The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-08
CALIFORNIA NEWS,

/
We are indebted to Messrs. Adams x Co. = cx-
press for San Francisco papers to the LIST instant,
eleven days later than those previously in pos
session.
The Legislature adjourned on the 22d of April
after session of one hundred and twenty nine days
| During the session, one hundred and forty. three
acts and eighteen joint resolutions We're adopted.
Among the laws adopted, was one creating the of
| nee OF State assayer, until a United States mint
shall be established in California. Another regu
iates the business of mining by foreigners. In re-
lation 10 it, the Alta California remarks:
sit is a matter of doubt in our minds whether the
provisions OF the law can be carried out, whether
any power exists by which they can be enforced
IL Is proposed to grant licenses foreign miners
until Congress shall make some enactment with
relation TO the mines In the event of foreigners
refusing to take out license, it is made the duty
OF the sheriff TO summon posse OF American citi-
zens, and by force compel them TO cease operations
and for continuing to mine subjects the offending
parties 10 imprisonment. The governor Is en-
powered to appoint collectors of mining dues,
ceiving two dollars for each license granted.
1--WE question very much whether the State Leg
islature has any right To pass any such act and
impressed with the belief that riot and boodshed in
stead ofbeing prevented, from any attempt
TO enforce it. In many instances II will be merely
legalizing the most desperate attacks upon portions
OF the foreign populations; and although small
amount of revenue may probably be derived from
this source, it will not be sufficient TO counterbal
ance the many bad effects which will arise from the
operation of the act"
On the other hand, the Pacific Neos holds these
opinions:
"Instead of being pretext for committing wrong
and encouraging oppressive acts toward foreign
miners, we believe il will be more safe guarantee
TO the honest foreigner who may visit mines for
the purpose Of enrching himself at the expense OF
our just and national claims to the treasures of Cal
ifornia.
"Heretofore the alien has jostled the American
citizen in the pursuit of what he considered pecu
liarly belonging TO himself, and sefinterest and
patriotism both combined 10 make him view with
complacency any measures which might Danish the
intruder. But now, with license in accordance
with the law, he will be viewed as one who has con
tributed to sustain the body potc and will be al
lowed the fullest opportunity ofjoinng the enter
prscs Of the country"
The municipal election in San Francisco resulted
in the election of John w. Geary as mayor, and
Mr.. Tilford recorder They the Demo
cratic candidates, and were chosen by naorities Of
between two and three hundred. The canvass was
not entirely completed when the latest papers
published, but it is supposed that majority of the
common council is Democratic.
The Pacific Netos of May furnishes this
mary OF events since the sailing Of the previous
steamer:
Since the sailing of the last steamer, one Of the
most interesting considerations TO the people of
California has been the action of Congress in regard
to admission into the Union The delay JUS
tice in this case excites great discomfort among
the people Of all parties here. One of the primary
Of excitement is the necessary conflicts of
authority between State judiciary and the reve
nue. department of the General Government.
have been tried III district courts, and in
cutting process some unpleasant intercourse has
taken place between the representatives of the
State and federal authorities This is much to be
regretted, AS each has no doubt followed consci-
entious discharge of duty.
On Thursday evening last, large meeting was
held on Portsmouth square, 10 take into considera-
ton the condition of our affairs. committee Of
our most respectable citizens we're appointed TO
port at an adjourned meeting this afternoon Sew
eral speakers addressed the meeting, all OF whom
strongly supported the authority Of the State; and
the assembly seemed unanimously to support the
present State authorities at every hazard. The inn
mensc commerce of California has filled our harbor
with shipping from every quarter OF the globe, and
our highways crowded with the natives OF every
cline. In this condition OF things have 10
choose between anarchy and law, and If the fac
tons in Congress will prevent US from particpa
ton in the laws of the Union, but one alternative
is left-we must "be a law unto ourselves"
The committee alluded to above reported the fol-
lowing resolutions to the adjourned meeting, and
they were unanimously adopted
"Resoiced, That large majority OF the people oil
California being natives of the United States have
lost none of their attachment 10 the Federal Union,
but, if admitted to participation Of its blessings,
will be among the first to defend its integrity and
the last to abandon IL.
THAT regret deeply that application for
admission has produced angry discussion upon
irrelevant questions, arraigning section against
section, and seriously threatening TO disturb the
future welfare of the Government itself.
''Resoiped, That the territory belonging TO the
United States is the property OF the Confederation
held by Congress in trust, for the beneft OF the
people Of the Union; and that the Federal Govern
ment while invested with the power TO SNAKE all
needful rules and regulations respecting the terri
tory and other property of the United States,
must exercise this power under the restrictions and
limitations imposed by the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States.
"Resoiped, That the foregoing views Of the rela
ton OF the territories To the General Government
and TO the States OF the Confederation taken in con
of fha fnffa If The
United States and its express provisions, and also
with the republican institutions OF the States OF the
Union, clearly indicate that the territorial cOndi-
ton is intended to be temporary and not 10 endure
beyond the time when the citizens OF the States shall
have settled on this their common property, and
shall have acquired such strength Of numbers as
will enable them 10 conduct State government OF
their own, and cnttlo them " representation IN the
Congress of the United States.
''Resoiped, That state can be admitted into the
Union III one condition only, that is the equal in
all respects OF the original parties to the coniedera-
tom and the Congress of the United States has not
power 10 supervise State constitutions, or look
into them for any other purpose than 10 sec that
they republican In form. That the instrument
we have presented is a full and fair expression Of
the popular will, and was adopted by the people in
the exercise of their sovereignty. That State
government has been organized here, securing, az
lar as possible, the enjoyment Of civil and political
liberty, and that we cannot consent 10 abandon II
OF fall back upon territorial government
"Resoiped, That, according TO the true theory ol
representative government, all interests which are
affected by law should be represented in the gov
crnment which enacts, pronounces, and executes
the law; that California Possesses interests seriously
affected by the revenue laws which tax her com
and divert from her treasury into the United
States, the mposts collected in her ports and that
she possesses other interests still more harshly al
fccted by the refusal the part Of Congress 10
tablish u territorial government for the security of
life, liberty, and property within her confines, or
by ncgecIing 10 recogBisc the State organization,
which, in the exercise Of the ndefcasibe rights of
froemen, the people Of California have established
FOE their self preservation.
"Rssolped, That the population Of California,
from the most reliable information we can obtain,
il at least one hundred and forty thousand, thus en-
titing her 10 the representation which she claims
In the House Of Representatives, according 20 The
present standard OF representation; and that II the
Congress of the United States has failed 10 ascer
tain that fact by the mode usually adopted Ia such
cases, IL is no fault Of California, and affords no
why that which IL entitled Co representation,
aud subject TO taxation, should not he represented
In its entire interest-both Of the sovereignty TO
which IL Is entitled; and OF the population which It
actually possesses.
"Rssolred, That as far Senators and Rep
rcsentatyes have. through the medium Of the pub
lie press, advised the American Congress OF the