Indiana American, Volume 14, Number 51, Brookville, Franklin County, 18 December 1846 — Page 2

AMEKICAN. BROOKVILLE. INDIANA.

ITWe lay before our readers, at the earliest moment possible, President Polk's Message to Congress. JjrFor Foreign Xews, i.e., see Third Page. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. Ftllov cittzent of the Senate mum the House ttepresmtmit e. ii resuming your labors in tlieserv.ee ot Ue j peop.eitts a subject of congratulation that ' mere has been no period in our past history, ! when all the elements of national peosperity j have been so fmly developed, femce your I.ict j session no afrl.ct.ng dispensation has v.Mied j ed country ; general g.w.i health abundance has crowned the toiiol the husbandmciease oi our population, nut in resoices and weahh, and i.i the hap-p? condition ol our people, is without example in the history cf nations. ' ' As the wisdom, strength, and beneficence ! ; oar tree institutions are unfolded, every day ' add? fresh motives to contentment, and fresh . incentives to pa'.r.:o:im. Our devout and sincere acknowledgments: are due to the gracions Giver of all c-ood, for the numberless blessing which our beioved countrr enjoys. It is a source ol high satisfaction to know that the relations of the V. States with all other nations, with a single exception, are of the most amicable character. Sincerely attached to the policy of pea.-o, eariy adopted and steadiiy pursued by this government, I have anx iously desired to cultivate and cherish friend tli;i,iiiJMm..r...:,i. ( tuT :Z:. :Z" n e , f"" ..c is.uiapw me mam-alliance ot such tn-. policy, a preliminary and paramount dntv oh-; Mi4iimin mil in.. 11 v. in aanenniT to this wie ..

m s , . n.l lsK.tr in !l .... . : : . :

- . u.lnrMMCra.Hlg,u,jiM ,hat lh( wrongs ot which we then art ample reward wntle education, seieoce.ano crt.ppiainpd, and hlcii gave rise ro these solihe arts are rap.dlv enlarging the means of so- 'em ee,tlas. ,u only remain nnrcdressed cia, happiness I he progress of our country ; , l!jls d bu additional cause of complaint, in ber career of greatness, ni only in the vast, 0 aB ss.fravaied character, have ever ir.ce extension "I cr territorial limits and the rapid , r,rinn'atin

viousiy consists in the protection of our nation 1 IZ compiaim lor winch reilress bad al interests from encroach enM or scririce ,,M"amiet h.0,1 . rommiinicated to and our rational honor fromth IWlVr pvrrnmwl ot the Ln.ted St;,te by the must be maintained at any ha?3r? Thev ad S rs i1'"' " i,sh,.nS'o - scrupulously and constantly guarded. In their ihem, however, Mex-o obtafned lurthe vlgllant vinaication, colheion and conCict with - Prudent an Uuren. m his nHil iWe w loreign powers may sometimes become unavoid- jCVrngrts ot he lift h December, states that V jb S beenour scrnpiiIeusaoherencejV3'1"0"?" lrger niim'oer" of our demands to the dictates of justice, in ail our foreign in-! tor Tedre-s.and "many ol them aggravated cases tercourse, that, though steadily and rapidly ad- :ot rvrnl tohj, have been now for years hevincingin prosperity and power, we have giv- - ,os t,,p -'ext:an govcrnmeni, and soim.- of the en no just cause of comnlaint to anv nnrion in A nn'"lo natonal complaint, and those oi the

haveenioved the blessing oi .. lhn ihirrc ak 1 . . .1.; " r.... ...... ,

d v ,m.ri V, J ' " Shttld "eVfr 1C ina"- tivhd from the MexVc-aV min isV??t?"J ZttZ "&!"rSr' !t"hVS haS li?ti' given or ortored; vean of enrlnranceot ar.vated and i.iireilrtyl w nn- b6en "!VO! ""'dered: and that bill tour -on onr part. Mexico. in vio:atton W solemn treaty stip ! J P0" desenpt ons, out Of all those tormallattons, and os every principle oi jn-in-e k,con..-e.l by 'Y f-resnicd, and ecriMVtlv preyed, have as yet rivuizej natioa. coiumenced hosi.iiiirs, and ihns. I.v her been decide 1 upon by the Mexicaa government ' "T"", "1" lt "e" L"1" P-efiwe Hie ad- i President Van P.nren. believing that it would he tkP 7y,,r'W tooHtare! United Stale, resorte-i ioihs .vtremnv U "lh. ,J,. i dress by the oiti.nary means within the power ol

arpealed to the whoie civiliie,t world" for the msiiee mi onr riitw I deem it to be my ,imy lo present to yon on the present occasion, a conplmsed review of n,e injuries xve had snstained. ot the causes a iiich led lo the w ar. and of iiprocress since its rommenrcmeni. Tins is rendered the mor. ncceiisary Ix-carr of ihel nirsapprehonsions which have lo some extent prevailed as i iis ;., an(j tree chiracter. The war has been reyrescteJ asnnjui and unnecessary, and a 6ne of are?;m on onr tpan nimn a w-eak a..d iniared enen,v. Snch emiuwn. . i. ,. entertained Un by a few. have been exteiwx-ely cirnlaiM r.ot only at home h ,t hax be H,,e,4 ihrchoot "Mex.-1 co and the whole w-orid. A more eriiv.i.i

not hax-e been devised to enconra;: tr-; enemy and pro ; th"ir own hands, all our difnculties w ith MexVJLlVv.'iii probably have been lonir s.i .A.

It i a soareeot" national pride ,iM exnltai. ihat t!n erest body ot onr people have thrown o urh o:.;a--b-s i IttirlllyT' '" PsecW,v ,he war m.c T interest a- any sa-riSc. The a'a -r,;y ,-jid prompine.ss hh . iu tup ,m.n "r.i.1 ana mmloil. i end prompt ne.ss with ed in me i t id on their pairhttisni, !sit tlieir Tne wroiitis wh v.e haxv -:gi.-mt C-ch Mexico al r tiiW: sliei tnn fTAMf r 111-3.

-i -ur iwrtnre is itm, penanii rime-.mii ihrl mus, cajinui oo uouotea. t he tia-pa-.Mrni en.tnran.-e w k.-i w n.ch wv hax-e home ih.-m. are i tional honor, and the preservation of the nao'ki;;: s -h"rr th-4 u Z been rr-im. aid resided ini!K-r..-vi instance. Hie piespn : as Onr own Self-respec, and the protection due war n.irhthsx-e been avoided. One ontra-.-e, hoxxtx. i, to onr ow n citizens, would have rendered such petmmedtnpaaswrih lmpninty. a'nic.a ne.-ess.-nlv r:i a risort illdlsriensihV Th. K;,Arn r -coxiraeedilied.TV-,--tratnni,anoi,ier. .uJUtla.-t i, x.c. i , j - " 1 . h,swr.v f no civpcpiik.1 to aunlweioxxeakn.-ssand i,wiecin,n on onr ' na:"n ,n rrio1ern times has presented pen a rVwheara,ic v.h-.ch xto ,.iis,,r,-i nifcinianinu ) v,'htn o brief a period SO many wanton atwih?erSv5IS,..,rt " ''rTV' "S,..,.!,.- ; tacks upon the honor of its flag, and upon the

oned, their vessels seized, and onr flair insnlred in her ports. If money was wanted the chant vessels and their cargoes was a ready re - source; and if to accomplish thmr purpose, ., -" - ' 1'nu.avixiji v unr illrbecame necessary 10 imprison ih owners, can - a. .niM ; . . ; . - . , . nHSf - uici ... .x-w in iaim succession, out still there was no change in this system ot ie - predation. The government of "ihe United . j . j , . c ""en Mates made repeated recfamations on behalf of its citizens but these w er answered by the perpetrat'.on ot new outrages. Promises of redress made by Mexico in the most solemn forms were postponed or evaded. The tile and records of the Department of Stale contain conclusive proots of numerous lawless acts perpetrated upon the property and persons of our citizens bv Mexico, and of wamn insults to onr insults 10 on r notional tiag. The interposition ol onr govi. - i , p erament to obtain redress as a-jain and again invoked, under circiimsiances which no nation t .4.-.,.-.' li was nopen i,iati:iese ciilia?esn.-.ul.i cease, and that ; Mexico sotli.l be re-trair.ed by liie law-s wtik"."! reenlate ir.e condnct of cix iiUed naim.i.s in liKir intercourse xx h.i .-achr.tner afer Ihetiealy oi amity, ior.inier.-e. and nav- ' iiaiion ol tlie fifth April. 131. v. j oic-iided bemo. ,! tnetw-o republic-; Nil mis hope yooa praxed to he xain. ', Tne course of setriire and ronnsi-Ation ot Hie proper; x i o-if cilircTis. itte x-ol,-.iinn iheir i s,m ami ihe m-nll- ; to om tlaa ptirned by Mexiix p.-eviOO-slo liiat lime wt-re scarcely snsjiende.! lor rii a tie, sMtod.aHrHHi;n the treaty clearly dennes n,e rii;hu and nt a.-s of trie r.-s-pecto-e parties i hat il is nnpOr-ibV lo misunderstand r misiake ihem. Inles.-thaii srxcn years after i!m ,-,. . imsIob of ItKit freaiy onr citexan.-cs had hei-time so lOlerable that, in t.ie oninmi: ixi" rre-hiem Jackn. llnx- ; stionld i.-J bweer be evdnred. lo tt i mc-aire t., toii-res-. t"ebrnary. l.tT. he presented thern to i he consider atHin oi" that bode, and declared lhai '-The length ot" time since some of ihe injuries hax-e been committed, the repected ! and anax ailins appiH-aihins i'.h rei rses. t lie wanton jiiar acter ol" some ot"loe onlraecs upon lite properly and per sonsof onr ritrrens. upon ii-o!;.r is aii.1 ti&s ot the f'm ie.1 States, ii dependent of rrs-rnt insnlis to iiiis ox-i-tn ! mem inc (mi:r m uir iA-rrir.x.iminsrv .vcxiean nun ister. would jnsiiiy in liie eyes ot all nations iminediaie war.' In a spiritof kindness and forbearance, however, he recommended reprisals as a milder mode of redress. He declared thai w ar should not be used as a remedy "bv just and generous

ntli.Mic onnhd in.t all tlmi r eiMnitlli " !

