Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-23

The following Message from the President of the
United States relating to the government of California
and New Mexico, laid before the House of Repre-
sentatives on Monday
To the House of Representatives
of the United States:
transmit to the House of Representatives in answer
10 resolution OF that body, passed the 3lst of De-
cember last, the accompanying reports OF heads Of de-
partmentS which contain all the official information in
the possession OF the Executive asked for by the esou
ton.
On coming into Office found the military comman-
dant OF the department of California exercising the
functions OF civil governor in that Territory and left as
was, TO act under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidago
without the aid OF any legislative provision establishing
government in that Territory thought it best not to
disturb that arrangement, made under my predecessor
until Congress should take action that subject
therefore did not interfere with the powers of the mill
tary commandan who continued to exercise the ,nc.
tons OF civil governor as before, but made no such
appointment, conferred such authority and have al
lowed no increased compensation to the commandant
Tor his services.
With view to the faithful execution of the treaty so
tar as lay In the power of the Executive and to enable
congress to act at the present session, with as full
knowledge and as little difficulty as possible on all mat
ers OF interest in these Territories, l sent the Hon
Thomas Butler King as bearer Of dispatches to Caor-
MIA, and certain officers to California and New Mexico
whose duties are particularly defined the accompanv-
ing letters OF instruction addressed to them severaly BY
the proper departments
~ did not hesitate TO express to the people of those
Territories my desire that each Territory should nre
pared to comply with the acquisitions Of the constu-
ton OF the United States form plan of State const-
utlon and submit the same to Congress- with PRAYER
Tor admission into the Union State; but did not
anticipate suggest authorize the establishment of anv
such government without the of Congress- nor
did authorize any government agent officer to inter
ere with or exercise any influence or control over the
election OF delegates, any convention in making
or modifying their domestic institutions or any of The
provisions OF their proposed constitution On the con-
fary, the instructions given by my orders were that all
measures OF domestic policy adopted by the people of
California must originate solely with themselves that
while the Executive OF the United States was DESTROYS
10 protect them III the formation of government
publican IN Its character, to be the proper time sub
mtted to Congress- yet it was to be distinctly under
stooa tlae le pan OF SUCH government must at the
and originate with themselves, without the interference
OF the Executive.
am unable 10 give any information as to laws passed
by any supposed government III California or of anv
census taken III either OF the Territories mentioned in
the resolution, as have no information on those sub
]ects
As already stated have not disturbed the arranoe
mens which found had existed under my predecessor
In advising an early application by the people of these
lefnlores ior ADMISSION as States, was acuaed prn-
cpay by an earnest desire TO afford to the wisdom and
patriotism OF Congress the opportunity OF avoiding &C.
caslons OF bitter and angry dssensons among the peo-
pie OF the United States
Under the constitution, every State has the right of
establishing and from time to time altering its municipal
laws and domestic Institutions independently OF every
other state and OF the general government subject only
TO the prohibitions and guarantees expressly set forth in
the constitution OF the United States The subjects thus
left exclusively to the respective States were not de-
signed expected to become topics of national apa
non. STILL as under the constitution, Congress has
power to make all needfu rules and regulations re-
speeding the Territories of the United States every new
acquisition OF territory has led discussions on the ques
ton whether the system OF involuntary servitude
which prevails in many of the States should or should
not be prohibited in that Territory The periods OF ex-
element from this which have heretofore occurred
have been safely passed. but during the interval of what
ever length which may eapse before the admission of
the territories coded by Mexico as States ii appears
popaole mat similar excitement will prevail to undue
extent.
Under these circumstances thought, and still think,
tat was my duty to endeavor to put it in the power
OF Congress by the admission of California and New
Mexico as States, to remove all occasion for the unne-
cessary agitation OF the public mind
understood that the people of the western part of
California have formed plan OF State constitution
ana Will soon submit the to the Judgment of Con-
gress, and apply for admission State. This course
on their part though in accordance with was not adopt
ed exclusively IN consequence of any expression of nv
Wishes inasmuch measures tending to this end had
been promoted by the officers there by nv prede-
eessor and were already in active progress Of execution
before any communication from reached Calor-
MIA. ii the proposed constitution shall, when submitted
to Congress, be found to be in compliance with the re-
QUESTIONS OF the constitution OF the United States
earnestly recommend that it may receive the sanction
OF Congress.
The part OF California not included in the proposed
State OF that name believed to be unnhabited except
IN settlement OF our counrymen in the vicinity of Salt
Lake.
claim has been advanced by the State of Texas to
avery large portion of the most popuous district OF the
Territory, commonly designated by the name of New
Mexico. Ii the people OF New Mexico had formed
plan oil State government for that Territory as ceded
by the treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo and had been ad-
united by Congress as State, our constitution would
have afforded the means OF obtaining an adjustment of
the question OF boundary with Texas by judicial deci-
SION. Atpfesent however, no Judicial tribunal has the
power OF deciding that question: and remains for Com
gress 70 devise some mode Tor its adjustment Mean
while submit to Congress the question whether il
would De eXpedent before such adjustment to establish
yhio hui
trct so Canned would practically decide the question
adversely 10 The State Of Texas or, by excluding if
would decae IL IN her favor. In nv opinion such a
course would not be expedent espec;aly as H. SUI ,
OF this Territory still enjoy the benefit and nroecip 81
their MUNICIPAL laws, originally derived from Mexico
and have military force stationed there IN nrnteot
them against the Indians 1t is undoubtedly rne ~
property lives, Liberties and religion OF the ne f
New Mexico are better protected than they ever we're
before the treaty otcession. ~
Should Congress, when California shall present bo
self for incorporation into the Unon annex condition
to her admission as State affecting her domestic in
situations contrary 10 the wishes OF her people, and even
compel her temporarily to comp with it, yet the State
could change her constitution at any time after admis-
sion when TO her it should seem expsdient. Any at
tempt to deny to the people OF the State the right OF self
government in matter which peculiarly affects them
selves, will nalby be regarded by them invasion
oil their rights and upon the principles laid down in our
own declaration OF independence, they will certainly be
sustained by the great mass of the American people,
10 assert that they are conquered people, and must
as State submit to the will Of their conquerors this
sotu' WIZ eot "it NJ coIuldl response among Anne
fican freemen Great numbers OF them are native ci-
zens OF the United States and not inferior to the rest of
our countrymen in intelligence and patriotism and no
language OF menace to restrain them the exercise Of
an uhdouoted right substantially guaranteed to them by
the treaty OF cesson ITSELF shall ever be uttered by me
or and sustained by persons acting under my
aulaomy da Is to be expected that in the residue Of the
teerrlory eeaea 10 us by Mexico, the people residing
Union as state, settle all questions of domestic policy
TO suit themselves. F'
No material inconvenience will result from the want
for short period, of government estahlisbad hv Con-
gress over that part OF the territory which lies eastward