The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-05
DAILY.
Washington, Monday, August 5, 1850.

tons of my own section of the Union. / cannot
become my own exectioner. Asa Southern rep
resentative, should not only bedereict from duty
but recreant to the high trust with which have
been honored, were to make myself party to
this scheme, as believe should do, by voting
for the admission Of this State, as an isolated
proposition, and with all the attendant circum-
stances. ~
| Permit me here to remark, Mr.. Chairman, that
| Twill vote for such measure Of compromise as
shall do justice to the South, and settle this whole
question, and for no other. We have reached
that crisis when the perpetuity of the Union of
the States--the peace, harmonys and prosperity of
the country--demands such settlement. The add
mission Of California would but assign large por-
ton Of the territories to the North, and leave the
question open to all the balance. But sir, there
are other intrinsic, and, to my mind, insuperable
objections to the admission of this State, if, in
deed, it can be called State How has the pres
ent state of affairs been brought about in Cafor-
MIA? How does this question get before Congress
in its present condition. Who's responsible for
it, Who is to stand sponsor, at the baptisnial
font, for this bantng Of Executive usurpation,
ntimated, that the late Administration of James
X. Polk is at all responsible forit' Had the pol
icy OF that statesman been carried out by the
present Executive, how different would have been
the state of affairs now in California? What was
that policy' 1t was to establish territorial gov
eminent there, and to dissuade the people of Cali
fornia from all efforts to establish government
for themselves. This policy is clearly established
by the following extracts from the letter Of Mr..
Buchanan TO MIR. VOORHEES,, dated October, l84S
"The President deeply regrets that Congress
did not, at their last session. establish territorial
Government for California. II would now be
vain to enter into the reasons for this omission
Whatever those may have been, he is firmly con-
WINGED, that Congress feel deep interest in the
4
early period of the next session, provide for them
a territorial Government suited to their wants.
Our laws relating to trade and intercourse with the
Indians, will then be extended over them; custom
houses viii be established for the collection of re-
venue; and liberal grants of land will be made to
those bold and patriotic citizens who, amid priva-
tions and dangers, haves emigratcd or shall emf
CRATE, to that territory from the States this side
of the Rocky mountains "
ssThe President, in his annual message at the
commencement ofthe next session, will recommend
all these great measures to Congress, in the strong
| est terms; and will use every effort, consistently
with his duty, to insure their accomplishment.
"The President urgently advises the people of
California to live peaceably and quietly under the
| existing government. He belives that this will
promote their lasting and best interests. If it be
not what they could desire, and had right to ex-
pect, theycanconsoe 'themseves with therehection,
that it will endure but for few months. Should
they attempt change, or amend it, during this
brefperiod, they most probably could not accomp-
lish theirobect before the government, established
| by Congress, would 60 into operation. In the
mean time, the country would beagitated, the citi-
zens would be Withdrawn from theirusual employ
ments, and domestic strife might divide and exas-
perate the people against each other and this all
TO establish government, which, in coHceiv-
able contingency, could endure for a single year.
During this brief period, it is better to bear the
ills they have, than to fly to others they know not
off,
! Hispolicy is not only shown to havebeen against
the late movements in California, by the above eX-
tracts, but also by his last annual message. That
!, his Administration did not authorize or advise
General Riley, any other officer, TO call the late
convention in California, is clearly shown, too, by
| the late letters of Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Marcy,
his Secretaries of State and of War, to my col
league, Hon. A. G. Brown. They expressly deny
that any such instructions or advice was given by
the late Administration to General Riley. But
will let them speak for themselves t
' WHEArLAND, (NEAR LANcAsTER,)
F'at utE. February, &C. 1850.
"DEAR SRI / have this moment received your
favor ofyesterday, enclosing copy the card of
Mr.. T. Butler King, ofthe Odd instant, which con-
tains the following extract from the proclamation
OF General Riley:
'sThe method here indicated, to attain what is
desired by all, viz, more perfect political orga-
can be adopted, and one fully authorized by law.
1t is the course advised by the President, and by
the Secretaries of State and of War Of the United
States, and is calculated to avoid the innumerable
evils, which must necessarily result from any at
tempt at illegal local legislation. 1t is therefore
hoped it will meet the appreciation ofthe people Of
California, and that all good citizens will unite in
carrying it into execution" .r.
"You inquire whether Gen. Riley had your
lmy] authority to issue that proclamation or to
say that you RI had advised the method therein
indicated, for forming State government in Cali
fornia" To this question answer, without the
least hesitation, in the negative. NY letter to Mr..
VOORHEES,, of the 7th October, ls4s, was carefully
considered by Mr.. Polk and his Cabinet, and re-
ceived their unanimous appreciation. 1t was writ
ten chiefly for the purpose, as appears upon its
face, of inducing the people of California to sub
NIT patiently to the condition in which they had
been left, until Congress should provide for them
territorial government. My personal acquaint-
ance with General Riley is very slight, and l
never had any communication with him, verbal
or written on the subject of forming State gov
eminent in California. Eytn
"You farther request me to state whether ex-
President Polk, or ex-Secretary Marcy, as far as
you III know, authorized General Riley to issue
that proclamation, or whether either of them ad-
vised the course Of policy therein indicated, in re-
ference to California; G
''To this answer, that to my knowledge nei-
Their Mr.. Polk nor Mr.. Marcy ever gave such
authority advice to General Riley. If either of
them issued any instructions, or gave any advice
to him, at variance with my letter of the 7th Octo
Der, 1S4S, am entirely ignorant of it; and do
not believe they did. 1t is certain, that Mr. Polk
in his annual message Of the 5th December, 1S4s
approved of that letter in strong terms, and COM
municated copy of it to Congress.
Yours, very respectfully,
GAMES BUCHANAN.
"Hon. A. G.. BRowN.''
DEAR SIR / have seen Mr.. Buchanan's letter
to you of the 26th ultimo, and assure you he is
correct in his statement Of my action, as Secre-
tary of War, in the matter referred to. General
Riley had no instructions from me but those con-
tanned III the public documents, and | am sure
they furnished him with no authority warrant
for the part he took in regard to the civil govern
ment in California.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"W. L. MARCY.
"Hon. G. BRowN.'
IL is, therefore, upon the present Executive and
his Cabinet, that the whole responsibility, in my
opinion, rests. That he advised this course to
the people of California, he admits in his late
special message to this House. will give his
own lanptape. ..I-