The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-22 00:00:00

1848.-

Witt i•Veili they, hot eerroborated by the authentic reports
of officers in the PitibliS service, who have visited the
mineral district, and derieed the fasts which they
detail from personal observation. Iteluettint to credit the
reports in general circulation as to the quantity of gold, the
officer commanding. our forces in California visited the mine-
ral district in July last, for the purpose of obtaining accurate
information on the subject. When he visited the country,
there were about four thousand persons engaged in collecting
gold. There is every reason to believe that the number of
Vereens sp employed has since been augmented. The explo-
ratiotA alreriO Made warrant the belief that the supply is
very large, and that gold is found at various places in an
extensive district of the country.'
The effects produced by the discovery of these rich miee-
ral deposits, and the success which has attended the labours
of those which have resorted to them, have produced a sur-
prising change in the state of affairs in California. Labour
eommands a most exorbitant price, and all other pursuits but
that of searching for the precious metals are abandoned.
Nearly the whole Of the male population of the country have
gone to the gold district: Ships arriving on the coast are
deserted by their crews, and their voyages *upended for want
'of sailors. Our commanding officer there entertains appre-
hensions that soldiers cannot be kept iu the public service
without a large increase of pay. Desertions in his command
have Weenie frequent. and he recommends that those who
shall withstand the etrotig temptation, and remain faithful,
should be rewarded.
This abundance of gold, and the all-engrossing pursuit of
it, have already caused in California an unprecedented rise in
the price of the necessaries of life.
That ere may the more speedily and fully avail ourselves
'of the undeveloped wealth of these mines, it is deemed of
vast importance that a branch of the Mint of the United
States be authorised to be established, at your present session
in California. Among ether signal advantages which would
result from such an establishment would be that of raising
.the gold to its par value in that territory. A branch mint
of the United States at the great commercial depot on the
West coast would convert into our own coin not only the gold
.detived from our own rich mines, but also the bullibn and
.specie which our commerce may bring from the whole west
coast-of Central and South America. The west coast of
America and the adjacent interior embrace the richest and
best mines of Mexico, New Granada, Central America,
Chili, and Peru. Ths bullion and specie drawn from
these countries, and especially from those of Western
Meitico and Peru, to an amount In value of many mil-
lions of dollars, are now annually diverted and carried
by the ships of Great Britain to her own ports, to be re-
coined or used to sustain her national bank, and thus con-
tribute to increase her ability to command so much of the
commerce of the world. If a branch mint be established at
the great commercial point upon that coast a vast amount of
bullion and• specie would tow thither to be recoined, and pass
thence to Nov Orleans, New York, and other Atlantic cities.
The amount of our constitutional currency at home would.
be greatlyincreased. while its circulation would be promoted.
It is well known to our merchants trading to China and the
west coast of America, that great inconvenience 'and loss
are experienced from the fact that our coins are not current
at their par value in those countries.
The powers of Europe, far removed from the west coast
of America by the Atlantic Ocean which intervenes, and by
a tedious and dangerous navigation around the southern cape
of the continent of America, can never successfully compete
with the United States in the rich and extensive commerce
which is opened to us at so much less cost by the acquisition
of California.
The vast importance and commercial advantages of Cali-
fornia have heretofore remained undeveloped by the Go-
vernment of the country of which it constituted a part.
Now that this fine province is a part of our country, all the
States of the Union, some more immediately and directly
than others, are deeply interested in the speedy develop-
ment of its wealth and resources. No section of our
country is more interested, or will be more benefited, than
the commercial, navigating, and manufacturing interests
of the eastern States. Our planting and farming inter-
ests in every part of the Union will be greatly benefited by
it. As our commerce and navigation are enlarged and
extended, our exports of agricultural products and of manu-
factures will be increased ;- and in the new market., thus
opened they cannot fail to command remunerating and profit-
able prices.
