Columbia gazette., 1853-11-26
LETTER OF GOV. BIGLER.


The following letter was addressed BY
Gov. Bigler.to the Hon. NJ. S. Latham
a day or two previous to his departure
for the Atlantic States. 1t will be rcad
with interestby our readers, as it contains
Gov. Bigler's views Of several importan
prominent topics:
BEsIcIA, Oct. 18th, 1883.
Hon. NJ. S. LATHAM,
Dear Sir Before your departure
for W ashington city, you requested me
to write you as often as official engage.
ments would afford me time, and to
make suggestions in relation to the on
eressional action necessary TO promote
the interests of the people Of California
During our last interview, you will
doubtless remember that | explained to
you, as fully as it was possible for me to
do in the absence Of official papers, the
grounds ON which I relied for prompt
assumption on the part eff the General
Government, Of the war debt of this
State, incurred during the years 1850
and 1851, in defending her citizens
against Indian aggressions.
| then directed your attention to the
important fact that the General Govern
ment had failed to extend the protection
guaranteed by the Constitution Of the
United States, and that the officer in
command on the Pacific coast had, il,
reply to demand made for troops, no.
tilted the executive of the State Of his
inability to furnish the force required
for the defencs of the different points as
sailed. Congress has, as you will see
by examination, heretofore by act Or
joint resolution assumed every jus. claim
OF this character presented by sover-
eign State. In the case Of Texas, one
of the conditions precedent t. her an
nexation, was the assumption by the
General Government, OF her entire pub
lie debt. We, however, only ask Cou-
gress to assume debt, the incarring of
which would not have been necessary if
the General Government had faithfully
complied with the requi-eme is of the
Constitution, and protected her people
against the aggrcssions Of the hostile In
dians.
A few days before the close of the
last session of the Legislature, trans
initted to that body important informa-
ton in relation to the civil fund. Ihc
message and accompanying papers were
referred to select committee, aud Il re-
port made, | believe, on the day of al-
jouTnmcnt. This claim, though before
presented and considered, | trust will
again be urged upon the attention o.!
Congress. The people of California have
great and common interest in these
claims; they regard them as just and
meritorious, and now, that the national
Golfers are full to oyerhowing, coniIen-
ly expect that they will receive the IA
vorable consideration of Congress
will only add, in connection with this
topic, that at an early day, I will for
ward all the information in my posses
sion, relative to these claims, to cur del
egation in Congress.
You will remember that at the COM
mencement of the last session Of the
Legislature, I recommended the passage
OF a law pre- yiding for tie extension Of thc
water front of the city of San Francisco
and | deem it proper now to inform you
that at the opening Of the approaching
session intend to renew that recon-
mendaticn. When my message was
transmitted to the last Legislature, + be-
lieyed as still believe, that the propos
ed extension would result in benefit, and
not IN injury to the harbor, though gen
tlemen OF intelligence differed with me
in opinion, and it was only after careful
examination that determined to recon-
meud the measure to the attention of
the Legislature. | theu believed that
from the sale of the water property Of
the State within the present water front
and the proposed extension, sum would
be realized more than sufficient to pay
the entire civil debt Of the State. This
conviction and the sincere desire which
| have always cherished to lessen the
burthens of taxation, which the people
have SO patiently borne, decided me to
recommend the extension Of the water
front Of the city Of San Francisco. Ar
guments in favor of extension which
could not have easily been anticipated
time and observation have brought to
light.
The owners of lots within the present
water front of San Francisco, are daily
engaged in filling them up with earth
obtained from the hills within the city.
This earth before it becomes sufficiently
to resist the action Of the water
is carried out in great quantities by the
ebb-tide and has already formed lodg-
ment to a considerable depth, along the
side and at the ends Of the wharves. To
preserve the harbor from distractions of
this character, preliminary surveys and
under the direction Of
Congress; are believed to be indispensa-
bly, necessary, whether the city front be
extended or not.
But the extension will be authorized
and | believe is necessary, before the
commencement Of such work as may be
decided upon as the best for the protec-
ton OF the H2rbor. Let me hope, there