The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-08-15

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The following = she vply AZ NJ. wks.
srxa. Secretary 4 Stsas, ~ tie letter 4
Gov. BKLl Il To-, transmitted 10 Con.
src~ slcug With IL Ptss;lcns's Message
On Tuesday las: .s.. -
DxrAxrxur ov SrArE
wA.m,SoroS, August 5, 1850.
To his Ers.Ee.y. p. II, BslL, Ccrer~or
,.,.:. n 7sssss '>s>-.
Sra: A letter sddr.cd by you to tho
late President II the United States, and
dated on the 18th Il june last. has, since
his lsurnscd deccase. been transferred to
the hands # his sNccset~. ny whom | am
directed TO sddrcss 10 you fw following an.
swcr
In that letter yua say that by the author
ity Il the Legislature of Texas, the cxccu-
tive Of that State. in February last. dis
patched q rpecial Commissioner, with full
power and Instructions to extend the civil
jurisdiction II that State over tho unor-
g,niscd counties of Fl Pasc. Worth. Pr
silo, and Santa Fc. situated upon its north
western limits and that the Commissioner
has reported to you in an Official form, that
the military officers employed in the service
Of the United States, stationed at Santa
Fe. interpecd adversely with the inhnl'i-
tants to the fulilmcnt Of his object, by en-.
ploying their influence in favor II the cstal'-
lishment Of = separate State Government
east Of the Rio Grandc, and within the
rightful limits Of the State Of Texas You
also transmit copy Of the Proclamation of
Col John Munroe, acting under the orders
Of the Government Of the United States,
under the designation Of Civil and Military
Governor Of the Territory Of Ncw-Mexico,
and respectfully request the President to
cause you to be informed whether or not
this officer has acted in this matter under
the orders Of his Government, and whether
his Proclamation meets with the approval
Of the President Of the United States.
In the events which have occurred, the
President hardly knows whether your TX
cellcncy would naturally expect an answer
TO this letter from him. His predecessor in
Office, to whom II was addressed, and under
whose authority and direction tho hoclama-
ton Of Colonel Munroc was issued. is no
more and at this time, TINT Proclamation
whatever may lie regarded as its true char
actor, has ceased TO have influence or effect.
The meeting Of the people Of Ncw-Nlexico,
by their representatives which It invited. il
understood to have taken place, although
this Government has a. yet received no off,
cial information Of Il. I'
Partaking, however, in the fullest degree,
in that high respect which the Executive
Government of the United States always
entertains toward the Governors and the
Governments Of the States, the President
thinks Il his duty nevertheless to manifest
that feeling Of respect hy acknowledging
and answering your letter. And this duty
let me assure your Exccllcncy, has been 70
long delayed, only by uncomfortable cir.
cumstances, and is now performed at the
earliest practicable moment, after the ap.
pointment Of those heads Of departments
and their acceptance Of Office, with whom il
is usual, on important occasions, for the
President Of The United States to advise
In answer therefore, to your first intcnog
atory. viz: whether Colonel Munr,c, in is.
suing the Proclamation referred to, acted un.
der the orders OF this Government, tho
President directs me TO state that Colonel
Munroe's Proclamation appears to hau
been issued in pursuance or in consequence
Of an order or letter Of instructions given
by the late Secretary Of War, under tho
authority Of the late President, to Iicuten
ant Colonel Mccall. OF this order, whicl
bears date on the 10th Of November, ls-i9
your Excellcncy was undoubtedly informed
at the date Of your letter. A full and nc
curate copy, however, is attached to TIM
communication. Colonel Mccall is therein
instructed, that If the people Of .Mexi
co, for whom Congress had provided N
Government should manifest any wish I,
take any steps TO establish Goveranaen
for themselves, and apply for an admission
into the Union, it will bc his duty and III,
duty Of others with whom he is associated
not to thwart but TO advance their wishes
This order does not appear to sss~siD an,
exertion of Military authority, or Of an,
Official or even personal interference to con
tr6f, or effect in any way the primary actor
Of the people in the formation Of Govern
ment, nor to permit any such interference
by subordinate officers. Colsnel McCal
and his associates were not called upon +
take lead in any measures, a. even to re
commend anysking as e 10 b adopted b.
the people. Their whole duty was c0nane,
TO what they night be able to perform sub
ordinate to the wishes Of the people. Il
this matter it was evidently contemplate
that they were to act AZ the agents Of tn
inhabitants, and not as officers Of this Gov
ernment. Il must he rccollcctcd that III
only Government then existing in the Tel
ritory was quasi military Government
and az Congress has made no provision 70
the establishment Of any form u civil Gov
eminent. and n the President doubtless he
lieyed that, under these circumstances, tn