The annual meeting of Congress is always an interesting event. The representatives of the States and of the people come fresh from their constituents to take counsel together for the common good. After an existence of near three-fourths of a century as a free and independent Republic, the problem no longer remains to be solved whether man is capable of self-government. The success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of those in other countries who maintain that a "favored few" are born to rule and that the mass of mankind must be governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are the only sovereigns recognized by our Constitution. Numerous emigrants, of every lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy and by our happy condition, annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their heart, not less than their allegiance, to the country whose dominion belongs alone to the people. No country has been so much favored, or should acknowledge with deeper reverence the manifestations of the divine protection. An all wise Creator directed and guarded us in our infant struggle for freedom and has constantly watched over our surprising progress until we have become one of the great nations of the earth. It is in a country thus favored, and under a Government in which the executive and legislative branches hold their authority for limited periods alike from the people, and where all are responsible to their respective constituencies, that it is again my duty to communicate with Congress upon the state of the Union and the present condition of public affairs. During the past year the most gratifying proofs are presented that our country has been blessed with a widespread and universal prosperity. There has been no period since the Government was founded when all the industrial pursuits of our people have been more successful or when labor in all branches of business has received a fairer or better reward. From our abundance we have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food for the starving millions of less favored countries. In the enjoyment of the bounties of Providence at home such as have rarely fallen to the lot of any people, it is cause of congratulation that our intercourse with all the powers of the earth except Mexico continues to be of an amicable character. It has ever been our cherished policy to cultivate peace and good will with all nations, and this policy has been steadily pursued by me. No change has taken place in our relations with Mexico since the adjournment of the last Congress. The war in which the United States were forced to engage with the Government of that country still continues. I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition of them contained in my message of the 11th of May, 1846, and in my annual message at the commencement of the session of Congress in December last, to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against Mexico before she commenced hostilities. It is sufficient on the present occasion to say that the wanton violation of the rights of person and property of our citizens committed by Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith through a long series of years, and her disregard of solemn treaties stipulating for indemnity to our injured citizens not only constituted ample cause of war on our part, but were of such an aggravated character as would have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we forbore for years to assert our clear rights by force, and continued to seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by amicable negotiation in the hope that Mexico might yield to pacific counsels and the demands of justice. In this hope we were disappointed. Our minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly rejected. The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he was authorized to propose, and finally, under wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries in war by invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. Though the United States were the aggrieved nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were compelled in self-defense to repel the invader and to vindicate the national honor and interests by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain a just and honorable peace. On learning that hostilities had been commenced by Mexico I promptly communicated that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement of our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to Congress, and that body, by the act of the 13th of May, 1846, declared that "by the act of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." This act declaring "the war to exist by the act of the Republic of Mexico," and making provision for its prosecution "to a speedy and successful termination," was passed with great unanimity by Congress, there being but two negative votes in the Senate and but fourteen in the House of Representatives. The existence of the war having thus been declared by Congress, it became my duty under the Constitution and the laws to conduct and prosecute it. This duty has been performed, and though at every stage of its progress I have manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms which could be accepted by the United States consistently with the national honor and interest. The rapid and brilliant successes of our arms and the vast extent of the enemy's territory which had been overrun and conquered before the close of the last session of Congress were fully known to that body. Since that time the war has been prosecuted with increased energy, and, I am gratified to state, with a success which commands universal admiration.. History presents no parallel of so many glorious victories achieved by any nation within so short a period. Our Army, regulars and volunteers, have covered themselves with imperishable honors. Whenever and wherever our forces have encountered the enemy, though he was in vastly superior numbers and often intrenched in fortified positions of his own selection and of great strength, he has been defeated. Too much praise can not be bestowed upon our officers and men, regulars and volunteers, for their gallantry, discipline, indomitable courage, and perseverance, all seeking the post of danger and vying with each other in deeds of noble daring. While every patriot's heart must exult and a just national pride animate every bosom in beholding the high proofs of courage, consummate military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to the vanquished enemy exhibited by our gallant Army, the nation is called to mourn over the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, who have fallen in defense of their country's honor and interests. The brave dead met their melancholy fate in a foreign land, nobly discharging their duty, and with their country's flag waving triumphantly in the face of the foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated, and will long be remembered by their grateful countrymen. The parental care of the Government they loved and served should be extended to their surviving families. Shortly after the adjournment of the last session of Congress the gratifying intelligence was received of the signal victory of Buena Vista, and of the fall of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, by which it was defended. Believing that after these and other successes so honorable to our arms and so disastrous to Mexico the period was propitious to afford her another opportunity, if she thought proper to embrace it, to enter into negotiations for peace, a commissioner was appointed to proceed to the headquarters of our Army with full powers to enter upon negotiations and to conclude a just and honorable treaty of peace. He was not directed to make any new overtures of peace, but was the bearer of a dispatch from the Secretary of State of the United States to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, in reply to one received from the latter of the 22d of February, 1847, in which the Mexican Government was informed of his appointment and of his presence at the headquarters of our Army, and that he was invested with full powers to conclude a definitive treaty of peace whenever the Mexican Government might signify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject the United States to another indignant refusal, I was yet resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might be rendered absolutely necessary by the Mexican Government. Care was taken to give no instructions to the commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations or relax our energies in the prosecution of the war. He possessed no authority in any manner to control these operations. He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the general in command of the Army, and in the event of a treaty being concluded and ratified on the part of Mexico he was directed to give him notice of that fact. On the happening of such contingency, and on receiving notice thereof, the general in command was instructed by the Secretary of War to suspend further active military operations until further orders. These instructions were given with a view to intermit hostilities until the treaty thus ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Washington and receive the action of the Government of the United States. The commissioner was also directed on reaching the Army to deliver to the general in command the dispatch which he bore from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, and on receiving it the general was instructed by the Secretary of War to cause it to be transmitted to the commander of the Mexican forces, with a quest that it might be communicated to his Government. The commissioner did not reach the headquarters of the Army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo. The dispatch which he bore from the Secretary of War to the general in command of the Army was received by that officer, then at Jalapa, on the 7th of May, 1847, together with the dispatch from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, having been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The commissioner arrived at the headquarters of the Army a few days afterwards. His presence with the Army and his diplomatic character were made known to the Mexican Government from Puebla on the 12th of June, 1847, by the transmission of the dispatch from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico. Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no overtures were made nor was any desire expressed by the Mexican Government to enter into negotiations for peace. Our Army pursued its march upon the capital, and as it approached it was met by formidable resistance. Our forces first encountered the enemy, and achieved signal victories in the severely contested battles of Contreras and Churubusco. It was not until after these actions had resulted in decisive victories and the capital of the enemy was within our power that the Mexican Government manifested any disposition to enter into negotiations for peace, and even then, as events have proved, there is too much reason to believe they were insincere, and that in agreeing to go through the forms of negotiation the object was to gain time to strengthen the defenses of their capital and to prepare for fresh resistance. The general in command of the Army deemed it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily by entering into an armistice with a view to the opening of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed on the part of Mexico to meet the commissioner on the part of the United States. The result of the conferences which took place between these functionaries of the two Governments was a failure to conclude a treaty of peace. The commissioner of the United States took with him the project of a treaty already prepared, by the terms of which the indemnity required by the United States was a cession of territory. It is well known that the only indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction of the just and long-deferred claims of our citizens against her and the only means by which she can reimburse the United States for the expenses of the war is a cession to the United States of a portion of her territory. Mexico has no money to pay, and no other means of making the required indemnity. If we refuse this, we can obtain nothing else. To reject indemnity by refusing to accept a cession of territory would be to abandon all our just demands, and to wage the war, bearing all its expenses, without a purpose or definite object. A state of war abrogates treaties previously existing between the belligerents and a treaty of peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity for tortious acts committed under the authority of one government against the citizens or subjects of another unless they are provided for in its stipulations. A treaty of peace which would terminate the existing war without providing for indemnity would enable Mexico, the acknowledged debtor and herself the aggressor in the war, to relieve herself from her just liabilities. By such a treaty our citizens who hold just demands against her would have no remedy either against Mexico or their own Government. Our duty to these citizens must forever prevent such a peace, and no treaty which does not provide ample means of discharging these demands can receive my sanction. A treaty of peace should settle all existing differences between the two countries. If an adequate cession of territory should be made by such a treaty, the United States should release Mexico from all her liabilities and assume their payment to our own citizens. If instead of this the United States were to consent to a treaty by which Mexico should again engage to pay the heavy amount of indebtedness which a just indemnity to our Government and our citizens would impose on her, it is notorious that she does not possess the means to meet such an undertaking. From such a treaty no result could be anticipated but the same irritating disappointments which have heretofore attended the violations of similar treaty stipulations on the part of Mexico. Such a treaty would be but a temporary cessation of hostilities, without the restoration of the friendship and good understanding which should characterize the future intercourse between the two countries. That Congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial indemnity when that body made provision for the prosecution of the war is obvious. Congress could not have meant when, in May, 1846, they appropriated $10,000,000 and authorized the President to employ the militia and naval and military forces of the United States and to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers to enable him to prosecute the war, and when, at their last session, and after our Army had invaded Mexico, they made additional appropriations and authorized the raising of additional troops for the same purpose, that no indemnity was to be obtained from Mexico at the conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain that if no Mexican territory was acquired no indemnity could be obtained. It is further manifest that Congress contemplated territorial indemnity from the fact that at their last session an act was passed, upon the Executive recommendation, appropriating $3,000,000 with that express object. This appropriation was made "to enable the President to conclude a treaty of peace, limits, and boundaries with the Republic of Mexico, to be used by him in the event that said treaty, when signed by the authorized agents of the two Governments and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of the same or any part thereof." The object of asking this appropriation was distinctly stated in the several messages on the subject which I communicated to Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1803 and 1806, which were referred to, were intended to be applied in part consideration for the cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like manner it was anticipated that in settling the terms of a treaty of "limits and boundaries" with Mexico a cession of territory estimated to be of greater value than the amount of our demands against her might be obtained, and that the prompt payment of this sum in part consideration for the territory ceded, on the conclusion of a treaty and its ratification on her part, might be an inducement with her to make such a cession of territory as would be satisfactory to the United States; and although the failure to conclude such a treaty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part of the $3,000,000 appropriated by that act, and the entire sum remains in the Treasury, it is still applicable to that object should the contingency occur making such application proper. The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of no indemnity, and if sanctioned would be a public acknowledgment that our country was wrong and that the war declared by Congress with extraordinary unanimity was unjust and should be abandoned--an admission unfounded in fact and degrading to the national character. The terms of the treaty proposed by the United States were not only just to Mexico, but, considering the character and amount of our claims, the unjustifiable and unprovoked commencement of hostilities by her, the expenses of the war to which we have been subjected, and the success which had attended our arms, were deemed to be of a most liberal character. The commissioner of the United States was authorized to agree to the establishment of the Rio Grande as the boundary from its entrance into the Gulf to its intersection with the southern boundary of New Mexico, in north latitude about 32 degree, and to obtain a cession to the United States of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias and the privilege of the right of way across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The boundary of the Rio Grande and the cession to the United States of New Mexico and Upper California constituted an ultimatum which our commissioner was under no circumstances to yield. That it might be manifest, not only to Mexico, but to all other nations, that the United States were not disposed to take advantage of a feeble power by insisting upon wrestling from her all the other Provinces, including many of her principal towns and cities, which we had conquered and held in our military occupation but were willing to conclude a treaty in a spirit of liberality, our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the restoration to Mexico of all our other conquests. As the territory to be acquired by the boundary proposed might be estimated to be of greater value than a fair equivalent for our just demands, our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the payment of such additional pecuniary consideration as was deemed reasonable. The terms of a treaty proposed by the Mexican commissioners were wholly inadmissible. They negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, and not the vanquished, party. They must have known that their ultimatum could never be accepted. It required the United States to dismember Texas by surrendering to Mexico that part of the territory of that State lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, included within her limits by her laws when she was an independent republic, and when she was annexed to the United States and admitted by Congress as one of the States of our Union. It contained no provision for the payment by Mexico of the just claims of our citizens. It required indemnity to Mexican citizens for injuries they may have sustained by our troops in the prosecution of the war. It demanded the right for Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on goods imported into her ports while in our military occupation during the war, and the owners of which had paid to officers of the United States the military contributions which had been levied upon them; and it offered to cede to the United States, for a pecuniary consideration, that part of Upper California lying north of latitude 37°. Such were the unreasonable terms proposed by the Mexican commissioners. The cession to the United States by Mexico of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, as proposed by the commissioner of the United States, it was believed would be more in accordance with the convenience and interests of both nations than any other cession of territory which it was probable Mexico could be induced to make. It is manifest to all who have observed the actual condition of the Mexican Government for some years past and at present that if these Provinces should be retained by her she could not long continue to hold and govern them. Mexico is too feeble a power to govern these Provinces, lying as they do at a distance of more than 1,000 miles from her capital, and if attempted to be retained by her they would constitute but for a short time even nominally a part of her dominions. This would be especially the case with Upper California. The sagacity of powerful European nations has long since directed their attention to the commercial importance of that Province, and there can be little doubt that the moment the United States shall relinquish their present occupation of it and their claim to it as indemnity an effort would be made by some foreign power to possess it, either by conquest or by purchase. If no foreign government should acquire it in either of these modes, an independent revolutionary government would probably be established by the inhabitants and such foreigners as may remain in or remove to the country as soon as it shall be known that the United States have abandoned it. Such a government would be too feeble long to maintain its separate independent existence, and would finally become annexed to or be a dependent colony of some more powerful state. Should any foreign government attempt to possess it as a colony, or otherwise to incorporate it with itself, the principle avowed by President Monroe in 1824, and reaffirmed in my first annual message, that no foreign power shall with our consent be permitted to plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the North American continent must be maintained. In maintaining this principle and in resisting its invasion by any foreign power we might be involved in other wars more expensive and more difficult than that in which we are now engaged. The Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias are contiguous to the territories of the United States, and if brought under the government of our laws their resources--mineral, agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial--would soon be developed. Upper California is bounded on the north by our Oregon possessions, and if held by the United States would soon be settled by a hardy, enterprising, and intelligent portion of our population. The Bay of San Francisco and other harbors along the Californian coast would afford shelter for our Navy, for our numerous whale ships, and other merchant vessels employed in the Pacific Ocean, and would in a short period become the marts of an extensive and profitable commerce with China and other countries of the East. These advantages, in which the whole commercial world would participate, would at once be secured to the United States by the cession of this territory; while it is certain that as long as it remains a part of the Mexican dominions they can be enjoyed neither by Mexico herself nor by any other nation. New Mexico is a frontier Province, and has never been of any considerable value to Mexico. From its locality it is naturally connected with our Western settlements. The territorial limits of the State of Texas, too, as defined by her laws before her admission into our Union, embrace all that portion of New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold this territory as a part of her dominions. The adjustment of this question of boundary is important. There is another consideration which induced the belief that the Mexican Government might even desire to place this Province under the protection of the Government of the United States. Numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages wander over it and upon its borders. Mexico has been and must continue to be too feeble to restrain them from committing depredations, robberies, and murders, not only upon the inhabitants of New Mexico itself, but upon those of the other northern States of Mexico. It would be a blessing to all these northern States to have their citizens protected against them by the power of the United States. At this moment many Mexicans, principally females and children, are in captivity among them. If New Mexico were held and governed by the United States, we could effectually prevent these tribes from committing such outrages, and compel them to release these captives and restore them to their families and friends. In proposing to acquire New Mexico and the Californias, it was known that but an inconsiderable portion of the Mexican people would be transferred with them, the country embraced within these Provinces being chiefly an uninhabited region. These were the leading considerations which induced me to authorize the terms of peace which were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected, and, negotiations being at an end, hostilities were renewed. An assault was made by our gallant Army upon the strongly fortified places near the gates of the City of Mexico and upon the city itself, and after several days of severe conflict the Mexican forces, vastly superior in number to our own, were driven from the city, and it was occupied by our troops. Immediately after information was received of the unfavorable result of the negotiations, believing that his continued presence with the Army could be productive of no good, I determined to recall our commissioner. A dispatch to this effect was transmitted to him on the 6th of October last. The Mexican Government will be informed of his recall, and that in the existing state of things I shall not deem it proper to make any further overtures of peace, but shall be at all times ready to receive and consider any proposals which may be made by Mexico. Since the liberal proposition of the United States was authorized to be made, in April last, large expenditures have been incurred and the precious blood of many of our patriotic fellow-citizens has been shed in the prosecution of the war. This consideration and the obstinate perseverance of Mexico in protracting the war must influence the terms of peace which it may be deemed proper hereafter to accept. Our arms having been everywhere victorious, having subjected to our military occupation a large portion of the enemy's country, including his capital, and negotiations for peace having failed, the important questions arise, in what manner the war ought to be prosecuted and what should be our future policy. I can not doubt that we should secure and render available the conquests which we have already made, and that with this view we should hold and occupy by our naval and military forces all the ports, towns, cities, and Provinces now in our occupation or which may hereafter fall into our possession; that we should press forward our military operations and levy such military contributions on the enemy as may, as far as practicable, defray the future expenses of the war. Had the Government of Mexico acceded to the equitable and liberal terms proposed, that mode of adjustment would have been preferred, Mexico having declined to do this and failed to offer any other terms which could be accepted by the United States, the national honor, no less than the public interests, requires that the war should be prosecuted with increased energy and power until a just and satisfactory peace can be obtained. In the meantime, as Mexico refuses all indemnity, we should adopt measures to indemnify ourselves by appropriating permanently a portion of her territory. Early after the commencement of the war New Mexico and the Californias were taken possession of by our forces. Our military and naval commanders were ordered to conquer and hold them, subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace. These Provinces are now in our undisputed occupation, and have been so for many months, all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased within their limits. I am satisfied that they should never be surrendered to Mexico. Should Congress concur with me in this opinion, and that they should be retained by the United States as indemnity, I can perceive no good reason why the civil jurisdiction and laws of the United States should not at once be extended over them. To wait for a treaty of peace such as we are willing to make, by which our relations toward them would not be changed, can not be good policy; whilst our own interest and that of the people inhabiting them require that a stable, responsible, and free government under our authority should as soon as possible be established over them. Should Congress, therefore, determine to hold these Provinces permanently, and that they shall hereafter be considered as constituent parts of our country, the early establishment of Territorial governments over them will be important for the more perfect protection of persons and property; and I recommend that such Territorial governments be established. It will promote peace and tranquillity among the inhabitants, by allaying all apprehension that they may still entertain of being again subjected to the jurisdiction of Mexico. I invite the early and favorable consideration of Congress to this important subject. Besides New Mexico and the Californias, there are other Mexican Provinces which have been reduced to our possession by conquest. These other Mexican Provinces are now governed by our military and naval commanders under the general authority which is conferred upon a conqueror by the laws of war. They should continue to be held, as a means of coercing Mexico to accede to just terms of peace. Civil as well as military officers are required to conduct such a government. Adequate compensation, to be drawn from contributions levied on the enemy, should be fixed by law for such officers as may be thus employed. What further provision may become necessary and what final disposition it may be proper to make of them must depend on the future progress of the war and the course which Mexico may think proper hereafter to pursue. With the views I entertain I can not favor the policy which has been suggested, either to withdraw our Army altogether or to retire to a designated line and simply hold and defend it. To withdraw our Army altogether from the conquests they have made by deeds of unparalleled bravery, and at the expense of so much blood and treasure, in a just war on our part, and one which, by the act of the enemy, we could not honorably have avoided, would be to degrade the nation in its own estimation and in that of the world. To retire to a line and simply hold and defend it would not terminate the war. On the contrary, it would encourage Mexico to persevere and tend to protract it indefinitely. It is not to be expected that Mexico, after refusing to establish such a line as a permanent boundary when our victorious Army are in possession of her capital and in the heart of her country, would permit us to hold it without resistance. That she would continue the war, and in the most harassing and annoying forms, there can be no doubt. A border warfare of the most savage character, extending over a long line, would be unceasingly waged. It would require a large army to be kept constantly in the field, stationed at posts and garrisons along such a line, to protect and defend it. The enemy, relieved from the pressure of our arms on his coasts and in the populous parts of the interior, would direct his attention to this line, and, selecting an isolated post for attack, would concentrate his forces upon it. This would be a condition of affairs which the Mexicans, pursuing their favorite system of guerrilla warfare, would probably prefer to any other. Were we to assume a defensive attitude on such a line, all the advantages of such a state of war would be on the side of the enemy. We could levy no contributions upon him, or in any other way make him feel the pressure of the war, but must remain inactive and await his approach, being in constant uncertainty at what point on the line or at what time he might make an assault. He may assemble and organize an overwhelming force in the interior on his own side of the line, and, concealing his purpose, make a sudden assault upon some one of our posts so distant from any other as to prevent the possibility of timely succor or reenforcements, and in this way our gallant Army would be exposed to the danger of being cut off in detail; or if by their unequaled bravery and prowess everywhere exhibited during this war they should repulse the enemy, their numbers stationed at any one post may be too small to pursue him. If the enemy be repulsed in one attack, he would have nothing to do but to retreat to his own side of the line, and, being in no fear of a pursuing army, may reenforce himself at leisure for another attack on the same or some other post. He may, too, cross the line between our posts, make rapid incursions into the country which we hold, murder the inhabitants, commit depredations on them, and then retreat to the interior before a sufficient force can be concentrated to pursue him. Such would probably be the harassing character of a mere defensive war on our part. If our forces when attacked, or threatened with attack, be permitted to cross the line, drive back the enemy, and conquer him, this would be again to invade the enemy's country after having lost all the advantages of the conquests we have already made by having voluntarily abandoned them. To hold such a line successfully and in security it is far from being certain that it would not require as large an army as would be necessary to hold all the conquests we have already made and to continue the prosecution of the war in the heart of the enemy's country. It is also far from being certain that the expenses of the war would be diminished by such a policy. I am persuaded that the best means of vindicating the national honor and interest and of bringing the war to an honorable close will be to prosecute it with increased energy and power in the vital parts of the enemy's country. In my annual message to Congress of December last I declared that-- The war has not been waged with a view to conquest, but, having been commenced by Mexico, it has been carried into the enemy's country and will be vigorously prosecuted there with a view to obtain an honorable peace, and thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well as to our much-injured citizens, who hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico. Such, in my judgment, continues to be our true policy; indeed, the only policy which will probably secure a permanent peace. It has never been contemplated by me, as an object of the war, to make a permanent conquest of the Republic of Mexico or to annihilate her separate existence as an independent nation. On the contrary, it has ever been my desire that she should maintain her nationality, and under a good government adapted to her condition be a free, independent, and prosperous Republic. The United States were the first among the nations to recognize her independence, and have always desired to be on terms of amity and good neighborhood with her. This she would not suffer. By her own conduct we have been compelled to engage in the present war. In its prosecution we seek not her overthrow as a nation, but in vindicating our national honor we seek to obtain redress for the wrongs she has done us and indemnity for our just demands against her. We demand an honorable peace, and that peace must bring with it indemnity for the past and security for the future. Hitherto Mexico has refused all accommodation by which such a peace could be obtained. Whilst our armies have advanced from victory to victory from the commencement of the war, it has always been with the olive branch of peace in their hands, and it has been in the power of Mexico at every step to arrest hostilities by accepting it. One great obstacle to the attainment of peace has undoubtedly arisen from the fact that Mexico has been so long held in subjection by one faction or military usurper after another, and such has been the condition of insecurity in which their successive governments have been placed that each has been deterred from making peace lest for this very cause a rival faction might expel it from power. Such was the fate of President Herrera's administration in 1845 for being disposed even to listen to the overtures of the United States to prevent the war, as is fully confirmed by an official correspondence which took place in the month of August last between him and his Government, a copy of which is herewith communicated. "For this cause alone the revolution which displaced him from power was set on foot" by General Paredes. Such may be the condition of insecurity of the present Government. There can be no doubt that the peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants of Mexico are convinced that it is the true interest of their country to conclude an honorable peace with the United States, but the apprehension of becoming the victims of some military faction or usurper may have prevented them from manifesting their feelings by any public act. The removal of any such apprehension would probably cause them to speak their sentiments freely and to adopt the measures necessary for the restoration of peace. With a people distracted and divided by contending factions and a Government subject to constant changes by successive revolutions, the continued successes of our arms may fail to secure a satisfactory peace. In such event it may become proper for our commanding generals in the field to give encouragement and assurances of protection to the friends of peace in Mexico in the establishment and maintenance of a free republican government of their own choice, able and willing to conclude a peace which would be just to them and secure to us the indemnity we demand. This may become the only mode of obtaining such a peace. Should such be the result, the war which Mexico has forced upon us would thus be converted into an enduring blessing to herself. After finding her torn and distracted by factions, and ruled by military usurpers, we should then leave her with a republican government in the enjoyment of real independence and domestic peace and prosperity, performing all her relative duties in the great family of nations and promoting her own happiness by wise laws and their faithful execution. If, after affording this encouragement and protection, and after all the persevering and sincere efforts we have made from the moment Mexico commenced the war, and prior to that time, to adjust our differences with her, we shall ultimately fail, then we shall have exhausted all honorable means in pursuit of peace, and must continue to occupy her country with our troops, taking the full measure of indemnity into our own hands, and must enforce the terms which our honor demands. To act otherwise in the existing state of things in Mexico, and to withdraw our Army without a peace, would not only leave all the wrongs of which we complain unredressed, but would be the signal for new and fierce civil dissensions and new revolutions--all alike hostile to peaceful relations with the United States. Besides, there is danger, if our troops were withdrawn before a peace was conducted, that the Mexican people, wearied with successive revolutions and deprived of protection for their persons and property, might at length be inclined to yield to foreign influences and to cast themselves into the arms of some European monarch for protection from the anarchy and suffering which would ensue. This, for our own safety and in pursuance of our established policy, we should be compelled to resist. We could never consent that Mexico should be thus converted into a monarchy governed by a foreign prince. Mexico is our near neighbor, and her boundaries are coterminous with our own through the whole extent across the North American continent, from ocean to ocean. Both politically and commercially we have the deepest interest in her regeneration and prosperity. Indeed, it is impossible that, with any just regard to our own safety, we can ever become indifferent to her fate. It may be that the Mexican Government and people have misconstrued or misunderstood our forbearance and our objects in desiring to conclude an amicable adjustment of the existing differences between the two countries. They may have supposed that we would submit to terms degrading to the nation, or they may have drawn false inferences from the supposed division of opinion in the United States on the subject of the war, and may have calculated to gain much by protracting it, and, indeed, that we might ultimately abandon it altogether without insisting on any indemnity, territorial or otherwise. Whatever may be the false impressions under which they have acted, the adoption and prosecution of the energetic policy proposed must soon undeceive them. In the future prosecution of the war the enemy must be made to feel its pressure more than they have heretofore done. At its commencement it was deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit of forbearance and liberality. With this end in view, early measures were adopted to conciliate, as far as a state of war would permit, the mass of the Mexican population; to convince them that the war was waged, not against the peaceful inhabitants of Mexico, but against their faithless Government, which had commenced hostilities; to remove from their minds the false impressions which their designing and interested rulers had artfully attempted to make, that the war on our part was one of conquest, that it was a war against their religion and their churches, which were to be desecrated and overthrown, and that their rights of person and private property would be violated. To remove these false impressions, our commanders in the field were directed scrupulously to respect their religion, their churches, and their church property, which were in no manner to be violated; they were directed also to respect the rights of persons and property of all who should not take up arms against us. Assurances to this effect were given to the Mexican people by Major General Taylor in a proclamation issued in pursuance of instructions from the Secretary of War in the month of June, 1846, and again by Major-General Scott, who acted upon his own convictions of the propriety of issuing it, in a proclamation of the 11th of May, 1847. In this spirit of liberality and conciliation, and with a view to prevent the body of the Mexican population from taking up arms against us, was the war conducted on our part. Provisions and other supplies furnished to our Army by Mexican citizens were paid for at fair and liberal prices, agreed upon by the parties. After the lapse of a few months it became apparent that these assurances and this mild treatment had failed to produce the desired effect upon the Mexican population. While the war had been conducted on our part according to the most humane and liberal principles observed by civilized nations, it was waged in a far different spirit on the part of Mexico. Not appreciating our forbearance, the Mexican people generally became hostile to the United States, and availed themselves of every opportunity to commit the most savage excesses upon our troops. Large numbers of the population took up arms, and, engaging in guerrilla warfare, robbed and murdered in the most cruel manner individual soldiers or small parties whom accident or other causes had separated from the main body of our Army; bands of guerrilleros and robbers infested the roads, harassed our trains, and whenever it was in their power cut off our supplies. The Mexicans having thus shown themselves to be wholly incapable of appreciating our forbearance and liberality, it was deemed proper to change the manner of conducting the war, by making them feel its pressure according to the usages observed under similar circumstances by all other civilized nations. Accordingly, as early as the 22d of September, 1846, instructions were given by the Secretary of War to Major-General Taylor to "draw supplies" for our Army "from the enemy without paying for them, and to require contributions for its support, if in that way he was satisfied he could get abundant supplies for his forces." In directing the execution of these instructions much was necessarily left to the discretion of the commanding officer, who was best acquainted with the circumstances by which he was surrounded, the wants of the Army, and the practicability of enforcing the measure. General Taylor, on the 26th of October, 1846, replied from Monterey that "it would have been impossible hitherto, and is so now, to sustain the Army to any extent by forced contributions of money or supplies." For the reasons assigned by him, he did not adopt the policy of his instructions, but declared his readiness to do so "should the Army in its future operations reach a portion of the country which may be made to supply the troops with advantage." He continued to pay for the articles of supply which were drawn from the enemy's country. Similar instructions were issued to Major-General Scott on the 3d of April, 1847, who replied from Jalapa on the 20th of May, 1847, that if it be expected "that the Army is to support itself by forced contributions levied upon the country we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants and starve ourselves." The same discretion was given to him that had been to General Taylor in this respect. General Scott, for the reasons assigned by him, also continued to pay for the articles of supply for the Army which were drawn from the enemy. After the Army had reached the heart of the most wealthy portion of Mexico it was supposed that the obstacles which had before that time prevented it would not be such as to render impracticable the levy of forced contributions for its support, and on the 1st of September and again on the 6th of October, 1847, the order was repeated in dispatches addressed by the Secretary of War to General Scott, and his attention was again called to the importance of making the enemy bear the burdens of the war by requiring them to furnish the means of supporting our Army, and he was directed to adopt this policy unless by doing so there was danger of depriving the Army of the necessary supplies. Copies of these dispatches were forwarded to General Taylor for his government. On the 31st of March last I caused an order to be issued to our military and naval commanders to levy and collect a military contribution upon all vessels and merchandise which might enter any of the ports of Mexico in our military occupation, and to apply such contributions toward defraying the expenses of the war. By virtue of the right of conquest and the laws of war, the conqueror, consulting his own safety or convenience, may either exclude foreign commerce altogether from all such ports or permit it upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe. Before the principal ports of Mexico were blockaded by our Navy the revenue derived from import duties under the laws of Mexico was paid into the Mexican treasury. After these ports had fallen into our military possession the blockade was raised and commerce with them permitted upon prescribed terms and conditions. They were opened to the trade of all nations upon the payment of duties more moderate in their amount than those which had been previously levied by Mexico, and the revenue, which was formerly paid into the Mexican treasury, was directed to be collected by our military and naval officers and applied to the use of our Army and Navy. Care was taken that the officers, soldiers, and sailors of our Army and Navy should be exempted from the operations of the order, and, as the merchandise imported upon which the order operated must be consumed by Mexican citizens, the contributions exacted were in effect the seizure of the public revenues of Mexico and the application of them to our own use. In directing this measure the object was to compel the enemy to contribute as far as practicable toward the expenses of the war. For the amount of contributions which have been levied in this form I refer you to the accompanying reports of the Secretary of War and of the Secretary of the Navy, by which it appears that a sum exceeding half a million of dollars has been collected. This amount would undoubtedly have been much larger but for the difficulty of keeping open communications between the coast and the interior, so as to enable the owners of the merchandise imported to transport and vend it to the inhabitants of the country. It is confidently expected that this difficulty will to a great extent be soon removed by our increased forces which have been sent to the field. Measures have recently been adopted by which the internal as well as the external revenues of Mexico in all places in our military occupation will be seized and appropriated to the use of our Army and Navy. The policy of levying upon the enemy contributions in every form consistently with the laws of nations, which it may be practicable for our military commanders to adopt, should, in my judgment, be rigidly enforced, and orders to this effect have accordingly been given. By such a policy, at the same time that our own Treasury will be relieved from a heavy drain, the Mexican people will be made to feel the burdens of the war, and, consulting their own interests, may be induced the more readily to require their rulers to accede to a just peace. After the adjournment of the last session of Congress events transpired in the prosecution of the war which in my judgment