Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-01

snrpcu ar Me 4 SELDOM, OF VIRGINIA

m rho Presidents Communication in reply the Resolu-
lions of Mr.. venabe calling for information III fea'i'" "
California, &c.
Mr. SELDOM said Mr. Speaker, the action taken an no
the course Of policy recommended by the Executive 10 DC
pursued relation TO California and The Territories nd' d
ACQUIRED Mexico developed by the message ana w
cnments now on your table, are my mind SO strange
startling, and dangerous, TO demand at the very ~
portunity. the motion TO prn examination a ba
posure should have been better pleased TINS uus nav
been undertaken by member OF more weight The
htion, who might have commanded IN la,s r. n,rv hut
pattention and confidence of the House ana Tie cou
since none such seem directed their spccit
this matter and 10 be now prepared 10 eNpostt , am
ter and tendencies OF that message l. SIR huho ., ;nvnrn
feel imperatvely hound make the attempt anu ~
the mos, serious attention Of the House ana '"' '
For clear pecepton of the action and policy OF inc TIA
ecuye towards California anG our other ncqnlsi'oi ,
of their tendencies it necessary TO ADVERT IT, at
the condition OF those Territories and especially ben
the close G the war with Mexcothe relations eAis,nS
between them and the United Staesand the "a 1
resulting For brevity shall for the present Iee lv with
fornia only though the observations WIN appY. w.
equal proprety to all our other acquisitions not
Texas. -. ,rou.
During the war; California had been subusated 6y me
ess of the American arms, and was held, aer ui
had been queed in tranquility under hr rsstored peace
California was ceded by Mexico in absolute ,e
the United States in par, for me portion OF
hich is We, 10 be paid By those California 'eG h
Territory United States The CONSTITUTION .. hue
ms t5 spreme ialr Of the land" The sovereignty over
II cedcd TO- and vested in the sovereign h
Conference.-The
eminent domain the ultimate proprietorsp OF me whoc
Whatever of legislative power could be exercised over @
rorv of the United States, in conformity 10 our
ton the rights of the States and the principles % ou
s,itnons appcrtaned to- anu vested In the Congress
of the United States over it, The relations OF 'e fNeu
tive of United States his rights and his duties IN
TO this territory established and existed under ana py
virtue Of the Constitution oil the lnled states anu Mel
by il TO be ascertaned limited, and defined the: were
purely executive and under me CONSTITUTION eo'"" " ~
Their judicial nor Legislative ;
AT the conclusion Of the war de faeo government ems
m ,piar sitiop
power according we'll established principles OF ha'ioa
law that de tco government continued from necessity au
to avoid ANARCHY based upon Inc o ,e people
whom operated; but in subordaatlon OF course 10 e
Constitution of the United States, which had o'coe Tue
resu,no from the new relations of California territory
of the United The rights and duties OF the Pres
dent of the United States in reference TO mat government
and the territory were simple and clear They exclu
svey executive Until the action OF the legislative power
he was bound TO maintain that de acto government TO see
10 the due execution of s laws in subooinatlon oil course
the Constitution and 10 preserve peace anG sood oae
Under Constitution, NIL the executive power gnen
vested in the President of the United States VI eohs
then the governor of the de cfo government was ms SUP
ordinate exercising his powers responsible to ms auhor
and instructions and removable al ms W" ~ S;
ers rights could be vested In or exercised py INN
Than by the President under the Constitutions anc his acts
dsavowed but either directed assened to- or approved
the of the President tie no more IMAM the frts
dent the subordinate than the SUPERIOR could right
fully claim exercise either judicial or Legislative iunc
Such submit with confidence, defined with accuracy
and precision the relations established by the re
~ of peace with California the rights ard duties oi te u
ted States and the coordinate departments OF its govern
ment in reference that territory and IT'S existing govern
men We prepared for the aii-'portanl inquiry
10 which invoke earnestly the attention OF the House
and the country how far the action and policy ut the past
and presen, Administrations conform TO them'
Its intimacd rather than directly expressed IN inc h,s
sapc on your table Ike course ana policy OF BON al
onistraions in this respect have been smarn effect the
sane that of preacn, Administration being only m pu
and further deve pment Of the Inc OF pocy ADOPTED
and commenced Is last This does not appear to me 10
be lust or .rue and feel bound 40 10 declare il Know
myself Mr. Speaker solemnly aver that IN the We"
roke OF this wac,c SUBJECT and in the anlmadvcrsions
which OF Spty constrans me 10 shomit on we
course and policy eli the present Admins ration am hh
