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Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives:
The annual meeting of Congress is ^always^ an interesting event. The Representatives of the states and of the people, come fresh
from their constituents to take council together for the common good.
After an existence of near three fourths of a century as a free and independant Republic, the problem no longer remains to be solved whether man is capable of self-government.
The success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of
those ^in other countries^ who maintain that a “favored few” are born to rule, and that the mass of mankind
must be governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority—^the^ people are the only sovereigns recognized by ^our^ Constitution. ^Numerous ^ emigrants of every lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom
we enjoy, ^and^
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and by our happy condition, annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their hearts,
not less than their allegiance, to the country, whose dominion belongs along to the people. No ^Country^ has been so much favored, or should acknowledge with deeper reverence, the manifestations
of the Divine protection. An all wise Creator, directed and guarded ^us^ in our ^infant^ struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched over our surprizing progress until we have become one of the great ^Nations^ of the earth.
It is in a country thus favored, and under a government in which the executive and
legislative branches hold their authority for limited periods, alike from the people,
and where all are responsible to their respective constituen^cies^, that it is again my duty to communicate with Congress upon the state of the Union and the present condition of public affairs.
During the past year, the most gratifying proofs are presented, that our country has
been blessed with a wide spread and universal prosperity. There has been no period
since the Government was founded ^when^
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when all the industrial pursuits of our people have been more successful, or when
labor in all [...?] branches of business has received a fairer or better reward. From our abundance all
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food for the starving
millions of less favored countries.
In the enjoyment of the bounties of Providence at home, such as have rarely fallen
to the lot of any people, it is [...?] cause of congratulation, that our inter course with all the powers of the earth, except Mexico, continues to be of an amicable character. It has ever been our cherished policy
to cultivate peace and good will with all nations, and this policy has been steadily
pursued by me.
No change has taken place in our relations with Mexico since the adjournment of ^the^ last Congress.
The war in which the United States were forced to engage with the Government of that
country still continues.
I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition of them, contained in my message
of the eleventh of May 1846, ^and^
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and in my annual message at the commencement of the session of Congress in December last, to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against
Mexico before she commenced hostilities.
It is sufficient on the present occasion to say, that the wanton violation of the
rights of person and property of our citizens, committed by Mexico—her repeated acts of bad faith, through a long series of years, and her disregard
of solemn treaties stipulating for indemnity to our injured citizens not only constituted
ample cause of war on our part, but were of such an aggravated character as would
have justified us, before the whole world, in resorting to this extreme remedy. With
an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we forbore for years,
to assert our clear rights by force, and continued to seek redress for the wrongs
we had suffered, by amicable negotiation, in the hope, that Mexico might yield to the pacific councils and the demands of justice. In this hope we were disappointed. Our
^Minister^
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Minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly rejected. The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment, which he was authorized to ^propose^, and finally under wholly unjustifiable pretexts involved the countries in war, by
invading the territory of the state of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States were the aggrieved nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were compelled in self defence, to repel the invader; and to vindicate the national honor and interests, by prosecuting
it with vigor; until we could obtain a just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilities had been commenced by Mexico, I promptly communicated that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement of our
other causes of complaint against Mexico, to Congress, and that body by the act of the thirteenth of May 1846, declared that “by the act
of the Republic of ^Mexico^
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Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States.” This act declaring
the “war to exist, by the act of the Republic of Mexico” and making provision for its prosecution, “to a speedy and successful termination”
was passed with great unanimity by Congress, there being but two negative votes in the senate, and but fourteen in the House of Representatives.
The existence of the war having thus been declared by Congress, it became my duty under the Constitution and the laws, to conduct and prosecute
it. This duty has been performed, and though at every stage of its progress, I have
manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms which could be accepted by the United Stats, consistently
with the national honor and interest.
The rapid and brilliant success of our arms and the vast extent of the enemy’s territory which had been overrun and conquered, before the close of the last session
of Congress were fully ^known^
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known to that body. Since that time the war has been prosecuted with [inerand?] energy, and I am gratified to state, with a success which commands universal admiration.
History presents no parallel of so many glorious victories, achieved by any nation
within so short a period. Our army, regulars and volunteers, have covered themselves
with imperishable honors. Whenever and whereever our forces have encountered the enemy, though he was in vastly superior numbers, and often entrenched in fortified positions
of his own selection and of great strength, he has been defeated. Too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon our officers and men, regulars and volunteers for their gallantry,
discipline, indomitable courage and perseverence, all seeking the post of danger, and rising with each other in deeds of noble daring.
While every patriot’s heart must exalt, and a just national pride [...?] animate every bosom, in beholding the high proofs of courage, consummate military
skill, steady discipline and humanity ^to^
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to the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant army, the nation is called to mourn
^√^ over the loss of ^(^our^)^ many brave officers and soldiers who have fallen in defence of their country’s honor and interests. The brave dead met their melancholy fate
in a foreign land, nobly discharging their duty and with their country’s flag waiving
triumphantly in the face of the foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated,
and will long ^be^ remembered by their grateful countrymen. The parental care of the Government they
loved and served should be extended to their surviving families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the last session of Congress, the gratifying intelligence was received, of the signal victory of Buena Vista, and ^of^ the fall of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it, the strong Castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, by which it was defended. Believing that after these, and other successes, so honorable
to our arms, and so disastrous to Mexico, the period was propitious, to afford her another opportunity, if she thought proper
to embrace it, to enter into negotiations for peace, a ^Commissioner^
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Commissioner was appointed to proceed to the Head Quarters of our army, with full powers to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude a just and honorable
treaty of peace. He was not directed to make any new overtures of peace, but was the
bearer of a despatch from the Secretary of State of the United States, to the Minister of Foreign affairs of Mexico, in reply to one received from the latter of the twenty second February 1847, in
which the Mexican Government was informed of his appointment, and of his presence at the Head Quarters
of our army, and that he was invested with full powers to conclude a definiti^ve^ Treaty of peace whenever the Mexican Government might signify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject the
United States to another indignant refusal, I was ^yet^ resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might
be rendered absolutely necessary by the Mexican Government.
Care was taken to give no instructions to the Commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations, or relax our energies
in the prosecution of the war. He possessed no authority in any manner to ^control^
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control these operations. He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the General in command of the army, and in the event of a Treaty being concluded and ratified
on the part of Mexico, he was directed to give him notice of tSecretary of Warhat fact. On the happening of such contingency and on receiving notice thereof, the
General in command was instructed by the to suspend further active military operations until
further orders. These instructions were given with a view to inte^r^mit hostilities until the Treaty thus ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Washington and receive the action of the Government of the United States. The Commissioner was
also directed on reaching the army to deliver to the General in command, the despatch which he bore from the Secretary of state to the Minister of Foreign affairs of Mexico, and on receiving it, the General was instructed by the Secretary of War, to cause it to be transmitted to the commander of the Mexican forces, with a request that it might be communicated to his Government.
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Head Quarters of the army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the Secretary of War to the General in command of the army, was received by that officer then at Jalapa on the seventh of May 1847, together with the despatch from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign affairs of Mexico, having been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The Commissioners arrived at the Head Quarters of the Army a few days afterwards. His presence with the army, and his Diplomatic character were made known to the Mexican Government from Puebla on the twelfth of June 1847, by the transmission of the Despatch from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign affairs of Mexico. Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and no overtures were made, nor was any desire
expressed by the Mexican Government to enter into negotiations for peace.
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met by a formidable resistance. Our forces first encountered the enemy and achieved signal victories in the severely contested battles of Contreras
1 and Churubusco. It was not until after these actions had resulted in decisive victories
and the capital of the enemy was ^with-^in our power that the Mexican Government manifested any disposition to enter into negotiations for peace, and even
then as events have proved, there is too much reason to believe they were insincere,
and that in agreeing to go through the forms of negotiation, the object was to gain
time, to strenghthen the defences of their capital and to prepare for fresh resistance.
The General in command of the Army deemed it expedient to suspend hostilities temporarily by entering into an armistice
with a view to the opening of negotiations. Commissioners were appointed on the part
of Mexico, to meet the Commissioners on the part of the United States. The result of the conferences which took place
between these functionaries of the two Governments, was a failure to conclude a Treaty
of peace. ^The^
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The Commissioner of the United States took with him, the pro[j?]ctt of a Treaty already prepared, by the terms of which the indemnity required by the
United States was a cession of territory.
It is well known that the only indemnity which it is in the power of Mexico to make in satisfaction of the just and long deferred claims of our citizens against
her, and the only means by which she can reimburse the United States for the expenses
of the war, is a cession to the United States of a portion of her territory. Mexico has no money to pay, and no ^other^ means of making the required indemnity. If we refuse this, we can obtain nothing
else. To reject indemnity by refusing to accept a cession of Territory, would be to
abandon all our just demands, and to wage the war, bearing all its expenses without
a purpose, or definite object.
A state of war abrogates Treaties previously existing between the belligerents, and
a Treaty of peace puts an end to all claims for indemnity for tortious acts committed, under the authority of one Government against the citizens or subjects
of another, unless they are ^provided^
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provided for in its stipulations. A Treaty of peace which would terminate the existing
war, without providing for indemnity, would enable Mexico, the acknowledged debtor, and herself the aggressor in the war to relieve herself
from her just liabilities. By such a Treaty our citizens who hold just demands against
her, would have no remedy, either against Mexico, or their own Government. Our duty to these citizens must forever prevent such a
peace and no Treaty which does not provide ample means of discharging these demands
can receive my sanctions.
