The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-12-14

The loss OF the brave officers and men who have
CALAMITY fallen while vindicating and defend
Ing their countTy's right and honor.
Ii is subject of pride and satisfaction, that
our volunteer citizen soldiers. who so promptly
RESPONDED TO the country's call, with expert
ence of the discipline of camp of only few
weeks, have borne their part in the hard fought
battle Of Monterey, with a consistency and coar-
age equal to that of veteran troops, and worthy
the highest admiration. The prvations of long
marches through the enemy's country, and thro'
"a wilderness, have been borne without mur-
muir By rapid movements the province OF New
Mexico, with Santa Fe, its capital, has been
captured without boodshed. The navy has CO.
operated with the army and rendered important
services. If not so brilliant, it is.because the
enemy had no force to meet them on their own
element, and because OF the defences which
nature has interposed, in the difficulties of the
navigation on the Mexican coast. Our squad
ron in the Pacihc, with the cooperation of a
gallan; officer of the army, and a small force
hastily collected in that distant country, have
acquired boodless possession of the CALIFORNIA;,
and the American flag has been raised at every
important point in that province.
] congratulate you on the success which has
thus attended our military and naval operations.
In less than seven months after Mexico COM
menced hostlities, at time selected by herself
we have taken possession oil many of her prin-
cpa ports, driven back and pursued her inva-
ding army, and acquired military possession
of the Mexican provinces of New Mexico,
New Leon, CoahuIla, Tamaulipas and the Cali
fornias, territory larger in extent than that
embraced in the original thirteen States of the
Union, inhabited by considerable population
and much of it more a thousand miles from the
points al which we had 10 collect our forces, g.
commence eur movements. By the blockade,
the import and export trade of the enemy have
been cut off.
oil tba A h. IF
the energy and gallantry OF our regular and vol
unteer officers aud soldiers. The events OF these
few months afford gratifying proof that our
ceuntrymen, under any emergency, confidently
rely for the maintenance of her honor and the
defence of her rights, on an effective force, rea-
dy at Ii times voluntarily to relinquish the COM
forts OF home for the perlls and the privations
of the camp. And though such a force may be
for the time expensive, il is in the end econom-
ica, the ability TO Command it removes the
necessity OF employing large standing army
in time OF peace, and proves that our people
love their institutions, and are ever ready TO de-
lend nd protect them.
Whilst the war was in couse of vi gorous and
successt ul prosecution being still nxious TO
rest lis evils and considering that after the bril-
liant victories of the eighth and ninth of May
last. the national honor could not be compro-
mltted by it another overture was made TO Mex
leo, by my direction, on the twenty-seventh of
July last to terminate hostilties by u peace just
and honorable to both countries On the the
thirty first OF August following, the Mexican
government declined TO accept this friendly o.
venture but referred it to the decision of Mex
lean congress, 10 be assembled in the early
part OF the present month. | communicate TO
you herewith a copy of the letter of the Secre-
tary OF State proposing 10 reopen negotiations,
OF the answero OF the Mexican Government and
OF the reply thereto OF the Secretary OF State.
The war will continue 10 be prosecuted with
vigor, as the best means of securing peace. 1t
Is hoped that the decision of the Mexican Con-
gress, TO which our last overture has been refer
red, may result I'M speedy and honorable
course OF the Mexican authorities, II is tn part
OF wisdom not 10 relax IN the energy OF our
military operations until the result is made
known. In this view, II is deemed important
hold military possessO ion of all the provinces
which have been taken, until a definite treaty
OF peace shall have been concluded and ratified
by the tw countries.
The war has not been waged with view TO
conquest, buthaving been commenced by Mex
leo II has been carried into the enemy's country
and will be vigorously prosecuted there, with a
view to obtain an honorable peace and thereby.
secure Bmple indemnify Tor the expenses OF the
war as ell os TO our much injured citizens who
hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico.
By the laws OF nations a conquered territory
is subject TO be governed by the conqueror du-
ring his military possession, and uuiII there is
either a treaty OF peace or he shall voluntarily
Withdraw from il. The old civil government
being necessarily superseded it is the right and
duty OF the conqueror to secure his conquest and
provide tor the maintenance of civil order and
the rights OF the inhabitants. This right has
been exercised and this duly performed by
military and naval commanders by the establish
menl OF temporary governments in some Of the
conquered provinces of Mexico; ussimilatng
them as lar practicable to the free institutions
OF our country. In the provinces OF New Mex
leo and OF the CALIFORNIA;, lille if any furth
resistance is unprecedented from the inhabitants
to the tenn orary governments which have thus,
from the necessity of the case, and according 10
the laws of war been established. 1t may be
proper to provide tor the security of these inn
portant conquests by making at adequate APP
preparation tor the purpose OF erecting fortiica-
tons and delrayng the expenses necessarily in
cident 10 the malnten ance OF our possession and
authority over them
On the twenty sixth Of February 803, an
appropriation OF two millions of dollars was
made, and p placed t the disposal OF the President
lis object Is well known. 1t was at that time
in contemplation to acquire Louisiana from
France, and it was intended TO be applied as
part OF the consideration which might be paid
lor that territory. On the 18th OF February 8O6
the same sum was in like manner appropriated
with view to purchase the Flordas from Spain.
These appropriations were made to facilitate
negotiations, and as means to enable the Pres
ident to accomplish the important objects in
view Though II did not become necessary for
the President these appropriations, yet
a state of things might have arrived in which 1t
would have been highly important for him TO
do so. and the wisdom of them cannot be doubt
eG 1t is believed that the measure recommen-
ded al your last session met with the apprOba-
non of decided majorities in both Huuses of
Congress. Indeed. IN different forms bill ma
king an appropriation of 100000 Of dollars
passed each House, and it is much to be regret
ted that il did not become law.
The reasons which induced me TO recommend