Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-01
ho he will unite with in the opinion that Dir. Tyler VII
DO !, nonular and able Judge.
r1,r c,IIroRNIA QUESTION.

THE CALIFORNIA QUESTION.
". have been much disappointed in not receiving tne
Washington Globe with Mr. Seddons full speech on 'is
,uoe,ion We doubt that the spec VIII tny 'liuieue
The noston he has taken against the captious ooecos
some of the Wing press and especially the Richmond ~
he leader in the assault The documents ~' We nave
o,, o,son 10 believe entirely Justify Mr. SIS attitude
Bu we eagerly await his Speech which, receeu we
h At once lay before readers In the meantime, We ask
,or n the extracts from the official documents, accom-
,nvi,p the California Message, which we find in the wing
They will be found sustain the views OF the Pre
dcn course which We have felt it TO be our duty TO put
forth:
The Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune
furnishes that paper with the following extracts from as
match of Gen. Riley he Governor of California; 10 Adu-
rant General Jones' Washington dnted Monterey, June 5O
ls49:
bc course indicated my Proclamation will be adopted
by tho neope almost usy and there IS now niue or
no doubt that the Convention M meet on the st OF sep
tember next and form Stale Constitution 10 be submitted
10 Congress in the carly part OF the coming session
"a few prefer Territorial organization, but MINK ma
iortv will be in favor OF State Government as to avoid
all further difficulties respecting the question ol slavery
This question will probably be submitted together win the
Constitution TO direct of the people VI course the
Constitution or plan of Territorial Government formed by
this Convention have legal force tlapproved BY Con-
gress.' ~, ,o,o
"The Convention called by my proclamation OF June Sd
assembled al this place the Isl ultmo and had nearly
conpeted its labors in forming Constitution TO be submit
ted 10 the People for their ratification 1t has been deern
ed by The unanimous of this Convention a least
am nforncd that the Government organized under TINS
Constitution should il be ratified by The People, shall go IN
10 operation be convenient after such rain
cation and without waiting for the approval Of Congress anc
the admission Of California into the Union.
have strong doubts of the legality of such course I'm
der the decision of the Supreme Court OF the United States
bu, lift should be the wish of the people of California L
put the new government in operation without waiting th'
action of Congress- shall deem il my duty under the cir
custances surrender my civil powers into the hands
the Executive unless special orders 10 the contrary arr
received from Washington"
The Same to the .Same.--Nonierey, OFT. 81 l549.
"Thc Convention which assembled this place the 3s
of Sept completed its abor and the Constitution for
med by that body submitted on the 18th inst to tn
People for their approva and have doubt OF lis bein!
ratified BY the almost unanimous vote vi the qualified elector
of this country.
a printed copy of this Constitution is inclosed herewith
You will see by examining the schedule that il is contenl
plated to put the Government into operation or soo
after the 18TH day of Dec and shall then surrender
civil power whomsocvcr may be designated under TN
Constitution as the Executive of the State.
"Whaevcr may be the legal objections putting into opc
ration a State Government previous 10 its being acknow
lodged approved by Congress- these objections must yc
TO the obvious necessities of the for thepowers Of tn
existing Government are too limited and its organization
imperfect provide for the wants OF country pccu
liary situated, and of population which is augmenn.
with such unprecedented rapidity
Extract from Desputcd-COl. j. " Washington com
uaudinn at Santa Ee 10 hdjfant GcR. Jones al Wash
insion-datcd Santa F' Feb 3, 1919.
o avoid embarrassment in regard to recognizing the jul
risdction of the authorities of Texas large portion
this Territory it is very dccabc that Congress should &C
in the matter before he demand is made"
Erracf Of Despatch Mr. Secretary Crartord 10 The Oce
commanding at Santa fe, dcted Har Department. Hash
ington, .Harci u, lSi9.
