Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-03
THE UNITED STATES ANp MEXICO.


We transfer to our columns, from the New Or
ca papers, the subjoned translation of the Mes
ia ge Of PENA PENa, the acting President of
vie9co, as delivered to the Mexican Congress on
ne opening of its present session. As the Message
mainly discusses, and in temperate language, the
question on which depends the peace Of the two
Republics, i will no doubtprove interesting to many
OF our readers.
Message of PENA Y PISA, President Of Merieo.
read at thesopening W the Congress. of ls4s.
Gentiene, Of the Senate and the Chamber Of Deputies.
Can there possibly be act august ceremony
OF national interest," than the present installation Of the
Mexican Congress Nay, could hope for distn
gued favor from Providence than that OF announcing to
this day that the republic survives its msforunes, preserves
It's unity and has yet in its power to receive the proudes
titles in the estimation Of the world Was be expected
months sncethe capital, the ports and the principal
es Of the republic being lost the army dsoganzed and
the passions of the people inancdthat the calames of
foreign would and should have in power
10 noursh the hope of a peaceful and happyofuture
You have gentlemen, and you have understood ALSO
The circumstances which surrounded You therefore
appreciate the value and importance of an event which places
in advantageous position. What regarded
impossby is this day realized Congress has assembled in
accordance with the acquisitions Of the constitution and the
Government about TO enus the desnes Of the republic
to the wisdom of its representatives How national and ele
waited your mission how great and how glorious is your
esponsiblity!
II will be expected that should speak you of the great
and interesting points in the internal administration Of the
Government and refer briefly its history during the short
period OF its existence Without the slightest exaggeraon,
you that in the most difficult crisis which the
public has seen and with meet its abso
lutte necessities, has maintained loyal ORDER resisted with
the law than with armed force, the violence OF fac
tons preserved the morality of the Government prevented
ruinous losses To the treasury, and above ALL has
allowed the bond OF the Federal Union to be broken
cere regard for institutions, ardent desire to prevent
shameful Instructions and bo sight of the foreign enemy,
firm resolution to assemble the chambers and the
Tens of the administration Presiden-hese will be
sufficient to explain the few but which the
Government has taken and especially far relates to its
course-ake constitutional and indispensaben regard to
the events in San Luis Poto But gentlemen, these points
should not whatever your feelings preferences under od
nary circumstances, draw your attention from the awful
sponsibily of the present moment, when the question is
EITHER WAR OR PEACE WITH THE UNITED STATES.
Being satisfied several years since that the first Of these al
ternaves not Of any advantage to the republic, took
such within my power, and such were
compatible with my loyalty came within the scope Of my
legal procedure put end to the exciting differences which
existed between the republics by pacific negotiation In
forming my opinion, and in sustaining in ls45,
occurred TO that such negotiation incompatible either
with the interests the well known honor of the nation
have been persuaded that every peophe most wake
the word-somemes finds itself in circumstances
where has power to resist the enemy which has invaded
It's soil They, like individuals have their periods Of vIgor
and Of weakness and cannot be exempt from the ordinary
laws Of humanity conjunction Of circumstances 10 which
unnecessary here refer particularly, but which
might be explained very easily ny our internal discussions and
failure the part OF the public Administration, has convinced
Of the serious difficulties in which the country would be in
voved by sustaining with any prospect OF successful ISSUE
with the United States. He who entertaining this
conviction is disposed insult good name
and honor, speaks not like and politician
much less is he of sterling honor and goodness.
Called by the constitution 10 exercise the Supreme Mags
tracy, and when the capital about to be
canted grua n arael in In
were the stronger in proportion the greatness of
misfortune. Without any merit the rens Of Gov
eminent and with other title than that Of President Of the
Supreme Court Of Justice, could not nevertheless refuse
discharge the duties Of the difficult post which cali
ed without subecng the nation fghtfu Of anarchy
neither could fail to meet the foreign question under such
circumstances with feelings the most profound and conscien
tous The necessity, then, of making decidedly in
favor Of peace the deposa Of the supreme power made me
believe land allow TO say il with frankness) that Prov
cence had summoned TO the work which had been
ynenced in ls45a work which would then have been
minated with glory and profit to the nation, and which this
day. however dear price, least its honor and
cures its independence.
But nasmuch representative Governments and pariicu
larry those under republican orm should be guided by true
public opinion, my desire ascertain what that opinion
Setting aside my own, my object 10 ascertain in
good faith how far the operation Of the States could be relied
upon for the prosecution Of the war; If such the general
wish Of the republic you, gentlemen, that since
instuing this quy have had other conviction than such
The people and their authorities like the Supreme Govern
en oreseen all the evils OF prolonged Though
disposed favor any great effort hatcoud the brsn
ey of arms if there alternative left, long
there MEANS and honorable means for obtaining peace
they will not fail condemn unwse the conduct of the
Government which does put immediate end 10 their suf
ferngs The people have unquesonable right 10 demand
security that they shall suffer than may be incidental
their condition. II is not merely gross injustice but act
also Of gross humanity TO compel them to pass through all
the horrors Of bloody contest after long years Of civil
Thus tranquil and satisfied time when by Its policy the
Government counting upon immense majority Of The
nation Immediately accejed the desire Of the American
Commissioner who proposed the negotiations which
had been suspended in Of the unhappy ccum
Of September last Congress is well advised The
interior President who succeeded aerhe FIRST term Of my
administration appointed commissioners enjoying his conf
dence, who discharged the duties Of their offices with all the
fidelity and loyalty which might be supposed TO accompany
Their wemerited reputation But he had determined that
proceedings should be had until early in January. His
that loyal to the Government and following the
system which had pursued he anxious ascertain the
they might have undergone, guided only by lessons
drawn from present condition, but from the opinions OF the
press Of both parties presenting did the question under
thousand different aspects.
No one during all this time could charge the Government
with having attacked the liberty of thought Neither could
any one question It's sincerity in obtaining the aid and
operation Of all good citizens in matter OF such anscendcnt
importance The duties devoving upon Il in consequence Of
the alternative Of war being adopted, you yourselves
gentlemen can weigh with that camness and GOODNESS which
Become The discussion Of subject 80 nearly concerning the
dearest interest OF our unfortunate nation The verdict OF
impartial history will surely mpeach my motives in con-