The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-22

Still, under the Constitution Congress has power
TO make all needful rules and regulations respecting
the Territories of the United Sates every new ac-
QUESTION of Territory has led to discussions on the
question whether the system Of Involuntary servi-
tude which prevails in many Of the States should or
should not be prohibited in that Territory. The
periods of excitement from this cause which have
| heretofore occurred have been safely passed, but
during the interval of whatever length which may
elapse before the admission of the Territories ceded
by Mexico States, ID appears probable that SINH
lar excitement will prevail to an undue extent.
| Under these circumstances thought, and still
think, that ii was my duty to endeavor to put II in
the power Of Congress, by the admission OF Caliior
| MIA and New Mexico as States, TO remove all occa-
| sion for the unnecessary agitation of the public
| mind
4 It is understood that the people Of the western
part of California have formed plan of State con-
stitution, and will soon submit the same TO the judg
ment of Congress, and apply for admission a
State. This course on their part, though in accord
ance with, was mot adopted exclusively in conse-
quence of, any expression Of my wishes, inasmuch
as measures tending to this end had been promoted
by the officers sent there by my predecessor, and
already in active progress of execution before
If the proposed constitution shall, when submitted
to Congress- be found to be in compliance with the
acquisitions of the Constitution Of the United States
| earnestly recommend that it may receive the
| sanction Of Congress.
The part of California not included in the pro-
posed State of that name is believed to be uninhab
tied, except in a settlement Of our countrymen in
the vicinity of Salt lake.
A claim has been advanced by the State of Texas
10 very large portion of the most populous district
of the Territory commonly designated by the name
| of New Mexico. If the people of New Mexico had
formed plan of State government for that Terri
| tory coded by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
and had been admitted by Congress as State, our
Constitution would have afforded the means of OBJ
tanning an adjustment of the question of boundary
with Texas by judicial decision. At present,
however, no judicial tribunal has the power of de-
Gliding that question, and it remains for Congress
| to devise some mode for its adjustment. Mean
while submit to Congress the question, whether it
would be expedient before such adjustment to estab-
lish territorial government, which, by including
the district SO claimed, would practically decide
the question adversely to the State of Texas Or by
excluding it, would decide it in her favor In my
opinion such course would not be expcdent espe-
cialy the people of this Territory still enjoy the
benefit and protection Of their municipal laws orr
| ginally derived from Mexico, and have military
| force stationed there to protect them against the
| Indians. 1t is undoubtedly true that the property,
lives, liberties, and religion of the people of New
Mexico, are better protected than they ever were
before the treaty of cession.
| Should Congress- when California shall present
herself for incorporation into the Union, annex a
condition to her admission as State affecting her
domestic institutions contrary to the wishes of her
people, and even compel her temporarily to comply
with it, yet the State could change her constitution
at any time after admission, when to her it should
seem expedient Any attempt to deny to the peo-
pie of the State the right of self government in a
matter which peculiarly affects themselves will in
faliiby be regarded by them invasion of their
rights; and, upon the principles laid down in our
own Declaration of independence, they will GER
tainly be sustained by the great of the Ameri-
can people. To assert that they are a conquered
people, and must State submit to the will Of
their conquerors, in this regard will meet with nc
cordial response among American freemen. Great
numbers Of them native citizens of the United
States, not inferior TO the rest Of countrymen In
| intelligence and patriotism; and no language Of
menace to restrain them in the exercise of an un-
doubted right, substantially guaranteed to them
by the treaty Of cesson ITSELF shall ever be uttered
| by me, encouraged and sustained by persons
acting under my authority. 1t is to be expected
that in the residue of the territory coded to ms by
Mexico, the people residing there will, at the time
of their incorporation into the Union as State
settle all questions Of domestic policy to suit them
selves.
No material inconvenience will result from the
want, for a short period, Of government estab-
lished by Congress that part Of the territory
which lies eastward of the State Of California;
and the reasons for my opinion that New Mexico
will at very distant period ask for admission into
the Union, founded ON unofficial information,
which suppose is common to all who have cared
| 70 make inquiries on that subject
Seeing, then, that the question which now ex-
cites such painful sensations in the country WILL in
the end certainly be settled by the silent effect of
causes independent of the action Of Congress, ]
again submit TO your wisdom the policy recon-
mended in my annual message of awaiting the
salutary operation Of those causes, believing that
/ we shall thus avoid the creation Of geographical
parties, and secure the harmony Of feeling SO ne
cessary TO the beneficial action Of our political sys-
tenn. Connected as the Union is with the remem-
brance Of past happiness, the sense Of present
blessings, and the hope Of future peace and pros
perity, every dictate Of wisdom, every feeling oil
duty, and every emotion Of patriotism tend to in
spire fidelity and devotion TO it, and adnnonish ms
cautiously 70 avoid any unnecessary controversy
which either endangcr il or impair it, strength
the chief element Of which Is TO be found in the re-
| gard and affection OF the people for each other.
u. TAYLOR.
| DEPARTMENT or STATE, \
WAsmSeros, 7th January, 1850. :
To hs Prssidert Of the United Sfafss:
The Secretary Of State, to whom has been refer
red resolution Of the House OF Representatives Of