Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-16
Concluded from first page.

SO'e't''tuN j. S"' JF'"' re-
wards defraying the expenses Of the war. BY
virtue of the right of conquest and the laws OF
war, the conQueror, consulting his own safety or
convenience, may either exclude foreign COM
merce altogether from all such ports ne may pre-
scribe. Before the principal ports OF Mexico
were blockaded by our navy; the revenue deu
we'd from mpost duties, under the laws oil NeXl--
co, was paid into the Mexican treasury. Alter
these ports had fallen into our military posses
sion, the blockade was raised, and our com
merce with them permitted upon prescribed
terms and conditions.
They were opened to the trade of all nations
upon the payment Of duties more moderate Ill
their amount than those which had been prev
iously levied by Mexico and the revenue,
which was formerly paid into the Mexican treas
uy, was directed to be collected by our military
and naval officers, and supplied 10 the Use of
army and navy, Care was taken that the off
GERS, soldiers and sailors Of our army and navy
should be exempted from the operations of the
order; and as the merchandise imported upon
which the order operated must be consumed by
Mexican citizens, the contributions eXacted
were i'll effect the seizure of the public reyen-
ues of Mexico, and the application of them to
our own use. In directing this measure, the
object was 10 compel the enemy TO contribute,
as far as practicable towards the expenses of
the war.
For the amount of contributions which have
been levied in this form, | refer Won TO the ac-
conplnying report ofthe secretary OF War and
1.-THE Secretary of the Navy, by which ii appears
that a sum exceeding halta million dollars has
been collected
This amount would undoubtedly have been
much larrer but forthe difficulty of keeDiao OBJ
en- communications between the coast and the
interior, so as to enable the owners of the mer-
chaadize imported. 10 transport and vend il TO
the inhabitants of the country. II is confidently
expected that this difficulty will. 10 a Great ey-
tent be soon removed BY our increased forces
which have been sent 10 the field
Measures have recently been adopted BY
which the internal as well rs external revenues
of Mexico, in all places in our military occupa-
lion. will be seizal and appropriated to the use
of our army and navy.
The policy Of leyyig upon the enemy con-
tributioas in every form, consistently with the
laws of nations. which it NAV be practicable for
our military commanders TO ADOPT. should. in
NV iu,lq.6eIt. be noidly enforced. and orders
toihis effect have accordingly been givea. BJ
such policy. at the time that our own treasury
will be relieved from heavy drain. the NLeyi-
can naoDle will be maleto feel the burdens of
the war and consulinp their o,yn interests
NAV he induced the more readily 10 re9nire
their rulers TO accede to lust peace.
After the adjournment of the last session of
CONGRESS. events trauspired in the prosecution
of the war which, nv Judgment reonireI
greater number of troons in the 6eId Than had
Been ANTICIPATED. The strength of the army was
accordinolv increased bv " accentinou the ser
vices of The volunteer forces authorized by
the act of the thirteenth of Nav. 1916. with
ont nnttino the construetiop on That aat tba
correctness If which v,as sorion.i,. nnosfin,oI
NJ I,,. f ~ -, .T
IlG Noluu'Hel loiCeS Hu" Ill tIe uelui WIN
those which had been accepted to ;" serve
for IL months. and were DISCHARGED at the
end of thnir tern, of servioa avhaust tho 6G,,
tbor,o,J r,o, ortbom;,,J h.. 49,
''io'7'I" ny" ""''p''l10' W ''itt "N' II III
p6eA CledI Indl proper construction OF me act
warranted IT. the services OF an additional numt
her would have been called for and acra,4oI
lint doubts eyist;nr nnon this noint 40 ria,,,l,
~ ~, o,.,r,;,oJ = '''0 fO'''i VIZ PO'0'
"%9 ilo' eAo'ei9e"'
II Is deemed important mat congress should,
1T an early period OF their season., confer the au-
thory to raise an additional regular force 10
serve durin,, thn war with Mnyico and IN no
"r ~
"l7tHdI9eu upon 'le colclU9iou ana Idulcduoa
OF treaty OF peace. invite the attention OF
Congress 70 the views presented bv The Secre-
tary of War in his renort r7non the .uliect
i recommend also tbot autborit,, he oiro,, h.,
III y l''' '''' ~ S'Oci .!
law 10 CAL LOT ana accept Inc services OF an
additional number OF volunteers 10 be eXer-
cised at such time and 10 such eytent as the
o,,or,o,o;o, oC tho ,,r,;oc ,oo.,. ,,,l,,,;,.
N-. -: Il ~ n,l'". 81,
III p'o9tc"uH3 uIe war Wlh NeNlco whist
the utmost care has been taken TO avoid every
ust cause of complaint Oh the part of neutral
nations and none has been oiven liberal ,r;,.i
oc,os b3i,o boon rran4o1 to tbo;; r,,,,I
So nav HOU' S'"'''o' ~ "'0H Co,li'helCe Ill
inc port OF lne enemy III our mlntay occupa-
ton.
The difficulty with the Brazilian gov crnmont which
at one time threatened TO interrupt the friendly rela
ons between the two countries will trust be speed
y adjusted have received information that an eDyo,
extraordinary and minister penpoentary TO the United
States will shortly be appointed by his i'm o.ral Maes
tv and it is hoped that he will come u,lrtlcted and
adjust all remaining differences between the two gov.
ernmentS in a manner acceptabl. to bo,h IN the
meantime have every reason to beAev, that nothing
will occur to interrupt our amicable relations wit6
Brazil
1t has been my constant effort 10 maintain and cult
vate the most intimate relations Of friendship with all
the Independent Powers of south America and this
policy has been attended with the manifest results II is
true that the settlement and payment omany lust claims
QAmercan citizens against these nations have long been
DELAYED The peculiar position in which thew have
been placed and the desire on the part Of NV prrde
cessors as well as myself 10 grant them the utmost in
dugence have hitherto prevented these claims from
being urged in manner demanded bv strict iusticp
The time has arrived when they ought to be finally ad-
justed and lquidated and efforts are now making for
that purpose.
1t is proper TO inform YOU that the government Of Pc
has in good faith paid the first two instruments of
the indemnity of $4,000 each and the greater portion