A Treaty of peace should settle all existing differences between the two countries.
If an adequate cession of territory should be made by such a Treaty, the United States
should release Mexico from all her liabilities, and assume their payment to our ^own^ citizens. If instead of this, the United States were to consent to a Treaty, by which
Mexico, should again engage to pay the heavy amount of indebtedness, which a just indemnity
to our Government and our citizens, would impose on her, it is notorious that she
does not possess the means to meet such an undertaking. From such a Treat no result could be anticipated, ^but^
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but the same irritating disappointments, which have heretofore attended the violations
of similar Treaty stipulations on the part of Mexico. Such a Treaty would be but a temporary cessation of hostilities, without the restoration
of the friendship and good understanding, which should characterize the future intercourse
between the two countries.
That Congress contemplated the acquisition of territorial indemnity, when that body made provision
for the prosecution of the war is obvious. Congress could not have meant, when in May 1846, they appropriated ten millions of dollars,
and authorized the President to employ the militia and naval and military forces of the United States, and to
accept the services of Fifty thousand volunteers, to enable him to prosecute the war,
and when at their last session, and after our army had invaded Mexico, they made additional appropriations, and authorized the raising of additional troops
for the same purpose, that no indemnity was to be obtained from Mexico, at the conclusion of the war, and yet it was certain that if no Mexican ^Territory^
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territory was acquired no indemnity could be obtained.
It is further manifest that Congress contemplated territorial indemnity from the fact, that at their last session an act
was passed upon the Executive recommendation appropriating three millions of dollars
with that express object. This appropriation was made “to enable the President to conclude a Treaty of peace, limits and boundaries, with the Republic of Mexico to be used by him in the event that said Treaty, when signed by the authorized agents
of the two Governments, and duly ratified by Mexico, shall call for the expenditure of the same or any part thereof.” The object of asking
this appropriation was distinctly stated in the several messages on the subject which
I communicated to Congress. Similar appropriations made in 1803, and 1806, which were referred to, were intended
to be applied in part consideration for the cession of Louisiana and the Floridas. In like manner it was anticipated, that in settling the terms of a Treaty of “limits
^“and^
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“and boundaries” with Mexico, a cession of territory estimated to be of [...?] greater value than the amount of our demands against her, might be obtained, and
that the prompt payment of this sum, in part consideration for the territory ceded,
on the conclusion of a Treaty and its ratification on her part, might be an inducement
with her to make such a cession of territory as would be satisfactory to the United
States. And although the failure to conclude such a treaty has rendered it unnecessary
to use any part of the three millions of dollars appropriated by the
^at^ act, and the entire sum remains in the
^at^ Treasury—it is still applicable to that object, should the contingency occur making such application
proper.
The doctrine of no territory is the doctrine of no indemnity, and if sanctioned, would
be a public acknowledgment that our country was wrong, and that the war declared by
Congress with extraordinary unanimity, was unjust, and should be abandoned, an admission unfounded
in fact, and degrading to the national character.
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The terms of the Treaty proposed by the United states were not only just to Mexico, but considering the character and amount of our claims, the unjustifiable and unprovoked
commencement of hostilities by her^,^ ^the^expenses of the war to which we have been subjected, and the success which had attended
our arms, were deemed to be of a most liberal character.
The Commissioner of the United States was authorized to agree to the establishment of the Rio Grande, as the boundary from its entrance into the Gulf to its intersection with the southern boundary of New Mexico, in North latitude about thirty two degrees, and to obtain a cession to the United
States of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, and the privilege of the right of way across the isthmus of Tehuantepec. The boundary of the Rio Grande, and the cession to the United States of New Mexico and Upper California, constituted an ultimatum which our Commissioner was under no circumstances to yield.
That it might be manifest not only ^to^
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to Mexico, but to all other nations, that the United States were not disposed to take advantage
of a feeble Power, by insisting upon wresting from her, all the other provinces, including
many of her principal towns and cities, which we had conquered and held in our military
occupation, but were willing to conclude a Treaty in a spirit of liberality, our Commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the restoration to Mexico of all our other conquests.
[...?] As the territory to be acquired by the boundary proposed, might be estimated to be
of greater value than a fair equivalent for our just demands, our Commissioner was authorized to stipulate for the payment of such additional pecuniary consideration,
as as was deemed reasonable.
The terms of a treaty proposed by the Mexican Commissioners, were wholly inadmissible.
They negotiated as if Mexico were the victorious and not the vanquished party. They must have known that their
ultimatum could never be ac-^cepted^
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cepted. It required the United States to dismember Texas, by surrendering to Mexico that part of the territory of that state, lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, included within her limits by her laws when she was an independent Republic, and
when she was annexed to the United States, and admitted by Congress as one of the states of our union. It contained no provision for the payment by Mexico, of the just claims of our citizens. It required indemnity to Mexican citizens for injuries they may have sustained by our troops in the prosecution of
the war. It demanded the right for Mexico to levy and collect the Mexican tariff of duties on goods imported into her ports, while in our military occupation
during the war, and the owners of which had [had?] paid to [...?] officers of the United States, the military contributions which had been levied upon
them, and it offered to cede to the United States for a pecuniary consideration, that
part of upper California lying north of latitude thirty seven degrees. Such were the ^unreasonable^
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unreasonable terms proposed by the Mexican Commissioners.
The cession to the United States, by Mexico of the Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias, as proposed by the Commissioner of the United States, it was believed would be more in accordance with the convenience
and interests of both nations, than any other cession of territory, which it was probable
Mexico could be induced to make.
It is manifest to all who have observed the actual condition of the Mexican Government, for some years past, and at present, that if these provinces should be
retained by her, she could not long continue to hold and govern them. Mexico is too feeble a power to govern these Provinces, lying as they do at a distance of
more than a thousand miles from her capital, and if attempted to be retained ^by her^ they would constitute but for a short time, even nominally, a part of her dominions.
This would be especially the case with upper California. The sagacity of powerful ^European^
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European nations, has long since directed their attention to the commercial importance of
that province, and there can be little doubt, that the moment the United States shall
relinquish their present occupation of it, and their claim to it as indemnity, an
effort would be made by some Foreign Power to possess it, either by conquest or by
purchase. If no foreign Government should acquire it, in either of these modes, an
[...?] independent revolutionary Government would probably be established by the inhabitants,
and such foreigners as may remain in or remove to the country, as soon as it shall
be known that the United States have abandoned it. Such a Government would be too
feeble long to maintain its separate independent existence, and would finally become
annexed to, or be a dependant colony of some more powerful state.
[...?]
^Should^ any foreign Government [...?] attempt to possess it, as a colony or otherwise to incorporate it with itself, the
principle avowed by President Monroe in 1824, and reaffirmed in ^my^
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my first annual message, that no foreign Power shall, with our consent, be permitted
to plant or establish any new colony or dominion on any part of the North American continent, must be maintained. In maintaining this principle and in resisting its invasion
by any foreign power we might be involved in other wars, more expensive and more difficult
than that in which we are now engaged.
The Provinces of New Mexico and the Californias are continuous to the territories of the United States, and if brought under the
government of our laws, their resources, minerals, agricultural, manufacturing, and
commercial, would ^soon^ be developed. Upper California is bounded on the north by our Oregon possessions, and if held by the United states would soon be settled by a hardy, enterprizing, and intelligent portion of our population. The bay of San Francisco, and other harbors along the Californian coasts, would afford shelter for our navy, for our numerous whale ships, and other ^merchant^
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merchant vessels, employed in the Pacific Ocean, and would in a short period become the masts of an extension and profitable commerce
with China and other countries of the East.
These advantages, in which the whole commercial world ^would^ participate, would at once be secured to the United States, by the cession of this
territory, while it is certain that as long as it remains a part of the Mexican dominions, they can neither be enjoyed ^neither^ by Mexico, ^herself^ nor by any other nation.
New Mexico is a frontier Province, and has never been of any considerable value to Mexico. From its locality it is naturally connected with our western settlements. The territorial
limits of the state of Texas, too, as defined by her [...?] laws, before her admission into our Union, embrace all that portion of New Mexico, lying east of the Rio Grande, while Mexico still claims to hold this territory as a part of her dominions. The adjustment of
this question of boundary is important. [...?]
^of^
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[...?]
There is another consideration which induced the belief that the Mexican Government might even desire to place this province under the protection of the Government
of the United States. Numerous bands of fierce and warlike savages wander over it
and upon its borders. Mexico has been and must continue to be, too feeble to restrain them from committing depradations, robberies and murders, not only upon the inhabitants of ^New^ Mexico itself, but upon those of the other northern states of Mexico. It would be a blessing to all these Northern states of
[...?] to have their citizens protected against them by the power of the United States.
At this moment many Mexicans, principally females and children, are in captivity among them. If New Mexico were held and governed by the United States, we could effectually prevent these tribes
from committing such outrages and compel them to release these captives and restore
them to their families and friends.
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and the Californias, it was known that but an inconsiderable portion of the Mexican people would be transferred with them, [...?] the country embraced within these provinces ^bring^ chiefly an uninhabited region.
These were the leading considerations which induced me to authorize the terms of peace,
which were proposed to Mexico. They were rejected, and negotiations being at an end, hostilities were renewed.
An assault was made by our gallant army upon the strongly fortified places near the
gates of ^the city of^ Mexico and upon the city itself, and after several days of severe conflict, the Mexican forces, vastly superior in number to our own, were driven from the city, and it was occupied by our troops.
