The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-06

republican in its character hereafter to be submit
ed to Congress, which shall be the result Of their
own deliberate choice. $50
s.You are fully authorized TO confer with our
military and naval commanders within these ter
ritories, who will be Instructed to assist you in
the accomplishment Of the objects Of your mis-
sion." In his message Of 21st January last, the
President says: al sent the Hon. Thos Butler
King as bearer of dispatches to California, and
certain officers to California and New Mexico,
whose duties are particularly defined in the ac-
companying letters of instruction addressed to
them severally by the proper departments. do
not hesitate TO express to the people of those ter
ritories my desire that each territory should, il
prepared to comply with the acquisitions Of the
Constitution of the United States, form plan of
a State constitution, and submit the same to Con-
gress. with prayer for admission into the Union
as State" After abiding to the agitation Of
the slavery question by Congress, the President
proceeds to say: Under these circumstances
thought, and still think, that il was my duty to
endeavor TO put il in the power Of Congress-, by
the admission OF California and New Mexico
Ms States, to remove all occasion for the unneces-
sary agitation OF the public mind" -
And the reasons of my opinion that
New Mexico will, at no very distant period, ask
for admission into the Union, are founded on un-
official information which, 4 suppose, is common
to all who have cared TO make inquiries on that
subject"
| submit, however, that the President was mis-
taken in supposing that his information on that
subject was entirely unofficial His Cabinet, or
one member of il, had already interfered actively
TO bring State Government into existence in
New Mexico
Mr.. Secretary CRAwroRD in his instructions TO
Col. FGEoRGE,A Mccall, dated November 10,
l849, says: -
Sir, as you are about to join your regiment,
now on duty in New Mexico, il has occurred to
A. *.
peculiar condition of that and another territory of
the United States.
s'It is not doubted that the people ofNew Next
leo desire and want Government organized, with
all proper functions, for the protection and
rity Of their persons and property.
4 "The question readily occurs, how can that Gov
eminent be supplied l have already adverted
to past and still existing difficulties, iIa, have re-
tarded, and may continue to retard the action Of
the United States in respect to this necessary and
first want; to remove it, may in some degree, be
the part Of the duty Of officers Of the army, ON
whom, under the necessities ofthe case, have been
devolved partial participation in their civil az
fairs It is therefore deemed proper that should
say that it is not believed that the people OF New
Mexico are required to await the movements of
the Federal Government in relation to plan of a
government proper for the regulation of their
own internal concerns.
"The Constitution of the United States, and the
ldtc ttCtty Will MtAicOy guaranty their ADMISSION
into the union of our States, subject only to the
Judgment Of Congress.
Should the people Of New Mexico wish to take
any steps toward this object so important and
necessary to themselves, it viii be your duty and
the duty of others with whom GU are associated,
not to thwart but advance their wishes. 1t is
their right to appear before Congress and ask
for admission into the Union "
"Other and complicated questions may arise,
which are considered as merged in this essential
right of these people, and for the, decision Of
which we must look beyond the authority of the
Executive. 4 S1 EsEG .@t :. r
cit will be instructive and probably necessary
constitution and seek admission into the confed-
eracy of the States, to have your observation and
views on the probable numbers, habits, customs,
and pursuits Of life. !" ~
1t should be borne in mind that his order was
given very short time previous TO the meeting Of
Congress, and was bold usurpation of its pow
ers, and a lawless disregard Of the rights of
Texas. -,s
In fairness and plain dealing the Government
was bound to notify this change OF policy to
Texas. II was not an act Of good faith to let the
State proceed under the impression that this Gov
ernmeht would not oppose the civil authorities Of
the State, and then resist them after their work
was half performed. This course was as clan
destine and fraudulent, as it unjust and tyran-
meal. n 4s.5t.a 7.
When the Secretary of War speaks of :. other
and complicated questions" he alludes TO the
boundary claimed by Texas, and distinctly tells
the military that is to be merged in the essen
tial rights Of these people," the plain English of
which is, resistAhe jurisdiction OF Texas, if the
people of New Mexico see fit to come into the
Presidents plan of presenting themselves with
State organization, otherwise, let Texas go on.
Under such an order, the President might well
prophecy that New Mexico would soon present
herself for admission into the Union. y.
As already stated, this order to Colonel
Mccall did not arrive in Santa Fe until late, but
it produced its immediate fruits Colonel Mon
roe resisted the Texas Commissioner and the ju.
| rsdiction Of Texas, ordered the people to hold O
jconvention, and form a State constitution. That
officer had ne alternative but to consider the in
structions of the 26th of March revoked by this
| order Of the Secretary of. War, to bring about q
State organization, for it is nothing else Colonel
Monroe issued a mandate to a population accus-
toned to absolute obedience to military author
ty. He had translated and published in Spanish
The message Of the President inviting, and the in
structons of Secretary Crawford demanding, a
make. these people abandon their plan Of a terri
torial government, now before Congress, and re-
sort to State organization. 1t was the result, not
Of the wishes of that people, but Executive die
tation and military coercion. II was part of
this Cabinet plan to defraud,the South, dismem-
per olate, ana tranlpie upon the CONSTITUTION oil
the country by taking the whole subject out of
the hands Of Congress. .s.,. h ~-
II is quite in vain for the Government organ to
assert that Sin both of these cases California
and New Mexico) the only agency Of the mill
tary commandment has been that of facilita-
ting the expression: Of the popular will.' He
was but the plastic instrument in the hands
of the Executive, bound to obedience. It is
quite as idle for the organ to place this action
on the ground of the right Of petition in
the people of New Mexico. They have not petit
tioned--thcy have been ordered and dragooned in
to the formations Of a State government by the
Executive, and military usurpation and tyranny.
This ceases to be free government Of laws and
Constitution, if the people submit to it. Such an
act would shake from his throne the most firmly
seated monarch Of Europe. know the people
of Texas will resist and resist to the knife. That
if they fail now, they will like Hamilcar, take
their children to the altar and make them swear
eternal hatred and vengeance to their OPP
pressor. - 2$'' - 81" E.. .g.,E
ta@ea ". E. HOWARD.
Washington July 4th, 1850. .s
From the Californians.