The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-23


happy lard with government which 90 rig
to all our citizens, and has produced pssce
bined liberty with order and all the sacred and inds
feasible rights Of the citizens with the srictest cbssr
vance Of law. Satisfied with the Institutions der
which ve each individual Is therefore, left free tc
promote his prosperity aud happiness In the
ner ost in accordance with his own judgment
Under euch a con sttution ana such laws the pros.
poets Of California are truly encouraging Blessed with
mild and salubrious oil mate, aud fertile SOIL rich In
mineral resources and extendios Over nearly ten de-
grees Of latitude along the coast OF the Pacific with
some Of the finest harbors 10 the world the i'm
ton scarcely Ax limit to les future wealth and
We can behold in the not distant future, one OF
more glorious States Of this cone sracy spnging into
existence in California governed by Institutions similar
TO our own and extending the blessings OF religion
liberty, and law over that vast region Their free aud
commerce and Intercourse with the other
States Of the Union will confer mutual benefits aud
blessings all parties concerned and will bind ell
together by the strongest ties of reciprocal affection
and interest Their fereign trade with the
OF America, with Asia and the isles OF the Pacific will
be protected by eur common ftx. and cannot fail to
bear back to their shores the rich rewards OF enterprise
After ALL however the speedy realization Of these
bright prospects depends much upon the wise and
dent conduct Of the citizens OF California the present
emergency. fthey commence their career under pro-
per auspices their advance will be rapid and certain
but should they become entangled in difficulties and
at the start thor progress will be greatly
retarded.
The President deeply regrets that Congress did not
at their last session. establish territorial
for California 1t would be vain to enter into the
reasons for this omission Whatever those may have
been he is firmly convinced that Cengrsss fesl deep
interest In the welfare Of California its people aud
WILL at early period of the next session. provide for
them territorial government suited to their wants
Our laws relating to trade and intercourse with the
dans will then be extended over them Custom houses
will be established for the collection of the
and liberal grants Of land will be made to those bold and
patriotic citizens who amidst prvatious and dangers,
have emgrated shall emigrats that territory from
the States on this side of the Rocky Mountains.
The President, in his annual message at the COM
mencement OF the next session, will recommend all
these great measures to Congress, in the strongest
terms and will use every effort consstently with his
duty, TO insure their accomplishment.
In the meantime the condition Of the people Of Cali
forria Is anomalous and will require their part the
exercise of great prudence aud discretion. by the
conclusion of the treaty OF peace the military
mept which was established over then under tho Ia
OF war; recognised by the practice Of all civilized
patiens, has ceased to derive its authority from
this source Of power But Is there, for this reason
no government in California Are life, liberty and
property under the protection of existing auhor-
ties This would be singular phenomenon in the
face Of the world, and especially among Amersan cit
Gems. dsting - they above all other people
for their Law. abiding character. Fortunately they
not reduced to this sad condition. The termination
Of the war left an exciting government-a government
de- aeo In full operation and this will continue with
the presumed consent Of the people uatil Congress
shall provide for them territorial government. The
great law of necessity justfss this conclusion. The
consent Of the people Is ressbly inferred from the
fact that civilized community could possibly de-
sire to abrogate an existing government when the al
tentative presented would be to place themselves In
state Of anarchy, beyond the protection Of s LAYS
and reduce them to the unhappy necessity Of sub
mitting to the dominion Of tho strongest.
This government de Jasto will, Of course, exercise
power Inconsistent with the proviions Of the
stituton OF the United States which Is the supreme
law ofhe land For this i'm port duties
be levied In California articles the growth produce,
manufacture of the United states such daties
can be imposed in any other part Of Union the
productions Of California Nor can new duties bs
charged in California upon such foreign productions
try for the obvious reason that California Is within the
territory Of the United States shall not enlarge upon
this however the Secretary Of the Treasury
The President urgently advises the people of California
to live pesoaby and quietly under the existing
ment. He believes that this will promote their lasting
and best interests. IL IL be not what they could de-
sire and had right to expect they can console them
few months. should they attempts change, or amend
during this brief period, they most probably could
not accomplish their object before the government
tablshed by Copgsess would into operation. In the
time the country would be sgitstsd the citizens
would be withdrawn from their usual employ nents,
people against each other and this all establish
government which, In no conceivable contingency,
could endure Tor single Yea yss, During this e,sf % PER-, 70
others they know net Of
The permanent prosperity sfany country Is iden
titled with the perfect security Of Its land titles The
land system Of the general government has been .
theme Of admiration throughout the World. rhs Wis
dom Of ran devised plan 90 well csleuat-
ed 20 prevent litigation and place the rights Of
of the coil beyond dispute This system has been
great of the rapid settlement ani progress Of
attracted there because every kne~ that when he
acquired land from the government he could at
under his own vine, and under his own hg tree, and
there would be no one TO make him afraid. Indeed,
there be greater drssbsck to the prosperity ofa
country a. several ofthe older states have sxperieoced
than disputed land tites Prudent will be deter
red from, emgaapg TO state or territory where they
cannot obtain ipdisputsbs title and must conss-
uently be exposed to tbs danger Of strife and itga
tons Ia respect the soil which they d~sll. An
uncertainty respecting the security Of land titles arrests
all valuable improvement because no pru1.nt man viii
"a for n
ger that another deprive him ef the fruit OF bis Ia
bos IL is fortupats therefore, that Congress alone,
pose OF and make all needfu rules and regulations
spectng the territory other property bsongng TO
/, con,,neei tha, the smIrrsots viii receive
liberal donations Of the public land.
Although Congress have not sstsbushed territorial
for the people u Cafor MIA. thsJ have not
been altogether unniDdfsi OF their Interests. The
h. nett OF post ofce Laws has been extended 70
them; and you win bear with you authority from the
public nformstion aud private CORES pondence among
thenseive', and o.tssen them and the citizens Of
OTegon sud ~ states east II the Rocky Mountains
The monthly ste-merr on the line fron Panama TO
Astoria have been required to stop and deliver aud
There steamers connected BY the Isthmus Of fsnsma
with thoss on the Atlantic between New Work asd
Sbsg.s viii ss.g uP rssnl.r som%eosss,es -, s .,.a a
desire TO emierate to that territory
The necessary appropriations have also been made
BIZ Congress maipin troops In California TO protect
It's inhabitants sgsnst all attacks from civiiired or
savsg. foe and II viIi afford the Prssidsnt peculiar
pleasure 20 perform this duty promptly and enecvey
But above al the constitution Of the nitst states
the ssf.susrd Of all civil lights vss extended over
California the soth May, lsss the dsy on which our
late treaty With Mexico vas finally consummated.
From that de- s ipbabitso.s became entited TO all
the and benefits resulting from the bst form
OF civil government established amongst meo.-
Thst they win prove worthy OF this inestimsbie boon
doubt n entertained.
whilst the pcpuiaticn Of California vin be cam
poees chiefly Of our Kindred, Of people sp-sx
log cvn language and educated for self govern
mept under our ovn institutions. sonsidersbe por-
ton OF them were Mexican citizens before the late
tres<y OF peace. rhese citizens ought 70 be
and from the justice and generosity Of the American
character the PRESIDENT s confident that they viii be
treated With respect and kndness and thus be made
to fee that BY changing their allegiance they have be
come prosperous and happy.
Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.