Democratic banner., 1847-03-01

danger than new IeVleS OF suffering IRON
the diseases of the country. l recommend,
therefore, that authority be given to accept
the services of such of the volunteers now
in Mexico as the state of the public service
may require, and who may at the termina-
ton of their present term, voluntarily en-
gage to serve during the war with Mexico,
and that provision be made for commission
ing the officers. Should this measure re-
cefve the favorable consideration of Con-
gress, it is recommended that a bounty be
granted to them upon their voluntarily ex-
tending their term of service. This would
not only be due to these gallant men, but it
would be economy to the Government; be-
cause, if discharged at the ED of the II
months, the government would be bound to
incur a 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 18th Of May last, the
President was authorized to accept the SER
vices of volunteers, Gin companies, but
~talions, squadrons, and regiments but no
provision was made for filling up vacancies
which might occur by death, or discharges
from the service, on account of sickness or
other casualties. In consequence of this
omission, many of the corps now in service
nave been much reduced in numbers. Nor
was any provision made for filling vacan-
cies of regimental or company officers who
might die or resign. Information has been
received at the War Department of the re-
Signation of more than one hundred of these
officers. They were appointed by the State
authorities, and no information has been re-
ceived, except in a few instances, that
their places have been filled; and the efici-
ency of the service has been impaired from
this cause. To remedy these defects, | re-
commended that authority be given to &C.
cept the services of individual volunteers,
to fill up the places of such as may die, or be-
come unfit for the service and be discharg-
cd; and that the provisions be also made
for filling the places of regimental and CON-
pany officers who may die or resign. By
such provisions, the volunteer corps may
be constantly kept full, or may approxi-
mate the maximum number authorized, and
called into service in the first instance.
While it is deemed to be our true policy
to prosecute the war in the manner indica-
ted, and thus make the enemy feel its pres
sure and its evils, | shall be at all times ready
with the authority conferred on me by the
constitution, and with all the means which
may be placed at my commandby Congress
TO conclude a just and honorable peace.
Ofegual Importance with an energetic
and vigorous prosecution of the war are the
means required to defray its expenses, and
TO uphold and maintain the public credit,
In my annual message of the Sth Decem-
berlast, | submitted for the consideration of
Congress the propriety Of imposing, as a
war measure, revenue duties on some Of
the articles now embraced in the free list
The principal articles now exempt, from du-
ty, from which any considerable revenue
could be derived, are tea and coffee. A
moderate revenue duty on these articles,
it is estimated would produce annually an
amount exceeding two and a half millions
OF dollars. Though in a period of peace,
when ample means could be derived from
duties on other articles for the support Ct
the government, it may have been deemed
improper to resort to a duty on these articles;
yet when the country is engaged in a for
eign war, and all our resources are dcman-
ded to meet the unavoidable increased cx-
penditure in maintaining our arms in the
field, no sound reason is perceived why we
should not avail ourselves Of the revenues
which may be derived from this source
The objections which have heretofore GX-
listed to the imposition Of these duties were
applicable to a state of peace, when they
were not needed. We are now; however,
engaged in a foreign war. We need money
to prosecute it, and to maintain the public
homer and credid. 1t cannot be doubted that
patriotic people ofthe United States would
c~heerfully, and without complaint, submit
to the payment of this additional duty, or any
other that may be necessary to maintain the
honor ofthc country, provide for the una
voidable expenses of the government, and to
uphold the public credit. 1t is recommen-
ded that any duties which may be imposed on
the articles be limited in their duration to
the period of the war.
An additional annual revenue, it is estima-
ted of between half million and a million of
dollars, would be derived from the gradua-
ton and reduction Of the price ofsuch Of the
public lands as have been long offered in the
market at the minimum price established by
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