The acquisition of California soul New Mexico, the settle-
ment of the Oregon boundary, and the annexation of Texas
extending to the Rio Grande, are results which, combined,
are of greater consequence, and will add more to the strength
and wealth of the nation, than any which have preceded
them since the adoption of the constitution.
But to effect these great results, not only California, but
New Mexico, must be brought under the control of regu-
larly organised Governments. The existing condition of
California, and of that part of New Mexico lying west of
the Rio Grande, and without the limits of Texas, impe-
riously demand that Congress should, at its present session,
organize territorial governments over them. The smal
military force of the regular army, which was serving within
the limits of the acquired territory at the close of the war,
was retained in them, and additional forces have been or-
dered there for the protection of the inhabitants, and to pre-
serve and secure the rights and interests ef the United
States. No revenue has been or could be collected at the
porta in California, because Congress failed to authorise the
establishment of custom-houses, or the appointment of
officers for that purpose.
The monthly line of mail steamers from Panama to As-
toria has been required to "stop and deliver •and take mails
at San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco." These mail
steamers, connected by the isthmus of Panama with the line
of mail steamers on the Atlantic between New York and
Chagres, will establish a regular mail communication with
California.
The immense valuable possessions of New Mexico and
California are already inhabited by a considerable popu-
lation. Attracted by their great fertility, their mineral
wealth, their commercial advantages, and the salubrity of
the climate, emigrants from the older States, in great num-
bers, are already preparing to seek new homes in these in-
viting regions.
XMIORATION TO, AND sLAYERY IN, THE NEW TERRITORIES.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by whose pa-
triotism and unparalleled deeds of arms we obtained these
possessions as an indemnity for our just demands against
Mexico, were composed of citizens who belonged to no one
state or section of our Union. They were men from slave-
holding and non-slave-holding States, from the north and
the south, from the east and the west. They were all
companions-in-arms and fellow-citizens of the same com-
mon country, engaged in the same common cause, and
it would not be just for any one section to exclude ano-
ther from all participation in the acquired territory. This
would not be in consonance with the just system of gore, n-
went which the framers of the Constitution adopted.
The question is believed to be rather abstract than practical
whether slavery ever can or would exist in any portion of the
acquired territory, even if it were left to the option of the
slave-holding States themselves. From the nature of the
climate and productions, in much the larger portion of it, it
is certain it could never exist; and in the remainder, the
probabilities are it would not. But however this may be,
the question, involving as it does a principle of equality of
rights elite separate and several States, as equal co-partners
in the confederacy, should not be disregarded.
In organizing governments over these territories, no duty
imposed on Congress by the constitution requires that they
should legislate on the subject of slavery, while their power
to do so is not only seriously questioned, but denied by many
of the soundest expounders of that instrument. Whether
Congress shall legislate or not, the people of the acquired ter-
ritories, when assembled in convention to form State constitu-
tions, will possess the sole and exclusive power to determine
for themselves whether slavery shall or shall not exist within
their limits. If Congress shall abstain from interfering with
the question, the people of these territories will be left free
to adjust it as they may think proper when they apply for
admission as States into the Union. No enactment of Con-
gress could restrain the people of any of the sovereign States
of the Union, old or new, north or south, slaveholding or
non. slaveholding, from determining the character of their
, own domestic institutions as they may deem wise and proper.
Any and all the states possess the right, and Congress cannot
• deprive them of it.
It is fortunate for the peace and harmony of the Union
that this question 'is in its nature temporary, and can only
continue for the brief period which will intervene before Ca-
lifornia and New Mexico may be admitted as States into the
Union.: From the tide of population now flowing into them
it is highly probable that this will soon occur.
