The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21

most wealthy portion oi Mexico, il was supposed
that the obstacles which had, before thar time,
prevented, would not be such "a To render inn
practicable the levy of forced contributions for
its support. On the Il, ofSep,., and on the 9th
OF Oct, 1917, the order was repeated, in dcs-
patches, addressed b. the Secretary OF War TO
Gen. Scott, and his attention was again called
to the Importance of making the enemy bear the
burdens ot the wnr--thus requiring them TO fur
nish the means Of supporting our army-and he
was directed to adopt this policy, unless by do
ing So, ihere was danger OF d,priving the army
OF necessary supplies. Copies OF these IS.
patches were forwarded to Gen. Taylor for his
government.
On the 3ls, Of March last. caused an order to
be issued to our military and naval commanders,
To levy and collect military contribution upon
all vessels aud merchandise which might enter
any OF the ports Of Mexico in our military occu.
patton, and 10 apply such contribution towards
deiraying the expenses Of the war. BY virtue oi
the right Of conquest, and the laws Of war, the
conqucror, consulting his own safety or convent
ence, may either exclude foreign commerce alto
getncr from all such ports, or permit II upon such
terms and conditions ~ he may prescribe. Be-
FIRE the principal ports OF Mexico were blocku-
ded by our navy, the revenue derived from inn
port duties. under the laws OF Mexico, were paid
into the Mexican treasury. After those ports
had fallen into our military possession, the block
AIDE was raised, and commerce with them per-
init. ed upon prescribed terms and conditions
They were opened to The trade OF all nations up.
on the payment of duties, more moderate in
their amount than those winch had been previ-
omsly levied by Mexico. and the revenue, which
was formerly paid into the Mexican treasury,
was directed 10 be collected Nv our military Off
GERS and applied To the use Of the army and ma.
Wy. Care was taken, tina, The officers, soldiers
and sailors oil our army ana navy should be cX-
smpted from the operations oi the order, and Us
the merchandise imported. upon which the order
operated, must he consumed bv Mexican ci,i-
Gems, the contributions were in clcc, the seizure
OF the public revenues OF Mexico and the appl-
cation Of them to our own use. In directing
this measure. the object was 10 compel the enc
my 10 contribute, rs Tar as practicable, towards
the expenses oi the war.
For the amount OF contributions. which have
been levied in this form, ! refer YOU to the nc
comPanving reports ct the Secretary ot War and
the Secretary oi The Navy, by which il appears
that the sum. exceeding hall million Of dollars,
has been collected. TIL, amount would nm
douh,ed.y have been much larger hui for The
difficulty of Keeping open the communication be-
tween The coas and tire ln'cttnr. - n To enable
the owners oi the merchandise imported, 10
transport and vend IL ~ the inhabitants OF the
II is coniilen,lv expected, tina the
difficulty will. ~ g;tai extent. he soon removed
hy our ncr,as tore, :, winch have been sent to
the field.
Measures have recently been adopted, by
which internal. rs well ~ external revenues, in
all places in our military poss, ssion, vii. be- re-
ceivcd and appropriated L. the use OF our army
and navy. The policy of lowing upon The enc.
my contributions in every form. consistently
" iih the laws of nations, which il may be prac-
ilcaale Tor our military commanders to adopt,
should he rigidlv enforced. uni orders TO this ei-
feet have accordingly been gwen. by such a
policy, NJ the same time, our wn treasury Will
be relieved from heavy dram. The Mexican
people Will hc made to feel tho burdens vi the
war. and consulting their own interests, may he
induced the more readily TO require their rulers
10 accedc To nst peace.
After the adiourancn, Of the last session Of
Congress. cvenis TRANSFERRED in The prosecution Of
the war, which. in nv Ind tncni. required n
greater number 81 troops IN the field, than had
been antcina ed. Tie strength ut the arns
was aee"rdingls increased, hs accepting. the SER
vices Of all The volunteer forces authorized hs
The act Of 18Th May, 1876, without pu,iinga con-
strurtion OH that act. the correctness al W ieh
was seriously questioned. Tie volunteer forces
now IN the field. with those which had been ac-
copied 10 serve Tor twelve months aud were dis
charged NJ the end II their term of service, es-
haust tie lilly thousand men authorized by that
oct. Had Il beer clear that proper eons,rue-
ton al the art warranted the services of an a.-
dltenn number. they would have been called
nad accepted: hut doubts existed upon this
point. thc power was M, exercised.
II i dccmsd important, inai Congress should
NJ an enrlr Fefod III their session, confer author
Itv II raise an additional regtlar force Ia serve
during the war with aeXiea. and 10 be dischafe-
Cd upon the conclusion AMI ratification oil n trca-
~ oi pence: ana Invite tile attention of Con-
gre = II the views presented h the Secretary oi
War, III his Report upon this subject. recom-
mend. that authority lie given by Lave 10 call ior
and accept m additional numbers oil volunteers,
10 be II scd al such times, and ~ such TN extent
as the emergency r1as REQUIRE.
In prosecuting tho war with MEXICO, while
the Utmost care bias heen taken 10 ayad every
j usi cause Of complaint on Tie part Of neutral
nations, and none has been gi.cn, liberal privi-
lcgcs have been granted 10 tier commerce in
the ports OF Tie enemy in CT. military occupa-
tion
The difficulty with the BrlA ian government.
which N one time tire tened To int rupt the
friendly relateBs between tie two countries,
will. trust be spec div adjusted Ihavc receiv-
cd Information that n minister extraordinary AMI
pienipoien'iary has been appointed by his lmre-
rial Majesty. and II Is hoped he will come pIe-
pared 10 adlu ali remaining differences between
The Two governments in o manner acceptable and
honorable To both. In tie meantime, have ev-
cry reason 10 believe. that uo.h.ag will occur Ia
interrupt our amicahle relations with Brazil. II
has been my constant effort 10 maintain and cu-
tivate the most intimate relations Of friendship
with all the independent powers OF South Amer
lea, and this policy has been attended with the
happi.si results. IL il true hat the settlement
and payment al many just claims against these
nat ons have long been d"ased-ihe peculiar
position in which they have been placed, and
the desire on I e part III inv predecessor, as wei
as myself. tn grant them iEe limos, indulgence,
has hitherto prevented these claims from bein.
urged IN the manner strict justice demanded -
i he time has ARRIVED when iilst ouuh To be full
y adjusted. liqudaied aud enforced, aud eflor
are now making ior that purpose.
u i proper To inform on thht the government
OF Peru, has, in good faith, paid the first install