required a greater number of troops in the field than had been anticipated. The strength of the Army was accordingly increased by "accepting" the services of all the volunteer forces authorized by the act of the 13th of May, 1846, without putting a construction on that act the correctness of which was seriously questioned. The volunteer forces now in the field, with those which had been "accepted" to "serve for twelve months" and were discharged at the end of their term of service, exhaust the 50,000 men authorized by that act. Had it been clear that a proper construction of the act warranted it, the services of an additional number would have been called for and accepted; but doubts existing upon this point, the power was not exercised. It is deemed important that Congress should at an early period of their session confer the authority to raise an additional regular force to serve during the war with Mexico and to be discharged upon the conclusion and ratification of a treaty of peace. I invite the attention of Congress to the views presented by the Secretary of War in his report upon this subject. I recommend also that authority be given by law to call for and accept the services of an additional number of volunteers, to be exercised at such time and to such extent as the emergencies of the service may require. In prosecuting the war with Mexico, whilst the utmost care has been taken to avoid every just cause of complaint on the part of neutral nations, and none has been given, liberal privileges have been granted to their commerce in the ports of the enemy in our military occupation. The difficulty with the Brazilian Government, which at one time threatened to interrupt the friendly relations between the two countries, will, I trust, be speedily adjusted. I have received information that an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States will shortly be appointed by His Imperial Majesty, and it is hoped that he will come instructed and prepared to adjust all remaining differences between the two Governments in a manner acceptable and honorable to both. In the meantime, I have every reason to believe that nothing will occur to interrupt our amicable relations with Brazil. It has been my constant effort to maintain and cultivate the most intimate relations of friendship with all the independent powers of South America, and this policy has been attended with the happiest results. It is true that the settlement and payment of many just claims of American citizens against these nations have been long delayed. The peculiar position in which they have been placed and the desire on the part of my predecessors as well as myself to grant them the utmost indulgence have hitherto prevented these claims from being urged in a manner demanded by strict justice. The time has arrived when they ought to be finally adjusted and liquidated, and efforts are now making for that purpose. It is proper to inform you that the Government of Peru has in good faith paid the first two installments of the indemnity of $30,000 each, and the greater portion of the interest due thereon, in execution of the convention between that Government and the United States the ratifications of which were exchanged at Lima on the 31st of October, 1846. The Attorney-General of the United States early in August last completed the adjudication of the claims under this convention, and made his report thereon in pursuance of the act of the 8th of August, 1846. The sums to which the claimants are respectively entitled will be paid on demand at the Treasury. I invite the early attention of Congress to the present condition of our citizens in China. Under our treaty with that power American citizens are withdrawn from the jurisdiction, whether civil or criminal, of the Chinese Government and placed under that of our public functionaries in that country. By these alone can our citizens be tried and punished for the commission of any crime; by these alone can questions be decided between them involving the rights of persons and property, and by these alone can contracts be enforced into which they may have entered with the citizens or subjects of foreign powers. The merchant vessels of the United States lying in the waters of the five ports of China open to foreign commerce are under the exclusive jurisdiction of officers of their own Government. Until Congress shall establish competent tribunals to try and punish crimes and to exercise jurisdiction in civil cases in China, American citizens there are subject to no law whatever. Crimes may be committed with impunity and debts may be contracted without any means to enforce their payment. Inconveniences have already resulted from the omission of Congress to legislate upon the subject, and still greater are apprehended. The British authorities in China have already complained that this Government has not provided for the punishment of crimes or the enforcement of contracts against American citizens in that country, whilst their Government has established tribunals by which an American citizen can recover debts due from British subjects. Accustomed, as the Chinese are, to summary justice, they could not be made to comprehend why criminals who are citizens of the United States should escape with impunity, in violation of treaty obligations, whilst the punishment of a Chinese who had committed any crime against an American citizen would be rigorously exacted. Indeed, the consequences might be fatal to American citizens in China should a flagrant crime be committed by any one of them upon a Chinese, and should trial and punishment not follow according to the requisitions of the treaty. This might disturb, if not destroy, our friendly relations with that Empire, and cause an interruption of our valuable commerce. Our treaties with the Sublime Porte, Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Muscat also require the legislation of Congress to carry them into execution, though the necessity for immediate action may not be so urgent as in regard to China. The Secretary of State has submitted an estimate to defray the expense of opening diplomatic relations with the Papal States. The interesting political events now in progress in these States, as well as a just regard to our commercial interests, have, in my opinion, rendered such a measure highly expedient. Estimates have also been submitted for the outfits and salaries of charges' d'affaires to the Republics of Bolivia, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The manifest importance of cultivating the most friendly relations with all the independent States upon this continent has induced me to recommend appropriations necessary for the maintenance of these missions. I recommend to Congress that an appropriation be made to be paid to the Spanish Government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in the Amistad case. I entertain the conviction that this is due to Spain under the treaty of the 20th of October, 1795, and, moreover, that from the earnest manner in which the claim continues to be urged so long as it shall remain unsettled it will be a source of irritation and discord between the two countries, which may prove highly prejudicial to the interests of the United States. Good policy, no less than a faithful compliance with our treaty obligations, requires that the inconsiderable appropriation demanded should be made. A detailed statement of the condition of the finances will be presented in the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury. The imports for the last fiscal year, ending on the 30th of June, 1847, were of the value of $146,545,638, of which the amount exported was $8,011,158, leaving $138,534,480 in the country for domestic use. The value of the exports for the same period was $158,648,622, of which $150,637,464 consisted of domestic productions and $8,011,158 of foreign articles. The receipts into the Treasury for the same period amounted to $26,346,790.37, of which there was derived from customs $23,747,864.66, from sales of public lands $2,498,335.20, and from incidental and miscellaneous sources $100,570.51. The last fiscal year, during which this amount was received, embraced five months under the operation of the tariff act of 1842 and seven months during which the tariff act of 1846 was in force. During the five months under the act of 1842 the amount received from customs was $7,842,306.90, and during the seven months under the act of 1846 the amount received was $15,905,557.76. The net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1846, being the last year under the operation of the tariff act of 1842, was $22,971,403.10, and the net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1847, being the first year under the operations of the tariff act of 1846, was about $31,500,000, being an increase of revenue for the first year under the tariff of 1846 of more than $8,500,000 over that of the last year under the tariff of 1842. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last were $59,451,177.65, of which $3,522,082.37 was on account payment of principal and interest of the public debt, including Treasury notes redeemed and not funded. The expenditures exclusive of payment of public debt were $55,929,095.28. It is estimated that the receipts into the Treasury for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June, 1848, including the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of July last, will amount to $42,886,545.80, of which $31,000,000, it is estimated, will be derived from customs, $3,500,000 from the sale of the public lands, $400,000 from incidental sources, eluding sales made by the Solicitor of the Treasury, and $6,285,294.55 from loans already authorized by law, which, together with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of July last, make the sum estimated. The expenditures for the same period, if peace with Mexico shall not be concluded and the Army shall be increased as is proposed, will amount, including the necessary payments on account of principal and interest of the public debt and Treasury notes, to $58,615,660.07. On the 1st of the present month the amount of the public debt actually incurred, including Treasury notes, was $45,659,659.40. The public debt due on the 4th of March, 1845, including Treasury notes, was $17,788,799.62, and consequently the addition made to the public debt since that time is $27,870,859.78. Of the loan of twenty-three millions authorized by the act of the 28th of January, 1847, the sum of five millions was paid out to the public creditors or exchanged at par for specie; the remaining eighteen millions was offered for specie to the highest bidder not below par, by an advertisement issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and published from the 9th of February until the 10th of April, 1847, when it was awarded to the several highest bidders at premiums varying from one-eighth of per cent to 2 per cent above par. The premium has been paid into the Treasury and the sums awarded deposited in specie in the Treasury as fast as it was required by the wants of the Government. To meet the expenditures for the remainder of the present and for the next fiscal year, ending on the 30th of June, 1849, a further loan in aid of the ordinary revenues of the Government will be necessary. Retaining a sufficient surplus in the Treasury, the loan required for the remainder of the present fiscal year will be about $18,500,000. If the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the graduation of the price of the public lands shall be made at an early period of your session, as recommended, the loan for the present fiscal year may be reduced to $17,000,000. The loan may be further reduced by whatever amount of expenditures can be saved by military contributions collected in Mexico. The most vigorous measures for the augmentation of these contributions have been directed and a very considerable sum is expected from that source. Its amount can not, however, be calculated with any certainty. It is recommended that the loan to be made be authorized upon the same terms and for the same time as that which was authorized under the provisions of the act of the 28th of January, 1847. Should the war with Mexico be continued until the 30th of June, 1849, it is estimated that a further loan of $20,500,000 will be required for the fiscal year ending on that day, in case no duty be imposed on tea and coffee, and the public lands be not reduced and graduated in price, and no military contributions shall be collected in Mexico. If the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the lands be reduced and graduated in price as proposed, the loan may be reduced to $17,000,000, and will be subject to be still further reduced by the amount of the military contributions which may be collected in Mexico. It is not proposed, however, at present to ask Congress for authority to negotiate this loan for the next fiscal year, as it is hoped that the loan asked for the remainder of the present fiscal year, aided by military contributions which may be collected in Mexico, may be sufficient. If, contrary to my expectation, there should be a necessity for it, the fact will be communicated to Congress in time for their action during the present session. In no event will a sum exceeding $6,000,000 of this amount be needed before the meeting of the session of Congress in December, 1848. The act of the 30th of July, 1846, "reducing the duties on imports," has been in force since the 1st of December last, and I am gratified to state that all the beneficial effects which were anticipated from its operation have been fully realized. The public revenue derived from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1847, exceeds by more than $8,000,000 the amount received in the preceding year under the operation of the act of 1842, which was superseded and repealed by it. Its effects are visible in the great and almost unexampled prosperity which prevails in every branch of business. While the repeal of the prohibitory and restrictive duties of the act of 1842 and the substitution in their place of reasonable revenue rates levied on articles imported according to their actual value has increased the revenue and augmented our foreign trade, all the great interests of the country have been advanced and promoted. The great and important interests of agriculture, which had been not only too much neglected, but actually taxed under the protective policy for the benefit of other interests, have been relieved of the burdens which that policy imposed on them; and our farmers and planters, under a more just and liberal commercial policy, are finding new and profitable markets abroad for their augmented products. Our commerce is rapidly increasing, and is extending more widely the circle of international exchanges. Great as has been the increase of our imports during the past year, our exports of domestic products sold in foreign markets have been still greater. Our navigating interest is eminently prosperous. The number of vessels built in the United States has been greater than during any preceding period of equal length. Large profits have been derived by those who have constructed as well as by those who have navigated them. Should the ratio of increase in the number of our merchant vessels be progressive, and be as great for the future as during the past year, the time is not distant when our tonnage and commercial marine will be larger than that of any other nation in the world. Whilst the interests of agriculture, of commerce, and of navigation have been enlarged and invigorated, it is highly gratifying to observe that our manufactures are also in a prosperous condition. None of the ruinous effects upon this interest which were apprehended by some as the result of the operation of the revenue system established by the act of 1846 have been experienced. On the contrary, the number of manufactories and the amount of capital invested in them is steadily and rapidly increasing, affording gratifying proofs that American enterprise and skill employed in this branch of domestic industry, with no other advantages than those fairly and incidentally accruing from a just System of revenue duties, are abundantly able to meet successfully all competition from abroad and still derive fair and remunerating profits. While capital invested in manufactures is yielding adequate and fair profits under the new system, the wages of labor, whether employed in manufactures, agriculture, commerce, or navigation, have been augmented. The toiling millions whose daily labor furnishes the supply of food and raiment and all the necessaries and comforts of life are receiving higher wages and more steady and permanent employment than in any other country or at any previous period of our own history. So successful have been all branches of our industry that a foreign war, which generally diminishes the resources of a nation, has in no essential degree retarded our onward progress or checked our general prosperity. With such gratifying evidences of prosperity and of the successful operation of the revenue act of 1846, every consideration of public policy recommends that it shall remain unchanged. It is hoped that the system of impost duties which it established may be regarded as the permanent policy of the country, and that the great interests affected by it may not again be subject to be injuriously disturbed, as they have heretofore been by frequent and sometimes sudden changes. For the purpose of increasing the revenue, and without changing or modifying the rates imposed by the act of 1846 on the dutiable articles embraced by its provisions, I again recommend to your favorable consideration the expediency of levying a revenue duty on tea and coffee. The policy which exempted these articles from duty during peace, and when the revenue to be derived from them was not needed, ceases to exist when the country is engaged in war and requires the use of all of its available resources. It is a tax which would be so generally diffused among the people that it would be felt oppressively by none and be complained of by none. It is believed that there are not in the list of imported articles any which are more properly the subject of war duties than tea and coffee. It is estimated that $3,000,000 would be derived annually by a moderate duty imposed on these articles. Should Congress avail itself of this additional source of revenue, not only would the amount of the public loan rendered necessary by the war with Mexico be diminished to that extent, but the public credit and the public confidence in the ability and determination of the Government to meet all its engagements promptly would be more firmly established, and the reduced amount of the loan which it may be necessary to negotiate could probably be obtained at cheaper rates. Congress is therefore called upon to determine whether it is wiser to impose the war duties recommended or by omitting to do so increase the public debt annually $3,000,000 so long as loans shall be required to prosecute the war, and afterwards provide in some other form to pay the semiannual interest upon it, and ultimately to extinguish the principal. If in addition to these duties Congress should graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as experience has proved will not command the price placed upon them by the Government, an additional annual income to the Treasury of between half a million and a million of dollars, it is estimated, would be derived from this source. Should both measures receive the sanction of Congress, the annual amount of public debt necessary to be contracted during the continuance of the war would be reduced near $4,000,000. The duties recommended to be levied on tea and coffee it is proposed shall be limited in their duration to the end of the war, and until the public debt rendered necessary to be contracted by it shall be discharged. The amount of the public debt to be contracted should be limited to the lowest practicable sum, and should be extinguished as early after the conclusion of the war as the means of the Treasury will permit. With this view, it is recommended that as soon as the war shall be over all the surplus in the Treasury not needed for other indispensable objects shall constitute a sinking fund and be applied to the purchase of the funded debt, and that authority be conferred by laws for that purpose. The act of the 6th of August, 1846, "to establish a warehousing system," has been in operation more than a year, and has proved to be an important auxiliary to the tariff act of 1846 in augmenting the revenue and extending the commerce of the country. Whilst it has tended to enlarge commerce, it has been beneficial to our manufactures by diminishing forced sales at auction of foreign goods at low prices to raise the duties to be advanced on them, and by checking fluctuations in the market. The system, although sanctioned by the experience of other countries, was entirely new in the United States, and is susceptible of improvement in some of its provisions. The Secretary of the Treasury, upon whom was devolved large discretionary powers in carrying this measure into effect, has collected and is now collating the practical results of the system in other countries where it has long been established, and will report at an early period of your session such further regulations suggested by the investigation as may render it still more effective and beneficial. By the act to "provide for the better organization of the Treasury and for the collection, safe-keeping, and disbursement of the public revenue" all banks were discontinued as fiscal agents of the Government, and the paper currency issued by them was no longer permitted to be received in payment of public dues. The constitutional treasury created by this act went into operation on the 1st of January last. Under the system established by it the public moneys have been collected, safely kept, and disbursed by the direct agency of officers of the Government in gold and silver, and transfers of large amounts have been made from points of collection to points of disbursement without loss to the Treasury or injury or inconvenience to the trade of the country. While the fiscal operations of the Government have been conducted with regularity and ease under this system, it has had a salutary effect in checking and preventing an undue inflation of the paper currency issued by the banks which exist under State charters. Requiring, as it does, all dues to the Government to be paid in gold and silver, its effect is to restrain excessive issues of bank paper by the banks disproportioned to the specie in their vaults, for the reason that they are at all times liable to be called on by the holders of their notes for their redemption in order to obtain specie for the payment of duties and other public dues. The banks, therefore, must keep their business within prudent limits, and be always in a condition to meet such calls, or run the hazard of being compelled to suspend specie payments and be thereby discredited. The amount of specie imported into the United States during the last fiscal year was $24,121,289, of which there was retained in the country $22,276,170. Had the former financial system prevailed and the public moneys been placed on deposit in the banks, nearly the whole of this amount would have gone into their vaults, not to be thrown into circulation by them, but to be withheld from the hands of the people as a currency and made the basis of new and enormous issues of bank paper. A large proportion of the specie imported has been paid into the Treasury for public dues, and after having been to a great extent recoined at the Mint has been paid out to the public creditors and gone into circulation as a currency among the people. The amount of gold and silver coin now in circulation in the country is larger than at any former period. The financial system established by the constitutional treasury has been thus far eminently successful in its operations, and I recommend an adherence to all its essential provisions, and especially to that vital provision which wholly separates the Government from all connection with banks and excludes bank paper from all revenue receipts. In some of its details, not involving its general principles, the system is defective and will require modification. These defects and such amendments as are deemed important were set forth in the last annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury. These amendments are again recommended to the early and favorable consideration of Congress. During the past year the coinage at the Mint and its branches has exceeded $20,000,000. This has consisted chiefly in converting the coins of foreign countries into American coin. The largest amount of foreign coin imported has been received at New York, and if a branch mint were established at that city all the foreign coin received at that port could at once be converted into our own coin without the expense, risk, and delay of transporting it to the Mint for that purpose, and the amount recoined would be much larger. Experience has proved that foreign coin, and especially foreign gold coin, will not circulate extensively as a currency among the people. The important measure of extending our specie circulation, both of gold and silver, and of diffusing it among the people can only be effected by converting such foreign coin into American coin. I repeat the recommendation contained in my last annual message for the establishment of a branch of the Mint of the United States at the city of New York. All the public lands which had been surveyed and were ready for market have been proclaimed for sale during the past year. The quantity offered and to be offered for sale under proclamations issued since the 1st of January last amounts to 9,138,531 acres. The prosperity of the Western States and Territories in which these lands lie will be advanced by their speedy sale. By withholding them from market their growth and increase of population would be retarded, while thousands of our enterprising and meritorious frontier population would be deprived of the opportunity of securing freeholds for themselves and their families. But in addition to the general considerations which rendered the early sale of these lands proper, it was a leading object at this time to derive as large a sum as possible from this source, and thus diminish by that amount the public loan rendered necessary by the existence of a foreign war. It is estimated that not less than 10,000,000 acres of the public lands will be surveyed and be in a condition to be proclaimed for sale during the year 1848. In my last annual message I presented the reasons which in my judgment rendered it proper to graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have remained unsold for long periods after they had been offered for sale at public auction. Many millions of acres of public lands lying within the limits of several of the Western States have been offered in the market and been subject to sale at private entry for more than twenty years and large quantities for more than thirty years at the lowest price prescribed by the existing laws, and it has been found that they will not command that price. They must remain unsold and uncultivated for an indefinite period unless the price demanded for them by the Government shall be reduced. No satisfactory reason is perceived why they should be longer held at rates above their real value. At the present period an additional reason exists for adopting the measure recommended. When the country is engaged in a foreign war, and we must necessarily resort to loans, it would seem to be the dictate of wisdom that we should avail ourselves of all our resources and thus limit the amount of the public indebtedness to the lowest possible sum. I recommend that the existing laws on the subject of preemption rights be amended and modified so as to operate prospectively and to embrace all who may settle upon the public lands and make improvements upon them, before they are surveyed as well as afterwards, in all cases where such settlements may be made after the Indian title shall have been extinguished. If the right of preemption be thus extended, it will embrace a large and meritorious class of our citizens. It will increase the number of small freeholders upon our borders, who will be enabled thereby to educate their children and otherwise improve their condition, while they will be found at all times, as they have ever proved themselves to be in the hour of danger to their country, among our hardiest and best volunteer soldiers, ever ready to attend to their services in cases of emergencies and among the last to leave the field as long as an enemy remains to be encountered. Such a policy will also impress these patriotic pioneer emigrants with deeper feelings of gratitude for the parental care of their Government, when they find their dearest interests secured to them by the permanent laws of the land and that they are no longer in danger of losing their homes and hard-earned improvements by being brought into competition with a more wealthy class of purchasers at the land sales. The attention of Congress was invited at their last and the preceding session to the importance of establishing a Territorial government over our possessions in Oregon, and it is to be regretted that there was no legislation on the subject. Our citizens who inhabit that distant region of country are still left without the protection of our laws, or any regularly organized government. Before the question of limits and boundaries of the Territory of Oregon was definitely settled, from the necessity of their condition the inhabitants had established a temporary government of their own. Besides the want of legal authority for continuing such a government, it is wholly inadequate to protect them in their rights of person and property, or to secure to them the enjoyment of the privileges of other citizens, to which they are entitled under the Constitution of the United States. They should have the right of suffrage, be represented in a Territorial legislature and by a Delegate in Congress, and possess all the rights and privileges which citizens of other portions of the territories of the United States have heretofore enjoyed or may now enjoy. Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and the protection of our laws generally should be extended over them. In addition to the inhabitants in that Territory who had previously emigrated to it, large numbers of our citizens have followed them during the present year, and it is not doubted that during the next and subsequent years their numbers will be greatly increased. Congress at its last session established post routes leading to Oregon, and between different points within that Territory, and authorized the establishment of post-offices at "Astoria and such other places on the coasts of the Pacific within the territory of the United States as the public interests may require." Post-offices have accordingly been established, deputy postmasters appointed, and provision made for the transportation of the mails. The preservation of peace with the Indian tribes residing west of the Rocky Mountains will render it proper that authority should be given by law for the appointment of an adequate number of Indian agents to reside among them. I recommend that a surveyor-general's office be established in that Territory, and that the public lands be surveyed and brought into market at an early period. I recommend also that grants, upon liberal terms, of limited quantities of the public lands be made to all citizens of the United States who have emigrated, or may hereafter within a prescribed period emigrate, to Oregon and settle upon them. These hardy and adventurous citizens, who have encountered the dangers and privations of a long and toilsome journey, and have at length found an abiding place for themselves and their families upon the utmost verge of our western limits, should be secured in the homes which they have improved by their labor. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary of War for a detailed account of the operations of the various branches of the public service connected with the Department under his charge. The duties devolving on this Department have been unusually onerous and responsible during the past year, and have been discharged with ability and success. Pacific relations continue to exist with the various Indian tribes, and most of them manifest a strong friendship for the United States. Some depredations were committed during the past year upon our trains transporting supplies for the Army, on the road between the western border of Missouri and Santa Fe. These depredations, which are supposed to have been committed by bands from the region of New Mexico, have been arrested by the presence of a military force ordered out for that purpose. Some outrages have been perpetrated by a portion of the northwestern bands upon the weaker and comparatively defenseless neighboring tribes. Prompt measures were taken to prevent such occurrences in future. Between 1,000 and 2,000 Indians, belonging to several tribes, have been removed during the year from the east of the Mississippi to the country allotted to them west of that river as their permanent home, and arrangements have been made for others to follow. Since the treaty of 1846 with the Cherokees the feuds among them appear to have subsided, and they have become more united and contented than they have been for many years past. The commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of June 27, 1846, to settle claims arising under the treaty of 1835-36 with that tribe have executed their duties, and after a patient investigation and a full and fair examination of all the cases brought before them closed their labors in the month of July last. This is the fourth board of commissioners which has been organized under this treaty. Ample opportunity has been afforded to all those interested to bring forward their claims. No doubt is entertained that impartial justice has been done by the late board, and that all valid claims embraced by the treaty have been considered and allowed. This result and the final settlement to be made with this tribe under the treaty of 1846, which will be completed and laid before you during your session, will adjust all questions of controversy between them and the United States and produce a state of relations with them simple, well defined, and satisfactory. Under the discretionary authority conferred by the act of the 3d of March last the annuities due to the various tribes have been paid during the present year to the heads of families instead of to their chiefs or such persons as they might designate, as required by the law previously existing. This mode of payment has given general satisfaction to the great body of the Indians. Justice has been done to them, and they are grateful to the Government for it. A few chiefs and interested persons may object to this mode of payment, but it is believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud and imposition from being practiced upon the great body of common Indians, constituting a majority of all the tribes. It is gratifying to perceive that a number of the tribes have recently manifested an increased interest in the establishment of schools among them, and are making rapid advances in agriculture, some of them producing a sufficient quantity of food for their support and in some cases a surplus to dispose of to their neighbors. The comforts by which those who have received even a very limited education and have engaged in agriculture are surrounded tend gradually to draw off their less civilized brethren from the precarious means of subsistence by the chase to habits of labor and civilization. The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a satisfactory and gratifying account of the condition and operations of the naval service during the past year. Our commerce has been pursued with increased activity and with safety and success in every quarter of the globe under the protection of our flag, which the Navy has caused to be respected in the most distant seas. In the Gulf of Mexico and in the Pacific the officers and men of our squadrons have displayed distinguished gallantry and performed valuable services. In the early stages of the war with Mexico her ports on both coasts were blockaded, and more recently many of them have been captured and held by the Navy. When acting in cooperation with the land forces, the naval officers and men have performed gallant and distinguished services on land as well as on water, and deserve the high commendation of the country. While other maritime powers are adding to their navies large numbers of war steamers, it was a wise policy on our part to make similar additions to our Navy. The four war steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of March, 1847, are in course of construction. In addition to the four war steamers authorized by this act, the Secretary of the Navy has, in pursuance of its provisions, entered into contracts for the construction of five steamers to be employed in the transportation of the United States mail "from New York to New Orleans, touching at Charleston, Savannah, and Havana, and from Havana to Chagres;" for three steamers to be employed in like manner from Panama to Oregon, "so as to connect with the mail from Havana to Chagres across the Isthmus;" and for five steamers to be employed in like manner from New York to Liverpool. These steamers will be the property of the contractors, but are to be built "under the superintendence and direction of a naval constructor in the employ of the Navy Department, and to be so constructed as to render them convertible at the least possible expense into war steamers of the first class." A prescribed number of naval officers, as well as a post-office agent, are to be on board of them, and authority is reserved to the Navy Department at all times to "exercise control over said steamships" and "to have the right to take them for the exclusive use and service of the United States upon making proper compensation to the contractors therefor." Whilst these steamships will be employed in transporting the mails of the United States coastwise and to foreign countries upon an annual compensation to be paid to the owners, they will be always ready, upon an emergency requiring it, to be converted into war steamers; and the right reserved to take them for public use will add greatly to the efficiency and strength of this description of our naval force. To the steamers thus authorized under contracts made by the Secretary of the Navy should be added five other steamers authorized under contracts made in pursuance of laws by the Postmaster-General, making an addition, in the whole, of eighteen war steamers subject to be taken for public use. As further contracts for the transportation of the mail to foreign countries may be authorized by Congress, this number may be enlarged indefinitely. The enlightened policy by which a rapid communication with the various distant parts of the globe is established, by means of American built sea steamers, would find an ample reward in the increase of our commerce and in making our country and its resources more favorably known abroad; but the national advantage is still greater--of having our naval officers made familiar with steam navigation and of having the privilege of taking the ships already equipped for immediate service at a moment's notice, and will be cheaply purchased by the compensation to be paid for the transportation of the mail in them over and above the postages received. A just national pride, no less than our commercial interests, would Seem to favor the policy of augmenting the number of this description of vessels. They can be built in our country cheaper and in greater numbers than in any other in the world. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General for a detailed and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of that Department during the past year. It is gratifying to find that within so short a period after the reduction in the rates of postage, and notwithstanding the great increase of mail service, the revenue received for the year will be sufficient to defray all the expenses, and that no further aid will be required from the Treasury for that purpose. The first of the American mail steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of March, 1845, was completed and entered upon the service on the 1st of June last, and is now on her third voyage to Bremen and other intermediate ports. The other vessels authorized under the provisions of that act are in course of construction, and will be put upon the line as soon as completed. Contracts have also been made for the transportation of the mail in a steamer from Charleston to Havana. A reciprocal and satisfactory postal arrangement has been made by the Postmaster-General with the authorities of Bremen, and no difficulty is apprehended in making similar arrangements with all other powers with which we may have communications by mail steamers, except with Great Britain. On the arrival of the first of the American steamers bound to Bremen at Southampton, in the month of June last, the British post-office directed the collection of discriminating postages on all letters and other mailable matter which she took out to Great Britain or which went into the British post-office on their way to France and other parts of Europe. The effect of the order of the British, post-office is to subject all letters and other matter transported by American steamers to double postage, one postage having been previously paid on them to the United States, while letters transported in British steamers are subject to pay but a single postage. This measure was adopted with the avowed object of protecting the British line of mail steamers now running between Boston and Liverpool, and if permitted to Continue must speedily put an end to the transportation of all letters and other matter by American steamers and give to British steamers a monopoly of the business. A just and fair reciprocity is all that we desire, and on this we must insist. By our laws no such discrimination is made against British steamers bringing letters into our ports, but all letters arriving in the United States are subject to the same rate of postage, whether brought in British or American vessels. I refer you to the report of the Postmaster-General for a full statement of the facts of the case and of the steps taken by him to correct this inequality. He has exerted all the power conferred upon him by the existing laws. The minister of the United States at London has brought the subject to the attention of the British Government, and is now engaged in negotiations for the purpose of adjusting reciprocal postal arrangements which shall be equally just to both countries. Should he fail in concluding such arrangements, and should Great Britain insist on enforcing the unequal and unjust measure she has adopted, it will become necessary to confer additional powers on the Postmaster-General in order to enable him to meet the emergency and to put our own steamers on an equal footing with British steamers engaged in transporting the mails between the two countries, and I recommend that such powers be conferred. In view of the existing state of our country, I trust it may not be inappropriate, in closing this communication, to call to mind the words of wisdom and admonition of the first and most illustrious of my predecessors in his Farewell Address to his countrymen. That greatest and best of men, who served his country so long and loved it so much, foresaw with "serious concern" the danger to our Union of "characterizing parties by geographical discriminations--Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western--whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views," and warned his countrymen against it. So deep and solemn was his conviction of the importance of the Union and of preserving harmony between its different parts, that he declared to his countrymen in that address: It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. After the lapse of half a century these admonitions of Washington fall upon us with all the force of truth. It is difficult to estimate the "immense value" of our glorious Union of confederated States, to which we are so much indebted for our growth in population and wealth and for all that constitutes us a great and a happy nation. How unimportant are all our differences of opinion upon minor questions of public policy compared with its preservation, and how scrupulously should we avoid all agitating topics which may tend to distract and divide us into contending parties, separated by geographical lines, whereby it may be weakened or endangered. Invoking the blessing of the Almighty Ruler of the Universe upon your deliberations, it will be my highest duty, no less than my sincere pleasure, to cooperate with you in all measures which may tend to promote the honor and enduring welfare of our common country.
