In resuming your labors in the service of the people it is a subject of congratulation that there has been no period in our past history when all the elements of national prosperity have been so fully developed. Since your last session no afflicting dispensation has visited our country. General good health has prevailed, abundance has crowned the toil of the husbandman, and labor in all its branches is receiving an ample reward, while education, science, and the arts are rapidly enlarging the means of social happiness. The progress of our country in her career of greatness, not only in the vast extension of our territorial limits and the rapid increase of our population, but in resources and wealth and in the happy condition of our people, is without an example in the history of nations. As the wisdom, strength, and beneficence of our free institutions are unfolded, every day adds fresh motives to contentment and fresh incentives to patriotism. Our devout and sincere acknowledgments are due to the gracious Giver of All Good for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys. It is a source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the United States with all other nations, with a single exception, are of the most amicable character. Sincerely attached to the policy of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by this Government, I have anxiously desired to cultivate and cherish friendship and commerce with every foreign power. The spirit and habits of the American people are favorable to the maintenance of such international harmony. In adhering to this wise policy, a preliminary and paramount duty obviously consists in the protection of our national interests from encroachment or sacrifice and our national honor from reproach. These must be maintained at any hazard. They admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be scrupulously and constantly guarded. In their vigilant vindication collision and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice in all our foreign intercourse that, though steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we have given no just cause of complaint to any nation and have enjoyed the blessings of peace for more than thirty years. From a policy so sacred to humanity and so salutary in its effects upon our political system we should never be induced voluntarily to depart. The existing war with Mexico was neither desired nor provoked by the United States. On the contrary, all honorable means were resorted to to avert it. After years of endurance of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our part, Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty stipulations and of every principle of justice recognized by civilized nations, commenced hostilities, and thus by her own act forced the war upon us. Long before the advance of our Army to the left bank of the Rio Grande we had ample cause of war against Mexico, and had the United States resorted to this extremity we might have appealed to the whole civilized world for the justice of our cause. I deem it to be my duty to present to you on the present occasion a condensed review of the injuries we had sustained, of the causes which led to the war, and of its progress since its commencement. This is rendered the more necessary because of the misapprehensions which have to some extent prevailed as to its origin and true character. The war has been represented as unjust and unnecessary and as one of aggression on our part upon a weak and injured enemy. Such erroneous views, though entertained by but few, have been widely and extensively circulated, not only at home, but have been spread throughout Mexico and the whole world. A more effectual means could not have been devised to encourage the enemy and protract the war than to advocate and adhere to their cause, and thus give them "aid and comfort." It is a source of national pride and exultation that the great body of our people have thrown no such obstacles in the way of the Government in prosecuting the war successfully, but have shown themselves to be eminently patriotic and ready to vindicate their country's honor and interests at any sacrifice. The alacrity and promptness with which our volunteer forces rushed to the field on their country's call prove not only their patriotism, but their deep conviction that our cause is just. The wrongs which we have suffered from Mexico almost ever since she became an independent power and the patient endurance with which we have borne them are without a parallel in the history of modern civilized nations. There is reason to believe that if these wrongs had been resented and resisted in the first instance the present war might have been avoided. One outrage, however, permitted to pass with impunity almost necessarily encouraged the perpetration of another, until at last Mexico seemed to attribute to weakness and indecision on our part a forbearance which was the offspring of magnanimity and of a sincere desire to preserve friendly relations with a sister republic. Scarcely had Mexico achieved her independence, which the United States were the first among the nations to acknowledge, when she commenced the system of insult and spoliation which she has ever since pursued. Our citizens engaged in lawful commerce were imprisoned, their vessels seized, and our flag insulted in her ports. If money was wanted, the lawless seizure and confiscation of our merchant vessels and their cargoes was a ready resource, and if to accomplish their purposes it became necessary to imprison the owners, captains, and crews, it was done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico in rapid succession, but still there was no change in this system of depredation. The Government of the United States made repeated reclamations on behalf of its citizens, but these were answered by the perpetration of new outrages. Promises of redress made by Mexico in the most solemn forms were postponed or evaded. The files and records of the Department of State contain conclusive proofs of numerous lawless acts perpetrated upon the property and persons of our citizens by Mexico, and of wanton insults to our national flag. The interposition of our Government to obtain redress was again and again invoked under circumstances which no nation ought to disregard. It was hoped that these outrages would cease and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws which regulate the conduct of civilized nations in their intercourse with each other after the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation of the 5th of April, 1831, was concluded between the two Republics; but this hope soon proved to be vain. The course of seizure and confiscation of the property of our citizens, the violation of their persons, and the insults to our flag pursued by Mexico previous to that time were scarcely suspended for even a brief period, although the treaty so clearly defines the rights and duties of the respective parties that it is impossible to misunderstand or mistake them. In less than seven years after the conclusion of that treaty our grievances had become so intolerable that in the opinion of President Jackson they should no longer be endured. In his message to Congress in February, 1837, he presented them to the consideration of that body, and declared that-- The length of time since some of the injuries have been committed, the repeated and unavailing applications for redress, the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the property and persons of our citizens, upon the officers and flag of the United States, independent of recent insults to this Government and people by the late extraordinary Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate war. In a spirit of kindness and forbearance, however, he recommended reprisals as a milder mode of redress. He declared that war should not be used as a remedy "by just and generous nations, confiding in their strength for injuries committed, if it can be honorably avoided," and added: It has occurred to me that, considering the present embarrassed condition of that country, we should act with both wisdom and moderation by giving to Mexico one more opportunity to atone for the past before we take redress into our Own hands. To avoid all misconception on the part of Mexico, as well as to protect our own national character from reproach, this opportunity should be given with the avowed design and full preparation to take immediate satisfaction if it should not be obtained on a repetition of the demand for it. To this end I recommend that an act be passed authorizing reprisals, and the use of the naval force of the United States by the Executive against Mexico to enforce them, in the event of a refusal by the Mexican Government to come to an amicable adjustment of the matters in controversy between us upon another demand thereof made from on board out of our vessels of war on the coast of Mexico. Committees of both Houses of Congress, to which this message of the President was referred, fully sustained his views of the character of the wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico, and recommended that another demand for redress should be made before authorizing war or reprisals. The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, in their report, say: After such a demand, should prompt justice be refused by the Mexican Government, we may appeal to all nations, not only for the equity and moderation with which we shall have acted toward a sister republic, but for the necessity which will then compel us to seek redress for our wrongs, either by actual war or by reprisals. The subject will then be presented before Congress, at the commencement of the next session, in a clear and distinct form, and the committee can not doubt but that such measures will be immediately adopted as may be necessary to vindicate the honor of the country and insure ample reparation to our injured fellow-citizens. The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives made a similar recommendation. In their report they say that-- They fully concur with the President that ample cause exists for taking redress into our own hands, and believe that we should be justified in the opinion of other nations for taking such a step. But they are willing to try the experiment of another demand, made in the most solemn form, upon the justice of the Mexican Government before any further proceedings are adopted. No difference of opinion upon the subject is believed to have existed in Congress at that time; the executive and legislative departments concurred; and yet such has been our forbearance and desire to preserve peace with Mexico that the wrongs of which we then complained, and which gave rise to these solemn proceedings, not only remain unredressed to this day, but additional causes of complaint of an aggravated character have ever since been accumulating. Shortly after these proceedings a special messenger was dispatched to Mexico to make a final demand for redress, and on the 20th of July, 1837, the demand was made. The reply of the Mexican Government bears date on the 29th of the same month, and contains assurances of the "anxious wish" of the Mexican Government "not to delay the moment of that final and equitable adjustment which is to terminate the existing difficulties between the two Governments;" that "nothing should be left undone which may contribute to the most speedy and equitable determination of the subjects which have so seriously engaged the attention of the American Government;" that the "Mexican Government would adopt as the only guides for its conduct the plainest principles of public right, the sacred obligations imposed by international law, and the religious faith of treaties," and that "whatever reason and justice may dictate respecting each case will be done." The assurance was further given that the decision of the Mexican Government upon each cause of complaint for which redress had been demanded should be communicated to the Government of the United States by the Mexican minister at Washington. These solemn assurances in answer to our demand for redress were disregarded. By making them, however, Mexico obtained further delay. President Van Buren, in his annual message to Congress of the 5th of December, 1837, states that "although the larger number" of our demands for redress, "and many of them aggravated cases of personal wrongs, have been now for years before the Mexican Government, and some of the causes of national complaint, and those of the most offensive character, admitted of immediate, simple, and satisfactory replies, it is only within a few days past that any specific communication in answer to our last demand, made five months ago, has been received from the Mexican minister;" and that "for not one of our public complaints has satisfaction been given or offered, that but one of the cases of personal wrong has been favorably considered, and that but four cases of both descriptions out of all those formally presented and earnestly pressed have as yet been decided upon by the Mexican Government." President Van Buren, believing that it would be vain to make any further attempt to obtain redress by the ordinary means within the power of the Executive, communicated this opinion to Congress in the message referred to, in which he said: On a careful and deliberate examination of their contents of the correspondence with the Mexican Government], and considering the spirit manifested by the Mexican Government, it has become my painful duty to return the subject as it now stands to Congress, to whom it belongs to decide upon the time, the mode, and the measure of redress. Had the United States at that time adopted compulsory measures and taken redress into their own hands, all our difficulties with Mexico would probably have been long since adjusted and the existing war have been averted. Magnanimity and moderation on our part only had the effect to complicate these difficulties and render an amicable settlement of them the more embarrassing. That such measures of redress under similar provocations committed by any of the powerful nations of Europe would have been promptly resorted to by the United States can not be doubted. The national honor and the preservation of the national character throughout the world, as well as our own self-respect and the protection due to our own citizens, would have rendered such a resort indispensable. The history of no civilized nation in modern times has presented within so brief a period so many wanton attacks upon the honor of its flag and upon the property and persons of its citizens as had at that time been borne by the United States from the Mexican authorities and people. But Mexico was a sister republic on the North American continent, occupying a territory contiguous to our own, and was in a feeble and distracted condition, and these considerations, it is presumed, induced Congress to forbear still longer. Instead of taking redress into our own hands, a new negotiation was entered upon with fair promises on the part of Mexico, but with the real purpose, as the event has proved, of indefinitely postponing the reparation which we demanded, and which was so justly due. This negotiation, after more than a year's delay, resulted in the convention of the 11th of April, 1839, "for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States of America upon the Government of the Mexican Republic." The joint board of commissioners created by this convention to examine and decide upon these claims was not organized until the month of August, 1840, and under the terms of the convention they were to terminate their duties within eighteen months from that time. Four of the eighteen months were consumed in preliminary discussions on frivolous and dilatory points raised by the Mexican commissioners, and it was not until the month of December, 1840, that they commenced the examination of the claims of our citizens upon Mexico. Fourteen months only remained to examine and decide upon these numerous and complicated cases. In the month of February, 1842, the term of the commission expired, leaving many claims undisposed of for want of time. The claims which were allowed by the board and by the umpire authorized by the convention to decide in case of disagreement between the Mexican and American commissioners amounted to $2,026,139.68. There were pending before the umpire when the commission expired additional claims, which had been examined and awarded by the American commissioners and had not been allowed by the Mexican commissioners, amounting to $928,627.88, upon which he did not decide, alleging that his authority had ceased with the termination of the joint commission. Besides these claims, there were others of American citizens amounting to $3,336,837.05, which had been submitted to the board, and upon which they had not time to decide before their final adjournment. The sum of $2,026,139.68, which had been awarded to the claimants, was a liquidated and ascertained debt due by Mexico, about which there could be no dispute, and which she was bound to pay according to the terms of the convention. Soon after the final awards for this amount had been made the Mexican Government asked for a postponement of the time of making payment, alleging that it would be inconvenient to make the payment at the time stipulated. In the spirit of forbearing kindness toward a sister republic, which Mexico has so long abused, the United States promptly complied with her request. A second convention was accordingly concluded between the two Governments on the 30th of January, 1843, which upon its face declares that "this new arrangement is entered into for the accommodation of Mexico." By the terms of this convention all the interest due on the awards which had been made in favor of the claimants under the convention of the 11th of April, 1839, was to be paid to them on the 30th of April, 1843, and "the principal of the said awards and the interest accruing thereon" was stipulated to "be paid in five years, in equal installments every three months." Notwithstanding this new convention was entered into at the request of Mexico and for the purpose of relieving her from embarrassment, the claimants have only received the interest due on the 30th of April, 1843, and three of the twenty installments. Although the payment of the sum thus liquidated and confessedly due by Mexico to our citizens as indemnity for acknowledged acts of outrage and wrong was secured by treaty, the obligations of which are ever held sacred by all just nations, yet Mexico has violated this solemn engagement by failing and refusing to make the payment. The two installments due in April and July, 1844, under the peculiar circumstances connected with them, have been assumed by the United States and discharged to the claimants, but they are still due by Mexico. But this is not all of which we have just cause of complaint. To provide a remedy for the claimants whose cases were not decided by the joint commission under the convention of April 11, 1839, it was expressly stipulated by the sixth article of the convention of the 30th of January, 1843, that-- A new convention shall be entered into for the settlement of all claims of the Government and citizens of the United States against the Republic of Mexico which were not finally decided by the late commission which met in the city of Washington, and of all claims of the Government and citizens of Mexico against the United States. In conformity with this stipulation, a third convention was concluded and signed at the city of Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, by the plenipotentiaries of the two Governments, by which provision was made for ascertaining and paying these claims. In January, 1844, this convention was ratified by the Senate of the United States with two amendments, which were manifestly reasonable in their character. Upon a reference of the amendments proposed to the Government of Mexico, the same evasions, difficulties, and delays were interposed which have so long marked the policy of that Government toward the United States. It has not even yet decided whether it would or would not accede to them, although the subject has been repeatedly pressed upon its consideration. Mexico has thus violated a second time the faith of treaties by failing or refusing to carry into effect the sixth article of the convention of January, 1843. Such is the history of the wrongs which we have suffered and patiently endured from Mexico through a long series of years. So far from affording reasonable satisfaction for the injuries and insults we had borne, a great aggravation of them consists in the fact that while the United States, anxious to preserve a good understanding with Mexico, have been constantly but vainly employed in seeking redress for past wrongs, new outrages were constantly occurring, which have continued to increase our causes of complaint and to swell the amount of our demands. While the citizens of the United States were conducting a lawful commerce with Mexico under the guaranty of a treaty of "amity, commerce, and navigation," many of them have suffered all the injuries which would have resulted from open war. This treaty, instead of affording protection to our citizens, has been the means of inviting them into the ports of Mexico that they might be, as they have been in numerous instances, plundered of their property and deprived of their personal liberty if they dared insist on their rights. Had the unlawful seizures of American property and the violation of the personal liberty of our citizens, to say nothing of the insults to our flag, which have occurred in the ports of Mexico taken place on the high seas, they would themselves long since have constituted a state of actual war between the two countries. In so long suffering Mexico to violate her most solemn treaty obligations, plunder our citizens of their property, and imprison their persons without affording them any redress we have failed to perform one of the first and highest duties which every government owes to its citizens, and the consequence has been that many of them have been reduced from a state of affluence to bankruptcy. The proud name of American citizen, which ought to protect all who bear it from insult and injury throughout the world, has afforded no such protection to our citizens in Mexico. We had ample cause of war against Mexico long before the breaking out of hostilities; but even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands until Mexico herself became the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array and shedding the blood of our citizens. Such are the grave causes of complaint on the part of the United States against Mexico--causes which existed long before the annexation of Texas to the American Union; and yet, animated by the love of peace and a magnanimous moderation, we did not adopt those measures of redress which under such circumstances are the justified resort of injured nations. The annexation of Texas to the United States constituted no just cause of offense to Mexico. The pretext that it did so is wholly inconsistent and irreconcilable with well-authenticated facts connected with the revolution by which Texas became independent of Mexico. That this may be the more manifest, it may be proper to advert to the causes and to the history of the principal events of that revolution. Texas constituted a portion of the ancient Province of Louisiana, ceded to the United States by France in the year 1803. In the year 1819 the United States, by the Florida treaty, ceded to Spain all that part of Louisiana within the present limits of Texas, and Mexico, by the revolution which separated her from Spain and rendered her an independent nation, succeeded to the rights of the mother country over this territory. In the year 1824 Mexico established a federal constitution, under which the Mexican Republic was composed of a number of sovereign States confederated together in a federal union similar to our own. Each of these States had its own executive, legislature, and judiciary, and for all except federal purposes was as independent of the General Government and that of the other States as is Pennsylvania or Virginia under our Constitution. Texas and Coahuila united and formed one of these Mexican States. The State constitution which they adopted, and which was approved by the Mexican Confederacy, asserted that they were "free and independent of the other Mexican United States and of every other power and dominion whatsoever," and proclaimed the great principle of human liberty that "the sovereignty of the state resides originally and essentially in the general mass of the individuals who compose it." To the Government under this constitution, as well as to that under the federal constitution, the people of Texas owed allegiance. Emigrants from foreign countries, including the United States, were invited by the colonization laws of the State and of the Federal Government to settle in Texas. Advantageous terms were offered to induce them to leave their own country and become Mexican citizens. This invitation was accepted by many of our citizens in the full faith that in their new home they would be governed by laws enacted by representatives elected by themselves, and that their lives, liberty, and property would be protected by constitutional guaranties similar to those which existed in the Republic they had left. Under a Government thus organized they continued until the year 1835, when a military revolution broke out in the City of Mexico which entirely subverted the federal and State constitutions and placed a military dictator at the head of the Government. By a sweeping decree of a Congress subservient to the will of the Dictator the several State constitutions were abolished and the States themselves converted into mere departments of the central Government. The people of Texas were unwilling to submit to this usurpation. Resistance to such tyranny became a high duty. Texas was fully absolved from all allegiance to the central Government of Mexico from the moment that Government had abolished her State constitution and in its place substituted an arbitrary and despotic central government. Such were the principal causes of the Texan revolution. The people of Texas at once determined upon resistance and flew to arms. In the midst of these important and exciting events, however, they did not omit to place their liberties upon a secure and permanent foundation. They elected members to a convention, who in the month of March, 1836, issued a formal declaration that their "political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign, and independent Republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations." They also adopted for their government a liberal republican constitution. About the same time Santa Anna, then the Dictator of Mexico, invaded Texas with a numerous army for the purpose of subduing her people and enforcing obedience to his arbitrary and despotic Government. On the 21st of April, 1836, he was met by the Texan citizen soldiers, and on that day was achieved by them the memorable victory of San Jacinto, by which they conquered their independence. Considering the numbers engaged on the respective sides, history does not record a more brilliant achievement. Santa Anna himself was among the captives. In the month of May, 1836, Santa Anna acknowledged by a treaty with the Texan authorities in the most solumn form "the full, entire, and perfect independence of the Republic of Texas." It is true he was then a prisoner of war, but it is equally true that he had failed to reconquer Texas, and had met with signal defeat; that his authority had not been revoked, and that by virtue of this treaty he obtained his personal release. By it hostilities were suspended, and the army which had invaded Texas under his command returned in pursuance of this arrangement unmolested to Mexico. From the day that the battle of San Jacinto was fought until the present hour Mexico has never possessed the power to reconquer Texas. In the language of the Secretary of State of the United States in a dispatch to our minister in Mexico under date of the 8th of July, 1842-- Mexico may have chosen to consider, and may still choose to consider, Texas as having been at all times since 1835, and as still continuing, a rebellious province; but the world has been obliged to take a very different view of the matter. From the time of the battle of San Jacinto, in April, 1836, to the present moment, Texas has exhibited the same external signs of national independence as Mexico herself, and with quite as much stability of government. Practically free and independent, acknowledged as a political sovereignty by the principal powers of the world, no hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven years, and Mexico herself refraining for all that period from any further attempt to reestablish her own authority over that territory, it can not but be surprising to find Mr. De Bocanegra the secretary of foreign affairs of Mexico] complaining that for that whole period citizens of the United States or its Government have been favoring the rebels of Texas and supplying them with vessels, ammunition, and money, as if the war for the reduction of the Province of Texas had been constantly prosecuted by Mexico, and her success prevented by these influences from abroad. In the same dispatch the Secretary of State affirms that-- 
Since 1837 the United States have regarded Texas as an independent sovereignty as much as Mexico, and that trade and commerce with citizens of a government at war with Mexico can not on that account be regarded as an intercourse by which assistance and succor are given to Mexican rebels. The whole current of Mr. De Bocanegra's remarks runs in the same direction, as if the independence of Texas had not been acknowledged. It has been acknowledged; it was acknowledged in 1837 against the remonstrance and protest of Mexico, and most of the acts of any importance of which Mr. De Bocanegra complains flow necessarily from that recognition. He speaks of Texas as still being "an integral part of the territory of the Mexican Republic," but he can not but understand that the United States do not so regard it. The real complaint of Mexico, therefore, is in substance neither more nor less than a complaint against the recognition of Texan independence. It may be thought rather late to repeat that complaint, and not quite just to confine it to the United States to the exemption of England, France, and Belgium, unless the United States, having been the first to acknowledge the independence of Mexico herself, are to be blamed for setting an example for the recognition of that of Texas. And he added that-- 
The Constitution, public treaties, and the laws oblige the President to regard Texas as an independent state, and its territory as no part of the territory of Mexico. Texas had been an independent state, with an organized government, defying the power of Mexico to overthrow or reconquer her, for more than ten years before Mexico commenced the present war against the United States. Texas had given such evidence to the world of her ability to maintain her separate existence as an independent nation that she had been formally recognized as such not only by the United States, but by several of the principal powers of Europe. These powers had entered into treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation with her. They had received and accredited her ministers and other diplomatic agents at their respective courts, and they had commissioned ministers and diplomatic agents on their part to the Government of Texas. If Mexico, notwithstanding all this and her utter inability to subdue or reconquer Texas, still stubbornly refused to recognize her as an independent nation, she was none the less so on that account. Mexico herself had been recognized as an independent nation by the United States and by other powers many years before Spain, of which before her revolution she had been a colony, would agree to recognize her as such; and yet Mexico was at that time in the estimation of the civilized world, and in fact, none the less an independent power because Spain still claimed her as a colony. If Spain had continued until the present period to assert that Mexico was one of her colonies in rebellion against her, this would not have made her so or changed the fact of her independent existence. Texas at the period of her annexation to the United States bore the same relation to Mexico that Mexico had borne to Spain for many years before Spain acknowledged her independence, with this important difference, that before the annexation of Texas to the United States was consummated Mexico herself, by a formal act of her Government, had acknowledged the independence of Texas as a nation. It is true that in the act of recognition she prescribed a condition which she had no power or authority to impose--that Texas should not annex herself to any other power--but this could not detract in any degree from the recognition which Mexico then made of her actual independence. Upon this plain statement of facts, it is absurd for Mexico to allege as a pretext for commencing hostilities against the United States that Texas is still a part of her territory. But there are those who, conceding all this to be true, assume the ground that the true western boundary of Texas is the Nueces instead of the Rio Grande, and that therefore in marching our Army to the east bank of the latter river we passed the Texan line and invaded the territory of Mexico. A simple statement of facts known to exist will conclusively refute such an assumption. Texas, as ceded to the United States by France in 1803, has been always claimed as extending west to the Rio Grande or Rio Bravo. This fact is established by the authority of our most eminent statesmen at a period when the question was as well, if not better, understood than it is at present. During Mr. Jefferson's Administration Messrs. Monroe and Pinckney, who had been sent on a special mission to Madrid, charged among other things with the adjustment of boundary between the two countries, in a note addressed to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs under date of the 28th of January, 1805, assert that the boundaries of Louisiana, as ceded to the United States by France, "are the river Perdido on the east and the river Bravo on the west," and they add that "the facts and principles which justify this conclusion are so satisfactory to our Government as to convince it that the United States have not a better right to the island of New Orleans under the cession referred to than they have to the whole district of territory which is above described." Down to the conclusion of the Florida treaty, in February, 1819, by which this territory was ceded to Spain, the United States asserted and maintained their territorial rights to this extent. In the month of June, 1818, during Mr. Monroe's Administration, information having been received that a number of foreign adventurers had landed at Galveston with the avowed purpose of forming a settlement in that vicinity, a special messenger was dispatched by the Government of the United States with instructions from the Secretary of State to warn them to desist, should they be found there, "or any other place north of the Rio Bravo, and within the territory claimed by the United States." He was instructed, should they be found in the country north of that river, to make known to them "the surprise with which the President has seen possession thus taken, without authority from the United States, of a place within their territorial limits, and upon which no lawful settlement can be made without their sanction." He was instructed to call upon them to "avow under what national authority they profess to act," and to give them due warning "that the place is within the United States, who will suffer no permanent settlement to be made there under any authority other than their own." As late as the 8th of July, 1842, the Secretary of State of the United States, in a note addressed to our minister in Mexico, maintains that by the Florida treaty of 1819 the territory as far west as the Rio Grande was confirmed to Spain. In that note he states that-- By the treaty of the 22d of February, 1819, between the United States and Spain, the Sabine was adopted as the line of boundary between the two powers. Up to that period no considerable colonization had been effected in Texas; but the territory between the Sabine and the Rio Grande being confirmed to Spain by the treaty, applications were made to that power for grants of land, and such grants or permissions of settlement were in fact made by the Spanish authorities in favor of citizens of the United States proposing to emigrate to Texas in numerous families before the declaration of independence by Mexico. The Texas which was ceded to Spain by the Florida treaty of 1819 embraced all the country now claimed by the State of Texas between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. The Republic of Texas always claimed this river as her western boundary, and in her treaty made with Santa Anna in May, 1836, he recognized it as such. By the constitution which Texas adopted in March, 1836, senatorial and representative districts were organized extending west of the Nueces. The Congress of Texas on the 19th of December, 1836, passed "An act to define the boundaries of the Republic of Texas," in which they declared the Rio Grande from its mouth to its source to be their boundary, and by the said act they extended their "civil and political jurisdiction" over the country up to that boundary. During a period of more than nine years which intervened between the adoption of her constitution and her annexation as one of the States of our Union Texas asserted and exercised many acts of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants west of the Nueces. She organized and defined the limits of counties extending to the Rio Grande; she established courts of justice and extended her judicial system over the territory; she established a custom-house and collected duties, and also post-offices and post-roads, in it; she established a land office and issued numerous grants for land within its limits; a senator and a representative residing in it were elected to the Congress of the Republic and served as such before the act of annexation took place. In both the Congress and convention of Texas which gave their assent to the terms of annexation to the United States proposed by our Congress were representatives residing west of the Nueces, who took part in the act of annexation itself. This was the Texas which by the act of our Congress of the 29th of December, 1845, was admitted as one of the States of our Union. That the Congress of the United States understood the State of Texas which they admitted into the Union to extend beyond the Nueces is apparent from the fact that on the 31st of December, 1845, only two days after the act of admission, they passed a law "to establish a collection district in the State of Texas," by which they created a port of delivery at Corpus Christi, situated west of the Nueces, and being the same point at which the Texas custom-house under the laws of that Republic had been located, and directed that a surveyor to collect the revenue should be appointed for that port by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. A surveyor was accordingly nominated, and confirmed by the Senate, and has been ever since in the performance of his duties. All these acts of the Republic of Texas and of our Congress preceded the orders for the advance of our Army to the east bank of the Rio Grande. Subsequently Congress passed an act "establishing certain post routes" extending west of the Nueces. The country west of that river now constitutes a part of one of the Congressional districts of Texas and is represented in the House of Representatives. The Senators from that State were chosen by a legislature in which the country west of that river was represented. In view of all these facts it is difficult to conceive upon what ground it can be maintained that in occupying the country west of the Nueces with our Army, with a view solely to its security and defense, we invaded the territory of Mexico. But it would have been still more difficult to justify the Executive, whose duty it is to see that the laws be faithfully executed, if in the face of all these proceedings, both of the Congress of Texas and of the United States, he had assumed the responsibility of yielding up the territory west of the Nueces to Mexico or of refusing to protect and defend this territory and its inhabitants, including Corpus Christi as well as the remainder of Texas, against the threatened Mexican invasion. But Mexico herself has never placed the war which she has waged upon the ground that our Army occupied the intermediate territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Her refuted pretension that Texas was not in fact an independent state, but a rebellious province, was obstinately persevered in, and her avowed purpose in commencing a war with the United States was to reconquer Texas and to restore Mexican authority over the whole territory--not to the Nueces only, but to the Sabine. In view of the proclaimed menaces of Mexico to this effect, I deemed it my duty, as a measure of precaution and defense, to order our Army to occupy a position on our frontier as a military post, from which our troops could best resist and repel any attempted invasion which Mexico might make. Our Army had occupied a position at Corpus Christi, west of the Nueces, as early as August, 1845, without complaint from any quarter. Had the Nueces been regarded as the true western boundary of Texas, that boundary had been passed by our Army many months before it advanced to the eastern bank of the Rio Grande. In my annual message of December last I informed Congress that upon the invitation of both the Congress and convention of Texas I had deemed it proper to order a strong squadron to the coasts of Mexico and to concentrate an efficient military force on the western frontier of Texas to protect and defend the inhabitants against the menaced invasion of Mexico. In that message I informed Congress that the moment the terms of annexation offered by the United States were accepted by Texas the latter became so far a part of our own country as to make it our duty to afford such protection and defense, and that for that purpose our squadron had been ordered to the Gulf and our Army to take a "position between the Nueces and the Del Norte" or Rio Grande and to "repel any invasion of the Texan territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces." It was deemed proper to issue this order, because soon after the President of Texas, in April, 1845, had issued his proclamation convening the Congress of that Republic for the purpose of submitting to that body the terms of annexation proposed by the United States the Government of Mexico made serious threats of invading the Texan territory. These threats became more imposing as it became more apparent in the progress of the question that the people of Texas would decide in favor of accepting the terms of annexation, and finally they had assumed such a formidable character as induced both the Congress and convention of Texas to request that a military force should be sent by the United States into her territory for the purpose of protecting and defending her against the threatened invasion. It would have been a violation of good faith toward the people of Texas to have refused to afford the aid which they desired against a threatened invasion to which they had been exposed by their free determination to annex themselves to our Union in compliance with the overture made to them by the joint resolution of our Congress. Accordingly, a portion of the Army was ordered to advance into Texas. Corpus Christi was the position selected by General Taylor. He encamped at that place in August, 1845, and the Army remained in that position until the 11th of March, 1846, when it moved westward, and on the 28th of that month reached the east bank of the Rio Grande opposite to Matamoras. This movement was made in pursuance of orders from the War Department, issued on the 13th of January, 1846. Before these orders were issued the dispatch of our minister in Mexico transmitting the decision of the council of government of Mexico advising that he should not be received, and also the dispatch of our consul residing in the City of Mexico, the former bearing date on the 17th and the latter on the 18th of December, 1845, copies of both of which accompanied my message to Congress of the 11th of May last, were received at the Department of State. These communications rendered it highly probable, if not absolutely certain, that our minister would not be received by the Government of General Herrera. It was also well known that but little hope could be entertained of a different result from General Paredes in case the revolutionary movement which he was prosecuting should prove successful, as was highly probable. The partisans of Paredes, as our minister in the dispatch referred to states, breathed the fiercest hostility against the United States, denounced the proposed negotiation as treason, and openly called upon the troops and the people to put down the Government of Herrera by force. The reconquest of Texas and war with the United States were openly threatened. These were the circumstances existing when it was deemed proper to order the Army under the command of General Taylor to advance to the western frontier of Texas and occupy a position on or near the Rio Grande. The apprehensions of a contemplated Mexican invasion have been since fully justified by the event. The determination of Mexico to rush into hostilities with the United States was afterwards manifested from the whole tenor of the note of the Mexican minister of foreign affairs to our minister bearing date on the 12th of March, 1846. Paredes had then revolutionized the Government, and his minister, after referring to the resolution for the annexation of Texas which had been adopted by our Congress in March, 1845, proceeds to declare that-- A fact such as this, or, to speak with greater exactness, so notable an act of usurpation, created an imperious necessity that Mexico, for her own honor, should repel it with proper firmness and dignity. The supreme Government had beforehand declared that it would look upon such an act as a casus belli, and as a consequence of this declaration negotiation was by its very nature at an end, and war was the only recourse of the Mexican Government. It appears also that on the 4th of April following General Paredes, through his minister of war, issued orders to the Mexican general in command on the Texan frontier to "attack" our Army "by every means which war permits." To this General Paredes had been pledged to the army and people of Mexico during the military revolution which had brought him into power. On the 18th of April, 1846, General Paredes addressed a letter to the commander on that frontier in which he stated to him: "At the present date I suppose you, at the head of that valiant army, either fighting already or preparing for the operations of a campaign;" and, "Supposing you already on the theater of operations and with all the forces assembled, it is indispensable that hostilities be commenced, yourself taking the initiative against the enemy." The movement of our Army to the Rio Grande was made by the commanding general under positive orders to abstain from all aggressive acts toward Mexico or Mexican citizens, and to regard the relations between the two countries as peaceful unless Mexico should declare war or commit acts of hostility indicative of a state of war, and these orders he faithfully executed. Whilst occupying his position on the east bank of the Rio Grande, within the limits of Texas, then recently admitted as one of the States of our Union, the commanding general of the Mexican forces, who, in pursuance of the orders of his Government, had collected a large army on the opposite shore of the Rio Grande, crossed the river, invaded our territory, and commenced hostilities by attacking our forces. Thus, after all the injuries which we had received and borne from Mexico, and after she had insultingly rejected a minister sent to her on a mission of peace, and whom she had solemnly agreed to receive, she consummated her long course of outrage against our country by commencing an offensive war and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. The United States never attempted to acquire Texas by conquest. On the contrary, at an early period after the people of Texas had achieved their independence they sought to be annexed to the United States. At a general election in September, 1836, they decided with great unanimity in favor of "annexation," and in November following the Congress of the Republic authorized the appointment of a minister to bear their request to this Government. This Government, however, having remained neutral between Texas and Mexico during the war between them, and considering it due to the honor of our country and our fair fame among the nations of the earth that we should not at this early period consent to annexation, nor until it should be manifest to the whole world that the reconquest of Texas by Mexico was impossible, refused to accede to the overtures made by Texas. On the 12th of April, 1844, after more than seven years had elapsed since Texas had established her independence, a treaty was concluded for the annexation of that Republic to the United States, which was rejected by the Senate. Finally, on the 1st of March, 1845, Congress passed a joint resolution for annexing her to the United States upon certain preliminary conditions to which her assent was required. The solemnities which characterized the deliberations and conduct of the Government and people of Texas on the deeply interesting questions presented by these resolutions are known to the world. The Congress, the Executive, and the people of Texas, in a convention elected for that purpose, accepted with great unanimity the proposed terms of annexation, and thus consummated on her part the great act of restoring to our Federal Union a vast territory which had been ceded to Spain by the Florida treaty more than a quarter of a century before. After the joint resolution for the annexation of Texas to the United States had been passed by our Congress the Mexican minister at Washington addressed a note to the Secretary of State, bearing date on the 6th of March, 1845, protesting against it as "an act of aggression the most unjust which can be found recorded in the annals of modern history, namely, that of despoiling a friendly nation like Mexico of a considerable portion of her territory," and protesting against the resolution of annexation as being an act "whereby the Province of Texas, an integral portion of the Mexican territory, is agreed and admitted into the American Union;" and he announced that as a consequence his mission to the United States had terminated, and demanded his passports, which were granted. It was upon the absurd pretext, made by Mexico (herself indebted for her independence to a successful revolution), that the Republic of Texas still continued to be, notwithstanding all that had passed, a Province of Mexico that this step was taken by the Mexican minister. Every honorable effort has been used by me to avoid the war which followed, but all have proved vain. All our attempts to preserve peace have been met by insult and resistance on the part of Mexico. My efforts to this end commenced in the note of the Secretary of State of the 10th of March, 1845, in answer to that of the Mexican minister. Whilst declining to reopen a discussion which had already been exhausted, and proving again what was known to the whole world, that Texas had long since achieved her independence, the Secretary of State expressed the regret of this Government that Mexico should have taken offense at the resolution of annexation passed by Congress, and gave assurance that our "most strenuous efforts shall be devoted to the amicable adjustment of every cause of complaint between the two Governments and to the cultivation of the kindest and most friendly relations between the sister Republics." That I have acted in the spirit of this assurance will appear from the events which have since occurred. Notwithstanding Mexico had abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse with the United States, and ought, therefore, to have been the first to ask for its resumption, yet, waiving all ceremony, I embraced the earliest favorable opportunity "to ascertain from the Mexican Government whether they would receive an envoy from the United States intrusted with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two Governments." In September, 1845, I believed the propitious moment for such an overture had arrived. Texas, by the enthusiastic and almost unanimous will of her people, had pronounced in favor of annexation. Mexico herself had agreed to acknowledge the independence of Texas, subject to a condition, it is true, which she had no right to impose and no power to enforce. The last lingering hope of Mexico, if she still could have retained any, that Texas would ever again become one of her Provinces, must have been abandoned. The consul of the United States at the City of Mexico was therefore instructed by the Secretary of State on the 15th of September, 1845, to make the inquiry of the Mexican Government. The inquiry was made, and on the 15th of October, 1845, the minister of foreign affairs of the Mexican Government, in a note addressed to our consul, gave a favorable response, requesting at the same time that our naval force might be withdrawn from Vera Cruz while negotiations should be pending. Upon the receipt of this note our naval force was promptly withdrawn from Vera Cruz. A minister was immediately appointed, and departed to Mexico. Everything bore a promising aspect for a speedy and peaceful adjustment of all our difficulties. At the date of my annual message to Congress in December last no doubt was entertained but that he would be received by the Mexican Government, and the hope was cherished that all cause of misunderstanding between the two countries would be speedily removed. In the confident hope that such would be the result of his mission, I informed Congress that I forbore at that time to "recommend such ulterior measures of redress for the wrongs and injuries we had so long borne as it would have been proper to make had no such negotiation been instituted." To my surprise and regret the Mexican Government, though solemnly pledged to do so, upon the arrival of our minister in Mexico refused to receive and accredit him. When he reached Vera Cruz, on the 30th of November, 1845, he found that the aspect of affairs had undergone an unhappy change. The Government of General Herrera, who was at that time President of the Republic, was tottering to its fall. General Paredes, a military leader, had manifested his determination to overthrow the Government of Herrera by a military revolution, and one of the principal means which he employed to effect his purpose and render the Government of Herrera odious to the army and people of Mexico was by loudly condemning its determination to receive a minister of peace from the United States, alleging that it was the intention of Herrera, by a treaty with the United States, to dismember the territory of Mexico by ceding away the department of Texas. The Government of Herrera is believed to have been well disposed to a pacific adjustment of existing difficulties, but probably alarmed for its own security, and in order to ward off the danger of the revolution led by Paredes, violated its solemn agreement and refused to receive or accredit our minister; and this although informed that he had been invested with full power to adjust all questions in dispute between the two Governments. Among the frivolous pretexts for this refusal, the principal one was that our minister had not gone upon a special mission confined to the question of Texas alone, leaving all the outrages upon our flag and our citizens unredressed. The Mexican Government well knew that both our national honor and the protection due to our citizens imperatively required that the two questions of boundary and indemnity should be treated of together, as naturally and inseparably blended, and they ought to have seen that this course was best calculated to enable the United States to extend to them the most liberal justice. On the 30th of December, 1845, General Herrera resigned the Presidency and yielded up the Government to General Paredes without a struggle. Thus a revolution was accomplished solely by the army commanded by Paredes, and the supreme power in Mexico passed into the hands of a military usurper who was known to be bitterly hostile to the United States. Although the prospect of a pacific adjustment with the new Government was unpromising from the known hostility of its head to the United States, yet, determined that nothing should be left undone on our part to restore friendly relations between the two countries, our minister was instructed to present his credentials to the new Government and ask to be accredited by it in the diplomatic character in which he had been commissioned. These instructions he executed by his note of the 1st of March, 1846, addressed to the Mexican minister of foreign affairs, but his request was insultingly refused by that minister in his answer of the 12th of the same month. No alternative remained for our minister but to demand his passports and return to the United States. Thus was the extraordinary spectacle presented to the civilized world of a Government, in violation of its own express agreement, having twice rejected a minister of peace invested with full powers to adjust all the existing differences between the two countries in a manner just and honorable to both. I am not aware that modern history presents a parallel case in which in time of peace one nation has refused even to hear propositions from another for terminating existing difficulties between them. Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties, even at a remote day, or of preserving peace with Mexico, could be cherished while Paredes remained at the head of the Government. He had acquired the supreme power by a military revolution and upon the most solemn pledges to wage war against the United States and to reconquer Texas, which he claimed as a revolted province of Mexico. He had denounced as guilty of treason all those Mexicans who considered Texas as no longer constituting a part of the territory of Mexico and who were friendly to the cause of peace. The duration of the war which he waged against the United States was indefinite, because the end which he proposed of the reconquest of Texas was hopeless. Besides, there was good reason to believe from all his conduct that it was his intention to convert the Republic of Mexico into a monarchy and to call a foreign European prince to the throne. Preparatory to this end, he had during his short rule destroyed the liberty of the press, tolerating that portion of it only which openly advocated the establishment of a monarchy. The better to secure the success of his ultimate designs, he had by an arbitrary decree convoked a Congress, not to be elected by the free voice of the people, but to be chosen in a manner to make them subservient to his will and to give him absolute control over their deliberations. Under all these circumstances it was believed that any revolution in Mexico founded upon opposition to the ambitious projects of Paredes would tend to promote the cause of peace as well as prevent any attempted European interference in the affairs of the North American continent, both objects of deep interest to the United States. Any such foreign interference, if attempted, must have been resisted by the United States. My views upon that subject were fully communicated to Congress in my last annual message. In any event, it was certain that no change whatever in the Government of Mexico which would deprive Paredes of power could be for the worse so far as the United States were concerned, while it was highly probable that any change must be for the better. This was the state of affairs existing when Congress, on the 13th of May last, recognized the existence of the war which had been commenced by the Government of Paredes; and it became an object of much importance, with a view to a speedy settlement of our difficulties and the restoration of an honorable peace, that Paredes should not retain power in Mexico. Before that time there were symptoms of a revolution in Mexico, favored, as it was understood to be, by the more liberal party, and especially by those who were opposed to foreign interference and to the monarchical form of government. Santa Anna was then in exile in Havana, having been expelled from power and banished from his country by a revolution which occurred in December, 1844; but it was known that he had still a considerable party in his favor in Mexico. It was also equally well known that no vigilance which could be exerted by our squadron would in all probability have prevented him from effecting a landing somewhere on the extensive Gulf coast of Mexico if he desired to return to his country. He had openly professed an entire change of policy, had expressed his regret that he had subverted the federal constitution of 1824, and avowed that he was now in favor of its restoration. He had publicly declared his hostility, in strongest terms, to the establishment of a monarchy and to European interference in the affairs of his country. Information to this effect had been received, from sources believed to be reliable, at the date of the recognition of the existence of the war by Congress, and was afterwards fully confirmed by the receipt of the dispatch of our consul in the City of Mexico, with the accompanying documents, which are herewith transmitted. Besides, it was reasonable to suppose that he must see the ruinous consequences to Mexico of a war with the United States, and that it would be his interest to favor peace. It was under these circumstances and upon these considerations that it was deemed expedient not to obstruct his return to Mexico should he attempt to do so. Our object was the restoration of peace, and, with that view, no reason was perceived why we should take part with Paredes and aid him by means of our blockade in preventing the return of his rival to Mexico. On the contrary, it was believed that the intestine divisions which ordinary sagacity could not but anticipate as the fruit of Santa Anna's return to Mexico, and his contest with Paredes, might strongly tend to produce a disposition with both parties to restore and preserve peace with the United States. Paredes was a soldier by profession and a monarchist in principle. He had but recently before been successful in a military revolution, by which he had obtained power. He was the sworn enemy of the United States, with which he had involved his country in the existing war. Santa Anna had been expelled from power by the army, was known to be in open hostility to Paredes, and publicly pledged against foreign intervention and the restoration of monarchy in Mexico. In view of these facts and circumstances it was that when orders were issued to the commander of our naval forces in the Gulf, on the 13th day of May last, the same day on which the existence of the war was recognized by Congress, to place the coasts of Mexico under blockade, he was directed not to obstruct the passage of Santa Anna to Mexico should he attempt to return. A revolution took place in Mexico in the early part of August following, by which the power of Paredes was overthrown, and he has since been banished from the country, and is now in exile. Shortly afterwards Santa Anna returned. It remains to be seen whether his return may not yet prove to be favorable to a pacific adjustment of the existing difficulties, it being manifestly his interest not to persevere in the prosecution of a war commenced by Paredes to accomplish a purpose so absurd as the reconquest of Texas to the Sabine. Had Paredes remained in power, it is morally certain that any pacific adjustment would have been hopeless. Upon the commencement of hostilities by Mexico against the United States the indignant spirit of the nation was at once aroused. Congress promptly responded to the expectations of the country, and by the act of the 13th of May last recognized the fact that war existed, by the act of Mexico, between the United States and that Republic, and granted the means necessary for its vigorous prosecution. Being involved in a war thus commenced by Mexico, and for the justice of which on our part we may confidently appeal to the whole world, I resolved to prosecute it with the utmost vigor. Accordingly the ports of Mexico on the Gulf and on the Pacific have been placed under blockade and her territory invaded at several important points. The reports from the Departments of War and of the Navy will inform you more in detail of the measures adopted in the emergency in which our country was placed and of the gratifying results which have been accomplished. The various columns of the Army have performed their duty under great disadvantages with the most distinguished skill and courage. The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma and of Monterey, won against greatly superior numbers and against most decided advantages in other respects on the part of the enemy, were brilliant in their execution, and entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the grateful thanks of their country. The nation deplores the loss of the brave officers and men who have gallantly fallen while vindicating and defending their country's rights and honor. It is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our volunteer citizen soldiers, who so promptly responded to their country's call, with an experience of the discipline of a camp of only a few weeks, have borne their part in the hard-fought battle of Monterey with a constancy and courage equal to that of veteran troops and worthy of the highest admiration. The privations of long marches through the enemy's country and through a wilderness have been borne without a murmur. By rapid movements the Province of New Mexico, with Santa Fe, its capital, has been captured without bloodshed. The Navy has cooperated with the Army and rendered important services; if not so brilliant, it is because the enemy had no force to meet them on their own element and because of the defenses which nature has interposed in the difficulties of the navigation on the Mexican coast. Our squadron in the Pacific, with the cooperation of a gallant officer of the Army and a small force hastily collected in that distant country, has acquired bloodless possession of the Californias, and the American flag has been raised at every important point in that Province. I congratulate you on the success which has thus attended our military and naval operations. In less than seven months after Mexico commenced hostilities, at a time selected by herself, we have taken possession of many of her principal ports, driven back and pursued her invading army, and acquired military possession of the Mexican Provinces of New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and the Californias, a territory larger in extent than that embraced in the original thirteen States of the Union, inhabited by a considerable population, and much of it more than 1,000 miles from the points at which we had to collect our forces and commence our movements. By the blockade the import and export trade of the enemy has been cut off. Well may the American people be proud of the energy and gallantry of our regular and volunteer officers and soldiers. The events of these few months afford a gratifying proof that our country can under any emergency confidently rely for the maintenance of her honor and the defense of her rights on an effective force, ready at all times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of home for the perils and privations of the camp. And though such a force may be for the time expensive, it is in the end economical, as the ability to command it removes the necessity of employing a large standing army in time of peace, and proves that our people love their institutions and are ever ready to defend and protect them. While the war was in a course of vigorous and successful prosecution, being still anxious to arrest its evils, and considering that after the brilliant victories of our arms on the 8th and 9th of May last the national honor could not be compromitted by it, another overture was made to Mexico, by my direction, on the 27th of July last to terminate hostilities by a peace just and honorable to both countries. On the 31st of August following the Mexican Government declined to accept this friendly overture, but referred it to the decision of a Mexican Congress to be assembled in the early part of the present month. I communicate to you herewith a copy of the letter of the Secretary of State proposing to reopen negotiations, of the answer of the Mexican Government, and of the reply thereto of the Secretary of State, The war will continue to be prosecuted with vigor as the best means of securing peace. It is hoped that the decision of the Mexican Congress, to which our last overture has been referred, may result in a speedy and honorable peace. With our experience, however, of the unreasonable course of the Mexican authorities, it is the part of wisdom not to relax in the energy of our military operations until the result is made known. In this view it is deemed important to hold military possession of all the Provinces which have been taken until a definitive treaty of peace shall have been concluded and ratified by the two countries. 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. By the laws of nations a conquered country is subject to be governed by the conqueror during his military possession and until there is either a treaty of peace or he shall voluntarily withdraw from it. The old civil government being necessarily superseded, it is the right and duty of the conqueror to secure his conquest and to provide for the maintenance of civil order and the rights of the inhabitants. This right has been exercised and this duty performed by our military and naval commanders by the establishment of temporary governments in some of the conquered Provinces of Mexico, assimilating them as far as practicable to the free institutions of our own country. In the Provinces of New Mexico and of the Californias little, if any, further resistance is apprehended from the inhabitants to the temporary governments which have thus, from the necessity of the case and according to the laws of war, been established. It may be proper to provide for the security of these important conquests by making an adequate appropriation for the purpose of erecting fortifications and defraying the expenses necessarily incident to the maintenance of our possession and authority over them. Near the close of your last session, for reasons communicated to Congress, I deemed it important as a measure for securing a speedy peace with Mexico, that a sum of money should be appropriated and placed in the power of the Executive, similar to that which had been made upon two former occasions during the Administration of President Jefferson. On the 26th of February, 1803, an appropriation of $2,000.000 was made and placed at the disposal of the President. Its object is well known. It was at that time in contemplation to acquire Louisiana from France, and it was intended to be applied as a part of the consideration which might be paid for that territory. On the 13th of February, 1806, the same sum was in like manner appropriated, with a view to the purchase of the Floridas from Spain. These appropriations were made to facilitate negotiations and as a means to enable the President to accomplish the important objects in view. Though it did not become necessary for the President to use these appropriations, yet a state of things might have arisen in which it would have been highly important for him to do so, and the wisdom of making them can not be doubted. It is believed that the measure recommended at your last session met with the approbation of decided majorities in both Houses of Congress. Indeed, in different forms, a bill making an appropriation of $2,000,000 passed each House, and it is much to be regretted that it did not become a law. The reasons which induced me to recommend the measure at that time still exist, and I again submit the subject for your consideration and suggest the importance of early action upon it. Should the appropriation be made and be not needed, it will remain in the Treasury; should it be deemed proper to apply it in whole or in part, it will be accounted for as other public expenditures. Immediately after Congress had recognized the existence of the war with Mexico my attention was directed to the danger that privateers might be fitted out in the ports of Cuba and Porto Rico to prey upon the commerce of the United States, and I invited the special attention of the Spanish Government to the fourteenth article of our treaty with that power of the 27th of October, 1795, under which the citizens and subjects of either nation who shall take commissions or letters of marque to act as privateers against the other "shall be punished as pirates." It affords me pleasure to inform you that I have received assurances from the Spanish Government that this article of the treaty shall be faithfully observed on its part. Orders for this purpose were immediately transmitted from that Government to the authorities of Cuba and Porto Rico to exert their utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts to fit out privateers in those islands against the United States. From the good faith of Spain I am fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in its spirit as well as its letter, whilst the United States will on their part faithfully perform all the obligations which it imposes on them. Information has been recently received at the Department of State that the Mexican Government has sent to Havana blank commissions to privateers and blank certificates of naturalization signed by General Salas, the present head of the Mexican Government. There is also reason to apprehend that similar documents have been transmitted to other parts of the world. Copies of these papers, in translation, are herewith transmitted. As the preliminaries required by the practice of civilized nations for commissioning privateers and regulating their conduct appear not to have been observed, and as these commissions are in blank, to be filled up with the names of citizens and subjects of all nations who may be willing to purchase them, the whole proceeding can only be construed as an invitation to all the freebooters upon earth who are willing to pay for the privilege to cruise against American commerce. It will be for our courts of justice to decide whether under such circumstances these Mexican letters of marque and reprisal shall protect those who accept them, and commit robberies upon the high seas under their authority, from the pains and penalties of piracy. If the certificates of naturalization thus granted be intended by Mexico to shield Spanish subjects from the guilt and punishment of pirates under our treaty with Spain, they will certainly prove unavailing. Such a subterfuge would be but a weak device to defeat the provisions of a solemn treaty. I recommend that Congress should immediately provide by law for the trial and punishment as pirates of Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigilance of their Government, shall be found guilty of privateering against the United States. I do not apprehend serious danger from these privateers. Our Navy will be constantly on the alert to protect our commerce. Besides, in case prizes should be made of American vessels, the utmost vigilance will be exerted by our blockading squadron to prevent the captors from taking them into Mexican ports, and it is not apprehended that any nation will violate its neutrality by suffering such prizes to be condemned and sold within its jurisdiction. I recommend that Congress should immediately provide by law for granting letters of marque and reprisal against vessels under the Mexican flag. It is true that there are but few, if any, commercial vessels of Mexico upon the high seas, and it is therefore not probable that many American privateers would be fitted out in case a law should pass authorizing this mode of warfare. It is, notwithstanding, certain that such privateers may render good service to the commercial interests of the country by recapturing our merchant ships should any be taken by armed vessels under the Mexican flag, as well as by capturing these vessels themselves. Every means within our power should be rendered available for the protection of our commerce. The annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit a detailed statement of the condition of the finances. The imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last were of the value of $121,691,797, of which the amount exported was $11,346,623, leaving the amount retained in the country for domestic consumption $110,345,174. The value of the exports for the same period was $113,488,516, of which $102,141,893 consisted of domestic productions and $11,346,623 of foreign articles. The receipts into the Treasury for the same year were $29,499,247.06, of which there was derived from customs $26,712,667.87, from the sales of public lands $2,694,452.48, and from incidental and miscellaneous sources $92,126.71. The expenditures for the same period were $28,031,114.20, and the balance in the Treasury on the 1st day of July last was $9,126,439. 08. The amount of the public debt, including Treasury notes, on the 1st of the present month was $24,256,494.60, of which the sum of $17,788,799.62 was outstanding on the 4th of March, 1845, leaving the amount incurred since that time $6,467,694.98. In order to prosecute the war with Mexico with vigor and energy, as the best means of bringing it to a speedy and honorable termination, a further loan will be necessary to meet the expenditures for the present and the next fiscal year. If the war should be continued until the 30th of June, 1848, being the end of the next fiscal year, it is estimated that an additional loan of $23,000,000 will be required. This estimate is made upon the assumption that it will be necessary to retain constantly in the Treasury $4,000,000 to guard against contingencies. If such surplus were not required to be retained, then a loan of $19,000,000 would be sufficient. If, however, Congress should at the present session impose a revenue duty on the principal articles now embraced in the free list, it is estimated that an additional annual revenue of about two millions and a half, amounting, it is estimated, on the 30th of June, 1848, to $4,000,000, would be derived from that source, and the loan required would be reduced by that amount. It is estimated also that should Congress graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have been long in the market the additional revenue derived from that source would be annually, for several years to come, between half a million and a million dollars; and the loan required may be reduced by that amount also. Should these measures be adopted, the loan required would not probably exceed $18,000,000 or $19,000,000, leaving in the Treasury a constant surplus of $4,000,000. The loan proposed, it is estimated, will be sufficient to cover the necessary expenditures both for the war and for all other purposes up to the 30th of June, 1848, and an amount of this loan not exceeding one-half may be required during the present fiscal year, and the greater part of the remainder during the first half of the fiscal year succeeding. In order that timely notice may be given and proper measures taken to effect the loan, or such portion of it as may be required, it is important that the authority of Congress to make it be given at an early period of your present session. It is suggested that the loan should be contracted for a period of twenty years, with authority to purchase the stock and pay it off at an earlier period at its market value out of any surplus which may at any time be in the Treasury applicable to that purpose. After the establishment of peace with Mexico, it is supposed that a considerable surplus will exist, and that the debt may be extinguished in a much shorter period than that for which it may be contracted. The period of twenty years, as that for which the proposed loan may be contracted, in preference to a shorter period, is suggested, because all experience, both at home and abroad, has shown that loans are effected upon much better terms upon long time than when they are reimbursable at short dates. Necessary as this measure is to sustain the honor and the interests of the country engaged in a foreign war, it is not doubted but that Congress will promptly authorize it. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st July last exceeded $9,000,000, notwithstanding considerable expenditures had been made for the war during the months of May and June preceding. But for the war the whole public debt could and would have been extinguished within a short period; and it was a part of my settled policy to do so, and thus relieve the people from its burden and place the Government in a position which would enable it to reduce the public expenditures to that economical standard which is most consistent with the general welfare and the pure and wholesome progress of our institutions. Among our just causes of complaint against Mexico arising out of her refusal to treat for peace, as well before as since the war so unjustly commenced on her part, are the extraordinary expenditures in which we have been involved. Justice to our own people will make it proper that Mexico should be held responsible for these expenditures. Economy in the public expenditures is at all times a high duty which all public functionaries of the Government owe to the people. This duty becomes the more imperative in a period of war, when large and extraordinary expenditures become unavoidable. During the existence of the war with Mexico all our resources should be husbanded, and no appropriations made except such as are absolutely necessary for its vigorous prosecution and the due administration of the Government. Objects of appropriation which in peace may be deemed useful or proper, but which are not indispensable for the public service, may when the country is engaged in a foreign war be well postponed to a future period. By the observance of this policy at your present session large amounts may be saved to the Treasury and be applied to objects of pressing and urgent necessity, and thus the creation of a corresponding amount of public debt may be avoided. It is not meant to recommend that the ordinary and necessary appropriations for the support of Government should be withheld; but it is well known that at every session of Congress appropriations are proposed for numerous objects which may or may not be made without materially affecting the public interests, and these it is recommended should not be granted. The act passed at your last session "reducing the duties on imports" not having gone into operation until the 1st of the present month, there has not been time for its practical effect upon the revenue and the business of the country to be developed. It is not doubted, however, that the just policy which it adopts will add largely to our foreign trade and promote the general prosperity. Although it can not be certainly foreseen what amount of revenue it will yield, it is estimated that it will exceed that produced by the act of 1842, which it superseded. The leading principles established by it are to levy the taxes with a view to raise revenue and to impose them upon the articles imported according to their actual value. The act of 1842, by the excessive rates of duty which it imposed on many articles, either totally excluded them from importation or greatly reduced the amount imported, and thus diminished instead of producing revenue. By it the taxes were imposed not for the legitimate purpose of raising revenue, but to afford advantages to favored classes at the expense of a large majority of their fellow-citizens. Those employed in agriculture, mechanical pursuits, commerce, and navigation were compelled to contribute from their substance to swell the profits and overgrown wealth of the comparatively few who had invested their capital in manufactures. The taxes were not levied in proportion to the value of the articles upon which they were imposed, but, widely departing from this just rule, the lighter taxes were in many cases levied upon articles of luxury and high price and the heavier taxes on those of necessity and low price, consumed by the great mass of the people. It was a system the inevitable effect of which was to relieve favored classes and the wealthy few from contributing their just proportion for the support of Government, and to lay the burden on the labor of the many engaged in other pursuits than manufactures. A system so unequal and unjust has been superseded by the existing law, which imposes duties not for the benefit or injury of classes or pursuits, but distributes and, as far as practicable, equalizes the public burdens among all classes and occupations. The favored classes who under the unequal and unjust system which has been repealed have heretofore realized large profits, and many of them amassed large fortunes at the expense of the many who have been made tributary to them, will have no reason to complain if they shall be required to bear their just proportion of the taxes necessary for the support of Government. So far from it, it will be perceived by an examination of the existing law that discriminations in the rates of duty imposed within the revenue principle have been retained in their favor. The incidental aid against foreign competition which they still enjoy gives them an advantage which no other pursuits possess, but of this none others will complain, because the duties levied are necessary for revenue. These revenue duties, including freights and charges, which the importer must pay before he can come in competition with the home manufacturer in our markets, amount on nearly all our leading branches of manufacture to more than one-third of the value of the imported article, and in some cases to almost one-half its value. With such advantages it is not doubted that our domestic manufacturers will continue to prosper, realizing in well-conducted establishments even greater profits than can be derived from any other regular business. Indeed, so far from requiring the protection of even incidental revenue duties, our manufacturers in several leading branches are extending their business, giving evidence of great ingenuity and skill and of their ability to compete, with increased prospect of success, for the open market of the world. Domestic manufactures to the value of several millions of dollars, which can not find a market at home, are annually exported to foreign countries. With such rates of duty as those established by the existing law the system will probably be permanent, and capitalists who are made or shall hereafter make their investments in manufactures will know upon what to rely. The country will be satisfied with these rates, because the advantages which the manufacturers still enjoy result necessarily from the collection of revenue for the support of Government. High protective duties, from their unjust operation upon the masses of the people, can not fail to give rise to extensive dissatisfaction and complaint and to constant efforts to change or repeal them, rendering all investments in manufactures uncertain and precarious. Lower and more permanent rates of duty, at the same time that they will yield to the manufacturer fair and remunerating profits, will secure him against the danger of frequent changes in the system, which can not fail to ruinously affect his interests. Simultaneously with the relaxation of the restrictive policy by the United States, Great Britain, from whose example we derived the system, has relaxed hers. She has modified her corn laws and reduced many other duties to moderate revenue rates. After ages of experience the statesmen of that country have been constrained by a stern necessity and by a public opinion having its deep foundation in the sufferings and wants of impoverished millions to abandon a system the effect of which was to build up immense fortunes in the hands of the few and to reduce the laboring millions to pauperism and misery. Nearly in the same ratio that labor was depressed capital was increased and concentrated by the British protective policy. The evils of the system in Great Britain were at length rendered intolerable, and it has been abandoned, but not without a severe struggle on the part of the protected and favored classes to retain the unjust advantages which they have so long enjoyed. It was to be expected that a similar struggle would be made by the same classes in the United States whenever an attempt was made to modify or abolish the same unjust system here. The protective policy had been in operation in the United States for a much shorter period, and its pernicious effects were not, therefore, so clearly perceived and felt. Enough, however, was known of these effects to induce its repeal. It would be strange if in the face of the example of Great Britain, our principal foreign customer, and of the evils of a system rendered manifest in that country by long and painful experience, and in the face of the immense advantages which under a more liberal commercial policy we are already deriving, and must continue to derive, by supplying her starving population with food, the United States should restore a policy which she has been compelled to abandon, and thus diminish her ability to purchase from us the food and other articles which she so much needs and we so much desire to sell. By the simultaneous abandonment of the protective policy by Great Britain and the United States new and important markets have already been opened for our agricultural and other products, commerce and navigation have received a new impulse, labor and trade have been released from the artificial trammels which have so long fettered them, and to a great extent reciprocity in the exchange of commodities has been introduced at the same time by both countries, and greatly for the benefit of both. Great Britain has been forced by the pressure of circumstances at home to abandon a policy which has been upheld for ages, and to open her markets for our immense surplus of breadstuffs, and it is confidently believed that other powers of Europe will ultimately see the wisdom, if they be not compelled by the pauperism and sufferings of their crowded population, to pursue a similar policy. Our farmers are more deeply interested in maintaining the just and liberal policy of the existing law than any other class of our citizens. They constitute a large majority of our population, and it is well known that when they prosper all other pursuits prosper also. They have heretofore not only received none of the bounties or favors of Government, but by the unequal operations of the protective policy have been made by the burdens of taxation which it imposed to contribute to the bounties which have enriched others. When a foreign as well as a home market is opened to them, they must receive, as they are now receiving, increased prices for their products. They will find a readier sale, and at better prices, for their wheat, flour, rice, Indian corn, beef, pork, lard, butter, cheese, and other articles which they produce. The home market alone is inadequate to enable them to dispose of the immense surplus of food and other articles which they are capable of producing, even at the most reduced prices, for the manifest reason that they can not be consumed in the country. The United States can from their immense surplus supply not only the home demand, but the deficiencies of food required by the whole world. That the reduced production of some of the chief articles of food in Great Britain and other parts of Europe may have contributed to increase the demand for our breadstuffs and provisions is not doubted, but that the great and efficient cause of this increased demand and of increased prices consists in the removal of artificial restrictions heretofore imposed is deemed to be equally certain. That our exports of food, already increased and increasing beyond former example under the more liberal policy which has been adopted, will be still vastly enlarged unless they be checked or prevented by a restoration of the protective policy can not be doubted. That our commercial and navigating interests will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio with the increase of our trade is equally certain, while our manufacturing interests will still be the favored interests of the country and receive the incidental protection afforded them by revenue duties; and more than this they can not justly demand. In my annual message of December last a tariff of revenue duties based upon the principles of the existing law was recommended, and I have seen no reason to change the opinions then expressed. In view of the probable beneficial effects of that law, I recommend that the policy established by it be maintained. It has but just commenced to operate, and to abandon or modify it without giving it a fair trial would be inexpedient and unwise. Should defects in any of its details be ascertained by actual experience to exist, these may be hereafter corrected; but until such defects shall become manifest the act should be fairly tested. It is submitted for your consideration whether it may not be proper, as a war measure, to impose revenue duties on some of the articles now embraced in the free list. Should it be deemed proper to impose such duties with a view to raise revenue to meet the expenses of the war with Mexico or to avoid to that extent the creation of a public debt, they may be repealed when the emergency which gave rise to them shall cease to exist, and constitute no part of the permanent policy of the country. The act of the 6th of August last, "to provide for the better organization of the Treasury and for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue," has been carried into execution as rapidly as the delay necessarily arising out of the appointment of new officers, taking and approving their bonds, and preparing and securing proper places for the safe-keeping of the public money would permit. It is not proposed to depart in any respect from the principles or policy on which this great measure is rounded. There are, however, defects in the details of the measure, developed by its practical operation, which are fully set forth in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, to which the attention of Congress is invited. These defects would impair to some extent the successful operation of the law at all times, but are especially embarrassing when the country is engaged in a war, when the expenditures are greatly increased, when loans are to be effected and the disbursements are to be made at points many hundred miles distant, in some cases, from any depository, and a large portion of them in a foreign country. The modifications suggested in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury are recommended to your favorable consideration. In connection with this subject I invite your attention to the importance of establishing a branch of the Mint of the United States at New York. Two-thirds of the revenue derived from customs being collected at that point, the demand for specie to pay the duties will be large, and a branch mint where foreign coin and bullion could be immediately converted into American coin would greatly facilitate the transaction of the public business, enlarge the circulation of gold and silver, and be at the same time a safe depository of the public money. The importance of graduating and reducing the price of such of the public lands as have been long offered in the market at the minimum rate authorized by existing laws, and remain unsold, induces me again to recommend the subject to your favorable consideration. Many millions of acres of these lands have been offered in the market for more than thirty years and larger quantities for more than ten or twenty years, and, being of an inferior quality, they must remain unsalable for an indefinite period unless the price at which they may be purchased shall be reduced. To place a price upon them above their real value is not only to prevent their sale, and thereby deprive the Treasury of any income from that source, but is unjust to the States in which they lie, because it retards their growth and increase of population, and because they have no power to levy a tax upon them as upon other lands within their limits, held by other proprietors than the United States, for the support of their local governments. The beneficial effects of the graduation principle have been realized by some of the States owning the lands within their limits in which it has been adopted. They have been demonstrated also by the United States acting as the trustee of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians in the sale of their lands lying within the States of Mississippi and Alabama. The Chickasaw lands, which would not command in the market the minimum price established by the laws of the United States for the sale of their lands, were, in pursuance of the treaty of 1834 with that tribe, subsequently offered for sale at graduated and reduced rates for limited periods. The result was that large quantities of these lands were purchased which would otherwise have remained unsold. The lands were disposed of at their real value, and many persons of limited means were enabled to purchase small tracts, upon which they have settled with their families. That similar results would be produced by the adoption of the graduation policy by the United States in all the States in which they are the owners of large bodies of lands which have been long in the market can not be doubted. It can not be a sound policy to withhold large quantities of the public lands from the use and occupation of our citizens by fixing upon them prices which experience has shown they will not command. On the contrary, it is a wise policy to afford facilities to our citizens to become the owners at low and moderate rates of freeholds of their own instead of being the tenants and dependents of others. If it be apprehended that these lands if reduced in price would be secured in large quantities by speculators or capitalists, the sales may be restricted in limited quantities to actual settlers or persons purchasing for purposes of cultivation. In my last annual message I submitted for the consideration of Congress the present system of managing the mineral lands of the United States, and recommended that they should be brought into market and sold upon such terms and under such restrictions as Congress might prescribe. By the act of the 11th of July last "the reserved lead mines and contiguous lands in the States of Illinois and Arkansas and Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa" were authorized to be sold. The act is confined in its operation to "lead mines and contiguous lands." A large portion of the public lands, containing copper and other ores, is represented to be very valuable, and I recommend that provision be made authorizing the sale of these lands upon such terms and conditions as from their supposed value may in the judgment of Congress be deemed advisable, having due regard to the interests of such of our citizens as may be located upon them. It will be important during your present session to establish a Territorial government and to extend the jurisdiction and laws of the United States over the Territory of Oregon. Our laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east of the Rocky Mountains should be extended to the Pacific Ocean; and for the purpose of executing them and preserving friendly relations with the Indian tribes within our limits, an additional number of Indian agencies will be required, and should be authorized by law. The establishment of custom-houses and of post-offices and post-roads and provision for the transportation of the mail on such routes as the public convenience will suggest require legislative authority. It will be proper also to establish a surveyor-general's office in that Territory and to make the necessary provision for surveying the public lands and bringing them into market. As our citizens who now reside in that distant region have been subjected to many hardships, privations, and sacrifices in their emigration, and by their improvements have enhanced the value of the public lands in the neighborhood of their settlements, it is recommended that liberal grants be made to them ot such portions of these lands as they may occupy, and that similar grants or rights of preemption be made to all who may emigrate thither within a limited period, prescribed by law. The report of the Secretary of War contains detailed information relative to the several branches of the public service connected with that Department. The operations of the Army have been of a satisfactory and highly gratifying character. I recommend to your early and favorable consideration the measures proposed by the Secretary of War for speedily filling up the rank and file of the Regular Army, for its greater efficiency in the field, and for raising an additional force to serve during the war with Mexico. Embarrassment is likely to arise for want of legal provision authorizing compensation to be made to the agents employed in the several States and Territories to pay the Revolutionary and other pensioners the amounts allowed them by law. Your attention is invited to the recommendations of the Secretary of War on this subject. These agents incur heavy responsibilities and perform important duties, and no reason exists why they should not be placed on the same footing as to compensation with other disbursing officers. Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character. The unhappy dissensions which have existed among the Cherokees for many years past have been healed. Since my last annual message important treaties have been negotiated with some of the tribes, by which the Indian title to large tracts of valuable land within the limits of the States and Territories has been extinguished and arrangements made for removing them to the country west of the Mississippi. Between 3,000 and 4,000 of different tribes have been removed to the country provided for them by treaty stipulations, and arrangements have been made for others to follow. In our intercourse with the several tribes particular attention has been given to the important subject of education. The number of schools established among them has been increased, and additional means provided not only for teaching them the rudiments of education, but of instructing them in agriculture and the mechanic arts. I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Navy for a satisfactory view of the operations of the Department under his charge during the past year. It is gratifying to perceive that while the war with Mexico has rendered it necessary to employ an unusual number of our armed vessels on her coasts, the protection due to our commerce in other quarters of the world has not proved insufficient. No means will be spared to give efficiency to the naval service in the prosecution of the war; and I am happy to know that the officers and men anxiously desire to devote themselves to the service of their country in any enterprise, however difficult of execution. I recommend to your favorable consideration the proposition to add to each of our foreign squadrons an efficient sea steamer, and, as especially demanding attention, the establishment at Pensacola of the necessary means of repairing and refitting the vessels of the Navy employed in the Gulf of Mexico. There are other suggestions in the report which deserve and I doubt not will receive your consideration. The progress and condition of the mail service for the past year are fully presented in the report of the Postmaster-General. The revenue for the year ending on the 30th of June last amounted to $3,487,199, which is $802,642.45 less than that of the preceding year. The payments for that Department during the same time amounted to $4,084,297.22. Of this sum $597,097.80 have been drawn from the Treasury. The disbursements for the year were $236,434.77 less than those of the preceding year. While the disbursements have been thus diminished, the mail facilities have been enlarged by new mail routes of 5,739 miles, an increase of transportation of 1,764,145 miles, and the establishment of 418 new post-offices. Contractors, postmasters, and others engaged in this branch of the service have performed their duties with energy and faithfulness deserving commendation. For many interesting details connected with the operations of this establishment you are referred to the report of the Postmaster-General, and his suggestions for improving its revenues are recommended to your favorable consideration. I repeat the opinion expressed in my last annual message that the business of this Department should be so regulated that the revenues derived from it should be made to equal the expenditures, and it is believed that this may be done by proper modifications of the present laws, as suggested in the report of the Postmaster-General, without changing the present rates of postage. With full reliance upon the wisdom and patriotism of your deliberations, it will be my duty, as it will be my anxious desire, to cooperate with you in every constitutional effort to promote the welfare and maintain the honor of our common country.
