The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-30

Diary Of the State Of California, the 49nd paral-
!e1 Of latitude, which is the southern boundary
of Oregon; to follow that parallel until YOU
reach the summit of Sierra Nevada; pass along
the crest Of that until you come to latitude 35
degrees, 80 minutes. i fixed upon the latitude
IS degrees, 80 minutes, because il is mountain
range, which leaves the lax,
is i'm some measure tho head waters of the San
Joaquin u Is to throw NIL the waters that run
west OF the mountains Of Sierra Neveda into
the territory Of California, which | propose to
form into State It is not only necessary for
senators to look at the map, to see that it Is
natural boundary. II is one that, If they had
been going themselves to arrange the matter,
looking upon the whole territory, and no action
having been previously had, they would in all
human probability have fixed upon. The terri
tory propose to include in the limits of the
State, is upwards of ninety thousand square
miles; so that in truth it will be the largest
State in the Union. 1t is more than twice the
size of the State Of New York, as my honora-
BILE friend near me, (Mr. DoUGLAs) remarks.
If you look upon the coast, it has the distance
Of upwards Of six hundred miles--between six
and seven hundred miles. Mr.. President, | have
offered this proposition with the most sincere
and ardent desire that it will meet with favor on
the part of the Senate of the United States, and
ultimately upon the part Of the House of Rep
have done ii, as have stated
before, differing with my own friends as regards
other parts Of the BILL am prepared to risk
my own standing and position in that section
from which come, in order to try and settle
the question. Defeat this amendment, and
shall be compelled by the strongest obligations
that owe to myself, to my own section, and /
believe the whole country, TO 60 against the
bill. N fsi# s aalbeg
know, sir, the objection in the minds of many
individuals to fixing this boundary for California
results from their unwillingness to send back
the senators and representatives now elected
from what is called the State Of California.
Well, sir, if that be the opinion Of the two
houses of Congress-, that the curtailing of the
limits produces that necessity, then appeal to
senator's whether they can leopard the pacifica-
ton of measure so important to the peace and
harmony of the country, not to say Of the Union
itself, simply because four individuals will be
from taking their seats in one or the
other branch of Congress during few weeks.
For mysef--and say it in perfect sincerity and
TRUTH would just as soon have these gentle
men elected from California, as senators and re-
as any others With the senators
1 have personal acquaintance !; but not 80 with
the representatives. So tar as have knowl-
edge-and speak with sincerity--there are no
men from California whom would rather see
occupy the station than the two gentlemen who
were elected. There is no feeling, therefore,
upon my part--no desire whatever to exclude
them. II they can be admitted with the UNDER
that youcan limit their boundaries, and
also include their adInission-if that can be the
case, sir, acquiesce in it. If, however, it is
put it to senator's to say whether
they will leopard this measure and brave all the
that will result from it. Gentle
men may wink as hard as they please, but they
cannot shut their eyes to the difficulties by which
they are surrounded If it cannot be done, and
gentlemen are determined to persevere, ! shall
nave done my duty to the Senate, and, Us be-
leve, to the whole country. much fear, with
the very best intentions in the world on the part
of many Senators, and heartfelt desire upon
their part to do what wish them to do, yet that,
such is the force of circumstances, my amend
mcnt will be defeated. fit is, sir can only
saw that on Others heads, and not on mine and
those who are acting with me, will rest the con-
sequences. We shall have done all that we can
do to quiet the public mind, to do justice to all
sections, IN order to stop the agitation of those
unfortunate questions which are binding men
OF consequences, arousing angry passions, and
threatening the most deploruble results.
was going to remark, Mr.. President, that
when this amendment shall be disposed Of,
should propose to strike out the second section
Of the bill, in these words: ~
.That until the representation in Congress
shall be apportioned according to actual emu
meration of the inhabitants Of the United States,
the State of California shall be entitled to two
representatives in Congress" s@g
i will say why propose to strike out this
section. There are gentlemen in the Senate, l
know, who entertain constitutional difficulties
with regard to fixing the representation have
great difficulty myself on that very point. did
believe that the Constitution OF the United States
gave but one representative to State until
an actual enumeration was made, and it was as i
certained by that enumeration that they were
entitled to more According to the ratio of
representation now, I have my doubts whether
that is strictly correct, although the able argu-
ment Of my friend from Georgia Mr.. BERRIENl
has never been fully answered. Be that as il
may, i'm order to relieve gentlemen from oil dit
ficulty upon the subject shall propose to strike
that matter for California, IL she is to be adj
mitted, they judging of the qualifications of their
respective representatives. 1t is therefore UNI
to say that they shall have certain
number. BE-
! beg pardon, sir, for having detained the
Senate much longer than intended. Ihave felt
so DESTROYS of being placed in position in which
could support a measure which processes and
which ought to be one Of pacihcation and COM
yielding something on all sides, in
order to bring about an adjustment-that have
perhaps consumed more time than | ought in
endeavoring to enforce upon gentlemen the ne
cessity of yielding in this case, and forming
proper limit to the boundaries of California. II
will be with Senators to act according to their
consciences in relation to this amendment; but,
whatever course they may take, can only say
have discharged my duty.