Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-06
lcoNfIDENTIAL.
Message from the President Of the United
States,

ClOtNEs
Communicating Treaty of Peace. Friendship, Ii.
mits, and Settlement between the United States
of America and the Mexican Republic, conclu-
ded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the 2dday of Feb
.Euary, in the year ls4S.
TO the Senate of the United Staies
lay before the Senate, for their cousidera-
tion and advice as to It's ratification, treaty Of
peace, friendship, limits, aud settlement, signed
al the city of Guadalupe IlidaIgo, on the ed day
February, ls4s, by N. P. Trst, on the part of
the United States, and by pIenipolentiares APP
pointed for thai purpose, on The part of the Mex.
icsn Government.
deem it my duty 10 state, that the recall Of
Mr.. Trist, as Minister of the United States, of
which Congress was Informed in my annual
message, was dictated by belief thu his con-
tnned presence with the army could be produC'
1--WE of no good, but might do much harm, by
encouraging The delusive hopes aud false impress
slons OF the Mexicuns; and that his recall would
satisfy Mexico that the United States had no
terms OF peace more favorable to offer. Drec.
lions were given ,ha. any propositions for peace,
which Mexico might make, should be received
and transmitted by the Commanding General OF
AONi iS'SNSf w VIC OHlNEu DHtiCss
Ii was not expected tha. Mr.. Trst would re-
main in Mexico, or continue in the exercise u
the functions Of the office Of Commissioner, af
ter he he had received his letter Of recall. liz
has, however, done so, and the plenipotenlia
res OF The Government of Mexico, with know
edge OF the fact, have concluded with him lhi:
treaty. ] have examined il with full sense
of tho exlraneOus circumstances attending is
conclusion and signature, which might bo objec
led TO; but, conforming as il does substantially
ON tho main question Of boundary and indCmni
~, 10 the terms which our Commissioner, wher
he left the United States in April last, was au
ihorized 10 offer, and, animated as | am, by the
spirit which has governed all my official con
duct towards Mexico have leltit be my duty
TO submit IL TO the Senate for their confederation
with view TO its ratification.
To the tenth article Of the treaty there ar,
serious objections, and no instructions given Il
Mr.. Iris. contemplated or authorized It's inser
zion. The public lands within the limits ofTex
as belong 10 that State, aud this Government ha
no power 10 dispose OF them, or TO change thu
condition OF grants already made. All vaIiC
titles 10 land within the other territories ceded lC
the Uuned States will remain unaffected by ihc
csHnge of sovereignty; aud therefore submi
that this article should not be ratified us a pur
Of the treaty.
There may bO reason 10 apprehend that the
ratification OF The "addilionaI aud secret article
might unreusonably delay and embarras the fna
action on the treaty by Mexico. | therefore
submit whether thal article should not be reiec
ted by the Senale
II tho treaty should be ratified as proposed tC
be amended, the cesslons of territory nude by
ITO The United STATES as indemnify, the provis
ions iOr The satisfaction Of the clums of our in
lured citizens; and tho permanent establishment
OF the boundary Of one of the States of The L
mon, arc obrcIs gained Of great national impor
lance; Whlle the magnanimous lorbearanco sx
hlblIed towards Mexto, il Is hoped may insurt
a lasting peace aud good ncigbborhood bclwccl
the Two countries.
communicate herewith a copy of the in
s'ructlons gwen 10 Mr.. SIidelI in Novembc
1915, as envoy extraordinary and minister pen
ipo'en'iary 10 Mexico, copy Of the inslruc
mons given 10 Mr.. Trisl in Apr. last, and sue
OF The correspondence Of the later with III
department OF State, not heretofore commun
caied 10 Congress, as will enable the Senate +,
understand The action which has been had, wit
view 10 The adjustment Of our difficulties wit
Mexico.
JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, Feb. 20, is4s.