President's Message

To the Señale and Housv of lives ƒ the United Suites : Fellow Citizens.- The nnnuil in of Coiigioss is alwaysn iotereating evenl. The Rt-ptesentaiiveü of ihe Stalesand o!' the pelo come fresh from their cotiüttiuents to take counsel togelher the common good. Afier 11 eistence of ne.ir threp-fourths of n century as a free and independent repubüo, the pioblem no lorigpr remnins to be solved, whethor man is capable of self governmeut. The success of oiir admirable system isa c inclusive refutation of the theories of lliose other countries who mainiain that "a favorita few" are boni to rule, nnd ihat the mas of mankind must be eoverned by forcé. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditnry, the peopte are the only sovereigns recognized by our consiitutiou. Numerousemigrai!s of every lineage & !angi)nge,nUr;ic;ed by tl e i civil and relígious freeJnm c enjoy.ond by our happy condilioD, nr-nunlly cfowtl I. our shorei, and Irnns er tlieir Ir less than llu-ir nilop;fr.-.o ''.ie coi.nlry whoss dominion Lcioiigs alone to ilio ,i country (ims been so much fnvorcíi, or should ocknowledge wilh dcepf-r reerence ilie mnriifrstaiions of the Divine protection. An all-wise Creasor, drected and gunrded ns in our infnnt strugg'e for freedom, and hn consta Ptly wstched over our turprising progress, until we havp becomci ene ofthe grent nationa f ilie eartli. !t is in r. country 'hus fnvored, and undera govemment in wbich ti. e Rxerutivennil Ipgislaiivf branolies hnld tlieir authority Por limited perod--, a!ike iVorn ihe peopl-% und whpro all nrc rpspor.sible to thsr respective constituencies. ihnt it i.t ognin my duty to c'mmuicaie with Congvess upon the tf.te ofthe Union, and the present condilion of publiV níTnirs. During the past vear ihe most gratifyig proofs are d thnt uur cour.irv has been blassed with a wide-spread nñd universal prosperity. Tliere luis been no period sinc.e th government was founded, when a)l ihe industrial pursuiis of our people h;neben more luccessful, or whom lator in al! branches ofbusiness hs received n fairer or better reward. From our obundance we havo bebn enabled to perform ihe pleasiug duty of furnishing food for ihe slarving niillioiis of less f:ivored countries. In the enjoyrnont of the bounties of Providence at home, such as hnve rin-lv fallen to the lot of ony people, it f cause of corgratulation, ;hnl our iutereourse with all the power óf ihe earth, except Mexico, continúes to be of an amicable character. It has ever been our cherihed policy to cultívate peace and gnod-will wilh all ni.ti'.ns; nnü this policy has been steadily pursued by me. No chañgB has taken plrce. in our relations with Mexico since the adjojrnment of the !a Concress. The war in which ihe Unitftd Sta es vms forced lo enynge wnh thut cuntry siill continúes. I deern it unnecessary, after t Ie fnll exposition of ihem contained in my message of the ll'h May, 1846, and in my animal message at the comnieneemrnt ol the session of Congress in December lust, to reitérate the vnrioua canses of complaint which we had ngninst Mexico befureshe commenued hosiilities. It is sufTicient on the present occasion to say, that the wanton violationsol the riphts of person nnd propprty "f our citizens, committed bv Mexico - her rcpeated acts of bad faith, ihrongh a long series of years - anrf her diïirgnrd ol tolemn treatiee, Mipulatlug for indemnity to our injured citizens - not only constituted ampie caue of ar on our part, but were of such an aggravated chameter as would have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With an onxious desiretoavoid n rupture between the two c'iuntries, we forbore for years to insert our clear rights by force, and continued to seek redress for tl:e wrongs we hnd sufferrü', by amicable negotiations, in hopes tli.il Mexico might vield lo pacific cnunsels, nd the demands of justi'-e. In hope %re were disappninttd. Our Ministry of Peace seut to Mexico was insuttingly rejfeted - the Mexican Govemmpnt refusing even lo hear the terms ofadjustment hich he was outhorizf-rl to propos: and finallv, under iii:jutifiable pretences, volved thetwo countries in war, by invading the terri;ory of the State of Texns, striking the fir.-t blow, and shrdding the blood of our ciiizens on our own soil. Alihough the United States were the 8"grieved nation, Mexico commenceJ Ihe war, and we were cornpelled, in selfdefenc, to repel tl e invnder, and to vindícate tlie. nation'il honor and interest, by prosecuting it with igr, nntil we could nbtnin n just and honorable pence. On learning that hostilit:es hal h'en commenceJhy Mexic", 1 promptly communiciited tlie fact acct'mpnnied 'ith a sufficent statement of our oiher cnuses ol complaint against Mexico, lo Congress ; and thit body, by the act of the 13ih ol May, 1846, declared that "by ihe act ol the republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that govrrnment and Ihe United Ptfitrs"- ihis act declaring 'war t exit by the act of ilie republic of Mexico," and making provisión for its prosecution "to a speedy nnd successful térmir.ation," wn passed with great unanimity by Congres?-, thero being but two nogative votes in t'ne Snnte, nnd but 14 in the House of Koprfsrniatives-. - The exisiencfi of the war having beet. declnred by Cungress, it beenme my duty, under the constitution and the lawf.to continue and proi-ecute it. This dut has been performed, and although a' every stöge of its prngress I have mnnifested a willingnrss to terminote it by c juBt peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms which would he arcepted by the United States, consistently with the nntional honor and interest. The rapid and brilliant suctfss óf ooi ormies, nnd the vnst extent of the enemv's territory which hnd been overrun and conquered, tefore the close of the last session of dngress, were fully known to ihat body. Since ihat time, ihe war Iris been prosecined with increased energy, mvl I nm gratified to tosta'e wilh n success wliicli commands universa) ndinirntion. His'orv presen'.s no paiallol of so inany gloripua victorie acliieved by nny nal ion wiüiinso short n period. Our urmy, regular and oluntvers, have covèred Ihenwslvw wiih impeiishable honors. Whenever and wliaiever our forres have encounteri-d ihi enemy, ihongli he :is i:i V&y wpertór numberp, and oflen entrtt.chrd in forli! fied positions of bis own sclfcling and! 1 grc-at strongtli, h has been dufeoted. - Too nweh pin se onnnot be lesioed upon our office r and men, rrgular "d voluntpers, for tleir gl'anlry, discipline, indomiiab'o courage nnH perseverai ce, 'all sseking t-ic cost of danser, nndij cin? with cach otber in Jeedt of nublo darinfr. While every pa1rï"t' he.'irt must rxult, and n jusi naiümal pride nmotrile bosom, in beholding the Ii'gti ;Mofs of oourne, consúmate n . .. sfcill,steady iiisci.!;n and !; imanitv to the vawjuUh. ,1 rn-;,v, cxhihited lv oiir gnHanl anuy, -áienmion is catietl lo niourn the j l:ss of many brave ofiifprs nnd soldicts, j wlio have 1'r.llen ín defïbce öftlieir nn'.ion's honor and in!eret3. The brnve tlead met thcir melancholy Cate inn fore-g" latid, nnbly di-chniging llieir dut v, and wiih ttieir counlry's flg wnving triumphBiitly in the face of the fue. - Tbcir pntriètio dreds are jusily npprecialed, and will lorg be rumembeied by their grateful countrymen. The pnrenial care of llic govemmmt lliey lovrd and served shouW be extended to their surviving faiiiilifs. Sbortlr after tlie adjournment ofihe last srsön of Congres?, the. gratifying in!elüf:encfi was received of the signnl victnry íifBúénn Visto, and cf the fnilof tic city of Vera Cmz. with the strong Castlp of Pnn Juan D'Uilon, by which t was dcfei ded. ïielieving ihat after these nnd othpr tuccess so honnrahle lo our arms and so disnstrous to Mexico, the period was propitious lo affird nnother, "pportuiiity 'o enter into negolatiins f, ir -encp, ''Commissioner was appoiwèd to proced lo 'the hendqunrters f our army, with Pull power to ener npor, i:egoliaiions, and I" cnnclude ajustand Imnonible treaiy of peacp. He was nol dïiected to mske any rew overtures of peace, but wns tlie benrerofa despntch from tl e cretnry of Sinte ofthe United Sla'e-i to the Minister of Foreign Affsi.f of Mexico, in reply to one received from the lntter on the 22d Frbiuary, 1847. in which the Mexican Government w'S infortred of hi nppointment, and of his piesence ot the headquartes if our army aiid (tint he was invested with ful! power io conclude a deíinite treaiy of peace wlienever the Mexican Government rr. 'glit RÏgnify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject ihe United Stnles to onother inilignant relusa!, I wns vet resolved thnt the evils ol the ar should nol be protmcled n day Jonger than m'ght be rendered absolulely neces ary by the Mexican Government. Care was taken 10 give no ii.struetions to the commissjor.er which cnuld in ony wny iiilerfere with our military operations in the prosecution of ihe war. f]e pr.ssessed no nutlioriiy in nny manner to iniitiol tlie operations. He wns authorized to e.vhibit his inslructions to the General in cornrnand of the armv, in the event "f the treaty being concluded nnd ratified on the pnrt of Mexico. He was direcied to give liim not're of thal feet. On the happening nf such continpency and on receiving notice iliereof, tl e Genera' in command wns insiructed by the Secrelnry of W'nrto suspend furtler nctive military operatioiis unlil fuitlier orders. These in.strnclions were givr-n wiih a view 10 intermit hostilitirs, until the Ireaty ratifled hy Mexico, could be I ra mimi t led to Washington and receive the action of thé Government of the United Stntes. The commissioner was also dirrcied, fin reacliing the armv, to deliver to ihe Genera] in commnnd llie despatch which he bore from the Secretn r v of State to the Minister of Foreign AiTairs in Mexico, and, on receiving it, the General wau instructed by the Secreta ry of War to cause it lo be trnnsmilteri lo tlie commander of the Mexicnn forres, with a request thai t might be communicated to his GoTernniei.t. Tlie commissioner did not rrach the hendquarlers of the nrmy until anolher brilliajit victory liad crowned our arms at t'erro Gordo. Tl;e despatch which he hori frum tKe. Secrelary of Warto the Genera! tl commnnd oí the nrmy, was received by that offircr, then at Jabpa.on the 7th of May Ib47, togelher wiih the despa'ch from the Secretnry of State lo the Minister ol Foreign Aflairs of Mexico, beving been traiismitied lo him from Vera Cruz. The commifsioncr nrrived at the headquarterh of ihe army a few dnys afterwarda. His preence with the nrmy, and his diplomatic chnracler, were made knnwn to l!e Mexican Government from Puebla on the 13th of June 1847, by the trnnsmission of t!ie desputch froni the Secre;.iry df State to the Minister nf Foreign Aflairs of Mexico. Weeks elnpsed aCter its receipt, but no overiures were made. nor wns theio nny desire expressed by the Mexican Government to enier into nfgoiiations for peace. Our army pursued ils march upon the capital, and as it nppronched it, wns mei by a fiirinidable resistance. Our Torces first encounerf d the enemy, and achievec signal victorie in the everely contestpr Imltles of Contreras and Churubusco. It wns not unlil afier these actions had rpsulied in decisive victories, and the capital f the enemy was vvilhin our power, thal ihe Mexicnn gnvernment manifested anv disposition to en:er into negotiations for peace ; and even then, ns events have proved. ihere is too mucli reason to beliee ihey were insincere, and lhni in agreeing to go thro' the forms of negotintion, the olijcet wns to gain time t srengihen the defences of their capital, and prepare for fresh resitnnce. The General in command of the nrmy deemed il expedient to siisnend hostilities témpora rily, by entering into nn armistice with a view to the opening of negotiations- Commissioners were ed on llie pnrt of Mexico to mee: the commissinneis on the pnrt of the United States. The result of the conferences, Which took ilocE between these functionaries of ttie iwo governmenis, was n failu ie In conduele n trenty ofpeace. The commissioner of ihe United Statfs ;ook wiili liiin ihe prejectofa trenly preparrd, bv ;he (ruin of which the im'ernnity rpquired hy ;he Uuilfd Staies was n cessio of ipiiitiiiv. It was known to be the out v indemnity whk-h is in ihe powor of Mexico to mnke, in satislaTtion of the just and long Heferred claims of our citizsna ngninst lier, and Ihe only mraiis bv which sho enn reimburse the United States for the exiensos of tl.e wnr, is n Cfssion to the Uniiitl Si.