The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-22
(Copy.)
DEPARTMENT or STATE, !
WAsHrSoToN, Sd April, lS49. (

kSopy.)
DEPARTMENT or STATE
WAsnSoToS, Sd April, lS49
HoS. THOMAS BUTLER KING,
Appoinfed agent Of the y. STATES 10 California.
Sin The President, reposing full confidence in
your integrity, abilities, and prudence, has APP
pointed you an agent for the purpose Of conveying
important instructions and dispatches to our naval
and military commanders in California II is his
desire that you should lose no time in repairing
thither by the best and most expeditions route. in
the prosecution Of the duties devolyed upon YOU,
which shall proceed TO explain in the foowin z in
structions:
The situation Of the people Of California and New
Mexico has, already, at this early period of his Ad
ministration. attracted his attention BY the late
treaty with Mexico, provision was made for the
future admission Of these Territories into the
Union States; and i'm the mean time, the Govern
ment Of the United States is bound to protect the
inhabitants, residing in them, in the free and en-
tire enjoymentof 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 cs
tablishing government in either Of the new Terri
tories. You are aware. however, that an act was
passed at the last session to extend the revenue
laws Of the United States over the territory and
waters OF Upper California. This act creates col
lection district in California; and you also know.
that by another previous act certain mail facilities
have been extended To the same territory What
ever be done, by tho aid Of the Constitution of
tho United States, the treaty with Mexico, and the
enactmcnts Of Congress- TO afford TO the people OF
the Territories the benefits of civil government and
the protection that IL due them. will be anxiously
considered and attempted by the Executive.
You have been selected, by the President, to con-
vcy to them these assurances and especially the
assurance Of his firm determination 80 far as his
constitutional power extcnds TO omit nothing that
may tend 70 promote and secure their peace and
happiness. You are fully possessed OF the Prcsi-
dents views, and can, with propriety, suggest TO
the people Of California the adoption OF measures
best calculated to give them effect. These mea-
sures must, Of course, originate solely with them
selves. Assure them Of the sincere desire of the
Executive Of the United States 70 protect and dc.
fend them in the formation Of any government,
republican in it's character, hereafter 70 be submit
ted to Congress- which shall be the result Of their
own deliberate choice but LET II be, at the same
time, distinctly understood by them, that the plan
Of such government must originate with them
selves, and without the interference Of the Execu
tive. ia
The laws Of California and New Mexico AZ thew
existed at the conclusion of the treaty of Guada-
lupc Hidalro, regulating the relations OF the in
hsbitants with each other, viii necessarily remain
In force In the Territories Their relations with the
former government have been dissolved, and new
relations created between them and the Gov crn.
mcnt Of the United States, but the existing laws,
regulating the relations Of the people with each
other, will continue until others lawfully enacted
shall supersedo them. Our val and military