The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-18

rioy of OregoDto which the late discoveries OF exen
siye goi despostes will attract large concourse ant
which in lis tarn may follow in The train and will
the rest OF our public domain When we consider III,
distance OF our transmontane territory from the cent
OF government, il becomes the more essential 10 hold h
reils OF authority with a firm hand. ! can conceiy'
nothing calculated to destroy the authority and con
troll OF Congress in the territories than the slightest coun
enance OF these disoganzing principles. Already the,
exhibit their natural fruits in California Noiwbsand
ing the intelligent and patriotic character OF the Amer
can emigrants to that country unconsciousy to them
selves the effect OF these doctrines is developed in a
ner which shows their danger confidential letter from
Commodore Jones TO the Secretary of the Navy, dated
February 81 $780, lately communicated 10 the Senate BY
the Executive says that the rejection BY Congress o the
consllation) might produce results in this territory ever
10 be regretted by all lovers OF peace and concord e that
already III has been said in high places that should the
constitution be rejected by Congress duties will
be collected under the iaigs of The United Ses IN Cali
Jorn,a California will set up independent govern
ment of her own &C. &c He says that he is satisfied
the presence OF the naval forces in the OF San
independent government" and thinks that if il
tempted, in OF the refusal OF Congress admit Cali,
forna. at will be mainly attributable 10 the presence OF the
naval force which might be brought 10 bear, niimated
IN has despatch No. S." In letter dated March s,
during the present session. he says speaking OF ndepend
ent government .that feeling, and to which referred
IN my confidential letter of 22d February last rapidly
and openly extending and can only be resained by the
navy, and by keeping ship or two constantly in San
Francisco" (Appendix No. 81
This information under such sanction that we
are bound 70 attach Importance TO it, is The natural
offspring OF the doctrine of the sovereignty OF inhabitants
in territory. Put upon the alert by the intelligence
communicated by Commodore Jones, 4 Is proper to OBJ
serve any corroboratve indications from other quarters
My attention was arrested by published letter from
member OF the legislature written in the legislative hall
during its session, which lately appeared the Union
newspaper Of this city It dated February 81, 1850,
and bfeathed the spirit indicated by Commodore Jones'
This member says that ''they will pay attention
whatever TO any refusal the part Of Congress to accept
the constitution; the State government will 90 on none
the ess;" and that they would not submit ito the impo
sllion OF a territorial government"
This spirit further maniiests itself in the BY
which the expenses OF the State government
supported Doubtless necessity is the excuse but this
means OF hlling the treasury would never have suggested
itself to minds which had not been imbued with the idea
OF popular sovereignty in the Territories. allule to
the upon foreigners working in the nines from which
II is said revenue OF nearly half million de.
rived Surely the Inconsistency of such with the
supreme authority of the United States and it's propre
papable that is nexplicable how the legislature could
have fallen upon this plan, otherwise than from the
iuence exerted upon their minds by the doctrine that
that the occupants OF the public lands compose people
and possess an inherent sovereignty.
Sir the sooner the stamp OF dsapprova is upon this
disorganizlng and dangerous doctrine such at least with
great Difference, II seems 10 the better will be for
the security OF the United States the possession and
control OF its territorial property | should deem it
reason enough for the rejection of the State organization
that such opinions had been countenanced by the
ton They are opinions natural enough 10 be INDUCED
by occupants OF the territory but not TO be encouraged
to reinquish all control over It,
Political reasons, them founded upon the precpitancy
OF the movement, the injustice operated TO the
and southern emgants the Executive usurpaons con-
nected with the transaction. and the unsound character
and dangerous tendency OF the doctrines broached in the
convention, seem to me to make il expedien and neces
sary to refuse the application pending
But have iurther reason Tor the proposition have
made which has regard 10 the substantial advantage of
the inhabitants OF California am persuaded the move
menl was rash and I'LL advised. have doubt the
feclnS portion of the population would gladly receive
boon provision for the support oil a liberal govern.
nent,and postpone the burdens which State govern
meDi would impose believe that the State government
cannot be supported there without injury 10 the
prospects oil that country Undoubtedly the mass OF
American emgrants in California of the most vaus
BILE class They comprise dare say, greater amount
oil character TALENT energy and enterprise than
before thrown together In The settlement oil country
But very lew OF them are yet owners OF real estate, be-
the government, which is the great land proprietor
there, has not brought II into market The popula-
uon Is yet shng-,he moving from place 10 place,
according TO circumstances II is impossible, therefore,
ior accommodations to be made OF personal estate OF
able description. Admit the Staie-let the present in
come from the miners fall, il must once and how is
the government TO be supported with its high salaries
and necessarily great expenditure tax upon real
personal estate would give but small ncome-evcn at
a rate that would be crushing TO the owners. tax
upon business men would give something's but II could
rbt be made sole reliance. poll-tax would have to
be resored 10, and that rate which could fail to
produce popular dissatisfaction and disorder.
Considering that the people there comparatively
strangers 10 each other and that society is not yet
pacied, the State sustain itself credably through
these uiasf Is thefe not danger that she be thrown
back Tor years in her prosperity and progressl AT all
events, II not likely that tins young community will be
forced 10 involve herself in liabilities that may cripple
her energies Tor long time to come II ia right to al
ford them opportunity OF reconsideration Let the
great OF people who will be there after the
land emgrans reach the country make formal OF
Their choice. II they pronounce in favor OF assuming
Stale governme1 am willing, under all the cream
Stances to lei the part north of 36 deg 30 min, where
the emigants mostly are, enter upon The experiment
and upon their presenting constitution. acceptable in
form, TO Congress should moi be disposed TO refuse ad
mission 10 her. If other matters, respecting our territorial
Interests, are put in a satisfactory condition.
/ pass now TO another and a higher aspect OF the
questionto that aspect oil II which regards bearing
upon the relative political power of the two grea,
tons OF the Union. The admission OF States ad-
dresses itself entirely TO the discretion Of Congress In
the exercise OF this discretion may properly look
the whole field of confederate policy, with view to the
general good OF the republic. Especially should
gard all those considerations which affect the hsrmo
ny and permsnence OF the Union. Now senators, bring
boldly before you the issue Of relative political power,
between the savrboding aud non. savehoding States
am earnestly convinced that the preservation IN this
great social and political divisions Of the country, pol
ICY essential to the harmony OF the country, and that
the disregard OF this policy Will imperi the Union.
Up to this time equlpoise in the number OF slave
holung and non -slaveholding States has nearly as
practicable, and to all useful degree, been preserved
The admission of California will turn the balance in fa-
of'the non slsveholding Staes, which. for
nence will call the northern Staee, under circum-
stances which render il probable that further fu-
ern States can be anticipated We have, then reached
the point in political history when must decide IL
permanent ascendeney and control in the federal
enment be allowed to Of these sections without