-ites of n portion of lier lernlory. Mexico hos no monry to )iy, aiiH no oiher tneans of making tho reouired inriemnity. If we refuae ih'm wc can obtain ncihing pNe. To rej . c t intlernnity hy refusinp lo accept n ceNsi'n of territory, would be to abandon aü our jus! demanda, and to wage the wnr, bearitlg nll its expenses, without a purpose or a defined ohjrct. A state of war abrrtgntnj treatifs previously fxisun bet een the belligrrenls, and a treaty of penca pulsan end 10 all ! claims fur indemniiy - lor trtous nets comtnitted, onder the nulhoiiiy ol one i eovernmenl ngainsi the citizens or subMeta of anoiher, nnles they ara ed f'r in ilipulntinn. A treaty of peace whicli would termiri'te the existing war, without prfividing fur indemnity, would ennble Mexic-o - the ncknowledgr-d dobtor, and hertel f tlio agsrressor in lhe war - tc relieve herelf fïom her just linbilitirs. By such n trpaly, our citizena, who Imld ust demnnds agnins! her, would hnve no remedy either agninst Mexico ortheir nwn government. Our duly to those cilizens must forever prevent such a ptace, and no trraty which does not provide ampie means of dischnrging these (kmands con receive my sanction. A irenty of peare shoutd settle all exi.-ling (idicullics between the two countries. Ifan adequate cession ofterriiov Bbould Ie made by sueh a treaty, the Uniietl Status sliould release Mexico fiom al) her liabilities. ond assume iheir pnyment to onr own citizens. If instead of this the United States ere to conseiit to a treaty by whioh Mexico should again pi.gnge to pay the heavy nmount of indebtedness which n just indemnity to our government nnd our citizens would impose on her. it is notorious thnt she does ur; possess the means to meet such an unriertaking. From such a treaty no result could Ie nnticipated, but the same irritatng d'snppointments which have lieretofore ottenried the violations of similor trenty stipulations on the part of Mexico. Such a treaty would be but a temporary crssatinn of hostiüties, without the restoration of the friendship and good understanding which should characterize the future inlercour.se between the two countn'ps. That Cnngress contemplated theacquisition of territorial indemnity when that hodv made provisión for the prosecution ofiïie war, is obvious. Congiess could not have niennt - when, in May, 1846, they approprioled ten mil'ions of dollars, and nuthorized the President to eniploy ihe militia nnd navy and military forces of the United States, and to accept the services of filty thousand volunieers, to enable him to prosecute the war ; and when, ut their last session, and nfter our army had invaded Mexico, they made additinnal nppropriations and authorized the raisirg of ndditioni! troops lor the same purpoee - tliat no indemnity was to be obtnined from Mexico at the conclusión of the war ; nnd vet it was certain 'hat, if no Mexican territory was acquired, no inilemnity could be obtained. It is furlher manifest that Congress contemplnled territorial indemnity, Irom the fact that, rt their last jession, an net was ppssed, upon the Executive recommendation, nppropriating tliree millioiiB of dollars with that express object. This appropriation was made '' to ennble the President to conclude a Ireaty of peace, limits, and bounciarics with the repulilic nf Mexico, to bc used by hi n.in the event that said treaty, when signed by the autliorized ngents o1" the two governments, and duly ratified by Mexico, shall cali for the exienditure of the same or nny part thereof." The oliject of nf-king this nppropriatiiin was distinetly slnted in the peveral mewnges on the subject which 1 cmmunicated 10 Congres. Similar appropriattons mnde in 1803 and 1806, which were rei'erred to, were intended to be applied in part consideraron for the cesion of Louisiana and '.he Floridas. In like manner it was anticipateH tha', in settling the terms of a treaiy of "limit and boundaries" wilh Mexico, a cession of territoiy eslimated to be of greater value ihan the nmount ofourdemands ngainst her tnght be obtainrd ; and that the prompt pay ment of thesum - in part considerntion for the territory ceded - on the conclusión of a treaty, and its ratification on her part, rnight be an inducernent with her to make such n cession of terriiory ns would be satisfuctory to the Uni'eci Stases. And ulthough the failure to conclude such a treaty has rende.red it nnnpcessnry to use nny part ol the thrce millions of dollars appropriater by that act, nnd the entire sum remains in the treasnry, it is stül applicable to that olject. should the conlingency occur making such anplicat-on proper. The doctrine ofnn territory is the doctrine of no indemnity ; and, if sanctioned, wduld be a pu'olic acknowledgement that our country was wrong, and that tho war declared by Congress wilh extraordinary unanimity, was unjust and shoulc be nl;andoned - an admission unfoundec in fact, and degrnding lo Ihe nationai character. The terms of the treaty proposed by the Unitrd States were not only just to Mexico, but, considering the chiraeter and amoiint of nur claims, the unjustifiable nnd unprovoked cornmencetnent ol hostilities by hpr, the expenses of the war to which we have been .ubjected, and the success which has attended our arms, were deemed to be of' a most liUeral chnracter. The comtnissionerof the United States was nuthorized to ngree to the establishment of the Rio Grande as the boundnry from itsentrancc into the Gulf to itsintersection with the southern bouodary of N. Mexico, in nonh latitude nbout thiriy i wo degrres, and to obtain a cession tu ihe United Stnles of tho provincps of N. Mexico and the Californias, and the privilege of the right of way across the isil'inus of Tehuantepec. The boundary of the Rio Grande, and the céssion to ihe Unitfld States of New Mexico and Upper Cfilifornia, constituted an ultimatum whieh our commissinner was, uuder no drcumstnncrs, to yield. Thai t nrght be manifested nol only to Mexico, bul lo all other nations, thnt the United Slates were not disponed to tuko advantage of a feeble power, by insisting upon wrcsting from her all the oiher provinces, including many of her principal towns ano citie, wliich we had conquered and held in our military occupation, but were willing to conoJuden tieaty in n spirit of liberaliiy, our commisioner ws autliorized to siipulate fur the rcstoration to Mexico of all our other conquests. As the territory to be arquired by the bouiidnry proposed might be estiinated to be of greater valun than a fair equivalent for our just demands, our commissioner was nuthorised to stipula'e for the paynient of such additional ppcuniary consideration as wns defmed reusonable. The terrns of a trenly proposed by the Mexican Commissioners were wholly inndmissible. They negotiated as if Mexico were the victorjous, and not the vanquihfd party. Thy must have known thnt their ultimatum could never be accepted. It rcquired the United States tn dismember Texns, by surrendering to Mexico thnt part of the territory of the state lyingbetween the Nueces and the Rio Grande, includpd within lier limits by her laws whpn she wns an independent republic, and when she wes nnne.xed to the U. S. and adrmtted by Congrefs as one ofihe States of onr Union. It conlained no provisión for the pnyment by l Mexico o( the. just claims of our ci'izens. It required indemnity to Mrxicnn citizens for injuries the.y may have sustain-j d by uur troops in the pro-ecution of the war. It ricmanded the right for Mexico to levy nnd collect the Mcxican tarif of duty on goods imported into hpr ports while in our militrry occupation during ihe war, nnd the owners of which hnd paid to oflicers of U. States the military contributions which had ben levied tipon them ; and itoffered to cede to the United States, for a pecunia ry consideraron, thnt part of Upper California lying north of latülude 37 degrees. Such veere the unreasonable terms proposed by the Mexicnn Cornmissioners. The cession to the United Stales by Mexico of the province of New Mexico and the Californias, as proposed by the Commissioner of the U. Stales, it was believed. would be more in accordnnce with the convenience and interest of bolh nations, than any other cession of territory which it was probable Mexico could be induced lomnke. It is manifest to all who have observed the actual condition of the Mexican government, for some yenrspast, and at present, that if these provinces should be retained by lier, she could not long continue to hold and govern thein. Mexico is loo feeblea power togovern those provinces, iying ns they do at a distance of more than a thouand miks from her capital, and, if atiempied to be retained by her, they would constitute but for a short time, even nominally, a part of her dominions. This would be especially the case wi;h Upper California. The sagacity of powerful European nations has long direotrd their attention to the commercial importatice of ;hat provincf, and there eau be little doubt that the moment ihe United States shall relinquish their present occupation of it, nnd their claim lo il ns indemnity, an eflort would be made by some foreign power to possess it, either by conquest or by purchase. 11" no foreign governtnent should acquiie it in either of lhe!-e modes, an independent revolutionary government would probably be established by the inhabitnnts and such foreignrrs as may remain in or remove to the country, as soon as it shall be known thnt ihe United States have abnndoned it. Such a government would be too fee.ble long to rnaintain its separate independent existence, nnd would finnlly become annexei to, or be a dependent colony of some more powerful S'ate. Sbould any foreign government attempt to possess it as a colony, or otherwise to incorpórale it with itself, the principie avowed by President Mouroe in 1824, nnd reaffirmed in my first annual message, thatno foreign Power shall, with our consent, be permitted to plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the North American continent, must be maintained. In mnintaining this principie, and in resisting its invasión by any foreign Power, we mighl beinvolved in other wars more expensive nnd more difficult than that in which we are now engaged. The provmces of New Mexico and llic Californias are contiguous to the lerritoriesof ihe United Sutes, and f brought under Ihe government óf our laws, their resources - mineral, agriculturnl, manufacturing and commerciul - would soon be devtloped. U;.per California is bounded on !hé north by our Oregon possessions ; and if held by the United States, would soon be settled by a hardy, enterprising, and intelligent pnrtion of population. The bay of San Francisco, and other harbors along the California coast, would nffiird shelter lor our navy, for our numerous whale ships, and other merchant vessels employed in the Pacific ocean, and would in a short period become the marts of ftn extensivo nnd profitable commerce with China, and other countries of the East. These advnntages, in which the w hole conimercinl world participates, would at once be secured to the Uniied States by tha cession of this territory ; while it is certoin thnl as long as il renmins n part of the Mftxican dominions, they can be enjoed neither by Mexico herself nor by any other nation. NewMexico is a frontier province,and has never been of nny considerable valué to Mexico. From its locnlity, it is naturally connected with ourwe.tern settlóments. The territorial limita of the State of Texns, too, as defined by her laws, before her admission into our nion, emhrace all that portion of New Mex.co lying ea-t of the Rio Grande, whilc Mexico stil! claims to hold tlns terriiory as pari of' her dominions. The Rdjiislmfint oi tliis quejtion of boundary is important. There is anotlier consideraron which induced the belief ihat ïhe Mexicun government might even rie-ire to place this province unrier the protección of the governnient of the United States, Numerous band of fierce and warlike savages wonder over its borders Mexico has been, nnd mus continue to be, too iVeble to restrain them from commilting depredaiions, robbcrins ntd RiuraÁrft, not otily upon the nhabilants of New Mexico it-elf, but upon otlier of the northern Staes ol' Mexico. Il would be ablesing to n!l these northern States to havti their ciiizen protfeted i ngainst tlietn by ihe power of thfi United State. At iliis moment many Mexicana, principally females and children, are in captivity nmotig them. ifNi-w Mexico were held ai d govorned by the United Stntes we could etTectuully prevent these tribes from committing tuch oui ruges, andcon)pel ihem to lelease these captivrs, nnd restore thern to their faniiües and friends. In proposing lo acqoiro Nsw Mexico and the Califorñi, it was known that bulan inconsideiablc pojtion of the Mexi can people would he transforied with them, the country embraeed whliin these provinces being chiefly au uninhabited región. 