The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-07

sOrs, have been settled by treaty. The area of these
several territories, according to report careful.
ly prepared by the Commissioner of the General
Land Oitce, from the most authentic inform alton
In his possession, which is herewith transmitted
contains one million one hundred ninety thou
sand sixty one square miles
with New Mexico and California have been
acquired seven hundred three millions FIVE hun.
dred htY thous nd forty acres, while the al ca OF
the remaining twenty nine States, East of the
Rocky mountains, contain two millions fifty nine
thousand five hundred thirteen square miles, or
one hundred thirty millions five hundred
twenty six thousand and fly eight acres. These
estimates show that the territory recently acquir-
ed, and over which our exclusive jurisdiction and
dominion have been exercised, constitute
country more than hall as large a that which
was held by the United States before their acuui.
sition OF Oregon. From estimates, there will now
remain within the limits of Texas, New Mexico
and California, 85l ,5JS square miles, or 545I2,-
72O acres, being an addition equal to more than
one third OF all the territory owned by the United
States, before their acquisition. The new lands
brought into the market also the extension OF
revenue laws over those territories in pursuance
of the provisions Of the 18th section of the treaty
Of peace, friendship, limits and settlement with
the Republic al Mexico, and the act OF July 80
lo49, are oil great consideration. Mines OF quick
silver have also been discovered, causing great
anxiety among sailors, soldiers, and settlers TO
engage in the business, and producing an unpre-
cedented rise in the price of the neCessaries OF
lle. Recent discoveries render il probable that
the mines In California are more extensive and
valuable than anticipated in the report OF the
commanding officer OF the forces in California,
who reported TO the War Department that about
Jour thousand persons were engaged in collecting
goid, and there Is every reason to believe that
the number has since been augme nted Expe-
dltlons already made, warrant the belief that The
supply will be very large.
A branch mint is recommended in California,
and Its immense advantages are fully argued
NO revenue has been, Or could be collected in
California, there being no Custom Houses nor
officers there. He also recommends the Nilsson
RI compromise, and gives his reason Tor ap-
proving the Oregon bill, the sincere desire 10
preserve harmony and union In Difference 10
the acts OF his predecessor, or should Congress
prefer to submit the legal question to the Supreme
Court, he expresses his opinion that the whole
union should cheeriully acquiesce in the decis-
ions OF that tribunal. He recommends the cree
ton OF Notifications and defensive works. The
claims OF our citizens which have been already
adjusted, and decided against the Mexican Re.
public, amounting with the interest thereon TO
$ZO23,S 81, have been lquidated and paid.
The acquisition OF Calltornia and N ew Mexico.
the settlement OF the Oregon Boundary, and the
annexation OF Texas are results, which combin-
ed, are OF greater consequence and will add more
TO the strength and wealth OF the nation than
any which have preceded them since the adop-
uon OF the constitution. But to complete these
great results, it is solemn duty to provide for
organized territorial governments both in New
Mexico and California. The causes of the tail
ure 10 do this at the last session of Congress are
well known and deeply regretttd d. in view of the
nigh and responsible duties which we owe to
ourselves and to mankind.
The President then goes on to speak of the
slavery question. You may be able, he saws, AZ
the present session, TO approach the adjustment
OF the only domestic question which seriously
threatens, or probably ever can threaten, to dis.
turb the harmony and successful operation OF our
system. The question, he says, is rather abstract
than practical. Whether slavery ever can or
would exist IN any portion OF the acquired terri.
tory, even If it were left 10 the option OF the
siaveholding states themselves to decide from the
nature OF the climate and production, is ques-
ton In much the larger portion OF these United
States 1t Is certain it could never exist and in the
remainder, the probabilities are it would not
however this may be, the question, involving as il
does, principle OF equality OF rights of the sep
arate and several States as equal CO. partners in
the contederacy, should not be dIsregarded in Or
CANNING governments over the territory No
duty imposed on Congress by the Constitution
requires that they should egisate 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 Wheth-
er Congress shall legislate or not, the people of
the acquired territories when assembled in con.
yentlon to form State Constitutions, will possess
the sole and exclusive power to determine for
themselves whether slavery shall or shall not ex.
ist within their limits. II Congress abstain from
interfering with the question, the people of these
territories will be lett free TO adjust this question
as lhey may think proper when they apply for
admission as states into the Union, and no enact.
ment OF Congress could restrain the people OF anv
OF tAe sovereign states of the Union. north mr.
south, slaveholding or non slavehoIding from de.
termlning the character Of their own domestic in.
sti'ution as they may deem wise and proper
ANY and all the states possess this right. and
Congress cannot deprive them oft
II the whole subject be referred to the iud,-
clary, all parts of the Union should cheertuuv
acqulesce in the final decision of this tribunal.
uhe president recommends mineral lands 10 he
sold IN New Mexico in small quantities. The
resident is so far from entertaining spprebeu-
SONS OF the safety Of our system by The exten.
sioh oil our territory, that the belief is con6dent.
~ entertained that such new states give STRENGTH
and an additional guarantee for the preservatSon
OF the Union ITSELF "NO'
The increase Of vast territories boe ;oo....a,