The annual meeting of Congress is always an interesting event. The representatives of the States and of the people come fresh from their constituents to take counsel together for the common good. After an existence of near three-fourths of a century as a free and independent Republic, the problem no longer remains to be solved whether man is capable of self-government. The success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of those in other countries who maintain that a "favored few" are born to rule and that the mass of mankind must be governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are the only sovereigns recognized by our Constitution. Numerous emigrants, of every lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy and by our happy condition, annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their heart, not less than their allegiance, to the country whose dominion belongs alone to the people. No country has been so much favored, or should acknowledge with deeper reverence the manifestations of the divine protection. An all wise Creator directed and guarded us in our infant struggle for freedom and has constantly watched over our surprising progress until we have become one of the great nations of the earth. It is in a country thus favored, and under a Government in which the executive and legislative branches hold their authority for limited periods alike from the people, and where all are responsible to their respective constituencies, that it is again my duty to communicate with Congress upon the state of the Union and the present condition of public affairs. During the past year the most gratifying proofs are presented that our country has been blessed with a widespread and universal prosperity. There has been no period since the Government was founded when all the industrial pursuits of our people have been more successful or when labor in all branches of business has received a fairer or better reward. From our abundance we have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food for the starving millions of less favored countries. In the enjoyment of the bounties of Providence at home such as have rarely fallen to the lot of any people, it is because of congratulation that our intercourse with all the powers of the earth except Mexico continues to be of an amicable character. It has ever been our cherished policy to cultivate peace and good will with all nations, and this policy has been steadily pursued by me. No change has taken place in our relations with Mexico since the adjournment of the last Congress. The war in which the United States were forced to engage with the Government of that country still continues. I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition of them contained in my message of the 11th of May, 1846, and in my annual message at the commencement of the session of Congress in December last, to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against Mexico before she commenced hostilities. It is sufficient on the present occasion to say that the wanton violation of the rights of person and property of our citizens committed by Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith through a long series of years, and her disregard of solemn treaties stipulating for indemnity to our injured citizens not only constituted ample because of war on our part, but were of such an aggravated character as would have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we forbore for years to assert our clear rights by force, and continued to seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by amicable negotiation in the hope that Mexico might yield to pacific counsels and the demands of justice. In this hope we were disappointed. Our minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly rejected. The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he was authorized to propose, and finally, under wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries in war by invading the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. Though the United States were the aggrieved nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were compelled in self-defense to repel the invader and to vindicate the national honor and interests by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain a just and honorable peace. On learning that hostilities had been commenced by Mexico I promptly communicated that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement of our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to Congress, and that body, by the act of the 13th of May, 1846, declared that "by the act of the Republic of Mexico a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." This act declaring "the war to exist by the act of the Republic of Mexico," and making provision for its prosecution "to a speedy and successful termination," was passed with great unanimity by Congress, there being but two negative votes in the Senate and but fourteen in the House of Representatives. The existence of the war having thus been declared by Congress, it became my duty under the Constitution and the laws to conduct and prosecute it. This duty has been performed, and though at every stage of its progress I have manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms which could be accepted by the United States consistently with the national honor and interest. The rapid and brilliant successes of our arms and the vast extent of the enemy's territory which had been overrun and conquered before the close of the last session of Congress were fully known to that body. Since that time the war has been prosecuted with increased energy, and, I am gratified to state, with a success which commands universal admiration.. History presents no parallel of so many glorious victories achieved by any nation within so short a period. Our Army, regulars and volunteers, have covered themselves with imperishable honors. Whenever and wherever our forces have encountered the enemy, though he was in vastly superior numbers and often intrenched in fortified positions of his own selection and of great strength, he has been defeated. Too much praise can not be bestowed upon our officers and men, regulars and volunteers, for their gallantry, discipline, indomitable courage, and perseverance, all seeking the post of danger and vying with each other in deeds of noble daring. While every patriot's heart must exult and a just national pride animate every bosom in beholding the high proofs of courage, consummate military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to the vanquished enemy exhibited by our gallant Army, the nation is called to mourn over the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, who have fallen in defense of their country's honor and interests. The brave dead met their melancholy fate in a foreign land, nobly discharging their duty, and with their country's flag waving triumphantly in the face of the foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated, and will long be remembered by their grateful countrymen. The parental care of the Government they loved and served should be extended to their surviving families. Shortly after the adjournment of the last session of Congress the gratifying intelligence was received of the signal victory of Buena Vista, and of the fall of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, by which it was defended. Believing that after these and other successes so honorable to our arms and so disastrous to Mexico the period was propitious to afford her another opportunity, if she thought proper to embrace it, to enter into negotiations for peace, a commissioner was appointed to proceed to the headquarters of our Army with full powers to enter upon negotiations and to conclude a just and honorable treaty of peace. He was not directed to make any new overtures of peace, but was the bearer of a dispatch from the Secretary of State of the United States to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, in reply to one received from the latter of the 22d of February, 1847, in which the Mexican Government was informed of his appointment and of his presence at the headquarters of our Army, and that he was invested with full powers to conclude a definitive treaty of peace whenever the Mexican Government might signify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject the United States to another indignant refusal, I was yet resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might be rendered absolutely necessary by the Mexican Government. Care was taken to give no instructions to the commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations or relax our energies in the prosecution of the war. He possessed no authority in any manner to control these operations. He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the general in command of the Army, and in the event of a treaty being concluded and ratified on the part of Mexico he was directed to give him notice of that fact. On the happening of such contingency, and on receiving notice thereof, the general in command was instructed by the Secretary of War to suspend further active military operations until further orders. These instructions were given with a view to intermit hostilities until the treaty thus ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Washington and receive the action of the Government of the United States. The commissioner was also directed on reaching the Army to deliver to the general in command the dispatch which he bore from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, and on receiving it the general was instructed by the Secretary of War to because it to be transmitted to the commander of the Mexican forces, with a quest that it might be communicated to his Government. The commissioner did not reach the headquarters of the Army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo. The dispatch which he bore from the Secretary of War to the general in command of the Army was received by that officer, then at Jalapa, on the 7th of May, 1847, together with the dispatch from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico, having been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The commissioner arrived at the headquarters of the Army a few days afterwards. His presence with the Army and his diplomatic character were made known to the Mexican Government from Puebla on the 12th of June, 1847, by the transmission of the dispatch from the Secretary of State to the minister of foreign affairs of Mexico. Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no overtures were made nor was any desire expressed by the Mexican Government to enter into negotiations for peace. Our Army pursued its march upon the capital, and as it approached it was met by formidable resistance. Our forces first encountered the enemy, and achieved signal victories in the severely contested battles of Contreras and Churubusco. It was not until after these actions had resulted in decisive victories and the capital of the enemy was within our power that the Mexican Government manifested any disposition to enter into negotiations for peace, and even then, as events have proved, there is too much reason to believe they were insincere, and that in agreeing to go through the forms of negotiation the object was to gain time to strengthen the defenses of their capital and to prepare for fresh resistance. The general in command of the Army deemed it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily by entering into an armistice with a view to the opening of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed on the part of Mexico to meet the commissioner on the part of the United States. The result of the conferences which took place between these functionaries of the two Governments was a failure to conclude a treaty of peace. The commissioner of the United States took with him the project of a treaty already prepared, by the terms of which the indemnity required by the United States was a cession of territory. It is well known that the only indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction of the just and long-deferred claims of our citizens against her and the only means by which she can reimburse the United States for the expenses of the war is a cession to the United States of a portion of her territory. Mexico has no money to pay, and no other means of making the required indemnity. If we refuse this, we can obtain nothing else. To reject indemnity by refusing to accept a cession of territory would be to abandon all our just demands, and to wage the war, bearing all its expenses, without a purpose or definite object. A state of war abrogates treaties previously existing between the belligerents and a treaty of peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity for tortious acts committed under the authority of one government against the citizens or subjects of another unless they are provided for in its stipulations. A treaty of peace which would terminate the existing war without providing for indemnity would enable Mexico, the acknowledged debtor and herself the aggressor in the war, to relieve herself from her just liabilities. By such a treaty our citizens who hold just demands against her would have no remedy either against Mexico or their own Government. Our duty to these citizens must forever prevent such a peace, and no treaty which does not provide ample means of discharging these demands can receive my sanction. A treaty of peace should settle all existing differences between the two countries. If an adequate cession of territory should be made by such a treaty, the United States should release Mexico from all her liabilities and assume their payment to our own citizens. If instead of this the United States were to consent to a treaty by which Mexico should again engage to pay the heavy amount of indebtedness which a just indemnity to our Government and our citizens would impose on her, it is notorious that she does not possess the means to meet such an undertaking. From such a treaty no result could be anticipated but the same irritating disappointments which have heretofore attended the violations of similar treaty stipulations on the part of Mexico. Such a treaty would be but a temporary cessation of hostilities, without the restoration of the friendship and good understanding which should characterize the future intercourse between the two countries. That Congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial indemnity when that body made provision for the prosecution of the war is obvious. Congress could not have meant when, in May, 1846, they appropriated $10,000,000 and authorized the President to employ the militia and naval and military forces of the United States and to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers to enable him to prosecute the war, and when, at their last session, and after our Army had invaded Mexico, they made additional appropriations and authorized the raising of additional troops for the same purpose, that no indemnity was to be obtained from Mexico at the conclusion of the war; and yet it was certain that if no Mexican territory was acquired no indemnity could be obtained. It is further manifest that Congress contemplated territorial indemnity from the fact that at their last session an act was passed, upon the Executive recommendation, appropriating $3,000,000 with that express object. This appropriation was made "to enable the President to conclude a treaty of peace, limits, and boundaries with the Republic of Mexico, to be used by him in the event that said treaty, when signed by the authorized agents of the two Governments and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of the same or any part thereof." The object of asking this appropriation was distinctly stated in the several messages on the subject which I communicated to Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1803 and 1806, which were referred to, were intended to be applied in part consideration for the cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like manner it was anticipated that in settling the terms of a treaty of "limits and boundaries" with Mexico a cession of territory estimated to be of greater value than the amount of our demands against her might be obtained, and that the prompt payment of this sum in part consideration for the territory ceded, on the conclusion of a treaty and its ratification on her part, might be an inducement with her to make such a cession of territory as would be satisfactory to the United States; and although the failure to conclude such a treaty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part of the $3,000,000 appropriated by that act, and the entire sum remains in the Treasury, it is still applicable to that object should the contingency occur making such application proper. The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of no indemnity, and if sanctioned would be a public acknowledgment that our country was wrong and that the war declared by Congress with extraordinary unanimity was unjust and should be abandoned--an admission unfounded in fact and degrading to the national character. The terms of the treaty proposed by the United States were not only just to Mexico, but, considering the character and amount of our claims, the unjustifiable and unprovoked commencement of hostilities by her, the expenses of the war to which we have been subjected, and the success which had attended our arms, were deemed to be of a most liberal character. The commissioner of the United States was authorized to agree to the establishment of the Rio Grande as the boundary from its entrance into the Gulf to its intersection with the southern boundary of New Mexico, in north latitude about 32 degree, and to obtain a cession to the United States of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias and the privilege of the right of way across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The boundary of the Rio Grande and the cession to the United States of New Mexico and Upper California constituted an ultimatum which our commissioner was under no circumstances to yield. That it might be manifest, not only to Mexico, but to all other nations, that the United States were not disposed to take advantage of a feeble power by insisting upon wrestling from her all the other Provinces, including many of her principal towns and cities, which we had conquered and held in our military occupation but were willing to conclude a treaty in a spirit of liberality, our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the restoration to Mexico of all our other conquests. As the territory to be acquired by the boundary proposed might be estimated to be of greater value than a fair equivalent for our just demands, our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the payment of such additional pecuniary consideration as was deemed reasonable. The terms of a treaty proposed by the Mexican commissioners were wholly inadmissible. They negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious, and not the vanquished, party. They must have known that their ultimatum could never be accepted. It required the United States to dismember Texas by surrendering to Mexico that part of the territory of that State lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, included within her limits by her laws when she was an independent republic, and when she was annexed to the United States and admitted by Congress as one of the States of our Union. It contained no provision for the payment by Mexico of the just claims of our citizens. It required indemnity to Mexican citizens for injuries they may have sustained by our troops in the prosecution of the war. It demanded the right for Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on goods imported into her ports while in our military occupation during the war, and the owners of which had paid to officers of the United States the military contributions which had been levied upon them; and it offered to cede to the United States, for a pecuniary consideration, that part of Upper California lying north of latitude 37°. Such were the unreasonable terms proposed by the Mexican commissioners. The cession to the United States by Mexico of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, as proposed by the commissioner of the United States, it was believed would be more in accordance with the convenience and interests of both nations than any other cession of territory which it was probable Mexico could be induced to make. It is manifest to all who have observed the actual condition of the Mexican Government for some years past and at present that if these Provinces should be retained by her she could not long continue to hold and govern them. Mexico is too feeble a power to govern these Provinces, lying as they do at a distance of more than 1,000 miles from her capital, and if attempted to be retained by her they would constitute but for a short time even nominally a part of her dominions. This would be especially the case with Upper California. The sagacity of powerful European nations has long since directed their attention to the commercial importance of that Province, and there can be little doubt that the moment the United States shall relinquish their present occupation of it and their claim to it as indemnity an effort would be made by some foreign power to possess it, either by conquest or by purchase. If no foreign government should acquire it in either of these modes, an independent revolutionary government would probably be established by the inhabitants and such foreigners as may remain in or remove to the country as soon as it shall be known that the United States have abandoned it. Such a government would be too feeble long to maintain its separate independent existence, and would finally become annexed to or be a dependent colony of some more powerful state. Should any foreign government attempt to possess it as a colony, or otherwise to incorporate it with itself, the principle avowed by President Monroe in 1824, and reaffirmed in my first annual message, that no foreign power shall with our consent be permitted to plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the North American continent must be maintained. In maintaining this principle and in resisting its invasion by any foreign power we might be involved in other wars more expensive and more difficult than that in which we are now engaged. The Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias are contiguous to the territories of the United States, and if brought under the government of our laws their resources--mineral, agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial--would soon be developed. Upper California is bounded on the north by our Oregon possessions, and if held by the United States would soon be settled by a hardy, enterprising, and intelligent portion of our population. The Bay of San Francisco and other harbors along the Californian coast would afford shelter for our Navy, for our numerous whale ships, and other merchant vessels employed in the Pacific Ocean, and would in a short period become the marts of an extensive and profitable commerce with China and other countries of the East. These advantages, in which the whole commercial world would participate, would at once be secured to the United States by the cession of this territory; while it is certain that as long as it remains a part of the Mexican dominions they can be enjoyed neither by Mexico herself nor by any other nation. New Mexico is a frontier Province, and has never been of any considerable value to Mexico. From its locality it is naturally connected with our Western settlements. The territorial limits of the State of Texas, too, as defined by her laws before her admission into our Union, embrace all that portion of New Mexico lying east of the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold this territory as a part of her dominions. The adjustment of this question of boundary is important. There is another consideration which induced the belief that the Mexican Government might even desire to place this Province under the protection of the Government of the United States. Numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages wander over it and upon its borders. Mexico has been and must continue to be too feeble to restrain them from committing depredations, robberies, and murders, not only upon the inhabitants of New Mexico itself, but upon those of the other northern States of Mexico. It would be a blessing to all these northern States to have their citizens protected against them by the power of the United States. At this moment many Mexicans, principally females and children, are in captivity among them. If New Mexico were held and governed by the United States, we could effectually prevent these tribes from committing such outrages, and compel them to release these captives and restore them to their families and friends. In proposing to acquire New Mexico and the Californias, it was known that but an inconsiderable portion of the Mexican people would be transferred with them, the country embraced within these Provinces being chiefly an uninhabited region. These were the leading considerations which induced me to authorize the terms of peace which were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected, and, negotiations being at an end, hostilities were renewed. An assault was made by our gallant Army upon the strongly fortified places near the gates of the City of Mexico and upon the city itself, and after several days of severe conflict the Mexican forces, vastly superior in number to our own, were driven from the city, and it was occupied by our troops. Immediately after information was received of the unfavorable result of the negotiations, believing that his continued presence with the Army could be productive of no good, I determined to recall our commissioner. A dispatch to this effect was transmitted to him on the 6th of October last. The Mexican Government will be informed of his recall, and that in the existing state of things I shall not deem it proper to make any further overtures of peace, but shall be at all times ready to receive and consider any proposals which may be made by Mexico. Since the liberal proposition of the United States was authorized to be made, in April last, large expenditures have been incurred and the precious blood of many of our patriotic fellow-citizens has been she would in the prosecution of the war. This consideration and the obstinate perseverance of Mexico in protracting the war must influence the terms of peace which it may be deemed proper hereafter to accept. Our arms having been everywhere victorious, having subjected to our military occupation a large portion of the enemy's country, including his capital, and negotiations for peace having failed, the important questions arise, in what manner the war ought to be prosecuted and what should be our future policy. I can not doubt that we should secure and render available the conquests which we have already made, and that with this view we should hold and occupy by our naval and military forces all the ports, towns, cities, and Provinces now in our occupation or which may hereafter fall into our possession; that we should press forward our military operations and levy such military contributions on the enemy as may, as far as practicable, defray the future expenses of the war. Had the Government of Mexico acceded to the equitable and liberal terms proposed, that mode of adjustment would have been preferred, Mexico having declined to do this and failed to offer any other terms which could be accepted by the United States, the national honor, no less than the public interests, requires that the war should be prosecuted with increased energy and power until a just and satisfactory peace can be obtained. In the meantime, as Mexico refuses all indemnity, we should adopt measures to indemnify ourselves by appropriating permanently a portion of her territory. Early after the commencement of the war New Mexico and the Californias were taken possession of by our forces. Our military and naval commanders were ordered to conquer and hold them, subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace. These Provinces are now in our undisputed occupation, and have been so for many months, all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased within their limits. I am satisfied that they should never be surrendered to Mexico. Should Congress concur with me in this opinion, and that they should be retained by the United States as indemnity, I can perceive no good reason why the civil jurisdiction and laws of the United States should not at once be extended over them. To wait for a treaty of peace such as we are willing to make, by which our relations toward them would not be changed, can not be good policy; whilst our own interest and that of the people inhabiting them require that a stable, responsible, and free government under our authority should as soon as possible be established over them. Should Congress, therefore, determine to hold these Provinces permanently, and that they shall hereafter be considered as constituent parts of our country, the early establishment of Territorial governments over them will be important for the more perfect protection of persons and property; and I recommend that such Territorial governments be established. It will promote peace and tranquillity among the inhabitants, by allaying all apprehension that they may still entertain of being again subjected to the jurisdiction of Mexico. I invite the early and favorable consideration of Congress to this important subject. Besides New Mexico and the Californias, there are other Mexican Provinces which have been reduced to our possession by conquest. These other Mexican Provinces are now governed by our military and naval commanders under the general authority which is conferred upon a conqueror by the laws of war. They should continue to be held, as a means of coercing Mexico to accede to just terms of peace. Civil as well as military officers are required to conduct such a government. Adequate compensation, to be drawn from contributions levied on the enemy, should be fixed by law for such officers as may be thus employed. What further provision may become necessary and what final disposition it may be proper to make of them must depend on the future progress of the war and the course which Mexico may think proper hereafter to pursue. With the views I entertain I can not favor the policy which has been suggested, either to withdraw our Army altogether or to retire to a designated line and simply hold and defend it. To withdraw our Army altogether from the conquests they have made by deeds of unparalleled bravery, and at the expense of so much blood and treasure, in a just war on our part, and one which, by the act of the enemy, we could not honorably have avoided, would be to degrade the nation in its own estimation and in that of the world. To retire to a line and simply hold and defend it would not terminate the war. On the contrary, it would encourage Mexico to persevere and tend to protract it indefinitely. It is not to be expected that Mexico, after refusing to establish such a line as a permanent boundary when our victorious Army are in possession of her capital and in the heart of her country, would permit us to hold it without resistance. That she would continue the war, and in the most harassing and annoying forms, there can be no doubt. A border warfare of the most savage character, extending over a long line, would be unceasingly waged. It would require a large army to be kept constantly in the field, stationed at posts and garrisons along such a line, to protect and defend it. The enemy, relieved from the pressure of our arms on his coasts and in the populous parts of the interior, would direct his attention to this line, and, selecting an isolated post for attack, would concentrate his forces upon it. This would be a condition of affairs which the Mexicans, pursuing their favorite system of guerrilla warfare, would probably prefer to any other. Were we to assume a defensive attitude on such a line, all the advantages of such a state of war would be on the side of the enemy. We could levy no contributions upon him, or in any other way make him feel the pressure of the war, but must remain inactive and await his approach, being in constant uncertainty at what point on the line or at what time he might make an assault. He may assemble and organize an overwhelming force in the interior on his own side of the line, and, concealing his purpose, make a sudden assault upon some one of our posts so distant from any other as to prevent the possibility of timely succor or reenforcements, and in this way our gallant Army would be exposed to the danger of being cut off in detail; or if by their unequaled bravery and prowess everywhere exhibited during this war they should repulse the enemy, their numbers stationed at any one post may be too small to pursue him. If the enemy be repulsed in one attack, he would have nothing to do but to retreat to his own side of the line, and, being in no fear of a pursuing army, may reenforce himself at leisure for another attack on the same or some other post. He may, too, cross the line between our posts, make rapid incursions into the country which we hold, murder the inhabitants, commit depredations on them, and then retreat to the interior before a sufficient force can be concentrated to pursue him. Such would probably be the harassing character of a mere defensive war on our part. If our forces when attacked, or threatened with attack, be permitted to cross the line, drive back the enemy, and conquer him, this would be again to invade the enemy's country after having lost all the advantages of the conquests we have already made by having voluntarily abandoned them. To hold such a line successfully and in security it is far from being certain that it would not require as large an army as would be necessary to hold all the conquests we have already made and to continue the prosecution of the war in the heart of the enemy's country. It is also far from being certain that the expenses of the war would be diminished by such a policy. I am persuaded that the best means of vindicating the national honor and interest and of bringing the war to an honorable close will be to prosecute it with increased energy and power in the vital parts of the enemy's country. In my annual message to Congress of December last I declared that-- The war has not been waged with a view to conquest, but, having been commenced by Mexico, it has been carried into the enemy's country and will be vigorously prosecuted there with a view to obtain an honorable peace, and thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well as to our much-injured citizens, who hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico. Such, in my judgment, continues to be our true policy; indeed, the only policy which will probably secure a permanent peace. It has never been contemplated by me, as an object of the war, to make a permanent conquest of the Republic of Mexico or to annihilate her separate existence as an independent nation. On the contrary, it has ever been my desire that she should maintain her nationality, and under a good government adapted to her condition be a free, independent, and prosperous Republic. The United States were the first among the nations to recognize her independence, and have always desired to be on terms of amity and good neighborhood with her. This she would not suffer. By her own conduct we have been compelled to engage in the present war. In its prosecution we seek not her overthrow as a nation, but in vindicating our national honor we seek to obtain redress for the wrongs she has done us and indemnity for our just demands against her. We demand an honorable peace, and that peace must bring with it indemnity for the past and security for the future. Hitherto Mexico has refused all accommodation by which such a peace could be obtained. Whilst our armies have advanced from victory to victory from the commencement of the war, it has always been with the olive branch of peace in their hands, and it has been in the power of Mexico at every step to arrest hostilities by accepting it. One great obstacle to the attainment of peace has undoubtedly arisen from the fact that Mexico has been so long held in subjection by one faction or military usurper after another, and such has been the condition of insecurity in which their successive governments have been placed that each has been deterred from making peace lest for this very because a rival faction might expel it from power. Such was the fate of President Herrera's administration in 1845 for being disposed even to listen to the overtures of the United States to prevent the war, as is fully confirmed by an official correspondence which took place in the month of August last between him and his Government, a copy of which is herewith communicated. "For this because alone the revolution which displaced him from power was set on foot" by General Paredes. Such may be the condition of insecurity of the present Government. There can be no doubt that the peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants of Mexico are convinced that it is the true interest of their country to conclude an honorable peace with the United States, but the apprehension of becoming the victims of some military faction or usurper may have prevented them from manifesting their feelings by any public act. The removal of any such apprehension would probably because them to speak their sentiments freely and to adopt the measures necessary for the restoration of peace. With a people distracted and divided by contending factions and a Government subject to constant changes by successive revolutions, the continued successes of our arms may fail to secure a satisfactory peace. In such event it may become proper for our commanding generals in the field to give encouragement and assurances of protection to the friends of peace in Mexico in the establishment and maintenance of a free republican government of their own choice, able and willing to conclude a peace which would be just to them and secure to us the indemnity we demand. This may become the only mode of obtaining such a peace. Should such be the result, the war which Mexico has forced upon us would thus be converted into an enduring blessing to herself. After finding her torn and distracted by factions, and ruled by military usurpers, we should then leave her with a republican government in the enjoyment of real independence and domestic peace and prosperity, performing all her relative duties in the great family of nations and promoting her own happiness by wise laws and their faithful execution. If, after affording this encouragement and protection, and after all the persevering and sincere efforts we have made from the moment Mexico commenced the war, and prior to that time, to adjust our differences with her, we shall ultimately fail, then we shall have exhausted all honorable means in pursuit of peace, and must continue to occupy her country with our troops, taking the full measure of indemnity into our own hands, and must enforce the terms which our honor demands. To act otherwise in the existing state of things in Mexico, and to withdraw our Army without a peace, would not only leave all the wrongs of which we complain unredressed, but would be the signal for new and fierce civil dissensions and new revolutions--all alike hostile to peaceful relations with the United States. Besides, there is danger, if our troops were withdrawn before a peace was conducted, that the Mexican people, wearied with successive revolutions and deprived of protection for their persons and property, might at length be inclined to yield to foreign influences and to cast themselves into the arms of some European monarch for protection from the anarchy and suffering which would ensue. This, for our own safety and in pursuance of our established policy, we should be compelled to resist. We could never consent that Mexico should be thus converted into a monarchy governed by a foreign prince. Mexico is our near neighbor, and her boundaries are coterminous with our own through the whole extent across the North American continent, from ocean to ocean. Both politically and commercially we have the deepest interest in her regeneration and prosperity. Indeed, it is impossible that, with any just regard to our own safety, we can ever become indifferent to her fate. It may be that the Mexican Government and people have misconstrued or misunderstood our forbearance and our objects in desiring to conclude an amicable adjustment of the existing differences between the two countries. They may have supposed that we would submit to terms degrading to the nation, or they may have drawn false inferences from the supposed division of opinion in the United States on the subject of the war, and may have calculated to gain much by protracting it, and, indeed, that we might ultimately abandon it altogether without insisting on any indemnity, territorial or otherwise. Whatever may be the false impressions under which they have acted, the adoption and prosecution of the energetic policy proposed must soon undeceive them. In the future prosecution of the war the enemy must be made to feel its pressure more than they have heretofore done. At its commencement it was deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit of forbearance and liberality. With this end in view, early measures were adopted to conciliate, as far as a state of war would permit, the mass of the Mexican population; to convince them that the war was waged, not against the peaceful inhabitants of Mexico, but against their faithless Government, which had commenced hostilities; to remove from their minds the false impressions which their designing and interested rulers had artfully attempted to make, that the war on our part was one of conquest, that it was a war against their religion and their churches, which were to be desecrated and overthrown, and that their rights of person and private property would be violated. To remove these false impressions, our commanders in the field were directed scrupulously to respect their religion, their churches, and their church property, which were in no manner to be violated; they were directed also to respect the rights of persons and property of all who should not take up arms against us. Assurances to this effect were given to the Mexican people by Major General Taylor in a proclamation issued in pursuance of instructions from the Secretary of War in the month of June, 1846, and again by Major-General Scott, who acted upon his own convictions of the propriety of issuing it, in a proclamation of the 11th of May, 1847. In this spirit of liberality and conciliation, and with a view to prevent the body of the Mexican population from taking up arms against us, was the war conducted on our part. Provisions and other supplies furnished to our Army by Mexican citizens were paid for at fair and liberal prices, agreed upon by the parties. After the lapse of a few months it became apparent that these assurances and this mild treatment had failed to produce the desired effect upon the Mexican population. While the war had been conducted on our part according to the most humane and liberal principles observed by civilized nations, it was waged in a far different spirit on the part of Mexico. Not appreciating our forbearance, the Mexican people generally became hostile to the United States, and availed themselves of every opportunity to commit the most savage excesses upon our troops. Large numbers of the population took up arms, and, engaging in guerrilla warfare, robbed and murdered in the most cruel manner individual soldiers or small parties whom accident or other causes had separated from the main body of our Army; bands of guerrilleros and robbers infested the roads, harassed our trains, and whenever it was in their power cut off our supplies. The Mexicans having thus shown themselves to be wholly incapable of appreciating our forbearance and liberality, it was deemed proper to change the manner of conducting the war, by making them feel its pressure according to the usages observed under similar circumstances by all other civilized nations. Accordingly, as early as the 22d of September, 1846, instructions were given by the Secretary of War to Major-General Taylor to "draw supplies" for our Army "from the enemy without paying for them, and to require contributions for its support, if in that way he was satisfied he could get abundant supplies for his forces." In directing the execution of these instructions much was necessarily left to the discretion of the commanding officer, who was best acquainted with the circumstances by which he was surrounded, the wants of the Army, and the practicability of enforcing the measure. General Taylor, on the 26th of October, 1846, replied from Monterey that "it would have been impossible hitherto, and is so now, to sustain the Army to any extent by forced contributions of money or supplies." For the reasons assigned by him, he did not adopt the policy of his instructions, but declared his readiness to do so "should the Army in its future operations reach a portion of the country which may be made to supply the troops with advantage." He continued to pay for the articles of supply which were drawn from the enemy's country. Similar instructions were issued to Major-General Scott on the 3d of April, 1847, who replied from Jalapa on the 20th of May, 1847, that if it be expected "that the Army is to support itself by forced contributions levied upon the country we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants and starve ourselves." The same discretion was given to him that had been to General Taylor in this respect. General Scott, for the reasons assigned by him, also continued to pay for the articles of supply for the Army which were drawn from the enemy. After the Army had reached the heart of the most wealthy portion of Mexico it was supposed that the obstacles which had before that time prevented it would not be such as to render impracticable the levy of forced contributions for its support, and on the 1st of September and again on the 6th of October, 1847, the order was repeated in dispatches addressed by the Secretary of War to General Scott, and his attention was again called to the importance of making the enemy bear the burdens of the war by requiring them to furnish the means of supporting our Army, and he was directed to adopt this policy unless by doing so there was danger of depriving the Army of the necessary supplies. Copies of these dispatches were forwarded to General Taylor for his government. On the 31st of March last I caused an order to be issued to our military and naval commanders to levy and collect a military contribution upon all vessels and merchandise which might enter any of the ports of Mexico in our military occupation, and to apply such contributions toward defraying the expenses of the war. By virtue of the right of conquest and the laws of war, the conqueror, consulting his own safety or convenience, may either exclude foreign commerce altogether from all such ports or permit it upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe. Before the principal ports of Mexico were blockaded by our Navy the revenue derived from import duties under the laws of Mexico was paid into the Mexican treasury. After these ports had fallen into our military possession the blockade was raised and commerce with them permitted upon prescribed terms and conditions. They were opened to the trade of all nations upon the payment of duties more moderate in their amount than those which had been previously levied by Mexico, and the revenue, which was formerly paid into the Mexican treasury, was directed to be collected by our military and naval officers and applied to the use of our Army and Navy. Care was taken that the officers, soldiers, and sailors of our Army and Navy should be exempted from the operations of the order, and, as the merchandise imported upon which the order operated must be consumed by Mexican citizens, the contributions exacted were in effect the seizure of the public revenues of Mexico and the application of them to our own use. In directing this measure the object was to compel the enemy to contribute as far as practicable toward the expenses of the war. For the amount of contributions which have been levied in this form I refer you to the accompanying reports of the Secretary of War and of the Secretary of the Navy, by which it appears that a sum exceeding half a million of dollars has been collected. This amount would undoubtedly have been much larger but for the difficulty of keeping open communications between the coast and the interior, so as to enable the owners of the merchandise imported to transport and vend it to the inhabitants of the country. It is confidently expected that this difficulty will to a great extent be soon removed by our increased forces which have been sent to the field. Measures have recently been adopted by which the internal as well as the external revenues of Mexico in all places in our military occupation will be seized and appropriated to the use of our Army and Navy. The policy of levying upon the enemy contributions in every form consistently with the laws of nations, which it may be practicable for our military commanders to adopt, should, in my judgment, be rigidly enforced, and orders to this effect have accordingly been given. By such a policy, at the same time that our own Treasury will be relieved from a heavy drain, the Mexican people will be made to feel the burdens of the war, and, consulting their own interests, may be induced the more readily to require their rulers to accede to a just peace. After the adjournment of the last session of Congress events transpired in the prosecution of the war which in my judgment required a greater number of troops in the field than had been anticipated. The strength of the Army was accordingly increased by "accepting" the services of all the volunteer forces authorized by the act of the 13th of May, 1846, without putting a construction on that act the correctness of which was seriously questioned. The volunteer forces now in the field, with those which had been "accepted" to "serve for twelve months" and were discharged at the end of their term of service, exhaust the 50,000 men authorized by that act. Had it been clear that a proper construction of the act warranted it, the services of an additional number would have been called for and accepted; but doubts existing upon this point, the power was not exercised. It is deemed important that Congress should at an early period of their session confer the authority to raise an additional regular force to serve during the war with Mexico and to be discharged upon the conclusion and ratification of a treaty of peace. I invite the attention of Congress to the views presented by the Secretary of War in his report upon this subject. I recommend also that authority be given by law to call for and accept the services of an additional number of volunteers, to be exercised at such time and to such extent as the emergencies of the service may require. In prosecuting the war with Mexico, whilst the utmost care has been taken to avoid every just because of complaint on the part of neutral nations, and none has been given, liberal privileges have been granted to their commerce in the ports of the enemy in our military occupation. The difficulty with the Brazilian Government, which at one time threatened to interrupt the friendly relations between the two countries, will, I trust, be speedily adjusted. I have received information that an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States will shortly be appointed by His Imperial Majesty, and it is hoped that he will come instructed and prepared to adjust all remaining differences between the two Governments in a manner acceptable and honorable to both. In the meantime, I have every reason to believe that nothing will occur to interrupt our amicable relations with Brazil. It has been my constant effort to maintain and cultivate the most intimate relations of friendship with all the independent powers of South America, and this policy has been attended with the happiest results. It is true that the settlement and payment of many just claims of American citizens against these nations have been long delayed. The peculiar position in which they have been placed and the desire on the part of my predecessors as well as myself to grant them the utmost indulgence have hitherto prevented these claims from being urged in a manner demanded by strict justice. The time has arrived when they ought to be finally adjusted and liquidated, and efforts are now making for that purpose. It is proper to inform you that the Government of Peru has in good faith paid the first two installments of the indemnity of $30,000 each, and the greater portion of the interest due thereon, in execution of the convention between that Government and the United States the ratifications of which were exchanged at Lima on the 31st of October, 1846. The Attorney-General of the United States early in August last completed the adjudication of the claims under this convention, and made his report thereon in pursuance of the act of the 8th of August, 1846. The sums to which the claimants are respectively entitled will be paid on demand at the Treasury. I invite the early attention of Congress to the present condition of our citizens in China. Under our treaty with that power American citizens are withdrawn from the jurisdiction, whether civil or criminal, of the Chinese Government and placed under that of our public functionaries in that country. By these alone can our citizens be tried and punished for the commission of any crime; by these alone can questions be decided between them involving the rights of persons and property, and by these alone can contracts be enforced into which they may have entered with the citizens or subjects of foreign powers. The merchant vessels of the United States lying in the waters of the five ports of China open to foreign commerce are under the exclusive jurisdiction of officers of their own Government. Until Congress shall establish competent tribunals to try and punish crimes and to exercise jurisdiction in civil cases in China, American citizens there are subject to no law whatever. Crimes may be committed with impunity and debts may be contracted without any means to enforce their payment. Inconveniences have already resulted from the omission of Congress to legislate