Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-26
THE CALIFORNIA QUESTION.

THE CALIFORNIA QUESTION.
The Georgia papers publish the following short
but important letter from the Hon. Ro8T. TONES
to the Governor of that State
WASHINGTON, D c., March II 1850.
slR-I have received under cover OF your favor Of
the 25th u the resolutions passed by the late General
Assembly of the State OF Georgia.
The 9Th resolution OF the series declares that 1T Will
become the immediate and imperative duty OF the peo-
pie Of this State, (Geoga to meet in convention 10
take into consideration the mode and measure OF re-
DRESS upon the happening OF either OF Jour contingent
ist. The passage of the Wimot Proviso by Con-
I'd The abolition of slavery in the District of Column
bia.
3d. The admission OF California as State in s
present pretended organization,
States deliver up fugitive slaves as provided by the
Constitution" =
The happening of either the FIRST second fourth of
these contingencies would justify the proposed measure,
but my opinion, the happenings the third contingent
ry would not warrant it. And deeply regret that
Just should be endangered by the assumption OF
such an unwise and untenable position Congress has
the express power 10 admit new States The admls-
sion OF California under that power purely and solely
question of Congressional discretion and would pre-
sent neither Just sufficient cause tor State inter-
position, revolutionary resistance. II would neither
present OF the usurpaton OF power not granted
the abuse OF granted power. cannot but believe
Ghatt insertion not based upon usl regard 1of the
public welfare but that it was prompted manly by that
disposition to promote local party schemes and objects
which so emnently marked and dsgraced the action OF
the majority Of the General Assembly
AS representative of the people OF Georgia., snail
exercise this conditional discretion without reference
10 The opinions of the General Assembly, and shall vote
for against the admission OF California, as IN my
Judgment will best promote the public interest.
Asa citizen OF the State, shall oppose the acton
proposed by the Legislature even if California shall be
admitted against my vote.
am very respectfully, your obedent servant
To His Excelency Geo. w. Towns, Governor OF
Georgia
We see that the Augusta Constituencies, the
editor of which was leading counsellor in the
proceedings of the Georgia Legislature, duringits
late session, pounces upon Mr.. Toombs' letter,
and, comparing it with some expressions in his
speech, asserts that that gentleman is "blowing
hot and blowing cold on The subject Of the admis'
Bionof California We have looked to the speech
10 Judge for ourselves, and find that it warrants no
such conclusion. Mr.. Toombs' positions were
these: He denied the right Of Congress either to
establish or to prohibit slavery in the Territories.
Gen. Cass's doctrine, that the people of Terri
tory, "the squatters on the public domain may
''assume sovereignty over it, in its Territorial
STATE" (by excluding slaves and their owners)
was, he eaid, concocted only for Presidential
campaign, failed then of its purpose, and is now
brought INFO general contempt He held that
"Congress alone has the right to legisate for the
Territories until they shall be prepared for admis
sion into the Union"-and sat that PERIOD" HI
said, "they have the right to form such govern
ment as they may prefer, with the sole restriction
that it shall be republican" In regard to Cafor
MIA, he said he had supported in the last Congress
Mr.. Preston's bill for its admission, which bill, al.
though his objections to it were numerous and
grave, had the great advantage Of settling the
whole question without any violation OF sound
principles"
1.-THE bill now before US. (said Mr.. To for the, ad.
mission Of California has not that merit lthas all the
obscons that existed against the former bill, with still
graver superadded, and is without the merit Of
closing the question. 1t settles nothing but the addition
of another non.slavehoding State to the Union thus
giving the predominating interest additional power to
settle more fully The territorial questions which leaves
unsdusted In this stats OF the question 1t cannot re-
oeive my support.
Mr.. Toombs letter is perfectly consistent with
these positions, and moreover takes ground, in re-
ference to the California question, which nine
fenths of the Southern people will approve. Vir.
ginia we think we can answer for; and we do no
hesitate to express the belief that whilst she may
second her representatives in Legislative opposi
lion to the admission of California at this time
she does not recognise in the success of tina
measure any such encroachment upon her right:
or insult to her dignity, as she has solemny de-
clared that she would find in law of Congress
prohibiting slavery in the Territories, abolishing
slavery in the District of Columbia or restricting
The slave trade between the States.