Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-09


that The plan OF such government must me same ne
be the result their deliberate choice and originate with
themselves without the interference Of the Executive
am give any information as to laws passed by
supposed Government California or OF any census Ia
either OF the Territories mentioned in the resolution
as have no information on those SUBJECTS
As already stated have not disturbed the arrangements
| which found had existed under my predecessor
Territories for admisson as States acuated principally
by desire afford to the wisdom and OF
Congress the opportunity oil avoiding o bitter ana
angry dissensons among the people OF the United States
Tins showing concusivey that when he into Office
on the Alb March, ls49 he found the civil and military
verno appointed by the late President Polk exercising the
functions of civil governor OF California that ne dd not
disturb this Of his predecessor And the Pres
dent arms that he made such appointment conferred
such authority and bad allowed increased compensation
TO the commandant for his services
Now Mr. Chairman there any usurpaton in this :
Left as the President Of the United States under the
trea,y Of Guadalupe Hdago without The aid OF any egsa-
tive provision establishing government In California, what
better could he do than to continue the military commandant
of that department the Of the civil authority with
which he clothed under the prior Administration Ihen
sir, say in this there was no usurPaon OF power BY the
President.
He further informs this House that with view to the
faithful execution of the treaty. far lay in the power Of
the Executive enable Congress act at the present
session with as full knowledge and little difficulty as pos
sble on all matters Of interest in these Territories, ne
sent the Hon. Thomas Butler King bearer Of dispatches to
California and certain other officers to California and New
Mexico whose duties defined in their letters OF insuc
TONS These letters transmitted to this Houses and upon
looking them carefully and particularly the letter ad
dressed by the Secretary of State to Mr. King, dated at
w ashingon April 8, ls49, unable to discover any
usurpaon OF attempt at usupaon on the part OF
the President Of the United States
Provision had been made by the treaty with Mexico for
the admission of these Territories into the Gnion States
and 10 the mean time the Government OF the United States
was bound protect the inhabitants residing IN them In the
free and entire enjoyment Of their lives, their liberty and
property and in The exercise Of their civil and religious
rights / ask attention to these provisions oi the treaty
ARrIcLES Mexicans now established n territories pre-
yousy belonging Mexico which remain tor the future
within the limits of the United States, defined by the pre-
treaty shall be free to continue where they now
or to remove any the Mexican Republic retaining
property which they in the said Ierritores OF
dposng thereof and removing the proceeds wherever
please without their being subjected on this account 70 any
contribution tax, or charge whatever -.
Thoe who shall prefer to remain in the SAID errores
may either retain the title and rights OF Mexican Or
acquire those Of citizens OF the United States But hey sna
be under the obligation make their election WITHIN one
from the date Of the exchange OF ratlfeatons OF TINS treaty
and those who shall the said Territories after the
expiration of that year. having declared their nen
ton of Mexicans shall be considered
to have elected to become citizens of the United States
ln the said Territories, property OF every kina now De
longing to Mexcans established there shall be nvoab
respected The owners the heirs OF these and all
Mexicans who hereafter acquire said property by con-
tract shall enjoy with respect to guarantees equally ample as
if the belonged to citizens ofthe United States
ARrIcLE Mexcans who in the Territories aforesaid
shall preserve the character Of citizens Of the Mexican
Republic conformaby with what stipulated in the preceding
article, shall be incorporated into the Union Of the United
States and be admitted at the proper time ITO ne Judgea OF
by the Congress Uni ed Sare the enjoyment OF all
the rights citizens of the United States, according to the
principles of the constitution and in the time shall be
and free enjoyment of their liberty
property the free exercise Of their religion
without restriction.
You are aware, Mr.. Chairman, that though this House
passed bill the last session to establish Territorial TO
vernment for California, it did not pass the Senae and
thus both California and New Mexico left received
them by the treaty with Mexico Congress did, however, SO
far aid the Executive extend the laws OF the
United States the territory and waters of Upper Cafor
mia and certain mail facilities extended TO the same
Territory And whatever the President could do, by virtue
of the treaty. under the constitution and The acts OF Con-
eres give the people of those Territories civil government
and protection it his duty to perform In sending Mr.
King agent Of the United States to California to con-
vey the people Of that country Of the desire Of
the President extend to them all the aid in his power TO
their peace and happiness surely there was no usur
patton Mr. King instructed that whatever form OF go
venment might be adopted by them with view OF submit
ting the to Congress- must originate solely with them
and this form OF government must be adopted by them
without the interference Of the Executive OF the United
| States
The laws Of California and New Mexico they existed
the conclusion of the treaty. remained in force in those
Territories and there uurpaton in the efforts OF the
President to cooperate with the friends OF order and good
government to uphold the relations OF the people OF
those Territories with the Government of the United States
Mr. King expressly dscams any interference on his part to
induce the people Of California to adopt any particular plan
scheme for their State CONSTITUTIONS and Whatever mas
been done by those people evidently originated with them
Selves and the only inquiry make in reference
their constitution whether is republican in Its character
believe, Mr. Chairman that it is republican in its char
acte And now ready and willing 10 vote for the adj
mission California into the Union one OF the Saes OF
this Conederacy, with her constitution her people have
formed it. and with the limits and boundaries therein de
signated.
Mr. Chairman, the frank and manly avowal OF the Pres-
dent that sin advising early application by the people OF
California and New Mexico for admission States he
actuaed prime pay by earnest desire to afford to the
wisdom and patriotism Of Congress the opportunity OF avoid
ing occasions Of bitter and angry discussions among the
people of the United Sta,es should commend his action in
reference to these Territories the generous and kind
sderation Of all intelligent and good throughout the
country And must say to this committee that if the
question is forced upon me- shall exclude slavery
from all the Territories acquired from Mexico but concur
in the views ably presented this morning this subject
by the distinguished and honorable gentleman from New
York. MIR. JoHN A. KISe,) in speech which did him
honor and in support of the wise and patriotic policy
mended by the President of the United Staes have been
ready for months admit California and give the
House the Delegate from New Mexico who Gas told
day by that gentleman hmselO represents about ninety
thousands Inhabitants principally native Mexicans and Anne
ricans, and comprising five six thousand Indians
Sir whilst have properly admitted delegates upon this
floor from Oregon and Minnesota, whose populations small
compared with that Of New Mexico, have deaye action
in relation to the delegate duly accredited by New
Mexico, until be deems his duty TO return to his constu
ents and report to them bis entire failure receive from this
Congress the usual courtesy extended Territorial Delegates!
In connexon with Ahs subject il to that i, is well
for what said by the President Of the United
in his annual message dated llh December, lS49
In that message AMONGST many other admirable