Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-27


almost identical with that of Mr. Preston, and was IN
tended 10 obvate the violent excitement arising ont oi
the extension Of the Wlmot Proslso. The extremes
against ii, because IL would. defeat their avorite
plans of asitaton.-l Whg.
Mr.. Bells proposition was to admit Caliior-
mia and New Mexico as one State. 1t has been
rejected by the Senate, having received only
four votes. This is the scheme which Mr.
Preston borrowed from Senator Douglass origi
nal bill, and for introducing which second.
hand thunder" Mr.. Preston was cried up BY
the Wing press here as q second Henry Clay,
another deliveror of his country from civil
strife and tumult! How rapidly has he fallen
from oil his greatnessl His measure received
only fur votes in the Senate, though intro.
duced by The Bell. wether from Tennessee 1t
is not "lhe extremes" that have killed il; but
the whoe Senate, with the exception Of four
The Union thinks it probable that Congress
msy yet. adopt some measure for the relief Of
the people of the new territories; such as author
ling The President to throw ever them the pro-
tcclion of the United States revenue, land, In
dian and other laws, and 10 appoint The neces-
sasy ofGeIs TO carry out those governmental
rules and regulations. similar to the temporary
government given to Louisiana in the time OF
Mr. Jefferson.
The people of California, in the mean time,
are about 10 take the matter into their own
hands, and hayo held public meetings at San
Francisco and San Jose, and appointed dele
gates TO convention TO be held at San Jose on
the 4th March. to organize Provisional Go
vernmcnt 10 be submitted 10 the people, nomi-
nate candidate for Governor, &c. AT the San
Francisco meeting on tho 23d December Sc
RIGS of resolutions were adopted, which are in
style and sentiment SO credi,ablc 10 our wander
ing fellow-citizens on the distant Pacific, and SO
graphically pourtray the misckiefs of the alb
sercc of all Lave and government, that We are
induced TO quoN them at length. We ore net
surprized to sest,them thus acting in selfdefence
and we are grNifed 10 witness SO much mode
ration and good sense under the trying ci;cum-
stances which surround them. It will be re-
marked that they make no alusion to the veIed
question Of Slavery. The Wi!mot Proysoists
have, therefore, no authority for forcing upon
the people OF California what they have not
asked Their resolutions, unanimously and en-.
thusias,icai lily adopted, are as follow:
Whereas, by nc treaty Of peace concluded in
May last, between he republics OF the United
States Of America and Mexico, The Territory OF
Upper California was coded by Mexico TO The
| former power; and whereas the military govern
ment under which we heretofore existed mas ceas-
Ell. and the inha bilants of this country are wi b.
out any otganized form OF government; and
whereas the present insecure condition OF The
counlry-ils anarchica and anomalous position
and the impunity with which outrage and vic.
lcnce are committed, will have very injurious
! effect upon lis future growth and advancement:
and whereas the want of some regular sysem
and the lack OF laws and officers, have rendered
The punishment of crimes difficult and almos
impossible, and thereby led 10 their alarming
frequency and to The consequent insecurity of life
ndproperly; and whereas the recent discovery o
the existence in this country OF large qnanlie.
of one of the precious metals has already caused
great influx of emigrants, aid is likely 10 brins
in a very short lime, still greater additions 10 ou
population; and whereas it appears, by inteli
gence recently received, that the recommendation