upon the subject, and still greater are apprehended. The British authorities in China have already complained that this Government has not provided for the punishment of crimes or the enforcement of contracts against American citizens in that country, whilst their Government has established tribunals by which an American citizen can recover debts due from British subjects. Accustomed, as the Chinese are, to summary justice, they could not be made to comprehend why criminals who are citizens of the United States should escape with impunity, in violation of treaty obligations, whilst the punishment of a Chinese who had committed any crime against an American citizen would be rigorously exacted. Indeed, the consequences might be fatal to American citizens in China should a flagrant crime be committed by any one of them upon a Chinese, and should trial and punishment not follow according to the requisitions of the treaty. This might disturb, if not destroy, our friendly relations with that Empire, and because an interruption of our valuable commerce. Our treaties with the Sublime Porte, Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Muscat also require the legislation of Congress to carry them into execution, though the necessity for immediate action may not be so urgent as in regard to China. The Secretary of State has submitted an estimate to defray the expense of opening diplomatic relations with the Papal States. The interesting political events now in progress in these States, as well as a just regard to our commercial interests, have, in my opinion, rendered such a measure highly expedient. Estimates have also been submitted for the outfits and salaries of charges' d'affaires to the Republics of Bolivia, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The manifest importance of cultivating the most friendly relations with all the independent States upon this continent has induced me to recommend appropriations necessary for the maintenance of these missions. I recommend to Congress that an appropriation be made to be paid to the Spanish Government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in the Amistad case. I entertain the conviction that this is due to Spain under the treaty of the 20th of October, 1795, and, moreover, that from the earnest manner in which the claim continues to be urged so long as it shall remain unsettled it will be a source of irritation and discord between the two countries, which may prove highly prejudicial to the interests of the United States. Good policy, no less than a faithful compliance with our treaty obligations, requires that the inconsiderable appropriation demanded should be made. A detailed statement of the condition of the finances will be presented in the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury. The imports for the last fiscal year, ending on the 30th of June, 1847, were of the value of $146,545,638, of which the amount exported was $8,011,158, leaving $138,534,480 in the country for domestic use. The value of the exports for the same period was $158,648,622, of which $150,637,464 consisted of domestic productions and $8,011,158 of foreign articles. The receipts into the Treasury for the same period amounted to $26,346,790.37, of which there was derived from customs $23,747,864.66, from sales of public lands $2,498,335.20, and from incidental and miscellaneous sources $100,570.51. The last fiscal year, during which this amount was received, embraced five months under the operation of the tariff act of 1842 and seven months during which the tariff act of 1846 was in force. During the five months under the act of 1842 the amount received from customs was $7,842,306.90, and during the seven months under the act of 1846 the amount received was $15,905,557.76. The net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1846, being the last year under the operation of the tariff act of 1842, was $22,971,403.10, and the net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1847, being the first year under the operations of the tariff act of 1846, was about $31,500,000, being an increase of revenue for the first year under the tariff of 1846 of more than $8,500,000 over that of the last year under the tariff of 1842. The expenditures during the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last were $59,451,177.65, of which $3,522,082.37 was on account payment of principal and interest of the public debt, including Treasury notes redeemed and not funded. The expenditures exclusive of payment of public debt were $55,929,095.28. It is estimated that the receipts into the Treasury for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June, 1848, including the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of July last, will amount to $42,886,545.80, of which $31,000,000, it is estimated, will be derived from customs, $3,500,000 from the sale of the public lands, $400,000 from incidental sources, eluding sales made by the Solicitor of the Treasury, and $6,285,294.55 from loans already authorized by law, which, together with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of July last, make the sum estimated. The expenditures for the same period, if peace with Mexico shall not be concluded and the Army shall be increased as is proposed, will amount, including the necessary payments on account of principal and interest of the public debt and Treasury notes, to $58,615,660.07. On the 1st of the present month the amount of the public debt actually incurred, including Treasury notes, was $45,659,659.40. The public debt due on the 4th of March, 1845, including Treasury notes, was $17,788,799.62, and consequently the addition made to the public debt since that time is $27,870,859.78. Of the loan of twenty-three millions authorized by the act of the 28th of January, 1847, the sum of five millions was paid out to the public creditors or exchanged at par for specie; the remaining eighteen millions was offered for specie to the highest bidder not below par, by an advertisement issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and published from the 9th of February until the 10th of April, 1847, when it was awarded to the several highest bidders at premiums varying from one-eighth of per cent to 2 per cent above par. The premium has been paid into the Treasury and the sums awarded deposited in specie in the Treasury as fast as it was required by the wants of the Government. To meet the expenditures for the remainder of the present and for the next fiscal year, ending on the 30th of June, 1849, a further loan in aid of the ordinary revenues of the Government will be necessary. Retaining a sufficient surplus in the Treasury, the loan required for the remainder of the present fiscal year will be about $18,500,000. If the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the graduation of the price of the public lands shall be made at an early period of your session, as recommended, the loan for the present fiscal year may be reduced to $17,000,000. The loan may be further reduced by whatever amount of expenditures can be saved by military contributions collected in Mexico. The most vigorous measures for the augmentation of these contributions have been directed and a very considerable sum is expected from that source. Its amount can not, however, be calculated with any certainty. It is recommended that the loan to be made be authorized upon the same terms and for the same time as that which was authorized under the provisions of the act of the 28th of January, 1847. Should the war with Mexico be continued until the 30th of June, 1849, it is estimated that a further loan of $20,500,000 will be required for the fiscal year ending on that day, in case no duty be imposed on tea and coffee, and the public lands be not reduced and graduated in price, and no military contributions shall be collected in Mexico. If the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the lands be reduced and graduated in price as proposed, the loan may be reduced to $17,000,000, and will be subject to be still further reduced by the amount of the military contributions which may be collected in Mexico. It is not proposed, however, at present to ask Congress for authority to negotiate this loan for the next fiscal year, as it is hoped that the loan asked for the remainder of the present fiscal year, aided by military contributions which may be collected in Mexico, may be sufficient. If, contrary to my expectation, there should be a necessity for it, the fact will be communicated to Congress in time for their action during the present session. In no event will a sum exceeding $6,000,000 of this amount be needed before the meeting of the session of Congress in December, 1848. The act of the 30th of July, 1846, "reducing the duties on imports," has been in force since the 1st of December last, and I am gratified to state that all the beneficial effects which were anticipated from its operation have been fully realized. The public revenue derived from customs during the year ending on the 1st of December, 1847, exceeds by more than $8,000,000 the amount received in the preceding year under the operation of the act of 1842, which was superseded and repealed by it. Its effects are visible in the great and almost unexampled prosperity which prevails in every branch of business. While the repeal of the prohibitory and restrictive duties of the act of 1842 and the substitution in their place of reasonable revenue rates levied on articles imported according to their actual value has increased the revenue and augmented our foreign trade, all the great interests of the country have been advanced and promoted. The great and important interests of agriculture, which had been not only too much neglected, but actually taxed under the protective policy for the benefit of other interests, have been relieved of the burdens which that policy imposed on them; and our farmers and planters, under a more just and liberal commercial policy, are finding new and profitable markets abroad for their augmented products. Our commerce is rapidly increasing, and is extending more widely the circle of international exchanges. Great as has been the increase of our imports during the past year, our exports of domestic products sold in foreign markets have been still greater. Our navigating interest is eminently prosperous. The number of vessels built in the United States has been greater than during any preceding period of equal length. Large profits have been derived by those who have constructed as well as by those who have navigated them. Should the ratio of increase in the number of our merchant vessels be progressive, and be as great for the future as during the past year, the time is not distant when our tonnage and commercial marine will be larger than that of any other nation in the world. Whilst the interests of agriculture, of commerce, and of navigation have been enlarged and invigorated, it is highly gratifying to observe that our manufactures are also in a prosperous condition. None of the ruinous effects upon this interest which were apprehended by some as the result of the operation of the revenue system established by the act of 1846 have been experienced. On the contrary, the number of manufactories and the amount of capital invested in them is steadily and rapidly increasing, affording gratifying proofs that American enterprise and skill employed in this branch of domestic industry, with no other advantages than those fairly and incidentally accruing from a just System of revenue duties, are abundantly able to meet successfully all competition from abroad and still derive fair and remunerating profits. While capital invested in manufactures is yielding adequate and fair profits under the new system, the wages of labor, whether employed in manufactures, agriculture, commerce, or navigation, have been augmented. The toiling millions whose daily labor furnishes the supply of food and raiment and all the necessaries and comforts of life are receiving higher wages and more steady and permanent employment than in any other country or at any previous period of our own history. So successful have been all branches of our industry that a foreign war, which generally diminishes the resources of a nation, has in no essential degree retarded our onward progress or checked our general prosperity. With such gratifying evidences of prosperity and of the successful operation of the revenue act of 1846, every consideration of public policy recommends that it shall remain unchanged. It is hoped that the system of impost duties which it established may be regarded as the permanent policy of the country, and that the great interests affected by it may not again be subject to be injuriously disturbed, as they have heretofore been by frequent and sometimes sudden changes. For the purpose of increasing the revenue, and without changing or modifying the rates imposed by the act of 1846 on the dutiable articles embraced by its provisions, I again recommend to your favorable consideration the expediency of levying a revenue duty on tea and coffee. The policy which exempted these articles from duty during peace, and when the revenue to be derived from them was not needed, ceases to exist when the country is engaged in war and requires the use of all of its available resources. It is a tax which would be so generally diffused among the people that it would be felt oppressively by none and be complained of by none. It is believed that there are not in the list of imported articles any which are more properly the subject of war duties than tea and coffee. It is estimated that $3,000,000 would be derived annually by a moderate duty imposed on these articles. Should Congress avail itself of this additional source of revenue, not only would the amount of the public loan rendered necessary by the war with Mexico be diminished to that extent, but the public credit and the public confidence in the ability and determination of the Government to meet all its engagements promptly would be more firmly established, and the reduced amount of the loan which it may be necessary to negotiate could probably be obtained at cheaper rates. Congress is therefore called upon to determine whether it is wiser to impose the war duties recommended or by omitting to do so increase the public debt annually $3,000,000 so long as loans shall be required to prosecute the war, and afterwards provide in some other form to pay the semiannual interest upon it, and ultimately to extinguish the principal. If in addition to these duties Congress should graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as experience has proved will not command the price placed upon them by the Government, an additional annual income to the Treasury of between half a million and a million of dollars, it is estimated, would be derived from this source. Should both measures receive the sanction of Congress, the annual amount of public debt necessary to be contracted during the continuance of the war would be reduced near $4,000,000. The duties recommended to be levied on tea and coffee it is proposed shall be limited in their duration to the end of the war, and until the public debt rendered necessary to be contracted by it shall be discharged. The amount of the public debt to be contracted should be limited to the lowest practicable sum, and should be extinguished as early after the conclusion of the war as the means of the Treasury will permit. With this view, it is recommended that as soon as the war shall be over all the surplus in the Treasury not needed for other indispensable objects shall constitute a sinking fund and be applied to the purchase of the funded debt, and that authority be conferred by laws for that purpose. The act of the 6th of August, 1846, "to establish a warehousing system," has been in operation more than a year, and has proved to be an important auxiliary to the tariff act of 1846 in augmenting the revenue and extending the commerce of the country. Whilst it has tended to enlarge commerce, it has been beneficial to our manufactures by diminishing forced sales at auction of foreign goods at low prices to raise the duties to be advanced on them, and by checking fluctuations in the market. The system, although sanctioned by the experience of other countries, was entirely new in the United States, and is susceptible of improvement in some of its provisions. The Secretary of the Treasury, upon whom was devolved large discretionary powers in carrying this measure into effect, has collected and is now collating the practical results of the system in other countries where it has long been established, and will report at an early period of your session such further regulations suggested by the investigation as may render it still more effective and beneficial. By the act to "provide for the better organization of the Treasury and for the collection, safe-keeping, and disbursement of the public revenue" all banks were discontinued as fiscal agents of the Government, and the paper currency issued by them was no longer permitted to be received in payment of public dues. The constitutional treasury created by this act went into operation on the 1st of January last. Under the system established by it the public moneys have been collected, safely kept, and disbursed by the direct agency of officers of the Government in gold and silver, and transfers of large amounts have been made from points of collection to points of disbursement without loss to the Treasury or injury or inconvenience to the trade of the country. While the fiscal operations of the Government have been conducted with regularity and ease under this system, it has had a salutary effect in checking and preventing an undue inflation of the paper currency issued by the banks which exist under State charters. Requiring, as it does, all dues to the Government to be paid in gold and silver, its effect is to restrain excessive issues of bank paper by the banks disproportioned to the specie in their vaults, for the reason that they are at all times liable to be called on by the holders of their notes for their redemption in order to obtain specie for the payment of duties and other public dues. The banks, therefore, must keep their business within prudent limits, and be always in a condition to meet such calls, or run the hazard of being compelled to suspend specie payments and be thereby discredited. The amount of specie imported into the United States during the last fiscal year was $24,121,289, of which there was retained in the country $22,276,170. Had the former financial system prevailed and the public moneys been placed on deposit in the banks, nearly the whole of this amount would have gone into their vaults, not to be thrown into circulation by them, but to be withheld from the hands of the people as a currency and made the basis of new and enormous issues of bank paper. A large proportion of the specie imported has been paid into the Treasury for public dues, and after having been to a great extent recoined at the Mint has been paid out to the public creditors and gone into circulation as a currency among the people. The amount of gold and silver coin now in circulation in the country is larger than at any former period. The financial system established by the constitutional treasury has been thus far eminently successful in its operations, and I recommend an adherence to all its essential provisions, and especially to that vital provision which wholly separates the Government from all connection with banks and excludes bank paper from all revenue receipts. In some of its details, not involving its general principles, the system is defective and will require modification. These defects and such amendments as are deemed important were set forth in the last annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury. These amendments are again recommended to the early and favorable consideration of Congress. During the past year the coinage at the Mint and its branches has exceeded $20,000,000. This has consisted chiefly in converting the coins of foreign countries into American coin. The largest amount of foreign coin imported has been received at New York, and if a branch mint were established at that city all the foreign coin received at that port could at once be converted into our own coin without the expense, risk, and delay of transporting it to the Mint for that purpose, and the amount recoined would be much larger. Experience has proved that foreign coin, and especially foreign gold coin, will not circulate extensively as a currency among the people. The important measure of extending our specie circulation, both of gold and silver, and of diffusing it among the people can only be effected by converting such foreign coin into American coin. I repeat the recommendation contained in my last annual message for the establishment of a branch of the Mint of the United States at the city of New York. All the public lands which had been surveyed and were ready for market have been proclaimed for sale during the past year. The quantity offered and to be offered for sale under proclamations issued since the 1st of January last amounts to 9,138,531 acres. The prosperity of the Western States and Territories in which these lands lie will be advanced by their speedy sale. By withholding them from market their growth and increase of population would be retarded, while thousands of our enterprising and meritorious frontier population would be deprived of the opportunity of securing freeholds for themselves and their families. But in addition to the general considerations which rendered the early sale of these lands proper, it was a leading object at this time to derive as large a sum as possible from this source, and thus diminish by that amount the public loan rendered necessary by the existence of a foreign war. It is estimated that not less than 10,000,000 acres of the public lands will be surveyed and be in a condition to be proclaimed for sale during the year 1848. In my last annual message I presented the reasons which in my judgment rendered it proper to graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have remained unsold for long periods after they had been offered for sale at public auction. Many millions of acres of public lands lying within the limits of several of the Western States have been offered in the market and been subject to sale at private entry for more than twenty years and large quantities for more than thirty years at the lowest price prescribed by the existing laws, and it has been found that they will not command that price. They must remain unsold and uncultivated for an indefinite period unless the price demanded for them by the Government shall be reduced. No satisfactory reason is perceived why they should be longer held at rates above their real value. At the present period an additional reason exists for adopting the measure recommended. When the country is engaged in a foreign war, and we must necessarily resort to loans, it would seem to be the dictate of wisdom that we should avail ourselves of all our resources and thus limit the amount of the public indebtedness to the lowest possible sum. I recommend that the existing laws on the subject of preemption rights be amended and modified so as to operate prospectively and to embrace all who may settle upon the public lands and make improvements upon them, before they are surveyed as well as afterwards, in all cases where such settlements may be made after the Indian title shall have been extinguished. If the right of preemption be thus extended, it will embrace a large and meritorious class of our citizens. It will increase the number of small freeholders upon our borders, who will be enabled thereby to educate their children and otherwise improve their condition, while they will be found at all times, as they have ever proved themselves to be in the hour of danger to their country, among our hardiest and best volunteer soldiers, ever ready to attend to their services in cases of emergencies and among the last to leave the field as long as an enemy remains to be encountered. Such a policy will also impress these patriotic pioneer emigrants with deeper feelings of gratitude for the parental care of their Government, when they find their dearest interests secured to them by the permanent laws of the land and that they are no longer in danger of losing their homes and hard-earned improvements by being brought into competition with a more wealthy class of purchasers at the land sales. The attention of Congress was invited at their last and the preceding session to the importance of establishing a Territorial government over our possessions in Oregon, and it is to be regretted that there was no legislation on the subject. Our citizens who inhabit that distant region of country are still left without the protection of our laws, or any regularly organized government. Before the question of limits and boundaries of the Territory of Oregon was definitely settled, from the necessity of their condition the inhabitants had established a temporary government of their own. Besides the want of legal authority for continuing such a government, it is wholly inadequate to protect them in their rights of person and property, or to secure to them the enjoyment of the privileges of other citizens, to which they are entitled under the Constitution of the United States. They should have the right of suffrage, be represented in a Territorial legislature and by a Delegate in Congress, and possess all the rights and privileges which citizens of other portions of the territories of the United States have heretofore enjoyed or may now enjoy. Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and the protection of our laws generally should be extended over them. In addition to the inhabitants in that Territory who had previously emigrated to it, large numbers of our citizens have followed them during the present year, and it is not doubted that during the next and subsequent years their numbers will be greatly increased. Congress at its last session established post routes leading to Oregon, and between different points within that Territory, and authorized the establishment of post-offices at "Astoria and such other places on the coasts of the Pacific within the territory of the United States as the public interests may require." Post-offices have accordingly been established, deputy postmasters appointed, and provision made for the transportation of the mails. The preservation of peace with the Indian tribes residing west of the Rocky Mountains will render it proper that authority should be given by law for the appointment of an adequate number of Indian agents to reside among them. I recommend that a surveyor-general's office be established in that Territory, and that the public lands be surveyed and brought into market at an early period. I recommend also that grants, upon liberal terms, of limited quantities of the public lands be made to all citizens of the United States who have emigrated, or may hereafter within a prescribed period emigrate, to Oregon and settle upon them. These hardy and adventurous citizens, who have encountered the dangers and privations of a long and toilsome journey, and have at length found an abiding place for themselves and their families upon the utmost verge of our western limits, should be secured in the homes which they have improved by their labor. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary of War for a detailed account of the operations of the various branches of the public service connected with the Department under his charge. The duties devolving on this Department have been unusually onerous and responsible during the past year, and have been discharged with ability and success. Pacific relations continue to exist with the various Indian tribes, and most of them manifest a strong friendship for the United States. Some depredations were committed during the past year upon our trains transporting supplies for the Army, on the road between the western border of Missouri and Santa Fe. These depredations, which are supposed to have been committed by bands from the region of New Mexico, have been arrested by the presence of a military force ordered out for that purpose. Some outrages have been perpetrated by a portion of the northwestern bands upon the weaker and comparatively defenseless neighboring tribes. Prompt measures were taken to prevent such occurrences in future. Between 1,000 and 2,000 Indians, belonging to several tribes, have been removed during the year from the east of the Mississippi to the country allotted to them west of that river as their permanent home, and arrangements have been made for others to follow. Since the treaty of 1846 with the Cherokees the feuds among them appear to have subsided, and they have become more united and contented than they have been for many years past. The commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of June 27, 1846, to settle claims arising under the treaty of 1835-36 with that tribe have executed their duties, and after a patient investigation and a full and fair examination of all the cases brought before them closed their labors in the month of July last. This is the fourth board of commissioners which has been organized under this treaty. Ample opportunity has been afforded to all those interested to bring forward their claims. No doubt is entertained that impartial justice has been done by the late board, and that all valid claims embraced by the treaty have been considered and allowed. This result and the final settlement to be made with this tribe under the treaty of 1846, which will be completed and laid before you during your session, will adjust all questions of controversy between them and the United States and produce a state of relations with them simple, well defined, and satisfactory. Under the discretionary authority conferred by the act of the 3d of March last the annuities due to the various tribes have been paid during the present year to the heads of families instead of to their chiefs or such persons as they might designate, as required by the law previously existing. This mode of payment has given general satisfaction to the great body of the Indians. Justice has been done to them, and they are grateful to the Government for it. A few chiefs and interested persons may object to this mode of payment, but it is believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud and imposition from being practiced upon the great body of common Indians, constituting a majority of all the tribes. It is gratifying to perceive that a number of the tribes have recently manifested an increased interest in the establishment of schools among them, and are making rapid advances in agriculture, some of them producing a sufficient quantity of food for their support and in some cases a surplus to dispose of to their neighbors. The comforts by which those who have received even a very limited education and have engaged in agriculture are surrounded tend gradually to draw off their less civilized brethren from the precarious means of subsistence by the chase to habits of labor and civilization. The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a satisfactory and gratifying account of the condition and operations of the naval service during the past year. Our commerce has been pursued with increased activity and with safety and success in every quarter of the globe under the protection of our flag, which the Navy has caused to be respected in the most distant seas. In the Gulf of Mexico and in the Pacific the officers and men of our squadrons have displayed distinguished gallantry and performed valuable services. In the early stages of the war with Mexico her ports on both coasts were blockaded, and more recently many of them have been captured and held by the Navy. When acting in cooperation with the land forces, the naval officers and men have performed gallant and distinguished services on land as well as on water, and deserve the high commendation of the country. While other maritime powers are adding to their navies large numbers of war steamers, it was a wise policy on our part to make similar additions to our Navy. The four war steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of March, 1847, are in course of construction. In addition to the four war steamers authorized by this act, the Secretary of the Navy has, in pursuance of its provisions, entered into contracts for the construction of five steamers to be employed in the transportation of the United States mail "from New York to New Orleans, touching at Charleston, Savannah, and Havana, and from Havana to Chagres;" for three steamers to be employed in like manner from Panama to Oregon, "so as to connect with the mail from Havana to Chagres across the Isthmus;" and for five steamers to be employed in like manner from New York to Liverpool. These steamers will be the property of the contractors, but are to be built "under the superintendence and direction of a naval constructor in the employ of the Navy Department, and to be so constructed as to render them convertible at the least possible expense into war steamers of the first class." A prescribed number of naval officers, as well as a post-office agent, are to be on board of them, and authority is reserved to the Navy Department at all times to "exercise control over said steamships" and "to have the right to take them for the exclusive use and service of the United States upon making proper compensation to the contractors therefor." Whilst these steamships will be employed in transporting the mails of the United States coastwise and to foreign countries upon an annual compensation to be paid to the owners, they will be always ready, upon an emergency requiring it, to be converted into war steamers; and the right reserved to take them for public use will add greatly to the efficiency and strength of this description of our naval force. To the steamers thus authorized under contracts made by the Secretary of the Navy should be added five other steamers authorized under contracts made in pursuance of laws by the Postmaster-General, making an addition, in the whole, of eighteen war steamers subject to be taken for public use. As further contracts for the transportation of the mail to foreign countries may be authorized by Congress, this number may be enlarged indefinitely. The enlightened policy by which a rapid communication with the various distant parts of the globe is established, by means of American built sea steamers, would find an ample reward in the increase of our commerce and in making our country and its resources more favorably known abroad; but the national advantage is still greater--of having our naval officers made familiar with steam navigation and of having the privilege of taking the ships already equipped for immediate service at a moment's notice, and will be cheaply purchased by the compensation to be paid for the transportation of the mail in them over and above the postages received. A just national pride, no less than our commercial interests, would Seem to favor the policy of augmenting the number of this description of vessels. They can be built in our country cheaper and in greater numbers than in any other in the world. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General for a detailed and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of that Department during the past year. It is gratifying to find that within so short a period after the reduction in the rates of postage, and notwithstanding the great increase of mail service, the revenue received for the year will be sufficient to defray all the expenses, and that no further aid will be required from the Treasury for that purpose. The first of the American mail steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of March, 1845, was completed and entered upon the service on the 1st of June last, and is now on her third voyage to Bremen and other intermediate ports. The other vessels authorized under the provisions of that act are in course of construction, and will be put upon the line as soon as completed. Contracts have also been made for the transportation of the mail in a steamer from Charleston to Havana. A reciprocal and satisfactory postal arrangement has been made by the Postmaster-General with the authorities of Bremen, and no difficulty is apprehended in making similar arrangements with all other powers with which we may have communications by mail steamers, except with Great Britain. On the arrival of the first of the American steamers bound to Bremen at Southampton, in the month of June last, the British post-office directed the collection of discriminating postages on all letters and other mailable matter which she took out to Great Britain or which went into the British post-office on their way to France and other parts of Europe. The effect of the order of the British, post-office is to subject all letters and other matter transported by American steamers to double postage, one postage having been previously paid on them to the United States, while letters transported in British steamers are subject to pay but a single postage. This measure was adopted with the avowed object of protecting the British line of mail steamers now running between Boston and Liverpool, and if permitted to Continue must speedily put an end to the transportation of all letters and other matter by American steamers and give to British steamers a monopoly of the business. A just and fair reciprocity is all that we desire, and on this we must insist. By our laws no such discrimination is made against British steamers bringing letters into our ports, but all letters arriving in the United States are subject to the same rate of postage, whether brought in British or American vessels. I refer you to the report of the Postmaster-General for a full statement of the facts of the case and of the steps taken by him to correct this inequality. He has exerted all the power conferred upon him by the existing laws. The minister of the United States at London has brought the subject to the attention of the British Government, and is now engaged in negotiations for the purpose of adjusting reciprocal postal arrangements which shall be equally just to both countries. Should he fail in concluding such arrangements, and should Great Britain insist on enforcing the unequal and unjust measure she has adopted, it will become necessary to confer additional powers on the Postmaster-General in order to enable him to meet the emergency and to put our own steamers on an equal footing with British steamers engaged in transporting the mails between the two countries, and I recommend that such powers be conferred. In view of the existing state of our country, I trust it may not be inappropriate, in closing this communication, to call to mind the words of wisdom and admonition of the first and most illustrious of my predecessors in his Farewell Address to his countrymen. That greatest and best of men, who served his country so long and loved it so much, foresaw with "serious concern" the danger to our Union of "characterizing parties by geographical discriminations--Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western--whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views," and warned his countrymen against it. So deep and solemn was his conviction of the importance of the Union and of preserving harmony between its different parts, that he declared to his countrymen in that address: It is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. After the lapse of half a century these admonitions of Washington fall upon us with all the force of truth. It is difficult to estimate the "immense value" of our glorious Union of confederated States, to which we are so much indebted for our growth in population and wealth and for all that constitutes us a great and a happy nation. How unimportant are all our differences of opinion upon minor questions of public policy compared with its preservation, and how scrupulously should we avoid all agitating topics which may tend to distract and divide us into contending parties, separated by geographical lines, whereby it may be weakened or endangered. Invoking the blessing of the Almighty Ruler of the Universe upon your deliberations, it will be my highest duty, no less than my sincere pleasure, to cooperate with you in all measures which may tend to promote the honor and enduring welfare of our common country.
the annual meeting of congress is always an interesting event the representatives of the states and of the people come fresh from their constituents to take counsel together for the common good after an existence of near of a century as a free and independent republic the problem no longer remains to be solved whether man is capable of the success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of those in other countries who maintain that a favored few are born to rule and that the mass of mankind must be governed by force subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority the people are the only sovereigns recognized by our constitution numerous emigrants of every lineage and language attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy and by our happy condition annually crowd to our shores and transfer their heart not less than their allegiance to the country whose dominion belongs alone to the people no country has been so much favored or should acknowledge with deeper reverence the manifestations of the divine protection an all wise creator directed and guarded us in our infant struggle for freedom and has constantly watched over our surprising progress until we have become one of the great nations of the earth it is in a country thus favored and under a government in which the executive and legislative branches hold their authority for limited periods alike from the people and where all are responsible to their respective constituencies that it is again my duty to communicate with congress upon the state of the union and the present condition of public affairs during the past year the most gratifying proofs are presented that our country has been blessed with a widespread and universal prosperity there has been no period since the government was founded when all the industrial pursuits of our people have been more successful or when labor in all branches of business has received a fairer or better reward from our abundance we have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food for the starving millions of less favored countries in the enjoyment of the bounties of providence at home such as have rarely fallen to the lot of any people it is because of congratulation that our intercourse with all the powers of the earth except mexico continues to be of an amicable character it has ever been our cherished policy to cultivate peace and good will with all nations and this policy has been steadily pursued by me no change has taken place in our relations with mexico since the adjournment of the last congress the war in which the united states were forced to engage with the government of that country still continues i deem it unnecessary after the full exposition of them contained in my message of the 11th of may 1846 and in my annual message at the commencement of the session of congress in december last to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against mexico before she commenced hostilities it is sufficient on the present occasion to say that the wanton violation of the rights of person and property of our citizens committed by mexico her repeated acts of bad faith through a long series of years and her disregard of solemn treaties stipulating for indemnity to our injured citizens not only constituted ample because of war on our part but were of such an aggravated character as would have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy with an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries we forbore for years to assert our clear rights by force and continued to seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by amicable negotiation in the hope that mexico might yield to pacific counsels and the demands of justice in this hope we were disappointed our minister of peace sent to mexico was insultingly rejected the mexican government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he was authorized to propose and finally under wholly unjustifiable pretexts involved the two countries in war by invading the territory of the state of texas striking the first blow and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil though the united states were the aggrieved nation mexico commenced the war and we were compelled in to repel the invader and to vindicate the national honor and interests by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain a just and honorable peace on learning that hostilities had been commenced by mexico i promptly communicated that fact accompanied with a succinct statement of our other causes of complaint against mexico to congress and that body by the act of the 13th of may 1846 declared that by the act of the republic of mexico a state of war exists between that government and the united states this act declaring the war to exist by the act of the republic of mexico and making provision for its prosecution to a speedy and successful termination was passed with great unanimity by congress there being but two negative votes in the senate and but fourteen in the house of representatives the existence of the war having thus been declared by congress it became my duty under the constitution and the laws to conduct and prosecute it this duty has been performed and though at every stage of its progress i have manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace mexico has refused to accede to any terms which could be accepted by the united states consistently with the national honor and interest the rapid and brilliant successes of our arms and the vast extent of the enemy territory which had been overrun and conquered before the close of the last session of congress were fully known to that body since that time the war has been prosecuted with increased energy and i am gratified to state with a success which commands universal admiration history presents no parallel of so many glorious victories achieved by any nation within so short a period our army regulars and volunteers have covered themselves with imperishable honors whenever and wherever our forces have encountered the enemy though he was in vastly superior numbers and often intrenched in fortified positions of his own selection and of great strength he has been defeated too much praise can not be bestowed upon our officers and men regulars and volunteers for their gallantry discipline indomitable courage and perseverance all seeking the post of danger and vying with each other in deeds of noble daring while every patriot heart must exult and a just national pride animate every bosom in beholding the high proofs of courage consummate military skill steady discipline and humanity to the vanquished enemy exhibited by our gallant army the nation is called to mourn over the loss of many brave officers and soldiers who have fallen in defense of their country honor and interests the brave dead met their melancholy fate in a foreign land nobly discharging their duty and with their country flag waving triumphantly in the face of the foe their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated and will long be remembered by their grateful countrymen the parental care of the government they loved and served should be extended to their surviving families shortly after the adjournment of the last session of congress the gratifying intelligence was received of the signal victory of buena vista and of the fall of the city of vera cruz and with it the strong castle of san juan de ulloa by which it was defended believing that after these and other successes so honorable to our arms and so disastrous to mexico the period was propitious to afford her another opportunity if she thought proper to embrace it to enter into negotiations for peace a commissioner was appointed to proceed to the headquarters of our army with full powers to enter upon negotiations and to conclude a just and honorable treaty of peace he was not directed to make any new overtures of peace but was the bearer of a dispatch from the secretary of state of the united states to the minister of foreign affairs of mexico in reply to one received from the latter of the 22d of february 1847 in which the mexican government was informed of his appointment and of his presence at the headquarters of our army and that he was invested with full powers to conclude a definitive treaty of peace whenever the mexican government might signify a desire to do so while i was unwilling to subject the united states to another indignant refusal i was yet resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might be rendered absolutely necessary by the mexican government care was taken to give no instructions to the commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations or relax our energies in the prosecution of the war he possessed no authority in any manner to control these operations he was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the general in command of the army and in the event of a treaty being concluded and ratified on the part of mexico he was directed to give him notice of that fact on the happening of such contingency and on receiving notice thereof the general in command was instructed by the secretary of war to suspend further active military operations until further orders these instructions were given with a view to intermit hostilities until the treaty thus ratified by mexico could be transmitted to washington and receive the action of the government of the united states the commissioner was also directed on reaching the army to deliver to the general in command the dispatch