Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-12-17


amlcable negotiations, in hopes that Mexico
might yield to pacitc counsels and the de.
mands of justice. In this hope we were
disappointed. Our minister of peace sent
10 Mexico was insultngIy rejected. The
Mexican Government refused TO hear even
the terms OF adjustment which he was au-
thorlSed 10 propose; and finally, under
wholly unlusliiiabIe pretexts, involved the
two countriee in war, by invading the ter
rtOry of the State OF Texas, striking the
first blow, and shedding the blood Of our
citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States were the ag-
grievcd nation, Mexico commenced the
War; and we were compelled in Se!f-de-
fence, to rcp9l the invader. and vindcatc the
national honor and interests. by prosecuting
IT with rlgor, until we could obtain an hon
orable peace.
On learning that hostiiites had been com
menced by Mexico, promptly communca-
| ted that fact, accompanied with sufficient
statement OF our other causes of complaint
against Mexico, to Congress, and that body
| by the act of the l2th of Nav, 1916, de-
clared that by The act of the Republic of
/ Mexico, state OF war existed between that
government and the L. States. This act,
declaring The war 10 exist "hv the act of
/ MeXico,' and making provision for its pro-
sccution to 4 speedy and successful termi-
nation, was passed with great unaa;miiv by
/ Congress, there being but two negative
votes in the Senate, and but fourteen in the
House of Representatives.
The aXiStGnco If tho ,uor TINS
been declared by Congress- it became my
duty, under the Constitution and the laws,
to conduct and prosecute it. This duty has
been performed; and though at every stage
of It's progress, have manifested "A willing
ness 10 terminate it by just peace, Mexico
has refused 10 accede to ans terms which
could be accepted by the United States,
consistently with the national honor and in
terests.
The rapid and brilliant successes of our
arms, and the vast extent of the enemv's
territory which had been oycrrun and con
qucred before the close of the last session
of Congress, were fully known to that body.
Since that time, the war has been prosecu-
ted with increased energy; and am graft
fed to state, with a success which COM
mands universal admiration. History pre-
senls no parallel of so many glorious victo-
res achieved by any nation within SO short
period.
Our army, regulars and volunteers. have
covered themselves with imperishable hon
ors. Wherever and whenever our forces
have encountered the enemy, though he
was in vastly superior numbers. and often
entrenched in fortified positions Of his own
selection, and OF great strength, he has been
defeated. Too much praise cannot he be
slowed upon our officers and men, regulars
and volunteers, and their galiantrv, dsclp-
line, ind0mitable courage and perseverance;
all seeking the posts of danger. and vicing
with each other in deeds of noble daring.
While every patriots heart must exUIt,
and just national pride animate every bo-
som, in beholding the high proofs of cour-
age, coHsummate military skill. steady dis
cipline and humanity to the vanquished en-
envy, exhibited hv our gallant army. the ma
ton Is called to mourn over tie loss OF many
brave officers and soldiers who have fallen
in defence OF their country's honor and in
tercsts.
Shortly after the adjournment Of the last
session of Congress, the gratifying inteill
gence was received of the battle of Buena
Vista, and the fall of the city of Vera Cruz,
and with it the strong Castle of San Juan de
Ulioa, by which it was defended. Belev
inc that after these and other successes so
honorable to our arms, and so disastrous to
Mexico, the period was propiIlOus to afford
her another opportunity, if she thought pro-
per to embrace it, 10 enter lnlo negotiations
for peace, commissioner was appointed TO
proceed to the headquarters of our army,
with full power to enter on negotiations,
and 10 conclude a Just aud honorable treaty
of peace. lie was not directed to make any
new overurcs Of peace, but was the bearer
of a DIES patch from the Secretary of State OF
the United States ITO the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Mexico, i'll reply 10 one received
from the latter, of the 22d OF February, 1917,
in which The Mexican government rs m
formed of his appointment, and OF his pre-
Sencc at the headquarters OF our army, ana
that he was muesed With full power to con-
clude a definite treaty of peace, whenever
the Mexican government might SIGNIFY
desire TO do so. While was unwilling to
subject the United States to another lnd1g-
nant refusal, was yet resolved that the
evils of WET should not be protracted a day
/ longer than might be rendered absolutely ne
cessary by the Mexican government.
! Care was taken to give no instructions to
the commissioner which could i'll any way
/ interfere with our military operations, or re-
/ lax our energies in the prosecution OF the
war. He possessed no authority IN any
manner 10 control these operations. lie was
autho ed TO exhibit his Instructions to The
! general in command of the army, and III the
event of treaty being concluded and ralI-
/ fled on the part of Mexico. he was directed
to give him notice of that fact. On the hap
pening of such contingency, and on receiv-
! ing notice thereof, the general III command
was instructed by the Secretary OF War TO
suspend further active military operations
/ until further ordered. These instructions
were given with 4 view to Internn hostlll-
ties until the treaty thus ratified by Mexico
could be transmitted to Washington and re-
ceive the sanction Of the government OF the
/ United States.