The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21

invasion by any foreign power, VIC might
be involved in other wars more expensive
aud more difficult than that in which We
arc now engaged. The provinces Of New
Mexico md the Californas arc contiguous
to the territories Of the L. S., and Through,
under the Government Of our laws, their
resources, mineral, agricultural, manutnc.
turing and commercial, would soon he de-
vclopcd.
Upper California is bounded on the north
by Our Oregon possessions, and il held kby
the United States, would soon be settled
by nn cntcrprising and intelligent portion
Of our population. Tho Bay Of San Fran
cisco, md other harhors along the Caliior-
MIA coast, would afford shelter for our navy.
Our numerous whalc-ships, and other NOR.
chant vessels employed on the Pacific
ocean, would, in n short period, become
marts of an extensive and profitable com-
mcrce with China, aud other countries q.
the East.
! These advantages. in which the whole
commercial world would participate, would
al once be secured 10 the United States hs
the cession of this tcrritory. while it is GER
tain. that as long ms Il remains par, ot the
Mexican dominion they can he enjoyed
neither by Mexico herself nor BY any 9th
or nation
New Mexico is frontier and has never
been ri any considerable value ~ Mexico.
From its locality, il i $ naturally connected
with chr western settlements The terri
torial limits Of The State Of Texas, too, n
defined bv her laws before her admission
into our Union, embraced al that portion (
the Rio Grande. while Mexico still claims
70 hold this territory MS n part Of her domin-
ions.
There is another consideration which in
duccd The belief that The Mexican Govern
mcnt might even desire TO place this prov
nco under the protection 81 the government
az the United States. Numerous bands Of
fierce. wnrlike savagcs wander over it and
upon its borders. Mexico has been, md
will continue 10 be too " c ak To rsstrnin them
from committing dcpreda,ioSs, rohbcrios
and murders, moi only upon the inhabitants
of New Mexico itself, but upon those Of the
other northern States # Mexico. Il would
he blessing To these Northern States Ia
have their citizens protected against
them by the power Of the United States
a, this moment. many Mexicans, principal
Is females md children, nrc in captivity II.
mongst them. II New Mexico were held
aud governed by the United States, VIC
could eilcc,ually prevcn, these tribes from
committing such oniragcs md compel them
10 release these capiivcs and restore them
to their families and friends. In proposing
toncquirc New Mexico and the Cslilornias,i Ill
MIS- known that hut nm inconsiderable por-
ton q, the American people would be trans
icrrcd with them, the country embraced
within these provinces being chiefly an un
Inhabited region.
These were the Leading considerations
which induced me Ia authorize the terms ol'
peace which were proposed Ia Mexico
They were reiecied. aud negotiations heinz
NJ nh cnh. h1s,Il'lcs we're renewed. and MI
assault mnde bv orr gallant ARMY upon the
strongly fortified place near the gates 81 The
city of Mexico nni upon the city Itself
aud after several days q. severe conflicts.
the Mexican forces, vastly superior ia nun
bcf To our own, were driven from the CITY.
and il was occupied bv orr tronps.
Immediately after infurmltion WINS rccoiv.
cd of The nniavurabc result al Negotiations.
believing that his continued presence could
be productive Of no good, ! determined 10
recall our Commissioners. A despatch 10
I this effect WINS transmitted 10 him on the
9Th Of October last. The Mexican Cover
nor will he informed al his recall, and tina,
in the existing state of things. shall mi,
deem i, proper To make any further over
lures of peacc-but shall lie, ii all times,
ready Ia receive md consider anv prope-
sails which shnll he m1dc by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition Of the L. S.
was authorized 10 he made in April last,
large expenditures have been incurred, and
the precious blood Of many ofour pa,rimic
fellow citizens has been she'd, in the prose
cu,ion Of the war. This consideration, and
the obstinate perseverance Of Mexico in
protracing tho war, must influence the
terms Of pence which il may deemed propcr
to accept. Our nrmy having been every
where misunderstanding subjected, 10 our
military occupation, a large portion Of our
enemy's country, including his capital, md
negotiations for pence having failed, the
important question arises, in whit mnnncr
the war might bo prosecuted and what
should he our future policy? Icann"; douh,
that we should secure aud render available
the conquest we have already made, and
that f;r this purpose, We should hold md
occupy by our navnI and military forces oil
The forts, towns. cities and provinces now
in our occupation, or which may here
after fa.l into our possession-thnt We should
press forward our military operations, and
lew such military contributions on tho en-.