The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-04

Weld T. s. Waterman john Collins, Deering
Albert C. Wellington, r. S James, Charles E. Musn and NJ
o. Mr. HENRY LEWIS of Montgomery Alabama is our
general travelling agent Alabama and assisted by
MIR b. B. Brett.
The Presidents Message military Contributions In
Mexico.
The previous communications to Congress this sub
ect by the President have left think no cause and
little excuse for the further call for information contained
in Mr. Botss recent resolution to which the lucid and
conclusive paper published this morning in another
column is the Presidents reply But il certainly be
admitted that this present showing of the matter by the
wings has had least beneficial result in that
it has given the President opportunity finally and
concusvey TO settle before the country this whole
question of the military contributions levied and dis
bursed in Mexico for the support Of the war. We ap-
prehcnd that, after the publication of this message few
politicians of character and standing will be found reckless
enough TO make issue with the administration upon the
doctrines of constitutional and international law which it
sets forth Its statements of fact and lis OF argu
meni, leave nothing to be desired for thorough under
standing OF the subject by the whole people, and nothing
be added TO the Presidents vndcaton of the wisdom, the
legality, and the high expedency of the policy and plan
of military contributions which the administration most
successfully adopted In word, the message, besides
settling the question put in issue by Mr. Bolts resolution
fully sustains the unsurpassed reputation which the
President has won by the whole series of his previous
official communications to Congress.
The Presidents demonstration of the rightulness and
legality of the military contributions as levied and dis
bursed by his orders in the ports of Mexico for the sup
port of the during its continuance, rests, we
understand from rapid perusa OF the message mainly
upon the following propositons-all of which, as we
think, ndisputable:
1st That, by the constitution, the President is made
commandment chief of the army and navy and enjoned
" TO take care that the laws be faithfully executed
Cd That Congress having, by the act of May 49, 1885,
declared against Mexico, the faithful execution of
that law required the President in the language of the
law itself, "to prosecute to speedy and successful
termnaton;"
Sd. That Congress having forborne to prescribe the
special Of by which the war was to be so pros
ecuel became the Presidents duty to conduct the war
according to the laws of nations, and select from the
various modes of conducting the war, which that code
sanctions. those which, with the placed at his dis
posal, were deemed best fitted accomplish its "speedy
and successful termination p and
4h. That among these modes of conducting the war
and weakening the enemys power and resources, the
levying and disbursing of military contributions for the
support Of the in his ports his territory is not only
fully settled and well recognised by the law OF nations
and by the usagcs of the civilized world but oftentmes
in the of foreign war; becomes indispensable
element in the military policy of an invading army.
We do not see which OF these propositions be gain
said and ii they be admitted there is surely an end to the
question OF the legality Of the military contributions in
question. But it has been maintained that the colec-
lions OF taxes on imports in the ports of Mexico, by
military authority. and for the support of the war;
were not military contributions. But what is mill
tary contribution if it be not the seizure, by military
power for military purposes, of the enemys public reve-
in its sources! Is it the less military contribution
because the seizure is made in pursuance of military
rule prescribing beforehand the circumstances and the
amount proportion of the sezure' On the contrary
this regulation of the transaction by the military author
ty charged with the conduct of the war; is of the very
essence of the military contribution as distinguished from
arbitrary and indscrminate plumber
has been said that special statute of Congress was
to authorize expressly such evyng and sburs-
ing of military contributions. Why more needed to au-
horize this than any other of war sanctioned by the
laws OF nations-say, for instance, blockade Con-
gress passed special directing in terms the
blockade of Vera Cruz, any other Mexican port
Why, then, does not Mr. Botss resolution ask by what
authority the blockade ordered and put on or taken
of' Again. is the idea to be countcnanced for a moment
that an invading army entering the enemys country in
lawful war, and finding military stores, or munitions or
money, or subsistence of the enemy government which
it can seize and appropriate to its own support or de-
fence, must fold its hands before them and wait for
Congress to pass special statute before they can be
touched!
But we have already pursued the subject farther than
we intended deem necessary; and we close our re-,
marks by again referring readers to the luminous and
conclusive language OF the message Nothing can be
added to the force and completeness OF its demonstration
The editors Christmas excursion into the CO. ,nrv has
prevented the publication of various comrnunicatops
among them is "a Native of Penns-. lvania. As il
calls for few remarks, which we have M, ,;ne ,t
present to make, we are compelled to Law his article
over till 10 morrow.
We understand that letter has Just been received by
The W% Department, from Gen. Taylor, resgning his
COMMISSION IN me army OF the United Staes-to take ef
feet on Tie 3st January
EDITORIAL ARRANsEMEsr.-We observe by an announce
al. IL.