Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-11

be diminished by such policy
am persuaded that the bes, means OF vlndica,ina
the national honor and interest, and OF bringing the
war to an honorable close, will be TO prosecute With
increased energy and power in the vital parts OF the
enemy scCuniry
| In my annual message to Congress in December
last, | declared that the war has no; been waged
with view to conquest but having been commenced
by Mexico, ii has been carried into the enemys coun-
try, and will be vigorously prosecuted there, with IA
view to obtain an honorable peace. and thereby
ample indemnity for the expenses of the war, n
well as to mnch injured citizens, who hold large
pecuniary demands against Mexico" such, m my
judgment, continues to be true policyindeed, thu
only policy which will probably secure bonorah,
peace.
1t has never been contemplated by me- as oblecs
OF the war to make permanent conquest OF the re-
public OF Mexico, or TO annihilne her separate exs-
tence an independent nation. On the contrary. 1t
has ever been my desire that she should maintain her
nationality, and under good government adapted I"
her condition, be free, independent, end prosperous
republic. The United States the first among lhx
nations to recognise her Independence, and have al
ways desired to be on terms OF amity and good neigh
borhood with her. This she would nN suffer. By
her own conduct we have been compelled TO engage.
in the present war. In its prosecution, SEEK no.
her overthrow as nation but, in indicating our ma
tona honor, seek to obtain redress tor the wrong
against her We demand an honorable peace ; and
that peace must bring with II Indemnity tor the past
and security for the future. ithery Mexico has
fused all accommodation by which such peace could
be obtained.
Whilst armies have advanced from victory to-
victory, from the commencement of the war, it has al
ways been with the olive branch of peace in their
hands and j. has been in the power OF Mexico At
every step, to arrest hostiliiies by accepting it.
One great obstacle to the attainment OF peace has.
undoubtedly, arisen from the fact, that Mexico has
been so long held in subsection by faction or mill
ary usurper after another aud such has been the
dition of insecurity in which their successive govern
mens have been placed, that each has been deferred
from making peace, lest, for this very cause rival
faction might expel it from power. Such vas the fate
OF President Herreras administration in 1913, for be-
ing disposed even to listen to the overtures OF the
United States prevent the war, as is fully confirmed
by on official correspondence which took place in the
month OF August last between him and his govern
ment copy Of which is herewith communicated,
For this cause alone the revolution which displaced
him from power was set OIL foot by Gen. Paredes.
ssn may the co"d0" of insecurity of the present
There cln be no doubt that The peaceable and we'll
disposed Inhabitants of Mexico convinced that ii
is the trt Interest OF their country to conclude an -
norable b ce with the United States; but the an
hensoH becoming the victims OF some Il
facu0 llrper may have prevented them Ia
mites r feelings by any public act. ~
OF an apprehension would probal
'r-pg| Il sentiments freely, ana,
Iheah Tcssary for the restoration OF "a
q peer racted and divided by contrnGS1 ( s,enH ~
hohs,' government subject TO constant HI H.
by succt 81 revolutions, the continued succ,hG M
our arms Gay tail to secure satisfactory yeatI NJ
Such eve1if may become proper for our command
ing geneE in the field to give encouragement and as
'urances ohproectlon to the friends OF peace in Mex
co IN the establishment and maintenance OF fire.
publican government of their own choice able and will
mig to conclude peace which would be Just to them
ma secure to us the indemnity demand. This
nay become the only mode OF obtaining sach peace.
should such be the result, the war which Mexico baS
creed upon US would thus be converted into an endur
ny blessing to herself After finding her torn and dis
raced by factions, and ruled by military usurpers W.
houd then leave her with republican government
II the enjoyment of real independence, and domestic
,eace and prosperity, performing all her relative d-
les IN tine great family of nations and promoting her
,wn happiness by wise laws and their faithful execu
IT, after affordng this encouragement, and pre,.c
ION and after all the perseyering and sincere effort,
We nave made, from the moment Mexico commenced
he war and PRIOR TO that time adjust our differences
'h her, we shall ultimately tail, then we shall have.
Exhausted all honorable means in pursuit of peace and
must continue TO occupy her country with our troops
aklig the iull measure OF indemnity into our own
'ands, ana must enforce the terms which our honor
demands.
-, 10 act otherwise, in the existing state of things IN
ieXico and to withdraw army, without peace
YOU'D not only leave all the wrongs Of which W.
onpian unrearessed, but would be the signal for new
ma herce civil discussions and new revolutons-all
states ~ ~
Besides, there is danger if our ,roous were will
rawn before peace was concluded that III. N.x
ans troops, wearied with successive revolutions and
epVed OF protection Tor their persons and property
ns"' az "ush' IN ihcnned 10 yield to foreign iu-
hences, ana TO cast themselves into the arms OF SOM,
'uropeam monarch for protection from the anarchy
ma suffering which would ensne. This, for our
wn safety and in pursuance OF our established policy
'e should be compelled to resist. We could never
olSen' that Mexico should be thus converted into a
monarchy governed by foreign prince
MeNieo Is our nelghbor, and her boundaries are CO.
'rmlnous with our own, through the whole extent
cross the North American continent trcm ocean In
ceah. BON politically and commercially, we have
Ne deepest nteres'n her regeneration and prosperity
ideed 1t Is impossible that with any lust regard Ia
hr own safety, We can ever become Indifferent tn her
lie. '" nv
~ may Ne .lhi' tle Mexican government and people
h our oblec's, in desiring to conclude an an,icnbi
ilustInent OF the existing differences hetw..n 49,,