Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-11

OF such state of would be the side of the enemy
We could levy contributions upon him, in any other wa
make him feel the pressure Of the war; but remain mac
i've and await his approach, being in uncertainty
what point the line, what time he might make
assault lie may assemble and organize overwhelming fore
IN the interior, on his side OF the line and conceang hi
purpose, make sudden upon one Of our posts
distant from any other prevent the possibility time
suceor or reiniorcements and in this gallant army
would be exposed to the danger Of being OIL in detail
~ by her unequaed bravery and prowess every where
hoted during this they should repuse the enemy hc
numbers stationed at any one post may be too small to pursue
hn Ii the enemy be repulsed attack, he would have
nothing to do but to retreat to his side Of the line and
being IN no fear OF pursuing army, may reinforce himself
leisure, Tor another attack the other post
lie may, too, the line between posts, apt
hcusions into the country which hold, murder the inha
baII commit depredaiions them, and then thu
interior before sufficient force be concentrated TO pursue
nm. such would probably be the harassng character of
mere defensive war part If forces when attacked
or threatened with attack, be permitted the line drive
back the enemy, and conquer him. this would be again t
invade the enenys country, after having lost all the adyan
tages OF the conques have already made by having
unfairly abandoned them TO hold such line successful,
and IN security, Is tar from being certain that would
require large army would be necessary hold all tn,
conquests we have already made and continue the
cuton OF the in the heart of the enemys country Il
also far from being that the expenses of the war wouc
| be diminished by such policy.
am persuaded that the best Of indicating the ma
ona honor and interest," and of bringing the honor
able close VIII be TO prosecute with increased energy anc
In my annual message Congress of December last de-
claed that the war has not been waged with view con-
quest out having been commenced by Mexico has beer
carried INTO the enemys country and will be vigorously pro
secuted there with view obtain honorable peace and
thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war
as well as to our muchnued citizens who hold large pecu
mary demands against Mexico" Such, my Judgment con
unues to be true polcyndeed, the only policy which
VIII probably secure permanent peace.
IL has never been contemplated by me- object of the
war; to make permanent conquest of the Republic of Mex
or 10 annhate her separate existence independent
nallon On the contrary has been desire that she
should maintain her nationality, and under good Govern
ment adapted 10 her condition, be Free independent and
prosperous Republic. The United States the first among
the nations recognise her independence always
sired be on terms OF amiy and good neghborhood with her.
This she would not suffer BY her conduct been
compelled to engage the present In its prosecution
we seek not her overthrow nation but in vnd e
national honor seek to obtain redress for the wrongs
she has done and indemnity for just demands against
her, We demand honorable peace and that peace must
bring with indemnity for the past and security for the m
ture Hitherto Mexico has refused all accommodation by
which such peace could be obtained.
Whilst our armies have advanced from victory victory
from the commencement of the war, has always been with
the oyebanch Of peace in their hands and has been in
the power of Mexico, at every step, to arrest hoses by
cepting it.
Onegreat obstacle the attainment Of peace has undoubt
eddy arisen from the fact that Mexico has been long held in
sutecuon by one faction military usurper after another
and such has been the condition of insecurity which their
Governments have been placed that each has been
deferred from making peace lest fer this very cause rival
faction might expel from power Such the fate OF Pre-
sdent Herrera Administration in s45 for being disposed
even TO listen to the oyeTues of the United prevent
the war, Is fully confirmed by official correspondence
which took place in the month Of August last between him
and his Government, copy OF which is herewith commune
Gated For this alone the revolution which displaced
him from power set on foot by General Paroles Such
may be the condition of insecurity of the present Government
There can be doubt that the peaceab and we-dsposed
inhabitants OF Mexico convinced that the true inter-
est OF their country to conclude honorable peace with the
United States but the apprehension Of becoming victims
OF some military faction usurper may have prevented them
from manesting their feelings by any public act The re-
moval OF such apprehension would probably them
to speak their sentiments freely and adopt
necessary for the restoration of peace With people dis
acted and divided by contendng factions and Govern
ment subject TO constant changes by successive revolutions
the continued Of may fail to secure salts
factory peace In such event. may become proper for our
commanding generals in the field TO give announcement and
assurances of protection the friends peace in Mexico in
esabishment and maintenance of free republican govern
ment OF their choice able and willing to conclude peace
which would be just to them and the indemnity
we demand This may become the only mode of obtaining
such peace Should such be the result the war which
Mexico has forced upon would thus be converted into
enduring blessing to herself After finding her and dis
acted by factions and ruled by military usupers we should
then leave her with republican government the enjoyment
of real independence and domestic peace and prosperity
forming all her relative duties the great family of nations
and promoting her own Happiness by wise laws and their faith
full execution.
If after aordng this encouragement and protection and
after all the perseveng and sincere efforts have made
the moment Mexico commenced the war; and prior to that
time, to adjust differences with her, we shall ultimately
fall then shall have exhausted all honorable means in pur-
suit OF peace and must continue occupy her country with
troops taking the full indemnity into our own
hands, and must enforce the which our honor demands
To act otherwise in the existing of things in Mexico
and TO withdraw our army without peace would only
leave all the wrongs Of which complain unredressed but
would be the signal for and fierce civil dissensons and
new rcvoluonal alike hostile to peaceful relations with
the United States.
Besides there DANGER if troops were Withdrawn before
peace concluded, that the Mexican people, weaed with
successive revolutions and deprived Of protection for their per-
and property, might at length be inclined yield
Influences and cast themselves into the arms some
European monarch for protection from the anarchy and suffer-
ing which would This for our own safety, and in
pursuance of established policy should be compelled
TO resist We could consent that Mexico should be thus
converted into monarchy governed by foreign prince.
Mexico our neghbor and her boundaries coer-
mnous with through the whole the
North American continent from Both poll
hcay and commercially have the deepest in her
regeneration and prosperity. Indeed it impossible that
with any just regard to safety can become
Indifferent TO her fate.
II may be that the Mexican Government and people have
msconsrued misunderstood fobearance and our
ecs In desiring to conclude amcabIe adjustment the
existing differences between the countries They may
have supposed that would submit TO terms degrading TO
the nation they have drawn false differences from the
supposed division Of opinion in the United States the sub
ec Of the war, and have calculated 10 gain much by
protracting il and indeed, that