Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-01-31
VOL. XLIV, NO. I2.---WAoLE NO. $3.50

TIC Institutions, or any OF the provisions of ,ho;-
proposed constitution. On the contrary the in
sIructlons given by my orders were, That all
measures of domestic policy adopted by the
people OF California must originate solely with
themselves that while the Executive of tba
United States was DESTROYS TO protect them IN
the formation of any government, republican in
It's character, TO De at the proper time submitted
TO Congress, yet 1t was TO be distinctly under
stood, that the plan of such government must,
at the same time, be the result Of their own de-
Iberate choice, and originate with themselves
without the interference Of the TX eculive.
am unable 10 give any information as to laws
passed by any supposed government IN Califor-
MA, of any census taken in either of the ter
n ores mentioned in the resolution, as | have
no Information on those subjects. As already
stated. have not disturbed the arrangements
which found had existed under r.y p-edeces-
sor In advising an early application BY the
people of those territories for adniss ION As States
was actuated principally by an earnest desire
10 afford TO the wisdom aud patriot. al If Con-
gress the opportunity of avoiding occ 'eions of
bitter and angry GIssensions anorg the people
of the United States. Under the Constitution,
every State has the right Of esFabl shing and
from time to tiue altering its mum :ipal laws and
domestic Institutions, independently of every
other State, and of the general government, sub
ject only tic the prohibitions and guarantees ex-
pressly set forth IN the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. The subjects thus left exclusively
to the respective States were not designed or
expected TO become topics Of national agitation;
still, as under the Constitution Congress has
power 10 make all needf1l rules and regulations
respecting the territories of the United States,
every new acquisition of territories has led to
discussions on the question whether the system
OF involuntary serviude, which prevails in many
Of the States, should or should moi he prohibited
IN that territory. The periods of excitement
from this cause, which have heretofore occurred,
have been safely passed, but, during the inter
val, OF whatever length, which uiay elapsc be-
fore the admission OF tie territories. cC5ej by
Mexico, as s ates, II appears probable that SINH
lar excitement viii prevail TO an undue extern
Under these circumstances, thought, and still
think, that 1t was my duty TO ehdelvor to put it
IN the power Of Congress, by the admission OF
California and New Mexico as States, TO remove
all occasion for the unnecessary agitation Of the
public mind.
1t Is understood that the people &C the West
erd part of California have formed plan of Il
State Constitution, and will soon submit the
same 10 tie judgment of Congfess and apply
lOI admission as State. This course on their
part, though IN accordance with, not adapted
exclusively IN consequence OF any expression Of
ny wishes, n1smuch as measures ending 10 his
end had been promoted by the off ;ers sent there
by my predecessor, and we're ads IN active
progress of execution before any coumunicl-
ton from the reached California. Ii the lroPO-
sed constitution shall, when submitted 10 Con.
gresS, be found to be in compliance WI h the re-
QUESTIONS of the constitution Of The United
States, | earnestly recommend tiia' Il NAV re-
ceIve the sanction of Congress. The plrt Of
q H. IL s
that name. Is believed 10 be unnhablied. except
n settlement of our counlrymeu, IN ths vIc'r-
ity of Salt Lake. A clam has been advanced
by the Stale OF Texas, to very urge portion OF
the most pOpulous district OF the territory COM
monty designated by the name o. New Mexico.
II the people Of New Mexico haG .o-ineG plan
ot a State Government for that te- Ttorv as c.
ded by the treaty of Guadalupe HidalgO. and
had been admitted by Congress a. a Safe, our
constitution would have afforded the means of
obtaining an adjustment Of the question of the
boundary with Texas by judicial decision
At present, hos ever. no judicial tribunal ms
the power of deciding that question. AID It re-
cams tor Congress to devise SOM mode Tor its
adjustment. MeanN hile, submit - Congress
the question:, whether It would b. eI,eden, be-
tore such adjustment. to establish territorial
government, which, by includlng the district So
claimed, would practically decd, the question
adverse to the State of Texas Of Dg excluding
4, would decide 1t IN her favor. In NY opinion,
such course would not be eX7ed ant especially
as the people of this territory stl ENJOY the ben
e1t and protection OF their municipal laws, org
lnalIy derived iro Mexico, and have military
toIce stationed there to protect then agaInst the
Indians. IL Is undoubtedly true that the prep
erty, lives, Liberties and religion OF tle people of
New Mexico are better protected tian they ever
were before The treaty Of cessan.
Should Congress, when California shall pre-
sent herself for Incorporation mt tie UnIon,
annex condition to her admission as STATE,
atiectirg her domestic Institutions, contrary to
the WISHES of her people, aud even CO nrel her
temporarily to comply with 1t, vet the State
could change her constitution at any lime after
her admission, when to her II should expe-
dent. Any attempt to deny to the people Of the
States the right of self-governmeH in a matter
which peculiarly affects themselves, will Infall-
bly, be regarded by them as an invasion OF their
tights, and upon the principles laIi down in our
Declaration of Independence, they will certainly
be sustained by the great mass OF the American
people. To assert that they a Conquered
people, and must as u State submit to the will Of
their conquerors in this regard, viii meet with no
cordial response among American reemen.-
Great numbers Of them are native citizens Of the
United States, not interior 10 the rest OF cur
IN intelligence and pllrolIsm, ard
no language Of menace 10 restrain them in tho
exercise of an undoultcd right, substantially
guaranteed to them by the treaty Il cession il
self, shall ever be uttered by me, or encouraged
ana sustained by persons acting Under my au-
thority. Ii IS to be expected tnat Il the Fesldun
Of the territory ceded to US by Mexico, the peo-
pie residing there will, ut the time o. their In-
Corporation into the Union as a Suite, settle all
questions OF domestic policy TO suli themselves.
No material Inconvenience will result from The
want, for short PERIOD, of a government estab-
llshed by Congress over that part OF the territory
which lies eastward of the new State OF CaIfOr-
MA aid the reasons Tor my opinion that New
Mexico will at M very distant peri ID ask for adj
MISSION into the Uuion, are founded on un0tf-
cial information, winch ! suppose IS common to
all who have cared to make inquiries on that sub
ect. Seeing then that the qGesiI' whIch
sXcites such painful sensations In The Country,
viii IN the end certainly be settled by thu silent
ELECT of causes independent Of the action OF
Congress, again submit to your wisdom me pol
cy recommended In my annual message, Of a.
SaIling the saiutary operation OF thu>e causes,
that we shall thus avoid the e. Cailon
NH III.