The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-21

provisions OF this amendment do relate merely to The
extension OF The revenue laws the territories OF New
Mexico and California but in fact the placing of the
power somewhere by which the order and stability OF
these territories be regulated and that the evils that
now exist may be to extent mltigated THIS pow
under the exgenc5 of the case, the amendment pro-
poses give TO the President of the United States under
the restrictions and limitations provided in the amend
ment have looked, sir, with much interest TO the
suit OF the action of Congress with regard TO newly
acquired territories. Still could not deem it my duty to
take any prominent stand with reference to the pill al
ready reported by the senator from Illinois to provide for
the organzation OF governments for those territories
That senator has done, il me- all that could have
ment OF government there; he has urged them with
zeal, eloquence and force He has presented them
TO Congress and to the country The present Congress
is drawing to close and the probability is that his bill
for the establishment Of government in California and
New Mexico cannot be reached or il reached, it cannot
be passed. IN this state of the case sir, this civil and
diplomatic hll being before have felt that it would
not be imnodest on my part nor trespassng upon the
time OF the Senate to propose this amendment Should it
be adopted the interests of the United States would be- TO
considerable extent, protected in her relations with that
territory To great extent the power can be exercised
by the properly constituted authorities of the land pre-
the PEACE good order and interests Of those teri ri
facthat this amendment, going to the extent it does,
will leave the people OF these territories yet to take the
initiative steps IN such municipal government and mum
fare and security The amendment does not provide any
thing upon the subject 1t is silent concerning all NUM-
cpal regulations and leaves the people of that territory
to adopt such they may deem necessary for themselves
From the State which have the honor to represent,
many intelligent and enterprsing men have gone to
State whence you came, Mr. President, there many
others who are moving westward to those newly &c
CURED territories There 49, perhaps not senator upon
this floor who does not know of many friends and
neghbors who have gone, or who about to go to
settle there We must then. all feel interested IN es
abshng government OF some kind; we must all feel
that government is necessary-that is our duty, II
not their account upon account OF old associations.
old friendships and old ties, to extend protection
and some government TO these people.
Taking these views, sir, | again repeat that have
looked with much solcitude 10 what should be che action
of Congress upon this subject There are questions
which have heretofore been agiated, and there may be
others which may arise in this discussion. But sir, II
my voice can have any weght-if my opinions wOr-
thy to be heard, would speak in terms of admonon
would suggest to them at least to be molesy silent
and possible, give the amendment their support Let
us have kind of unity upon this important matter,
and extend these territories that degree of protec
ton which duty TO ourselves TO our neighbors, and to
our nation, would seem to demand. | shall feel ex'
ceelingIy gratifed to know that our high duty TO the
country has been discharged by the Congress OF the
United States, if not by the passage OF this amendment
by adopting something of the kind by which govern.
ment, extent, shall be extended to that terri
tory
At present. shall not make any further observations
have offered this amendment, with believe, good mo-
tves such as hope to be governed by N my future &C
consIue my motves but whatever construction may be
put upon them care not SO long as feel assured that
efforts in dscharging the obligations to my
Try and to that far. of territory:
Mr. BELL | desire to offer amendment to that
amendment | am well aware that the circumstances
under which offer this amendment somewhat en-
barrassing the Senate we'll awkward to myself
1t is subject to which have turned my attention. and
one which some time ago desired to express my
views at large. think, sir, that perceive (by the light
of my experience with regard to the progress OF business
whenever arrive at this period of the last session OF
every Congress) that indications given by the votes
OF senators in relation TO bill reported by select
upon this subject that all the discussion and con-
sderaon which this measure, any shape shall receive
at the hands of the Senate, will be upon the present bill
shall therefore ask the indulgence OF the Senate,
though travel little out of the regular course of par
lianentary proceeding Offering this amendment,
the discussion OF It.
Mr. ATCHISON desired the decision of the Chair as
to question of order involved in the Offering OF the
amendment by the senator from TENNESSEE but, at the
request of the senator, withdrew IT.
Mr. BELL am aware that in taking this course |
shall not meet the appreciation OF many senators on both
sides of the chamber 1t is my wish and my policy to
concliate the Senate with reference to myself espe-
cally; but do not often trouble the Senate. | have
endeavored much possible to confne my sphere,
with reference to this body to that branch Of business
which has been consigned to me as member OF the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
With these remarks will send my amendment to the
Chair, and that all those sections or portions of
sections of the amendment of the senator from Wiscon
sin which are inconsistent with the provisions OF the
amendment which shall Offer shall be stricken out, and
the following section added beg leave to state that
testing the of the Senate in that form, with view
to modfy it, or to offer another amendment altogether in
different form, with the substantial views as the
present. and which will give opportunity OF testing the
sense of the Senate every shape in which be
presented.
The amendment was read, as follows:
SEC And be it further enacted, That all that portion
of the the United States acquired by the treaty
peace, friendship ns and settlement with the repub
lie Mexico concluded the ID February lS45 which lies
Of the Rio del Nort., and line running due north
from tbs he of the said river, until strikes the
42l parallel of north latitude, shall form State, TO be
and designated by the and title OF the State
California and the same hereby admitted into the Union
equal footing in all with the original States
SEC. = Ind be a further enacted That the United States
pated lands and other property in the territory admitted
into the Union State by the preceding section OF this
bill, ree from all and assessments OF every kind by
said State, and also the OF dposing oil the
and OF ad sting all claims and title to lands we'd
der any oreign government in such manner Congress
shall prescribe and nothing contained in said section
shall be 50 construed as to limit and impair the rights
and powers hereby reserved the United States in any
manner whatsoever
SEC, And be it further enacted, That there shall be
established in said State judicial ditric TO be known
the eastern and districts OF California and all
portion of said lying of the Rio del Norte
and the line running due north from the head of the
to the ~ parallel of north latitude, and OF
the meridian oil west longitude from Washing
ton, shall be the eastern district; and all that por
ton lying west Of said meridian shall be the western
district; and there shall be appointed district Judge
for each OF said districts, who shall be entitled
salary OF s. each, and who shall hold three sessions
district the first Mondays of June, October and Feb
ruary Tho district judge OF the district until other
wise provided by law, shall hold his - court at -,
and the district Judge OF the western district San Fran
cisco and said Judges shall have the powers and ursdc
gwen by law the Judge of the district of Kentucky
under act entitled An to establish the Judicial