large
pecunary demands against Mexico.
by the laws OF nations, conquered tenn
tory is subject TO be governed by the con
querpr during his military possession, and
| until there Is either treaty oil peace, or he
| shall voluntarily withdraw from it.
The old civil government being necessarily
superseded, il is the right and duty OF the
| coDqueror 10 secure his conquest, aud 10
provide FOR the maintenance Of civil order aud
| The rights CT the inhabitants. This right has
been exercised, and this duty performed, 10y
| our military and naval commanders, 10y the
| establishment Of temporary governments in
snme of the conquered provinces in Mexico,
assimilaiing them as far as practicable 20 the
| Tree institutions of our own country. In the
province of New Mexico and Of the Caliior-
Mas, little. if any further resistance is appre-
hended from the inhabitants to the temporary
governments which have thus, from the ne
cessity Of the case and according TO the laws
| of war, been established.
1t may be proper TO provide for the govern
ment OF this important conquest by making
an adequate appropriation for the purpose oil
erecting fortifcarion and def'ayins The ex
penses necessarily incident TO the mainien-
ance Of our possession and authority oven
| them.
Near the close OF our last session. for reas-
ons communicated 10 Congress, | deemed it
| important. as measure for securing speedy
peace with Mexico, that sum Of money
should be appropriated. and placed in tn,
power Ofih Executive, similar to that which
had been made upon two former occasions.
during the administration Of President jeff
ersOn.
On the Goth Of February, 1903, an apprL-
priation of two millions of dollars was made.
and placed al the disposal CT the President.
| Its object is veil known. Ii was at that time
| III contemplation TO acquire Louisiana from
France. and it was intended to he applied
as a part Of the consideration wIirh miehr
be paid for thai territory. On the thirteenth
Of February, 1906, :he same sum was III
like manner appropriated. with view to the
purchase OF the Floridas from Sp in. These
appropriations were made to facilitate neeo-
Iiations. and as means TO enable the Presi-
dent TO accomplish the important object in
view.
Though it did not become necessary for tho
President to use these appropriations. yet a
state Of things might have arisen in which it
would have been highly important fer him to
do so, and the wisdom Of making item ca D.
not be doubted. Ii is believed that the meas
ure recommended at Your last session mel
with the appreciation Of decided ma orires in
both houses Of Congress. Indeed, in differ
ent forms, bill making an appropriation OF
two millions Of dollars passed each House.
and it is much to be regretted thai il did moi
become a law.
The reasons which induced me to recon-
mend the measure atihat time still erist; and
again submit the subject for your consider
alton. and suggest the importance OF early
action upon il, Should the appropria ion be
made and he not needed. it will remain in The
treasury should it be deemed proper 10 APP
ply it in whole or in part, it will be accoun-
led for as other public expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recog-
nizeG The existence Of the war with Mexico,
NV attention was directed to the danger thai
privaieers might be fitted out in the ports Of
Cuba and Porto Rico to prey upon the com
meIcc of the United States and invited the
special attention of the Spanish government
to the fourteenth article Of our treaty with
that power of the twOntieth OF October, IL
%. under which the citizens and subjects Of
either nation who shall take commissions OF
letters of marque to act as privateers against
the other shall be punished as pirates
1t affords me pleasure TO inform you that J
have received assurances from the Spanish
government that this article Of the treaty
shall be faithfully observed oniis part. Or
ders for this purpose were Immediately trans
mitted from that government to the auIhorl-
ties Of Cuba and Porto Rico TO exert their
utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts
to fit out privateers in those islands against
The United States From the good farth oil
Spain am fully convincnd that this treaty
will be exercised IN its spirit as vel as let
ter ; whilst the United States will, on her
: l. all ha nhlfUlfInnC