New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-26
From Washington.
,, tro,n ,he President-Debafe in rhe
!"rhs"so SenRte.
The following Message was sent to the senate on

In answer 10 the inquiry OF the oenAte conaihsu ~
,hsi, resolution of the 18th instant, whether. IL my
apy circumstances connected with grow
ing out Of the foreign relations OF THIS country reqs
AT this increase OF our naval or inilsr! io'ce
and IL go what those circumstances are, have 10 ex
press the opinion tina. wise precauton demands such
increase. -, -.
In my annual message Of the Cd Of December last,
recommended TO the favorable consideration OF congress
AN increase of our naval force especially oil our steam
navy and the raising Of an adequate military orce -
guard and protect such of our citizens dc ME inlhh
proper TO ernigrate Oregon Since that Per'oo nave
seen no cause 10 recall modify these recommends
lions On the contrary reasons exist which IN my ]udg
nent render 1t proper not only that they should De
promptly carried into effect but mat aoaiionH'
should be made for the public defence
The consideration OF such additional provision Was
Brought before appropriate CouimiI'ees oi tne wv
Houses Of Congress- In answer 70 eau S ~
VA and The Secretary of the Navy on the 18TH OF De-
cernber and the 9Th of January last; mode OF comu
njcaton with Congress not unusual and unceT e:ihns
isnn,ns,ances believed to be eligible. Suisse
ouent eyents have confirmed me IN the opinion that
these recommendations were proper AS precautionary
measures s,t r,.- .La,
10 be prepared for war, s of the most efficient
means of preserving peace; and That aVoione occa-
sions of expense by cutvaing peace we shoaio re-
member also that timely disbursements 10 prepare LOT
danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements
to repel III The general obligation 10 perform this duty
is greatly strengthened by facts known 10 me ~nou
world A controversy respecting the Oregon territory
now exists between the United Ststeh and Great britain
and while 40 far know. the relations oil the latter
with all European nations are Of tne most Pacis
ter abe Ia making unusual and extraordinary arnaenS
and warike preparations naval and military, DOM al
home and in her North American possessions
1t cannot be- disguised that however sincere may be
tho des;re Of peace in the Of rupture these ar
mament. and preparations would be used against our
country Whatever may have been the original purpose
nj thesc the fact ia undoubed that ihey are
now proceeding 10 part at least with view TO Inc con
,inuent possbity OF with the United States The
general policy of making additional warllke preparations
was distinctly announced in the speech from the throne
ma late as last and has since been reiterated by
,be nIni,ters of the crown both houses OF Parliament
Under this aspect of relations with Great bfltah
canno, doubt the proprey of increasing our means OF
defence, both by land aud sea- ms can Eve nteas
Britain no cause of offence nor increase the danger OF
ruuture IL on the contrary, should told our arm IN
security and at last be suddenly involved in hosultles
for the maintenance OF our just rights without any aae
ouste preparation, responsibility 10 the country
would be OF the gravcst character. Should COLLATION. o
tween the two countries be avoided. as sincerely usl
il NAV be- the additional charge upon the treasury 10
making the necessary preparations, VIII not DC ios'
while in the event OF such collision, they wouo DC IN
dispensable for the maintenance OF our national rights
and national honor. -, -
have seen no to change or modify the feconl-
mepdaons of my annual message in regard to the ore
pon question The notice TO abrogate tho treaty OF tne
9Th OF August 1927 is authorized by the treaty ITSELF and
cannot be regarded as warke measure ana cannot
withhold nv strong conviction that should be prompt
" GWEN The other Recommendations are ID conform
ty with the existing treaty and woud snoru u hhcii
citizens in Oregon more IMAM ne ealne ihcasu'c
OF protection which has long since oeen eh'enueu "
British subjects in that territory
The stats of relations with Mexcois st IN an un.
settled condition Since the meeting OF Congress announcer
revolution taken place in that country by when cc
Government has passed into the hands oil new rulers
This has procrasDated. and may possibly aeiea
the settlement OF the differences between the nnIed
States and that country. The Minister OF the Onteu
States to Mexico the date OF the last adVces hhu mol
been received by the existing authorities Demonsun-
lions of character hostile TO the United States continue
,I,s,hh uur rod 4
my Judgment to keep nearly twothrds OF our army on
our South. Western frontier In doing this many OF me
regular military posts have been reduced small orc
inadequate their defence should an emergency arse
In view of these circumstances, II is my Juds-
ment that increase of naval and military Iolcc
ia al this time required, place the country in sua.