which he bore from the secretary of state to the minister of foreign affairs of mexico and on receiving it the general was instructed by the secretary of war to because it to be transmitted to the commander of the mexican forces with a quest that it might be communicated to his government the commissioner did not reach the headquarters of the army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at cerro gordo the dispatch which he bore from the secretary of war to the general in command of the army was received by that officer then at jalapa on the 7th of may 1847 together with the dispatch from the secretary of state to the minister of foreign affairs of mexico having been transmitted to him from vera cruz the commissioner arrived at the headquarters of the army a few days afterwards his presence with the army and his diplomatic character were made known to the mexican government from puebla on the 12th of june 1847 by the transmission of the dispatch from the secretary of state to the minister of foreign affairs of mexico many weeks elapsed after its receipt and no overtures were made nor was any desire expressed by the mexican government to enter into negotiations for peace our army pursued its march upon the capital and as it approached it was met by formidable resistance our forces first encountered the enemy and achieved signal victories in the severely contested battles of contreras and churubusco it was not until after these actions had resulted in decisive victories and the capital of the enemy was within our power that the mexican government manifested any disposition to enter into negotiations for peace and even then as events have proved there is too much reason to believe they were insincere and that in agreeing to go through the forms of negotiation the object was to gain time to strengthen the defenses of their capital and to prepare for fresh resistance the general in command of the army deemed it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily by entering into an armistice with a view to the opening of negotiations commissioners were appointed on the part of mexico to meet the commissioner on the part of the united states the result of the conferences which took place between these functionaries of the two governments was a failure to conclude a treaty of peace the commissioner of the united states took with him the project of a treaty already prepared by the terms of which the indemnity required by the united states was a cession of territory it is well known that the only indemnity which it is in the power of mexico to make in satisfaction of the just and claims of our citizens against her and the only means by which she can reimburse the united states for the expenses of the war is a cession to the united states of a portion of her territory mexico has no money to pay and no other means of making the required indemnity if we refuse this we can obtain nothing else to reject indemnity by refusing to accept a cession of territory would be to abandon all our just demands and to wage the war bearing all its expenses without a purpose or definite object a state of war abrogates treaties previously existing between the belligerents and a treaty of peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity for tortious acts committed under the authority of one government against the citizens or subjects of another unless they are provided for in its stipulations a treaty of peace which would terminate the existing war without providing for indemnity would enable mexico the acknowledged debtor and herself the aggressor in the war to relieve herself from her just liabilities by such a treaty our citizens who hold just demands against her would have no remedy either against mexico or their own government our duty to these citizens must forever prevent such a peace and no treaty which does not provide ample means of discharging these demands can receive my sanction a treaty of peace should settle all existing differences between the two countries if an adequate cession of territory should be made by such a treaty the united states should release mexico from all her liabilities and assume their payment to our own citizens if instead of this the united states were to consent to a treaty by which mexico should again engage to pay the heavy amount of indebtedness which a just indemnity to our government and our citizens would impose on her it is notorious that she does not possess the means to meet such an undertaking from such a treaty no result could be anticipated but the same irritating disappointments which have heretofore attended the violations of similar treaty stipulations on the part of mexico such a treaty would be but a temporary cessation of hostilities without the restoration of the friendship and good understanding which should characterize the future intercourse between the two countries that congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial indemnity when that body made provision for the prosecution of the war is obvious congress could not have meant when in may 1846 they appropriated and authorized the president to employ the militia and naval and military forces of the united states and to accept the services of volunteers to enable him to prosecute the war and when at their last session and after our army had invaded mexico they made additional appropriations and authorized the raising of additional troops for the same purpose that no indemnity was to be obtained from mexico at the conclusion of the war and yet it was certain that if no mexican territory was acquired no indemnity could be obtained it is further manifest that congress contemplated territorial indemnity from the fact that at their last session an act was passed upon the executive recommendation appropriating with that express object this appropriation was made to enable the president to conclude a treaty of peace limits and boundaries with the republic of mexico to be used by him in the event that said treaty when signed by the authorized agents of the two governments and duly ratified by mexico shall call for the expenditure of the same or any part thereof the object of asking this appropriation was distinctly stated in the several messages on the subject which i communicated to congress similar appropriations made in 1803 and 1806 which were referred to were intended to be applied in part consideration for the cession of louisiana and the floridas in like manner it was anticipated that in settling the terms of a treaty of limits and boundaries with mexico a cession of territory estimated to be of greater value than the amount of our demands against her might be obtained and that the prompt payment of this sum in part consideration for the territory ceded on the conclusion of a treaty and its ratification on her part might be an inducement with her to make such a cession of territory as would be satisfactory to the united states and although the failure to conclude such a treaty has rendered it unnecessary to use any part of the appropriated by that act and the entire sum remains in the treasury it is still applicable to that object should the contingency occur making such application proper the doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of no indemnity and if sanctioned would be a public acknowledgment that our country was wrong and that the war declared by congress with extraordinary unanimity was unjust and should be abandoned an admission unfounded in fact and degrading to the national character the terms of the treaty proposed by the united states were not only just to mexico but considering the character and amount of our claims the unjustifiable and unprovoked commencement of hostilities by her the expenses of the war to which we have been subjected and the success which had attended our arms were deemed to be of a most liberal character the commissioner of the united states was authorized to agree to the establishment of the rio grande as the boundary from its entrance into the gulf to its intersection with the southern boundary of new mexico in north latitude about 32 degree and to obtain a cession to the united states of the provinces of new mexico and the californias and the privilege of the right of way across the isthmus of tehuantepec the boundary of the rio grande and the cession to the united states of new mexico and upper california constituted an ultimatum which our commissioner was under no circumstances to yield that it might be manifest not only to mexico but to all other nations that the united states were not disposed to take advantage of a feeble power by insisting upon wrestling from her all the other provinces including many of her principal towns and cities which we had conquered and held in our military occupation but were willing to conclude a treaty in a spirit of liberality our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the restoration to mexico of all our other conquests as the territory to be acquired by the boundary proposed might be estimated to be of greater value than a fair equivalent for our just demands our commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the payment of such additional pecuniary consideration as was deemed reasonable the terms of a treaty proposed by the mexican commissioners were wholly inadmissible they negotiated as if mexico were the victorious and not the vanquished party they must have known that their ultimatum could never be accepted it required the united states to dismember texas by surrendering to mexico that part of the territory of that state lying between the nueces and the rio grande included within her limits by her laws when she was an independent republic and when she was annexed to the united states and admitted by congress as one of the states of our union it contained no provision for the payment by mexico of the just claims of our citizens it required indemnity to mexican citizens for injuries they may have sustained by our troops in the prosecution of the war it demanded the right for mexico to levy and collect the mexican tariff of duties on goods imported into her ports while in our military occupation during the war and the owners of which had paid to officers of the united states the military contributions which had been levied upon them and it offered to cede to the united states for a pecuniary consideration that part of upper california lying north of latitude such were the unreasonable terms proposed by the mexican commissioners the cession to the united states by mexico of the provinces of new mexico and the californias as proposed by the commissioner of the united states it was believed would be more in accordance with the convenience and interests of both nations than any other cession of territory which it was probable mexico could be induced to make it is manifest to all who have observed the actual condition of the mexican government for some years past and at present that if these provinces should be retained by her she could not long continue to hold and govern them mexico is too feeble a power to govern these provinces lying as they do at a distance of more than miles from her capital and if attempted to be retained by her they would constitute but for a short time even nominally a part of her dominions this would be especially the case with upper california the sagacity of powerful european nations has long since directed their attention to the commercial importance of that province and there can be little doubt that the moment the united states shall relinquish their present occupation of it and their claim to it as indemnity an effort would be made by some foreign power to possess it either by conquest or by purchase if no foreign government should acquire it in either of these modes an independent revolutionary government would probably be established by the inhabitants and such foreigners as may remain in or remove to the country as soon as it shall be known that the united states have abandoned it such a government would be too feeble long to maintain its separate independent existence and would finally become annexed to or be a dependent colony of some more powerful state should any foreign government attempt to possess it as a colony or otherwise to incorporate it with itself the principle avowed by president monroe in 1824 and reaffirmed in my first annual message that no foreign power shall with our consent be permitted to plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the north american continent must be maintained in maintaining this principle and in resisting its invasion by any foreign power we might be involved in other wars more expensive and more difficult than that in which we are now engaged the provinces of new mexico and the californias are contiguous to the territories of the united states and if brought under the government of our laws their resources mineral agricultural manufacturing and commercial would soon be developed upper california is bounded on the north by our oregon possessions and if held by the united states would soon be settled by a hardy enterprising and intelligent portion of our population the bay of san francisco and other harbors along the californian coast would afford shelter for our navy for our numerous whale ships and other merchant vessels employed in the pacific ocean and would in a short period become the marts of an extensive and profitable commerce with china and other countries of the east these advantages in which the whole commercial world would participate would at once be secured to the united states by the cession of this territory while it is certain that as long as it remains a part of the mexican dominions they can be enjoyed neither by mexico herself nor by any other nation new mexico is a frontier province and has never been of any considerable value to mexico from its locality it is naturally connected with our western settlements the territorial limits of the state of texas too as defined by her laws before her admission into our union embrace all that portion of new mexico lying east of the rio grande while mexico still claims to hold this territory as a part of her dominions the adjustment of this question of boundary is important there is another consideration which induced the belief that the mexican government might even desire to place this province under the protection of the government of the united states numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages wander over it and upon its borders mexico has been and must continue to be too feeble to restrain them from committing depredations robberies and murders not only upon the inhabitants of new mexico itself but upon those of the other northern states of mexico it would be a blessing to all these northern states to have their citizens protected against them by the power of the united states at this moment many mexicans principally females and children are in captivity among them if new mexico were held and governed by the united states we could effectually prevent these tribes from committing such outrages and compel them to release these captives and restore them to their families and friends in proposing to acquire new mexico and the californias it was known that but an inconsiderable portion of the mexican people would be transferred with them the country embraced within these provinces being chiefly an uninhabited region these were the leading considerations which induced me to authorize the terms of peace which were proposed to mexico they were rejected and negotiations being at an end hostilities were renewed an assault was made by our gallant army upon the strongly fortified places near the gates of the city of mexico and upon the city itself and after several days of severe conflict the mexican forces vastly superior in number to our own were driven from the city and it was occupied by our troops immediately after information was received of the unfavorable result of the negotiations believing that his continued presence with the army could be productive of no good i determined to recall our commissioner a dispatch to this effect was transmitted to him on the 6th of october last the mexican government will be informed of his recall and that in the existing state of things i shall not deem it proper to make any further overtures of peace but shall be at all times ready to receive and consider any proposals which may be made by mexico since the liberal proposition of the united states was authorized to be made in april last large expenditures have been incurred and the precious blood of many of our patriotic has been she would in the prosecution of the war this consideration and the obstinate perseverance of mexico in protracting the war must influence the terms of peace which it may be deemed proper hereafter to accept our arms having been everywhere victorious having subjected to our military occupation a large portion of the enemy country including his capital and negotiations for peace having failed the important questions arise in what manner the war ought to be prosecuted and what should be our future policy i can not doubt that we should secure and render available the conquests which we have already made and that with this view we should hold and occupy by our naval and military forces all the ports towns cities and provinces now in our occupation or which may hereafter fall into our possession that we should press forward our military operations and levy such military contributions on the enemy as may as far as practicable defray the future expenses of the war had the government of mexico acceded to the equitable and liberal terms proposed that mode of adjustment would have been preferred mexico having declined to do this and failed to offer any other terms which could be accepted by the united states the national honor no less than the public interests requires that the war should be prosecuted with increased energy and power until a just and satisfactory peace can be obtained in the meantime as mexico refuses all indemnity we should adopt measures to indemnify ourselves by appropriating permanently a portion of her territory early after the commencement of the war new mexico and the californias were taken possession of by our forces our military and naval commanders were ordered to conquer and hold them subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace these provinces are now in our undisputed occupation and have been so for many months all resistance on the part of mexico having ceased within their limits i am satisfied that they should never be surrendered to mexico should congress concur with me in this opinion and that they should be retained by the united states as indemnity i can perceive no good reason why the civil jurisdiction and laws of the united states should not at once be extended over them to wait for a treaty of peace such as we are willing to make by which our relations toward them would not be changed can not be good policy whilst our own interest and that of the people inhabiting them require that a stable responsible and free government under our authority should as soon as possible be established over them should congress therefore determine to hold these provinces permanently and that they shall hereafter be considered as constituent parts of our country the early establishment of territorial governments over them will be important for the more perfect protection of persons and property and i recommend that such territorial governments be established it will promote peace and tranquillity among the inhabitants by allaying all apprehension that they may still entertain of being again subjected to the jurisdiction of mexico i invite the early and favorable consideration of congress to this important subject besides new mexico and the californias there are other mexican provinces which have been reduced to our possession by conquest these other mexican provinces are now governed by our military and naval commanders under the general authority which is conferred upon a conqueror by the laws of war they should continue to be held as a means of coercing mexico to accede to just terms of peace civil as well as military officers are required to conduct such a government adequate compensation to be drawn from contributions levied on the enemy should be fixed by law for such officers as may be thus employed what further provision may become necessary and what final disposition it may be proper to make of them must depend on the future progress of the war and the course which mexico may think proper hereafter to pursue with the views i entertain i can not favor the policy which has been suggested either to withdraw our army altogether or to retire to a designated line and simply hold and defend it to withdraw our army altogether from the conquests they have made by deeds of unparalleled bravery and at the expense of so much blood and treasure in a just war on our part and one which by the act of the enemy we could not honorably have avoided would be to degrade the nation in its own estimation and in that of the world to retire to a line and simply hold and defend it would not terminate the war on the contrary it would encourage mexico to persevere and tend to protract it indefinitely it is not to be expected that mexico after refusing to establish such a line as a permanent boundary when our victorious army are in possession of her capital and in the heart of her country would permit us to hold it without resistance that she would continue the war and in the most harassing and annoying forms there can be no doubt a border warfare of the most savage character extending over a long line would be unceasingly waged it would require a large army to be kept constantly in the field stationed at posts and garrisons along such a line to protect and defend it the enemy relieved from the pressure of our arms on his coasts and in the populous parts of the interior would direct his attention to this line and selecting an isolated post for attack would concentrate his forces upon it this would be a condition of affairs which the mexicans pursuing their favorite system of guerrilla warfare would probably prefer to any other were we to assume a defensive attitude on such a line all the advantages of such a state of war would be on the side of the enemy we could levy no contributions upon him or in any other way make him feel the pressure of the war but must remain inactive and await his approach being in constant uncertainty at what point on the line or at what time he might make an assault he may assemble and organize an overwhelming force in the interior on his own side of the line and concealing his purpose make a sudden assault upon some one of our posts so distant from any other as to prevent the possibility of timely succor or reenforcements and in this way our gallant army would be exposed to the danger of being cut off in detail or if by their unequaled bravery and prowess everywhere exhibited during this war they should repulse the enemy their numbers stationed at any one post may be too small to pursue him if the enemy be repulsed in one attack he would have nothing to do but to retreat to his own side of the line and being in no fear of a pursuing army may reenforce himself at leisure for another attack on the same or some other post he may too cross the line between our posts make rapid incursions into the country which we hold murder the inhabitants commit depredations on them and then retreat to the interior before a sufficient force can be concentrated to pursue him such would probably be the harassing character of a mere defensive war on our part if our forces when attacked or threatened with attack be permitted to cross the line drive back the enemy and conquer him this would be again to invade the enemy country after having lost all the advantages of the conquests we have already made by having voluntarily abandoned them to hold such a line successfully and in security it is far from being certain that it would not require as large an army as would be necessary to hold all the conquests we have already made and to continue the prosecution of the war in the heart of the enemy country it is also far from being certain that the expenses of the war would be diminished by such a policy i am persuaded that the best means of vindicating the national honor and interest and of bringing the war to an honorable close will be to prosecute it with increased energy and power in the vital parts of the enemy country in my annual message to congress of december last i declared that the war has not been waged with a view to conquest but having been commenced by mexico it has been carried into the enemy country and will be vigorously prosecuted there with a view to obtain an honorable peace and thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war as well as to our citizens who hold large pecuniary demands against mexico such in my judgment continues to be our true policy indeed the only policy which will probably secure a permanent peace it has never been contemplated by me as an object of the war to make a permanent conquest of the republic of mexico or to annihilate her separate existence as an independent nation on the contrary it has ever been my desire that she should maintain her nationality and under a good government adapted to her condition be a free independent and prosperous republic the united states were the first among the nations to recognize her independence and have always desired to be on terms of amity and good neighborhood with her this she would not suffer by her own conduct we have been compelled to engage in the present war in its prosecution we seek not her overthrow as a nation but in vindicating our national honor we seek to obtain redress for the wrongs she has done us and indemnity for our just demands against her we demand an honorable peace and that peace must bring with it indemnity for the past and security for the future hitherto mexico has refused all accommodation by which such a peace could be obtained whilst our armies have advanced from victory to victory from the commencement of the war it has always been with the olive branch of peace in their hands and it has been in the power of mexico at every step to arrest hostilities by accepting it one great obstacle to the attainment of peace has undoubtedly arisen from the fact that mexico has been so long held in subjection by one faction or military usurper after another and such has been the condition of insecurity in which their successive governments have been placed that each has been deterred from making peace lest for this very because a rival faction might expel it from power such was the fate of president herrera administration in 1845 for being disposed even to listen to the overtures of the united states to prevent the war as is fully confirmed by an official correspondence which took place in the month of august last between him and his government a copy of which is herewith communicated for this because alone the revolution which displaced him from power was set on foot by general paredes such may be the condition of insecurity of the present government there can be no doubt that the peaceable and inhabitants of mexico are convinced that it is the true interest of their country to conclude an honorable peace with the united states but the apprehension of becoming the victims of some military faction or usurper may have prevented them from manifesting their feelings by any public act the removal of any such apprehension would probably because them to speak their sentiments freely and to adopt the measures necessary for the restoration of peace with a people distracted and divided by contending factions and a government subject to constant changes by successive revolutions the continued successes of our arms may fail to secure a satisfactory peace in such event it may become proper for our commanding generals in the field to give encouragement and assurances of protection to the friends of peace in mexico in the establishment and maintenance of a free republican government of their own choice able and willing to conclude a peace which would be just to them and secure to us the indemnity we demand this may become the only mode of obtaining such a peace should such be the result the war which mexico has forced upon us would thus be converted into an enduring blessing to herself after finding her torn and distracted by factions and ruled by military usurpers we should then leave her with a republican government in the enjoyment of real independence and domestic peace and prosperity performing all her relative duties in the great family of nations and promoting her own happiness by wise laws and their faithful execution if after affording this encouragement and protection and after all the persevering and sincere efforts we have made from the moment mexico commenced the war and prior to that time to adjust our differences with her we shall ultimately fail then we shall have exhausted all honorable means in pursuit of peace and must continue to occupy her country with our troops taking the full measure of indemnity into our own hands and must enforce the terms which our honor demands to act otherwise in the existing state of things in mexico and to withdraw our army without a peace would not only leave all the wrongs of which we complain unredressed but would be the signal for new and fierce civil dissensions and new revolutions all alike hostile to peaceful relations with the united states besides there is danger if our troops were withdrawn before a peace was conducted that the mexican people wearied with successive revolutions and deprived of protection for their persons and property might at length be inclined to yield to foreign influences and to cast themselves into the arms of some european monarch for protection from the anarchy and suffering which would ensue this for our own safety and in pursuance of our established policy we should be compelled to resist we could never consent that mexico should be thus converted into a monarchy governed by a foreign prince mexico is our near neighbor and her boundaries are coterminous with our own through the whole extent across the north american continent from ocean to ocean both politically and commercially we have the deepest interest in her regeneration and prosperity indeed it is impossible that with any just regard to our own safety we can ever become indifferent to her fate it may be that the mexican government and people have misconstrued or misunderstood our forbearance and our objects in desiring to conclude an amicable adjustment of the existing differences between the two countries they may have supposed that we would submit to terms degrading to the nation or they may have drawn false inferences from the supposed division of opinion in the united states on the subject of the war and may have calculated to gain much by protracting it and indeed that we might ultimately abandon it altogether without insisting on any indemnity territorial or otherwise whatever may be the false impressions under which they have acted the adoption and prosecution of the energetic policy proposed must soon undeceive them in the future prosecution of the war the enemy must be made to feel its pressure more than they have heretofore done at its commencement it was deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit of forbearance and liberality with this end in view early measures were adopted to conciliate as far as a state of war would permit the mass of the mexican population to convince them that the war was waged not against the peaceful inhabitants of mexico but against their faithless government which had commenced hostilities to remove from their minds the false impressions which their designing and interested rulers had artfully attempted to make that the war on our part was one of conquest that it was a war against their religion and their churches which were to be desecrated and overthrown and that their rights of person and private property would be violated to remove these false impressions our commanders in the field were directed scrupulously to respect their religion their churches and their church property which were in no manner to be violated they were directed also to respect the rights of persons and property of all who should not take up arms against us assurances to this effect were given to the mexican people by major general taylor in a proclamation issued in pursuance of instructions from the secretary of war in the month of june 1846 and again by scott who acted upon his own convictions of the propriety of issuing it in a proclamation of the 11th of may 1847 in this spirit of liberality and conciliation and with a view to prevent the body of the mexican population from taking up arms against us was the war conducted on our part provisions and other supplies furnished to our army by mexican citizens were paid for at fair and liberal prices agreed upon by the parties after the lapse of a few months it became apparent that these assurances and this mild treatment had failed to produce the desired effect upon the mexican population while the war had been conducted on our part according to the most humane and liberal principles observed by civilized nations it was waged in a far different spirit on the part of mexico not appreciating our forbearance the mexican people generally became hostile to the united states and availed themselves of every opportunity to commit the most savage excesses upon our troops large numbers of the population took up arms and engaging in guerrilla warfare robbed and murdered in the most cruel manner individual soldiers or small parties whom accident or other causes had separated from the main body of our army bands of guerrilleros and robbers infested the roads harassed our trains and whenever it was in their power cut off our supplies the mexicans having thus shown themselves to be wholly incapable of appreciating our forbearance and liberality it was deemed proper to change the manner of conducting the war by making them feel its pressure according to the usages observed under similar circumstances by all other civilized nations accordingly as early as the 22d of september 1846 instructions were given by the secretary of war to taylor to draw supplies for our army from the enemy without paying for them and to require contributions for its support if in that way he was satisfied he could get abundant supplies for his forces in directing the execution of these instructions much was necessarily left to the discretion of the commanding officer who was best acquainted with the circumstances by which he was surrounded the wants of the army and the practicability of enforcing the measure general taylor on the 26th of october 1846 replied from monterey that it would have been impossible hitherto and is so now to sustain the army to any extent by forced contributions of money or supplies for the reasons assigned by him he did not adopt the policy of his instructions but declared his readiness to do so should the army in its future operations reach a portion of the country which may be made to supply the troops with advantage he continued to pay for the articles of supply which were drawn from the enemy country similar instructions were issued to scott on the 3d of april 1847 who replied from jalapa on the 20th of may 1847 that if it be expected that the army is to support itself by forced contributions levied upon the country we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants and starve ourselves the same discretion was given to him that had been to general taylor in this respect general scott for the reasons assigned by him also continued to pay for the articles of supply for the army which were drawn from the enemy after the army had reached the heart of the most wealthy portion of mexico it was supposed that the obstacles which had before that time prevented it would not be such as to render impracticable the levy of forced contributions for its support and on the 1st of september and again on the 6th of october 1847 the order was repeated in dispatches addressed by the secretary of war to general scott and his attention was again called to the importance of making the enemy bear the burdens of the war by requiring them to furnish the means of supporting our army and he was directed to adopt this policy unless by doing so there was danger of depriving the army of the necessary supplies copies of these dispatches were forwarded to general taylor for his government on the 31st of march last i caused an order to be issued to our military and naval commanders to levy and collect a military contribution upon all vessels and merchandise which might enter any of the ports of mexico in our military occupation and to apply such contributions toward defraying the expenses of the war by virtue of the right of conquest and the laws of war the conqueror consulting his own safety or convenience may either exclude foreign commerce altogether from all such ports or permit it upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe before the principal ports of mexico were blockaded by our navy the revenue derived from import duties under the laws of mexico was paid into the mexican treasury after these ports had fallen into our military possession the blockade was raised and commerce with them permitted upon prescribed terms and conditions they were opened to the trade of all nations upon the payment of duties more moderate in their amount than those which had been previously levied by mexico and the revenue which was formerly paid into the mexican treasury was directed to be collected by our military and naval officers and applied to the use of our army and navy care was taken that the officers soldiers and sailors of our army and navy should be exempted from the operations of the order and as the merchandise imported upon which the order operated must be consumed by mexican citizens the contributions exacted were in effect the seizure of the public revenues of mexico and the application of them to our own use in directing this measure the object was to compel the enemy to contribute as far as practicable toward the expenses of the war for the amount of contributions which have been levied in this form i refer you to the accompanying reports of the secretary of war and of the secretary of the navy by which it appears that a sum exceeding half a million of dollars has been collected this amount would undoubtedly have been much larger but for the difficulty of keeping open communications between the coast and the interior so as to enable the owners of the merchandise imported to transport and vend it to the inhabitants of the country it is confidently expected that this difficulty will to a great extent be soon removed by our increased forces which have been sent to the field measures have recently been adopted by which the internal as well as the external revenues of mexico in all places in our military occupation will be seized and appropriated to the use of our army and navy the policy of levying upon the enemy contributions in every form consistently with the laws of nations which it may be practicable for our military commanders to adopt should in my judgment be rigidly enforced and orders to this effect have accordingly been given by such a policy at the same time that our own treasury will be relieved from a heavy drain the mexican people will be made to feel the burdens of the war and consulting their own interests may be induced the more readily to require their rulers to accede to a just peace after the adjournment of the last session of congress events transpired in the prosecution of the war which in my judgment required a greater number of troops in the field than had been anticipated the strength of the army was accordingly increased by accepting the services of all the volunteer forces authorized by the act of the 13th of may 1846 without putting a construction on that act the correctness of which was seriously questioned the volunteer forces now in the field with those which had been accepted to serve for twelve months and were discharged at the end of their term of service exhaust the men authorized by that act had it been clear that a proper construction of the act warranted it the services of an additional number would have been called for and accepted but doubts existing upon this point the power was not exercised it is deemed important that congress should at an early period of their session confer the authority to raise an additional regular force to serve during the war with mexico and to be discharged upon the conclusion and ratification of a treaty of peace i invite the attention of congress to the views presented by the secretary of war in his report upon this subject i recommend also that authority be given by law to call for and accept the services of an additional number of volunteers to be exercised at such time and to such extent as the emergencies of the service may require in prosecuting the war with mexico whilst the utmost care has been taken to avoid every just because of complaint on the part of neutral nations and none has been given liberal privileges have been granted to their commerce in the ports of the enemy in our military occupation the difficulty with the brazilian government which at one time threatened to interrupt the friendly relations between the two countries will i trust be speedily adjusted i have received information that an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the united states will shortly be appointed by his imperial majesty and it is hoped that he will come instructed and prepared to adjust all remaining differences between the two governments in a manner acceptable and honorable to both in the meantime i have every reason to believe that nothing will occur to interrupt our amicable relations with brazil it has been my constant effort to maintain and cultivate the most intimate relations of friendship with all the independent powers of south america and this policy has been attended with the happiest results it is true that the settlement and payment of many just claims of american citizens against these nations have been long delayed the peculiar position in which they have been placed and the desire on the part of my predecessors as well as myself to grant them the utmost indulgence have hitherto prevented these claims from being urged in a manner demanded by strict justice the time has arrived when they ought to be finally adjusted and liquidated and efforts are now making for that purpose it is proper to inform you that the government of peru has in good faith paid the first two installments of the indemnity of each and the greater portion of the interest due thereon in execution of the convention between that government and the united states the ratifications of which were exchanged at lima on the 31st of october 1846 the of the united states early in august last completed the adjudication of the claims under this convention and made his report thereon in pursuance of the act of the 8th of august 1846 the sums to which the claimants are respectively entitled will be paid on demand at the treasury i invite the early attention of congress to the present condition of our citizens in china under our treaty with that power american citizens are withdrawn from the jurisdiction whether civil or criminal of the chinese government and placed under that of our public functionaries in that country by these alone can our citizens be tried and punished for the commission of any crime by these alone can questions be decided between them involving the rights of persons and property and by these alone can contracts be enforced into which they may have entered with the citizens or subjects of foreign powers the merchant vessels of the united states lying in the waters of the five ports of china open to foreign commerce are under the exclusive jurisdiction of officers of their own government until congress shall establish competent tribunals to try and punish crimes and to exercise jurisdiction in civil cases in china american citizens there are subject to no law whatever crimes may be committed with impunity and debts may be contracted without any means to enforce their payment inconveniences have already resulted from the omission of congress to legislate upon the subject and still greater are apprehended the british authorities in china have already complained that this government has not provided for the punishment of crimes or the enforcement of contracts against american citizens in that country whilst their government has established tribunals by which an american citizen can recover debts due from british subjects accustomed as the chinese are to summary justice they could not be made to comprehend why criminals who are citizens of the united states should escape with impunity in violation of treaty obligations whilst the punishment of a chinese who had committed any crime against an american citizen would be rigorously exacted indeed the consequences might be fatal to american citizens in china should a flagrant crime be committed by any one of them upon a chinese and should trial and punishment not follow according to the requisitions of the treaty this might disturb if not destroy our friendly relations with that empire and because an interruption of our valuable commerce our treaties with the sublime porte tripoli tunis morocco and muscat also require the legislation of congress to carry them into execution though the necessity for immediate action may not be so urgent as in regard to china the secretary of state has submitted an estimate to defray the expense of opening diplomatic relations with the papal states the interesting political events now in progress in these states as well as a just regard to our commercial interests have in my opinion rendered such a measure highly expedient estimates have also been submitted for the outfits and salaries of charges to the republics of bolivia guatemala and ecuador the manifest importance of cultivating the most friendly relations with all the independent states upon this continent has induced me to recommend appropriations necessary for the maintenance of these missions i recommend to congress that an appropriation be made to be paid to the spanish government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in the amistad case i entertain the conviction that this is due to spain under the treaty of the 20th of october 1795 and moreover that from the earnest manner in which the claim continues to be urged so long as it shall remain unsettled it will be a source of irritation and discord between the two countries which may prove highly prejudicial to the interests of the united states good policy no less than a faithful compliance with our treaty obligations requires that the inconsiderable appropriation demanded should be made a detailed statement of the condition of the finances will be presented in the annual report of the secretary of the treasury the imports for the last fiscal year ending on the 30th of june 1847 were of the value of of which the amount exported was leaving in the country for domestic use the value of the exports for the same period was of which consisted of domestic productions and of foreign articles the receipts into the treasury for the same period amounted to of which there was derived from customs from sales of public lands and from incidental and miscellaneous sources the last fiscal year during which this amount was received embraced five months under the operation of the tariff act of 1842 and seven months during which the tariff act of 1846 was in force during the five months under the act of 1842 the amount received from customs was and during the seven months under the act of 1846 the amount received was the net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of december 1846 being the last year under the operation of the tariff act of 1842 was and the net revenue from customs during the year ending on the 1st of december 1847 being the first year under the operations of the tariff act of 1846 was about being an increase of revenue for the first year under the tariff of 1846 of more than over that of the last year under the tariff of 1842 the expenditures during the fiscal year ending on the 30th of june last were of which was on account payment of principal and interest of the public debt including treasury notes redeemed and not funded the expenditures exclusive of payment of public debt were it is estimated that the receipts into the treasury for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of june 1848 including the balance in the treasury on the 1st of july last will amount to of which it is estimated will be derived from customs from the sale of the public lands from incidental sources eluding sales made by the solicitor of the treasury and from loans already authorized by law which together with the balance in the treasury on the 1st of july last make the sum estimated the expenditures for the same period if peace with mexico shall not be concluded and the army shall be increased as is proposed will amount including the necessary payments on account of principal and interest of the public debt and treasury notes to on the 1st of the present month the amount of the public debt actually incurred including treasury notes was the public debt due on the 4th of march 1845 including treasury notes was and consequently the addition made to the public debt since that time is of the loan of millions authorized by the act of the 28th of january 1847 the sum of five millions was paid out to the public creditors or exchanged at par for specie the remaining eighteen millions was offered for specie to the highest bidder not below par by an advertisement issued by the secretary of the treasury and published from the 9th of february until the 10th of april 1847 when it was awarded to the several highest bidders at premiums varying from of per cent to 2 per cent above par the premium has been paid into the