Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-07-29

for the appointment of aboard of com.
mlssioners" to adjudica,e and decide upon
all claims of our citizens against the Mexi.
can government, which by the treaty have
been assumed by the United States.
| New Mexico and Upper California have
been ceded by Mexico to the United States,
and now constitute part of our country.
Embracing nearly ten degrees of latitude,
lying adjacent to The Oregon territory, and
extending from the Pacific Ocean TO the
Rio Grande, mean distance of nearly a
thousand miles, il would be difficult to es.
innate the value of these possessions 10 the
United States. They constitute of them.
selves country large enough for a great
empire, and their acquisition is second on.
| ly in importance to that of Louisiana in
1903. Rich in mineral and agricultural
resources, with climate of great salubrity,
they embrace the mos, important ports on
he whole Pacific coast of the continent, of
North America. The possession of the
ports of San Diego. Monterey. and the
bay of San Francisco will enable the u.
States to command the already valuable
and rapidly increasing commerce Of the Pa.
cfic. The number of our whale ships
alone now employed in that sea, exceeds
seven hundred, requiring more than twenty
thousand seamen to navigate them, while
the capital invested in this particular
branch of commerce is estimated a, NOT
less than forty millions Of dollors. The
excellen, harbors Of upper California will
under our flag afford security and repose
10 our commercial marine and American
mechanics will soon furnish ready means
of ship.hulders and repair, which are SO
much wanted in that distant sea.
BY the acquisition of these possessions
we are brought into immediate proximity
with the west coast of America. from Cape
Horn TO the Russian possessions, north Of
Oregon; with the islands of the Pacific
Ocean; and. by direct voyage in steam
e's. we will be in less than thirty days oil
Canton and other ports Of China.
In this vast region. whose rich resource.
are soon To be developed Ivy American en-
ergv and enterprise, great mus, be the aug
menialion of our commerce, and with /
new and profitable demands for mechani
cal labor in all its branches, and new anr
valuable markets for our manufactures ane
agricultural products.
While the war has been conducted will
great humanity and fnrbearance, and will
complete success IN our part. the pear,
has been concluded on terms the most lib
eral and magnanimous TO Mexico. In he
hands the territories now coded had re
manned. and il is believed would have con
timed 10 remain. almost unoccupied. anc
IF little value to her or to anv other ma
,ion. whilst as a part of our Union, the,
will he productive Of vast benefits to ,ht
United States, TO the Commercial world
and the general interests of mankind.
The immediate establishment of terrific
rial governments, and the extension of gu
laws over these valuable possessions, arr
deemed to be not only important, but inds
pensable TO preserve order and the due ad
minslra,ion of Justice within their limits
To affrrd protection to the inha bilants. an,
to facilitate the Development of the vas
resources and wealth which their acquisi
ton has added to our country.
The war with Mexico having terminated
The power of the Executive 10 establish o.
TO continue temporary civil government
over these territories, which existed unde
the laws Of nations whilst they were regar
ed as conquered provinces in our military
occupation. has ceased. BY their cessior
TO the United States, Mexico has no longe
any power over them. and until Congress
shall act, the inhabitants will be withou
any organized government. Should they
be left in This condition. confusion and an
archy will be likely to prevail.
Foreign commerce. 10 a considerable
amount. is now carried on in the ports o
Upper California. which will require to be
regulated by our laws. As soon as oul
system shall be extended over this com
merce. revenue Of considerable amount
will be at once collected, and il is not doubt
ed that it will be annually increased. Fol
these and other obvious reasons, deem il
10 he my duty earnestly to recommend the
action Of Congress on the subject at the
present session.
In organizing governments over these
territories, fraught with such vast advanta
ges TO every portion of our Union. in
woke that spirit of concession. Cancellation
and compromise in your deliberations. If
which the constitution was framed; If
which il should be administered, and is 81
indispensable 10 preserve and perpetua,s
the harmony Of the States. We shoulc
never forget that this Union of confeder
ate States was established and cemenied b,
kindred blood. and by the common tolls
suffrages. dangers and triumphs of all il
parts. and has heen the ever augmentin!
source Of our national greatness and of al
our blessings.
There has been perhaps no period, sine,
the warning so impressively given TO hi
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