Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-10
rpgstBEN1psss MESSAGE.
.-,-;;li;zets of ne, Senate.

) fssr-r
. end Of tie House Of REPRESENTATIVES:
,.s,,ssnasii II, meeting Of Congress is'aluaysan
:a! ~, event. The Representatives Of the
~ snS OF the people come fresh from Their
.ss,;,,,en,s 10 take counsel together for The com
n eood. ,AfeE an, existence OF near three.
fn1b, OF q century ASA, free and independent
.anhic. .tbsaptoblem no longer remains 10 be
otyei phtlher map is capable OF seifrsoYetn'
f,.Ts rhe Success of Our admlIaele's system IS
.nnclusirc retaliation oi tho theories of those Ia
ssIrsun,riss who maintain that "a favored lew:
.Ihru 1orrfc, -an6 maj The mass OF mankind
8, he governed By fo1ce. Subject to no arbi;
~ o, hereditary authority, The people are Inc
F, Il; .opereisns Recognized By our, CONSTITUTION.
!, n,teay ,eufstauts Of every lineage and Ian.
ave attracted by the civil AID. RELIGIOUS 4frea'
lon we enjoy, and BY SAr happy eoadllsp ,an'
I,r Sf,Os ksslhans their allegiance, 10 me nconh-
p ahose, dominion belongs alone 10 the people.
No country has been 50, pneb favoleds or
mid acknowledge with deeper reverence me
! ,mtssatseps bRdhe1 Div Pfo!setfon, An an
;.e Creator diteetef and guarded Us IN our in-
n, srrussle for freedom, and has Constantly
.sEad ;SSef our surprising progress, until We
.s. BECOME one Of the: great nasions' OF the
,. .
~ IN couuuy ihus favored, aud nuder a
p,m,nt in which the executive and iegisIa,
'S,,pcbes bold theirc authority ior limited Pc
,ss alike from The, people, and vhereFall are
n'nsible 10 !aeir respective constituency les thai
!. aeain my duty to communicate with Con-
.,,s npou the safe ntthe Union, and the present
,,diion OF public affairs 80 % !
nu,ing The past year the most gratifying proofs
% o,esep,fd that our ieouniry. has been blessed
i widespread and universal prosperity.
,s,s has been no period since-lhe government
- 6noded, when all, the industrial pursuils OF
=, ~ ME have been more successful, OF when
snr in all branches OF business has received a
,r.r ora better re ward, From our abundance
r. Mare been enabled 10 perform the pleasing
ISr al furnishing lpod fox the Starving millions
less favored countries. .1as. 49, y! y
IN he enjoyment OF the bounlies Of Providence
nome. such as have rarely fallen 10 The 10, 'ot
kis,course with. all the powers Of the,earlb, ex'
e g.i N:'''e's'ss1 $50 T., H. H. 49, -
Il has eyer. heele OUT cherished policy To ;euin
re peace and GOOD .Yil- Wiih al nations; and
/; policy has been steadily pursued by me. :,
i yo'chapqe has taken place in our relations with
y.,no since the adjournment Of abe last Coo
kssjaThe war In which the United, States were
..sd 10. engage Withnihs. Government al thai
,,ry SrfiT continues. / deem il unnecessary
~ iaetul exposition of them contained in m.
.,.aee of s,he iilh of May, 1876, and in my an
al message at The commencement Of the ses
N oi CONGRESS- I'M December last, 10 reiierat'
,stlous causesacfl complaint which We hat
Inns, Mexico, before she commenced bostili
Res i is sufficient on the present eccasiop iosay
S,,,be wanton violation Of the rights Of person
|nJ topsr,y OF onr, citizens. commiIned by Me1i
her repeated acts Of bad lailh, through Ions
1.s Of Years, and her disregard Of solemn irea
/. yipulalipg Ior indemnify 10 our injured GILL
ms. NOT only constituted ample cause OF war
cur part, but were OF such an aggravated
Darac,er as would have justified US before tht
mole world, in iesorting 10 this extreme remedy
Min an anxious desire TO avoid rupture between
rwo countries, we turbQrr TOT years 10, asser
urr,ear rights by force, and continued to seek re
rrs for the wrongs We had suffered, by amicabl'
,,N;jioH,}Rthe1 hope 'that MEXICO might yielt
nacifc couusels and The demands OF justice. II
i, hope we were disappointed. Our ,nlinis;eJ
p,ace,sea, ID Mexico was insutinsly rejected
he Mexican Government refused even 10 hea
netsms'0f adjustment, which he was authorizet
oropose, and finally under wholly nniusiitia
V5ys1rs, involved The Two couuiries 10, wa
invading the terri,otyfo1 the State OF Texas
rsus. the first blnR aud shedding the bfood'o
D, oizeas on, our own soil Thonghthe Uni
l S,a,es were, The, aggrieved nation, Mexico
Iommenced the war, and we were compelled
\ sei-defslee, TO- yepel the invader, land ~
k;ntica,e1 The national honor and interest ol
roxcuiips il with yigor, until we could obtain
d. aad acknowledgement - ,iHtt 90 q |'-
On karning that hostilhies had been com
hsnced by Mexico, promptly communicate
hn TACT, accompanied with succinct s,atemen
our other causes of complain, against Mex leo
Coaeress, aud thai bodT. by the act OF the l3'l
Mar, ls46, declared that "by the act OF The re
stlic Of Mexico, a state. ct war exists beIweel
al government and The United Sta,esp--hi
T. teclafihs ",he war'to exist by the act Of IN
tpusse OF -Mexieo,n and making PROVISION 70
prosec6tioh TO speedy and 'successfnl 1crmi
.aon" was passed with great unanimity b
5onsress, there being but two negative votes i
Senate, and but fourteen in the House OF re
esniaipes. d..,1+ i1 .a.'. 1.' -i..
