The New York herald., 1850-05-13
The California Gold Mines.
rEroRT TO TnE cArIFoEsIA LEGrsLaTURE FROM rrE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, on AN ACT FOR THE HEr'
TER REGULATION or TfIE MINES, AND THE GOVERN
MENI or FOREIGN MINERS.
Mspgu gO IS5O

rEroRT TO THE cArIFoRsiA LEGISLATURES FROM TIE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, on AN ACT FOR rus HEr-
TER REGULATION or THE MINEs, AND THE GOVERN
MENT or FOREIGN MINERS.
MARCH ~, 1850.
Mn. president The Committee on Finance, 20
which was referred the bill entitled act FOR the
better regulation Of the mines and the government
Of the foreign miners, beg leave TO report that they
have given the subject serious consideration, and
recommend the passage Of the bill, for the following
among many reasons which, IN their opinion, ght
No American citizen doubts the policy and justice
Of such law.
The wonderful gold discovery in California is an
epoch IN the worlds history IN It's mighty influence
upon commerce and emigration, such as time has
never instanccd.
While in our country Il has unbalanced trade and
partially destroyed all former rates Of labor in other
nations, II this effect is not so Immediate IL has ex-
cited the widest cupidity, which threatens Cali
femia with an emigration overwhelming in number
and dangerous in character Tens Of thousands
have already arrived IN our country, and they are
the commencement Of vast multitude route aud
preparing 10 hither ef the worst population Of
the Mexican and South American States, New
South Wales, and the southern islands, 20 say no.
thing Of the vast numbers from Europe. Among
others, the convicts Of Mexico, Chill and Botany
Bay are daily turned upon our shores, who seek
and possess themselves of the best places for gold
digging, whether upon their own or on account OF
foreign employers, and carry from our country inn
mense treasure. While this is done 10 the injury
Of the American people, who the righiful owners
Of this property il is the least wrong which threat
ems the welfare Of the State and the future happi-
ness Of society The low state Of morality which
such population spreads broadcast in the land is
10 be deeply lameBicd. Practiscd vice and crime,
hardened with the degradation Of former punish
mcnt, makes these people irredeemably lost TO all
social equality or national advantage.
How shall this frightful evil be remededl We
cannei, under the United States constitution, pre-
vent the migration hither Of these people. A fun
demtnta principle Of that instrument makes ours
the home Of the free and oppressed Of every nation.
hen they 90 come, TO govern them firmly and
justly, protect them from the heavy prejudices OF
our own people, 10 save them from the probable
destruction Of national wrath, which is evidently
growing stronger every day, is the solemn duty Of
the Legislature.
Your committee believe that the bill will do much
60 remedy these apprehended evils.
This bill requires the foreigner, upon the pancst
principles of Justice, TO pay small bonus for the
privilege Of taking from country the vast trca-
sures 10 which they have no night. This the for
,iGner viii chcerfully Dc, because the permit which
he carries upon his person will save him from the in
tefrurticn Of he stronger power which is in
people, and at The same time our own citizen. who
delvcs side hy side with these new comers will be
content in knowing the fact that they are paying
scmc tribute towards the heavy expenses Of our
new State.
The strfc and bloodshed which have taken
place between The citizen aud foreigner u mainly