The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-12-15
VOL. lX.-.NO q.


during the war. Regarding ibis as de
iactn government, and that Ivy tho presu-
med consent of the inhabitants it might be
continued temporarily, they were advised
10 conform and suomi, 10 il for The short
intervening period before Congress again
assembled, and could legisla,e on the sub.
ijcci.
The views entertained by the Executive
on this point, are contained in u commit
nicaion OF the Secretary Of State, dated
on the 7th of October list, which was Tor
warded for publication to Caliorni, and
/ New Mexico, copy Of which is herewith
Transmitted. The small military force Of
/ the regular army which was serving with
IN The limits of the acquired territories, al
I the close Of the war, remained IN them,
and additional forces have been ordered
/ there for the protection of the inhabitants,
and To preserve and secure the rights and
interests Of the U. States.
! No revenue has been, or could be, col
leced at the pors in California, because
Congress failed To authorize the establish
nent Of Custom Houses, or the appoint
men, Of Officers for that purpose. The
Secretary of the Treasury, by circular let.
ter addressed to Collectors Of the Customs
on the nh of Oct. last, exercised all the
power with which he was invested by
law.
In pursuance Of the act Of the tth Aug.
last, extending the benefit Of the Post Of.
fee laws to the people of California, the
Post Master General has appointed two
agents. WHO have proceeded, the one To
California and the other TO Oregon, with
authority 10 make the necessary arrange
ments for carrying its provisions into cf'
feet.
Inc monthly line of mail steamers. from
Panama has been required TO deliver and
take mails at San Diego, Monterey and
San Francisco.
These mail steamers, connected a, the
: lslhmus of Panama with the line of mai
steamers on the Atlantic between N. Yorl
and Chagres. will establish a regular com
merrial route with California.
1t is our solemn duty TO provide, wild
the least possible delay, for N. Mexico ant
California, regular organized governments
The causes of the failure 10 do this. a, the
last session of Congress. are well known
and deeply To be regretted. With the open
t ing prospects, and increased national great
ness. which the acquisition of these ricl
territories affords, how irrational il wou't
he to f,rego, and to reject, these advanla
yes, bv the agitation OF a domestic qNes
tlon, which is coeval with the existence o
/ our government, itself, and to endanger, By
internal sri(es, geographical divisions am
, heated contests for political power, or TO
any other cause, the harmony of the glorl
ons union of our cOnieieralion-ihat uniol
which bindc us together as one people, ant
which, for sixty years. has been our shiel,
and protection against every danger.
In The eyes of the world and pos'crity
how ,rivid and insignificant will BE- all on
integral divisions, and struggles, compare
with this union of the States with all it
valor aud all It's countless blessings. NJ
: patriot would toment or excite geographic
and sectional divisions. No lover Of Iii
! country would deliberately calculate tn
. value of the Union. Future generation
? would look in amazemcnt upon the GpIl,
of such n course. Olfcr nations, at ih
| Presen, moment, would look upon i, vii
establishment, and such Of those rs dcslr
10 maintain and perpPma,e thrones an,
= n"narchcal ct aris,orralic principles. wiI
{ view II with oxidation and delight, be
cause in it they will see the elements u
r faction which they hope must ullinalrl,
. overthrow cur system. Ours j. the gtca
example of a prosperous and free sell.goy
rrned republic commanding the admire
lion and the inTtalion of all lovers Of free
r dom throughout the world,
How solemn, therefore, the 0uty-hoy
= impressive the call upon us, and upon al
: pats of our coun,ry--to cultivate patri
p o,ic spirit of harmony, good fellowship
: compromise aud mutu ! concession, in th
! administration of the Incompatible system
! uf government, formed by our fathers in tn
rnids, of almost insuperabe difficulties, an,
transmitted to US with the Injunction tia
: we should enjoy its blessings, and hand
down unimpsired to those that may comt
alter us.
In view Of the high and responsible du
ties we owe To ourselves aud mankind,
rus, you may be able to approach the al
| luslmeut of the only domestic question
+ which seriously threatens, or probably ev
| er can threaten to disturb The harmony an
successful operation of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions q
, New Mexico and California, are alread,
inhabited by considerable population
attracted by their great leriil,y--,helr min
, erll wealth--lheir commercial advantages
and the salubrily of the climate. Eni
| grants from the older States, III grel, mum
bers, are already preparing to seek new
homes in these inviting regions.
t Shall the dissimlar,y of domestic ins,i
: tu,ons in the diferen, States prevent II
, from providing for them suitable govern
: men,s' These institutions existed at TIT
, adoption of the constitution but the ob
slaces which they iuierposed, were over
h,s e IA