The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-15
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT,
Announcing 10 Congress the End 81 The War
With Mexico.
IT, N, Senaie md Horse Of Representatives.
Of the Gnited Sf0feS:

lay before Congress copies OF a treaty OF peace
friendship, limits, and settlement between On
United States and the Mexican Republic, the rat
! ieatOls Of which were 6nly exchanged at the cit
oiQueretaro, in Mexico, on the S0th day of May
ls4s.
The war in which our country was reluctant
involved in the necessary yindication OF the ma
tona, rights and honor has been thus terminated
and congratulate Congress and our comnO
Constituents upon the restoration Of an honorable
peace.
The extensive and valuable territories ceded b.
Mexico 10 the United States constitute indemliti
for The past and the brilliant achievements and sig
nal successes of our arms will be a guaranty olse
eTiy for the future, by convincing all nations tina
! our nights must he respected. The results Of th,
war with Mexico have given TO the United State,
a national character abroad which our country
never before enjoyed. Our power and our resources
have become known aud are respected throughout
the world, and we shall probably be saves from lht
necessity Of engaging in another foreign war for
long series Of years
Il is a subject of consratulation that we have
/ passed through war OF more Than two years du.
ration, with the business of the country uninieT-
rupted, with our resources unexhausted, and the
public credit unimPaired.
communicate for the information OF Congress
The accompanying documents and eoTespOn-
dence relating To the negotiation and ratification
OF the treaty.
Before the treaty cal be fully executed on the
part OF the United States legislation will be re.
gured.
II viii be proper to make the necessary appGo-
priaiions for the payment OF the twelve millions OF
dollars, stipulated by the twelfth article 10 be paid
Mexico in four equal annual insialmenis. Three
millions OF dollars were appropriated by the act OF
March 3, 1S41, and that sum paid 10 the Mex
lean Government after the exchange Of Iatifica-
lions of the treaty.
The fiflh article Of the treaty provides that, ''in
order 10 designate the boundary line with due pre-
cisiOn upon authoritative maps, and 10 establish
upon the ground landmarks which shall snow n q
limits Of both republics, as described IN the pres
eat article the two Governments shall each ap-
pOinta commissioner and a surveyor, who, before
The expiration of one year from the date OF the
exchange Of the Publications Of this treaty. shall
meet al the port OF san Diego, and proceed 10 run
and marx the said boundary in lis whole course TO
he mouth of The Rio Bravo del Noue.'
twill be Necessary that provision should De
made by law for the appointment OF commission
IT and a surveyor ON the part OF the United States,
"a act in conjunction with a commissioner and
surveyor appointed by Mexico in executing the
stipulations OF this article.
Il viii be proper also 10 provide 10y law for the
appointment of a "board of commissioner to
aJj Indicate and decide upon all claims of our cti-
rens against the Mexican Government, which by
he treaty have been assumed by the United
states.
New Mexico and Upper California have been
ceded by Mexico 70 the United STATES, and now
constitute part of our country Embracing
nearly ten degrees OF latitude, lying adjacent q
The Oregon territory, and extending from the Pa
clfic Ocean 10 the Rio Grande, mean distance o /
nearly thousand miles, il would be difficult 10
estimate the value of these possessions 10 the
United States. They constitute Of themselves
country large enough for great empire, and then
acquisition is second only in importance to that
OF Louisiana IN 1893. Rich IN mineral and agn-
cultural resources, with a climate al great salu-
brity, they embrace the most important ports on
The whole Pacific coast of the continent OF North
America. The possession of the ports OF SIN Die
CO. Monterey, and the Bay OF san Francisco viii
enable The Uniled States 10 command the already
valuable ard rapidly increasing commerce Of the
Pacific. The number Of our whaleshIps alone
now employ 60 in that sea, exceeds seven hun
dred requiring more than twenty thousand seamen
10 navigate them. while the capital invested in
this particular branch OF commerce Il estmated az
not less than forty millions Of dollars The excel
lent harbors Of Upper California viii under our
flag afford security and repose 10 our cOmmeTcial
marine, and American mechanics viii soon fur
nish ready means OF shiP-buildng and repair,
which are now 20 much wanted IN that distant sea
By the acquisition Of these possessions we are
brought into immediate proximity win The west
coast Of America, fn1m Cape HON to the Russian
possessions north of Oregon; with The Islands OF
the Pacific Ocean; and, by direct voyage in
steamers, we viii be in less than thirty days OF
Canton and other parts of China.
