The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-09

and labor meets such ample reward that no healthy
man can complain of poverty. The law protects
every manin his -person and property. For the
protection it gives his person he ought to pay a
captation or poll and for the protection it
gives his property he ought of right TO pay tax in
proportion TO its amount and value.
/ recommend that the collectors be authorized TO
receive the taxes in California gold, at the usual
rate OF SIXTEEN dollars per ounce, troy.
Were The State to be collected in coin, it
would greatly increase the demand, already so
great, for the custom house and would thus ope-
rate still more injurousy upon the laborng miner;
besides, il would be almost impossible for persons
in the mines to provide themselves with the coin.
would also recommend the revenue law be so
framed TO require the collector to go around with
the assessors otherwise one-half the revenue, in
some districts, would be lost in consequence Of the
frequent change of residence.
The operation of reasonable and sound system
of taxation upon the agricultural of the
country would be most decidedly beneficial, in
very short period. Most of the fine agricYtu ral
lands of California in the hands ORA few
persons, who suffer them to remain wild and I'M
cultivated A few months ago, when the popula-
ton was small, and the wants of the community
but few and simple, the natural pasturagc of the
country, with limited cultivation of the soil, was
ample for the purposes of life; but under the
changed circumstances, when our country teens
with people who must be fed, and when the popu-
aton is so rapidly augmenting, it is unreasonable,
if not impossible that the country should remain in
a state of nature.
tain foreign supply of the first necessaries of life.
Such supply would be subject to all the vicissi-
tudes OF war or peace would never be regular, and
prices would always be fuctuating, either extray-
agantly high, or SO low as to discourage importa-
ton. The provisions themselves generally stale
and unwhoesome, and no doubt one half the dis
ease suffered in the country has arisen from this
prolific source. When those who own such inn
mense tracts of rich, fertile, and beautiful lands,
now in a state of nature, producing no rents or
profits, shall have to pay taxes upon them in pro-
portion to their value they will find 1t their inter-
est to sell out portions TO those who will cultivate
them; thus encouraging the agricultural industry
of the country, and at the same time greatly in
creasing the value Of the portions not sold In the
last fifteen months the number of cattle in the
try has been rapidly decreasing, while our popula-
ton has increased in the same ratio. Fresh meats
are indispensable to health, and cannot be i'm
ported; and if this state Of things should continue
only few years longer, the increased expenses of
living would be SO great, that mining and other
kinds of business must cease to be profitable. The
constitution makes it the duty of the Legislature
encourage agrculture-that first and nobest of all
industrial pursuits; but not aware of any other
means at present within your power than those
have suggested
That portion of people resident in California,
before its cession to the United States, have not
been accustomed to system OF direct taxation and
being the principal owners of the landed property
of the country, may not at first understand the JUS
tice the necessity of the revenue system con-
stitution and condition make it indispensable for
you to adopt. The Mexican government derived
no revenue from California, except that produced by
high tariff upon imports These taxes were paid
by the people in the shape of exorbtant prices for
the merchandise they purchased. But this portion
OF our population will soon learn that, under our
system, the Federal Government can alone levydu-
ties upon imports-that the State cannot do So and
has only left to her resort to system of direct tax
alton TO raise those means indispensable TO the very
existence OF the government itself They will also
that constitution establishes the first prin-
ci, hat hall ha
TO its value; and that the legislature has power
right, either to favor Cypress any class of per-
sons, but must look to the property ITSELF in whose
hands soever it may be found. They will also learn
that the same American manufactures, upon which
they were accustomed to pay such high duties, now
come into our ports duty free, and that they
compensated for the direct taxes they pay, in the
increased value of the property, and the decreased
prices of the merchandise they consume.
II has been as truly as beautifully said, that
wise legislator adapts his action TO circumstances.
These he cannot create or removable can only
conform to things he cannot control. He must take
mankind and society as he finds them, not as he
would make them. He may shape his laws
to produce gradual improvement; but he cannot
expect at once TO reverse overcome even the pre-
iudices of a community.
Our constitution has wisely prohibited slavery
within the State so that the people of California
once and forever free from this great social and
political evil. But the constitution has made no
provision in reference TO the settlement of free peo
lature TO adopt such legislation upon this delicate
and important subject may be deemed most
sential TO the happiness OF our people. The const
tuition excludes this class of persons from the right
of suffrage, and from all offices of honor or profit
under the State
For some years past have given this subject my
most serious and candid attention; and most
cheerfully lay before you the result of my
Elections. There is, in my opinion, but one of two
consistent to take in reference TO this class
of population-either To admit them 10 the full and
free enjoyment of all the privileges guaranteed by
the constitution 70 Others exclude them from the
State IL we permit them 10 settle in our State,
der existing circumstances, consign them, by our
institutions, and the usages Of society,
TO subordinate and degraded position, which is in
itself but species Of slavery They would be placed
motives for moral or intellectual Improvement but
must remain in our midst sensible Of their degra-
dation, unhappy themselves, enemies 10 the nstitu
tons and the society whose usages have placed them
there, and forever fit teachers in all the schools of
ignorance, vice. and idleness.
Our position upon the Pacific, our commercial
and mineral attractions, would bring swarms of this
population TO our shores. Already we have almost
every variety Of the human race--a heterogeneous
mass Of human beings, of every language and of
every hue. That period is rapidly approaching
when the naturalincreasc of population in the States
east Of the Rocky mountains will render slave labor
Of little or value, and when investments in that
species Of property will to be remunerative.
II measures not early taken by this State slaves
will be manumitted in the slave States and con-
tracts made with them TO labor as hirengs for
given number of years, and they will be brought TO
California in great numbers Our State Is now in
position to take efficient stand upon this SUBJ
Jet.
few years' delay will make il almost IL not
quite, impossible to DO that which can be 40 easily
accomplished now. II California will take decided
stand now, and firmly maintain il, few years
experience will demonstrate the practical utility OF
the measure That weak and sickly sympathy,
that misplaced mercy, that would hesitate 10 adopt
salutary measure to-day, bot would suffer all the
inevitable consequences OF to morrow, may consider
the policy propose harsh in its character; but If
il 10 calculated TO produce the greatest good to the
greatest number it is the best humanity Il could
be no favor, and kindness, TO permit that class Of
population TO settle in the State, under such humil
iatng conditions, although they might think other
wise; while II would be most serious injury 10 us
We have certainly the right TO prevent any class Of
population from settling in our State that we may
deem injurious to own society. Had they been
born here, and had acquired rights in consequence
] should not recommend any measures to cSpel
them. They not now here, except few in
comparison with the numbers that would be heres
and the object s 10 keep them out therefore call