Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-11


aad II The House II Representatives,:
The annual meeting Of Congress is always interesting
event The Representatives Of the States and Of the People
come fresh from their constituents TO take counsel together o
the common good After existence Of threeiourh
81 century as free and independent Republic, the problem
noonger remains be solved whether is capable
segoyernment The OF admirable system is
conclusive efuaton Of the theories of those in other countries
who maintain that " favored few born rule, and that
the of mankind must be governed by force Subject
no arbitrary hereditary authority, the people are the only
sJveregns recognised by constitution Numerous emf
grants OF every lineage and language attracted by the cy
and religious freedom enjoy, and by our happy condition.
annually crowd Shores and transfer their heart not
less than their allegiance 10 the country whose dominion be-
longs alone 10 the people.
No country has been much favored or should ackno"
edge with deeper the manifestations Of The DIVINE
protection An a-wse Creator directed and guarded Us IN
infant struggle for freedom and has constantly watched
over surprising progress until we have become one OF the
great nations Of the earth
Il is in country thus favored and under Government in
which the executive and legislative branches hold their aut-
rty for limited periods alike the people, and where all
responsible their respective constituencies thatis again
my duty communicate with Congress upon the state Of the
Union and the present condition Of public affairs
During tho past year the most gratifying proofs present.
ed that our country has been blessed with widespread and
universal prosperity There has been period since the Gov
founded, when all the industrial pursuits OF our
people have been successful when labor in all branch
of business has received aycr or better reward From
abundance have beer enabled perform the pleasing
duty Of furnishing food fer the starving millions OF less favored
countries.
In the enjoyment of the bounes of Providence home
such have rarely fallen the lot q any people, is
of congratuaon that intercourse with all the Powers of
the eaHh except Mexico continues 10 De OF an amicabe
character.
has ever been our cherished policy 10 cultivate peace and
good will with all nations and this policy has been steadily
pursued Wy me.
No change has taken place in our relations with Mexico
since the adjournment Of the last Congress The in which
the United States forced engage with the Government
of that country still continues.
deem It unnecessary, after the full exposition Of them
tanned my message Of the eleventh OF May s46 and in
my annual al the OF the session OF
Congress December last rei,eae the serious Of
complaint which we had against Mexico before she commenced
hoslltles.
sufficient on the present occasion to say that the wan
ton violation Of the rights of person and property of
committed by Mexico her repeated Of bad faith
through long series Of years, and her disregard of solemn
treaties spuatng for indemnity injured citizens not
only constituted ample of part but Of
such aggravated character would have justified
fore the whole world in resortng this remedy
With anxious desire TO avoid rupture between the
countries foboe Tor years clear rights BY
force, and continued redress for the wrongs had
suffered by amicabe negotiation, in the hope that Mexico
might yield pacific councils and the demands OF Justice
this hope disappointed Our minister Of peace
70 Mexico insuungly rejected The Mexican Govern
men refused hear the Of adjustment which he
auhozedto propose and finally under wholly unusti-
fable preex involved the war, by invading
the territory of the State Texas striking the first blow and
shedding the blood OF our citizens soil.
Though the United States the aggrieved nation
Mexico commenced the war, and compelled in self
Defence repe the invader, and viRdIcae the national
honor and interests by prosecuting it with vgor until We could
obtain AMI honorable peace.
On learning that hoslies had been commenced by Mex
leo, promptly communicated that fact accompanied with
succinc statement OF other Of complaint against
Mexico 70 Congress and that body by the act Of the thr
eenth Of May, 1916, declared that 'by the Of the Re
public Of Mexico, state d exists between that Govern
ment and the United States-ihs act declaring the
exist by the the Republic Of Nextd and making pro-
vision for it, prosecution o speedy and successful terminal
ton, passed with great unanmiiy by Congress- there
being but negative in the Senate and but fourteen
III the House Of Representatives.
The existence Of the having thus been declared by Con-
ge became my Duty under the constitution and the laws
conduct and prosecute IT, This duty has been performed
and though, every OF it progress, have manifested
willingness terminate il by just peace Mexico has
fused accede any which could be accepted by the
United States consistently with the national honor and
terest
The rapid and brilliant of our arms and the vast
Of enemy territory which had been ovcrrun and
conquered before the close Of the last session Of Congress
fully known that body. Since that time the war ha.
been prosecuted with increased energy and am grard to
state with which commands universal admiration
History presents parallel OF glorious victories
achieved by any nation within short period Our army
regulars and volunteers have covered themselves with nper-
shabe honors Whenever and wherever our forces have
counteed the enemy, though he in vastly superior num-
bers, and often entrenched in fortified positions Of his own
lection and Of great strength, lie has been defeated Too much
praise be bestowed upon officers and men, ru-
lars and volunteers for their gaaury discipline ndom,abe
and perseverance, all seeking the post Danger and
vieing with each other in deeds Of nobIe daring.
While patriots heart exu and lust national
pride animate every BOSOM in behodng the high proofs OF
courage, consummae military SKILL steady discipline, and h-
mainly the vanquished enemy, exhibited by gallant
army, the nation is called the loss Of many
brave officers and soldiers who have fallen defence their
county honor and interests The brave dead their
anchoy fate foreign land, noby dischargng their duty,
and with their county flag waving trumphauty in the face
OF the foe Their patriotic deeds Justly appreciated and
viii long be remembered by their grateful counymen The
parental Of the Government they loved and served should
be extended to their surviving families.
Shortly alter the adjournment OF the last session Of Con
pres the gratifying intelligence received Of the sigma
victory Buena ta and d the fall of the city Of Vera Cruz
and with II the strong castle of San Juan de Cua by which
was defended Believing that after these and other
cesses honorable and disastrous Mexico,
the period was pfopou. afford her another opportunity,
she thought proper to embrace it, 10 into negotiations
for peace Commissioner appointed proceed the
headquarters OF our army With full powers upon
goauons and to conclude Just and honorable treaty Of
peace lie was not directed make any
peace, but was the bearer OF despatch from the Secretary
State Of the United States the Minister Of Foreign Affair.
49, ,i.