Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-01-26

Governor, as before but made no such ap-
pointment, conferred no such authority, and
have allowed no increased compensation TO
| the commandant for his services.
With a view to the faithful execution Of
the treaty, so far as laid in the power of the
| Executive, and TO enable Congress to act at
| the present session with as full knowledge
and as little difficulty as possible on all mat
| ters Of interest in these territories, sent the
Hon. Thomas Butler King, as bearer Of des-
patches 20 California, and certain officers 10
California and New Mexico, whose duties
are particularly defined in the accompanying
letters Of instruction addressed to them sever
ally by the proper departments
| did not hesitate TO express 10 the people
of those territories my desire that each terri.
tory should, if prepared to comply with the
acquisitions of the Constitution of the United
States, form a plan of State Constitution,
and submit the same TO Congress, with
prayer for admission into the Union as
State but did not anticipate, suggest, or
authorize the establishment of any such Co
| N6TIIDtHl, WllllUut lllt uSStut VI SOllSltss)
nor did authorize any government agent OIL
officer to interfere with nor exercise any in
huence or control over the election cf dele
gates, or over any convention, in making or
modifying their domestic institutions, or any
of the provisions of their proposed Constilu-
ton on the contrary, the instructions given
by my orders were, that all measures Of do
mestic policy must originate solely with
themselves-that while the Executive was
desirous TO protect and defend them in the
formation of any government, republican in
its character, TO be at the proper time sub
mitied 10 Congress-yet IL was to be distinctly
understood that the plan of such a govern
ment must, at the same time, be the result
of their own deliberate choice, and originate
with themselves, without the interference Of
the Executive.
am unable 10 give any information as TO
laws passed by any supposed government in
California, or of any census taken in either of
the territories mentioned in the resolution, as
have no information on these subjects, as
already stated. have not disturbed the ar
rangements which found had existed under
my predecessor. In endorsing an early ap-
pcaion by the people Of the territories for
admission, as stated, was actuated princi-
pay by an earnest desire to afford 10 the
wisdom and patriotism of Congress the o.
portunity OF avoiding angry dissentons among
the people of the United States.
Under the Constitution every state has the
right of establishing, and from 10 time alter
ing its municipal laws and domestic institu-
tions, independently of every other State, and
of the general government, subject only to
the propositions and guarantees expressly set
forth in the Constitution of the United States
The subjects thus left exclusively TO the re-
spective States were not designed or expected
to become topics Of national agitation. Still,
as under the Constitution, Congress has power
to make all needful rules and regulations re-
spectirg the territories of the United States
Every new acquisition Of territory has led
to discussions on the question, whether the
system of involuntary servitude, which pre-
walls in many Of the States should, or should
not, be prohibited in that territory! The
periods of excitement from this cause,
which have heretofore occurred, have been
safely passed but during the interval Of
whatever length which may elapse before
the admission Of the territories ceded by
Mexico, a. States, it appears probable that
similar excitement will prevail 10 an undue
extent. Under these circumstances, |
thought, and still think, that it was my duty
10 endeavor 10 pnt it in the power OF Con-
gress, by the admission of California and
New Mexico as States, 10 remove all occa-
sion for the unnecessary agitation of the pub.
lie mind. 1t is understood that the people Of
the western part Of California have formed
plan of State constitution, and will soon
submit the same 10 the Judgment of Con-
gress, and apply for admission as State
This courseo on their part, though in accord
ance with my wish, was not adopted exclu-
sively in consequence OF any expression of
my wishes, inasmuch as measures tending 10
this end had been promoted by the officers
sent there by my predecessor, and were al
ready in active progress of execution before
any communication from me reached Cali
fornia. II the proposed constitution shall,
when submitted 10 Congress, be found to be
in compliance with the requisilicns of the
Constitution o! the United States earnestly
recommend that it may receive the sanction
of Congress.
The part OF California not included in the
proposed State of that name, is believed 10
be uninhabited, exceI in settlement of our
countrymen in the vicinity of Salt Lake.
claim has been advanced by the State
of Texas 70 a very large portion of the most
populous district of the territory, commonly
designated by the name of New Mexico. If
the people of New Mexico had formed a
plan of State government for that territory.
as ceded by the treaty of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo, and had been admitted by Congress
as a State our constitution wonld have af.