Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1848-12-11

cannot laito command rem1uelating and profitable
prices 81
TIE act usition Of California ana New N,x;oo TIC
settlement of the Oregon boundary and the annexa-
ton OF Texas, extending to the Rio Grande aye results
which, combined, are of greater consequences and viii
add more to the strength and wealth of the nation than
any which have preceded them since the adoption of
the constitution,
But to effect these great results not only California
but New Mexico must be brought under the control Of
regularly organized governments. che existing con
dItlon OF California, and that part Of New Mexico ~
ING West Of the Rio Grande, aud without the limits o
Texas imperously demand that Congress should at
present session, nize territorial governments over
them. -.l..s
Upon the exchange of the Publications of the treaty
OF peace with New Mexico on the thirtieth Of May
last. the temporary governments which had been cs-
tIblshed over New Mexico and California BY our mill
tary and naval commanders by virtue Of tile rights If
war ceased to derive any obligatory force from That
source OF authority and having been celed to the u
mted States all government and control over them I'M
der the authority of Mexico had ceased to exist I'm
pressed with the necessity of establishing territorial
governments them, recommended the subject to
the favorable consideration of Congress in nv message
communicating the ratified treaty Of peace Oh tic sixth
81 July last and invoked their action at that session
Congress adjourned without making any provision for
their government. The Inhabitants by the transfer of
their country, had become entitled to tho benefits Of
our laws and constitution, and yet left without a.
ny regularly organized government.
Since that time. the very limited power possessed by
the Executive has been exercised to preserve and pr
tcct them from the inevitable consequences Of State
oE anarchy. The only government which remained
was that established by the military authority durinc
the war. Regarding this to be dc faeto government
and that by presumed consent Of the inhabitant, If
might he continued temporarily they were advised to
conform and submit to 1t for short period bcforeC on
gross would again assemble and lcrisate On the sub
JocI, The views entertained by the Executive on this
point arc contained i'll 4 communication Of tho Score
tary Of State dated the seventh at October as which
was forwarded Republication to California anu New
Mexico, copy Of which is herewith tran smittcd
The small military force q INC regular army, which
was serving within the limits Of the ACQUIRED territo
res at the close of the war, was retained within them
and additional forces have been ordered there Cor the
protection OF the inhabitants and to preserve and So
care the rights and interests Of the nitcl States
mo revenue has been or could w collected At the
ports OF California, because Congress failed to author
ne the establishment custom houses or tie appoint
ment CT officers for that purpose.
The Secretary of the Treasury by circular address
cd to collectors Of the CUSTOMS the seventh day Of
October last, copy OF which is herewith transmitted
exercised all the power with which lie is invested by
law.
In pursuance Of the act Of the fourteenth Of A1rus
last, extending the benefit Of post 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 arrangements f0r carrying It's pro-
visions into effect.
Thc monthly line Of mail steamers from Panama To AL
toga has been required to st0p and deliver and take
mails ID 5an Diego, Monterrey, and Sun Francisco "-
These mail steamers connected BY tho sthmus Of Pan
anna with tie line of mail steamers on the Atlantic
between New York and Chacrcs will establish reeu-
lar mail communication with California.
1t is solemn duty to provide with the least prac
ticable delay for New Mexico and California REGULAR
ly organized territorial governments 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 prospects increased prosperity and nation
al greatness which the acquisition Of these rich and
extensive territorial possessions affords how irrational
would be to forego, to reject these advantages
by the agitation OF domestic question which is coe val
with the existence OF our government itself and to en-
danger W internal stros, geographical divisions, and
heated contests for political power or icr any other
cause the harmony Of The glorious Union 81 con
federated States, that onion which bndsas torcther
people, and which for sixty years has been our
shield and protection against every danger.
In the eyes of the world and of posterty how tri-
wall and insignificant will be all our internal divisions
and struggles compared with the preservation Of This
Union O. the States in ali its vgor and with all its
countless blessi ,gs No patriot would fonent and
excite geographical and sectional divisions. No lover
Of his country would deliberately calculate the value Of
the Union. Future generations would look in amaze
ment on the folly of such course. Other nations at
the presant day would look upon it with astonslmcnt;
and such OF them desire to maintain ana perpcuate
thrones and monarcical aristocratical princplcs
Will view 1t with eXultation and delight because in II
they will see the elements Of faction which thew hone
must ultimately oycrturn our system.
Ours is the great example Of a prosperous and free
self governed republic, commanding the admiration
and the Imitation of all the lovers Of freedom through
out the world. How solemn therefore, is the dutvhow
nd al e.
country to cultivate patriotic spirit of harmony of
good fellowship,o compromise and mutual concession
in the administration Of the Incompatible system Of
government formed by fathers in the midst Of al
most insuperabe difficulties and transmitted to Us,
with the injunction that should enjoy it's blessings
and hand 1t down unimpaired to those who may come
after us
In view of the high and responsible duties which
we owe to ourselves and to mankind [ trust you NAV
be able at your present session, to approach the ad
usment of the only domestic question which seriously
threatens or probably ever threaten, to disturb
the harmony and successful operation Of cur svs-
TEN.
The immensely valuable possessions Of New AIoxi-
co and California are already inhabited by consdc-
rable population. Attracted by their great fertility
their mineral wealth. their commercial advantages and
the subrity olthc climate, emirrant5 from the older
States IN great numbers already preparing to seek
new homes il these inviting regions
Shall the di55iArity Of the domestic institutions il
the INTERMEDIATES prevent from providing for them
suitable governments These institutions existed at
the adoption Of tie constitution, but the Obstacles
which they inteposcd were overcome by that spirit Of
compromise which is invoked. In a conflict of
opinions or OF interests real ar imaginary, between
different sections Of our country, neither justly dc
mand all which it might desire to obtain Each III the
true spirit OF our institutions should concede some
thing to the other
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, Jv whose