Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-26

ernmeni &C., was transmitted on Monday last
MESSAGE from, the President of the United States
TO The House of Representatives.
W4sHIseTos, JAsuARr 81, 1850.
To the House Of Representatives Of Me United States
transmit to the House of Representatives, in
3lst of December last, the accompanying reports
of Heads of Departments, which contain all the
official information in the possession OF the Execu-
tive asked for by the resolution.
On coming into Office | found the military COM
mandant Of the department of California exercis-
ing the functions of Civil Governor in that Terrific
nv, and, left as | was to act under the treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo, without the aid of any legis-
lative provision establishing Government in that
Territory, thought it best not to disturb that ar
rangement, made under my predecessor, until Con-
gress should take some action on that subject |
therefore did not interfere with the powers of the
military commandant, who continued to exercise
the functions of civil governoras before, but made
no such appointment, conferred no such authority,
and have allowed no increased compensation to
the commandant for his services.
With view to the faithful execution Of the
Treaty, so far as lay in the power OF the Execu-
tive, and 10 enable Congress to act at the present
session with as full knowledge and as little diff
Guilty as possible on all matters of interest in these
Territories, sent the Hon. THOMAS BUTLER KING
as bearer of dispatches to California, and certain
officers 10 California and New Mexico, whose
duties are particularly defined in the accompanying
letters of instruction. addressed to them severay by
the proper Departments.
| did not hesitate to express to the people of
those Territories my desire that each Territory
should if prepared to comply with the acquisitions
of the Constitution of the United States, form plan
of State Constitution, and submit the same to Con-
sress with prayer for admission into the Union
as State; but | did not anticipate, suggest, or
authorize the establishment of any such Govern
ment without the assent of Congress, nor did
authorize any Government agent or officer to inter-
fere with exercise any influence or control over
the election of Delegates, or over any Convention,
in making or modifying their domestic institutions,
or any of the provisions of their proposed constilu
ton. On the contrary, the instructions given by
my orders were thatal measures of domestic policy
adopted by the people of California, must originate
solely with themselves that while the Executive OF
the United States was DESTROYS to protect them in
the formation of any Government, republican in its
character, to be at the proper time submitted to
Congress, yet il was to be distinctly understood
that the plan of such Government must at the
same time be the result of their own deliberate
choice, and originate with themselves, without the
interference of the Executive.
| am unable to give any information as to laws
passed by any supposed Government in California,
or Of any census taken in either of the Territories
ton on those subjects.
AS already stated, I have not disturbed the ar
rangements which found had existed under my
predecessor.
In advising an early application by the people Of
these Territories for admission as States, was ac-
tuated principally by earnest desire to afford TO
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress the oppor-
tunity of avoiding occasions of bitter and angry
discussions among the people Of the United States.
Under the Constitution every State has the right
of establishing, and from time to time altering, its
municipal laws and domestic institutions, indepen-
IDENTIFY of every other State and of the General Go
vernment, subject only TO the prohibitions and guar
antics expressly set forth in the Constitution of
the United States. The subjects thus left exclu-
sivey to the respective States, were not designed
or expected TO become topics of national agitation.
Still, as under the Constitution, Congress has power
to make all needful rules and regulations respecting
the Territories Of the United States, 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
should not be prohibited in that Territory. The
periods of excitement from this cause which have
heretofore OCCuTTeu HdVe UecH safely pdsSeu, Dut
during the interval, of whatever length which may
elapse before the admission of the Territories ceded
by Mexico as States it appears probable that SINH
lar excitement will prevail to an undue extent.
Under these circumstances, | thought, and still
think, that it my duty to endeavor to put it in
the power of Congress, by the admission of Cali
fornia and New Mexico as States, to remove all
occasion for the unnecessary agitation of the public
mind.
1t is understood that the people of the western
part of California have formed plan of State
Constitution, and will soon submit the same to the
Judgment of Congress, and apply for admission as
State. This course on their part though in &C.
cordance with, was not adopted exclusively in con-
sequence 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
were already in active progress of execution before
any communication from me reached California
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 unin
habied, except in settlement Of our countrymer
in the vicinity of Salt Lake.
A claim has been advanced by the State of Texa.
to very large portion of the populous distric
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 Territory, as ceded by the treaty of Guada
lupe Hidalgo, and had been admitted by Congress
as State, our Constitution would have afforded TIT
means of obtaining an adjustment of the question