'lliese were the leading considerations which induced me to authorize the teims of peace which were proposed to Mexico. They were rf jected , and, negolintions being ai nn end, lio.stilities wfre renewed. An nssault was made by our gallatit nrmy upon the strongly fortified places near the giitesofthe c;tv of Mexico, and upon the cily ils'lf ; and aller several days of severe conllict, the Mexionn forces, vastly superior in number to our own, i were driven fram the city, and it was occupipd by our troops. Immediately after informntion wns received of the unfnvorab'e result of the iipgotiations, believing thai his continoed presence with the army could bc productive of no g ód, I determined to recali our commissioner. A dispa:ch to this effect was transmitied to him on the 6thofOctober last. The Mexican government will be informed of his recall ; ond thnt in the existing state of things, I shall not deern it proper to make any further overtures to peace, but shall bent nll times rcady io receive and consider nny proposals which rmy be made by Mexico. Since the liberal proposilion of the U. Stnies was nuihorized lo be made in Apr. !asi,large expenditures have been incurred, and ihe precious blood uf many of our patriotic fellow cilizens has been heo in the piosecution of tin war. This consider.ition, and the obstinate perseyerence of Mexico into protrncting the v. ar, mut influence the torms of peace, which it may be deemed proper hereafter to accept. Our arms have bepn every vtherf! vietorious hnving Kiihjected to our military occupation a Inrge portion of the enemy's counlry, including his capital, and npgniations for peace hsving failed, the itnportant qiMstions arise. In whnt rnanner the war (Ughi ti) be piospcuted? : rid wbat should be our futiire policy? I cannot doubt 'bat we should secure nnd rendei nvailable the conquesl.s which we have al'eady mnde ; nnd tha!, with this view we fhould hold and occupy, by our naval nnd military forces, all the porls, towns, citiesand provinces now in our occupalion, 01 which may he'reafter fal! into our possession; that wc; should press forward our military operations, nnd levy such military contributions on the er.emy as may, as far as practicable, defray the future expenses of the war. Had ilic govirntneni of Mrxico acceded to th.1 eqiiit;i!ile and lihcia! terms rojiOErd, thut mode ol .■iiijnstmeni woulfl hnebeen pitfer:pd. Mexic" l:ov;tig diclintd to dotMti and Iniled to oflrr.'iin dther lerms wliicli could he acceptid by the Uniled Smits, iho n:itionnl honor, mi lesa thnn th' pnlilic interrsts. renuirne that tlie wnr should ! propccuted wilh ncrt'iieed eneicy nnd puwcr tin ti! a just nnd itisfictDry pfinco should be nbinin ed. Jri the ine;intime. as Ma ro refustsall in dBinnity, we slionld adopt mcasures to indemnify Oiirtrlveü, by nppnip'i.Ting permnnently a portion ol her irrruuiy. K-irly BÍtn 'be cunimencentent ol tbc w?ir, New Mexico and the Cïilifurinas were tfki;n poseesfiion ol cy our torces. Oui iiiilitnry ond iwvnl :onimnndi ra were oidtired 'o conqiür Dnd Imld iliem, subject to be disposed ot by a tr"aty ol peace. The provinces nic oow in our nndnpufed ocf-upa'ion, and have been ao ibr n'iany months ; nli reaisinnce on the part of Mexico baving cín8d wilh.n their liniiis. I am ent sfied iliat they sho'd never be etinchrlcreil to Mexico. Slioutd con uress concur with me in il, is opinión, nnd that they should be retnined by the United Smlcs ns inden'nity, I can percriv e no goitd lensotl wny he civi! jnri8diction nnd liws ol the V. States shuuld not at once be extended over iliem. To wait for a treaty ot pence, sucli as we are willinp 10 make, by which our relations towards them would not be changed. cannot be good policy : trbifct our own inieirpts, i:nd tbit ol tlie peoplc inhnbiting t'nem. n'q'.iirc th.u ,1 srtbfe.rejponpible. and Iree govrrnment, undvr oor authority.sho u. as soort ;is posmble. !c pcniibliBhrd over tliem. Should congresc, therelote, determine to hold these provinces permanently. and they shouk) hereafter be considered as constituent palts ol our country, the cnrly establishment of territorial governmenls over thcm will bo important lor thi more perfect protection oí" persons t.n:l ptoperty : and I reeommend thnt such territorial govem mente hecsmblished. It will proinote pearcand tronquüity among the nhnbitani?. by alia} ing all sppruaoMoa thnt miy still cnterfiin ol b t i t ■.- agüin subject 10 llie jui isdiction of Mexico. 1 invite the early nnd faroraMe ennsideration ol Congreso lo tliie important subject. lii i !.'■." Npw Mexico and the Oiliforniis.thero re oiher Mexicnn provinces which love been reduced to our poesMision by conquesi. Thesi other Mexican provinces nre now govetned by our military nnd naval conunanders, undcr tb general authoriiy which isconferred upon n conqueror by the Inws of war. They fhould continue to be held s ineans'of coercine Mexico la ncceede to just ternis of peí co. Civil os well of military officers are required to comluct such wovernment Adequate compensaron to bc rtrnwn from contributions levied upon the enenu should bc fixed by luw Cor snob officers as muy be thus employed. VVhat lur.her provisión mny be come necessnry. and wint filial dispo ilion itniay be proper ti make of them rimst depend on the future progresa oí tbc war, and ihc conrse wbicb Mexieo may ihink proper hcreaiter to pursue. With the views I entertain, I cannof favor ibf policy which haa been sc;e;esicd, either to wiihdraw our army altogether( or to retire to a defii; mted line, and sininly hold nnd defend it. To withdi'aw our army iiltocetbr from the c:ïnquestp they hnvn made hy d"eds of iinparnllclrd bravery. añil nt ih" expense of eo much blood and treasurp. in a just war on our pari. and one which by the acts ol'the enemy, we co 11 ld not have honoruhly avoided. would be to decrade the nntion in ite own eslimation and in ihat of the world. To retare ;o a line. and siniply ho!d and defond il, wmild not lerinitniic the wur. On the conirnry. il wnuld ericourng Mexico !o perievere, and ipnd 10 proiréct t indefinndy. Il is n.)t tobe expected liial Mexico, aftcr relu ng 10 eptnblivit cli a line m n permanent boun dnry. wlii'ii our ictonou.i minit ;ire in polMMion ot hor en piin', and in the heart ui her country, would pciinit na 10 huid il without rsi luiiee - Thoi sl;e would contn.u ; thé wur, Sd in the m.-t hnrntiing and tnnpying furtr. iliere enn he no A burder warfnri of ihe niust envide cliiraettr, eiieiuling over a long luie vronld bè unceinngly agid. ]t woulJ lequire n liirfi nrmy to tic kepi contnnily in llio lirld, aaliuned ni pualt td gnirison nluinr such i in, lu protect Dlld defenil il. Tlic eneiny, rulieved fn tíie prt'Ndiire ofour 'nrrna ítj his conat" nntl in the populoul pnris oí ihe int rior, would direel his ntieiition 10 ihia lint?. Biid, selectiriü an is olnied posi lor utiuck, vku!i! cuiicentmte liia lor cc? nn 'n i'. This would be a conclition of nfiliirs whicli llie Mpxican3,ptirsuing their fav.irite syptpm of guerrilla warlare, woulrl probably prefer lo any other. Were we to assunie a defensive attitude on such n line, all ihe ndvantnges of uch a state of war wouU Ie on the siiie o( the enemy. - Wp Bonld Ipvy no contrihutions upon hiin or in atiy oilier way mnke hirn feel thp pressurc oflhe war, but muvt rptnam inactive and await his apuroach, being in conslnnt uncerlatnt' tt what p"ini on tlie line, or at whal timo he might make an assault. lift rniy assemblo and organizo nn overwhelming forcé n ihe interior, orí his own side oflhe line, and, concealing his purposp, mnko a stidden nssnult upon sorr.e of our posts so distant fn-m nny other ns to prevent the possibility of litne ]y succor or feinforceinents j and in this way our gallant army would be exposed to the dnnger of beit'g ent ofF in detail ; or if, hv their nnequnlled bravery and prowess everywhere e.vhibiied diirii)g this war, they should repulse tlie enemy, their numbers stationed at snv one post :nay be loo small lo pursue bim. lf the eneiny be repulsed in one attack, he would have nothing to do but to retreit !o bis own side of tlin line, and, being in nn fearof a purming anny, may reinforce liimself at leisure, for another attack on thfi sameorsome oilier post. lie rn:iy. too, cross the line bftween our posls, rnake rnpid ncursions into the country which we iiold, murder the inhnbitanls, commit depredations on them, and then retreat lu the inlerior before a sufficient forcé can be concenirated to pursue him. Siich would prot)ably be the harrassing character of a mere defonsive war on our pnrt. If our foroes, when atlaeked, or tinentened with allack, be permilted to cross the line, drive bnck 1 1 ■ e enemy, and conquer him, tliis would bo agnin lo invade the enemy's country, nfier tiaving lost all f.he advnntnges of the conquetts we have nlicidy rrade, by havin voluntnrily iibnno'oned them. To hold such a line successfully nnd in senurity, it is far fivirn being certain that it would not require as large nn anny as would be ne.cessary 10 hold all the conqests we hive nlready made, nnd to continue ;he prosecution of the wnr to !he very heart ol theenemy's coufitry. Il is also far from leing certain thnl the expenses of the wa would be diminished by such a policy. 1 am persuaded thal the best mrans of vindicaiing the nntional honor and interest, and ofbringing the war toan honorable close, will be to prosecute it viih increased energy ai.d power in the vitul p:iris of the enemy's counlrv. In iny annual message to Congress of December Insi, I declared tlint ':the war bas not been wnged with a view to conquest ; but having been commenced bs Mexico, il bas been Curriod into the enemy's country, and will be vigorously prosecüled there, with a view to obtain an honornble pe:ice, nnd ihereby secure ampie indemnity for the expenses of ihi war, es well ns lo our mucli-iiijured ciiizns, who hold la'ge pecunia ry denmndagainst Mexico." Sucli, in my judg ment, continuas to be olt irue policy - indeed, t!ie only policy which will probnbly ecure n permanent ppnre. It hns never been contemplated !y me, ns nn object of the war, to mnke n ermanent conquest of ihe repubüc of Mexico, or to annihilate her separate exis1ence as an indf pendant nation. On ih contrary, it has ever been rny dfsise thnl .-he should niaintain her nntionality, and. uncjer a g'ond government ariopled to her cf ndilion, be n IVpp. independent, and prosperous republic. The Unilpd States we re the fii'Kt lo recognizp her independenc3, and have alwnys desired to be on terms ui atnity and gnod ne'gliborhoor) wit.i lier. - Thisshe would not sutFer. By her own comlnct we hnve Leen compelled to engage in the present war. In its projecution, we scek not her overilirow as a nalion ; but, in vindicnting our nationnl honor, we teek to obtain redress for the wrongsshe has done up, and indemnitv for ourjust demands against her. We demnnd an honorable peace ; nnd tliat peace must bring with it indemnity for the pnst, and securety for the future. - Hitherto Mexico has refused all accommodaiion by which such a peace could be obtained. Whilst our armieshave advanced from vic'.ory lo victory. from tlo ment of ihe war, il has alwnys been witii the olive-branch of peace in their hands ; and t hns been in the power of Mexico at every step, to arrest hostilities by accepiing it. One great obsiacle tn theattainment of peare has undoubledly ariscn from the fac! that Mexico has been i-o long held in Mjljeclion by one faction or miliiary usurper after another, and tuch has bpen the condition of insecurity in which their suecet-sive governmenls have been placed, that enrh has been deierrcd from mnking peace, lest, for ihis vcry cause, a rival faction might expelí it I rom power. Such. wn the fate of president Ierrera's administration in 1845, for being disposed een to listen to ihe overiures of the IJ. States to prevent th" war, as is fully confirmed by an official co:-respondence which took place in the nionth of August last, between him and his governirent, n cqpy of which is herewith communicated. "For ihis causo alone, the revolution which displaced him from power wns set on foot" by general Paredes. Such may be the condition of insecurity of the presen! government. There cnn bc r,o doubt thnt llie pencenble and well iJisposed inhiiLtitan Is ol Mexico, are cnr.vincp(I ihm il ia ihc irue inierest of ihcir country to cnnclurfe an henoraltle pence with the Unif-d Simes ; bm ihc npprehension of becominji the viciiin of some military faciion or usurper may have. prevenied tliem iVom manifestillg iheir fce ipg by.aiiy pubkc net. The jemovalof nny sueh npprehension wou'd probably cause iliem to speak Ilieir ecnlirnPDis Irecly, and lo adopl the meaiurc8 nect'ssnry fur ihe re?nration of peacc.