Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27

the Dement'S OF our laws and Constitution,
and yet were left without any regularly
organized government. Since that time,
a very limited power, possessed by the
Executive, has been exercised to preserve
and protect them from the inevitable con-
sequences Of state Of anarchy.
The only government which remained
was that established by military authority
during the war. Regarding this as de
acto Government, and that by the pre-
sumed consent of the inhabitants, it might
be continued temporarily, they were ad-
ylsed to conform and submit to it for the
short intervening period before Congress
again assembled, and could legislate on the
subject.
The views entertained by the Execu-
tive on this point, are contained in COM
munication Of the Secretary Of State, da-
ted on the 7th 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 was serv-
ing within the limits of the acquired ter
ritories, at the close of the war, remained
in them, and additional forces have been
ordered there for the protection of the in
habitants, and to preserve and secure the
rights and interests ofthe United States.
No revenue has been, or could be, COL
lected at the ports in California, because
Congress failed to authorize the establish
ment of Custom Houses, or the appoint
ment Of officers for that purpose. The
Secretary Of the Treasury, by circular
letter addressed 10 Collectors Of the Gus
toms on the seventh day of October last,
a copy of which is transmitted exer-
cised all the power with which he was in
vested by law.
In pursuance of the act OF the 18th
August last, extending the benefit of the
Post Office laws to the people of Califor-
MIA, the Post Master General has appoint
ed two agents, who have proceeded, the
one 70 California and the other to Oregon,
with authority TO make the necessary ar
engagements for carrying its provisions into
effect.
The 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 at the
Isthmus of Panama with the line of mail
steamers on the Atlantic between New
York and Chagres, will establish a regular
commercial route with California.
1t j, our soiemn du'y to provide, with
the least possible delay, for New Mexico
and California, regular organized govern
ments. 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 pros poets, and increased
national greatness, which the acquisition
of these rich territories affords, how ira
tional it would be TO lorego, and to reject,
these advantages, by the agitation Of do
mcstic question, which is coeval with the
existence of our Government itself, and TO
endanger, by internal strifes, geogre phical
divisions and heated contests for political
power, or for any other cause, the harmo-
ny of the glorious union of our confedera-
tion-tha, union which binds as together
as one people, and which, for sixty years,
has been our shield and protection against
every danger.
In the eyes of the world and rosterity,
how trivial and insignificant will be all our
Internal divisions and struggles, compared
with this union Of the States with all its
valor and its countless blessings. No pa
triot would foment or excite geographical
and sectional divisions. No lover of his
country would deliberately calculate the
value of the Union. Future generations
wo1l!d look in amazement u?on the folly
of snch course. Other nations, at the
present moment, would look upon ii with
establishment, and such Of those as desire
to maintain and perpe;uate thrones and
monarchical or aristocrat!c principles, will
view it with exu!tation and delight, because
i'll it they will see the elements Of faction
which they hope must ultimately over
throw our system. Ours is the great ex-
ample of pros porous and free self-gov-
erned republic, commanding the admifa-
ton and the imitation Of all lovers of free
dom throughout the world.
How solemn, therefore, the duty--how
impressive the call upon us, and upon all
parts of our country-to cultivate patri-
otto spirit of harmony, good fellowship,
compromise and mutual concession, in the
administration Of the Incompatible system
of aforementioned by cur fathers in the
mlGst of almost insuperable difficulties, and
transmitted to Us with the injunction that
we should enjoy its blessings, and hand it
down unimpaired to those that may come
after lis.
In view of the high and responsible du-
ties We owe to ourselves and mankind, ]
trust you may be able to approach the ad-
justment of the only domestic question
Which seriously threatens, or probably
ever can threaten, 10 disturb the harmony
and successful operation Of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions Of
New Mexico and California, are already
inhabited by considerable populations at
tracted by their great fertility-their min
eral ealth--tiieir commercial advantages,
and tie salubfity ofthe climate. Emigrants
irom the older States, in great numbers,
are already preparing to seek new homes
in these inviting regions.
Shall the dissimilarity Of domestic insti-
buttons in the different States prevent us
from providing for them suitable govern
tod Of hn