The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-20


he CHARGED TWENTY-FIVE per cent higher than the above
rates. reasonable deduction will be made 70 tnose VINO
advertise by the year. ....
Letters to the Editor must come free OF postage
SPEECH OF MIR. sEDDON,
OF VIRGINIA,
Delivered in the House Of Representatives. Of the United
States, January 23d, 1850, on the action Of the Er-
eeut;re in relation to California.
Mr. SPEAKER: The action taken, and the course
of policy recommended by the Executive to be pur-
sued in reference to California and tho Territories
lately acquired from Mexico, as developed by the
message and documents now on your table, are to
nv mind 90 strange, startling, and dangerous as to
demand at the very first opportunity, even on the mo-
tiou to print, examination and exposure. l should
have been better pleased if this duty had been under
taken by some member of more weight and reputa-
ton. who might have commanded in larger measure
the attention and confidence of the House and the coun-
try; but since such seem TO have directed their
special attention this matter, to be now prepared
to expose the character and tendencies of that mes
sage, I, sir, humble as am, feel mPerahve'y bound
to make the attempt and to invoke the most serious
attention of the House and the country to them.
For clear perceptions Of the action and policy OF
the Executive towards California and our other ac-
ausitions and of their tendencies, is necessary to
advert and ascertain the condition OF those
ries and especially California, at the close of the war
with Mexco-the relations existing then between
them and the United States-and the obligations re-
sultng. For brevity, shall for the present refer to
California only, though the same observations will
apply with equal proprIety to all our other acqo'sl
tions, not belonging to Texas. =
During the war, California had been subjugated
by the prowess of the American arms, and was held,
after ali resistance had been quelled, in tranquility
under military domination. By the treaty of Guada-
lupe Hidalgo, which restored peace, California was
ceded by Mexico in absolute sovereignty to the nj
ted States, in part for the consideration OF large
sum of money, $l8 4OO, ,OOO-much the greater por-
ton of which is yet to be paid. By those means'
California became Territory of the United States
The Constitution of the United States, as far as aP-
plicabe, extended over it, and became " tie supreme
Mw of tie land." The sovereignty over it was ced-
ed to- and vested in the sovereign States of this Con.
federacy-the United States. In them was vested
the eminent domain, the ultimate proprietorship Of
exercised over territory of the United Staes in con-
forny to Constitution. the rights OF the Sta:es'
and the principles Of institutions, appertaned to,
and vested in the Congress of the United States
over it, The relations of the Executive OF the Unit
ed Sates his rights and his duties in respect to this
territory were established and existed under and by
virtue of the Constitution of the United States and
were by it to be ascertained, limited, and defined.
They were purely Executive, and under the Const-
tuition could be neither judicial nor legislative.
At the conclusion of the war, de facto govern
ment existed in California. Until the interposition
of the legislative power, according to well establish
ed principles of national law, that dc aco govern
ment continued from necessity and to avoid anarchy,
based upon the presumed acquescence as well OF the
superior legislative body of the people over whom
it operated but in subordnation of course, to the
Constitution of the United States, which had become
the supreme law, and to the paramount rights and
obligations resulting from the new relations OF Cali
forna as territory of the United States. The rights
and duties of the President Of the United States, IN
reference that government and the territory, were
| simple and clear. They were exclusively executive.
| Until the action Of the legislative power, he was
bound maintain that de facto government to see to
the due execution of its laws, in srbordination OF
course the Consti tuo and to preserve peace and
good order. Under our Constitution, all the execu-
tive power granted is vested in the President OF the
United States. Of course, then, the governor OF the
de facto government his subordinate, exercising
his powers, responsible to his authority and nstruc-
tions, and removable at his WILL No greater pow
ers or rights were or could be vested in or exercised
by him than by the President under the Constitution
and his acts, not disavowe but either directed, as
sented to, approved, the acts of the Presi-
dent. He no than the President, the. .subotdi-
than the superior, could rghtfully claim
OF exercise either judicial or legislative functions
Such, submit with confidence, defined with accu-
racy and precision, the new relations establish
ed by the treaty of peace with California. the rights
and duties of the United States and the coordinate de-
partments of its government in to that terri
tory and its existing government We are now pre-
pared for the a-mportant inquiry, to which invoke
earnestly the grave attention of the House and the
country how far the action and policy of the past
and present Administrations conform to them!
is intimated rather than directly expressed in the
message on your table, that the course and policy
of both Administrations in this respect have been
similar-in effect the same that of the present Ad-
mnistration being only in pursuance and further de-
velopment of the line Of policy adopted and COM
menced by the last. This does not appear to me to
be just or true, and feel bound to declare. If
know myself. Mr.. Speaker, can solemnly aver tina,
in the view take of this whole subject and in the
to submit ON the and policy of the present Ad
ministration, am influenced BY no feelings or con
siderations of party-I have no animosities agains
the present Administration to crafty as my bes
friends know, no feeling of bitterness or hostility
but the contrary, sincere respect and kind feeling
towards the President. At this time particularly
God knows, would allay, not arouse, party acerbi
ties and in the South particularly, would obterate
all distinctions between Wings and Democrats, and
band all in cordial union and harmonious cooperation
in steadast maintenance of sectional rights, and
stern resistance of the wrong and insult menaced US
In my view, Mr.. Speaker, the subjects of my exam.
nation soar far above party. They ought to beinves
tgated in the highest spirit of wisdom and patriotism
we can command. They involve the gravest consti.
,utioual inquiries, and directly affect the essen.
tial rights and institutions of the South. Although
friend and supporter Of the late Administration,
do not, on that account make the distinction have
done between its action and that Of the present Ad
ministration. Did believe them similar, or the
same would no more hesitate to condemn then than
bate the unwarrantable action of the late President
IN ahxing his signature to the Oregon bill. BeGev.
lng az sincerely do, the action and policy Of the pre-
sent Executive, in relation California, to involve
grave violations Of the Constitution gross usupatiou