- With n people digirncicd and divided by co.inoding 'no ons. and a guverninenl eubjcci lo oonlinued chansea ty succeasive rcvoluiiona. tlio cantinued auceeaaètof otir aruis inay fai! to acLure a auliffuciory pe-'ice. In eneli event. it mny liecome proper fur our comnmndine generáis in [bc field 10 tivecncour:i'Mie!rt and neöurnnri'S of proU'ction lu tha tiicnHs of peace n Wfïico in tnn esmblishmnt and mainien;it)LO of üfipe repnblicon guvernment of rrnir own chnice. anle and willing lo conclude ü peare U'hich would hcjnni hl liiem. nnd iimira lo na ilie indciniiiry we dcinand. Tbis moy Lcwnn the inly IniKÍt nrf oGtamirtf such n peoe. ShouUl curh be the rrsult. 'he war hili Mrxico Iris forrad up in UI wniild be converted iniü rr eiidtiriag lilcfin; to liemel'. Aller findinj; lier lorn nnd divinidad hy fiifimns. nntl rulod bjr military ataipttt, nc itiooid ilien leave her wiili a repuhlicnn povcrnn:enr. in the enjoyment of real indeudnc nnd dnmeMic pe;ice nd proprriiy. perforrnin nll her relative dmif in the !iient Tarnily dl nminn.. nivl promoting bcr owr hnpiiincf by wiso lawj, and ihcir faithful exe-' iMiiinrr. )t. n ft (j r aiï'inJitür ()iis cnrfJTiincenicnt and proipetion. muf ntter nll ihe ppiirveiini,r und pincerc 'ifo!"f8 'e have irndd. fnrn the moment Me.ticti' co nn:encccl il"' ar, arid priur lo that time, lo ïdjiitt onr d ffirenre "iih lier. 'e thnll ullirnatelv fai'. ihirt we aliall have eïlmusted all honiirabli: ireans in piirsuit ofpeace. and neenpy her inntry wi;h mir troop, tnliine the frifl ineasur f :iJe nnity inM our Qwn hunëë. nml musí e' orce the terms which "ir honar dnmiinJf. To ai'i otlier iae in'thc exis'ing staie u( thin" n Mexico, nnd to witbdrsw onr nmy without n of-ace, woiil.l not only leave all thi wrnnca of wlnrh we eomploin unredressed, hut Ivould tie e iignal ut iiew nnd fierce civü drsteiilions and new reviilu'ions - nll a'ike ho'ile to tr.e jie.iceful relations ith the United Slatr-8. ïïrs 'U's. there ia danper, if our troops were witltdtftwn belore a prare wns conclnded, ihat the Mt'xicnn poüle., vaaried wiih successivo re- volmion, nn.l deprivrd of proKction for thcir perüins and propcriy. miïht at length bn inclind to foreiltn inniicnct9, umi t cas; ihmnsolves inio the arms of torne F.uroponn monarch for prötection fren) the anarchy and sufferinj wln'ch would ens'if?. Thia, lor our own sniety, nnd n jurp'nt'C" of our es'TMidlir 1 po!icvi we nhould He conipelled to rrisr. We rouíd nover tent thiit Mexico shnnld he iIhis converted nlo .t nonirchy coverned ly a fnrèign prini-e. Mexico is nur nenr neighhor, and her bouodlie "re co'ermtnons with our nwn. through the wlmliï cx'ent arross the North A menean continent, íro'n orean 10 nrmn. líiiili puliiically And ï.Murnc'cnilv. we have the drrpest interest in 1er teLeneritinrj nnd prspHtv. Indeed, it is ntpnasiMe. th-tt. with nny jiist regard f.ir our ivn snfeiy, w can ever become indifferent ti er ft'.1. lt iuay be t!i:t the Meïficftn envernrpent nnd pnp'e hnve miaconstrired er rnisi;n ferptood our "o-beiránee nnd onr objVc:s in tluniring] 10 con:lude nn arnicable iiljneünent of tbc exnting difre'CTCffi bëtween the two coniitriofl. They may :mve i-upposed thnt we wóüld submit t' trniH de;r:Hintr 11 the natfoo , ov tbty nmy hnve drawn f'lse inferencHs 'rm the nppxaeii d.n'hfion of i'pmton in the United 8tnts on the sniijnCt of the v.ir. nd mny linve ctctilnted I Hiin nmch ïy proirnctiiiz it ; nnd. indeeil, that wc niiirht uiiiniateiy ülmnflon it altógeiher, wrtfiQni iiisistinf on nny inderriniiy. Ferritorinl or oiherwife. "hnie rr ti:iv be ihfl ThIsp tinp1 essions nuler wbich thry Imre ñfed. iht' ndoption nnd prnfecu 'ion of the enerve tic pohcy ropis6d nïiisl oun undeceive theni. l:i the tinure proscci;!ion of the war. the end- i-ny must lc tnnde to ft'tl it pressure nture thsn ihey have hnh'rio dine. At i;sc'Mi)meiicemnt it wjs denied pioprr to conduci it in 1 afirit nf liirbearnnte nnd liberalily. With ihia end in tw, rntly mcai-iins were nHvpicd. to concilme, m fnr nu n staie of wir wou ld permil, Ihu m;i=s af ■he Mexiciin pupularion ; 10 rciiirince thetn thsi iba wnr win nut wniicri n(raint the [crftil mhibiantsoi Mexico, tut DiiiiioKt ifirir faiihle overmnent. whii:h hnd cnminonced htftulltirg ; o n nieve trffni tïieir Rttntlfl Lhfl fiilfc nnpr6í9Íuii which tlietr 'Ji'sining tl'i ioterestcd miers h:i i ir 1 fu II y htMitiipied tti makt, ilrit the yrr w :nif o' ch.]iicsi ; ilint ii wa n y.,r .ig.iirst tbnr religión nnd their eliuiches. wliith vete to bt1 di ciHtid itril nvettlirowii ; and ihnt iluir i'jjht ■ f peiFon and pnvie pru;jerty'wiuid Ke vïiilm4. l'o rennx e these I: je impkesnoa, oit cuihbuqleis itï tin; titd vero dirtced 8crijjii)'iu!y to rrtpPCI Iheir religión, their hurcht. tul ihri.hu'ch P"per.ty, ulurh wt-ie in tui nnnncr tu bo J ; ihey rere diiecicd ali-o 10 respect Mr righis 01 porton nd property uf all ho should nul tnke up nnrti neainst i:g. A&tiraii(:P6 to tiiis erTect were given t o tbn Mi xenn people. by Mnjor Gener'il Tylir. in a priu-l'iination ie?i!(-d in pirsiuuci of iimtnic:ion ViMii trw Beeintnry ol War, in the monthuf June. lf4fi. nul njftat by Mnj.ir Orneisl Scott, h Mcti.-d npnn liia 'iwn cunvictiuns ot the ptopiiityol hwuing il in a prociamition of tha 1 1 1I1 t jNinv, s.i?. In t i s syirit of lüernliiy and cor.ciliatwn, mi wiih n V!fw to prevent the t. dy ol tlie ftieiican pupulatUffl fiotn bikiiig up arma ae;iinei n. wa Ie r conducird nn oor part. Proviiionsmül o'her snpplies lurnWhsd 10 our anny liv Wcxieui eitixena weie pitid I r nnl :it IVbsral p icss arj-d ipon hy tlie partiud. Aftsr the hipse ol lew inofitbs, it becanie t.pparent thttt these a?urnn.■ea, nnd thia mild 1 rail went, bad t;iilJ to pmluce th' desirn! eirrct upon ihc Mexicon pupulaliiin. hile the wrir bad been conducid on our prl nccatding to tbs mesl humane and liberal iríncipLrtuhaeryed y civil zed nntiona. il M wiged in a tur d ff rtm s,iiru on the pan of iexici. Nut oppreeintinp our forbrarsin-re tlie Mex.can eople getvrally lucanie houe tu tlie t'nited StuK'8, ;imi availtd ilccinselves ol' eery oppor. iiinity I comm.il the most savnge FXeamt upon iur troopa. Lnrre nunibera ol the population lonk u-,iirms mui engaged in Gue rilla warlare, robbed and Biardcred in the most cruel tnanner individual Foldierp, or oiher sma4 partieti. whom ccidrnt or other caiises bad separated fom the main b Hy of our arniy ; bnnda of guerrillna anj )ther robbers infested the roads. hrraised oar trnins, and whenever it waa in their power cuu uffour fuppüea. The Mexicana having mus shown themtelvea 10 be whoüv incnpoble of a)iprctatinc "ur forbearanee and lihcrnliiy, it deeined propar changn ilic manner of conducting the war. by niaktrg hem leel its pressure aecoiding to the usage observed Dndcr .iniilar circ:imstances, hy all other civilized nrtiittng. Aroordingly, ns early as ihe tSJ Sfptember, iRatrunti-ina were jfiven bjr the Secretnry of War to SSojor General Taylor 10 ' drnw upplies" for nir ormy i'roin tbc enemy, without paviag for nd tp require comrih utioiu for iis supl'ort. ' i, in l hal wny he wns Fatislied he ooald ■' pel abumlniu supplies for bis (uren." l)irctinf; ihe exeeutinn of ihese insiructions. much was necrwnrily lolt to ihc discretmn of (he comnining offierr. who is Icsi nrqunimed iriih tho '.iicumsiaiices hy whicli lic was surroundel. (he want of ilie nrmy, and ilie praclicabillty of enorens ihe mciuure. Gen. Taylor, on ilie 2Gili Oct.. 1846, replied irciin Monlerej ; ihnt ' ii wan ld bva been impoibl hilharto, nd is so now, 10 8M.si.iin tha army totny extern by orced comnbuiion of niir.ey or eupplies. '" Fnr ilie rensons nssigned bv him, lie did nol ndopi the pnlicy of liis inH'ruciions. but declíireil liis reíidiness lo do so, " should the nrmy, in ita fuiurc iipprniions.rrach a porliun of the cnutur whicli mny he mude to -upply the troops to ndvaniace." He continued 10 pny lor the nrlicles of &upply whicli wer 'Jrnwn fram the encmy's c'Uiilry. Sitnilnr instrucions WW issued to Mnj. Gen. Scotl, on llio ::,l ui April. 18)7. who replied from Jnl.in. on the Bfnfa of Muy, 18-17, thai if it ba expeotfd ilint lh "nrmy is to support iiself by forced coutrinntions levied upon the country, we mny ruin nnd eq.i'perate the inhabitants nnd starve oumelvts." The snnip disernim wai piv. 'ii to him ihat Imd heen to Gen. T.iylor in iliis respect. Gen. Sentí for reasonnssic;iied by him nlO coniinued lo pty lor the nnieles of support for ilie armv which eredrawn from the eneiny. Afier the nrmy had renched tlie lirart of iho most wealthy portion o" Mexico, it wng suppoied ihnt the obatades which had heforo ihat t ime proentri! ii would no! be suuh os to ronder imurnctical.le the Irvy of forced coniribu'ions for iis support ; nnd on the Ui 'f September, and again on the fith ol Ociober. IS47. :he order w rrpealed in the dispntrhes addres.ed hr the Sccre-ary of War to Gen. Scntt, and bis attention was cnlled to the iniportanee of niaking the ene my bear the buidens of war by requiring theni to furnith the n;cans of supportinj our army ;
nd h was direcled to ad.ipt riiispoiicy. unless. by doing so, there was danger of ètpriving tlié rmy ol the neccsnry supplies. Copiea of These despatches were lorwardnd 10 Gou. Tjylor loi his government, On the :tlst of Marcli hst. I cnused au order tobe issued loour nivu! commandars to levy and collect tniliinry r.intnbiiiion upon all icisels Midmerehnndize which raighl onier any of the poro ol Mexic in our military nccupaiion. mui to .ipply 8uc' contributionatowarda dofraying the expenses ol the war. Uy virtue of ihe riglu ol onqiestmid iho laws of wir, the cono,ueror. eousuhin hu own safety and Cimvenieiice mat cilher zclude foreijn cummerc Itogethor, dom II meh port, r permii i upon jncii term md condihon ai hu nisy prescribe, lief.ire the principil prt of Mex'c were bioekadedby our na vy, the revenue rlerived trom impost dutist, undor llie lawa of Mexico, wís paid ioto the Maxi enn treasurv. After the pnrts had feilen imo oír militar; pos ■outon the bloeknde ni raised, and cinunercr with them permit nd up.n prescribed fnns and Cjnditions. Thry were op,.,ird to the trads ol all naiions upen ihe paymen; ofdmies mot inodente in their aniuont ihnn :hoee whrcli had been previously lei ieri liy Mexico : nnd the reve me. wbich was formetlv pnid into the Mexicau ireiaury, wasdirectcd tobe col.?c;cd by our militmry nd naval office, nd appfied to ihe use of our nrmy and navy. Cre was tafeen that the offi eer, soldiers and s.il.irs of our annv and oavy ahould be exempted trom the operotions ol thc order , nd as the nierchandine imported n ( ti which the onier operated must he consumed hy Meiican ci!