Immediately after information was received, of the unfavorable result of the ^negotiations^
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negotiations, believing that his continued presence with the Army, could be productive of no good, ^I determined to recall our commi^ssioner. A despatch to this effect was transmitted to him on the sixth of October last. The
Mexican Government will be informed of his recall: and that in the existing state of things,
I shall not deem it proper to make any further overtures of peace, but shall be at
all times ready to receive and consider any proposals which may be made by Mexico.
Since the liberal proposition of the United States was authorized to be made in April
last, large expenditures have been ^incurred,^ and the precious blood of many of our patriotic fellow citizens has been shed in
the prosecution of the war. This consideration and the obstinate perseverence of Mexico, in protracting the war, must influence the terms of peace, which it may be ^deemed^ proper hereafter to accept.
Our arm^s^ having been every where victorious; and having subjected ^to^
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to our military occupation, a large portion of the enemy’s country, including his capital, and negotiations for peace having failed, the important questions arise, in what
manner the war ought to be prosecuted, and what should be our future policy. I cannot
doubt, that we should secure and render available the conquests which we have already
made, and that with this view, we should hold and occupy by our Naval and Military
forces all the ports, towns, cities and Provinces, now in our occupation, or which
may hereafter fall into our possession; that we should press forward our military
operations, and levy such military contributions on the enemy, as may as far as practicable, defray the future expenses of the war.
Had the Government of Mexico acceded to the equitable and liberal terms proposed, [...?], that mode of adjustment would have been preferred. Mexico having declined to do this and failed to offer any other terms, ^which^
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which could be accepted by the United States the national honor, no less than the
public interests, required that the war should be prosecuted with increased energy,
and power, until a just and satisfactory peace can be obtained. In the meantime as
Mexico refuses all indemnity, we should adopt measures to indemfy ourselves, by appropriating permanently a portion of her territory. Early after the
commencement of the war, New Mexico and the Californias were taken possession of by our forces. Our military and naval commanders were ordered
to conquer and hold them subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace.
These Provinces are now in our undisputed occupation, and have been so, for many months,
all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased within their limits. I am satisfied that they should never be surrendered
to Mexico. Should Congress concur with me in this opinion, and that they should be retained by the United States
as indemnity, I can perceive no ^good^
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good reason why the civil jurisdiction and laws of the United states should not at
once be extended over them. To wait for a Treaty of peace, such as we are willing
to make, by which ^our relations towards them would not be changed^ cannot be good [...?] policy, whilst our own interests and that of the people inhabiting them require that
a stable responsible and free government under our authority, should as soon as possible
be established over them. Should Congress, therefore, determine to hold these Provinces, permanently, and that they shall hereafter
be considered as constituent parts of our [...?] country, the early establishment of territorial Governments over them, will be important,
for the more perfect protection of persons and property, and I recommend that such
territorial Governments shall be established. It will promote peace and tranquility among the inhabitants, by allaying
all apprehension that they may still entertain of being again subjected to the jurisdiction
of Mexico. I invite the early and favorable con-^sideration^
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sideration of Congress to this important subject.
Besides New Mexico and the Californias, there are other Mexican provinces, which have been reduced to our possession by conquest, [...?]
These other Mexican provinces are now governed by our military and naval commanders under the general
authority which is conferred ^upon^ a conqueror by the laws of war. They should continue to be held as a means of coercing
Mexico to accede to just terms of peace. Civil as well as military officers are required
to conduct such a government^.^ Adequate2 compensation to be drawn from contributions levied on the enemy should be fixed ^by^ law for such of ^ficers^
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ficers as may be thus employed. The
^What further provision may become necessary and what^ final disposition [...?] it may be proper to make of them must depend upon the future progress of the war and the course which Mexico may think proper, hereafter to pursue.
With the views which I entertain I cannot favor the policy which has been suggested, either to withdraw
our army altogether, or to retire to a designated line, and simply hold and defend
it. To Withdraw our army altogether from the conquests they have made by deeds of unparalleled bravery, and
at the expense of so much blood and treasure, in a just war on our part, and one which,
by the act of the enemy we could not honorably have avoided, would be to degrade the
nation in [...?]
^its^ own estimation and in that of the world.
To retire to a line, and simply hold and defend it, would ^not^ terminate the war. On the contrary, it would encourage Mexico to persevere, and tend to protract it indefinitely. It is not to be expected that
^Mexico^
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Mexico, after refusing to establish such a line as a permanent boundary, when our victorious
army are in possession of her capital, and in the heart of her country, would permit us to hold it, without resistance.
That she would continue the war, and in the most harrassing and annoying forms, there can be no doubt. A border warfare of the most savage character
extending over a long line would be ^unceaseingly^, waged. It would require a large army to be kept constantly in the field, stationed
at posts and garrisons along such a line to protect and defend it. The enemy, releived from the pressure of our arms, on his coasts, and in the populous parts of the interior,
would direct his attention to this line, and selecting an isolated post for attack,
would concentrate his forces upon it. This would be a condition of affairs which
the Mexicans pursuing their favorite system of guerrilla warfare, would probably prefer to any
other. Were we to assume a defensive attitude on such a line, all the advantages
of such a state of war, would be ^on^
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on the side of the enemy. We could levy no contributions upon him, or in any other way make him feel the pressure
of the war, but must remain inactive, and await his approach, being in constant uncertainty
at what point on the line, or at what time he might make an assault. He may assemble
and organize an overwhelming force in the interior, on his own side of the line, and
concealing his purpose, make a sudden assault upon some one of our posts, so distant
from any other as to prevent the possibility of timely succor or reenforcements, and
in this way our gallant army would be exposed to the danger of being cut off in detail—or if by their unequalled bravery and prowess every where exhibited during this war, they should repulse the enemy, their numbers stationed
at any one post, may be too small to pursue him. If the enemy be repulsed in one attack, he would have nothing to do but to retract to his own
side of the line, and being in no fear of a pursuing ^army,^
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army may reinforce himself at leisure, for another attack on the same or some other
post. He may too cross the line between our posts, make rapid incursions into the
country, which we hold, [...?] murder the inhabitants, commit depredations upon them, and then retreat back to the interior, before a sufficient force could
^can^ be concentrated to pursue him. Such would probably be the harrassing character of a mere defensive war on our part. If our forces, when attacked, or threatened
with attack, be permitted to cross the line, drive back the enemy and conquer him, this would be again to invade the enemy’s country, after having lost all the advantages of the conquest, we have already
made by having voluntarily abandoned them. To hold such a line successfully, and in
security, it is far from being being certain, that it would not require as large an army as would be necessary to hold
all the conquests we have already made and to continue the prosecution of the war
in the heart of the enemy’s country. It is also far from being certain that the expenses of the war, would
be diminished by such a policy.
^I am^
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36
I am persuaded that the best means of vindicating the national honor and interest
and of bringing the war to an honorable close, will be to prosecute it with increased
energy and power in the vital parts of the enemy’s country.
In my annual message to Congress of December last, I declared that “the war has not been waged with a view to conquest,
but having been commenced by Mexico, it has been carried into the enemy’s country, and will be vigorously prosecuted there with a view to obtain an honorable
peace, and thereby secure ample indemnity for the expenses of the war, as well as
to our much injured citizens, who hold large pecuniary demands against Mexico.” Such in my judgement continues to be our true policy, indeed the only policy which
will probably secure a permanent peace.
It [...?] has ^never^ been contemplated by me, as an object of the war to make a permanent conquest of
the Republic of Mexico, or to annihilate her separate existence as an Independent nation on the contrary
it has [...?] ever been my desire ^that^
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that she should maintain her nationality and under a good Government adapted to her
condition, be a free, independent and prosperous Republic. The United States were
the first among the nations to recognize her Independence, and have always desired
to be on terms of amity and good neighborhood with her. This she ^would^ not suffer. By her own conduct we have been compelled to engage in the present war.
In its prosecution we seek not her overthrow as a nation, but in vindicating our national
honor, we seek to obtain redress for the wrongs, she has done us, and indemnity for
our just demands against her. We demand an honorable peace, and that peace must bring
with ^it^ indemnity for the past, and security for the future.
Hitherto Mexico has refused all accommodation by which such a peace could be obtained.
Whilst our armies3 have4 advanced from victory to victory from the commencement of the war, it has always
been with the olive branch of peace in their hands, and it has been in the power of
Mexico, ^at^
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at every step to arrest hostilities by accepting it.
One great obstacle to the attainment of peace, has undoubtedly arisen from the fact,
that Mexico has been so long held in subjection, by one faction, or military usurper after another,
and such has been the condition of ins^ecurity^ in which their successive Governments have been placed, that each has been deterred
from making peace, lest for this very cause a rival faction might expell it from power. Such was the fate of President Herrera’s administration in 1845 for being disposed even to listen to the overtures of the
United States to prevent the war as ^is fully confirmed by^ an official correspondence which took place in the month of August last between
him and his Government, a copy of which is herewith communicated. “For this cause
alone the revolution which displaced him from power was set on foot” by General Paredes. Such may be the condition of insecurity of the present Government.
There can be no doubt that the peaceable and well disposed inhabitants of Mexico, are convinced that it is the true interest of ^their^
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their country to conclude an honorable peace with the United States, but the apprehension
of becoming the victims of some military faction, or usurper, may have prevented them
from manifesting their feelings by any public act. The removal of any such apprehensions,
would probably cause them to speak their sentiments freely and to adopt the measures
necessary for the restoration of peace. With a people distracted and divided by contending
factions, and a Government subject to constant changes, by successive revolutions,
the continued successes of our arms may fail to secure a satisfactory peace. In such
event it may become proper for our commanding Generals in the field to give encouragement,
and assurances of protection, to the friends of peace in Mexico, in the establishment and maintainance of a free Republican Government of their own choice, able and willing to conclude
a peace which would be just to them, and secure to us the indemnity we demand. This
may become the only mode of obtaining such a peace. Should such be the result, the
^war^
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war which Mexico has forced upon us, would thus be converted into an enduring blessing to herself.
