The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-16
Message from the President OF tho United
States.
TO the Senate and Rouse of
RsDreseufdfipes of fhs T1,;ssJ O,

SAB W hCt Oh tue lttn OF NAV docl
that the act Of the republic of Mexico state of
exs between that government and the United States
os the purpose OF enabling the government Of the
onneo . ates to prosecute kaid war to a speedy and
successful termination authority vested in the Pre-
;,dsnt to employ the naval and military olcss Of the
has been my unatsrabls purpose, since the COM
OF hostilities BY Mexico and the declaration
v aI ns n OF war BY Congress to the
successful termination BY an honorable peace '
accordingly, all the operations OF our naval and mill
tary forces have been directed with this view While
the sword has been held in one hand and our military
movements pressed forward into the enemys country
sno m coasts invested by our navy the tender Of ho
norsoie peace has been constantly presented to Mexico
Hitherto, the overtures of peace which have been
made BY this government have not been accepted by
Mexico With a view to avoid protracted war; which
ssanoy and delay on our part will be we'll caculat
90 20 produce informed you In my annual message of
the 9Th December last that the war would continue TO
DC with vgor the best of securing
consideration the proposed by the Secretary
OIL war, in his report accompanying that message.
measures deemed to be essential 10 the spsedv and
termination" of tho war; and the nj of
j9" ana honorable peace were recommended to your
Inc worst state OF things which could exist in war
with such power as Mexico, would be course of in
the constitution and the laws with the Conduct of ths
war nave awaited myself Of all tho means at my com.
The act to raise for limited time an sddona, mill.
ioIce and Tor other purposes and which
the raising Of ten additional regiments the regular ar
N.Y. 20 serve eu1ng the and to be dsbanded at ts
termination which presented to me on the Ilth in
slant, and approved that day. will constitute an i'm
be raised and moved TO the of war with the least
practicable delay.
will be perceived that this act makes no provision
for the into brgades and divisions Of the in
creased force which auhorizes for the appoint
ment OF general Off to command it. Ii will be proper
ina. authority Do given by law to make such orgaza
ahv anIcn
the Senate such number Of major generals and brRa
der generals as the efficiency Of the service may de
service are not than required for their
tive commands but further Legislative Commands but
wiz in my s0S he ns auInS You
duty respectfully to invite your attention.
Sno4ia me war contrary to my earnest DESIRE be pro
acteo 70 inc close OF the term Of the yolun
teers now 10 Mexico, who Engaged for twelve months
an additional volunteer force viii probably become Me-
now serving in Mexico, it is not doubted would cheer
fully engage at the conclusion of their term 10
serve during the They would constitute a more
efficient force than could be speedily obtained bv
ing the services Of any corps who might their
services They would have the advantage Of the expe
become accustomed to the climate and be in less DANCE
than new evies Of suffering from the diseases of the
country recommend, therefore that authority be given
accept the services Of such of the volunteers in
Mexico as the state of the public service NAV require
who may at the termination of their present term
voluntarily engage to during the war with Mexico
and that precision be made for the officers
onould thls measure receive the favorable coIsdera
tion OF congress 1t Is recommended that bounty be
granted to them upon their voluntarily extending their
term OF service This would only be due to these
gallant men, but il would be economy to the govern
ment because. discharged at the end Of the twelve
months, the government would be bound to incur
heavy expense IN bringing them back to their homes
anu AZ senuns 70 the seat OF war new corps OF fresh
ny the act 81 the thirteenth Of May last the
was authorized to accept the services OF volunteers
companies, baalions squsdIons and but no
PROVISION was made fOr hupg xuh
occur by DEATH or discharge the service on account
OF sickness or other Casualties In Of this
omission, many OF the corps in service have been
much reduced in numbers. Nor any provision made
or nliing vacancies Of regimenta company officers
at the Wsr Department of the resignation Of more than
one hundred OF these officers They were appointed by
me state authorities, and no information has been re-
ceived except IN few instances that their places have
oeen niled and the efficiency of the service has been
impaired rom this cause. To remedy these defects,
recommend that authority be given to accept the ser
vices OF individual volunteers, 10 fill up the places OF
uch as may die become unfit for the service and be
ged and that provision be also made for filing
nc places oil regimental and company officers who NAV
lie or resign BY such provisions the vo uoteer corps
nay be constantly kept ful or may approximate the
number authorized and called into service IN
Viii cit 10 deemed to be true policy to prosecute
he war In the manner Indicated and thus make the
ncmy ieel It's pressure and its evils, shall be at eli
mes ready with the authority conferred on me Nv the
constitution, and with all the means which NAV be
'scsd ct my command by Congress, to conclude just
OF equal importance with an energetic and vigorous
prosecution Of the war are the required dersy
expenses, and to uphold and maintain the public
redis r
In my annual message of the 9Th December last sub
ned Tor the consideration Of Congress the proprety
mPosing az war measure, revenue duties on some OF
ne articles now embraced in the free list The princ
al article: now exempt from duty, from which any
onsiderabe revenue could be derived, are tea aud col
&C. moderate revenue duty on these articles il is
sumated, would produoe annually an amount exceed.
ng two and half millions Of dollars. Though In
NM
rom duties on other articles for the support of the TO
ernment may have been deemed proper not TO resort
ngeged In foreign war; and all our resources are de-
handed to meet the unavoidable increased expenditure
maintaining our armies in the field, sound reason
perceived why we should not avail ourselves of the
evenues which may be derived from this source The
ELECTIONS whch have heretofore existed 10 the impoai
on Oh .nese duties were applicable to state of peace
ngaged IN foreign war We need money to prosecute
ana 10 maintain the public honor and credit It can
~ De doubted that the patriotic people OF the United
ates weald cheerfully and without complaint submit,
the pay ment of this additional duty or apy other tba,
ay 1e necessary TO maintain the honor of the country
1ovde LOT the unavoidable expenses OF the
10 10 uPnoid the public credit IL il recommended that
ny dutes which may be imposed these articles be
mted IN their duration to the period Of the war;
An additional annual revenue, il is Estimated of no.
veen half million and million of dollars would be de-
wed from the graduation and reduction Of the price of
icn Of the public lands have been long offered in the
aI al the minimum price established by the existing
ws, and hsve remained unsold. And, in addition to
oSohs the measure TO favorable
deration, 1t IL recommended q financial measure
he duty suggested on tea and coffee and the gradua
on and reduction Of the price Of the public lands
onld secure an sdd nal annual revenue to the trea
Try OF not less than three millions of dollars and would
ereby prevent the necessity Of mourning public debt
nnualy to that amount the Interest which must be
aid semtannually, and ultimately the debt itself by |
x on the people
u Is sound policy and one which has long been ap.
Owed by the government and people of the United |
ate never to resort to loans unless in cases OF great
ioc emergency and then only for the smallest amount
nich the public necessities will permit
The increased revenues which the measures now re.
'mmendod would produce, would moreover enable the
,veinmen TO negotiate Loan for spy additional sum
nicn may be found to be needed, with mere facility
"a Of cheaper rates than can be done without them
Under the Injunction of the constitution which mekes
my duty "irem time to time to give TO Congress in.
maton OF the state Of the Union and to recommend to
eI consideration such measures" shall DO Judged
Necessary and sxpedient respectfully and nestly
we me .con OF Congress the measures herein pre-
n'ed ior their consideration. The public good as we'll
a ssnse Oh my responsibility TO our common constitu
W, 10 my Judgment, impsrousy demand that should
esent them Tor your enlightened conside and in.
esent session JaNFs z pnr'E