In resuming your labors in the service of the people it is a subject of congratulation that there has been no period in our past history when all the elements of national prosperity have been so fully developed. Since your last session no afflicting dispensation has visited our country. General good health has prevailed, abundance has crowned the toil of the husbandman, and labor in all its branches is receiving an ample reward, while education, science, and the arts are rapidly enlarging the means of social happiness. The progress of our country in her career of greatness, not only in the vast extension of our territorial limits and the rapid increase of our population, but in resources and wealth and in the happy condition of our people, is without an example in the history of nations. As the wisdom, strength, and beneficence of our free institutions are unfolded, every day adds fresh motives to contentment and fresh incentives to patriotism. Our devout and sincere acknowledgments are due to the gracious Giver of All Good for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys. It is a source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the United States with all other nations, with a single exception, are of the most amicable character. Sincerely attached to the policy of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by this Government, I have anxiously desired to cultivate and cherish friendship and commerce with every foreign power. The spirit and habits of the American people are favorable to the maintenance of such international harmony. In adhering to this wise policy, a preliminary and paramount duty obviously consists in the protection of our national interests from encroachment or sacrifice and our national honor from reproach. These must be maintained at any hazard. They admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be scrupulously and constantly guarded. In their vigilant vindication collision and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice in all our foreign intercourse that, though steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we have given no just because of complaint to any nation and have enjoyed the blessings of peace for more than thirty years. From a policy so sacred to humanity and so salutary in its effects upon our political system we should never be induced voluntarily to depart. The existing war with Mexico was neither desired nor provoked by the United States. On the contrary, all honorable means were resorted to to avert it. After years of endurance of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our part, Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty stipulations and of every principle of justice recognized by civilized nations, commenced hostilities, and thus by her own act forced the war upon us. Long before the advance of our Army to the left bank of the Rio Grande we had ample because of war against Mexico, and had the United States resorted to this extremity we might have appealed to the whole civilized world for the justice of our because. I deem it to be my duty to present to you on the present occasion a condensed review of the injuries we had sustained, of the causes which led to the war, and of its progress since its commencement. This is rendered the more necessary because of the misapprehensions which have to some extent prevailed as to its origin and true character. The war has been represented as unjust and unnecessary and as one of aggression on our part upon a weak and injured enemy. Such erroneous views, though entertained by but few, have been widely and extensively circulated, not only at home, but have been spread throughout Mexico and the whole world. A more effectual means could not have been devised to encourage the enemy and protract the war than to advocate and adhere to their because, and thus give them "aid and comfort." It is a source of national pride and exultation that the great body of our people have thrown no such obstacles in the way of the Government in prosecuting the war successfully, but have shown themselves to be eminently patriotic and ready to vindicate their country's honor and interests at any sacrifice. The alacrity and promptness with which our volunteer forces rushed to the field on their country's call prove not only their patriotism, but their deep conviction that our because is just. The wrongs which we have suffered from Mexico almost ever since she became an independent power and the patient endurance with which we have borne them are without a parallel in the history of modern civilized nations. There is reason to believe that if these wrongs had been resented and resisted in the first instance the present war might have been avoided. One outrage, however, permitted to pass with impunity almost necessarily encouraged the perpetration of another, until at last Mexico seemed to attribute to weakness and indecision on our part a forbearance which was the offspring of magnanimity and of a sincere desire to preserve friendly relations with a sister republic. Scarcely had Mexico achieved her independence, which the United States were the first among the nations to acknowledge, when she commenced the system of insult and spoliation which she has ever since pursued. Our citizens engaged in lawful commerce were imprisoned, their vessels seized, and our flag insulted in her ports. If money was wanted, the lawless seizure and confiscation of our merchant vessels and their cargoes was a ready resource, and if to accomplish their purposes it became necessary to imprison the owners, captains, and crews, it was done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico in rapid succession, but still there was no change in this system of depredation. The Government of the United States made repeated reclamations on behalf of its citizens, but these were answered by the perpetration of new outrages. Promises of redress made by Mexico in the most solemn forms were postponed or evaded. The files and records of the Department of State contain conclusive proofs of numerous lawless acts perpetrated upon the property and persons of our citizens by Mexico, and of wanton insults to our national flag. The interposition of our Government to obtain redress was again and again invoked under circumstances which no nation ought to disregard. It was hoped that these outrages would cease and that Mexico would be restrained by the laws which regulate the conduct of civilized nations in their intercourse with each other after the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation of the 5th of April, 1831, was concluded between the two Republics; but this hope soon proved to be vain. The course of seizure and confiscation of the property of our citizens, the violation of their persons, and the insults to our flag pursued by Mexico previous to that time were scarcely suspended for even a brief period, although the treaty so clearly defines the rights and duties of the respective parties that it is impossible to misunderstand or mistake them. In less than seven years after the conclusion of that treaty our grievances had become so intolerable that in the opinion of President Jackson they should no longer be endured. In his message to Congress in February, 1837, he presented them to the consideration of that body, and declared that-- The length of time since some of the injuries have been committed, the repeated and unavailing applications for redress, the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the property and persons of our citizens, upon the officers and flag of the United States, independent of recent insults to this Government and people by the late extraordinary Mexican minister, would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate war. In a spirit of kindness and forbearance, however, he recommended reprisals as a milder mode of redress. He declared that war should not be used as a remedy "by just and generous nations, confiding in their strength for injuries committed, if it can be honorably avoided," and added: It has occurred to me that, considering the present embarrassed condition of that country, we should act with both wisdom and moderation by giving to Mexico one more opportunity to atone for the past before we take redress into our Own hands. To avoid all misconception on the part of Mexico, as well as to protect our own national character from reproach, this opportunity should be given with the avowed design and full preparation to take immediate satisfaction if it should not be obtained on a repetition of the demand for it. To this end I recommend that an act be passed authorizing reprisals, and the use of the naval force of the United States by the Executive against Mexico to enforce them, in the event of a refusal by the Mexican Government to come to an amicable adjustment of the matters in controversy between us upon another demand thereof made from on board out of our vessels of war on the coast of Mexico. Committees of both Houses of Congress, to which this message of the President was referred, fully sustained his views of the character of the wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico, and recommended that another demand for redress should be made before authorizing war or reprisals. The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, in their report, say: After such a demand, should prompt justice be refused by the Mexican Government, we may appeal to all nations, not only for the equity and moderation with which we shall have acted toward a sister republic, but for the necessity which will then compel us to seek redress for our wrongs, either by actual war or by reprisals. The subject will then be presented before Congress, at the commencement of the next session, in a clear and distinct form, and the committee can not doubt but that such measures will be immediately adopted as may be necessary to vindicate the honor of the country and insure ample reparation to our injured fellow-citizens. The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives made a similar recommendation. In their report they say that-- They fully concur with the President that ample because exists for taking redress into our own hands, and believe that we should be justified in the opinion of other nations for taking such a step. But they are willing to try the experiment of another demand, made in the most solemn form, upon the justice of the Mexican Government before any further proceedings are adopted. No difference of opinion upon the subject is believed to have existed in Congress at that time; the executive and legislative departments concurred; and yet such has been our forbearance and desire to preserve peace with Mexico that the wrongs of which we then complained, and which gave rise to these solemn proceedings, not only remain unredressed to this day, but additional causes of complaint of an aggravated character have ever since been accumulating. Shortly after these proceedings a special messenger was dispatched to Mexico to make a final demand for redress, and on the 20th of July, 1837, the demand was made. The reply of the Mexican Government bears date on the 29th of the same month, and contains assurances of the "anxious wish" of the Mexican Government "not to delay the moment of that final and equitable adjustment which is to terminate the existing difficulties between the two Governments;" that "nothing should be left undone which may contribute to the most speedy and equitable determination of the subjects which have so seriously engaged the attention of the American Government;" that the "Mexican Government would adopt as the only guides for its conduct the plainest principles of public right, the sacred obligations imposed by international law, and the religious faith of treaties," and that "whatever reason and justice may dictate respecting each case will be done." The assurance was further given that the decision of the Mexican Government upon each because of complaint for which redress had been demanded should be communicated to the Government of the United States by the Mexican minister at Washington. These solemn assurances in answer to our demand for redress were disregarded. By making them, however, Mexico obtained further delay. President Van Buren, in his annual message to Congress of the 5th of December, 1837, states that "although the larger number" of our demands for redress, "and many of them aggravated cases of personal wrongs, have been now for years before the Mexican Government, and some of the causes of national complaint, and those of the most offensive character, admitted of immediate, simple, and satisfactory replies, it is only within a few days past that any specific communication in answer to our last demand, made five months ago, has been received from the Mexican minister;" and that "for not one of our public complaints has satisfaction been given or offered, that but one of the cases of personal wrong has been favorably considered, and that but four cases of both descriptions out of all those formally presented and earnestly pressed have as yet been decided upon by the Mexican Government." President Van Buren, believing that it would be vain to make any further attempt to obtain redress by the ordinary means within the power of the Executive, communicated this opinion to Congress in the message referred to, in which he said: On a careful and deliberate examination of their contents of the correspondence with the Mexican Government], and considering the spirit manifested by the Mexican Government, it has become my painful duty to return the subject as it now stands to Congress, to whom it belongs to decide upon the time, the mode, and the measure of redress. Had the United States at that time adopted compulsory measures and taken redress into their own hands, all our difficulties with Mexico would probably have been long since adjusted and the existing war have been averted. Magnanimity and moderation on our part only had the effect to complicate these difficulties and render an amicable settlement of them the more embarrassing. That such measures of redress under similar provocations committed by any of the powerful nations of Europe would have been promptly resorted to by the United States can not be doubted. The national honor and the preservation of the national character throughout the world, as well as our own self-respect and the protection due to our own citizens, would have rendered such a resort indispensable. The history of no civilized nation in modern times has presented within so brief a period so many wanton attacks upon the honor of its flag and upon the property and persons of its citizens as had at that time been borne by the United States from the Mexican authorities and people. But Mexico was a sister republic on the North American continent, occupying a territory contiguous to our own, and was in a feeble and distracted condition, and these considerations, it is presumed, induced Congress to forbear still longer. Instead of taking redress into our own hands, a new negotiation was entered upon with fair promises on the part of Mexico, but with the real purpose, as the event has proved, of indefinitely postponing the reparation which we demanded, and which was so justly due. This negotiation, after more than a year's delay, resulted in the convention of the 11th of April, 1839, "for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States of America upon the Government of the Mexican Republic." The joint board of commissioners created by this convention to examine and decide upon these claims was not organized until the month of August, 1840, and under the terms of the convention they were to terminate their duties within eighteen months from that time. Four of the eighteen months were consumed in preliminary discussions on frivolous and dilatory points raised by the Mexican commissioners, and it was not until the month of December, 1840, that they commenced the examination of the claims of our citizens upon Mexico. Fourteen months only remained to examine and decide upon these numerous and complicated cases. In the month of February, 1842, the term of the commission expired, leaving many claims undisposed of for want of time. The claims which were allowed by the board and by the umpire authorized by the convention to decide in case of disagreement between the Mexican and American commissioners amounted to $2,026,139.68. There were pending before the umpire when the commission expired additional claims, which had been examined and awarded by the American commissioners and had not been allowed by the Mexican commissioners, amounting to $928,627.88, upon which he did not decide, alleging that his authority had ceased with the termination of the joint commission. Besides these claims, there were others of American citizens amounting to $3,336,837.05, which had been submitted to the board, and upon which they had not time to decide before their final adjournment. The sum of $2,026,139.68, which had been awarded to the claimants, was a liquidated and ascertained debt due by Mexico, about which there could be no dispute, and which she was bound to pay according to the terms of the convention. Soon after the final awards for this amount had been made the Mexican Government asked for a postponement of the time of making payment, alleging that it would be inconvenient to make the payment at the time stipulated. In the spirit of forbearing kindness toward a sister republic, which Mexico has so long abused, the United States promptly complied with her request. A second convention was accordingly concluded between the two Governments on the 30th of January, 1843, which upon its face declares that "this new arrangement is entered into for the accommodation of Mexico." By the terms of this convention all the interest due on the awards which had been made in favor of the claimants under the convention of the 11th of April, 1839, was to be paid to them on the 30th of April, 1843, and "the principal of the said awards and the interest accruing thereon" was stipulated to "be paid in five years, in equal installments every three months." Notwithstanding this new convention was entered into at the request of Mexico and for the purpose of relieving her from embarrassment, the claimants have only received the interest due on the 30th of April, 1843, and three of the twenty installments. Although the payment of the sum thus liquidated and confessedly due by Mexico to our citizens as indemnity for acknowledged acts of outrage and wrong was secured by treaty, the obligations of which are ever held sacred by all just nations, yet Mexico has violated this solemn engagement by failing and refusing to make the payment. The two installments due in April and July, 1844, under the peculiar circumstances connected with them, have been assumed by the United States and discharged to the claimants, but they are still due by Mexico. But this is not all of which we have just because of complaint. To provide a remedy for the claimants whose cases were not decided by the joint commission under the convention of April 11, 1839, it was expressly stipulated by the sixth article of the convention of the 30th of January, 1843, that-- A new convention shall be entered into for the settlement of all claims of the Government and citizens of the United States against the Republic of Mexico which were not finally decided by the late commission which met in the city of Washington, and of all claims of the Government and citizens of Mexico against the United States. In conformity with this stipulation, a third convention was concluded and signed at the city of Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, by the plenipotentiaries of the two Governments, by which provision was made for ascertaining and paying these claims. In January, 1844, this convention was ratified by the Senate of the United States with two amendments, which were manifestly reasonable in their character. Upon a reference of the amendments proposed to the Government of Mexico, the same evasions, difficulties, and delays were interposed which have so long marked the policy of that Government toward the United States. It has not even yet decided whether it would or would not accede to them, although the subject has been repeatedly pressed upon its consideration. Mexico has thus violated a second time the faith of treaties by failing or refusing to carry into effect the sixth article of the convention of January, 1843. Such is the history of the wrongs which we have suffered and patiently endured from Mexico through a long series of years. So far from affording reasonable satisfaction for the injuries and insults we had borne, a great aggravation of them consists in the fact that while the United States, anxious to preserve a good understanding with Mexico, have been constantly but vainly employed in seeking redress for past wrongs, new outrages were constantly occurring, which have continued to increase our causes of complaint and to swell the amount of our demands. While the citizens of the United States were conducting a lawful commerce with Mexico under the guaranty of a treaty of "amity, commerce, and navigation," many of them have suffered all the injuries which would have resulted from open war. This treaty, instead of affording protection to our citizens, has been the means of inviting them into the ports of Mexico that they might be, as they have been in numerous instances, plundered of their property and deprived of their personal liberty if they dared insist on their rights. Had the unlawful seizures of American property and the violation of the personal liberty of our citizens, to say nothing of the insults to our flag, which have occurred in the ports of Mexico taken place on the high seas, they would themselves long since have constituted a state of actual war between the two countries. In so long suffering Mexico to violate her most solemn treaty obligations, plunder our citizens of their property, and imprison their persons without affording them any redress we have failed to perform one of the first and highest duties which every government owes to its citizens, and the consequence has been that many of them have been reduced from a state of affluence to bankruptcy. The proud name of American citizen, which ought to protect all who bear it from insult and injury throughout the world, has afforded no such protection to our citizens in Mexico. We had ample because of war against Mexico long before the breaking out of hostilities; but even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands until Mexico herself became the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array and shedding the blood of our citizens. Such are the grave causes of complaint on the part of the United States against Mexico--causes which existed long before the annexation of Texas to the American Union; and yet, animated by the love of peace and a magnanimous moderation, we did not adopt those measures of redress which under such circumstances are the justified resort of injured nations. The annexation of Texas to the United States constituted no just because of offense to Mexico. The pretext that it did so is wholly inconsistent and irreconcilable with well-authenticated facts connected with the revolution by which Texas became independent of Mexico. That this may be the more manifest, it may be proper to advert to the causes and to the history of the principal events of that revolution. Texas constituted a portion of the ancient Province of Louisiana, ceded to the United States by France in the year 1803. In the year 1819 the United States, by the Florida treaty, ceded to Spain all that part of Louisiana within the present limits of Texas, and Mexico, by the revolution which separated her from Spain and rendered her an independent nation, succeeded to the rights of the mother country over this territory. In the year 1824 Mexico established a federal constitution, under which the Mexican Republic was composed of a number of sovereign States confederated together in a federal union similar to our own. Each of these States had its own executive, legislature, and judiciary, and for all except federal purposes was as independent of the General Government and that of the other States as is Pennsylvania or Virginia under our Constitution. Texas and Coahuila united and formed one of these Mexican States. The State constitution which they adopted, and which was approved by the Mexican Confederacy, asserted that they were "free and independent of the other Mexican United States and of every other power and dominion whatsoever," and proclaimed the great principle of human liberty that "the sovereignty of the state resides originally and essentially in the general mass of the individuals who compose it." To the Government under this constitution, as well as to that under the federal constitution, the people of Texas owed allegiance. Emigrants from foreign countries, including the United States, were invited by the colonization laws of the State and of the Federal Government to settle in Texas. Advantageous terms were offered to induce them to leave their own country and become Mexican citizens. This invitation was accepted by many of our citizens in the full faith that in their new home they would be governed by laws enacted by representatives elected by themselves, and that their lives, liberty, and property would be protected by constitutional guaranties similar to those which existed in the Republic they had left. Under a Government thus organized they continued until the year 1835, when a military revolution broke out in the City of Mexico which entirely subverted the federal and State constitutions and placed a military dictator at the head of the Government. By a sweeping decree of a Congress subservient to the will of the Dictator the several State constitutions were abolished and the States themselves converted into mere departments of the central Government. The people of Texas were unwilling to submit to this usurpation. Resistance to such tyranny became a high duty. Texas was fully absolved from all allegiance to the central Government of Mexico from the moment that Government had abolished her State constitution and in its place substituted an arbitrary and despotic central government. Such were the principal causes of the Texan revolution. The people of Texas at once determined upon resistance and flew to arms. In the midst of these important and exciting events, however, they did not omit to place their liberties upon a secure and permanent foundation. They elected members to a convention, who in the month of March, 1836, issued a formal declaration that their "political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign, and independent Republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations." They also adopted for their government a liberal republican constitution. About the same time Santa Anna, then the Dictator of Mexico, invaded Texas with a numerous army for the purpose of subduing her people and enforcing obedience to his arbitrary and despotic Government. On the 21st of April, 1836, he was met by the Texan citizen soldiers, and on that day was achieved by them the memorable victory of San Jacinto, by which they conquered their independence. Considering the numbers engaged on the respective sides, history does not record a more brilliant achievement. Santa Anna himself was among the captives. In the month of May, 1836, Santa Anna acknowledged by a treaty with the Texan authorities in the most solumn form "the full, entire, and perfect independence of the Republic of Texas." It is true he was then a prisoner of war, but it is equally true that he had failed to reconquer Texas, and had met with signal defeat; that his authority had not been revoked, and that by virtue of this treaty he obtained his personal release. By it hostilities were suspended, and the army which had invaded Texas under his command returned in pursuance of this arrangement unmolested to Mexico. From the day that the battle of San Jacinto was fought until the present hour Mexico has never possessed the power to reconquer Texas. In the language of the Secretary of State of the United States in a dispatch to our minister in Mexico under date of the 8th of July, 1842-- Mexico may have chosen to consider, and may still choose to consider, Texas as having been at all times since 1835, and as still continuing, a rebellious province; but the world has been obliged to take a very different view of the matter. From the time of the battle of San Jacinto, in April, 1836, to the present moment, Texas has exhibited the same external signs of national independence as Mexico herself, and with quite as much stability of government. Practically free and independent, acknowledged as a political sovereignty by the principal powers of the world, no hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven years, and Mexico herself refraining for all that period from any further attempt to reestablish her own authority over that territory, it can not but be surprising to find Mr. De Bocanegra the secretary of foreign affairs of Mexico] complaining that for that whole period citizens of the United States or its Government have been favoring the rebels of Texas and supplying them with vessels, ammunition, and money, as if the war for the reduction of the Province of Texas had been constantly prosecuted by Mexico, and her success prevented by these influences from abroad. In the same dispatch the Secretary of State affirms that-- Since 1837 the United States have regarded Texas as an independent sovereignty as much as Mexico, and that trade and commerce with citizens of a government at war with Mexico can not on that account be regarded as an intercourse by which assistance and succor are given to Mexican rebels. The whole current of Mr. De Bocanegra's remarks runs in the same direction, as if the independence of Texas had not been acknowledged. It has been acknowledged; it was acknowledged in 1837 against the remonstrance and protest of Mexico, and most of the acts of any importance of which Mr. De Bocanegra complains flow necessarily from that recognition. He speaks of Texas as still being "an integral part of the territory of the Mexican Republic," but he can not but understand that the United States do not so regard it. The real complaint of Mexico, therefore, is in substance neither more nor less than a complaint against the recognition of Texan independence. It may be thought rather late to repeat that complaint, and not quite just to confine it to the United States to the exemption of England, France, and Belgium, unless the United States, having been the first to acknowledge the independence of Mexico herself, are to be blamed for setting an example for the recognition of that of Texas. And he added that-- The Constitution, public treaties, and the laws oblige the President to regard Texas as an independent state, and its territory as no part of the territory of Mexico. Texas had been an independent state, with an organized government, defying the power of Mexico to overthrow or reconquer her, for more than ten years before Mexico commenced the present war against the United States. Texas had given such evidence to the world of her ability to maintain her separate existence as an independent nation that she had been formally recognized as such not only by the United States, but by several of the principal powers of Europe. These powers had entered into treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation with her. They had received and accredited her ministers and other diplomatic agents at their respective courts, and they had commissioned ministers and diplomatic agents on their part to the Government of Texas. If Mexico, notwithstanding all this and her utter inability to subdue or reconquer Texas, still stubbornly refused to recognize her as an independent nation, she was none the less so on that account. Mexico herself had been recognized as an independent nation by the United States and by other powers many years before Spain, of which before her revolution she had been a colony, would agree to recognize her as such; and yet Mexico was at that time in the estimation of the civilized world, and in fact, none the less an independent power because Spain still claimed her as a colony. If Spain had continued until the present period to assert that Mexico was one of her colonies in rebellion against her, this would not have made her so or changed the fact of her independent existence. Texas at the period of her annexation to the United States bore the same relation to Mexico that Mexico had borne to Spain for many years before Spain acknowledged her independence, with this important difference, that before the annexation of Texas to the United States was consummated Mexico herself, by a formal act of her Government, had acknowledged the independence of Texas as a nation. It is true that in the act of recognition she prescribed a condition which she had no power or authority to impose--that Texas should not annex herself to any other power--but this could not detract in any degree from the recognition which Mexico then made of her actual independence. Upon this plain statement of facts, it is absurd for Mexico to allege as a pretext for commencing hostilities against the United States that Texas is still a part of her territory. But there are those who, conceding all this to be true, assume the ground that the true western boundary of Texas is the Nueces instead of the Rio Grande, and that therefore in marching our Army to the east bank of the latter river we passed the Texan line and invaded the territory of Mexico. A simple statement of facts known to exist will conclusively refute such an assumption. Texas, as ceded to the United States by France in 1803, has been always claimed as extending west to the Rio Grande or Rio Bravo. This fact is established by the authority of our most eminent statesmen at a period when the question was as well, if not better, understood than it is at present. During Mr. Jefferson's Administration Messrs. Monroe and Pinckney, who had been sent on a special mission to Madrid, charged among other things with the adjustment of boundary between the two countries, in a note addressed to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs under date of the 28th of January, 1805, assert that the boundaries of Louisiana, as ceded to the United States by France, "are the river Perdido on the east and the river Bravo on the west," and they add that "the facts and principles which justify this conclusion are so satisfactory to our Government as to convince it that the United States have not a better right to the island of New Orleans under the cession referred to than they have to the whole district of territory which is above described." Down to the conclusion of the Florida treaty, in February, 1819, by which this territory was ceded to Spain, the United States asserted and maintained their territorial rights to this extent. In the month of June, 1818, during Mr. Monroe's Administration, information having been received that a number of foreign adventurers had landed at Galveston with the avowed purpose of forming a settlement in that vicinity, a special messenger was dispatched by the Government of the United States with instructions from the Secretary of State to warn them to desist, should they be found there, "or any other place north of the Rio Bravo, and within the territory claimed by the United States." He was instructed, should they be found in the country north of that river, to make known to them "the surprise with which the President has seen possession thus taken, without authority from the United States, of a place within their territorial limits, and upon which no lawful settlement can be made without their sanction." He was instructed to call upon them to "avow under what national authority they profess to act," and to give them due warning "that the place is within the United States, who will suffer no permanent settlement to be made there under any authority other than their own." As late as the 8th of July, 1842, the Secretary of State of the United States, in a note addressed to our minister in Mexico, maintains that by the Florida treaty of 1819 the territory as far west as the Rio Grande was confirmed to Spain. In that note he states that-- By the treaty of the 22d of February, 1819, between the United States and Spain, the Sabine was adopted as the line of boundary between the two powers. Up to that period no considerable colonization had been effected in Texas; but the territory between the Sabine and the Rio Grande being confirmed to Spain by the treaty, applications were made to that power for grants of land, and such grants or permissions of settlement were in fact made by the Spanish authorities in favor of citizens of the United States proposing to emigrate to Texas in numerous families before the declaration of independence by Mexico. The Texas which was ceded to Spain by the Florida treaty of 1819 embraced all the country now claimed by the State of Texas between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. The Republic of Texas always claimed this river as her western boundary, and in her treaty made with Santa Anna in May, 1836, he recognized it as such. By the constitution which Texas adopted in March, 1836, senatorial and representative districts were organized extending west of the Nueces. The Congress of Texas on the 19th of December, 1836, passed "An act to define the boundaries of the Republic of Texas," in which they declared the Rio Grande from its mouth to its source to be their boundary, and by the said act they extended their "civil and political jurisdiction" over the country up to that boundary. During a period of more than nine years which intervened between the adoption of her constitution and her annexation as one of the States of our Union Texas asserted and exercised many acts of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants west of the Nueces. She organized and defined the limits of counties extending to the Rio Grande; she established courts of justice and extended her judicial system over the territory; she established a custom-house and collected duties, and also post-offices and post-roads, in it; she established a land office and issued numerous grants for land within its limits; a senator and a representative residing in it were elected to the Congress of the Republic and served as such before the act of annexation took place. In both the Congress and convention of Texas which gave their assent to the terms of annexation to the United States proposed by our Congress were representatives residing west of the Nueces, who took part in the act of annexation itself. This was the Texas which by the act of our Congress of the 29th of December, 1845, was admitted as one of the States of our Union. That the Congress of the United States understood the State of Texas which they admitted into the Union to extend beyond the Nueces is apparent from the fact that on the 31st of December, 1845, only two days after the act of admission, they passed a law "to establish a collection district in the State of Texas," by which they created a port of delivery at Corpus Christi, situated west of the Nueces, and being the same point at which the Texas custom-house under the laws of that Republic had been located, and directed that a surveyor to collect the revenue should be appointed for that port by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. A surveyor was accordingly nominated, and confirmed by the Senate, and has been ever since in the performance of his duties. All these acts of the Republic of Texas and of our Congress preceded the orders for the advance of our Army to the east bank of the Rio Grande. Subsequently Congress passed an act "establishing certain post routes" extending west of the Nueces. The country west of that river now constitutes a part of one of the Congressional districts of Texas and is represented in the House of Representatives. The Senators from that State were chosen by a legislature in which the country west of that river was represented. In view of all these facts it is difficult to conceive upon what ground it can be maintained that in occupying the country west of the Nueces with our Army, with a view solely to its security and defense, we invaded the territory of Mexico. But it would have been still more difficult to justify the Executive, whose duty it is to see that the laws be faithfully executed, if in the face of all these proceedings, both of the Congress of Texas and of the United States, he had assumed the responsibility of yielding up the territory west of the Nueces to Mexico or of refusing to protect and defend this territory and its inhabitants, including Corpus Christi as well as the remainder of Texas, against the threatened Mexican invasion. But Mexico herself has never placed the war which she has waged upon the ground that our Army occupied the intermediate territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Her refuted pretension that Texas was not in fact an independent state, but a rebellious province, was obstinately persevered in, and her avowed purpose in commencing a war with the United States was to reconquer Texas and to restore Mexican authority over the whole territory--not to the Nueces only, but to the Sabine. In view of the proclaimed menaces of Mexico to this effect, I deemed it my duty, as a measure of precaution and defense, to order our Army to occupy a position on our frontier as a military post, from which our troops could best resist and repel any attempted invasion which Mexico might make. Our Army had occupied a position at Corpus Christi, west of the Nueces, as early as August, 1845, without complaint from any quarter. Had the Nueces been regarded as the true western boundary of Texas, that boundary had been passed by our Army many months before it advanced to the eastern bank of the Rio Grande. In my annual message of December last I informed Congress that upon the invitation of both the Congress and convention of Texas I had deemed it proper to order a strong squadron to the coasts of Mexico and to concentrate an efficient military force on the western frontier of Texas to protect and defend the inhabitants against the menaced invasion of Mexico. In that message I informed Congress that the moment the terms of annexation offered by the United States were accepted by Texas the latter became so far a part of our own country as to make it our duty to afford such protection and defense, and that for that purpose our squadron had been ordered to the Gulf and our Army to take a "position between the Nueces and the Del Norte" or Rio Grande and to "repel any invasion of the Texan territory which might be attempted by the Mexican forces." It was deemed proper to issue this order, because soon after the President of Texas, in April, 1845, had issued his proclamation convening the Congress of that Republic for the purpose of submitting to that body the terms of annexation proposed by the United States the Government of Mexico made serious threats of invading the Texan territory. These threats became more imposing as it became more apparent in the progress of the question that the people of Texas would decide in favor of accepting the terms of annexation, and finally they had assumed such a formidable character as induced both the Congress and convention of Texas to request that a military force should be sent by the United States into her territory for the purpose of protecting and defending her against the threatened invasion. It would have been a violation of good faith toward the people of Texas to have refused to afford the aid which they desired against a threatened invasion to which they had been exposed by their free determination to annex themselves to our Union in compliance with the overture made to them by the joint resolution of our Congress. Accordingly, a portion of the Army was ordered to advance into Texas. Corpus Christi was the position selected by General Taylor. He encamped at that place in August, 1845, and the Army remained in that position until the 11th of March, 1846, when it moved westward, and on the 28th of that month reached the east bank of the Rio Grande opposite to Matamoras. This movement was made in pursuance of orders from the War Department, issued on the 13th of January, 1846. Before these orders were issued the dispatch of our minister in Mexico transmitting the decision of the council of government of Mexico advising that he should not be received, and also the dispatch of our consul residing in the City of Mexico, the former bearing date on the 17th and the latter on the 18th of December, 1845, copies of both of which accompanied my message to Congress of the 11th of May last, were received at the Department of State. These communications rendered it highly probable, if not absolutely certain, that our minister would not be received by the Government of General Herrera. It was also well known that but little hope could be entertained of a different result from General Paredes in case the revolutionary movement which he was prosecuting should prove successful, as was highly probable. The partisans of Paredes, as our minister in the dispatch referred to states, breathed the fiercest hostility against the United States, denounced the proposed negotiation as treason, and openly called upon the troops and the people to put down the Government of Herrera by force. The reconquest of Texas and war with the United States were openly threatened. These were the circumstances existing when it was deemed proper to order the Army under the command of General Taylor to advance to the western frontier of Texas and occupy a position on or near the Rio Grande. The apprehensions of a contemplated Mexican invasion have been since fully justified by the event. The determination of Mexico to rush into hostilities with the United States was afterwards manifested from the whole tenor of the note of the Mexican minister of foreign affairs to our minister bearing date on the 12th of March, 1846. Paredes had then revolutionized the Government, and his minister, after referring to the resolution for the annexation of Texas which had been adopted by our Congress in March, 1845, proceeds to declare that-- A fact such as this, or, to speak with greater exactness, so notable an act of usurpation, created an imperious necessity that Mexico, for her own honor, should repel it with proper firmness and dignity. The supreme Government had beforehand declared that it would look upon such an act as a casus belli, and as a consequence of this declaration negotiation was by its very nature at an end, and war was the only recourse of the Mexican Government. It appears also that on the 4th of April following General Paredes, through his minister of war, issued orders to the Mexican general in command on the Texan frontier to "attack" our Army "by every means which war permits." To this General Paredes had been pledged to the army and people of Mexico during the military revolution which had brought him into power. On the 18th of April, 1846, General Paredes addressed a letter to the commander on that frontier in which he stated to him: "At the present date I suppose you, at the head of that valiant army, either fighting already or preparing for the operations of a campaign;" and, "Supposing you already on the theater of operations and with all the forces assembled, it is indispensable that hostilities be commenced, yourself taking the initiative against the enemy." The movement of our Army to the Rio Grande was made by the commanding general under positive orders to abstain from all aggressive acts toward Mexico or Mexican citizens, and to regard the relations between the two countries as peaceful unless Mexico should declare war or commit acts of hostility indicative of a state of war, and these orders he faithfully executed. Whilst occupying his position on the east bank of the Rio Grande, within the limits of Texas, then recently admitted as one of the States of our Union, the commanding general of the Mexican forces, who, in pursuance of the orders of his Government, had collected a large army on the opposite shore of the Rio Grande, crossed the river, invaded our territory, and commenced hostilities by attacking our forces. Thus, after all the injuries which we had received and borne from Mexico, and after she had insultingly rejected a minister sent to her on a mission of peace, and whom she had solemnly agreed to receive, she consummated her long course of outrage against our country by commencing an offensive war and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. The United States never attempted to acquire Texas by conquest. On the contrary, at an early period after the people of Texas had achieved their independence they sought to be annexed to the United States. At a general election in September, 1836, they decided with great unanimity in favor of "annexation," and in November following the Congress of the Republic authorized the appointment of a minister to bear their request to this Government. This Government, however, having remained neutral between Texas and Mexico during the war between them, and considering it due to the honor of our country and our fair fame among the nations of the earth that we should not at this early period consent to annexation, nor until it should be manifest to the whole world that the reconquest of Texas by Mexico was impossible, refused to accede to the overtures made by Texas. On the 12th of April, 1844, after more than seven years had elapsed since Texas had established her independence, a treaty was concluded for the annexation of that Republic to the United States, which was rejected by the Senate. Finally, on the 1st of March, 1845, Congress passed a joint resolution for annexing her to the United States upon certain preliminary conditions to which her assent was required. The solemnities which characterized the deliberations and conduct of the Government and people of Texas on the deeply interesting questions presented by these resolutions are known to the world. The Congress, the Executive, and the people of Texas, in a convention elected for that purpose, accepted with great unanimity the proposed terms of annexation, and thus consummated on her part the great act of restoring to our Federal Union a vast territory which had been ceded to Spain by the Florida treaty more than a quarter of a century before. After the joint resolution for the annexation of Texas to the United States had been passed by our Congress the Mexican minister at Washington addressed a note to the Secretary of State, bearing date on the 6th of March, 1845, protesting against it as "an act of aggression the most unjust which can be found recorded in the annals of modern history, namely, that of despoiling a friendly nation like Mexico of a considerable portion of her territory," and protesting against the resolution of annexation as being an act "whereby the Province of Texas, an integral portion of the Mexican territory, is agreed and admitted into the American Union;" and he announced that as a consequence his mission to the United States had terminated, and demanded his passports, which were granted. It was upon the absurd pretext, made by Mexico (herself indebted for her independence to a successful revolution), that the Republic of Texas still continued to be, notwithstanding all that had passed, a Province of Mexico that this step was taken by the Mexican minister. Every honorable effort has been used by me to avoid the war which followed, but all have proved vain. All our attempts to preserve peace have been met by insult and resistance on the part of Mexico. My efforts to this end commenced in the note of the Secretary of State of the 10th of March, 1845, in answer to that of the Mexican minister. Whilst declining to reopen a discussion which had already been exhausted, and proving again what was known to the whole world, that Texas had long since achieved her independence, the Secretary of State expressed the regret of this Government that Mexico should have taken offense at the resolution of annexation passed by Congress, and gave assurance that our "most strenuous efforts shall be devoted to the amicable adjustment of every because of complaint between the two Governments and to the cultivation of the kindest and most friendly relations between the sister Republics." That I have acted in the spirit of this assurance will appear from the events which have since occurred. Notwithstanding Mexico had abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse with the United States, and ought, therefore, to have been the first to ask for its resumption, yet, waiving all ceremony, I embraced the earliest favorable opportunity "to ascertain from the Mexican Government whether they would receive an envoy from the United States intrusted with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two Governments." In September, 1845, I believed the propitious moment for such an overture had arrived. Texas, by the enthusiastic and almost unanimous will of her people, had pronounced in favor of annexation. Mexico herself had agreed to acknowledge the independence of Texas, subject to a condition, it is true, which she had no right to impose and no power to enforce. The last lingering hope of Mexico, if she still could have retained any, that Texas would ever again become one of her Provinces, must have been abandoned. The consul of the United States at the City of Mexico was therefore instructed by the Secretary of State on the 15th of September, 1845, to make the inquiry of the Mexican Government. The inquiry was made, and on the 15th of October, 1845, the minister of foreign affairs of the Mexican Government, in a note addressed to our consul, gave a favorable response, requesting at the same time that our naval force might be withdrawn from Vera Cruz while negotiations should be pending. Upon the receipt of this note our naval force was promptly withdrawn from Vera Cruz. A minister was immediately appointed, and departed to Mexico. Everything bore a promising aspect for a speedy and peaceful adjustment of all our difficulties. At the date of my annual message to Congress in December last no doubt was entertained but that he would be received by the Mexican Government, and the hope was cherished that all because of misunderstanding between the two countries would be speedily removed. In the confident hope that such would be the result of his mission, I informed Congress that I forbore at that time to "recommend such ulterior measures of redress for the wrongs and injuries we had so long borne as it would have been proper to make had no such negotiation been instituted." To my surprise and regret the Mexican Government, though solemnly pledged to do so, upon the arrival of our minister in Mexico refused to receive and accredit him. When he reached Vera Cruz, on the 30th of November, 1845, he found that the aspect of affairs had undergone an unhappy change. The Government of General Herrera, who was at that time President of the Republic, was tottering to its fall. General Paredes, a military leader, had manifested his determination to overthrow the Government of Herrera by a military revolution, and one of the principal means which he employed to effect his purpose and render the Government of Herrera odious to the army and people of Mexico was by loudly condemning its determination to receive a minister of peace from the United States, alleging that it was the intention of Herrera, by a treaty with the United States, to dismember the territory of Mexico by ceding away the department of Texas. The Government of Herrera is believed to have been well disposed to a pacific adjustment of existing difficulties, but probably alarmed for its own security, and in order to ward off the danger of the revolution led by Paredes, violated its solemn agreement and refused to receive or accredit our minister; and this although informed that he had been invested with full power to adjust all questions in dispute between the two Governments. Among the frivolous pretexts for this refusal, the principal one was that our minister had not gone upon a special mission confined to the question of Texas alone, leaving all the outrages upon our flag and our citizens unredressed. The Mexican Government well knew that both our national honor and the protection due to our citizens imperatively required that the two questions of boundary and indemnity should be treated of together, as naturally and inseparably blended, and they ought to have seen that this course was best calculated to enable the United States to extend to them the most liberal justice. On the 30th of December, 1845, General Herrera resigned the Presidency and yielded up the Government to General Paredes without a struggle. Thus a revolution was accomplished solely by the army commanded by Paredes, and the supreme power in Mexico passed into the hands of a military usurper who was known to be bitterly hostile to the United States. Although the prospect of a pacific adjustment with the new Government was unpromising from the known hostility of its head to the United States, yet, determined that nothing should be left undone on our part to restore friendly relations between the two countries, our minister was instructed to present his credentials to the new Government and ask to be accredited by it in the diplomatic character in which he had been commissioned. These instructions he executed by his note of the 1st of March, 1846, addressed to the Mexican minister of foreign affairs, but his request was insultingly refused by that minister in his answer of the 12th of the same month. No alternative remained for our minister but to demand his passports and return to the United States. Thus was the extraordinary spectacle presented to the civilized world of a Government, in violation of its own express agreement, having twice rejected a minister of peace invested with full powers to adjust all the existing differences between the two countries in a manner just and honorable to both. I am not aware that modern history presents a parallel case in which in time of peace one nation has refused even to hear propositions from another for terminating existing difficulties between them. Scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties, even at a remote day, or of preserving peace with Mexico, could be cherished while Paredes remained at the head of the Government. He had acquired the supreme power by a military revolution and upon the most solemn pledges to wage war against the United States and to reconquer Texas, which he claimed as a revolted province of Mexico. He had denounced as guilty of treason all those Mexicans who considered Texas as no longer constituting a part of the territory of Mexico and who were friendly to the because of peace. The duration of the war which he waged against the United States was indefinite, because the end which he proposed of the reconquest of Texas was hopeless. Besides, there was good reason to believe from all his conduct that it was his intention to convert the Republic of Mexico into a monarchy and to call a foreign European prince to the throne. Preparatory to this end, he had during his short rule destroyed the liberty of the press, tolerating that portion of it only which openly advocated the establishment of a monarchy. The better to secure the success of his ultimate designs, he had by an arbitrary decree convoked a Congress, not to be elected by the free voice of the people, but to be chosen in a manner to make them subservient to his will and to give him absolute control over their deliberations. Under all these circumstances it was believed that any revolution in Mexico founded upon opposition to the ambitious projects of Paredes would tend to promote the because of peace as well as prevent any attempted European interference in the affairs of the North American continent, both objects of deep interest to the United States. Any such foreign interference, if attempted, must have been resisted by the United States. My views upon that subject were fully communicated to Congress in my last annual message. In any event, it was certain that no change whatever in the Government of Mexico which would deprive Paredes of power could be for the worse so far as the United States were concerned, while it was highly probable that any change must be for the better. This was the state of affairs existing when Congress, on the 13th of May last, recognized the existence of the war which had been commenced by the Government of Paredes; and it became an object of much importance, with a view to a speedy settlement of our difficulties and the restoration of an honorable peace, that Paredes should not retain power in Mexico. Before that time there were symptoms of a revolution in Mexico, favored, as it was understood to be, by the more liberal party, and especially by those who were opposed to foreign interference and to the monarchical form of government. Santa Anna was then in exile in Havana, having been expelled from power and banished from his country by a revolution which occurred in December, 1844; but it was known that he had