After finding her torn and distracted by factions, and ruled by military usurpers,
we should then leave her, with a Republican Government, in the enjoyment of [...?] real Independence and domestic peace and prosperity, performing all her relative
duties in the great family of nations, and promoting her own happiness by wise laws
and their faithful execution.
If after affording this encouragement and protection, and after all the persevering
and sincere efforts we have made, from the moment Mexico commenced the war, and prior to that time, to adjust our differences with her, we
shall ultimately fail, then we shall have exhausted all honorable means in pursuit
of peace, and must continue to occupy her country with our troops, taking the full
measure of indemnity into our own hands, and must enforce the terms which our honour demands.
To act otherwise in the existing state ^of^
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of things in Mexico, and to withdraw our army without a peace, would not only leave all the wrongs of
which we complain, unredressed, but would be the signal for new and fierce civil dissentions and new revolutions, all alike hostile to the peaceful relations with the United States. Besides, there is danger if our troops
were withdrawn before a peace was concluded, that the Mexican people, wearied with successive revolutions, and deprived of protection for their
persons and property, might at length be inclined to yield to Foreign influences and
to cast themselves into the arms of some European monarch, for protection from the
anarchy and suffering which would ensue. This, for our own safety, and in pursuance
of our established policy we should be compelled to resist. We could never consent
that Mexico should be thus converted into a monarchy governed by a foreign Prince.
Mexico is our near neighbor, and her boundaries are coterminious with our own through the whole extent across the ^North American^
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North American continent, from Ocean to Ocean. Both politically and commercially, we have the deepest interest
in her regeneration and prosperity. Indeed it is impossible that with any just regard
to our own safety, we can ever become indifferent to her fate.
It may be that the Mexican Government and people, have misconstrued or misunderstood our forbearance and our
objects, in desiring to conclude an amicable adjustment of the existing differences
between the two countries. they may have supposed that we would submit to terms degrading
to the nation; or they may have drawn false inferences from the supposed division
of opinion in the United States on the subject of the war, and may have calculated
to gain much by protracting it, and indeed that we might ultimately abandon it altogether,
without insisting on any indemnity, territorial or otherwise. Whatever may be the
false impressions under which they have acted, the adoption and prosecution of the
energetic policy proposed must soon undeceive them.
In the future prosecution of the ^war^
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war, the enemy must be made to feel its pressure more than they have heretofore done. At its commencement
it was deemed proper to conduct it in a spirit of forbearance and liberality. With
this end in view, early measures were adopted to conciliate as far as a state of war
would permit, the mass of the Mexican population; to convince them that the war was waged not against the peaceful inhabitants
of Mexico; but against their faithless Government, which had commenced hostilities; to remove
from their minds the false impressions which their designing and interested rulers
had artfully attempted to make, that the war on our part was one of conquest, that
it was a war against ^their^ religion, and their churches, which were to be desecrated and overthrown, and that
their rights of person and private property, would be violated. To remove these false
impressions, our commanders in the field were directed scrupulously to respect their
religion, their churches and their church property, which were in no manner to be
violated. they were directed ^also [...?]
^
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also to respect the rights of persons and property, of all who should not take up
arms against us.
Assurances to this effect were given to the Mexican people by Major General Taylor in a proclamation issued in pursuance of instructions from the Secretary of War, in the month of June 1846, and again by major General Scott who acted upon his own convictions of the propriety of issuing it, in a Proclamation
of the eleventh of May 1847.
In this spirit of liberality and conciliation, and with a view to prevent the body
of the Mexican population, from taking up arms against us was the war conducted on our part. Provisions
and other supplies furnished to our army by Mexican citizens, were paid for at fair and liberal prices agreed upon by the parties. After
the lapse of a few months, it became apparent, that these assurances, and this mild
treatment had failed to produce the desired effect upon the Mexican population. While the war had been conducted upon our part, according to the most humane and liberal ^principles^
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principles, observed by civilized nations, it was waged in a ^far^ different spirit on the part of Mexico. Not appreciating our forbearance, the Mexican people generally became hostile to the United States, and availed themselves of every
opportunity to commit the most savage excesses upon our troops. Large numbers of the
population took up arms, and engaging in guerrilla warfare, robbed and murdered in
the most cruel manner, individual soldiers, or small parties, whom accident or other
causes had separated from the main[...?] body of our army; bands of guerrillas
^eros^ and robbers, infested the roads harrassed our trains, and whenever it was in their power, cut off our supplies.
the Mexicans having thus shown themselves to be wholly incapable of appreciating our forbearance
and liberality, it was deemed proper to change the manner of conducting the war, by
making them feel its pressure accordingly to the usages observed under similar circumstances by all ^other^ civilized nations. Accordingly as early as the twenty second of September 1846, instructions
^were^
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were given by the Secretary of War to Major General Taylor to draw supplies “for our army from the enemy without paying for them and to require contributions for its support, if in that
way, he was satisfied, he could get abundant supplies for his forces.” In directing
the execution of these instructions, much was necessarily left to the discretion of
the commanding officer, who was best acquainted with the circumstances by which he
was surrounded, the wants of the army and the practicability of enforcing the measure.
General Taylor on the twenty sixth of October 1846 replied from Monterey, that “it would have been impossible hitherto, and is so now, to sustain the army
to any extent by forced contributions of money or supplies.” For the[se?] reasons assigned by him, he did not adopt the policy of his instructions, but declared
his readiness to do so, “should the army in its future operations, reach a portion
of the country which may be made to supply the troops with advantage.” He continued
to pay for the articles of supply, which were drawn from the enemy’s country. ^Similar^
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Similar instructions were issued to Major General Scott on the third of April 1847, who replied from Jalapa on the twentieth of May 1847, ^that^ if it be expected “that ^“^the army is to support itself by forced contributions levied upon the country, we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants, and starve ourselves” The same discretion
was given to him that had been to General Taylor in this respect. General Scott for the reasons assigned by him, also continued to pay for the articles of supply
for the army, which were drawn from the enemy.
After the army had reached the heart of the most wealthy portion of Mexico, it was supposed that the obstacles which had before that time prevented it would
not be such as to render impracticable the levy of forced contributions ^for its support^; and on the first of September, and again on the sixth of October 1847, the order
was repeated in dispatches addressed by the Secretary of War to General Scott, and his attention was again called to the importance of making the ^enemy^
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enemy bear the burdens of the war, by requiring them to furnish the means of supporting
our army; and he was directed to adopt this policy unless by doing so, there was danger of
depriving the army of ^the^ necessary supplies. Copies of these despatches were forwarded to General Taylor for his government.
On the thirty first of March last, I caused an order to be issued to our military
and naval commanders to levy and collect a military contribution upon all vessels
and merchandize which might enter any of the ports of Mexico in our military occupation, and to apply such contributions towards defraying the
expenses of the war. By virtue of the right of conquest and the laws of war, the conqueror
consulting his own safety or convenience, may either exclude foreign commerce altogether
from all such ports, or permit it upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe.
Before the principal ports of Mexico were blockaded by our navy, the revenue derived from import duties under the laws
of ^Mexico^
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Mexico was paid into the Mexican Treasury. After these ports had fallen into ^our^ military possession, the blockade was raised and commerce with them permitted upon
prescribed terms and conditions. They were opened to the trade of all nations, upon
the payment of duties more moderate in their amount, than those which had been previously
levied by Mexico; and the revenue which was formerly paid into the Mexican Treasury was directed to be collected by our military and naval officers, and applied
to the use of our army and navy. Care was taken that the officers, soldiers and sailors of our army and navy, should be exempted from the operations of the order; and as the merchandize imported, upon which the order operated, must be consumed by Mexican citizens, the contributions exacted, were in effect the sizure of the public revenues of Mexico, and the application of them to our own use. In directing this measure, the object
was to compel the enemy to contribute ^as^
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as far as practicable, towards the expenses of the war.
For the amount of contributions, which have been levied in this form, I refer you
to the accompanying Reports of the Secretary of War and of the Secretary of the Navy, by which it appears that a sum exceeding half a million of dollars has been collected.
This amount would undoubtedly have been much larger, but for the difficulty of keeping
open, communications between the coast and ^the^ interior, so as to enable the owners of ^the^ merchandize imported, to transport and vend it to the inhabitants of the country. It is confidently expected, that this difficulty will to a great extent, be soon
removed by our increased forces which have been sent to the field.
Measures have recently been adopted by which the internal, as well as the external
revenues of Mexico, in all places in our military occupation will be seized and appropriated to the
use of our army and navy.
51
contributions in every form, consistently with with the laws of nations, which it
may be practicable for our military commanders to adopt, should in my judgement be
rigidly enforced, and orders to this effect have accordingly been given. By such
a policy, at the same time, that our own Treasury will be relieved from a heavy drain, the Mexican people will be made to feel the burdens of the war, and consulting their own interests,
may be induced the more readily to require their rulers to accede to a just peace.