Í2cns. the c nitributiona ex.ic!ed were. in effect, the eeizure of the public revenuet ol Mexico, and the appHcauen of them to our on um. In direenngtn s mensure, the object was to comprl tlie encmy to contribuís, as far as practicable, towards tlte expenses of tiie war. ïr the amoum of contrihutions wieh Iwvc bn lerierl in this form, I referyou to the accompinying repons of the Secretajy of Warnnd i ot the Secretarv ol ihe S'avv, by which it ;■ per that a sum exceeding half n milliun ol dol lar ha heen collecled. This amount w uld undouhredly have heen much largrr but for the difficnlty of knepiiiL' open communic.itioas between the co-tt and the interior, so as to emble the owners of tlie nierchandise imponed, to traiMport and ïnd illa iho innabiiantt ol wt country. It iscMiiridentlv xpectrd ihat this ditTu'u'iy will. to a reat extsn', h S3on removed !iy :ur increased fortes which hive boen cent 10 ihe finid. Men3iire hnve rrcrntly bren ndop e: by wliic! the nuernal as well sax lerna! ra remie of .- et) in ill pl-iees in our military occupiiton, will b raed mid ;ipprnprijted to the use of ournrim and navy. Tiie (inlicy of levy'ne upon ihe enemy conlributinns in eviíry loria, conntteutty wi'a the Inwo( nati ons. which it miy bc practicable lor oui miluary cammandera to adipt, aboiiU o rhy jud; n-:it. be ri;:i lly enrorijtl. ;in I erd ri t.i tbis ffect hnve ncordingly heen giveo Bv such n pelic)1. at the Mme time th.n our own trensuiy will be relievEd lrnn heivy rtún. the Mixicm psnp'e will be mad-j lo fo.-l ihe bur lens ol the wr, and, eoníiilúng theïr on imerest. may b induced ihe more re idily to ri q lire tiie.r uier t areerle o a just pence. Af:er tlie adjiuriimciit of the las! 9esion o! Coijres, even's traiifpired in i!ie propecuiion ol tho ar, which, ín my jidumeni. rcquirid a ereaier nurihcr of troop in the liel.l iua:i had been anticipatd. The s;rengii ol our army wa ■ecurHinjly ncreneed hy ' aci-rpiinjj" Uie serviré of II the rolumear fitress añ'liorízrd by the ti i of t.'iih of Miy, l'ïfl. wiih'Hit 'uiittin; a co'iairuiion on that act, the HTectnrn of which wss seriouslv quesüorieil. Tlie volun rter lorct-s naw in ihe field, wili ilmae which hive been " aceprtd" to "serve for t!i montli" and were dischtrgd at the end ai liirir rerin of service. xliuis' ;he 5D.0O!) men cu hoiz-j by that act. ïlsd it been c!car that n pri'jier conyrruction oí thi act warmnted 't. ihe services nf in nd;litinn.il number woud Inv been cuiled ior and nrceptc.i : hut d íu'j's exiitiiig upi ihijpj.nl, the power was not exercided. It 8 ileemed i ■i'iortnnt that Congrios fhotil.l at en eailypeiiod of their eion. contcr ihe au thoriiv ui i'rish nn addiliooftj rcanl.ir Unce ut erve during ihe wnr vvilli Mixico. and to lie iU cha'gcd upon the Oiinclo'on iml ral fi atiou ol penco. I invite ih nltcfitinn of Con'eps lo thtvki prrsitnied by UKcrsuiy ol V;ir in hit report upon :h?l fuhjiof. J recumoiend 'Iso ihn auihoriiy be piven by Uw to :all for and aoeepi the service olnn ndiütional ntttiiber of vorunteere In br xercisfd at iich (i'iie find to such e.ïteri! ibe exieencici ui ilie (wrvicr may reqoire. In proBccutio".t of the war Rrith Mexico, whils' the utmoai cnip hns been takel! tt avoid every jfist exilie of coüifiiitint on ihe psit nf neutral natioiis, nuil none have heen civen, liberal privüepea have hoen rnnted t ïhpir comtneree in the port oí the eneiny in our inilnniy occiip-iwoa. Tlie ilitHcuity wiih tho firasilraQ povernnifn'. which at one time threntened to inierrnpl the friendiy relations l.eiween ilie Iwo ooDn'tim.wilt, I trim. be peedily ailjusn-il. I hwereervéd in formaten lht an envoy exinntdin: y ni:rl n:,r]i-ter pl'nipolHiiiiRiy t the U. State will horilj be app'inled by his I ..0iiii Mijej'v - tikI thai he will come inatructed and p ?pa öd to adj:ist ui! renta'nmg differences btftwren ihe Iwn 'ivr.rn nitnts in a nianner acceptarle And lionomi.lc t. both. I have avery 'eisun to believe tbtt nothing will occur to in.errupt our amiciibla relations with Branl. Il Ins heen my cnlTiil ffíort to miintiin an.'l euluva'e the most miiniaip relations of í ríen iisl 1 1 p wiihalSthe independen; pAwcTVof Suuih Amen ca - and ihis p.i'tcv has beun MWitdad wilh ihe hippiesl resul's Ii n irue ihat the Séttiemenl anrl pnynifciit of inany jut ehiinft of American ïitizeni njiinst tliRe ntioni Inve bflon Ifina delid. Tlie peculiar position in wi)icri tbey huve been placed, and ihe desire on the pirt of my re Iccesor. as we!l as myself. to grant r hem 'he uimost indulppiice. have hiiherto prevente! these cUnns from leinz urged in n manner demanded by siriet justice. The time hacarrived when they ORfht lo he fitmlty djuateJ nnrl liqnidtd, and efforts are iiow tnaking lor tint purpose. ït is proper lo inform you ihat the governmen1of Peru hns in good faith piid the first two instalments of the indeinniiv of ihiriv thouanncl dollars each, and thn rea;er portion ot' the mierest due thereon, in execuiiun of the on-cmion lietween that Kovernnisnt and the Uniied St.itei the rttificstion of which were rxcrwinged at Uma on th tlnrty first of Ootobe-, 1346, The Alt-Tney Genend of the United States, carly in August tnt,comoleted iho kdiiidiuatinB of ihe claims nnder this conveniion. and mude his repon títere on, in pursuance of the act i.f the eightli of Aufat, I8-Í6. The sums to whicli the claimanlf are retpeciively cntitled w;ll be paid on detMod 21 the treasury. 1 invite tho early attcnlion of Conrrss to tbc preient eundition ol' our cüixent in China. Un Ier the tri-nty witii lint power. Amenc-in citiseM are wiihJrawn fro:n the jurisdiciion, wlieilier tvil nr crmiinil. of the Chinedü G iverinueoi. and placed under that of our public functionaris in that country. By lheB ;il uie c.in our ciiizentbe tried and punished tor ihe c.immission of any crime; hy these alone can ijucsiions be decide] beiween theni, involving ihe righta of person ■nd property: and by these alone cin contracta be enforced, into which thoy may have entereJ with tlte Bhizena or siihjccts offoreien powers - The merchant vessels ol the Uniied St.nes lying in the waters of he five pons of China open lu foreign oounnerce. are uii'er the exclusive jurisdiciion ol orficers uf tlieir own guvernment. Until Coi)2re38 shall establ,li competent trilutnal to try and puní ah crimen, on f to exeicise ju riiiction in civil cases in China, American cmzens there are subject to DO law whaiever. - Crimes may be commined wilh mptni:y. and dabt nmy be coniracied without any meani to enforce the.ir piymcnt. Inconveniences have already resulled frorrl 'he oniiasion of Congrcss to tegislate on the subject, and still greaier are apprehended. The Britiah authori'iea in China have already complained that this governmem has not provided lor the punishment ol Crimea, or iho enforuement of contract ogiinst American citizens in thnt country, whils' Iheir governmeni has estuhlished tribunals by which an Ameri an citizen can recover debts due from British subjects. Accuetomed as the Chinese are to sutnmary jnttice, they could not be made to eomfirejuind why crimináis whi) nre cilizens ol the IJ. Suites ahould escape with iinpunity in violation of treaty ebligationa, whilst the pui:ihmeul of a Chinese. who had committed any crime aainat an Ainercan citizen. wjitlil be riioro.i!y Macled. Indeed ihe consequences might be faial lo AmenCíncitizsnsin Chi.:-, should a Migrant crime be eotimitied by ;my one ol them upon Chinese, ad shoul trillan! p'tnish-TUnt not fo!b-' c ircliiig io ihe requmitions oi ihe tremy. TIn might disiuib. f not desiroy, our fiiendly relations wuh ihat Empire, and cause nmmerruptioi ol our valuadle comme ree. _ Our treaucs wnli the Sublime Porie, Tripoli Tunis. Morueco and Muscat, also rfq'iires the legislation of Congress to cnrry ihein inio execu tion, (hoSgh tlie necessdiy fur imtnediale acnon may not be so urgent ns in regard to China. The Secreiary of Staie bas subniitied ,m esti maic to delray the expensa of opening diplomstji relations with the Papal States. The olFrwiin) i.'l.'h-: ! i'M'iiu iiuiv in pnigrerx n these States ris well as a jusi regard 10 our commercial imeresis. l.avo. in my opinión, teudered sucli a mea sjre highly expedient. E!imnti-9 have alno been iuhmlftid for the out Hls and snlnrir of charge d'artuirs to ihe repub ics of üolivia, Guatemala nnd Kcuador. The maniféat importanco of cul'ivating the mosi .'Vienilly relations with all the independent Statcupon rhueontiiMiuJin iniüced me to recommein appropmtions ncceoaary for the niatntenance ol lhee inissiony. I recommend to Congres thatan approprinti.in he mado, to be pnic! (o liie Spnnish government for the purpoje of distribuí ion among the claimant8 in '-the Amistad case." I entsrtniti the coitvictinn thai ihis is due to Spain umler the trenty of thn 29ih of October, 1?!)5: and. moie ■ver, that, fr.im the earn't mnnner in wtiich ihc claim coatinue 10 be urged. M long as u sh.ill remiin un.wnlè.i. t will be o sourco af irritation nul dtócord between the two conntriej. which may prove highly prejudicial lo the inóreme o' ihe (Jnuod States. Good policy, no ess than a íuiíhful compítante wiih our trcaiy ohligations. requirts lh.it ihe irconsiderable nppropriation dmaiuJed shnuld be made. A detailed statement of the condition of the nuances will be presented iíl lije aniiual report ol ihe Seeretnry of the Treasury. The importa for ihe laet fiscal year. ending op tho 3()th of June. IH17. wereofihe vnlue ol'onc huiulred and fony il milliohg five buniircil siid loriy tive ihou sand six handred and thiriy cight dollara: of which tlie amount exponed was eight millions eleven ihoasnd on hundred and fiity eight dollars, li-nvinï one huiiJre'l and Ihiriy eighi millian five hundred n'id thiriy (our ihousand f.mr buqdred and righiy dollars in the country tor do ■iic6tc na The value ol the experts fur thf anno period was one hundred and hliy eight mil liom six hundred and fjnv eight ihuusnsd til hundred and twenty two dolían; i f which ont hvndred nnd tiuy millions nix hundred and thirij SKven tbougnod lour lumdrid and eixiy four ili'!ar? coiisisied of domedie productioiM. and eighi million leven tboatánd one huudied end fifiy eight dullirsaf furaign ar iilei. Thti raccipia iuto tlie irasúrjr íor the same peii'i:l .iinounte 1 lo lueniy ix millions ihiee hun iJreil and 'o'iy six thouMltd leven luimlrcd and nnifi) ileüürs and ihiny Sjven ccnií. ol which ;heie wns derived Irom cusioiiib twenty thitc mi ■ lom seven hundred aud (orly neven ihuusand i'icrlit huixlied and ixiy uur d.l!ars and eixty s x een ; from enles of public Kinds. iwo milhon.lour huiidrcd and niiiety e%bt iti. r.s.inj tl.rw li:ii'died nu.f ihiriy Bva duUarsanrf uvtniy cimiis. ■t iid fmm incideiunl nnd miKelliinaoua souices. ■ ■n' hundred thoutñid n've hundred and aereiily li.'llars :md ll'ty olie ct'M'. Tha liist tieciil yeir Zuring which this nmoum was recoivod. imbjacfed (ive uiuntbs nnder tht p erntnn ■!' thp torifTact cf r!'(2 iind sevt-n months ■l'irinii wKich the tarilf act of 184ÍÍ hu in lorce. Daring the tive momtil mier the net of M4S,tht amount iecíived fium cusioms waa tteven millions i'ifjht hundred nnd loiiv uvo thousniid tliree hundred nnd six dolíais and ninety csnt6. nd Jurinff tbc -ivin monihs ünHér tlie net of Iti4ti. i!ic aoioVnl receiïed was fiftben millions ninc hundred r.nd live thounand fiv hundred and fi ly seven dullais and srnty six conis. Tut net revenuea liom the customl dti.inglhi ytar etidini; on ihe I si December. I84G, b'ir.ir ihe last yedi untier the operaHon cl' the inrifl" nr.i o' I84-?, was f22,971.403 10, anl ihe nci réenue iroin cuslotns during ihe year inding on the I! of December, li-17. being ihe first year un■ Icr the oppration of the tariff act of li'lf!, WHt ab.iin M .60", 000, being n inereasr o! revenur for the first yeiir uiidfi tlie tariffot' H46. of more ihan S.-.S.50'l.l)00 over thai cf the hst rut of the tirifTof IHlá. The rxpeni.'itures durine the fiscal ye.nr ending nn ihe '0 h June hsi, were fifiy-nine mülion fo.ul liundred anJ fifiy-one thoiisand one hun'lrefi anci s-eveiry-ïeven dollnrs and si.iy five cenr ; il which lince million five hundred and Iwenu-iwn ibnusand and eihiy-two dollars and thiny f-cven ern'a was n account of p-tyment of principal and niert al oí 'lie public (Jcbt. including tieasur iiiies redeemej and not fundcd. The expendimres.' exclusive of pvyir.em of puldic debt, were Htiy five mdliun nme hundreil and twemy-nine ihoiuaad and ninety-fivu duliaisand twenty eiglr cenia 11 s f-iimaied thnt the rrceip's inlo the trensury tor the fiscnl year ending on ihe 30ih June. Ï8H. inciii'íinsr ilie bi!