The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-12-18

After the army had reached the heart Of the most
wealthy portion of Mexico, il was supposed that
the obstacles which had before that time, prevent
ed, would not be such as to render impracticable
the levy of forced contributions for its support; and
on the first Of September, and on the 9th OF Octo-
Der, 1917, the order was repeated in dispatches,
addressed by the Secretary Of War to Gen. Scott;
and his attention was again called to the impor-
lance of making the enemy bear the burdens OF
the war, by requiring Them 10 furnish the means
OF supporting our army; and he was directed TO a.
dept this policy, unless by doing so there was dan
ger Of depriving the army OF necessary supplies
Copies of these dispatches were forwarded to
General Taylor, for his government.
On the 3lst OF March last, | caused an order to
be issued to our military aud naval commanders,
to levy and collect contribution upon all vessels
and merchandise which might enter any Of the
ports of Mexico in our military occupation; and
to apply such contributions to wards ~defraying the
expenses of the war By virtue Of the right Of
conquest, and the laws of war, the cOnqueror, con-
sulting his own safety or convenience, may either
exclude foreign IN altogether from such
potts, or permit it upon such terms and conditions
as he may prescribe. Before the principal ports of
Mexico were blockaded by our navy, the revenues
derived from import duties, under the laws of
Mexico, were paid into the Mexican treasury
After these ports had fallen into our military pos
session, the blockade was raised, and ommerc
with them permitted, upon prescribed terms and
conditions. They were open to the trade of all
nations, upon the payment Of duties, more moder-
ate in their amount, than those which had been
previously levied by Mexico; and the revenue
which was formerly paid into the Mexican treasu-
ry, was directed to be collected by our military and
naval officers and applied to the use OF our army
aud navy. Care was taken that officers, soldiers,
and sailors of our army and navy, should be ex-
empted from the operations OF this order, and as
the merchandise imported, upon which the order
operated, must be consumed by Mexican citizens,
the contributions were, in effect, the seizures OF 1.-THE
public revenues of Mexico, and the application Of
them to our own use. In directing this measure,
the object was TO compel the enemy TO contribute.
as far as practicable, toward the expenses of the
war.
For the emount Of contributions which have
been levied in this form, | refer you TO the accom-
panying reports of the Secretary of War, and the
Secretary OF the Navy, by which it appears that IA
sum exceeding half a million OF dollars has been
collected.
Tie amount would undoubtedly have been much
larger, but for the difficulty of keeping open COM
munication between The coast and the interior, so
as to enable the awners OF the merchandise i'm
ported to transport and vend it 10 the inhabitants
OF the country.
1t is confidently expected that this difficulty will,
TO q great extent, be soon removed, by our in
Cfeaeeu IOlCeS WHICH nave DeeH Seul 10 Tie lieIu.
Measures have recently been adopted, by which
internal, as well as external revenues, in all places,
in our military possession, will be received, and
appropriated TO the use Of our army and navy
The policy OF the levying Upon the enemy, con-
tributions in every form consistent with the laws
of nations, which it may be practicable for our
military commanders to adopt, should be rigidIy
enforced, and orders 10 this effect have according
ly been given. By such a policy at the same time
aL.a 49, -..n &c, $50, mil l. ~ lt.t. lF-V.a ! nn,-.,
drain, the Mexican people will be made to feel the
burthens of the war; aud consulting theiI own III
terests, may be induced, the more readily, 10 re-
quiIe their rulers to accede to a Just peace.
After the adjournment of the last session ofCon-
gress, events transplred, in the prosecution o. the
war, which, in my judgment, required a greater
number of troops IN the field than had been antici-
pated. The strength of the army was accordingly
increased, by accepting the services of all the
Volunteer forces authorized by the act OF the 18th
of May, 1916; without putting a construction on
that act, the correctness of which was seriously
questioned. The volunteer forces now in the
field, with those which had been accepted to serve
twelve months, and were discharged at the end Of
their terms of service, exhaust the fifty thousand
men authorized by that act. Had it been clear
that a proper construction Of the act warranted the
services of an additional number, they would have
been called, and accepted; but doubts existing up
i'll ILLS VII liz pUWGt was wv
II is deemed important that Congress should, at
an early period of their session, confer authority to
raise an additional regular force TO serve during the
war with Mexico, aud 10 be discharged upon the
conclusion and ratification OF a treaty Of peace. l
invite the attention Of Congress TO the views pre-
scented by the Secretary of War, in his report up
on this subject. | recommend that authority be
given, by law, to call for and accept an additional
number of volunteers, to be exercised at such
t;nno and - .,t1t, ~ "a 90 tina ON nrnan "
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 of neutral nations,
and none has been given, liberal privileges have
been granted to their nine in the ports OF the
enemy in our military occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian government,
which, at that time, threatened to interrupt the
friendly relations between the twp countries, will,
/ trust, be speedily adjusted. have received in
formation that a minister extraordinary and pleni-
potentiary has been appointed by his Imperial Ma
je,ty; and it is hoped he will come prepared to adj
Just all remaining differences between the two
governments, in a manner acceptable and honora-
bic to both. In the meantime | have reason 10 be-
lieve that nothing will occur to interrupt our ami
cable relations with Brazil. -
II has been my constant effort to maintain and
cultivate the most intimate relations of friendship
WIN All thV hitSpehuSHt Po"SiS W 1Su''
ca; and this policy has been attended with the
happiest results. 1t is true that the settlements
and payment of many just claims against these ma
tions has long been delayed. The peculiar posi-
ton IN which they have been placed, and the de-
sire on the part of my predecessor, as well as my
self, to grant them the utmost indulgence, has
hitherto prevented those claims from being urged
in a manner that strict Justice demands. The time
has arrived when they ought to be finally adjust
ed, liquidated, and enforced; and efforts are now
making for that purpose.
It's proper to inform you that the government
ofPeru has, in good faith paid the first instruments
afthe indemnify of thirty thousand dollars each,
and the greater portion of The interest due thereon,
in execution Of the Convention between that gov
eminent and the United States, the ratiications
Of which were exchanged at Lima, on the 3lst of
October, 1916. The Attorney General of the u
nited States. early in August last, completed the
adjudication of the claims under convention and
made his report thereon, in pursuance of the act OF
9Th Of August, 1916. The sums to which the
claimants are respectively entitled will be.paid, on
demand, at the Treasury.