The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-08

lew years, anu we VIII DC weaker, DOM TelutIVely
and positively. Why, then, should we by faint
heartedness, draw ruin upon ourselves and our
poserty'
The California Fraud
The following letter from Mr. A. Powell to his
father in Dallas county, we copy from the Dallas
Gazette. 1t proves what we have always believed
in regard to California, that it was peculiarly
adapted to slave labor
SAN Francisco, Alta California
September 23d, 1850
DEAR SiR: The U. S. mail steamship arrived
here last evening. with the mails from the States.
This steamer, the Pa
mama, brings the unwelcome news of the almost
certain intelligence of the admission Of California
as State into the American Union, with her pre-
sent boundaries and constitution. say unwel-
come, because the good people Of California were
already tired Of State government, with its re-
sponsibility, and assure you that very soon, the
mbst powerful efforts, and strongest petitions from
this country would have been sent to the Con-
gress of the United States to remand the con-
stitution to the country, that we could have
the chance ofanother Convention, to frame con-
stitution in which the voice and wishes Of the
people could be represented and carri out; for
aver that the present framed by few THEW
ing AbolItionists, Sydney convicis, lrislmen,
Mexicans, Indians, and free negroes, by far the
most respectable class represented in this immor-
tai convention which framed the constitution.
They have, 80 far, found the State government
inefficient for any purpose, unsuted to con-
dtion, in all respects, ailording no protection
whatever, and entirely impotent for good, whilst
Itimposes the heaviest burdens upon its subjects
ave[x furthermore, that less than seven voters Of
the 4css have represented, elected members to
this CONVENTION, and, further, that seven thousand
votes have never been polled at any general cleo
ton, either before or since the formation Of the
constitution, although the number of voters, Anne
rcan citizens, were estimated at over one hundred
thousand
But it may be asked, why was it unanimously
ratified by the people' The above reason will
also explain the fact, and answer further, that
the constitution, if published at all prior to the
election for members to a legislature, on the 18th
Of last October, was carefully and studiousy kept
from the Southern mines, were the men from the
Southern States, who would have opposed it,
have collected principally to work, and that car
ried the first copy Of the constitution into the
Southern mines in January following the election,
and further, that Notwithstanding the report sen,
to the U. s. Government, it was not ratified unan-
imously, for was judge Of the election at one
precinct, VIII ere there were upwards Of fifteen
hundred voters. From intimation had sup
posed the tenor Of the constitution to be what it
is. ] expressed my fears very freely, in short
speech to the people. The result was that only
one hundred and sixty-six votes were poed, the
rest preferring not to vote at ALL the way
Of defeating it. or the number that did vote only
thirteen VOted LOT the TallncatlOn OF the COnStu-
ton! SO you see II was premeditated fraud,
which, together with the aid of Southern traitors
and bought rascals, have swindled the Southern
Suites out OF their just proportion of this fair land
Of promise and reality. For assure you, sir,
that no country on earth presents so many in
Queen ents, or pay half so well the labor of our
slaves. All the rich staples, and many of the
Injuries Of earth, with own resources, nine
raj well agricultural and commercial with
the climate soil &C., render II certainly the most
desirable place on earth.
But must close this after word as to the arch
traitor and bought william, Thomas II. Benton
Long and loud will be the anathemas heaped upon
his head by the people of this country say
bought, and think you will agree with me, when
you understand the causes which Influenced his
course in this matter. In the first place, John C.
rremon ss y nr IL the Of California would
besides this Fremont is settling up a clam ,nde
a pretended Mexican grant, to a large s-.,ion of
the richest mineral territory in California or tnsl
I'D Now this claim is to be ratified by Con-
qured ff S aaihsssn .h help abolition nsip, Is re-
tanned, and the Benton family, as thew are here
termed, will certainly have their insatate svarice
gratihed A point has already been gained Will
liam Carey Jones, son-in-law, likewise of Ben
ton, has beennppointed and sent by our Southern
President, commissioners to investigate and report
upon the validity of these grants; and as a matter
Of course. reports favorably on the claims Of FIRE.
m ont, and few others, although il can be abund-
antly proved here, and the grant itself will sho w
the fact, that not article in the compact has
been complied with--And further, that unfavor-
able reports have been made on better claims I
| sincerely hope the government may be appraised
Of all the facts and not act hastily in this matter
| Mr.. Fremont is already leasing claims in the
mines on this pretended and false Claims of his
| II this claim is ratified, hundreds will be swnd ed
out OF their Just rights, the poor deluded Souti
has been Of hers by the influence of such men ms
Benton But it saved the Union What is the
Union without a Constitution What is there in
the Union now worth preserving State sover-
/ eighty is lost.
The records Of California will prove true wha,
have stated above ..
| send by Mr.. Magee four specimens of gold
and qnnrz, from one of the mines upon which /
am at wor,, worth probably $1,000 They are
| all brought down with me Thew
ought to be worth handsome premium Tn,
gold contained in Them is Of the finest quality
They are also valuable for jewelry.
/ | have discovered and am at work on four NJ
these mines, all OF which are extensive and very
rich. The poorest Of these mines will WELD from,
one TO three dollars to the pound, and the ma
chInery which we employ upon one Of them j,
calculated to crush four tons Of the rock per dav,
when we get into full operation, which will be IN
Anew days, as we have twelve stamps already in
operation, and the balance on the ground almos,
Ieaoy. IL "worked at comparatively little cos,
OF expense Make the calculation AZ to the re-
so., anu II VIII aaonish you; but it is true and