Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-04-15
THURsDAY MORNING., a pRII. .. = = :

cal On san Ell p person, but viii asaIl m,ssl
q un,s occasion % say that will Is proson,,,,
gF.leiui 70 any ri youior your surfaces. 8 I 49,,
Z unnecessary 10 say more 4 this time aud ~.
4 scilss myself your feIlot-citizen. -
j r ), BLACKBURN.
S---Siace writing the above, from What /!
nave earned through friend, find that 4 con.
se.saton which held in Smitiiiield recently. was
no. represented as toccarred although ! al, per.
.eee'y certain i vas not nelieiousy nlisrepeseift
~ = nat did say upon being inierrogaied was.
lnat tnoeght the immediate cause Of The war
was me removal Of our Troops from Corpus Chris;
% The Rio Gfande; but tatI aid moi anprn,a IN
ps~tc discussion Of the merits Of The war dnr;ng
3ss continuance, This is what did say. and what
|. !, nave always sal, long before became can
Qleaie Tor PUBIC favor, which could prove by
Witnesses y were necessary Butt did hope that
my 5eow-citizens would have has, Inc S,sns rssif,
pot iohaye brought up 1 e&sifral 1ssnel syisici,
should have no bearing III this contest. III i were
candidate for CongTess,I should be held strictly
responsible for every view which might enter
Eain WIN regard 70 our natiol1 ppIey but as II
en- only candldate for the House Of Delegates.
Y winch nationai qnettiaas win lot q isibote6EI
cannot see why am to be tried ihaf standard.
butas candor has beenA eharacteIi >fe0f nv lie
heretofore, am ready at an Pres
April6, Isiz MS h lRra
MILITAAf soN RIjI Ions
To he SecretdfJ57 az ~ N. fs5;;
SIN: The Governmeht 81 exis5 f;51 e.
peatedly rejected the frienIt Ina N
d to open negotiations via asview tofhe restora.
tIon OF peace, sound policy. and just regard 10 |
tie interests Of our own country require that the
enemy should be made, as far as practicable ~ T
bear the expenses of war, Of which they are lie /
authors, and which they obgtinately in pro.
tracing.
Il is the right Of the co1queror 10 levy contri.
buttons upon the enemy, III their seaports. towns
or provinces, which may be in his military posscs.
son ny conquest and to apply the same to delray
ses me right aisoto establish temporary military
government over such seaports, towns or provinu
ces, and TO prescribe the conditions aud rest,ic!
tons npon which commerce with such places NAV
oe permitted. He may, in his discretion. exclude
an trade or admit il, without limitation or REL
strletion; or impose terms, the observance az
which Will be the condition of carving il on.
lJne oil these conditions may be the payment az
rate Of duties on]tonnage and imports.
IN the exercise of these lnquestioned riphts oil
war, have, on full consideration, determined tof
order that all the ports orpAces in Mexico wbiclI
nov are or herealtermay be, in the actual poses
SION Of our land and naval forces by conquest. shall
e opened; while our military occupation NAV con.
iiiue' 70 Tue commerce oil all Neutral nations. as
a. cur own, ~ articles not contraband Of war
iponlth payment Of prescribed rates of duties
Which will be made known and enforced bv Nh
military and naval commanders. a
WfiIle the adoption Of this policy will be n i'm.
'ose burden orthe enemy, and at the same time
, qepTlNe them OF the revenue To be derived from
.uTe ~ " uute,.-4y ,,la,a, h. !. ~
xar may be Diminished 5ast Re VEL I. as to Sc
leral interest of commerce, and the obvious adj Il
,antages OF uniformity in the exercise ofthese be-
igerept rights, requires that well-considered re-
,ulations and restrictions should be prepared ord
he guidance of those who may be charged with
.arrying il into effect.
IL ou are therefore instructed to examine the ex.
sting Mexican tariffof duties, and report to me a
chedule OF articles of trade, to be admitted all
uch ports or places as may DIT any time be in our
military possession, with such rates Of duties on
hem, and alsoon tonnage, asiwll be likely to pro-
luce the greatest amount of revenue. You Will
llso communicate the considerations which NAV Fl
recommend the scale of duties which YOU NAV
prepare, and will submit such regulations as vol
nay deem advisable, in order to enforce their coll
ection.
As the levy Of the contribution proposed il Al
Military right, derived from the laws of nations.
he collection Reimbursement Of the duties will
e made under the orders pftie Secretary Of War
md the Secretary Of the Navy, by the military
md naval commanders at the ports or places I'LL
Mexico which may be in possession of our arms. 4
he report required Is therefore necessary in or
Ter to enable Us to givethe proper directions to
he War and Navy Departments. f.
JAMES X. POLK.
WAsxrNeTcs, March %. ls47.