After the adjournment of the last session of Congress, events transpired in the prosecution of the war, which in my judgement required
a greater number of troops in the field, than had been anticipated. The strength
of the army was accordingly increased, by “accepting” the services of all the volunteer
forces authorized by the act of the thirteenth of May 1846, without putting a construction
on ^that^
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that act, the correctness of which was seriously questioned. The volunteer forces
now in the field, with those which had been “accepted” to “serve for twelve months”
and were discharged at the end of their term of service; exhaust the fifty thousand
men authorized by that act. Had it been clear that a proper construction of the act,
warranted it, the services of an additional number would have been called for and
accepted, but doubts existing upon
^upon^ this point, the power was not exercised. It is deemed important that Congress should at an early period of their session, confer the authority to raise an additional
regular force, to serve during the war with Mexico, and to be discharged upon the conclusion and ratification of a Treaty of peace.
I invite the attention of Congress to the views presented by the Secretary of War in his Report, upon this subject. I recommend, also, that authority be given by law,
to call for and accept the services of an additional number of volunteers to be raised
^exercised^ at such time and to such extent as the emergencirs of the service may require. ^In^
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In prosecuting the war with Mexico, whilst the utmost care has been taken to avoid every just cause of complaint on
the part of neutral nations and none has been given, liberal privileges have been
granted to their commerce in the ports of the enemy in our military occupation.
The difficulty with the Brazilian Government, which at one time threatened to interrupt the friendly relations between the two
countries will I trust be speedily adjusted. I have received information that an Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenepotentiary to the United States, will shortly be appointed by his Imperial Majesty; and it is hoped that he will come instructed and prepared to adjust all remaining
differences between the two Governments in a manner acceptable and honorable to both.
In the meantime, I have every reason to believe that nothing will occur to interrupt
our amicable relations with Brazil.
It has been my constant effort ^to^
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maintain and cultivate the most intimate relations of friendship with all the independent
Powers of South America; and this policy has been attended with the happiest results. It is true that the
settlement and payment of many just claims of American citizens against these nations,
have been long delayed. The peculiar position in which they have been placed, and
the desire on the part of my predecessors as well as myself to grant them the utmost
indulgence, have hitherto prevented these claims from being urged in a manner demanded
by strict justice. The time has arrived when they ought to be finally adjusted and
liquidated, and efforts are now making for that purpose.
It is proper to inform you, that the Government of Peru has in good faith paid the first two instalments of the indemnity of thirty thousand
dollars each, and the greater portion of the interest due thereon, an execution of
the convention between that Government and the United States, the ratifications ^of^
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of which were exchanged at Lima, on the thirty first of October 1846. The Attorney General of the United States early in August last, completed the adjudication of the claims
under this convention, and made his report thereon, in pursuance of the act of the
eighth of August 1846. The sums to which the claimants are respectively entitled,
will be paid on the demand at the Treasury.
I invite the early attention of Congress to the present condition of our citizens in China. Under our Treaty with that power,
American citizens are withdrawn from the jurisdiction, whether civil, or criminal,
of the chinese government, and placed under that of our public functionaries in that country. By these along can our citizens be tried and punished for the commission of any
crime; by these along can questions be decided between them involving the rights of
person ^and^ property, and by these along can contracts be enforced, into which ^they^
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they may have entered with the citizens or subjects of Foreign powers. The merchant
vessels of the United States, lying in the waters of the five ports of China, open to foreign commerce are under the exclusive jurisdiction of officers of their
own Government. The c
[...?], Until5 Congress shall establish competent tribunals to try and punish crimes, ^
[?]d to^ exercise jurisdiction in civil cases in China, American citizens there, are subject to no law whatever. Crimes may ^be^ committed with impunity, and debts may be contracted without any means to enforce
their payment. Inconveniences have already resulted from the omission of Congress to legislate upon the subject, and still greater are apprehended. The British authorities in China have already complained that this Government has not provided for the punishment
of crimes, or the enforcement of contracts against American citizens, in that country: whilst their Government has established tribunals by which an6 American citizen can recover debts ^due^
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due from British subjects.
Accustomed as the Chinese are, to summary justice they could not be made to comprehend why criminals who are
citizens of the United States should escape with impunity in violation of Treaty obligations;
whilst the punishment of a Chinese who had committed any crime against an American
citizen would be vigorously exacted. Indeed the consequences might be fatal to American
citizens in China, should a flagrant crime be committed by any one of them upon a Chinese, and should
trial and punishment not follow according to the requisitions of the Treaty. This
might disturb, if not destroy, our friendly relations with that Empire and cause an interruption of our valuable commerce.
Our Treaties with the Sublime Porte, Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Muscat also require the legislation of congress to carry them into execution: though ^the^ necessity for immediate ^action^
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action may not be so urgent as in regard to China.
The Secretary of State has submitted an estimate to defray the expense of opening Diplomatic relations with
the Papal States. The interesting political events now in progress in these states as well as a just regard to our commercial interests, have, in my opinion, rendered
such a measure highly expedient.
Estimates have also been submitted for the outfits and salaries of charges de Affairs
to the Republics of Bolivia, Guatemala, and Eucador. The manifest importance of cultivating the most friendly relations with all the
independent states upon this continent, has been induced me to recommend appropriations necessary for the maintenance of these missions.
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59
√
59
I recommend to Congress that an appropriation be made, to be paid to the Spanish Government for the purpose of distribution among the claimants in “the Amistad case.”
I entertain the conviction that this is due to Spain under the Treaty of the twentieth of October 1795; and moreover that from the earnest
manner in which the claim continues to be urged, that so long as it shall remain unsettled, it will be a source of irritation and discord
between the two countries which may prove highly prejudicial to the interest of the
United States. Good policy, no less than a faithful compliance with our treaty obligations
requires that the inconsiderable appropriation demanded should be made.
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60
A detailed statement of the condition of the finances, will be presented in the annual
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury. The imports for the ^last^ fiscal year ending on the thirtieth of June 1847 were of the value of one hundred
and forty six millions, five hundred and forty five thousand, six hundred and thirty
eight dollars, of which the amount exported was eight millions, eleven thousand one
hundred and fifty eight dollars, leaving one hundred and thirty eight millions five
hundred and thirty four thousand, four hundred and eight dollars in the country for
domestic use. [...?] The value of the exports for the same period was one hundred and fifty eight millions
six hundred and forty eight thousand, six hundred and twenty two dollars, of which,
one hundred and fifty millions six hundred and thirty seven thousand four hundred
and sixty four dollars consisted of domestic pro^ductions^
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[6?]
61
ductions, and eight millions, eleven thousand, one hundred and fifty eight dollars
of foreign articles.
The receipts into the Treasury for the same period amounted to twenty six millions, three hundred and forty six
thousand, seven hundred and ninety dollars and thirty seven cents, of which there
was derived from customs twenty three millions seven hundred and forty seven thousand
eight hundred and sixty four dollars and sixty six cents: from sales of public lands,
two million four hundred and ninety eight thousand, three hundred and thirty five
dollars and twenty cents; ^and^ from incidental and miscellaneous sources, one hundred thousand, five hundred and
seventy dollars and fifty one cents. The last fiscal year during which this amount
was received, embraced five months under the operation^s^ of the Tariff act of 1842, and seven months during which the tariff act of 1846 was
in force. During the five months under the act of 1842 the amount received from customs
was seven millions eight hundred and forty ^two^
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62
two thousand, three hundred and six dollars and ninety cents, and during the seven
months under the act of 1846, the amount received was fifteen million[...?] nine hundred and five thousand, five hundred and fifty seven dollars and seventy
six cents.
The nett revenue from customs during the year ending on the first of December 1846,
being the last year under the operation[...?] of the tariff act of 1842, was twenty to million, nine hundred and seventy one thousand,
four hundred and three dollars and ten cents: and the nett revenue from customs during
the year ending on the first of December 1847, being the first year under the operations
of the tariff act of 1846, was about thirty one million five hundred thousand dollars;
being an increase of revenue for the first year under the tariff act of 1846 of ^more than^ eight million five hundred ^thousand dollars over that of the last year under the tariff of 1842.^
^The^
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6[?]
63
The expenditures during the fiscal year ending on the thirtieth of June last, were
fifty nine million four hundred and fifty one thousand one hundred and seventy seven
dollars and sixty five cents; of which three million five hundred and twenty two thousand
and eighty two dollars and thirty seven cents was on account of ^payment of^ principal and [...?]
^in^terest of the public debt, including Treasury notes, redeemed and not funded. The expenditures, exclusive of payment of public
debt were fifty five million, millions, nine hundred and twenty nine thousand and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents.
It is estimated that the receipts into the Treasury for the fiscal year, ending on the thirtieth of June 1848, ^including the balance in the Treasury on the first of July last^ will amount to forty two millions eight hundred and eighty six thousand, five hundred and forty five dollars and eighty
cents of which thirty one millions, it is estimated will be derived from customs; three millions five hundred thousand
from the sale of the public lands; four hundred thousand from incidental sources,
including sales made by the Solicitor of the Treasury, and six ^million^
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[64?]
64
two hundred and ninety
^eighty^ five thousand, two hundred and ninety four dollars and fifty five cents from loans
already authorized by law, which together with the balance in the Treasury on the first of July last, make the sum estimated.
The expenditures for the same period, if peace with Mexico shall not be concluded, and the army shall be increased as is proposed, will amount,
including the necessary payments on account of principal and interests of the public debt and Treasury notes to fifty eight millions, six hundred and fifteen thousand six hundred and sixty dollars and seven cents.
On the first of the present month, the amount of the public debt actually incurred
including Treasury notes, was forty five millions six hundred and fifty nine thousand, six hundred and
fifty nine dollars and forty cents. The public debt due on the fourth of March 1845
including Treasury notes was seventeen million seven hundred and eighty eight thousand, seven hundred
and ninety nine dollars and sixty ^two^ cents, and consequently the ^additions^
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6[?]
