Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-24
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE. I
, ,

WILLIAM V. WORRIES, Esq, Washington City:
SIR: Previous to your departure Tor California, the
President has instructed me to make known, through
your agency, the citizens of the United States nhabi
ting that territory, his views respecting their present con-
dion and future prospects, He deems proper to en-
poy you for this purpose because the Postmaster Gene
raj has appointed you agent, under the act to esta-
blsh certain post routes, approved August IA, lS4S
" to make arrangements fol the establishment of post
Offices and for the TRANSMISSION receipt and conveyance
| of letters in Oregon and California"
The President congratulaes the citizens of California
on the annexation of their fine prairies to the United
States On the Both of May, lS4s-the day on which
the notifications of late treaty with Mexico
changed-Caliornia finally became an integral portion
OF this great c dad ana e as 81
recognises it to be within the territory OF the United
States"
May this Union be perpetual!
The people OF California may feel the hrmes convic-
ton that the Government and people OF the United
States will never abandon them, prove unmndtu OF
their prosperity Their fate and their fortunes are now
ndssouby united with that OF their brethren on tins
side of the Rocky Mountains. How propltlous this
event both for them and for us Whilst the other ma
tons Of the world distracted by do nestle dissenslons
and are involved in struggle between the privileges OF
the few and the rights OF the many, Heaven has blessed
our happy land with government which secures equal
rights to all our citizens and has produced peace hap
pness and conentment throughout our borders 1t has
combined liberty with order, and all the sacred and IN
deteasibe rights OF the citizens with the strcest OBJ
servance of law Satisfied with the institutions I'M
der which we live each individual is therefore, lett tree
to promote his prosperity and happiness IN the man
ner most in accordance with his own judgment
Under such constitution and such laws, the pros
poets of California are truly encouraging. Blessed with
a mild and salubrious climate and fertile SOIL rich in
mineral resources and extending nearly ten degrees
OF latitude along the coast OF the pacc, with some OF
the finest harbors in the world, the IMAGINATION can
scarcely fix limit TO its future wealth and prosperity
We can behold in the not distant future, one or more
glorious States of this contederacy prngng into exs
fence in California governed by institutions similar to
our own and extending the blessings OF religion liberty
and law over that region Their tree and unestrct
ed commerce and intercourse with the other States OF
the Union will confer mutual benefits and blessings on
all parties concerned and will bind all together by The
strongest ties of reciprocal affection and interest Their
foreign trade with the west coast OF Ameca, with ASA
and with the isles of the Pacific, will be protected by
our common tag and cannot ta tQ bear PACK 70 then
shores the rich rewards OF enterprise and industry
After ALL however, the speedy realization OF these
bright prospects depends much upon the wise and pru
dent conduct OF the citizens OF California In the present
emergency Ii they commence their career under pro-
per auspices, their advance will be rapid and certain;
but should they become enanged in difficulties and dis
sensons at the start their progress Will be greatly re-
| tarded
The President deeply regrets that Congress did not,
at their last session, establish territorial government
for California. would now be vain to enter into the
reasons Tor this omission. Whatever those may have
been, he is firmly convinced that Congress feel deep
interest in the welfare of California and its people, and
WILL at an early period OF the next session. provide for
them territorial government suited to their wants.
Our laws relating to trade and intercourse with the In
dams will then be extended over them Custom houses
will be established tor the collection OF the revenue and
liberal grants OF land will be made to those bold and
patriotic citizens who, amidst privations and dangers
have emgrated OF shall emigrae to that territory from
the States on this side OF the Rocky Mountains
The President, in his annual message at the COM
mencement OF the session, will recommend all these
great measures Congress, in the strongest terms and
will every effort, consistently with his duty to insure
| their accomplishment.
In the mean tme the condition Of the people Of Cali
forna is anomalous and will require their part the
exercise of great prudence and discretion By the con-
cuson OF the treaty OF peace the military government
which was established over them under the laws OF war
as recognised by the practice OF all civilized nations has
ceased to derive its authority from this Of power
But there for this reason, no government in Caltor-
MAI Are life, liberty, and property under the protec
ton of no existing authorities This would be snguv
lar phenomenon in the face OF the world and especially
| among American citizens, distinguished they are
above all other people for their law abiding character
Fortunately they not reduced to this sad condition
The termination OF the war left an existing government
"a government de tacto--in full operation and this
will continue with the presumed consent OF the people
until Congress shall provide tor them territorial govern
ment The great law OF necessity psfies this concu-
sion The consent OF the people Is lrresstbly inferred
from the fact that civilized community could possibly
desire to abrogae existing government when the al
tentative presented would be TO place themselves in
state of anarchy beyond the protection o all laws, and
reduce them to the unhappy necessity OF submitting to
| the dominion ofthe strongest. -,
This government de tacto will OF course, exercise
power inconsistent with the provisions Of the consttu
ton of the United States, which Is the supreme law Of
the land For this reason import duties can be levied
in California on articles the growth, produce, or manu-
acure OF the United States, as no such duties can be