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

New Mexico is frontier province, and has
never been Of any considerable value to Mexico.
FROM Its locality it is naturally connected with
our western settlements. The territorial limits
OF the State of Texas, too, as defined by her laws,
before her admission into the Union, embrace all
that portion of New Mexico lying east off the Rio
Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold this
territory as a part of her domnions. The ad-
Justment of this question of boundary is mpor-
tant.
There is another consideration which induced
the belief that the Mexican government might
even desire to place this province under the pro-
lection ofthe government of the United States.--
Numerous bands of fierce aud warlike savages
wander over it, and upon its borders. Mexico,
has been, and must continue to be, too feeble to
restrain them from committing depredations, rob-
berries, and murders, not only upon the inhabitants
OF New Mexico itself, but upon those Of the other
northern Stites of Mexico. 1t would be a bles-
sing to all those northern States to have their cit
liens protected against them by the power of the
United States. At this moment, many Mexcans,
principally females and children, are in captivity
among them. If New Mexico were held and
governed by the United States, we could efectu-
ally prevent these tribes from committing such
outrages, and compel them to release their cap
tives,and restore them to their families and friends.
In proposing to acquire New Mexico and the
CALIFORNIA;, it was known that but an inconsder-
able portion of the Mexican people would be
transferred with them, the country embraced with
in these provinces beng chiefly an unnhabited
region.
These were the leading considerations which
induced me to authorize the terms of peace which
were proposed to Mexico They were rejected,
and negotiations being at an end, hostties were
renewed. An assault was made by our gallant
army upon the strongly fortified places near the
gates of the city of Mexico, and upon the city it.
self; and after several days of severe conflict, the
Mexican forces, vastly superior in number to our
own were driven from the city, and it was occu-
pied by our troops.
Immediately after information was received of
the unfavorabe result of the negotiations, believ.
ing that his continued presence with the army
could be productive cf no good, | determined to
recall our commissioner. A despatch 70 this ef
feet was transmitted to him on the 9th of October
last The Mexican government will be informed
Of his recall, and that, in the existing state vf
things, ! shall not deem it proper to make any
further oyerures Of peace, but shall be ready at
all times to receive and consider any proposals
which may be made by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition of the United
States was authorized to be made in April last
large expenditures have been incurred, and the
precious blood of many of our patriotic fellow
citizens has been shed in the prosecution of the
war. This consideration, and the obstinate per-
severance of Mexico in protracting the war, must
influence the terms of peace which it may be
deemed proper hereafter to except.
Our arms have been everywhere victorious,
having subjected to our military occupation
large portion of the enemy,s country, including
his capital, and negotiations for peace having
failed, the important questions arise in what
manner the war ought to be prosecuted and
--het eL~ll be GituIu pulCy CdlIIlUu d~~L4
that we should secure and render available the
conQuests which we have already made and that,
with this view, we should hold and occupy, by
our naval and military forces, all the ports towns
and provinces now in our occupation, or which
may hereafter fall into our possession; that we
should press forward our military operations, and
levy such military contributions on the enemy as
may, as far as practicable, defray the future eX
penses of the war.
Had the government of Mexico acceded to the
equitable and liberal terms proposed, that mode
Of adjustment would have been preferred. Mex
leo having declared to do this, and failed to of
fer any other terms which could be accepted by
the United States, the national honor, no less
than the public interests, requires that the war
sooud be prosecuted with increased energy and
power until just and satisfactory peace can be
obtained. In the mean time, as Mexico refuses
all indemnity, we should adopt measures to in.
demnity ourselves, by appropriatng permanently
portion Of her territory. Early after the COM
mencement of the war, New Mexico and the
CALIFORNIA; were taken possession of by our for
ces. Our military and naval commanders were
ordered to conquer and hold them, subject to be
disposed of by treaty of peace.
These provinces are now in our undisputed &C.
cnpaton, and have been so for many months; all
resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased
within their limits. am satisfied that they
should never be surrendered to Mexico. Should
Congress concur with me in this opinion, and that
they should be retained by the United States as
indemnity, can preceve no good reason why the
civil jurisdiction and laws of the United States
should not at once be extended over them. To
want for treaty of peace, such as we are willing
to make, by which our relations towards them
would not be changed cannot be rood policy
whilst our own interest, and that of the people
inhabiting them, requires that stable, RESPONSE
bic, and free government under our authority
should, as soon as possible, be established over
them Should Congress, therefore, determine to
hold these provinces permanently and that they
shall hereafter be considered constituent parts
of our country, the early establishments of terrific
rial governments over them will be important fol
the more perfect protection Of persons and prop
erty; and recommend that such territorial GOV
ernments be established. 1t will promote peace
and tranquility among the Inhabitants, by allay
ing all apprehensions that they may still enter
tain of being again subjected to the jurisdiction
of Mexico. invite the early and favorable con
sderaton of Congress to this important sub ect
Besides New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;, there
are other Mexican provinces which have beer
reduced to our possession by conquest. Thes,
other Mexican provinces are now governed
by our military and naval commanders, I'm
der the general authority which is conferred
upon conquerer by the laws Of war. The!
should continue to be held as a means of coer
cling Mexico to accede to Just terms of peace
Civil as well as military officers are required t.
conduct such government. Adequate compen
sation to be drawn from contributions levied oil
the enemy should be fixed by law for such off
GERS as may become necessary, and what fiha
disposition it may be proper to make of them
must depend on the future progress of the war
and the course which Mexico may think prope
hereafter to pursue.
With the views | entertain cannot favor tn
policy which had been suggested, either to with
draw our army altogether or to retire to desig
mated line, and simply hold and defend it. T.
withdraw our army altogether from the conquest
they have made by deeds of unparalleled brave
ry, and at the expense of so much blood and treas
ure in Just war on our part, and one which, b.
the ACT of the enemy we could not honorabl