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addition made to the public debt since that time, is twenty seven million, eight hundred
and seventy thousand, eight hundred and fifty nine dollars and seventy eight cents.
Of the loan of twenty three millions authorized by the act of the twenty eighth of
January 1847, the sum of five millions was paid out to the public creditors or exchanged
at par for specie, the remaining eighteen millions was offered for specie to the highest
bidder not below par, by an advertisement issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and published from the ninth of February until the tenth of April 1847, when it was
awarded to the several highest bidders at premiums varying from one eighth of one
per cent, to two per cent above par. The premium has been paid into the Treasury, and the sums awarded deposited in specie in the Treasury as fast as it was required by the wants of the government.
To meet the expenditures for ^the^
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66
the remainder of the present and for the next fiscal year, ending on the thirtieth
of June 1849, a further loan in aid of the ordinary revenues of the Government, will
be necessary. Retaining a sufficient surplus in the Treasury, the loan[...?] required for the remainder of the present fiscal year will be about eighteen millions
five hundred thousand dollars. If the duty on tea and coffee be imposed and the graduation
of the price ^of^ the public lands, shall be made, at an early period of your session, as recommended,
the loan for the present fiscal year may be reduced to seventeen millions of dollars.
The loan may be further reduced by whatever amount of expenditures, can be saved by
military contributions collected in Mexico. The most vigorous measures for the augmentation of these contributions have been
directed and a very considerable sum is ^expected^ from that source. Its amount cannot, however be calculated with any certainty. It
is recommended that the loan to be made, be authorized ^upon^
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6[?]
67
the same terms and for the same time, as that which was authorized under the provisions
of the act of the twenty eighth of January 1847.
Should the war with Mexico be continued until the thirtieth of June 1849, it is estimated that a further loan
of twenty millions five hundred ^thousand^ dollars, will be required for the fiscal year ending on that day; in case no duty
be imposed on tea and coffee, and the public lands be not reduced and graduated in
price, and no military contributions shall be collected in Mexico. If the duty on
tea and coffee be imposed, and the lands be reduced and graduated in price as proposed
the loan may be reduced to seventeen millions of dollars, and will be subject to be
still further reduced by the amount of the military contributions, which may be collected
in Mexico. It is not proposed however at present to ask Congress for authority to negotiate this loan for the next fiscal year as it is hoped that
the loan asked for the remainder of the present fiscal year aided by military contributions
which may be collected in Mexico, may be sufficient. If contrary to my expectations there should be a necessity for
it, the fact will not be communicated to Congress in time for their action during the present session. In no event will a sum exceeding
six millions of dollars of this amount be needed before the meeting of the session
of Congress in December 1848.
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6[9?]
68
The act of the thirtieth of July 1846, “reducing the duties on imports” has been in
force since the first of December last, and I am gratified to state that all the beneficial
effects, which were anticipated from its operation, have been fully realized. The
public revenue derived from customs during the year ending on the first of December
1847, exceeds by more than eight millions ^of dollars^ the amount received in the preceding, [...?] year under the operation of the act of 1842, which was superseded and repealed by
it. Its effects are visible in the great and almost unexampled prosperity, which prevails
in every branch of business.
While the repeal of the prohibitory and restrictive duties of the act of 1842, and
the substitution in their place, of reasonable revenue rates, levied on articles imported
according to their actual value, has increased the revenue and augmented our foreign
trade, all the ^great^
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69
great interests of the country have been advanced and promoted.
The great and important interests of agriculture, which had been not only too much
neglected, but actually taxed under the protective policy, for the benefit of other
interests, have been relieved of the burdens which that policy imposed on them, and
our farmers and planters, under a more just and liberal commercial policy, are finding
new and profitable markets abroad, for their augmented products. Our commerce is rapidly
increasing, and is extending more widely the circle of international exchanges. Great
as has been the increase of our imports during the past year, our exports of domestic
products, sold in foreign markets have been still greater.
Our navigating interest is [...?] eminently prosperous. The number of vessels built in the United States, has been
greater than during any preceding period of equal length. Large profits have been
derived by those who have con ^structed^
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70
structed, as well as by those who ^have^ navigated them. Should the ratio of increase in the number of our merchant vessels
be progressive, and be as great for the future as during the past year, the time is
not distant, when our tonnage and commercial marine, will be larger than that of any
other nation in the world.
Whilst the interests of agriculture, of commerce and of navigation, have been enlarged
and invigorated, it is highly gratifying to observe that our manufactures, are also
in a prosperous condition. None of the ruinous effects upon this interest, which were
apprehended by some, as the result of the operation of the revenue system established
by the act of 1846, have been experienced. On the contrary, the number of manufactories and the amount of Capital invested in them, ^is^ steadily and rapidly increasing, affording gratifying proofs that American enterprize ^and^
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and skill, employed in this branch of domestic industry, with no other advantages
than those fairly and incidentally accruing from a just system of revenue duties,
are abundantly able to meet success fully, all competition from abroad, and still
derive fair and remunerating profits. While capital invested in manufactures is yielding
adequate and fair profits under the new system, the wages of labor whether employed
in manufactures, agriculture, commerce, or navigation, have been augmented. The toiling
millions, whose daily labor furnishes the supply of food and raiment, and all the
necessaries and comforts of life, are receiving higher wages and more steady and permanent
employment than in any other country or at any previous [...?] period of our ^own^ history.
So successful have been all branches of our industry, that a foreign war, which generally
diminishes the resources of a nation, has in no essential ^degree^
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72
degree retarded our onward progress or checked our general prosperity.
With such gratifying evidences of the
[general?] prosperity, and of the successful operation of the revenue act of 1846, every consideration
of public policy recommends that it shall remain unchanged. It is hoped that they
system of import duties, which is established may be regarded as the permanent policy
of the country, and that the[...?] great interests affected by it, may not again be subject to be injuriously disturbed,
as they have heretofore been, by frequent and sometimes sudden changes.
For the purpose of increasing the revenue and without changing or modifying, the rates
imposed by the act of 1846 on the dutiable articles embraced by its provisions, I
again recommend to your ^favorable^ consideration the expediency of levying a revenue duty on tea and coffee. The policy
which exempted these articles from duty during peace, and when the revenue ^to^
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73
to be derived from them was not needed, ceases to exist when the country is engaged
in war, ^and^ requires the use of all its available resources. It is a tax which would be so generally
diffused among the people, that it would be felt oppressively by none, and be complained
of by none. It is believed that there are not in the list of imported articles any
which are more properly the subject of war duties than tea and coffee.
It is estimated that three millions of dollars would be derived annually by a moderate
duty imposed on these articles.
Should Congress avail itself of this additional source of revenue, not only would the amount of ^the^ public loan rendered necessary by the war with Mexico, be diminished to that extent, but the public credit, and the public confidence,
in the ability and determination of the Government to met all its engagements promptly,
would be more firmly established, and the reduced amount of the loan, which it may
be necessary to negotiate, ^could^
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74
could probably be obtained at cheaper rates.
Should the duties recommended be imposed, it is
[...?]
by the Secretary of the Treasury
[...?]
the consent of the
[...?]
which will be required for the
[...?]
If they be
[...?]
amount of the
[...?]
required for the
[...?]
will be increased to
[...?]
[...?] Congress is therefore called upon to determine whether it is wiser to impose the war duties
recommended, or by omitting to do so, increase the public debt, annually three millions
of dollars [...?] so long as loans shall be required to prosecute the war, and afterwards provide,
in some other form, to pay the the semi annual interest upon it, and ultimately to
extinguish the principal.
If, in addition to these duties Congress should graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands, as experience has
proved, will ^not^
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75
not command the price placed upon them by the Government, an additional annual income
to the Treasury, of [...?]
^between half a million and^ a million of dollars, it is estimated, would be derived from this source. Should
both measures receive the sanction of Congress, the annual amount of public debt, necessary to be contracted during the continuance
of the war would be reduced near from millions of dollars. The
[...?]
this amount of public debt, which may be
[...?]
by the adoption of these measures would
[...?]
dollars. The duties recommended to be levied on tea and coffee, it is proposed shall be limited
in their duration, to the end of the war, and until the public debt rendered necessary
to be contracted by it shall be discharged.
The amount of the public debt to be contracted should be limited to to the lowest practicable sum, and should be extinguished as early after ^the^
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the conclusion of the war, as the means of the Treasury will permit.
With this view it is recommended that as soon as the war shall be over, all the surplus
in the Treasury not needed for other indispensable objects, shall constitute a sinking fund and be
applied to the purchase of the funded debt, and that authority be conferred by law
for that purpose.
The act of the sixth of August [...?] 1846, “to establish a warehousing system” has been in operation more than a year
and has proved to be an important auxiliary to the Tariff act of 1846, in augmenting
the revenue and extending the commerce of the country. Whilst it has tended to enlarge
commerce it has been beneficial to our manufactures, by diminishing forced sales at
auction of foreign goods, at low prices ^(to raise the duties to be advanced on them) and^ by checking fluctuations in the market.
The system, although sanctioned by the experience of other countries, was entirely
new in the United States, ^and^
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77
and is susceptible of improvement in some of its provisions. The Secretary of the Treasury upon whom was devolved large discretionary powers in carrying this measure into effect,
has collected and is now collating the practical result^s^ of the system in other countries, where it has long been established, and will report
at an early period of your session, such further regulations suggested by the investigation
^as^ may render it still more effective and beneficial.
