The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-27


The address Of the California delegation to Con.
gress is one Of the most interesting public doeu-
ments Of the day. 1t is drawn up most admirably,
both in temper and style 1t will be seen from our
abstract, that the formation Of State government
the inevitable result of circumstances, and in
no way attributable to the action Of either the adj
- a. n r
4 u lie most beautiful illustration ever presented
Of the operation Of democratic principles in crea-
ding order and harmony out of chaos. We OBJ
serve the formation Of the government, as we would
watch the industrious bees working in glass hive
A few months ago and California was inhabited by
few herdsmen whose wealth was in their cattle.
foreign foe takes possession Of the barren soil,
and retains the apparently worthless conquest, by
the treaty of peace. Suddenly it is discovered that
the mountains are filed with veins of gold, and
the valleys covered with the rich deposite At
once population PUSHES to the desolate regions
One would suppose that collisions and bloody con
tests must follow but now is seen the greatest of
these wonders government springs into exist
ence and restores peace and order None but an
American community could have achieved this
miracle in politics This has been the greatest
triumph Of liberal principles. Let us hope that no
spirit of faction at home shall be allowed todestroy
this grand result
The address explains away the objections to. the
admission OF California, viz that improper influ-
-ences have been used in excluding slavery and
secondly, in the great extent Of territory embraced
within the proposed boundaries. -
It is, too, somewhat remarkable that the opposi-
ton to the admission Of California comes chiefly
from the party which has elected the Senators and
Representatives while the friends of the present
ADMINISTRATION urge the measure, though the effect
will be to add to the strength of the opposition.
1t should not be made party question. It rises
above party politics, We now proceed to give
brief abstract of the address:
Upper California was occupied by the American
iorces under Col Mason, on May 1lth 1S49, who
established military government. While the war
was yet continued, and the country was only held
by wight OF conquest, the American citizens who
were crowding into the country, began to agitate
the subject OF establ ishng more democratic gov
eminent. The laws of Mexico were unknown. and
so far as known, were uncongenia to the habits of
thought and action of the victors. The military
officers themselves the necessity of a change,
TRANSACTIONS were prepared of all the Mexican laws
in force in the State. In October, 1s47 the mill
tary eonsributiOn tariff, promulgated by the Pres.
dent, went into operation. The desire for change
of government continued to increase and strengthen
with the influx Of the American population. In
April 1878, the gold mines discovered, and at
once all the ordinary pursuits OF industry were
abandoned But in short time many returned to
those avOcatiOns, rendered more necessary by the
sudden and vast increase of population from Ore
gon the Pacific Islands, Mexico and the States.
On August 7th, 1S4S, news of peace was received,
AM fha Il. n
however, continued to collect imposts, but trans
erred the collection to civilians and received the
fund as the Civil Fund of California Even at that
time, many thought it the duty of the government
TO take steps for the formation Of provisional gov
eminent, instead OF retaining the laws and regula
tens necessary during the time Of war. The col.
lection OF the revenue too, in coin, caused great
depreciation in bullion, and gold actually was sold
Tor seven dollars per ounce At last the Govern.
ment was compelled to receive gold as collateral
security at ten dollars per ounce The fact that
four-hfths OF the male population were engaged in
the mines, was doubtless the only reason that the
general dissatisfaction did mot sooner show ifs.lf
So passed the summer and fall Of ls4s. On n.
return of the miners, loaded with gold, thew were
panied and distressed by the unthrifty appearance
of the country Congress had adjourned without
establishing any territorial government, and the ut
ter unfthess Of the De tacso government was appa.
rent Public meetings were held in the towns.
which were largely attended, and recommended the
establishment Of provisional government, to re-
main in force until Congress should legillate The
nrst attempt TO hold convention failed !; but the
lew delegates who met, recommended the assem-
ping OF new convention in August. $40, TO frame
a State Constitution.
New soon arrived that Congress had refused to