The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-05

~ Az onsEayEa * wAsnIssros.


Among the vernal promises Of General Taylor. and
the most remarkable production to which he appended
his name, his first letter, addressed TO relative IN
louisiana, of the name OF Allison. This Document.
and read BY Mr. Clayton before met the eye Of General
Taylor, was catholic and tolerant In ats ana
expressed the understood sentiments q ~ Cia1
in those days delighted 70 cheer on as the great taylor
republican party and the wings after immoiating their
promugais any other PLATFORM but adopted this their
creed
In this document elaborated with 50 much care by the
It's transmission the west bank OF the Mississippi for
the hero Of Buena Vista to sign. General Taylor made
TO reiteate in an imposing FORM his pledges previously
aparty; would endeavor to act independent of party
domination, should feel bound to administer the gov
eminent untrammeed by party schemes" He then pro-
huence ofthe Executive upon the legislative department OF
the government II have often thought that for many years
past the known opinions and wishes the Executive have
received texeTcisedl undue and injurious influence
upon the legislative department OF the government and
Tor this cause, have thought system was in danger
g. ss III % s e
occupy the Executive chair ought not control the action
Of Congress- upon questions Of domestic policy ought
S
seaalescsdi in by NE people"
principles BY General Taylor April ls4s, and received
of New York, and Mr. Thurston representative from
Rhode Island, aveed that he commenced the exercise OF
this "undue and injurious influence upon the Legislative
department OF the government" before the administration
oil MIR Polk had terminated He certainly was obliv-
ious Of the Allison letter when he induced w
had invited consented should be received into his
cabinet. 70 endeavor 70 procure the passage OF par
co which was chs hnse as a President With
extraordinary powers The agents selected were proper
men for such an intrigue Although thus. early made
troll Ss q Which s had
as wrong in principle, and endangering our system by
changing It's .true theory" they neither Of them
Of the Ashland school Of politics. and tine devoted
partisans OF Mr. Clay, whose downfall they lamented
One was partisan. the other demagogue; and both
were suitable instruments for the purpose and the
sion. Neither of them regarded the improperly of their
conduct Notwithstanding they had for years been vehe-
n the .hsS h and sS
liar interference On bleak and stormy day in March,
when Congress closing its abos, and its final
gagged pressing and important duties these two inn
poTtant personages with the and advice OF
General Taylor, and at his suggestion repaired to the
Capitol and ndecenty thrust themselves into Hobbies and
to the floor Of the two houses control the action
of Congress" This the dawn of administration
ed and assaults ungenerously made its predeces
sors II was omnous OF what the country to expect,
and soon realized in regard all the pledges of General
The conquest of the northern States Of Mexico had,
during the existence OF the war, originated emba
rassng QUESTION: as to their government While the adj
minstraon OF Mr. Polk had exerted itself to discharge
all the duties devoving upon i under the anomalous
condition OF affairs, both he and his cabinet had aimed
with great care and crcumsPection to limit their action
within the scope Of their undoubted constitutional
thority and under circumstances to transcend the
powers with which they were invested. Guarded and
cautious were all their and instructions,
there were unavoidable embarassments attending the
jurisdiction OF these vast and distant regions not only
from the novelty and want of precedent to govern them
and guide their subordnates but from the inexperence
of the officers to whom were delegated the government
OF the etories and the mpossbility OF speedy inter
communication. These difficulties and embaIrassments,
however, met with little indulgence from the ultra wings,
who denounced their acts usurpaons, and their
duct a indefsnsible.
Government having been maintained. while hostities
existed, through the war power. terminated with the
treaty. and Caliiorni. and New Mexico. which were
ceded 70 the United States, were without territorial
government The Executive invested with no legal
authority regard them. and Congress having failed.
dent usOps % % 20
should institute among themselves This unhappy state
OF things had been appreciated by Congress- and senu
Gus Efforts were made to avoid BY various propositions
all OF which failed receive the requisite majority OF the
two houses The neglect Of Congress imposes upon the
civil Of the tei,ones and in doing 80, be would
flagrany commit those usurpaons which, without cause
justification have been charged upon Mr. Polk, but,
which that distinguished statesman, with his profound
and careful observance Of all constitutional obligations
and restrictions studously avoided To aid the local
thories in preserving order and REFRESHING bostes by
the cooperation OF the military, the extent OF execu
tive power until the federal legislature made other pro-
vision Under these circumstances the surprise and
tonishmen OF the country were great receiving intel
lgence from San Francisco Of Inaccessible and dctaiora
interference the part OF military officer, arrogaiing 10
himself the ONCE OF civil governor and declaring that he
under Instructions saseumed the administration of civil
Affairs in California, military governor, but the
executive OF the existing civil government" The in
sructons under which this usupng mandate was issued
were withheld by the officer, Gen Rey) and were
neither svowed nor disavowsd By the Executive. The
administration dis!ruslg the people-not recognising
their night 70 be informed on question OF this magnitude,
although domestic in its nature. and interesting to all
had locked all information concerning their acts The
limited and stnted intelligence derived from the Pacific
nevertheless sufficient arouse the public mind TO
this deep and reckless intrigue, well papable usur
patton OF power From the few facts received il
pcrcephbe that Mr. T. Butler King, the disappointed
meat OF Congress. hurried with all expedition to Caifor.
minstaon He not OF that class Of men who would
be troubled with constitutional restraints in his
duct in the advice and directions which, conden-
hal agent, be might give 20 Gen. Riley and others
appropriate instrument could therefore, not have
been found. His mission had been kept a studous
secret and was represented private aunt made for
different purpose. As chairman Of the Naval Com.
favored the numerous projects which enterprise specu-
ation he'd projected for the establishment OF mail steam
ers BY assistance from the funds of the government
Thess projects-some OF them visionary, OF them
profitable al Of them expenGve-wee, far adopted
fastened upon the treasury, and pundering il OF untold
millions That some Of them not destitute OF merit
was not questioned but large proportion were designed