Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-12-11


body made provision for the prosecution Of
the war;is obvious. Congress could not
have meant when, in May, 1917. they ap-
propriated Slc,oOO,0 900, and authorized the
President 20 employ the militia and naval
and military force of the United States,
ana 70 acceps the services of ten thousand
volunteers, to enable him to prosecute the
war; ana when, at their last session, and
after our army had invaded Mexico, thew
made additional appropriations, and auth
orlzed the raising OF additional troops for
the same purpose, that no indemnity was
to be obtained from Mexico, at the conclu-
sion OF the war; and yet it was certain.
that If no Mexican territory was ACQUIRED,
that no indemnity could be obtained.
IL IS iurthes manifest that congress con-
temp,ated territorial indemnify, from the
tact that at their last session an act was pas
sea, upon the Executive recommendation.
approprlatlng three millions of dollars with
thas express object. The appropriation
was made to enable the President 10 con-
ciude treaty of peace, limits. and bounda-
ries, with the Republic of Mexico, to be u
sed by him in the event tina. said treaty,
when signed by the authorized agents of the
TWO governments, and duly ratified by Mex
ico, shall call for the expenditure OF the
same, or any part thereof. The object OF
asking this appropriation was distinctly sta
tea, IN the several messages on the subject
winch communicated. Similar approori
at'ons, made in 1903 and 1906. which were
referred to, were applied in part consider
ation Tor the cession of Louisiana and the
flondas. In like manner it was anticina.
sed that IN settling the terms of traafv oi
limits and boundaries with Mexico. a ces.
sion OF territory, estimated to be of great.
er value than the amount Of our demand a.
gainst her, might be obtained, and that the
present payment of this sum, in part consi.
deratlon for the territory ceded, on the con.
ciuSlon OF treaty, and its ratification on
hcr part; might be an inducement. with he,
20 make such nession ofterrtory as would
be satisfactory to the United States: and
although the failure to conclude such n trea
", has rendered it unneces sary to use anv
OF the three millions appropriated bv thai
act, and the entire sum still remains IN the
treasury, it is still applicable TO that object
shonid inc contingency occur making such
appropriation necessary.
These advantages, in which the whole com.
merciai world would participate, would a,
once be secured to the United States by the
ceSsioh OF TINS territory, while it is certain,
.hat as long as IL remains part of the Mexican
commons they can be enjoyed neither by Mex.
leo herself nor by any other nation.
New Mexico is frontier, and has never been
OF any consider able value to Mexico From
It's locality, tits naturally connected with oul
western settlements. The territorial limits o;
tle state OF Texas, too, as defined by her laws
before her admission INTO our Union, embraced
q ~ nr4l 1C NJ NJ
the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims tc
ho'd this territory as part of her dominions
inere Is another consideration which Undue
ed tie belief, that the Mexican government,
might even desire to place this province under
tne 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
feebi. TO restrain them from committing dep
relations, robberies and murders, not only up
on the inhabitants of New Mexico itself, but
upon thosa OF the other northern States OF
Mexico. ltwould be blessing to these Nor
thern States TO have their citizens protected
against them by the power otthe United States.
At this moment many Mexicans, principally
females and children, are in captivity among
tnem IL New Mexico were held and governed
Dy the United States, we could effectually pre-
vent these tribes from committing such OUT
RACES, and compel them to release these CAP
tlyes and restore them to their families and
friends. In proposing to acquire New Mex
leo and the CALIFORNIA;, it was known that but
an inconsderable portion Of the Mexican peo-
pie would be transferred with them, the country
embraced villain these provinces being chiefly
an uninhabited region.
These were the leading considerations which
induced me to authorize the terms Of peace
which were proposed to Mexico 'rhey were
rejected, and negotiations being at an end, hos
tlilties We're renewed, and an assault was made
oY our gallant army upon the strongly fortified
places near the gates Of the city of Mexico and
upon the city itself; and after several DAYS OF
severe conflicts, the Mexican forces, vastly SUI
perior IN numbers to our own, were driven
from the city, and it was occupied by our
troops
Immediately after information was received
OF the uniavorable result of negotiations, be-
lieving that his continued presence could be
productive of no good, determined 10 recall
our Commissioner. A despatch TO this effect
was transmitted to him on the 9Th of October
last. The Mexican Government will be in
formed OF his recall, and that in the existing
state of things, shall not deem il proper to
make any further overtures of peace-butshal
be, at all times, ready to receive and consider
any proposals which shall be made by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition of the United
states was authorized to be made in April last,
large expenditures have been incurred, and the
precious blood of many of our patriotic fell
low citizens has been shed, in the prosecution
OF the war. This consideration, and the OBJ
sthate perseverance, of Mexico in protracting
the war, must influence the terms of peace
which It may be deemed proper hereafter to
accept Our arms having been everywhere
MISUNDERSTANDING subjected, to our military
occupation, large portion OF the eEemy's
country, including his capital, and negotiations
for peace having failed, the important question
arises, IN what manner the war ought to be
prosecuted and what should be our future poll
ey? | cannot doubt, that we should secure
and render available the conquests we have al
ready made, and that for this purpose we should
hold and occupy, by our naval and military
forces, al the forts, towns, cities and provin :
ces now IN our occupation, or which may here
after faii into our possession-thst we should
!, press forward our military operations, and
levy such military contributions on the enemy
as may, as Tar as practicable, defTay the future
expenses OF the war.
Had the government of Mexico acceded TO
the favorable and liberal terms proposed, that
mode OF adjustment would have been prefer
red Mexico having declined to DO this, and
iaIied to offer anv other terms which would be
accepted by the q. States, the national honor.
no less than the public interests, requires that
tue war should be prosecuted with increased
energy and power, until lust and satisfactory