Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-02-21
Mr. Clnylon,s Instructions to Mr. King.
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE !
w Anril 1QA0

wAsHIsaToN, sd April, ls4e. {
Hon. THOMAS BUTLER KING,
Appointed Agent Of the U. States to California.
Sir: The President, reposing full con-
fidence in your integrity, abilities, and
prudence, has appointed you an agent for
the purpose of conveying important in
structions and dispatches to our naval and
military commanders in California. 1t is
his desire that you should lose no time in
repairing thither by the most expeditions
route, in the prosecution Of the duties de-
volved upon you, which l shall proceed to
explain in the following instructions:
The situation Of the people Of Califor-
MIA and New Mexico has, already. at this
early period of his Administration, at
tracted his attention. By the late treaty
with Mexico, provision was made for the
future admission Of these Territories into
the Union as States and in the mean
time, the Government Of the United States
is bound to protect the inhabitants, resid-
ing in them, in the free and entire enjoy
ment Of their lives, liberty, and property,
and in the exercise Of their civil and re-
ligious rights. Owing to causes with
which you are fully acquainted, the Con-
gress OF the United States failed to assist
the Executive, BY the passage Of law es-
tablishing government in either Of the
new Territories. You are aware, how
ever, that an act was passed at the last
session to extend the revenue laws Of the
United States over the territory and wa
tets of Upper California. This act cre-
ates collection district in California and
you also know that by another previous
act certain mail facilities have been ex-
tended TO the same territory. Whatever
can be done, by the aid OF the Constitu-
tion ofthe United States, the treaty with
Mexico. and the enactments Of Congress,
to afford to the people of the Territories
the benefits Of civil government, and the
protection that is due them, will be anx-
iously considered and attempted by the
Executive.
You have been selected by the Presi-
dent, to convey to them these assurances !;
and especially the assurance Of his firm
determination, so far as his constitutional
power extends, to omit nothing that may
tend To promote and secure their peace
and happiness. You are fully possessed
of the Presidents views, and can, with
propriety, suggest TO the people of Cali
fornia the adoption of measures best cal
culated TO give them effect. These meas
ures must, OF course, originate solely with
themselves. Assure them Of the sincere
desire of the Executive of the United
States TO protect and defend them in the
formation Of any government, republican
in character, hereafter To bc submitted 10
Congress, which shall be the result of
their own deliberate choice but let it be,
at the same time, distinctly understood by
them, that the plan Of such government
must originate with themselves, and with
out the interference of the Executive.
The Laws of California and New Mex
leo, as they existed at the conclusion Of
the treaty of Guadalupe Hida'go, regulat-
ing the relations of the inhabitants with
each other, will necessarily remain in
force in the Territories. Their relations
with the former government have been
dissolved, and new relations created with
them and the Government Of the United
States, but the existing laws, regulating
the relation Of the people with each other,
will continue until others, lawfully enact
ed, shall supercede them. Our naval and
military commanders on these stations,
will be fully instructed TO cooperate with
the friends Of order and government, SO
far as their cooperation can be useful ard
proper.
An important part Of your duty will be
TO acquire and transmit 10 this Depart
lnent the best and fullest information in
regard to the population, the productions,
and the resources Of the country, the ex-
tent and character of all grants of land
made by Mexico prior to the late treaty,
the quantity and condition Of public do
mair, and especially Of those portions
which are rendered valuable by their me-
tallic and mineral wealth, and the general
fitness and capacity Of these new acquisi-
tions for the great purposes Of agriculture
! commerce and manufactures. The devel-
opment Of the resources Of this vast and
interesting region, in all that concerns the
interest and welfare Of its present and flu.
ture occupants, is cherished object ol
this Government and all information
which you can obtain in relation to those
subjects will be most acceptable to this de.
partment.
1t is desirable to know the numbers o
the various Indian tribes which form I
portion Of the population of the Terrific
ries their power, character, and modes o
life and the number Of Mexicans held as
captives there by any savage tribes
whose release and restoration to their owr
country this Government is bound to ex.
act, by the 4,h and llth articles Of the
treaty also, as nearly as may be, the
number Of Mexicans who, within the year
after the exchange Of the ratifications o
the treaty, have withdrawn from the ter.
ritories, and the number those who have
declared their Intention to preserve tn.
character OF citizens Of the Mexican Re-
public, agreeably TO the s'h article Of thu
treaty.
i 1t is not credited by this Government
that any attempt will be made to alierat.
either of these portions of the territories
Of the United States, or to establish an in
dependent government within their limits
But should the existence Of any such pro
ject be detected, you will not fail to bring
it to the immediate notice OF your govern