The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-06

the usc OF the navy DEBATE cnsuSd, ana, Al lie
termination, tbs resolution was referred 10 the
Committee on Naval Affairs. with tho pending
amendments.
A incssarc was received from the President Of
the United States, transmitting copies o. original
correspondence betwcepthe Department of State
and the British Minister, which he said required
She action Of the legislative rather than OF the
ccutiye branch Of the Government u was re-
ferred TO the COMMITTEES on Foreign Affairs.
The correspondence 10 as follows:
sAyIoArIos LAWS And pvrIEs on IMPORTS.
DEPARrAEsT or STATE, I
WAsHIssros, January IL, 1850
SIR was honored by the receipt OF your note
Of the LIST instant, assuring me that the vessels oil
the United States would not be excluded, ny any
order in council from that change OF system which
Great Britain has adopted by the recent nodiflca-
ton of her navigation laws, and expressing the
great satisfaction OF her majesty government with
the decision Of the President Of the United States,
conceding TO British vessels in American ports the
anne privileges and advantages which are now
granted TO American vessels in British ports
The question whether British vessels shall be adj
lantic and Pacific ports of the United States, and
whether vessels of the British build shall be admit
ted to the advantages OF American register, are
considered by the President as proper subjects for
Legislative consideration, and VIII be submitted To
the judgment Of Congress.
avail myself of this occasion 10 renew 10 you
the assurance of my distinguished consideration,
JOHN nj. CLAYTON.
ht. iioA' II. bpL"Ehs ~, ~.
BRIrIsH LEGATION,
WAsHINoToS, Jan. 1, 1850.
Sin; Her mejesty's Government saw, with great
satisfaction the decree published by the President
of the United States, concedng to British vessels in
American ports the same privileges and advan-
tages which are granted to American vessels in
British ports by the recent modification OF the Brit
ish navigation laws; and was happy 10 assure you
that tho vessels Of the United States would not be
excluded by any order in council from the full
benefit of that change OF system which Great Brit
ain has adopted.
There are. however, two or three matters TO
which must call your attention, believing that the
real object and spirit Of your standing regulations
is to confer on the vessels Of foreign powers those
advantages which such foreign powers may confer
upon the vessels Of the United States
As the coasting trade of the United Kingdom is
strictly reserved TO British vessels, would not, of
course, propose TO the United States Government
that British vessels should be admitted TO trade to
and fro between the several ports on the eastern
coast of the United States because such trade being
strictly in coastng trade, is, it may be presumed,
confined TO United States vessels. But the trade
between the ports the east and those on the
west coast of the United States, involving, as
it does, the necessity Of passing through seas
and along coasts far beyond the territorial ju-
risdiction of the United States resembles in its
ture and character the trade carried on between
the United Kingdom and the transmarine pos
sessions of the British crown, into which trade the
new act authorizes the admission Of the vessels
of all countries which may be disposed to meet the
concessions of Great Britain in spirit Of fair
ciprocity; and her majestys government conceive
that ifthe United States vessels to be admitted
to this privilege, the United States Government
may be fairly expected in return TO admit British
vessels to trade between tae Atlantic and Pacific
ports of the United States.
Moreover, you will be aware that American ves-
sells becoming the property of British subjects, are
now admissible to the. advantages OF British re-
gister, and therefore deem it no more than rea-
sonable and fair to expect that measures will be
adopted by the United States Government for max
ing British vessels becoming the property OF Anne
rican citizens admissible to the advantages Of an
American register.
1t will give me much pleasure to be abe'to sat-
isfy her majesty's government promptly ON these
particulars.
the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) H. l.. BULWER.
Hon. j. M CLAYTON, &C., Sc, &c.
BRrTIsH LEGATION, January 3, 1850.
Sir: II having been represented to her majesty's
government, that there is some idea on the part of
the Government of the United States to increase the
duties on British iron imported into the United
States, have been instructed by her maesty's gov
eminent to express to the United States govern
ment the hope Of her majesty's government, that
addition will be made to the duties imposed by the
present tariff of the United States, which already
weigh heavily on British productions; and cannot
but observe, for my own part, that augmcnta-
ton of the duties on British produce manufac-
lures, made at the moment when the British gov
ernment has, by series OF measures, been facili-
tating the commerce between the two countries,
would produce very disagreeablc effect on public
opinion in England.
I avail myself Of the opportunity to renew to you
the assurance Of my most distin gushed considera-
ton. HENRY l.. BULWER.
Hon. JOHN M. CLAYTON, &c, &c, &c.
ADMISSION OF cALIroRNA.
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, and resumed the
consideration of the Presidents special message in
relation to California and THE Territories.
Mr.. HALL, Of Missouri, understood to say
that Mr.. Benton, few months ago, was opposed
10 the admission Of California into the Union as a
State. He had received letter from of the most
respectable citizens upon this subject; and il any
change had come over the Senator il was to be at
tributed to selfish motives. This much he said in
reply 10 remark Of Mr.. BIssELL. IL had been
said that the admission OF California, with her pre-
sent constitution, would be equivalent 10 the adop-
ton Of the Wimot proviso; but he did not regard
1t. He intended to vote for her admission Every
State has right TO determine for herself the inst
buttons which shall exist. Congress have no power
to establish State government This must be
done by the people in convention. Otherwise there
Is usurpation, not guaranteed by the Constitution.
The people Of California have formed State con-
stitution. As TO the charge Of irrcguarity-Mi
igan, Arkansas. Florida and Iowa, were admitted
without any previous action of Congress authorizing
them TO form State governments and he could see
no good reason why California should not be admit
ted Congress JAILED " provide Territorial govern
ment for her. and she felt IL to be her duty TO make
laws for the protection Of the lives and property Of
the people. Yet this il called usurpation. Il is
the duty OF Congress to admit California. The
Territorial condition must terminate as soon as
there population enough 70 send representatives.
This was the doctrine in 1870. IL was adopted by
the Democratic party Of that day, (and he read
extracts from speeches, and the resolves Of the
Legislature Of Virginia in support OF the assertion)
Missouri, at that time, had population OF sixty
thousand, and eight nine thousand voters.
The evidence is sufficient that the population Of
California is large enough for a State government.
Sixty-seven thousand emigrants went TO Caliior-
MIA during SIX months Of the past year, and now
the emigration is great. Before the gold placers
were discovered there were ten or fifteen thousand
people in that country, and the number OF inhab-
itants now must be upwards OF one hundred thou
sand. From the best evidence, the vote OF Caliior
MIA was for Congressman nearly fifteen thousand,
for the constitution thirteen thousand; vote larger
than any other new State, Wisconsin excepted.
The whole vote Of Illinois was eight thousand;
Mississippi seven thousand Missouri nine thou
sand; Louisiana five thousand. The ratio for
representatives. then thirty five thousand, but IL
has since than doubled However, the vote
Of California large under the present ratio
AZ the other new States under the old. Arkansas
was admitted, and the vote cast for President was