The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-26
Statement OF r. Butler King,
RELATIVE TO HIS COURSE OF ACTION WHILE IN CALI
FORNIA.

WASHINGTON Feb. 3D. 1850.
To THE EDrTeRs REPUBLIc:-
Gentlemen-Permit me to state in your columns that
my ness in California long continued
arrival here and the effects of a recent indisposion
which has paraly zed my energies for days have
delayed, much longer than Intended or expected my
report California But cannot longer permit the
public mind to be asssed perhaps misled By insnua-
items inquiries, an innusndoes, which if not prompt
~ answered may be considered acquesced In; or
bold aertions II misrepresentation has med that
form, TO pass uncontradicted therefore ASSERT that
did not In connection with my duties In California,
have at any time. received secret instructions
whether verbal or written, from the President of the
subject Of slavery or any other subject. did not at
tempt to influence the people of California t. decide
the question Of slavery one way or the other and any
assertion that did receive such instructions at.
tempt te exercise such influence fase Amy insinua-
tions or insdious inquiries which framed
tendes rs to induce the people to beeve that tie Pre-
sident any member Of his cabinet did give, that
could be base enough to receive such instructions,
declare to be totally without foundation In fact. and
beg leave to call the attention Of the public SONS
fsets, which will chow what done BY the late sd-
state government. arrived at San Fraucsco on the
fourth Of June, in the steamer Panama We did not
cation with General Riley, upt ssca. *. middle 81
that month, when lie to San Francisco HE pro-
olsnatioD calling convention Of the people OF Calf
fornia to form State constitution Is dated at Mouts-
rey $50 miles from San Francisco the third Of June
The last Paragraph Of this proclamation Is in the fol-
The method here indicated s,an what desired by ALL
direct and sse that be adopted and fully suarIsd
BY law the course advised BY the President and by
seeresres Of State and q warof the unied states and
calculated 70 avoid the innumerahe evils which
tsry result from any attempt At illegal local legislation. Il
therefore hoped IL will the appreciation OF the people
81 California snd that all good citizens Will unite carry
ing IL into execution.
The steamer In which was a passenger TO San
Francisco was the fret conveyance to carry to the
people Of California the intelligence Of the inaugura
tion tf Presdept Tayer and the appointment of his
cabinet that, at the date Of General Beys proca-
nation IL was not possible that he could have received
any communication from the present naturalization.
The President Of the United States to whom he
was Mr.. Polk, the Secretary Of State, MIR Buchanan
the Secretary Of War; MIR Marcy IL was In accordance
With the recommendation Of this proclamation, sus-
tanned they in President Polk last annual
rage, that the people Of California acted in form ming
their State constitution always addressed the people
Of California In my private character, and never
assumed any official position among them. Interested
as am In slave labor . Georgian and q Southern
citizen prepared to expect that the objects Of my
mission would be perverted In the North and dnd
accordingly that during the last fall elections In that
quarter was there represented as Southern slave
holder cent to California TO indoctrnate the people In
my opinions about slavery This base fslsehood;
but II IL not half base attempt to impress on
TIRE public mind that wac sent TO inhusbeB
California to exclude slavery. 7 BUTLER KING.