It may in general be asserted as true that radical alterations in any system should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes and by pursuing this prudent policy in the reduction of letter postage the Department might still…
John Tyler
The Public Record
John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States, serving from April 4, 1841, to March 4, 1845. He was the first vice president to assume the presidency following the death of a sitting president, William Henry Harrison. A member of the Whig Party, Tyler's presidency was marked by significant political conflict, particularly with his own party, as he often vetoed legislation that aligned with Whig principles, leading to his expulsion from the party. His administration is noted for the annexation of Texas, which would later contribute to the Mexican-American War.
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It is believed that the United States is the only nation which has by its laws subjected to the punishment of death as pirates those who may be engaged in the slave trade.
This great and vitally important task rests with Congress, and the Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should govern in its execution.
In view of such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom rounded in moral and political truth that no greater taxes should be imposed than are necessary for an economical administration of the Government, and that whatever…
That interest consists in the augmentation of profits in the form of dividends, and a large surplus revenue intrusted to their custody is but too apt to lead to excessive loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper.
All banking institutions, under whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive regard to the interest of the stockholders.
In a new country like that of the United States, where so many inducements are held out for speculation, the depositories of the surplus revenue, consisting of banks of any description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the…
Free and independent herself, she asks to be received into our Union.
We should interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation.
She still desires to throw herself under the protection of our laws and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while every American interest would seem to require it.
It is the will of both the people and the States that Texas shall be annexed to the Union promptly and immediately.
A controlling majority of the people and a large majority of the States have declared in favor of immediate annexation.
The decision of the people and the States on this great and interesting subject has been decisively manifested.
I am most happy to inform you that no such invasion has taken place; and I trust that whatever your action may be upon it Mexico will see the importance of deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to those of…
It represented in this the spirit of our people, who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation.
The interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a permanent boundary.
What principle of good faith, then, was violated?
Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of advancing their permanent happiness and glory.
She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure her happiness.
The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers of the earth.
It is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference by our own citizens inhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality would be violated in despite of all efforts on the part of the Government to prevent it.
A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by Mexico, can not be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity.
Mexico has no right to jeopard the peace of the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest.
The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such proceedings, and it felt it to be due as well to itself as to the honor of the country that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican Government upon the subject.
She has issued decrees and proclamations, preparatory to the commencement of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which if carried into effect would arouse the attention of all Christendom.
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