Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-03-05
MESSAGE
To the Senate and House Of Representatives Of
the United States:

| 40 Ht OCHutc uHu ILOUSo VI hePTCSeHdLlUeS 81
the United STATES:
Congress, by the act Of the 18th May last, de-
clared that, "by the act of the republic of Mexico,
state ofwar exists between that government and
the United States;" and "ior the purpose of en-
abling the government of the United States TO
prosecute said war to a speedy and successful
termination" authority was vested in the Presi-
dent TO employ the "naval and military forces of
the United States"
Ithas been my unalterable purpose, since the
commencement Of hostilies by Mexico, and the
declaration Of the existence Of war by Congress,
to prosecute the war in which the country was
unayoidably involved with the utmost energy,
with view to its "speedy and successful termi-
nation" by an honorable peace.
Accordingly, all the operations of our naval
and military force have been directed with this
/, view. While the sword has been held in one
hand, and our military movements pressed for
ward into the enemy's country, and its coast in
vested by our navy, the tender of an honorable
peace has been constantly presented 10 Mexico
in the other.
Hitherto, the overtures Of peace which have
been made by this government have not been
accepted by Mexico. With view to avoid u
lprotracted war, which hesancy and delay on
our part would be so well calculated to produce.
| informed you, in my annual message Of the 9th
! December last, that the war would "continue
be prosecuted, with vgor as the best means of
securing peace" and recommended to your ear
Ily and favorable consideration the measures
proposed by the Secretary Of War, in his report
accompanying that message.
In my message of the 4th January last, these
and other measures, deemed TO be essential &c
the "speedy and successful termination Of the
war, and the attainment ola just and honorable
peace, were recommended to your early and IA
vorabe consideration.
The worst state of things which could exis
in war with such power as Mexico, would
be Of course Of indecison and inactivity on our
part. Being charged by the constitution and the
laws with the conduct of the war, have availed
myself of all the means at my command TO pro-
sccute it with energy and vgor.
That act "to raise for limited time an addi.
tional military force, and for other purposes -
and which authorizes the raising of ten addition
al regiments to the regular army, to serve during
the war, and 10 be disbanded at its termination,
: which was presented to me on the llth instant,
andapprovedo on thalday, will constitute an impor-
ant part of our military force. These regmenst
will be raised and moved TO the seat Of war with
the least practicable delay.
twill be perceived that this act makes no pro-
vision for the organization into brigades and di-
visions of the increased force which it authorizes
nor for the appointment of general officers to
command it. 1t will be proper that authority be
given by law to make such organization, and to
appoint, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, such number of major generals and
brigadier generals as the efficacy of the service
may demand. The number of officers of these
grades now in the service are not more than are
required for their respective commands; but
further legislative action during your present ses-
sion will in my Judgment be required, and to
which it is my duty respectfully to invite your
attention.
Should the war, contrary TO my earnest de-
sire, be proraced to the close of the term of SER
vice Of the volunteers now in Mexico, who en-
gagged for twelve months, an additional volunteer
force will probably become necessary 10 supply
their place. Many Of the volunteers now serv-
ing In Mexico, il is not doubted, would cheer
fully engage. at the conclusion Of their present
term, 10 serve during the war. They would
constitute n more efficient force than could be
speedily obtained by accepting the services of
any new corps who might offer their services
They would have the advantage of the exper-
ience and discipline of years service, and will
have become accustomed TO the climate and be
in less danger than new levies Of suffering from
the diseases of the country. | recommend,
therefore, that authority be given 10 accept the
services ofsuch ofthe volunteers now in Mexico
as, the state Of the public service may require,
and who may, at the termination of the present
term, voluntarily engage to serve during the war
with Mexico and that provision be made for
commissioning the officers. Should this mea.
sure receive the favorable consideration of Con-
gress, il is recommended that bounty be grant
ed TO them upon their voluntarily extending their
term of service. This would not only be due to
these gallant men, but it would be economy TO
the government; because, if discharged at the
end of the twelve mouths, the government would
be bound to incur heavy expense in bringing
them back 10 their homes, and in sending 10 the
sea, of war new corps of fresh troops TO supply
their place.
BY the act Of the 18th May last, the President
was authorized TO accept the services Of voun-
teers, ''in companies, battalions, squadrons, and
regiments" but no provision was made for fill
ing up vacancies which might occur by death,
OF discharges from the service, on account of
sickness or other casualties. In consequence
of this omission, many of the corps now in SER
vice have been much reduced in MEMBERS
Nor was any provision made for filling vacancies
of regmental or company officers who might