The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-09

~ IL tndt "sufncent Tor the ~ the EVIL
hereof admit, sir that the evils OF the day are great
indeed but, though we should adjust upon terms gener.
ally satisfactory every other question connected with The
subject OF slavery, and fail 10 settle this one shall
have done but half OF duty nay, more. we shall
have neglected 70 ADJUST perhaps, the only one which
can become really formidable 10 the Union II will be
perceived that the proposition submitted by this
subject embraced settlement OF the boundary question
Again, II is objected that Texas may propose the
formation OF new States out OF her territory Why il
the increasing population, II the growing Inconvenience
OF single Stale organization large territory ii
| the dgitations OF ambitious aspirants 10 Office and
honors among her own citizens, should not be sufficient
TO raise the question as TO the formation OF new States,
there will be found sufficient auxiliary interest through
out the States OF the South generally to insure such
result And predict that within three years--within
1--WE al the fuhest-we shall have 10 meet this question
in Congress, and then the present excitement will
but summer breeze to the hurricane which will sweep
1 over the land.
come now, MIR. President to speak more directly Of
the provisions OF the bill under debate The first propo
si'fon is 70 admit California into the Union State
must confess that, after listening 10 the and eo
quent speech OF the honorable senator from louisiana
Mr. SouLE,l had some doubts raised in my mind to
the security OF the rights of the United States in the pub
lie domain and in the mineral property especially, il
should admit California with her present constitution ]
am not so clear that il would not be prudent 10 de-
mand some more reliable provision for the security OF
these rights than is 10 be found in that instrument But
have come to the conclusion that, this bill can be
moulded into form to those other and higher
interests OF peace and harmony, insecurity OF the public
domain, including all the riches OF the gold mines should
form insuperable mpediment TO its adoption As to
the exception taken to the boundaries of California,
defined ln the constitution laid before my views in
relation to the policy OF the country that respect were
fully dlscosedat The close oil the last Congress care
not how extensive those boundaries may be. | should
take no exception TO them had they included Deseret as
well as the valley OF the Sacramento and the San JOa
quin, together with the whole country south. Doubt
less at some future day. California may be divided into
two or more States but for the present perceive
ground of wisdom expedency in making provision for
more than single State. am that the South has
particular interest in the subdivision OF the territory of
at present pesenied that slavery would be estab
sled in some portion OF it.
But ereat and vehement opposition and exception have
been urged to the manner and circumstances attending the
formation OF State constitution by The people of Cali
fornla The President especially has been severely
censred and condemned Tor the part he 10 said 10 have
had IN the proceedings which led 10 the formation of that
instrument. And here ] must beg leave 10 notice the
course OF an honorable senator from Virginia, Mr. Ma
sos whose remarks upon the alleged interference oi the
President in the affairs OF California matter of great
surprise TO me, when | consider how just and con.
sderae he usually is in all that be says That gentleman
seemed TO be al loss for language TO give utteance 10
bs indignation, or 10 characterize 10 suitable terms the
usuaton of power and authority which he ascrbed 10
the President IL was monstrous; IL waDton- he
had almost said wicked and he was astonshed that no
more notice had been taken OF his conduct. must be
permitted TO say that think the honorable senator did
injustice TO himself wei 10 the President. IN these
remarks. He doubtless supposed that he had sui.
hcent reasons Tor The strong sentiments he expressed
upon this subject, but they do not strike me with equal
lorce
! Well sir what is the true history and extent of the
oil State constitution for California Sir, II appears
from authentic documents, that before President Iay lo
came inlo oice at all events, before is pretended
that any official or other communication did or could
have reached California after his Inauguration, the pro-
ect oil the formation OF State constitution, and ma
king application TO Congress for admission into the
Union State, was seriously mediated, and the deter
mination taken BY the officers In command in that Ter
rory, and doubtless with the concurrence o: the lead
ing Inhabitants, the expedent and proper course
4 a i'm zen haf in
should adjourn without providing territorial or other
government adequate to their wants. have the official
documents before in proof OF what state, but will
not detan the Senate BY reading them found my state
ment upon letter OF General Persfe f. Smith to the Sec
reiary o War; dated June the 2Oh, 1919, and upon sim
liar from General Riley, dated June 3Oh,
l549 II thus appears that II President Taylor had for.
borne giving any instructions advice either through
the officers 10 command California by special agent.
a convention would have been called, and constitution
framed and presented 10 Congress for is sanction Pes
dent Taylor therefore, further implicated in the pro-
ceedngs 10 California than that he has approved the policy
which dictated them, and recommended them Congress
for lis consideration.
But 20 further, and assert that the President ap.
proving the proceedings in California doing
than conforming 10 The sentiment anu expectation OF
large portion OF the peope Of this country North and
South. For. SIR II cannot be forgotten that before the
adjournment Of the last Congress- il was predicted by
members spon this foot, and the belief INDUCED by "a
still greater number that IL that Congress adjourned
without providing government in some form for Cali.
fornia. great the influx OF emgrants from The
"
necessity for the protection OF regularly organized gov
eminent, the Inhabitants IN view OF the obstacles that
existed IN Congress 10 the formation oil n territorial
government at any time. would assemble IN convention,
lorm a Stale constitution aud ask admission into the
Union State nj the ensuing Congress What has
taken place IN California the natural and almost inevi
table result OF the necessities Of that peopele they
with numerous and increasing population, assem-
bed from all quarters ot the world, without any solid
cury for life OF property, and exposed every moment
10 all the evils OF anarchy and civil broil Were ne.
cessary strength TO this statement that should in
dcae the number OF these members OF the last Congress
who entertained this expectation, could more readily
perform the task BY lnqulring what individual senator did
not anticipate that California would be knocking at
door, constitution in hand. asking admission into the
Union State al the ensuing session oil Congress.
might go further and say that there many pa
iolic members al the close OF the last Congress who in
despair oil any effective legislation by Congress for the
projection OF the people OF California, the usual and
customary mode, looked to the voluntary formation OF
constitution by them, and their admission into the Union
State, as the only expediant by which the
ened its peace and harmony But suppose, sir, II be
taken for graned that President Taylor originated the
proceedings in Cali iona which resulted in the formation
OF State constitution, that, without hls encourage
ment or connvance, such proceeding would have
been entered upon OF what offence against the laws and
constitution OF hs country is he guilty Where is the
ground Tor the charge OF usurpationi What power or
no State 10 California has he pretended 10 exercise
such authority He has simply and at the furhest, rec
commended the people OF that Territory TO form consti-
tuuon and ask admission into the Union State He
has not sought TO abridge the powers OF Congress- nor
has he violated IN The slightest degree any principle OF
the constitution What in the habit OF des somina
ting in debate the State OF California is not State OF the
In mr. IN -. --l.A -,