The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-24
The Administration and California.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WAsHINGToN, October 7. 1913

WAsHINGroN, October Z, 1648. !
WILLIAM V. VOORHEES,, ESQ -
SR.-Previous to your departure for California the
President has instructed to make known, through
your agency to the citizens of the United States nhs
biting that territory his views respecting their pre-
sent condition and future prospects He deems pro-
master General has f sppointsd you
10 make for he
ment of post Offices and for the transmission reeeipt
and conveyance Of letters in Oregon and
fornis the annexation Of their fine province to the
United States On the soh Of May, 1s4s, the day on
which the Publications of late treaty with Mexico
were exchanged California finally became an integral
part Of this and glorious republic the act OF
Congress, to which have already referred in express
terms recognises 1t to be within the territory of the
United States.n
May this union be perpetual.
The people Of California may feel the frmest con-
victon that the and people Of the nied
States viii never abandon them or prove unmindful
are now indissoluby united with that of their bro
thren on this side of the Rocky Mountains HOW
propitious this event. both for them and for US!
Whilst the other nations of the world distracted
by domestic diksensiour, and are involved In etrug.
gle between the privileges of tbs few and the rgats
which equal rights to all our citi-
Hens and has produced peace, happiness and
ment throughout our borders. 1t has combined h6-
erty with erder and all the sacred and indefeasble
rights of the citizen with the strictest observance OF
law Satisfied with the institutions under which We
live each individual is therefore left free to promote
his prosperity and happiness in the manner most
Under ouch constitution and such laws, the pros.
meets Of California are truly encouraging Blessed
with mild and saubrious climate and fertile SOIL
rich in mineral resources-and extending over nearly
degrees Of latitude along the coast OF the Pacinc
with Of the nest harbors in the world the ina
ginstion can scarcely fix limit to It's future wealth.
We behold, in the not distant future, one or more
glorious States Of this confederacy springng into ex
stence in California governed by institutions similar
to own, and extending the blessings OF religion,
liberty and law over that vast region Their free ana
unrestricted and Intercourse with the other
States of the Union, will confer mutual benefits and
blessings all parties concerned, and will bind US
ton and interest Their foreign trade with the west
coast of Americswith Asia, and the Isles Of the Pa
cifc win be protected by our common flag aud can.
fail to bear back to their shores the rich rewards
Of enterprise and industry.
After all, however, the speedy reaSation OF tnese
bright prospects depends much upon the wise ana pru
dent conduct Of the citizens Of California In the pre-
sent emergency. Ifthey commence their career un,
certain but should they become entanged in dimcui-
ties and discussions at the start their progress VIII Do
The President deeply regrets that Congress- did not
at their late session, establish territorial govern
ment for California would now be yain 20 eh se,
may have been, he is firmly convinced that congress
feel deep interest in the welfare Of California anu it'
people; and will at early period OF the next session
provide for them territorial government suited u
their wants. Our laws relating to trade ana inter
course with the Indians will then be extended owe
them-custom houses will be established for the col
lection of the revenue; and liberal grants OF land Will
be made to those bold and patriotic citizens who
emPrate to that territory from the States this sid
of the Rocky Mountains.
The President, in his annual message at the com
mencement Of the next session, will recommend al
these great measures to Congress- in the strongss
terms and will every effort consistently with hi
duty, to insure their accomplishment.
In the meantime, the condition OF the people OF "a
lor Is anomalous and will require on their parttn
exercise Of great prudence and discretion by tno con
ciu.ion of the treaty of peace the military govern
ment which established them, under the law
of war, as recognised by the practice OF all civxe
nations, has ceased to derive its authority from thi
Of power But is there, for this reason, no &c
vernment in California? Are life, liberty ana proper
ty under the protection Of no existing authoiites
This would be n singular phenomenon In the lace
the world, and especially among American ciehen ~
dstin gushed as they are above all otner people 10
their law abiding character Fortunately tney arc ~
reduced to this sad condition. The termination OF tn
facfoin full operation; and this will continue, WIZ
the presumed consent Of the people, UNIV ou"Sses
ehall provide for them territorial government ~, u
great law Of necessity justines THIS conciusoh =
content OF the people is rresistby inferred from W
fact that civilized community could possoy ossir
TO abrogate existing government when tns Assr
native presented would be to place themselves IN
state archy md the protection OF all laws
reduce them to the unhappy necessity OF suo"i'''"
TO The dominion of the strongest -,
This government de fdcfo VIII, OF couEsel vAoio'o
no pswer inconsistent with the provisions OF tne con
ttituton of the United states, when Is ths suprem
law Of the land For this reason no import uuUes &c
be levied in California on srtclee the grown 49,;
Manufacture Of the United SSatesas TO tnct uu.
be i'm In other pert Of our uoion On va
productions Of California. Nor can new u 49,, y
charged in California upon tuoh foreign pIoe ~
~ have already paid dulles ia any Of our poI~y ~
try ftr thS obgcus reason The. CaI0rniAH WYNN VI