The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-19

4
the establishment of any which Of their
fres choice they might think proper establish. He
also directed 10 ascertain what the population of the
county what its products and resources particularly
lis mineral value how many Mexican citizens had with
drawn from that Territory since the treaty Of peaee how
many had sgnfed their intention become citizens Of the
United States and acquire information especially
10 regard TO the Indian tribes Then the only sentence il
this letter Of Instructions the sole charter Of his power
which by any ingenuity the senator wrest from ii
simple and obvious meaning TO his purpose is this:
"You are fully authorized to confer with military
and naval commanders within those Territories who will be
instructed to assist you in the accomplishment Of the objects
Of your mission"
Does not the Senate perceive that this aid and
which he obtain from the military and naval
manders, merely such auxiliary TO the purpose
mentioned in his letter of nstruconsi Why if the sena
that simple and proper from ts
papabe meaning, he possesses some logical alchemy the
of which is with himself alone venture to say that
senator here has any such hocus pocus The military
and naval commanders of California dreamed Of put
Ling such Interpretation that clause the
from California has done would willingly mpute il
TO Them except evidence very different from that which
the senator has adduccd
The quoted also the letter of the Secretary
the Treasury addressed the collector of Cali
guided by his advice in the conduct Of all proper
rihin the scope Of has And these have shown
from the letter Of those instructions be the communication
of certain specified purposes Of the administration and the
acquisition of information desirable and important the
Executive, well needful for legislation. very
different thing from (as the senator says) placing at Mr..
Kings disposal the army navy and treasury of the United
States
II be very paIpable think that Mr. Cayton's let
of instructions did confer upon Mr. King such
power the army navy and treasury of the United
States qualified power; that it nothing
less than such instruction 10 the officers in California
any administration, sending agent and
distant possession of our own would give under similar
circumstances. If he had given ess he would have given
them instructions all TO aid Mr.. King, and would have
thrown him entirely upon his own resources
The SENATOR however, undertakes sustain this charge
by reference letter Of General Perser F. Smith, who
in command of the military forces in California. IL
that that gentleman, time about the month Of
June lS49 notified the Secretary Of War that in order IA
ciiate the accomplishment of Mr. Kings purposes he had
got up exploring expeditions and that they going TO
visit the habtabe parts of the State IN order that Mr. King
might by personal inspection what the condi-
ton OF the population what the products and
sources Of the country That expedition organized for
this purpose and this alone. Itis just what General Smh
(who by the by is only accomplished officer, but
unmpeachabe democra) was authorized 10 do with
such Instructions. Nay, more; it that which il
his duty do whether he had instructions to that eff
! feet not.
He was in command of the whole Of that department.
What government, the acquisition of new, and for
much the part unknown territory, has fai ed 10 take
all the power ascertain its
tain all those particulars OF It's condition, which
sary for full information in order the Just and intelligent
legislative notion which Congress Itself would necessarily
be Obliged take in regard III Il will be seen, by ref
the letter Of General Smith, that the from
California il not borne out IN hs assertion. He notes the
Secretary Of War thar he has got up this expedition and
then says:
alt hoped that the character Of the country ts capa-
by of cultivation, s products in minerals and timber,
will be far ssceraned furnish all the data necessary
for legislation"
That the proof which gentleman furnishes that the
President Of the Unted States had undertaken transfer
his constitutional antho y, as commander Of the
army and navy Mr. King, TO do what he had const-
tuonal authority TO dohat is TO put at Mr. Kings dis
posal the army, navy and treasury Of the United
the senator says. IL there ever sequitv,
think the Senate will perceive 1t here.
Then the senator objects to another proceeding Of Mr.
King In support Of has assertion he refers the fact that
Mr. King addressed the commander OF the naval
forces the Pacific asking that the Edith, then in
the Of the department. should be used for the pur
pose Of transporting members Of the aVention which
about assemble at Monterey, % make constitution
for the State Of CALIFORNIA; 10 that point This proof that
The navy OF the United States placed the disposal OF
Mr.. King Now, II suppose that the assembling Of the
the framing OF the constitution, and the organ
take the from California would be the last in
the world deny H. for he took active part in IT, and is
enjoying the fruits OF with very great credit himself
satisfaction his assoeiutesthen there impro-
pretty the part Of the naval commander in sening the
Edith eoavey these gentlemen 70 Monterey. Steamboat
are like talent-rbey unused. The Edith would be
better employed in proceeding up the coast to Monterey
with the members OF the convention, than she had been
/ lying idle 10 port.
cognizr my friendly regard for himself really under
taking defend him, quite much Mr.. King and
the commander Of the naval forces feel that should be
dong but act Of usticn 20 him TO defend this act and
think that he Just about much responsible for the
Of the steamboat Mr. King himself II
may little curious that the senator, this time
day should have found that there anything improper
in H. and should have charged upon the administration Of
General Taylor Of their inques that the
Edith had been employed in this service, and had been
lost--for she wrecked the voyage. BY the by |
would remark ia passing that tho II the Edith
al 10 00p the supposed in his speech bu,
only $40 900. have ascerained that fact beyond all
doubt have also found, in the Navy DepnrtnIsnt among
some papers which being copied there for the inrma
uon Of Congress- letter from OH Of the navy the
Pacific coast which conveyed the first information
| had Of another fact, which am about
Il seems that the Secretary Of the Navy had
Lieutenant Meade take the command Of this identical
stamboat but Commodore Jones having given tho
mnnd Of TO another officer he dd not think
proper TO Withdraw her from that officers command and
assign her Lieutenant Meade. l. Meade
pained OF this injustice and addressed etfer tho
Secretary the Navy the Of which he
the complaint by he assertion, which presume the
from California recognizes proper that he applied
by the senator himself Hon WmLIAM W. Gwrs to get the
command Of this Identical steamboat perform this very
the fact which saied by Lieutenant Meade Now then
ii seems that Mr.. King only did that which the senator
4 himself wished TO be done.
4 Mr. GWIN. Does the letter state thnt made appca-
ton to Lieutenant Meade Ct this steamboat San
Dcgoi
be the best plan Il IL dated October o. 1851 Il will be
seen that il not got up for this occasion that IN manifest
The from the letter relating TO the point IL fol-
lowss
"Whie at San Francisco, the delegates Of the
convention elected frame constitution for The State Of
California through the honorable William VI. Gwin, United
States senator called volunteer take them 10
Monterey chesrfilly asked Commodore JONES' stating
that could be ready in SIX hours with the Edith, and land
Ia houra after should ofinR. the Edith