Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-04-05
SiSS'g
49,
The Mcxicnn Ports.


We publish below the letter from the President to the
Secretary OF the Treasury, which in Satur
days paper announcing his determination, which, learn
from tho Union received the unanimous OF tho
Cabinet open the ports OF Mexico, which may
possession, may be hereafter taken the com
OF all nations, upon payment OF such OF duncs
TO into own treasury. be prescribed by tho
Secretary:
sra; The government OF Mexico having repeatedly re
jccted the friendly ovcurcs OF the United Smtes
negotiations with view the restoration OF peace sound
policy and Just regard Ia the interests OF
n.y. require that the enemy should be made far Ptae
cablc bear the OF war, which they are
the authors and which they obsunaIey persist p,ouse
Ting.
Il is the right the couqueror to levy contributions upon
the enemy IN their seapurs towns, provinces which
may be ms military possession by conquest, and ap-
ply tho to deray the expenses Of the The
aueror possesses the right also establish temporary
hay government over such seSPors towns provinces
and prescribe the conditions and upon which
commerce with such places NAV be permitted. He may,
in his discretion, eXcud all trade; admit without lmi-
taion restriction; impose the observance
which will be the condition OF carrying One these
conditions be the payment OF prescribed OF du.
tonnage and imports.
Ia the OF these unques;ioned rights Of war;
have full consideration, determined order that all
the ports places in Mexico which are or hereafter
may be- in the actual OF land and naval for
by conquest shall be opened, while military
patton may continue, 10 the commerce OF all neutral
well as our own IN articles not contTaband
upon the payment of prescribed OF duties which will
be made known and enforced by military and naval
commanders.
burden the enemy and the deprive them
o the TO be derived from trade, such ports
places, well as to secure To ourselves whereby the
expenses OF the may be dimnished--a regard
general interests OF commerce. and the obvious aj
vantngcs Of uniformity In the exercise these bcccrcn
rights requires that well-conSdeed regulations and
uctoas should be prepared for the guidance OF those who
may be charged with carrying into effect
You therefore Instructed 10 examine the existing
Mexican tariff OF duties and report schedule OF ar
teies Ct ;FaGe TO be admitted such ports places
NAV a. sny military possession with such
rses dguss them, and also tonnage. s. Ni be
likely p-ocDes The greatest amount % You
aizs clsru1ne>ic tae conscientious which may re-
e1-n1end sac g, e-ces ~--eA yoa may pr,pare and
80 s=szzE 49, rsi-1s A. "a Hay deez advisable II
C-c-r - sr---cr -.e- eccca-
A. - wv 81 as e-u-sGloa proposed : 4 military
- cst-- --1m Ne ur-cus. ~ collection and
s-.zsezaz1E - tlr=s vi De z-d-- the oders
- >-erlirT % " ar Ana ne Secretary 20 tie NAVY.
~ an, re ports CT p 4
k-ze1 El-ri zar De- n lussgssiol ci car arms
T.- -ss1C1 lsrIr Necessary c-5cr O. sna-
- o, rvs - lrssr --scncGs - tie Wa snj Navy
pe7.-uzs1s JAMES L FOLK.
wl.E1ysTOz. Ms-es =, IsI-.
The PresideRI having STATED b.lsft. buI fully the rea-
by which he deems himself justified in resortn- 10
this measure, deem unnecessary insert the very
learned and profound dissertation Of the Secretary IN
which reference principally the details Of the
adopted for the regulation Of commsTce the ports Of
Mexico and the motives which consiran MIN depart in
framing from the ad valorem principle, and to levy in.
stead specific duties.
suspect that the be derived from this no.
vel. extraordinary, and imagine unprecedented
will be very incOnsderabe, inasmuch as while
the continues, the consumption of the imported at
cles in the interior of Mexico in consequence the COM
muncotion being great extent oti, w not be very
large, h the Mexican Government should fail as j,
will scarcely do, TO adopt couneIacing Il is on
auxiliary system that tins new mode OF
United States. Its effect, in diminishing resources Of
the enemy the other hand scarcely worthy Of con-
sdeTAOnall revenue from customs having been hereto
fore ecctualy off by the blockade We do not there
fore regard the proposed scheme from which any
very important results likely accrue especially IN its
bearing upon the question of peace or war Whether the
Vaccinations OF the learned Secretary, will be realized IN
regard tendency enighen the Mexican people on
his great hobby OF free trade, and induce them after the
restoration Of peace, substitute for their not less ab.
surd yIOhi5ifO,y tarf, may well be doubted. Nations
like individuals have natural repugnance to adopt the
suggestions of their enemies-especally when they are
presented the point OF sword. They fear the Greeks
and their gfs. And there believe hst VI r
Polk and great hnanoer OF the Treasury DEPARTMENTAL
find very docile pupils in the Me1eans who in addition to
the special which will induce them TO regard w
dstrus their advice and counsel not very easily per-
suaded, all that county attest 20 renounee
the opinions the habits Of their ancestors Ii is To be
hoped however that the overthrow OF their
and most popular Generslior whose "aid aud comfort
in the midst of their difficulties, they indebted 10 the
eminent ability" and courtesy Of Mr. Polk and his Cab.
netwil induce the Mexican Government aud People to
abandon the purpose OF farther proscing hopeless sirug
gle and consequently that shall to the Mex
Government such Of s may be posses
sion, and, with hem, the power Of hdopsg s own CON-
mercin regusonsunless indeed it shall be de lem,ned
that mauifes destiny renders necessary
ly 10 retain them oil.