Considering the several States and the citizens of the se-
veral states as equals, and entitled to equal rights under the
constitution, if this were an original question, it might well
be insisted on that the principle of non-interference is the
true doctrine, and that Congress could not, in the absence of
any express grant of power, interfere with their relative
rights. ,Upon a great emergency, however, and under
menacing dangers to the Union, the Missouri compromise
line in respect to slavery was adopted. The same line
was extended further west in the acquisition of Texas. After
an acquiescence of nearly thirty years in the principle of
compromise recognised and established by these acts, and to
avoid the danger to the Union which might follow if it were
'now disregarded, I have heretofore expressed the opinion
that that line of compromise should be extended on the
parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes from the western
boundary of Texas, where it now terminates, to the Pa-
cific Ocean. This is the middle ground of compromise, upon
which the different sections of the Union may meet, as they
have heretofore met. If this be done, it is confidently be-
lieved a large majority of the people of every section of the
country, however widely their abstract opinions on the sub-
ject ef slavery may differ, would cheerfully and patriotically
acquiesce In it, and peace and harmony would again fill our
borders. The restriction north of the line was only yielded
to in the case of Missouri and Texas upon a principle of com-
promise, made necessary for the sake of preserving the har-
mony, and possibly the existence, of the Union.
It was upon these considerations that, at the close of your
last session, I gave my sanction to the principle of the Mis-
souri compromise line,. by approving and signing the Bill to
establish e the Territorial Government of Oregon." From a
sincere desire to preserve the harmony of the Union, and in
defence of the acts of my predecessors, I felt constrained to
yield my acquiescence to the extent to which they had gone
in compromising this delicate and dangerous question. But
if Congress shall now reverse the decision by which the
Missouri compromise was effected, and shall propose to ex-
tend the restriction over the whole territory, south as well
as north of the parallel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes,
it will cease to be a compromise, and must bu.regarded as
an original question.
If Congress, instead of observing the course of non-inter-
ference, leaving the adoption of their own domestic institu-
tions to the people whO may inhabit those territories ; or, in-
stead of extending the Missouri compromise line to the
Pacific, shall prefer to submit the legal and constitutionalquestion which may arise to the decision of the judicial tri-
bunals, as was proposed in a Bill which passed the Senate at
your last session, an adjustment may be effected in this mode.
•If• the whole subject be referred to the judiciary, all parts of
the Union should cheerfully acquiesce in the final decision of
the tribunal created by the constitution for the settlement of
all questions which may arise under the constitution, treaties,
and laws of the United States.
Congress is earnestly invoked, for the sake of the Union, its
harmony, and our continued prosperity as a nation, to adjust
atits present session this, the only question which lies in our
path—if not in some one of the modes suggested, in some
other which may be satisfactory.
In anticipation of the establishment of regular govern-
ments over the acquired 'territories, a joint commission of
officers of the army and navy has been ordered to proceed to
the coast of California and Oregon, for the purpose of making
reconnoissances and a report as to the proper sites for the
erection of fortifications or other defensive works on land,
and of suitable situations for naval stations.
As it is ascertained that mines of gold, silver, copper, and
quicksilver, exist in New- Mexico and California, and that
nearly all the lands where they are found belong to the
United States, it is deemed important to the public interests
that provision be made fora geological and mineralogical ex-
amination of these regions. Measures should be adopted to
preserve the mineral lands, especially such as contain the
precious metals, for the use of the United States; or if
brought into market, to separate them from the farming
lands, and to dispose of them in such manner as to secure a
large return of money to the treasury, and at the same time
lead to •the development, of their wealth by individual pro-
prietors and purchasers. To do this, it will be necessary to
provide for an immediate survey and location of the lets. If
Congress should deem it proper to dispose of the mineral
lands, they should be sold in small quantities, and at a Axed
minimal price.

Yft

I recommend that surveyor-generals' offices be r.
to be established in New Mexico and California • ,fittitlo,_•
vision made for surveying and bringing the p .
into market at the earliest practical period. In di ‘;',•,`. g-of '
these lands, I recommend that the right of pre-e 163-13 re - -
secured, and liberal grants inside to the early emigre is
have settled, or may settle, upun them.
