The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-05
Acknowledgement Taylor and MIR. VIM. IL. Seward.

b. b. Brett
C~lifornia-Genorai Taylor and MIR. VIM. II. Seward.
The despatch OF Captain Folsom to Major General
Jesup, which published on Tuesday, cannot fail 10
excite painful apprehensions in the public mind Ii pre-.
sents vivid picture of the awess violence which reigns
in California Life and property are unsafe and gene
raj feeling of insecurity depresses the whole population
our Pacific coast. Crowds of men hocking from
all quarters to San Francisco and the mines the Saca
menio Among them many persons OF bad character
and desperate fortunes Captain Fosoms despatch states
that "ereying about them affords reasonable assurance
that every kind Of uaany may be practised Wt npuny
throughout the territory" "OMrages occurring" he
continues, sin all quarters of the country and public as
onishment has scarcely subsidized after murder has
ranspired before another is committed more horrible than
the first. House breaking, hss, and robberiss of
almost hourly This state Of things must
nue until haze the firm and steady reign of gopern
ment extended the territory BY Congress" Such is
the statement of sagacious spectator and it exhibits the
condition of things in California the 23d of January
Horrible il is, it is not reasonable suppose that il
presents full and faithful picture of the which
now disgrace our in California. The vast emf
grafton from the Atlantic seaboard and the Missssip-
pi valley, which was occasioned by the informa-
ton that arrived here the first of the year from the Pa
cic had not reached California when Captain Fosom's
letter was penned Since then, thousands have entered
that territory and thousands the voyage th,her
from all quarters of the globe. These 20 armed
and equipped for war. Collisions must ensue not
only between individuals, but between companies. This
motley population coming from every cline and speaking
every tongue cannot harmonic They will find themselves
in country where there is society to check, pub
lie opinion to prevent and law punish, the fierce
excuses of passion By the middle of summer, there
will be thirty thousand armed at the mines and, in
all human probability, scenes will be enacted on those
golden sands whose recital will chill the heart with
horror
Captain Folsom tells u.s. that in January the people Of
California were looking anxously to the action of Con-
gress with the hope that protection would be extended
them He says at will be safe, think, to put the
of California for the current year, at 81 100000.
The amount paid is becoming subject Of comment, and
the fact that population paying such tax has gov
eminent and representation, is exciting very general
dissatisfaction. Should Congress again adjourn without
any action relation to this territory, r create
violent COMMENT and might lead to measures the
part of the people of the country phich scoud bring last
ing disgrace upon our flag And Congress has again
adjourned without extending our laws New Mexico
and teeming with wealth. is left unpro,ected-praccalIy
unnotcedits citizens given over to awessness, and
its exposed to be pundered by every nation
This invaluable domain won by the blo:d and
treasure of citizens and, yet, it left open to the
joint and occupancy OF every people Practically it
belongs as much to England, France, Brazil the Sand
witch islands, it does to the United States and their
Joint tenancy will continue until our title perfected by
nd nv limo Ia
and institutions to the Pacific
The late administration labored faithfully and zeaousy
to furnish government for California. In our humble
day, urged the subject upon the attention of Congress
Day after day. pictured the scenes of outrage and
violence which Captain Folsom tells us have already
our support to Mr. Clay,ons compromise to Mr.
Walkers amendment, to every plan which could
the honor of our government, and preserve the
character OF institutions and afford protection to
our people, without striking down the barriers Of the
constitution and destroying the equality of the States.
We continued in this up to the Sd Of March-the
last day of the sesson-not without strong hopes of
cess In the mean time, General Taylor had arrived in
Washington 1t rumored that he was anxious that
Congress should settle the California question before he
sedt IeiHOVe dangerous iioi
before his administration. This report stimulated the
hopes and even gave confidence to the friends OF Mr.
Walkers amendment. But time The 4th OF
March dawned and the thirtieh Congress adjourned,
leaving the great work unfinished
A heavy responsibility rests upon those who defeated
the amendment of Mr.. Walker, which intended to
furnish government for newly acquired territories
responsibility which consde ratoa could induce us
to incur 1t involves nothing less than the crime and
wrong which must enveop people in California, for
want of the restraints of law and the protection OF gov
eminent. The public should know how and by whom
this work was done. From time to tme rumors have
reached but they withheld because we did
not believe them to be authentic We heard that Gen.
Taylor had used his influence in aid of Mr. Walkers
amendment Even the name of member of Congress
to whom he had spoken emphacaly was mentioned to
us but yet we were left in darkness General Taylor
and his friends had declared that he would not interfere
with Congress, use his position to influence its delb-
eratons The publicity given to the various steps taken
framing his cabinet induced the belief that he did not
wish TO affect the action of Congress- in urherance Of any
measure relating to California and New Mexico. We
lid not dream that General Taylor was so ignorant OF
public affairs strip himself of the great power which
sprung from the hopes of those who aspired to the high
places in his gift, if he intended TO do anything recon-
Gle differences and produce action this important sub
ect But it that mistaken. We