, 1854-01-28
Lower California

"fllbustcTs' for the course pursued in TAX
ing deliberate military possession of Lower
California. Whether the game will prove
TO he worth the ammunition expended is .
question about which many appear 10 enter
tain serious doubts; and it is presumed thai
the ball set in motion then is but the starting
point to the requirement of Lower Cailor,
MIA, sc.
The officers who compose the Govern.
ment are as follows, viz:
President of the Republic OF Lower Cal.
ifornia, VIM. Walker Secretary of State,
FredIick Emory; Secretary Of War, John
| VI. Jarnagn; Secretary of the Navy, How
ard H. Snow; Captain Of Battalion, Charles
II. Gilman; First Lieutenant, John McKib.
| bin Second Lieutenant, Timothy Crocker
Third Lieutenant, Samuel Buland; Captain
of the Navy, A. Williams; Second Lieuten-
ant of the Navy, John Grundall.
Our government has been formed upon a
firm and sure basis.
We arrived at ST. Lucas on Tuesday, No,
vember Sih. On the morning Of the oh,
the Mexican cutter Garrea, cruised Of the
Cape, our appearance was so formidable,
she deemed "prudence the better part Of
valor," hauled too, and gave us the slip. In
the morning our troops again embarked for
Fnsenada, where the President contem-
plates establishing the seat Of Government
for the present.
Dec. lst-not having had an oprorluni-
iy 10 send this report sooner, will add that
we are now in Ensenada whero the Presi-
dent has established his head quarters. The
country is at present quiet. The rancheros
are generally pleased with the new Govern
ment. All well and in fine spirits. also
send you copies Of several important de
crees, and the Proclamation Of Indepan-
dence. Yours, INDEPENDENCE.
PROCLAMATION,
Issued on the third day Of Norembsr, 1853
The Republic of Lower California is here
by declared Free, Sovereign and lndepend-
ent, and all allegiance to the Republic of
Mexico is forerer renowned.
Decree-7ih inst.-All duties, whether
exports or imports, are hereby abolished.
Decree No. 2-7th insi.-From and af-
ter this dale, the civil code and code Of
practice of the State of Louisiana shall be
the rule OF decision and the law Of the land
in all the courts Of the Republic TO be here.
after organized. Nothing, however, in this
decree shall be construed so as TO make il
an organization of the courts Of the Repub-
lie. VIM. WALKER,
President Of Lower California.
FREDEEicK EMERY, Scc'y. Of State.
Address Of President Waller to the People
of United States.
Nov. 30, 1883.
In declaring the Republic Of Lower Cal
iGornia Free, Sovereign and Independent,
deem it proper 10 give the people Of the
United States the reasons for the course
have taken. II is due 10 the nationality
which has most jealousy guarded the Inde-
pendence Of the American States, 10 declare
why another Republic is created on the i'm
mediate confines Of the Great Union.
The Mexican Government has for long
time failed TO perform its duties 10 the Pro.
vince of Lower California. Cut Of, as the
Territory was, by the Territory of Gauda-
lupe Hidalgo from all direct communication
with the rest Of Mexico, the central author
tiles have manifested little or no interest in
the affairs Of the California Peninsula. The
geographical position Of the Province is such
as to make il entirely separate and distinct
in its interests from the other portions Of
the Mexican Republic. But the moral and
social lies which bound il 10 Mexico, have
even weakened and more dssolute than the
physical. Hence, to develop the resources
Of Lower California, and to effect proper
social organization therein, it was necessary
to make it Independent.
The mineral and pastoral wealth Of Lower
California is naturally great; but TO proper
ly develop ii there must be good govern
ment and sure protection TO labor and prop
eriy. Mexico is unable 10 furnish these re-
quisites for the growth and prosperity OF
the Peninsula. The Territory, under Mex
lean rule, would forever remain wild, half
savage and uncultivated, covered with an
indOlent and half civilized people, desirous
Of keeping all foreigners from entering the
limits Of the State. When the people Of a
Territory fail almost entirely to develop the
resources nature has placed at their COM
mand, the interests Of civilization require
others TO 20 in and possess the land. They
cannot, nor should they be allowed to play
the dog in the manger, and keep others from
possessing what they have failed 10 occupy
and appropriate.
Mexico'has not performed any of the Or
dinary duties Of government towards the
people of Lower California. She has pstab-
lished no sure and ready means Of commu-
nication for the people among themselves,
or with the rest of the world; nor has she
ever undertaken 10 protect them from the
wandering robbers who inlest the Territory