-inca in the tre-iaury on ihe Isi ol .Iiily last. w ■ i 1 amouiit lo f"ily twñ Mullí. . ii8 riíjln hundred nnd righty ir thuusonit five hundred and lonv five dollar and eighty ele ol which ihiftyoaa ciilhon, it isvsttmated will be derivad f'rom cusio'iis : three mtllion five hun dred thousand from inc'deptnl sourcee. including smIcs mide hy the Solicitor of t! e Tr-asury ; and six million two hundred and eight} fi.s lhousnd [■vu hsndrtjd and mnety foir dollars and fii'iv Ct'niy irom loans filready authoiized by Itw, which loïther wiih ihe balance in ihe Trcasury on the l s t of Julv laüt.make the suin tsMm.'tted. The expenditure for tha same period, if peace ■viih Mexico ihall nol be concluded. nnd the arMiy phall be itcre-ieed .is is proposed.will amount tncluding the necesiiary payihenis on account ot principal and interest of ihe public dbt and tren sury noten. !o filty eiahl million ix hundred and filteen 'housind six hunúrcdar.d sixiy dollars and sevcn rintr. On thp first of ihe present month. the aniount ► f the public debl actuallv incurrt-d, incluiliny rronsorjrnoies, was lorty (i-e mülion six hundred üiitI filiy nine dollars and loriy ceïta The pub lic debt due on the 4ih of March 145. iucluding treaury nntes. was sevemeen million seven hunlrcd and e ghiv eight thoiisand seven hundrp. 1 and ninety nine dollars and ix'y two cents : and consequent!? the additUn made to the public dubt s:nce ihat time :s twenty seven mülion eight hun dred and filiy nme dollars and seventy eicht ets. Ol ihe loan of twenty thiee millions. nuthoriïed by ihfi act of ihe 2nih of Januarv, 147. the iiim of five millions wns paid out to ihn public frcdiiois, or exchanéed at pir for specie ; the reinoining e thieen millions was ofTered for specie io ihe liiuhest biJder, not Ivelow par.by an aávertisemcni isaued by the Secretary of the Treasniy nnd published from ihe 9lh of Pchruary to the ll);h of April, H47. when it was iwnrdad to :luj si-vtv.il higheat bidders at premiums varying from one Hgbth of one percent. tJ two percent above pir. Tl. e premiufn has hef n pii: into th ireHS ury. nnd the suirs awartled, 'deposited in specie in the trensury as last as il was required by the w.ints of Government. To meet ihe expeniiitures f'r the remainder ot the pretmt and lor the nxt fiscal year, endiriy on ihe 3rtth ol June If4:). 1 further loin. in aid ol ihe ordinary rf vennra Government. will he necess.iry. Retining n stiffictent surplus in ihe Ire isury. the loan reijuired for ihe re'naind?r of the fiscal ye:ir will be eightei n inillion five hun dreil thous.ind dollars. If dia iliüy in tra nnd cofffe bc Httpoutd. and ihe g-aduntmn of the prici .il' public land afeall bc mnc'e.ai an rarly period ui vour sesiion. ad recotnmended.ihe loan !or ihe pri-sciii fijcil ye-ir miry he reduoed 'o sevrniee'i milions of dollars. Tho loan n:av be luriher red.iced by wha'ever amount af expendí. lires ran be sived by ihe military contrbuiions eollected in Mexico. The most vigorou? measures lor lln ingineiit ition of these conirimnions have heen dirccieil. and a very considerable sum is cxpecied from tr.ru source. Itaamoum cannot. however, be cilcu lau'd wi.h any cenainiy. It 9 recom inendcd tint the b'an lo he made be authorizc 1 upon ihe san'O terms. and for the Rime lime, as linl which was nuthnrizüd nader the proviüions of ihe act oi28ih of January, 1647. Shonld the war with Mexico be continuad un til ihe 30ih of June 1848, it is natimsled that a íuriher loan of twenty million tive hundred ibousand dollars will be required for the fiscal year ending on ihai duy, in case no duty bc imposed on lea and colTee and the public linds be nol re diiced nnd graduaied in price. and no military conirihuiions shall he collecied in Mexico. II the duty on tea and cofTce ba inniosed, nnd the land he reduoed and' gradua-el in price, os propnsed. ihe loan may be reduced to sevenieen mil lionsof dollars.and will be subject tr be still furthcr reduccd by the amount of military conti ibu' nous which inny be collecied in Mexico. It is not proposed, however. al present to aek Con grees for any nuthorily to negotiate this loar, for the next fiscal year, aided by military contributions which may be eollected in Mexico, may be sulfiden!. I', contrary to my expecta'.ions,t!:erc should bc a ntcessity for :;. he fact w.ll be coinmunicled to Congros in timu lor ilicir aclin during the present ttwion. In 110 even wii a snni ïCEoding six niillion of dollars of lili amount be neeiied hefore ilie next eession of Con g:C88 n December. Ifi4d. Thi net oflh 13 li ui July 1846, " reducjnt. ilie dm iescti impnsls." hns n in lorce incc ihe firsf)t December tost - and lam graiified U Si aio ihsl all the beneficial efl'rets whieh were in ticipmed Inmi m npermioris liave bren fully rcii ize !. The public revfnue derived from custorn luring tho yi'nr endifig 01) ihe "firsi ol December I -47. cxceeila by more :hin eighl niillions of lul Inri ihe amuutit received in the picoeedmg yen iludir the oticration ol the net jl 1H4SJ. whicl H anpen-i'diid und 'rpealeü y it. lis eflicls are visible ia tlie gttat nnd almnst inexninplei prospi'niy wliich [ircvails in a'inoet eveiy brand ol lmsine8P. AVhile ihe repeal of the prohiliiiary and reslric tivc cl ri t i es of ilie net of 1842 nnd the tubMituiiori in tlieir pliice nf rensonable revenne rates levied on nrtices itnpurted aceordinp to tliir nciua! value. ha? inert nseil th revenue nnrj augmented our liireian trnile - all the preat imcreets of the country have been arivntitKil n'ml pruinnted. Tho íí r e;i t anH import,inl in'ercsts of agriculure. wliicli had brrn not onlv tno much neglrct ed. bui íicHia'ly taxi-rl under the pro;eclivr p tltt'y . liir ilii! benefit if other inierests, hnve been relieved of the burdens whieh thru poic}' iniposed on them ; nnd our farmers nnd planters, under p itiore jnst and libernl comnterrial pitliey, are fin ding new nnd profitüble markets abroad (or Iheit aucmented prodiicii. Our comiiiercr is rnpidlv inrensina and is ex tendinc more wid'j!y thft cirele ol international eichtinaes. Grcat a haa been the ineiensc durini; the pnst year. our eipnrts o; dotnestie producís sold in Kiteigu miriieta have been siill giea ter. Our n'vign'tng interest is eminpnily prnpperous. Tlie mirnbef óf vnwela luili n the United States bas heen prester thnti during anv prece(linir period of cqunl leneih. Large profits linvtleen darivftd by ihose who have eonstriic;ed a we'l R8 hv those who have iiavicated ihern. Should the rniii' of inciense in the nunilirr of oui merchant vepssls he progressive. and he as grea' "or ihe future as during the paft yenr. ihe limt ■e not dismnt wtian our tonnnre and commercial marine il! he lnrger ïhan (h at ui ny olber naon in the. woi ld. Wtiilt t!te nietes' of nprir'u'u 'e. of cnrnmerce -ind nf navisntion have heen enta'gcd and inviyureted, it istliffhty Lra'ifyini ro observe tlint onr untuifnciurrs are nlso in a presperotts conditkn. Vone ot the niinniiü effecu npon this in crcM. which we'e apprehended hv ome. a the resul i ( the op-Tnti'in of the revenue ayptem eptabüph edhy the nciof IS4H, Imve been exprrienced - Dn the rontr.-iry. the numbej of niiinu'actories. ind ihe nmniint orcnpiial investrd in ihiMD, is s:endily and rnpirily incrrnMig.nfiordinrr gmiifying prootsthat Aim.ricnn emeiprise and s'-iH em loyed in thts bralteh of dornestic industry. wilh no oiher ndtamages thnn thoae fnirly and ncilenially iccrueing from a just eviiem o: revenue linies, me nblindnntly alle la mee' miccepsfully ill rnniptHiiion (roni nhroad, and uil! derive ínir und reiniinerntine prollts. Wliile cnpi;ol investid in manuractures is vielling adequate and fair pr. fis imder the new nysm. ihe wnges of Inbor. whether employed in nnnnfact'ires. ncriculiure. connnerce or navigiion. hnve been nntrirtentcd. Tho toiling nul!on, wliose daily lahnr fiirnishes the upply o: lood and rniirieni. and all ihe necceïsiiries iind comfiTil ol lile, ie rwceivisf hiher wage. and more ;.ertnancnt eiiiployment thnn in any other ciiintry, or at any previous period in our own liatory. So surce.-aful have been all branches of itir in luatry, tlüit a foreifii war, which genorally diminihes the resources of a nation, hns in no eseential dcree rctarded our onward procrees, or cbeckrd onr general prosptrity. VVitli tiirh jimii'ying eviilcncee of prosperily. ind of the revenue act of itMIi. every criimdera ion ol public policy reconimends ihai it shall renain anchanged. it ithopcd tlmt ihe sysiem o! niposi dutifs wbich s cstnbüehed rn.iy be renard ed aj the permanent policy of the country, and nat tbc ;reM ihterests afftcted by it may r.a a2ain be su1 j cted to be injuriously disturbed, dj. hey have heietofure been, by the frequent oni: ■omeiÍHuM siulíl'n chance. Kot the porpose if incrensing the reventte. anr' without eliHncmi:. ut modtfyihg the ratcs imposti1 iy ihe act ol í4f), on the dmiiible anieles cmhraced by ii provinSions, tngnin reeonunend to vuur favorable considenulon the expediency ol evyifi(í a revenve diity on tea nnd coffre.lhe polcy vthicli txeinpted lhee ai ticleê Ir'oin'diity durin yaa Bod when the reventie to be drived rom was nol neerled. ceaÉfs to exift when th ciumiry is ent'iiged in a war, and rèquires all its vaüable ■joures. It ia a tax which wóulu be s grnernlly diifued amoii2 ihe people, that i' would he f'. It oppress.vely by note, and he comilatned ofby none. It w bstieved that there are iot. in the ln-t of imponed anieles, any whicti ire more prnperly the tubjtct ui war duiics thai, en and Ci if.e. It isesiiinuted that thrce niillioris of dollar; wouhl be denvcl annuaüy by a moderate dui) Knposedon theee amcits. Sboold Congres avail itgelf of this additiona ource of revenue, not only wouhJ the amount o: the public loan, rendered necegnry by the wawilh Mt-xico. bc diininished to that exient, tht: the public credit, nd the public coi-fi ience in th ubility and deleriniiiiiiioH of the guvernmont l. meet all na enga(menM promptty, would b more firmlv esinbliehed, and the reduced amoun ol t!ie loan which il may be DQCMMry to neg"tinie could probiibly be obtained i cheaper rales. Congreas is. therelore, cslled upon 10 deieriii i ne whether it is wis-r to imjtOM the war dutics recoinmended. or by omitting todo so, inerfitte the public defit annolly three nullions o rlollara a.i long is taant slmll b rrquired lo profcme the war, and nfierwad provide in some other lortn to pny the semi-annual interest upnn il, and nliiinalely to exuriguish the - If. in addition to theee duttes, Congief fhould nrodiritii and reduce thepiico ntsueh of the pub!ic lnnd as experience has pio.ed will not cotnmund the pnce pl'iced upou thetn by govt-rnment nn adrlitional annual incoine 10 the Ire.isuiy O' beiween half nnlhori of dollars, it is ilinintcil would be derivad from ihii sotirce. ëhould botl. mensures receive the snnction of Coneress. the iinnunl arnouni of public deut neceesiry to bc contracted durinij the continuanee of the wat would bc reduced nearlv lonr million diilars. - Th" duties re O'tiinfiided to be leviedon tea ínii ci.ff-e, it is proponed, ■hall be limitad in i h ■ i ■ durntiot] to the endof the war, and tintil tho deb' rendered necepsory o be comracted by i'. shall bi dischiirtrcd. The aniouni of the public debt l. be eontraeted should be limiled t.j the lowcs' practicable stttn, anti shoulil be exiinïuifhed h e irly afier the conclumon of ihe wur as the itiovni of the trenfuiy will permit. VViih itiis view. it is recommended that n foon as ilie warshall be over, rili the surplus ii the lr-aMiiry. not needed lor otber indippensibl. ibjeets. ehall cons'iiute a snikitii; fuiid. and ht applied to ihe purchase of the fiin.led dcbl, BAi tlial aut.ioi ly be collier red by law for that purpose, The net of ihe Cth of August, 1846,'Mo eflnb lish a warenousing systein' h.isbeenin operation ni(re iban a yenr. and haft proved to Ke ai imporlnnt nuxiliiiry to the tariff act of I8K), il ingmenting tlie revenue. and extend.nti tiieco'n nierce o! the country. Whilst it hna tended ti' enlarge commrrcá. il haa been ucnefíclil to ou manufactures. by diminidimg fbrced saltsat o'uc 'ion of loreign cu'djj :it luw prices). to raiee the d':iie io be arlvnnced on tbein. and by checking fluctinlinns in ilie market. The sysicni ilihouh sinctoned by the iperience of olhei ciiuntric. was etitirely new in the United Stnte ;ind is íuecppiibíe of improvement in MOtne of' it. proviaaiona. The secntary of the treasnry.iipnii whorr? were devolv.rt large discretionery pow. ers in cnrrvinc this measure into eflect, bas collected, and ie now collecting. the piae ica! resultf nf systein in other eountriee, wbere it has long been establUhed, nud will repon at nn early ,netiofl of your session. snch larther regubition.1i'.iL'ges'ed bv he investigation as may render it slill more cfiective and benifi'hl. By the act lo " proiide for the better orgnni'Tion of ihe trensiiry, ïnd for the ollection. snle lireping aud disbursenient of the public reve nue. all bankf) were di':ontnued os fiscal agentp of the goven'-ment. and the paper cuirency MUBfl by ihnm was no ionger perniilted lo be rercived in pnyment ol'diics. Tke consïitiitional treneury created by this aci went into operalion on the, first ot Jannary lapt. Und:r ilie tyatem eatablished by it, the public oioneys hare been collected. safely kept. and diaburaad by ihe direct agency of the government in gold and silver; and transfers of largr amounie havo been madi from poinls of collcction lo poiniuofdisbursement, wiihoui losa lo the ireasury, or iirjury or nconenienc. 