The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-31


cause they have not the power to establish but that h'
people, n forming government for themselves, have thu
right to do either II Congress can rghtfuy do one, they
This is the doctrine put forth BY Mr. Calhoun in hi,
celebrated resolutions OF 1S47, introduced into the Senate
the United States, among which is the following:
"Rssoivd That il fundamental principle in po
ca creed that people In forming constitution have
the unconditional right form and adopt the
ty prosperity, and happiness aud in conformity thereto
no other condition Is imposed BY the federal constitution
State, in order TO be admitted into this Unon pit tina
its constitution shall be republican and that the mpos
ton OF any other by Congress would only be in violation
OF the constitution but la direct conflict with the prnc pt
on which our political system rests"
President Polk, in his annual message dated 5th De
cember, lS4s, uses the following language:
"The question is believed be rather than pac
ton o the acquired Territory even il il were LETT to lie op
ton Of the slayeholdng STATES themselves From the
portion OF it, it is certain could exist and in the
remainder the probabilities are i sals nc'
/, does principle Of equality Of rights Of The separate and
several States, equal copartners Ia the conlederacy
In organizing governments over these Territories nc
duty imposed on Congress by the constitution requires that
power do only seriously questioned, but denied
by many the soundes exPoundrr Of that instrument
acquired Territories when assembled in 10 form
State constutions viii possess the sole and exclusive
determine for themselves whether slavery shall
shall not exist within their limits"
The people OF California therefore, acting in conformi
with the views thus expressed and what seemed to be
the generally admitted opinion in the States had every
to suppose and did suppose that by forming
sttaton for themselves, and deciding this question in
cordance with their views and interests they would
be received with open arms by all parties.
y which has characterized the American people in
dischagng the great and important duties OF sefgovern-
ment.
As already stated. arrived at San Francisco on the
morning OF the fourth of June
The steamer in which was passenger did not stop
Monterey therefore did not see General Riley. nor
had any communication with him until about the mid
die OF the month, when he came to San Francisco A
few days after my arrival his proclamation. calling
convention to form State constitution, dated the third
OF June, was received
Tie people acted in compliance with what they be-
leyed to be the views OF Congress- and contomaby TO
the recommendations OF the proclamation and proceeded
on the day appointed to elect members to a convention
for the purpose OF forming constitution, to be regularly
submitted to the people for their ratification or rejection,
and, if approved, to be presented to Congress, with
prayer for the admission OF California, as State into
the Union.
desire here to make brief and emphatic reply 10 the
various unjust and most extraordinary accusations and
nsnuatons which have been made respecting the move
ments OF the people OF California in forming their State
government.
had no secret instructions verbal or written from the
President any else what to say TO the people OF
California the subject of slavery; nor was it ever
limited ntmated 10 that was expected to attempt
influence their action in the slightest degree that
subject That did, the people Of California will
the machinery Of party of the press and it is
absurd 10 suppose that any secret influences for
against slavery could have been used there than it
would be to believe that they could be successfully
ployed in Maryland or Georgia
therefore declare all assertions and nsnuatons, that
was secretly instructed to- that did in any way, at
tempt to influence the people Of California 70 exclude
slavery from their Territory to be without foundation.
The election of delegates to the convention proceeded
regularly in pursuance Of the proposed mode OF holding
IT, and, far as am informed questions were asked
w "A
or whether he was from the North or the South.
The only object seemed to be, find competent who
were willing to make the sacrifice oi time which proper
discharge OF their duties would require.
AS after my arrival al San Francisco as the ar
rangements OF General Smith would permit proceeded
with him to the interior OF the country for the purpose o
examining the gold region and other interesting and i'm
portant portions of it, did not return until the 10th oi
August The elections had taken place when was in
the mountains taken i'll the Goth OF that month
and was confined to my bed and my room more than two
months.
The convention met on the lst OF September. So il
will be that was not present where any election
was held, nor had anything 10 do with selecting or
bringing out candidates. and my illness is sufficient proof
that did not and could not, had been disposed, exer-
any influence in the convention, which was sitting
one hundred and thirty miles from where was.
Some intimations assertions, am informed, have
been thrown that the South not fairly represented
in the convention. am told by two OF the members of
Congress elect from California whowere members oil the
that OF the delegates designated
in General Rleys proclamation, sixteen were from
saveholdng, from the non saveholdng States, and
eleven who were czens ol Caiiorna under ,ne mexl-
districts below 90 deg 80 min SO that there were IN
the convention twenty-six Of the thrtyseyen members
from the sayehoding States, and from places south OF
the Missouri compromise line.
II appears on the journal Of the convention, that the
clause in The constitution excluding slavery passed unan-
imousy.
observations and reflections respecting the population,
climate, soil productonsthe general character OF grants