The New York herald., 1850-04-12

constitution, prevented from bringing his slaves
into the State with him. Why should we extend
to others what we deny to our ownl What prnci-
pie OF our national consttution-what act OF our
national legslature--what International law, re-
quires us to admit South American with his
slaves, where we will not admit one of our own
citizens with his?
3D. With but few exceptions, the foreign popua-
tion in our mines has no connection with, or in
terest in, the institutions Of State or nation.
They are not even agriculturists, come among us
to cultivate the soil, thereby identifying themselves
with US, while at the time they add to the pro-
ductveness of our soil and the value Of our pro-
ducts. They are mere adventurers, brought here
solely by the desire to avail themselves of our mi
neral treasures, and intent upon returning as soon
they have glutted their thirst for gold. Like
the absentees OF Ireland they take from the wealth
Of country to whose prosperity they contribute
nothing. Differing, as these emigrants do from
the classes that have heretofore visited our shores
il would be impolitic and unstatesmanlke to adopt
the same line of policy towards them.
4th The presence Of such large foreign popu-
laton as is now rushing towards the mines, rem
ders the position of our citizens insecure In
stances Of collision, resulting, sometimes, in the
loss of life have already occurred, and will again
occur If there be no check put to the influx Of this
9th. Nearly every American citizen who has
visited the innes feels that the working Of the
same ought to be limited, matter both of right
and safety, to our own citizens. No other govern.
ment throws open its stores of mineral wealth, and
puts in jeopardy the lives of its citizens, for the
benefit Of mere adventurers from other nations.
9th. Our mining districts have larger per cent
age Of young men than can be found in any other
district within the States. Most of these have
left parents and friends at home to whom their
moral character and good name are more precious
than the wealth of the Indies. Away from the
safeguards that have heretofore surrounded them,
their position, at best, is one of peril The mass of
adventurers from the country south OF US, and from
the Botany Bay" of England, is increasing that
peril. II is not denied by your committee that
fhsaf forai in, Cali man
of sterling worth If such men could be admitted
or retained, without our being compelled to admit
or retain the Others this part of the subject would
present an aspect widely different from its present
one.
7th. In addition to the silver and gold IN the
mining regions, there are numerous beautiful and
fertile valleys, with good clhlate, hne timber,
excellent water, and all other requisites for pro-
missing agricultural region. These valleys present
strong inducements to farmers to bring their fami-
lies and settle in them; but the presence Of To-
reign population, already embracing larger per
centage than can be found in any other State in
the Union, and still on the increase, has prevented,
and, while the evil lasts, will continue to prevent
American families from settling in them. Every
correct principle Of political economy calls for an
early settlement Of these sections by moral indus
trious, and liberty-loving citizens.
Without entering into further statement oil the
reasons which have produced their present conyic
tions, your committee would recommend:
That our representatives in Congress be request
ed to call the attention of that body to this subject,
and urge upon it the above considerations, and
such others as they may deem necessary:
That they be requested to ask, in the name of the
government, and in behalf of the citizens of Cali
fomia, for the passage OF such laws as Congress
shall deem necessary 10 secure the exclusive work
ing of the mines to American citizens, and such
foreigners as have, in good faith, declared their
intention TO become citizens Of the United States:
That they be also requested TO urge upon Con-
press he passage of law empowering our State
Legislature 10 adopt such measures as may be ne
c. sary TO carry out the above views.
Your committee also recommend that our repre-
sentatiyes in Congress be requested TO urge upon
that body the policy of not selling the mineral
lands, but, instead thereof, granting leases or per-
mits, emitting the holders TO work said lands, on
the payment of such sums Congress may de-
mand, granting these leases permits only for
small tracts, and only TO American citizens and
such foreigners as shall have declared, in const
tntional form, their intention TO become citizens Of
the United States.
Ii is well known that in all countries the miners
are, with but few exceptions, more degraded than
the mass OF laborers around them. Various causes
may contribute towards this result, but principal
one, in the judgment Of your committee, is the
system OF monopoly which usually prevails in
mining regions. Monopolists first render il un-
e5 then to cSssp himself Il sodsS a
and cheap labor, without character, being preferred
TO dearer labor with character, the vicious are
often employed 10 the rejection of the virtuous. Ii
our own citizens only have access TO the mines, to-
gether with such foreigners above specified, and
are allowed 10 work on their own account, unawed
and untrammelled by monopolists, then our mine,
raj regions will be settled by a moral. intelligent
and industrious class.
As there are valuable tracts Of land, not mineral
in close proximity TO the mining districts, which, ii
settled by permanent farmers and traders, would
contribute 10 the prosperity Of the State, and the
comfort and safety Of the miners, sound policy
demands that substantial inducements be held out
To encourage permanent settlers upon such lands.
As leases would be less satisfactory than deeds
a.
holders, sale Of the lands would be best Your
committee believe that If Congress were 10 autho-
rize the early sale of such ands and in compare
tiycv small lots, TO be held exclusively by Ameri-
can citizens and foreigners who have commenced
measures TO become citizens, highly beneficial re-
suits would follow.
Perhaps some may doubt whether Congress has
powe TO take such action as is asked for in the pre-
ceding sections Of this paper. Your committee
have no such doubts. The mineral lands are the
property, exclusively, OF the United States IL is
for Congress TO say on what conditions said lands
they shall be sold That body has full power to
exclude every foreigner from the mines, To pre-
vent eny foreigner from holding real estate, either
in the mineral lands or any other portions OF the
public domain IL so, Il s clothed with constitr-
tionel power TO do all that your committee recon-
mend.
II such disposal Of the mineral lands should not
be made as your committee recommend-if Con-
gress should deem II more advisable to sell said
lands, then We would recommend that they be sold
in tracts not exceeding forty and If any tract
rs known TO be peculiarly rich in mineral deposits,
that IL be sold in still smaller portions.
Your committee cannot leave this important sub
ject without suggesting another feature in the sale
Of these lands, which would give confidence TO the
purchaser, save him from pecuniary loss, and also
protect the government from damage. The fea-
ture is this Divide the amount TO be paid by the
purchaser into annual instalments running eight
ten years, with the right TO forfeit whenever the
purchaser chooses and 10 be forfeited and the land
TO revert To the United States, whenever any one
Of the instalmcnis u not punctually paid Ii the
lands are worth the sum which the purchaser has
agreed 10 pay for them, he will be both willing and
able to pay the stipulated sum annually-f they
are not, he can relinqush his claim, and be re-
leased from his obligation.
Should this plan be adopted, the poor laborng
man would be able 10 purchase, and most Of these
lands would he held by actual settlers and laborers
and not 10y distant capitalists. II is believed also,
that II this method be adopted the lands will sell
for more than they will bring any other system.
II s objection against this plan, that Of the
lands will be forfeited through failure. No lands
will he forfeited unless the purchaser has agreed TO
pay more than their worth and even then Govern
ment has received one more payments upon the