Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-22
A TARIFF FOR MEXICO.

We stated last week that the pres;den, m
Secretary Walker have, without authority
Congress, made Tariff for goods entering Mex
lean ports occupied by U. S. troops The due
are mainly specific, CONTRARY to Secretary Wal
ker's doctrine,) and are to be collected under tn
commanding officers, paid to the paymasters G
the Army and Navy, and discussed for the SIM
port Of those branches of service If will h
observed that here is a law or order for the rails
ing and tdsbursing of revenue, made bv HI
President without any authority of the Consti,n
ton or OF law, other than such as is neiden, :,
his powers as Ccmmander-in. Chief of the Ar
my The object of sustaining the army and les.
senlng the burden upon the government il. We
thlnk, proper one but what can Democratic
strict consructionsts think as to the power of the
Executive? 1t is new example of an old truth
that the necessities Of war override all laws; and
we presume that the men who have most srruples
against the use ofincidental power, by Congress
TO preserve and protect the nation in n time Of
peace, will be the first to submit to this novel ex-
erclse Of the one man power The following
letter of the President shows the grounds upon
which he mas acted:
ITO the Secretary Of he TREASURY:
SIR: The Government of Mexico having re.
peatedIy rejected the friendly overtures of the
untee states TO open negotiations with view
10 the restoration Of peace sound policy, and n
Just regard TO the interests of our own country
require chat the enemy should be made, as far as
.procticabie, TO bear the expenses of War of
which they are the authors, and which they OBJ
stlnateiy persist in protracting
IL rs the right of the conqueror TO levy contri-
buttons upon the enemy, in their seaports, towns.
or provinces, which may be in his military pos.
session by conquest, and TO apply the same to de-
fray the expenses of the War The conoueror
possesses the right also to establish temporary
military government over such seapors, towns,
or provinces, and to prescribe the conditions and
restrictions upon which commerce with such pla.
ces may be permitted. He may, in his discre-
tion exclude all trade, or admit it, without limi-
tation or restriction; or impose terms, TIE obser
vance of which will be the condition Of carrying
il on. One of these conditions NAV be the nav.
ment Of prescribed rate Of duties on tonnaGe
and imports.
In The exercise Of these unquesioned rights of
war, have, on full consideration determined to
order that all the ports or places in Mexico which
now are, or hereafter may be, in the actual pos.
session of our land and naval forces by conquest.
shall be opened, while our military occupation
may continue, to the commerce OF all neutral ma
tons, as well as our own, IN articles not contra
band Of war, upon the payment of prescribed
rates Of duties, which will be made known and
enforced by our military and naval commanders.
While the adoption OF this policy will be 10
impose burden on the enemy, and at the same
time deprive them of the revenue to be derived
from trade, at such ports places, as well as to
secure it to ourselves, whereby the expenses OF
the war may be diminished; just regard to the
general interests of Commerce, and the obvious
advantages of uniformity in the exercise of the
belligerent rights, requires that well-considered
regulations and restrictions should be prepared
for the guidance Of those who may be charged
with carrying it into effect
You are, therefore, instructed to examine the
existing Mexican Tariff of Duties, and repor. tc
me schedule of articles oftrade, to be admitted
ct such ports or places as may at any time be il
our military possession, with such rates of duties
on them, and also on tonnage, as will be likely
to produce the greatest amount of revenue. Yor
will also communicate the considerations which
may recommend the scale of duties which vol
may prepare, and will submit such regulations a.
you may deem advisable, in order 10 enforce the
collection.
As the levy of the contribution proposed is
military right, derived from the laws Of nations
the collection and disbursement of the dutie
will be made under the orders of the Secretar
of War and the Secretary of the Navy, by tn
military and naval commanders at the ports @
places in Mexico which may be in possession c
our arms. The report required is therefore ne
cessary in order to enable me to give the prope
directions to the War and Navy Departments.
JAMES X, POLK.
Washington March %, l847