Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT,
ANNOUNCING TO CONGRESS. THE END OF THE
WAR WITH MEXICO.

! Of the United States
lay before Congress copies Of treaty Of peace, friend
ship, lm,s and settlement between the United States
the Mexican Republic, the Publications of which were du
exchanged at the city Queretaro in Mexico the 30
day Of May, lS4s.
The in which country reluctantly involved in
the necessary vndicaon Of the national rights and honor has
been thus terminated, and congratulate Congress and
common constituents upon the restoration of an honorable
peace a'l
The extensive and valuable territories coded by Mexico
the United States constitute indemnity for the past and the
brilliant achievements and signal successes OF our will be
guaranty Of security for the future by convincing all nations
that rights must be respected The results Of the
with Mexico have given the United States national cha.
abroad which country before enjoyed Our
power and have become known and respect
ed throughout the world and shall probably be saved from
the necessity Of engaging in another foreign war for long
series of years.
1t subject Of congauaon that have passed through
of than years duration with the business Of the
country uninterrupted with our resources unexhausted and
the public credit unimpaired.
communicate for the information Of Congress the accom-
panyng documents and correspondence relating TO the nego
tiation and ratification Of the treaty.
Before the treaty be fully executed ON the part OF the
United States Legislation will be required.
II will be proper make the necessary appropriations for
the payment Of the twelve millions Of dollars stipulated by the
twelfth article to be paid to Mexico In four equal annual IN
act Of March g. ls47 and that paid to the Mexican
Government after the exchange Of Publications Of the treaty.
The fifth article Of the treaty provides that, "in order TO
designate the boundary line with due precision upon auho
rave maps and to establish upon the ground landmarks
which shall show the limits Of both republics, described
in the present article the Governments shall each APP
point commissioner and surveyor, who before the exp
ration Of one year from the date Of the exchange ofraca
tons of this treaty. shall meet at the port Of San Diego, and
proceed to run and mark the said boundary in its whole
course to the mouth Of the Rio Bravo del Norie."
II will be necessary that provision should be made by law
for the appointment of commissioner ard surveyor the
part of the United States TO act in conjunction with
missioner and surveyor appointed by Mexcon executing the
stipulations of this article
1t will be proper also to provide by law for The appointment
of board Of commissioners adudcate and decide upon
all claims Of citizens against the Mexican Government,
which by the treaty have been assumed by the United States
New Mexico and Upper California have been ceded by
Mexico to the United Staes and constitute part Of
country Embracing nearly ten degrees of latitude, lying
adjacent the Oregon territory, and extending from the Pa
cic Ocean to the Rio Grande, distance Of nearly
thousand miles, it would be difficult estimate The value of
these possessions to the United States They constitute Of
themselves country large enough for great empire, and
their acquisition is second only nmporance to thai of Louis
lana IN 1903 Rich In mineral and agricultural resources,
with climate Of great saubrty, they embrace the i'm
portant ports the whole Pacific Of the continent Of
North America The possession Of the ports of San Diego
Monterey and the Bay Of San Francisco will enable the Uni
ted States to command the already valuable and rapidly
creasng of the Pacific The number of whale
ships alone now employed in that exceeds hundred
requiring than twenty thousand to navigate
them, while the capital invested in this particular branch Of
estimated not less than forty millions dollars
The excellent harbors of Upper California will under flag
afford security and epose commercial marine, and Anne
ncan mechanics will furnish ready of shpbuild
ing and repair which much wanted in that distant
.ff
By the acquisition of these possessions brought
immediate proximity with the of America, from
Cape Horn the Russian possessions north Of Oregon with
the islands of the Pacific Ocean and, by direct voyage
steamers will be Ia less than thirty days of Canton and
other ports of China.
In this region whose rich soon be de-
veoped by American energy and enterprise great must be the
augmentation Of commerce, and with it and profit
able demands for labor in all its branches and
and valuable markets for manufactures and agricultural
products.
While the has been conducted with great humanity
and forbeGance, and with complete part the
has been concluded on terms the most liberal and mag
unanimous Mexico. In her hands the territories now ceded
had remained and ii is believed would have continued
MAN, almost unoccupied, and of little value to her any
other nation, whilst as part Of Union they will be pro-
ducve of vast benefits the United States the CONNER
cal world, and the general interests Of mankind.
The immediate establishment Of territorial governments
and the extension Of laws these valuable possessions
are deemed TO be not only important but indispensable pre-
order and the due administration Of Justice within their
limits, 10 afford protection to the inhabitants and facilitate
the development Of the and wealth which their
acquisition has added TO our country.
The with Mexico having terminated the power Of the
Executive TO establish continue temporary civil govern
men these territories which existed under the laws Of
nations whilst they regarded conquered provinces in
military occupation has ceased BY their cesson to the
United States Mexico has longer any power them
and until Congress shall act the inhabitants will be without
any organized government Should they be left n this con-
diion, confusion and anarchy will be likely prevail
Foreign commerce to considerable now carried
in the ports Of Upper California which will require to be
regulated by laws As system shall be
tended over this commerce. Of considerable
will be at once collected and il is not doubted that will be
annually increased For these and other obvious reasons
deem it to be my duty earnestly recommend the action Of
Congress on the subject at the present session.
In organizing governments these territories fsught
invoke that spirit of concession Cancellation and compromise
in your deliberations in which the constitution was framed
in which It should be administered and which is so ndis-
pensabe to preserve and pOpeuae the harmony and union
Of the States We should forget that this Of
federated States established and cemented by kindred
blood, and by the common tolls suerngs dangers and t
nmphs OF all Its parts and has been the ever-augmenting
source Of our national greatness and Of all blessings
There has perhaps been PERIOD since the warning
mPressvey given to his countymen by Washington guard
against geographical divisions and sectional parties which ap
peas with greater force than the present the PATRIOTIC sober
Minded and rejecting Of all parties and Of all sections of our
country who can calculate the value Of glorious Union
model and example Of free government all the world
md the star OF hope and the haven Of the Cypress
d Of every Cline BY its preservation have been rapidly
advanced as nation to height Of strength power and hap
'ness without parallel in the history Of the world AS we
xtend lis blessings regions shall be unwise
= to endangu ITS existence by geographical divisions and