The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-27
The Adm,ni.,rat,on and California.

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recently sent to California. The letter is among the
documents accompanying the Presidents Message. at
bears date (says the Pennsylvania, from which we
copy iD more than two months ago, and it shows the
great and attention which interests in tina, quar-
ter have received from the administration, ever since
California became part of the Union The reader will
perceive, what is highly important at this moment OF
uncertainty in regard to the legsauon of Congress on
the subject of recent acquisitions that nothing has
been left undone by the administration without violating
constitutional obligations, to promote the comfort and
security OF citizens in the fair and fertile regions OF
the Pacific The letter of Mr. Buchanan is one of the
abest papers that has ever proceeded from his penbrl-
liant and distinguished has been his administration OF
the Department of State during the evenfu and already
historical administration, now soon to close"
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, October 7th 1918.
SIR Previous TO your departure for California the
President has Instructed me TO make known, through
ing that Territory, his views respecting their present
dton and future prospects. He deems il proper TO
poy you for this purpose because the Postmaster Gene
raj has appointed you agent under the Act to estab
fish certain post routes," approved August II, 1885,
" to make arrangements for the establishment of post
Offices and for the transmission, receipt and convey
ance OF letters in Oregon and California"
The President grauiaes the citizens of California
the xalon of their fine province the United States
On the goth OF May lsis the day on which the atfca
tons of late treaty with Mexico were exchanged
California finally became integral part of this great
and glorious epubcand the act OF Congress to which
have already referred, in express terms recognises it
to" be within the territory OF the United States
May this union be perpetual
The people of California may feel the frmest convic
ton, that the government and people of the United States
Will never abandon them or prove unmndful OF Their
prosperity Their fate and their fortunes ndis
soubly united with that of their brethren this side Of
the Rocky Mountains. How proptous this event both
q he
world distracted by domestic dissensions and In
voved in struggle between the privileges OF the few and
the rights OF the many Heaven has blessed happy
land with government which secures equal rights to all
our citizens, and has produced peace happiness and
enment throughout our borders 1t has combined liberty
with order and all the sacred and indefeasbe rights OF
the citizen with the strctes observance of law. Satisfied
with the institutions under which live each individual
is therefore left free to promote his prosperity and
happiness in the most in accordance with his
Judgment.
Under such constitution and such laws the prospects
OF California truly encourag ing Blessed with mild
and salubrous climate and a fertile sOil-rich in mineral
resourcesand extending nearly ten degrees OF ati
ude along the coast OF the Pacific with some of the
finest harbors in the world, the imagination scarcely
fix limit its future wealth and prosperity.
We behold in the not distant future more go-
rous States OF this confederacy sprngng into existence
in California, governed by institutions similar to
own, and extending the blessings of religion, liberty and
law over that vast region Their free and unrestricted
commerce and intercourse with the other States of the
Union will confer mutual benefits and blessings on all
parties concerned, and will bind all together by the
strongest ties of reciprocal affection and interest Their
foreign trade with the west coast of America, with Asia
and the isles OF the Pacific, will be protected by
flag and fail to bear back TO their shores the
rich rewards OF enterprise and industry.
After all, however, the speedy realization of these
bright prospects depends much upon the wise and pru
deaf conduct of the citizens OF California in the present
emergency It they their career under proper
auspices, their advance will be rapid and certain but
should they become entangl in difficulties and dssen
sons at The start their progress will be greatly retarded
The President deeply regrets that Congress did not at
their late session. establish territorial government for
California 1t would now be vain to enter into the rea
for this omission, Whatever these may have BEEN
he is firmly convinced tina. Congress feel deep interest
in the welfare of California and its people, and will, at
early period OF the next session, provide for them
territorial government suited TO their wants Our laws
relating TO trade and intercourse with the Indians will
abshed for the collection of the revenues and liberal
grants of land will be made to those bold and patriotic
citizens who amidst privallons and dangers, have emf
grated shall emgrate to that territory from the States
on this side of the Rocky mountains
The President in his annual message at the commence
ment of the next session, will recommend all these great
measures to Congress in the strongest terms and will
every effort consistently with his duty to insure their
accomplishment.
In the mean tme the condition of the people of Cali
ornla Is anomalous, and will require on their part the
exercise of great prudence and discretion BY the
clusion of the treaty OF peace the military government
which established them under the laws of war,
recognised by the practice OF all civilized nations has
ceased to derive its authority from this of power
But is there for this reason government in Cafor-
MA! ARE me- HOerty ana property, under the protection
of no existing authorities This would be singular
phenomenon in the face of the world, and especially
among American citizens distinguished they above
all other people for their lawabidng character Fortu
natey they not reduced to this sad condition The
termination OF the war left existing governmental
government dc facto-n full operation; and this will
continue, with the presumed consent OF the people
until Congress shall provide for them Territorial
government The great law of necessity justifes this
conclusion. The consent OF the people irreslsti
bly, inferred from the fact, that civilized commu
nifty could possibly desire to abrogae existing govern
ent, when the alternative presented would be 10 place
themselves in state of anarchy, beyond the protection
of all laws and reduce them to the unhappy necessity of
submitting to the dominion of the strongest
This government de facto WILL of course, exercise no
power inconsistent with the provisions of the consttu-
ton of the United Sates which is the supreme law of
the land For this reason no import duties can be levied
in California articles the growth, produce, manu-
acure OF the United States, such duties can be i'm
posed in any other part of our Union the productions
of California. Nor duties be charged in Cali
ornia upon such foreign productions have already
paid duties in any OF our ports of entry for the obvious
States shall not enlarge upon this subject. however,
the Secretary of the Treasury will perform that duty
Tha President urgently advises the people of Cafor-
MIA to live peaceaby and quietly under the existing gov
eminent He believes that this will promote their last
ing and best interests If it be what they could de-
and had right TO expect, they console them
selves with the reflection that it will endure but for
few months Should they attempt TO change amend
it during this brief PERIOD they most probably could not
accomplish their object before the government established
by Congress would go into operation. In the time
Withdrawn from their usual empoyments, and domestic
ie Nv nUpyn alto he Dp