Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-20

is conended that this policy leaves the people of those Ter
rtoe during the time preceding their admission into ID
Union States subject to the tyranny of military govern
men; that is therefore repugnant to American ideas
liberty Surely those who urge this objection have not rea
The official documents which have been communicated 10 Con
gess, and laid upon tables the boast Of Mr. Polk,
administration that had, while the with Mexico wa
yet raging, waived the rights Of conquest defined by th
law Of nations and generously given to California and New
Mexico civil governmental instead Of suectng them thu
| rgors of military law.
Nothing like military government exists in either of those Ter
oes The military amof the United Sates there toprotec
not rule The Secretary of War; his annual report refer
ring delicate duties imposed the army the peculiar
Of things existing in California and New Mexiso says
assigned duties is aid civil nctonaries when repaired
in the preservation Of public tranquility !" and in
nicaon addressed General Reilly acting ciya governor
| California dated June 26, ls4s, he says:
g." equally that all laws existing of force in Cal
orna at the period of the conquest still operative with
and laws Of the United States In my opinion these
the whole code OF laws of force in California should
that this opinion does not infringe the right OF
mites make regulations tor the police and security
Of persons and property Such regiaons necessarily
temporary they are presumed to be voluntary and
signed difficulties which the sovereign
power will take the earliest occasion 10 remove.''
General Reilly writing the Secretary Of War; under date
| of August 30th lS49s says
Beore leaving Monterey Dheard numerous rumors of ir
reguarities and crimes among chose working in the bcers
but on visiting the mng regions agreea5y surprised
learn that every thing quite the what had
represented and h order and regularity preserved
throughout almost the entire the mineral districts In
each little settlement tented town. the miners have elected
their local asdes and eonsabcs whose Judicial and
official acts sustained by the people, and enforced with
much regularity and energy"
Colonel Washington, acting Governor of New Mexico,
writes to Mr. Marcy, Secretary Of War; under date of No
rember 8, lS4s, as follows:
'The system ofgovernment force in New Mexico that
which esablshedn 1885, embraces what commonly
termed Kearnys code 70 1vach people, through their repre-
their assent mil be their Congress- and
is to the wants tie coaay, unl another
can be fonndsd"
These extracts from official documents conclusivey show
that Mexican Territories subject to military govern
men in the obnoxious of that term Pre-existng laws
have not been superseded by martial law judicial tribunals
have not been superseded by martial General Reiy
describes each little settlement tented town. nina
ture democracy, making laws adapted its condition. and
administering them by agents chosen by the people thus Civ
ing protection and security ie liberty and happiness
and gorousy illustrating the capacity Of to enjoy and
exercise the great right Of segoyernment. Although it
true that the duties civil Governor of New Mexico have been
devolved upon military officer it does not follow as con-
sequence, that the people Of that Territory are subject to
military government It would be quite logical to con-
cude that the people OF the United States are subject to
military government because the Chief Magistrate of the Re-
public is also commander-n-chief Of its army and navy
Mr.. Chairman, let California be admitted into the Union,
and the which dsracts the national councils will be
tranquze in corresponding degree and thereupon state
OF sentiment and opinion In the country will ensue which
will enable Congress to adopt such with respect
the residue Of the territory acquired from Mexico may be
necessary and without the apprehension Of dangerous
exciemen and convusons in the Union. But though be-
eve the legislation recommended by the President be the
safest and wsest for the country all things considered yet
not my purpose obstnatey to withhold my supporom any
other plan OF adjustment which, repudiatng the Wmot
viso offensive to the people represent can command such
confidence and support from the Representatives Of Northern
and Southern sentiment and opinion inspire
able codencs IN its capacity to put end to sectional ag
taon and restore harmony and atena feeling the States
Of this Union. ....= .s.
Mr. Chairman, when the combination of causes which have
prevented the recommendation of the President from receiving
fair and just consideration in the two Houses Of Congress
shall be fully comprehended the mss which dim the
public vision will dissipae, and it will be and admitted
that it is Recommendation founded in wise appreciation of
the difficulties that surround the snbeca recommendation
worthy of whose deeds under the flag Of his country
have carried its military glory to the urhest confines of civil
lzation, and whose paiosm bounded By sectional fne
is coextensve with the limits of that great Republic which,
justly appeciaing his merit, has made him its Chief Mags-
rae And, Notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts that
have been and may be made to force the adoption of
plan Of dustment differing from that recommended by the
President it is by certain that these efforts may
be defeated by the that have hitherto proved
fatal to legislation this subject Aside from the fact ad
mtted by ALL that large majority of Congress in favor of
admitting California State into the Union, nothing
ted nothing known, nothing be foretold and may
happen tnat the at
the admission non-admssion Of that State. At early
period Of the session. the honorable gentleman from North
Carolina, (Mr. CLISGMAN, anticipating this possible
occurrence, threatened that the minority wou in such
event. by demanding the yeas and nays
motions adjourn and motions for calls of the House, and
by constantly alternating and repeating these motions,
the entire session of Congress- preventing thereby, not
only the admission of California but also the passing those
appropriation bills indispensaby necessary to carry on the
Government And the honorable gentleman very distinctly
inma,ed that accomplish this object last resort
Bowie knife tragedy might be enacted this floor,
reducing the members of this House number below
constitutional quorum This would be rebellion in its worst
form-a actous attempt by minority Of Congress usu7p
that control legislation which the constitution confes
upoa majority. Should the contemplated contingency
arise trust the majority of this House will be frightened
from its popey by this offensive appeal fears but that
with camness dignity and fmness and avoiding all dsor-
derly and unbecompg exhibitions OF excitement, will if
needu adjourn from day to day. the end OF the
sion, that public opinion and the ballot box may the
and properly rebuke daring and reckless assault
upon the fundamental principle Of Republican Government
But trust such necessity will arise have respected and
esteemed the honorable gentlman from North Carolina so
much, that cannot otherwise regard his declarations
ebuon of excited feeling rather than evidence of set
tied purpose am that his seespect, and his Of
county, will make il impossible for him attempt the
ton of threat made in the heat Of debate and unsanconed
hope, by his subsequent calmer reflections
Mr.. Chairman, constituted that we often resist
the conviction and admission Of unpaaabe truths, even
when they stand revealed 10 mental in unmsake-
able reality The equilibrium Of political power, which has
heretofore been maintained between the savehong and nom
savehodng States Of the Unon will presently be fact
&c IN IF and