The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-22
THE UNION WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING. APRIL % 1852


10 write letter or two He then went California with
his family his books and his baggage OF all descriptions
he was an emlgani, moving al the government expense
lie landed in the valley OF the Sacramento about the
commencement OF tbs winter season-could carry his Ell
iects no urher-bured Them, and hurried with his
family BY order that emanated from the Secretary OF
War, detachment OF the army ordered out the fol-
lowing spring TO bring In the private property belonging
10 the Indian agent transported for him At the govern.
meni expense by the Salt Lake TO California 1 was
told by the assistant quarermaser, who fitted out the
expedition the principal object OF which was TO perform
Tins service that The cost was little less than $loOOuo
This is another OF the items that create the necessity oil
deficiency bills and charged expenditure In CALI
fomia. After General Wilson got 10 California. he re-
having passed through the country where he was as
signed to duty and emgrang, at such an enormous ex-
pense 10 the government TO another part OF the country
but he was actually appointed TO another Office in Cali
fornia He made navy agent at San Franciscan
Office OF great Importance, the emolumeDs OF which he
received Tor long time without giving The bond required
by law and he never did give bond that was accepted
and the office was abolished 10 get clear OF him. ms
same gentleman is OF the high priests OF the wing
party IN California. He lately presided over one OF
the largest wing conventions ever assembled in that
State.
allude to General Wilson in spirit OF rnkndness,
but to show where large amount OF the public money
charged to California has gone. put il TO the account
of maladminslration OF this government, which com
meneed III the spring OF 1919.
OF which complain which is INJECTING such deep injury
upon my Staefor believe that there was never such
reckessness known since this government was formed IN
the expenditure Of the public money has been exhibited
there.
It was important in the history Of this country
when, on the 4th of March, is4e successful general
installed into the office OF President Of the United
Sates-one who had been all his life, from early
hood in the army Of the United Staes-Who had never
This important event has laid the foundation OF the
subsequent and disregard OF lay IN cYpend
ing the public money, especially u the military depart
men OF the government speak for my own section OF
the Union. Let others speak tor theirs.
In order that may be fairly understood BY the Senate.
when am speaking q events nat occurred IN Gaior
to myself will read extract from letter addressed
by Colonel Mason, military governor Of California to
peace with Mexico After stating that he had anticipated
the instructions in regard to the peace, he says;
The frs. pa, Of The sscrctarys were there
Wiz to take proper measures Win view 10 lis Clipper
4 California3 permanent cupaon'
| "Ths above the only instructions have rec.ivcd
from the department guide in the be pur-
sued now that war has ceased and that the country forms
civil has existed here that
roed by the senior military naval officer; and civil
confirmed by myself Tolhrow oil upon them Or the peo-
pie at large the civil management and control OF the
Try would most probably lead 10 endless COMMISSIONS not
absolute anarchy and yet what right authority have
to exercise civil control in time Of peace in Teroy q
toe United States Tor, IL sedion and rebellion should
arise where Is my force to meetu9 Two companies Of
dy m m Dy e sa
orna and they will be Of necessity compelled TO rema in
at San francisco and Monterey guard the large depots
Of powder and manons OF war; which cannot be remov-
ed Yet unsnstaned by military force or by any positive
instructions feel compelled 10 exercise control the
alcades appointed and to maintain ORDER If possible in
the country until civil arrive, armed with in
sructpns and laws to guide his footsteps
! In like manner, if all customs were Withdrawn, and
the ports thrown open free to the void. San francisco
north Pacific, the injury Of and the
Of our own merchants. To prevent this great Influx
attempt the collection of duties, according 70 the United
States tariff of 1916 This will render it necessary for
IN lnf al
entry for the military force is too much reduced to attend
to those duties"
Here an honest avowal that he has no authority ic
exercise civil control in times OF peace in territory u
the United States The necessity of the may have
justified this assumption OF power, but never that oil
levylng duty by his simple edct under the tariff OF 1916
4 Thus al the close OF the with Mexico, this officer
who was IN command OF the army in California. notified
the government that TO prevent anarchy de Jaeo gov
eminent must be maintained until Congress established
legal one He Also under the yrans plea OF necessity
extended the revenue laws OF the United States to Cali
forna Before Congress acted a, all he decfeed that the
tariff OF 1916 should be enforced there and under this
decree duties were exaced When this letter reached The
Secretary OF War, the assumption OF civil authority was
overlooked as the emergency arising from The neglect
Congress 10 create government justified IT, The Seceta
~ OF State Mr. Buchanan, IN letter 10 Mr. VOORHEES,
post Office agent justified the formation OF this dc ae
government The question as 10 the power 10 collect du
ties, which had been assumed by Governor Mason, wa,
referred to the Secretary OF the Treasury. On the 18th
October ls4s b issued circular, in which he stated
explicitly that there power to collect duties in
California. will read il
son the 3oth OF May last upon the exchange of ratca
tions of treaty with Mexico California became par
OF the American Union in consequence oil which various
questions have been presented by merchants and collectors
for the decision OF this department
by the constitution OF the United States Ii is declared
that AL treaties made or which shall be made, under the
authority of the United States shall be the supreme law
the land. BY the treaty with Mexico, California is
nexed 10 this republic and the consutios Of the United
States Is extended that Territory and Is full
throughout Its limits Congress- also, by several enact
ments subsequent the ratification OF the treaty have dis
have extended in several important particulars the
laws OF the United States.
Under these circumstances, the following instructions
are issued by this department.
list All articles OF the growth, produce, manufacture
OF California, shipped herefom any time since the both
of May last, entitled 10 admission free of duty
ports OF the United States.
I'D All articles Of the growth produce, manufacture
oil the United States entitled admission free duty
into California, also all foreign goods which
enpt from duty by the laws Of Congress, which
goods the duties prescribed by those laws have been paid
TO any collector OF the United States previous their
duction into California.
Id Although the constitution of the United States
tends 10 California and Congress have recognised IL by law
part OF the Union and legisinted for u such,
IL not brought by law within the limits OF collection
district, has Congress authorized the appointment
OF foregu dutiabe goods into that Territory Under these
circumstances, although this department be unable to
collect the duties accruing mporations from foreign
countries into California yet, II foreign duabe goods
should be introduced there and shipped thence any
place OF the United Sate they will be subject duty,
also all the penalties prescribed by law when such
importation is attempted without the payment OF duties"
He reiterated this statement in his annual report at the
opening OF the next session OF Congress and President
Polk his last animal M said Iy