Democratic banner., 1847-12-20
rContina1ed from LIST page.1

dePenden evolutionary government would
pTobsbly be established by the inhabitants
and such foreigners as may remain in, or re-
move to the country, as soon as it shall be
known that the United States have aban-
doned il. Such a government would be
too feeble long to retain its seperate indie
pendent existence, and would finally be-
come annexed to, or a dependent colony OF,
some more powerful State.
Should any foreign government attempt
to possess it, or as a colony or otherwise to
incorporate it with itself, the principle an
nounced by President Monroe, in 1923, and
reaffirimed in my first annual message, that
no foreign power shall, with our consent,
be permitted to plant or establish any new
colony or dominion on the North American
tanning this principle, and in resisting its
invasion by any foreign power, We might
be involved in other wars more expensive
and more difficult than that in which we
are now engaged. The provinces of New
Mexico and the Californas are contiguous
to the territories of the United States, and
if brought under the Government of our
laws, their resources mineral, agricultural,
manufacturing and commercial, would soon
be developed.
Upper California is bounded on the north by
our Oregon possessions, and fheld by the Uni
ted States, would soon be settled by an e~nterpri-
sing and intelligent portion of our popul ation.-
The Bay Of San Francisco, and other harbors
along the California coast, would afford shelter
for our navy. Our numerous whale ships, and
other merchant vessels employed on the Pacific
ocean. would, in a short period, become marts Of
an extensive and profitable commerce with Chi
ma, and other countries Of the East.
These advantager, in which the wholeI
commercial world would participate, would
at once be secured to the United States byI
the cession of this territory, while it is Ger
tain, that as long as it remains a part of
the Mexican dominions they can be enjoy
ed neither by Mexico herself nor by anyI
other nation.
New Mexico is frontier, and has never
been ofany considerable value to Mexico.
From its locality, it is naturally connected,
with orr western settlements. The terri
forial limits of the State of Texas, too, as
defined by her laws before her admission
into our Union, embraced all that portion Of
New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grand,
while Mexico still claims to hold this terri
tory as a part Of her dominions.
There is another confederation which in
duced the belief, that the Mexican govern
ment might even desire to place this PROV.
ince under the protection of the government
Of the United States. Numerous bands of
fierce warlike savages wander over it and
upon its borders. Mexico has been, and
must continue to be too feeble to restraint
them from committing depredations, rob-
berries, and murders, not only upon the in.
habitants Of New Mexico itself, but uponI
those of the other northern States of Mex-I
leo. 1t would be a blessing to these North
ern States ohaye their citizens protected,
against them by the power of the United
Atthis moment, many Mexicans, l
principally females and children, are in
captivity among them, If New MexicoIr
we're held and governed by the United
States, we could effectually prevent these e
rloes from committing such outrages, andI :
compel them to release these captives and 1
.'estore. them to their families and friends.-l
n proposing to acquire New Mexico and a
he CALIFORNIA;, it was known that but an c
nconslderable portion ofshc American peo-
ne would be transferred with them, the
ountry embraced within these provinces /!
eng chiefly an uninhabited region. Il,
These were the leading considerations which v
lduced me to- authorize the terms of peace al
'hIch were proposed to. Mexico. They were p;
gected, and negotiations being at an end, hos-i:,
lties were renewed, and an assault was made ~
? our gallant army upon the strongly fortified m
aces near the gates of the city of Mexico and No
ION the city itself; and after several DAYS Of OF
we're conflicts, The Mexicans forces, vastly su- TN
rIer in numbers to our own, were driven 90
I'M the city, and it WAS occupied BY our troops.
Immediately after information was receiyedIqu
the uDfayorable result IF ponotr,,