..-" , " . .j...,ri ... ,.r. ....s,..r,.,-.i.r.Hi. anine mix-rrst ine o the net. r po-sesseo me power lo reconquer Texus ""ce ami post roaas, in it. he established a committett.it il can be honorably avoided "and ,",cUt rs'riS"' !" lhc "- f thi Secretary of Stnfe of the i "" ofKce,and isued numerou grants lor land, added, ,t has occurred to me that, cons.denne ; lrheV United Slates in a despatch to onr Minister I within its limits. A senator and representative the present embarrassM condition of that conn- c,p,!t the sard vx ,ni ml ihe m,en-s. cv" , ,1 Mexico, under date of the eishth of July, IS40 'residing in it, were elected to the conoress of try. we should act with both wisdom and : T mu Miy "vechosen to consider and m repMic and served as such before"the act erauon. by giving Mexico one more opportunity X,, iTeaHiTmo ., tT rt5 cho' M Mr T hvinr been at look place. to a tone lor ihe past, lieiore w e uke redress 111 ) ,.H ,ir). ,Klr,., .., ,nt her .rnnrharras " since li.C, and as still conli'miin-. a h ,; 'nsr -wvnT,mi of ixa. wh-h cur own hand To avoid all misconception ; n- et. .he c!.,nw.nts be.x-e.wix re.,, ti,, .meres, duew, n-N-llioiis province; but the world ha been ' n."'.'.' 'i..hi 10 tlie I n.i.-d on ihe part of Mexico, as well as 10 protect our ; the thmreih ,.t April, learnt thn . tin- ,wvillv m. ,.,;,, ,,..1.. . ,.,.. .lirw.if , ; tk" . ""'J T.,.!?Lr'v,?7t,T"' ""tr """

. . b .imtxitit I ' " ' - - v.. vi iir- iiiii I" ; -mi" ' vt tip 1 urtTTV u IMI MkK njil-f 1 n fraa

ava,vtu. uaiuini .--.. - s .-, xj-uv 111 1 V liiVltU

and full nreoaration to take immediate r.sf,e'dsleJ',nd cntesaedly dne by Mexico to our

lion, if it should not be obtained on r-nei;. lion of ihe demand for it. To ihis end I recommendthatan act be passed authormnz re - prisals. and the use of the naval force of ihe United States by the Exeautive, against .Vexi-

co, toenforce ihem in the event of a refusal by t . ,atr , F'",nl- e iwo instalments due the Mexican government to come to come to 1 1,1 Apnl Bnd Jul?" Iu44 un'T ,he peculiar ciran amicable adjustment of the mailers in con.iCmNtanciis connected with them, have been iroversy between ns,upon another demond there-1 s$,,,m'', p the nMi Slates nd discharged f, made trom on boad one of our vessels of war I w " claimants but 1 hey are still due by Mexion the coast of Mexico." i c- Bul lhis n,u o which we have jusl

Committees of both Ifouse of Congress, to wiiich this message ot this President was re ferred, fully sustained his views ol the character of ihe wrongs which we had suffered from Mexico, and recommend thai another de - " w ,du .-uunru mandtor redress) should be made before anthoritiog war or reprisals. The Conimitte on Foreign Relations of the Seuate, in tlieir report says: "After such a demand, should prompt justice be refused by ihe Mexican government, we may appeal to ail nations nations no only for the equity and moderation wh which we

shall have act d lownrds a sister republic, but for the necessity w Inch will then oompei us to seek redress for our wrongs, either by actual war or reprisals. Thesubject will then be presented before Congress, at the commencement of the next session, iu a clear and distiuct lorm;and the cooimiitee cannot doubt that such measures will be immediatelv wdopted as may be necessary to vindicate the "honor of our country, and insure ample reparation to onrin-

i jo red citizens," ) The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the ; House of Representatives made a similar re- ; t-omendaiian. In their report, they say that j thev "fullsjconcnr wiih the President ihat am- ' pie cause exists for taking redress into ur own ! hsnds and believe that we should be justified 1 in the opinion of other nations for taking such i a step. But thev are willing to try the exper4 : ..... ... .l jk I 1 - : - . L. .. solemn form, upon the lusliee ot the Mexican ?overumellt, lielora ' Iimt,pr proceedings are a,onl6j " Xo'd.flVrenee of opinion upon the subject i believed t0 have e,d in Yon(r.vs, at that t;m ExePnliv(1 ,nd Legislative depart ,-aviciirred : ond set such has been our f.,rv,.M., , nn-rv n. with Shortly nfj. r the--x? proceedings, a special mes5ens-ei w. is despatched to Mex co. to make a final redrew; :ind on the -flth of July, Is.T., the ilim;iinl was niailc . The reply of the .Mexican sovi-rnment hear' ilate of the twentyiiiiith ol Uie -auif iiionlh, end contains asMirr.nc. s of th. "aniiou- vih" of the Mexican ffov eminent "'not to xlelay the moment of that hi a! .Hid (Veritable a.ijii'inierit whi. h is to te- J rair;:ite the rjs;ing ilifScnltieiV.e!een the two ; governmrnt;" thu 4n.itliinn s!,iiiM hv left nnjdone which may contribute to th-i mo?t sfrettlv jatid f quital.le ileti mination of tl.e suiiiects wiiich l.ave so no!isi viitrngcd the attention of the An,nn an govcrnrat-nt j" that the tlMexjic.m govcrnmoTit wonl.l ntlop!, as the only 1 guiile for its coii.Im-t, tl.e piaitiest principh s ot ; pnhlic lihl. the sacred obligation iiiipi-is by iui.-iiiuii-.mihi inw, nan me relieirnj Initn ot nn. rnuu n,ii law, nnil (ne relieirm l:nth treaties ;' nnd that "whatever n ason nn.l insiB.ivilictate respectine each case, will he ,(lnP I he assnrauce was further given, that T r.e Mexican sovernnrent, upon moM. onMvet-haracter, admitted o! immediate, sijnnin nnri catistaCTori- rrr.).ut ii nnl,. , t i . n- - -. i . , niiniuir i ' r.xeciuive, coiiimunicatett his opinion to t on- ; (tmm . it... . . ... . .. . - 1 . i i . 1.l a caretul rut dehberateexaminntion of ilio - -' I" llllll I IV oi u contents," (of he corre-spondnve with the Mexican govemruent.. 'and considering the spirit mnif.-?tcdriiy the Mexican covernmchu it has become my pa nihil duty to return the subject as it now stands to Congress, to w !io;n it belon gs, to decide upon the time, the mole, and the" measure ot redress." " " , 1 nUe" la,M l that t,me dopted ! compnlsary measures, and la ken redress into ! J,r - , ,Sl ,g wr ten "verted. Magnanimity and moderation on onr port only had the efl'eci to complicate these difficulties. f "micible settlement of t I lh.e mtn tmbarrassing. That snch measures J .- . . 6 . I '"""MH!t- i nai seen measures t redres.,, under similar provocations, commitj ted by any of the powerf ul nations of Europe, 1 til " . ! "OU,U 'J:lVO Promptly resortod to by the j,..-.., ,.uu fu.iu in us vmiens, as nau . ... .. ,r.,v, .i.i,. ; !,nd thas nssdemtions -,i i 1 ,noo"a -ongTess to lorbear i ! ZZ 'pTr, : H.,i w.ih the real pnrrs Tm C ! x11!,1- PP1" rr,,s;t,m wt, h : ll.l-IM -ll,r HI.U lh. A... . , .""-ni.iwnnpn m ine con : xemnn m inrnnmm oi xnril. I;hi. . lfK ainsnneTH 1 ! amis -.t Die cIitctis oi tr-1 med Si.n.v oi imirl '.V'" v-rniment m the Mexin n-puMK-." The joim brr,I ,M commissioners cmie.1 hv this m-.x-eiH lorxam. and do-ide ..is.n th.-,- cil,,, "a Z? ' ,"-'1 "f rnomh of Anrn-i. lni. and under Hie terms ! " I"" r,'" re""n- '!"' w terminate th. ir dunes in . ., xinn-. i onr ! tne ei-hieen momhs Tn coix-ilnled in prehmin-rx .M-.nmn.il'in. .."..!' and ciihiarv pom.s .se,l hv the Mexican cnnmi hr.-rs: - d il xx as nol Mnnl tne Ktomh oi Ue.milr l.-e. ihil n.rx .Yrt exami.isti.xn of inc clim ot iri.ww Mexico, l onneen month. v rr maiiK-d . 111111111 and deride unna ihe " ...j I" ""I1 ."'' cases. In llic nnwih oi ' relmary. Hie t-ri,t n "T ,m,",,w "-.'v" manx rliims nn,ls piweil of lor xx-anl H lime. I tir rlaik I K-h n . t.5 ,tv i,Wr.l. ami bv il nmp. h, 0 con ' vein km i rhs-irte a caspm' dia'reemeni hetoee. iiw, I ican and Vimii nui,.., . ..j.. . . , " --.-"" " mil ... .ir,iii.i, iW iinimreii aihl Ihirtx -n.ue .MIki fi..! mMvci"Iih .-enis There xrere . ' t.treilieiinip-re. w iH-niiiecnminission rxmreri .rwi,..'.,, ,i dams w !.. ii had l,s n examnnd i.d awxrrled Ii H Aim-rir.tn con.imssi,.ners. and hsd i.t been .:!. .-I ine .si-.rnn niminiwninrn. iniilaiiliM ia n.,. , aniitwexnx i-isot llmnsand. s,v extndred"and tweniv xiex.cjn cmmisioners, am. mill in? lo d..ltors ami ei.hlx emi.l eenis. n.Mxn u I....;, iu. j c. .-.:i.-5.ttr that h.s .-.mlHiriix had ccsx-H -,th m i n M ton o: ihe ioinl -hiiiss'mui. B.M--:ie claims. itow were m her nf American ciii .mi ... in ih... ... ,i ' - - - - .iii.t ..i.iinnsi ami minx ... .i. ...hi l....ini ... ., . ne mils which bad i-n -oisiuii.si i, h,ktj andiip ..n which i-x had not iime to .trs-ide be..w iiieufinat ad The ol two ,.,.l!xn 1 Went v -six th-Hlsand one h.. dn-d and lairty-mne do'lars and sixty eieht rmrs. which ha-i ln i x r.rded to ihe .-lainHniis. as a honnuied aiid ss-erta.ned.trbi dxe by aNxm hu h there cmld be no nis,ne. ,i.;d w hich fhc xx ie. Issiiid to nav achor.li.u. i. ihrl, "thecmv.-ntn. S.x (oe Ctrt Sir this amount lid N-en -m.xde. the Mexican ox-ernnient .vKed tor.- rs-siponei.ient of the litneoi nmk.ns n.-, ,e.,i ",.. ,?,, lime supniatci" In ZJZL sl.s-n. lb .1 it won!.! 1. ine.xnx-enieni in Mii.th. lin,b-s!.,i ,siT otsi14h-. wh-ii m K.. J". lone ahiws'.t.ierwiieit ares promnilv .implied w ith her r.Nn.-4. A s,v.HHl conxTiwio.. n accordmilv eon,-hi.bn lvxveen thclw-o .vx-ernmenis on Ine ibirlitsb 1 ...m... Mi wiin-hn,- ,w faee eVrtoresVtto 1- .mV! n-i,i isen..-,.s, ,n. w x ne sx.sromnmrt.xvin or Mxi". 1 w 1 1. .1. .- . 1 . -" "S as indemnity for acknowledged acts i ' ""i ?nd 'ng, wa secured bv ireaty, ' !lle hich are ever held saeerd : -. a 1 3lsl ,,all0ns' .v -Mexico has violated this ! so,'mni'nffr,'''. W failia? and refusing 10 , . comr'a",u Pvide a remedy for the el limauts w hose cases were not decided by the joini commission under the Convention of April I lih 18,19, u was expressly stipulated bv 1 , . . . . ... . . - . j 1 "'c' h Conventton ot ihe 30th Y' .. 'a. - a new invention snail be entered into for ihe settlement of all claims of the governmdnt and cittxens of the United States against the republic tf Mexico, which were not finally decided by the late Commission w hich met in theCitv of ashiugton, and of all claim of the government and citizens ot Mexico against Ue United States."

