Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27

usually attributed to more arbitrary forms
OF government. It has been usual Tor wri-
ters on public law to impute to republics
. want of that unity and concentration OF
purpose, and vigor Of execution, which
are generally admitted to belong to the
monarchical and aristocratic forms; and
this feature of popular government has
been supposed to display itself more par
ticularly in the conduct of a war carried
on in All enemy ; country.
The war with Mexico has developed,
most strongly and conspicuously, another
feature Of our institutions: 1t is, that
without cost to the Government, or dam
ger to our liberty, we have in the bosom
Of our country, freemen available, ii just
ard necessary war particularly, a standing
army of two millions Of armed citizen-sol-
diers-such as fought the battles Of Mex
leo.
But our military strength does not con-
sist alone in our capacity for extended and
successful operations on land. | refer to
the Nasy--an independent arm Of nation
al defence. If the services of the Navy
were not so brilliant as those of the army,
in>the late war with Mexico, it was be-
csuse they had no enemy to meet on their
own element. While the army had an OPP
portunity of performing more conspicuous
service, the Navy performed their whole
duty to the country. For the able and
gallant services of the officers and men of
the Navy, acting independently as well as
in cooperation with our troops in the con-
quest of the CALIFORNIA;, the capture of
Vera Cruz, and the seizure and occupa-
ton Of other important positions on the
Gulf and Pacific coast, the highest praise
is due. Their vigilance, energy and skill
rendered the most effective service in ex-
Guiding the munitions of war and other
supplies from the enemy, while they Sc
cured a safe entrance Tor abundant sup
plies for their own army. Our extended
commerce was no where interrupted, and
for this immunity from the evils Of war,
the country is indebted to the Navy.
High praise is due to the officers of the
several Executive bureaus, navy yards,
and stations connected with the service,
all under the immediate direction of the
Secretary of the Navy, for the industry,
foresight and energy with which every
thing was directed and furnished, TO give
efficiency to that branch of tie service.
While this harmony existed in directing
the preparation Of the navy as Of the ar
my, there was concert of action and pur-
pose between the heads of the two arms
of the service.
BY The orders which were from time
to time issued, our vessels of war on the
Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, were sta
toned in proper time, and in proper posi-
ton, to cooperate efficiently with the ar
my. By this means, their combined pow
er was brought 10 bear successfully upon
the enemy. The great results which
have been developed and brought to light
by this war, will be of immeasu rable i'm
portance in the future progress of our
country. They will tend powerfully to
preserve us from foreign collisions, and
enable us to pursue uninterruptedly, our
cherished policy peace with all nations,
enangling alliances with none.
Occupying, as do, more command
ing position among nations than at any
former period, our daties and our respon-
slbilities to ourselves and our. posterity,
are corresponding y increased. This will
be the more obvious when we consider
the vast additions which have recently
been made to our territorial acquisitions,
and their great importance and value.
Within less than fcur years, the annex
alton of Texas to the Union has been
consummated, and conflicting titles to the
Oregon Territory south Of fcrty nine de-
grees Of north latitude, being all that was
insisted on by any Of my predecessors,
has been adjusted; and New Mexico and
Upper California have been acquired by
treaty. The area OF these several terri
tories, according to the report carefully
preparedby the commissioner Of the Gen
eral Land Office, from the most authentic
in his possession, and which
is herewith transmitted, is one million
one hundred and ninety-three thousand
sixty lone square miles, or seven hundred
and sixty three millions five hundred and
flly-nine thousand and forty acres.-
These estimates show, that the territories
recently acquired. and over which our ex-
elusive jurisdiction and dominion have
been extended constitute country more
than half as large as that which was held
by the United States before this acquisi-
sition. II Oregon be excluded from the
estimate, there will still remain within the
limits of Texas, New Nexico and Calilor-
mia, eight hundred and fifty-one thousand
five hundred and ninety eight square miles,
or five hundred and forty-fve millions
one hundred and twenty thousand seven
hundred and twenty acres, being an addi-
ton equal to more than one third Of all
the territory owned by the United States
before this acquisition, and including Or
egon, nearly as great an extent OF terri
tory as the whole Of Europe, Russia only
excepted.
The Mississippi, SO lately a frontier of
our country, is now only its centre
With the addition of the late acquisition,
the United States are now estimated to be
nearly as large as the whole of Europe.
II is estimated by the Superintendent of
the Coast Survey, inlhe accompanying re-
,nrt {La4 tho eyfout &c tho son coast of