Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-17
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
DECEMBER 8, is4o.
Iciio,c Citizens Of the Senate
anil Of The House Of Representatives.;

lcilOo Citizens Of the Senate
anil Of The House Of Representatives,
In resuming your labors in the service Of the
people, i, is subject Of congratulaton that there
has been no period in our past history, when all
the elements of national prosperity have been
fully developed. Since your last session afliici-
ing dspensaiion has visited our country; general
good health has prevailed; abundance has crowned
the toll Of the hushandnan and labor in all its
branches is receiving an ample reward, while edu'
Gallon, science, and the arts rapidly enIargng
the means of social happiness The progress Of
country in her career OF greatness, not only in
the vast extension Of our territorial limits and the
rapid increase of our population, but in resources
and wealth, and in the happy condition Of our peo
pie, is without example in the history of nations.
As the wisdom, strength, and benehcence Of our
free institutions unfolded, every day adds fresh
motives to contentment, and fresh incentives to
patriotism.
Our devout and sincere acknowledgements are
due to the gracious Giver Of all good for the num-
bcress blessings which our beloved country en-
joys.
Il is a source OF high satisfaction to know that
the relations OF the United States with all other
lions, with single exception, are OF the most am
icable character. Sincerely attached TO the policy
of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by this
government have anxiously desired to cultivate
and cherish friendship and commerce with every
foreign Power. The spirit and habits Of the Amer
lean people are favorable 10 the maintenance of
such international harmony. In adhering TO this
wise policy, preliminary and paramount duty OBJ
viously consists in the protection OF our national in
terests from encroachment and sacrifice, and our
national honor from reproach. These must be
maintained at any hazard. They admit Of no com
promise or neglect, aud must be scrupuousy and
constantly guarded 10 their vigilant vlndcation,
collision and conflict with foreign Powers may
sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been
scrupuous adherence to the dictates of justice,
in all foreign intercourse, that, though steadily
and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we
have given no Just cause Of complaint to any ma
ton, and have enjoyed the blessings Of peace for
more than thirty years. From policy so sacred
TO humanity and salutary in its effects upon our
political SYSTEM VIC should never be induced volun.
tarily 10 depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither desir-
ed nor provoked by the United States. On the
contrary, all honorable means were resored TO TO
avert il. After years of endurance Of aggravated
and unredressed wrongs ON our part, Mexico, in
violation of solemn treaty stpua,ions. aud of every
principle of justice recognized by civilized nations
commenced hosiililies and thus by her own act
forced the war upon US. Long before the advance
Of our army 10 the left bank of the Rio Grande, we
had ample cause Of war against Mexico; and had
the United States resored 10 this extremity, We
might have appealed 10 the whole CIVILIZED worlt
for the Justice of our course.
deem il to be my duty TO present to you on the
present occasion, condensed review of the inju
ries we have sustained, of the causes which led 10
the war, and OF its progress since its commence
ment This is rendered the more necessary be
cause of the misapprehensons which have TO some
extent prevailed as To It's origin and true character
The war has been represented as unjust and unnec
essary and ms of aggression on our part upoI
weak and injured enemy. Such erroneous views
though entertained by but few, have been widell
and extensively circulated, not only at home, bu
throughout Mexico and tile whole world. NOR
efectual means could not have been devised TO en-
courage the enemy and protract the war, than Il
advocate and adhere 10 their cause, and thus Civ
them "aid and comfort"
II is a source Of national pride and exullaiion
that the great body of our people have thrown NJ
such obstacles in the way of the government il
prosecuting the war successfully, but have show
themselves to be emineudy poirioic, and ready 4
vindcate their couniry's honor and interests at an
sacrifice The alacrly and promptness with whlc
our volunteer forces rushed to the field on thei
country's call, prove no, only their patriotism, bu
their deep conviction that our cause Is Just
The wrongs which we have suffered from MeA
leo almost ever since she became an independent
Power, and the patient endurance with which "
have borne them, are without parallel IN the hi
tory o modern civilized nations. There is reaso
10 believe that il these wrongs had been resente
and resisted in the first instance, the present wa
might have been avoided One outrage, however
permitted TO pass with mpunity, almost necessarll
encouraged the perpelralon oil another, uniil
last Mexico seemed TO attribute TO weakness an
indecision on our part, iorbearance which W.
the offspring Of magnanimily, and OF sincere az
sire 10 preserve friendly relations with sister n
public.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her independence
which the United States we're the hrst among III
nations 10 acknowledge, when she commenced u
system Of insult and spolIaton, which she has evt
since pursued Our citizens engaged in lawi
commerce we're imprisoned, their vessels seize
and our flag nsuted in her ports. II money w
wanted, the lawless seizure and conhscaion oil OF
merchant vessels and their cargoes was ready T
source and if TO accomplish their purposes It b
came necessary TO imprison the owners captain
and crews, il was done. Rulers superseded rule
in Mexico in rapid succession, but still there W
change in this system of depreciation. IL
government Of the United States made repeal'
reclamations on behalf Of its citizens, but the
were answered by the preparation OF new outrage
Promises of redress made by Mexico IN the mo
solemn forms were postponed or evaded. III
files and records Of the Department OF Stale co
tain conclusive proofs Of numerous lawless &C
perpetroted upon the properly and persons Of OF
citizens, by Mexico, and Of wanton insults to o.
national DAG. The nerposon of our Cover
ment to obtain redress was again and again nso
ed under circumstances which no nation ought
disregard
II was hoped that these ouirages would ccss
and that Mexico would be restrained by the La
which regulate the conduct Of civilized nations
their interconrse with each other, alter the trea