The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-10


Cslissrais-0ov. Burnstt's Message.
The first message Of the FIRST governor Of California to
the Legislature oil that State has hand by the late
like document clear and specific in its recommendations,
and concise enosgh TO give ia force to its suggestions
The hs aSes9sn which the submits TO as
the general business of legislation, await the final
on OF Congress upon the subject Of the admission OF
the State into the Union is pleasing 70 note the pro-
found feeling of respect and which marks the
illusions OF the message 10 the constitution OF the Uni
ted States. "The same OATH" says Governor Burnett.
(which you and have taken to support the constitution
OF California, also obges 10 support the constitution
OF the United States and when the provisions OF the TWO
instruments conflict the constitution OF our common
country must prevail. That great instrument which now
governs more than twenty millions OF inhabitants, and
links in common destiny thirty States, and Is 10 gov
en the hundred millions that will soon succeed U.S.
affections and our first and highest duty. IL them i
would be inconsistent with the just rigs OF the Uneu
States for you TO proceed to put the Slate
into full operation, before she be formally admitted INTO
the Union you should without hesitation forbear, and
leave people still TO suffer rather than violate one
single principle Of the great fundamental law OF the
land"
In view OF the relative spheres and duties OF the States
and the general government respectively the message rs
decided the opinion that the Legislature may proceed to
act in all matters OF domestic nature which may re-
quire their attention without waiting for the decision OF
Congress upon the States application for admission into
the Union. Missouri and Michigan are referred 70 as
presidents in point; both of these States having organ
lied their and transacted the business Of STATE
affairs before their admission into the Unon and wniie
their representatives were excluded from Congress
One of the most important OF the duties which most
demand the early consideration OF the legislature Will ne
the adoption OF civil and criminal code As the basis
q this the governor refers e and h he
common law Of England. 2. The English law OF evil,
dence. 2. The English commercial law; 4 The clyll
code OF the State OF Louisiana. g. The Louisiana code
of practice These codes, it is thought would combine
the best features OF both the civil and common law. and
at the time omit the most Objectionable features OF
| both.
AS revenue measures, the message recommends a
poll tax and tax property in proportion TO its
value For the purpose OF insuring prompt ccollec-
tons il is recommended that one who shall refuse to
pay his taxes, being able, when they shall be legally de-
manded shall be permitted to bring civil suit in any
court IN the State tor the period q one year and no.
made payable in gold at the rate OF sixteen dollars the
ounce.
Governor Burnett. The constitution OF California pro,
hibng slavery in the State excludes free people OF
color from the right Of suffrage and from all offices oil
honor or profit under the State we conclude our no ,
matter here referred to:
For years past, have given this subject mos,
fore you the result OF my reflections. There i. in
opinions but oil two consistent courses TO lake IN refer
full and free enjoyment OF all the privileges guaranteed BY
the constitution to Others exclude them from the State
stances, consgn them, by institutions and
the usages of our society," to subordinate and dega
IL,
They would be placed in situation where they would
have efficient motives for moral Intellectual Improve
men, but remain In midst sensble oil their degsa
ation unhappy enemies TO The Institutions and
the society usages have placed them there and for
fit teachers in all the schools OF ignorance vice. and
ideness.
Our position upon the Pacific our commercial and min
eral attractions would bring OF this population
our shores Already have almost every variety OF the
human among us-a heterogeneous mass oil human
beings every language and OF every hue That perof
rapidly approaching when the natural increase oil popu
aon States of the Rocky mountains will iende
slave labor of little vaue and when investments u
measures early taken by this State, slaves viii b,
mitted 10 the slave States and contracts made viii
them labor hrelngs for given number OF years, ane
they will be brought Calfornia In great numbers On
State i'm position take efficient stand upof
this subject few years delay will make almost no
quite impossible do that which can be SO easily accom-
plshed III California will take decided stand now
and firmly il, few years experience will demon
stratc the practical utility of the measure
That weak and sticky sympathy that misplaced mercy
that would adopt saluay measure to day. Du
would suffer all the inevitable consequences oil tomorrow
may policy propose harsh In Its characters
but 10 calculated produce the Creates, good TO he
favor and kindness permit thar class OF population
settle the State uAder such humillating condton al
though they might think otherwise while IL woud be
most serious injury We have certainly the right Z
prevent, any Of population from settling IN our stat,
that We may deem Injurious TO our own society Had
they born here and had acquired rights IN conse
quence, should recommend ANY measures to exPe
them They are here except lew, in compari
son with numbers that would be here; and the ooJec
10 keep them therefore call your most serious at
tcnton this subject believing Il 70 be one OF the hrst I'm
portance