still a considerable party in his favor in Mexico. It was also equally well known that no vigilance which could be exerted by our squadron would in all probability have prevented him from effecting a landing somewhere on the extensive Gulf coast of Mexico if he desired to return to his country. He had openly professed an entire change of policy, had expressed his regret that he had subverted the federal constitution of 1824, and avowed that he was now in favor of its restoration. He had publicly declared his hostility, in strongest terms, to the establishment of a monarchy and to European interference in the affairs of his country. Information to this effect had been received, from sources believed to be reliable, at the date of the recognition of the existence of the war by Congress, and was afterwards fully confirmed by the receipt of the dispatch of our consul in the City of Mexico, with the accompanying documents, which are herewith transmitted. Besides, it was reasonable to suppose that he must see the ruinous consequences to Mexico of a war with the United States, and that it would be his interest to favor peace. It was under these circumstances and upon these considerations that it was deemed expedient not to obstruct his return to Mexico should he attempt to do so. Our object was the restoration of peace, and, with that view, no reason was perceived why we should take part with Paredes and aid him by means of our blockade in preventing the return of his rival to Mexico. On the contrary, it was believed that the intestine divisions which ordinary sagacity could not but anticipate as the fruit of Santa Anna's return to Mexico, and his contest with Paredes, might strongly tend to produce a disposition with both parties to restore and preserve peace with the United States. Paredes was a soldier by profession and a monarchist in principle. He had but recently before been successful in a military revolution, by which he had obtained power. He was the sworn enemy of the United States, with which he had involved his country in the existing war. Santa Anna had been expelled from power by the army, was known to be in open hostility to Paredes, and publicly pledged against foreign intervention and the restoration of monarchy in Mexico. In view of these facts and circumstances it was that when orders were issued to the commander of our naval forces in the Gulf, on the 13th day of May last, the same day on which the existence of the war was recognized by Congress, to place the coasts of Mexico under blockade, he was directed not to obstruct the passage of Santa Anna to Mexico should he attempt to return. A revolution took place in Mexico in the early part of August following, by which the power of Paredes was overthrown, and he has since been banished from the country, and is now in exile. Shortly afterwards Santa Anna returned. It remains to be seen whether his return may not yet prove to be favorable to a pacific adjustment of the existing difficulties, it being manifestly his interest not to persevere in the prosecution of a war commenced by Paredes to accomplish a purpose so absurd as the reconquest of Texas to the Sabine. Had Paredes remained in power, it is morally certain that any pacific adjustment would have been hopeless. Upon the commencement of hostilities by Mexico against the United States the indignant spirit of the nation was at once aroused. Congress promptly responded to the expectations of the country, and by the act of the 13th of May last recognized the fact that war existed, by the act of Mexico, between the United States and that Republic, and granted the means necessary for its vigorous prosecution. Being involved in a war thus commenced by Mexico, and for the justice of which on our part we may confidently appeal to the whole world, I resolved to prosecute it with the utmost vigor. Accordingly the ports of Mexico on the Gulf and on the Pacific have been placed under blockade and her territory invaded at several important points. The reports from the Departments of War and of the Navy will inform you more in detail of the measures adopted in the emergency in which our country was placed and of the gratifying results which have been accomplished. The various columns of the Army have performed their duty under great disadvantages with the most distinguished skill and courage. The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma and of Monterey, won against greatly superior numbers and against most decided advantages in other respects on the part of the enemy, were brilliant in their execution, and entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the grateful thanks of their country. The nation deplores the loss of the brave officers and men who have gallantly fallen while vindicating and defending their country's rights and honor. It is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our volunteer citizen soldiers, who so promptly responded to their country's call, with an experience of the discipline of a camp of only a few weeks, have borne their part in the hard-fought battle of Monterey with a constancy and courage equal to that of veteran troops and worthy of the highest admiration. The privations of long marches through the enemy's country and through a wilderness have been borne without a murmur. By rapid movements the Province of New Mexico, with Santa Fe, its capital, has been captured without bloodshed. The Navy has cooperated with the Army and rendered important services; if not so brilliant, it is because the enemy had no force to meet them on their own element and because of the defenses which nature has interposed in the difficulties of the navigation on the Mexican coast. Our squadron in the Pacific, with the cooperation of a gallant officer of the Army and a small force hastily collected in that distant country, has acquired bloodless possession of the Californias, and the American flag has been raised at every important point in that Province. I congratulate you on the success which has thus attended our military and naval operations. In less than seven months after Mexico commenced hostilities, at a time selected by herself, we have taken possession of many of her principal ports, driven back and pursued her invading army, and acquired military possession of the Mexican Provinces of New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and the Californias, a territory larger in extent than that embraced in the original thirteen States of the Union, inhabited by a considerable population, and much of it more than 1,000 miles from the points at which we had to collect our forces and commence our movements. By the blockade the import and export trade of the enemy has been cut off. Well may the American people be proud of the energy and gallantry of our regular and volunteer officers and soldiers. The events of these few months afford a gratifying proof that our country can under any emergency confidently rely for the maintenance of her honor and the defense of her rights on an effective force, ready at all times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of home for the perils and privations of the camp. And though such a force may be for the time expensive, it is in the end economical, as the ability to command it removes the necessity of employing a large standing army in time of peace, and proves that our people love their institutions and are ever ready to defend and protect them. While the war was in a course of vigorous and successful prosecution, being still anxious to arrest its evils, and considering that after the brilliant victories of our arms on the 8th and 9th of May last the national honor could not be compromitted by it, another overture was made to Mexico, by my direction, on the 27th of July last to terminate hostilities by a peace just and honorable to both countries. On the 31st of August following the Mexican Government declined to accept this friendly overture, but referred it to the decision of a Mexican Congress to be assembled in the early part of the present month. I communicate to you herewith a copy of the letter of the Secretary of State proposing to reopen negotiations, of the answer of the Mexican Government, and of the reply thereto of the Secretary of State, The war will continue to be prosecuted with vigor as the best means of securing peace. It is hoped that the decision of the Mexican Congress, to which our last overture has been referred, may result in a speedy and honorable peace. With our experience, however, of the unreasonable course of the Mexican authorities, it is the part of wisdom not to relax in the energy of our military operations until the result is made known. In this view it is deemed important to hold military possession of all the Provinces which have been taken until a definitive treaty of peace shall have been concluded and ratified by the two countries. 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. By the laws of nations a conquered country is subject to be governed by the conqueror during his military possession and until there is either a treaty of peace or he shall voluntarily withdraw from it. The old civil government being necessarily superseded, it is the right and duty of the conqueror to secure his conquest and to provide for the maintenance of civil order and the rights of the inhabitants. This right has been exercised and this duty performed by our military and naval commanders by the establishment of temporary governments in some of the conquered Provinces of Mexico, assimilating them as far as practicable to the free institutions of our own country. In the Provinces of New Mexico and of the Californias little, if any, further resistance is apprehended from the inhabitants to the temporary governments which have thus, from the necessity of the case and according to the laws of war, been established. It may be proper to provide for the security of these important conquests by making an adequate appropriation for the purpose of erecting fortifications and defraying the expenses necessarily incident to the maintenance of our possession and authority over them. Near the close of your last session, for reasons communicated to Congress, I deemed it important as a measure for securing a speedy peace with Mexico, that a sum of money should be appropriated and placed in the power of the Executive, similar to that which had been made upon two former occasions during the Administration of President Jefferson. On the 26th of February, 1803, an appropriation of $2,000.000 was made and placed at the disposal of the President. Its object is well known. It was at that time in contemplation to acquire Louisiana from France, and it was intended to be applied as a part of the consideration which might be paid for that territory. On the 13th of February, 1806, the same sum was in like manner appropriated, with a view to the purchase of the Floridas from Spain. These appropriations were made to facilitate negotiations and as a means to enable the President to accomplish the important objects in view. Though it did not become necessary for the President to use these appropriations, yet a state of things might have arisen in which it would have been highly important for him to do so, and the wisdom of making them can not be doubted. It is believed that the measure recommended at your last session met with the approbation of decided majorities in both Houses of Congress. Indeed, in different forms, a bill making an appropriation of $2,000,000 passed each House, and it is much to be regretted that it did not become a law. The reasons which induced me to recommend the measure at that time still exist, and I again submit the subject for your consideration and suggest the importance of early action upon it. Should the appropriation be made and be not needed, it will remain in the Treasury; should it be deemed proper to apply it in whole or in part, it will be accounted for as other public expenditures. Immediately after Congress had recognized the existence of the war with Mexico my attention was directed to the danger that privateers might be fitted out in the ports of Cuba and Porto Rico to prey upon the commerce of the United States, and I invited the special attention of the Spanish Government to the fourteenth article of our treaty with that power of the 27th of October, 1795, under which the citizens and subjects of either nation who shall take commissions or letters of marque to act as privateers against the other "shall be punished as pirates." It affords me pleasure to inform you that I have received assurances from the Spanish Government that this article of the treaty shall be faithfully observed on its part. Orders for this purpose were immediately transmitted from that Government to the authorities of Cuba and Porto Rico to exert their utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts to fit out privateers in those islands against the United States. From the good faith of Spain I am fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in its spirit as well as its letter, whilst the United States will on their part faithfully perform all the obligations which it imposes on them. Information has been recently received at the Department of State that the Mexican Government has sent to Havana blank commissions to privateers and blank certificates of naturalization signed by General Salas, the present head of the Mexican Government. There is also reason to apprehend that similar documents have been transmitted to other parts of the world. Copies of these papers, in translation, are herewith transmitted. As the preliminaries required by the practice of civilized nations for commissioning privateers and regulating their conduct appear not to have been observed, and as these commissions are in blank, to be filled up with the names of citizens and subjects of all nations who may be willing to purchase them, the whole proceeding can only be construed as an invitation to all the freebooters upon earth who are willing to pay for the privilege to cruise against American commerce. It will be for our courts of justice to decide whether under such circumstances these Mexican letters of marque and reprisal shall protect those who accept them, and commit robberies upon the high seas under their authority, from the pains and penalties of piracy. If the certificates of naturalization thus granted be intended by Mexico to shield Spanish subjects from the guilt and punishment of pirates under our treaty with Spain, they will certainly prove unavailing. Such a subterfuge would be but a weak device to defeat the provisions of a solemn treaty. I recommend that Congress should immediately provide by law for the trial and punishment as pirates of Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigilance of their Government, shall be found guilty of privateering against the United States. I do not apprehend serious danger from these privateers. Our Navy will be constantly on the alert to protect our commerce. Besides, in case prizes should be made of American vessels, the utmost vigilance will be exerted by our blockading squadron to prevent the captors from taking them into Mexican ports, and it is not apprehended that any nation will violate its neutrality by suffering such prizes to be condemned and sold within its jurisdiction. I recommend that Congress should immediately provide by law for granting letters of marque and reprisal against vessels under the Mexican flag. It is true that there are but few, if any, commercial vessels of Mexico upon the high seas, and it is therefore not probable that many American privateers would be fitted out in case a law should pass authorizing this mode of warfare. It is, notwithstanding, certain that such privateers may render good service to the commercial interests of the country by recapturing our merchant ships should any be taken by armed vessels under the Mexican flag, as well as by capturing these vessels themselves. Every means within our power should be rendered available for the protection of our commerce. The annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit a detailed statement of the condition of the finances. The imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last were of the value of $121,691,797, of which the amount exported was $11,346,623, leaving the amount retained in the country for domestic consumption $110,345,174. The value of the exports for the same period was $113,488,516, of which $102,141,893 consisted of domestic productions and $11,346,623 of foreign articles. The receipts into the Treasury for the same year were $29,499,247.06, of which there was derived from customs $26,712,667.87, from the sales of public lands $2,694,452.48, and from incidental and miscellaneous sources $92,126.71. The expenditures for the same period were $28,031,114.20, and the balance in the Treasury on the 1st day of July last was $9,126,439. 08. The amount of the public debt, including Treasury notes, on the 1st of the present month was $24,256,494.60, of which the sum of $17,788,799.62 was outstanding on the 4th of March, 1845, leaving the amount incurred since that time $6,467,694.98. In order to prosecute the war with Mexico with vigor and energy, as the best means of bringing it to a speedy and honorable termination, a further loan will be necessary to meet the expenditures for the present and the next fiscal year. If the war should be continued until the 30th of June, 1848, being the end of the next fiscal year, it is estimated that an additional loan of $23,000,000 will be required. This estimate is made upon the assumption that it will be necessary to retain constantly in the Treasury $4,000,000 to guard against contingencies. If such surplus were not required to be retained, then a loan of $19,000,000 would be sufficient. If, however, Congress should at the present session impose a revenue duty on the principal articles now embraced in the free list, it is estimated that an additional annual revenue of about two millions and a half, amounting, it is estimated, on the 30th of June, 1848, to $4,000,000, would be derived from that source, and the loan required would be reduced by that amount. It is estimated also that should Congress graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have been long in the market the additional revenue derived from that source would be annually, for several years to come, between half a million and a million dollars; and the loan required may be reduced by that amount also. Should these measures be adopted, the loan required would not probably exceed $18,000,000 or $19,000,000, leaving in the Treasury a constant surplus of $4,000,000. The loan proposed, it is estimated, will be sufficient to cover the necessary expenditures both for the war and for all other purposes up to the 30th of June, 1848, and an amount of this loan not exceeding one-half may be required during the present fiscal year, and the greater part of the remainder during the first half of the fiscal year succeeding. In order that timely notice may be given and proper measures taken to effect the loan, or such portion of it as may be required, it is important that the authority of Congress to make it be given at an early period of your present session. It is suggested that the loan should be contracted for a period of twenty years, with authority to purchase the stock and pay it off at an earlier period at its market value out of any surplus which may at any time be in the Treasury applicable to that purpose. After the establishment of peace with Mexico, it is supposed that a considerable surplus will exist, and that the debt may be extinguished in a much shorter period than that for which it may be contracted. The period of twenty years, as that for which the proposed loan may be contracted, in preference to a shorter period, is suggested, because all experience, both at home and abroad, has shown that loans are effected upon much better terms upon long time than when they are reimbursable at short dates. Necessary as this measure is to sustain the honor and the interests of the country engaged in a foreign war, it is not doubted but that Congress will promptly authorize it. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st July last exceeded $9,000,000, notwithstanding considerable expenditures had been made for the war during the months of May and June preceding. But for the war the whole public debt could and would have been extinguished within a short period; and it was a part of my settled policy to do so, and thus relieve the people from its burden and place the Government in a position which would enable it to reduce the public expenditures to that economical standard which is most consistent with the general welfare and the pure and wholesome progress of our institutions. Among our just causes of complaint against Mexico arising out of her refusal to treat for peace, as well before as since the war so unjustly commenced on her part, are the extraordinary expenditures in which we have been involved. Justice to our own people will make it proper that Mexico should be held responsible for these expenditures. Economy in the public expenditures is at all times a high duty which all public functionaries of the Government owe to the people. This duty becomes the more imperative in a period of war, when large and extraordinary expenditures become unavoidable. During the existence of the war with Mexico all our resources should be husbanded, and no appropriations made except such as are absolutely necessary for its vigorous prosecution and the due administration of the Government. Objects of appropriation which in peace may be deemed useful or proper, but which are not indispensable for the public service, may when the country is engaged in a foreign war be well postponed to a future period. By the observance of this policy at your present session large amounts may be saved to the Treasury and be applied to objects of pressing and urgent necessity, and thus the creation of a corresponding amount of public debt may be avoided. It is not meant to recommend that the ordinary and necessary appropriations for the support of Government should be withheld; but it is well known that at every session of Congress appropriations are proposed for numerous objects which may or may not be made without materially affecting the public interests, and these it is recommended should not be granted. The act passed at your last session "reducing the duties on imports" not having gone into operation until the 1st of the present month, there has not been time for its practical effect upon the revenue and the business of the country to be developed. It is not doubted, however, that the just policy which it adopts will add largely to our foreign trade and promote the general prosperity. Although it can not be certainly foreseen what amount of revenue it will yield, it is estimated that it will exceed that produced by the act of 1842, which it superseded. The leading principles established by it are to levy the taxes with a view to raise revenue and to impose them upon the articles imported according to their actual value. The act of 1842, by the excessive rates of duty which it imposed on many articles, either totally excluded them from importation or greatly reduced the amount imported, and thus diminished instead of producing revenue. By it the taxes were imposed not for the legitimate purpose of raising revenue, but to afford advantages to favored classes at the expense of a large majority of their fellow-citizens. Those employed in agriculture, mechanical pursuits, commerce, and navigation were compelled to contribute from their substance to swell the profits and overgrown wealth of the comparatively few who had invested their capital in manufactures. The taxes were not levied in proportion to the value of the articles upon which they were imposed, but, widely departing from this just rule, the lighter taxes were in many cases levied upon articles of luxury and high price and the heavier taxes on those of necessity and low price, consumed by the great mass of the people. It was a system the inevitable effect of which was to relieve favored classes and the wealthy few from contributing their just proportion for the support of Government, and to lay the burden on the labor of the many engaged in other pursuits than manufactures. A system so unequal and unjust has been superseded by the existing law, which imposes duties not for the benefit or injury of classes or pursuits, but distributes and, as far as practicable, equalizes the public burdens among all classes and occupations. The favored classes who under the unequal and unjust system which has been repealed have heretofore realized large profits, and many of them amassed large fortunes at the expense of the many who have been made tributary to them, will have no reason to complain if they shall be required to bear their just proportion of the taxes necessary for the support of Government. So far from it, it will be perceived by an examination of the existing law that discriminations in the rates of duty imposed within the revenue principle have been retained in their favor. The incidental aid against foreign competition which they still enjoy gives them an advantage which no other pursuits possess, but of this none others will complain, because the duties levied are necessary for revenue. These revenue duties, including freights and charges, which the importer must pay before he can come in competition with the home manufacturer in our markets, amount on nearly all our leading branches of manufacture to more than one-third of the value of the imported article, and in some cases to almost one-half its value. With such advantages it is not doubted that our domestic manufacturers will continue to prosper, realizing in well-conducted establishments even greater profits than can be derived from any other regular business. Indeed, so far from requiring the protection of even incidental revenue duties, our manufacturers in several leading branches are extending their business, giving evidence of great ingenuity and skill and of their ability to compete, with increased prospect of success, for the open market of the world. Domestic manufactures to the value of several millions of dollars, which can not find a market at home, are annually exported to foreign countries. With such rates of duty as those established by the existing law the system will probably be permanent, and capitalists who are made or shall hereafter make their investments in manufactures will know upon what to rely. The country will be satisfied with these rates, because the advantages which the manufacturers still enjoy result necessarily from the collection of revenue for the support of Government. High protective duties, from their unjust operation upon the masses of the people, can not fail to give rise to extensive dissatisfaction and complaint and to constant efforts to change or repeal them, rendering all investments in manufactures uncertain and precarious. Lower and more permanent rates of duty, at the same time that they will yield to the manufacturer fair and remunerating profits, will secure him against the danger of frequent changes in the system, which can not fail to ruinously affect his interests. Simultaneously with the relaxation of the restrictive policy by the United States, Great Britain, from whose example we derived the system, has relaxed hers. She has modified her corn laws and reduced many other duties to moderate revenue rates. After ages of experience the statesmen of that country have been constrained by a stern necessity and by a public opinion having its deep foundation in the sufferings and wants of impoverished millions to abandon a system the effect of which was to build up immense fortunes in the hands of the few and to reduce the laboring millions to pauperism and misery. Nearly in the same ratio that labor was depressed capital was increased and concentrated by the British protective policy. The evils of the system in Great Britain were at length rendered intolerable, and it has been abandoned, but not without a severe struggle on the part of the protected and favored classes to retain the unjust advantages which they have so long enjoyed. It was to be expected that a similar struggle would be made by the same classes in the United States whenever an attempt was made to modify or abolish the same unjust system here. The protective policy had been in operation in the United States for a much shorter period, and its pernicious effects were not, therefore, so clearly perceived and felt. Enough, however, was known of these effects to induce its repeal. It would be strange if in the face of the example of Great Britain, our principal foreign customer, and of the evils of a system rendered manifest in that country by long and painful experience, and in the face of the immense advantages which under a more liberal commercial policy we are already deriving, and must continue to derive, by supplying her starving population with food, the United States should restore a policy which she has been compelled to abandon, and thus diminish her ability to purchase from us the food and other articles which she so much needs and we so much desire to sell. By the simultaneous abandonment of the protective policy by Great Britain and the United States new and important markets have already been opened for our agricultural and other products, commerce and navigation have received a new impulse, labor and trade have been released from the artificial trammels which have so long fettered them, and to a great extent reciprocity in the exchange of commodities has been introduced at the same time by both countries, and greatly for the benefit of both. Great Britain has been forced by the pressure of circumstances at home to abandon a policy which has been upheld for ages, and to open her markets for our immense surplus of breadstuffs, and it is confidently believed that other powers of Europe will ultimately see the wisdom, if they be not compelled by the pauperism and sufferings of their crowded population, to pursue a similar policy. Our farmers are more deeply interested in maintaining the just and liberal policy of the existing law than any other class of our citizens. They constitute a large majority of our population, and it is well known that when they prosper all other pursuits prosper also. They have heretofore not only received none of the bounties or favors of Government, but by the unequal operations of the protective policy have been made by the burdens of taxation which it imposed to contribute to the bounties which have enriched others. When a foreign as well as a home market is opened to them, they must receive, as they are now receiving, increased prices for their products. They will find a readier sale, and at better prices, for their wheat, flour, rice, Indian corn, beef, pork, lard, butter, cheese, and other articles which they produce. The home market alone is inadequate to enable them to dispose of the immense surplus of food and other articles which they are capable of producing, even at the most reduced prices, for the manifest reason that they can not be consumed in the country. The United States can from their immense surplus supply not only the home demand, but the deficiencies of food required by the whole world. That the reduced production of some of the chief articles of food in Great Britain and other parts of Europe may have contributed to increase the demand for our breadstuffs and provisions is not doubted, but that the great and efficient because of this increased demand and of increased prices consists in the removal of artificial restrictions heretofore imposed is deemed to be equally certain. That our exports of food, already increased and increasing beyond former example under the more liberal policy which has been adopted, will be still vastly enlarged unless they be checked or prevented by a restoration of the protective policy can not be doubted. That our commercial and navigating interests will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio with the increase of our trade is equally certain, while our manufacturing interests will still be the favored interests of the country and receive the incidental protection afforded them by revenue duties; and more than this they can not justly demand. In my annual message of December last a tariff of revenue duties based upon the principles of the existing law was recommended, and I have seen no reason to change the opinions then expressed. In view of the probable beneficial effects of that law, I recommend that the policy established by it be maintained. It has but just commenced to operate, and to abandon or modify it without giving it a fair trial would be inexpedient and unwise. Should defects in any of its details be ascertained by actual experience to exist, these may be hereafter corrected; but until such defects shall become manifest the act should be fairly tested. It is submitted for your consideration whether it may not be proper, as a war measure, to impose revenue duties on some of the articles now embraced in the free list. Should it be deemed proper to impose such duties with a view to raise revenue to meet the expenses of the war with Mexico or to avoid to that extent the creation of a public debt, they may be repealed when the emergency which gave rise to them shall cease to exist, and constitute no part of the permanent policy of the country. The act of the 6th of August last, "to provide for the better organization of the Treasury and for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue," has been carried into execution as rapidly as the delay necessarily arising out of the appointment of new officers, taking and approving their bonds, and preparing and securing proper places for the safe-keeping of the public money would permit. It is not proposed to depart in any respect from the principles or policy on which this great measure is rounded. There are, however, defects in the details of the measure, developed by its practical operation, which are fully set forth in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, to which the attention of Congress is invited. These defects would impair to some extent the successful operation of the law at all times, but are especially embarrassing when the country is engaged in a war, when the expenditures are greatly increased, when loans are to be effected and the disbursements are to be made at points many hundred miles distant, in some cases, from any depository, and a large portion of them in a foreign country. The modifications suggested in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury are recommended to your favorable consideration. In connection with this subject I invite your attention to the importance of establishing a branch of the Mint of the United States at New York. Two-thirds of the revenue derived from customs being collected at that point, the demand for specie to pay the duties will be large, and a branch mint where foreign coin and bullion could be immediately converted into American coin would greatly facilitate the transaction of the public business, enlarge the circulation of gold and silver, and be at the same time a safe depository of the public money. The importance of graduating and reducing the price of such of the public lands as have been long offered in the market at the minimum rate authorized by existing laws, and remain unsold, induces me again to recommend the subject to your favorable consideration. Many millions of acres of these lands have been offered in the market for more than thirty years and larger quantities for more than ten or twenty years, and, being of an inferior quality, they must remain unsalable for an indefinite period unless the price at which they may be purchased shall be reduced. To place a price upon them above their real value is not only to prevent their sale, and thereby deprive the Treasury of any income from that source, but is unjust to the States in which they lie, because it retards their growth and increase of population, and because they have no power to levy a tax upon them as upon other lands within their limits, held by other proprietors than the United States, for the support of their local governments. The beneficial effects of the graduation principle have been realized by some of the States owning the lands within their limits in which it has been adopted. They have been demonstrated also by the United States acting as the trustee of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians in the sale of their lands lying within the States of Mississippi and Alabama. The Chickasaw lands, which would not command in the market the minimum price established by the laws of the United States for the sale of their lands, were, in pursuance of the treaty of 1834 with that tribe, subsequently offered for sale at graduated and reduced rates for limited periods. The result was that large quantities of these lands were purchased which would otherwise have remained unsold. The lands were disposed of at their real value, and many persons of limited means were enabled to purchase small tracts, upon which they have settled with their families. That similar results would be produced by the adoption of the graduation policy by the United States in all the States in which they are the owners of large bodies of lands which have been long in the market can not be doubted. It can not be a sound policy to withhold large quantities of the public lands from the use and occupation of our citizens by fixing upon them prices which experience has shown they will not command. On the contrary, it is a wise policy to afford facilities to our citizens to become the owners at low and moderate rates of freeholds of their own instead of being the tenants and dependents of others. If it be apprehended that these lands if reduced in price would be secured in large quantities by speculators or capitalists, the sales may be restricted in limited quantities to actual settlers or persons purchasing for purposes of cultivation. In my last annual message I submitted for the consideration of Congress the present system of managing the mineral lands of the United States, and recommended that they should be brought into market and sold upon such terms and under such restrictions as Congress might prescribe. By the act of the 11th of July last "the reserved lead mines and contiguous lands in the States of Illinois and Arkansas and Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa" were authorized to be sold. The act is confined in its operation to "lead mines and contiguous lands." A large portion of the public lands, containing copper and other ores, is represented to be very valuable, and I recommend that provision be made authorizing the sale of these lands upon such terms and conditions as from their supposed value may in the judgment of Congress be deemed advisable, having due regard to the interests of such of our citizens as may be located upon them. It will be important during your present session to establish a Territorial government and to extend the jurisdiction and laws of the United States over the Territory of Oregon. Our laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes east of the Rocky Mountains should be extended to the Pacific Ocean; and for the purpose of executing them and preserving friendly relations with the Indian tribes within our limits, an additional number of Indian agencies will be required, and should be authorized by law. The establishment of custom-houses and of post-offices and post-roads and provision for the transportation of the mail on such routes as the public convenience will suggest require legislative authority. It will be proper also to establish a surveyor-general's office in that Territory and to make the necessary provision for surveying the public lands and bringing them into market. As our citizens who now reside in that distant region have been subjected to many hardships, privations, and sacrifices in their emigration, and by their improvements have enhanced the value of the public lands in the neighborhood of their settlements, it is recommended that liberal grants be made to them ot such portions of these lands as they may occupy, and that similar grants or rights of preemption be made to all who may emigrate thither within a limited period, prescribed by law. The report of the Secretary of War contains detailed information relative to the several branches of the public service connected with that Department. The operations of the Army have been of a satisfactory and highly gratifying character. I recommend to your early and favorable consideration the measures proposed by the Secretary of War for speedily filling up the rank and file of the Regular Army, for its greater efficiency in the field, and for raising an additional force to serve during the war with Mexico. Embarrassment is likely to arise for want of legal provision authorizing compensation to be made to the agents employed in the several States and Territories to pay the Revolutionary and other pensioners the amounts allowed them by law. Your attention is invited to the recommendations of the Secretary of War on this subject. These agents incur heavy responsibilities and perform important duties, and no reason exists why they should not be placed on the same footing as to compensation with other disbursing officers. Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character. The unhappy dissensions which have existed among the Cherokees for many years past have been healed. Since my last annual message important treaties have been negotiated with some of the tribes, by which the Indian title to large tracts of valuable land within the limits of the States and Territories has been extinguished and arrangements made for removing them to the country west of the Mississippi. Between 3,000 and 4,000 of different tribes have been removed to the country provided for them by treaty stipulations, and arrangements have been made for others to follow. In our intercourse with the several tribes particular attention has been given to the important subject of education. The number of schools established among them has been increased, and additional means provided not only for teaching them the rudiments of education, but of instructing them in agriculture and the mechanic arts. I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Navy for a satisfactory view of the operations of the Department under his charge during the past year. It is gratifying to perceive that while the war with Mexico has rendered it necessary to employ an unusual number of our armed vessels on her coasts, the protection due to our commerce in other quarters of the world has not proved insufficient. No means will be spared to give efficiency to the naval service in the prosecution of the war; and I am happy to know that the officers and men anxiously desire to devote themselves to the service of their country in any enterprise, however difficult of execution. I recommend to your favorable consideration the proposition to add to each of our foreign squadrons an efficient sea steamer, and, as especially demanding attention, the establishment at Pensacola of the necessary means of repairing and refitting the vessels of the Navy employed in the Gulf of Mexico. There are other suggestions in the report which deserve and I doubt not will receive your consideration. The progress and condition of the mail service for the past year are fully presented in the report of the Postmaster-General. The revenue for the year ending on the 30th of June last amounted to $3,487,199, which is $802,642.45 less than that of the preceding year. The payments for that Department during the same time amounted to $4,084,297.22. Of this sum $597,097.80 have been drawn from the Treasury. The disbursements for the year were $236,434.77 less than those of the preceding year. While the disbursements have been thus diminished, the mail facilities have been enlarged by new mail routes of 5,739 miles, an increase of transportation of 1,764,145 miles, and the establishment of 418 new post-offices. Contractors, postmasters, and others engaged in this branch of the service have performed their duties with energy and faithfulness deserving commendation. For many interesting details connected with the operations of this establishment you are referred to the report of the Postmaster-General, and his suggestions for improving its revenues are recommended to your favorable consideration. I repeat the opinion expressed in my last annual message that the business of this Department should be so regulated that the revenues derived from it should be made to equal the expenditures, and it is believed that this may be done by proper modifications of the present laws, as suggested in the report of the Postmaster-General, without changing the present rates of postage. With full reliance upon the wisdom and patriotism of your deliberations, it will be my duty, as it will be my anxious desire, to cooperate with you in every constitutional effort to promote the welfare and maintain the honor of our common country.
in resuming your labors in the service of the people it is a subject of congratulation that there has been no period in our past history when all the elements of national prosperity have been so fully developed since your last session no afflicting dispensation has visited our country general good health has prevailed abundance has crowned the toil of the husbandman and labor in all its branches is receiving an ample reward while education science and the arts are rapidly enlarging the means of social happiness the progress of our country in her career of greatness not only in the vast extension of our territorial limits and the rapid increase of our population but in resources and wealth and in the happy condition of our people is without an example in the history of nations as the wisdom strength and beneficence of our free institutions are unfolded every day adds fresh motives to contentment and fresh incentives to patriotism our devout and sincere acknowledgments are due to the gracious giver of all good for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys it is a source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the united states with all other nations with a single exception are of the most amicable character sincerely attached to the policy of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by this government i have anxiously desired to cultivate and cherish friendship and commerce with every foreign power the spirit and habits of the american people are favorable to the maintenance of such international harmony in adhering to this wise policy a preliminary and paramount duty obviously consists in the protection of our national interests from encroachment or sacrifice and our national honor from reproach these must be maintained at any hazard they admit of no compromise or neglect and must be scrupulously and constantly guarded in their vigilant vindication collision and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes become unavoidable such has been our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice in all our foreign intercourse that though steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power we have given no just because of complaint to any nation and have enjoyed the blessings of peace for more than thirty years from a policy so sacred to humanity and so salutary in its effects upon our political system we should never be induced voluntarily to depart the existing war with mexico was neither desired nor provoked by the united states on the contrary all honorable means were resorted to to avert it after years of endurance of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our part mexico in violation of solemn treaty stipulations and of every principle of justice recognized by civilized nations commenced hostilities and thus by her own act forced the war upon us long before the advance of our army to the left bank of the rio grande we had ample because of war against mexico and had the united states resorted to this extremity we might have appealed to the whole civilized world for the justice of our because i deem it to be my duty to present to you on the present occasion a condensed review of the injuries we had sustained of the causes which led to the war and of its progress since its commencement this is rendered the more necessary because of the misapprehensions which have to some extent prevailed as to its origin and true character the war has been represented as unjust and unnecessary and as one of aggression on our part upon a weak and injured enemy such erroneous views though entertained by but few have been widely and extensively circulated not only at home but have been spread throughout mexico and the whole world a more effectual means could not have been devised to encourage the enemy and protract the war than to advocate and adhere to their because and thus give them aid and comfort it is a source of national pride and exultation that the great body of our people have thrown no such obstacles in the way of the government in prosecuting the war successfully but have shown themselves to be eminently patriotic and ready to vindicate their country honor and interests at any sacrifice the alacrity and promptness with which our volunteer forces rushed to the field on their country call prove not only their patriotism but their deep conviction that our because is just the wrongs which we have suffered from mexico almost ever since she became an independent power and the patient endurance with which we have borne them are without a parallel in the history of modern civilized nations there is reason to believe that if these wrongs had been resented and resisted in the first instance the present war might have been avoided one outrage however permitted to pass with impunity almost necessarily encouraged the perpetration of another until at last mexico seemed to attribute to weakness and indecision on our part a forbearance which was the offspring of magnanimity and of a sincere desire to preserve friendly relations with a sister republic scarcely had mexico achieved her independence which the united states were the first among the nations to acknowledge when she commenced the system of insult and spoliation which she has ever since pursued our citizens engaged in lawful commerce were imprisoned their vessels seized and our flag insulted in her ports if money was wanted the lawless seizure and confiscation of our merchant vessels and their cargoes was a ready resource and if to accomplish their purposes it became necessary to imprison the owners captains and crews it was done rulers superseded rulers in mexico in rapid succession but still there was no change in this system of depredation the government of the united states made repeated reclamations on behalf of its citizens but these were answered by the perpetration of new outrages promises of redress made by mexico in the most solemn forms were postponed or evaded the files and records of the department of state contain conclusive proofs of numerous lawless acts perpetrated upon the property and persons of our citizens by mexico and of wanton insults to our national flag the interposition of our government to obtain redress was again and again invoked under circumstances which no nation ought to disregard it was hoped that these outrages would cease and that mexico would be restrained by the laws which regulate the conduct of civilized nations in their intercourse with each other after the treaty of amity commerce and navigation of the 5th of april 1831 was concluded between the two republics but this hope soon proved to be vain the course of seizure and confiscation of the property of our citizens the violation of their persons and the insults to our flag pursued by mexico previous to that time were scarcely suspended for even a brief period although the treaty so clearly defines the rights and duties of the respective parties that it is impossible to misunderstand or mistake them in less than seven years after the conclusion of that treaty our grievances had become so intolerable that in the opinion of president jackson they should no longer be endured in his message to congress in february 1837 he presented them to the consideration of that body and declared that the length of time since some of the injuries have been committed the repeated and unavailing applications for redress the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the property and persons of our citizens upon the officers and flag of the united states independent of recent insults to this government and people by the late extraordinary mexican minister would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate war in a spirit of kindness and forbearance however he recommended reprisals as a milder mode of redress he declared that war should not be used as a remedy by just and generous nations confiding in their strength for injuries committed if it can be honorably avoided and added it has occurred to me that considering the present embarrassed condition of that country we should act with both wisdom and moderation by giving to mexico one more opportunity to atone for the past before we take redress into our own hands to avoid all misconception on the part of mexico as well as to protect our own national character from reproach this opportunity should be given with the avowed design and full preparation to take immediate satisfaction if it should not be obtained on a repetition of the demand for it to this end i recommend that an act be passed authorizing reprisals and the use of the naval force of the united states by the executive against mexico to enforce them in the event of a refusal by the mexican government to come to an amicable adjustment of the matters in controversy between us upon another demand thereof made from on board out of our vessels of war on the coast of mexico committees of both houses of congress to which this message of the president was referred fully sustained his views of the character of the wrongs which we had suffered from mexico and recommended that another demand for redress should be made before authorizing war or reprisals the committee on foreign relations of the senate in their report say after such a demand should prompt justice be refused by the mexican government we may appeal to all nations not only for the equity and moderation with which we shall have acted toward a sister republic but for the necessity which will then compel us to seek redress for our wrongs either by actual war or by reprisals the subject will then be presented before congress at the commencement of the next session in a clear and distinct form and the committee can not doubt but that such measures will be immediately adopted as may be necessary to vindicate the honor of the country and insure ample reparation to our injured the committee on foreign affairs of the house of representatives made a similar recommendation in their report they say that they fully concur with the president that ample because exists for taking redress into our own hands and believe that we should be justified in the opinion of other nations for taking such a step but they are willing to try the experiment of another demand made in the most solemn form upon the justice of the mexican government before any further proceedings are adopted no difference of opinion upon the subject is believed to have existed in congress at that time the executive and legislative departments concurred and yet such has been our forbearance and desire to preserve peace with mexico that the wrongs of which we then complained and which gave rise to these solemn proceedings not only remain unredressed to this day but additional causes of complaint of an aggravated character have ever since been accumulating