10 ihe irade of ihc couvuy. ' Wliilo the fiscnl operations of ihe governmont have been conductcd witli if gnlnniv and ease. under ihih iytm, il has huil a eaiuiary iflecl in checking and preveming un undut1 inflaihtn o! of ihe pjper currency i'tiued by the batiUs wfatcfa ■xisi onder state charlan. Reqnirtny, as it dota, nü duts 10 ihe gnvernment lo be pitd in gold and süver, its oirect is lo irsttain excessive issues oí hink paper by lite ti-nikn dispiiopcKticned tu the specie in iheir vaulis. for the ranton tlii tbey aie it .iil limes liuhle tu lie tiiüeJ on by the lioldrs f iheir lotes lor thcir redempiinn i in order in olunin ipceia for the pnvment of duttcs iiidntlnr poblie dues. The bank, therciore mus!ke( iheir Inisiness wilhin crudent limits. nd he m]wnys in a eondilion to inert sucli caits. or run the hazard of I ing con pelled to stippend specie pnymonl8. and he tbereby dii'crediied. The unuuni of specie imponed into ihe l'niicJ States duriny the lost fisc.il yeor ws iwemy-four inillion mie hnnilred and tweniy-ihnusaiiil tWO liundred an'J eiïh'y-uine (nllarn ; of whirh thir was rel.iineri in the country $2. '.'70. 170. flsd the lormei finncial tystem prttiiled, and the public moneys been placed on depnsit in banks, nenilv the whole of ihis amount wonln Imve aone into tlieti vnulrs, not lo he thrown into circu'aiton by them. but tn he wiihhe.ld froin the hands of the. people as a currenrv, and mide the basis of new nm cnormnna issues if bank paper. A Inrge proporion of the oper-in imponed has heen paid into the trersmy for dnes : and aiter Inving lie en, to a sTent exient. rcoil)fd Kt the mint, bas been pnid ut li tlic pubhc crediors. and ?one inro circulation a?a currenry atnong thepeopln. The ftniotn.l of goifi and silvercoin imw in ciiculation n ihe country ia greater tlian at any furtner peri Olj. The finnncia! eyslem established hy tlie iiitioi nl ireatary hal been t'iu? far etninently íu-_ rewriil in i's oprrurinng. an.1 f rer.umnicnd riii adherence lo alt te essrnrinl provis'ow. nnd eypecinlly 'o that vital nrovision wbich whojly Mpa mie ihe eovernment from nll connasien wnh hnnks. and rxcludce baftk paper from all reverme eceip'á In some of i:g details, nol involvine 's tronera! principio, iha va'em i dcfeetive, aiirt wlli re quir morlifiranona. Tliese defects. and such anendmenis as are deenied important, were act orth in iha Insi nnmnl rpport of the Seoraiary . f he. Tr asorv. TllEM amendments are iirair ccommendrd lo the early and favorable conside ntinn of Congres. Duin the p Ft yenr, 'he coinnge at the mini Tiirl uk br;nrhes has exrai(IH iwenty mitlitin.a of dollars. This hss roi.slsted rhiefly in convertitic he cuin of lorcign countries nto American eoin. Thp la seat amoiint of foreiïn cnin imponed las be( n received nt New York ; and f a brnnch mint ere esmhliVhed at thnt -ny, all the foreien coin received fit thit port couM at once be eonerted int" our own coin, without the expense. Uk and dlay of trnnporling t to ihe mint C or hit purpose, and the a:nount recoined would bc lUijh lureer. Expurience has proved that fureign coin. nm! spfcinlly foreiijn zold coin. vill not circulntu xreneivel n? a currpney nipons the pflopiü. - l'hc iniportnnt nwunrn of e.xtendin; onr sperie irculation, botfa of pold and ailver. and of difuMng it aniong th pcnpléj can only be effceled )V ronvertin; fiueh foreign roin ulo Ameritan c. p. I rereai ihe reo nmeftjntion contnined in niv mat annunl meesaci'. fnr the esinMiilmirnr o! a prnneh of the mint of ;he United Stato n the city of New Ymk. All the puMic lands which had been surveyed and ere rcady tur marke' have Keen proclliined' mr Je (Itirinu the pnlt year. The quanlity oifered aid to be offered int sale, under proclunia[ii-me isriied stnce the first of Janu;tiy last, ampanu W 1.0 IH. 131 acres. The proeperi:y ol the Western Staten and Territories in which ihese lands lie. will he advanecd by their peedy sale, liy wiihholding Ihcm from market their HtOA'thand incroase of population would he tenirded, while thousnds of ur entetprisinu and nieritorious Froniier populntidn would be depri ved of the opportunity oUecuring freeholds lor thern. .lve and iheir famil'ci. Bul in nddition lo the ser.eral contideaMons which rendered the earl sale of these lands propor. tt was a loadiríg object ■;t th'B time to derive as lare a sjm as poseible ton this source. and tlms diminieh. by ihat mnniini, ihe nulilic loan rendered neceüary by the exisience ot a loreign war. It is eMnnnted 'hu nnt cf ihan ten millions of acres f the pubüc lanJs will be surveved and Ie in condiiion td be procliimtd foriale during Uieyeur IH48. In my last nnnual message I preeented the ■■(■■is mis which. in my judgment, rendered il proper to grnduate and reduce the pnce of uch of lbo public lands as have re.mained iinSold for l'ing periode afier they have been ofTered lur ale ;it public aurtion. Msny ml lons uf acres of public lands iying wiihin iho limit of several if the Western states rnve been ofTered in the market. and been subject lo pnle it private entry for more thn 'O years. ind Isrgo qunntiiips lor more than TO years. at 'lie loweet p:escnbt-d by tlie exisiing lawe. and it riasbeen fuund that they will ïot eummand that price. They must remain unnldand uncultivated for n indefinita period, unie? the prico ilemnnded for thent by the t'ovarnment shit i I hn - Vo sitiefaciiry K-oson is perceived why they shoiild be longer ht;ld at rates aboè their rea1 rffilue. At thé present period an rddit-onal rea non exists tor adupting the nieasure recommen ded. When the country e engiiaed in a Coreign w;ir. and we' must necespartly resott to lonns, ii would eeem to bwthe dictHie of wisdom thot we should avati olirsHveö of all ítur resoutees. nni htis limit the anioiint of puWic indebtedness to the lowest poísible sum. 1 rpcommend thnt the eiistin? laws on the subject of pre-emption right b aniended atif! ■iiod firtl po ns lo opérate pitíspcctivilv. and t ambrar all who rrny je.tle upoli the ptihüc landind nnke impruvemenis upon tbem before they ue öwrveyed. an weit att afterwartis. in all casef where puch ppttletnenin may bc mado afier iht ludían tille shall have been extinguished. If the richt of pre emptton be thua extended, it will embrace a laree and meritorloua ciaf ot onr citizpns. Il will increase the number of -mail Irijfebolders tipon our borders, who will bc emibled thereby lo edúcale their childran and überwise improve their condition, while ihe will he found at all times, as they have cvm proved ihemselves to be in the hour of danser lo their country, among the ha:die I end best volunieer soldicrs. ever rcjidy to teiuler iheir etvica in caaes pfemergency. and among the hist to 'eüve the field as long asan enemy remains to bienquered. Sucli a policy will h]ío i npress these patrK t e pioneer emigranti with deeper fecbiifs of grtui iide for the parentnl cate ol their govern rneni. when llicv fi id tbeir dearest inleretts a-ctired (n ihem uj the permanent Iw of the land, and 'hnt tlifv urn no lonoe.r in daner of losiog ihei; homes and hnrd eorned improveirents by being braught into compeiiiinn w:th a more vreallhj chiFR of puthasers at the Innd pnle. The nttention of Congiess wns invMprf, nt thei l'ist nnd prerteiüng srssion, to the inipnitance of rstablishing i territorial government over our pc-sessions in Oregon ; and it is to be rrgretierl thnt iIipi-p wns nu legi-l.'ition on the subjpcl. Oui citizens who inhafait that distant región of country nre stil) left without the projpc'i"ncf our Inws? or nny rpgtilarly organized government. Bpfore the queslion of limita and boundaries of the terriloiy of Oregon was definitely setllpd, from the neces-ity nf their condition, the inhabitants liad eslablished n tpmporary government of tbeir. own. Bpsides the wnnt of Jeg.il nutliorily for continuing such a government, it is wholly inndequate to protect them in their rights of persons and property, or to secure to liiem the enjoyment of the privileges nf othpr citizp.ns to which they nre emitled undor the Constitution of ïhe UniteH Sta'es. Thpy should have the right of stifTc.Tgp, be represented in a territorial legislature, and by a delégate in Congress; and posses all the rights nnd privileges which citizens of oiher portions of the territories of the United States have heretofore enjoyed, or may now enjoy. Our judicial systcm, revenuc laws,laws regulating tiade and intercourse wiih the Indjan tribes, and the protection of our In vs generally, should bo extended over (hem. In nddition to ihe inhaliitants in th.it tenitory wlo hnd previously emigrated to it, inrge numbers of our ciüzens have followed ihein during (he present year ; and it is nol doubted thnt during the next and subsequent years, tbeir mimbers wil! be greatly ncreased. Congress, at is lnst se?sion, estahli.-hod pont-routes leading to Orpgon, and between difiVrent points within ilint territory, nnd authorized the esiabliahment of post-offices at "Astoria and such ollier placps on the coast of the Pacific,within tlie lerritöry of the Uniied States, ns the pubüc interpsts may reqnire." Post officps have accordingly been e&tnblished, dejiuty postmasters appointed, and proision made for the transportation of the rnnils. The p'eservntion of peace with the Indian tribes residing west oí the Rocky M'iuntain uill render it proppr thai authority shoiild be given by luw fur the appointment of nn adequate umber of Inciian ngents to reside nmong ihem. I recommend that n Surveyor General's office be estnblished in that territory, anrt that the public lanris be surveyed and bë brought into market at nn early periad. I recommend; siso, tliat grnnts, upon liberal teríns, of limi'ed quanlit;es ol the pulilic lanrts ba made lo al! citizens of the United Status who hnve emigrated, or may hereafier within a preserihed eriod emigrate to Oiegon and spltle upon tlipm. These hnrdy and soveiituroin citizens. who have f ncouiitered i he dangers and privations of a long and toilsome jourhev, and have r.t length found an abiding place for themselves and iheir familips upon í he utmost vprge of our western limits, should bo serured n the homes which 'hey hnve improved by iheir fftbár. I refer yon to tlie nccomparying report of the Spcieifiry of war for a deiailed acf-ount of the operntions ofthe variuus branches o( the public service connected with the depnrlmei,t under hischnrge. - The duiies devolvtng on this department hnve be n untisu.illy onrrous and responsibl during the pat ycar, and huve been dichnrged with ability nnd success. Pacific relations continue to exist with the vnrious Indian tribes, and most of iliem mnnifest a slror.g fiiendship forlhe United State. Some depredotions wpre commitipd during :he past year upon our trains transporting supplies for the army, on the rond benveen the western border of Missouri nnd Snhta Fe. There depredaron which are suppósed li hnve been committed by batids from tho región of New Mexico have heen arrested by the presence of á military forcs ordered out for thnt purpose. Some outragps have been pérpetrated by a portion f the northwestern bands upon the weaker nnd comparativelv defenceless neighboring tribes. Prompt measures were taken to prevent such occurrences. Betiveeh dhe and two thousahd índíans belonging to i-evcrnl iribei, have bepn removed during the year from iho ra-t ofthe Mississippi to the country allotted to them west ofthat river, as tbeir peimanent home ; and arrnngements have been made for others to follow. Sincc the trealy of 1846 wiih ;Ue Clierokces. ihe fuedenmunL'lhem appear 10 hnve gulwided. and ihpyh.ivc become more unitfdand contcnted !han ihey have been fof many ycnrs pust. Thi CJiiiinifsionera, appotnird in pursunnce of thi act of June 27ih. 4&4(!. 