The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-18
nryrarscr or THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Il KEfEKEkCE
Mr. DAVIS. Of Mississippi. moved that much Of the
lPxsidents annual message as relates to military affairs
be referred TO the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr..
D stated that there several matters OF importance
connected with this subject which made the reference
asked desirable.
The motion g refer agreed to.
j Mr.. DICKINSON moved that much OF the Presi-
dents annual message as relates to finance be referred 10
the Committee on Finance which was agreed to-
UsFINIsHED BUSINESS.
Mr.. SMITH. There is on the table class OF resolu-
tons calling Tor information from the departments, which
suppose will not occasion any debate had the honor
70 submtto the Senate, but the other day, resolu-
lions Of this character My honorable friend from the
sen;ed such resolutions move to take up these esolu-
ons in the order in which they offered 1t is pre-
sumed that they occupy the attention Of the Senate
pu'a ~" mo"en's
cALlFoRNIA--ExEcUTlyE UsURPATIoN.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the following
resolutions. submitted some time since by Mr. CLEMENS,
rrvs,dsnv 5r nd usissd stsiss be =.
guessed to inform the Senae early wheth
cr person has been by him appointed civil military
4 so, who has been appointed and what compensation
has been allowed him Also, that he be requested in
Ss EaecaSe any departments 9Th d he
and California, with instructions authority
advise the people within It's limits in such Organization
And further that be be requested 70 inform the Senate how
themselves q convention, were elected, by whom the
qualifications of tho voters fixed and determined,
what those qualifications and by what law the time,
places and manner Of holding said election regulated
And further ha. he be requested 70 inform the Senate
been taken; and Il SO. by what law. and under what
ho And e iar1hss ma. he be requested e
with any person as civil OF military COVER
Il e. s hs 6
requested inform the Senate whether any steps have
eminent to assemble Convention in New Mexico. io the
purpose OF adopting aconsttnton and making application
adm into the Union; and that he be
the all
and papers in relation thereto And urther that he be
opinion expressed ii his annual me sssge Of December 4
S9, that the people OF New Mexico will, at dis
Union uni S' r'e'S''' "
The question was pending, when the resolution was
last before the Senate upon an amendment proposed by
Mr. MHLER to strike out the last clause OF the resou
ton, which is as follows:
.And further that he be requested inform the Senate
upon what ground he bases the opinion expressed in his
annual message Of December 4 sl9. that the people Of
New Mexico VIII, very d.ant period. present them
selves Tor admission into the Union.'"
Mr.. CLEMENS. Mr.. President. stated the other
day that thought it proper that should have the in
formation, but that there vas resolution in the other
House which would probably answer the purpose II il
does sir, the adoption OF my resolution will be i'm
posing very unnecessary labor upon the departments
think il is better, therefore, wait until the
that resolution received and published before further
action upon this and therefore move to lay the resolu
ton upon the table.
Mr.'DOUGLAS. Ihope, sir, that this resolution will
NJ The VICE VICE PRESIDENT. The question Of laying upon
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | did not understand such motion
10 be made.
Mr. DOUGLAS. hope the resolution will be passed
apprehend that those resolutions 60 further than those
OF the House OF that they call Tor further
information and desire all the information that be
had upon this subject have that the matter has
attracted the attention OF large portion OF the press Of
the country and tha has been charged that the admin
sration have adopted that calculated 10
coerce the people OF California their free action in form
ing State government
ft be true that any power Of coercion either civil or
military, hos been used by the administration TO
prevent the people from the free exercise OF the elective
franchise the free decision OF any question affecting
their constitution the people Of the United States
titled to know that fact, and the Senate 10 entitled 10
know the fact desire, sir that this call, in the most
searching that IL be presented, should be
adopted that we may have the truth in regard TO this
matter IT, the other hand il be untrue that they have
used any such power means 1t is due 10 them that this
call should be adopted and that response should be had
in order that the world should know that they have moi
done this, which has been charged upon them.
think il is due alike to the country and 10 the admin
straon that these remarks upon the snbiect should be
put OF rest either BY showing their truth Or that they
tons will be adopted, and adopted now, in order that
may have an answer the resolution, and that may
know what has been done upon the subject
Mr. SMITH As intmated to the Senate, that in sub
hitting this notion desired TO bring before the body
res OF resolutions not subject to general debate very
sorry that the honorable senator from Illinois Mr. Doue
al this time. II the resolution is 10 pass at all certainly il
strikes me, il ought TO undergo very considerable mod
cation and the subject will be likely TO engross the entire
attention OF the Senate during the morning houT but
desire state, for he information OF the honorable sena
tor and Of the Senate that understand, IRON OF
information upon which can rely that most full and
most explicit communication has been made TO the
House of Representatives this entire subject and
that the President and the heads OF the departments
have been so particular a. 70 communicate copies
OF every single scrap scrawi to bs lppnd IN
the ARCHIVES OF the departments upon this entire
subect thai he honorable senator will probably learn
and be satisfied fully In regard 10 the truth OF what re-
gard, however as 0 most unfopnded imputation upon
The President and the present administration venture to
state TO The world further that when those papers come
before the public the honorable gentleman Will learn maj
ths celebrated proclamation OF General Riley, the basis
of which The constitutional convention in California
was authorized was issued by the authority OF the last
administration, and not BY virtue Of any INSTRUCTIONS
given by the present administration DO not w'sh' Mf
President, TO occupy the lime ot the senate ~ ds-
cussing this subject; but think thai tpe hopoIape
senator before he undertakes TO throw any imPu'aons
upon the present administration, should have waited I'M
Ill the papers come before Congress. think the course
OF the senator from Alabama Mr. CLEMrNsl Is entirely
proper and right These papers, understand, are ex
ceedingly voluminous and when they All come before
Congress, venture TO say that they viii make inek
octave volume; 30 that for the Senate 10 make an,
other call upon the heads OF the departments VIII
subject them TO copying of all those papers, wheh gre
already given 10 the House Of Representatives and are TO
son seems 10 me 10 INVOLVE most unnecessary con
sumption Of the time Of the officers of various depart
ments, as well unnecessary expense to the govern
ment Without, therefore. occupyInQ any oi the