The New York herald., 1850-05-13

to be attributed to the fact that, while the latter
had neither legal nor moral right to come into our
nothing for the support of government whose
protection they were looking to:
When your committee have felt it their duty to
speak plainly of the bad character of some of the
against very many foreigners in our State, of the
highest character and standing, and whose resi-
dence among us, as good members of society, they
are bound TO acknowledge.
This BILL in the opinion of your committee, will
have salutary tendency in preventing these out
breaks, while a large amount OF money will be
most justly collected for the State.
Your committee believe that, while the Congress
of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction
over the mineral lands belonging to the general
government, il rightfully belongs TO the State to
pass any law fer the better government of her peo
pie, whother citizens sojourners. The bill can
not, by any possibility, conflict with any law of
Congress. AS yet, the Congress have refused to
extend any laws over California, save and except
the solitary one for the collection of foreign dues
through the custom house; and the bill provides
that SO soon as such laws, touching this subject,
shall be extended California, it shall be the
duty of the governor, by proclamation, to suspend
the further operation OF the above act.
While your committee are unwilling to subscribe
10 the opinion of eminent politicians of the VAted
States Senate, that "the federal constitution Des
not extend the acquired territories" yea, in
the absence of laws by Congress authorized under
that instrument, which leaves the people of such
territory in state of nature, they thereby left
TO take care of themselves the best they may, un-
der those great general and universal laws de-
clared in our constitution as nalienable rightsof
defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing
and protecting property; pursuing and obtaining
fety and happiness; and that government is insti-
tuted for the security, protection and benefit of the
people.
No people, in the opinion of your committee, ever
didcongregate under greater necessity for protec-
tioR. The people of California at present. have no
other law to fall back upon, save those great
raj laws, higher, greater and stronger than the
written constitution. Therefore, in the opinion of
your committee, il is the duty Of this Legislature
TO act, and act promptly.
Your committee believe that, as matter of
finance, while that is secondary in character, it
will prove TO be the best and surest and readiest
means of collecting large amount of public re-
venue. From the best information in the reach of
your committee, they believe that there will be an
average Of not less than twenty thousand foreign
ers per month in the mines from May until October
Of this year. They further believe that, under all
the difficulties of admission into the Union
State and the necessary delay of passing and pro-
by Conatss-, this bill, if passed, will remain in
operston naul the latter month. The act, if passed,
VIZ necessarily bring into the public treasury,
provided the whole twenty thousand foreigners
sum Of five hundred thousand dollars per month;
but much allowance, in the opinion OF your COM
mittee, should be made in this estimate, account
OF the many obscure places in the mountains where
prisons are at WOrk, ana Wneft tne TAX COLLECTOR
may not reach. They believe, however, after
making every allowance of this kind, and deduct
ing all the cost of collecting, that two hundred.
thousand dollars per month may be safely calcu-
lated upon.
1t is matter of great national policy, that the
vast amount Of California gold, at least large
proportion of it, should first find It's way through
our own country and its influence upon the wants
OF commerce be there felt before il seeks market
in other nations.
Ii is most difficult to say how this can be best
effected. The United States constitution forbids an
export tax; and in the absence Of law in this and
other respects, we know the fact that, up to this
time, three-fourths of all the gold sent from this
State has passed directly into other nations. The
foreign proprietor Of gold dggers and the agent OF
foreign bankers control, at present, this natter IN
their own quiet way. and millions leave the State
monthly, without even report OF the fact TO our
customs.
Pass this bill, and the foreign proprietor of Chill
ian, peon, Chinean, Canacker or convict gold Dig
GER the proprietor of gold dggers from any other
nations, viii have TO pay some little tribute for
this rch and unprecedented privilege; privilege
which no other nation, at this or any former pc
nod, would have granted to the balance OF the
world
Besides, this bill will afford our own citizen gold
dggers means Of controlling this foreign labor upon
equal terms with the foreign proprietor. For in
stance, our citizen, upon the arrival in our waters
Of sbip-loads OF these foreign operatives, can EN-
ploy their services at fair rate, and advance mo-
ney for their license which license he holds until
the labor is performed according TO contract I'M
der this law the operative employed will not lice
irom the performance OF has contract, because ms
privilege for gold digging is in The hands Of his
ployer.
The new conner who arrives penniless upon our
shores at the end of his first contract, can either
seek new employer, or having made money
enough 10 control license, 60 TO work upon his
own account.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
Thomas j. GIEEy, Chairman.