In ronfnnnnv w ith this snpnlaimn. a third rnnx-entiori wrs concludi! and signed at the C.iy of Mm-o on the -Joili " Noxenils-r. 1K)3. by the plenipotentiaries ol' the li f . vmmenw. by whioil pnn-ision -wniAe fnr tceerliimnt ai4 pavin thrac clatitis. In Jaiwcrv, ihi r-n-wntttm wits r.ii.tiol hy Hie cnc ol il raited Aatm, i;h two i":i!nrntii v hirh were msnitestly TKfonal!e in ih-irchar.trttr. I" pun a refrrem-e of the amewlnn-nts propfMBft In Hie rnvemmml of Mei-o.theKaaie evasionf. (t.rh'Tirt.ies. ami delays were interp!Pel whicii have o Knit narked the jii,-y oi' that fO-ertmK'nt toward the I'niuM It hs? n,ii even yrt nVciib-H wheilhr it wmiM nr oult i:ot arctvh' t thern. ahhonah th' mljert has ln-en ev-ateillv prrwpd upon it consider M ion. Meviro has inn violated a secwxl time the tail h of trealiw. hy rSiluiror reiiisin lorarry inmoitivi lh,- sivih rt rl -Oi' lhri onvcntion M' January, Mich is a history of live wrongs which we have suileredand pjtiently endured from Mexico, throngh a long series of years. So far from affording reasonable satisraction for the injuries and insult we had borne a great aTravation of them consists in the fact, that while the I'. States, anxions to preserve a good understanding with Mexico, hive been constantly bin vainly employed in seeking redress foi past wrongs new t.ntrages were constantly occurring.wiitch have continued to increase our

