Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-08-21
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WASHINGTON. August 5. 1850.
. his ErcelIency =. II BeU.
GOrernor Of Terns::

'otCf Hpf ~ ItdlS.
Sin: \ letter addressed bv YOU TO the
late President of the United States, ant
dated on the lth OF June last has. since
his lamented decease. been transferred tc
the hands of his successor. by whom an
directed to address 10 YOU the following
answer:
In that letter You say that by the authori
" of the Leg stature of Texas. the exc
cutlve Of that State, in February last
despatched a special commissioner. with
full power and instructions - extend the
civil lurlS SllctlGn Of that State over the un.
organized counties OF I'll PaSo. Worth
Persidio. and Santa Fe. situated upon its
northwestern limits: and that the conutniS-
sIoncr has reported 10 YOU in an official
form. that the military officers employed
in the service of the United States station
ed at Santa Fe. interposcl adversely witt
the inhabitants to the tulfillment of his
object. by employing their influence il
favor Of the establishment of separate
State government east of the Rio Grande
and within the rightfill limits of the State
of Texas. You also transmit copy oI
the proclamation of Colonel Jno Monroe
acting under the orders of the Govern
signalion Of Civil and Military Governor
OF the Territory of New Mexico. and re
specitully request the President to cause
YOU 70 b, informed whether or not this
officer has acted in this matter under the
orders OF his Government. and whether
his proclamation meets with the approval
of the President of the United States.
In the events which have occurred the
President hardly knows whether vour
Evcellencv would naturally expect an
answer TO this letter from him His pre-
decessor in office. to whom it was address
sed. and under whose authority and direc-
tion the proclamation of Colonel Monroe
was issued. IS no more: and at this time
that proclamation. whatever may be re-
gardcd as It's true character. has ceased
to have influence or effect The meeting
of the people of New Mexico bv their re-
prescntatives. which it invited. is under
stood to have taken place. although this
government has received no official in
formation Of IT,
Partaking. however. in the fullest de-
gree. in that high respect which the Exc
cutivc Government Of the United States
ALWAYS entertains towards the Governors
dent thinks il his duty nevertheless n
manifest that feeling of respect bv ac-
knowledging and answering YOUR letter.
And this duty, let me assure YOUR excel
lencv. has been 50 long DELAYED. only bv
uncontrollable circumstances, aud is now
performed at the earliest practicable mo-
men,. after the appointment Of those haa Is
of departments. and their acceDtance Of
office. with whom it is usual on important
occasions. for the President of the United
States to advise.
In answer therefore. to YOUR first inter-
rogatory. viz: whether Colonel Monroe.
in issuing the proclamation referred to.
acted under the orders of this Govern
ment the President directs me to state that
Colonel Monroe's proclamation appears
TO have been issued in pursuance or in
consequences OF an order or letter Of in
struc,ions given BY the late Secretary OF
w dr. under the authority of the late Pre-
sident 10 Lieutenant Col Mccall. OF
this order. which bears date on the 10Th
OF November. 1919. Your excellency was
undoubtedly Informed at the date of vour
letter. y full and accurate copy. howev-
er. is attached to this communication
Colonel Mccall IS therein instructed. that
if the people of New Mexico. for whom
Congress had provided no government.
should NANTES. wish TO take anv steps
10 establish a government for themselves
and apply for admission into the Union. i.
will be his duty and the duty of others
with whom he is associated. not to thwart
but 10 advance their wishes This order
does no, appear to authorize any exerion
of military authority. or of any official or
even personal interference to control. or
affect in any way the primary action ofthe
people. in the formation Of government.
nor to permit any such interference by