10 senla claims aising under the ireaiy of I8C5 - 6 wiili ihat tribe. have executed lhe;r (iuties; and after a prmeni tiiveeti y.-,lion and a full anti fair cxaminalinn ol all the enspe broiijtht ' eftre ihem, clused their labor in the mumli of July last This is ihe forlh bonrd of commissioners which has been organized iinder ibis ireaty. Ampie opportunity has been nffordod to nll those interesied ;o bring torward their claims. Nodiubt is entertained 'hat impnrtial justice has bepn done by tha Inte board, and thfit nll valid claims embraced by the trp.nty have been eonskiered nndallowed. This resull, anil the final seitlpment to lie made wi'h tliis trite, under the trentv of 1846, which wili be cornpleied and lnid before you during your srssion, will adjust all queslions ol' of controversy heiween them and thp United Sla'es, and (roduce a state of relations with thum simple, well defiiifd and salisfnctory. Under the discrclionary aulhority Conferred by the nel of the third of Murch ast, the annuities due to the various tribes have been paid during the present year tn the heads nf families instead nf lo their chirfs, or such persons as Ihcy might desígnate, os required by the laws previously exisling. 'I his mude nf pnyment has giren general satisfaction to the great body of the Indians. Justice his been done to them. and they are gral'ful tothe goi-ernment for it. A few chiefs and interestcd persons may object to this mode (ifpayment, bul il is brlieved lo be the only mode of prevent ing f ravd and imposiion fiom being practised vpon the gr tut body of common Indians, consisting cf a majority of all the tribes. It is gratifijing (o percire thal a number of the. tribes hace recenlly manifested an increaied interest in the establishment of schools among them, and are moking nipid aiivances in ogricutlure-some of them pro'uang a sujfíciency offood for their support, and in some cases a surplus to dispose of to their neighbors. The comforts by which those who have receiced a very limiled educulion, and have engaged in agricuHurc, are surroundrd. lend graduidly to draw off their less civiized brelhrn from the precarious mean of subsislence by the citase, to habils of labor and civilizaion. The accompanymg report of the Secrelay of the Nary presents a salisfnctory and gralifying account of the condition and operations of the naval ser:ice during the past year. Our eommrrce has been pursued with increased aclivity and icith sofety and success, in every quarler of the globe, under the proleclion of our jlag, which the nary has caused lo be res pected in the most dislant seas. In the Guf oj Mexico and in the Pacific the ofjicers and men of our squadrons, hace dispayed distinguished gallanlty and performcd valuable service. In the carly slages oj the war vilh Mexico, her ports on bolh coasts were bltickaded, and more recenlly many of them huve been caplurcd and held by the enemy. When acting in co-opcrulion with the lundforcrs, the naval ojjicers and men have performed gallant and dislinguisied services on land as teel as en water, and desr.rve the high comviendation of the country. W'lnle mlier maiuiimu powera ate Reding to their nnvies I;iw'e nunibers of war sieaimrj, tl ws n wise p"liey on our ;i rt lo niake irnilnr uddnions to onr navy The fonr wnr steamer ■utborixad hy the net of ihe 3d of Marcb. 1S17, are in coiusu of cnnsirucnon. In addi.inn lo 'l,e four war stenmer mhori zeil !')■ lliij iCt, ihe Sccretaiy oí' the ÍVHvy hne, ín pinauance of i:s itrovisiung, entfred intu tor. iract for ihe conslniciion if flve 8te;nner. to he ampluyed in the tronspoitaticm ui the United Siaies mail " from New York to N'ew Orleai.s. fobchmg ai Charleston, Pavannah, and Juvaim. and (t m Hovani lo Chngree," fur 3 stan:ei6 tij lifl SflTpIoyod in like niiinntr frum Panama to Oregon, " po as lo oormeci wiih the muil frum [?aviirn to Chneies acropa the is'hmiis ;" oud for ñvestpamers toba employed n like manner Irom ew V'uik (o IJverpool. These steamcru will 'ie rtie property offw contractors. bul are to be bu 1; " undt-r the sujmntendence and JirectioB of a navrl constiuctor in the ei::pl(iy ui i.V Navv Department, fin-i lo he so cons:ruc'ed as to j render iliem convertible at tbs leaat pusslble ex pense into war sicamor of the firs.t clms." A prfflcnbd numrer of naval ofiirer te well Ka post ofnee cent, are :o be on board ol theiTi, and autliorit) ia to be rserved to the Xnvy Department at uil lime to ' ezarciM con. trui over eaid steamship"," and lo linve ilie rii'.i to inke 'hem fur the exclusive ulo and scrvu-4 "f the Uniled Scatfg upon miking proper om. penvuion to ih cïntractora thrcfiir. Whilst tliee stenmships wi]l be cmployeri in transporting thermils of the ÍL S. conslvvise, nnd to forftien iríes upnn an nnnual eompensntion to be pair! to the owners, thry will be nlways ready, upon an emergency requiring il, to be converted into war sieamers ; and right rcservpd lo fke them for public use. wil] ad gremly to the effieietcv and strengt h of this description of naval force To the sieamers thrn auihnrjy.pd under ermtmets made in pursuance oflsw, by the Potmnsler General, mnking a;i ndition, in the whnli of eighteen war .tenmers,sul.j 'Ct to be taken lor public use. A fiirlher fontrnct for ihe transportaron of the mail to fureign countries may be authorizpd by ( engresn, Ihis nurübfr may be pnlargeti tndefinitely. The enligiitened policy by which a rapid commnnicntion with tlie various di-tnnt pnrts of the globe is esabüshed by means f Americnn-built sea steamer?, would findannmp'c reward in the ncreö of onr commerce. nnd in mnking our rountry and its resources more fnvorably known thrond; but the national advantaee is stil! grea'er, of having our navnl officers marte familiar wth steam navigntion; and of haviiig :he privilege of taking ihe ships already equipped for immedíate service at a moment notice; and wíl! bfi chenplv purchasrd by the com[jpnsntton to be pa j for the transportaton of the mail tri them, over and above the postages recei'ved. A just nationai pride, no les than our rommercinl interest, would seem to iavor the policy of augmenting tliff number of ihis de-cription of vpscLs. They enn be built in our country cheaper and in grpnter numbers than inany otherin the world. I refer you to the necompanying report of the Postmasier General for a deIniled and sati.-fac'ory account of the condition and operation of thnt department during ihe pnst year. it is graiifying to find that, within so short a period after the reduciion of the ratfsof postage, and nolwithstanding the great inórense oí mail service, the revpnue receivd for the year wil] be sufficient to defrny a!l the expendes, and that no furheraid will be required from the treasury f r that purpose. The fi'St ofthe American mfiil stenmers nntliorized by theat-t of the third of March 1845, wa completed and entered upon the service on the first of June Inst, and is now on her third voyage to Brempn and olher intermedíate ports. The other vcssels authorized under the provisions of that act am in cour?e of construction, nnd will be put upon ihe line as soon ns completed. Contract nave also been made for the t'ansportntion of the mail in a steamer from Charleston to Hu vana. A reciprocal and satisfactory postol arrangement hns been made by the Postmaster Generl by the nuthorities of Breinen, and no difficully is apprehended in making similar nrrangements with al: other Powers wiih which we my have cotnmunications by mail sieamers, e.cept with Great Britnin. On the arrival of the first Americnn s'eameis, bound to Breinen, at Southamston, in the motith of June last, the Drittah post o flice direct ed the colleetion ofdis i'riminating posiagfs on all letters ani" mher mailable maner, which she took out to Great Btita;n, or which went inlo the Briiish post office on the wny : Franc and other parts 01" Kurope. The eflei't ol' the order of the Britisli post office, is to fubjpct all leners and other matter transporten by American stpamers to doublé postnge, one postage having been pieviously paid on them to the Uuiter1 St.-itPs. while letters transported in Britit-h steamers nre sulject to pay but a ingle postase. This mensure was adoptpd with the avowcd oij1 ct of protecting thfi Britísh rinrl Liverpool steainer.", and. ifpermitted to entinue, nmt sperdilv put an end to ihe transportaron of all etters nnd olher mailnble mntter by Ainerican stenmers, and give to Btitish stenmers the monopoly ofthe business. - A jnst and fair rfciprocity is all that we riesire, and on ihis we must insist. By our laws no such discriininntion s mnde ngainst Britiijh steamers bringing lettPrs into our ports, but all letters arriving in the United States are subject tothe snme rate of pos'agc, whether brought in British or Americnn vessels. I refer ou to ihe report ofthe PostniHSter General for a ful! statement of the fac's of the case, nnd ol'the steps laken by him to correct this ineq'jnlity. He hns exertpd all thp power conferred upon him by the exiting laws. The minister ofthe United States at London hns brought the subject to th a'tention of Ihe British Government, and is now engigpd in negoliations for the purpose of adjusting rpciprocal postal arrangement?, whih sha'l be eqnnllv just to both countries. Shonld hp fail in cnc'udingsuch arrangements,and should Great Britain insist on enforcing the unequal and unjtist measure she bas ailopted, it wi1! become necessary to confer additional powen on the Postmaster General tn order to enable him to meet the riergoncy, and to put ourjsteanrierE engaged in transr oiting tbs mail be. I tween ihe Iwo countrips; and I recommend thnt such powp ra te confrrred. In view of the exi.siing state of our country, [ trust it may not be r.appropriate, in cloMng tfaia co municaiion tocali tomind ihewords of wisdom nnd odmonitiona of the first and most iilustrious ot my predeceso-s, in hii fjrewell oddre-s lo liisoiur trymen. The grenfftt and best of men, who sprvpd hwcOBDtry lone. and loved it so much, forfa,v víth -'sprious concern," ihe di.ngerioour Union 'ofchara-teri mg pnrlies by geographicnl discrimina, tions- northern and aoulhern, Ailantis and wesiern - tvhence riesigning men may enden vorto exciie a bélieClhai there is a rpal diíTerence oflocí.] interests and vi, and warncd his counirymen ngainsi !. Sodeepnndso'emn wns b?l eonviclioR of the mportmice of t!e Union hnd of preserving harmony beween its different part, ihaf he declared to hi, ,-ountrymen in that address, t is of infinie moment Hint jou should f.roperly fsiimnte tho immenio vnlue of your nation] Union to your rollectivp v,ui individua] hnppines; ,hat yoiI shou!dcl;en.sh a cordial, habitual, anti immovable mtachment t , it: fcustoming yourselvps to (hink nnd só speRk of ii as a pnlNdi.im of your m.l.tical snfety and pr-.sprritv ; f„, t. . prwrvntinn witli n jalous anxietv dis countenncir.g whn-evrr mnv süpeest, pvenn iinicion thnt itcan in any event af. abandnnfd and indignantly (Vownine upon the firstdawning ofevery at.empt to aliennte any portion of our couniry fromiheres, „r lo ei,feeble he. snered lieswh.ch nowlink togher Ihe varioua psr's." Afti-r thelapse of half n century.theHl dmon.tions of Washington f,11 ui'.on us wnh Bil the lorre of Iruth. It in difficnlt to pstimatptie immense vhlw ofoijpglonous Lnion of conf-deraleri Siales t wl.ich we are so much inriebted f..r our populntion and wealih. nnW .for nll that constitutes us n hppy nau'on. Now unitnpoi-iatit nra nll oUr difTerences ot opinión upnn minor qur.-tions of polioy compared with its pre-erva'io: ; anH how scaipulou'y shótild we avoid all ognr.tinp t.p ei wlrch may tend to diVtract nnd divide us into cor.ténding pirlies, sepnrated by ggrnphi,] ],ne, whprebr itmny Le weakencd or entirgoi-fd. ïnvokinsihp blMing ofihe Almignty Kuier of the Univprse npon your dpliberaiions, it vvill be my highest duty, no ss iliun my sincpre pleasure, to cn-operate wilhyoii in vil mensures which mav tnd to promoto the horor and enduring welfare of our comrnon i-ountrv. Washington, Deckmbkr, 1847.