causes oi complaint, ana to swell the amount ol ourdemands. While thcitizens of the U. "tates were conducting a law ml commerce with Mexico, under the guaranty of a treaty of "amity, commerce, nnd navigation," mailt of them have suflered all the injuries which would have resulted Irnui open war. 1 his treaty, instead of affording protection to our citizens, has been the means ol inviting them into the ports of Mexico, that they might be, as they have been in numerous instances, plundered of their property, and deprived of their personal libem if they dared insist on their rights. Hal the n ilr.u ".ii seizures of American propf-rtv anl iho vi!a.n oi pervntiai linmy oi our riliicn. as-,y noiliins oi tlie iiiMi'irioour iia tii h ha e orcnrrvsl in the ports oi Mf-vico. Iskrn plftcc on I he hish -5is. Kiev n-onM Idem selves lone since hav-ecoiisinnted a aieoi "a-inal war beInnun w lltl-AlllllrH lo ; . yiola'ehvr hbK -....nin treaty oMijaTiona. pliin.rer our c! it-ti iiw ir properly, jimi linpr,.il liieir r-oyiJ. wr.n .ii.-mii.ii a ir-(ne-.we liae 11,-41 HI iierf'ilr.ii oiieoi ihellot and hwhest rintiewliii-li every trovermnem owe-to i- rili7eri- and tile coiiquene has ln that many on hr-ni have he'ii reduced inn a -:a'e of affluence lo lianKrnp ry. Tlie proud nameni Anwi rcanican rnixen, hi.li oiifi,'. to protect all ho hear il from insnh S, jn jjurx mini,eiiin iricmwiq, nasamH.iea no i.-n protection ... .Mir c n it hi in siexico. we n.-ui ample cause 01 war aiain Mex:.- ..n l-rore Hie hrvakin: om cd'ho-tiliiie Bill even lin-n we Tortioreto take redress our om n hands. I o:iiii .M-ico I terpen iwvaine iiie ajeresior. i,y im adint inir ! i in h.v-iile arrsy. and sheddin: the M.md m onr chijLens. Such are the grave causes of complaint on the part of the United States against Mexicocauses which existed long before the annexa lion of Texas to the American Union; and jet, animated by the lov- of peace, and a magnanimous moderation, we did not adopt those measures of re. I ross which, undet such circumstances, are the justified resort of injured nations. The annexation of Texas to the United States constituted no just cause of offence to Mexico. The pretext that it did so is wholly inconsistent, ann irreconcilable with the well authenticated facts connected with the revolution by which Texas became independent of Mexico. That this may be the more manifest, it may be proper to advert to the causes and to the history of the principal events of that revolution. 1 txas constiluteu a portion ot tlie ancient I 1 txas constituted a portion of tlie nrnnn n UiiKism. radi in tl.i I' C... I I . Males by r ranee in the year 1803. In the year 1819 - - , ....... . i . iiuoj J the Unitod States, by the Florida treaty, ceded, to Spain all that part of Louisiana within the present limits ol Texas; and Mexico, by the revolution which separated her from Spain, and j render her an independent nation, succeeded to j the rights of the mother country over this terri tory, in the year I rm, .Mexico established a federal constitution, under which the Mexican republic w.is composed of a number of sovereign States, confederated together in at federal Union similar to our own. Lach of these Slates had its own Executive. legislature and judiciary, and for all, excep i c i J - ' rAV.l . federal purposes, was as independent of the general government, and that of the other States, as is Pennsylvania or Virg:nia under our constitution. Texas and Coahuila united and formed one of these Mexican States. The State constitution which they adopted, and which was approved - by the Mexican confederacy, asserted that they were "free and independent of the other Mexican United States, and of every other power and dominion whatsoever," and proclaimed the . great principle of human liberty, that "ihe sovereignty of the Stale resides originally and essentially in the senernl mass ol individuals who compose it." To the government under this constitution, as well as to that under the federal constitution, tne people oi I exas owed allegiance. Emigrants from foreign countries, including the United States, were invited by the coloni" zaiion laws of the State and of the' federal gov e coloniernmcnt to settle in Texas. AdAantageous terms were offered to induce them to leave their own country and become Mexican citizens. This, invitation was accepted by many of our j . citizens in the fail faith that in thoir new home ' they would be governed by lawscdacted by representatives elected by them selves and that iheir lives liberty and property would be pro tected by constitutional guarau thes similar to ............. ..j .ii icucii aim t-iaiv constitutions, a4 placed a military dictator at j the neaa oi me government. Bv a sweeping deoret of Con? re subervi. I W'" 'c?11' I 'VM,S ' J ' S Ished. and the State themselves converted into mere departments of the Central government. The people of Texas were unwilling 10 submit to this usurpation. Resistance to snch tyranny became a high duty. Texas was fully absolved from all allegiance to the Central Government of Mexico from the moment lhai Government had abolished her State constitution, and in iis'place stihinii'.ed an arhiirary and despotic Central government. Such WT1lw principal causes oftJic Texas rex-ol1iion. The people of Texas at once determined npon res .stance ami tlew toaims In ihe midst of these important and eciiinex.-ni. however, ihcx did nol o...n i i. .s... I linen n-i upon a secmre arxt permanent f.Mindaiion. Tliev .ri .Man II tMii. " e-ecle.1 nx-nilTs 10 a r.inx-entKn,w ho, in il month 01 k issn.w a nnmaiiieri.xr.itmn thai Iheir -poli.i n w-ilfc the Mexican nalnm hasforex-er'e,wled. ami ilia, llic peoph-01 Ti-xas do noxv cxxi.stitute a -iRi.r I sovmrwe. ffnd li nvprtirT arei i n-. and are ftillv i . ?nci lalllh .j .,, ,ilh. rha .n.1 nnM. wi. i . . . . " " ........ r. M to iiHicpvmk-ni naiin. Tnex also .l.ipie.1 for I he ir ' t:""err.meiit a liheral republican cinssitniion. Ahnnt the ! m' Mma.tnen lliedirtaior ol Mexi.-xxinva I fsi IVxas xx nil a nninerons arini buttle pnr;.ise m'.n!, ihnn her -ople, and enforcine obedience to his arbitrary 1 aml l,i",ti'' eovMrnirteni. hi the ..!it o April. l.Vii. he was met I.y ihe Texan chiton soldiers, ami on that dav was j achiex-ed hy win the mr-morahle vict.irx of San Jacinto ; hv w I"1"1' t'ley coo.pier.il ih.Hr iniR'pendence. f.isi,li-r """" w.xc.-.i mine res-t,x-e ocs. h,snir I does not record a more lHrilli-.nl a. hicx-emeni. ssms x. i . . I hmisi'lt s-.sinonct ie l aimxes . r-ani. Anna ' In th iiionlh of Mav, I8 IG, Santa Anns .ic- ! knowlrtlccl, hy.i treaty wihthe Texan atis '?r,W V," h,rm,"the lH, en- ' pcrtccl lllilepenileliee of the Republic ' f Texa." It is true he w a then a prisoner j of war. but it i etiiiallf trne he l iile.1 to eon- , -i- i . . is uum m nw WT ,,"l met ttal defeat: that his authority had Dot been rex-oketl. and i that bv lillim of this treat v lionl.l.ln..! i.;. 1 i i ... i. i i-. - " I F " ,l. suspend i an" nrmv winch liad invaded 'JVxas under his command retnrmHl in pursmnce of this arraneenient, unmolested, to Mexico 1 ... .l . .. . ... . . r?m t,w! KT ,hHt of ' Jinto wa fought unltl the present hour, Mexico ha tcr. From the time of the battle of San Jacinto, i April IS-fiyo the present moment, Tex-1 as ha exhibited the same external s rn of tional indopetidence as Mexico herself, and with ... . .... , quite as mnen statiiuty ol liox-ernment. Practically Tree and independent, acknowledged as a political sovereignty by the principal Powers of the world, no hostile foot finding rest within her territory for six or seven vears.

and Mexico hervelt retraining ler all that period I a swrveytw to collect the revenue shou'd he aprsMnted 1 tor from any farther attempt lo re-establish lierj""" I""1 h" the rresntont. hy and with Ihe advice and

own authority over tha territory, it cannot but be sarprisuis; to find Mr. de Bocanesrra, f the Se cretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico,) "complaining that for the whole period citizens of he United States, or of its government have beer, favoring the rebels of Texas, and supplying ihem wuh vessels ammunition ane money, as if the war for the reduction of the province of Texas, had been constantly prosecuted by Mexico and her success prevented by these influences from abroad." In ihe same despatch, the Secretary ot State affirms that "sine 183? the United Slates have regarded Texas a an independent sovereignty, as much as Mexico; and thai trade and commerce with citizens of

a government at war with Mexico, cannot, oil .hat aeeount, be regarded as an intercourse by which assistance and succor are given to Mexicaa rebels. The whote current of Mr. do Bo-v-anegra's remarks runs in the same direction as it the independence of Texas had not been acknowledged. It has been acknowledged il was recognized in 1837 against the remonstrance and protest of Mexico; and most ol :he ac:s of any importance, of which Mr. de Bocanegra complains, llow necessarily from that recognition.

