The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-06

fitted by ii. AS our commerce and navigation en-
81 our xpEs sua ia s
markets thus opened they cannot ail 10 command fenu-
neratng and profitable prices.
| The acquisition of California and New Mexico, the
settlement OF the Oregon boundary and the annexation
OF Texas extending to the Rio Grande results which,
combined are OF greater consequence AID Will add more
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
regularly organized governments. The existing cond-
ton OF California, and of that part OF New Mexico lying
west of the Rio Grande, and without the limits OF Texas,
mperiousy demand that Congress should, ati present
session, organize territorial governments over them.
Upon the exchange Of Publications OF the treaty OF peace
with Mexico the hreth of May last the temporary
governments which had been established over New Mex
leo and California by our military and naval commanders,
by virtue OF the rights of war, ceased to derive any obg
atory force from that of authority; and having
troll them under the authority Of Mexico had ceased
to exist impressed with the necessity OF establishing
territorial governments them, | recommended the
subject to the favorable consideration of Congress IN my
message communicating the ratified treaty OF peace,
the sixth of July last and invoked their action at that
session. Congress adjourned without making any pro-
vision for their government The lnhabiants, by the
transfer of their country had become entitled TO the
benefits Of laws and constitution and yet were
left without any regularly organized government. Since
that time the very limited power possessed by the Ex
ecuve has been exercised TO preserve and protect them
from the inevitable consequences OF state oil an
archy. The only government which remained was that
Regarding this to be de tdcto government and that by
the presumed consent of the inhabitants It might be
continued temporarily, they were advised TO conform and
submit to for the short intervening period before Con-
gress would again assemble and coud legisate the
subject The views entertained by the Executive on
this point are contained in communication Of the Sec
rotary of State dated the seventh of October last which
was forwarded for publication to California and New
Mexico copy of which is herewith transmitted
The small military force OF the regular army which
serving within the limits of the acquired territories at
the close OF the retained in them, and addition
al forces have been ordered there for the protection OF
the inhabitants and TO preserve and secure the rights and
interests of the United States
No revenue has been or could be collected at the
ports in California, because Congress failed to au-
thoryc the establishment of custom houses, or the ap
pointmen of officers for that purpose.
The Secretary of the Treasury by circular letter adj
dressed to collectors of the customs on the seventh day
of October last copy of which is herewith transmitted,
exercised all the power with which he was invested by
law
In pursuance of the act of the fourteenth of August
last extending the benefit of post office laws to the
people of California, the Postmaster General has ap-
pointed two agents who have proceeded the one to Cal
forna, and the other to Oregon with authority to make
the necessary arrangements Tor carrying Its provisions
into effect.
The monthly line of mail steamers from Panama TO
Astoria has been required to stop and deliver and take
These mail steamers, connected by the sthmus OF Pana
ma with the line OF mail steamers on the Atlantic be-
tween New York and Chagres, will establish regular
mail communication with California.
cable delay, for New Mexico and California, regularly
organized territorial governments The causes OF the
failure to do this at the last session of Congress
are well known, and deeply to be regretted. With
the opening prospects OF increased prosperity and ma
tional greatness which the acquisition OF these rich and
extensive territorial possessions Affords how irrational
would be TO foego or 10 reject these advantages, by
the agitation of domestic question which is coeval with
the existence of our government itself and to endanger
by internal strifes geographical divisions, and heated
tests for political power or for any other cause the har
mony of the glorious Union of confedeated States
that Union which binds us together as one people, and
which for sixty years has been shield and protection
against every danger In the eyes of the world and OF
poserity, how trivial and insignificant will be all our
internal divisions and struggles compared with the pres,
ervaton of this Union OF the States in all its vgor and
with all its countless blessings No patriot would foment
and excite geographical and sectional divisions No lover
of his country would deliberately calculate the value OF
the Union Future generations would look in amaze
ment upon the folly of such course. Other nations
at the present day would look upon it with asonlshment
and such of them desire to maintain and perpetuate
thrones and monarchical or arisocratcal principles
will view it with eXultaon and delight, because in it
they will see the elements of faction, which they hope
must ultimately overurn our system. Ours is the great
example of prosperous and free selfgoverned republic
commanding the admiration and the imitation OF all the
lovers of freedom throughout the world. How solemn
therefore, is the duty, how impressive the call upon us
and upon all parts OF our country, to cultivate patriotic
spirit of harmony, of good fellowship, OF compromise
and mutual concession, in the administration OF the in
comparable system of government formed by our fathers
in the midst OF almost nsupeabe difficulties, and trans
mitted to with the injunction that we should ENJOY lis
come after us!
In view of the high and responsible duties which we
to ourselves and 10 mankind trust you may be
able at your present session. TO approach the adjustment
of the only domestic question which seriously threatens,
or probably threaten disturb the harmony and
successful operation of our system
The immensely valuable possessions OF New Mexico
and California already inhabited by considerable
population Attracted by their great fertility, their MIN
eral wealth, their commercial advantages and the salu
brty of the climate emgrans from the older States in
great numbers, already preparing to seek homes
in these inviting regions.
Shall the dissmilarity of the domestic institutions in
the different States prevent us from providing for them
suitable governments These institutions existed at the
adoption of the constitution, but the obstacles which
they nierposed by that spirit of compro-
mise which is invoked. In conflict OF opinions
of interests, real imaginary between different sec
tons Of country, neither justly demand all which
ii might desire obtain. Each, the true spirit of
institutions, should concede Something to the other
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by whose pa
otism and unparalleled deeds OF obtained these
possessions indemnity for our just demands against
one State section of our Union They were men from
slaveholdng and savehodng States, from the North
and the South, from the East and the West They were
all companions and fellow citizens of the same
common country, engaged in the same common cause:
When prosecuting that war, they were brethren and
friends, and shared alike with each other tolls
dangers, and suierings Now when their work is end
ed when peace restored and they return again to their
homes put off the habilimens of war, take their places
society," and their pursuits civil life, surely
the rights OF all and OF all sections of the Union ought TO
prevail in providing governments for the acquired terrific
fies-the fruits of their service The whole
people OF the United States and of every State contributed
deray the expenses of that and would not be
Just for any section to exclude another from all par
Ia