By the act to “provide for the better organization of the Treasury, and for the collection, safe keeping and disbursement of the public revenue,” all
banks were discontinued as fiscal agents of the Government, and the paper currency
issued by them, was no longer permitted to be received in payment of public dues.
The Constitutional Treasury created by this act, went into operation on the first
of January last. Under the ^system^
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7[?]
78
system established by it, the public money^s^ have been collected, safely kept and disbursed by the direct agency of officers of
the Government, in gold and silver; and transfers of large amounts have been made
from points of collection to points of disbursement without loss to the Treasury, or injury or inconvenience to the trade of the country.
While the fiscal operations of the Government have been conducted with regularity
and ease under this system, it has had a salutary effect, in checking and preventing,
an undue inflation of the paper currency issued by the Banks, which exist under state
charters. Requiring as it does, all dues to the Government ^to be paid^ in gold and silver, its effect is to restrain excessive issues of bank paper by the
banks, disproportioned to the specie in their vaults, for the reason that they are at all times liable to
be called on by the holders of their notes, for their redemption, in order to obtain
specie for the payment of duties and other public dues. The banks therefore must keep
their ^business^
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79
business within prudent limits, and be always in a condition to meet such calls, or
run the hazard of being compelled to suspend specie payments, and be thereby discredited.
The amount of specie imported into the United States during the last fiscal year ^was ^
was
^ twenty four millions one hundred and twenty one thousand, two hundred and eighty
nine dollars of which there was retained in the country twenty two millions, two hundred
and seventy six thousand, one hundred and seventy dollars. Had the former financial
system prevailed and the public money been placed on deposit in the banks, nearly
the whole of ^
amount
^this amount^ would have gone into their vaults, not to be thrown into circulation by them, but
to be withheld from the hands of the people as a currency, and made the basis of new
and enormous issues of bank paper. A large proportion of the specie imported, has
been paid into the Treasury for public dues; and after having been to a great extent recoined at the mint, has been paid out to the public creditors, and gone into circulation
as a currency among the people
The amount of gold and silver coin now in circulation in the country, is larger than
at any former period. ^The^
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80
The financial system established by the Constitutional Treasury has been ^thus far^ eminently successful in its operations, and I recommend an adherence to all its essential
provisions, and especially to that vital provision which wholly separates the Government
from ^all^ connection with banks, and excludes bank paper from all revenue receipts. In
[...?]
some of its
[...?] In some of its details, not involving its general principles, the system is defective
and will require modification. These defects and such amendments as are deemed important,
were set forth in the last annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury. These amendments are again recommended to the early and favorable consideration
of Congress.
During the past year, the coinage at the mint and its branches, has exceeded twenty
millions of dollars. This has consisted chiefly in converting the coins of foreign
countries into American coin. ^The^
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[?]
81
The largest amount of foreign coin imported has been received at New York, and if a branch mint were established at that city, all the the foreign coin received at that port, could at once be converted into our own coin
without the expense, risk and delay of transporting it to the mint for that purpose;
and the amount recoined would be much larger.
Experience has proved that foreign coin, and especially foreign gold coin, will not
circulate extensively, as a currency among the people. The important measure of extending
our specie circulation, both of gold and silver, and of diffusing it among the people,
can only be effected by converting such foreign coin into American coin. I repeat
the recommendation contained in my last annual message for the establishment of a
branch of the mint of the United States at the city of New York.
All the public lands which ^had^
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82
had been surveyed and were ready for market, have been proclaimed for sale during
the past year. The quantity offered, and to be offered for sale, under Proclamation
issued since the first day of January last, amounts to nine millions, one hundred and thirty eight thousand,
five hundred and thirty one acres. The prosperity of the western states and territories
in which these lands lie will be advanced by their speedy sale. By withholding them
from the market, their growth and increase of population would ^x^ be ^?^ retarded, while thousands of our enterprizing and meratorious frontier population would be deprived of the opportunity of securing freeholds for
themselves and their families. But in addition to the general considerations which
rendered the early sale of these lands proper, it was a leading object at this time,
to derive as large a sum as possible from this source, and thus diminish ^by^
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[?]
83
by that amount, the public loan rendered necessary by the existence of a foreign war.
It is estimated that not less than ten millions of acres [more?] of the public lands will be surveyed and be in a condition to be proclaimed for sale
during the year 1848.
In my last annual message, I presented the reasons, which in my judgement, rendered
it proper to graduate and reduce the price of such of the public lands, as have remained
unsold for long periods, after they had been offered for sale at public auction.
Many millions of acres of public lands, lying within the limits of several of the
Western states, have been offered in the market—and been subject to sale at private
entry, for more than twenty years; and large quantities for more than thirty years,
at the lowest price prescribed by the existing laws, and it has been found that they
will not command that price. They must remain unsold and uncultivated for an indefinite
period, unless the price demanded ^for^
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8[?]
84
for them by the Government shall be reduced. No satisfactory reason is perceived why
they should be no longer held at rates above their real value. At the present period an additional
reason exists for adopting the measure recommended. When the country is engaged in
a foreign war, and we must necessarily resort to loans, it would seem to be the dictate
of wisdom that we should [...?]
to all our
[...?]
^avail ourselves of all our^ resources, and thus limit the amount of the public indebtedness to the lowest possible
sum.
I recommend that the existing laws on the subject of preemption rights be amended
and modified so as to operate prospectively, and to embrace all who may settle upon
the public lands and make improvements upon them, before they are surveyed as well
as afterwards, in all cases where such settlements may be made, after the Indian title
shall have been extinguished.
If the right of preemption be thus extended it will embrace a large and meritorious
class of our citizens. ^It^
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86
85
It will increase the number of small freeholders upon our borders, who will be enabled
thereby to educate their children and otherwise improve the their condition; while they will be found at all times, as they have ever proved
themselves to be, in the hour of danger to their country, among our hardiest and best
volunteer soldiers, ever ready to tender their services in cases of emergency and
among the last to leave the field, as long an enemy remains to be encountered. Such
a policy will also impress these patriotic pioneer emegrants, with deeper feelings of gratitude, for the parental care of their Government, when
they find their dearest interests secured to them by the permanent laws of the land,
and that they are no longer in danger of losing their homes and hard earned improvements,
by being brought into competition with a more wealthy class of purchasers at the land
sales
The attention of Congress was invited at their last and the preceding ^session^
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86
session, to the importance of establishing a territorial government over our possessions
in Oregon, and it is to be regretted that no action was had
^there was no legislation^ on the subject. Our citizens who, inhabit that distant region of [...?] country, are still left without the protection of our laws or any regularly organized
Government.
Before the question of limits and boundaries of the territory of Oregon was definitely settled from the necessity of their condition, the inhabitants had
established a temporary Government ^of^ their own. Besides the want of legal authority for continuing such a government,
it is wholly inadequate to protect them in their rights of person and property or
to secure to them the enjoyment of the privileges of other citizens, to which they
are entitled under the Constitution of the United States
They should have the right of suffrage, be represented in a territorial Legislature,
and by a Delegate in Congress, ^and^
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87
and possess all ^the^ rights and privileges, which citizens of other portions of the territories of the
United States have heretofore enjoyed, or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, our revenue laws, our laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and the protection
of our laws generally should be extended over them.
In addition to the inhabitants in that territory, who had previously emegrated to it, large numbers of our citizens have followed them during the present year,
and it is not doubted that during the next and subsequent years, their numbers will
^be^ greatly increased.
Congress at its last session, establish^ed^ Post Routes leading to Oregon, and between different points within that territory, and authorized the establishment
of Post offices, at “Astoria and such other places on the coasts of the Pacific, within the territory of the United States as the public interests may require.” Post offices have accordingly
been established, ^Deputy^
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88
Deputy Postmasters appointed, and provision made for the transportation of the mails.
The preservation of peace with the Indian tribes residing west of the Rocky mountains will render it proper that authority should be given by law, for the appointment
of an adequate number of Indian agents to reside among them.
I recommend that a Surveyor General’s office be established in that territory, and
that the public lands be surveyed and brought into market at an early period.
I recommend also that grants upon liberal terms of limited quantities of the public
lands, be made to all citizens of the United States, who have emigrated, or may hereafter
within a prescribed period emigrate, to Oregon and settle upon them. These hardy and adventurous citizens, who have encountered
the dangers and privations of a long and toilsome journey, and have at length ^found^
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[90?]
89
found an abiding place for themselves and their families upon the utmost verge of
our western limits, should be secured in the homes which they have improved by their
labor.
I refer you to the accompanying Report of the Secretary of War for a detailed account of the operations of the various branches of the public service
connected with the Department under ^his charge. The duties devolving on this department have been unusully onerous and responsible during the past year, and have been discharged with ability
& Success.^
Pacific relations continue to exist with the various Indian Tribes, and most of them
manifest a strong friendship for the United States. Some depredations were committed
during the past year, upon our trains transporting supplies for the army, on the road
between the western border of Missouri, and Santa Fe. These depredations, which are supposed to have been committed by bands, from the
region of New Mexico, have been arrested, by the presence of a military force, ordered out for that purpose.
Some outrages have been perpetrated ^by^
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90
by a portion of the North Western bands, upon the weaker and comparatively defenseless
neighboring tribes—Prompt measures were taken to prevent such occurrences in future.
Between one and two thousand Indians belonging to several tribes, have been removed
during the year from the east of the Mississippi, to the country allotted to them west of that river as their permanent home, and arrangements have been made for others to follow.