treasury and the sums awarded deposited in specie in the treasury as fast as it was required by the wants of the government to meet the expenditures for the remainder of the present and for the next fiscal year ending on the 30th of june 1849 a further loan in aid of the ordinary revenues of the government will be necessary retaining a sufficient surplus in the treasury the loan required for the remainder of the present fiscal year will be about if the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the graduation of the price of the public lands shall be made at an early period of your session as recommended the loan for the present fiscal year may be reduced to the loan may be further reduced by whatever amount of expenditures can be saved by military contributions collected in mexico the most vigorous measures for the augmentation of these contributions have been directed and a very considerable sum is expected from that source its amount can not however be calculated with any certainty it is recommended that the loan to be made be authorized upon the same terms and for the same time as that which was authorized under the provisions of the act of the 28th of january 1847 should the war with mexico be continued until the 30th of june 1849 it is estimated that a further loan of will be required for the fiscal year ending on that day in case no duty be imposed on tea and coffee and the public lands be not reduced and graduated in price and no military contributions shall be collected in mexico if the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the lands be reduced and graduated in price as proposed the loan may be reduced to and will be subject to be still further reduced by the amount of the military contributions which may be collected in mexico it is not proposed however at present to ask congress for authority to negotiate this loan for the next fiscal year as it is hoped that the loan asked for the remainder of the present fiscal year aided by military contributions which may be collected in mexico may be sufficient if contrary to my expectation there should be a necessity for it the fact will be communicated to congress in time for their action during the present session in no event will a sum exceeding of this amount be needed before the meeting of the session of congress in december 1848 the act of the 30th of july 1846 reducing the duties on imports has been in force since the 1st of december last and i am gratified to state that all the beneficial effects which were anticipated from its operation have been fully realized the public revenue derived from customs during the year ending on the 1st of december 1847 exceeds by more than the amount received in the preceding year under the operation of the act of 1842 which was superseded and repealed by it its effects are visible in the great and almost unexampled prosperity which prevails in every branch of business while the repeal of the prohibitory and restrictive duties of the act of 1842 and the substitution in their place of reasonable revenue rates levied on articles imported according to their actual value has increased the revenue and augmented our foreign trade all the great interests of the country have been advanced and promoted the great and important interests of agriculture which had been not only too much neglected but actually taxed under the protective policy for the benefit of other interests have been relieved of the burdens which that policy imposed on them and our farmers and planters under a more just and liberal commercial policy are finding new and profitable markets abroad for their augmented products our commerce is rapidly increasing and is extending more widely the circle of international exchanges great as has been the increase of our imports during the past year our exports of domestic products sold in foreign markets have been still greater our navigating interest is eminently prosperous the number of vessels built in the united states has been greater than during any preceding period of equal length large profits have been derived by those who have constructed as well as by those who have navigated them should the ratio of increase in the number of our merchant vessels be progressive and be as great for the future as during the past year the time is not distant when our tonnage and commercial marine will be larger than that of any other nation in the world whilst the interests of agriculture of commerce and of navigation have been enlarged and invigorated it is highly gratifying to observe that our manufactures are also in a prosperous condition none of the ruinous effects upon this interest which were apprehended by some as the result of the operation of the revenue system established by the act of 1846 have been experienced on the contrary the number of manufactories and the amount of capital invested in them is steadily and rapidly increasing affording gratifying proofs that american enterprise and skill employed in this branch of domestic industry with no other advantages than those fairly and incidentally accruing from a just system of revenue duties are abundantly able to meet successfully all competition from abroad and still derive fair and remunerating profits while capital invested in manufactures is yielding adequate and fair profits under the new system the wages of labor whether employed in manufactures agriculture commerce or navigation have been augmented the toiling millions whose daily labor furnishes the supply of food and raiment and all the necessaries and comforts of life are receiving higher wages and more steady and permanent employment than in any other country or at any previous period of our own history so successful have been all branches of our industry that a foreign war which generally diminishes the resources of a nation has in no essential degree retarded our onward progress or checked our general prosperity with such gratifying evidences of prosperity and of the successful operation of the revenue act of 1846 every consideration of public policy recommends that it shall remain unchanged it is hoped that the system of impost duties which it established may be regarded as the permanent policy of the country and that the great interests affected by it may not again be subject to be injuriously disturbed as they have heretofore been by frequent and sometimes sudden changes for the purpose of increasing the revenue and without changing or modifying the rates imposed by the act of 1846 on the dutiable articles embraced by its provisions i again recommend to your favorable consideration the expediency of levying a revenue duty on tea and coffee the policy which exempted these articles from duty during peace and when the revenue to be derived from them was not needed ceases to exist when the country is engaged in war and requires the use of all of its available resources it is a tax which would be so generally diffused among the people that it would be felt oppressively by none and be complained of by none it is believed that there are not in the list of imported articles any which are more properly the subject of war duties than tea and coffee it is estimated that would be derived annually by a moderate duty imposed on these articles should congress avail itself of this additional source of revenue not only would the amount of the public loan rendered necessary by the war with mexico be diminished to that extent but the public credit and the public confidence in the ability and determination of the government to meet all its engagements promptly would be more firmly established and the reduced amount of the loan which it may be necessary to negotiate could probably be obtained at cheaper rates congress is therefore called upon to determine whether it is wiser to impose the war duties recommended or by omitting to do so increase the public debt annually so long as loans shall be required to prosecute the war and afterwards provide in some other form to pay the semiannual interest upon it and ultimately to extinguish the principal if in addition to these duties congress should graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as experience has proved will not command the price placed upon them by the government an additional annual income to the treasury of between half a million and a million of dollars it is estimated would be derived from this source should both measures receive the sanction of congress the annual amount of public debt necessary to be contracted during the continuance of the war would be reduced near the duties recommended to be levied on tea and coffee it is proposed shall be limited in their duration to the end of the war and until the public debt rendered necessary to be contracted by it shall be discharged the amount of the public debt to be contracted should be limited to the lowest practicable sum and should be extinguished as early after the conclusion of the war as the means of the treasury will permit with this view it is recommended that as soon as the war shall be over all the surplus in the treasury not needed for other indispensable objects shall constitute a sinking fund and be applied to the purchase of the funded debt and that authority be conferred by laws for that purpose the act of the 6th of august 1846 to establish a warehousing system has been in operation more than a year and has proved to be an important auxiliary to the tariff act of 1846 in augmenting the revenue and extending the commerce of the country whilst it has tended to enlarge commerce it has been beneficial to our manufactures by diminishing forced sales at auction of foreign goods at low prices to raise the duties to be advanced on them and by checking fluctuations in the market the system although sanctioned by the experience of other countries was entirely new in the united states and is susceptible of improvement in some of its provisions the secretary of the treasury upon whom was devolved large discretionary powers in carrying this measure into effect has collected and is now collating the practical results of the system in other countries where it has long been established and will report at an early period of your session such further regulations suggested by the investigation as may render it still more effective and beneficial by the act to provide for the better organization of the treasury and for the collection and disbursement of the public revenue all banks were discontinued as fiscal agents of the government and the paper currency issued by them was no longer permitted to be received in payment of public dues the constitutional treasury created by this act went into operation on the 1st of january last under the system established by it the public moneys have been collected safely kept and disbursed by the direct agency of officers of the government in gold and silver and transfers of large amounts have been made from points of collection to points of disbursement without loss to the treasury or injury or inconvenience to the trade of the country while the fiscal operations of the government have been conducted with regularity and ease under this system it has had a salutary effect in checking and preventing an undue inflation of the paper currency issued by the banks which exist under state charters requiring as it does all dues to the government to be paid in gold and silver its effect is to restrain excessive issues of bank paper by the banks disproportioned to the specie in their vaults for the reason that they are at all times liable to be called on by the holders of their notes for their redemption in order to obtain specie for the payment of duties and other public dues the banks therefore must keep their business within prudent limits and be always in a condition to meet such calls or run the hazard of being compelled to suspend specie payments and be thereby discredited the amount of specie imported into the united states during the last fiscal year was of which there was retained in the country had the former financial system prevailed and the public moneys been placed on deposit in the banks nearly the whole of this amount would have gone into their vaults not to be thrown into circulation by them but to be withheld from the hands of the people as a currency and made the basis of new and enormous issues of bank paper a large proportion of the specie imported has been paid into the treasury for public dues and after having been to a great extent recoined at the mint has been paid out to the public creditors and gone into circulation as a currency among the people the amount of gold and silver coin now in circulation in the country is larger than at any former period the financial system established by the constitutional treasury has been thus far eminently successful in its operations and i recommend an adherence to all its essential provisions and especially to that vital provision which wholly separates the government from all connection with banks and excludes bank paper from all revenue receipts in some of its details not involving its general principles the system is defective and will require modification these defects and such amendments as are deemed important were set forth in the last annual report of the secretary of the treasury these amendments are again recommended to the early and favorable consideration of congress during the past year the coinage at the mint and its branches has exceeded this has consisted chiefly in converting the coins of foreign countries into american coin the largest amount of foreign coin imported has been received at new york and if a branch mint were established at that city all the foreign coin received at that port could at once be converted into our own coin without the expense risk and delay of transporting it to the mint for that purpose and the amount recoined would be much larger experience has proved that foreign coin and especially foreign gold coin will not circulate extensively as a currency among the people the important measure of extending our specie circulation both of gold and silver and of diffusing it among the people can only be effected by converting such foreign coin into american coin i repeat the recommendation contained in my last annual message for the establishment of a branch of the mint of the united states at the city of new york all the public lands which had been surveyed and were ready for market have been proclaimed for sale during the past year the quantity offered and to be offered for sale under proclamations issued since the 1st of january last amounts to acres the prosperity of the western states and territories in which these lands lie will be advanced by their speedy sale by withholding them from market their growth and increase of population would be retarded while thousands of our enterprising and meritorious frontier population would be deprived of the opportunity of securing freeholds for themselves and their families but in addition to the general considerations which rendered the early sale of these lands proper it was a leading object at this time to derive as large a sum as possible from this source and thus diminish by that amount the public loan rendered necessary by the existence of a foreign war it is estimated that not less than acres of the public lands will be surveyed and be in a condition to be proclaimed for sale during the year 1848 in my last annual message i presented the reasons which in my judgment rendered it proper to graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have remained unsold for long periods after they had been offered for sale at public auction many millions of acres of public lands lying within the limits of several of the western states have been offered in the market and been subject to sale at private entry for more than twenty years and large quantities for more than thirty years at the lowest price prescribed by the existing laws and it has been found that they will not command that price they must remain unsold and uncultivated for an indefinite period unless the price demanded for them by the government shall be reduced no satisfactory reason is perceived why they should be longer held at rates above their real value at the present period an additional reason exists for adopting the measure recommended when the country is engaged in a foreign war and we must necessarily resort to loans it would seem to be the dictate of wisdom that we should avail ourselves of all our resources and thus limit the amount of the public indebtedness to the lowest possible sum i recommend that the existing laws on the subject of preemption rights be amended and modified so as to operate prospectively and to embrace all who may settle upon the public lands and make improvements upon them before they are surveyed as well as afterwards in all cases where such settlements may be made after the indian title shall have been extinguished if the right of preemption be thus extended it will embrace a large and meritorious class of our citizens it will increase the number of small freeholders upon our borders who will be enabled thereby to educate their children and otherwise improve their condition while they will be found at all times as they have ever proved themselves to be in the hour of danger to their country among our hardiest and best volunteer soldiers ever ready to attend to their services in cases of emergencies and among the last to leave the field as long as an enemy remains to be encountered such a policy will also impress these patriotic pioneer emigrants with deeper feelings of gratitude for the parental care of their government when they find their dearest interests secured to them by the permanent laws of the land and that they are no longer in danger of losing their homes and improvements by being brought into competition with a more wealthy class of purchasers at the land sales the attention of congress was invited at their last and the preceding session to the importance of establishing a territorial government over our possessions in oregon and it is to be regretted that there was no legislation on the subject our citizens who inhabit that distant region of country are still left without the protection of our laws or any regularly organized government before the question of limits and boundaries of the territory of oregon was definitely settled from the necessity of their condition the inhabitants had established a temporary government of their own besides the want of legal authority for continuing such a government it is wholly inadequate to protect them in their rights of person and property or to secure to them the enjoyment of the privileges of other citizens to which they are entitled under the constitution of the united states they should have the right of suffrage be represented in a territorial legislature and by a delegate in congress and possess all the rights and privileges which citizens of other portions of the territories of the united states have heretofore enjoyed or may now enjoy our judicial system revenue laws laws regulating trade and intercourse with the indian tribes and the protection of our laws generally should be extended over them in addition to the inhabitants in that territory who had previously emigrated to it large numbers of our citizens have followed them during the present year and it is not doubted that during the next and subsequent years their numbers will be greatly increased congress at its last session established post routes leading to oregon and between different points within that territory and authorized the establishment of at astoria and such other places on the coasts of the pacific within the territory of the united states as the public interests may require have accordingly been established deputy postmasters appointed and provision made for the transportation of the mails the preservation of peace with the indian tribes residing west of the rocky mountains will render it proper that authority should be given by law for the appointment of an adequate number of indian agents to reside among them i recommend that a office be established in that territory and that the public lands be surveyed and brought into market at an early period i recommend also that grants upon liberal terms of limited quantities of the public lands be made to all citizens of the united states who have emigrated or may hereafter within a prescribed period emigrate to oregon and settle upon them these hardy and adventurous citizens who have encountered the dangers and privations of a long and toilsome journey and have at length found an abiding place for themselves and their families upon the utmost verge of our western limits should be secured in the homes which they have improved by their labor i refer you to the accompanying report of the secretary of war for a detailed account of the operations of the various branches of the public service connected with the department under his charge the duties devolving on this department have been unusually onerous and responsible during the past year and have been discharged with ability and success pacific relations continue to exist with the various indian tribes and most of them manifest a strong friendship for the united states some depredations were committed during the past year upon our trains transporting supplies for the army on the road between the western border of missouri and santa fe these depredations which are supposed to have been committed by bands from the region of new mexico have been arrested by the presence of a military force ordered out for that purpose some outrages have been perpetrated by a portion of the northwestern bands upon the weaker and comparatively defenseless neighboring tribes prompt measures were taken to prevent such occurrences in future between and indians belonging to several tribes have been removed during the year from the east of the mississippi to the country allotted to them west of that river as their permanent home and arrangements have been made for others to follow since the treaty of 1846 with the cherokees the feuds among them appear to have subsided and they have become more united and contented than they have been for many years past the commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of june 27 1846 to settle claims arising under the treaty of with that tribe have executed their duties and after a patient investigation and a full and fair examination of all the cases brought before them closed their labors in the month of july last this is the fourth board of commissioners which has been organized under this treaty ample opportunity has been afforded to all those interested to bring forward their claims no doubt is entertained that impartial justice has been done by the late board and that all valid claims embraced by the treaty have been considered and allowed this result and the final settlement to be made with this tribe under the treaty of 1846 which will be completed and laid before you during your session will adjust all questions of controversy between them and the united states and produce a state of relations with them simple well defined and satisfactory under the discretionary authority conferred by the act of the 3d of march last the annuities due to the various tribes have been paid during the present year to the heads of families instead of to their chiefs or such persons as they might designate as required by the law previously existing this mode of payment has given general satisfaction to the great body of the indians justice has been done to them and they are grateful to the government for it a few chiefs and interested persons may object to this mode of payment but it is believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud and imposition from being practiced upon the great body of common indians constituting a majority of all the tribes it is gratifying to perceive that a number of the tribes have recently manifested an increased interest in the establishment of schools among them and are making rapid advances in agriculture some of them producing a sufficient quantity of food for their support and in some cases a surplus to dispose of to their neighbors the comforts by which those who have received even a very limited education and have engaged in agriculture are surrounded tend gradually to draw off their less civilized brethren from the precarious means of subsistence by the chase to habits of labor and civilization the accompanying report of the secretary of the navy presents a satisfactory and gratifying account of the condition and operations of the naval service during the past year our commerce has been pursued with increased activity and with safety and success in every quarter of the globe under the protection of our flag which the navy has caused to be respected in the most distant seas in the gulf of mexico and in the pacific the officers and men of our squadrons have displayed distinguished gallantry and performed valuable services in the early stages of the war with mexico her ports on both coasts were blockaded and more recently many of them have been captured and held by the navy when acting in cooperation with the land forces the naval officers and men have performed gallant and distinguished services on land as well as on water and deserve the high commendation of the country while other maritime powers are adding to their navies large numbers of war steamers it was a wise policy on our part to make similar additions to our navy the four war steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of march 1847 are in course of construction in addition to the four war steamers authorized by this act the secretary of the navy has in pursuance of its provisions entered into contracts for the construction of five steamers to be employed in the transportation of the united states mail from new york to new orleans touching at charleston savannah and havana and from havana to chagres for three steamers to be employed in like manner from panama to oregon so as to connect with the mail from havana to chagres across the isthmus and for five steamers to be employed in like manner from new york to liverpool these steamers will be the property of the contractors but are to be built under the superintendence and direction of a naval constructor in the employ of the navy department and to be so constructed as to render them convertible at the least possible expense into war steamers of the first class a prescribed number of naval officers as well as a agent are to be on board of them and authority is reserved to the navy department at all times to exercise control over said steamships and to have the right to take them for the exclusive use and service of the united states upon making proper compensation to the contractors therefor whilst these steamships will be employed in transporting the mails of the united states coastwise and to foreign countries upon an annual compensation to be paid to the owners they will be always ready upon an emergency requiring it to be converted into war steamers and the right reserved to take them for public use will add greatly to the efficiency and strength of this description of our naval force to the steamers thus authorized under contracts made by the secretary of the navy should be added five other steamers authorized under contracts made in pursuance of laws by the making an addition in the whole of eighteen war steamers subject to be taken for public use as further contracts for the transportation of the mail to foreign countries may be authorized by congress this number may be enlarged indefinitely the enlightened policy by which a rapid communication with the various distant parts of the globe is established by means of american built sea steamers would find an ample reward in the increase of our commerce and in making our country and its resources more favorably known abroad but the national advantage is still greater of having our naval officers made familiar with steam navigation and of having the privilege of taking the ships already equipped for immediate service at a moment notice and will be cheaply purchased by the compensation to be paid for the transportation of the mail in them over and above the postages received a just national pride no less than our commercial interests would seem to favor the policy of augmenting the number of this description of vessels they can be built in our country cheaper and in greater numbers than in any other in the world i refer you to the accompanying report of the for a detailed and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of that department during the past year it is gratifying to find that within so short a period after the reduction in the rates of postage and notwithstanding the great increase of mail service the revenue received for the year will be sufficient to defray all the expenses and that no further aid will be required from the treasury for that purpose the first of the american mail steamers authorized by the act of the 3d of march 1845 was completed and entered upon the service on the 1st of june last and is now on her third voyage to bremen and other intermediate ports the other vessels authorized under the provisions of that act are in course of construction and will be put upon the line as soon as completed contracts have also been made for the transportation of the mail in a steamer from charleston to havana a reciprocal and satisfactory postal arrangement has been made by the with the authorities of bremen and no difficulty is apprehended in making similar arrangements with all other powers with which we may have communications by mail steamers except with great britain on the arrival of the first of the american steamers bound to bremen at southampton in the month of june last the british directed the collection of discriminating postages on all letters and other mailable matter which she took out to great britain or which went into the british on their way to france and other parts of europe the effect of the order of the british is to subject all letters and other matter transported by american steamers to double postage one postage having been previously paid on them to the united states while letters transported in british steamers are subject to pay but a single postage this measure was adopted with the avowed object of protecting the british line of mail steamers now running between boston and liverpool and if permitted to continue must speedily put an end to the transportation of all letters and other matter by american steamers and give to british steamers a monopoly of the business a just and fair reciprocity is all that we desire and on this we must insist by our laws no such discrimination is made against british steamers bringing letters into our ports but all letters arriving in the united states are subject to the same rate of postage whether brought in british or american vessels i refer you to the report of the for a full statement of the facts of the case and of the steps taken by him to correct this inequality he has exerted all the power conferred upon him by the existing laws the minister of the united states at london has brought the subject to the attention of the british government and is now engaged in negotiations for the purpose of adjusting reciprocal postal arrangements which shall be equally just to both countries should he fail in concluding such arrangements and should great britain insist on enforcing the unequal and unjust measure she has adopted it will become necessary to confer additional powers on the in order to enable him to meet the emergency and to put our own steamers on an equal footing with british steamers engaged in transporting the mails between the two countries and i recommend that such powers be conferred in view of the existing state of our country i trust it may not be inappropriate in closing this communication to call to mind the words of wisdom and admonition of the first and most illustrious of my predecessors in his farewell address to his countrymen that greatest and best of men who served his country so long and loved it so much foresaw with serious concern the danger to our union of characterizing parties by geographical discriminations northern and southern atlantic and western whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views and warned his countrymen against it so deep and solemn was his conviction of the importance of the union and of preserving harmony between its different parts that he declared to his countrymen in that address it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness that you should cherish a cordial habitual and immovable attachment to it accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts after the lapse of half a century these admonitions of washington fall upon us with all the force of truth it is difficult to estimate the immense value of our glorious union of confederated states to which we are so much indebted for our growth in population and wealth and for all that constitutes us a great and a happy nation how unimportant are all our differences of opinion upon minor questions of public policy compared with its preservation and how scrupulously should we avoid all agitating topics which may tend to distract and divide us into contending parties separated by geographical lines whereby it may be weakened or endangered invoking the blessing of the almighty ruler of the universe upon your deliberations it will be my highest duty no less than my sincere pleasure to cooperate with you in all measures which may tend to promote the honor and enduring welfare of our common country
annual meeting congress always interesting event representatives states people come fresh constituents take counsel together common good existence near century free independent republic problem longer remains solved whether man capable success admirable system conclusive refutation theories countries maintain favored born rule mass mankind must governed force subject arbitrary hereditary authority people sovereigns recognized constitution numerous emigrants every lineage language attracted civil religious freedom enjoy happy condition annually crowd shores transfer heart less allegiance country whose dominion belongs alone people country much favored acknowledge deeper reverence manifestations divine protection wise creator directed guarded us infant struggle freedom constantly watched surprising progress become one great nations earth country thus favored government executive legislative branches hold authority limited periods alike people responsible respective constituencies duty communicate congress upon state union present condition public affairs past year gratifying proofs presented country blessed widespread universal prosperity period since government founded industrial pursuits people successful labor branches business received fairer better reward abundance enabled perform pleasing duty furnishing food starving millions less favored countries enjoyment bounties providence home rarely fallen lot people congratulation intercourse powers earth except mexico continues amicable character ever cherished policy cultivate peace good nations policy steadily pursued change taken place relations mexico since adjournment last congress war united states forced engage government country still continues deem unnecessary full exposition contained message 11th may 1846 annual message commencement session congress december last reiterate serious causes complaint mexico commenced hostilities sufficient present occasion say wanton violation rights person property citizens committed mexico repeated acts bad faith long series years disregard solemn treaties stipulating indemnity injured citizens constituted ample war part aggravated character would justified us whole world resorting extreme remedy anxious desire avoid rupture two countries forbore years assert clear rights force continued seek redress wrongs suffered amicable negotiation hope mexico might yield pacific counsels demands justice hope disappointed minister peace sent mexico insultingly rejected mexican government refused even hear terms adjustment authorized propose finally wholly unjustifiable pretexts involved two countries war invading territory state texas striking first blow shedding blood citizens soil though united states aggrieved nation mexico commenced war compelled repel invader vindicate national honor interests prosecuting vigor could obtain honorable peace learning hostilities commenced mexico promptly communicated fact accompanied succinct statement causes complaint mexico congress body act 13th may 1846 declared act republic mexico state war exists government united states act declaring war exist act republic mexico making provision prosecution speedy successful termination passed great unanimity congress two negative votes senate fourteen house representatives existence war thus declared congress became duty constitution laws conduct prosecute duty performed though every stage progress manifested willingness terminate peace mexico refused accede terms could accepted united states consistently national honor interest rapid brilliant successes arms vast extent enemy territory overrun conquered close last session congress fully known body since time war prosecuted increased energy gratified state success commands universal admiration history presents parallel many glorious victories achieved nation within short period army regulars volunteers covered imperishable honors whenever wherever forces encountered enemy though vastly superior numbers often intrenched fortified positions selection great strength defeated much praise bestowed upon officers men regulars volunteers gallantry discipline indomitable courage perseverance seeking post danger vying deeds noble daring every patriot heart must exult national pride animate every bosom beholding high proofs courage consummate military skill steady discipline humanity vanquished enemy exhibited gallant army nation called mourn loss many brave officers soldiers fallen defense country honor interests brave dead met melancholy fate foreign land nobly discharging duty country flag waving triumphantly face foe patriotic deeds justly appreciated long remembered grateful countrymen parental care government loved served extended surviving families shortly adjournment last session congress gratifying intelligence received signal victory buena vista fall city vera cruz strong castle san juan de ulloa defended believing successes honorable arms disastrous mexico period propitious afford another opportunity thought proper embrace enter negotiations peace commissioner appointed proceed headquarters army full powers enter upon negotiations conclude honorable treaty peace directed make new overtures peace bearer dispatch secretary state united states minister foreign affairs mexico reply one received latter 22d february 1847 mexican government informed appointment presence headquarters army invested full powers conclude definitive treaty peace whenever mexican government might signify desire unwilling subject united states another indignant refusal yet resolved evils war protracted day longer might rendered absolutely necessary mexican government care taken give instructions commissioner could way interfere military operations relax energies prosecution war possessed authority manner control operations authorized exhibit instructions general command army event treaty concluded ratified part mexico directed give notice fact happening contingency receiving notice thereof general command instructed secretary war suspend active military operations orders instructions given view intermit hostilities treaty thus ratified mexico could transmitted washington receive action government united states commissioner also directed reaching army deliver general command dispatch bore secretary state minister foreign affairs mexico receiving general instructed secretary war transmitted commander mexican forces quest might communicated government commissioner reach headquarters army another brilliant victory crowned arms cerro gordo dispatch bore secretary war general command army received officer jalapa 7th may 1847 together dispatch secretary state minister foreign affairs mexico transmitted vera cruz commissioner arrived headquarters army days afterwards presence army diplomatic character made known mexican government puebla 12th june 1847 transmission dispatch secretary state minister foreign affairs mexico many weeks elapsed receipt overtures made desire expressed mexican government enter negotiations peace army pursued march upon capital approached met formidable resistance forces first encountered enemy achieved signal victories severely contested battles contreras churubusco actions resulted decisive victories capital enemy within power mexican government manifested disposition enter negotiations peace even events proved much reason believe insincere agreeing go forms negotiation object gain time strengthen defenses capital prepare fresh resistance general command army deemed expedient suspend hostilities temporarily entering armistice view opening negotiations commissioners appointed part mexico meet commissioner part united states result conferences took place functionaries two governments failure conclude treaty peace commissioner united states took project treaty already prepared terms indemnity required united states cession territory well known indemnity power mexico make satisfaction claims citizens means reimburse united states expenses war cession united states portion territory mexico money pay means making required indemnity refuse obtain nothing else reject indemnity refusing accept cession territory would abandon demands wage war bearing expenses without purpose definite object state war abrogates treaties previously existing belligerents treaty peace puts end claims indemnity tortious acts committed authority one government citizens subjects another unless provided stipulations treaty peace would terminate existing war without providing indemnity would enable mexico acknowledged debtor aggressor war relieve liabilities treaty citizens hold demands would remedy either mexico government duty citizens must forever prevent peace treaty provide ample means discharging demands receive sanction treaty peace settle existing differences two countries adequate cession territory made treaty united states release mexico liabilities assume payment citizens instead united states consent treaty mexico engage pay heavy amount indebtedness indemnity government citizens would impose notorious possess means meet undertaking treaty result could anticipated irritating disappointments heretofore attended violations similar treaty stipulations part mexico treaty would temporary cessation hostilities without restoration friendship good understanding characterize future intercourse two countries congress contemplated acquisition territorial indemnity body made provision prosecution war obvious congress could meant may 1846 appropriated authorized president employ militia naval military forces united states accept services volunteers enable prosecute war last session army invaded mexico made additional appropriations authorized raising additional troops purpose indemnity obtained mexico conclusion war yet certain mexican territory acquired indemnity could obtained manifest congress contemplated territorial indemnity fact last session act passed upon executive recommendation appropriating express object appropriation made enable president conclude treaty peace limits boundaries republic mexico used event said treaty signed authorized agents two governments duly ratified mexico shall call expenditure part thereof object asking appropriation distinctly stated several messages subject communicated congress similar appropriations made 1803 1806 referred intended applied part consideration cession louisiana floridas like manner anticipated settling terms treaty limits boundaries mexico cession territory estimated greater value amount demands might obtained prompt payment sum part consideration territory ceded conclusion treaty ratification part might inducement make cession territory would satisfactory united states although failure conclude treaty rendered unnecessary use part appropriated act entire sum remains treasury still applicable object contingency occur making application proper doctrine territory doctrine indemnity sanctioned would public acknowledgment country wrong war declared congress extraordinary unanimity unjust abandoned admission unfounded fact degrading national character terms treaty proposed united states mexico considering character amount claims unjustifiable unprovoked commencement hostilities expenses war subjected success attended arms deemed liberal character commissioner united states authorized agree establishment rio grande boundary entrance gulf intersection southern boundary new mexico north latitude 32 degree obtain cession united states provinces new mexico californias privilege right way across isthmus tehuantepec boundary rio grande cession united states new mexico upper california constituted ultimatum commissioner circumstances yield might manifest mexico nations united states disposed take advantage feeble power insisting upon wrestling provinces including many principal towns cities conquered held military occupation willing conclude treaty spirit liberality commissioner authorized stipulate restoration mexico conquests territory acquired boundary proposed might estimated greater value fair equivalent demands commissioner authorized stipulate payment additional pecuniary consideration deemed reasonable terms treaty proposed mexican commissioners wholly inadmissible negotiated mexico victorious vanquished party must known ultimatum could never accepted required united states dismember texas surrendering mexico part territory state lying nueces rio grande included within limits laws independent republic annexed united states admitted congress one states union contained provision payment mexico claims citizens required indemnity mexican citizens injuries may sustained troops prosecution war demanded right mexico levy collect mexican tariff duties goods imported ports military occupation war owners paid officers united states military contributions levied upon offered cede united states pecuniary consideration part upper california lying north latitude unreasonable terms proposed mexican commissioners cession united states mexico provinces new mexico californias proposed commissioner united states believed would accordance convenience interests nations cession territory probable mexico could induced make manifest observed actual condition mexican government years past present provinces retained could long continue hold govern mexico feeble power govern provinces lying distance miles capital attempted retained would constitute short time even nominally part dominions would especially case upper california sagacity powerful european nations long since directed attention commercial importance province little doubt moment united states shall relinquish present occupation claim indemnity effort would made foreign power possess either conquest purchase foreign government acquire either modes independent revolutionary government would probably established inhabitants foreigners may remain remove country soon shall known united states abandoned government would feeble long maintain separate independent existence would finally become annexed dependent colony powerful state foreign government attempt possess colony otherwise incorporate principle avowed president monroe 1824 reaffirmed first annual message foreign power shall consent permitted plant establish new colony dominion part north american continent must maintained maintaining principle resisting invasion foreign power might involved wars expensive difficult engaged provinces new mexico californias contiguous territories united states brought government laws resources mineral agricultural manufacturing commercial would soon developed upper california bounded north oregon possessions held united states would soon settled hardy enterprising intelligent portion population bay san francisco harbors along californian coast would afford shelter navy numerous whale ships merchant vessels employed pacific ocean would short period become marts extensive profitable commerce china countries east advantages whole commercial world would participate would secured united states cession territory certain long remains part mexican dominions enjoyed neither mexico nation new mexico frontier province never considerable value mexico locality naturally connected western settlements territorial limits state texas defined laws admission union embrace portion new mexico lying east rio grande mexico still claims hold territory part dominions adjustment question boundary important another consideration induced belief mexican government might even desire place province protection government united states numerous bands fierce warlike savages wander upon borders mexico must continue feeble restrain committing depredations robberies murders upon inhabitants new mexico upon northern states mexico would blessing northern states citizens protected power united states moment many mexicans principally females children captivity among new mexico held governed united states could effectually prevent tribes committing outrages compel release captives restore families friends proposing acquire new mexico californias known inconsiderable portion mexican people would transferred country embraced within provinces chiefly uninhabited region leading considerations induced authorize terms peace proposed mexico rejected negotiations end hostilities renewed assault made gallant army upon strongly fortified places near gates city mexico upon city several days severe conflict mexican forces vastly superior number driven city occupied troops immediately information received unfavorable result negotiations believing continued presence army could productive good determined recall commissioner