The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-02-23
MESSAGE Of THE GOVERNOR.

and Representatives in Congress.
The subject of which il treats, and the ex-
tracrdinary measures taken 10 evndo the direct
question Of the Wilmot Proviso, and yet the
summary Introduction of California as n
State, to exclude the institution Of domestic
slavery, froi the richest portion Of our newly
acquired territory, have already been rorclb!y
aud ably presented to your consideration in
the annual message Of my predecessor.
The seni;-official announcement in the letter
now presented, OF the probability Of the con-
summation Of this unjust measure by Congress
is calculated to arrest our most profound at.
tenlion.
Considered in connection with all the al
tending circumstances, and the refusal of Com
gress, at their last session, to ptoyide territorial
governments for California and New Mexico
without restrictions agaiis the introduction OF
slavery, we must regard this measure as an in
direct mode of excluding slavery from the ter
rtdries. The enemies Of our institutions
checked in the mad career Of aggression, by
the firm position taken by the sIaveholdifg
States, now seek to accomplish the same end
by means less palpably unconstitutional, but
equally subversive If our rights.
The violent agitation OF the slavery question,
which commenced even before the treaty with
Mexico, was ratified and which has been
kept up ever since, served the purpose of de
tening the citizens Of theI Southern States
whose best blood had been shed in the Ocqusi
ton Of this territory, from Fastening to share
the fruits Of our golden conquest
In the midst Of this agitation, and within
twelve months after its final ratification with
Mexico, special agent is despatched accredi-
ted with all tae Influence Of the federal cabi-
net, and with instructions to urge the floating
population of the newly acquired territory COM
posed of persons Of all nations, to form con
a sovereign State. The naItcring proposition
was accepted. An unorganized community Of
advenurcrE, some OF them, it is true, bold and
and hardy pioneers from our own country, but
many Of them aliens and strangers to our in
s'itutious, hastily assembled, and as aswasantici
ted by the planners of the movement, adopted
as part Of their organic law, provision, ex.
cludiug forever the slave property Of large
portion Of the States from the extensive and
rich territory thus usurped, H
And now, while yet that broad and deer
stream of emigration is still floating into tha
country, the admission Of California into the
Union as sovereign State, with restrc.
ton against slavery is demanded.
We do not deny % the people Of an organic,
ed territory the right to assombleand deiber-
a,eiy frame for themselves State Constitution
with such republican features as they may
prefer We shall not be found opposing the calm
and deliberate expression of the will of the
people of any of the territories on the subject
Of domestic slavery within their borders. when
their full period of maturity for admission as q
State shall have arrived, but the clear princi-
pie Of equal justice to all tho States demands
that the common territory should be open for
emigr tion and settlement TO the citizens oil
all the States Has this been permitted in the
case Of the territory Of California? Is it noI
evident that her has'y admissions now deman
ded for no other purpose than to exclude sIav
cry from her limits! Is it just thai handful
of advcnturers who have just set foot upon any
Of our distant acquisitions, shall be permitted
virtually TO excInde the citizens nf one half oI
the States of the Ulion from The privileges Of
settlement and occupation!
But lorbear further comment upon this ex'
lraordinary and unprecedented measure. The
motives Of This hot haste are but too apparent
devoutly trust that yet the Congress Of lht
United States will not consent to perpetratt
this gross act of injustice upon the savehod
ing States. To leave No measure untred tt
avert il, recommend firm remonstrance a
gainst the present admission Of CaGosna as
State with the restriction against slavery,
Should this measure be consummated, w
} may expect to see chain Of States encirclini
} our Soulh-w ystern borders, who'll they shoul,
imbibe the hostile spirit displayed in the resi-
lutions and acts Of some Of the Northern States
would become more dangerous 10 our prosper
J ity and repose than foreign States. Such al
! event would, in my opinion, render il the dut
Of the Southern States to consul: together; an
in concert to adopt such measures as shall ei
fectually protect their rights and secure the
/ safety; and Civ 70 the citizens tf the slay,
holGing States some assurance Of transmittin
r to their children, an Inheritance Of peace an
prosperity, and not Of war and boodshe
This opportunity will be afforded by the Coz
vention about to assemble at Nashville, to lt
deliberations Of which we may safely subm
this very interesting subject.
JOHN A QUlTNAN.
Executive CHAMBER
Jackson, Feb. II, l850i
Garrison, III, A Aboiiionisf, is out in favor
disunion. He says. "Ihe time has come
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