lie speaks of I eas as siitl being "an iniejral part ol ibe territory of the Mexiran republic,'" hut h cannot but underhand that I!m I nitetl Males do not so retard il. 1 ha real mmpiainl of Mexico, theref.irr, is. in nhsiaure. nenher more nor less than a complaint asamM the rerog - e.iasiiinepcnaence. iimav he tnonnhi ratner late to repeat thai complaint, and tut qnitc jn.1 lo rophne inaiiiet. Mutes, to the evempiioa M Cneland. Franre. and Ueteiinu. Hnless the t'nite.1 Slate, haviiit been I lie i.sl lo a knon lerle the independence uf Mevico licrself. are to tw blamed for etiim an example for the renrniiloa ot thai of l exa-." And he added, lhai "ihecontitulin. piibiic treane.. and Uielan-.oMi.e im rreaideni lo recall l eva as an independent Plate, and iuterrttorv as no pari .il the lerrilory ol Mexico. Texas had been an inpependent Stare, with an organize provernnirnt. defvinf the power oi Mex co w overthmw or reconquer her for oiore ilian tea years before Mexico commenced the present war aaainslthe I nh-d States. Texas had fivca such evvlenre hi Ihe wori.1 ot her ability to mainiain her separate ex is tence as an independent nation, thai she had twen form ally rernanired as snrh. nmonlv hv Ihe I nued relates. -., i.y e,er,ii oi i.-ie prim-iial powers of Europe. Th-se pnuers Itail entered mm treaties of annlv. com mecce. ami i avir Jton wuh lier. Tney had le-ened and a-erciii.v ,. r iniiusii-rsami .lipior.miV ae:ns at their re swsli-e conns, a;t lliey had commissioned niiinsrers and itip!onio:i.- f,;, nlson lli.-ir part lo ihe chi iiiiim ,.l ol Tex . li Mpi.-o.n.hw'iihKiidin; all ih.. s,d her inter ina biliiytociiS,iekrn-.-on)iieT'IVas.siiil Miibhonily n-l'us-t to re.-os nize h-i as an ind.-t. .d.-iit nat ion. she xx a none il- fe-ss-o.n ifiji a.-.-.wni. Mexi-o her-li'had been rerof-i-d a an imlr-nendem nation S the t niieij ta"ei. ami hy tln-r p..xyers. many years !-rv Sp.-m. m xvhirh. le S.re her l-v liu i,in. slie "had lieen a cojonv. woi W auree to recome a,s sin-h; aint yet M.-xn o xv'as at His' iiniv. in ihe e-iini.-i io.i of i!.o-ivilie. unrM. Slid in fart, now tlie l an iiiri-ienden pnxx-er because Spam Mill claimed her aaco:oTi . Ii'.-spain hid connniied mil Hie present pc rio.1 lo xti thai Mexico was ..ne of lier cnionn-s in reb.4 lion anain-t lier, tins wem'd 11.H l.ixe nia.h her.sivixrchaa-s(.-d iln- lacioi Ini lnd-p.-lHten, existence. Texa.aMhe period o! her annexalio.i lolhe t'niied Siaies, bo.-o ihe same rela! ion to Me.xi.-o mat Mexico had h..rne to Spain manv vears before Spain had a- knou l e.tsred her independence, with this iiiipo tant di.ferrnre Inai. helot the annexation ot leva-, loth.- V. Stales n ascoiisiimniate t. Mexico heisrlf, hv a forma! artftxfher (ox-erunieiit, had ar know h-,1ced i lie independence. Te as as a i.ali.in. i it mif thai in the act of recognition sue presciiSed a c.iniliiion wh.ch she had no poer or uthontv lo impose, that Texas should not si.nex her -II lo any miiei Power: Ih.1 this ro:d not deiracl in,anv de tree trom the recogmiion w hich Mexk othen made of her a. lual independence. I (Kin 1 plain siatemeni of facu. it is ahsiir.t lor Mexico lo al'-e.asa pretext ror com meneinit h-Mihtiesasrainst ihe t'niied Slates, that Texas is siitt a pari ol her lerrito. y. But there are those who, conceding all this to be true.assome the ground lhai ihe true wes tern boundary of Texas is the Nueces, instead ol the Rio Grande; and that, therefore, in marching our army to the east bank ot the latter river, we passed the Texas line, and invaded the territory of Mexico. A simple statement offsets known to exist, willl conclusively refute such an assumption. Texas, as ceded to iho U. Stales by France in 1803, has been always claimed as extending west to the Rio Grande or Rio Bravo. This fact is established hy the authority of onr most eminent statesmen ,.;; . V. "i, . n, L.,,., J . i . .........c B3 n urn ll not belter understood than at present. DnriugMr. Jefferson's administroiion,MeNsrs. Monrotst,nd Finckney, who had been sent on a special mission lo Madrid, -charged, among oiher things with the adjustment of boundary between tho.two covin teies, in a nore ndressed to the Spanish Minister of Foreign A.Tairs undei date of the 29th of January, 1805, assert that the boundaries of Louisiana, as ceded to ihe Unitod States by France, "are the river Perdido on the east, and the river Bravo on the west;" and they add, that "the facts and principles which justify this conclusion are so , Y J T c r gr"mPnl s '"'"ce it tnat the United States have not a better r o-ht to the island of Ixew Orleans under the cecession referred to than they have to the w hole district of territory w hich is above described." l.:i i . . . . . o Down lo the conclusion of the Florida treaty, in February, tol9, by which this territory was ceded to Spain, the United States asserted and maintained tlieir territorial rights 10 this extent. In the month of June, 1818, during Mr. Monroe's administration, information having been received that a number of foreign adventurers had landed et Galveston, with the avowed purpose of forming a settlement in that vicinity, a special messenger was despaiohed by the government of the United Slates, w ith instructions lrum mo cecreiary oi cine lo warn them to j Ues,st' M'uld they be found there "or any oth1 " p jiuimui me ivio ivravo, ana witlun the territory claimed by the United Siaie.'' He was instructed should they be found in the country north ol thai river, to make know n to them "the surprise with which the President has seen possession thus taken without authorly trom the limed Mates Of a Dlace within their territorial limits, and upon which no lawful settlement can be made without their sanction." He .ms instructed to call upon them to "avow under w hat national authority they professed to aci," and give them diie warning "that tiio place is within the United States, w ho will surt'er no permanent settlement to be made there, under any other authority than iheir ow n." As late as the 8ih of Jnly, 1 84 2 . the Secretary of Slate of ihe United States, in a note addressed lo our Minister in Mexico, maintains tha by the Florida Treaty of I5JI9, the territory so far west as the Rio Grande was confirmed to Spain. In that note he states that "by the treaty of the twenty-second February, 1819, be tweentho United States and Spain, 'the Sabine was adopted as the line of boundary between the tw o powers. Up lo that period, no considerable colonization had been effected in Texas, but the territory between the Sabine and the Rio Grande being confirmed to Spain by the treaty, applications were made to that Power for grants of land; and such grants, or permissions t-l settlement, were in fact made bv the Spanish authorities in favor "of citizens of the I United States proposing to emigrate to Texas . , s " """raie in 1 exas ill numeious families before ihe declaration of independence by Mexico." The Texas which was ceded to Spain by ihe Florida treaty of 1819, embraced all the country now claimed by the State of Texas between tlie Nueces and the Rio Grande. The republic of Texas always claimed this mer as hor w estern boundary, and in her treaty made w ith Santa Anns in May 1836, he recognized it as snch. By the constitution which Texas adopted in March 1836, senatorial and representative districts w ere organized, extending west ol the Nueces. The conoress of Texas, on the IQ,h of December, 183f5, passed . ... I ber. IMTtri nsssd "un t aA .1AC.,,. , , TkpnMlt. Q( Texas;" in which they declared ' ' Grande trom its month to its source, lo j be ll,'r boundary, and bv the said act they extended their "civil and political jurisdiction over tlie country up 10 that boundary. During a period rvf more than nine years, which intervened between the adoption of her consolation and her annexation as one of the States of our Union, Texas asserted and exercised many acts of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the territory nnd inhabitants west or the Nueces. She organized and defined the limits of counties exlending to the Rio Grande. She established courts of justice and extended her judicial system over ihe territory. Siie established a cus-toiii-honse, and collected duties and also post,Mn T,u was the Texas w inch, hx the an 01 ZZ": '..1 n.ei ,ied si.. ....a.Ij '., 1 J.. .' ... ,1 1,1 nnexa01' our as adnieTPss M l,4r.K i . ..-......,1 x,wr i 1 exas XX they fNlmi' ed mm the I'ni. to extend beyond ihe Nueces is apparent trom .he i-l. that on tlie thirti first of lirremler, IM.K only two day-, af.er the art of admiwioii. they pa-wd a law "tncstahhsh aco'le-nondistrn l in the sXaie ol Texas, by which they created port of dclix-erv at Vnrpus riinwti. situated west or ihe Nueces, and heilx tlie same point at w hich the Texas rnsiom-house. nnder the ixx-sin iiuu n-snir. nan reen .orated, and directed thst consent 01 tne .senate. surveyor w as accord in!,mated and confirmed hy ihe Senate, and has been ever since ia Lie pet mrmai ce of h dmiea. All these arts of the repnblic of Texas, ami of onr ltrew, preeeded the ordera ibe advance of onr arniT to the east bank of liie si. uismn. .-.11 -.-n.n-.i.i,. o,i-jrr passed an act es. o-si-iiiiii e-i-.i, ..run's. rxterhliruT w-4 of the The country west of that river j ttttes a part of one of the Congressional districts 01 1 exas, ana is represented in the House of Representatives. Tha Senators from thai Stale were chosen by a legislature in which the coun try west of that river was represented. In view of all these fads it is difficult to conceive upon what ground it can bo maintained thai in occupying the country west of the Nueces wiih our

