The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-01-13
TbC GOUCrnnlCHt to TIC CdIiIOr-
ntnnS.

In the Pennsylvania, Of last Saturday, we find
long official letter addressed by the Secretary Of
State, noninally to the post.oilce agent Tor Cali.
iornia, but really to the Caitornians themselves.
II is among the documents accompanying the
Presidents Message, We extract from it such
passages as have definite significance aud value ::
The President deeply regrets that Con,
gress did not, at their late session, eslab-
llsh territorial government for California.
Ii would now be vain to enter into the
reasons for this omission. Whatever
these may have been, he is firmly convin-
ced that Congress feel deep interest in
the welfare Of California and its people,
and will, at an early period of the next
session, provide for them a territorial
government suited to their wants.
Our laws relating to trade and n-
tcrcourse with the Indians will then be ex-
tended over Observation-Disclosures will be
established for the collection of the revenue.
and liberal grants of land will be made to
those bold and patriotic citizens who amld
privations and dangers have emgrated or
shall emgrate to that territory from the
States on this side Of the Rocky Noun
tains.
In the meantime, the condition of the
people of California is anomalous, and will
require on their part the exercise of great
prudence and discretion. By the cOnclu-
sion Of the treaty Of peace, the military
government which was established over
them, under the laws of war, as recogn-
isod by the practite of all civilized nations,
has ceased to derive It's authority from thus
source of power. But is there, for this
reason, no government in California Are
life, liberty and propety under the protec-
ton of no existing authorities
This would be singular phenomenon
IN the face Of the world and especially
among American citizens, distinguished as
they are above all other people for their
law-abiding character. Fortunately they
are not reduced to this sad condition. -
The termination Of the war left an existing
governmental government de iactO - in
full operation; and this will continue with
the presumed consent of the people, until
Congress shall provide for them terrific,
rial government.
This government de lacto will of course
exercise no power inconsistent with the
provisions of the constitution of the United
States, which is the supreme law of the
land. For this reason no import duties
can be levied in California on articles the
growth produce or manufacture of the Uni
ted States, as no such duties can be i'm
posed in any other past of our Union on
the productions Of California.
Nor can new duties be charged in Cal,
ilornia upon such foreign productions as
have alfeady paid dutiesSn any ports of
entry, Or theobvious IS that Califor.
MIA is within the ter Of the Unitsd
States. | shall not c, 4 upon this sub
Ject, however as the Secretary ofthc Trea-
sury will perform that duty.
The President urgently advises the peo-
pie of California to live peaceabIy and qui-
edy under the existing Government. lie
believes that this will promote their LASTING
and best interests. lfit be not what they |
could desire and had right to expect they |
can console themselves with the reflection
that it will endure but for a few months |
Should they attempt to change or amend i, |
during this brief period, they most proba.
bly, could not accomplish their object be.
fore the government established by Con- !
grcss would 60 INTO operation.
In the meantime the country would be
agilated, the citizens would be with I
drawn from their usual cmploymcnrs, and
domestic strife might divide and cyaspcr.
ate the people against each other and
tins is all to establish government which
in no conceivable contingency could endure
for single year. During this brief period
it is better TO bear the ills they have, than
lyto others that they know not of. |,
The permanent prosperity of any new
country is identified with the perfect sccu,
rity oGils land titles. Prudent men will
be deferred from cmigrating to a state or
territory where they cannot obtain, an
til!c, and must consequently
pc exposed to the danger Of strife and
litigation in respect to the soil on which
hey dwclI
II is fortunate, therefore. that CONGRESS
done under the constitution, possesses
'tle power to dispose aud make all need
mi ruIrs and rpni,l,ti,.,., ,.,...,.....: II