Since the Treaty of 1846 with the Cherokees the feuds among them appear to have subsided
and they have become more united and contented than they have been for many years
past. The commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of ^June^ the twenty seventh of June 1846 to settle claims arising under the Treaty of 1835-6 with that tribe, have executed
their duties and after a patient investigation, and ^a^ full and fair examination of all the cases brought before them, closed their ^labors^
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91
labors in the month of July last. This is the fourth board of commissioners which
has been organized under this treaty. Ample opportunity has been afforded to all those
interested to bring forward their claims. No doubt is entertained that impartial justice
has been done by the late board, and that all valid claims embraced by the Treaty
have been considered and allowed. This result and the final settlement to be made
with this tribe under the treaty of 1846, which will be completed and laid before
you during your session, will adjust all questions of controversy between them and
the United States, and [prouce?] a state of relations with them, simple; well defined and satisfactory.
Under the discretionary authority conferred by the act of the third of March last,
the annuities due to the various Tribes have been paid during the present year, to
the heads of families, instead of ^to^ their chiefs, or such ^persons^
[24?]
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92
persons as they might designate; as required by the laws previously existing. This
mode of payment has given general satisfaction to the great body of the Indians. Justice
has been done to them and they are ^grateful^ to the government for it. A few chiefs and interested persons may object to this
mode of payment, but it is believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud and imposition
from being practised upon the great body of common Indians, constituting a majority of ^all^ the Tribes.
It is gratifying to perceive that a number of the Tribes have recently manifested
an increased interest in the establishment of schools among them, and are making rapid
advances in agriculture, some of them producing a sufficient quantity of food for
their support and in some cases a surplus to dispose of to their neighbors. The comforts
by which those who have received even a very limited education, and have engaged in
agri ^culture^
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93
culture, are surrounded, tend gradually to draw off their less civilized brethren
from the precarious means of subsistence by the chase, to habits of labor and civilization.
The accompanying Report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a satisfactory and gratifying account of the condition and operations of
the Naval service during the past year. Our commerce has been pursued with increased activity, and
with safety and success in every quarter of the Globe, under the protection of our
flag, which the Navy has caused to be respected in the most distant seas.
In the gulf of Mexico and in the Pacific, the Officers and men of our squadrons have displayed distinguished gallantry, and
performed valuable services. In the early stages of the war with Mexico her ports on both coasts were blockaded, and more recently many of them have been
captured and held by the Navy. When acting in cooperation with ^the^
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94
the land forces, the naval officers and men have performed gallant and distinguished
services, on land as well as on water, and deserve the high com^menda^tion of the country.
While other maritime powers, are adding to their navies, large numbers of war steamers,
it was a wise policy on our part to make similar additions to our navy. The four war steamers authorized by the act of the third of of March 1847, are in course of construction.
In addition to the four war steamers authorized by this act, the Secretary of the Navy, has in pursuance of its provisions entered into contracts for the construction of
five steamers to be employed in the transportation of the United States mail ^“^from New York to New Orleans, touching at Charleston, Savannah, and Havanna; and from Havanna to Chagris;^”^ for three steamers to be employed in like manner from Panama to Oregon, ^“so^
[27?]
<Page 188>
<Page 189>
[96?]
95
“so as to connect with the mail from Havanna to Chagris across the isthmus”; and for five steamers to be employed in like manner
from New York to Liverpool. These steamers will be the property of the contractors, but are to be built “under
the superintendence and direction of a Naval Constructor in the employ of the Navy Department, and to be so constructed as to render them convertible at the least possible expense
into War steamers of the first class.”
A prescribed number of Naval officers as well as a Post office agent are to be on board of them, and authority is reserved to the Navy Department at all times to “exercise control over said steamships” and to have the right “to
take them for the exclusive use and service of the
[...?] the United States” “upon making proper compensation to the contractor therefor”
Whilst these steamships will be employed in transporting the mails of the United States
coastwise and ^to^
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96
to Foreign countries, upon an annual compensation to be paid to the owners they will
be always ready, upon an emergency requiring it, to be converted into War steamers;
and the right reserved to take them for public use, will add greatly to the efficiency
and strength of ^this^ description of our naval force. To the steamers thus authorized under contracts made
by the Secretary of the Navy, should be added five other steamers authorized under contracts made in pursuance
of law by the Post Master General, making an addition in the whole of seventeen
^eighteen^ war steamers, subject to be taken for public use. As further contracts for the transportation
of the mail to foreign countries, may be authorized by congress this number may be enlarged indefinitely
The enlightened policy by which a rapid communication with ^the^ various distant parts of the Globe is established, by means of American built sea
steamers, would find an ample reward in the ^increase^
2[9?]
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97
increase of our commerce ^and^ in making our country and its resources more favorably known abroad, but the National
advantage is still greater, of having our naval officers made familiar with steam
navigation; and of having the privilege of taking the ships already equipped for immediate
service, at a moment’s notice; and will be cheaply purchased, by the compensation
to be paid for the transportation of the mail in them over and above the postages received.
A just national pride, no less than our commercial interest would seem to favor the
policy of augmenting the number of this description of vessels. They can be built
in our country cheaper and in greater numbers than in any other in the world.
I refer you to the accompanying Report of the Post Master General for a detailed and satisfactory account of the condition and operations of that Department during the past year.
It is gratifying to find, that within so short a period after the reduction ^in^
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98
in the rates of postage, and notwithstanding the great increase of mail service the
revenue received for the year, will be sufficient to defray all the expenses, and
that no further aid will be required from the Treasury for that purpose.
The first of the American mail steamers authorized by the act of the third of March
1845 was completed and entered upon the service on the first of June last, and is
now on her third voyage to Bremen and other intermediate ports. The other vessels authorized under the provisions of
that act, are in course of construction, and will put upon the line as soon as completed.
Contracts have also been made for the transportation of the mail in a steamer from
Charleston to Havanna.
A reciprocal and satisfactory postal arrangement has been made by the Post Master General with the authorities of Bremen, and no diffi- ^-culty^
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100
99
culty is apprehended in making similar arrangements with all other Powers with which
we may have communications by mail steamers, except with Great Britain.
On the arrival of the first of the American steamers bound to Bremen at Southampton in the month of June last, the British Post office directed the collection of discriminating
postages on all letters and other mailable matter, which she took out to Great Britain, ^or^ which went into the British Post office on th^eir^ way to France and other parts of Europe. The effect of the order of the British Post office, is to subject all letters and other matter transported by American steamers
to double postage, one postage having been previously paid on them to the United states, while letters transported
in British steamers are subject to pay but a single postage. This measure was adopted with the
avowed object of ^protecting^
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[?]
100
protecting the British line of Mail Steamers, now running between Boston and Liverpool, and if permitted to continue must speedily put an end to the transportation of all
letters and other matter by American steamers, and give to the British steamers a monopoly of the business. A just and fair reciprocity is all that we desire,
and on this we must insist. By our laws no such discrimination is made against British Steamers’[...?] bringing letters into our ports, but all letters arriving in the United States are
subject to the same rate of postage whether brought in British or American vessels. I refer you to the report of the Post Master General for a full statement of the facts of the case and of the steps taken by him to correct
this inequality. He has exerted all the power conferred upon him by the existing laws.
The Minister of the United States ^at^
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102
101
at London has brought the subject to the attention of the British Government, and is now engaged in negotiations for the purpose of adjusting reciprocal
postal arrangements, which shall be equally just to both countries. Should he fail
in concluding such arrangements, and should Great Britain insist on enforcing the unequal and unjust measure she has adopted it will become
necessary to confer additional powers on the Post Master General, in order to enable him to meet the emergency and to put our own steamers on equal
footing with British Steamers, engaged in transporting the mail between the ^two^ countries; and I recommend that such powers be conferred.
In view of the existing state of our country, I trust it may not be inappropriate,
in closing ^this^ communication to call to mind the words of wisdom and admonition of the first and
most illustrious of my predecessors in his farewell address to his ^countrymen^
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102
country men.
That greatest and best of men, who served his country so long, and loved it so much
^much^, foresaw with “serious concern” the danger to our union, “of characterizing parties
by geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavor to excite a belief, that there is a real difference
of local interest and views” and warned his countrymen against it.
So deep and solemn was his conviction of the importance of the Union and ^of^ preserving harmony between its different parts, that he declared to his country men
in that address “it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense
value of your National Union to your collective and individual happiness;” that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immoveable attachment to it, ^accustoming^
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103
accustoming yourselves to think and ^to^ speak of it as a palladium of your political safety and prosperity watching for its
preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest, even a suspicion
that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning
of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble
the sound
^sacred^ ties, which now link together the various parts”
After the lapse of half a century these admonitions of Washington, fall upon us with all the force of truth. It is difficult to estimate the “immense value” of our glorious union of confederated states,
to which we are so much indebted for our growth in population and wealth, and for
all that constitutes us a great and happy nation. How unimportant are all our differences
of opinion upon minor questions ^of^
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of public policy, compared with its preservation; [...?] and how scrupulously should we avoid all agitating topics, which may tend to distract
and divide us into contending parties separated by geographical lines, whereby it
may be weakened or endangered.
Invoking the blessing of the Almighty Ruler of the Universe upon your deliberations,
it will be my highest duty, no less than my sincere pleasure to cooperate with you,
in all measures which may tend to promote the honor and enduring welfare of our common
country.
WashingtonDecember 7th 1847 James. K. Polk
37
Handwritten Letter Signed, 207 page(s), Volume Volume 14,
RG 233, Entry 365: Records of the United States House of Representatives, Thirtieth Congress, 1847-1849, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Original Annual Messages of the President, 1847-1849