In this vast region, whose rich resources are
soon 70 be developed By American energy and
enterprise, gIeat must be the augmentation of our
commerce, and with it new and printable de-
mauds for mechanical labor IN all lis branches,
and new and valuable markets for on, mIanuiac-
tures and agricultural pToducts.
While the war has been conducted with great
humanity and fOrbearance. and with complete sn9
cess our paTt, the peace has been concluded
on terms the most liberal and magnanimOus TO
Mexico. In her bands the territories now Ceded
had remained, and ii is believed would have con-
tinued 10 remain, almost unoccupied, and Of little
value 10 her or 10 any other nation, whist as p3n
Of our Union they VIII De productive Of vast bsne
fits 10 the United States 10 the commercial world,
and the general interests Of mankind.
The immediate establishment Of territorial gov
ernments and the extension of our lays over these
valuable possessions, are deemed 10 be not only i'm
porant, indispensable 70 preserve order and the
due administration OF justice within the limits, 70
ford protection 10 the inhabitants and facilitate
the develOpementoi the vast resources and wealth
which their acquisition has add ID TO our country
The war with Mexico having terminated, the
power OF the Executive 10 establish OF 70 continue
Temporary civil governments over these territories,
which existed under the laws OF nations whilst
they were regarded as conquered provinces in our
military occupation, has ceased BY their cessiOn
10 the United States, Mexico has no longer any
power over them, and until Congress shall act the
inhabitants will be without any organized govern
ment Should they be lefl in ihig condition, con-
Foreign commerce 10 a considerable amount is
now carried on in the ports Of Upper California.
which VIII require TO be regulated by our laws
As soon as our system shall b. extended over this
commerce, a revenue of considerable amount will
be at once collected and il is mol doubted that il
viii be annually increased. For these and other
obvious reasons, deem il 10 be my duty earnestly
10 recommend the action Of Congress on the sub
iect al the present session.
In organizing governments over these territories,
frdught with such vast advantages 10 every portion
Of our Union, invoke that spirit Of concession,
Cancellation, aud compromise IN your deliberations
in which the constitution was framed; in which IL
should be administered; and which is 80 indispen-
sable TO preserve and perpetuate the harmony and
union of the States. We should never forget that
this union OF confederated States established
and cemented by kindred blood, aud by The com
mon tolls, sueTings. dangers, and triumphs OF all
its parts, and has been the eyer-augmenilng source
Of our national greatness and OF all our blessings.
There has perhaps been no period, since the
waning so impressiyelY given 10 ms countrymen
by was hington 10 guard against geographical dyis-
ions and sectional parties, which appeals with
greater force than the present 10 the patriotic, so
ber-mnded, and rejecting of oil parties and of all
sections of our country. Who can calculate the
value of our glorious Union! II is q model and
example offree government 10 all the world, and
is the star ofhope and the haven OF rest 10 the OPP
pressed oseveTy cline. BY is preservation we
have been rapidly advanced as a nation % a height
of strength, power and happiness without g paral-
lei in the history OF the world. As we extend is
blessings ever new regions shall we be 30 unwise
as 70 endanger its existence by geographical diys
ions and dssensiOnsi
With view 10 encourage the early settlement
Of these distant possessions, recommend that
liberal grants of the public lands be secured 10 all
our citizens who have settled or Tnsy In limited
period settle, within their limits.
In execution of the provisions of the treaty, or