The existence Of The war having thus been d.
,rsi by Congress, it became my duty, under III
asution and The Laws, TO conduct and prose
q, /. This duty bias: been performed an
9ugh al every stage Of its progress, have ma
i:esed willingness 40 terminate IL by 10:
ace, Mexico has refused 10 accede 10 any term
iich could be accepted BY the United State
2lsisen!ly with the national honor and ih'eres
The rapid and brilliant successes OF our arm
:, Inc vas, extent oil the enemy's territory, whic
J; been overrun and conquered before The clos
b. las,session. Of Congress, were folly know
hat body. Since thar time, the war has bee
secuted villa increased energy, and I am era
lid 10 state, with a success which command
.rersal admiration History presents no para
Of so many glorious victories achieved by an
Zion within so short period. Our army, re
Ears and volunteers, have covered 'themselve
b imberishabie honors Whenever and where
e. our forces have encountered the enemy
fCush he was,in vastly superior numbers, an
.a enrenched Ia fortified positions OF bis ow
ection and OF great strength. he has been de
'.t. Too much.praise canpotbe bestowed upo
|Eohcers and men, regulars and volunteers, 10
sl CALAMITY, discipline, indomitable. courae
t perseverance, all seeking the post of danger
d TieiRg With each other in deeds of noble da
While every patriots heart must exult. and
Saa,lonal pride animate every bosom In behold
The high proofs OF courage cvnsnmmat
ftaary skill, steady discipline and human
the vanquished enemy exhibited by our gal
iarmy, the nation is called to mourn over III
sol many brave officers and soldiers who hav
Len 10 defence Of their coun,ry's honor an
e'sss. The brave dead met their melahcholl
ZEN a foreign land, nobly discharsing ,,hei
'7, aud with their coun,ry's nag waving tri
apaaatly 10 The lace of the foe Their patri
" leeds are Justly appreciated and viii long b.
'a'mbeIed by their grateful coun,rymen. TIL,
F'aal care OF the government they loved ant
nt, should be extended 10 their SURVIVING
ali.s. -
Shortly after The adjournment Of The last, SEP
Of Congress, the gratifying intelligence
y received Of lhe signal victory Of ,Bneni
"a and OF tbe fall ofihe city, Of, Vera Cruz
Ivlls 1.-THE strong castle OF San Juan 'Ulloa
shieh it was defended. Believing that. atlel
g aud other Successes, 50 honorable. to oul
and odisas,toqs 10 Mexico, The period wa,
''rious 10 afford her another opportunity, +
hodght proper Is embrace it, 10 enter ia,s
Sulsions for peace,.a commissioner was ap
mee!o Proceed 10 the headquarters of onr ar
WIN ION powers to ehier upon negotiations
40 conclude a just and honorable treaty, o
e He was not directed 10 make any new
stules Of peace, but was The bearer .ot a des
eaf roa The Secretary OF Slate OF The ,Uni,et
a's, 10 the Minister ofForeisn Affairs Of Mex
ID reply 10 0ftft RECEIVED from me Ia,,sr II N,
F'ofFebfnafy,a 1877, in Which line Mexican a.
'nnent was informed Of his appointment ani
his presence III the headquarters Of GU
ny, aod that he was Invested with fill pow
% conclude d defhitive treaty OF. peace