Democratic banner., 1847-12-27
Presidents Message.
CONCLUDED. J

For the amount of contributions, which
have been levied in this form, ! refer YOU
to the accompanying reports Of the Secre-
stary Of War and the Secretary of the Navy,
BY which it appears that the sum, exceed
ing half a million of dollars has been col
lected. This amount would undoubtedly
have been much lager but for the difficult
ty Of keeping open the communication be-
tween the coast snd the interior, so as to
enable the owners of the merchandise i'm
ported to transport and vtnd it to the in
habi:ants of the country.-It is confidently
expected, that tks difficulty will, to a great
extent, be soon fremoved by our increased
forces, which have been sent to the field.
Measures hate recently been adopted,
by which interval, as well as external reve-
nuss, in all traces liz our military posses
sionl will bsH&eeived and appropriated 20
the use of .oeharmy and navy. The policy
Of levying upon the enemy contributions in
every forn,se consistently with the laws of
nations, WHICH it may be practicable for
our military commanders TO adopt, should
be rigidiy enforced, and orders to this rf-
feet have accordingly been given. By
such a policy, at the same time, cur W
trea~ury will be relieved from a heavy
drain. The Mexican PEOPLE will be made
to feel the burdens of the war, and consult
ing their own interests, may be Induced the
moresreadily 10 require their rulers to ac-
ceds to a just peace.
After the adjournment of the last session
Of Congress, events t%ranspired in the prose
cution of the war, which, in my judgment,
required a greater number Of troops in the
field, kaap had been anticipated. The
strength of the army was accordingly in
creased, b. accepting the services Of all
the volunteer forces authorized by the act
of 18Th May, '46, without putting : con-
Struction on that act, the correctness Of
which was seriously questioned. The vol
unteer forces nov in the field, with those
which had been accepted to serve for 10
months, and were discharged at the end Of
their term of service, exhausted the fifty
Thousand mt" 49, --:7ed bv that ,ci HID
it been clear that the PROBE. -.-.~-
of the act warranted the services Of an od-
ditional number, they would have been
called and accepted; but as doubts existed
upon this point, the power was not exer-
cised.
1t is deemed important, that Congress
should, at an early period OF its session.
confer authority to raise an additional! reg
ular force to serve during the war will
Mexico, and to be discharged upon the
conclusion and ratification of a treaty OF
peace; and / invite the attention of Con-
gress to the views presented BY the Sec
rotary of war, in his Report upon this sub
iect. recommend, that authority be Civ
en- BY law to call for and receive an addi'
tional number Of volunteers, 10 be raised
at such times, and to such an extent, as thu
emergency.inay require.
In prosecuting the war with Mexico
while the utmost care has been taken to a
void every just cause Of complaint on TIN
part of neutral nations, and none has beer
given, liberal privileges rave been grantee
to their commerce in the ports OF the enc
my in our military occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian govern
ment, which at one time threatened to in
terrupt the friendly relations between til
two countries, will, ] trust, be speedily ad
iusted. / have received information that
minister, extraordinary and plenipotentlary
has been appointed by his Imperial Majest,
and it is hoped he will come prepared
adjust all remaining difficulties betweent I'll
two governments in a manner acceptab
and honorable to both. In the meantime,
have every reason to believe that nothlr
will occur to interrupt orr amicable rel
;tiocsswith Brazil. 1t has been my consta
,efort to maintain and cultivate the most J
innate relations of friendship with all Il
independent powers of South America, al
this, policy has been attended With the ha