Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-02-06

The Instructions to Mr. King
Below is copy of the instructions given by
Gen. Taylor to Thomas Butler King and others.
relating to the establishment of Civil Govern
ments in New Mexico and California. They
are very proper instructions, and the Admins
traton deserves credit for them. II will puzzle
any one to raise objections to them
DEPARTMENT STATE
Washington, Sd April, 1919
Hon. Thomas BUTLER KING.
appointed Agent Of the e. s. to California
! SIR:--Ihe President. reposing full co onfdence
IN your integrity, abilities. and prudence has ap-
pointed you an agent for the purpose of convey
ing important instructions and dispatches IN onr
naval and military commanders in California
1t IS his desire that you should lose no time in
repairing thither by the best and most expedi-
tous route in the prosecution Of the duties de-
volved upon you which l shall proceed to ex-
plain in the following Instructions:
The situation of the people of California and
New Mexico has already. at this early pc riod of
his Administration. attracted his attention. I}y
the late treaty with Mexico provisions was
made for the future admission Of these Terrific
ries into the Union as States: and in the mean
time, the Government of the United States js
bound TO protect the inhabitants residing in them
in the free and entire enjoyment of their lives
liberty, and property, and in exercise of their
civil and religious rights. Owing to causes with
which you are fully acquainted, the Congress
OF the United States failed TO assist the Execu-
tive, by the passage of law establishing a Gov
ernment in either of the Territories You
are aware. however, that act was passed at
the last session to extend the revenue laws of
the I n'ted States over the territory and waters
OF Upper California. This act creates a coIec-
ton district in California; and YOU also know
that by another previous act, certain mail facil-
tiles have been extended to the same territory
whatever can be done, by the aid of the Con-
SIT pttn1 Of n
Mexico, and the enactments of Congress- TO af
ford to the people of the Territories the benefits
OF civil government and the protection that is
due them will be anxiously considered and at
tempted by the Executive.
\ on have been selected by the President 10
convey to them these assurances; md especially
the assurance Of his firm determination, so far
as his constitutional power extends to omit
no'h'ng that may tend to promote and secure
their peace and happiness. You are fully pos
sessed of the Presidents views, and can with
Propriety, suggest to the people of California
the adoption Of measures best calculated to give
them effect. These measures must of course
originate solely with themselves. Assure the IN
of the sincere desire of the Executive of the II
States to protect and defend the m in the forma-
ton Of any government republican in its char
acter. hereafter to be submitted to Congress-
which shall be the result of their own DO Iiherata
choice; but let it be at the same time distinc,I
understood by them. that the plan of such gov
erninent must originate with themselves and
without the interference of the Executive
The laws of California and New Mexico as
they existed at the conclusion of the treaty of
Guadalupe HIdalgo, regulating the relations of
the inhabitants with each other. will necessarily
remain in force in the Territories Their reIa-
tions with the former governme mt have been dis
solved, and new relations created between the IN
and the Government Of the United States but
the existing laws regul atng the relations of the
people with each other, will continue until 9TH
ers, lawfully enacted, shall supersede them
{ II mil ifarv
stations will be fully instructed to co-operate
with the friends of order and good government
so far as their cooperation can be useful and
proper.
An important part Of your duty will be to ac-
quIre anu to transmit to this Department the
best and fullest information in gard to the pop-
uiaton. the productions, and the resources Of
the country. the extent and character of all grants
OF land made by Mexico prior TO the late treaty,
the quantity and condition of the public domain
and especially of those portions which are rem
dered valuable by their metallic and mineral
wealth, and the general fitness and capacity of
these new acquisitions for the great purposes Of
agriculture, commerce and manufactures. The
development Of the resources of this vast and
interesting region, in all that the inter
est and welfare of its present and future occu-
pants, is cherished object of this Governments:
and all Information which YOU obtain in re
lation to these subjects will be most acceptable
to this department.
1t is desirous 10 know the numbers Of the va.
rIous Indian tribes which form portion of the
of the Territories; their power char
acter and modes Of life; and the number of Mex
leans held as captives there by savage tribes.
whose release and restoration to their own coun-
try this Government is bound to exact by the
4th and lth articles of the treaty; also. as near
iy may be, the number of Mexicans who,
within the year after the exchange of the ratifi-
cations of the treaty have withd ra~n from the
territories, and the number of those who have
declared their intention to preserve the charac-
ter Of citizens of the Mexican republic, agreea-
bly, to the sth article of the treaty.
II s not credited by this Governmen Mt, that
any attempt will be made to aienafe either of
these portions OF the territories of the United /
States, to establish IN dependent govern
me Mt within their limits. But should the ex is
tence of any such project be detected, sou will
not fail to bring it 10 the immediate notice of
your government, that proper measures for the
protection of the interests Of the people Of the
United States may be promptly adopted.
lou are fully authorized to confer with our
military end naval commanders within these
Territories. who will be instructed to assist YOU
in the accomplishment Of the objects of vour
mission. Your compe nsation will be at the rate
of ten dollars per diem, from the time Of your
departure on the business of your mission until
your return home. and vou will Be allowed vour
travelling and other expenses during your alb
sence; for which you will be careful to take
vouchers in all cases where they can be obtained
The sum Of one thousand dollars il advanced
to you on account.
am sir, very respectfuliy. your ob't servt,
LSigned,l JOHN n. CLAYTON.