The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-07


ring this war; they should repuse the enemy their numbers
stationed at any post may be small pursue him.
II the enemy be repused in attack, he would have
nothing TO do but to his own side of the line and
being IN no fear OF pursuing army may reinforce himself
eisure for another attack the other
lie may, too cross the line between posts rapid
neursons INTO the country which we hold murder the in
habants commit depredatons Them and then retreat
TO the interior before sufficient force can be concern
trued to pursue him. Such would probably be the ha-
assng character of mere defensive war on our mart If
our forces, when attacked threatened with attack be
permitted to cross the line, drive back the enemy CON
quer him. this would be again toinvade the enenys cou
try after having lost all the advantages of the conquess we
have already made by having voluntarily abandoned them
To hold such line successfully and security it is far
from being certain that it would require as large an
army would be necessary to hold all the conouess we
have already made and TO continue the of the
in the heart of the enenys country "a also far
from being certain that the expenses Of the war would be
diminished by such policy.
persuaded that the means of vnlicano the M
tona honor and interest," and Of bringing the to an
honorable close, will be prosecute ii with increased en-
egy and power IN the vital parts of the enemy country
In my annual message TO Congress of December last
declared that the has not bsen wased with view to
conquest but having been commenced by Mexico It has
been carried into the enemys country and will be vigorous
y prosecuted there, with view obtain honorable
peace and thereby ample indemnity for the expenses
Of the war, well to much-injured citizens who
hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico" Such in
my Judgment continues to be true poicy-indeed the
only policy which will probably permanent peace
1t has never been contemplated by me, object of the
war, to make permanent conquest of the republic Of Mex
co or TO annhate her separate existence independent
nation On the contrary it has been my desire that she
should maintain her nationality and under good govern
ment adapted TO her condition. be Free independent and
prosperous republic. The United States the first
among the nations recognise her independence and
always desired to be terms of aty and good neighbour
hood with her. This she would not suffer. BY her
conduct have been compelled to engage the
In its prosecution seek not her overthrow a ma
ton but in indicating national honor seek OBJ
tain redress the wrongs she has done and indemnity
for just demands against her. We demand honora-
BILE peace and that peace bring with it ndemnv Co.
the past and security for the future HI Mexico has
'e'osca ' oy which such peace could be
I obtained
Whilst our armies have advanced from victory victory,
from the commencement of the war; 1t has always been
with the ovebranch Of peace in their hands; and it has
been the power of Mexico every STEP hos
tities by accepting il
One great obstacle 10 the attainment of peace has,
doubleday arisen from the fact that Mexico has been
long held in subsection by faction military usurper
after another and such has been the condition of insecurity
IN which their successive governments have been placed
that each has been deferred from making peace lest for
this very cause, rival faction might expe from power
Such the fate of President Hereras administration in
lS45 for being disposed to listen to the overtres of
the United States prevent the ms sIy confirmed by
official correspondence which took place in the month OF
August last between him and his government copy of
which is herewith communicated. "For this alone,
the revolution which displaced him from power was set
on oo by General Paredes Such may be the condition
of insecurity of the present government.
There can be doubt that the peaceable and we'll
disposed inhabitants of Mexico convinced that the
interest of their country conclude an honorable
with the United States but the apprehension of becoming
the victims of military faction usurper may have
prevented them from manestng their feelings by any pub
lie act. The removal of any such apprehension would
probably them to speak their sentiments freely and
adopt the necessary for the restoration Of
With people distracted and divided by csntendng factions,
and government subject to constant changes by success
sve revolutions, the continued successes of may
fail satisfactory peace In such event. may
become proper for commanding generals in the field
give encouragement and assurances OF protection to the
friends of peace IN Mexico IN the establishment and MAIN
tenance of free republican government of their own
choice, able and willing conclude peace which would
be just them and secure to his the indemnity demand
This may become the only mode of obtaining such peace
Should such be the result the which Mexico has forced
upon would thus be converted into enduring blessing
herself Aer finding her torn and distracted by factions
and ruled by military usurpcrs we should then leave her
with republican in the enjoyment of real in
dependence and domestic peace and prosperity performing
all her relative duties in the great family of nations and
noting her happiness by wise laws and their faithful
execution.
IT, after aordng this encouragement and projections and
after all the persevering and sincere efforts have made
from the moment Mexico commenced the war; and prior to
that time to adjust differences with her, shall u
mately fail, then shall have exhausted all honorable
pursuit of peace and continue to occupy her
country with troops taking the full measure Of ndem
nifty into our own hands, and must enforce the terms which
| our honor demands
To act otherwise, in the existing state of things In Mex
co, and to Withdraw army without peace, would moi
only leave all the wrongs of which complain
dressed but would be the signal for and fierce civil
dsscnsions and revslutons-a alike hostile peace
1 fu relations with the United States
Besides, there is danger, if our troops withdrawn
before peace was concluded, that the Mexican people
weaied with successive revolutions and deprived pro-
lection for their persons and property might length be
inclined to yield to foreign influences, and them
selves into the of European monarch for proec
ton from the anarchy and suffering which would
This, for safety, and in pursuance of estab
lishcd policy, should be compelled to resist We could
that Mexico should be thus converted
monarchy governed by foreign prince.
Mexico near neghbor, and her boundaries
tnrminous with own through the whole
the North American eoanent, from ocean. Both
politically and commercially have the deepest interest in
her regeneration and prosperity, Indeed it mpossola
that with any Just regard safety,
become Indifferent to her fate.
It. may be that the Mexican and people have
msconsrued misunderstood forbearancc, and ouI
objects, desiring to 1cude amcable adjustment OF
the existing differences between the They
may have supposed that would submit to terms de-
grading to the nation they may have drawn false infer
ences from the supposed division of opinion the United
States the subject of the and may have calculated
gain much by protracting it and indeed that nigh
ultimately abandon It altogether, without insisting any
indemnify, territorial or otherwise. Whatever may be The
false impressions under which they have acted the adop
ton and prosecution of the energetic policy proposed
undeceive them.
In the future prosecution of the war; the enemy must bt
made to feel its pressure than they have heretofore
done. AT It's commencement it deemed proper
duct in spirit of forbearance and berality With this
end IN view, early adopted conciliate
as far as state of would permit the of the Mex
lean pnation to convince them that the waged
not against the peaceful Inhabitants of Mexico, but against
their aithess government which had commenced hosti-
ties from their minds the fase impressions
which their designing and Interested rulers had aruy at
| IL Al 49,