New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-12-08
pY GOVERNMENT EXPRESS.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE



ailments 10 take counsel together iJr the common
GOOD. After an existence OF near three i0urtns li
a century es a free and independent republic me
nroblem no longer remains - be solved ~netuef
man is capable Of seltgoyernment- ne success
of our admirable system IS conclusive reiutaIioh
Of the theories Of those 10 other countries VINO
maintain that e favored few are born 70 rue
and that the mass Of mankind must be governed oy
force Subject 70 no arbitrary or hereditary author
ity the people are the only soveregns recognised
bv our constitution. Numerous emlgrants oil eve
~ lineage and language attracted by the civil aud
religious freedom ~e enjoy, and by our happy con
dition annually crowd 10 our shores, and trans
fer their heart not less than their allegiance tothe
country whose dominion belongs alone to the PEG
pie.
No country has been so much favored or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the manles'
tons Of the Divine protection An all-wlse Urea
tor directed and guarded US IN our iniant struggle
for freedom. and has constantly watched over our
surDrisng progress, until We have become one OF
the greatest nations of the earth.
IL is 2 country thus favored, and under a gov
eminent In which the executive and legislative
branches bold their authority for limited PERIODS
alike from the people, end where al are responsi
bic 10 their respective constituencies that Il IS
again my duty 10 communicate with Congress up
ON the state OF the Union, and the present condition
OF public affairs.
Daring the past wear the most gratifying proofs
presented that our country nus ptch H'No1NN
with n wide spread aud universal prosperity
There has been no period since the government
WAS founded, when all the industrial pursuits oi
our people have been more successful, or ~hen IA
Dor in all its branches OF business has received
fairer or better reward. From our abundance We
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty oil
furnishing food for the starving millions OF less Ia
vOred countries.
In the ENJOYMENT of the bOuntles oil Providence
at home such as have rarely fallen TO the lot OF any
people it is cause of coDgratuation that our inter
course with all the Powers OF the EARN, except
Mexico continue to be Of an amicsble character.
IL has ever been our cherished policy 70 cultivate
peace and goodwill with all nations and this poll
cy has been steadily pursued BY me-
No change has taken place IN our relations
with Mexico since the adjournment oil the iast
Congress The War in which the United
States were forced 10 engage wiihthe Governments
of that country, still continues
| deem il unnecessary, after the full exposition
of them contained in my message OF the eeveAih oil
Nav, 1916 aud IN my annual message AZ the com
mencement Of the session OF Congress In Decem'
Der last 10 reiterate the serious causes o. CON
plant which we bad against Mexico before she
commenced hostilities.
1t is sufficient on the present occasion 70 say,
that the wantOn violations OF the rights oil
persons and property Of our citizens com
mitted by Mexico, her repeated acts oil pad
faith through a long series OF years and her
| disregard OF solemn bchhtsf sNfN'"N"-
| indemnity 20 our injured citizens not only consti
| tuted ample cause Of war on our part but were oil
! such an aggravated character as would nave Jusu-
fed us before the whole world in resorting TO TINS
extreme remedy.
With an anxious desire TO avoid a rupture between
the two countries, we iorebore ior years 10 assert
our clear rights BY force. and continued 10 seek re-
dress for the wrongs We had suffered by amicaole
negotiation Ia the hope that Mexico might yield 70
! pacific counsels and the demands OF justice. IN
| this hope We were disappointed. Our minister Of
peace sent to Mexico was insutingy rejected, tue
/ Mexican Government refused even 10 near me
| terms of adjustment which be was authorized 70
| propose: and finally, under wholly unjustlhabe
pretexts involved the two countries IN war by NJ
vadng the terrltoryIofth State OF Texas, striking
the first blow and shedding the blood OF our ctl-
! zens on our own soil
| Though the United States were the aggrlevedna-
ton Mexico commenced the war and we were com
PEELED in sefdeience to repel the invader, aud to
indicate the National honor and interest by prose
cutting IL with vigor until could obtain just and
/ honorable peace
On learning that hostties had been commenced
/ by Mexico, promptly communicated that TACT &C
| cOmpanied with succinct statement oil our o,hrI
causes of compliant against Mexico, 70 Congress
aud that body by the act OF the thirteenth OF May
1916 declared that " by the act OF the repuOAc ol
| Mexico a state OF war exists between that gov
eminent and the United states this act declaring
the war to exist by the act OF the republic OF
Mexico and making provision for It's prosecution
to a speedy and successful termination" was
passed with great unanimity by Congress, there
being but two negative votes Ia the senate, and
bat fourteen in the House Of Representatives.
The existence OF the war having thus been de
clsred by Congress, II became my auIyi under the
Constitution and the laws. to conduct and prose
cute it, This duty has been performed. Aud
though ct every stage OF its progress have mani
tested willingness to terminate II by Just peace
Mexico has refused 10 acccde % any terms which
could be accepted by the lited States consistent
with the National honor aad interest
The rapid aud brillisnt successes OF our arms
and the vast extent Of the enemy territory "n'cl
had been oyerrun aud conquered, oeiore the close
OF the last session OF Congress, were fully kno"r
20 that body. Since that time, the war has beer
prosecuted with increased energy, and am graz
lied To state win success winch commands uni
versa admiration. History presents no parallel
50 many glorious victories achieved by any natioL
within 50 short perioi. Our army, regulars anc
volunteers have covered themselves with imPer
lshable hOuOrs Whenever and wherever Ou
forces have encountered the enemy, though he wa
ia VASTLY superior numbers. aud ote1 cntrencned II
fortified positions OF MS own selection, ana oi sfeA
strength he has been defeated. Too much praise
cannot be bestO~ ed upon cur Oihceis and men
regulars ami volunteers for their gaAntry, dlscip-
line iudomitable courage and perseverance, a.
seeking the post Of danger, and sieiog with eaci
other IN deeds Of noble daring
While every patriots heart must exult, and JUS
national pride animate every bosom IN oeholding tn'
nigh proofs OF courage, consummate military SILL
steady discipline, and humanity 70 10 the van
pushed enemy, exhibited by our gallant army th'
nation is called to mourn over the loss OF n any
brave officers and soldiers woo have fallen II de
fence Of their coantrys honor and Interests TIT
brave dead met their melancholy fate In ioreigI
land noby dischsrging their duty, and With tnei
country lag waving trism phAnty N the iaceoi N.
foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated
and will long be remembered BY their gr1ieiu
coautrymen. The parental care Of the government
they loved and served should be extended 70 thei
surviving families
Shortly after the adjournment Of the last session
OF Congress, the gratifying intelligence va
received OF the signal victory OF Baena vista
and OF TIE fall OF the City OF Vera Cruz, az
with il the strong Castle Of San Juan d.
Ulus bv which il was defended. Beleyin.
that after these Snl other successes 50 honorable
our arms and 50 disastrous 70 Mexico the Peno'
was propriioss 70 afford her another opportunity
she thought proper - embrace L, ~ enter int
negotiations for peace, Commissioner Was Ap
pointed to proceed 20 the headquarters OF oar a.
nv with full powers 70 enter upon Negotiations AM
10 ciude Just and honorable Treaty Of Peace
He was not directed 70 make any new overture