The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-13

hazards and 10 the last extremity" have awakened the
Ts ~ ~ Ss North
with the exception OF few obstructive free soIlers,
willing to abandon-nay, have already abandonedT
the "Wilmot Proyso and all coming In unbfoken
phaanx 10 the support OF the executive recommendation
believing the South will resist the Wlmot Proyso. with
Characteristic discretion they recede On the other hand
the South not committed against the present admis
sion OF California State, and il is believed that with
the whole power OF this administration exerted IN It's Ia
vor and by invocation TO the party preudices OF our
that measure and thus. by division OF our strength
(which irresistible when united against the VIII
mot Proysol the South will be poweress, and s9bms
sion to the California Proyiso inevitable. am Tor The
union OF the South in support OF The constitution and OF
the rights which descended TO- us by nherancei bnl
there only one basis p union or southern
which seeks to build up impershabe power upon The
ruins OF the constitution and the South.
two measures The Wllmot Proviso excludes the citi-
zens OF the South, with their property from emgatng TO
the Territories Of the Union and appropraies the com
mon property OF the several soveregntes composing the
Union to the exclusive and occupation OF the people
OF the non. savehodg States, and enacted by Congress
primarily The California Proyiso 10 the same thing,
literally and in substance, incorporated into so.called
constitution and Congress recommended by the present
admission OF California TO enact sscondarHy. The
message clearly assumes that the people Of the savehod
ing States have rights in these Territories, and
commends the latter measure, from obvious reasons OF
political expedency, the preferable mode OF exclusion
In the opinion Of the ADMINISTRATION ne question nows
ner it shall be done. must be permitted 10 decline the
discussion Of false issues TO insist upon my right 70 pc
heard upon the merits Of this questions and 2 protest. IN
the name Of the southern people, against this pejudg
ment OF their claims. p4 S w tas&
The origin Of this policy may be seen in the move
mens OF General Riley early in the preceding year His
first act was the issuance Of proclamation declaring the
Mexican law be in force laying of the country into
Districts and calling upon The transient adventures who
had been lured thher to elect delegates to assemble IN
convention for the formation OF constitution, preparao-
~ to its admission State into the Union But Riley
is plain, blunt old soldier more competent TO the work
/ of demolshng than OF organizing communities; and
none know better than the present Executive that militia
~ and civic greatness are not always nseparable To
consnmmate the designs OF the cabinet secundem artem
Mr.. King, then member OF Congress elect from Geor
ga, instructed 10 follow Gen. Riley. The message
informs us that
"Wi,h view to the faithful execution OF the treaty. so
far as lay the power Of the Executive, and enable
Congress act at the present session with as full know
edge and A. s difficulty q possible H., H 20 az e n
King bearer oil dispatches TO orna, and certain o
itulary defined in accompanying letters Of instruction
addressed them severaly by the proper department
The accompanying letter of Mr.. Crawford states:
"You fully possessed of the Presidents views and
can with propey suggest the people Of California the
adoption Of best calculated give them effect"
II any doubt exist that the nitiaory proceedings Of
Riley were approved by the cabinet, that he only
did what King was authorized to do by the carte blanche
OF Mr. Clayton need only refer to the extracts read by
the gentleman from Virginia, MIR. SEDDoNlthe first
from the commander OF the Pacific station. follows.
s.The steamer Edith has been Mazaan for The
necessary Intelligence, and on her arrival with Information
that other than revenue law had been passed. General
Riley issued proclamation for the election of the
sary executive aud judicial officers under the existing laws
and recommending, at the time, the election Of dele
gates a convention 10 form Siate constitution M.
Rtng arrived at the lime these proeadtions about being
s"s si ays.sa ~ % M
Every viii he used 10 give the people OF Caornia
opportunity expressing their wishes this point and
Of bringing the matters to happy conclusion"
The second from despatch of the Secretary OF War to
Gen. Riley, dated August oath. ls49:
SWAN DErARraEsr, August "a ISt9
In view OF the exercise OF the important political
right which apertaias 10 the people Of Caorniathat
forming constitution and asking admission into the Union
soiiciude the steps already taken 10 effect these
objects Regarding your proclamation Of the ID June last
form in respect the desired organization per
feet government seen with great that your
and aacry except ia few instances where il is supposed
selfish and unPairiotc. motives prevailed"
geo W CRAWFORD.
Secretary oil War.
"Brevet Brig. Gen. riley,
Monterey, California"
But as1nore conclusive than all else refer to the fol
lowing extract from the proclamation ITSELF
"The method here Indicated attain Is desired by
direct and safe that can be adopted aud one fully
and by dc ssereari or STATE and Of Waf Of he Unsa
States, and is calculated avoid the nnumersbIe evils
loo Al legislation Il Is therefore hoped that /. win meet he
appreciation Of the people of California and that all good
"Gven Monterey. California this third day June
"B RILEY,
"Bt Brig. Gen. u s. A, and Gov. OF California
"Olical; II. W. HALLEcK,
"Bt Capt and Scc'y OF State
The verbal and confidential instructions given TO Mr.
King not impaired in the message; but they be
ascertained with facility and certainty by looking TO his
acts and declarations, which presumed 10 accord
herewith The pregnant sentence last quoted evidently
refers to "views not expressed in the written nstruc
tons, and which the administration deemed il expedient
to part the hidden history OF this transac
ton From various sources, official and unofficial.
tons originated in the proclamation OF General Riley,
urged on their rapid execution, and in few months after
bis arrival IN California the transient adventures In San
Francisco and its neghborhood elected delegates, IN
ormty with the requirements OF this proclamation, who
speedily thereafter assembled in convention and adopted
the constitution which the President says, 81 earnestly
recommend may receive the sanction OF Congress-"
We have strong 10 believe that the "proyso"
incorporated into this constitution approved by Mr..
administration, in support Of its views and who could
with propeiy suggest 10 the people OF California the
adoption OF measures best calculated 10 give them
effect"
But this is OF little importance in measuring the
possibility OF the cabinet The constitution OF Calior
mia has been published by the press Of the country and
Is accessible TO all The cabinet have duly considered
silent adventurers aured by the auri saera James from
every quarter Of the globe to the shores Of San Francis
co and the Sacramento, have without the authority OF
Congress- elected delegates to convention; which con-
vention has defined the limits OF State, extending
through degrees OF latitude on the Pacific with an
sufficient for half dozen States OF the first magni-
tude, and embracing all that is valuable for mining, CON-