Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15


crate in their amount than those which
had been previously been laid by Mex
leo, and the revenue which was form
erly pad into the. Mexican treasury
was directed 10 be collected by our
military and naval officers, and applied
TO the use OF our army and navy
Care was taken that the officers and
s"ldiers, and sailors of our army and
navy should oe exempted from the ope'
ration Of the order, and as the mer-
chandize imported. upon which the or
der operated, must be consumed by
Mexican citizens. the contributions ex-
acted were in effec. the seizure of the
public revenues of Mexico, and the ap-
pl cation ofthcm to our own use. In
directing this measure, the object was
to compel the enemy 10 contribute rs
far as praciiblc towards the expenses
OF the war.
For the amount of contributions
which have been levied in this form,
refer you to the accompanying reports
OF the Secretary of War, and OF the
Secretary Of the Navy, by which it ap-
pears that sum exceeding Half a
Million Of Dollars have been collected.
This amount would undoubtedly have
been much larger, but for the difficulty
OF Heeping open communications be.
tween the coast and the interior, SO as
10 enable thesowncrs oil merchandise
imported nssort and yersL itzta
the Inhabitants of the country.
1t is confidently expected that this
difficulty will to a great extent, be
soon removed by our increased forces
which have been sent TO the field
Measures have recently been adopted
by which the internal as well as exter.
nal revenues Of Mexico, 10 all places In
our military occupation, will be receiv-
cd and appropriated 10 the use of our
army and navy.
The policy cflevying upon the ene-
my contributions in every form, con.
s:stently with the law of nations, which
i, may be practicable for military COM
manders TO adopt, should, in my judg-
ment. be rigidIy enforced, and orders
10 this effect have accordingly been
given. by such policy, at the same
time that our own treasury will be re-
lieved from heavy drain, the Mexi-
can people will be made TO feel the
burdens Of the war, and consulting
their own interests, may be induced
TIE more readily to require their ru-
Iers TO accede to a just peace.
After the adjournment Of the last
session Of Congress, events transpired
in the prosecution of the war. which III
my judgment, required greater mum.
Der of troops in the field than had been
anticipated. The strength ofthe army
was accordingly increased by accepting
the services OF all the volunteer forces
authorized by the act Of the, 18th May,
ls45, without putting a construction on
that act, the correctness Of which was
seriously questioned. The volunteer
forces now in the field, with those
which had been accepted to serve for
twelve months, aud were discharged al
the end OF their term of service, exhaust
the Bfilly thousand men authorized by
that act. Had it been clear that prop
er construction of the Act warranted,
the services of an additional number
would have been called and accepted;
but doubts existing upon this point, the
power was not exercised.
1t is deemed import ut that Congress
should at an early period OF :heir session
confer the authority 10 raise an addi-
iional regular force to serve during the
war with MexicQ, aud to he discharged
upon the conclusion and ratification Of
a treaty oil peace. invite the atten-
tion OF Congress 10 the views presented
by the Secretary Of v ar in his report
upon this subject. / recommend also
that authority be given by law to call
for aud accept the services of an addi-
tional number Of volunteers, to be ex.
ercised at such time and to such extent
as the emergencies Of the services may
require.
ln prosecuting the war with Mexico,
whilst the utmost care has been taken
to avoid every just cause of complaint
on the part of neutral nations, nj none
has been given, libera al privileges have
been granted in their commerce in the
ports Of the enemy, IN OR military oc-
,:upaton.
The difficulty with the Brazilian
government, which at one time threat
ened TO interrupt the friendly relations
between the two countries, will, trnst,
be speedily adjusted. have received
information that an Envoy Extraordi
nary and Minister Pleni po,entiary to
Inc u. States, will shortly be appointed
by his Imperial majesty, and it is hoped
that he will come instructed and pre-
pared adjust all remaining differcn>
ces between the two governments in a
manner acceptable and honorable to
both
In the mean time have every rea-
son to believe that nothing will occur
10 interrupt our am'cable relations with
Brazil.
II has been my constant effort to main
| tain and cultivate the most intimate rela-
'ions of friendship with all the independedt
nations Of South America, and this policy
has been attended with the happiest results.
r