army, with a view solely to to its security and

ueieucr, we invauea me territory ol .Mexico. But il would have been still noro difficult to justify the F.xecutive, wltoe duty il is to see that iho laws be laiihfully executed, if in ihe face of all these proceedings, both uf the Congress of Texas and the U. Stales, he hadavumed the responsibility of yielding up the lerrilory west o( ihe Neuces to Mexico, or of refusing to protect and defend this territory and its inhabitants, including Corpus Christi, ns well as the remainder of Texas-aoainsl the threatenedMexican iuvasion. But Mexico hcrsself has never placed the war which she has waged upon the ground that our army occupied ihe intermediate territory between ihe Nueces and the Rio Grande. Her retutod pretension thai Texas was not in f ict an independent State but a rebellious province, was obsiiiuaiely persevered in and hor avowed purpose in commencing a war with the United Stales was to reconquer Texas and to restore Mexican authority over the whole territory not to the Nueces only, but lo ihe Sabine. In view of ihe proclaimed menaces o Mexico to this effoct, I deemed it my duty, asa measure of precsuuon and defence, to order ur army to occupy a position on our frontier as a miliiary post, Ironi '.vhich our noops could best resist and repel anyatlempted invasion which Mexico might make. Unr army Lid occupied a position at Corpus Clinsii, w &si of the Xuecae. as early as Aegust I84j, without complaint from any quarter. Had the Nueces been regarded as the irue western boundery of Texas, that boundary had been passed by our army many months before t advanced to the eastern bank of iho Rio Grande. , In my annual message ol December last, I informed Congress, that npon invitation of both the Congress and Convention -of Texss, I had deemed it proper lo order a strong squadron to the coast of Mexico, and to concentrate an efficient military force on ihe Western frontier of Texas, to proieci and defend the inhabitants against ilia menaced invasion of Mexico. In that mess.ige I intonned Congress that the moment the terms of annexation ottered by the U. Stales were accepted by Texas, ihe laiter became so far a fpari of our ow n country as lo make it our duty to afford such piotecti'on and defence; and thai for that purpose our squadron had been ordered to the Gulf, and our army lo "take a position between the Nueces and the Del None,"or Rio Gran.Ie, and "lo repel any invasion of the Texan tarritoty which mioh't be attempted by the Mexican lorces." Itwi& oit-Mj-il proper to issue tin- order, because, son n after, the President oi Texas, in April. 1.",. had issii.hI Ins liorl.-M.i.iiinn com en i ii? Ihe ncress thai republic. f.ir tlie purpose of siiUiiilltn lo that body tlie I. ruts uf annex ation pmgiosixl hy tlie 1'nited Slates, Uh Mexican poxernmenl made sorknis threats nt invadinc the Texan irrritnrv. These threats hecaiiu more tmpoMiia ai u became more apparent, in th.-prostessol'tliecpiosiion. ihat l lie people ot Texas would decide in tax or ol accept iiij the terms of annexatiou: &m, tmally. Hh'v had assiiuieii such a turunda hie chareeler. as induced both ihe t'onzrew and t'onventmn oi' Texis lo nspH-st that a military force slamld lie sent hy tt:e t ni'.ed Slates into her territory for liie putposcof piotectint and ileTerHliiit hera?ain4 the tlireateneil inx-a-sion. It would hax els-en a loiation of pml faiili towards ihe people ot Texas to hax-e n fused loarl'orrithe aid w hich they desired acainst a threatened invasion, to which they had U-en evposi-d by ilK'ir treedctcrtnituiion to anim x tliemseh-es to onr I'nion. inroniphancew iih theox-er-tiire niaile hy litem hy Ibe join! res.nnti.in ," onr neress. Aceordinirly a portion of the nrmv was ordered to advance inlo Tex.is. t:ir)n t'hristi was the position 'elected hy General Taylor. He encamped at thai place in August, Ib45, and the army renmincd in that nosi lion until the Itlh of March, ls-lb", when it movet! westward, and on the twenty eighth of that month reached the cal bank of the Rio Grande opposite to Mat.'imorus. This tunveinent was made in pursuance of orders from the War Department, issued on the thirteenth of January, lis-lfi. Ilefore lhee order were istrei, the despatch of our minister in Mexico, transmitting the decision of the Council tf Government ol Mexico, adttsiiigth.it he should not be received and also the despatch of our consul residing in the city of Mexico the former bearing date on the lTlli, sin.l tiie fitter on the JSihof December, lSi., copies of both of which accompanied my mes-age to Cnncre ol the I Ilh of May Inst w ere received at I he Department of State. These communications rendered it highly probable, if not absolutely certain, that our minister would not be received by the government ol General licircra. It also well known that hut little hope could be entertained of a different ieti!t liom General Paretic in ease tr.e revolutionary movement which he was prosecuting should prove successful, as was highly probable. The partisans ol Feredes as our tuinisUr, in the despatch referred to, states, breathed the fierxest hostility against the United States, denounced the proposed negotiation n treason, nrd openly called upon the troops and the iieo pie t- put down the government of-liener by force. The leconqtiestof Texas, and w.ir with the United States, were openly threatened . These were the circumstance existing, w hen it was deemed proper to order the army tinder the command of General Taylor to advance to the western frontier of Texas, mid occupy a position on or tear the Rio Giande. The apprehensions nfaronteinplaled Mexican I evasion have been since fully jiutined by ihe event. T!ie deters mination of Mexico to rnsli into hostilities w ilh the I nil ed Mate w at arterwarha manifested from the whole tenor of tne noleol the Mexican Minister ot l oreiqn AHairlo our M imsier, bearine data on Ihe lath ot March, lei Parades had Ihen .revolritmnlred the government, and h: minister, afier ret. rrmn to Hie resolution for the an noxatinn of Texas, which had baen adopted hy our Conf ress ia March, laii, proceeds lo declare. "ihat a fact such as this r to speak, xx ilh g irate, exactness, j noialile a;l a.-t of nsurpatmn, eiened an imtterioua necessiuthat Mexico, for heroxvn honor Imh id repel it with proper lirmnessanddig nily. The Supreme Government had belorehand declared that it would look up.ui nirh an a.-t "' hehi ; and as a consequence of this declaration pe?o:iati..n w ashy Its very nature at an end, and w ar was ihe only recotine of the Mexican Government." It appears aUo, ihu on ihe fourth ol April follow ing. General Paredes througli his Minister of War, issued orders to the Mexican General in command on the Texan frontier to "atlack our army by every means which war per mils." 10 llus Waneral Parades! had been pledged 10 the auny and people of Mexico during the revolution which had brought him into poxver. On the 18lh of April, 1846, Gen. Paredes addressed a letter to tha commander on that frontier, in which he stated to him, "at the present date I suppose you are at the head of that valiont army, either fighting already, or preparing for a campaign; and supposing you already on the theatre 01 operations, andwith all ihe force assembled, ii is indispensibln that hostilities be commenced, yourself takinrr the imitative, agninst the etiomy." The movement of onr army to ihe Kin Grande w as marie hy the com m a no 1 m general under positive orders to atrstain lion, all affni-es-sive acts tow ard M. lii o, or Mexiran citizens, and 10 retard relations between the two countries as peareiiil, unless Mexico should declare war or commit acts of hostility indicative of a slate of arand the-eorders he faithfully executed. Whilst oecunv' ine bis pmiuon on tlie east bank oi ihe R to Grande with tn the limits of Texas ,1m. recently admitted as one of the States ol ...u Town, the comma miin eeneral of the Mexican loices. who. in liuraiianreoi'the otder of iiu -over n men t, had collected a laree army oa the opposite shore of the R:o Grande, crossed ihe river invaded onr lerritory.andcominmiced hostilities i,y attackm onr threes I bus, after all the injuries which we had received and borne trom Menro.and al.er.be fcad insnltinBlv rejected a minister sent to -her 011 a mission of peace. ad Cvhoni slie had solemnly agreed 10 receive, she ronsnmaied her ton? course of mtrafe against our country bv cominen mm an ortensive. war and s10dding the Wood of onr crti sen on onr own soil. a 1 The United States never attempted to acquire Texas by conquest. On the contrary, at an early period, alter the peeple of Texas had achieved their independence, theo sought 10'be annexed to tfe United States. At a gvner.il electton in September, I83b the; decided with great unanimity, in favor of "annexation ;" nnd in November following the Congress of the republic authorized the appointment of a minister to bear their request to- ibis gevernment This government, however, having remained neutral between Texai and Mexico, durin.r the war between Ihem, and considering'ii due to the honor of our country, and lair fame anions the nation of the earth, that we shonld not at this early period consent to annexation, nor until 11 should be manifest to the whole woild that the reconquest of Texas by Mexico was impossible, refused to accede to the overtures made by Texas. On the 12th of April. 1844, and alter more than seven years had elapsed since Texas had established her independence, a treaty was concluded for the annexation of that republic to the United Slates, which was rejected by the Senate. Finally, on the first of March, I84., Congress passed a joint resolution for annexing her to the United States unon certain preliminary conditions lo which her assent was required. The solemnities which characterized the deliberations and conduct of the government and people of Texas on the deeply interesting questions presented by these resolutions are known to tho world. The Congress tJie Executive, and the People ot Texas in a convention elected for that purpose accent ed with great unanimity ihe proposed terms of annexation; and thus consummated on her part the great act o restoring to our federal Union

a vast territory, w hich had been ceded to Spain by the Florida treaty more than a quarter of a century helore. After tin- juu.t maohitiOri for the annex at inn of Tea tn.liie I'ii ileal States had been passed hjr our Coniress, II