dispatch effect transmitted 6th october last mexican government informed recall existing state things shall deem proper make overtures peace shall times ready receive consider proposals may made mexico since liberal proposition united states authorized made april last large expenditures incurred precious blood many patriotic would prosecution war consideration obstinate perseverance mexico protracting war must influence terms peace may deemed proper hereafter accept arms everywhere victorious subjected military occupation large portion enemy country including capital negotiations peace failed important questions arise manner war ought prosecuted future policy doubt secure render available conquests already made view hold occupy naval military forces ports towns cities provinces occupation may hereafter fall possession press forward military operations levy military contributions enemy may far practicable defray future expenses war government mexico acceded equitable liberal terms proposed mode adjustment would preferred mexico declined failed offer terms could accepted united states national honor less public interests requires war prosecuted increased energy power satisfactory peace obtained meantime mexico refuses indemnity adopt measures indemnify appropriating permanently portion territory early commencement war new mexico californias taken possession forces military naval commanders ordered conquer hold subject disposed treaty peace provinces undisputed occupation many months resistance part mexico ceased within limits satisfied never surrendered mexico congress concur opinion retained united states indemnity perceive good reason civil jurisdiction laws united states extended wait treaty peace willing make relations toward would changed good policy whilst interest people inhabiting require stable responsible free government authority soon possible established congress therefore determine hold provinces permanently shall hereafter considered constituent parts country early establishment territorial governments important perfect protection persons property recommend territorial governments established promote peace tranquillity among inhabitants allaying apprehension may still entertain subjected jurisdiction mexico invite early favorable consideration congress important subject besides new mexico californias mexican provinces reduced possession conquest mexican provinces governed military naval commanders general authority conferred upon conqueror laws war continue held means coercing mexico accede terms peace civil well military officers required conduct government adequate compensation drawn contributions levied enemy fixed law officers may thus employed provision may become necessary final disposition may proper make must depend future progress war course mexico may think proper hereafter pursue views entertain favor policy suggested either withdraw army altogether retire designated line simply hold defend withdraw army altogether conquests made deeds unparalleled bravery expense much blood treasure war part one act enemy could honorably avoided would degrade nation estimation world retire line simply hold defend would terminate war contrary would encourage mexico persevere tend protract indefinitely expected mexico refusing establish line permanent boundary victorious army possession capital heart country would permit us hold without resistance would continue war harassing annoying forms doubt border warfare savage character extending long line would unceasingly waged would require large army kept constantly field stationed posts garrisons along line protect defend enemy relieved pressure arms coasts populous parts interior would direct attention line selecting isolated post attack would concentrate forces upon would condition affairs mexicans pursuing favorite system guerrilla warfare would probably prefer assume defensive attitude line advantages state war would side enemy could levy contributions upon way make feel pressure war must remain inactive await approach constant uncertainty point line time might make assault may assemble organize overwhelming force interior side line concealing purpose make sudden assault upon one posts distant prevent possibility timely succor reenforcements way gallant army would exposed danger cut detail unequaled bravery prowess everywhere exhibited war repulse enemy numbers stationed one post may small pursue enemy repulsed one attack would nothing retreat side line fear pursuing army may reenforce leisure another attack post may cross line posts make rapid incursions country hold murder inhabitants commit depredations retreat interior sufficient force concentrated pursue would probably harassing character mere defensive war part forces attacked threatened attack permitted cross line drive back enemy conquer would invade enemy country lost advantages conquests already made voluntarily abandoned hold line successfully security far certain would require large army would necessary hold conquests already made continue prosecution war heart enemy country also far certain expenses war would diminished policy persuaded best means vindicating national honor interest bringing war honorable close prosecute increased energy power vital parts enemy country annual message congress december last declared war waged view conquest commenced mexico carried enemy country vigorously prosecuted view obtain honorable peace thereby secure ample indemnity expenses war well citizens hold large pecuniary demands mexico judgment continues true policy indeed policy probably secure permanent peace never contemplated object war make permanent conquest republic mexico annihilate separate existence independent nation contrary ever desire maintain nationality good government adapted condition free independent prosperous republic united states first among nations recognize independence always desired terms amity good neighborhood would suffer conduct compelled engage present war prosecution seek overthrow nation vindicating national honor seek obtain redress wrongs done us indemnity demands demand honorable peace peace must bring indemnity past security future hitherto mexico refused accommodation peace could obtained whilst armies advanced victory victory commencement war always olive branch peace hands power mexico every step arrest hostilities accepting one great obstacle attainment peace undoubtedly arisen fact mexico long held subjection one faction military usurper another condition insecurity successive governments placed deterred making peace lest rival faction might expel power fate president herrera administration 1845 disposed even listen overtures united states prevent war fully confirmed official correspondence took place month august last government copy herewith communicated alone revolution displaced power set foot general paredes may condition insecurity present government doubt peaceable inhabitants mexico convinced true interest country conclude honorable peace united states apprehension becoming victims military faction usurper may prevented manifesting feelings public act removal apprehension would probably speak sentiments freely adopt measures necessary restoration peace people distracted divided contending factions government subject constant changes successive revolutions continued successes arms may fail secure satisfactory peace event may become proper commanding generals field give encouragement assurances protection friends peace mexico establishment maintenance free republican government choice able willing conclude peace would secure us indemnity demand may become mode obtaining peace result war mexico forced upon us would thus converted enduring blessing finding torn distracted factions ruled military usurpers leave republican government enjoyment real independence domestic peace prosperity performing relative duties great family nations promoting happiness wise laws faithful execution affording encouragement protection persevering sincere efforts made moment mexico commenced war prior time adjust differences shall ultimately fail shall exhausted honorable means pursuit peace must continue occupy country troops taking full measure indemnity hands must enforce terms honor demands act otherwise existing state things mexico withdraw army without peace would leave wrongs complain unredressed would signal new fierce civil dissensions new revolutions alike hostile peaceful relations united states besides danger troops withdrawn peace conducted mexican people wearied successive revolutions deprived protection persons property might length inclined yield foreign influences cast arms european monarch protection anarchy suffering would ensue safety pursuance established policy compelled resist could never consent mexico thus converted monarchy governed foreign prince mexico near neighbor boundaries coterminous whole extent across north american continent ocean ocean politically commercially deepest interest regeneration prosperity indeed impossible regard safety ever become indifferent fate may mexican government people misconstrued misunderstood forbearance objects desiring conclude amicable adjustment existing differences two countries may supposed would submit terms degrading nation may drawn false inferences supposed division opinion united states subject war may calculated gain much protracting indeed might ultimately abandon altogether without insisting indemnity territorial otherwise whatever may false impressions acted adoption prosecution energetic policy proposed must soon undeceive future prosecution war enemy must made feel pressure heretofore done commencement deemed proper conduct spirit forbearance liberality end view early measures adopted conciliate far state war would permit mass mexican population convince war waged peaceful inhabitants mexico faithless government commenced hostilities remove minds false impressions designing interested rulers artfully attempted make war part one conquest war religion churches desecrated overthrown rights person private property would violated remove false impressions commanders field directed scrupulously respect religion churches church property manner violated directed also respect rights persons property take arms us assurances effect given mexican people major general taylor proclamation issued pursuance instructions secretary war month june 1846 scott acted upon convictions propriety issuing proclamation 11th may 1847 spirit liberality conciliation view prevent body mexican population taking arms us war conducted part provisions supplies furnished army mexican citizens paid fair liberal prices agreed upon parties lapse months became apparent assurances mild treatment failed produce desired effect upon mexican population war conducted part according humane liberal principles observed civilized nations waged far different spirit part mexico appreciating forbearance mexican people generally became hostile united states availed every opportunity commit savage excesses upon troops large numbers population took arms engaging guerrilla warfare robbed murdered cruel manner individual soldiers small parties accident causes separated main body army bands guerrilleros robbers infested roads harassed trains whenever power cut supplies mexicans thus shown wholly incapable appreciating forbearance liberality deemed proper change manner conducting war making feel pressure according usages observed similar circumstances civilized nations accordingly early 22d september 1846 instructions given secretary war taylor draw supplies army enemy without paying require contributions support way satisfied could get abundant supplies forces directing execution instructions much necessarily left discretion commanding officer best acquainted circumstances surrounded wants army practicability enforcing measure general taylor 26th october 1846 replied monterey would impossible hitherto sustain army extent forced contributions money supplies reasons assigned adopt policy instructions declared readiness army future operations reach portion country may made supply troops advantage continued pay articles supply drawn enemy country similar instructions issued scott 3d april 1847 replied jalapa 20th may 1847 expected army support forced contributions levied upon country may ruin exasperate inhabitants starve discretion given general taylor respect general scott reasons assigned also continued pay articles supply army drawn enemy army reached heart wealthy portion mexico supposed obstacles time prevented would render impracticable levy forced contributions support 1st september 6th october 1847 order repeated dispatches addressed secretary war general scott attention called importance making enemy bear burdens war requiring furnish means supporting army directed adopt policy unless danger depriving army necessary supplies copies dispatches forwarded general taylor government 31st march last caused order issued military naval commanders levy collect military contribution upon vessels merchandise might enter ports mexico military occupation apply contributions toward defraying expenses war virtue right conquest laws war conqueror consulting safety convenience may either exclude foreign commerce altogether ports permit upon terms conditions may prescribe principal ports mexico blockaded navy revenue derived import duties laws mexico paid mexican treasury ports fallen military possession blockade raised commerce permitted upon prescribed terms conditions opened trade nations upon payment duties moderate amount previously levied mexico revenue formerly paid mexican treasury directed collected military naval officers applied use army navy care taken officers soldiers sailors army navy exempted operations order merchandise imported upon order operated must consumed mexican citizens contributions exacted effect seizure public revenues mexico application use directing measure object compel enemy contribute far practicable toward expenses war amount contributions levied form refer accompanying reports secretary war secretary navy appears sum exceeding half million dollars collected amount would undoubtedly much larger difficulty keeping open communications coast interior enable owners merchandise imported transport vend inhabitants country confidently expected difficulty great extent soon removed increased forces sent field measures recently adopted internal well external revenues mexico places military occupation seized appropriated use army navy policy levying upon enemy contributions every form consistently laws nations may practicable military commanders adopt judgment rigidly enforced orders effect accordingly given policy time treasury relieved heavy drain mexican people made feel burdens war consulting interests may induced readily require rulers accede peace adjournment last session congress events transpired prosecution war judgment required greater number troops field anticipated strength army accordingly increased accepting services volunteer forces authorized act 13th may 1846 without putting construction act correctness seriously questioned volunteer forces field accepted serve twelve months discharged end term service exhaust men authorized act clear proper construction act warranted services additional number would called accepted doubts existing upon point power exercised deemed important congress early period session confer authority raise additional regular force serve war mexico discharged upon conclusion ratification treaty peace invite attention congress views presented secretary war report upon subject recommend also authority given law call accept services additional number volunteers exercised time extent emergencies service may require prosecuting war mexico whilst utmost care taken avoid every complaint part neutral nations none given liberal privileges granted commerce ports enemy military occupation difficulty brazilian government one time threatened interrupt friendly relations two countries trust speedily adjusted received information envoy extraordinary minister plenipotentiary united states shortly appointed imperial majesty hoped come instructed prepared adjust remaining differences two governments manner acceptable honorable meantime every reason believe nothing occur interrupt amicable relations brazil constant effort maintain cultivate intimate relations friendship independent powers south america policy attended happiest results true settlement payment many claims american citizens nations long delayed peculiar position placed desire part predecessors well grant utmost indulgence hitherto prevented claims urged manner demanded strict justice time arrived ought finally adjusted liquidated efforts making purpose proper inform government peru good faith paid first two installments indemnity greater portion interest due thereon execution convention government united states ratifications exchanged lima 31st october 1846 united states early august last completed adjudication claims convention made report thereon pursuance act 8th august 1846 sums claimants respectively entitled paid demand treasury invite early attention congress present condition citizens china treaty power american citizens withdrawn jurisdiction whether civil criminal chinese government placed public functionaries country alone citizens tried punished commission crime alone questions decided involving rights persons property alone contracts enforced may entered citizens subjects foreign powers merchant vessels united states lying waters five ports china open foreign commerce exclusive jurisdiction officers government congress shall establish competent tribunals try punish crimes exercise jurisdiction civil cases china american citizens subject law whatever crimes may committed impunity debts may contracted without means enforce payment inconveniences already resulted omission congress legislate upon subject still greater apprehended british authorities china already complained government provided punishment crimes enforcement contracts american citizens country whilst government established tribunals american citizen recover debts due british subjects accustomed chinese summary justice could made comprehend criminals citizens united states escape impunity violation treaty obligations whilst punishment chinese committed crime american citizen would rigorously exacted indeed consequences might fatal american citizens china flagrant crime committed one upon chinese trial punishment follow according requisitions treaty might disturb destroy friendly relations empire interruption valuable commerce treaties sublime porte tripoli tunis morocco muscat also require legislation congress carry execution though necessity immediate action may urgent regard china secretary state submitted estimate defray expense opening diplomatic relations papal states interesting political events progress states well regard commercial interests opinion rendered measure highly expedient estimates also submitted outfits salaries charges republics bolivia guatemala ecuador manifest importance cultivating friendly relations independent states upon continent induced recommend appropriations necessary maintenance missions recommend congress appropriation made paid spanish government purpose distribution among claimants amistad case entertain conviction due spain treaty 20th october 1795 moreover earnest manner claim continues urged long shall remain unsettled source irritation discord two countries may prove highly prejudicial interests united states good policy less faithful compliance treaty obligations requires inconsiderable appropriation demanded made detailed statement condition finances presented annual report secretary treasury imports last fiscal year ending 30th june 1847 value amount exported leaving country domestic use value exports period consisted domestic productions foreign articles receipts treasury period amounted derived customs sales public lands incidental miscellaneous sources last fiscal year amount received embraced five months operation tariff act 1842 seven months tariff act 1846 force five months act 1842 amount received customs seven months act 1846 amount received net revenue customs year ending 1st december 1846 last year operation tariff act 1842 net revenue customs year ending 1st december 1847 first year operations tariff act 1846 increase revenue first year tariff 1846 last year tariff 1842 expenditures fiscal year ending 30th june last account payment principal interest public debt including treasury notes redeemed funded expenditures exclusive payment public debt estimated receipts treasury fiscal year ending 30th june 1848 including balance treasury 1st july last amount estimated derived customs sale public lands incidental sources eluding sales made solicitor treasury loans already authorized law together balance treasury 1st july last make sum estimated expenditures period peace mexico shall concluded army shall increased proposed amount including necessary payments account principal interest public debt treasury notes 1st present month amount public debt actually incurred including treasury notes public debt due 4th march 1845 including treasury notes consequently addition made public debt since time loan millions authorized act 28th january 1847 sum five millions paid public creditors exchanged par specie remaining eighteen millions offered specie highest bidder par advertisement issued secretary treasury published 9th february 10th april 1847 awarded several highest bidders premiums varying per cent 2 per cent par premium paid treasury sums awarded deposited specie treasury fast required wants government meet expenditures remainder present next fiscal year ending 30th june 1849 loan aid ordinary revenues government necessary retaining sufficient surplus treasury loan required remainder present fiscal year duty tea coffee imposed graduation price public lands shall made early period session recommended loan present fiscal year may reduced loan may reduced whatever amount expenditures saved military contributions collected mexico vigorous measures augmentation contributions directed considerable sum expected source amount however calculated certainty recommended loan made authorized upon terms time authorized provisions act 28th january 1847 war mexico continued 30th june 1849 estimated loan required fiscal year ending day case duty imposed tea coffee public lands reduced graduated price military contributions shall collected mexico duty tea coffee imposed lands reduced graduated price proposed loan may reduced subject still reduced amount military contributions may collected mexico proposed however present ask congress authority negotiate loan next fiscal year hoped loan asked remainder present fiscal year aided military contributions may collected mexico may sufficient contrary expectation necessity fact communicated congress time action present session event sum exceeding amount needed meeting session congress december 1848 act 30th july 1846 reducing duties imports force since 1st december last gratified state beneficial effects anticipated operation fully realized public revenue derived customs year ending 1st december 1847 exceeds amount received preceding year operation act 1842 superseded repealed effects visible great almost unexampled prosperity prevails every branch business repeal prohibitory restrictive duties act 1842 substitution place reasonable revenue rates levied articles imported according actual value increased revenue augmented foreign trade great interests country advanced promoted great important interests agriculture much neglected actually taxed protective policy benefit interests relieved burdens policy imposed farmers planters liberal commercial policy finding new profitable markets abroad augmented products commerce rapidly increasing extending widely circle international exchanges great increase imports past year exports domestic products sold foreign markets still greater navigating interest eminently prosperous number vessels built united states greater preceding period equal length large profits derived constructed well navigated ratio increase number merchant vessels progressive great future past year time distant tonnage commercial marine larger nation world whilst interests agriculture commerce navigation enlarged invigorated highly gratifying observe manufactures also prosperous condition none ruinous effects upon interest apprehended result operation revenue system established act 1846 experienced contrary number manufactories amount capital invested steadily rapidly increasing affording gratifying proofs american enterprise skill employed branch domestic industry advantages fairly incidentally accruing system revenue duties abundantly able meet successfully competition abroad still derive fair remunerating profits capital invested manufactures yielding adequate fair profits new system wages labor whether employed manufactures agriculture commerce navigation augmented toiling millions whose daily labor furnishes supply food raiment necessaries comforts life receiving higher wages steady permanent employment country previous period history successful branches industry foreign war generally diminishes resources nation essential degree retarded onward progress checked general prosperity gratifying evidences prosperity successful operation revenue act 1846 every consideration public policy recommends shall remain unchanged hoped system impost duties established may regarded permanent policy country great interests affected may subject injuriously disturbed heretofore frequent sometimes sudden changes purpose increasing revenue without changing modifying rates imposed act 1846 dutiable articles embraced provisions recommend favorable consideration expediency levying revenue duty tea coffee policy exempted articles duty peace revenue derived needed ceases exist country engaged war requires use available resources tax would generally diffused among people would felt oppressively none complained none believed list imported articles properly subject war duties tea coffee estimated would derived annually moderate duty imposed articles congress avail additional source revenue would amount public loan rendered necessary war mexico diminished extent public credit public confidence ability determination government meet engagements promptly would firmly established reduced amount loan may necessary negotiate could probably obtained cheaper rates congress therefore called upon determine whether wiser impose war duties recommended omitting increase public debt annually long loans shall required prosecute war afterwards provide form pay semiannual interest upon ultimately extinguish principal addition duties congress graduate reduce price public lands experience proved command price placed upon government additional annual income treasury half million million dollars estimated would derived source measures receive sanction congress annual amount public debt necessary contracted continuance war would reduced near duties recommended levied tea coffee proposed shall limited duration end war public debt rendered necessary contracted shall discharged amount public debt contracted limited lowest practicable sum extinguished early conclusion war means treasury permit view recommended soon war shall surplus treasury needed indispensable objects shall constitute sinking fund applied purchase funded debt authority conferred laws purpose act 6th august 1846 establish warehousing system operation year proved important auxiliary tariff act 1846 augmenting revenue extending commerce country whilst tended enlarge commerce beneficial manufactures diminishing forced sales auction foreign goods low prices raise duties advanced checking fluctuations market system although sanctioned experience countries entirely new united states susceptible improvement provisions secretary treasury upon devolved large discretionary powers carrying measure effect collected collating practical results system countries long established report early period session regulations suggested investigation may render still effective beneficial act provide better organization treasury collection disbursement public revenue banks discontinued fiscal agents government paper currency issued longer permitted received payment public dues constitutional treasury created act went operation 1st january last system established public moneys collected safely kept disbursed direct agency officers government gold silver transfers large amounts made points collection points disbursement without loss treasury injury inconvenience trade country fiscal operations government conducted regularity ease system salutary effect checking preventing undue inflation paper currency issued banks exist state charters requiring dues government paid gold silver effect restrain excessive issues bank paper banks disproportioned specie vaults reason times liable called holders notes redemption order obtain specie payment duties public dues banks therefore must keep business within prudent limits always condition meet calls run hazard compelled suspend specie payments thereby discredited amount specie imported united states last fiscal year retained country former financial system prevailed public moneys placed deposit banks nearly whole amount would gone vaults thrown circulation withheld hands people currency made basis new enormous issues bank paper large proportion specie imported paid treasury public dues great extent recoined mint paid public creditors gone circulation currency among people amount gold silver coin circulation country larger former period financial system established constitutional treasury thus far eminently successful operations recommend adherence essential provisions especially vital provision wholly separates government connection banks excludes bank paper revenue receipts details involving general principles system defective require modification defects amendments deemed important set forth last annual report secretary treasury amendments recommended early favorable consideration congress past year coinage mint branches exceeded consisted chiefly converting coins foreign countries american coin largest amount foreign coin imported received new york branch mint established city foreign coin received port could converted coin without expense risk delay transporting mint purpose amount recoined would much larger experience proved foreign coin especially foreign gold coin circulate extensively currency among people important measure extending specie circulation gold silver diffusing among people effected converting foreign coin american coin repeat recommendation contained last annual message establishment branch mint united states city new york public lands surveyed ready market proclaimed sale past year quantity offered offered sale proclamations issued since 1st january last amounts acres prosperity western states territories lands lie advanced speedy sale withholding market growth increase population would retarded thousands enterprising meritorious frontier population would deprived opportunity securing freeholds families addition general considerations rendered early sale lands proper leading object time derive large sum possible source thus diminish amount public loan rendered necessary existence foreign war estimated less acres public lands surveyed condition proclaimed sale year 1848 last annual message presented reasons judgment rendered proper graduate reduce price public lands remained unsold long periods offered sale public auction many millions acres public lands lying within limits several western states offered market subject sale private entry twenty years large quantities thirty years lowest price prescribed existing laws found command price must remain unsold uncultivated indefinite period unless price demanded government shall reduced satisfactory reason perceived longer held rates real value present period additional reason exists adopting measure recommended country engaged foreign war must necessarily resort loans would seem dictate wisdom avail resources thus limit amount public indebtedness lowest possible sum recommend existing laws subject preemption rights amended modified operate prospectively embrace may settle upon public lands make improvements upon surveyed well afterwards cases settlements may made indian title shall extinguished right preemption thus extended embrace large meritorious class citizens increase number small freeholders upon borders enabled thereby educate children otherwise improve condition found times ever proved hour danger country among hardiest best volunteer soldiers ever ready attend services cases emergencies among last leave field long enemy remains encountered policy also impress patriotic pioneer emigrants deeper feelings gratitude parental care government find dearest interests secured permanent laws land longer danger losing homes improvements brought competition wealthy class purchasers land sales attention congress invited last preceding session importance establishing territorial government possessions oregon regretted legislation subject citizens inhabit distant region country still left without protection laws regularly organized government question limits boundaries territory oregon definitely settled necessity condition inhabitants established temporary government besides want legal authority continuing government wholly inadequate protect rights person property secure enjoyment privileges citizens entitled constitution united states right suffrage represented territorial legislature delegate congress possess rights privileges citizens portions territories united states heretofore enjoyed may enjoy judicial system revenue laws laws regulating trade intercourse indian tribes protection laws generally extended addition inhabitants territory previously emigrated large numbers citizens followed present year doubted next subsequent years numbers greatly increased congress last session established post routes leading oregon different points within territory authorized establishment astoria places coasts pacific within territory united states public interests may require accordingly established deputy postmasters appointed provision made transportation mails preservation peace indian tribes residing west rocky mountains render proper authority given law appointment adequate number indian agents reside among recommend office established territory public lands surveyed brought market early period recommend also grants upon liberal terms limited quantities public lands made citizens united states emigrated may hereafter within prescribed period emigrate oregon settle upon hardy adventurous citizens encountered dangers privations long toilsome journey length found abiding place families upon utmost verge western limits secured homes improved labor refer accompanying report secretary war detailed account operations various branches public service connected department charge duties devolving department unusually onerous responsible past year discharged ability success pacific relations continue exist various indian tribes manifest strong friendship united states depredations committed past year upon trains transporting supplies army road western border missouri santa fe depredations supposed committed bands region new mexico arrested presence military force ordered purpose outrages perpetrated portion northwestern bands upon weaker comparatively defenseless neighboring tribes prompt measures taken prevent occurrences future indians belonging several tribes removed year east mississippi country allotted west river permanent home arrangements made others follow since treaty 1846 cherokees feuds among appear subsided become united contented many years past commissioners appointed pursuance act june 27 1846 settle claims arising treaty tribe executed duties patient investigation full fair examination cases brought closed labors month july last fourth board commissioners organized treaty ample opportunity afforded interested bring forward claims doubt entertained impartial justice done late board valid claims embraced treaty considered allowed result final settlement made tribe treaty 1846 completed laid session adjust questions controversy united states produce state relations simple well defined satisfactory discretionary authority conferred act 3d march last annuities due various tribes paid present year heads families instead chiefs persons might designate required law previously existing mode payment given general satisfaction great body indians justice done grateful government chiefs interested persons may object mode payment believed mode preventing fraud imposition practiced upon great body common indians constituting majority tribes gratifying perceive number tribes recently manifested increased interest establishment schools among making rapid advances agriculture producing sufficient quantity food support cases surplus dispose neighbors comforts received even limited education engaged agriculture surrounded tend gradually draw less civilized brethren precarious means subsistence chase habits labor civilization accompanying report secretary navy presents satisfactory gratifying account condition operations naval service past year commerce pursued increased activity safety success every quarter globe protection flag navy caused respected distant seas gulf mexico pacific officers men squadrons displayed distinguished gallantry performed valuable services early stages war mexico ports coasts blockaded recently many captured held navy acting cooperation land forces naval officers men performed gallant distinguished services land well water deserve high commendation country maritime powers adding navies large numbers war steamers wise policy part make similar additions navy four war steamers authorized act 3d march 1847 course construction addition four war steamers authorized act secretary navy pursuance provisions entered contracts construction five steamers employed transportation united states mail new york new orleans touching charleston savannah havana havana chagres three steamers employed like manner panama oregon connect mail havana chagres across isthmus five steamers employed like manner new york liverpool steamers property contractors built superintendence direction naval constructor employ navy department constructed render convertible least possible expense war steamers first class prescribed number naval officers well agent board authority reserved navy department times exercise control said steamships right take exclusive use service united states upon making proper compensation contractors therefor whilst steamships employed transporting mails united states coastwise foreign countries upon annual compensation paid owners always ready upon emergency requiring converted war steamers right reserved take public use add greatly efficiency strength description naval force steamers thus authorized contracts made secretary navy added five steamers authorized contracts made pursuance laws making addition whole eighteen war steamers subject taken public use contracts transportation mail foreign countries may authorized congress number may enlarged indefinitely enlightened policy rapid communication various distant parts globe established means american built sea steamers would find ample reward increase commerce making country resources favorably known abroad national advantage still greater naval officers made familiar steam navigation privilege taking ships already equipped immediate service moment notice cheaply purchased compensation paid transportation mail postages received national pride less commercial interests would seem favor policy augmenting number description vessels built country cheaper greater numbers world refer accompanying report detailed satisfactory account condition operations department past year gratifying find within short period reduction rates postage notwithstanding great increase mail service revenue received year sufficient defray expenses aid required treasury purpose first american mail steamers authorized act 3d march 1845 completed entered upon service 1st june last third voyage bremen intermediate ports vessels authorized provisions act course construction put upon line soon completed contracts also made transportation mail steamer charleston havana reciprocal satisfactory postal arrangement made authorities bremen difficulty apprehended making similar arrangements powers may communications mail steamers except great britain arrival first american steamers bound bremen southampton month june last british directed collection discriminating postages letters mailable matter took great britain went british way france parts europe effect order british subject letters matter transported american steamers double postage one postage previously paid united states letters transported british steamers subject pay single postage measure adopted avowed object protecting british line mail steamers running boston liverpool permitted continue must speedily put end transportation letters matter american steamers give british steamers monopoly business fair reciprocity desire must insist laws discrimination made british steamers bringing letters ports letters arriving united states subject rate postage whether brought british american vessels refer report full statement facts case steps taken correct inequality exerted power conferred upon existing laws minister united states london brought subject attention british government engaged negotiations purpose adjusting reciprocal postal arrangements shall equally countries fail concluding arrangements great britain insist enforcing unequal unjust measure adopted become necessary confer additional powers order enable meet emergency put steamers equal footing british steamers engaged transporting mails two countries recommend powers conferred view existing state country trust may inappropriate closing communication call mind words wisdom admonition first illustrious predecessors farewell address countrymen greatest best men served country long loved much foresaw serious concern danger union characterizing parties geographical discriminations northern southern atlantic western whence designing men may endeavor excite belief real difference local interests views warned countrymen deep solemn conviction importance union preserving harmony different parts declared countrymen address infinite moment properly estimate immense value national union collective individual happiness cherish cordial habitual immovable attachment accustoming think speak palladium political safety prosperity watching preservation jealous anxiety discountenancing whatever may suggest even suspicion event abandoned indignantly frowning upon first dawning every attempt alienate portion country rest enfeeble sacred ties link together various parts lapse half century admonitions washington fall upon us force truth difficult estimate immense value glorious union confederated states much indebted growth population wealth constitutes us great happy nation unimportant differences opinion upon minor questions public policy compared preservation scrupulously avoid agitating topics may tend distract divide us contending parties separated geographical lines whereby may weakened endangered invoking blessing almighty ruler universe upon deliberations highest duty less sincere pleasure cooperate measures may tend promote honor enduring welfare common country
