The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-06-04


territory of Texas Should any such State
be hereafter formed, and present itselffor ad
mission into the Union, whether with OF
without the establishment of slavery. il can
not be doubted that Congress will under a
tnll sense honor, of gooj faith. ani of all
the high obligations arising out of the COM
pact with Texas, decide, Just as it will de.
eide unIer the influence of similar consider.
atoms, IN regard to new States formed of OF
out OF, New Mexico and Utah, with OF with.
out the institution OF slavery, according to
the constitutions and judgement of the peo.
pie who compose them, as to what may be
tbest to promote their happiness.
In considering the question of the admis-
sion OF California as a State into the Union.
majority of the committee conceive that
any irregularity by which that State was
organized without the previous authority OF
an act OF Congress, ought to be overlooked,
III consideration of the omission of Congress
to establish any territorial government for
the people OF California and the subsequent
necessity which they were ulder 10 create
a government for themselves, best adapted
to their own wants. There are vaeous in
stances prior to the case of California, Of
new States into the Union, without any
previous authorization by Congress The
sole condition required by the Constitution
OF the United States in respect to the admis-
sion of a new State is, that its constitution
shall b. republican in form. California pre-
sents such constitution; and there is no
doubt of her having greater population
than that which, according to the practice
ofthe government, has been here' ofore deem
Ell sufficient TO receive new State into the
Union.
In regard to the proposed boundaries of
California the committee would have been
| glad if there existed more full and accurate
geographical knowledge of the territory
which those boundaries include There is
reason to believe that large as they are. they
embrace no very disproportionate quantity
Of land adapted to cultivation. And it is
known that they contain extensive ranges
of mountains deserts of sand, and much un-
productive soil. 1t might have hetn, per-
maps, better to have assigned to California
more limited front on the Pacific but even
if there had been reserved OH the shore of
that ocean portion of the boundary which
1t presents for any other State or States, it is
not very certain that an accessible interior
OF sufficient extent coud have been given to
hem TO render an approach TO the ocean
through their own limits Of any very great
Importance.
A majority of the committee think that
there are many and urgent concurring con-
@ideFatlons i'll favor of admitting California
with the proposed boundaries, aud of secur-
ing to her at this time the benefits of a State
Government Thereafter, upon an increase
OF her population more Thorough expora-
ton OF her territory, and an ascertainment
of the relations which may arise between
the people occupying its various parts, ii
should be found conducive to their cotive-
nience AMI happiness to form new State
out OF Ca ifornia, we have every reason to
believe, from past experience, that the ques-
ton Of its admission will be fairly considered
anl justly decided.
A majority Of the committee, therefore
recommended to the Senate the passage of
the bill reported by the Committee on Ter
ritories for the admission of California as
State into the Union TO prevent miscon.
ceptlnn, the committee recommend that the
amendment reported by the same committee
to the bill adopted, so as to leave incontest-
able the right of the United States to the
public domain and other public property in
California.
Whilst a majority ofthe committee believe
it to be necessary and proper, under actual
circumstances, to admit California, they
think itquite necessary and proper to estab-
llsh governments for the residue of the terri
tory derived from Mexico, and to bring it
within the pale of the Federal authority.
The remoteness of that territory from the
seat of the Federal Government the dis
persed state OF its population; the variety
of races-pure and mixed-of which it con-
sists; the ignorance Of some Of tie races OF
our laws, language and habits; and the SOL
emn stipulation of the treaty by which we
acquired dominion over them-impose upon
the United States the imperative obligation
OF extending TO them protection, and of pro-
vidIng for them government AMI laws suit
ed to thsir conlition. Conyress will fail in
the performance Of high duty if does not
give, or attempt to give, to them the be ne6t
OF such protection, government and laws
They are not now, and for a long time to
come, may not be, prepared for State Gov.
ernment. The territorial form. for the pres
ent, is best suited to their condition. A bill
has been reported TO the Committee on Ter.
ritories dividing all the territory acquired
from Mexico, not comprehended within the
limits of California into two territories, un-
der the names of New Mexico and Utah, and
proposing for each Territorial government.
The committee recommended to the SEN
ate the establishment of those Territorial
Governments; and, in order more certainly
TO secure that desirable object, they also rec
ommend that the bill for their establishment
Dc incorporated in the bill for the admission
OF California and that united torether they