Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-08-11
CalifOrn ia.

NulllUI Hlu,
The gold fever in our new territory on the
Pacific has found a rival in the fever Of poll
tics, which at the last accounts was raging
with great fury. The emigrants to Califor-
mia, or a portion of them, indipnan, a, the
neglect Of Congress to provide for them a
Territorial government, determined 10 exercise
their inalienable sovereignty by providing
one for themselves. Just at this point, in
steps Gen, Riley, claiming to be the Cover
nor OF the Territory by appointment of Ola
hach, who, 1t seems, has "taken the respon-
slblli'y" ofdoing what Congress lef, undone.
The General, regardless Of the movements of
the citizens of California, issued his procla.
nation declaring "the laws of California,
(Mexican) mol Inconsistent Nth the la,gs,
Consultation, and treaties Of The United States,
are still in force, and must continue in force
till changed by competent authority" Won
der il the Mexican law abolishing slavery
will be regarded as not inconsistent with the
laws, Constitution, and treaties of the U. 81
lie Then proposes 10 perfect the existing gov
eminent by the election Of the necessary Of
%fcers, SO that ii will answer a temporary pur-
pose, and after that 10 call a Convention for
the purpose Of organizing a new Territorial
or State Government. The Convention is 10
be held at Monterey on the first Of Septem-
Der, and Gen. Riley has told the people how
many delegates they will be permitted 10
send, Il how they are TO be apporiioned among
The several Districts, &C., thus leaving the
people nothing to do in the premises save to
obey his behests. Every free male citizen
&C., is TO be allowed TO vote; SO it eeems that
the Wing rulers at Washington understand
that there is a class of people in California
who are not free-in other words, there are
s'aces there, and Old Zach, our Wing anti
slavery President, don't mean that they
shall come 10 the ballot.box.
The people, or at least a portion of them,
are indignant in view of the powers vested
in Gen. Riley, and there is reason to appre-
bend that there will be a serious conflict. A
mass meeting was held at San Francisco on
the l2th Of June, and a Committe appointed
by that meeting have issued a circular, in
which they propose TO disregard the appor-
tionment of Gen. Riley, deeming it unjust.
I. Butler King, M. G. from Georgia, attend
ed the meeting, and begged the people oil
California 10 settle the Slavery question for
themselves, and thus relieve Congress and
the Administra,ion from embarrassment
81 speak knowingly" said he, "when | sa,
the ADMINISTRATIVE desire it," This is tn,
game of the. Whigs-to kill the Wilmot Pro
viso by inducing California TO organize
State government.
The Massachusetts Spy says:
There is great reason 10 fear, that the pub
lie are not sufficiently awake to the tmminen
danger there is, ofthe successful introduction
and permanent establishment of Slavery il
California. The late publisher of the Bel
fast (Me.) Journal, on his way 10 California
when only twenty miles west Of lndepen
dence, in Missouri, writes that he had aIrea
dy seen as much as a dozen teams going on
with their families Of Shares. Other account
inform US OF emigrants, from various parts G
the Southern States, going on with thei
slaves. We learn from California, that ther
are already slaves there, held as such. Tn,
recent accounts tell us, that the labor of dig
ging gold is so severe that only a small par
of The emigrants, and those the hardest ant
most Injured TO labor, can stlnd it but for
short time, As labor cannot be hired SO a
TO make 1t profitable, the great mass Of ad
venturers, who have gone for the porpose o
making money, it is thought, will favor tn
introduction Of slave labor.
Its evident too, that The slave power ha
been busy and active, as usual, in lookin!
out for its own interest. We noticed, som
time since, accounts of the emigration Il
California, of L. Butler King, well know
as a leading politician of Georgia, and mem
Der Of Congress. We thought at that time
thai it looked suspicious. We now find hin
taking a prominent and leading part in tn
political affairs Of that country. With Persi
fer Smith, Gen. Riley, Col. Fremont, AM
other United States officers in the slave in
terest TO act in concert with him, il is feare,
they will control the political character of tn
country, and prevent the Introduction o! slave
ry by the new constitution, which is abou
10 be formed. Indeed, some Of the Cali'oI
mia papers, under the influence of this elias
of men, no doubt, denounce the attempt i
Congress, to introduce the Wilmot Provis
into The bill.to establish a territorial govern
ment, as an interference with their rights.
Lar, ~, ~ n D.o..