The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-04-04
IMPORTANT
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
TO The Senate 9fhe GATED States;

la answer 10 the inquiry OF The Senate
contained in their resolution of The 18Th in
innI whether in my judgment any crcumr
stance connected with or growing out Of 'he
.orelgn relations Of this country require az
his time an increase Of our naval or militia
ry lorce;' aud fso what those crcumslan'
res are, i have to express tho opinion thai
a wise precaulon demands such increase,
10 my annual message of The % Of De,
cember last recommended TO The lavora'
OIe consideration OF CongTes an increase OF
our naval force especially Of our steam navy
and Ihe raising OF an adequaduct mllI'aIy
force TO guard and protect such OF our cl'l'
zsns hat might think proper 10 emgraie to
Oregon. Since that period have seen no
cause to recall or modify lhes6 recOmmen-
dalons. On the contrary reasons exist
which in my judgment render it proper NOT
only that they should be promptly carried
into effect but that additional provisions
shonId be made for The public defence.
The consideration of such additional pro-
vision was brought before appropriate com
nltleess of the Two houses Of Congress in
answer to calls Tade by Them in reports pie
pared, with ny Sanction by the Secretary
of War apCt the Secreury OF The Navy, on
the ooh Of December and he Slh oI Janua-
~ last a mode Of communication with Con
greSs not unusual ,and under existing Cir
cumsttuces, believed 10 be most eligible
Subsequent events have confirmed me in
The opinion that these Recommendations
we're proper as precautionary measures.
|, was a wise maxim cl The Father OF his
country, that so be prepared for war, is one
of he most efficient means of preserving
peace and that avoiding occasons Of ex>
expense by cuI;ivalng peace. we should
remember also that timely disbursements
to prepare for danger frequently preven
much greater disbursements TO rspeI II, The
general obligation to perform this duty is
greatly strengthened by facts known 10 The
whole world. controversy respecting
the Oregon territory now exists between
The United States and Great Britain and
while as far as we know the relations OF the
after with all European nations are OF the
nosl pacific character, she is making unu-
,ua and extraordinary armaments and war
like preparations, naval and military, both
81 home and in her North American pos
sessions.
1t came, be disguised that, however sin
cere may be The desire Of peace, in the e
vent Of rupture these armamenls and pre-
paralio would be u, ed against our country
Whatever may have been the original put
pose of these preparation the fact is un
| doubted that they are now proceedings, II
par, a, least with view 80 the cooIIngon
possibility Of a war wiln the United States
The general policy Of making addIuona
! ''-~'''.- ,-.--..--,iorr was distinctly az
ate as January last, and has since been re
rleraed by the ministers Of the crown i
beth houses Of Parliament. Under this as
1ect Of our relations with Great Britain,
cannot doubt the propriely ofincreasng ou
means Of defence, both By land and sea
This can give Great Britain no cause Of Of
fence, nor increase the danger of a rupture
| #, on the conlrary,we should fold our arm:
IN security, and at last be suddenly inyoIy.
ed in h0slIlles for the maintajnance of oul
Just rights, without any adequate prcpara-
tion, our espOnsibIlNy 10 the country would
be Of the grayest character. Should coils,
On between the two countries be avoided,
as sincerely lrnsl it may be, the additional
charge upon the treasury, in making the
necessary preparations, will not be lost:
while, in the even, of such collision, they
would be indispensable for the maintain,
ance of our national rights and naliona
honor,
| have seen no reason 10 change or mod
ily the recommendations Of my annual
message in regard to tho Oregon question
The notice 20 abrogaie the treaty of the 9Th
Of August, 1927, is authorized by the trea-
~ itself and cannot be regarded as a wal.
like measure; and Cannot withhold my
strong conviction that it should be prompt.
" given. The other recommendations are
in conformity with the existing treaty, and
would afford to American citizens in Ore
gon no more than The same measure Of pro-
lection which has long since been ex!enGed
TO British subjects in that territory.
The state OF our relations with Mexico is
siII in an unsettled condition Since the
n eeting of Congress another revolution has
taken place in that country, by which the
government has passed into he hands oil
new ruItIs. This event has procrssiinaed.
and may possibly defeat the settlement of
the differences between the United States
and that country. The minister of the u
niIed States to Mexico, at the dates of the
last advlces, had not been received by lbeI
existing authorizes. Demonstrations of Al
character hostile to The United States con
Iinue 10 he made in Mexico, which has rem
dered 1t proper in my judgement, to keep
nearly two-lhrds Ct our army on our south |
western frontier. In doing this. many of
The regular military pOsts have bpgn rnIn |