It will be important to extend (air revenue laws ov tll 4
territories, and especially over•CaliCornia, at an early period.
There is already a considerable commerce with Calitornia ;
and until ports of entry shall be established, and collectors
appointed, no revenue can be receive&
The apprehensions which were entertained by some of our
statesmen, in the earlier periods of the Government, that our
system was incapable of operating with sufficient energy and
success over largely extented territorial limits, and that if
• this were attempted, it would fall to pieces by its weakness,
have been dissipated by our experience. So far from enter-
taining apprehensions of the safety of our system by the ex-
tension of our territory, the beliet is confidently entertained
that each new state gives strength and an additional gua-
rantee for the preservation of the Union itself.
In pursuance of the provions of the thirteenth article of
the treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, with
the R• public of Mexico, and of the Act of July the 29th,
1848, claims of our citizens which had been " already liqui-
dated and decided against the Mexican Republic," amounting
with the interest thereon, to two millions twenty-three thou-
sand eight hundred and thirty two dollars and fifty-one
cents., have been liquidated and paid. There remain to be
paid of these claims, seventy-four thousand one hundred
and ninety-two dollars and twenty-six cents.
Congress at its last session having made no provision for
executing the fifteenth article of the treaty, by which the
United States assume to make satisfaction for the " unliqui-
dated claims " of our citizens against Mexico, to au
" amount not exceeding three and a quarter millions of dol-
lars," the subject is again recommended to your favourable
consideration.

The exchange of ratifications_ of the treaty with Mexico
took place on the 30th of May, 1848. Within one year from
that time the commissioner and surveyor which each Govern-
ment stipulates to appoint are required to meet "at the port
of San Diego, and proceed Lo run and mark the said boundary
in its whole course to the mouth of the Rio Bravo del
Norte." It will be seen from this provision, that the period
within which a commissioner and surveyor of the respective
Governments are to meet at San Diego will expire on the
30th of May, 1849. Congress, at the.close of its last session,
made an appropriatian for "the expenses of running and
marking the boundary line" between the two countries, but
did not fix the amount of salary which should be paid to the
commissioner And surveyor to be, appointed on the part of
the United States. It is desirable that the amount of com-
pensation which they shall receive should be prescribed by
law, and not left, as at present, to executive discretion.
Measures were adopted at the earliest practicable period
to organise the " Territorial Government of Oregon," as au-
thorised by thq Act of the 14th of August last. The governor
and marshal of the territory, accompanied by a small military
took the southern route, by way of
escort, left the frOntier of Missouri in September last, and
Gila, to California, with the intention of proceeding thence
in one of our vessels to their de
s t
i:tniot_a F e n
. Thethed
governor r i v e r
was fully advised of the great importance of his early arrival
in the country, and it is consequently believed he naay reach
Oregon in the latter part of the present month, or early in
the next. The other officers for the territory have proceeded
by sea.

OREGON AND MR INDIAN WAR.
In the month of May last, I communicated information
to Congress that an Indian war had broken out in
Oregon, and recommended that authority be given- to
raise an adequate number of volunteers to proceed without
delay to the assistance of our fellow-citizens in that territory.
The authority to raise such a force not having been granted
by Congress, as soon as their services could be dispensed
with in Mexico, orders were issued to the regiment of
mounted riflemen to proceed to Jefferson Barracks, in Mis-
souri, and to prepare to march to Oregon as soon as the ne-
cessary provision could be made. Shortly before it was
ready to march it was arrested by the Act passed by Con-
gress on the last day of the last session, which directed that
all the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of
that regiment who bad been in service in Mexico, should,
upon their application, be entitled to be discharged. 'The
effect of this provision was to disband the rank and file of the
regiment, and before their places could be filled by recruits
the season had so far advanced that it was impracticable for
it to proceed until the opening of the next spring.
