Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-03-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
TO The Senate and House Of Representative,
of iho ITniia1 SL,Lnr.

Congress, by the act Of the 18th Of Ma
last, declared that "by the act Of the Repub
TIC OF Mexico, state Of war exists be
tween that government and the U. States,
and ''ior the purpose of enabling the govern
ment OF the United States, to prosecute sale
war to speedy and successful termna
tion," authority was vested in the Presi
dent 10 employ the naval and military
forces Of the United States"
1t has been my unalterable purpose, since
the commencement of hostililes by Mex
CO, and the declaration Of the existence OIL
war by Congress, to prosecute the war in
which the country was unavoidably involv.
ed with the utmos. energy, with view to
lis "speedy and successful termination by
an honorable peace.
Accordingly, all the operations Of our la.
with this view. While the sword has been
held in one hand, and our military move.
ments pressed forward into the enemy's
country, and its coasts invested by our ma.
Wy, the tender Of an honorable peace has
been constantly presented to Mexico in
the other.
Hitherto, the overtures for peace which
have been made by this government have
not been accepted by Mexico. With a
view TO avoid a protracted war, which hest
fancy and delay on our part would be so
well calculated 10 produce, informed you,
in my annual message OF the 9th December
last, that the war would "contnue to be
prosecuted with vigor as the best means of
securing peace" and recommended to your
early and favorable consideration the meas
ures proposed by the Secretary of War, IN
the report accompanying that message.
In my message of the 4,h OF January last.
these and other measures, deemed TO be es.
sential to the Hspeedy and successful termi.
natlon," OF the war, and the attainment OF
a just and honorable peace, were recon-.
meDded to your early and favorable consid.
Grafton.
The worst state Of things that could ex-
lst in a war with such power as Mexico,
would be course Of indecison and nactv-
i.y on our part. Being charged by the con.
stitution and laws with the conduct Of the
war, have availed myself OF all the means
at my command to prosecute it with ener-
gy and vrgor.
The act ''to raise for limited time an
additional military force, and for other pur.
poses," and which authorizes the raising of
ten additional regiments to the regular ar
my. to serve during the war, and to be dis
banded at its termination, which was pres
ented to me on the l tn inst. and approved
on that day, will constitute an important
part Of our military force. These regiments
will be raised and moved to the seat o! war
with the least practicable delay.
1t will be perceived that this act makes
no provision for the organization into brig
AIDES and divisions OF increased force which
It authorizes, nor for the appointment OF
general officers to command it. II will be
proper that authority be given by law to
make such organization, and 10 appoint, by
and with the advice and consent Of the
Senate, such number Of major generals and
brgadier generals as the efficiency of the
service may demand. The number OF off.
GERS Of these grades now in service are not
more than are required for their respective
commands but further legislative action
during your present session will, in my
judgement, be required, aud 10 which it is
my duty respectfully to invite your atten-
ton.
Should the war, contrary to my earnest
desire, be protracted 10 the close Of the
term of service OF the volunteers now in
Mexico, who engaged for twelve months,
an additional volunteer force will probably
become necessary to supply their place.
Many OF The volunteers now serving in
Mexico, i, is not doubted would cheeriully
engage, at the conclusion of their present
term, to serve during the war. They would
constitute more efficient force than could
be speedily obtained by accepting the serv-
ces of any new corps who might offer their
services. They would have the advantage
of the experience and discipline Of years
service, and will have become accustomed
TO the climate, and be in less danger than
new levies OF suffering from the diseases OF
the country. | recommend, therefore, that
authority be given to accept the services oil
such OF the volunteers now in Mexico as
the state OF the public service may require,
and who may al the termination of their
present term, voluntarily engage to serve
during the war with Mexico, and that pro.
vision be made Tor commissioning the Off
GERS. Should this measure receive the ia.
vorable consideration OF Congress, it is re-
commended that a bounty be granted to
them upon their voluntarily extending their
term OF service. This would not only be
due 10 these gallant men, but it would be
economy 10 the government because, il
discharged at the end OF the twelve months,
the government would be bound to incur
heavy expense in bringing them back to
their homes, and IN sending to the seat Of
war new corps of fresh troops to supply
their place.
By the act Of the 9th Of May last, the
President was authorized to accept the SER
vices Of volunteers, SIN companies, battal-
ions, squadrons, and regiments" but no pro-