The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-30

n, NORTH CAROLINA. WI
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, January 81, 1850.
To the House Of Representatives go.
= of the United States. ~
transmit to the House of Representatives, in an
swer to resolution Of that body, passed on the 3lst
of December last the accompanying reports of heads
of Departments, which contain all the official infor-
nation in the possession of the Executive asked for
by the resolution. So
On coming into Office found the military comman-
dant Of the department of California exercising the
functions Of civil governor in that Territory; and left
as was to act under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidai-
90 without the aid Of any Legislative provision in
tablishing government in that Territory, thought
best not to disturb that arrangement made under my
predecessor, until Congress should take action
on that subject. therefore did not interfere with
the powers of the military commandant who contin-
ued to exercise the functions of civil governor as be-
FORE but l made no such appointment, conferred no
such authority, and have allowed increased COM
pensation to the commandant for his services.
With view to the faithful execution of the treaty,
so far as lay in the power of the Executive, and to
enable Congress to act at the present session with
full knowledge and as little difficulty possible on
all matters of interest in these Territories, sent the
Hon. Thomas Butler King as bearer of dispatches
to California and certain officers to California and
New Mexico, whose duties are particularly defined
in the accompanying letters of instruction addressed
to them severally by the proper department.
did not hesitate to express to the people OF those
Territories my desire that each Territory should, if
prepared comply with the requistions of the Con-
stitution of the United Sates form plan of State
constitution, and submit the same Congress, with
a adj info nil a
did not anticipate, suggest, or authorize'the estao
ishment of any such government without the assent
of Congress- did authorize any government agent
or officer TO interfere with, or exercise any influence
control the election of delegates, or over any
convention, in making or modifying their domestic
institutions, OF any of the provisions of their propos
ed constitution. On the contrary, the instructions
given by my orders were, that all measures of do
mestic policy adopted by the people Of California
must originate solely with themselves; that while
the Executive of the United States was desirous to
protect them in the formation of any government re-
publican in its character, to be at the proper time
submitted to Congress, yet it 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.
! l am unable to give any information as to laws
passed by any supposed government in California, OF
Of any census taken in either of the Territories men
toned in the resolution, have no information on
those subjects.
As already stated, have not disturbed the arrange.
ment which found had existed under my predeces'
SOr. 81. .---a~
In advising an early application by the people Of
these Territories for admission States, was acu'
ated principally by an desire to afford to the
wisdom and patriotism of Congress the opportunity
of avoiding occasions of bitter and angry dssensons
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, lndePen
dently of every other State and of the General Gov
eminent, subject only to the prohibitions and guar
antees expressly forth in the Constitution OF the
United States. The subjects thus left exclusively
to the respective States not designed or expect
ed to become topics Of national agitation. Still, as
under the Constitution Congress has power to make
all need1l rules and regulations respecting the Ter
rtories of the United States, every new acquisition
of Territory has led to discussions on the question
whether the system of involuntary servitude which
prevails in many of the States should or should not
be prohibited in that Territory. The periods OF ex'
citement from this cause which have heretofore oc'
CURED have been safely passed, but during the inter
val of whatever length which may elapse before the
admission of the Territories ceded by Mexico as
States, 1t appears probable that similar excitement
will prevail to an undue extent.
Under these circumstances l thought, and still
think, that it my duty to endeavor to put II II
the power of Congress, by the admission OF Cailor
mia and New Mexico as States, to remove all occas
ion for the unnecessary agitation of the public mind
tits understood that the people of the western par
of California have formed plan of a State constltu
ton, and will submit the same to the judgmen
| of Congress, and apply for admission as State
This course their part, though in accordance with
was not adopted exclusively in consequence OF, any
expression of my wishes, nasmuch as measures tend
ing to this end had been promoted by the officers sen
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 b.
in compliance with the requisitons OF the Constitu
ton of the United States, earnestly recommend tha
it may receive the sanction of Congress.
The part of California not included in the propos
ed State of that name is believed to be uninhabited
except in a settlement of our countrymen IN the VI
| cinity of Salt lake.
A claim has been advanced by the State of Texa
to very large portion of the most populous disric
of the Territory commonly designated by the nam
! of New Mexico. II the people of New Mexico, ha
formed State goveIpment for that Territory as cede
by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and had bee'
| admitted by Congress as State, our Constitute
would have afforded the means of obtaining an ad
ustment of the question of boundary with Texas By
judicial decision At present. however, no judicia
tribunal has the power Of deciding that question: an
it remains for Congress to devise some mode for it
adjustment. Meanwhile submit to Congress tn
question, whether it would be expedient before sue
adjustment to establish territorial government, which
BY including the district SO claimed, would Pract
cally decide the question adversely to the State
Texas, or, by excluding it, would decide 1t in ne
favor.
In nv opinion such a course would not be exped
f i, especially as the people Of this Territory ssi
epjov the benefit and protection of their munlcp;
laws, originally derived from Mexico, and have
military force stationed there to protect them agan