The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
DELIVERED TO
BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS
TUESDAY, DEC. z, ls4J.


TUESDAY, DEC. 2, ls45.
Fel,o,o Citizess Of the senate
and Of the House Of Representatives
The annual meeting Of Congress h always an Interest
Ing The TO
rsl together for the common good After an existence
Of threeourths Of century a. nee and
solved whether man 10 capable Of self government-
The success OF admirable system H. . conclusive
who maintain that favored few' are born to rule
and that the mass Of msnkind must be governed oy
force Subject to no arbitrary or hsredisry anshory
Constitution. Numerous emieTsnts Of every lineage
ana language attracted by the OWL and religious free
crowd TO our shores and transfer tdsr heart not less
than thsir allegiance to the country whose dominion
No country has bean 50 much favored, or should
knowedxs with deeper reverence the OF
the Divine protection An sl.wse creator dirsctea
has constantly watched over our surprising progress
until have become Of the great nations Of the
earth
IL Is In country thus favored, and under govern
ment in which the executive and legislative branches
psoos and whore III are to their respective
constituencies that 1t IL again my duty to ate
with Consrs:: upon the stsss OF 'hs on0n ana Inc
During the past year the most gratifying proofs are
presented that country has been with wide
spread and universal prosperity. There has been no
period since the government founded when all the
Industrial pursuits Of our people have bean sue
cesrfu or when labor in n branches Of business
cevec farer or better re ward From our abundance
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty OF
food for the starving millions OF less favored
countries
In the enjoyment Of the bountiss Of Providence at
homo such have rarely fallen 70 the lot OF any people
of congratulaion that intercourse with
all the powers OF the earth. except Mexico, continues
to be of an amcable character
II has cherished policy to cultivate peace
and good. will with all nations; and this policy has been
steadily pursued by me.
No change has taken place In relations with Mexi
snce the adjournment Of the last Congress- The war
In which the United States forced to engage with
the government Of that country still continues
contained IN mv msssogs Of the eleventh Of Nav 1916
and In my annual message at the commencement OF the
session Of Congress in December last to reiterete the
serious causes OF complaint which We had against Mex
co before she commenced hosttties
IL Is sufficient the present OCCASION to that tho
citizens committed by sxic her repealed acts Of
bad faith through long series OF years. and her dsre-
gard OF solemn treaties STIMULATING foe Indemnity to our
cjured citizeos only constituted ample cause Of
part, but Of such aggravated charac
ter would justified us before the whole world in
resortipg this extreme remedy With an anxious de-
sire avoid rupture between the two countries,
forbore for assert clear rights BY force and
continued 10 seek redress for the wrongs had suf
frered by amcsbls negotiation, In the hope that Msxi
60 might yield TO pacidc councils and the demands OF
iastics Ia this hope We were disappointed Our NIL
nster Of sent to Mexico was insultngy rejected
The Mexican refused to hear the tsrs
Of wkich he authorised to propose and
involved
40 countries in war by invading the territory Of the
state CT Texas striking tho drst blow and shedding the
blood Of cur citizens on our own soil
Though the United States were the agErieved nation,
Mexico cJnenoed the and We were compelled, In
sell defence to repel the invader and to vindcate the
nstonsl honor aud interests by with VI
gor It'll cou. obtain just aud honorable peace
On learning that hostilitiss had been commenced by
Mexico, promptly communicated that fact, socomps.
nj. with succnct statement of other of
complaint against Mexoo to Congress and that body
by the act OF the thirteenth Of May slo declared that
h~t h. Nf thAr Ia nf aruta nf "
exiss that government and the United Ststes
this ct declaring Tho exist by the Of the
cuton to a speedy and successful termination was
passed With great unsninity by Congress there being
but tro alive votes In the Senate and but fourteen
Ia tbs House ( Represent stivss.
The EXISTENCE II the war having thus been declared
by Congress bessu1s my duty under tue constitution
snd this laws to conduct and prosecute It This duty
has been performed and though ut every stage Of It's
prcgrss have nanifsstsd willingness to terminate
by just peace Mexico has refused TO accsde to any
terms which could be accepted by the United States,
oohsistentiy With the national honor and interest.
The rspid and brilliant successes Of our arms and the
vast extent OF the enemys territory which had been
and conquered before the close Of the last
sion OF Congress- fully known to that body Since
energy, and 40 prstifed 10 state with which
commands universal sdalrstion. history presents
parallel Of 30 many glorious victories achieved by
nation within short period. Our army regulars and
volunteers have covered themselves With impershsbs
houors. Whenever and wherever our forces have en-
counered the enemy though he was In vastly superior
numbers and often entronched in fortified positions OF
his selection and Of great strength he has been de-
fsated. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon
officers and men, regulars and volunteers for their gal
antry discipline indomtsble courage and severance,
III seeking the pest DANGER and vieing with each other
While every patriot heart must exult and just na-
tiona pride animate every BOSOM In beholding che high
c'pne, aud humanity the vanquishsd enemy exhibi-
ted by our gallant army the nation Is called TO nourn
over tho loss Of many brave officers and soldiers who
have fallen in defence Of their countrys honor and In
terests The bfcve dead their melancholy fate in
foreign land, nobly discharng their duty, and with
the foe Their patriotic deeds are Justly appreciated
and will long be remembered by their grateful country
men The parsntsl care o, the government they loved
Shortly after the adjournment OF the last session OF
Congress- the gratifying was received Of the
Of Vera and with It the strong castle Of San Juan
de Uua by which defended Believing that after
disastrous to Msxco the period propitious to
AFFORD her another opportunity II she thou tht proper
to embrace It, to enter into negotiations for peace
quarters OF our army with full powers upon
EQUATIONS aud to conclude just and honorable treaty
OF peace. He not directed to make any over.
peace but the Of despatch from the
Secretary Of State Of the United States to the Minister
of Foreign Affairs Of Mexico in reply 20 one received
from the latter OF the OF February l8
in which the Mexican government informed Of his
appointment and Of his presence at the headquarters Of
ouds ;sSpi.ye treaty OF peace whenever the Mex
lean government might SIGNIFY acsirs 20 do While
was unwilling to SUBJECT the United States to another
indignant reusal yet resolved hat tho evils OF the
should not be protractsd day longer than might
be rendered absolutely necessary by the Mexican gov
nmsnt.
Care was taken to give instructions to the com
missioner which could In any way interfere with
military operations relax energies Ia the prosscu
ton Of the He possessed authority In any
to control these operations He was authorized to
exhibit his Instructions to ths General in command OF
the army aud In the event Of treaty being concluded
and ratified the part Of Mexico, he direc ed to
give nm notice Of that fact On the happening Of such
contingency, and receiving notice thereof the Cen
era In instructed by the Secretary Of War
to suspend further active military operations until fur
Their orders These instructions were given with view
TO Ia ermit host-s unit, the treaty thus ratified by
Mexico could be- transmitted to washington, and
States.
The commissioner was also directed reaching the
army TO deliver to tho General In command the despatch
which he bore from he Secretary Of State TO the minis
ter OF Foreign Affairs Of Mexico and receiving It, The
WI ad nv ha 10