Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-30
MIR. NEWTON,S LETTER


ION, ESD to the Times, whose Editor confcsses that
Until We read Mr. Newtons letter. and essay in the
Enquirer 10 which he refers we were not epprsed
tain facts which materially affect the question Of the ans-
SION OF California with the boundaries assumed in her
suion we reier To the statement tina: the delegates
the four Southern Districts of the Territory tic Monte
Sey Convention unanimously opposed tie creation OF a
state government and were in favor of the establishment
territorial government in those DISTRICTS if the Northern
Districts should insist on the State government"
The Times after publishing various extracts from "Ran-
dolph of Roanoke" says that though "no entirely willing
to adopt the conclusions they to Justify until we see
the whole evidence, yet ''enough is certainly known to
con'n'e every just mind that Congress needs more nor-
nation than it now has before properly assent To the
, unqualified admission OF California
We only regret tina, this letter from Mr. Newton an
able and prominent Whig laid before the public on
Friday morning. in advance of the sinister OF the
meeting on that might.
In connection with this subject call attention the
following remarkable editorial of Times on Saturday
touches upon point which have frequently alluded to-
the manifest coalition of the Administration Benton and the
reesclers in favor of the admission Of California sngy
10 the defeat OF the compromise We glad that the Times
has brought the Republic the scratch In view of PAST
events however, fear that whatever the administration
may do the Southern Whs press will frd some plausible
to back out from its professions and sustain the Re-
gency. The Republic doubt not speaks the sentiments
of the Regency ard will not retreat
| THE REPUBLIC AND THE ADMINISTRATION
| Few PLAIN WoRps.-The Washington Republic has
been quite generally regarded speaking with
authority Tor the Administrations Ii has recently published
several articles, the nature of which renders il important
that The public should know how far they represent the views
o the President and his Cabinet We had been led BE-
cve that the President seduousy anxious that the
bic efforts of Clay Webster Cass and other of
the Senate To secure general settlement of the slavery
question: should be successful But the nlmations of the
Republic within The last few days would To indicate
that his influence errted aror of the admission of Cali
foa unconnected with the organization of Territorial
vcrnmens and therefore against the great scheme Of coc
aitOn projected ia The Senate. We wholly unwilling
suppose that General Taylor has espoed the side iM
Benton and 'SerGTd, in this important crisis but ii he has,
we tcsire 10 know the fact; and plainly tell his support
in Washington, that upon such issue the AdBinsrd
tim mW hare no party in the Southern Stote The Wkgs
of the South believe Gen. Taylor be honest and patriotic
and give him credit for exalted motives proposing his no
cy CT letting the Territories remain without regular govern
men,5 unit! they apply for admission into the Union But
they expect from his patriotism cheerful waiver Of his
scheme in favor of which the leading friends of compro
mise in Congress pressing forward 10 adoption with all
their energies We vii! credit the thought that he is
acting different par and call upon the Republic for
explanation, with UNDATED confidence that Zachary Taylor
mean, do and will do what is best for the country.
| To the Editors a. tie Richmond Times.
In the notice that You have been pleased take OF the
Wcstorcland Resolutions, name and opinions pre-
sened conspcuousy The public, that deem proper
in order prevent misconceptions explain my views
ana 10 vndcae the position of tie county.
You say that one OF the Wes;moreard resolutions is Pc
cnldr and that tic position assumed not sustained in any
Bat however that may be- the inquiry would be,
Tie position sound and tenabc not whether has been
Ken by Others but whether it should now be maintained !
beg 10 premise that upon this subject am influenced b.
party considerations. do inquire who recommends
who opposes the Ii is III for believe
utterly destructive of the rights interests of the
South to call forth my unqualified opposition. To act differ
entity in the crisis would become pazan bat not
patriot.
The resolution objected airms SHAT the proposition
admit California into the Union ,cim her proposed 5ounia-
rfs is in respect dernsbe than the Willmot Pro-
yso" This resolution deliberately prepared, elaborate
y discussed in committee and in public meeting and adop
ted with great unanmy And, the card of Mr. Lewis TO
the contrary Notwithstanding would be re-armed by al
the entire population OF this enlightened and patriotic
countywhch the last Presidential election, sustained
General Taylor BY ourhs of its votes. II must therefore,
be taken the deliberate Judgment of the county, certainly
under party bias against the administration.