In the month of October last a communication was re-
ceived from the governor of the temporary government of
Oregon, giving information of the ccntinuance of the Indian
disturbances, and of the destitution and defenceless condition
of the inhabitants. Orders were immediately transmitted to
the commander of our squadron in the Pacific, to dispatch to
their assistance a part of the naval forces on that station, to
furnish them with arms and ammunition, and to continue to
give them such aid and protection as the navy could afford,
until the army could reach the country.
The immediate and only cause of the existing hostility of
the Indians of Oregon, is represented to have been the long
delay of the United States in making to them some trifling
compensation, in such articles as they wanted, for the coun-
try now occupied by oar emigrants which the Indians
claimed, and over which they formerly roamed. This com-
pensation had been promised to them by the temporary Go-
vernment established in Oregon, but its fulfilment had been
postponed from time to time, for nearly two years. The In-
dians became at length distrustful of their good faith, and
sought redress by plunder and massacre, which finally led to
the present difficulties. In this Indian war our fellow-citi-
zens of Oregon, being compelled to take the field in their
own defence, have performed valuable military services, and
been subjected to expenses which have fallen heavily upon
them. Justice demands that provision should be made by
Congress to compensate them for their services, and to refund
to them the necessary expenses which they have incurred.
I repeat the recommendation heretofore made to Congress,
that provision be made for the appointment of a suitable
number of Indian agents to reside among the tribes of Ore-
gon, and that a small sum be appropriated to enable these
:Tents to cultivate friendly relations with them. If this be
done, the presence of a small military force will be all that is
necessary to keep them in check and preserve peace.
I recommend that similar provision be made as regards the
tribes inhabiting Northern Texas, New :Mexico, California,
d the extensive region lying between our settlements in
Missouri and these possessions, as the most effective means of
preserving peace upon our borders, and irithin the recently
acquired territories.

nucaters AND EXPENDITURE OF TILE REPUBLIC.
The Secretary of the Treasury will present in his annual
report a highly satisfactory statement of the condition of the
finances.
The imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th of June
last were of the value of one hundred and fifty-four million
nine hundred and seventy-seven thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six dollars; of which the amount exported was
twenty-one million one hundred and twenty-eight thousand
and ten dollars, leaving one hundred and thirty-three million
eight .hundred and forty-nine thousand eight hundred and
sixtv-six dollars in the country for domestic use.
The value of the exports for the same period was ono
hundred and fifty-four millions thirty. two thousand one
hundred and thirty-one dollars, consisting of domestic pro-
ductions amounting to one hundred and thirty-two million
nine hundred and four thousand one hundred and twenty-one
dollars, and twenty-one million one hundred and twenty-
eight thousand and ten dollars of foreign articles.
The receipts into the Treasury for the same period, exclu-
sive of loans, amounted to thirty-five million four hundred
and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars and
fifty-nine cents. ; of which there was derived from Customs
thirty-one million seven hundred and fifty-seven thousand
and seven dollars and ninety-six cents; from sales of public
lands, three million three hundred and twenty-eight thi,u-
sand six hundred and forty-two dollars and fifty-six cents;
and from miscellaneous and incidental sources, three hun-
dred ai d fifty-one
_thousand and thirty-seven dollars and
seven cents.
It will be perceived that the revenue from Customs for
the last fiscal year exceeded by seven hundred and fifty-
teven thousand and seventy dollars and ninety-six cents the
estimates of the secretary of the Treasury in his last annual
report; and that the aggregate receipts during the same
period from Customs, lands, and miscellaneous sources, also
exceeded the estimates by the sum of five hundred and
thirty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars and fifty-
nine cents—indicating, however, a very near approach in the
estimate to the actual result.

The expenditure during the fiscal year ending on the 30th
of June last, including those for the war, and exclusive of
payments of principal and interest for the public debt, were
forty-two million eight hundred and eleven thousand nine
hundred and seventy dollars and three cents.
