The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-05
No. Al.

with California, New Mexico, or Texas. That is a
measure which stands out by itself Ii is to correct
a source of annoyance on the borders Of the free
and slave States, which every patriot, North and
South, will go far he can to remove. The
same thing may be affirmed of the District slave
trade bill, which has no manner of dependence up.
on, or connexion with, any proposed territorial
rangcments The only issue, then, to which my
! proposition can be in any way injurious, is pre-
sented by the measure now before the Senate; and
with him who supposes that the success Of that
measure will secure the harmony of the country,
the argument is entitled to great weight but in
my humble judgment, the omission to embrace the
questions connected with new States to be carved
out OF Texas will give rise TO amount Of evil
which will more than counterbalance any good
which Is likely to attend the adoption of the pre-
sent measure.
But it is said that sufficient for the day ia the
evil thereof admit, sir, that the evils of the day
are great indeed but though we should adjust
upon terms generally satisfactory every other qucs
tion connected with the subject OF slavery, and fail
to settle this one, we shall have done but half OF
| our duty; nay, more, shall have neglected &c
adjust, perhaps the only one which become
| really formidable to the Union. 1t will be per
ceived that the proposition submitted by me on
this subject embraced a settlement Of the boundary
question.
Again, ii is objected that Texas may never pro-
pose the formation OF new States out of her terrific
ry Why, II the increasing population; if the grow
ing Inconvenience of single State organization in
so large territory; II the agitations to which am
bilious aspirants to office and honors among her
own citizens should not be sufficient to raise the
question as to the formation OF new States there
will be found sufficient auxiliary interest through
out the States Of the South, generally, to ensure
such result. And predict that within three years
within five at the tarthest-we shall have to meet
this question in Congress, and then the present
citement will seem but asummer breeze to the hur-
ricane which will sweep over the land
! come now Mr. President, to speak more di-
recty Of the provisions of the bill under debate,
The first proposition is TO admit California into the
Union as State must confess that after listen
ing to the acute and eloquent speech of the honora
BILE Senator from Louisiana, (Mr. SouLE0 | had
some doubts raised in my mind as TO the security
of the rights of the United States in the public do
MAN, and in the mineral property especially, if we
should admit California with her present constitu-
ton | am not SO clear that il would not be
prudent to demand some more reliable provision for
the security of these rights than to be found in that
instrument But have come TO the conclusion
that II this bill can be moulded into form to secure
those other and higher interests of peace and har
ny, insecurity ol the public domain including all the
riches OF the gold mines, should form no insupera-
BILE impedimcnt to its adoption. As to the excep-
ton taken TO the boundaries of California, as de-
fined in the constitution laid before US, my views
in relation 10 the policy of the country in that re-
5pect were fully disclosed at the close of the last
Congress. / care not bow extensive those bound
aries may be. should take no exception to them
had they included Deseret as well as the valley of
the Sacramento and the San Joaquin, together
with the whole country south. Doubtless at some
luturc DAY CaulOfnla may De dlVlQcd into Two or
more States, but for the present can perceive no
ground of wisdom expcdency in making pro-
vision for more than single State. am sure that
the South has no particular interest in the subd-
vision of the territory of California, unless some
better prospect than can descry at present were
presented that slavery would be established in some
portion OF it.
! But great and vehement opposition and excep
ton have been urged TO the manner and circum-
stances attending the formation of State consti-
tuition by the people Of California. The President
! especially has been severely censured and con
deinncd for The part ne Is said To have had IN the
proceedings which led TO the formation of that in
strument. And here must beg leave 10 notice the
course Of an honorable Senator from Virginia MIR.
MAsoN,) whose remarks upon the alleged inter
ference Of the President in the affairs of California
were matter of great surprise TO me, when con-
slider how Just and considcrate he usually is in all
that he says. That gentleman seemed 10 be at loss
for language TO give utterance TO his Indignation,
or 10 characterize in suitable terms the usurpaton
Of power and authority which he ascrbed to the
President. 1t moustrous; il was wanton, he
had almost said wicked; and he astonished
that no more notice had been taken of his conduct.
( must be permitted 10 cay that think the honor
able Senator did injustice to himself, well to
the President, in these remarks He doubtless
supposed that he had sufficient reasons for the
strong sentiments he expressed upon this subject
but they do not strike me with equal force.
Well, sir, what is the true history and extent Of
the Presidents interference in this matter of the
formation of State constitution for Calfornia?
Sir, II appears from authentic documents that be-
fore President Taylor came into office, or, at all
events before il is pretended that any official or
other communication did or could have reached
California, after his Inauguration the project ofthe
formation Of State constitution and making APP
plcation to Congress for admission into the Union
as State, seriously meditated, and the deter
mnation taken by the officers in command in that
Territory; and, doubtless, with the concurrence Of
the leading inhabitants, as the most cxpcdient and
proper TO pursue in the event that Congress,
hpu a glOuld wi
a Territorial or other government adequate TO their
wants have the official documents before me in
proof of what state but will not detain the Senate
by reading them ! found my statement upon a
letter of General Persifer f. Smith TO the Sccreta-
ry Of War dated June 2Oth, l549, and upon a
simil1r communication from General Riley, dated
June 30h, lS49. II thus appears that If President
Taylor had forbornc giving any instructions or ad.
vice, either through the officers in command in
California or by special agent, a convention would
have been called and constitution framed and
presented to Congress for its sanction. President
Taylor is, therefore, no further implicated in the
proceedings in gliorna than that he has approved
the policy whicfdictatcd them, and recommended
them to Congress for its consideration.
But go further and assert that the President, in
approving the proceedings in California, was doing
no more than conforming to the sentiment and ex-
pcctation Of large portion Of the people Of this
country, North and South. For, sir, II cannot be
forgotten that before the adjournment Of the last
/ Congress, IL was predicted by members upon this
bNAANi
Der, that if that Congress adjourned without pro-
viding government in some form for California,
great was the influx ofcmigrants from the States
into that Territory, urgent would become the
necessity for the protection Of a regularly organ
lied govern mcnt that the Inhabitants in view o the
obstacles that existed in Congress 20 the formation
of Territorial government at any time, would as
scmble in convention, form State constitution, and
ask admission into the Union a State at the
/ suing Congress. What has taken place in Cafor-
mia is the natural aud almost inevitable result of the
necessities Of that people-left they with a
numerous and increasing population, assembled
from all quarters Of the world, without any solid
security for life property, and exposed at every
moment all the evils of anarchy and civil broil.
Were il necessary to give strength to this state
mcnt that ! should indicate the number of those
members of the last Congress who entertained
thus expectation, ! could more readily perform
the task by inquiring what individual Senator
did not anticipate that California would be knock
ing at our door, constitution in hand asking adj
mission into the Union State at the ensuing
session Of Congress? might go even further, and
say that there were many patriotic members at the
close OF the last Congress Who in despair Of any ef
cctive legislation by Congress for the protection Of
the people of California, in the usual and custom
ary mode, looked TO the voluntary formation OF a
constitution by thcm aud their admission into the
/ Union as State, "a the only expedient by which
the country could escape from the embarrsssments To