HE stae of defence At same time il is my settled pur
pose to pursue such OF policy as may De pest
calculated preserve both with Great BRIAN ana Mex
leo, honorable peace which nothing WIN 90 erec'u
ly promote as unanimty in councils and hrm mhh-
tenancc OF all our just rights. JAMES r. ruin
WASHINGTON March "a, 1876
The clerk having read the message,
On motion OF Mr. ALLEN, 1t was aid on tne taOe huu
ordered to be printed.
Mr. WEBSTER thed and said rise for the purpose
OF submitting inquiry relative 10 matter referred 10 IN
the message, and not for the purpose OF making any com
mentary remark whatever tho message ltsell we
perceive the message Just read that II Is the Judg-
President that increase of our means OF DE-
fenceboth military and navahas become necessary by
the circumstances tho country The amount extent
Of that not stated In the message
But the President says That estimates showing INC extent
of the necessary In the of our defence NIL
ary and naval have been communicated from the appro
pratc departments of the Executive government 10 Inc a
propriate committees this and the other House OF Con-
cress for their advsement and consideration Will not
complain sir nj ALL this mode Of communicating to the
Members of Congress the Judgment OF the Executive upon
such highly important aud vital questions ana 10 not
complain OF IL because. as the PRESIDENT says IL Is moi uh-
suaI Recently il is unusual but the practice Is OF
recent origin and, in my Judgment is not 10 be encou
aged I do not know whether the honorable members OF
the Senate who respectively at the head of these COM
mtecs communicated these estimates in anyway to
the body 10 which they belong and rise therefore, for
the purpose OF ipquIing OF them-btsnning Win Inc non
orabe member from Missouri (lr Bentonl tle heaG oil
tho Military Committee what that communication 10
which reference has been made is and whether ne cannot
suggest some form bringing knowledge oi II TO the
whole body OF tho Senate, because 1t is stated IN the
message these estimates were made by the sancol OF
the president himself and Of course 1t seems to me that
these thus sanctioned should have been Drought
before the Senate.
Mr. BENTON in reply, said The proper Introduction
M the answer TO the honorable Senator'S inquiry. adj
dressed 10 me- will be the statement IN the
how it Is that the departments with the sanction oil the
President have communicated these estimates to The
committees The OF that precedsre IS that at the
beginning OF the session. resolution oil this oooy having
been adopted directing certain committees and among
o,bers the Military COMMITTEE inquire whether my.
and any what additional deiences aud preparations are
necessary in the present state Of the country As mat
per organ-the Secretary of War. he returned an an
swer that inquiry which is in the hands OF the COM
mittee-many parts of it being very proper to be made
public others not tits all in their hands, but up to this
time tho committee have deemeds necessary to take
any action upon it.
Mr. FAIRFIELD mex, rose and said: l am also called
upon and the statement have to make Is simply this
In consequence of the passage of resolutions offered by
the Senator from Michigan, Mr.. CAss directing the
Military and Naval Committees to inquire what meas
uros necessary for the defence OF the country let
tiers were written by direction Of the Committee on Ma
val Affairs the Secretary of the Navy and he in sn
this and other inquiries deemed pertinen: TO the
case made communication, which has been read 10 The
Senate and been published. In conformity with his re-
commenda,ions which were understood AZ the time 10
have the sanction Of the President OF the United States
the bill reported by the Committee which is
before the Senate providing for the building of ten
steamers
Mr. j. NJ CLAYTON asksd whether the Committee on
Naval Affairs had reported al the information commune
Gated by the Secretary OF the Navy whether any
other communication had been made them by officers
Of the Navy Department which had been laid before the
Senatei
Mr. FAIRrIEsp. The communication Of the Secretary
was accompanied by report made BY Chiefs OF the Blu
reaus to The Secretary himself and was transmitted
the Committee by him, with the understanding that il
was TO be- returned II TO the Committee in or
der aid them in framing the BILL and making the prop