shortly after these proceedings a special messenger was dispatched to mexico to make a final demand for redress and on the 20th of july 1837 the demand was made the reply of the mexican government bears date on the 29th of the same month and contains assurances of the anxious wish of the mexican government not to delay the moment of that final and equitable adjustment which is to terminate the existing difficulties between the two governments that nothing should be left undone which may contribute to the most speedy and equitable determination of the subjects which have so seriously engaged the attention of the american government that the mexican government would adopt as the only guides for its conduct the plainest principles of public right the sacred obligations imposed by international law and the religious faith of treaties and that whatever reason and justice may dictate respecting each case will be done the assurance was further given that the decision of the mexican government upon each because of complaint for which redress had been demanded should be communicated to the government of the united states by the mexican minister at washington these solemn assurances in answer to our demand for redress were disregarded by making them however mexico obtained further delay president van buren in his annual message to congress of the 5th of december 1837 states that although the larger number of our demands for redress and many of them aggravated cases of personal wrongs have been now for years before the mexican government and some of the causes of national complaint and those of the most offensive character admitted of immediate simple and satisfactory replies it is only within a few days past that any specific communication in answer to our last demand made five months ago has been received from the mexican minister and that for not one of our public complaints has satisfaction been given or offered that but one of the cases of personal wrong has been favorably considered and that but four cases of both descriptions out of all those formally presented and earnestly pressed have as yet been decided upon by the mexican government president van buren believing that it would be vain to make any further attempt to obtain redress by the ordinary means within the power of the executive communicated this opinion to congress in the message referred to in which he said on a careful and deliberate examination of their contents of the correspondence with the mexican government and considering the spirit manifested by the mexican government it has become my painful duty to return the subject as it now stands to congress to whom it belongs to decide upon the time the mode and the measure of redress had the united states at that time adopted compulsory measures and taken redress into their own hands all our difficulties with mexico would probably have been long since adjusted and the existing war have been averted magnanimity and moderation on our part only had the effect to complicate these difficulties and render an amicable settlement of them the more embarrassing that such measures of redress under similar provocations committed by any of the powerful nations of europe would have been promptly resorted to by the united states can not be doubted the national honor and the preservation of the national character throughout the world as well as our own and the protection due to our own citizens would have rendered such a resort indispensable the history of no civilized nation in modern times has presented within so brief a period so many wanton attacks upon the honor of its flag and upon the property and persons of its citizens as had at that time been borne by the united states from the mexican authorities and people but mexico was a sister republic on the north american continent occupying a territory contiguous to our own and was in a feeble and distracted condition and these considerations it is presumed induced congress to forbear still longer instead of taking redress into our own hands a new negotiation was entered upon with fair promises on the part of mexico but with the real purpose as the event has proved of indefinitely postponing the reparation which we demanded and which was so justly due this negotiation after more than a year delay resulted in the convention of the 11th of april 1839 for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the united states of america upon the government of the mexican republic the joint board of commissioners created by this convention to examine and decide upon these claims was not organized until the month of august 1840 and under the terms of the convention they were to terminate their duties within eighteen months from that time four of the eighteen months were consumed in preliminary discussions on frivolous and dilatory points raised by the mexican commissioners and it was not until the month of december 1840 that they commenced the examination of the claims of our citizens upon mexico fourteen months only remained to examine and decide upon these numerous and complicated cases in the month of february 1842 the term of the commission expired leaving many claims undisposed of for want of time the claims which were allowed by the board and by the umpire authorized by the convention to decide in case of disagreement between the mexican and american commissioners amounted to there were pending before the umpire when the commission expired additional claims which had been examined and awarded by the american commissioners and had not been allowed by the mexican commissioners amounting to upon which he did not decide alleging that his authority had ceased with the termination of the joint commission besides these claims there were others of american citizens amounting to which had been submitted to the board and upon which they had not time to decide before their final adjournment the sum of which had been awarded to the claimants was a liquidated and ascertained debt due by mexico about which there could be no dispute and which she was bound to pay according to the terms of the convention soon after the final awards for this amount had been made the mexican government asked for a postponement of the time of making payment alleging that it would be inconvenient to make the payment at the time stipulated in the spirit of forbearing kindness toward a sister republic which mexico has so long abused the united states promptly complied with her request a second convention was accordingly concluded between the two governments on the 30th of january 1843 which upon its face declares that this new arrangement is entered into for the accommodation of mexico by the terms of this convention all the interest due on the awards which had been made in favor of the claimants under the convention of the 11th of april 1839 was to be paid to them on the 30th of april 1843 and the principal of the said awards and the interest accruing thereon was stipulated to be paid in five years in equal installments every three months notwithstanding this new convention was entered into at the request of mexico and for the purpose of relieving her from embarrassment the claimants have only received the interest due on the 30th of april 1843 and three of the twenty installments although the payment of the sum thus liquidated and confessedly due by mexico to our citizens as indemnity for acknowledged acts of outrage and wrong was secured by treaty the obligations of which are ever held sacred by all just nations yet mexico has violated this solemn engagement by failing and refusing to make the payment the two installments due in april and july 1844 under the peculiar circumstances connected with them have been assumed by the united states and discharged to the claimants but they are still due by mexico but this is not all of which we have just because of complaint to provide a remedy for the claimants whose cases were not decided by the joint commission under the convention of april 11 1839 it was expressly stipulated by the sixth article of the convention of the 30th of january 1843 that a new convention shall be entered into for the settlement of all claims of the government and citizens of the united states against the republic of mexico which were not finally decided by the late commission which met in the city of washington and of all claims of the government and citizens of mexico against the united states in conformity with this stipulation a third convention was concluded and signed at the city of mexico on the 20th of november 1843 by the plenipotentiaries of the two governments by which provision was made for ascertaining and paying these claims in january 1844 this convention was ratified by the senate of the united states with two amendments which were manifestly reasonable in their character upon a reference of the amendments proposed to the government of mexico the same evasions difficulties and delays were interposed which have so long marked the policy of that government toward the united states it has not even yet decided whether it would or would not accede to them although the subject has been repeatedly pressed upon its consideration mexico has thus violated a second time the faith of treaties by failing or refusing to carry into effect the sixth article of the convention of january 1843 such is the history of the wrongs which we have suffered and patiently endured from mexico through a long series of years so far from affording reasonable satisfaction for the injuries and insults we had borne a great aggravation of them consists in the fact that while the united states anxious to preserve a good understanding with mexico have been constantly but vainly employed in seeking redress for past wrongs new outrages were constantly occurring which have continued to increase our causes of complaint and to swell the amount of our demands while the citizens of the united states were conducting a lawful commerce with mexico under the guaranty of a treaty of amity commerce and navigation many of them have suffered all the injuries which would have resulted from open war this treaty instead of affording protection to our citizens has been the means of inviting them into the ports of mexico that they might be as they have been in numerous instances plundered of their property and deprived of their personal liberty if they dared insist on their rights had the unlawful seizures of american property and the violation of the personal liberty of our citizens to say nothing of the insults to our flag which have occurred in the ports of mexico taken place on the high seas they would themselves long since have constituted a state of actual war between the two countries in so long suffering mexico to violate her most solemn treaty obligations plunder our citizens of their property and imprison their persons without affording them any redress we have failed to perform one of the first and highest duties which every government owes to its citizens and the consequence has been that many of them have been reduced from a state of affluence to bankruptcy the proud name of american citizen which ought to protect all who bear it from insult and injury throughout the world has afforded no such protection to our citizens in mexico we had ample because of war against mexico long before the breaking out of hostilities but even then we forbore to take redress into our own hands until mexico herself became the aggressor by invading our soil in hostile array and shedding the blood of our citizens such are the grave causes of complaint on the part of the united states against mexico causes which existed long before the annexation of texas to the american union and yet animated by the love of peace and a magnanimous moderation we did not adopt those measures of redress which under such circumstances are the justified resort of injured nations the annexation of texas to the united states constituted no just because of offense to mexico the pretext that it did so is wholly inconsistent and irreconcilable with facts connected with the revolution by which texas became independent of mexico that this may be the more manifest it may be proper to advert to the causes and to the history of the principal events of that revolution texas constituted a portion of the ancient province of louisiana ceded to the united states by france in the year 1803 in the year 1819 the united states by the florida treaty ceded to spain all that part of louisiana within the present limits of texas and mexico by the revolution which separated her from spain and rendered her an independent nation succeeded to the rights of the mother country over this territory in the year 1824 mexico established a federal constitution under which the mexican republic was composed of a number of sovereign states confederated together in a federal union similar to our own each of these states had its own executive legislature and judiciary and for all except federal purposes was as independent of the general government and that of the other states as is pennsylvania or virginia under our constitution texas and coahuila united and formed one of these mexican states the state constitution which they adopted and which was approved by the mexican confederacy asserted that they were free and independent of the other mexican united states and of every other power and dominion whatsoever and proclaimed the great principle of human liberty that the sovereignty of the state resides originally and essentially in the general mass of the individuals who compose it to the government under this constitution as well as to that under the federal constitution the people of texas owed allegiance emigrants from foreign countries including the united states were invited by the colonization laws of the state and of the federal government to settle in texas advantageous terms were offered to induce them to leave their own country and become mexican citizens this invitation was accepted by many of our citizens in the full faith that in their new home they would be governed by laws enacted by representatives elected by themselves and that their lives liberty and property would be protected by constitutional guaranties similar to those which existed in the republic they had left under a government thus organized they continued until the year 1835 when a military revolution broke out in the city of mexico which entirely subverted the federal and state constitutions and placed a military dictator at the head of the government by a sweeping decree of a congress subservient to the will of the dictator the several state constitutions were abolished and the states themselves converted into mere departments of the central government the people of texas were unwilling to submit to this usurpation resistance to such tyranny became a high duty texas was fully absolved from all allegiance to the central government of mexico from the moment that government had abolished her state constitution and in its place substituted an arbitrary and despotic central government such were the principal causes of the texan revolution the people of texas at once determined upon resistance and flew to arms in the midst of these important and exciting events however they did not omit to place their liberties upon a secure and permanent foundation they elected members to a convention who in the month of march 1836 issued a formal declaration that their political connection with the mexican nation has forever ended and that the people of texas do now constitute a free sovereign and independent republic and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to independent nations they also adopted for their government a liberal republican constitution about the same time santa anna then the dictator of mexico invaded texas with a numerous army for the purpose of subduing her people and enforcing obedience to his arbitrary and despotic government on the 21st of april 1836 he was met by the texan citizen soldiers and on that day was achieved by them the memorable victory of san jacinto by which they conquered their independence considering the numbers engaged on the respective sides history does not record a more brilliant achievement santa anna himself was among the captives in the month of may 1836 santa anna acknowledged by a treaty with the texan authorities in the most solumn form the full entire and perfect independence of the republic of texas it is true he was then a prisoner of war but it is equally true that he had failed to reconquer texas and had met with signal defeat that his authority had not been revoked and that by virtue of this treaty he obtained his personal release by it hostilities were suspended and the army which had invaded texas under his command returned in pursuance of this arrangement unmolested to mexico from the day that the battle of san jacinto was fought until the present hour mexico has never possessed the power to reconquer texas in the language of the secretary of state of the united states in a dispatch to our minister in mexico under date of the 8th of july 1842 mexico may have chosen to consider and may still choose to consider texas as having been at all times since 1835 and as still continuing a rebellious province but the world has been obliged to take a very different view of the matter from the time of the battle of san jacinto in april 1836 to the present moment texas has exhibited the same external signs of national independence as mexico herself and with quite as much stability of government practically free and independent acknowledged as a political sovereignty by the principal powers of the world no hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven years and mexico herself refraining for all that period from any further attempt to reestablish her own authority over that territory it can not but be surprising to find de bocanegra the secretary of foreign affairs of mexico complaining that for that whole period citizens of the united states or its government have been favoring the rebels of texas and supplying them with vessels ammunition and money as if the war for the reduction of the province of texas had been constantly prosecuted by mexico and her success prevented by these influences from abroad in the same dispatch the secretary of state affirms that since 1837 the united states have regarded texas as an independent sovereignty as much as mexico and that trade and commerce with citizens of a government at war with mexico can not on that account be regarded as an intercourse by which assistance and succor are given to mexican rebels the whole current of de bocanegra remarks runs in the same direction as if the independence of texas had not been acknowledged it has been acknowledged it was acknowledged in 1837 against the remonstrance and protest of mexico and most of the acts of any importance of which de bocanegra complains flow necessarily from that recognition he speaks of texas as still being an integral part of the territory of the mexican republic but he can not but understand that the united states do not so regard it the real complaint of mexico therefore is in substance neither more nor less than a complaint against the recognition of texan independence it may be thought rather late to repeat that complaint and not quite just to confine it to the united states to the exemption of england france and belgium unless the united states having been the first to acknowledge the independence of mexico herself are to be blamed for setting an example for the recognition of that of texas and he added that the constitution public treaties and the laws oblige the president to regard texas as an independent state and its territory as no part of the territory of mexico texas had been an independent state with an organized government defying the power of mexico to overthrow or reconquer her for more than ten years before mexico commenced the present war against the united states texas had given such evidence to the world of her ability to maintain her separate existence as an independent nation that she had been formally recognized as such not only by the united states but by several of the principal powers of europe these powers had entered into treaties of amity commerce and navigation with her they had received and accredited her ministers and other diplomatic agents at their respective courts and they had commissioned ministers and diplomatic agents on their part to the government of texas if mexico notwithstanding all this and her utter inability to subdue or reconquer texas still stubbornly refused to recognize her as an independent nation she was none the less so on that account mexico herself had been recognized as an independent nation by the united states and by other powers many years before spain of which before her revolution she had been a colony would agree to recognize her as such and yet mexico was at that time in the estimation of the civilized world and in fact none the less an independent power because spain still claimed her as a colony if spain had continued until the present period to assert that mexico was one of her colonies in rebellion against her this would not have made her so or changed the fact of her independent existence texas at the period of her annexation to the united states bore the same relation to mexico that mexico had borne to spain for many years before spain acknowledged her independence with this important difference that before the annexation of texas to the united states was consummated mexico herself by a formal act of her government had acknowledged the independence of texas as a nation it is true that in the act of recognition she prescribed a condition which she had no power or authority to impose that texas should not annex herself to any other power but this could not detract in any degree from the recognition which mexico then made of her actual independence upon this plain statement of facts it is absurd for mexico to allege as a pretext for commencing hostilities against the united states that texas is still a part of her territory but there are those who conceding all this to be true assume the ground that the true western boundary of texas is the nueces instead of the rio grande and that therefore in marching our army to the east bank of the latter river we passed the texan line and invaded the territory of mexico a simple statement of facts known to exist will conclusively refute such an assumption texas as ceded to the united states by france in 1803 has been always claimed as extending west to the rio grande or rio bravo this fact is established by the authority of our most eminent statesmen at a period when the question was as well if not better understood than it is at present during jefferson administration monroe and pinckney who had been sent on a special mission to madrid charged among other things with the adjustment of boundary between the two countries in a note addressed to the spanish minister of foreign affairs under date of the 28th of january 1805 assert that the boundaries of louisiana as ceded to the united states by france are the river perdido on the east and the river bravo on the west and they add that the facts and principles which justify this conclusion are so satisfactory to our government as to convince it that the united states have not a better right to the island of new orleans under the cession referred to than they have to the whole district of territory which is above described down to the conclusion of the florida treaty in february 1819 by which this territory was ceded to spain the united states asserted and maintained their territorial rights to this extent in the month of june 1818 during monroe administration information having been received that a number of foreign adventurers had landed at galveston with the avowed purpose of forming a settlement in that vicinity a special messenger was dispatched by the government of the united states with instructions from the secretary of state to warn them to desist should they be found there or any other place north of the rio bravo and within the territory claimed by the united states he was instructed should they be found in the country north of that river to make known to them the surprise with which the president has seen possession thus taken without authority from the united states of a place within their territorial limits and upon which no lawful settlement can be made without their sanction he was instructed to call upon them to avow under what national authority they profess to act and to give them due warning that the place is within the united states who will suffer no permanent settlement to be made there under any authority other than their own as late as the 8th of july 1842 the secretary of state of the united states in a note addressed to our minister in mexico maintains that by the florida treaty of 1819 the territory as far west as the rio grande was confirmed to spain in that note he states that by the treaty of the 22d of february 1819 between the united states and spain the sabine was adopted as the line of boundary between the two powers up to that period no considerable colonization had been effected in texas but the territory between the sabine and the rio grande being confirmed to spain by the treaty applications were made to that power for grants of land and such grants or permissions of settlement were in fact made by the spanish authorities in favor of citizens of the united states proposing to emigrate to texas in numerous families before the declaration of independence by mexico the texas which was ceded to spain by the florida treaty of 1819 embraced all the country now claimed by the state of texas between the nueces and the rio grande the republic of texas always claimed this river as her western boundary and in her treaty made with santa anna in may 1836 he recognized it as such by the constitution which texas adopted in march 1836 senatorial and representative districts were organized extending west of the nueces the congress of texas on the 19th of december 1836 passed an act to define the boundaries of the republic of texas in which they declared the rio grande from its mouth to its source to be their boundary and by the said act they extended their civil and political jurisdiction over the country up to that boundary during a period of more than nine years which intervened between the adoption of her constitution and her annexation as one of the states of our union texas asserted and exercised many acts of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory and inhabitants west of the nueces she organized and defined the limits of counties extending to the rio grande she established courts of justice and extended her judicial system over the territory she established a and collected duties and also and in it she established a land office and issued numerous grants for land within its limits a senator and a representative residing in it were elected to the congress of the republic and served as such before the act of annexation took place in both the congress and convention of texas which gave their assent to the terms of annexation to the united states proposed by our congress were representatives residing west of the nueces who took part in the act of annexation itself this was the texas which by the act of our congress of the 29th of december 1845 was admitted as one of the states of our union that the congress of the united states understood the state of texas which they admitted into the union to extend beyond the nueces is apparent from the fact that on the 31st of december 1845 only two days after the act of admission they passed a law to establish a collection district in the state of texas by which they created a port of delivery at corpus christi situated west of the nueces and being the same point at which the texas under the laws of that republic had been located and directed that a surveyor to collect the revenue should be appointed for that port by the president by and with the advice and consent of the senate a surveyor was accordingly nominated and confirmed by the senate and has been ever since in the performance of his duties all these acts of the republic of texas and of our congress preceded the orders for the advance of our army to the east bank of the rio grande subsequently congress passed an act establishing certain post routes extending west of the nueces the country west of that river now constitutes a part of one of the congressional districts of texas and is represented in the house of representatives the senators from that state were chosen by a legislature in which the country west of that river was represented in view of all these facts it is difficult to conceive upon what ground it can be maintained that in occupying the country west of the nueces with our army with a view solely to its security and defense we invaded the territory of mexico but it would have been still more difficult to justify the executive whose duty it is to see that the laws be faithfully executed if in the face of all these proceedings both of the congress of texas and of the united states he had assumed the responsibility of yielding up the territory west of the nueces to mexico or of refusing to protect and defend this territory and its inhabitants including corpus christi as well as the remainder of texas against the threatened mexican invasion but mexico herself has never placed the war which she has waged upon the ground that our army occupied the intermediate territory between the nueces and the rio grande her refuted pretension that texas was not in fact an independent state but a rebellious province was obstinately persevered in and her avowed purpose in commencing a war with the united states was to reconquer texas and to restore mexican authority over the whole territory not to the nueces only but to the sabine in view of the proclaimed menaces of mexico to this effect i deemed it my duty as a measure of precaution and defense to order our army to occupy a position on our frontier as a military post from which our troops could best resist and repel any attempted invasion which mexico might make our army had occupied a position at corpus christi west of the nueces as early as august 1845 without complaint from any quarter had the nueces been regarded as the true western boundary of texas that boundary had been passed by our army many months before it advanced to the eastern bank of the rio grande in my annual message of december last i informed congress that upon the invitation of both the congress and convention of texas i had deemed it proper to order a strong squadron to the coasts of mexico and to concentrate an efficient military force on the western frontier of texas to protect and defend the inhabitants against the menaced invasion of mexico in that message i informed congress that the moment the terms of annexation offered by the united states were accepted by texas the latter became so far a part of our own country as to make it our duty to afford such protection and defense and that for that purpose our squadron had been ordered to the gulf and our army to take a position between the nueces and the del norte or rio grande and to repel any invasion of the texan territory which might be attempted by the mexican forces it was deemed proper to issue this order because soon after the president of texas in april 1845 had issued his proclamation convening the congress of that republic for the purpose of submitting to that body the terms of annexation proposed by the united states the government of mexico made serious threats of invading the texan territory these threats became more imposing as it became more apparent in the progress of the question that the people of texas would decide in favor of accepting the terms of annexation and finally they had assumed such a formidable character as induced both the congress and convention of texas to request that a military force should be sent by the united states into her territory for the purpose of protecting and defending her against the threatened invasion it would have been a violation of good faith toward the people of texas to have refused to afford the aid which they desired against a threatened invasion to which they had been exposed by their free determination to annex themselves to our union in compliance with the overture made to them by the joint resolution of our congress accordingly a portion of the army was ordered to advance into texas corpus christi was the position selected by general taylor he encamped at that place in august 1845 and the army remained in that position until the 11th of march 1846 when it moved westward and on the 28th of that month reached the east bank of the rio grande opposite to matamoras this movement was made in pursuance of orders from the war department issued on the 13th of january 1846 before these orders were issued the dispatch of our minister in mexico transmitting the decision of the council of government of mexico advising that he should not be received and also the dispatch of our consul residing in the city of mexico the former bearing date on the 17th and the latter on the 18th of december 1845 copies of both of which accompanied my message to congress of the 11th of may last were received at the department of state these communications rendered it highly probable if not absolutely certain that our minister would not be received by the government of general herrera it was also well known that but little hope could be entertained of a different result from general paredes in case the revolutionary movement which he was prosecuting should prove successful as was highly probable the partisans of paredes as our minister in the dispatch referred to states breathed the fiercest hostility against the united states denounced the proposed negotiation as treason and openly called upon the troops and the people to put down the government of herrera by force the reconquest of texas and war with the united states were openly threatened these were the circumstances existing when it was deemed proper to order the army under the command of general taylor to advance to the western frontier of texas and occupy a position on or near the rio grande the apprehensions of a contemplated mexican invasion have been since fully justified by the event the determination of mexico to rush into hostilities with the united states was afterwards manifested from the whole tenor of the note of the mexican minister of foreign affairs to our minister bearing date on the 12th of march 1846 paredes had then revolutionized the government and his minister after referring to the resolution for the annexation of texas which had been adopted by our congress in march 1845 proceeds to declare that a fact such as this or to speak with greater exactness so notable an act of usurpation created an imperious necessity that mexico for her own honor should repel it with proper firmness and dignity the supreme government had beforehand declared that it would look upon such an act as a casus belli and as a consequence of this declaration negotiation was by its very nature at an end and war was the only recourse of the mexican government it appears also that on the 4th of april following general paredes through his minister of war issued orders to the mexican general in command on the texan frontier to attack our army by every means which war permits to this general paredes had been pledged to the army and people of mexico during the military revolution which had brought him into power on the 18th of april 1846 general paredes addressed a letter to the commander on that frontier in which he stated to him at the present date i suppose you at the head of that valiant army either fighting already or preparing for the operations of a campaign and supposing you already on the theater of operations and with all the forces assembled it is indispensable that hostilities be commenced yourself taking the initiative against the enemy the movement of our army to the rio grande was made by the commanding general under positive orders to abstain from all aggressive acts toward mexico or mexican citizens and to regard the relations between the two countries as peaceful unless mexico should declare war or commit acts of hostility indicative of a state of war and these orders he faithfully executed whilst occupying his position on the east bank of the rio grande within the limits of texas then recently admitted as one of the states of our union the commanding general of the mexican forces who in pursuance of the orders of his government had collected a large army on the opposite shore of the rio grande crossed the river invaded our territory and commenced hostilities by attacking our forces thus after all the injuries which we had received and borne from mexico and after she had insultingly rejected a minister sent to her on a mission of peace and whom she had solemnly agreed to receive she consummated her long course of outrage against our country by commencing an offensive war and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil the united states never attempted to acquire texas by conquest on the contrary at an early period after the people of texas had achieved their independence they sought to be annexed to the united states at a general election in september 1836 they decided with great unanimity in favor of annexation and in november following the congress of the republic authorized the appointment of a minister to bear their request to this government this government however having remained neutral between texas and mexico during the war between them and considering it due to the honor of our country and our fair fame among the nations of the earth that we should not at this early period consent to annexation nor until it should be manifest to the whole world that the reconquest of texas by mexico was impossible refused to accede to the overtures made by texas on the 12th of april 1844 after more than seven years had elapsed since texas had established her independence a treaty was concluded for the annexation of that republic to the united states which was rejected by the senate finally on the 1st of march 1845 congress passed a joint resolution for annexing her to the united states upon certain preliminary conditions to which her assent was required the solemnities which characterized the deliberations and conduct of the government and people of texas on the deeply interesting questions presented by these resolutions are known to the world the congress the executive and the people of texas in a convention elected for that purpose accepted with great unanimity the proposed terms of annexation and thus consummated on her part the great act of restoring to our federal union a vast territory which had been ceded to spain by the florida treaty more than a quarter of a century before after the joint resolution for the annexation of texas to the united states had been passed by our congress the mexican minister at washington addressed a note to the secretary of state bearing date on the 6th of march 1845 protesting against it as an act of aggression the most unjust which can be found recorded in the annals of modern history namely that of despoiling a friendly nation like mexico of a considerable portion of her territory and protesting against the resolution of annexation as being an act whereby the province of texas an integral portion of the mexican territory is agreed and admitted into the american union and he announced that as a consequence his mission to the united states had terminated and demanded his passports which were granted it was upon the absurd pretext made by mexico herself indebted for her independence to a successful revolution that the republic of texas still continued to be notwithstanding all that had passed a province of mexico that this step was taken by the mexican minister every honorable effort has been used by me to avoid the war which followed but all have proved vain all our attempts to preserve peace have been met by insult and resistance on the part of mexico my efforts to this end commenced in the note of the secretary of state of the 10th of march 1845 in answer to that of the mexican minister whilst declining to reopen a discussion which had already been exhausted and proving again what was known to the whole world that texas had long since achieved her independence the secretary of state expressed the regret of this government that mexico should have taken offense at the resolution of annexation passed by congress and gave assurance that our most strenuous efforts shall be devoted to the amicable adjustment of every because of complaint between the two governments and to the cultivation of the kindest and most friendly relations between the sister republics that i have acted in the spirit of this assurance will appear from the events which have since occurred notwithstanding mexico had abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse with the united states and ought therefore to have been the first to ask for its resumption yet waiving all ceremony i embraced the earliest favorable opportunity to ascertain from the mexican government whether they would receive an envoy from the united states intrusted with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two governments in september 1845 i believed the propitious moment for such an overture had arrived texas by the enthusiastic and almost unanimous will of her people had pronounced in favor of annexation mexico herself had agreed to acknowledge the independence of texas subject to a condition it is true which she had no right to impose and no power to enforce the last lingering hope of mexico if she still could have retained any that texas would ever again become one of her provinces must have been abandoned the consul of the united states at the city of mexico was therefore instructed by the secretary of state on the 15th of september 1845 to make the inquiry of the mexican government the inquiry was made and on the 15th of october 1845 the minister of foreign affairs of the mexican government in a note addressed to our consul gave a favorable response requesting at the same time that our naval force might be withdrawn from vera cruz while negotiations should be pending upon the receipt of this note our naval force was promptly withdrawn from vera cruz a minister was immediately appointed and departed to mexico everything bore a promising aspect for a speedy and peaceful adjustment of all our difficulties at the date of my annual message to congress in december last no doubt was entertained but that he would be received by the mexican government and the hope was cherished that all because of misunderstanding between the two countries would be speedily removed in the confident hope that such would be the result of his mission i informed congress that i forbore at that time to recommend such ulterior measures of redress for the wrongs and injuries we had so long borne as it would have been proper to make had no such negotiation been instituted to my surprise and regret the mexican government though solemnly pledged to do so upon the arrival of our minister in mexico refused to receive and accredit him when he reached vera cruz on the 30th of november 1845 he found that the aspect of affairs had undergone an unhappy change the government of general herrera who was at that time president of the republic was tottering to its fall general paredes a military leader had manifested his determination to overthrow the government of herrera by a military revolution and one of the principal means which he employed to effect his purpose and render the government of herrera odious to the army and people of mexico was by loudly condemning its determination to receive a minister of peace from the united states alleging that it was the intention of herrera by a treaty with the united states to dismember the territory of mexico by ceding away the department of texas the government of herrera is believed to have been well disposed to a pacific adjustment of existing difficulties but probably alarmed for its own security and in order to ward off the danger of the revolution led by paredes violated its solemn agreement and refused to receive or accredit our minister and this although informed that he had been invested with full power to adjust all questions in dispute between the two governments among the frivolous pretexts for this refusal the principal one was that our minister had not gone upon a special mission confined to the question of texas alone leaving all the outrages upon our flag and our citizens unredressed the mexican government well knew that both our national honor and the protection due to our citizens imperatively required that the two questions of boundary and indemnity should be treated of together as naturally and inseparably blended and they ought to have seen that this course was best calculated to enable the united states to extend to them the most liberal justice on the 30th of december 1845 general herrera resigned the presidency and yielded up the government to general paredes without a struggle thus a revolution was accomplished solely by the army commanded by paredes and the supreme power in mexico passed into the hands of a military usurper who was known to be bitterly hostile to the united states although the prospect of a pacific adjustment with the new government was unpromising from the known hostility of its head to the united states yet determined that nothing should be left undone on our part to restore friendly relations between the two countries our minister was instructed to present his credentials to the new government and ask to be accredited by it in the diplomatic character in which he had been commissioned these instructions he executed by his note of the 1st of march 1846 addressed to the mexican minister of foreign affairs but his request was insultingly refused by that minister in his answer of the 12th of the same month no alternative remained for our minister but to demand his passports and return to the united states thus was the extraordinary spectacle presented to the civilized world of a government in violation of its own express agreement having twice rejected a minister of peace invested with full powers to adjust all the existing differences between the two countries in a manner just and honorable to both i am not aware that modern history presents a parallel case in which in time of peace one nation has refused even to hear propositions from another for terminating existing difficulties between them scarcely a hope of adjusting our difficulties even at a remote day or of preserving peace with mexico could be cherished while paredes remained at the head of the government he had acquired the supreme power by a military revolution and upon the most solemn pledges to wage war against the united states and to reconquer texas which he claimed as a revolted province of mexico he had denounced as guilty of treason all those mexicans who considered texas as no longer constituting a part of the territory of mexico and who were friendly to the because of peace the duration of the war which he waged against the united states was indefinite because the end which he proposed of the reconquest of texas was hopeless besides there was good reason to believe from all his conduct that it was his intention to convert the republic of mexico into a monarchy and to call a foreign european prince to the throne preparatory to this end he had during his short rule destroyed the liberty of the press tolerating that portion of it only which openly advocated the establishment of a monarchy the better to secure the success of his ultimate designs he had by an arbitrary decree convoked a congress not to be elected by the free voice of the people but to be chosen in a manner to make them subservient to his will and to give him absolute control over their deliberations under all these circumstances it was believed that any revolution in mexico founded upon opposition to the ambitious projects of paredes would tend to promote the because of peace as well as prevent any attempted european interference in the affairs of the north american continent both objects of deep interest to the united states any such foreign interference if attempted must have been resisted by the united states my views upon that subject were fully communicated to congress in my last annual message in any event it was certain that no change whatever in the government of mexico which would deprive paredes of power could be for the worse so far as the united states were concerned while it was highly probable that any change must be for the better this was the state of affairs existing when congress on the 13th of may last recognized the existence of the war which had been commenced by the government of paredes and it became an object of much importance with a view to a speedy settlement of our difficulties and the restoration of an honorable peace that paredes should not retain power in mexico before that time there were symptoms of a revolution in mexico favored as it was understood to be by the more liberal party and especially by those who were opposed to foreign interference and to the monarchical form of government santa anna was then in exile in havana having been expelled from power and banished from his country by a revolution which occurred in december 1844 but it was known that he had still a considerable party in his favor in mexico it was also equally well known that no vigilance which could be exerted by our squadron would in all probability have prevented him from effecting a landing somewhere on the extensive gulf coast of mexico if he desired to return to his country he had openly professed an entire change of policy had expressed his regret that he had subverted the federal constitution of 1824 and avowed that he was now in favor of its restoration he had publicly declared his hostility in strongest terms to the establishment of a monarchy and to european interference in the affairs of his country information to this effect had been received from sources believed to be reliable at the date of the recognition of the existence of the war by congress and was afterwards fully confirmed by the receipt of the dispatch of our consul in the city of mexico with the accompanying documents which are herewith transmitted besides it was reasonable to suppose that he must see the ruinous consequences to mexico of a war with the united states and that it would be his interest to favor peace it was under these circumstances and upon these considerations that it was deemed expedient not to obstruct his return to mexico should he attempt to do so our object was the restoration of peace and with that view no reason was perceived why we should take part with paredes and aid him by means of our blockade in preventing the return of his rival to mexico on the contrary it was believed that the intestine divisions which ordinary sagacity could not but anticipate as the fruit of santa anna return to mexico and his contest with paredes might strongly tend to produce a disposition with both parties to restore and preserve peace with the united states paredes was a soldier by profession and a monarchist in principle he had but recently before been successful in a military revolution by which he had obtained power he was the sworn enemy of the united states with which he had involved his country in the existing war santa anna had been expelled from power by the army was known to be in open hostility to paredes and publicly pledged against foreign intervention and the restoration of monarchy in mexico in view of these facts and circumstances it was that when orders were issued to the commander of our naval forces in the gulf on the 13th day of may last the same day on which the existence of the war was recognized by congress to place the coasts of mexico under blockade he was directed not to obstruct the passage of santa anna to mexico should he attempt to return a revolution took place in mexico in the early part of august following by which the power of paredes was overthrown and he has since been banished from the country and is now in exile shortly afterwards santa anna returned it remains to be seen whether his return may not yet prove to be favorable to a pacific adjustment of the existing difficulties it being manifestly his interest not to persevere in the prosecution of a war commenced by paredes to accomplish a purpose so absurd as the reconquest of texas to the sabine had paredes remained in power it is morally certain that any pacific adjustment would have been hopeless upon the commencement of hostilities by mexico against the united states the indignant spirit of the nation was at once aroused congress promptly responded to the expectations of the country and by the act of the 13th of may last recognized the fact that war existed by the act of mexico between the united states and that republic and granted the means necessary for its vigorous prosecution being involved in a war thus commenced by mexico and for the justice of which on our part we may confidently appeal to the whole world i resolved to prosecute it with the utmost vigor accordingly the ports of mexico on the gulf and on the pacific have been placed under blockade and her territory invaded at several important points the reports from the departments of war and of the navy will inform you more in detail of the measures adopted in the emergency in which our country was placed and of the gratifying results which have been accomplished the various columns of the army have performed their duty under great disadvantages with the most distinguished skill and courage the victories of palo alto and resaca de la palma and of monterey won against greatly superior numbers and against most decided advantages in other respects on the part of the enemy were brilliant in their execution and entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the grateful thanks of their country the nation deplores the loss of the brave officers and men who have gallantly fallen while vindicating and defending their country rights and honor it is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our volunteer citizen soldiers who so promptly responded to their country call with an experience of the discipline of a camp of only a few weeks have borne their part in the battle of monterey with a constancy and courage equal to that of veteran troops and worthy of the highest admiration the privations of long marches through the enemy country and through a wilderness have been borne without a murmur by rapid movements the province of new mexico with santa fe its capital has been captured without bloodshed the navy has cooperated with the army and rendered important services if not so brilliant it is because the enemy had no force to meet them on their own element and because of the defenses which nature has interposed in the difficulties of the navigation on the mexican coast our squadron in the pacific with the cooperation of a gallant officer of the army and a small force hastily collected in that distant country has acquired bloodless possession of the californias and the american flag has been raised at every important point in that province i congratulate you on the success which has thus attended our military and naval operations in less than seven months after mexico commenced hostilities at a time selected by herself we have taken possession of many of her principal ports driven back and pursued her invading army and acquired military possession of the mexican provinces of new mexico new leon coahuila tamaulipas and the californias a territory larger in extent than that embraced in the original thirteen states of the union inhabited by a considerable population and much of it more than miles from the points at which we had to collect our forces and commence our movements by the blockade the