Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-04-14

4 Highly Important from Washington.
Z LETTER FROM THE PREsIDENP r.
: Of ooF5sPnl TaE II ~, wv THE sEeRETaR1 J
:. ..10F rlE II ~ AYa1i. bus ,aoi. O9o@ ypes
,,tnsEhe Washington gnionsoftbe II ifsty
a contains letter from the President. nd
dressed to the Secretary of War, which W,
publish below. 1t will be seen TINT tbt
: PRESIDENT recommends system of militar,
contributions on the Mexicans, and promo
SOS tnat a tariff be imposed upon all articles
winch may hereafter enter the Mexicar
ports. This is right, and is strictly in No.
co rdance with the law of nations and th,
rules OF military warfare. We hope this
measure will be speedily adopted, and we
trust II Will have the effect Of bringino
N agou speedy and honorable peace. Thee
National lntelligencer the leading fedora
paper IN the Union, approves Of the re.
commendation of the President. .
10 ne Secretary cfhe Treasury: l..
DIR: The government of Mexico hav.
ing repeatedly rejected the friendly over.
lures lures OF the United States to open negotio-
'lons with a view to the restoration of
peace, sound policy, and a Just regard to
tne interests OF our own country, reo,,ire
lnat me enemy should be made, as far as
ae pefacllcaole, h to bear the expenses of war,
th ul wnich they are the authors, and which
'ney oos,tlnately persist in protractng.
IL is the right ofthe conqueror to lew
contributions upon the enemy, in their sea-.
Ports' towns, or provinces, which NAV be
IN MS military possession by conquest. and
TO apply the same to defray the expenses
OF the war. The conqueror possesses the
rlght also to establish temporary militia.
~ government over such seaports, towns.
or provinces, and to prescribe the condi.
1lons and restrictions upon which com.
merce with such places may be permitted
tie may, in his discretion. exclude MI
trade; or admit it, with Limitation or re.
strctlon; OF impose terms, the observance
OF winch will be the condition of CARVING
1t on. One of these conditions NAV be- the
payment ofa prescribed rate of dnties IN
tonnage and imports.
In the exercise of these unouestioned
rights Of war, have, on full consideration
determined to order that all the, ports or
places In Mexico which now are, or here.
alter may be, in the actual possession of
our. land, and naval forces by conquest
shall be opened, while our military occupa.
ton may continue, to the commerce IF ali
neutral nations, as we'll as our own. in ar.
ticles not contraband ofwar, upon the nav.
ment otprescribed rates of duties. which
Will be made known and enforced bv our
military and naval commanders.
While the adoption of this polcv will
be tolmpose burden on the enemy, and
at the same time to deprive them of The
revenue to be derived from trade, at such
ports or places, as we'll as to secure il to|
ourselves, whereby the expenses of the
war may be diminished-a lust regard to|
the general interest of commerce, a and the
obvious advantages of uniformity in the
exercise oil these bellgerent rights, requires
'has well'considered regulations and re.
strlctlons should be prepared for the guid.
ance OF those who may be charged . with
carrying it into effect. l.. ..s ~
You are therefore instructed to examine
the existing Mexican tariff of duties and
report TO me schedule of articles of trade.
TO be admitted at such ports or places as
may at any time be In our military nos.
session, with such rates of duties on them
and also on tonnage, as will be likely to
Pfoauce the greatest amount of revenue,
tou VIII also communicate the considera.
tions which may recommend the scale of
duties whlchyou may prepare, and will
submit such regulations as YOU NAV deem,
advisable, in order to enforce their collec.
ton. ra5 vino it'd ,s ' 0''0o' ''e
LAS the levy of the contribution proposed
IS, military right, derived from the laws
o. nations, the collection and disbursement
of the duties will be made under the or.
aers ofsthe. Secretary of War and the Sec
retary Of the Navy, by the military and
aayal commanders at theports or places in
VI exlco which maybe in possessions Of our
arms.oSThe report required is therefore
aecessaryin order to enable me to give the
proper directions to the War and Novy,
departments. haa Fg,y asI 70 sl,i 'ra.e'
iiE aeaaanjeA JAMES X, POLK. .aaI
ayWAsHiNGroN, March %, ls47. feag
5'o ',te the Instructions Of the President, con.
al aled in5tENe IL the above letter the Secretary of
heih5easury, Hon,R, JeWAlkER, replied
'nlhe 'aoth ults~His reply istoo long for
Il ,
y : in hisweek's paper, and we
'llst p tthSesrefore content oarselvesby giving
'tF brief abstract: H. ~, NV ., ,gao 3or 0
,HS ,,sTToIitr9ta 1t is certain that a mild
nd' lorbearing, system Of warfare, collect. s
ng no duties in their ports, in our possess. :
ollnlbn onb ON the Gulf, and leyying no contrib1. ,
ions. whilst our armies purchase supplies
rom on'sttA them athigh prices, by5rendering the
xaraa benefit 10 the people Of Mexico rath, i