Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-31

respone to certain resolutions for information concern
ing the Territory Of California. lis Guv rument, &c.
II is ampl.irs ion of the recommends ion in the
annual mes age. in relation To newly acquired
p1-sessinn> suggesting disiinrt and specific method
of adjusting t.e difficult questions Herewith con-
necied:
WAsHrKer n nuar, 81 1850.
To the House Of Representatives. If the United Staes
transmit TO the Hue .f r. pe.entstiv,s il to
resOlut "a e that body, p,-sed the ST. If December
last, the secompa Iepois Of heads Of d. putments,
which all the official inma possession Of
the Executive ak a for by the re<oluiiDn.
On coming offre found he military enmmandant of
the department of CAfn exercising the u'eti"ns Of civil
the treaty OF Gaud,lspe Hiialgo wi'hou the aid # any e
gs1fire in establishing government ia that Tel.
Iitory, thought II Le~t {" dub that arrangement,
made under predecessors until Congress should take
action that subject. therefore did not interfere with
the Towes Of the military cummaniani who coniinutd to
exercise the functions Of civil governor as bfoe ut made
DO such appointment concred such authority aud have
allowed increased compensation to the commandant for
his services.
With the faithful execution Of the treaty. so
far lay The power Of the Executive and To enable Con-
to act at the present session with full knowledge
aud as little difficulty possible or all matters of interest
in these Territories sent the Hon. Thomas Butler King as
bearer OF dispatches d. California aud certain oces
California and New Mexico duties particularly
defined in the accompany ing tiers Of Instruction addressed
to them seyeIally By the proper department.
did not hesitate TO the people Of hnse Terri
tories desire that each Territory should, if prepared to
United States form plan Of State constitution, and sub
nit the TO Congress- with prayer for admission
the Union as State but did not anticipate ugges
authorize the Establishment Of any such government with
out the assent Of Congress- did auihose any govern
ment agent officer interfere with exercise any in
huence or control over the election OF delegates
convention, in making modify ing their domestic nsu
ions any Of the provisions their opposed
On The contrary the instructions given by orders
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 DESTROYS to
protect Them in the formation Of republican
In its character 10 be at the proper time submitted TO Con-
gTess yet il be distinctly understood that the plan of
such government must at ,he time be the result Of
their deliberate choice, and originate with themse
without the interference Of the Executive.
am unable to give any information 10 laws passed by
any supposed government in California, of any
taken 10 either o the Territories mentioned in the resoIu
iion, as have no information those subjects.
As already stated have disturbed the arrangements
j which found had existed under my predecessor.
In advising early application by the people Of these
Territories for admission States acuated piinc
paIly by desire afford to the wisdom and patti
osm OF Congress The opportunity of avoiding occasions Of
bitter and angry discussions among the people Of the United
States.
Under The Constitution every State has the tight of etab-
shing aud 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 prohib
lions aud guarantees expressly forth in The Constitution
Of the United States The subjects thus left to
the respective States designed expected be-
come topics of national agitation. STILL under the Con-
sunn Congress has power to make all needfu rules aud
regulations respecting the Territories Of the United Staes,
every acquisition Of Territory has led discussions
The question whether the system of involuntary servude
which prevails in many Of The States should should not
be prohibited in that Territory The periods of excitement
from this which have heretofore occurred have been
safely passed but during the interval of whatever length
which eapse before the admission of the TerioIes
ceded by Mexico States it appears probable that similar
excitement will prevail to an undue extent
Under these circumstances thought, and still think. that
my duty to endeavor put in the power Of Cum
gIess by the admission of California and New Mexico
States to all occasion for the unnecessary agitation
OF the public mind.
1t is understood that the people OF The western part
California have formed plan of State constitution, and
will submit the the judgment Of Congress, aud
apply for admission State. This their part
though in accordance with, adopted exclusively in
consequence Of expression If my wishes inasmuch
measures tending to this end had been promoted BY the ON
sent there by predecessor already
tive progress of execution before any communication from
me reached California II the proposed constitution shall
when submitted Congress- be found be in compliance
with the requon Of the Constitution Of The United States
earnestly recommend that may receive the sanction Of
Congress.
The part Of California not inc uded in the proposed State
Of that j. bee,e ed TO be unuhsb:ed except set
Element of countymen in the vicinity of Salt Lake.
A claim has been advanced by the State Of Texas
very large portion Of The popuou district Of the Ter
ritOy commonly designated by the of New Mexico
If the people Of New Mexico had formed plan of State
government for that Territory ceded by the treaty Of Gau
dalupe Hidago and had been admitted by Congress
State Constitution would have afforded Of obtain
BY judicial decision At present. however, Judicial t
bunal has The power OF deciding that question: and it
mains for Congress devise mode for its adjustment
Meanwhile submit to Congress the question, whether
would be expedient before such adjustment to establish
territorial government which, by including the district
caimed would practically decide the question adversely e
the State OF Texas by excluding it, would decide i, il
her avo'. In my opinion such would not be expe
dent, especially the people Of this Territory still enjoy
the benefit and protection of their municipal laws original,
derived from Mexico, and have military force stationed
there TO protect them against the Indians II is undoubied
y that the property lives. liberties and religion Of thu
people of New Mexico, are better protected than they
| before the treaty of cession.
Should Congress- when California shall present herself TO
incorporation into The Uuon, condition to her ad
mission State affecting her domestic Institutions contra
to the wishes of her people, aud compel her
porarly TO comply with IT, yet the State could change he
constitution at any time after ision, when TO her
should expedient Any attempt to deny 10 the PEG
pie Of the State the right Of sefgovemment in a matte
which peculiarly affects themselves viii nfaiby be
garded by them invasion Of their rights and, upo
the principles laid down in Declaration Of hide
pendence, they will certainly be sustained by the grea
u of the American people. To that they
conquered people and must as State submit to the will
Of their eonqueros, this regard will meet with
dial response among American freemen Great numbers
them native citizens of the United States, infeo
to The TEST OF countrymen in intelligence and patriot
ism aud language Of menace to restrain them in tn
exercise OF an undoubed right substantially guaranteed
them by the treaty Of cesscn ise shall be uttere
by aged aud sustained by persons acting uude
authority 1t is TO be expected that in the residue
the Territory eeded by Mexico, people re>idin
there WILL at the time Of their incorporation into the Unio
State settle all questions OF domestic policy to sui
themselves. q iasa 1'-
short period, Of government established by CnngTes
that part Of the territory which lies eastward of Tn
Q new State Of California and the for my Opinion
that New Mexico will at very distant period ask 70
admission into the Union, founded unofficial nfoI
ton, which suppose all who have cared
make inquiries on that ssbject.
Seeing, Them that the question which excites suc
painful sensations in The county will in the end ceaiD
be settled by the silent effect of independent
action of Congress, again submit your wisdom poc
recommended 10 my annual message Of awaiting the sau
tary of ho-e believing that shall
avoid the creation Of graphical pates and th
harmony OF feeling necessary the beneficial action
political system Connected the Union is with ih