Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-04-01
HIGHLY IMPORTANT.
A Message OF the President ON the
probability of a War and the
necessity Of increasing the Army
and Navy! M @
the Senate ofthe United States:

ate. contained in their resolution OF the
18th instant, whether, in my "jadgment.
any circumstances connected with, or
growing out Of the foreign relations of
this country, require at this time an in.
crease of our naval or military force;"
and, If SO, "what those circumstances
are," Ihave to express the opinion, that
a wise precaution demands such in
crease.
In my annual message Of the ed Of
December last, recommended TO the
favorable consideration of Congress an
increase Of our naval force, especially
of our steam navy, and the raising of
an adequate military force TO guard and
protect such Of our citizens as might
think proper 10 emigrate 10 Oregon.
Since that period, | have seen no cause
to recall or modify these reconhmenda.
TONS, On the contrary, reasons exist
which, in my judgment, lender il prop.
er not only that they should be prompts
Ily carried into effect, but that addition.
al provision should be made for the
public defence. '.'.. '' m,
The consideration Of such additional
provision was brought before appropri.
ate committees Of the two houses Of
Congress, in answer to calls made by
them, in reports prepared, with my
sanction, by the Sec'y. of War and the
Sec'y. Of the. Navy, on the goth Of De.
cember and the 9Th of January last, a
mode of communication with Congress
not unusual, and, under existing circum-
stances, believed to be mos, eligible.
Subsequent events have confirmed me
IN the opinion that these recommenda.
tons were proper as precautionary
measures. 4,... ...a. .sr.. ,,! .
1t was a wise maxim OF the Father
Of his country, tha! "to be prepared for
war, is one Of the most efficient means
of preserving peace" and that, "avoid.
ing occasions Of expense by cultivatiug
!, peace" We should remember, also,
! that timely disbursements to prepare
for danger frequently prevent much
greater disbursements to repel it,. The
general obligation 10 perform this duty
is greatly strengthened by facts known
10 the whole world. A controversy
respecting the Oregon Territory now
exists between the United States and
9 Great Britain; and while, as far as we
know, the relations Of the latter with all
i European nations are of the most pa.
+ CHIC character, she is making unusual
+. and extraordinary armamen,s and
y warlike preparations, naval and mill.
0 tary, both at home and in her North
i American possessions. '. 80 .-'"
Q Itcannot be disguised that, however
sincere may be tie desire Of peace, in
. the event Of rupture these armamcnts
and preparations would be urged
!. against our country. Whatever may
}. have been the original purpose ofthese
d preparations, the fact is undoubted tha!
Il they are now proceeding, in part, al
d least, with a view TO the continge n,
possibly of war with the United
Q States. The general policy Of making
l, additional warlike preparations wa:
l. distinctly announced, in the speech
), from the throne, as late as January
" last, and has since been reitered by the
IT ministers of the crown in both houses
:, Of Parliament. Under this aspect O.
= = our relations with Great Britain, lean.
: not doubt the propriety Of increasing
our means obedience, both by land and
sea. This can give Great Britain nc
. cause Of ofoffence, nor increase the dan.
ger Of a rupture, If, on the contrary
we should fold our arms in security
and at last be suddenly involved in hos.
l. tilities for the maintenance Of our just
i, rights, without any adequate prepara-
n ton, our responsibility to the country
], would be Of the gravest character
I. Should collision between The two
n countries I've avoided, as sincerely
If trust it may be, the additional charge
/ upon the treasury, in making the ne.
:. cessary preparations, will not be lost;
e while. in the event Of such collision
: they would be indispensable for The
J, maintenance ofour national rights and
a national honor oil. .,at!a 1 d.
| have seen no reason TO change OF
modify the recommendations ofmy an,
. nual message in regard 10 the Oregon
IS question: Tie notice to abrogate the
n treaty Of the 9Th ofAugust, 1897. is iau.
d thorlzed by the treaty itself, and canno,
be regarded as a warlike measure; and
a cannot withhold my strong conviction
b that il should be promptly given. The
J, other recommendations are in conform.
0 ity with the existing treaty, and would
3 afford to American citizens in Oregon
e no more than the same measure Of pro-
! lection which has long since been ex-
tended to British subjects in that terri
I tory. a1ai 2di saa ag3a s! a
y The state of our relations with Mex.