Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-01-13

Representatives on the 18th inst, concerning
the instructions sent to our officers in Califor-
MIA and on the Pacific, the following Message
was transmitted to the House on Tuesday:
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1916.
10 the House Of Representa- tires Of the United
States:
In compliance with the request contained in
the resolution of the House of Representatives
OF the 18th inst. | communicate hcrewitE the
reports of the Secretary of War and the Secre-
tary of the Navy, with the documents which
accompanied them.
These documents contain all the s'orders or
indications To the military, naval OF olhrf Off
GERS ofthe government in relation to the.estab
lishnent or organization of civil government in
any portion fthe territory of Mexico which has
or might be taken possession of by the army or
navy of the u. s.
These orders and instructionsNwere given to
regulate the exercise of the rights OF the belg
erents engaged in actual war over such portions
of the territory of our enemy as, by military
conquest, might ''be taken possession Of" and
be occupied by our armed forced-rights neces-
sarily resulting from a state of war, and clearly
recognized by the laws of nations. This was
all the authority which could be delegated to
our military and naval commanders, AMI its X
ercisc was Indispensable to the secure occupa-
ton and possession OF territory of the enemy
which might be conquered. The regulations
authorized were temporary and dependant on the
rights acquired by conquest. They were au-
thorized as belligerent rights, and were to be
carried into effect by military naval officers.
They were but the amelioration of material Law
which modern civilization requires, and were
due As well to the security OF the conquest as to
Al -. r. I.
The documents communicated also contain
the reports of several highly meritorious officers
of our army and navy, who have conquered and
taken possession of portion of the enemy's
territory.
Among the documents accompanying the re-
port of the Secretary of war, will be found a
Storm of government ''establshed and org an
lied by the military commander who conquered
and occupied with his forces, the territory Oh
New Mexico. This document was received at
the War Department in the latter part of the
last month, and, as will be perceived by the re
port of the Secretary of War, was not, for the
reasons stated by that officer, brought TO my no.
tce until after my annual message OF the eth
instant was communicated to Congress. 1t is
declared on its face tn be s'tempo:ary govern
4aent g -es4 territcry.' hut there are por-
TOYS of it which purport to establish and or
ganlze" permanent territorial government OF
the United States over the territory, and to i'm
part to its inhabitants political rights which
under the constitution of the United States, can
be en;oyed permanently only by the citizens OF
the United States. These have not been zap
proved and recognised by me. Such organ
isefreculations as have been established in any
of the conquered territories, for the security OF
our conquests, for the preservation of order for
the protection of the rights of the inhabitants,
and for deprivlng the enemy of the advantages
of these territories while the military posses
sessions of them by the forces of the United
States, continues, will be recognised and ap
proved.
1t will be apparent from the reports of the
officers who have been required by the success
which has crowned their arms to exercise the
powers of temporary government over the con-
quered territories, that, ifany excess of power
has been the offspring q patriot desire to the
inhabitants the privileges and immunltles so
cherished by the people of our own county, and
which they believe calculated to improve their
condition and promote their prosperity. Any
such excess has resulted in no practical injury
but can and will be early corrected in manner
to ALLEVIATE as little as possible the good feel
ings of the inhabitants of the conquered terri
tory. JAMES n. fOLh.
The Correspondence accompanying the Mes
sage is too volumlnous to be inserted entire,
but the following synopsis and extracts contain
every thing of Importance.
June, 3, 1916, Mr.. Marcy writes to General
Kearney informing him of the call on Nilsson
ri,for 1000 additional troops placing him at the
head of the Expedition against Upper California,
which, he Is informed the President considers
it "of the greatest importance to take the ear
nSest possession of:"-instructing himto use all
>means to have good understanding
with the Mofmons en- route TO Califofnia, and
secure their services to the United States.
In giving his definite instructions the Secre-
fary says
'Should you conquer and take possession Of
New Mexico and Upper California, or conside-
rable places in either you will establish tenn
porary civil governments fredericksburg
all arbitrary restrictions that may erist, so lar
as it may be done with safety. In performing
this duty, it would be wise and prudent to con-
tinue in their employment all such of the exis
ting officers as are known to be friendly to the
United States, and will take the oath of alegi-
ance 70 them. The duties at the om-houses
ought at once TO be reduced to such rate as
may be barely sufficient to maintain the neces-
sary officers without yielding any revenue to
the Government. You may assure the people
ofthose provinces that it is the wish and design
of the people Of the United States to provide for
them free government with the least possible
DELAY, similar to that which exists in our Ter
ritories They will then he called on to exer
else the rights of freemen in eecting their own
representatives to The Territorial Legislature.
1t is loreseen that what relates TO the civil gov
eminent will be difficult and unpleasant art
of yoar duty, and much must necessarily be left
to your own discretion.
In your whole conduct you will act in such
\ manner as best to concilidate the inhabitants
and render then friendly to the United States.