Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-03-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
In Relation to the War with Mexico.
To the Senate and House of


Representatives Of the United States
Congress, by the act Of the 18th of MAJ
last, declared that, "by the act Of the Re
public of Mexico, q state Of war exist.
between that Government and the United
States )" and ''for the purpose Of enabling
the Government of the United States &c
prosecute said war to a speedy and sue
cessfnlterminaIion," authority was vested
in the President to employ the "Naval and
Military forces of the United States -
1t has been my unalterable purpose,
since the commencement Of hostilities by
Mexico. and the declaration Of the exist.
ence of war by Congress, to prosecute the
| war in which the country was unavoida
bly, involved, with the utmost energy, with
view to its "speedy and successful ter.
mination" by an honorable peace.
Accordingly, all tho operations of ols
naral and military forces have been Gi-
rected with this view. Whilst the sword
has been held in one hand, and our mill.
| taFy movements pressed forward iAto the
enemy's country and its coasts iavested
by our navy, the tender of an honorable
peace has been constantly presented to
Mexico with the other.
Hitherto, the overtures of peace which
have been made by this Government have
not been accepted by Mexico. With a
view to avoid a protracted war, which
hesitancy and delay on our part would be
so well calculated to produce, informed
you, in my Annual Message Of the sth
December last, that the war would soon
| tinue to be prosecuted with yigor as the
best means of securing peace" and rec
commended to your early and favorable
consideration the measures proposed by
the Secretary of War, in his report &C.
companying that Message. -H
In my Message ofthe 4th January last,
these and other measures, deemed to be
essential to the ''speedy and successful
termination" of the war, and the attain.
ment of jus. and honorable peace, were
recommended to your early and favorable
consideration.
The worst state of things which could
exist in war with such power as Mex
leo, would be a course of indecision and
inactivity on our part. Being charged by
the Constitution ard the laws with the
conduct of the war, have availed myself
of all the means at my command to pros
ecute it with energy and vigor.
The act "to raise for limited time an
additional military force, and for other pur.
poses" and which authorizes the raising
often additional regiments to the regular
army, to serve during the war, and to be
disbanded at its termination, which was
presented to uae on the llth instant, and
approved On that day. will constitute an
important part Of our military force
These regiments will be raised and moved
to the seat Of war with the least practica.
bic delay. '0aa ,t'Es. .ea
Ii will be perceived that this act makes
no provision for the organization into
brigades and divisions OF the increased
force which it authorizes, for the appoint
ment of general officers to command it,
1t will be proper that authority be given
| by law to make such Organization, and to
appoint by and with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate, such numbered Ma.
jor. Generals and Brigadier Generals as
the efficiency Of the service may demand.
The number Of officers of these grades
now in services are not more than are re-
quired for their respective commands but
farther Legislative action during your pres
est session will, in my Judgment, be re-.
CURED. and to which 1t is my duty respect
| fully to invite your attention. .,o.e.-.
Should the war, contrary to my earnest
desire be protracted to the close of the
! term Of service Of the Volunteers now in
Mexico, who engaged for twelve months,
an additional volunteer force will probably
become necessary to supply their place.
| Many Of the Volunteers now serving in
Mexico, tits not doubted, would cheerfully
| engage at the conclusion Of their present
term. to serve during the war. They
wo'd constitute more efficient force than
could be speedily obtained by accepting
the services of any now corps who might
offer their services. They would have
the advantage of the experience and dis
cipline Of years service, and will have
become accustomed to the climate and be
in less danger than new levies, of suffer-
/ ing from the disease In the country. /
recommend therefore, that authority be
/ given to accept the services of such ofthe
Volunteers now in Mexico as the state oil
the public service may require, and whe
may ct the termination Of their present
term. voluntarily engage to serve during
the war with Mexico, and that provisions
be made for commissioning the oficers.-
Should this measure res Give the favorable
consideration Of Congress, il is recon,