Ii this subject generally understood, which sincere
trust il will before final action, there would be few intel
igen men in The entire soath unlnfusnced by party .hat
Let examine it, "The proposition TO admit California
with her proposed boundaries is in respect deens
bic than the Wimot Proyiso Ii be defensibe be
good. Messs Editors enlighten us in what pa
cnar For my part think il more Objectionable, as
shall proceed 10 show As to the unconstituonaly OF the
Wilmot ProvisO which you seem TO lay Stress think
safe in saying ii has not materially influenced the feelings
action of the people of the South Whether constitutional
not il would have been resisted arbitrary and tyraD
nica exercise Of powerand surely il will not be pretended
that the only ground for resistance UNJUST oppressive and
yrannica measures is the of constitutional authority
them. large portion of people concede the
power abolish slavery in the District Of Columbus is
there one who would submit to its exercise?
An abuse Of power may be so wanton and runous to the
rights interests and happiness OF section or even OF nd
yidas 10 demand resistance no less than the most a
grant usurpotion.
The pont at issue between the North and the South is the
division Of The territory acquired by the treaty with Mexico
The North insists that portion Of this territory shall ever
be inhabited by slaves. The South maintains, with equal
iTmncss, that wc have right 10 fair participation and
that will submit 10 be excluded from IT, In this state
Of things the Wilmot Povso. open manly proposition
i offered 10 test the very question at issue The South a
IT, The North under the stress of circumstances retreats
from its position and falls back the proposition TO admit
/ California she is substitute for the Wimo provso
proposition entirely satisfactory TO thc North, because IT
will accomplish corertiy all that the N.lo p .so seeks
openly attain Examine the map-rnark the boundaries
of the proposed State Of California and let any candid and
intelligent decide if they have been adopted
Il substitute for the Wmo Provso. They embrace tie en-
tire the Pacific $40 miles in extent in the Sonh
running lack the Colorado river and embracing nearly all
that part of California South Of 80 deg 80 min wortha
t.st--coverng oe than 10000 square miles,
being equal nine of he thirteen original States
including the large of New York and Pennsylvania
and almost 10000 square miles over The entire population
rot exceeding 100000 souls and the Constitution formed
without the previous of Congress the boundaries
or anv of those preliminary steps that have heretofore
ccdcd the formation of n State The whole population
South Of the Missouri line protested against being Included
in the State OF California and insisted on territorial gov
crnnent saving tho people of tie North make State
government for yourselves you please but leave us 10 take
of our own interests Yet they were included against
their solemn protest. and this act Of arbitrary power now
sndicacd by appeal TO the right Of people to establish
institutions for themselves.
The of California includes within her proposed limits
G5 900 square miles of the State of Deseet which had FORM
I'd constitution and fixed its boundaries months be-
ioe the constitution of California adopted For this
cason if for other the admission Of California with her
proposed boundaries would be plain violation OF the Fede-
raj Constitution; for if California recognized as having
rights STATE the must pertain 10 te Stde o.
Dtsertt and State be formed out of parts Of
States without the consent OF said States and
Of Congress"
Now, Messrs Editors in view of all these fact' put II
you reasonable and candid 10 say II there could
lie found in the United States who would raise
his voice in favor of this If there were not motive
either political fanatca operng strongly as to bias
nay destroyhs Judgment do not controver the night
of people Of territory when about TO form state, TO
adopt such institutions may please hen but do insist
that there can be right in 100000 inhabitants OF terri
tory any number greater less 10 seize upon the pub
lie domain and such States for themselves they
please without consulting Congress 10 the boundaries.
The principle that would justify tho people of California
in taking enough territory form nine States would have
authorized them with just good claim CT gh 10 seize
upon the whole public domain including Oregon New Mexi-
co. and all the Territories and after forming State defy
the power of the Federal Government and invite foreign aid
10 enable them TO maintain their possessions.
II s in vain say that the amount of arabic land in Cali
orna is limited Who knows that? Who has explored il
sufficiently express reliable opnion Who in Virginia
this day. knows the extent Of her resources! Yet
tod tbnt