Washington telegraph., 1847-12-29
min s',ed h, such policy.

and q. bringing the war To an hnnoIahie
close wi, be 10 prosecute Il with Az IN.
creased snefs, aud pnwer In the vital pant
Of lhe enemy. country, In my last an.
nual message to Congress ! declared the
war had nal been waged with view Ia
conquest, hut, hhyiag bern commenced by
MaAie1, Il ha, hecu carried into the enc
my's eouuln aud will ho vigorously prus.
ecalel ,hore with view 10 uhiain an hon
arAble peace aud hereby secure an am
ple inlrmnily for the expenses oil tho waf
rs we'll a. ta nur much injured citizens
WIN hod a 'afge pceuniafy demand against
Mexico. Such. IN my Inismen', continues
IA be our lfue policy; indeed the only poll
eY which Will probably secure permanent
Peace.
II has never bccn contemplated by me,
as an object of the war. to make pcrma
nenl conquest al tho Republic af Mexico,
or 10 anhilsie her separate cAisienfe as an
independent nalinn; oa the contrary, Il has
ever been ny desiIe TINT shc shonl1 main.
tain her nationality, anl nader gnad gov
ernmen,, adapted to her condlinn. he a
prosperous aud FREQ republic. The United
States were the firs' among the nalions 10
recognize her Independence, aud has al,
wars desired 10 he on leims OF amily and
good neighhofhocd with her. This she
would aoI suller. By her own conduct We
have been compelled 10 engage IN the pres
eni war. In its prosecution We seek nol
her overthrow as nalion, but the yindiea
ton Of our national honor. Nc seek 10
obtain reduss lnr the WRONG she has done
Us, anl indemnity for our just demand
against her. We demand an honorable
peace and thai peace must bring with |, in.
demnly Tor The past and security lor the
future. Hitherto Mexico has refused all
accommodation by which such peace
could be obtained,
Whilst our armies have advanced from
victory 10 victory, from the commence
meni Of the war. /, has alwas hern with
the olive branch ol peace in their hands.
and II has been in The power ol Mexico. Al
every step, 10 arrc-, hoslililes by accept.
ing il.
One great obstacle 10 tbs attainment OF
peace has undoubtedly arisen from the lael
that Mexico has been so long held in sub.
lection by one faction, or military usurper,
aiier another; and such has been the con
dilion Of security in which these successive
governments have been placed. that each
has been deferred from making peace, lest.
for this very cause, a rival faction might
efpel from spower.
Such was the late Of President Here.
ra's administration Ia Isis, for being dis
posed even 10 listen to The overiures ofhe
United States To prevent the war as is iul.
" confirmed by an official correspondence,
which took place in the month of Angus
last, between him and his government,
copy VI which is herewith communicated.
For this cause alone the revolution, which
displaced him from power, was sci on foot
by Cen. Paredes. Such may be the cond
lion Of insecurity ol the present govern,
mcni.
There can be no doubt that the peacea
bio and well disposed inhabitants Of Mex.
leo are convinced that il is the true inter.
est Of their country 10 conclude an honor
able peace with the United States. Bu,
the apprehension of becoming the victims
oi some military faction or usurprr has
prevented Them from maniIesiing their
feelings by any public Grt.
The removal Of any such apprehension would
probably cause them to speak their sentiments,
and 10 adopt the measures necessary for the res.
tofation Of peace With a people distracted and
divided by conicnding factions, aud Govern
inent subject 10 constant changes BY successive
revolutions. the continued sncccss Of our arms
may fail 10 secure satisfactory peace. In sueh
nn event, II may become proper for our command.
ing general. in the field TO give encouragement
and assurance ofproieeton 10 the friends OF peace
in Mexico, in the establishing and maintenance Of
free republican government, Of their own choice,
always willing TO conclude peace which would
be just 10 them aud secure 10 Us the indemnity
we demand
This may become the only mode Of obtaining
ruoh peace. Should such be the result Of this
war, which Mexico has forced upon iis, II would
thus be converted into an enduring blessing TO
herself Aflcr finding her torn and distracted
by factions, and ruled BY military usurpcr, we
should then leave her with Republican Govern
domestic peace and prosperity, performing all ner
relative duties in the great family Of nations aud
promoting her own happiness by wise laws and
their faithful execution.
II, after aiiording this encouragement and pro-
lection, after all the perssyeTng aud sincere efforts
we have made from the moment Mexico com
menced tho warsand prior TO that time, to adjust
our difficulties with her, we ultimately fail, then
we Slall have exapsted all honorable means n
pursuit Of peace, aid must continue TO occupy
her country with Jur troops, taking the full
measure Of indemnity into our own hands, and
must enforce the terms which our honor de-
mands.
To act otherwise in the existing state Of things
in Mexico and 10 Withdraw our army without a
peace, would not only leave all the wrongs Of
which we complain unfodressed, hut would be the
signal for new aud fierce civil dsscnsons and new
revolutions, always hostile to peaceful relations
with the United States Besides there is danger
II our troops should be wiihd rawn before a peace