At the conclusion of the Message, the President said, "The most energetic and prompt measures, and the immediate appearance in arms of a large and overpowering force, are recommended to Congress as the most certain and efficient means of bringing the existing collision with Mexico to a speedy and successful termination. "In making these recommendations, I deem it proper to declare that it is my anxious desire not only to terminate hostilities speedily, but to bring all matters in dispute between this Government and Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment; and in this view I shall be prepared to renew nego. tiations whenever Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions or to make propositions of her own." The formal proclamation of war was dated at Washington, the 13th of May, and was as follows: "Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the constitutional authority vested in them, have declared by their act bearing date this day, that by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States:' "Now, therefore, I, James K. Polk, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim to all whom it may concern, and I do specially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil or military, under the authority of the United States, that they be vigilant and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident thereto. And I do, moreover, exhort all the good people of the United States, as they love their country, as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nations, and as they consult the best means under the blessing of Divine Providence of abridging its calamities, that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and the efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities for attaining a speedy, a just, and an honourable peace. "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents." When official intelligence of the resolution come to by the American Legislature on the subject of Oregon reached England, Lord Aberdeen thought that a favourable opportunity had arrived for effecting a compromise; and he lost no time in transmitting to the British Minister, at Washington, a proposition which he hoped would put an end to the difference between the two countries. The event justified his expectations; for the offer made by Lord Aberdeen was submitted by the American Government to the Senate, and approved of by them by a large majority. The Presi dent immediately accepted the terms, and the Oregon question ceased from that time to be a cause of quarrel. This happy termination of the dispute took place in June, and Lord Aberdeen's proposals were embodied in a treaty consisting of the following articles : "Art. I. From the point on the 49th parallel of north latitude, where the boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between Great Britain and the United States terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of Her Britannic Majesty and those of the United States shall be continued westward along the said 49th parallel of north latitude to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island; and thence southerly, through the middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's Straits, to the Pacific Ocean; provided, however, that the navigation of the whole of the said channel and straits south of the 49th parallel of north latitude remain free and open to both parties. "Art. II. From the point at which the 49th parallel of north latitude shall be found to intersect the great northern branch of the Columbia river, the navigation of the said branch shall be free and open to the Hudson's Bay Company, and to all British subjects trading with the same, to the point where the said branch meets the main stream of the Columbia, and thence down the said main stream to the ocean, with free access into and through the said river or rivers; it being understood, that all the usual portages along the line thus described shall in like manner be free and open. "In navigating the said river or rivers, British subjects, with their goods and produce, shall be treated on the same footing as citizens of the United States; it being, however, always understood, that nothing in this article shall be construed as preventing, or intended to prevent, the Government of the United States from making any regulations respecting the naviga tion of the said river or rivers, not inconsistent with the present treaty. "Art. III.-In the future appropriation of the territory south of the 49th parallel of north latitude, as provided in the first article of this treaty, the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected. "Art. IV.-The farms, lands, and other property of every description, belonging to the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company, on the north side of the Columbia river, shall be confirmed to the said Company. In case, however, the situation of those farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public and political importance, and the United States Government should signify a desire to obtain possession of the whole or any part thereof, the property so required shall be transferred to the said Government at a proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties. In the month of July, a new Tariff Bill gave rise to an animated debate in both Houses. The object of this Bill was to effect a considerable reduction in the import duties upon all articles, except such as may be classed under the head of luxuries. The following instances show the nature of the benefit conferred upon the importer. CHAPTER XIII. UNITED STATES, continued.-Message of the President to Congress— Topics embraced therein-History of the quarrel between the United States and Mexico-History of the Annexation of Texas to the States of the Union-Causes which led to the declaration of war against Mexico-Narrative of the successes of the American army-Question of letters of marque and reprisal issued by the Mexican Government— Spanish privateers to be treated as pirates-Report of the Secretary of the Treasury-Proposed loan-New Tariff Bill-Question of Protection duties-Act for the "better organization of the Treasury"Government of the Oregon territory-Report of the Secretary of the Navy-Report of the Postmaster General. MEXICO.—Revolution and overthrow of General Herrera-General Paredes becomes President of the Republic-Refusal of the Mexican Government to receive the American Minister-The latter demands his passport-War between Mexico and the United States-Santa Anna-General Taylor advances against Matamoras-Battles of Pala Alto, and Resaca de la Palma-Matamoras evacuated by the Mexican troops under General Arista-Blockade of the Mexican coast by the American fleet-Advance of the American forces into the interior-Appearance of Santa Anna in Mexico-Revolution and overthrow of General Paredes-Manifesto by Santa Anna-Capture of the city of Monterey by the American army under General Taylor-Surrender of Pampico. THE BRAZILS.— Opening of the Legislative Chambers, and Speech of the Emperor. RIO DE LA PLATA.-Despatch from M. Guizot detailing grounds for English and French interference in the war against Monte VideoCombined operations of English and French against General Rosas, and gallant action in forcing the passage of the river Parana in November 1845-Continuance of the siege of Monte Video. N the 8th of December the President sent his annual Mes sage to Congress. This document exceeded in length any which had been written by his predecessors, and they have hitherto enjoyed the reputation of being the most prolix state-papers in the world. The present Message is, however, rather more interesting than usual, as it gives a full account of the causes of quarrel between the American and Mexican Governments, and enters largely into a justification of the policy pursued by the United States on the question of the annexation of Texas to the Federal Union. We have selected the most "In resuming your labours in the service of the people, it is a subject of congratulation that there has been no period in our past history when all the elements of national prosperity have been so fully developed. Since your last Session no afflicting dispensation has visited our country, general good health has prevailed, abundance has crowned the toil of the husbandman, and labour in all its branches is receiving an ample reward, while education, science, and the arts are rapidly enlarging the means of social happiness. The progress of our country in her career of greatness, not only in the vast extension of our territorial limits and the rapid increase of our population, but in resources and wealth, and in the happy condition of our people, is without example in the history of nations. "As the wisdom, strength, and beneficence of our free institutions are unfolded, every day adds fresh motives to contentment, and fresh incentives to patriotism. "Our devout and sincere acknowledgments are due to the gracious Giver of all good, for the numberless blessings which our beloved country enjoys. "It is a source of high satisfaction to know that the relations of the United States with all other nations, with a single exception, are of the most amicable character. Sincerely attached to the policy of peace, early adopted and steadily pursued by this Government, I have The anxiously desired to cultivate and cherish friendship and commerce with every foreign Power. spirit and habits of the American people are favourable to the main tenance of such international har mony. In adhering to this wise policy, a preliminary and paramount duty obviously consists in the protection of our national in, terests from encroachment or sacrifice, and our national honour from reproach. These must be maintained at any hazard. They admit of no compromise or neglect, and must be scrupulously and constantly guarded. In their vigilant vindication, collision and conflict with foreign Powers may sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice in all our foreign intercourse, that, though steadily and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we have given no just cause of complaint to any nation, and have enjoyed the blessings of peace for more than thirty years. From a policy so sacred to humanity, and so salutary in its effects upon our political system, we should never be induced voluntarily to depart. After "The existing war with Mexico was neither desired nor provoked by the United States. On the contrary, all honourable means were resorted to to avert it. years of endurance of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our part, Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty stipulations, and of every principle of justice recognised by civilized nations, commenced hostilities; and thus, by her own act, forced the war upon us. Long before the advance of our army to the left bank of the Rio Grande, we had ample cause of war against Mexico; and had the United States |