Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-08-15
A Message from the President.


swered the call of a resolution of the
House of Congress for information rela-
tive to new Mexico and California. The
resolution embraced several inquiries, in
regard TO the existence of civil govern.
ments in New Mexico, and California,
their Storm and character by "whon
instituted" by "what authority" and how
they are "maintained and supported. -
He answers that New Mexico and Cali
fornia were among the territories con-
quered and occupied by our forces, and as
such temporary governments were estab.
iished over them. They were establish
ed by officers of our army and navy in
command, in pursuance Of the orders and
instructions accompanying the Presidents
message TO the House of Representatives
OF December 22d, 1916. In their form
and detail as at first established, they ex,
ceeded in some respects las was stated in
that message,) the authority which had
been given; and instructions for the cor
reclion of the error were issued in des.
patches from the War and Navy Depart
ments, Of the llth of January, 1847.-
They have been maintained and support
ed of the military exactions and contribu.
tons levied upon the enemy; and no part
OF the expense has been paid out of the
treasury of the United States. On the
conclusion and exchange of notifications
OF treaty of peace with Mexico, which
was proclaimed on the 4lh inst, these
temporary governments necessarily ceas
ed to exist. The conclusion of the mes.
sage is as follows
The country ceded to the United States
lying west ofthe RioGrande, and to which
Texas has no title, is estimated by the
Commissioner ofthe General Land Office
to contain 526,07S square miles, or $685.
699,92O acres.
1t is estimated, as appears from the re-
port of the Secretary of the Treasury,that
much the larger portion Of the land with
in the territories coded remains vacant
and unappropriated, and will be subject
to be disposed of by the United States
indeed, a very considerable portion of the
land embraced in the eession, it is believ.
ed, has been disposed of or granted either
by Spanish Mexico.
What amount of money the United
States may be able TO realize from the
sales of these vacant lands, must be un-
certain; but it is confidently believed
that. with prudent management, after ma.
king liberal grants TO emigrants and set
tiers, it will exceed the cost of the war
and all the expenses to which we have
been subjected in acquiring it.
The resolutions also call for the "evi.
dence, or any part thereof" that the ex-
tensive and valuable territories ceded by
Mexico to the United States, constitute in.
demnity for the past" a .a...
rs The immense value Cf the ceded coun-
try does not consist in the amount of mon.
ey for which the public lands may be sold
lfnOt dollar could be realized from the
sale Of these lands, the cession of the iu
Tisdiction over the country, and the fact
that it has become part of our Union,
and cannot be made subject to European
powers, constitutes ample Indemnity for
the past, in the immense value and ad
vsntages which its acquisition must give
to the commercial navigation, manufac-
turing, and agricultural interests of our
country. @ea Hsf
The value of the public lands embraced
within the limits of the ceded territory,
great as that value may be, is far less i'm
portaht to the people of the United States
than the sovereignty over the country
Most of our States contain no public lands
owned by the United States; and yet the
sovereignty and Jurisdiction over them is
of incalculable importance to the nation.
In the State Of New York, the United
States is the owner of no public lands,
and yet two thirds of our whole revenue
is collected at the great port of that State,
and within her limits is found about one
seventh OF. our entire population. Altho'
none Of the future cities on our coast OF
California may ever rival the city of New
York in wealth, population and business,
yet, that important cities will grow up on
the magnificent harbors of that coast, with
2 .rapidly increasing population, & yield.
ing a large revenue, would seem to be
Certain. BY the possession of the SAL
and capacions harbors on the Califorz :,
coast we shall have great advantage. :,
securing the rich commerce OF fhe East.
and shall thus obtain for our products new
nnd Increased markets and greatly enlarge
our coas:ing and foreign trade, as we'll as
augment our tonnage and revenue. @e
go These great advantages, for more than
the simple value fthe public lands in the
,ceded territory, stconstilute our Indemnity
for the past. 8Fr I. Da'o9
The Taylor electoral ticket foFthis
State is a. curiosity in its way. TITS a
ino.party thing, sure enough. His com.