The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-06
4 card nom Hon. T. butler KING.


The National Intelligencer Of the 9th ut CON
tains the following letter. addressed to its editors,
from Hon. 7. Butler King;
GeistIenaee-Pe rmit me to state in your columns
that my illness in California and subsequent long
continued debIllty-my numerous pressing engage
ments since my arrival here, and the effects oil a
recent indispoSition, which has paralyzed my ener.
gies for some days. have DELAYED much longer than
intended or expected my report on California.
But cannot longer permit the public mind to be
assaulted, perhaps misled by Nominations inquiries
and lnuenhoes, which,, If not promptly answered,
may be considered as acquiesced in, bold asser-
ttons--f mlsre representation has assumed that form
to pass uncontfadcted. /, therefore, assert that
did not receive, IN connection! with my duties in
California, nor have | at any time received secret
Instructions, whether verbal or written, from the
President Of the u United States or any member Of
his Cabinet on the subject Of slavery or any other
subject. did not attempt to influence the people
Of California to decide the question of slavery one
way or thelether; and any assertion that did re-
ceiye such instructions or attempt to exercise such
influence is false. Any insinuations or insidieus
inquiries which are so framedsor intended as to in
duce the people to believe that the President, or
any member Of his Cabinet did, give, or that
could be base enough 10 receive such instructions
declare to be totally without foundation in fact
and without the shadow of truth. -,
beg leave to call the attention of the public to
some facts, which win show what was done by the
late Administration toinduce the people Of Cafor-
mia to form State Government. l arrived at San
Francisco on the fourth of June in the steamer
Panama we did not stop at Monterey nor did /
see or hold any communication with Gen. Riley
until about the middle Of that month. when he
eamesto San Francisco. His proclamation calling
convention Of the people Of California to form a
State constitution, is dated Monterey--one hundred
and thirty miles from San Francisco--fhe third Of
he last NJ
the following words:
" The method here indicated to attain what is
desired by all, viz more perfect political organ-
cation, is deemed the most direct and safe that can
be adopted, and one fully authorized by law. 1t is
the course advised by the President and by the Sec
retaries Of State and of War of the United States,
and is calculated 10 avoid the innumerable evils
which. must necessarily result from any attempt at
illegal local legislation. 1t is therefore hoped il
will meet the appreciation of the people of Califor
mia, and that all good citizens will unite in carry
ing it into execution
Y The steamer in, which was passenger to San
Francisco, the first conveyance to carry to the
people Of California the intelligence of the inaugu.
ration of President Taylor and the appointment of
his Cabinet-so that, at the date of Gen. Riley's
proclamation, it was not possible that he could
have received any communication from the present.
Administration. The President of the United
States, to whom he refers, was Mr.. Polk, the Sec
Rotary of State, Mr.. Buchanan. the Secretary of
War, Mr. Marcy. 1t was in accordance with the
recommendations of this proclamation, sustained as
they are in President Folks LAST annual message,
thst the people of California acted in forming their
State constitution. always addressed the people
of California in my private character and never
assumed any official position among them. Inter-
esed as am in slave labor, as n Georgian and a
Southern citizen, was prepared to expect that the
objects of my mission would be perverted in the
North; and find accordingly that during the last
fall elections in that quarter was there represented
as Southern stakeholder sent to California 10 in.
doetrinate the people in my opinions about slavery
This was base falsehood; but it is not half so
base as an attempt to impress upon the public mind
that was sent to c0erce influence California TO
exclude slavery. T. BUTLER KING.