The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-22
The CALIFORNIA message.

municaung information relative TO California In oDedl-
to resolutions brought forward by Mr. Venable OF
North Carolina. The documents accompanying this
message have not yet been ordered 10 be printed and
Of course cannot at present avail ourselves Of the
light which they will throw upon the words OF the mes
sage But there certain matters in the message itself
which we cannot pass over without comment
The first thing which must strike every reading
this paper is the want OF directness its statements
II seems 10 have been prepared under impression
that il was necessary TO make some communica-
ton TO the House Of Representatives. while there is
a plain and patent attempt to make that commu-
nication as barren as possible. Those who surround
General Taylor seem to know that the papers which
company message can be read only by few, while the
message itself is within the reach Of all And the plan
seems to be adopted TO make the message vague
possible, with the knowledge that its hidden meaning
only be unravelled by few, who may have the time
the opportunity to read the papers that accompany it
This feature was prominent in the annual message Of
Gen Taylor and it is if possible still more prominent
in the message which we lay before our readers to-
day. =
1t is known to all, that since General Rieys proca-
nation was received on the Atlantic coast. it was
commended. that, peace having been concluded it was
a usurpation Of power to re-establish the Mexican
government over the people Of California, and that
any coercion which may have been exercised in Cali
fornia was in violation Of the principles Of con-
sution and in derogation Of the rights OF people
the Pacific coast II is apparent that Mr.. Venable's
lutions sought for direct and specific information
those points II was, therefore, the duty Of the Presi
dent if he did than simply communicate the papers
and correspondence touching California affairs TO state
had hoap dnna thai Tarritorv al
though his accredited leader in the Senate had charged
upon Mr. Folks administration the responsibility of the
proceedings OF General Riley-a charge which he was
forced TO retract aerwardsGene Taylor speaks in
vague and unsatisfactory Manner which tends to incul
pate the last administration, while he leaves to
shield himself from the consequences Of such charge
For example he says that when he came into power he
found the military commandant OF California exercising
the functions Of civil governor in that territory and adds
81 therefore did inierfre ciih the poss of the mill
tary commandment, rho continued to exercise the sncons Of
ctcl gopernor as bsfors out made no ssch appointment.
conferred such authority, and haUe aoiced
eompessatios to tho commamdawt for his srpices"
This,it will be seen, covert attempt to make Mr.
Polk responsible for the action Of General Riley, while
any assertion to that effect studiously avoided And Gen
Taylor sudiousy avoids. also, any mention whether Gen
Rleys proclamation which reached the Atlantic coast
after Mr. Polk in his grave, was, as his friends have
alleged issued in obedience to instructions from Mr.
Folks administration. That would have been specific
But, mark he leaves the inference (whout asserting the
facD that the proclamation in accordance with in
structons from the late administration for he says in
another part Of the message
s already stated, Ihaue not disturbed the arrangements
phich found had eristsd sndu my predecessor"
Now, any who has seen the correspondence be-
tween General Riley and Mr. Crawford, accompany.
ing the report of the Secretary Of War. will see
the dsingenuousness Of this portion Of the message
General Riley was appointed military commandment Of
California by Mr. Polk, and as SUCH acted we are told
civil governor; but he did not attempt 10 set VI
and reorganize the Mexican government in California OF
issue his proclamation for convention until severa
months after General Taylor was inaugurated. Granted
that General Taylor did instruct him to take thi,
course, yet il ncontestably true that the present admin
istraon failed to disavow and thereby recognised his
ton in that behalf Mr. Crawfords despatch to Gen. Ri
ley, dated at Washington, august "a, ls49," says
pressly;
sin view Of the exercise Of the important political
right which sppetains 10 the people OF Caorniaihat o.
forming constitution and asking admission into the Union
OF these Staes-ths department has watched with gres
and socude the steps already taken effect these OBJ
ects Regarding proclamation OF the 3D. June last
notice intended, in part render popular action uni
form in respect the desired organization Of Calfomis
into perfect government IL IL with great salts
faction that your propositions had been accepted with
great cheeulnes and aIacrty except in few instances
where Is supposed selfish and unpstrioc motives pre-
vailed"
This is not only direct endorsement Of Gen. Rileys
proclamation, which called convention apportoned liz
members and re- established the Mrican bu
dsposes Of the opposition made to that proclamation in
California by the supposition that il sprung from" selfish
and unpafr,ofie modpcs." But il seems that Gen. Riley
went further, and proposed allow the people Of Cali
forna TO PUT THE NEW GOVERNMENT INTO OPERATION
WITHOUT WAITING THE ACTION CoSGREss This course
is not dsavowed by the administration for Mr. Craw
ford writing from Washington, under date Of 7" Novem
Der %. ls4o,' says: rstea
"Thc Adutsnt General has submitted this department
your letter Of October the subject Of the civil aa
OF California, In which you propose, should II be the wish
OF the people to put the government into operation
without waiting the action OF Congress, surrender You
civil powers into the hands OF the executive OF tina
Territory unless specially ordered the contrary As The
arrangement contemplated by you may already have beer
made any Instructions from this, department contrary
your the subject might initiate against the peace
and quiet the community and be productive Of evil Tn.
first consideration To- due observance Of and order
and this, Is hoped and believed will be attained unde
the new state Of things" a as 85
Mr. Crawford distinctly declines ordering Genera
m .4I