import and export trade of the enemy has been cut off well may the american people be proud of the energy and gallantry of our regular and volunteer officers and soldiers the events of these few months afford a gratifying proof that our country can under any emergency confidently rely for the maintenance of her honor and the defense of her rights on an effective force ready at all times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of home for the perils and privations of the camp and though such a force may be for the time expensive it is in the end economical as the ability to command it removes the necessity of employing a large standing army in time of peace and proves that our people love their institutions and are ever ready to defend and protect them while the war was in a course of vigorous and successful prosecution being still anxious to arrest its evils and considering that after the brilliant victories of our arms on the 8th and 9th of may last the national honor could not be compromitted by it another overture was made to mexico by my direction on the 27th of july last to terminate hostilities by a peace just and honorable to both countries on the 31st of august following the mexican government declined to accept this friendly overture but referred it to the decision of a mexican congress to be assembled in the early part of the present month i communicate to you herewith a copy of the letter of the secretary of state proposing to reopen negotiations of the answer of the mexican government and of the reply thereto of the secretary of state the war will continue to be prosecuted with vigor as the best means of securing peace it is hoped that the decision of the mexican congress to which our last overture has been referred may result in a speedy and honorable peace with our experience however of the unreasonable course of the mexican authorities it is the part of wisdom not to relax in the energy of our military operations until the result is made known in this view it is deemed important to hold military possession of all the provinces which have been taken until a definitive treaty of peace shall have been concluded and ratified by the two countries 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 by the laws of nations a conquered country is subject to be governed by the conqueror during his military possession and until there is either a treaty of peace or he shall voluntarily withdraw from it the old civil government being necessarily superseded it is the right and duty of the conqueror to secure his conquest and to provide for the maintenance of civil order and the rights of the inhabitants this right has been exercised and this duty performed by our military and naval commanders by the establishment of temporary governments in some of the conquered provinces of mexico assimilating them as far as practicable to the free institutions of our own country in the provinces of new mexico and of the californias little if any further resistance is apprehended from the inhabitants to the temporary governments which have thus from the necessity of the case and according to the laws of war been established it may be proper to provide for the security of these important conquests by making an adequate appropriation for the purpose of erecting fortifications and defraying the expenses necessarily incident to the maintenance of our possession and authority over them near the close of your last session for reasons communicated to congress i deemed it important as a measure for securing a speedy peace with mexico that a sum of money should be appropriated and placed in the power of the executive similar to that which had been made upon two former occasions during the administration of president jefferson on the 26th of february 1803 an appropriation of was made and placed at the disposal of the president its object is well known it was at that time in contemplation to acquire louisiana from france and it was intended to be applied as a part of the consideration which might be paid for that territory on the 13th of february 1806 the same sum was in like manner appropriated with a view to the purchase of the floridas from spain these appropriations were made to facilitate negotiations and as a means to enable the president to accomplish the important objects in view though it did not become necessary for the president to use these appropriations yet a state of things might have arisen in which it would have been highly important for him to do so and the wisdom of making them can not be doubted it is believed that the measure recommended at your last session met with the approbation of decided majorities in both houses of congress indeed in different forms a bill making an appropriation of passed each house and it is much to be regretted that it did not become a law the reasons which induced me to recommend the measure at that time still exist and i again submit the subject for your consideration and suggest the importance of early action upon it should the appropriation be made and be not needed it will remain in the treasury should it be deemed proper to apply it in whole or in part it will be accounted for as other public expenditures immediately after congress had recognized the existence of the war with mexico my attention was directed to the danger that privateers might be fitted out in the ports of cuba and porto rico to prey upon the commerce of the united states and i invited the special attention of the spanish government to the fourteenth article of our treaty with that power of the 27th of october 1795 under which the citizens and subjects of either nation who shall take commissions or letters of marque to act as privateers against the other shall be punished as pirates it affords me pleasure to inform you that i have received assurances from the spanish government that this article of the treaty shall be faithfully observed on its part orders for this purpose were immediately transmitted from that government to the authorities of cuba and porto rico to exert their utmost vigilance in preventing any attempts to fit out privateers in those islands against the united states from the good faith of spain i am fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed in its spirit as well as its letter whilst the united states will on their part faithfully perform all the obligations which it imposes on them information has been recently received at the department of state that the mexican government has sent to havana blank commissions to privateers and blank certificates of naturalization signed by general salas the present head of the mexican government there is also reason to apprehend that similar documents have been transmitted to other parts of the world copies of these papers in translation are herewith transmitted as the preliminaries required by the practice of civilized nations for commissioning privateers and regulating their conduct appear not to have been observed and as these commissions are in blank to be filled up with the names of citizens and subjects of all nations who may be willing to purchase them the whole proceeding can only be construed as an invitation to all the freebooters upon earth who are willing to pay for the privilege to cruise against american commerce it will be for our courts of justice to decide whether under such circumstances these mexican letters of marque and reprisal shall protect those who accept them and commit robberies upon the high seas under their authority from the pains and penalties of piracy if the certificates of naturalization thus granted be intended by mexico to shield spanish subjects from the guilt and punishment of pirates under our treaty with spain they will certainly prove unavailing such a subterfuge would be but a weak device to defeat the provisions of a solemn treaty i recommend that congress should immediately provide by law for the trial and punishment as pirates of spanish subjects who escaping the vigilance of their government shall be found guilty of privateering against the united states i do not apprehend serious danger from these privateers our navy will be constantly on the alert to protect our commerce besides in case prizes should be made of american vessels the utmost vigilance will be exerted by our blockading squadron to prevent the captors from taking them into mexican ports and it is not apprehended that any nation will violate its neutrality by suffering such prizes to be condemned and sold within its jurisdiction i recommend that congress should immediately provide by law for granting letters of marque and reprisal against vessels under the mexican flag it is true that there are but few if any commercial vessels of mexico upon the high seas and it is therefore not probable that many american privateers would be fitted out in case a law should pass authorizing this mode of warfare it is notwithstanding certain that such privateers may render good service to the commercial interests of the country by recapturing our merchant ships should any be taken by armed vessels under the mexican flag as well as by capturing these vessels themselves every means within our power should be rendered available for the protection of our commerce the annual report of the secretary of the treasury will exhibit a detailed statement of the condition of the finances the imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of june last were of the value of of which the amount exported was leaving the amount retained in the country for domestic consumption 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 year were of which there was derived from customs from the sales of public lands and from incidental and miscellaneous sources the expenditures for the same period were and the balance in the treasury on the 1st day of july last was 08 the amount of the public debt including treasury notes on the 1st of the present month was of which the sum of was outstanding on the 4th of march 1845 leaving the amount incurred since that time in order to prosecute the war with mexico with vigor and energy as the best means of bringing it to a speedy and honorable termination a further loan will be necessary to meet the expenditures for the present and the next fiscal year if the war should be continued until the 30th of june 1848 being the end of the next fiscal year it is estimated that an additional loan of will be required this estimate is made upon the assumption that it will be necessary to retain constantly in the treasury to guard against contingencies if such surplus were not required to be retained then a loan of would be sufficient if however congress should at the present session impose a revenue duty on the principal articles now embraced in the free list it is estimated that an additional annual revenue of about two millions and a half amounting it is estimated on the 30th of june 1848 to would be derived from that source and the loan required would be reduced by that amount it is estimated also that should congress graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands as have been long in the market the additional revenue derived from that source would be annually for several years to come between half a million and a million dollars and the loan required may be reduced by that amount also should these measures be adopted the loan required would not probably exceed or leaving in the treasury a constant surplus of the loan proposed it is estimated will be sufficient to cover the necessary expenditures both for the war and for all other purposes up to the 30th of june 1848 and an amount of this loan not exceeding may be required during the present fiscal year and the greater part of the remainder during the first half of the fiscal year succeeding in order that timely notice may be given and proper measures taken to effect the loan or such portion of it as may be required it is important that the authority of congress to make it be given at an early period of your present session it is suggested that the loan should be contracted for a period of twenty years with authority to purchase the stock and pay it off at an earlier period at its market value out of any surplus which may at any time be in the treasury applicable to that purpose after the establishment of peace with mexico it is supposed that a considerable surplus will exist and that the debt may be extinguished in a much shorter period than that for which it may be contracted the period of twenty years as that for which the proposed loan may be contracted in preference to a shorter period is suggested because all experience both at home and abroad has shown that loans are effected upon much better terms upon long time than when they are reimbursable at short dates necessary as this measure is to sustain the honor and the interests of the country engaged in a foreign war it is not doubted but that congress will promptly authorize it the balance in the treasury on the 1st july last exceeded notwithstanding considerable expenditures had been made for the war during the months of may and june preceding but for the war the whole public debt could and would have been extinguished within a short period and it was a part of my settled policy to do so and thus relieve the people from its burden and place the government in a position which would enable it to reduce the public expenditures to that economical standard which is most consistent with the general welfare and the pure and wholesome progress of our institutions among our just causes of complaint against mexico arising out of her refusal to treat for peace as well before as since the war so unjustly commenced on her part are the extraordinary expenditures in which we have been involved justice to our own people will make it proper that mexico should be held responsible for these expenditures economy in the public expenditures is at all times a high duty which all public functionaries of the government owe to the people this duty becomes the more imperative in a period of war when large and extraordinary expenditures become unavoidable during the existence of the war with mexico all our resources should be husbanded and no appropriations made except such as are absolutely necessary for its vigorous prosecution and the due administration of the government objects of appropriation which in peace may be deemed useful or proper but which are not indispensable for the public service may when the country is engaged in a foreign war be well postponed to a future period by the observance of this policy at your present session large amounts may be saved to the treasury and be applied to objects of pressing and urgent necessity and thus the creation of a corresponding amount of public debt may be avoided it is not meant to recommend that the ordinary and necessary appropriations for the support of government should be withheld but it is well known that at every session of congress appropriations are proposed for numerous objects which may or may not be made without materially affecting the public interests and these it is recommended should not be granted the act passed at your last session reducing the duties on imports not having gone into operation until the 1st of the present month there has not been time for its practical effect upon the revenue and the business of the country to be developed it is not doubted however that the just policy which it adopts will add largely to our foreign trade and promote the general prosperity although it can not be certainly foreseen what amount of revenue it will yield it is estimated that it will exceed that produced by the act of 1842 which it superseded the leading principles established by it are to levy the taxes with a view to raise revenue and to impose them upon the articles imported according to their actual value the act of 1842 by the excessive rates of duty which it imposed on many articles either totally excluded them from importation or greatly reduced the amount imported and thus diminished instead of producing revenue by it the taxes were imposed not for the legitimate purpose of raising revenue but to afford advantages to favored classes at the expense of a large majority of their those employed in agriculture mechanical pursuits commerce and navigation were compelled to contribute from their substance to swell the profits and overgrown wealth of the comparatively few who had invested their capital in manufactures the taxes were not levied in proportion to the value of the articles upon which they were imposed but widely departing from this just rule the lighter taxes were in many cases levied upon articles of luxury and high price and the heavier taxes on those of necessity and low price consumed by the great mass of the people it was a system the inevitable effect of which was to relieve favored classes and the wealthy few from contributing their just proportion for the support of government and to lay the burden on the labor of the many engaged in other pursuits than manufactures a system so unequal and unjust has been superseded by the existing law which imposes duties not for the benefit or injury of classes or pursuits but distributes and as far as practicable equalizes the public burdens among all classes and occupations the favored classes who under the unequal and unjust system which has been repealed have heretofore realized large profits and many of them amassed large fortunes at the expense of the many who have been made tributary to them will have no reason to complain if they shall be required to bear their just proportion of the taxes necessary for the support of government so far from it it will be perceived by an examination of the existing law that discriminations in the rates of duty imposed within the revenue principle have been retained in their favor the incidental aid against foreign competition which they still enjoy gives them an advantage which no other pursuits possess but of this none others will complain because the duties levied are necessary for revenue these revenue duties including freights and charges which the importer must pay before he can come in competition with the home manufacturer in our markets amount on nearly all our leading branches of manufacture to more than of the value of the imported article and in some cases to almost its value with such advantages it is not doubted that our domestic manufacturers will continue to prosper realizing in establishments even greater profits than can be derived from any other regular business indeed so far from requiring the protection of even incidental revenue duties our manufacturers in several leading branches are extending their business giving evidence of great ingenuity and skill and of their ability to compete with increased prospect of success for the open market of the world domestic manufactures to the value of several millions of dollars which can not find a market at home are annually exported to foreign countries with such rates of duty as those established by the existing law the system will probably be permanent and capitalists who are made or shall hereafter make their investments in manufactures will know upon what to rely the country will be satisfied with these rates because the advantages which the manufacturers still enjoy result necessarily from the collection of revenue for the support of government high protective duties from their unjust operation upon the masses of the people can not fail to give rise to extensive dissatisfaction and complaint and to constant efforts to change or repeal them rendering all investments in manufactures uncertain and precarious lower and more permanent rates of duty at the same time that they will yield to the manufacturer fair and remunerating profits will secure him against the danger of frequent changes in the system which can not fail to ruinously affect his interests simultaneously with the relaxation of the restrictive policy by the united states great britain from whose example we derived the system has relaxed hers she has modified her corn laws and reduced many other duties to moderate revenue rates after ages of experience the statesmen of that country have been constrained by a stern necessity and by a public opinion having its deep foundation in the sufferings and wants of impoverished millions to abandon a system the effect of which was to build up immense fortunes in the hands of the few and to reduce the laboring millions to pauperism and misery nearly in the same ratio that labor was depressed capital was increased and concentrated by the british protective policy the evils of the system in great britain were at length rendered intolerable and it has been abandoned but not without a severe struggle on the part of the protected and favored classes to retain the unjust advantages which they have so long enjoyed it was to be expected that a similar struggle would be made by the same classes in the united states whenever an attempt was made to modify or abolish the same unjust system here the protective policy had been in operation in the united states for a much shorter period and its pernicious effects were not therefore so clearly perceived and felt enough however was known of these effects to induce its repeal it would be strange if in the face of the example of great britain our principal foreign customer and of the evils of a system rendered manifest in that country by long and painful experience and in the face of the immense advantages which under a more liberal commercial policy we are already deriving and must continue to derive by supplying her starving population with food the united states should restore a policy which she has been compelled to abandon and thus diminish her ability to purchase from us the food and other articles which she so much needs and we so much desire to sell by the simultaneous abandonment of the protective policy by great britain and the united states new and important markets have already been opened for our agricultural and other products commerce and navigation have received a new impulse labor and trade have been released from the artificial trammels which have so long fettered them and to a great extent reciprocity in the exchange of commodities has been introduced at the same time by both countries and greatly for the benefit of both great britain has been forced by the pressure of circumstances at home to abandon a policy which has been upheld for ages and to open her markets for our immense surplus of breadstuffs and it is confidently believed that other powers of europe will ultimately see the wisdom if they be not compelled by the pauperism and sufferings of their crowded population to pursue a similar policy our farmers are more deeply interested in maintaining the just and liberal policy of the existing law than any other class of our citizens they constitute a large majority of our population and it is well known that when they prosper all other pursuits prosper also they have heretofore not only received none of the bounties or favors of government but by the unequal operations of the protective policy have been made by the burdens of taxation which it imposed to contribute to the bounties which have enriched others when a foreign as well as a home market is opened to them they must receive as they are now receiving increased prices for their products they will find a readier sale and at better prices for their wheat flour rice indian corn beef pork lard butter cheese and other articles which they produce the home market alone is inadequate to enable them to dispose of the immense surplus of food and other articles which they are capable of producing even at the most reduced prices for the manifest reason that they can not be consumed in the country the united states can from their immense surplus supply not only the home demand but the deficiencies of food required by the whole world that the reduced production of some of the chief articles of food in great britain and other parts of europe may have contributed to increase the demand for our breadstuffs and provisions is not doubted but that the great and efficient because of this increased demand and of increased prices consists in the removal of artificial restrictions heretofore imposed is deemed to be equally certain that our exports of food already increased and increasing beyond former example under the more liberal policy which has been adopted will be still vastly enlarged unless they be checked or prevented by a restoration of the protective policy can not be doubted that our commercial and navigating interests will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio with the increase of our trade is equally certain while our manufacturing interests will still be the favored interests of the country and receive the incidental protection afforded them by revenue duties and more than this they can not justly demand in my annual message of december last a tariff of revenue duties based upon the principles of the existing law was recommended and i have seen no reason to change the opinions then expressed in view of the probable beneficial effects of that law i recommend that the policy established by it be maintained it has but just commenced to operate and to abandon or modify it without giving it a fair trial would be inexpedient and unwise should defects in any of its details be ascertained by actual experience to exist these may be hereafter corrected but until such defects shall become manifest the act should be fairly tested it is submitted for your consideration whether it may not be proper as a war measure to impose revenue duties on some of the articles now embraced in the free list should it be deemed proper to impose such duties with a view to raise revenue to meet the expenses of the war with mexico or to avoid to that extent the creation of a public debt they may be repealed when the emergency which gave rise to them shall cease to exist and constitute no part of the permanent policy of the country the act of the 6th of august last to provide for the better organization of the treasury and for the collection transfer and disbursement of the public revenue has been carried into execution as rapidly as the delay necessarily arising out of the appointment of new officers taking and approving their bonds and preparing and securing proper places for the of the public money would permit it is not proposed to depart in any respect from the principles or policy on which this great measure is rounded there are however defects in the details of the measure developed by its practical operation which are fully set forth in the report of the secretary of the treasury to which the attention of congress is invited these defects would impair to some extent the successful operation of the law at all times but are especially embarrassing when the country is engaged in a war when the expenditures are greatly increased when loans are to be effected and the disbursements are to be made at points many hundred miles distant in some cases from any depository and a large portion of them in a foreign country the modifications suggested in the report of the secretary of the treasury are recommended to your favorable consideration in connection with this subject i invite your attention to the importance of establishing a branch of the mint of the united states at new york of the revenue derived from customs being collected at that point the demand for specie to pay the duties will be large and a branch mint where foreign coin and bullion could be immediately converted into american coin would greatly facilitate the transaction of the public business enlarge the circulation of gold and silver and be at the same time a safe depository of the public money the importance of graduating and reducing the price of such of the public lands as have been long offered in the market at the minimum rate authorized by existing laws and remain unsold induces me again to recommend the subject to your favorable consideration many millions of acres of these lands have been offered in the market for more than thirty years and larger quantities for more than ten or twenty years and being of an inferior quality they must remain unsalable for an indefinite period unless the price at which they may be purchased shall be reduced to place a price upon them above their real value is not only to prevent their sale and thereby deprive the treasury of any income from that source but is unjust to the states in which they lie because it retards their growth and increase of population and because they have no power to levy a tax upon them as upon other lands within their limits held by other proprietors than the united states for the support of their local governments the beneficial effects of the graduation principle have been realized by some of the states owning the lands within their limits in which it has been adopted they have been demonstrated also by the united states acting as the trustee of the chickasaw tribe of indians in the sale of their lands lying within the states of mississippi and alabama the chickasaw lands which would not command in the market the minimum price established by the laws of the united states for the sale of their lands were in pursuance of the treaty of 1834 with that tribe subsequently offered for sale at graduated and reduced rates for limited periods the result was that large quantities of these lands were purchased which would otherwise have remained unsold the lands were disposed of at their real value and many persons of limited means were enabled to purchase small tracts upon which they have settled with their families that similar results would be produced by the adoption of the graduation policy by the united states in all the states in which they are the owners of large bodies of lands which have been long in the market can not be doubted it can not be a sound policy to withhold large quantities of the public lands from the use and occupation of our citizens by fixing upon them prices which experience has shown they will not command on the contrary it is a wise policy to afford facilities to our citizens to become the owners at low and moderate rates of freeholds of their own instead of being the tenants and dependents of others if it be apprehended that these lands if reduced in price would be secured in large quantities by speculators or capitalists the sales may be restricted in limited quantities to actual settlers or persons purchasing for purposes of cultivation in my last annual message i submitted for the consideration of congress the present system of managing the mineral lands of the united states and recommended that they should be brought into market and sold upon such terms and under such restrictions as congress might prescribe by the act of the 11th of july last the reserved lead mines and contiguous lands in the states of illinois and arkansas and territories of wisconsin and iowa were authorized to be sold the act is confined in its operation to lead mines and contiguous lands a large portion of the public lands containing copper and other ores is represented to be very valuable and i recommend that provision be made authorizing the sale of these lands upon such terms and conditions as from their supposed value may in the judgment of congress be deemed advisable having due regard to the interests of such of our citizens as may be located upon them it will be important during your present session to establish a territorial government and to extend the jurisdiction and laws of the united states over the territory of oregon our laws regulating trade and intercourse with the indian tribes east of the rocky mountains should be extended to the pacific ocean and for the purpose of executing them and preserving friendly relations with the indian tribes within our limits an additional number of indian agencies will be required and should be authorized by law the establishment of and of and and provision for the transportation of the mail on such routes as the public convenience will suggest require legislative authority it will be proper also to establish a office in that territory and to make the necessary provision for surveying the public lands and bringing them into market as our citizens who now reside in that distant region have been subjected to many hardships privations and sacrifices in their emigration and by their improvements have enhanced the value of the public lands in the neighborhood of their settlements it is recommended that liberal grants be made to them ot such portions of these lands as they may occupy and that similar grants or rights of preemption be made to all who may emigrate thither within a limited period prescribed by law the report of the secretary of war contains detailed information relative to the several branches of the public service connected with that department the operations of the army have been of a satisfactory and highly gratifying character i recommend to your early and favorable consideration the measures proposed by the secretary of war for speedily filling up the rank and file of the regular army for its greater efficiency in the field and for raising an additional force to serve during the war with mexico embarrassment is likely to arise for want of legal provision authorizing compensation to be made to the agents employed in the several states and territories to pay the revolutionary and other pensioners the amounts allowed them by law your attention is invited to the recommendations of the secretary of war on this subject these agents incur heavy responsibilities and perform important duties and no reason exists why they should not be placed on the same footing as to compensation with other disbursing officers our relations with the various indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character the unhappy dissensions which have existed among the cherokees for many years past have been healed since my last annual message important treaties have been negotiated with some of the tribes by which the indian title to large tracts of valuable land within the limits of the states and territories has been extinguished and arrangements made for removing them to the country west of the mississippi between and of different tribes have been removed to the country provided for them by treaty stipulations and arrangements have been made for others to follow in our intercourse with the several tribes particular attention has been given to the important subject of education the number of schools established among them has been increased and additional means provided not only for teaching them the rudiments of education but of instructing them in agriculture and the mechanic arts i refer you to the report of the secretary of the navy for a satisfactory view of the operations of the department under his charge during the past year it is gratifying to perceive that while the war with mexico has rendered it necessary to employ an unusual number of our armed vessels on her coasts the protection due to our commerce in other quarters of the world has not proved insufficient no means will be spared to give efficiency to the naval service in the prosecution of the war and i am happy to know that the officers and men anxiously desire to devote themselves to the service of their country in any enterprise however difficult of execution i recommend to your favorable consideration the proposition to add to each of our foreign squadrons an efficient sea steamer and as especially demanding attention the establishment at pensacola of the necessary means of repairing and refitting the vessels of the navy employed in the gulf of mexico there are other suggestions in the report which deserve and i doubt not will receive your consideration the progress and condition of the mail service for the past year are fully presented in the report of the the revenue for the year ending on the 30th of june last amounted to which is less than that of the preceding year the payments for that department during the same time amounted to of this sum have been drawn from the treasury the disbursements for the year were less than those of the preceding year while the disbursements have been thus diminished the mail facilities have been enlarged by new mail routes of miles an increase of transportation of miles and the establishment of 418 new contractors postmasters and others engaged in this branch of the service have performed their duties with energy and faithfulness deserving commendation for many interesting details connected with the operations of this establishment you are referred to the report of the and his suggestions for improving its revenues are recommended to your favorable consideration i repeat the opinion expressed in my last annual message that the business of this department should be so regulated that the revenues derived from it should be made to equal the expenditures and it is believed that this may be done by proper modifications of the present laws as suggested in the report of the without changing the present rates of postage with full reliance upon the wisdom and patriotism of your deliberations it will be my duty as it will be my anxious desire to cooperate with you in every constitutional effort to promote the welfare and maintain the honor of our common country
resuming labors service people subject congratulation period past history elements national prosperity fully developed since last session afflicting dispensation visited country general good health prevailed abundance crowned toil husbandman labor branches receiving ample reward education science arts rapidly enlarging means social happiness progress country career greatness vast extension territorial limits rapid increase population resources wealth happy condition people without example history nations wisdom strength beneficence free institutions unfolded every day adds fresh motives contentment fresh incentives patriotism devout sincere acknowledgments due gracious giver good numberless blessings beloved country enjoys source high satisfaction know relations united states nations single exception amicable character sincerely attached policy peace early adopted steadily pursued government anxiously desired cultivate cherish friendship commerce every foreign power spirit habits american people favorable maintenance international harmony adhering wise policy preliminary paramount duty obviously consists protection national interests encroachment sacrifice national honor reproach must maintained hazard admit compromise neglect must scrupulously constantly guarded vigilant vindication collision conflict foreign powers may sometimes become unavoidable scrupulous adherence dictates justice foreign intercourse though steadily rapidly advancing prosperity power given complaint nation enjoyed blessings peace thirty years policy sacred humanity salutary effects upon political system never induced voluntarily depart existing war mexico neither desired provoked united states contrary honorable means resorted avert years endurance aggravated unredressed wrongs part mexico violation solemn treaty stipulations every principle justice recognized civilized nations commenced hostilities thus act forced war upon us long advance army left bank rio grande ample war mexico united states resorted extremity might appealed whole civilized world justice deem duty present present occasion condensed review injuries sustained causes led war progress since commencement rendered necessary misapprehensions extent prevailed origin true character war represented unjust unnecessary one aggression part upon weak injured enemy erroneous views though entertained widely extensively circulated home spread throughout mexico whole world effectual means could devised encourage enemy protract war advocate adhere thus give aid comfort source national pride exultation great body people thrown obstacles way government prosecuting war successfully shown eminently patriotic ready vindicate country honor interests sacrifice alacrity promptness volunteer forces rushed field country call prove patriotism deep conviction wrongs suffered mexico almost ever since became independent power patient endurance borne without parallel history modern civilized nations reason believe wrongs resented resisted first instance present war might avoided one outrage however permitted pass impunity almost necessarily encouraged perpetration another last mexico seemed attribute weakness indecision part forbearance offspring magnanimity sincere desire preserve friendly relations sister republic scarcely mexico achieved independence united states first among nations acknowledge commenced system insult spoliation ever since pursued citizens engaged lawful commerce imprisoned vessels seized flag insulted ports money wanted lawless seizure confiscation merchant vessels cargoes ready resource accomplish purposes became necessary imprison owners captains crews done rulers superseded rulers mexico rapid succession still change system depredation government united states made repeated reclamations behalf citizens answered perpetration new outrages promises redress made mexico solemn forms postponed evaded files records department state contain conclusive proofs numerous lawless acts perpetrated upon property persons citizens mexico wanton insults national flag interposition government obtain redress invoked circumstances nation ought disregard hoped outrages would cease mexico would restrained laws regulate conduct civilized nations intercourse treaty amity commerce navigation 5th april 1831 concluded two republics hope soon proved vain course seizure confiscation property citizens violation persons insults flag pursued mexico previous time scarcely suspended even brief period although treaty clearly defines rights duties respective parties impossible misunderstand mistake less seven years conclusion treaty grievances become intolerable opinion president jackson longer endured message congress february 1837 presented consideration body declared length time since injuries committed repeated unavailing applications redress wanton character outrages upon property persons citizens upon officers flag united states independent recent insults government people late extraordinary mexican minister would justify eyes nations immediate war spirit kindness forbearance however recommended reprisals milder mode redress declared war used remedy generous nations confiding strength injuries committed honorably avoided added occurred considering present embarrassed condition country act wisdom moderation giving mexico one opportunity atone past take redress hands avoid misconception part mexico well protect national character reproach opportunity given avowed design full preparation take immediate satisfaction obtained repetition demand end recommend act passed authorizing reprisals use naval force united states executive mexico enforce event refusal mexican government come amicable adjustment matters controversy us upon another demand thereof made board vessels war coast mexico committees houses congress message president referred fully sustained views character wrongs suffered mexico recommended another demand redress made authorizing war reprisals committee foreign relations senate report say demand prompt justice refused mexican government may appeal nations equity moderation shall acted toward sister republic necessity compel us seek redress wrongs either actual war reprisals subject presented congress commencement next session clear distinct form committee doubt measures immediately adopted may necessary vindicate honor country insure ample reparation injured committee foreign affairs house representatives made similar recommendation report say fully concur president ample exists taking redress hands believe justified opinion nations taking step willing try experiment another demand made solemn form upon justice mexican government proceedings adopted difference opinion upon subject believed existed congress time executive legislative departments concurred yet forbearance desire preserve peace mexico wrongs complained gave rise solemn proceedings remain unredressed day additional causes complaint aggravated character ever since accumulating shortly proceedings special messenger dispatched mexico make final demand redress 20th july 1837 demand made reply mexican government bears date 29th month contains assurances anxious wish mexican government delay moment final equitable adjustment terminate existing difficulties two governments nothing left undone may contribute speedy equitable determination subjects seriously engaged attention american government mexican government would adopt guides conduct plainest principles public right sacred obligations imposed international law religious faith treaties whatever reason justice may dictate respecting case done assurance given decision mexican government upon complaint redress demanded communicated government united states mexican minister washington solemn assurances answer demand redress disregarded making however mexico obtained delay president van buren annual message congress 5th december 1837 states although larger number demands redress many aggravated cases personal wrongs years mexican government causes national complaint offensive character admitted immediate simple satisfactory replies within days past specific communication answer last demand made five months ago received mexican minister one public complaints satisfaction given offered one cases personal wrong favorably considered four cases descriptions formally presented earnestly pressed yet decided upon mexican government president van buren believing would vain make attempt obtain redress ordinary means within power executive communicated opinion congress message referred said careful deliberate examination contents correspondence mexican government considering spirit manifested mexican government become painful duty return subject stands congress belongs decide upon time mode measure redress united states time adopted compulsory measures taken redress hands difficulties mexico would probably long since adjusted existing war averted magnanimity moderation part effect complicate difficulties render amicable settlement embarrassing measures redress similar provocations committed powerful nations europe would promptly resorted united states doubted national honor preservation national character throughout world well protection due citizens would rendered resort indispensable history civilized nation modern times presented within brief period many wanton attacks upon honor flag upon property persons citizens time borne united states mexican authorities people mexico sister republic north american continent occupying territory contiguous feeble distracted condition considerations presumed induced congress forbear still longer instead taking redress hands new negotiation entered upon fair promises part mexico real purpose event proved indefinitely postponing reparation demanded justly due negotiation year delay resulted convention 11th april 1839 adjustment claims citizens united states america upon government mexican republic joint board commissioners created convention examine decide upon claims organized month august 1840 terms convention terminate duties within eighteen months time four eighteen months consumed preliminary discussions frivolous dilatory points raised mexican commissioners month december 1840 commenced examination claims citizens upon mexico fourteen months remained examine decide upon numerous complicated cases month february 1842 term commission expired leaving many claims undisposed want time claims allowed board umpire authorized convention decide case disagreement mexican american commissioners amounted pending umpire commission expired additional claims examined awarded american commissioners allowed mexican commissioners amounting upon decide alleging authority ceased termination joint commission besides claims others american citizens amounting submitted board upon time decide final adjournment sum awarded claimants liquidated ascertained debt due mexico could dispute bound pay according terms convention soon final awards amount made mexican government asked postponement time making payment alleging would inconvenient make payment time stipulated spirit forbearing kindness toward sister republic mexico long abused united states promptly complied request second convention accordingly concluded two governments 30th january 1843 upon face declares new arrangement entered accommodation mexico terms convention interest due awards made favor claimants convention 11th april 1839 paid 30th april 1843 principal said awards interest accruing thereon stipulated paid five years equal installments every three months notwithstanding new convention entered request mexico purpose relieving embarrassment claimants received interest due 30th april 1843 three twenty installments although payment sum thus liquidated confessedly due mexico citizens indemnity acknowledged acts outrage wrong secured treaty obligations ever held sacred nations yet mexico violated solemn engagement failing refusing make payment two installments due april july 1844 peculiar circumstances connected assumed united states discharged claimants still due mexico complaint provide remedy claimants whose cases decided joint commission convention april 11 1839 expressly stipulated sixth article convention 30th january 1843 new convention shall entered settlement claims government citizens united states republic mexico finally decided late commission met city washington claims government citizens mexico united states conformity stipulation third convention concluded signed city mexico 20th november 1843 plenipotentiaries two governments provision made ascertaining paying claims january 1844 convention ratified senate united states two amendments manifestly reasonable character upon reference amendments proposed government mexico evasions difficulties delays interposed long marked policy government toward united states even yet decided whether would would accede although subject repeatedly pressed upon consideration mexico thus violated second time faith treaties failing refusing carry effect sixth article convention january 1843 history wrongs suffered patiently endured mexico long series years far affording reasonable satisfaction injuries insults borne great aggravation consists fact united states anxious preserve good understanding mexico constantly vainly employed seeking redress past wrongs new outrages constantly occurring continued increase causes complaint swell amount demands citizens united states conducting lawful commerce mexico guaranty treaty amity commerce navigation many suffered injuries would resulted open war treaty instead affording protection citizens means inviting ports mexico might numerous instances plundered property deprived personal liberty dared insist rights unlawful seizures american property violation personal liberty citizens say nothing insults flag occurred ports mexico taken place high seas would long since constituted state actual war two countries long suffering mexico violate solemn treaty obligations plunder citizens property imprison persons without affording redress failed perform one first highest duties every government owes citizens consequence many reduced state affluence bankruptcy proud name american citizen ought protect bear insult injury throughout world afforded protection citizens mexico ample war mexico long breaking hostilities even forbore take redress hands mexico became aggressor invading soil hostile array shedding blood citizens grave causes complaint part united states mexico causes existed long annexation texas american union yet animated love peace magnanimous moderation adopt measures redress circumstances justified resort injured nations annexation texas united states constituted offense mexico pretext wholly inconsistent irreconcilable facts connected revolution texas became independent mexico may manifest may proper advert causes history principal events revolution texas constituted portion ancient province louisiana ceded united states france year 1803 year 1819 united states florida treaty ceded spain part louisiana within present limits texas mexico revolution separated spain rendered independent nation succeeded rights mother country territory year 1824 mexico established federal constitution mexican republic composed number sovereign states confederated together federal union similar states executive legislature judiciary except federal purposes independent general government states pennsylvania virginia constitution texas coahuila united formed one mexican states state constitution adopted approved mexican confederacy asserted free independent mexican united states every power dominion whatsoever proclaimed great principle human liberty sovereignty state resides originally essentially general mass individuals compose government constitution well federal constitution people texas owed allegiance emigrants foreign countries including united states invited colonization laws state federal government settle texas advantageous terms offered induce leave country become mexican citizens invitation accepted many citizens full faith new home would governed laws enacted representatives elected lives liberty property would protected constitutional guaranties similar existed republic left government thus organized continued year 1835 military revolution broke city mexico entirely subverted federal state constitutions placed military dictator head government sweeping decree congress subservient dictator several state constitutions abolished states converted mere departments central government people texas unwilling submit usurpation resistance tyranny became high duty texas fully absolved allegiance central government mexico moment government abolished state constitution place substituted arbitrary despotic central government principal causes texan revolution people texas determined upon resistance flew arms midst important exciting events however omit place liberties upon secure permanent foundation elected members convention month march 1836 issued formal declaration political connection mexican nation forever ended people texas constitute free sovereign independent republic fully invested rights attributes properly belong independent nations also adopted government liberal republican constitution time santa anna dictator mexico invaded texas numerous army purpose subduing people enforcing obedience arbitrary despotic government 21st april 1836 met texan citizen soldiers day achieved memorable victory san jacinto conquered independence considering numbers engaged respective sides history record brilliant achievement santa anna among captives month may 1836 santa anna acknowledged treaty texan authorities solumn form full entire perfect independence republic texas true prisoner war equally true failed reconquer texas met signal defeat authority revoked virtue treaty obtained personal release hostilities suspended army invaded texas command returned pursuance arrangement unmolested mexico day battle san jacinto fought present hour mexico never possessed power reconquer texas language secretary state united states dispatch minister mexico date 8th july 1842 mexico may chosen consider may still choose consider texas times since 1835 still continuing rebellious province world obliged take different view matter time battle san jacinto april 1836 present moment texas exhibited external signs national independence mexico quite much stability government practically free independent acknowledged political sovereignty principal powers world hostile foot finding rest within territory six seven years mexico refraining period attempt reestablish authority territory surprising find de bocanegra secretary foreign affairs mexico complaining whole period citizens united states government favoring rebels texas supplying vessels ammunition money war