The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-02

the west by the low coast range Of mountains
which separate it from the sea.
California, below the Sierra Nevada is about the
extent OF Italy from the Alps TO the termination of
the peninsula II is of the same length, about the
same breadth, consequently the same area-about
one hundred thousand square miles-and presents
much similarity of climate and productions. Like
Italy, it is country OF mountains and valleys.
Different from il in Its internal structure, II is
formed for unity-ts large rivers being concentric,
and its large valleys appurtenant TO the great cen
trail bay of San Francisco, within the area Of whose
waters the dominating power must be found
Qbid, page 49,
Z And now let us follow the map, and see what
new region expands beyond the southern termina-
ton of the Sierra Nevada. r-,s.ear-..s.
The country south of point Conception is utter
ly cut from the valleys Of the San Joaquin and
Sacramento rivers, and can only communicate
with them, to any extent by the Pacific have
already noticed its climate, its productions; let
me add few remarks from Mr.. Fremont. He
traces the southern division from Point Concep-
cion TO the Gulf of California, and speaking oft
says: ...
"The productions of the South differ from
those of the North and of the Middle. Grapes,
olives, Indian, corn, have been its staples, with
many assimilated grains. Tobacco has been IN
troduced there and the uniform summer heat
which follows the wet season, and is unlnterrupt-
ed by rain, would make the southern country well
adapted to cotton"
And we are reminded by the same authority
(same page) that
" Vancouver found in 1892, at the Mission of
Buena Ventura, latitude "a deg. 10 min, } apples,
pears, plums, figs, oranges, grapes and pomegran-
ates growing, together with the plantain, banana,
cocoa nut, sugar-cane, and indigo, all yielding
fruit in abundance, and of excellent quality.
Why, then, | ask, connect, by artificial limits,
IL ,,-it he -alIa w
block up the vast plains behind from all commu-
nication with the PacifcI Why put the eastern
and southern basins out of reach OF all igable
streams' Why cut them off from all outlet for
their producer Are we prepared to doom them
forever to utter insignifcance and dependence
to separate them from the rest of the world !?
No, no!
"Mr Sherwood from New York As to what
ought to be our future boundary, concur fully
with several gentlemen who have expressed the
opinion that the crest of the Sierra Nevada, or
some line of Longitude near it, should be the flu
ture permanent boundary of this State; and if that
were the only question before the house, | should
without hesitation, vote for the proposition which
embraces these limits. But there are other ques-
tons which ought to influence our action. y
And now, by taking in the whole of
California to the New Mexico line, we can throw
that question out OF Congress, and keep it from
discussion before the people, and thus remove
the bone of contention between the North and the
South We should then do an act which may
render certain that the Union cannot be dissolved.
We are not aware of all the feelings that con-
troll the people of the Eastern States. - Debates,
p. 1907
And the delegate from San Francisco, (Mr.
Gwin,) abiding to the same subject, debates,
1861 uses the following startling language.
81 have not heremotest idea that the Congress
Of the United States would give us this great eX-
tent of boundary if it was expected it would re-
main one State; and when gentlemen say that they
will never give up an inch Of the Pacific coast,
they say what they cannot carry out. So far as
am concerned, | should like to six States
fronting on the Pacific in California
Is it strange, then, that the South should revolt
at the idea of letting California come into the
Union, with limits that were avowedly fixed with
view to strip her of every inch of soil in the
newly acquired territories, and to prepare the ut
ter humiliation of her influence in the Government
by the forthcoming adjunction Of six new free
States, and Of course of twelve additional free
State senators' See, Mr.. President, what they
themselves think of it
"Mr. Hastings, from Ohio. But gentlemen
maintain that it is very important to include the
whole territory, if possible, because if we settle
the question of slavery now for the entire terri
| tory, it will be forever settled
| can you, gentlemen, that the new State OF
California will not be permitted to settle the great
question of slavery, &c. Will the
South permit it, No, sir. 1t will be insisted by
the South that we have been urged to do so by
influences brought to bear upon us from the
North, " &c.--Debates, p. l73.)
"1he same. We have a very low estimate Of
the sagacity of the South if we suppose they will
overlook this point. They will naturally say
continent, assume to settle the great question OF
slavery for tract OF territory which must ult
matey constitute thirteen fourteen States of the
Union. "-(Debates, p. l77.)
"Mr. McCarver. But do gentlemen suppose
that the South would acquiesce to this arrange
ment, that they will permit us to settle the ques
ton of slavery ;"-D Debates, same page.)
1.-The same Do gentlemen suppose that Con
gress would have suffered Louisiana to settle thai
question of slavery for the whole territory known
as louisiana Equally idle is the assumption
that Congress will stand by, and allow handful
of citizens i'll California to sattle the slave ques-
ton. 1t is monsrous doctrine. debates, page
1917
But they never expected that you would be
brought to assent to such pretensions. Mr..
Gwin expressed himself as follows:
owe know that Congress has the right to settle
our boundary, and the boundaries of all new
States. 1t is a right which they will insist upon,
and which they have always refused to surrender.
And hence | have thought that if we make the
boundary of the Sierra Nevada to run to the mouth
of the Ga Congress might say to us, You have
included too much for one State; we will limit you
ito the territory in which your population resides
we will cut off all south of $50 30. South of that
must be a territorial government.
That will be the great battle field. | confess |
would greatly prefer more restricted boundary
We have the natural boundary to make greater
State than any in the Union--the bay of San
Francisco and its tributaries. If we had our
choice, we would thus shape our boundaries. -
debates, p. 445.)
Will you, then, let me repeat it again, admit
California, as she presents herself to you' We
are told that she has already population exceed
l5O, 900 of abe-bodied men, capable to array in
battle IS, 600 of stout and hardy soldiers-of such
soldiers as would command the choice of the Sen,
ator from Illinois Mr.. SHIELDS in great emer,
gency. What, when she shall have population Of
SOC, 6OO of 200, 000 ,000 600 or 3,0O0000' How
monstrous her importance, if she should remain
in the Unionl How gigantic her power, if at any
time she should choose to go out oft Cast youl
eyes little ahead of you. Before them the com.
merce and the luxurant temptations of Hindostan
of China, of Japan; behind them the almost
boundess empire, stretching from the Straits Of
10 % Il,