1T is presumed that the instructions from this Depart
ment Of October r. lSiS forwarded by the hands of Mid
shipman Bea of the Navy, have been rccci.ed by
time since nevertheless, herewith furnish copies
the
'Wh respect TO that portion of the instructions which
in the following wordsIn regard to that part of what ht
Mexcans call New Mexico, lying east of the Rio Grnde
the civil authority which Texas has established may
tabish there is 10 be respected and by nterec
with by The military force in that Department, othcrwis,
than lend aid proper occasions in sustaining it, have
remark that it is not expected Texas will undertake
extend her civil government, the region dcsi
mated but should she do so, you will contne your
under the clause above cited arranging your command il
such into conflict with the authorize:
constituted On the claim Of Texas any the whole
of New Mexico of the Rio Gande it is not necessary
give opinion Congress and that State alone havt
the power OF adjusting H.
"Jpon the subject of the establishment Of posts il no
deemed cxpcdicnt At this time 10 take any action
Despatch Of Mr. Secretary Crartord 10 COL Geo H. Ne
CaN, Ehid9eiphia-dqied
WAR DEPARTMENT WAsHlSaToS Nov. H. lsi9.
iS As you about 10 Join your regiment du:y
in New Mexico il has occurred to me az proper 10 make sot
observations the peculiar condition Of that and another
territory Of the United States.
their civil government have in great measure depended
the officers of the army there in commando duty is
sdered falling beyond their appropriate spheres Of action
and to be relieved from which cannot be desired b,
them than this Department. This condition has arisen from
the omission Of Congress produce suitable governments
and regard the future there is believe that tn
difficulties Of the past still 10 be encountered In ever,
possible aspect is important both New Mexico and the
United States that these embarrassnts should be quickly
removed.
III doubted that the people in New Mexico desire
and want Government organized with all proper functions
for the protection and security of their persons and property
''rhe question readily occurs, how that Government
be supplied? have already advcrted past and existing diff
fcuics have retarded, and may continue rcard hl
action Of the United States respect this necessary
first want To remove 1t may in some degree be the
the duty of officers of the army, whom under the
sites of the have been dcvovcd partial participation il
their civil affairs IL is, therefore, deemed proper that
should saw that il is believed that the people of New
Mexico required 10 drah The Of the Fedora
Government in relation plan of Government proper fo
the regulation OF their own internal concerns.
he Constitution Of the United States and the late
with Mexico, guarantee their admission into the Union of
States, subject only 10 the Judgment of Congress- Shout,
the people Of New Mexico wish take any steps towards
this object important and themselves ,rii
be duty and the duty Of Others with whom YOU are asso
cated not thwart but TO adrance their rises is e
right appear before Congress and ask admission into M
Union.
"Ohcr snd complicated o. tons may arise which are con
sidercd merged in this nal tight The people, and 10
the decision Of which must look beyond the authority
the Executive.
at will be instructive land probably necessary nlorma
ton when the people CT New Mexico form Constitution
and seek admission into The Confceacy of the Sates)
have your observation and views 10 their probable NUN
beers, habits customs and pursuits of life.
(Signed) GEO. w. CRAWFORD Secretary Of War
Extract from Despach.Nr Secretary Crar ford 10 Tie
neral Benne Riley at Monerey-dated Var Department.
June %, 1919
"The United States do5y bound 10 admit the newly
acquired territories California and New Mexcointo the
Confederation Of The SdeS 1t necessary inquire
whether the first step, in view Of the proposed incorporation
should be taken by the people of the Territories or by the in
vation Of Congress In either the final Judgment rests
with Congress- Hence the opinion advanced thai is the
right of the people of California assemble BY their dele
gates and adopt form Of Government which, approved by
Conges may lead 10 their admission into the Federal Uni
Of the confcdcrated Statcs.n
WAR DEPARTMENT Washington Oct. g. 1918.
The views OF the President in relation the Civil Govern
nen of California clearly presented in letter from Mr.
Buchanan, Secretary of State Mr. Voorhees, the agent
OF the Post Othce Department, dated the 9TH inst who is
charged with making these views known the people OF
that Territory. You herewith furnished with Il copy OF
that letter and will in Mr. Voorhees, shall not have arri-
we'd in California and made its contents known The people
10 be published and extensively circulated through
the Territory.
The general positions there maintained are that AT the
conclusion of the Treaty of Peace between The United States
and Mexico, the military Government which established
in California; under The laws of war; ceased derive it's
thority from the of power but the termination of the
war left an existing Government Government de dco in
full operations ind this will continue with the presumed
nj the DpoDl,