The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-24
THE MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT CONCERN
ING CALIFORNIA.

IHE MESDhuE VI 4 tUNOEhN
ING CALIFORNIA.
The message of the President, in reply to the
resolution of INJURY of Mr. Venable, with the ac-
companying documents, exonerates him complete
ly from the suspicion of having attempted to CO.
cree or unduly influence the People of California
to the a6ontion Of any pax;"",ar form Of govern
ment, As to the rest, it shows that he occupies
the Nom nsrpeatioa ground, as matter Of policy.
The message is published under the Congress
sional head Accompanying it, was communities
ton from Mr.. Clayton, transmitting letter from
Mr. Buchanan to Mr.. VOORHEES,, Post Office agent
in California, dated Washington, 18th October,
ls4s, and letter from Mr.. Clayton to Thomas
Butler King special agent of the United States
in the same Territory, dated Washington, April
8, 1s4s
The only paragraphs of the former letter bear
ing upon the inquiries embraced in Mr.. venabls's
resolution are the following:
''In the mean time, the condition Of the people
of California is anomalous and will require on
their part the exercise of great prudence and dis
cretion By the conclusion Of the treaty Of peace,
the military Government which was established
over them under the laws of war, as recognised by
the practice Of all civilized nations has ceased to
derive its authority from this source of power.
But lis there for this reason no Government in Cal
ifornia Are life, liberty and property under the
protection Of no existing suthorities2 This would
be singular phenomenon in the face Of the world,
and especially among American citizens distin-
guished they above all other people for
their lsw-abiding character. Fortunately, they
are not reduced to this sad condition. The ter
mination of the war left an existing Govern
ment-a Government de jaoo In full operation;
and this will continue, with the presumed consent
of the people, until Congress shall provide for
them Tefritorial Governments The great law
of necessity just6es this conclusion. The consent
of the people is irresstibly inferred from the fact
that no civilized community could possibly desire
to abrogate an existing Government, when the al
tentative presented would be to place themselves
in state of anarchy, beyond the protection of all
laws, and reduce them to the unhappy necessity
of submitting to the dominion Of the strongest.
"The Government de faao will Of course, ex-
ercise no power inconsistent with the provisions
Of the Constitution of the United States which is
the supreme law Of the land. For this reason no
import duties can be levied IN California on arti-
Giles the growth, produce, or manufacture of the
United States, as no such duties can be imposed
in any other part of our Union on the productions
California upon such foreign productions as have
already paid duties in any of our ports Of entry,
for the obvious reason that California is within
the territory of the United States. shall not
enlarge upon this subject, however, as the Secre-
tsry of the Treasury will perform that duty.
"The President urgently advises the people of
California to live peaceably and quietly under the
existing Government He believes that this will
promote their lasting and bests interests If it
be not what they could desire, and had right to
expect they can console themselves with the re-
Election that it will endure but for few months.
Should they attempt to change or amend it during
this brief period, they most probably could not
accomplish their object before the Government
established by Congress would 90 into operation.
In the mean time the country would be agitated,
the citizens would be withdraw from their usual
employments, and domestic strife might divide and
exasperate the people against each other; and
this all 10 establish Government which, in no
conceivable contingency, could endure for sim
gle year. During this brief period 1t is better to
bear the ills they have than fly to others they
know not Of"
We give the essential portion of the letter from
Mr. Clayton to Mr. King
"DEPARTMENT or STATE,
Washington, Apra 3, ls49.
Hon. THOMAS BUTLER KING,
".4ppointed U. S. Agem 10 California.
"SIR The President, reposing full confidence
in your integrity, abilities, and prudence has
appointed you an agent for the purposeo of con-
veying important instructions and dispatches to
our naval and military commanders In California
1t is his desire that you should lose no time in
repairing tbther, by the best and most expedi-
tious route, in the prosecution of the duties de-
volved upon you, which shall proceed TO explain
in the following instructions.
"The situation of the people Of California and
New Mexico has already, at this early period of
his Administration attracted his attention. BY
the late treaty with Mexico provision was made
for the future admission Of these Territories into
the Union ne States and, in the mean time, the
Government of the United States is bound to
protect the inhabitants residing in them in the
free and entire enjoyment Of their lives, liberty,
and property, and in the exercise Of their civil
and religious rights. Owing to causes with which
you are fully acquainted, the Congress Of the
United States failed to assist the Executive, by
the passage of @ law establishing Government
in either Of the new Territories You are aware,
however, that an act was passed at the last SEES
sion, TO extend the revenue laws Of the United
States over the Territory and waters OF Upper
California. This act creates collection district
in California. And you also know that by an
other previous act, certain mail facilities have
been extended 10 the same Territory. Whatever
can be done by the aid of the Constitution Of the
United States the treaty with Mexico, and the
enactments Of Congress, to afford to the people OF
the Territories the benefits Of civil Government
and the protection that is due them, will be anx-
iously considered and attempted by the EIecu-
tive.
You have been selected by the President to
convey TO them these ASSURANCES, and especially
the assurance Of his firm determination, 80 far as
his constitutional power extends, to omit nothing
that may tend to promote and secure their peace
and happiness You are fully possessed Of the
Presidents views, and can with propriety suggest
10 the people Of California the adoption Of meas.
ures best calculated to give them effect. These
measures must, Of course, originate solely with
themselves. Assure them Of the sincere desire
OF the Executive Of the United States to protect
ana defend them in the formation of any Govern
ment republican In its character, hereafter TO be
submitted to Congress, which shall be the result
OF their own deliberate choice. But let IL be, at
the same time, distinctly understood by them, that
the plan Of such Government must originate
with themselves, and without the interference Of