The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-12
MIR. PKEsToN,s BILL.

We really think, that Mr. Preston OF Viz
ginia has " hit the nail upon the head" IN
his Bill for settling the Mexican Territorial
question, and we regret il is out Of our pow
er to reproduce his mastery speech, in ex-
position Of the principles Of the measure
The bill boldly marches up to the emergen-
cy, and presents the only possible basis, in
our opinion, upon which this Territorial
question can be disposed Of, with due respect
to the rights Of all parties. Here it is:
HorsE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY T.
SEC. l.. BE Il enacted by The Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of the United States Of america IN
Congress assembled, That the Congress doth con
sent that new State may be erected out OF and In.
GLIDING all that territory ceded to the United States
by the treaty OF peace friendship limits, and settle,
ment with the Republic of Mexico, concluded End
February, 1913, with republican form OF govern
men 10 be adopted BY the Inhabitants Of said tern
tory assembled by delegates in convention, as here
after provided for that purpose in order tha Inc said
State may be admitted into this Mon.
SEC. 2. And be il further enacfed, That me fore
going consent OF Congress is given upon the follow
ing reservations and conditions: First, That The
United States hereby Internationally reserves TO the
Federal Government all right OF property IN the
public domain, and other property ceded 10 Inc ehi-
ted States by the treaty OF peace aforesaid tree from
and also the power of disposing of the same nc!ud
ing the right Of adjusting all claim and title TO land
derived from foreign Governments, in such manner
~ Congress shall prescribe Second That the new
State shall be formed and lis government adopted
prior TO The first day Of October in the year Of our
Lord, 1919.
SEE 3. And be il further enacted, That on the
said first day Of October lS49, the said new STATE
having been thus formed by the name and style ot
the State of California and with the consent OF The
people thereof shall be received and admitted Into
the Union new and entire member OF the tnl-
ted States of America.
See A. And be il further enacted, That the acting
Governor OF California soon as he shall be provd
ed with copy of this act, 10 the end that the peo'
pie may have opportunity Of establishing ior
themselves a constitution and republican form
of government for said State prior the frs iday
of October next shall Immediately proceed 10 lay
of the country embraced within the limits OF the
proposed State, into convenient pistrcts for the
election of delegates 10 convention for the pur-
pose Of forming State constitution, and shall
designate the time and place of holding the election
in each district appoint the officers TO conduct the
same. and prescribe the mode of making the returns
thereof and shall apporton the delegates, fifty in ALL
among the several districts, near as may be, ac-
eording to the, number Of legal voters in each; and
he shall also designate the time and place Tor the
sembling of said Convention. Every white male in
hahitant of said Territory being an actual resident
Of the proposed State, and having attained the age
of twenty one years, shall be entitled to vote al said
election. @s.a.a. s.
SEC. s. And be il further enacted, That the State
of California, when admitted into this Union, in
conformity with the provisions Of this act shall be
entitled, and continue to be entitled until the next
general census to two Representatives in the House
OF Representatives OF the United States and in all
other respects, far as they may be applicable, the
laws Of the United States shall extend to- and have
force in, the State of California. II ~