t:.u.. niinrsu-r ai whin;tori addressed a note to ine Secretary of Mate, beannc dale on the sixth of March. le4S. pn.niH3 asainsl it as -an art of ajrirression, UninnsiutijiM win. hran he found recorded in Ui: annals ot aiodTn lust.irx ; namelv; th,xt of iHvpoilmc a friendly aaHon. like Mexinsof a conxii.-raiiie pn ion of her territory; and prmei i'i2 n( uie rrso.u!im of annexa. 1011, as isms an art,'-xx heiehy the province of Texas, an intccra' ponionoi ihe M.-xicanb-Tritorv.is agreed and ailmitted mtilhe Arneriran l aiiw." and he animnnre.1 lhai, as a -i-stpien-e. his mis-Min loil- I nued Slate had lernlie.1. a.td ik-man.ied his parns. which were granted. 11 w s up. .11 the aiisaini preiext, made by Me.xH-o. , her-s-lt imle!ed Iter in.t. jK-.i.b-nce 10 a suci-es-ful revoininml "hat .lie repnlili.-iH Texas -lill conlimied 10 be. no;u nhsiaadin: a'l tha' had pmnI. a prox lece of Mexn-o thai Ihis step ti as taken by the Mil Kan minister, livery honorable rfloit had b e 1 u -ed t. nic-li ivoid tlnwar v hich bdlowed, but all have proved aiu. Alt out atiernpte to preserve ptstce nave Veil met bv in-ult and rtaisianceon the part ol Mexico. vlveti.His 10 iht end coinnienceit in the note ol the Seer tary of State of ihejtcrith -f March lM 'i, in answer to I'ut of the .Mexican 1 ii. i.sl. r. Whilst designing to re-open a d.cussion w hich had already ocen exhausted, and proving again what wa known to the whole world, :liat 'I ti.is hai long bince achieved In r nid.-pen-Ji-nee. iheStvi't-iaiy d Siate expre.ssiiig the re gret ot thi.s government thai Miako should have taken otleiK-e at the reeolutioa ot annexation jaikscd bv Coiu i'-s , nud cave asuratici' that out "niocl stit iicuoKS i-lt.irls Valine devoted to the imicable a ljustmont ot every ciuse of complaint aelwecn ib-i two governments, and to the cultivation of ine kindest and most friendly relations it 1 ween iiu sister reniiblic.: That I have acted in the spirit of Uiis assurance, will appear ftom ihe events which have since occurred. Notwithstanding Mexico bad abruptly terminated all diplomatic intercourse with the United Stales, and oaht, therefore, to have been the first to ask for its resumption, yet, waiving all ceremon; , I embraced iho eariiesi iavorable opportunity "to ascertain from ihe Mexican government whether ihey would receive an envoy from ihe United states intrusted with full power to adjust all the questions iu dispute between the two governments.'' In September, 134,1 believed the propitioas moment tor such an overture had arrived. Texas, bv the enthusiastic and almost unanimous will of her peoj.le, had pronounced in favor of anaexation. Mexico herself had agreed to ac knowledge the independence of Texas, subject to a condition, it is irue, which she had no right to impose aud 110 pow er to enlorce. 1 he last lingering hope of Mexico, if she siill could have retained any, that Texas would ever a?ain become one of her provinces must have been abandoned. The consul of the United Siaie.s at thecyii of .Mexico w as, tliwrcloro, instructed by the Secre tary of State on the fifteenth of September, 1845 to make enrmry ot Hie Mexican government The enquiry was made, and on the fifteenth of October, 1845, the Minister of Foreign Affairs 01 ihe .Mexican government, in a note address .1.. I r ,. eu 10 our cousin, gave lavor&tue response, and requesting! at thesame (time, that oar naval force might be withdrawn from Vera Crux, w lnle negotiations should be pending. Upon ihe receipt of this note, our naval forces was promptly w ithdrawn from Vera Cruz. A min ister was immediately appointed, and departed 10 Mexico. Fvervthinw bore a promising- as pect lor a speedy and peaceful adjustment of all our diitictuues. At she iiaieof iiivaiiiiii.-ilmess,xtetol'on?resK.in Decern her List, no doubt was entertained lull that he would be re--i-iveil hyihe Mexican toverHmeut. and tlie hope w a.s cherislie.1 tha- all cause ot" iiiisiindersiaudiiix lietxxeen the tw o conntries would ho spjeddy remnxed. In the roiitidenl .'lope uial siicn would ' toe result ot hi- mission. 1 inform ism oneressinat I birbore 5' thai tunc in -recHiiined such ulterior measures of redress for the wrongs and injuries w e had so lob Isirne. a.- il xvonld have lieen proper 10 make ann 110 si.cn ii'toiia'ton neon liisiiiuet. To my surprise and rcre' tlie Mexican rovemmeul ilmiiEh soeluinly pledged lo do so, iis.n the arrival of our minister in Mcxn-o. reiiesni to receix-e ami accredit hun. Wlien lie n-a-Hied Vera t'niz, on thnlhirteeiiih oi Nox-ein-l-r. lr'-s.,. he found th.-.i iheaspect of a'l'sirs hs.l iind.-iione an unhappy chance. Tlie -m-eminent of Jen. Ilerrera. w no was tt ihat time ('remittent 01 I he republic, xv as lotu-r ins to its full. Iri n. rara.h-s (a militarx- M-a.ler1 had man itemed his rtc:eriuinatiou lo overthrow i!h: eox i-riiiueul of Ilerrera. by a military rexolunoii; and onviX the priuciial means winch lie einploye, tn erteet ilw purinse. aud render the coxeriiiiieni 01 lienera odious to the army ami people of .Mexico, was by hMidty coiideinnnu, us 'de.er111111.V1011 10 n-ciix-e a utinisier 01 peace from the t'nited Siales. alh-ynui thai it w as Uie iiiieninui 01 Ilerrera. by a irea'y xvuli tin.- 1'mie.t Sia'es, to disinemlier Ihe territory m' Mexico, by eedinit axvay Ihe deMnnient of Texas. The gnvcruiiienl of Ilerrera is hc:n'vct to haxe Iss 11 well disposed 10 a pacific ansiim nt of exisimt ditficiilties: hut pronaoiy ai... iiK-u lor i.s oxvn serurily. and in onler lo wont 0:1 tin-il.-.iifter ot 1 he r -vol ill ion led by Parades, viol;.ted irs s,,,..,,,, agreement, and relused lei receive or necredit inir niinisier: and this. VIllKnirh informed that lie haills-en inxcs'eil xvuli full sn-er 10 c-lju&t all ipiestioiis 111 dispute iieiween the two tmx-crninenis. Aiikhic the frivo'.oua pretexts lor Ins refusal, Uie mucipal one wac thai our minister had not sone niion a special mission. confined to tlie question nt" Texas ah me. travnif all Ihe ou.r.-i'cs on our n.xs Mint our ritiwns uiireln-sed. The Mexican government well knexv that both our national honor and ihe protection due to our citizens imperatively required llnil the twoquestionsx.t boundary and indemnity should oe treaiea ol together, as naturally and msen arablv blended, and thev oimht to have ce that this i-ourse was best calculated to enable the l nued State to extend to ihem tho most liberal justice. On the 30ih of December. IS4s, General Ilerrera resigned the presidency, and yielded up iho government to Gen. Paredes without a strtigo-le. Thus a revolution was ac complished solely by the army commanded by Faredes and the supreme power in Mexico passed into the hands of a military usurper, who was Knewn to oe Dineriy hostile lo the United Stales. Although the prospect of a pacific adjustment with the new government was unpromising, Iront the known hostility of its head to the Uoitod States, yet. determined that nothing 1. 11 .. I s'luimt 00 ien unucne on our part to restore innaiy reiauans oelween the iwo countries. our minister was instructed to present his credential! 10 the new government, and ask to be accredited by U in the diplomatic character in wiucn lie nail Deen commissioned. These in simctions he execeted by his note of 1st March, 040, aaaressea in tne .Mexican Minister ot foreign Altairs but his request was insultimr. ly refused by that minister in his answer of the 12th of the same month. No alternative remainea tor our minister but to demand hi parsports, and return to the United Slates Thus was ihe extraordinary spectacle presented to the civilized world, of a government iu violation 01 11 own expiess agreement, hav uig twice rejected a minister of peace, invested mil 1. in powers to adjust all ihe existing dif .. ...sr-a iTi.nn me two countries: in a manner just and honorable to both. I am not aware mat inoaern nistory presents a parallel case, in which, in time of peace, one nation has refused even 10 hear propositions from another for terminaiinrr.existuig difficulties between thm fs-icely a hone of adjiistini our difficulties even at a !o.'S."I-..ri.,,errvi, with Mexico, could It ' " reinsmin at the head of the jroxernmenl. Hi- had anpnred the snnreine isiwer hx-. ...,i. lary 1. xmniion. and u,soi Uie most solemn pied to w aee xx-nr ainniss the I niied Wales, aiid to recoeVp,,? Tex as. xx Inch heclann.1 an revohed pn.vmce of Mexico He demmiiced as cutty 01 tr. asou of all Those Mex,eans w lm . ' " "nn-rnnwuminf anirtm the terrintorv ot MexH-ix. .ml win. ere friendly' to . caus7.it M-.-.ce The duration 01 the war w hich he wed the I lilted Mates w.s in.lefiiiite. because the "end which j' .V e-voiirpiesi 01 Texas was Is.is-less- Bes.des. ilvere was rood reason lnM. c...... . k.-ihn-r. that il was hi iiilenlionio conxertihe repnbhr of MexKO inio a monarchy, and lo call lore.gn Knropesn 1 , i reparsKnry io this end. he had. du ruia his slmrl rule, .iestroyed tlie hhertv of tlie nniss. b.ler aunt Ih.-a poriiim of il only which openly advocated ihe . ., ,r, ... r..,mr. 11, . i ne better lo secure tlie s..,s.u .ii.suiiiiiiaieis-a-,is, he had by an arhiirary de- . niiii.i imi t ,ressnol to he elected hy Ihe free von of the ieop!e, hut to he chosen , . uian, i niake ns-m s,n.-rx em 10 iiis w ill. and lo f n e hi 111 aiisolme control oxer their rieliberaiHins. I'nder al these circumstances, it wahelievedihat anv revolution 111 Mexico. founded uimn oonosiiinalo Hie ambiiiensprpierta of Taradrs, wmiid lend, o promote tie caun- ui peai-R as well as 10 prere.nl anv auei.iplen h.iiropean in'etf.'renre in Ihe affjirs of the' 'orth American continent, both nbjecisor deep hiterest to the l". States. Anyrarh foreign interierenre, if Rllempted, mnst halt ih-ii resisted hy 1 he 1 nneri wales, xiy x-iews on ihat unbieel were fiilly rommanleaifid toConeres in my lap annual messalie. In any ex-ent, it was certain that no change w halex-er in Ihe rovemmeul of Mexico which would deprive Parades of 1 lie power could tie for Ihe woise.so far as Ihe I niled Slates were concerned whi e il was hifhly probable that anv change, must be for Ihe le-ier. This was the state of aTairsexisiin. n-i,.n 1 onlic-i:ohof May !. lecomised the existence of the ""'i n nan men J ommei.ced hy the rox-ernine.it of Parades: a -d it became an object of much Importance w ilh yicxv to a speedy settlement of our d Oicullies and the restoration of an tumoral. peace, thai Parades should not retain power in Mex co. Before that time ihere were symptoms of a revolution in Mexico, favored, as it was understood to be, by the more liberal party, and especially by those who were opposed to foreign interferance and to the monarchical form of government. Santa Anna was then inexile in Havana, having been expelled Irom power and banished from . his country by a revolution which occurred in December, 1844; but it was known that he had still a considerable party in his favor in Mexico. It was also equally well known that no vigilance which could be exert ed by onr squadron, would, in all probability , have prevented him from effecting a landing

somewhere -on the extensive gulf coast of Mer ico,if he desired to return to his country, ft had opeuiy professed an entire chatige dl'pu'.' cy; had expressed, his regret that ho had sui," verted tlie federal constitution of 18.14, anj " vowed that he was now in favor of it'resio'a lion. d"

