Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1847-12-25

great extent, be saon removed by our increased
forces which have been sent to the field.
Measures have recently been adopted by
which HE internal as we'll is the external reven-
Ies of Mexico, in all places in our military oC.
cupatioD, will be seized and appropriated TO the
use of our army and navy.
The policy Of leyying upon the enemy contri-
buttons in every form, consistently with the
laws Of nations, which ii may be practicable
for our military commanders to adopt, could,
in my judgment, be rigidly enforced, aud orders
TO this effect have accordingly been given. BY
such q policy, at the same time that our own
treasury will be relieved from n heavy drain,
the Mexican people will he made to feel the
burdens of the war, and, consulting their W
interests, may be induced the more readily to
require their rulers to aecede to a just peace.
After the adjournment Of the last session of
Congress, events transpired in the prosecution
of the war which, in my judgment, required a
greater number Of troops in the field than had
been anticipated. The strength Of the army
has accordingly increased by "accepting'' the
services Of all the volunteer forces authorized
by the act Of the thirteenth Of May, 1916, with.
out putting d construction on the act, the cor
feCtness OF which was seriously questioned.
The volunteer forces now in the field, with those
which had been accepted" to q serve for
twelve months" and were discharged at the
end of their term of service, exhaust the fifty
thousand men authorized by that act. Had It
been clear that a proper construction Of the act
warranted il, the services of an additional num-
Der would have been called for and accepted
but doubts existing upon this point, the power
was not exercised.
1t is deemed important that Congress should,
at an early period of their session, confer the
authority to raise an additional regular force to
serve during the war with Mexico, and to be
discharged upon the conclusion and ratification
OF d treaty of peace. / invite the attention of
Congress 10 the views presented by the Secre-
tary Of War in his report upon this subject.
recommend, also, that authority Be given
by law to call for and accept the services Of an
additional number ofvolunteers, to be exercised
at such time and to such extent as the emeT-
gencies Of the service may require.
In prosecuting the war with Mexico, whilst
the utmost care has been taken TO avoid every
just cause OF complaint on the part ofneutral
nations, and none has been given, liberal priyi-
leges have been granted to their commerce in
the ports Of the enemy in our military Occupa
patton.
The difficulty with the Brazilian government
which at one time threatened to interrupt the
friendly relations between the two countries,
will, | trust, be speedily adjusted. / have re-
ceiYed information that an envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary to the United
States will shortly be appointed by his Imperial
Majesty and il is hoped that he will come in
stF1cted and prepared TO adjust all remaining
differences between the two governments in O
manner acceptable and honorable TO both. In
the meantime, ] have every reason to believe
that nothing will occur to interrupt oar AMIGA
bic relations with Brazil.
II has been my constant effort TO maintain
and cultivate the most intimate relations Of
friendship with all the independet Powers of
South America and this policy has been at.
tended with the happ1est results. Ii is true,
that the settlement and payment of many just
claims Of American citizens against these ma
/ tfon- La.,a kaau Iuo1 JrJnnoJ~ IT. -aauI.-.
position In winch they nave been placed, and
the desire on the part Of my predecessors, as
well as myself, to grant them the utmost indul-
gencies, have hitherto prevented these claims
from being urged IN a manner demanded by
stflct Justice. lhe tine mas arrived when they
ought to be finally adjusted and liquidated, and
efforts are now making for that purpose.
1t il proper to inform you that the govern
ment Of Peru has in good faith raid he first
two instruments of the indemnity of thirty
thousand dollars each, and the greater portion
Of the interest due thereon, in execution Of the
convention between that government and the
United States, the notifications Of which were
EXCLAIMED al Lima on the 3ist of October, 1876,
The Attorney General of the United States,
early in August last, completed tho sdjudica.
lion of the claims under this conventions, and
made his report thereon, in pursuance &c the
act Of the 9th of August, 1876. The sums TO
which the claimants are respectively entitled
Will be paid on demand at the treasury.
;nv;te fte early attention oC Conoress IN the
nresant condition. nj o,r cit;zsna n Chin
finJer an .,aat, With ,hat nnngsr $500
c,t;1ens are uyitFtdra wp from The ;nr;sd;c+;on
yethar c;v;l or criminal ~ Tho Cb;nese aoyernI
msnt and nlared nnder that If mr. nnbl;c tnne.
tionoy;es IL fbot counfrv. ~ theaa oione nan
onr citizens he tried md punished far Tie con.
n,ias;on of any crime bv these alone csr nnos
IONS he dec;ded betoveen them inyoIv;ng M
rights Of nerson and nronertv and bv tbssa
alone can contracts he eenfdrced into which thew
max have entered win the citizens or aub;scfa
Of foreipn nowers. The merchant vessels n the
limited staies tvfng in The waters Of the Eve
norris of China omen n Careion eommorca are
user the evcIpaiye ;,r;Sd;ction NJ ofSoeys ~
ther own government. Until Congresa shall
establish co7npetent tribunals 10 try and nnnisb
crimes. and TO exercise jurisdiction in civil cases
in China. American citizens there are subject IN
no law whatever. Crimes NAV be committed
with immunity. and debts NAV he Contracted
without any means 10 enforce their payment,
Incouyenie1ces have already resulted from the
omission Of Congress TO l~egisiate upon this sub.
iect, and still greater are apprehended. The
British authorities in China have already conn
planned that this government has not provided
for the punishment Of crimes, or the enforce
ment of contracts against American citizens in
that country, whilst their government has e.
rablished tribunals by which an American citi-
zen can recover debts due from British subjects.
Accustomed as the Chinese are to summary
Justice, they could no be made to comprehend
,yhu o.;vo;nata yubo ~ offs1ana ri the Hated