Our prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for His wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty so as to enable us to consummate these high purposes.

peace is the true policy of nations

I shall carry with me into retirement the gratifying reflection that as my sole object throughout has been to advance the public good.

I feel it to be my duty to communicate, for your consideration, the rejected treaty.

It is only after acquiring Texas, that the question of boundary can arise between the United States and Mexico.

The great question is—not as to the manner in which it shall be done, but whether it shall be accomplished or not.

I regard the question involved in these proceedings as one of vast magnitude.

The responsibility of deciding this question is now devolved upon you.

Texas herself wills it; and the Executive of the United States, concurring with her, has seen no sufficient reason to avoid the consummation of an act esteemed to be so desirable by both.

I have been influenced by what appeared to me to be the most controlling considerations of public policy and the general good.

With equal, if not greater, propriety might the United States demand of other governments to surrender their numerous and valuable acquisitions.