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large our coasting and foreign trade, as well as augment our tonnage and

revenue.

These great advantages, far more than the simple value of the public lands in the ceded territory, "constitute our indemnity for the past."

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

JULY 29, 1848.

To the House of Representatives of the United States :—

In answer to the resolution of the house of representatives of the 17th instant, requesting the president "to communicate (if not inconsistent with the public interests) copies of all instructions given to the Hon. Ambrose H. Sevier and Nathan Clifford, commissioners appointed to conduct negotiations for the ratification of the treaty lately concluded between the United States and the republic of Mexico," I have to state that, in my opinion, it would be "inconsistent with the public interests" to give publicity to these instructions at the present time.

I avail myself of this occasion to observe that, as a general rule, applicable to all our important negotiations with foreign powers, it could not fail to be prejudicial to the public interest to publish the instructions to our ministers until some time had elapsed after the conclusion of such negotiations.

In the present case the object of the mission of our commissioners to Mexico has been accomplished. The treaty, as amended by the senate of the United States, has been ratified. The ratifications have been exchanged, and the treaty has been proclaimed as the supreme law of the land. No contingency occurred which made it either necessary or proper for our commissioners to enter into any negotiations with the Mexican government, further than to urge upon that government the ratification of the treaty in its amended form.

SPECIAL MESSAGE

AUGUST 1, 1848.

To the House of Representatives of the United States:—

I COMMUNICATE herewith a report from the secretary of war, containing the information called for by the resolution of the house of representatives of the 17th of July, 1848, in relation to the number of Indians in Oregon, California, and New Mexico; the number of military posts; the number of troops which will be required in each; and "the whole military force which should constitute the peace establishment."

I have seen no reason to change the opinion expressed in my message to Congress of the 6th of July, 1848, transmitting the treaty of peace with Mexico, that "the old army, as it existed before the commencement of the war with Mexico, especially if authority be given to fill up the rank and

file of the several corps to the maximum number authorized during the war, will be a sufficient force to be retained in service during a period of peace."

The old army consists of fifteen regiments. By the act of the 13th of May, 1846, the president was authorized, by "voluntary enlistments, to increase the number of privates in each or any of the companies of the existing regiments of dragoons, artillery, and infantry, to any number not exceeding one hundred," and to "reduce the same to sixty-four when the exigencies requiring the present increase shall cease." Should this act remain in force, the maximum number of the rank and file of the army, authorized by it, would be over sixteen thousand men, exclusive of officers. Should the authority conferred by this act be continued, it would depend on the exigencies of the service whether the number of the rank and file should be increased, and if so, to what amount beyond the minimum number of sixty-four privates to a company.

Allowing sixty-four privates to a company, the army would be over ten thousand men, exclusive of commissioned and non-commissioned officers, a number which it is believed will be sufficient; but, as a precautionary measure, it is deemed expedient that the executive should possess the power of increasing the strength of the respective corps, should the exigencies of the service be such as to require it. Should these exigencies not call for such increase, the discretionary power given by the act to the president will not be exercised.

It will be seen from the report of the secretary of war, that a portion of the forces will be employed in Oregon, New Mexico, and Upper California; a portion for the protection of the Texas frontier adjoining the Mexican possessions, and bordering on the territory occupied by the Indian tribes within her limits. After detailing the force necessary for these objects, it is believed a sufficient number of troops will remain to afford security and protection to our Indian frontiers in the west and northwest, and to occupy, with sufficient garrisons, the posts on our northern and Atlantic borders.

I have no reason at present to believe that any increase of the number of regiments or corps will be required during a period of peace.

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 3, 1848.

To the Senate of the United States :—

I COMMUNICATE, herewith, a report from the secretary of war, together with the accompanying documents, in compliance with the resolution of the senate of the 24th of July, 1848, requesting the president "to transmit to the senate the proceedings of the two courts of inquiry in the case of Major-General Pillow; the one commenced and terminated in Mexico, and the other commenced in Mexico, and terminated in the United States."

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 5, 1848.

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

I COMMUNICATE herewith a report from the secretary of war, together with the accompanying documents, in compliance with a resolution of the house of representatives of 17th of July, 1848, requesting the president to communicate to the house of representatives "a copy of the proceedings of the court of inquiry in Mexico, touching the matter which led to the dismissal from the public service of Lieutenants Joseph S. Pendée and George E. B. Singletary, of the North Carolina regiment of volunteers, and all the correspondence between the war department and Generals Taylor and Wool in relation to the same."