enced by no feelings OF party nave no
animosit.s against the present Administration TO glaliy
as nv best friends knowno feeling Of bitterness ar hosii
~ but on the contrary sincere respect anG hnd feeling TO-
the President. II this time particularly 900 know"
would aay, pnrty acerbies ana IN the Son'h
particularly would obieta all distinctions between wings
and Democrats and band all liz cordial union and harno
nous cooperation in steadfast maintenance OF our sectional
rights and of the and insult menaced
us Ia nv view Mr. Speaker the subjects Q! my examine
Non soar far above party They ought 10 be Investigated
in the highest spirit of wisdom and patriotism we cen com
mand They involve the erayest constitutional inquiries,
nd drecv affect the most essential rights and institutions
of the South Although friend and supporter OF inc ae
Administration, do on that account msse the dlsunc
ton have done action and that OF the present
Administration Did believe them similar, or the same,
would no more hesitate condemn ihenian nowno more
,hs hesated decidedly rcprobate tho hnWarantabe
acor the late President in aixng his signature 10 the
Oregon GILL; Believing sincerely do the scon anc po'
icy Of the present Executive. in relation 10 California TO
involve grave violations Of the Constitution gross usra
ton of powers AID TO be most nsdons and fatal TO the
rights and interests ofmy section in particular am bound
IN sheer Justice acquit the memory OF that eminent con-
stitutonal urist and able President James K Polk from
.he imoutation of originating or tapctonng tei MOI
doubling the distinction exist am bound by yet higher
consideration of general good exhibit H. 10 prevent the
weight influence and authority of the late Administration
from being adduccd precedent in sustaining and
establishing action and pohcy SO unconstitutional, so
wrong, and go hostile 10 the cause of ,he South
SO lar rs appears from the message ane correspondence
published in the papers and which have been aoe 10 see
the sole ureex in reality existing for the assumption Hat
she action OF the present Administration IS III pursuance
aud development the policy OF the last Is mat ne Gov
ernor of the de uco government the same individual
under both Administrations being appointed By the former
and continued BY lie present Executive lEis ceraih
does suice. He was at all times during me psseh'
subject us authority and Instructions,
and reno at;a y it, We mus look the acts OF the t~o
Admins TONS, and the written authority given 10 lis
agents by them
That OF the pas, Administration in street conformity
TO all principles which have carefully saeo as appca-
Yeod the able letter Of Nj Buchanan, conveying tbs
views and giving the instructions Of The late Adnins.
traton 10 its agent selected 10 go 10 California.
can only ask attentive consideration 10 H. In \,
il i distinctly recognized that California hda Ascvh'e
a territory of the United States; that The soSeiesmy
over il had been coded and was vested IN he
states of this Conedcacy-thc United States; na he
Constitution OF United Stccs, rs lar as applicable eN
ended over il as the supreme law iat such legislative pow
Az conormably to the Constitution a,.d our institutions
could be leenlsey exercised was vested H. an" couu
employed only by the Congress o. me t. or c H. Tca
existed and would Continues that hs OF
the President purely executive ahd fonh -
maintenance of tina, government the execution Of Tie laws
and and good oFs9 to- the al
Csliforuia the privileges hey may expect to derive rom o.
coming annexed this great and free Conedea'y anu a
brilliant prospects which may be opened to ihem ~
ter becoming and members of 50 glorious unon
He enarpes on the advantages they expect 10 derive
from the Introduction of our admirable land SYSTEM the ra-
pid growth development, which awaited them under our
fostering care and free institutions He explains 10 tnei
TOO some of the causes which had prevented Congress from
extending its legislative action 70 hcn expresses the nope
ha nj the next session such will not longer impede
md engages as the Executive was clearly entitled 10 aKe
20 Congress an earnest recommendation 81 rpry anu EN-
ren legislation for the Territory in brlet he pses many
arguments 10 reconcile the people Of California 70 'eli
new relations ,he omission OF Congress 10 esate M
10 satisfy them ;he existing state of things nm no less
care does he avoid any Invitation to the people 10
oenden action the adoption Of other forms OF govern
men, or other institutions He neither assumes nor invites
them 20 assume legislative judicial uncons onl urges
them m await tine action Of Congress- az possessing tie on
,sema,e authority effect those ends lie gives no op
;nn "A 10 the operation of Mexican laws over the rco
r nersons further Than all existing laws are in sub
ordination tho Constitution, as the supreme iaW o
,ha ryhf lie