Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-13

ernments which had been established owe
New Mexico had ceased 10 exist lmpre,
sed with the necessity of establishing Ter
ritorial Governments over them, ! recon
mended the subject to the favorable con
sidcration Of Congress. in my messag
communicating the ratified treaty Of Peace
on the 9th of July last. and invoked thei
action at that session. Congress adjourne.
without making any provision for ihei
government. The inhabitants, by IN,
transfer Of their country. had become enti
tied 10 the benefits of our laws and cons,i
tuition, and yet were e9ieft without an,
regularly oganized government, Sine,
that time the very limited power possessed
by The Executive has been exercised L
preserve and protect them from the inev
liable conseque ncesof slate Of anarchy
The only government, which remained was
that established by the military authority
during the war. Regarding this to be a
de facto government, and that by the pre-.
sumed consent of the Inhabitants it might
be continued temporarily. they were ad.
,sed to conform and submit 10 il for a
short intervening period, before Congress
would again assemble and could legisla!e
upon the subject. The views entertained
by the Executive on this point are contained
in a communication OF the Secretary oil
State. dated the 7th of October last, which
was forwarded for publication 10 California
and New Mexico; a copy Of which is here
with transmitted.
The small military force of the regular
army which was serving within the limits
of the acquired territories at the close OF
the war. was retained in them, and aedl.
tional forces have been ordered there for
the protection Of the inhabitants, and TO
preserve and secure the rights of the Uni
ted States.
No revenue has been OF could be collec-
ted at the ports in California, because Con-
gress failed 10 authorize the establishment
Of Custom Houses. or the appointment Of
officers for that purpose.
The Secretary of the Treasury, by cir
cular letter addressed to Collectors Of the
Custom on the 7lh day Of October last, a
copy Of which is herewith transmitted,
exercised all the power with which he was
invested by law. -
In pursuance Of the act Of the 18th Of
Aug. last, extending the benefit Of our
Posi- Office laws TO the people Of California,
the Postmaster General has appointed two
agents. who have proceeded. the one to
California. and the other TO Oregon, with
authority to make the necessary arrange
menls for carrying lis provisions inso ef.
feet.
The monthly line Of Mail Steamers from
Panama to Astoria has been required to
'.stop and deliver and take mails at San
Diego, Monterey. and San Francisco."-
Tkese mail steamers. connected by the
Islhmus of Panama with the line of Mail
Steamers on the Atlantic between New
York and Chagres, Will establish regular
mail communication with California.
1t is our solemn duty to provide, with
he least practicable delay, for New
Mexico and California, regularly organic
I'd territorial governments. The causes OF
he Ea lure 10 do this at the last session Of
Congress are we'll known, and deeply to
be regretted. With the opening prospects
of increased prosperity and national great.
ness which the acquisition Of these rich and
extensive territorial possessions afford, how
rraliona, it would be TO forego or reject
hese advantages, by the agitation of do
nestle quest ion which is coevil with the
existence of our government itself, and 10
endanger by internal stri(es, geographical
and heated contests for political
power, or for any other cause, the harmo-
ny of the glorious union of our confederat-
I'd States; that Union which binds US to-
yether as one people, and which for sixty
ears has been our shield and protection
against every danger. In the eyes Of the
world and Of posterity, how trivial and in.
significant will be all our internal divis-
ons and struggles compared with the pres.
srvation Of the Union Of the States, in oil
its vigor and with all its countless bless.
ings! No patrio, would ferment and OK.
cite geographical and sectional divisions.
No lover Of his country would deliberately
calculate the value Of the Union. Future
generations would look with amazement
on the folly of such course. Other M.
lions Of the present day would look upon
it with astonishment; and such Of them as
desire to maintain and perpetuate thrones
and monnrchial or aristocratical principles,
will view it with exultation and delight, be-
cause in it they will see the elements OF
faction, which they hope must ultimately
overturn our system. Ours is the great
example of free selfgoverned Republic,
commanding the admiration and the imita.
lion of all the lovers Of peace. throughout
the world. How solemn, therefore, is tho
duty, and how impressive is the call upon
all parts Of our country, 10 cultivate a pat
riotic spirit of harmony, Of good fellow
ship, of compromise, of mutual concess-
ions in tho administration Of the incompar.
able system of government formed BY our
Fathers in the midst Of almost insspsrabls
difficulties, and transmitted to Us with the
Injunction that we should enjoy its bless
ings and hand it down uEimpaired to those
who may come after US!
In view of the high and responsible ou'
ty which We owe 10 ourselves and to man
kind, think you may be able, at you:
present session to approach the adjustment
Of The only domestic question which serl
ously threatens or probably ever car
threaten. 10 disturb the>harmony ans sue
cessiul operations ofonr system.
The immensely valuable possessions Q
New Mexico and California are alread,
inhabited by considerable population
Attracted by their great fertility, their min
eral wealth. their commercial advantage