New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-02-16
PRE- MESS
WAR WITH MEXICO.


Congress by the act o. the 18th Of May last de-
clsred that BY the set Of the Republic Of Mexico.
II War exists between that Government and the
United States and for the purpose Of enabling The
Government Of the United States prosecute said War
20 speedy and successful termination authority was
vested in the Presiden, 10 employ the Naval and Mill
isry Forces OF the United States
Il has been my unaerable purpose. sine. the com
menccent Of hostiies by Mexico and the declaration
Of the existence Of War by Congress to prosecute the
War In which the country was unsvoidsbly involved
with toe energy with new to ia speedy and
successful termination by an honorable Peace.
Accordingly all the operations Of our Naval sad NH
tary Forces have been directed with this view. While
the sword has been held in hand and military
movements pressed forward into the encmys country.
and 10 coasts invested by Navy, the tender Of sn
/ honorable Peace has been constantly presented 30
Hoxico with the other.
Hitherto, the overtures OF peace which have been
made BY thi. Government have not been accepted by
| Mexico. With view 70 avoid protracied war, which
hestsncy and delay on our part would BE- 20 wei ealcu
lated produce. Informed you Ia my Annual Message
Of the 9Th December last that the war would continue
10 be prosecuted with vigor the best means Of So
curing peace and recommended 20 your early and IA
vorabc confederation the measures proposed by the
Secretary Of War in bis report accompanying that Aos
sage.
Ia 10Y Message Of tho 9TH January last these and other
measures deemed 70 b. essential % the speedy and
ssful termination OF the and the attainment
OF just and honorable peace. were recommended TO
your early and favorable consideration.
The worst state q things which could exist In a war
with such power ss Mexico, would be course OF IN
decision and inactivity on part Being charged by
the Constitution and the laws with the conduct Of the
war have svsiled myself OF all the means Al my com
/ mand 10 prosecute II with energy and vsor.
The act 10 raise for limited time additional mil
ary force and for other purposes and which author
ICES the raisng Of additional regiments 70 the regu
lar army 10 during the war, and TO be dsbsnded
| at 10 termination. which Was presented 20 me on the
18th instant and approved on that day Will constitute
an important par, Of military force. These resi
mens will be raised and moved 70 The seat OF war WIZ
| the least practicable delay
II will be perceived that this act makes PROVISION
for the organization into brsdes and divisions OF the
increased force which su,horSes nor Tor the sppoini
ment Of general officers 10 command H. IL VIII bc pro
per that authority be given by law 10 make such orgsn
zaion end 10 appoint. by aud with the advice aud con.
Of the senate such number Of Major GeHeTas and
Briysder Generals the efficiency Of the service may
demand The number Of officers of these grades now In
service not than are required Tor their respec
tive commands but farther legislative action during
your present session will in my Judgment be requires
and to which Is my duty respectfully to invite your
| tentiOn.
Should the war contrary TO my earnest desire be pro-
acted to the close ofthe term Of service OF the Volun
teers In Mexico who engage for twelve months, an
additional volunteer force viii probably become neces
sAry to supply their place Many OF the Volunteers now
serving In Mexico Il IL not doubted would chseriully
engage the conclusion of their present term to serve
during the war They would constitute more efficient
force than could be speedily obtained by accepting the
services Of any corps who might offer their serYicef
They would have the advantage OF the experience and
discipline Of a years service and viii have become &C
customed 10 the climate aud be in less danger than new
leves Of suffering from the dissase OF the country re-
commend therefore that authority be given to accept
the Hervces Of such OF the Volunteers in Mexico
o. the state of tie public service may require ard who
NAY the termination of their preeent term vountar
y engage during the with Mexico and that
provisions be made for commissioning the officers
Should this receive the favorable consideration
of Congress recommended that bounty be grantee
TO them upon their voluntarily extending their term OF
service. This would not only be due to these gallant
L. 49, 10 he
cause discharged at the end OF the twelve months the
Government would be bound to incur heavy expense
in bringing them back 70 their homes. and IN sepdns 10
the seat Of corps OF fresh troops 10 supply their
places.
By the &C, Of the thirteenth Of May last the President
authorized 10 accept the services of volunteers
lin companies, bsttalions, squadrons aud regiments.
but no provision made for filling up vacancies
which might by death, OF discharges from the
service on sccont OF sickness or theT casuslues In
consequence Of this omission many of the corps now In
service have been much reduced in numbers. Nor was
any provision made for filing vacancies Of regiments OF
company officers who nigh, die resign. Information
has been received at the War Department OF the ress
nation than hundred Of these officers They
vera appointed by the state authorities and no nior'
maton has been received except in lew instances
that their places have been hed and the efficiency OF
the servic. has been impaired from this cause To
remedy these defects. recommend that authority be
given accept the services OF individual volunteers 20
an up the places of such As may die or become unhi
for the service and be discharged and that provision
be also made for hins the places OF resimentA and
company officers who msy die or fesgn by such pro
visions the volunteer corps may be constantly kept iu
or may approximate the maximum number authorized
and called into service in the first Instance.
While II il deemed 70 be our true policy TO prosecute
the In the manner indicated and thus make the en-
emy feel It's pressure and its evils shah BE- 81 all times
ready with the authority conferred on me by the Con.
stution and with all the means which may be- placed
at my command By Congress, TO conclude Just and
honorable peace.
OF equal importance with energetic and vigorous
prosecution Of the war are the required 20 de-
tray its expenses and to uphold and maintain the public
credit
In my Anausl Message Of the 9Th December last
submitted for the consideration of Congress, the pro
proty of imposing war measure revenue duties on
some of the articles now embraced In the free list The
principal articles now exempt from duty, from which
any considerable could be derived lea aud
Coffee moderate revenue duty on these articles II
Is estimated would produce annually An smoun, ex'
ceeing two and half millions OF dollars Though IN
period OF peace when ample means could be derived
from duties other articles for the support OF the gov
erumcnt Il may have been deemed proper not - resort
| to duty thesc articles yet when the country Is
engaged in foreign and all resources are de-
msaded TO meet the unavoidable increased expenditure
in maintaining armies 10 the field, no sound reason
perceived why should not avail ourselves Of the
which may be derived from this source The OBJ
ec which have heretofore existed 10 the imposition
Of these dates applicable to state Of peace when
they not needed. We arc now however. engaged
in foreign We need money TO prosecute H. and
To maintain the public honor and credit IL cannot be
doubted thA the patriotic people OF the United States
would chseriuy. and without complaint submit 70 the
payment Of this additional duty any other that may
be necessary 10 maintain the honor OF the country pro-
vide for the unavoidable expenses Of the government
and 10 uphold the public credit II il recommended
that any duties which may be imposed these articles
be limited In their duration - the period OF the
An additional annual revenue Il Is estimated OF be
tween half a million and million Of dollars would Be
derived from tie graduation and reduction OF the price
such Of the public lands have been long offered in
the market the minimum price established BY The
istins laws and have remained unsold And in addition
10 other reasons commencing the measure 10 favorable
consideration il is recommended financial measure
The duty suggested tea and coffee and the srsdu>
ton and reduction OF the price Of the public lands
would secure an additional annual revenue 70 the treas
ury of not lssss than three millions Of dollars and
would thereby prevent the necessity Of lncurrng pub
lie deb. annually that amount the interest on which
must be paid seniAnnusy and utiIsely the deb, u
self By tax on the people.
Ills a sound policy and one which has long been sp
proved by the Government and people OF the United
States never resort to loans unless IN cases OF srea,
public rgency and then only for the smallest amount
which the public necessities viii permit
~ t,rreasci revenues which the measures