It is estimated that the receipts iito the treasury for the
fiscal year ending on the 30th of June, 1849, including the
balance in the treasury on the Ist of July last, will amount
to the sum of fifty-seven million forty-eight thousand nine
hundred and sixty-nine dollars and ninety cents. ; of which
thirty•two millions of dollars, it is estimated, will be derived
from Customs ; three millions of dollars from the sales of
the public lands, and one million two hundred thousand dol-
lars from miscellaneous and incidental sources, including the
premium upon the loans and the amount paid and to be paid
into the treasury on account of military contributions in
Mexico, and the sales of arms and vessels and other public
property rendered unnecessary for the use of the Govern-
ment by the termination of the war ; and twenty million six
hundred and ninety-five thousand four hundred and thirty-
five dollars and thirty cents from loans already negotiated,
including treasury notes funded, which, together with the
balance in the treasury on the Ist of July last, make the sum
estimated.

The expenditures for the lame period, including the neces-
sary payment on account of the principal and interestofthe
public debt, and the principal and interesta y n
next
tt,haenfirst
ni
enrs teaxl
ment due to Mexico on the 30th of i
penditures growing out of the war, to be paid during the
present year, will amount, including the reimbursement of
treasury notes mto the su of fty
an t seventy-five dollars and six cents,
millions
ta,r
leaving
onehundred
an
an
neahtunnarteedd
balance in the treasury on the Ist of July, 1849, of two mil-
lion eight hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred and
ninety-four dollars and eighty-four cents.
_ The Secretary of the Treasury will present, as required by
law, the estimates of receipts and expenditures for the next
fiscal year. The expenditures as estimated for that year
are thirty-three million two hundred and thirteen thousand
one hundred and fifty-two dollars and seventy-three cents,
including three million seven hundred and ninety-nine thou-
sand one hundred and two dollars aed eighteen cents for the
interest on the public debt, and three million five hundred
and forty thousand dollars for the principal, and forty thou-
sand dollars for the principal and interest due to Mexico on
the 30th of May, 1850; leaving the sum of twenty -five mil-
lion eight hundred and seventy-four thousand and fifty dol-
lars and thirty-five cents. ; which, it is believed, will be
ample for the ordinary peace expenditures.
The operations of the Tariff Act of 1846 have been such
during the past year as fully to meet public expectation, and
to confirm the opinion heretofore expressed of the wisdom of
the change in our revenue system which was effected by it.
The receipts under it into the treasury for the first fiscal year
after its enactment exceeded by the sum of five millions
forty-four thousand four hundred and three dollars and nine
cents. the amount collected during the last fiscal year under
the Tariff Act of 1842, ending the thirteenth of June, 1846.
The total revenue realised from the commencement of its
operation, on the first of December, 1646, until the close
of the last quarter, on the thirteenth of September last
being twenty-two months, was fixty-six millions six hun-
dred and fitly-four thousand five hundred and sixty-three
dollars and seventy-nine cents—being a much larger sum
than was ever before received from duties durin; any equal
period under the Tariff Acts of 1824, 1828, 1832, and 1842
Whilst by the repeal of highly protective and prohibitory
duties the revenue has been increased, the taxes on the people
have been diminished. Tbey have been relieved from the
heavy amounts with which they were burdened under former
laws in the form of increased prices or bounties paid to
favoured classes and pursuits.
The predictions which were made, that the Tariff Act of
1847 would reduce the amount of revenue below that collected
under the Act of 1842, and would prostrate the business and
destroy the prosperity of the country, have not been veri-
fied. 'With an increased and increasing revenue, the finances
are in a highly flourishing condition. Agriculture, corne
merce, and navigation are prosperous; the prices of manu-
factured fabrics, and of other products, are much less in-
juriously affected than was to have been anticipated from
the unprecedented revolutions Which, during the last
present year, have overwhelmed the industry and p