reduction province texas constantly prosecuted mexico success prevented influences abroad dispatch secretary state affirms since 1837 united states regarded texas independent sovereignty much mexico trade commerce citizens government war mexico account regarded intercourse assistance succor given mexican rebels whole current de bocanegra remarks runs direction independence texas acknowledged acknowledged acknowledged 1837 remonstrance protest mexico acts importance de bocanegra complains flow necessarily recognition speaks texas still integral part territory mexican republic understand united states regard real complaint mexico therefore substance neither less complaint recognition texan independence may thought rather late repeat complaint quite confine united states exemption england france belgium unless united states first acknowledge independence mexico blamed setting example recognition texas added constitution public treaties laws oblige president regard texas independent state territory part territory mexico texas independent state organized government defying power mexico overthrow reconquer ten years mexico commenced present war united states texas given evidence world ability maintain separate existence independent nation formally recognized united states several principal powers europe powers entered treaties amity commerce navigation received accredited ministers diplomatic agents respective courts commissioned ministers diplomatic agents part government texas mexico notwithstanding utter inability subdue reconquer texas still stubbornly refused recognize independent nation none less account mexico recognized independent nation united states powers many years spain revolution colony would agree recognize yet mexico time estimation civilized world fact none less independent power spain still claimed colony spain continued present period assert mexico one colonies rebellion would made changed fact independent existence texas period annexation united states bore relation mexico mexico borne spain many years spain acknowledged independence important difference annexation texas united states consummated mexico formal act government acknowledged independence texas nation true act recognition prescribed condition power authority impose texas annex power could detract degree recognition mexico made actual independence upon plain statement facts absurd mexico allege pretext commencing hostilities united states texas still part territory conceding true assume ground true western boundary texas nueces instead rio grande therefore marching army east bank latter river passed texan line invaded territory mexico simple statement facts known exist conclusively refute assumption texas ceded united states france 1803 always claimed extending west rio grande rio bravo fact established authority eminent statesmen period question well better understood present jefferson administration monroe pinckney sent special mission madrid charged among things adjustment boundary two countries note addressed spanish minister foreign affairs date 28th january 1805 assert boundaries louisiana ceded united states france river perdido east river bravo west add facts principles justify conclusion satisfactory government convince united states better right island new orleans cession referred whole district territory described conclusion florida treaty february 1819 territory ceded spain united states asserted maintained territorial rights extent month june 1818 monroe administration information received number foreign adventurers landed galveston avowed purpose forming settlement vicinity special messenger dispatched government united states instructions secretary state warn desist found place north rio bravo within territory claimed united states instructed found country north river make known surprise president seen possession thus taken without authority united states place within territorial limits upon lawful settlement made without sanction instructed call upon avow national authority profess act give due warning place within united states suffer permanent settlement made authority late 8th july 1842 secretary state united states note addressed minister mexico maintains florida treaty 1819 territory far west rio grande confirmed spain note states treaty 22d february 1819 united states spain sabine adopted line boundary two powers period considerable colonization effected texas territory sabine rio grande confirmed spain treaty applications made power grants land grants permissions settlement fact made spanish authorities favor citizens united states proposing emigrate texas numerous families declaration independence mexico texas ceded spain florida treaty 1819 embraced country claimed state texas nueces rio grande republic texas always claimed river western boundary treaty made santa anna may 1836 recognized constitution texas adopted march 1836 senatorial representative districts organized extending west nueces congress texas 19th december 1836 passed act define boundaries republic texas declared rio grande mouth source boundary said act extended civil political jurisdiction country boundary period nine years intervened adoption constitution annexation one states union texas asserted exercised many acts sovereignty jurisdiction territory inhabitants west nueces organized defined limits counties extending rio grande established courts justice extended judicial system territory established collected duties also established land office issued numerous grants land within limits senator representative residing elected congress republic served act annexation took place congress convention texas gave assent terms annexation united states proposed congress representatives residing west nueces took part act annexation texas act congress 29th december 1845 admitted one states union congress united states understood state texas admitted union extend beyond nueces apparent fact 31st december 1845 two days act admission passed law establish collection district state texas created port delivery corpus christi situated west nueces point texas laws republic located directed surveyor collect revenue appointed port president advice consent senate surveyor accordingly nominated confirmed senate ever since performance duties acts republic texas congress preceded orders advance army east bank rio grande subsequently congress passed act establishing certain post routes extending west nueces country west river constitutes part one congressional districts texas represented house representatives senators state chosen legislature country west river represented view facts difficult conceive upon ground maintained occupying country west nueces army view solely security defense invaded territory mexico would still difficult justify executive whose duty see laws faithfully executed face proceedings congress texas united states assumed responsibility yielding territory west nueces mexico refusing protect defend territory inhabitants including corpus christi well remainder texas threatened mexican invasion mexico never placed war waged upon ground army occupied intermediate territory nueces rio grande refuted pretension texas fact independent state rebellious province obstinately persevered avowed purpose commencing war united states reconquer texas restore mexican authority whole territory nueces sabine view proclaimed menaces mexico effect deemed duty measure precaution defense order army occupy position frontier military post troops could best resist repel attempted invasion mexico might make army occupied position corpus christi west nueces early august 1845 without complaint quarter nueces regarded true western boundary texas boundary passed army many months advanced eastern bank rio grande annual message december last informed congress upon invitation congress convention texas deemed proper order strong squadron coasts mexico concentrate efficient military force western frontier texas protect defend inhabitants menaced invasion mexico message informed congress moment terms annexation offered united states accepted texas latter became far part country make duty afford protection defense purpose squadron ordered gulf army take position nueces del norte rio grande repel invasion texan territory might attempted mexican forces deemed proper issue order soon president texas april 1845 issued proclamation convening congress republic purpose submitting body terms annexation proposed united states government mexico made serious threats invading texan territory threats became imposing became apparent progress question people texas would decide favor accepting terms annexation finally assumed formidable character induced congress convention texas request military force sent united states territory purpose protecting defending threatened invasion would violation good faith toward people texas refused afford aid desired threatened invasion exposed free determination annex union compliance overture made joint resolution congress accordingly portion army ordered advance texas corpus christi position selected general taylor encamped place august 1845 army remained position 11th march 1846 moved westward 28th month reached east bank rio grande opposite matamoras movement made pursuance orders war department issued 13th january 1846 orders issued dispatch minister mexico transmitting decision council government mexico advising received also dispatch consul residing city mexico former bearing date 17th latter 18th december 1845 copies accompanied message congress 11th may last received department state communications rendered highly probable absolutely certain minister would received government general herrera also well known little hope could entertained different result general paredes case revolutionary movement prosecuting prove successful highly probable partisans paredes minister dispatch referred states breathed fiercest hostility united states denounced proposed negotiation treason openly called upon troops people put government herrera force reconquest texas war united states openly threatened circumstances existing deemed proper order army command general taylor advance western frontier texas occupy position near rio grande apprehensions contemplated mexican invasion since fully justified event determination mexico rush hostilities united states afterwards manifested whole tenor note mexican minister foreign affairs minister bearing date 12th march 1846 paredes revolutionized government minister referring resolution annexation texas adopted congress march 1845 proceeds declare fact speak greater exactness notable act usurpation created imperious necessity mexico honor repel proper firmness dignity supreme government beforehand declared would look upon act casus belli consequence declaration negotiation nature end war recourse mexican government appears also 4th april following general paredes minister war issued orders mexican general command texan frontier attack army every means war permits general paredes pledged army people mexico military revolution brought power 18th april 1846 general paredes addressed letter commander frontier stated present date suppose head valiant army either fighting already preparing operations campaign supposing already theater operations forces assembled indispensable hostilities commenced taking initiative enemy movement army rio grande made commanding general positive orders abstain aggressive acts toward mexico mexican citizens regard relations two countries peaceful unless mexico declare war commit acts hostility indicative state war orders faithfully executed whilst occupying position east bank rio grande within limits texas recently admitted one states union commanding general mexican forces pursuance orders government collected large army opposite shore rio grande crossed river invaded territory commenced hostilities attacking forces thus injuries received borne mexico insultingly rejected minister sent mission peace solemnly agreed receive consummated long course outrage country commencing offensive war shedding blood citizens soil united states never attempted acquire texas conquest contrary early period people texas achieved independence sought annexed united states general election september 1836 decided great unanimity favor annexation november following congress republic authorized appointment minister bear request government government however remained neutral texas mexico war considering due honor country fair fame among nations earth early period consent annexation manifest whole world reconquest texas mexico impossible refused accede overtures made texas 12th april 1844 seven years elapsed since texas established independence treaty concluded annexation republic united states rejected senate finally 1st march 1845 congress passed joint resolution annexing united states upon certain preliminary conditions assent required solemnities characterized deliberations conduct government people texas deeply interesting questions presented resolutions known world congress executive people texas convention elected purpose accepted great unanimity proposed terms annexation thus consummated part great act restoring federal union vast territory ceded spain florida treaty quarter century joint resolution annexation texas united states passed congress mexican minister washington addressed note secretary state bearing date 6th march 1845 protesting act aggression unjust found recorded annals modern history namely despoiling friendly nation like mexico considerable portion territory protesting resolution annexation act whereby province texas integral portion mexican territory agreed admitted american union announced consequence mission united states terminated demanded passports granted upon absurd pretext made mexico indebted independence successful revolution republic texas still continued notwithstanding passed province mexico step taken mexican minister every honorable effort used avoid war followed proved vain attempts preserve peace met insult resistance part mexico efforts end commenced note secretary state 10th march 1845 answer mexican minister whilst declining reopen discussion already exhausted proving known whole world texas long since achieved independence secretary state expressed regret government mexico taken offense resolution annexation passed congress gave assurance strenuous efforts shall devoted amicable adjustment every complaint two governments cultivation kindest friendly relations sister republics acted spirit assurance appear events since occurred notwithstanding mexico abruptly terminated diplomatic intercourse united states ought therefore first ask resumption yet waiving ceremony embraced earliest favorable opportunity ascertain mexican government whether would receive envoy united states intrusted full power adjust questions dispute two governments september 1845 believed propitious moment overture arrived texas enthusiastic almost unanimous people pronounced favor annexation mexico agreed acknowledge independence texas subject condition true right impose power enforce last lingering hope mexico still could retained texas would ever become one provinces must abandoned consul united states city mexico therefore instructed secretary state 15th september 1845 make inquiry mexican government inquiry made 15th october 1845 minister foreign affairs mexican government note addressed consul gave favorable response requesting time naval force might withdrawn vera cruz negotiations pending upon receipt note naval force promptly withdrawn vera cruz minister immediately appointed departed mexico everything bore promising aspect speedy peaceful adjustment difficulties date annual message congress december last doubt entertained would received mexican government hope cherished misunderstanding two countries would speedily removed confident hope would result mission informed congress forbore time recommend ulterior measures redress wrongs injuries long borne would proper make negotiation instituted surprise regret mexican government though solemnly pledged upon arrival minister mexico refused receive accredit reached vera cruz 30th november 1845 found aspect affairs undergone unhappy change government general herrera time president republic tottering fall general paredes military leader manifested determination overthrow government herrera military revolution one principal means employed effect purpose render government herrera odious army people mexico loudly condemning determination receive minister peace united states alleging intention herrera treaty united states dismember territory mexico ceding away department texas government herrera believed well disposed pacific adjustment existing difficulties probably alarmed security order ward danger revolution led paredes violated solemn agreement refused receive accredit minister although informed invested full power adjust questions dispute two governments among frivolous pretexts refusal principal one minister gone upon special mission confined question texas alone leaving outrages upon flag citizens unredressed mexican government well knew national honor protection due citizens imperatively required two questions boundary indemnity treated together naturally inseparably blended ought seen course best calculated enable united states extend liberal justice 30th december 1845 general herrera resigned presidency yielded government general paredes without struggle thus revolution accomplished solely army commanded paredes supreme power mexico passed hands military usurper known bitterly hostile united states although prospect pacific adjustment new government unpromising known hostility head united states yet determined nothing left undone part restore friendly relations two countries minister instructed present credentials new government ask accredited diplomatic character commissioned instructions executed note 1st march 1846 addressed mexican minister foreign affairs request insultingly refused minister answer 12th month alternative remained minister demand passports return united states thus extraordinary spectacle presented civilized world government violation express agreement twice rejected minister peace invested full powers adjust existing differences two countries manner honorable aware modern history presents parallel case time peace one nation refused even hear propositions another terminating existing difficulties scarcely hope adjusting difficulties even remote day preserving peace mexico could cherished paredes remained head government acquired supreme power military revolution upon solemn pledges wage war united states reconquer texas claimed revolted province mexico denounced guilty treason mexicans considered texas longer constituting part territory mexico friendly peace duration war waged united states indefinite end proposed reconquest texas hopeless besides good reason believe conduct intention convert republic mexico monarchy call foreign european prince throne preparatory end short rule destroyed liberty press tolerating portion openly advocated establishment monarchy better secure success ultimate designs arbitrary decree convoked congress elected free voice people chosen manner make subservient give absolute control deliberations circumstances believed revolution mexico founded upon opposition ambitious projects paredes would tend promote peace well prevent attempted european interference affairs north american continent objects deep interest united states foreign interference attempted must resisted united states views upon subject fully communicated congress last annual message event certain change whatever government mexico would deprive paredes power could worse far united states concerned highly probable change must better state affairs existing congress 13th may last recognized existence war commenced government paredes became object much importance view speedy settlement difficulties restoration honorable peace paredes retain power mexico time symptoms revolution mexico favored understood liberal party especially opposed foreign interference monarchical form government santa anna exile havana expelled power banished country revolution occurred december 1844 known still considerable party favor mexico also equally well known vigilance could exerted squadron would probability prevented effecting landing somewhere extensive gulf coast mexico desired return country openly professed entire change policy expressed regret subverted federal constitution 1824 avowed favor restoration publicly declared hostility strongest terms establishment monarchy european interference affairs country information effect received sources believed reliable date recognition existence war congress afterwards fully confirmed receipt dispatch consul city mexico accompanying documents herewith transmitted besides reasonable suppose must see ruinous consequences mexico war united states would interest favor peace circumstances upon considerations deemed expedient obstruct return mexico attempt object restoration peace view reason perceived take part paredes aid means blockade preventing return rival mexico contrary believed intestine divisions ordinary sagacity could anticipate fruit santa anna return mexico contest paredes might strongly tend produce disposition parties restore preserve peace united states paredes soldier profession monarchist principle recently successful military revolution obtained power sworn enemy united states involved country existing war santa anna expelled power army known open hostility paredes publicly pledged foreign intervention restoration monarchy mexico view facts circumstances orders issued commander naval forces gulf 13th day may last day existence war recognized congress place coasts mexico blockade directed obstruct passage santa anna mexico attempt return revolution took place mexico early part august following power paredes overthrown since banished country exile shortly afterwards santa anna returned remains seen whether return may yet prove favorable pacific adjustment existing difficulties manifestly interest persevere prosecution war commenced paredes accomplish purpose absurd reconquest texas sabine paredes remained power morally certain pacific adjustment would hopeless upon commencement hostilities mexico united states indignant spirit nation aroused congress promptly responded expectations country act 13th may last recognized fact war existed act mexico united states republic granted means necessary vigorous prosecution involved war thus commenced mexico justice part may confidently appeal whole world resolved prosecute utmost vigor accordingly ports mexico gulf pacific placed blockade territory invaded several important points reports departments war navy inform detail measures adopted emergency country placed gratifying results accomplished various columns army performed duty great disadvantages distinguished skill courage victories palo alto resaca de la palma monterey greatly superior numbers decided advantages respects part enemy brilliant execution entitle brave officers soldiers grateful thanks country nation deplores loss brave officers men gallantly fallen vindicating defending country rights honor subject pride satisfaction volunteer citizen soldiers promptly responded country call experience discipline camp weeks borne part battle monterey constancy courage equal veteran troops worthy highest admiration privations long marches enemy country wilderness borne without murmur rapid movements province new mexico santa fe capital captured without bloodshed navy cooperated army rendered important services brilliant enemy force meet element defenses nature interposed difficulties navigation mexican coast squadron pacific cooperation gallant officer army small force hastily collected distant country acquired bloodless possession californias american flag raised every important point province congratulate success thus attended military naval operations less seven months mexico commenced hostilities time selected taken possession many principal ports driven back pursued invading army acquired military possession mexican provinces new mexico new leon coahuila tamaulipas californias territory larger extent embraced original thirteen states union inhabited considerable population much miles points collect forces commence movements blockade import export trade enemy cut well may american people proud energy gallantry regular volunteer officers soldiers events months afford gratifying proof country emergency confidently rely maintenance honor defense rights effective force ready times voluntarily relinquish comforts home perils privations camp though force may time expensive end economical ability command removes necessity employing large standing army time peace proves people love institutions ever ready defend protect war course vigorous successful prosecution still anxious arrest evils considering brilliant victories arms 8th 9th may last national honor could compromitted another overture made mexico direction 27th july last terminate hostilities peace honorable countries 31st august following mexican government declined accept friendly overture referred decision mexican congress assembled early part present month communicate herewith copy letter secretary state proposing reopen negotiations answer mexican government reply thereto secretary state war continue prosecuted vigor best means securing peace hoped decision mexican congress last overture referred may result speedy honorable peace experience however unreasonable course mexican authorities part wisdom relax energy military operations result made known view deemed important hold military possession provinces taken definitive treaty peace shall concluded ratified two countries 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 laws nations conquered country subject governed conqueror military possession either treaty peace shall voluntarily withdraw old civil government necessarily superseded right duty conqueror secure conquest provide maintenance civil order rights inhabitants right exercised duty performed military naval commanders establishment temporary governments conquered provinces mexico assimilating far practicable free institutions country provinces new mexico californias little resistance apprehended inhabitants temporary governments thus necessity case according laws war established may proper provide security important conquests making adequate appropriation purpose erecting fortifications defraying expenses necessarily incident maintenance possession authority near close last session reasons communicated congress deemed important measure securing speedy peace mexico sum money appropriated placed power executive similar made upon two former occasions administration president jefferson 26th february 1803 appropriation made placed disposal president object well known time contemplation acquire louisiana france intended applied part consideration might paid territory 13th february 1806 sum like manner appropriated view purchase floridas spain appropriations made facilitate negotiations means enable president accomplish important objects view though become necessary president use appropriations yet state things might arisen would highly important wisdom making doubted believed measure recommended last session met approbation decided majorities houses congress indeed different forms bill making appropriation passed house much regretted become law reasons induced recommend measure time still exist submit subject consideration suggest importance early action upon appropriation made needed remain treasury deemed proper apply whole part accounted public expenditures immediately congress recognized existence war mexico attention directed danger privateers might fitted ports cuba porto rico prey upon commerce united states invited special attention spanish government fourteenth article treaty power 27th october 1795 citizens subjects either nation shall take commissions letters marque act privateers shall punished pirates affords pleasure inform received assurances spanish government article treaty shall faithfully observed part orders purpose immediately transmitted government authorities cuba porto rico exert utmost vigilance preventing attempts fit privateers islands united states good faith spain fully satisfied treaty executed spirit well letter whilst united states part faithfully perform obligations imposes information recently received department state mexican government sent havana blank commissions privateers blank certificates naturalization signed general salas present head mexican government also reason apprehend similar documents transmitted parts world copies papers translation herewith transmitted preliminaries required practice civilized nations commissioning privateers regulating conduct appear observed commissions blank filled names citizens subjects nations may willing purchase whole proceeding construed invitation freebooters upon earth willing pay privilege cruise american commerce courts justice decide whether circumstances mexican letters marque reprisal shall protect accept commit robberies upon high seas authority pains penalties piracy certificates naturalization thus granted intended mexico shield spanish subjects guilt punishment pirates treaty spain certainly prove unavailing subterfuge would weak device defeat provisions solemn treaty recommend congress immediately provide law trial punishment pirates spanish subjects escaping vigilance government shall found guilty privateering united states apprehend serious danger privateers navy constantly alert protect commerce besides case prizes made american vessels utmost vigilance exerted blockading squadron prevent captors taking mexican ports apprehended nation violate neutrality suffering prizes condemned sold within jurisdiction recommend congress immediately provide law granting letters marque reprisal vessels mexican flag true commercial vessels mexico upon high seas therefore probable many american privateers would fitted case law pass authorizing mode warfare notwithstanding certain privateers may render good service commercial interests country recapturing merchant ships taken armed vessels mexican flag well capturing vessels every means within power rendered available protection commerce annual report secretary treasury exhibit detailed statement condition finances imports fiscal year ending 30th june last value amount exported leaving amount retained country domestic consumption value exports period consisted domestic productions foreign articles receipts treasury year derived customs sales public lands incidental miscellaneous sources expenditures period balance treasury 1st day july last 08 amount public debt including treasury notes 1st present month sum outstanding 4th march 1845 leaving amount incurred since time order prosecute war mexico vigor energy best means bringing speedy honorable termination loan necessary meet expenditures present next fiscal year war continued 30th june 1848 end next fiscal year estimated additional loan required estimate made upon assumption necessary retain constantly treasury guard contingencies surplus required retained loan would sufficient however congress present session impose revenue duty principal articles embraced free list estimated additional annual revenue two millions half amounting estimated 30th june 1848 would derived source loan required would reduced amount estimated also congress graduate reduce price public lands long market additional revenue derived source would annually several years come half million million dollars loan required may reduced amount also measures adopted loan required would probably exceed leaving treasury constant surplus loan proposed estimated sufficient cover necessary expenditures war purposes 30th june 1848 amount loan exceeding may required present fiscal year greater part remainder first half fiscal year succeeding order timely notice may given proper measures taken effect loan portion may required important authority congress make given early period present session suggested loan contracted period twenty years authority purchase stock pay earlier period market value surplus may time treasury applicable purpose establishment peace mexico supposed considerable surplus exist debt may extinguished much shorter period may contracted period twenty years proposed loan may contracted preference shorter period suggested experience home abroad shown loans effected upon much better terms upon long time reimbursable short dates necessary measure sustain honor interests country engaged foreign war doubted congress promptly authorize balance treasury 1st july last exceeded notwithstanding considerable expenditures made war months may june preceding war whole public debt could would extinguished within short period part settled policy thus relieve people burden place government position would enable reduce public expenditures economical standard consistent general welfare pure wholesome progress institutions among causes complaint mexico arising refusal treat peace well since war unjustly commenced part extraordinary expenditures involved justice people make proper mexico held responsible expenditures economy public expenditures times high duty public functionaries government owe people duty becomes imperative period war large extraordinary expenditures become unavoidable existence war mexico resources husbanded appropriations made except absolutely necessary vigorous prosecution due administration government objects appropriation peace may deemed useful proper indispensable public service may country engaged foreign war well postponed future period observance policy present session large amounts may saved treasury applied objects pressing urgent necessity thus creation corresponding amount public debt may avoided meant recommend ordinary necessary appropriations support government withheld well known every session congress appropriations proposed numerous objects may may made without materially affecting public interests recommended granted act passed last session reducing duties imports gone operation 1st present month time practical effect upon revenue business country developed doubted however policy adopts add largely foreign trade promote general prosperity although certainly foreseen amount revenue yield estimated exceed produced act 1842 superseded leading principles established levy taxes view raise revenue impose upon articles imported according actual value act 1842 excessive rates duty imposed many articles either totally excluded importation greatly reduced amount imported thus diminished instead producing revenue taxes imposed legitimate purpose raising revenue afford advantages favored classes expense large majority employed agriculture mechanical pursuits commerce navigation compelled contribute substance swell profits overgrown wealth comparatively invested capital manufactures taxes levied proportion value articles upon imposed widely departing rule lighter taxes many cases levied upon articles luxury high price heavier taxes necessity low price consumed great mass people system inevitable effect relieve favored classes wealthy contributing proportion support government lay burden labor many engaged pursuits manufactures system unequal unjust superseded existing law imposes duties benefit injury classes pursuits distributes far practicable equalizes public burdens among classes occupations favored classes unequal unjust system repealed heretofore realized large profits many amassed large fortunes expense many made tributary reason complain shall required bear proportion taxes necessary support government far perceived examination existing law discriminations rates duty imposed within revenue principle retained favor incidental aid foreign competition still enjoy gives advantage pursuits possess none others complain duties levied necessary revenue revenue duties including freights charges importer must pay come competition home manufacturer markets amount nearly leading branches manufacture value imported article cases almost value advantages doubted domestic manufacturers continue prosper realizing establishments even greater profits derived regular business indeed far requiring protection even incidental revenue duties manufacturers several leading branches extending business giving evidence great ingenuity skill ability compete increased prospect success open market world domestic manufactures value several millions dollars find market home annually exported foreign countries rates duty established existing law system probably permanent capitalists made shall hereafter make investments manufactures know upon rely country satisfied rates advantages manufacturers still enjoy result necessarily collection revenue support government high protective duties unjust operation upon masses people fail give rise extensive dissatisfaction complaint constant efforts change repeal rendering investments manufactures uncertain precarious lower permanent rates duty time yield manufacturer fair remunerating profits secure danger frequent changes system fail ruinously affect interests simultaneously relaxation restrictive policy united states great britain whose example derived system relaxed modified corn laws reduced many duties moderate revenue rates ages experience statesmen country constrained stern necessity public opinion deep foundation sufferings wants impoverished millions abandon system effect build immense fortunes hands reduce laboring millions pauperism misery nearly ratio labor depressed capital increased concentrated british protective policy evils system great britain length rendered intolerable abandoned without severe struggle part protected favored classes retain unjust advantages long enjoyed expected similar struggle would made classes united states whenever attempt made modify abolish unjust system protective policy operation united states much shorter period pernicious effects therefore clearly perceived felt enough however known effects induce repeal would strange face example great britain principal foreign customer evils system rendered manifest country long painful experience face immense advantages liberal commercial policy already deriving must continue derive supplying starving population food united states restore policy compelled abandon thus diminish ability purchase us food articles much needs much desire sell simultaneous abandonment protective policy great britain united states new important markets already opened agricultural products commerce navigation received new impulse labor trade released artificial trammels long fettered great extent reciprocity exchange commodities introduced time countries greatly benefit great britain forced pressure circumstances home abandon policy upheld ages open markets immense surplus breadstuffs confidently believed powers europe ultimately see wisdom compelled pauperism sufferings crowded population pursue similar policy farmers deeply interested maintaining liberal policy existing law class citizens constitute large majority population well known prosper pursuits prosper also heretofore received none bounties favors government unequal operations protective policy made burdens taxation imposed contribute bounties enriched others foreign well home market opened must receive receiving increased prices products find readier sale better prices wheat flour rice indian corn beef pork lard butter cheese articles produce home market alone inadequate enable dispose immense surplus food articles capable producing even reduced prices manifest reason consumed country united states immense surplus supply home demand deficiencies food required whole world reduced production chief articles food great britain parts europe may contributed increase demand breadstuffs provisions doubted great efficient increased demand increased prices consists removal artificial restrictions heretofore imposed deemed equally certain exports food already increased increasing beyond former example liberal policy adopted still vastly enlarged unless checked prevented restoration protective policy doubted commercial navigating interests enlarged corresponding ratio increase trade equally certain manufacturing interests still favored interests country receive incidental protection afforded revenue duties justly demand annual message december last tariff revenue duties based upon principles existing law recommended seen reason change opinions expressed view probable beneficial effects law recommend policy established maintained commenced operate abandon modify without giving fair trial would inexpedient unwise defects details ascertained actual experience exist may hereafter corrected defects shall become manifest act fairly tested submitted consideration whether may proper war measure impose revenue duties articles embraced free list deemed proper impose duties view raise revenue meet expenses war mexico avoid extent creation public debt may repealed emergency gave rise shall cease exist constitute part permanent policy country act 6th august last provide better organization treasury collection transfer disbursement public revenue carried execution rapidly delay necessarily arising appointment new officers taking approving bonds preparing securing proper places public money would permit proposed depart respect principles policy great measure rounded however defects details measure developed practical operation fully set forth report secretary treasury attention congress invited defects would impair extent successful operation law times especially embarrassing country engaged war expenditures greatly increased loans effected disbursements made points many hundred miles distant cases depository large portion foreign country modifications suggested report secretary treasury recommended favorable consideration connection subject invite attention importance establishing branch mint united states new york revenue derived customs collected point demand specie pay duties large branch mint foreign coin bullion could immediately converted american coin would greatly facilitate transaction public business enlarge circulation gold silver time safe depository public money importance graduating reducing price public lands long offered market minimum rate authorized existing laws remain unsold induces recommend subject favorable consideration many millions acres lands offered market thirty years larger quantities ten twenty years inferior quality must remain unsalable indefinite period unless price may purchased shall reduced place price upon real value prevent sale thereby deprive treasury income source unjust states lie retards growth increase population power levy tax upon upon lands within limits held proprietors united states support local governments beneficial effects graduation principle realized states owning lands within limits adopted demonstrated also united states acting trustee chickasaw tribe indians sale lands lying within states mississippi alabama chickasaw lands would command market minimum price established laws united states sale lands pursuance treaty 1834 tribe subsequently offered sale graduated reduced rates limited periods result large quantities lands purchased would otherwise remained unsold lands disposed real value many persons limited means enabled purchase small tracts upon settled families similar results would produced adoption graduation policy united states states owners large bodies lands long market doubted sound policy withhold large quantities public lands use occupation citizens fixing upon prices experience shown command contrary wise policy afford facilities citizens become owners low moderate rates freeholds instead tenants dependents others apprehended lands reduced price would secured large quantities speculators capitalists sales may restricted limited quantities actual settlers persons purchasing purposes cultivation last annual message submitted consideration congress present system managing mineral lands united states recommended brought market sold upon terms restrictions congress might prescribe act 11th july last reserved lead mines contiguous lands states illinois arkansas territories wisconsin iowa authorized sold act confined operation lead mines contiguous lands large portion public lands containing copper ores represented valuable recommend provision made authorizing sale lands upon terms conditions supposed value may judgment congress deemed advisable due regard interests citizens may located upon important present session establish territorial government extend jurisdiction laws united states territory oregon laws regulating trade intercourse indian tribes east rocky mountains extended pacific ocean purpose executing preserving friendly relations indian tribes within limits additional number indian agencies required authorized law establishment provision transportation mail routes public convenience suggest require legislative authority proper also establish office territory make necessary provision surveying public lands bringing market citizens reside distant region subjected many hardships privations sacrifices emigration improvements enhanced value public lands neighborhood settlements recommended liberal grants made ot portions lands may occupy similar grants rights preemption made may emigrate thither within limited period prescribed law report secretary war contains detailed information relative several branches public service connected department operations army satisfactory highly gratifying character recommend early favorable consideration measures proposed secretary war speedily filling rank file regular army greater efficiency field raising additional force serve war mexico embarrassment likely arise want legal provision authorizing compensation made agents employed several states territories pay revolutionary pensioners amounts allowed law attention invited recommendations secretary war subject agents incur heavy responsibilities perform important duties reason exists placed footing compensation disbursing officers relations various indian tribes continue pacific character unhappy dissensions existed among cherokees many years past healed since last annual message important treaties negotiated tribes indian title large tracts valuable land within limits states territories extinguished arrangements made removing country west mississippi different tribes removed country provided treaty stipulations arrangements made others follow intercourse several tribes particular attention given important subject education number schools established among increased additional means provided teaching rudiments education instructing agriculture mechanic arts refer report secretary navy satisfactory view operations department charge past year gratifying perceive war mexico rendered necessary employ unusual number armed vessels coasts protection due commerce quarters world proved insufficient means spared give efficiency naval service prosecution war happy know officers men anxiously desire devote service country enterprise however difficult execution recommend favorable consideration proposition add foreign squadrons efficient sea steamer especially demanding attention establishment pensacola necessary means repairing refitting vessels navy employed gulf mexico suggestions report deserve doubt receive consideration progress condition mail service past year fully presented report revenue year ending 30th june last amounted less preceding year payments department time amounted sum drawn treasury disbursements year less preceding year disbursements thus diminished mail facilities enlarged new mail routes miles increase transportation miles establishment 418 new contractors postmasters others engaged branch service performed duties energy faithfulness deserving commendation many interesting details connected operations establishment referred report suggestions improving revenues recommended favorable consideration repeat opinion expressed last annual message business department regulated revenues derived made equal expenditures believed may done proper modifications present laws suggested report without changing present rates postage full reliance upon wisdom patriotism deliberations duty anxious desire cooperate every constitutional effort promote welfare maintain honor common country
