Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-01
SPEECH OF Mr.. RAYMOND,
OF VIRGINIA,
OF VIRGINIA,
On the admission Of California into The Union.

OF VIRGINIA,
On the admission Of California into the Unioaa.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, MAY 81, 1850.
The House having under consideration in Committee of
the Whole the message of the President transmitting the
Constitution of California
Mr.. RAYMOND addressed the committee as follows
Mr. CHAIRMAN II was not my intention until within the
last few weeks to take any part in this discussion and
should not have changed my determination it that
occupy, seemingly position not in accordance with the
popular sentiment Of the people of the State which have
the honor IN part to represent
differ to extent with those gentlemen from Virginia
who have addressed the Ho the subject under
sderation particularly about the action of the Executive
and representing do least the voters
the Commonwealth of Virginia. and believing that my views
approximate 10 and accord with The opinions Of large majority
of the people Of Virginia. excepting the Petersburg Rich
mond, and Norfolk dstrict have the conclusion
that is my duty present views TO this House and tho
country
have taken my position after the best reflection could
give this question, and expect maintain it. And here let
take occasion to say that my determination for
the admission Of California, in FORM of the
sovereign States OF this Conedeacy, thing with
My opinion partly formed and made up before the
assembling of this Congress- except the boundary of the
State and, if that shall be changed do not know that
it will form objection with me. ,@#
took my stand in favor of the admission Of California into
the Union before the people in the for upon
this floor, and have neither heard any thing in
ducs to change my views, then expressed have
q
my constituency And, sir should be recrean in the dis
charge Of my duty to the people of my district if did
carry out in good faith the upon this question that
marked out before them.
Sir have acquired this territory by conquest and by
treaty. and we bou in honor to take of it. is
part and parcel of this Unions the people acknowledge
sovereignty it, and right to all the public properly
therein. The principal part oil the inhabitants Of California
emgrants from the States of this Union They are
bone Of bone and flesh Of flesh - they know and
appreciate their political rights they have been schooed in
political schools and understand the rights and privileges
Of American citizens well their brethren they have left
behind them. = @
Sir, if people of California in forming their constu-
ton, had provided for the introduction of slavery within their
bordes quite different state of things would have mani
tested itself here. Those gentlemen who represent this
floor the North only would be occupying the position Of
Southern gentlemen who supposed to represent the South
only and sir of my Southern friends would be found
resisting the admission of California the Union nor do
believe they would have censured the President in such
measured terms for merely suggesting to the people of Cali
fornia the propriey of adopting to form consu-
tion, with view Of asking to be admitted into the Union
Of the States of this Confederacy And while this
subject will notice of the remarks Of my colleague
from the Richmond district He says in his speech delivered
this floor in the early part Of this Discussion, when speak
ing Of the action of the Executive They exhibit,
contend, Mr. Speaker, usurpaton the part of the
Executive, of both ud ca and Legislative powers Here
direct charge that the President has usupcd and taken upon
himself the legislative power Of the countya very grave
charge and what is the evidence be adduces before this
House and the country sustain and make good this charge
He quotes the following from letter from Secretary
Clayton 10 Mr. King: - aaa ~
tYou have been selected by the President convey
them these assurances and especially the of his
firm determination, far his constitutional power extends,
TO omit nothing that tend to and their
DENTS uieus and with roiety suggest the people Of
California the adoption best calculated 10 them
effect These must of originate solely with
themselves. Assure them Of Ae sincere desire Of the Erec
tire Of the United States protect and defend in the for
of any Government republican character here
% be wi
their deliberate choice sut let it be at the time dis
nctly understood by them that the plan Of such Govern
originate with themselves, and without the inter-
ference OF the Executive
the conclusion OF the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdago reguat
the relations of the inhabitants with each oter will
sariiy remain in force in the Territories Their relations
with the former Government have been dissolved and
relations created between them and the Government Of the
United States 6m the eiskg svs, regulating the relations Of
enacted shall suersede them. Our naval and military
manders these stations will be fully instructed cooper
with the friends Of order and good government far
their cooperation can be useful and proper"
Now, sir. here is suggestion Of the Secretary TO the
people of California of the Presidents views advising them
of the necessity Of consulting with another upon the pro-
pey of forming State government We had failed to do
duty in providing civil government for the inhabitants
Of California and they thrown upon their resources
and bound TO provide government for themselves or live
under military government Congress had adjourned with
and under this state things the President says his
sage, did not hesitate to express the people OF those
Territories my desire that each Territory should, prepared
to comply with the requons Of the Constitution Of the
United Staes form plan Of State constitution, and sub
tmt the To Congress, with payer for admission into