The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-22
THE DISTINGUISHES AND CALIFORNIA.
Letters OF Gen. Riley, Com. Jones and Judge
Dimmick TO Hon. Il. Butler King.


We perceive that the Democratic presses of
the South continue 10 arraign the admission of
California on the ground that measures were
taken by President TAYLOR and his Cabinet Il
influence her introduction into the Union as a
non-slaveholding State, and that they had in
terlered in the formation of her State govern
ment. This objection is urged in the form sug-
gested by Mr.. CALHoUN-that there was an
Executive Wilmot proviso in her constitution,
which was more offensive even than the impo-
siton of the Wilmot by Congress. The peril
nacity with which this objection is pressed
makes II important that 1t should be distinctly
set at rest forever; for 1t is the only ground upon
which the Southern Democrats can nterpose
any tenable or even plausible argument against
the admission of California; is the reliable
card of the Disunionsts and Secessionists
In his message, addressed to the House of
Representatives on the 2lst of January last. in
reply to the resolution of Mr.. FENABLE calling
for certain information, President TAYLOR dis
tinctly stated that the Administration had in no
manner interfered in the formation of the State
government of California.
In a card addressed To the editors of the Re
public, bearing date February %, 1850, Mr..
KING makes similar averment g. therefore
8 assert Che says) that | did not, in connexion
with my duties in California, nor have at
any time received secret instructions, whether
verbal or written, from the President of the
United States, or any member of his Cabinet,
on the subject of slavery or any other subject
did not attempt TO influence the people of
California to decide the question of slavery
one way OF the other; and any assertion that
did receive such Instructions or attempt to
exercise such influence, is false"
In his report subsequently made TO the De-
partment of State Mr.. KING makes substan-
TALLY the same averment in the following Ian
guage:
81 desire here to make brief and emphatic
reply 10 the various unjust and most extraordi-
nary accusations and insinuations which have
been made respecting the movements of the peo-
pie OF California in forming their State govern
'ment
al had no secret instructions, verbal or written
from the President, any else, what to say
10 the people of California on the subject of Ella
very; nor was it ever limited intimated to me
that was expected TO- attempt to influence their
action in the slightest degree that subject.
That never did, the people Of California will
bear me witness In that Territory, there was
none of the machinery of party or of the press;
and it is even more absurd 10 suppose that any
secret influences, for against slavery, could have
been used there, than it would be to believe that
they could be successfully employed in Maryland
or Georgia.
:" i therefore declare all assertions and insinua-
TONS that was secretly instructed to, or that |
did in any way, attempt to influence the people
OF California to exclude slavery from their terri
tory, to be without foundation"
In confirmation of these allegations of the late
President and Of Mr.. King, in ordinary times
and upon common questions, it would be super
fuous to cite additional testimony. But men
who contemplate quasi-treasOn upon the ground
of CALIFORNIA; admission should not be per-
mitted to raise any question as to the facts. Ii
gives us great satisfaction therefore, 10 be able
to lay before the country the following CORE
spondence, which must establish beyond doubt
that no responsibility for the movement of the
people of California in forming State govern
ment rests upon President TAYLoR's admins
tration or upon Mr.. KIsG.
In the light of this correspondence, even
without the previous official declarations of the
late President and Mr.. KING, the public can
not fail to see and admit that California acted
without any interference or attempt at influence
or control on the part Of the Administration
and that in the formation of her State govern
ment she has been clearly moving in the sphere
described by Mr.. CALHOUN in his celebrated
resolutions of lS47, introduced into the Senate
Of the United States:
''ResolUed That it is a fundamental princi-
pie in our political creed, that people in
forming constitution have the unconditional
right to form and adopt the government which
they may think best calculated to secure their
liberty, prosperity, and happiness; and in con-
formity thereto, no other condition is imposed
by the Federal Constitution on State. in
order to be admitted into this Union. except
that its constitution shall be republican, and
that the imposition Of any other by Congress
would not only be in violation of the Consti-
tuition, but in direct conflict with the princi-
pie on which our political system rests"
The principle is stated with equal clearness
by Mr.. Polk in his annual message Of Deem
Congress shall legisate or not the people Of
the acquired Territories, when assembled in
convention TO form State constitutions. will
possess the sole and exclusive power to deter
mine for themselves whether slavery shall or
shall not exist within their limits
The reader will not fail to uotice the acct
dental identity Of the language employed by
Commodore JoSEs with that Of Mr.. Polk and
Mr.. CALHoUS.
It is proper that we should add that it was
Mr.. kiHG's intention TO have given these let
tiers 70 the public with his own comments
That Of Mr. DMNIcx, the first Judge Of the
district Of San Jose, and that Of Commodore
JOKES, were addressed to him Of their own
accord by the writer's. On the recent visit
of General RILEY to this city. Mr. KING
took occasion TO address him letter. with
the view Of putting his testimony upon the
record in reply to the interogatorics contained