State journal & flag., 1846-12-18


The following Paragraph justfies the ac-
ton of Capt. Fremont and Commodore
Sloat, in providing for the maintenance
Of civil order in California, after they had
tax en- possession Of thai territory"
by the laws of nations conqured ter.
tory is subject to be governed by the con
queror during his military possession, and
until there is either a treaty Of peace. or he
shall voluntarily withdraw from it. The old
civil government beirg necessarily Supposed
ed, it is the right and duty of the conquero:
10 secure his conquest. and to provide for
the maintenance Of civil order and the rights
of the Inhabitants. The right has been ex-
ercised, and this duty performed by our
military and naval commanders, by the
establishment OF temporary governments in
some of the conquered provinces in Mex
leo, assimilating them as far as practica-
Bile to the free institutions of our own coun-
try. In the provinces of new Mexico and
of the CALIFORNIA;, little if any further re-
sistance is apprehended from The inhabl-
tants 10 the tempory governments which
have thus, from the necessity of The case
and according to Inc laws of war, been es
tablshed. 1t may provide for the security
of these important cooquests by making ar
adequate Appropriation for the purpose o.
erecting fortfcations and defraying the ex
pcnses necessarily incident TO the mainte-
nance of our position and authority oveI
them"
THE TARIFF.
The Tariff question occupies good share
of the message. The following paragraphs
indicate its tone on this questions:
by the simultaneous aban aonment the
protective policy by Great Britain and the
United States, new and important markets
have already been opened for our agricultur
al aud other products commerce and nav
igalion have received new impulse labor
and trade have been released from the arti~
fetal trammels which have so long fettered
them; and 10 great extent reciprocity, in
the exchange of commodities has been in
PRODUCED at the same time by both countries,
and greatly for the benefit OF both. Great
Britain has been forced, by the pressure Of
circumstances at home, to abandon policy
which has been upheld for ages, and TO open
her markets tor our immense surplus OF
breads,uffs and it is confidently believed
that other powers of Europe will ultimately
see the wisdom, if they be not compelled by
the pauperism and suterings of laer crowd
ed population, TO pursue a similar policy.
Our farmers are more deeply interested
10 maintaining the just and liberal policy oil
the existing law than any other class of cur
citizens. They constitute large majority
ofour population and it is well known that
when they prosper, all other pursuits pros
per also. They have heretofore net only
received none of the bounties or favors Of
government, but, by the unequal operations
Of the protective policy, have been made, by
the burdens of taxation which it imposed. 10
contribute 10 the bounties which have en-
riched others. .s
'sIn my annual message OF December last
tariff of revenue duties based upon the
principles of the existing law was recon-
mended and have seen no reason to
change the opinions then expressed. In
view Of The probable beneficial effects o
that law, recommend that the policy cslab
lshed by 1t, be maintained. 1t has but just
commenced to operate; and 10 abandon or
modify it without giving it fair trial
would be inexpedient and unwise. Should
defects in any Of lis details be asceriained
by actual experience to exist, these may
be hereafter corrected but until such de.
iects shall become manifest, the act should
be fairly tested.
1t is submitted for your consideration
whether it may not be proper, as war mea
sure, 10 impose revenue duties on some o
the articles now embraced in the free list.
Should it be deemed proper to impose such
duties, with view to raise revenue TO mee
the expenses of the, war with Mexico, or to
avoid to that extent the creation of a public
debt. they may be repealed when the emer-
gency which gave rise to them shall cease
10 exist, and constitute no part of The per.
manent policy Of the country"
The great length Of the message, and the
late hour at which il was received, has com.
PEELED us to make the foregoing its leading
features. We give almost entire, extracts
from all that relates 10 our Mexican affairs
and at another time we will publish Tn eaten
so, all that relates to the tariff