Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-17
CALIFORNIA AND-THE UNION-LETTER
FROM COL, FREMONT

To the Editors of the National Intelligencer:
uenliemen: Everything coming from MIR. Clay car
RES with SO much weight and goes quickly form
the public opinion that feel called upon to make With
out delay, the following correction
An injurious imputaton is intimated by Mr.. Clay
against the State of California, in the following passage
OF his remarks OF yesterday, in the Senate:
II am not disposed to charge on a community the
misconduct or peculiar opinions of any individual of that
community, but must say, what have been constran-
ed 10 feel that panied to see with what cont,lma
cy with what disregard of the allegiance due from the
States, old and new, they sometimes treat the parental
and paramount authority. And was lately / will not
what grieved at seeing eer-writers from Cafor-
MA talking already OF breaking off from this Union and
setting up Tor themselves They will venture on no
such hazardous experiment as that they do, ven
call them to obedience and Of their duty very
| quickly"
This intmation, and the conditional menace of the
power OF the Government, feel bound to say, are
both gratuous, because there nothing in the present
occasion, nor in the conduct of tine people of that
State, to warrant them. So far from exhibiting any
people OF California in all their public assembages and
public acts have steadily manifested enthusiastic af
lection and perfect respect for the country and Govern
pie in California American citizens who have re-
Gently left this portion of the country-many of them
temporarily, and all OF whom connected with it by
ties OF family and business.
twas thing of course to regard California as
part OF their common country, and doubt or aues
ton regarding her future condition as a component
part OF It has ever been raised there the formation
other Constitution the Convention labored scrupu-
lousy to assmate it with those of the other States of
the Union and to insert nothing, and to omit nothing
which might in any way reard her admission, or make
cause ofoppostion to it. Mr.. Clay is not warranted
in sezng upon the remark Of unknown lees, writer
which is contradcted by every public and authorized
act OF the People and the State, to hang upon an inn
piled charge ofdisoyaly, and conditional threat of
punishment.
The Government the United States has been three
years indebted to the peopeof California for property ia
ken and services rendered, and during this time they
have been paying taxes, without representation, and
without protection.
In fact, the only connection, with single exception
that now exists between this Government and the peo-
PIE OF California their loyalty and affection for the
Union The exception allude to is the ta1ation which
this Government sends its ministers there to collect:
the tax-law being the only law OF the United States
which the Government has been pleased to extend to
them. The people there pay tribute to this Govern
ment and that is the only tie between themand it, ex-
cept what their spontaneous sentiment creates, and
manifest in their present patient application to be re-
ceved into closer and assured connection. Respectfully
yours, &c FREMONT.
TUESDAY, April9, 1850.