Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-07-13


the United States and the Mexican republic, tho
Publications 81 which were duly exchanged At the
city Of Queretaro, Mexico. on the 30th day Of
May, lSa8.
The war ID which our country was reluctantly
involve. iii the necessary vndication 81 the ma .
tional rights and honor has been thus terminated;
and Congratulate Congress- our common consti-
tnents upon the restoration Of "A h6noraba peace.
The extensive-and valuable territory cedcd BY
Mexico 10 thu United States constitute indemnity
for the past, and tho brilliant achievements and
sirnal successes Of our arms will be guaranty
OF security for the future, BY convincing ell ma
tons that ourrights must be respected. The re-
suits Of The war with Mexico have given the Uni
ted STATES national character abroad which our
country never before enjoyed. Our power and
our resources have become known, and are re-
speciedt Throughout the world; and shall pro-
baby Be saved from the necessity OF engaging III
another foreigu war for long series Of years. II
IS SUBJECT OF congratulation that we have passed
through a war Of two years duration, with the
business Of the country uninterrupted, with our
resources uneShausted, and the pabe'cfedn I'M
impaired.
communicate for the information Of Congress
the accompanying documents andtorrespondence
relating to the negotiation and ratification Of the
Before the treaty can be fully executed on the
part Of the United States, legislation win be re-
CURED II will b proper to make the necessary
appropriations for the payment Of the twelve mil
lions Of dollars. stipulated by the twelfth article
to be paid to Mexico in four equal annual install
ments. Three millions ofdollars were appropris
ated BY the act OF March Sd, 1877, and that sum
was paid to the Mexican government after the ex-
change Of the ratification Of the treaty.
The fifth articleofth treaty provides, that " in
order To designate the boundary linewithd due pre-
cison upon authoritative maps, and to establish
upon the ground land marks which shall show the
limits Of both repnbcs, as descrbsdin the present
articles, the two governments shall eachlappont
4 commissioner and surveyor, who, befors tho
expiration of one year from the date Of the ex-
change of ratfcations Of this treaiy, shall meet
at the port Of San Diego, and proceed to run and
mark the said boundary inits whole course to the
mouth Of the Rio Bravo del Norte.n II will DO
necessary that provisions should be made by law
tor the appointment Of a commissioner and sur
veyor ON the partSoft the United States, to act in
conjunction with commissioner and surveyor
appointed by Mexico, in executing the stipulatons
ofthis article.
1t will be proper also 10 provide by law for tho
appointment of aboard Of commissonersn ID
adjudicate and decide upon all claims Of our citi-
zens against the Mexican government, which, BY
the treaty have been assumed by the u. States.
New Mexico and the Upper CALIFORNIA; have
been coded by Mexico to the Unaed States, and
now constitute partofour country. Embracing
nearly ten degrees Of latitude, lying adjacent 10
the Oregon Territory, and extending from the
Pacific ocean to the Rio Gfande, d mean distance
of nearly thousand miles, it would be difficult to
estimate the value Of these acquisitions to the u
States. They constitute of themselves country
large enough for great empire, and their acqui.
siton is second only 10 that Of Louisiana, in 1903
Rich in mineral and agricultural resources, with
a climate of great salubrity, they embrace the
most important ports on the whole Pacific coast
Of the continent OF North America. The possess
sion Of the ports Of San Diego, Monterey and tho
bay Of San Francisco, will enable the u. States
to command the already valuable and rapidly in
creasing commerce of the Pacific. The number
of our whale-ships alone. now employed in that
sea, exceed seven hundred, requiring more than
twenty thousand seamen to navigate them; while
the capital invested in this particular kind of COM
merce is estimated At not less than forty millions
of dollars. The excellent harbors OF Upper Cali
fornia will, under ourfag afford security and re-
pose to our commercial marine and American
mechanics will soon furnish ready means Of ship
building and repair, which are now 80 much want
ed inthat distant sea.
BY the acquisitions Of these possessions we arc
brought into immediate proximity, with the west
coast of America, from Cape Horn to the Russian
possessions north os Oregon; with the islands Of
the Pacific ocean and, BY direct voyage I'M
steamers, we will be in less than thirty days III
Canton and other parts Of China.
I In this vast region, whose rich resources arc
soon to be developed by American energy and en-
terprise, great must be the augmentation of onr
commerce, and witht, new and profitable demands
for mechanic labor in all its branches, and new
and valuable markets for our manufacturer and
agricultural products.
= While thegwar has been conducted with great
humanity and forbearance, and with complete sue
cess on our part, the peace has been concluded on
terms the most liberal and magnanimousto Mexi-
co. In her hands, the territories now eedcd had
remained, and, it is believed would have contin-
dtoremain almost unoccupied and little walt
to her or to anysother nation; whilst as i part OF
our Union, they will be productive Of vast benefits
TO the United States, to- the commercial world and
to the general interests Of mankigd.
The Immediate establishment Oh Territorial go-
vernments, and The extension of our laws over
these valuable possessions, are deemed to be not
only important, but indispensable to preserve order
and the due administration Of justice Within their
limits to afford protection to the Inhabitants, and
to facilitate the Developments eli the vast re-
sources and wealth which their acquisition has
added to our country. &
The war with MEXICO having Terminated, tho
power of the Executive to establish or to continue
temporary civil governments over these Terrific
ries, which existed under the laws Of nations
whilst they were regarded as conquered provinces
in our military occupation, has ceased. BY their
cession to the United States, Mexico has no Ion
ger any power over them; and, until Congress
shall act, the Inhabitants will be without any or
ganized government. Should they be left in this
condition, confusion and anarchy will be likely to
prevail.
Foreign commerce to considerable amount is
now carried on in the ports of Upper California,
which will require 10 be regulated byour laws
As soonas our system shall be extended over this
commerce, a revenue Of considerable amount will
be at once collected, and II is not doubted that it
will be increased. For these and other obvious
reasons, deem ito be my duty earnestly to re-
commend the action Of Congress do the subject al
the present session.
In organizing governments over these Terrific
ries, fraught with such.yast advantages to every
portion Of our Union, | invoke that spirit Of con-
cession. Cancellation, and compromise in your de-
alterations, ID which the constitution was framed,
in which it should be administered, and which Is
so indispensable to preserve and pefpetuate the
harmony and Union Of the States. We should
never forget that this Union Of confederate States
was established and cemented BY kindred blood,
and BY the common tolls, sui6rings, dangers, and
triumphs Of all its parts, and has been the ever
augmenting source of our national greatness and