He had publicly declared his hos-.ii.tv. iu i! nr, . eriiu.,10 Uie es.alilishn.ciit of a nsdiarel.v ...a .1 . J,M pan inlertere:ire in Uie atlairsnf his louiuri I,, r" .lotitothisertert h;d len received from sonic,, ,'' L haMe. at d .tc ed" the reccnmiiion 01 the exist.-,,- nf, war by fo ier. ,i u,,.n.;i. ,,., , he m-rin: ..f liie desnaf-h n: ui. i-....,,i ... ,'i." " a : V M.-X1.0. xx. in me acron.iianvin: .I.i iimmi. xxli.-s "' h-rewu.'i raiisumteil. Bes.des. .1 ws re i-n a .!, .n pwr lhai he inu-i s.s- th- riiiuons roiisea,i, rfs. m xi,.'1'' if w ar w i h tlie t 'nited Statis. and ilm n 1 . . " merest 10 favar is ace. ' It was under ihese cirenmstjnee ana these considerations, that it was deemed etp dient not to obstruct his rjturn to Meii-j should he attempt to do so. Our object as' the restoration of peace, aod wiih that vie. Co reason was perceived why we should takep'sn with Paredes and aid him, bv means of 0Bblockade, in preventing the re'turn of his riv.'t to Mexico. On ihe contrary, it w as believed that Uie intestine divisions which ordinary sn gacity could not but anticipate, as the fra'ii"c Sania Anna's return to Mex, co and his cotest with Paredes might strongly tend to produce a disposition with both parties to rto;e and preserve peaco with the L Stair s. Paredes was a soldier by profession.and a monarch! 1st in principle. fie had but recently before been successful m a military revoiotion. fcr which he had obtained power. He was il,8 sworn enemy of the U. Siafes, wuh which hs had involved his country in fie existing war Sania Anna had been erpe'.led from power t . ihe army was known to lie in open hosi.iitV to Paredes, and pubiiclr plerieed himself rl gainst foreign interventon and "the restoration of Monarchy in Mexico. In view of these facu and circumstances it was, liiat when orders were issued to the commander of our naval fo.ces in the Guif on iho loth day of May last, on ly two davs after ihe existence of the warl.a'a been recoirnized bv Conirresv 10 n!ae th. er,,s-. of Mexico under blockade, he was directed noi 10 oostruct the passage of Santa Anna to Mexico, should he attempt to return. A revolution took place in Mexico in the eirly pan ot August following, by which the pow er of Parades was overthrown, and he has since been banished from the country, and is now ia exile. Miorily afterwaids, Santa Anna ra turned. It remains t be seen whether his re tarn may not yet prove to be favorable 10 pacific adjustment of the existing difficulties it being manifestly his interest not to perever in tho prosecution of a war commenced by Parades, to accomplish a purpose so absurd as ihe reconqnest of Texas 10 the Sabine. Hid Pnrades remained in power, it is morally certain that any pacific abjtistment would hive been hopeless. Upr.n the commencement of hosiilitits by Mexico against ihe U. Slates, ihe indignant spirit ol the nation w as at once aroused. Conoress promptly responded to the expectations 0f the country, and. by the act ol the 13th of M-v last, recognized the fact that ihe war exis:ed,hv iho aci oi Mexico, betw een the I'. Stales an 1 that republic, and granted the means neeessnrr for us vigorous prosecution. Being involved iu a war thus commenced by Mexico, and for iiie justice of wiiich on our part we may. confidently appeal to the whole w orld, I resolved to prosecute it with the utmost virror. AccorJinolt the port ol Mexico on the Gull and on the Pacific have been placed under blockade, and her territory invaded at several important points. The reports from the departuwnis of ar and the Navy will inform you more in ue'.ail of iho measures adopted in the emergency in which our country was placed, and of the gtatifvin.' results which have been accomplished. ' 1'ha various columns of the armv have pet formed their duty, under greit disadvantages, with the most distinguished skill and courage. The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca ce"ia Palma, and of Monterey, won against greaiiv superior numbers, and against most deciiie.i advantage in oilier respects 011 the part ol ihe enemy, were brilliant in their execution, and entitle our brave officers and soldiers to the grateful lhanks of their country. The nation iteplores the loss of the brave o'.Iicerr nnd men who have gallantly fallen while vindicating and defending iheir country's riirht and honor? tt is a snhjeet orpride and satisfaction, that our vnluii leer ritigen-soldiers, who so promptly responded io itn country's tail, xvith an experience n..-.jiH-lpiine of camp of only a few weeks, hax-e borne tlieir part in lh hard f.mtht battle of Monterey, with a constancy aid cnnai-eiq l.-.l to that of veteran lioo,s, t.i wortlir Uie liMliesl atlliilralii.il. The privrlmns .if ,.n: imtrlks tluonli the i-iiemj's country, and til-ouch a wi'd -'ness. have been borne xviihont a murmur. Hy rap d movement the province of New .Mexico, wiih Santa K-, p. capital, has been captured wiiiim t 1. omlshed. The na vy has ru 0M r.xteil wnhtlie arinr, a id rendcrrd iinw lant services. If not so brilliant, it is because ihe e.muy llad no force lomiret mem on Iheir o 11 element, and lie cause of lhc defences which naiure ha-i inn rsisetl. in the difficulties uf the navigation on tlie Mexican roast. Our squcdrnn in the I'acihc, with the rn-nperaiion of a tal laut othcer of the army, and a fmall lon e Hastily collected in Ihat distant country, hax-e acquired l.:..idl-'ss pes session of the t al.l.irinas. and Hie tmericnn rlat In? been raised al ex-ery important point in Hint province. I conr-aiulate you on Ihe success wiiu-n lias, Urns ait. nd ed our uiilitary and navai opcrauons. In les- man seven will h after Mex co riiiiiiii. ii- ed hostilities, a! .1 tune lecied hy herself, we have taken posstssj..n of uianv ol hei principal ports driven back and pursm ,1 ; rr una imf aimv and a.-qnued a military poss.-srr,.ni of the Mi-n-jn prux i...o. of New Mexico, New Leon, ("osliuili. Tamaulipa. and the Calirbrnias, a territory larger in ejt. ul ili.,11 lhai embraced in thenrieional thirteen Si--..sof!lic I nion. ii.hib.led by a considerable population, and much id a inure than a thousand miles front the pouiisat u ii:i li vc S.a.,1 looo'lt. t onr lorces, aomnience our movements. By the blockJar. the import and export trade of th' cininv imo have tven cut off. Well may tho American people be proud cf the energy and gallantry of our regular and volunteer officers and soldiers. Tae'evrnts of these few months afford a gratifying proof thst our countrymen, under any emergency, confidently rely for the maintenance of her honoi, and ihe defence of her tigliis, on aa effective f.irce, ready at all times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of home for the perils and the pri valions of the camp. And though such a iuicc may be for the time expensive, it is in the end economical, as the ability to command it removes the necessfty of employing a lirge standing army in time of peace, and proves that out people love their institutions, and ever rady te defend and protect themWhilst the war was in a c-iu.-cc of vigorous and successful prosecution, being snil siixiotisi" arrest its evils, and considering "ifcst, clt:r brilliant victories of our amis on the eighth and ninth of May last, ihe national honor could no; be comprommitted by it, another overture was made to Mexico, by iiiy diretion, on ihe twentyseventh of July last, to terminate hostilities by r. peace just ami houorablh to bolh countries, tin thethirty-hrst ot August lollowing, the .Menan government declined to accept thisl'riendiy ovr ture, but referred it to the decision of a Mex ican Conrs, to be assembled in the t-arly part ol ?s preernl month. I communicate to you herewith a copy of the letter of the Secretary ofttils proposma to rtopen negoti.11 ions, ot the answer of the Mexican pnveriiment, and of the rep) thereto of the iSeeretaiv of btate. Tliexxar il Jr.nii mucin he 1 r iseculeil xviih vior. the best means of se'nrilig peace. It is tinned that the Jiciswii 01 iis-Me xuan t'oiisiies". to wlu. li our last ov. i Hire has been referred, nut result in a ?pi-edy r.nd honora ble peace. IV ilh our experierre. however, of tlie uniea wnialileroiiiseof tlie Mexican aiilhuritie. il is flic ait t wisdom not to relax in liie enemy of onr military ope.lions uniiltiic resnh is made ki.on u. In tins view, .t 1deenmri iuipoitaut to hold military possession of all i." prox-inces w hich have lieen taken, until a detiiute irraty ci peace tdmli hax-e Iss-n concluded and r&iilu-d bv llic i' c.Miniric. The war has not been waged wiih .1 vir tv lo conquest, but having been commenced by Mexico it ha? been carried into the -neiny' country ami will be vigorously pro'cculed I here, with h view to obtain an honorable peace, and thereh) obtain ample indemnity for the evpensesof the war, na well as to our murh in jured citizens who hold large yectiniui y demand's .1g.1i1.st Mexico By the laws of nations a contj.iered territory is subject l be governed by th conqueror (hiring his military possession, and until there it either a treaty of peace,or he shall voluntariiy xviihdmwr from it. . The old civil governniint being necessarily eiiperseced, it is the right and dnty ol the conqueror to seen o his conquest, nnd provide for the maintenance of civil onhr nnd the liphts of the inhnhit-mls. Thin riiht baa been exercised and this dutv performed bv our miiilar and naval commanders, by tlieir tnb.i-hraeiit of tempoiary covernmetits in some of the conquered provinces in Mexico, assimilating Ihem as far as practicable to the free institution of our country. In the province of New Mexico anti of the Californias, liltie,il any further resistance is apprehended from the inhiibifniits to the temporary government, which have thns. from the necessity of the case and according lo the' Ihws of war, been established. It uiny be proper to provide for the ecujity.of these iinpoitrint conousU by making an adequate appropriation for the purptise 01 erecting fortifications and defraying the expenses necessarily incident to ihe maintenance of our possession and authority over them .Near tho close ot your last session, tor reason