The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-22
(Copy.)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, !
VAsHINGTON. 7th October. lS48,

(Copy.) p
DEpARrMENT OF STATE,
WAsHNGToN, 7th October, lS48.
WILLIAM v. voRHIEs, esq, Washington city:
SIR Previous to your departure for California,
the President has instructed me to make known,
through your agency, to the citizens of the United
States inhabiting that Territory, his views respect
ing their present condition and future pros
poets. He deems it proper to employ you for
this purpose, because the Postmaster General has
appointed you agent, under the g act to estab
lsh certain post routes, approved August H. lS4s,
" to make arrangements for the establishment of
post Offices, and for the transmission, receipt and
conveyance of letters in Oregon and California
The President congratulates the citizens of Cali
orna the annexation of their fine prairies to the
United States. On the 30th of May, 184S-the day
which the ratifcations of our late treaty with
Mexico exchanged--C California finally became
an integral portion of this great and glorious re-
public; and the act of Congress, to which have
already referred, in express terms recognises it to
be "within the territory of the United States"
May this union be perpetual
The people of California may feel the firmest
conviction that the Government and people Of the
United States will never abandon them, or prove
unmndful of their prosperity Their fate and their
fortunes are now indissolubly united with that of
their brethren on this side of the Rocky mountains.
How proptious this event, both for them and for
Whilst the other nations of the world are distract
ed by domestic dssensions, and are involved in a
struggle between the privileges of the few and the
rights of the many, Heaven has blessed our happy
land with government which secures equal rights
to all citizens, and has produced peace, happi-
ness and contentment throughout our borders. II
L. 4. 4
and indefeasible rights of the citizens with the
strictest observance of law. Satisfied with the in
stitutons under which we live, each individual is
therefore, left free to promote his own prosperity
and happiness in the manner most in accordance
with his owl Judgment.
Under such - constitution and such laws, the
prospects of California are truly encouraging
Blessed with mild and salubrous climate, and
fertile soil. rich in mineral resources, and extend
ing over nearly ten degrees of lntitude along the
coast of the Pacific, with of the finest harbors
in the world, the imagination can scarcely fix
limit 10 its future wealth and prosperity.
We can behold, in the not distant future, one or
glorious States Of this confcderacy springing
into existence in California, governed by instiu-
tons similar TO own, and extending the bless
ings Of religion, liberty and law, that vast re-
gion. Their free and unrestricted commerce and
intercourse with the other States Of the Union will
confer mutual benefits and blessings ON all parties
concerned, and will bind US all together by the
strongest ties of reciprocal affection and interest
Their foreign trade with the west coast Of America
with Asia, and the isles of the Pacific, will be pro-
tected by common flag, and cannot fail 10 bear
back TO their shores the rich rewards Of enterprise
and industry.
After all, however, the speedy realization Of these
bright prospects depends much upon the wise and
prudent conduct Of the citizens of California in the
present emergency. II they commence their career
under proper auspices, their advance will be rapid
and certain; but should they become entangled in
difficulties and dissensions at the start their pro-
gress will lie greatly retarded.
The President deeply regrets that Congress did
not at their last session, establish territorial gov
ernmcnt for California II would now be vain to
enter into the for this omission. Whatever
those may have been, he is firmly convinced that
Congress feel deep interest in the welfare of Cali
fornia and lie people, and WILL at early period Of
the next session, provide for them territorial gov
eminent suited 10 their wants. Our laws relating
10 trade and intercourse with the Indians will then
be extended them Custom. houses will be
established for the collection Of the revenue; and
liberal grants Of land will be made 10 those bold and
patriotic citizens who, amidst privations and dam
gers have emgrated or shall emigratc TO that ter
ritory from the States on this side Of the Rocky
mountains.
The President. In his annual message at the COM
mencement Of the next session. will recommend all
these great measures to Congress- in the strongest
terms. and win use every effort, consistently with
his duty, 10 insure their accomplishment.
In the mean time, the condition Of the people of
California IL anomalous, and will require ON their
part the exercise Of great prudence and discretion.
By the conclusion Of the treaty Of peace, the mill
tary government which established over them,
under the lswsof war recognised by the practice
Of all civilized nations has ceased 10 derive its au
tborty from this source Of power. But is there,
for this reason, no government in California; Are
life, liberty, and property under the protection Of
no existing sutboritcss This would be singular
phenomenon in the face Of the world, and espc.
cially among American citizens, distinguished as
they arc above all other people for their law-abidine
character. Fortunately, they are not reduced 70
this sad condition. The termination Of the war left
an existing governments government de faeto---
in full operation; and this will continue with the
presumed consent Of the people until Congress shall
provide for them a territorial government The
great law OF necessity justiies this conc fusion
The consent Of the people is irrcsistibly inferred
from the fact that civilized community could
possibly desire 10 abrogatc existing government,
when the alternative presented would be TO place
Themselves in state Of anarchy, bcyon the pro.
lection Of all laws, and reduce them TO the unha ppy
necessity Of submitting to the dominion Of the
stron gest.
This government de facto WILL Of course, exercise
no power inconsistent with the provisions Of the
Constitution Of the United States, which Is the SUI
premc Law Of The land. For this reason, no import
duties can be levied in California on articles the