The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-22

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growth, produce, manufacture OF the United
States, as no such duties can be imposed in any
other part Of our Union the productions OF Cali
fornia. Nor can duties be charged In Califor-
mia upon such foreign productions a. have already
paid duties in any Of our ports Of entry for the OBJ
vious that California is within the territory
OF the United States. shall not enlarge upon this
subject, however, as the Secretary Of tho Treasury
will perform that duty.
The President urgently advises the people OF Cal
ifornia to live peaceaby and quietly under the ex-
isting government. He believes that this will pro-
mote their lasting and best interests IL il be not
what they could desire, and had right to expect,
they can console themselves with the reflection,
that it will endure but for few month";. Should
they attempt change or amend II during this
brief period, they most probably could not accom-
plish their object before the government established
by Congress would go into operation. In the mean
time, the country would be agitated, the citizens
would be withdrawn from their usual employments,
and domestic strife might divide and exasperate
the people against each other and this all to estab
lish government which, in no conceivable con-
tngcncy, could endure for single year. During
this brief period it is better to bear the ills they
have, than to fly to others they know not of.
The permanent prosperity of any new country is
identified with the perfect security Of its land titles
The land system of the General Government
has been a theme of admiration throughout the
world. The wisdom of has never devised a
plan so well calculated to prevent litigation and
place the rights of owners of the soil beyond dis
pute. This system has been one great cause Of the
rapid settlement and progress of our new States
and Territories. Emigrants have been attracted
49, L., L.
acquired land from the Government, he could sit
under his own vine, and under his own fig tree and
there would be no one to make him afraid. In
deed, there can be no greater drawback to the
prosperity of country, as several of the older
States have experienced than disputed land titles.
Prudent men will be deferred from emigrating to a
State Territory where they cannot obtain an in
disputable title, and must, consequently, be ex-
posed 10 the danger Of strife and tigations in re-
spect to the soil on which they dwell. An uncer-
tainy respecting the security Of land titles arrests
all valuable improvement, because no prudent
man will expend his means for this purpose, whilst
there is danger that another may deprive him of
the fruit of his abors. II is fortunate, therefore,
that Congress alone, under the Constitution, pos
''the power TO dispose of and make all need
full rules and regulations respecting the territory
or other property belonging to the United States'
In the exercise of this power, the President is con-
WINGED that the emigrants will receive liberal do
nations of the public land
Although Congress have not established a terri
tora government for the people of California they
have not been altogether unmindul Of their inter
ests. The benefit Of our Office laws has been
extended to them; and you will bear with you au-
thority from the Postmaster General to provide for
the conveyance of public information and private
correspondence among themselves, and between
them and the citizens Of Oregon and of our States
east of the Rocky mountains. The monthly steam
on the line from Panama to Astoria have been
required o stop and deliver and take mails at San
Diego, San Francisco, and Monterey" These
steamers, connected by the Isthmus of Panama
with those on the Atlantic between New York and
Chagres, will keep up regular communication
with California and afford facilities to all those
who may desire to emigrate to that territory.
The necessary appropriations have also been
made by Congress to maintain troops in Califor-
mia, to protect its inhabitants against all attacks
from civilized savage foe and it will afford the
President peculiar pleasure to perform this duty
promptly and effectively.
But, above all, the Constitution of the United
States the safeguard Of all our civil rights, was
extended California on the 30th May, 1885, the
day on which our late treaty with Mexico was
finally contaminated. From that day its inhabit-
ants became entitled to all the blessings and bcnc-
fits resulting from the best form of civil government
ever established amongst That they will
prove worthy Of this incstimable boon, no doubt is
entertained.
Whilst the population of California will be COM
posed chiefly of our own kindred, of people speak
ing our own language and educated for self gov
eminent under our own institutions, considerable
portion of them Mexican citizens before the
late treaty Of peace. These our citizens ought
to be, and from the justice and generosity of the
American character the President is confident that
they viii be, treated with respect and Kindness an
thus be made to feel that by changing their allie
glance they have become more prosperous and
happy. Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.