Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-15


Is found beneath far eastern skies,
Whose wings, though radiant when at rest,
Lose all their glory when he hes
MISCELLANEOUS.
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR
OF CALIFORNIA.
The Governor says:
he rst question you have TO determine is whether you
will proceed with the general business of legislation
mission into the Union. The convention which formed the
constitution under which you have assembled and the peo
pie who have ratified it with great unanmty, have set
tied that question for themselves but they have not settled
it for you or The oath that you and have aken
TO support the constitution of California also obiges TO
support the Constitution the United States and when the
provisions of the instruments conflict the constitution
Of country must prevail That great lnstru
which governs than twenty millions OF In
habitants and links in common destiny thirty States and
govern the hundred millions that will soon succeed
and the many free States yet be- claim
sistent with the just rights Of the United States for to
proceed the State government into full operation be-
fore she be formally admitted into the Union you should
without hesitation obear and leave people still TO suffer
rather than violate single principle Of the great fun
damental law of the land.
"But apprehend there exist well founded objec
the proposition, that you have the right To proceed
put the State machine into full and practical ope-
ration. The Federal Government Is of limited delega
ted poDers, and although supreme within its appropriate
sphere yet outside that sphere and in reference TO the eser
we'd powers of the States the people, has nothing to do
SO far their reserved concerned the States
independent of each other and OF the whole world The
exercise of other powers conferred by the Constitution of
United States they only to regulate in
ternal social and business relations with each other"
In view Of the limits and character of the Federal and
State Jurisdictions respectively under political system
in view of the present condition of Cafonia-and
caly Of the presidents in the of Missouri and Mchi
gam both of which States put their State Governments in
full practical operation before their admission into the
Union the Governor does doubt that both proper
and expeden for the State Legislature proceed at once
with the business Of State legislation which before them
He therefore earnestly recommends to that body put the
State Government into full operation without delay In
almost unanimous sentiment and wish of the people
In the adoption Of civil and criminal code OF law for
California he advises that the basis of the legal system Of
the State, be laid BY the adoption of:
l. The definitions of crimes and misdemeanors contained
in the Common Law of England.
E. The English Law of Evidence.
g. The English Commercial Law.
a. The Civil Code Of the State of Louisiana.
S. The Louisiana Code of Practice.
In regard to the great question of raising revenue for
State purposes the Governor advises that should al
be had general of direct taxation, both upon
and property in place OF attempt to nego
tiate loan.
In relation TO home supply OF provisions the Governor
aptly enough says:
mo country safely depend upon uncertain foreign
supply of the first necessares of life Such supply would
be subject all the vicssudes of peace would
be regular and prices would always be ucuang either
extravagany high, low discourage importation
The provisions themselves generally stale and unwhoe
some and doubt half the disease suffered in the
try has arisen from this prolific source When those who
such immense of ch FERTILE and beautiful lands,
in state OF nature producing rents or profits shall
have pay them in proportion to their value
who will cultivate them; and thus encouraging the agrcul
tura industry of the country and the time greatly
increasing the value of the portions not sold.
ain the last fifteen months the number of cattle has been
rapidly decreasing while population has increased in the
ratio Fresh indispensable health,
and cannot be impored and this state OF things should
continue only few years longer the increased Of
living will be great, that mining and other kinds of bust
TO be profitable The Constitution makes
il the duty OF the legislature encourage agcuture-that
first and nobest OF all industrial pursuits but
of other present within than those
I have suggested"
There is but casual reference in the Message
ect of slavery that being considered setled but the views
Of the Governoon prohibiting free people OF color settling
in the State excited some attention The Governor on this
subject, Says
Our constitution has wisely prohibited slavery within the
State that the people of California at and for
ever free from this great social and political evil. But the
Constitution has made provisions reference 10 The set
Element of free people OF color within our limits but has left
the legislature TO adopt such legislation upon this delicate
and important subject may DC deemed most essential TO
the happiness Of people The Constitution excludes this
class persons from the right of suffrage, and from all Off
of honor or profit under the State.
For some years past have given this subject my most
serious and candid attentions and chcerfuy lay be-
fore the result of my reflections There Is in my opn-
on but of TWO consistent courses TO take reference TO
this class of popuatonehe TO admit them TO the full and
free enjoyment all the privileges guaranteed by the con-
sttuon TO Others exclude them from the State II We
permit them settle State, under existing crcum
stances consign the by institutions and the
usages of society subordinate and degraded
siton, which is, in itself, but species of slavery.
"Our position upon the Pacific commercial and mineral
attractions would bring of this population to
shores Already have almost every variety of the human
among usa heterogeneous mass OF human beings OF
every language and Of hue That period is rapidly a
preaching when the natural increase OF population in the
States OF the Rocky Mountains will render slave labor
OF little value and when investments IN that species OF
property will be remunera,ve II measures
early taken by this State slaves will be maintained in the slave
States and contracts made with them TO labor hengs
fora given number Of years and they will be brought to
California in great numbers Our State in position
take an efficient stand upon this subject.
"a few years delay will make it almost if not quite, i'm
possible to do that which be easily accomplished now
If California will take decided stand now, and firmly
maintain it few years experience will demonstrate the
practical utility Of the That weak and scky SYM
pathy-hat misplaced mercy that would hesitate to adopt
saluary to-day but would suffer all the inevitable
consequences of Tomorrow may consider the policy pro-
pose harsh in its characterbut il calculated TO pro-
duce the greatest good the greatest numbe the best
that class of population settle in the State under such
humiatng conditions although they might think otherwise,
while would be most serious injury TO We have
certainly the right prevent class Of population from
settling in State, that may deem injurious TO
society Had they been born here and acquired rights
in consequence should recommend any measure
pei them
the number that would be here and the object is keep
them therefore serious attention TO this
subject believing to DO one of the first Importance"
neone 10 the provisions of the constitution requiring the
Legislature annually on the first Monday in Janu
ay and for the election OF the on the Tuesday al
ter the first Monday of November
The Message concludes as follows:
Either destiny awaits California one the most
sordo ano degraded She Will De marked oy srong oecuso
characteristics Much will depend upon her early legislation
To confne her expenditures within due keep the
young State out of debt and make her punc,ua and just
all her engagements Of the and CERTAIN
means to advance and secure her prosperity.
And now, relying with sincere and humble confidence
upon tho favor and protection Of the Supreme Ruler who
governs nations well individuals subscribe myself
your fellow citizen, PETER H. BURNETT.
INDIANA.-Governor Wright, Of Indiana, has ordered
the following appropriate and patriotic senmen, be placed
upon the block of marble from that State for the Washing
ton Monument Indiana knows North, no South;
nothing but the Union"
The eighth January celebrated San Antonio Tex
as by grand ball, given Maj. Gen. Brooke and Brig,
Generals Harvey and Garland.