Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-01-26
ppofrpDTyCs OF CONGRESS.

Prdviso, which he seems TO consider un-
constitutional, contending that the people
of the several States alone have the right
TO lcgislatc on the subject of slavcry-a
fact none bat abolitionists have ever denied.
In the House, the election for Door
keeper was postponed for an indefinite
period On the 2lst, the following mes
sage from the President, in answer to 4
resolution intended to head 8 Old Zach, -
was read:
To the House Of Representatives Of the United States
| transmit to the House of Representatives, in
answer to the resolution Of that body, passed on
the Dist of December last, the accompanying
reports Of heads Of departments, which contain
ali the official information in the possession of
the executive asked for by the resolution,
On coming into Office, found the military
commandant of the department Of California
exercising the functions Of a civil governor IN
that territory; and left as | was, to act under
the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, without the
aid Of any legislative provision establishing a
government in that territory, thought it best
not to disturb the arrangement made under my
predecessor, until Congress should take some
action on that subject. ! therefore did not in
terfere with the powers Of the military com
mandant who continued to exercise the func-
tlons of civil governor as before but made n o
such appointment, conferred no such authority,
and have allowed no increased compensation to
the commandment for his services.
With a view TO the faithful execution Of the
treaty, 50 far as laid in the power of the execu-
tIye and TO enable Congress 10 act al the present
session, with as fail knowledge and as little diff
hcuty as possible on all matters Of interest in
those territories, sent the Hon. Thomas Butler
King, as bearer Of dispatches to California and
certain officers TO California and New Mexico,
whose duties are particularly defined in the ac-
companying letters Of instruction addressed 10
them seyerally by the proper departments.
did not hesitate TO express 10 the people Of
those territories my desire that each territory
should, If prepared 10 comply with the requis-
tIous Of the constitution of the United States,
form plan Of a State constitution, and submit
the same 10 Congress, with prayer for admis
sion into the Union as = State; bat did not an
tIcipate, suggest. or authoTise the establishment
OF any such government, without the assent Of
Congress, nor did / authorize any government
agent or officer 10 interfere with nor exercise
any influence or control over the election of
delegates, or even any convention, IN making or
modifying their domestic Institutions, or any of
the provisions OF their proposed constitution; on
the contrary the instructions given by my orders
were, mat all -UTtS OF ucNGStIC pOilfN must
originate solely with thcmselyes-that while the
executive was dcs.rous 10 protect and defend
them in the formation Of any government, re-
publican IN its character, TO be at the proper
time submitted 10 CongTess-yct il was to be
dIstlnctly understood that the plan Of such 4
government must, al the same time. be the result
Of their own deliberate choice, and originate
with themselves, without the interference OF the
executive.
am unable 10 give any information as to laws
passed by any supposed gDycmmentn California
OF any census taken in either Of the territories
mentioned in the resolution as have no iulor-
nation on these subjects, as already stated.
have not disturbed the arrangements which
found had existed under my predecessor. In en-
dorstng an early application by the people OF the
territories for admission, stated, was aCtua-
ted principally by an earnest desire TO afford 10
the wisdom and patriotism Of Congress the oP-
poriunlty OF avoiding angry dissenttons among
the people Of the United States.
Under the constitution every State has the
right OF establishing, and from time to time al
terIng it's municipal laws and domestic Institu-
tIOns, independently Of every other State, and Of
the general government, subject only 10 the
propositions and guarantees expressly set forth
IN the constitution Of the United States. The
subjects thus left exclusively TO the respective
States were not designed or expected to become
topics of national agitation. Still, as under the
constitution, Congress has power TO make all
need(uI rules and regulations respecting the ter
ritories of the United States, every new acquisi-
ton OF territory has led TO discussions Oh the
question neither the system of involuntary ser
yItudc, which prevails in many OF the States,
should, or should not, be prohibited in that ter
ritory. The periods of excitement from tins
cause, which have heretofore occurred, have
been safely passed; but during the interval Of
whatever length may clapse before the admission
1, .yl.l -
appears probable that similar excitement Will
prevail to an undue extent. Under these cir
cumstances, | thought, and still think, that il
was my duty 10 eudcayer 10 put It IN the power
OF Congress, by the admission OF California and
New Mexico as States, TO remove all occasion
for the unnecessary agitation OF the public mind.
II Is understood that the people OF the western
part of California have formed plan of State
constitution and viii soon submit the same 10
the judgment Of Congress, and apply for admis-
sion as a State. This course on their part
though IN accordance with my wish, was not
adopted exclusively in consequence OF any eX-
preston of my wishes, inasmuch as measures
tending to tins end had been promoted by the
officers sent there by my predecessor, and were
already IN active progress OF execution before
any communication from me reached California.
If the proposed constitution shall, when submit
ted to Congress, be found 10 be in compliance
with the acquisitions 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 pro-
posed state Of that name, Is believed TO be unin-
habted, except in a settlement of our country
men IN the vicinity OF Salt Lake,
a cain has been advanced by the State of
Texas to very large portion Of the most pop
ulous district of the territory, commonly desig-
mated by the name OF New Mexico. If the
people Of New Mexico had formed plan of
State government for that territory, ceded by
the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and had been
admitted by Congress a State, our constitu-
tlon would have afforded the means of obtaining
an adjustment OF the question of boundary with
Texas by judicial decision. At present, how
ever, no judicial tribunal has the power Of de-
Gliding that question, and it remains for Con-
grcss to devise some mode for its adjustment.
Meanwhile submit to Congress the question
l-l :. l.--.-t