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 8, 1848.

To the Senate of the United States:

In reply to the resolution of the senate of the 7th instant, requesting the president to inform that body "whether he has any information that any citizen or citizens of the United States is or are now preparing or intending to prepare, within the United States, an expedition to revolutionize by force any part of the republic of Mexico, or to assist in so doing; and if he has, what is the extent of such preparation, and whether he has, or is about to take any steps to arrest the same:" I have to state that the executive is not in possession of any information of the character called for by the resolution.

The late treaty of peace with Mexico has been and will be faithfully observed on our part.

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 8, 1848.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:— Ir affords me satisfaction to communicate herewith, for the information of Congress, copies of a decree adopted by the National Assembly of France, in response to the resolution of the Congress of the United States passed on the 13th of April last, "tendering the congratulations of the American to the French people upon the success of their recent efforts to consolidate the principles of liberty in a republican form of government"

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 10, 1848.

To the Senate of the United States:

I COMMUNICATE, herewith, a report from the secretary of the navy, together with the accompanying documents, in answer to a resolution of the senate of the 18th of July, 1848, requesting the president to communicate to that body any information which may be in the possession of the executive relating to the seizure or capture of the American ship Admittance, on the coast of California, by a vessel-of-war of the United States; and whether any, and what proceedings have occurred in regard to said vessel or her cargo; and to furnish the senate with copies of all documents, papers, and communications, in the possession of the executive relating to the same.

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

AUGUST 11, 1848.

To the House of Representatives of the United States :

I COMMUNICATE, herewith, reports from the secretary of the treasury and the secretary of war, together with the accompanying documents, in answer to a resolution of the house of representatives of the 17th of July, 1848, requesting the president to inform that body what amount of public moneys had been respectively paid to Lewis Cass and Zachary Taylor from the time of their first entrance into the public services up to this time, distinguishing between regular and extra compensation; that he also state what amount of extra compensation has been claimed by either; the items composing the same; when filed; when and by whom allowed; if disallowed, when and by whom; the reasons for such disallowance; and whether or not any items so disallowed were subsequently presented for payment; and if allowed, when and by whom.

FOURTH ANNUAL MESSAGE.

DECEMBER 5, 1848.

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives :—

UNDER the benignant providence of Almighty God, the representatives of the states and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good. The gratitude of the nation to the sovereign arbiter of all human events, should be commensurate with the boundless blessings which we enjoy.

Peace, plenty, and contentment, reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

The troubled and unsettled condition of some of the principal European powers has had a necessary tendency to check and embarrass trade, and to depress prices throughout all commercial nations; but notwithstanding these causes, the United States, with their abundant products, have felt their effects less severely than any other country, and all our great interests are still prosperous and successful.

In reviewing the great events of the past year, and contrasting the agitated and disturbed state of other countries with our own tranquil and happy condition, we may congratulate ourselves that we are the most favored people on the face of the earth. While the people of other countries are struggling to establish free institutions, under which man may govern himself, we are in the actual enjoyment of them—a rich inheritance from our fathers. While enlightened nations of Europe are convulsed and distracted by civil war or intestine strife, we settle all our political controversies by the peaceful exercise of the rights of freemen at the ballot-box. The great republican maxim so deeply engraven on the hearts of our people, that the will of the majority, constitutionally expressed, shall prevail, is our sure safeguard against force and violence. It is a subject of just pride, that our fame and character as a nation continue rapidly to advance in the estimation of the civilized world. To our wise and free institutions it is to be attributed, that while other nations have achieved glory at the price of the suffering, distress, and impoverishment, of their people, we have won our honorable position in the midst of an uninterrupted prosperity, and of an increasing individual comfort and happiness. I am happy to inform you that our relations with all nations are friendly and pacific. Advantageous treaties of commerce have been concluded within the last four years with New Grenada, Peru, the Two Sicilies, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the restrictive system of Great Britain, our principal foreign customer, has been relaxed; a more liberal commercial policy has been adopted by other enlightened nations, and our trade has been greatly enlarged and extended. Our country stands higher in the respect of the world than at any former period. To continue to occupy this proud position, it is only necessary to preserve peace, and faithfully adhere to the great and fundamental principle of our foreign policy, of non-interference in the domestic concerns of other nations. We recognise in all nations the right which we enjoy ourselves, to change and reform their political institutions according to their own will and pleasure. Hence we do not look behind existing governments, capable of maintaining their own authority. We recognise all

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