annual meeting congress always interest event representative state people come fresh constituent take counsel together common good existence near century free independent republic problem longer remain solved whether man capable success admirable system conclusive refutation theory country maintain favored born rule mass mankind must govern force subject arbitrary hereditary authority people sovereigns recognize constitution numerous emigrant every lineage language attract civil religious freedom enjoy happy condition annually crowd shore transfer heart less allegiance country whose dominion belong alone people country much favor acknowledge deeper reverence manifestation divine protection wise creator direct guard u infant struggle freedom constantly watch surprising progress become one great nation earth country thus favored government executive legislative branch hold authority limit period alike people responsible respective constituency duty communicate congress upon state union present condition public affair past year gratify proof present country bless widespread universal prosperity period since government found industrial pursuit people successful labor branch business receive fair well reward abundance enable perform please duty furnish food starve million less favored country enjoyment bounty providence home rarely fall lot people congratulation intercourse power earth except mexico continue amicable character ever cherish policy cultivate peace good nation policy steadily pursue change take place relation mexico since adjournment last congress war unite state force engage government country still continue deem unnecessary full exposition contain message 11th may 1846 annual message commencement session congress december last reiterate serious cause complaint mexico commence hostility sufficient present occasion say wanton violation right person property citizen commit mexico repeat act bad faith long series year disregard solemn treaty stipulate indemnity injure citizen constitute ample war part aggravate character would justify u whole world resort extreme remedy anxious desire avoid rupture two country forbear year assert clear right force continue seek redress wrong suffer amicable negotiation hope mexico might yield pacific counsel demand justice hope disappointed minister peace send mexico insultingly reject mexican government refuse even hear term adjustment authorize propose finally wholly unjustifiable pretext involve two country war invade territory state texas strike first blow shed blood citizen soil though united state aggrieve nation mexico commence war compel repel invader vindicate national honor interest prosecute vigor could obtain honorable peace learn hostility commence mexico promptly communicate fact accompany succinct statement cause complaint mexico congress body act 13th may 1846 declare act republic mexico state war exist government united state act declare war exist act republic mexico make provision prosecution speedy successful termination pass great unanimity congress two negative vote senate fourteen house representative existence war thus declare congress become duty constitution law conduct prosecute duty perform though every stage progress manifest willingness terminate peace mexico refuse accede term could accept united state consistently national honor interest rapid brilliant success arm vast extent enemy territory overrun conquer close last session congress fully know body since time war prosecute increased energy gratify state success command universal admiration history present parallel many glorious victory achieve nation within short period army regular volunteer cover imperishable honor whenever wherever force encounter enemy though vastly superior number often intrench fortified position selection great strength defeat much praise bestow upon officer men regulars volunteer gallantry discipline indomitable courage perseverance seek post danger vie deed noble dare every patriot heart must exult national pride animate every bosom behold high proof courage consummate military skill steady discipline humanity vanquish enemy exhibit gallant army nation call mourn loss many brave officer soldier fall defense country honor interest brave dead meet melancholy fate foreign land nobly discharge duty country flag wave triumphantly face foe patriotic deed justly appreciate long remember grateful countryman parental care government love serve extended surviving family shortly adjournment last session congress gratify intelligence receive signal victory buena vista fall city vera cruz strong castle san juan de ulloa defend believing success honorable arm disastrous mexico period propitious afford another opportunity think proper embrace enter negotiation peace commissioner appoint proceed headquarters army full power enter upon negotiation conclude honorable treaty peace direct make new overture peace bearer dispatch secretary state united state minister foreign affair mexico reply one receive latter 22d february 1847 mexican government inform appointment presence headquarters army invest full power conclude definitive treaty peace whenever mexican government might signify desire unwilling subject united state another indignant refusal yet resolve evil war protract day longer might render absolutely necessary mexican government care take give instruction commissioner could way interfere military operation relax energy prosecution war possess authority manner control operation authorize exhibit instruction general command army event treaty conclude ratified part mexico direct give notice fact happen contingency receive notice thereof general command instruct secretary war suspend active military operation order instruction give view intermit hostility treaty thus ratify mexico could transmit washington receive action government unite state commissioner also direct reach army deliver general command dispatch bore secretary state minister foreign affair mexico receive general instruct secretary war transmit commander mexican force quest might communicate government commissioner reach headquarters army another brilliant victory crown arm cerro gordo dispatch bore secretary war general command army receive officer jalapa 7th may 1847 together dispatch secretary state minister foreign affair mexico transmit vera cruz commissioner arrive headquarters army day afterwards presence army diplomatic character make know mexican government puebla 12th june 1847 transmission dispatch secretary state minister foreign affair mexico many week elapse receipt overture make desire express mexican government enter negotiation peace army pursue march upon capital approach met formidable resistance force first encounter enemy achieve signal victory severely contest battle contreras churubusco action result decisive victory capital enemy within power mexican government manifest disposition enter negotiation peace even event prove much reason believe insincere agree go forms negotiation object gain time strengthen defense capital prepare fresh resistance general command army deem expedient suspend hostility temporarily enter armistice view open negotiation commissioner appoint part mexico meet commissioner part unite state result conference take place functionary two government failure conclude treaty peace commissioner united state take project treaty already prepared term indemnity require united state cession territory well know indemnity power mexico make satisfaction claim citizen mean reimburse united state expense war cession unite state portion territory mexico money pay mean make require indemnity refuse obtain nothing else reject indemnity refuse accept cession territory would abandon demand wage war bearing expense without purpose definite object state war abrogate treaty previously exist belligerent treaty peace put end claim indemnity tortious act commit authority one government citizens subject another unless provide stipulation treaty peace would terminate exist war without provide indemnity would enable mexico acknowledge debtor aggressor war relieve liability treaty citizen hold demand would remedy either mexico government duty citizen must forever prevent peace treaty provide ample mean discharge demand receive sanction treaty peace settle exist difference two country adequate cession territory make treaty united state release mexico liability assume payment citizen instead united state consent treaty mexico engage pay heavy amount indebtedness indemnity government citizen would impose notorious possess mean meet undertake treaty result could anticipate irritate disappointment heretofore attend violation similar treaty stipulation part mexico treaty would temporary cessation hostility without restoration friendship good understanding characterize future intercourse two country congress contemplate acquisition territorial indemnity body make provision prosecution war obvious congress could mean may 1846 appropriate authorize president employ militia naval military force united state accept service volunteer enable prosecute war last session army invade mexico make additional appropriation authorize raise additional troop purpose indemnity obtain mexico conclusion war yet certain mexican territory acquire indemnity could obtain manifest congress contemplate territorial indemnity fact last session act pass upon executive recommendation appropriate express object appropriation make enable president conclude treaty peace limit boundary republic mexico use event say treaty sign authorized agent two government duly ratify mexico shall call expenditure part thereof object ask appropriation distinctly state several message subject communicate congress similar appropriation make 1803 1806 refer intend applied part consideration cession louisiana florida like manner anticipated settling term treaty limit boundary mexico cession territory estimate great value amount demand might obtain prompt payment sum part consideration territory cede conclusion treaty ratification part might inducement make cession territory would satisfactory united state although failure conclude treaty render unnecessary use part appropriate act entire sum remain treasury still applicable object contingency occur make application proper doctrine territory doctrine indemnity sanction would public acknowledgment country wrong war declare congress extraordinary unanimity unjust abandon admission unfounded fact degrade national character term treaty propose united state mexico consider character amount claim unjustifiable unprovoked commencement hostility expense war subject success attend arm deem liberal character commissioner united state authorize agree establishment rio grande boundary entrance gulf intersection southern boundary new mexico north latitude 32 degree obtain cession united state province new mexico california privilege right way across isthmus tehuantepec boundary rio grande cession unite state new mexico upper california constitute ultimatum commissioner circumstance yield might manifest mexico nation united state dispose take advantage feeble power insist upon wrestle province include many principal town city conquer held military occupation willing conclude treaty spirit liberality commissioner authorize stipulate restoration mexico conquest territory acquire boundary propose might estimate great value fair equivalent demand commissioner authorized stipulate payment additional pecuniary consideration deem reasonable term treaty propose mexican commissioner wholly inadmissible negotiate mexico victorious vanquish party must know ultimatum could never accept require united state dismember texas surrender mexico part territory state lying nueces rio grande include within limit law independent republic annexed united state admit congress one state union contain provision payment mexico claim citizen required indemnity mexican citizen injury may sustain troop prosecution war demand right mexico levy collect mexican tariff duty good import port military occupation war owner pay officer united state military contribution levy upon offer cede united state pecuniary consideration part upper california lie north latitude unreasonable term propose mexican commissioner cession united state mexico province new mexico california propose commissioner united state believe would accordance convenience interest nation cession territory probable mexico could induce make manifest observe actual condition mexican government year past present province retain could long continue hold govern mexico feeble power govern province lie distance mile capital attempt retain would constitute short time even nominally part dominion would especially case upper california sagacity powerful european nation long since direct attention commercial importance province little doubt moment united state shall relinquish present occupation claim indemnity effort would make foreign power possess either conquest purchase foreign government acquire either modes independent revolutionary government would probably establish inhabitant foreigner may remain remove country soon shall know united state abandon government would feeble long maintain separate independent existence would finally become annexed dependent colony powerful state foreign government attempt possess colony otherwise incorporate principle avow president monroe 1824 reaffirm first annual message foreign power shall consent permit plant establish new colony dominion part north american continent must maintain maintain principle resist invasion foreign power might involve war expensive difficult engage province new mexico californias contiguous territory unite state bring government law resource mineral agricultural manufacturing commercial would soon develop upper california bound north oregon possession hold united state would soon settle hardy enterprising intelligent portion population bay san francisco harbor along californian coast would afford shelter navy numerous whale ship merchant vessel employ pacific ocean would short period become mart extensive profitable commerce china country east advantage whole commercial world would participate would secure united state cession territory certain long remains part mexican dominion enjoy neither mexico nation new mexico frontier province never considerable value mexico locality naturally connect western settlement territorial limit state texas define law admission union embrace portion new mexico lie east rio grande mexico still claim hold territory part dominion adjustment question boundary important another consideration induce belief mexican government might even desire place province protection government united state numerous band fierce warlike savage wander upon border mexico must continue feeble restrain commit depredation robbery murder upon inhabitant new mexico upon northern state mexico would bless northern state citizen protected power united state moment many mexican principally females child captivity among new mexico hold govern united state could effectually prevent tribe commit outrage compel release captive restore family friend propose acquire new mexico california know inconsiderable portion mexican people would transfer country embrace within province chiefly uninhabited region lead consideration induced authorize term peace propose mexico reject negotiation end hostility renew assault make gallant army upon strongly fortify place near gate city mexico upon city several day severe conflict mexican force vastly superior number drive city occupy troop immediately information receive unfavorable result negotiation believe continued presence army could productive good determine recall commissioner dispatch effect transmit 6th october last mexican government inform recall exist state thing shall deem proper make overture peace shall time ready receive consider proposal may make mexico since liberal proposition unite state authorize make april last large expenditure incur precious blood many patriotic would prosecution war consideration obstinate perseverance mexico protract war must influence term peace may deem proper hereafter accept arm everywhere victorious subject military occupation large portion enemy country include capital negotiation peace fail important question arise manner war ought prosecute future policy doubt secure render available conquest already make view hold occupy naval military force port town city province occupation may hereafter fall possession press forward military operation levy military contribution enemy may far practicable defray future expense war government mexico accede equitable liberal term propose mode adjustment would prefer mexico decline fail offer term could accept united state national honor less public interest require war prosecute increase energy power satisfactory peace obtain meantime mexico refuse indemnity adopt measure indemnify appropriate permanently portion territory early commencement war new mexico california take possession force military naval commander order conquer hold subject dispose treaty peace province undisputed occupation many month resistance part mexico cease within limit satisfy never surrender mexico congress concur opinion retain united state indemnity perceive good reason civil jurisdiction law united state extend wait treaty peace willing make relation toward would change good policy whilst interest people inhabit require stable responsible free government authority soon possible establish congress therefore determine hold province permanently shall hereafter consider constituent part country early establishment territorial government important perfect protection person property recommend territorial government establish promote peace tranquillity among inhabitant allay apprehension may still entertain subjected jurisdiction mexico invite early favorable consideration congress important subject besides new mexico california mexican province reduce possession conquest mexican province govern military naval commander general authority confer upon conqueror law war continue hold mean coerce mexico accede term peace civil well military officer require conduct government adequate compensation drawn contribution levy enemy fixed law officer may thus employ provision may become necessary final disposition may proper make must depend future progress war course mexico may think proper hereafter pursue view entertain favor policy suggest either withdraw army altogether retire designate line simply hold defend withdraw army altogether conquest make deed unparalleled bravery expense much blood treasure war part one act enemy could honorably avoid would degrade nation estimation world retire line simply hold defend would terminate war contrary would encourage mexico persevere tend protract indefinitely expect mexico refuse establish line permanent boundary victorious army possession capital heart country would permit u hold without resistance would continue war harass annoy form doubt border warfare savage character extend long line would unceasingly wag would require large army keep constantly field station post garrison along line protect defend enemy relieve pressure arm coast populous part interior would direct attention line select isolate post attack would concentrate force upon would condition affair mexicans pursue favorite system guerrilla warfare would probably prefer assume defensive attitude line advantage state war would side enemy could levy contribution upon way make feel pressure war must remain inactive await approach constant uncertainty point line time might make assault may assemble organize overwhelming force interior side line conceal purpose make sudden assault upon one post distant prevent possibility timely succor reenforcement way gallant army would expose danger cut detail unequaled bravery prowess everywhere exhibit war repulse enemy number station one post may small pursue enemy repulse one attack would nothing retreat side line fear pursue army may reenforce leisure another attack post may cross line post make rapid incursion country hold murder inhabitant commit depredation retreat interior sufficient force concentrate pursue would probably harass character mere defensive war part force attack threatened attack permit cross line drive back enemy conquer would invade enemy country lose advantage conquest already make voluntarily abandon hold line successfully security far certain would require large army would necessary hold conquest already make continue prosecution war heart enemy country also far certain expense war would diminish policy persuade best mean vindicate national honor interest bring war honorable close prosecute increase energy power vital part enemy country annual message congress december last declared war wag view conquest commence mexico carry enemy country vigorously prosecute view obtain honorable peace thereby secure ample indemnity expense war well citizens hold large pecuniary demand mexico judgment continue true policy indeed policy probably secure permanent peace never contemplate object war make permanent conquest republic mexico annihilate separate existence independent nation contrary ever desire maintain nationality good government adapt condition free independent prosperous republic unite state first among nation recognize independence always desire term amity good neighborhood would suffer conduct compel engage present war prosecution seek overthrow nation vindicate national honor seek obtain redress wrong do u indemnity demand demand honorable peace peace must bring indemnity past security future hitherto mexico refuse accommodation peace could obtain whilst army advance victory victory commencement war always olive branch peace hand power mexico every step arrest hostility accept one great obstacle attainment peace undoubtedly arise fact mexico long hold subjection one faction military usurper another condition insecurity successive government place deter make peace l rival faction might expel power fate president herrera administration 1845 dispose even listen overture united state prevent war fully confirm official correspondence take place month august last government copy herewith communicate alone revolution displace power set foot general paredes may condition insecurity present government doubt peaceable inhabitant mexico convince true interest country conclude honorable peace united state apprehension become victim military faction usurper may prevent manifest feeling public act removal apprehension would probably speak sentiment freely adopt measure necessary restoration peace people distract divided contending faction government subject constant change successive revolution continue success arm may fail secure satisfactory peace event may become proper commanding general field give encouragement assurance protection friend peace mexico establishment maintenance free republican government choice able willing conclude peace would secure u indemnity demand may become mode obtain peace result war mexico force upon u would thus convert endure bless find torn distract faction rule military usurper leave republican government enjoyment real independence domestic peace prosperity perform relative duty great family nation promote happiness wise law faithful execution afford encouragement protection persevere sincere effort make moment mexico commence war prior time adjust difference shall ultimately fail shall exhaust honorable mean pursuit peace must continue occupy country troop take full measure indemnity hand must enforce term honor demand act otherwise exist state thing mexico withdraw army without peace would leave wrong complain unredressed would signal new fierce civil dissension new revolution alike hostile peaceful relation united state besides danger troop withdraw peace conduct mexican people weary successive revolution deprive protection person property might length inclined yield foreign influence cast arm european monarch protection anarchy suffer would ensue safety pursuance establish policy compel resist could never consent mexico thus convert monarchy govern foreign prince mexico near neighbor boundary coterminous whole extent across north american continent ocean ocean politically commercially deep interest regeneration prosperity indeed impossible regard safety ever become indifferent fate may mexican government people misconstrue misunderstood forbearance object desire conclude amicable adjustment exist difference two country may suppose would submit term degrade nation may draw false inference suppose division opinion unite state subject war may calculate gain much protract indeed might ultimately abandon altogether without insist indemnity territorial otherwise whatever may false impression act adoption prosecution energetic policy propose must soon undeceive future prosecution war enemy must make feel pressure heretofore do commencement deem proper conduct spirit forbearance liberality end view early measure adopt conciliate far state war would permit mass mexican population convince war wag peaceful inhabitant mexico faithless government commence hostility remove mind false impression design interested ruler artfully attempt make war part one conquest war religion church desecrate overthrown right person private property would violate remove false impression commander field direct scrupulously respect religion church church property manner violate direct also respect right person property take arm u assurance effect give mexican people major general taylor proclamation issue pursuance instruction secretary war month june 1846 scott act upon conviction propriety issue proclamation 11th may 1847 spirit liberality conciliation view prevent body mexican population take arm u war conduct part provision supply furnish army mexican citizen pay fair liberal price agree upon party lapse month become apparent assurance mild treatment fail produce desired effect upon mexican population war conduct part accord humane liberal principle observe civilized nation wag far different spirit part mexico appreciate forbearance mexican people generally become hostile united state avail every opportunity commit savage excesses upon troop large number population take arm engage guerrilla warfare rob murder cruel manner individual soldier small party accident cause separate main body army band guerrilleros robber infest road harass train whenever power cut supply mexicans thus show wholly incapable appreciate forbearance liberality deem proper change manner conduct war make feel pressure accord usage observe similar circumstance civilize nation accordingly early 22d september 1846 instruction give secretary war taylor draw supply army enemy without pay require contribution support way satisfy could get abundant supply force direct execution instruction much necessarily leave discretion command officer best acquaint circumstance surround want army practicability enforce measure general taylor 26th october 1846 reply monterey would impossible hitherto sustain army extent force contribution money supply reason assign adopt policy instruction declare readiness army future operation reach portion country may make supply troops advantage continue pay article supply draw enemy country similar instruction issue scott 3d april 1847 reply jalapa 20th may 1847 expect army support force contribution levy upon country may ruin exasperate inhabitant starve discretion give general taylor respect general scott reason assign also continued pay article supply army drawn enemy army reach heart wealthy portion mexico suppose obstacle time prevent would render impracticable levy force contribution support 1st september 6th october 1847 order repeat dispatch address secretary war general scott attention call importance make enemy bear burden war require furnish mean support army direct adopt policy unless danger deprive army necessary supply copy dispatch forward general taylor government 31st march last caused order issue military naval commander levy collect military contribution upon vessel merchandise might enter port mexico military occupation apply contribution toward defray expense war virtue right conquest law war conqueror consult safety convenience may either exclude foreign commerce altogether port permit upon term condition may prescribe principal port mexico blockade navy revenue derive import duty law mexico pay mexican treasury port fall military possession blockade raise commerce permit upon prescribed term condition open trade nation upon payment duty moderate amount previously levy mexico revenue formerly pay mexican treasury direct collected military naval officer apply use army navy care take officer soldier sailor army navy exempt operation order merchandise import upon order operate must consume mexican citizen contribution exact effect seizure public revenue mexico application use direct measure object compel enemy contribute far practicable toward expense war amount contribution levy form refer accompany report secretary war secretary navy appear sum exceed half million dollar collected amount would undoubtedly much large difficulty keep open communication coast interior enable owner merchandise import transport vend inhabitant country confidently expect difficulty great extent soon remove increased force send field measure recently adopt internal well external revenue mexico place military occupation seize appropriate use army navy policy levy upon enemy contribution every form consistently law nation may practicable military commander adopt judgment rigidly enforce order effect accordingly give policy time treasury relieve heavy drain mexican people make feel burden war consulting interest may induce readily require ruler accede peace adjournment last session congress event transpire prosecution war judgment require great number troop field anticipate strength army accordingly increase accept service volunteer force authorize act 13th may 1846 without put construction act correctness seriously question volunteer force field accept serve twelve month discharge end term service exhaust men authorize act clear proper construction act warrant service additional number would call accept doubt exist upon point power exercise deem important congress early period session confer authority raise additional regular force serve war mexico discharge upon conclusion ratification treaty peace invite attention congress view present secretary war report upon subject recommend also authority give law call accept service additional number volunteer exercise time extent emergency service may require prosecute war mexico whilst utmost care take avoid every complaint part neutral nation none give liberal privilege grant commerce port enemy military occupation difficulty brazilian government one time threaten interrupt friendly relation two country trust speedily adjust receive information envoy extraordinary minister plenipotentiary unite state shortly appoint imperial majesty hop come instruct prepared adjust remain difference two government manner acceptable honorable meantime every reason believe nothing occur interrupt amicable relation brazil constant effort maintain cultivate intimate relation friendship independent power south america policy attend happy result true settlement payment many claim american citizen nation long delay peculiar position place desire part predecessor well grant utmost indulgence hitherto prevent claim urge manner demand strict justice time arrive ought finally adjust liquidate effort make purpose proper inform government peru good faith pay first two installment indemnity great portion interest due thereon execution convention government unite state ratification exchange lima 31st october 1846 united state early august last complete adjudication claim convention make report thereon pursuance act 8th august 1846 sum claimant respectively entitle pay demand treasury invite early attention congress present condition citizen china treaty power american citizen withdraw jurisdiction whether civil criminal chinese government place public functionary country alone citizens tried punished commission crime alone question decide involve right person property alone contract enforce may enter citizen subject foreign power merchant vessel unite state lie water five port china open foreign commerce exclusive jurisdiction officer government congress shall establish competent tribunal try punish crime exercise jurisdiction civil case china american citizen subject law whatever crime may commit impunity debt may contract without mean enforce payment inconvenience already result omission congress legislate upon subject still great apprehended british authority china already complained government provide punishment crime enforcement contract american citizen country whilst government establish tribunal american citizen recover debt due british subject accustom chinese summary justice could make comprehend criminal citizen united state escape impunity violation treaty obligation whilst punishment chinese commit crime american citizen would rigorously exact indeed consequence might fatal american citizen china flagrant crime commit one upon chinese trial punishment follow accord requisition treaty might disturb destroy friendly relation empire interruption valuable commerce treaty sublime porte tripoli tunis morocco muscat also require legislation congress carry execution though necessity immediate action may urgent regard china secretary state submit estimate defray expense open diplomatic relation papal state interest political event progress state well regard commercial interest opinion render measure highly expedient estimate also submit outfit salary charge republic bolivia guatemala ecuador manifest importance cultivate friendly relation independent state upon continent induce recommend appropriation necessary maintenance mission recommend congress appropriation make pay spanish government purpose distribution among claimant amistad case entertain conviction due spain treaty 20th october 1795 moreover earnest manner claim continue urge long shall remain unsettled source irritation discord two country may prove highly prejudicial interest united state good policy less faithful compliance treaty obligation require inconsiderable appropriation demand make detailed statement condition finance present annual report secretary treasury import last fiscal year end 30th june 1847 value amount export leave country domestic use value export period consist domestic production foreign article receipt treasury period amount derived custom sale public land incidental miscellaneous source last fiscal year amount receive embraced five month operation tariff act 1842 seven month tariff act 1846 force five month act 1842 amount receive custom seven month act 1846 amount receive net revenue custom year end 1st december 1846 last year operation tariff act 1842 net revenue custom year end 1st december 1847 first year operation tariff act 1846 increase revenue first year tariff 1846 last year tariff 1842 expenditures fiscal year end 30th june last account payment principal interest public debt include treasury note redeem funded expenditure exclusive payment public debt estimate receipts treasury fiscal year end 30th june 1848 include balance treasury 1st july last amount estimate derive custom sale public land incidental source elude sale make solicitor treasury loan already authorize law together balance treasury 1st july last make sum estimate expenditures period peace mexico shall conclude army shall increase proposed amount include necessary payment account principal interest public debt treasury note 1st present month amount public debt actually incur include treasury note public debt due 4th march 1845 include treasury note consequently addition make public debt since time loan million authorize act 28th january 1847 sum five million pay public creditor exchange par specie remain eighteen million offer specie high bidder par advertisement issue secretary treasury publish 9th february 10th april 1847 award several high bidder premiums vary per cent 2 per cent par premium pay treasury sum award deposited specie treasury fast required want government meet expenditure remainder present next fiscal year end 30th june 1849 loan aid ordinary revenue government necessary retaining sufficient surplus treasury loan require remainder present fiscal year duty tea coffee impose graduation price public land shall make early period session recommend loan present fiscal year may reduce loan may reduce whatever amount expenditures save military contribution collect mexico vigorous measure augmentation contribution direct considerable sum expect source amount however calculate certainty recommend loan make authorize upon term time authorize provision act 28th january 1847 war mexico continued 30th june 1849 estimate loan require fiscal year end day case duty impose tea coffee public land reduce graduated price military contribution shall collect mexico duty tea coffee impose land reduce graduated price propose loan may reduce subject still reduce amount military contribution may collect mexico propose however present ask congress authority negotiate loan next fiscal year hop loan ask remainder present fiscal year aid military contribution may collect mexico may sufficient contrary expectation necessity fact communicate congress time action present session event sum exceed amount need meeting session congress december 1848 act 30th july 1846 reduce duty import force since 1st december last gratified state beneficial effect anticipate operation fully realize public revenue derive custom year end 1st december 1847 exceed amount receive preceding year operation act 1842 supersede repeal effect visible great almost unexampled prosperity prevail every branch business repeal prohibitory restrictive duty act 1842 substitution place reasonable revenue rate levy article import accord actual value increase revenue augment foreign trade great interest country advance promoted great important interest agriculture much neglect actually taxed protective policy benefit interest relieve burden policy impose farmer planter liberal commercial policy find new profitable market abroad augment product commerce rapidly increase extend widely circle international exchange great increase import past year export domestic product sell foreign market still great navigating interest eminently prosperous number vessel build united state great precede period equal length large profit derive construct well navigated ratio increase number merchant vessel progressive great future past year time distant tonnage commercial marine large nation world whilst interest agriculture commerce navigation enlarge invigorate highly gratify observe manufacture also prosperous condition none ruinous effect upon interest apprehend result operation revenue system establish act 1846 experience contrary number manufactory amount capital invest steadily rapidly increase afford gratify proofs american enterprise skill employ branch domestic industry advantage fairly incidentally accrue system revenue duty abundantly able meet successfully competition abroad still derive fair remunerate profit capital invest manufacture yield adequate fair profit new system wage labor whether employed manufacture agriculture commerce navigation augment toil million whose daily labor furnishes supply food raiment necessary comfort life receive high wage steady permanent employment country previous period history successful branch industry foreign war generally diminish resource nation essential degree retard onward progress check general prosperity gratify evidence prosperity successful operation revenue act 1846 every consideration public policy recommend shall remain unchanged hoped system impost duty establish may regard permanent policy country great interest affect may subject injuriously disturb heretofore frequent sometimes sudden change purpose increase revenue without change modify rate impose act 1846 dutiable article embrace provision recommend favorable consideration expediency levy revenue duty tea coffee policy exempt article duty peace revenue derive needed cease exist country engage war require use available resource tax would generally diffuse among people would felt oppressively none complain none believe list import article properly subject war duty tea coffee estimate would derive annually moderate duty impose article congress avail additional source revenue would amount public loan render necessary war mexico diminish extent public credit public confidence ability determination government meet engagement promptly would firmly establish reduced amount loan may necessary negotiate could probably obtain cheap rate congress therefore call upon determine whether wise impose war duty recommend omit increase public debt annually long loan shall require prosecute war afterwards provide form pay semiannual interest upon ultimately extinguish principal addition duty congress graduate reduce price public land experience prove command price place upon government additional annual income treasury half million million dollar estimate would derive source measure receive sanction congress annual amount public debt necessary contract continuance war would reduce near duty recommend levied tea coffee propose shall limited duration end war public debt render necessary contract shall discharge amount public debt contract limited lowest practicable sum extinguish early conclusion war mean treasury permit view recommend soon war shall surplus treasury need indispensable object shall constitute sink fund apply purchase funded debt authority confer law purpose act 6th august 1846 establish warehouse system operation year prove important auxiliary tariff act 1846 augment revenue extend commerce country whilst tend enlarge commerce beneficial manufacture diminish force sale auction foreign good low price raise duty advance check fluctuation market system although sanctioned experience country entirely new united state susceptible improvement provision secretary treasury upon devolve large discretionary power carry measure effect collect collate practical result system country long establish report early period session regulation suggest investigation may render still effective beneficial act provide good organization treasury collection disbursement public revenue bank discontinue fiscal agent government paper currency issue longer permitted received payment public dues constitutional treasury create act go operation 1st january last system establish public money collect safely keep disbursed direct agency officer government gold silver transfer large amount make point collection point disbursement without loss treasury injury inconvenience trade country fiscal operation government conduct regularity ease system salutary effect check prevent undue inflation paper currency issue bank exist state charter require dues government pay gold silver effect restrain excessive issue bank paper bank disproportioned specie vault reason time liable call holder note redemption order obtain specie payment duty public due bank therefore must keep business within prudent limit always condition meet call run hazard compel suspend specie payment thereby discredit amount specie import united state last fiscal year retain country former financial system prevail public money place deposit bank nearly whole amount would go vault thrown circulation withhold hand people currency make basis new enormous issue bank paper large proportion specie import paid treasury public dues great extent recoined mint pay public creditor go circulation currency among people amount gold silver coin circulation country large former period financial system establish constitutional treasury thus far eminently successful operation recommend adherence essential provision especially vital provision wholly separates government connection bank exclude bank paper revenue receipt detail involve general principle system defective require modification defect amendment deem important set forth last annual report secretary treasury amendment recommend early favorable consideration congress past year coinage mint branch exceed consist chiefly convert coin foreign country american coin large amount foreign coin import receive new york branch mint establish city foreign coin receive port could convert coin without expense risk delay transport mint purpose amount recoined would much large experience prove foreign coin especially foreign gold coin circulate extensively currency among people important measure extend specie circulation gold silver diffusing among people effect convert foreign coin american coin repeat recommendation contain last annual message establishment branch mint united state city new york public land survey ready market proclaim sale past year quantity offer offer sale proclamation issue since 1st january last amount acres prosperity western state territory land lie advanced speedy sale withhold market growth increase population would retard thousand enterprising meritorious frontier population would deprive opportunity secure freehold family addition general consideration render early sale land proper lead object time derive large sum possible source thus diminish amount public loan render necessary existence foreign war estimate less acre public land survey condition proclaim sale year 1848 last annual message present reason judgment render proper graduate reduce price public land remained unsold long period offer sale public auction many million acre public land lie within limit several western state offer market subject sale private entry twenty year large quantity thirty year low price prescribe exist law find command price must remain unsold uncultivated indefinite period unless price demand government shall reduce satisfactory reason perceive long hold rate real value present period additional reason exist adopt measure recommend country engage foreign war must necessarily resort loan would seem dictate wisdom avail resource thus limit amount public indebtedness low possible sum recommend exist law subject preemption right amend modified operate prospectively embrace may settle upon public land make improvement upon survey well afterwards case settlement may make indian title shall extinguish right preemption thus extend embrace large meritorious class citizen increase number small freeholder upon border enable thereby educate child otherwise improve condition find time ever prove hour danger country among hardy best volunteer soldier ever ready attend service case emergency among last leave field long enemy remain encountered policy also impress patriotic pioneer emigrant deep feeling gratitude parental care government find dear interest secure permanent law land longer danger lose home improvement bring competition wealthy class purchaser land sale attention congress invite last preceding session importance establish territorial government possession oregon regret legislation subject citizen inhabit distant region country still leave without protection law regularly organize government question limit boundary territory oregon definitely settle necessity condition inhabitant establish temporary government besides want legal authority continue government wholly inadequate protect right person property secure enjoyment privilege citizen entitled constitution unite state right suffrage represent territorial legislature delegate congress possess right privilege citizen portion territory united state heretofore enjoy may enjoy judicial system revenue law law regulate trade intercourse indian tribe protection law generally extend addition inhabitant territory previously emigrate large number citizens follow present year doubt next subsequent year number greatly increase congress last session establish post route lead oregon different point within territory authorize establishment astoria place coast pacific within territory united state public interest may require accordingly establish deputy postmaster appoint provision make transportation mail preservation peace indian tribe reside west rocky mountain render proper authority give law appointment adequate number indian agent reside among recommend office establish territory public land survey brought market early period recommend also grant upon liberal term limited quantity public land make citizen united state emigrate may hereafter within prescribed period emigrate oregon settle upon hardy adventurous citizen encounter danger privation long toilsome journey length find abide place family upon utmost verge western limit secure home improve labor refer accompany report secretary war detail account operation various branch public service connect department charge duty devolve department unusually onerous responsible past year discharge ability success pacific relation continue exist various indian tribe manifest strong friendship united state depredation commit past year upon train transport supply army road western border missouri santa fe depredation suppose committed band region new mexico arrest presence military force order purpose outrage perpetrate portion northwestern band upon weaker comparatively defenseless neighbor tribes prompt measure take prevent occurrences future indian belong several tribe remove year east mississippi country allot west river permanent home arrangement make others follow since treaty 1846 cherokee feud among appear subside become united content many year past commissioner appoint pursuance act june 27 1846 settle claim arise treaty tribe execute duty patient investigation full fair examination case bring closed labor month july last fourth board commissioner organize treaty ample opportunity afford interested bring forward claim doubt entertain impartial justice do late board valid claim embrace treaty consider allow result final settlement make tribe treaty 1846 complete laid session adjust question controversy united state produce state relation simple well defined satisfactory discretionary authority confer act 3d march last annuity due various tribe pay present year head family instead chiefs person might designate require law previously exist mode payment give general satisfaction great body indian justice do grateful government chief interested person may object mode payment believe mode prevent fraud imposition practice upon great body common indians constitute majority tribe gratify perceive number tribe recently manifest increased interest establishment school among make rapid advance agriculture produce sufficient quantity food support case surplus dispose neighbor comfort receive even limited education engage agriculture surround tend gradually draw less civilized brother precarious mean subsistence chase habit labor civilization accompany report secretary navy present satisfactory gratify account condition operation naval service past year commerce pursue increased activity safety success every quarter globe protection flag navy cause respect distant sea gulf mexico pacific officer men squadron display distinguish gallantry perform valuable service early stage war mexico port coast blockade recently many capture held navy act cooperation land force naval officer men perform gallant distinguish service land well water deserve high commendation country maritime power add navy large number war steamer wise policy part make similar addition navy four war steamer authorize act 3d march 1847 course construction addition four war steamer authorize act secretary navy pursuance provision enter contract construction five steamer employed transportation united state mail new york new orleans touch charleston savannah havana havana chagres three steamer employ like manner panama oregon connect mail havana chagres across isthmus five steamer employ like manner new york liverpool steamer property contractor build superintendence direction naval constructor employ navy department construct render convertible least possible expense war steamer first class prescribe number naval officer well agent board authority reserve navy department time exercise control say steamship right take exclusive use service united state upon make proper compensation contractor therefor whilst steamship employ transport mail united state coastwise foreign country upon annual compensation pay owner always ready upon emergency require convert war steamer right reserve take public use add greatly efficiency strength description naval force steamer thus authorize contract make secretary navy add five steamer authorize contract make pursuance law make addition whole eighteen war steamer subject take public use contract transportation mail foreign country may authorize congress number may enlarge indefinitely enlightened policy rapid communication various distant part globe establish mean american build sea steamer would find ample reward increase commerce make country resource favorably know abroad national advantage still great naval officer make familiar steam navigation privilege take ship already equip immediate service moment notice cheaply purchase compensation pay transportation mail postage receive national pride less commercial interest would seem favor policy augment number description vessel build country cheap great number world refer accompany report detail satisfactory account condition operation department past year gratifying find within short period reduction rate postage notwithstanding great increase mail service revenue receive year sufficient defray expense aid require treasury purpose first american mail steamer authorize act 3d march 1845 complete enter upon service 1st june last third voyage bremen intermediate port vessel authorize provision act course construction put upon line soon complete contract also make transportation mail steamer charleston havana reciprocal satisfactory postal arrangement make authority bremen difficulty apprehend make similar arrangement power may communications mail steamer except great britain arrival first american steamer bound bremen southampton month june last british direct collection discriminating postages letter mailable matter take great britain go british way france part europe effect order british subject letter matter transport american steamer double postage one postage previously pay united state letter transport british steamer subject pay single postage measure adopt avow object protect british line mail steamer run boston liverpool permit continue must speedily put end transportation letter matter american steamer give british steamer monopoly business fair reciprocity desire must insist law discrimination make british steamer bring letter port letter arrive united state subject rate postage whether brought british american vessel refer report full statement fact case step take correct inequality exert power confer upon exist law minister unite state london bring subject attention british government engage negotiation purpose adjust reciprocal postal arrangement shall equally country fail conclude arrangement great britain insist enforce unequal unjust measure adopt become necessary confer additional power order enable meet emergency put steamer equal footing british steamer engage transport mail two country recommend power confer view exist state country trust may inappropriate closing communication call mind word wisdom admonition first illustrious predecessor farewell address countryman great best men serve country long love much foresaw serious concern danger union characterize party geographical discrimination northern southern atlantic western whence design men may endeavor excite belief real difference local interest view warn countryman deep solemn conviction importance union preserve harmony different part declare countryman address infinite moment properly estimate immense value national union collective individual happiness cherish cordial habitual immovable attachment accustom think speak palladium political safety prosperity watch preservation jealous anxiety discountenance whatever may suggest even suspicion event abandon indignantly frown upon first dawn every attempt alienate portion country rest enfeeble sacred tie link together various part lapse half century admonition washington fall upon u force truth difficult estimate immense value glorious union confederate state much indebted growth population wealth constitute u great happy nation unimportant difference opinion upon minor question public policy compare preservation scrupulously avoid agitate topic may tend distract divide u contend party separate geographical line whereby may weaken endanger invoke bless almighty ruler universe upon deliberation high duty less sincere pleasure cooperate measure may tend promote honor endure welfare common country