resume labor service people subject congratulation period past history element national prosperity fully develop since last session afflict dispensation visit country general good health prevail abundance crown toil husbandman labor branch receive ample reward education science art rapidly enlarge mean social happiness progress country career greatness vast extension territorial limit rapid increase population resource wealth happy condition people without example history nation wisdom strength beneficence free institution unfolded every day add fresh motif contentment fresh incentive patriotism devout sincere acknowledgment due gracious giver good numberless blessing beloved country enjoy source high satisfaction know relation united state nation single exception amicable character sincerely attached policy peace early adopt steadily pursued government anxiously desire cultivate cherish friendship commerce every foreign power spirit habit american people favorable maintenance international harmony adhere wise policy preliminary paramount duty obviously consist protection national interest encroachment sacrifice national honor reproach must maintain hazard admit compromise neglect must scrupulously constantly guard vigilant vindication collision conflict foreign power may sometimes become unavoidable scrupulous adherence dictate justice foreign intercourse though steadily rapidly advance prosperity power give complaint nation enjoy blessing peace thirty year policy sacred humanity salutary effect upon political system never induce voluntarily depart exist war mexico neither desire provoked united state contrary honorable mean resort avert year endurance aggravate unredressed wrong part mexico violation solemn treaty stipulation every principle justice recognize civilized nation commence hostility thus act forced war upon u long advance army leave bank rio grande ample war mexico united state resort extremity might appeal whole civilize world justice deem duty present present occasion condense review injury sustain cause lead war progress since commencement render necessary misapprehension extent prevail origin true character war represent unjust unnecessary one aggression part upon weak injured enemy erroneous view though entertained widely extensively circulate home spread throughout mexico whole world effectual mean could devise encourage enemy protract war advocate adhere thus give aid comfort source national pride exultation great body people thrown obstacle way government prosecute war successfully show eminently patriotic ready vindicate country honor interest sacrifice alacrity promptness volunteer force rush field country call prove patriotism deep conviction wrong suffer mexico almost ever since become independent power patient endurance borne without parallel history modern civilize nation reason believe wrong resent resist first instance present war might avoid one outrage however permit pas impunity almost necessarily encourage perpetration another last mexico seem attribute weakness indecision part forbearance offspring magnanimity sincere desire preserve friendly relation sister republic scarcely mexico achieved independence unite state first among nation acknowledge commenced system insult spoliation ever since pursue citizen engage lawful commerce imprison vessel seize flag insulted port money want lawless seizure confiscation merchant vessel cargoes ready resource accomplish purpose become necessary imprison owner captain crew do ruler supersede ruler mexico rapid succession still change system depredation government unite state make repeated reclamation behalf citizen answer perpetration new outrage promise redress make mexico solemn form postpone evaded file record department state contain conclusive proof numerous lawless act perpetrate upon property person citizen mexico wanton insult national flag interposition government obtain redress invoked circumstance nation ought disregard hop outrage would cease mexico would restrain law regulate conduct civilize nation intercourse treaty amity commerce navigation 5th april 1831 conclude two republic hope soon proved vain course seizure confiscation property citizen violation person insult flag pursue mexico previous time scarcely suspend even brief period although treaty clearly define right duty respective party impossible misunderstand mistake less seven year conclusion treaty grievance become intolerable opinion president jackson longer endured message congress february 1837 presented consideration body declare length time since injury commit repeat unavailing application redress wanton character outrage upon property person citizens upon officer flag united state independent recent insults government people late extraordinary mexican minister would justify eye nation immediate war spirit kindness forbearance however recommend reprisal milder mode redress declare war use remedy generous nation confide strength injury commit honorably avoid add occur consider present embarrass condition country act wisdom moderation give mexico one opportunity atone past take redress hand avoid misconception part mexico well protect national character reproach opportunity give avow design full preparation take immediate satisfaction obtain repetition demand end recommend act pass authorize reprisal use naval force united state executive mexico enforce event refusal mexican government come amicable adjustment matter controversy u upon another demand thereof make board vessel war coast mexico committee house congress message president refer fully sustain view character wrong suffer mexico recommend another demand redress make authorize war reprisal committee foreign relation senate report say demand prompt justice refuse mexican government may appeal nation equity moderation shall act toward sister republic necessity compel u seek redress wrong either actual war reprisal subject present congress commencement next session clear distinct form committee doubt measure immediately adopt may necessary vindicate honor country insure ample reparation injure committee foreign affair house representative make similar recommendation report say fully concur president ample exist take redress hand believe justified opinion nation take step willing try experiment another demand make solemn form upon justice mexican government proceeding adopt difference opinion upon subject believe existed congress time executive legislative department concur yet forbearance desire preserve peace mexico wrong complain give rise solemn proceeding remain unredressed day additional cause complaint aggravate character ever since accumulate shortly proceeding special messenger dispatch mexico make final demand redress 20th july 1837 demand make reply mexican government bear date 29th month contains assurances anxious wish mexican government delay moment final equitable adjustment terminate exist difficulty two government nothing leave undone may contribute speedy equitable determination subject seriously engage attention american government mexican government would adopt guide conduct plain principle public right sacred obligation impose international law religious faith treaty whatever reason justice may dictate respect case do assurance give decision mexican government upon complaint redress demand communicated government unite state mexican minister washington solemn assurance answer demand redress disregard make however mexico obtain delay president van buren annual message congress 5th december 1837 state although large number demand redress many aggravated case personal wrong year mexican government cause national complaint offensive character admit immediate simple satisfactory reply within day past specific communication answer last demand make five month ago receive mexican minister one public complaints satisfaction give offer one case personal wrong favorably consider four case description formally present earnestly press yet decide upon mexican government president van buren believe would vain make attempt obtain redress ordinary mean within power executive communicate opinion congress message refer say careful deliberate examination content correspondence mexican government consider spirit manifest mexican government become painful duty return subject stand congress belongs decide upon time mode measure redress united state time adopt compulsory measure take redress hand difficulty mexico would probably long since adjust exist war avert magnanimity moderation part effect complicate difficulty render amicable settlement embarrass measure redress similar provocation commit powerful nation europe would promptly resort united state doubt national honor preservation national character throughout world well protection due citizen would render resort indispensable history civilize nation modern time present within brief period many wanton attack upon honor flag upon property person citizen time borne united state mexican authority people mexico sister republic north american continent occupy territory contiguous feeble distract condition consideration presume induced congress forbear still longer instead take redress hand new negotiation enter upon fair promise part mexico real purpose event prove indefinitely postpone reparation demand justly due negotiation year delay result convention 11th april 1839 adjustment claim citizen united state america upon government mexican republic joint board commissioner create convention examine decide upon claim organize month august 1840 term convention terminate duty within eighteen month time four eighteen month consume preliminary discussion frivolous dilatory point raise mexican commissioner month december 1840 commence examination claim citizens upon mexico fourteen month remain examine decide upon numerous complicated case month february 1842 term commission expire leave many claim undisposed want time claim allow board umpire authorize convention decide case disagreement mexican american commissioner amount pending umpire commission expire additional claim examine awarded american commissioner allow mexican commissioner amount upon decide allege authority cease termination joint commission besides claim others american citizen amount submit board upon time decide final adjournment sum award claimant liquidate ascertained debt due mexico could dispute bound pay accord term convention soon final award amount make mexican government ask postponement time make payment allege would inconvenient make payment time stipulate spirit forbear kindness toward sister republic mexico long abused united state promptly comply request second convention accordingly conclude two government 30th january 1843 upon face declare new arrangement enter accommodation mexico term convention interest due award make favor claimant convention 11th april 1839 pay 30th april 1843 principal say award interest accrue thereon stipulate pay five year equal installment every three month notwithstanding new convention enter request mexico purpose relieve embarrassment claimant receive interest due 30th april 1843 three twenty installment although payment sum thus liquidate confessedly due mexico citizen indemnity acknowledge act outrage wrong secure treaty obligation ever hold sacred nation yet mexico violate solemn engagement fail refuse make payment two installment due april july 1844 peculiar circumstance connect assume united state discharge claimant still due mexico complaint provide remedy claimant whose case decide joint commission convention april 11 1839 expressly stipulate sixth article convention 30th january 1843 new convention shall enter settlement claim government citizen united state republic mexico finally decide late commission meet city washington claim government citizen mexico united state conformity stipulation third convention conclude sign city mexico 20th november 1843 plenipotentiary two government provision make ascertain pay claim january 1844 convention ratify senate united state two amendment manifestly reasonable character upon reference amendment propose government mexico evasion difficulty delay interpose long marked policy government toward united state even yet decide whether would would accede although subject repeatedly press upon consideration mexico thus violate second time faith treaty fail refuse carry effect sixth article convention january 1843 history wrong suffer patiently endure mexico long series year far afford reasonable satisfaction injury insult borne great aggravation consist fact united state anxious preserve good understanding mexico constantly vainly employed seek redress past wrong new outrage constantly occur continued increase cause complaint swell amount demand citizen united state conduct lawful commerce mexico guaranty treaty amity commerce navigation many suffered injury would result open war treaty instead afford protection citizen mean invite port mexico might numerous instance plunder property deprive personal liberty dare insist right unlawful seizure american property violation personal liberty citizen say nothing insult flag occur port mexico take place high sea would long since constitute state actual war two country long suffer mexico violate solemn treaty obligation plunder citizen property imprison person without afford redress fail perform one first high duty every government owe citizen consequence many reduce state affluence bankruptcy proud name american citizen ought protect bear insult injury throughout world afford protection citizen mexico ample war mexico long break hostility even forbear take redress hand mexico become aggressor invading soil hostile array shed blood citizen grave cause complaint part unite state mexico cause exist long annexation texas american union yet animate love peace magnanimous moderation adopt measure redress circumstance justify resort injured nation annexation texas united state constitute offense mexico pretext wholly inconsistent irreconcilable fact connect revolution texas become independent mexico may manifest may proper advert cause history principal event revolution texas constitute portion ancient province louisiana cede united state france year 1803 year 1819 united state florida treaty cede spain part louisiana within present limit texas mexico revolution separate spain rendered independent nation succeed right mother country territory year 1824 mexico establish federal constitution mexican republic compose number sovereign state confederate together federal union similar state executive legislature judiciary except federal purpose independent general government state pennsylvania virginia constitution texas coahuila unite form one mexican state state constitution adopt approved mexican confederacy assert free independent mexican united state every power dominion whatsoever proclaim great principle human liberty sovereignty state resides originally essentially general mass individual compose government constitution well federal constitution people texas owe allegiance emigrant foreign country include united state invite colonization law state federal government settle texas advantageous term offer induce leave country become mexican citizen invitation accept many citizen full faith new home would govern law enact representative elect life liberty property would protect constitutional guaranty similar exist republic left government thus organize continue year 1835 military revolution break city mexico entirely subvert federal state constitution place military dictator head government sweep decree congress subservient dictator several state constitution abolish state convert mere department central government people texas unwilling submit usurpation resistance tyranny become high duty texas fully absolve allegiance central government mexico moment government abolish state constitution place substitute arbitrary despotic central government principal cause texan revolution people texas determine upon resistance fly arm midst important exciting event however omit place liberty upon secure permanent foundation elect member convention month march 1836 issue formal declaration political connection mexican nation forever end people texas constitute free sovereign independent republic fully invest right attribute properly belong independent nation also adopt government liberal republican constitution time santa anna dictator mexico invade texas numerous army purpose subdue people enforce obedience arbitrary despotic government 21st april 1836 meet texan citizen soldier day achieve memorable victory san jacinto conquer independence consider number engage respective side history record brilliant achievement santa anna among captive month may 1836 santa anna acknowledge treaty texan authority solumn form full entire perfect independence republic texas true prisoner war equally true fail reconquer texas meet signal defeat authority revoke virtue treaty obtain personal release hostility suspend army invade texas command return pursuance arrangement unmolested mexico day battle san jacinto fought present hour mexico never possess power reconquer texas language secretary state united state dispatch minister mexico date 8th july 1842 mexico may choose consider may still choose consider texas time since 1835 still continue rebellious province world oblige take different view matter time battle san jacinto april 1836 present moment texas exhibit external sign national independence mexico quite much stability government practically free independent acknowledge political sovereignty principal power world hostile foot find rest within territory six seven year mexico refrain period attempt reestablish authority territory surprising find de bocanegra secretary foreign affair mexico complain whole period citizen united states government favor rebel texas supply vessel ammunition money war reduction province texas constantly prosecute mexico success prevent influence abroad dispatch secretary state affirms since 1837 united state regard texas independent sovereignty much mexico trade commerce citizens government war mexico account regard intercourse assistance succor give mexican rebel whole current de bocanegra remark run direction independence texas acknowledge acknowledge acknowledged 1837 remonstrance protest mexico act importance de bocanegra complains flow necessarily recognition speaks texas still integral part territory mexican republic understand united state regard real complaint mexico therefore substance neither less complaint recognition texan independence may think rather late repeat complaint quite confine united state exemption england france belgium unless united state first acknowledge independence mexico blame set example recognition texas add constitution public treaty law oblige president regard texas independent state territory part territory mexico texas independent state organize government defy power mexico overthrow reconquer ten year mexico commence present war unite state texas give evidence world ability maintain separate existence independent nation formally recognize united state several principal power europe power enter treaty amity commerce navigation receive accredited minister diplomatic agent respective court commission minister diplomatic agent part government texas mexico notwithstanding utter inability subdue reconquer texas still stubbornly refuse recognize independent nation none less account mexico recognize independent nation unite state power many year spain revolution colony would agree recognize yet mexico time estimation civilize world fact none less independent power spain still claim colony spain continue present period assert mexico one colony rebellion would make change fact independent existence texas period annexation united state bore relation mexico mexico bear spain many year spain acknowledge independence important difference annexation texas united state consummate mexico formal act government acknowledge independence texas nation true act recognition prescribe condition power authority impose texas annex power could detract degree recognition mexico make actual independence upon plain statement fact absurd mexico allege pretext commence hostility united state texas still part territory concede true assume ground true western boundary texas nueces instead rio grande therefore march army east bank latter river pass texan line invade territory mexico simple statement fact know exist conclusively refute assumption texas cede united state france 1803 always claim extend west rio grande rio bravo fact establish authority eminent statesman period question well well understood present jefferson administration monroe pinckney send special mission madrid charge among thing adjustment boundary two country note addressed spanish minister foreign affair date 28th january 1805 assert boundary louisiana cede united state france river perdido east river bravo west add fact principle justify conclusion satisfactory government convince unite state well right island new orleans cession refer whole district territory describe conclusion florida treaty february 1819 territory cede spain united state assert maintain territorial right extent month june 1818 monroe administration information receive number foreign adventurer land galveston avow purpose form settlement vicinity special messenger dispatched government unite state instruction secretary state warn desist find place north rio bravo within territory claim united state instruct found country north river make known surprise president see possession thus take without authority unite state place within territorial limit upon lawful settlement make without sanction instruct call upon avow national authority profess act give due warn place within united state suffer permanent settlement make authority late 8th july 1842 secretary state united state note addressed minister mexico maintain florida treaty 1819 territory far west rio grande confirm spain note state treaty 22d february 1819 united state spain sabine adopt line boundary two power period considerable colonization effect texas territory sabine rio grande confirm spain treaty application make power grant land grant permission settlement fact make spanish authority favor citizen united state propose emigrate texas numerous family declaration independence mexico texas cede spain florida treaty 1819 embrace country claim state texas nueces rio grande republic texas always claim river western boundary treaty make santa anna may 1836 recognized constitution texas adopt march 1836 senatorial representative district organize extend west nueces congress texas 19th december 1836 pass act define boundary republic texas declare rio grande mouth source boundary say act extend civil political jurisdiction country boundary period nine year intervened adoption constitution annexation one state union texas assert exercise many act sovereignty jurisdiction territory inhabitant west nueces organize define limit county extend rio grande establish court justice extend judicial system territory establish collected duty also establish land office issue numerous grant land within limit senator representative residing elect congress republic serve act annexation take place congress convention texas give assent term annexation unite state propose congress representative reside west nueces take part act annexation texas act congress 29th december 1845 admit one state union congress unite state understood state texas admit union extend beyond nueces apparent fact 31st december 1845 two day act admission pass law establish collection district state texas create port delivery corpus christi situate west nueces point texas law republic locate directed surveyor collect revenue appoint port president advice consent senate surveyor accordingly nominate confirmed senate ever since performance duty act republic texas congress precede order advance army east bank rio grande subsequently congress pass act establish certain post route extend west nueces country west river constitutes part one congressional district texas represent house representative senator state choose legislature country west river represent view fact difficult conceive upon ground maintain occupy country west nueces army view solely security defense invade territory mexico would still difficult justify executive whose duty see law faithfully execute face proceeding congress texas unite state assume responsibility yield territory west nueces mexico refuse protect defend territory inhabitant include corpus christi well remainder texas threaten mexican invasion mexico never place war wag upon ground army occupy intermediate territory nueces rio grande refute pretension texas fact independent state rebellious province obstinately persevere avow purpose commence war united state reconquer texas restore mexican authority whole territory nueces sabine view proclaim menace mexico effect deem duty measure precaution defense order army occupy position frontier military post troop could best resist repel attempt invasion mexico might make army occupy position corpus christi west nueces early august 1845 without complaint quarter nueces regard true western boundary texas boundary pass army many month advance eastern bank rio grande annual message december last informed congress upon invitation congress convention texas deem proper order strong squadron coast mexico concentrate efficient military force western frontier texas protect defend inhabitant menace invasion mexico message inform congress moment term annexation offer united state accept texas latter become far part country make duty afford protection defense purpose squadron order gulf army take position nueces del norte rio grande repel invasion texan territory might attempt mexican force deem proper issue order soon president texas april 1845 issued proclamation convene congress republic purpose submit body term annexation propose united state government mexico make serious threat invade texan territory threat become impose become apparent progress question people texas would decide favor accept term annexation finally assume formidable character induce congress convention texas request military force send united state territory purpose protect defend threatened invasion would violation good faith toward people texas refuse afford aid desire threatened invasion expose free determination annex union compliance overture make joint resolution congress accordingly portion army order advance texas corpus christi position select general taylor encamp place august 1845 army remain position 11th march 1846 move westward 28th month reach east bank rio grande opposite matamoras movement make pursuance order war department issue 13th january 1846 order issue dispatch minister mexico transmit decision council government mexico advise receive also dispatch consul reside city mexico former bearing date 17th latter 18th december 1845 copy accompany message congress 11th may last receive department state communication render highly probable absolutely certain minister would receive government general herrera also well know little hope could entertain different result general paredes case revolutionary movement prosecute prove successful highly probable partisan paredes minister dispatch refer state breathe fierce hostility united state denounce propose negotiation treason openly call upon troop people put government herrera force reconquest texas war united state openly threaten circumstance exist deem proper order army command general taylor advance western frontier texas occupy position near rio grande apprehension contemplate mexican invasion since fully justified event determination mexico rush hostility unite state afterwards manifest whole tenor note mexican minister foreign affair minister bear date 12th march 1846 paredes revolutionized government minister refer resolution annexation texas adopt congress march 1845 proceeds declare fact speak great exactness notable act usurpation create imperious necessity mexico honor repel proper firmness dignity supreme government beforehand declare would look upon act casus belli consequence declaration negotiation nature end war recourse mexican government appear also 4th april follow general paredes minister war issue order mexican general command texan frontier attack army every mean war permit general paredes pledge army people mexico military revolution bring power 18th april 1846 general paredes address letter commander frontier state present date suppose head valiant army either fight already prepare operation campaign suppose already theater operation force assemble indispensable hostility commence take initiative enemy movement army rio grande make command general positive order abstain aggressive act toward mexico mexican citizen regard relation two country peaceful unless mexico declare war commit act hostility indicative state war order faithfully execute whilst occupy position east bank rio grande within limit texas recently admit one state union command general mexican force pursuance order government collect large army opposite shore rio grande cross river invade territory commenced hostility attack force thus injury receive borne mexico insultingly reject minister send mission peace solemnly agree receive consummate long course outrage country commence offensive war shed blood citizen soil united state never attempt acquire texas conquest contrary early period people texas achieve independence seek annexed united state general election september 1836 decide great unanimity favor annexation november follow congress republic authorize appointment minister bear request government government however remain neutral texas mexico war consider due honor country fair fame among nation earth early period consent annexation manifest whole world reconquest texas mexico impossible refuse accede overture make texas 12th april 1844 seven year elapse since texas establish independence treaty conclude annexation republic united state reject senate finally 1st march 1845 congress pass joint resolution annex united state upon certain preliminary condition assent require solemnity characterize deliberation conduct government people texas deeply interesting question present resolution know world congress executive people texas convention elect purpose accepted great unanimity propose term annexation thus consummate part great act restore federal union vast territory cede spain florida treaty quarter century joint resolution annexation texas united state pass congress mexican minister washington address note secretary state bearing date 6th march 1845 protesting act aggression unjust find record annals modern history namely despoil friendly nation like mexico considerable portion territory protest resolution annexation act whereby province texas integral portion mexican territory agree admit american union announce consequence mission united state terminate demanded passport grant upon absurd pretext make mexico indebted independence successful revolution republic texas still continue notwithstanding pass province mexico step take mexican minister every honorable effort use avoid war follow proved vain attempt preserve peace meet insult resistance part mexico effort end commence note secretary state 10th march 1845 answer mexican minister whilst decline reopen discussion already exhaust prove know whole world texas long since achieve independence secretary state express regret government mexico take offense resolution annexation pass congress give assurance strenuous effort shall devote amicable adjustment every complaint two government cultivation kind friendly relation sister republic act spirit assurance appear event since occur notwithstanding mexico abruptly terminate diplomatic intercourse united state ought therefore first ask resumption yet waive ceremony embrace early favorable opportunity ascertain mexican government whether would receive envoy united state intrust full power adjust question dispute two government september 1845 believe propitious moment overture arrive texas enthusiastic almost unanimous people pronounce favor annexation mexico agree acknowledge independence texas subject condition true right impose power enforce last lingering hope mexico still could retain texas would ever become one province must abandon consul united state city mexico therefore instruct secretary state 15th september 1845 make inquiry mexican government inquiry make 15th october 1845 minister foreign affair mexican government note address consul give favorable response request time naval force might withdraw vera cruz negotiation pending upon receipt note naval force promptly withdraw vera cruz minister immediately appoint departed mexico everything bore promising aspect speedy peaceful adjustment difficulty date annual message congress december last doubt entertain would receive mexican government hope cherish misunderstand two country would speedily remove confident hope would result mission inform congress forbore time recommend ulterior measure redress wrong injury long borne would proper make negotiation institute surprise regret mexican government though solemnly pledge upon arrival minister mexico refuse receive accredit reach vera cruz 30th november 1845 found aspect affair undergone unhappy change government general herrera time president republic totter fall general paredes military leader manifest determination overthrow government herrera military revolution one principal mean employed effect purpose render government herrera odious army people mexico loudly condemn determination receive minister peace united state allege intention herrera treaty united state dismember territory mexico cede away department texas government herrera believe well disposed pacific adjustment exist difficulty probably alarm security order ward danger revolution lead paredes violate solemn agreement refuse receive accredit minister although inform invest full power adjust question dispute two government among frivolous pretext refusal principal one minister go upon special mission confine question texas alone leave outrage upon flag citizen unredressed mexican government well know national honor protection due citizen imperatively require two question boundary indemnity treat together naturally inseparably blend ought see course best calculated enable united state extend liberal justice 30th december 1845 general herrera resign presidency yield government general paredes without struggle thus revolution accomplish solely army command paredes supreme power mexico pass hand military usurper know bitterly hostile united state although prospect pacific adjustment new government unpromising know hostility head united state yet determine nothing leave undone part restore friendly relation two country minister instruct present credential new government ask accredit diplomatic character commission instruction execute note 1st march 1846 address mexican minister foreign affair request insultingly refused minister answer 12th month alternative remain minister demand passports return united state thus extraordinary spectacle present civilized world government violation express agreement twice reject minister peace invest full power adjust exist difference two country manner honorable aware modern history present parallel case time peace one nation refuse even hear proposition another terminate exist difficulty scarcely hope adjust difficulty even remote day preserve peace mexico could cherish paredes remain head government acquire supreme power military revolution upon solemn pledge wage war united state reconquer texas claim revolt province mexico denounce guilty treason mexican consider texas longer constitute part territory mexico friendly peace duration war wag united state indefinite end propose reconquest texas hopeless besides good reason believe conduct intention convert republic mexico monarchy call foreign european prince throne preparatory end short rule destroy liberty press tolerate portion openly advocate establishment monarchy well secure success ultimate design arbitrary decree convoke congress elect free voice people choose manner make subservient give absolute control deliberation circumstance believe revolution mexico found upon opposition ambitious project paredes would tend promote peace well prevent attempt european interference affair north american continent object deep interest united state foreign interference attempt must resist united state view upon subject fully communicate congress last annual message event certain change whatever government mexico would deprive paredes power could worse far united state concern highly probable change must better state affair exist congress 13th may last recognized existence war commence government paredes become object much importance view speedy settlement difficulty restoration honorable peace paredes retain power mexico time symptom revolution mexico favor understood liberal party especially opposed foreign interference monarchical form government santa anna exile havana expel power banish country revolution occur december 1844 known still considerable party favor mexico also equally well know vigilance could exert squadron would probability prevented effect land somewhere extensive gulf coast mexico desire return country openly profess entire change policy express regret subvert federal constitution 1824 avow favor restoration publicly declare hostility strong term establishment monarchy european interference affair country information effect receive source believe reliable date recognition existence war congress afterwards fully confirm receipt dispatch consul city mexico accompany document herewith transmitted besides reasonable suppose must see ruinous consequence mexico war united state would interest favor peace circumstance upon consideration deem expedient obstruct return mexico attempt object restoration peace view reason perceive take part paredes aid mean blockade prevent return rival mexico contrary believe intestine division ordinary sagacity could anticipate fruit santa anna return mexico contest paredes might strongly tend produce disposition party restore preserve peace united state paredes soldier profession monarchist principle recently successful military revolution obtain power swear enemy united state involve country exist war santa anna expel power army know open hostility paredes publicly pledge foreign intervention restoration monarchy mexico view fact circumstance order issue commander naval force gulf 13th day may last day existence war recognize congress place coast mexico blockade direct obstruct passage santa anna mexico attempt return revolution take place mexico early part august follow power paredes overthrown since banished country exile shortly afterwards santa anna return remains see whether return may yet prove favorable pacific adjustment exist difficulty manifestly interest persevere prosecution war commence paredes accomplish purpose absurd reconquest texas sabine paredes remain power morally certain pacific adjustment would hopeless upon commencement hostility mexico united state indignant spirit nation arouse congress promptly respond expectation country act 13th may last recognized fact war exist act mexico united state republic grant mean necessary vigorous prosecution involve war thus commence mexico justice part may confidently appeal whole world resolve prosecute utmost vigor accordingly port mexico gulf pacific place blockade territory invade several important point report department war navy inform detail measure adopt emergency country place gratify result accomplish various column army perform duty great disadvantage distinguish skill courage victory palo alto resaca de la palma monterey greatly superior number decide advantage respect part enemy brilliant execution entitle brave officer soldier grateful thanks country nation deplore loss brave officer men gallantly fall vindicate defend country right honor subject pride satisfaction volunteer citizen soldier promptly respond country call experience discipline camp week bear part battle monterey constancy courage equal veteran troop worthy high admiration privation long march enemy country wilderness borne without murmur rapid movement province new mexico santa fe capital capture without bloodshed navy cooperated army render important service brilliant enemy force meet element defenses nature interposed difficulty navigation mexican coast squadron pacific cooperation gallant officer army small force hastily collect distant country acquire bloodless possession california american flag raise every important point province congratulate success thus attend military naval operation less seven month mexico commence hostility time select take possession many principal port drive back pursued invading army acquire military possession mexican province new mexico new leon coahuila tamaulipas california territory large extent embrace original thirteen state union inhabit considerable population much mile point collect force commence movement blockade import export trade enemy cut well may american people proud energy gallantry regular volunteer officer soldier event month afford gratify proof country emergency confidently rely maintenance honor defense right effective force ready time voluntarily relinquish comfort home peril privation camp though force may time expensive end economical ability command remove necessity employ large stand army time peace prove people love institution ever ready defend protect war course vigorous successful prosecution still anxious arrest evil consider brilliant victory arm 8th 9th may last national honor could compromitted another overture make mexico direction 27th july last terminate hostility peace honorable country 31st august follow mexican government decline accept friendly overture refer decision mexican congress assemble early part present month communicate herewith copy letter secretary state propose reopen negotiation answer mexican government reply thereto secretary state war continue prosecute vigor best mean secure peace hop decision mexican congress last overture refer may result speedy honorable peace experience however unreasonable course mexican authority part wisdom relax energy military operation result make know view deem important hold military possession province take definitive treaty peace shall conclude ratified two country 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 law nation conquer country subject govern conqueror military possession either treaty peace shall voluntarily withdraw old civil government necessarily supersede right duty conqueror secure conquest provide maintenance civil order right inhabitant right exercise duty perform military naval commander establishment temporary government conquer province mexico assimilate far practicable free institution country provinces new mexico californias little resistance apprehend inhabitant temporary government thus necessity case accord law war establish may proper provide security important conquest make adequate appropriation purpose erect fortification defray expense necessarily incident maintenance possession authority near close last session reason communicate congress deem important measure secure speedy peace mexico sum money appropriate placed power executive similar make upon two former occasion administration president jefferson 26th february 1803 appropriation make place disposal president object well know time contemplation acquire louisiana france intend applied part consideration might pay territory 13th february 1806 sum like manner appropriated view purchase florida spain appropriation make facilitate negotiation mean enable president accomplish important object view though become necessary president use appropriation yet state thing might arise would highly important wisdom make doubt believed measure recommend last session meet approbation decide majority house congress indeed different form bill make appropriation pass house much regret become law reason induce recommend measure time still exist submit subject consideration suggest importance early action upon appropriation make need remain treasury deem proper apply whole part account public expenditure immediately congress recognize existence war mexico attention direct danger privateer might fit port cuba porto rico prey upon commerce united state invite special attention spanish government fourteenth article treaty power 27th october 1795 citizens subject either nation shall take commission letter marque act privateer shall punish pirate affords pleasure inform receive assurance spanish government article treaty shall faithfully observed part order purpose immediately transmitted government authority cuba porto rico exert utmost vigilance prevent attempt fit privateer island united state good faith spain fully satisfy treaty execute spirit well letter whilst united state part faithfully perform obligation impose information recently receive department state mexican government send havana blank commission privateer blank certificate naturalization sign general salas present head mexican government also reason apprehend similar document transmit part world copy paper translation herewith transmitted preliminary require practice civilize nation commission privateer regulate conduct appear observe commission blank fill name citizen subject nation may willing purchase whole proceed construe invitation freebooter upon earth willing pay privilege cruise american commerce court justice decide whether circumstance mexican letter marque reprisal shall protect accept commit robbery upon high sea authority pain penalty piracy certificate naturalization thus grant intend mexico shield spanish subject guilt punishment pirate treaty spain certainly prove unavailing subterfuge would weak device defeat provision solemn treaty recommend congress immediately provide law trial punishment pirate spanish subject escape vigilance government shall find guilty privateering united state apprehend serious danger privateer navy constantly alert protect commerce besides case prize make american vessel utmost vigilance exert blockade squadron prevent captor take mexican port apprehend nation violate neutrality suffer prize condemn sell within jurisdiction recommend congress immediately provide law grant letter marque reprisal vessel mexican flag true commercial vessel mexico upon high sea therefore probable many american privateer would fit case law pas authorize mode warfare notwithstanding certain privateer may render good service commercial interest country recapture merchant ship take armed vessel mexican flag well capture vessel every mean within power render available protection commerce annual report secretary treasury exhibit detailed statement condition finance import fiscal year end 30th june last value amount export leave amount retain country domestic consumption value export period consist domestic production foreign article receipt treasury year derive custom sale public land incidental miscellaneous source expenditures period balance treasury 1st day july last 08 amount public debt include treasury note 1st present month sum outstanding 4th march 1845 leave amount incur since time order prosecute war mexico vigor energy best mean bring speedy honorable termination loan necessary meet expenditure present next fiscal year war continue 30th june 1848 end next fiscal year estimate additional loan require estimate make upon assumption necessary retain constantly treasury guard contingency surplus require retained loan would sufficient however congress present session impose revenue duty principal article embrace free list estimate additional annual revenue two million half amount estimate 30th june 1848 would derive source loan require would reduce amount estimate also congress graduate reduce price public land long market additional revenue derive source would annually several year come half million million dollar loan require may reduce amount also measure adopted loan require would probably exceed leave treasury constant surplus loan propose estimate sufficient cover necessary expenditure war purpose 30th june 1848 amount loan exceed may require present fiscal year great part remainder first half fiscal year succeed order timely notice may give proper measure take effect loan portion may require important authority congress make give early period present session suggest loan contract period twenty year authority purchase stock pay earlier period market value surplus may time treasury applicable purpose establishment peace mexico suppose considerable surplus exist debt may extinguish much short period may contract period twenty year propose loan may contract preference short period suggest experience home abroad show loan effect upon much good term upon long time reimbursable short date necessary measure sustain honor interest country engage foreign war doubt congress promptly authorize balance treasury 1st july last exceed notwithstanding considerable expenditure make war month may june precede war whole public debt could would extinguish within short period part settle policy thus relieve people burden place government position would enable reduce public expenditure economical standard consistent general welfare pure wholesome progress institution among cause complaint mexico arise refusal treat peace well since war unjustly commence part extraordinary expenditure involve justice people make proper mexico hold responsible expenditure economy public expenditures time high duty public functionary government owe people duty becomes imperative period war large extraordinary expenditure become unavoidable existence war mexico resource husband appropriation make except absolutely necessary vigorous prosecution due administration government object appropriation peace may deem useful proper indispensable public service may country engage foreign war well postponed future period observance policy present session large amount may save treasury applied object press urgent necessity thus creation correspond amount public debt may avoid meant recommend ordinary necessary appropriation support government withheld well know every session congress appropriation propose numerous object may may make without materially affect public interest recommend grant act pass last session reduce duty import go operation 1st present month time practical effect upon revenue business country develop doubt however policy adopts add largely foreign trade promote general prosperity although certainly foreseen amount revenue yield estimate exceed produce act 1842 supersede lead principle establish levy tax view raise revenue impose upon article import accord actual value act 1842 excessive rate duty impose many article either totally excluded importation greatly reduce amount import thus diminish instead produce revenue tax impose legitimate purpose raise revenue afford advantage favor class expense large majority employ agriculture mechanical pursuit commerce navigation compel contribute substance swell profit overgrown wealth comparatively invested capital manufacture tax levy proportion value article upon impose widely depart rule light tax many case levy upon article luxury high price heavier tax necessity low price consume great mass people system inevitable effect relieve favor class wealthy contribute proportion support government lay burden labor many engage pursuit manufacture system unequal unjust supersede exist law imposes duty benefit injury class pursuit distribute far practicable equalizes public burden among class occupation favor class unequal unjust system repeal heretofore realize large profit many amass large fortune expense many make tributary reason complain shall require bear proportion tax necessary support government far perceive examination exist law discrimination rate duty impose within revenue principle retain favor incidental aid foreign competition still enjoy give advantage pursuit possess none others complain duty levy necessary revenue revenue duty include freight charge importer must pay come competition home manufacturer market amount nearly leading branch manufacture value import article case almost value advantage doubt domestic manufacturer continue prosper realize establishment even great profit derive regular business indeed far require protection even incidental revenue duty manufacturer several lead branch extend business give evidence great ingenuity skill ability compete increase prospect success open market world domestic manufacture value several million dollar find market home annually export foreign country rate duty establish exist law system probably permanent capitalist make shall hereafter make investment manufacture know upon rely country satisfy rate advantage manufacturer still enjoy result necessarily collection revenue support government high protective duty unjust operation upon mass people fail give rise extensive dissatisfaction complaint constant effort change repeal render investment manufacture uncertain precarious low permanent rate duty time yield manufacturer fair remunerate profit secure danger frequent change system fail ruinously affect interest simultaneously relaxation restrictive policy united state great britain whose example derive system relaxed modify corn law reduce many duty moderate revenue rate age experience statesman country constrain stern necessity public opinion deep foundation suffering want impoverished million abandon system effect build immense fortune hand reduce labor million pauperism misery nearly ratio labor depress capital increase concentrated british protective policy evils system great britain length render intolerable abandon without severe struggle part protect favored class retain unjust advantage long enjoyed expect similar struggle would make class united state whenever attempt make modify abolish unjust system protective policy operation unite state much short period pernicious effect therefore clearly perceive felt enough however know effect induce repeal would strange face example great britain principal foreign customer evil system render manifest country long painful experience face immense advantage liberal commercial policy already derive must continue derive supply starve population food united state restore policy compel abandon thus diminish ability purchase u food article much need much desire sell simultaneous abandonment protective policy great britain united state new important market already open agricultural product commerce navigation receive new impulse labor trade release artificial trammel long fetter great extent reciprocity exchange commodity introduce time country greatly benefit great britain forced pressure circumstance home abandon policy upheld age open market immense surplus breadstuff confidently believe power europe ultimately see wisdom compel pauperism suffering crowd population pursue similar policy farmer deeply interested maintain liberal policy exist law class citizens constitute large majority population well know prosper pursuit prosper also heretofore receive none bounty favor government unequal operation protective policy make burden taxation impose contribute bounty enrich others foreign well home market open must receive receiving increase price product find ready sale well price wheat flour rice indian corn beef pork lard butter cheese article produce home market alone inadequate enable dispose immense surplus food article capable produce even reduce price manifest reason consume country united state immense surplus supply home demand deficiency food require whole world reduce production chief article food great britain part europe may contribute increase demand breadstuff provision doubt great efficient increase demand increase price consist removal artificial restriction heretofore impose deem equally certain export food already increase increase beyond former example liberal policy adopt still vastly enlarge unless check prevented restoration protective policy doubt commercial navigating interest enlarge correspond ratio increase trade equally certain manufacturing interest still favor interest country receive incidental protection afford revenue duty justly demand annual message december last tariff revenue duty base upon principle exist law recommend see reason change opinion express view probable beneficial effect law recommend policy establish maintain commenced operate abandon modify without give fair trial would inexpedient unwise defect detail ascertain actual experience exist may hereafter correct defect shall become manifest act fairly test submit consideration whether may proper war measure impose revenue duty article embrace free list deem proper impose duty view raise revenue meet expense war mexico avoid extent creation public debt may repeal emergency give rise shall cease exist constitute part permanent policy country act 6th august last provide good organization treasury collection transfer disbursement public revenue carry execution rapidly delay necessarily arise appointment new officer take approve bond prepare secure proper place public money would permit propose depart respect principle policy great measure round however defect detail measure develop practical operation fully set forth report secretary treasury attention congress invite defect would impair extent successful operation law time especially embarrass country engage war expenditure greatly increase loan effect disbursement make point many hundred mile distant case depository large portion foreign country modification suggest report secretary treasury recommend favorable consideration connection subject invite attention importance establish branch mint united state new york revenue derive custom collect point demand specie pay duty large branch mint foreign coin bullion could immediately convert american coin would greatly facilitate transaction public business enlarge circulation gold silver time safe depository public money importance graduate reduce price public land long offer market minimum rate authorize exist law remain unsold induces recommend subject favorable consideration many million acre land offered market thirty year large quantity ten twenty year inferior quality must remain unsalable indefinite period unless price may purchase shall reduce place price upon real value prevent sale thereby deprive treasury income source unjust state lie retard growth increase population power levy tax upon upon land within limit hold proprietor united state support local government beneficial effect graduation principle realize state own land within limit adopt demonstrate also united state act trustee chickasaw tribe indian sale land lie within state mississippi alabama chickasaw land would command market minimum price establish law united state sale land pursuance treaty 1834 tribe subsequently offer sale graduate reduced rate limit period result large quantity land purchase would otherwise remain unsold land dispose real value many person limit mean enabled purchase small tract upon settle family similar result would produce adoption graduation policy united state state owner large body land long market doubt sound policy withhold large quantity public land use occupation citizen fix upon price experience show command contrary wise policy afford facility citizens become owner low moderate rate freehold instead tenant dependent others apprehend land reduced price would secure large quantity speculator capitalist sale may restrict limited quantity actual settler person purchase purpose cultivation last annual message submit consideration congress present system manage mineral land united state recommend brought market sell upon term restriction congress might prescribe act 11th july last reserved lead mine contiguous land state illinois arkansas territory wisconsin iowa authorize sell act confine operation lead mine contiguous land large portion public land contain copper ore represent valuable recommend provision make authorize sale land upon term condition suppose value may judgment congress deem advisable due regard interest citizen may locate upon important present session establish territorial government extend jurisdiction law united state territory oregon law regulate trade intercourse indian tribe east rocky mountain extend pacific ocean purpose execute preserve friendly relation indian tribe within limit additional number indian agency require authorized law establishment provision transportation mail route public convenience suggest require legislative authority proper also establish office territory make necessary provision survey public land bring market citizen reside distant region subject many hardship privation sacrifice emigration improvement enhance value public land neighborhood settlement recommend liberal grant make ot portion land may occupy similar grant right preemption make may emigrate thither within limited period prescribe law report secretary war contain detailed information relative several branch public service connect department operation army satisfactory highly gratify character recommend early favorable consideration measure propose secretary war speedily fill rank file regular army great efficiency field raise additional force serve war mexico embarrassment likely arise want legal provision authorize compensation make agent employed several state territory pay revolutionary pensioner amount allow law attention invite recommendation secretary war subject agent incur heavy responsibility perform important duty reason exists place foot compensation disburse officer relation various indian tribe continue pacific character unhappy dissension exist among cherokee many year past heal since last annual message important treaty negotiate tribes indian title large tract valuable land within limit state territory extinguish arrangement make remove country west mississippi different tribe remove country provide treaty stipulation arrangement make others follow intercourse several tribe particular attention give important subject education number school establish among increased additional mean provide teach rudiment education instruct agriculture mechanic art refer report secretary navy satisfactory view operation department charge past year gratify perceive war mexico render necessary employ unusual number arm vessel coast protection due commerce quarter world prove insufficient mean spar give efficiency naval service prosecution war happy know officer men anxiously desire devote service country enterprise however difficult execution recommend favorable consideration proposition add foreign squadron efficient sea steamer especially demand attention establishment pensacola necessary mean repair refit vessel navy employ gulf mexico suggestion report deserve doubt receive consideration progress condition mail service past year fully present report revenue year end 30th june last amount less preceding year payment department time amount sum drawn treasury disbursement year less preceding year disbursement thus diminish mail facility enlarge new mail route mile increase transportation mile establishment 418 new contractor postmaster others engage branch service perform duty energy faithfulness deserve commendation many interest detail connect operation establishment refer report suggestion improve revenue recommend favorable consideration repeat opinion express last annual message business department regulate revenue derive make equal expenditure believe may do proper modification present law suggest report without change present rate postage full reliance upon wisdom patriotism deliberation duty anxious desire cooperate every constitutional effort promote welfare maintain honor common country