The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-19

that country well known in the spring OF ls49 Con-
gres had then adjourned without providing any terrific
rial government for the Immense population then conQre-
gated upon the shores OF the Pacific.
The executive branch of the government looking TO this
omission OF the legislature doubt felt great anxiety
tina. government should be organized which would
give security to person and property General Riley
then in command there and by virtue of that he
was the civil governor ds tco Of the State He provided
the people with all the government he could give them
lie appointed their judges and their executive officers and
he gave great extent security both for person and
property Anxious TO get rid Of this responsibility, which
he had assumed by virtue of his military office he issued
his proclamation requesting the people to appoint dele
gates 10 convention and there decide whether they would
organize territorial or State government
Was this any interference the part of the Executive
here and was any improper interference the part Of
General Riley there hold that he being the only officer
there who could exercise power duty to
tribute, to the Of his influence towards the organ
cation Of government
Mr.. CLAYTON would observe to my friend from
California that he appointed by Mr.. Polk
Mr. WELLER: Yes sir; he had been sent out by the
Mr. BROWN. viii my friend from California allow me-
in this connexion, to ask question in reference that
mater2 because relates to historical fact about which
there has been good deal OF controversy and which
should like to have settled General Riley in his procla-
nation calling upon the people Of California assemble
and elect delegates TO convention stated that the pro-
ceedng had the appreciation of the President the Sccreta
ofState and the Secretary of War II is well known that
at that time Mr. Polk dead but his Secretary of State
and his Secretary Of War still living Feeling then
as feel now, solicitude what President and
Secretaries alluded TO, addressed Governor
Marcy, and one to IrBuchanan, the subject and they
both said that they the eSecrearies alluded
approving OF that proceeding could not inquire Of Mr.
Polk because he dead Now, will ask the honorable
Senator from Delaware he pleasesor he was the Sec
retary OF State at that meto whether he the
Secretary alluded to
Mr. CLAYTON No, sir; there letter from
me, from any member OF General Taylors admnistra
ton General Riley the subject hut tell the senator
without the least hesitation, that do most cordially ap
prove and should have approved at the time the whole
conduct OF General Riley the question had been put 10
me- but no letter or verbal message the subject was
sent him, that heard Of General Reys conduct
| think has fully vindcated itself since.
Mr.. BROWN. am not calling in question al this time
the propriety Of that proceeding only wanted to know
could arrive the fact upon whom rested the respon
this time call /, in question for it is proceeding which
is past but have always been anxious TO know what
President Secretary of War and Secretary Of State
alluded to in the proclamation approving the proceed
Mr.. CLAYTON. OF course, cannot tell II was imme
diaey after General Taylor came into Office and before
any agent Of his had got California that General Riley
proceeded to act and always supposed ii might have
been my predecessor who referred to- but do not
know.
Mr. BROWN He said not
Mr.. CLAYTON. There nothing in the State De-
partnent to show.
Mr. GWlN. Ifmy colleague viii permit me, can prob
ably give information in regard to what General Ri
ley referred to- ii is perfectly evident that he referred to
the administration which went out on the 4th Of March
849 and although the Secretary Of War and the Secre
ary of State under President Polks administration may
no, have given him written instructions to tha. effect he
knew tal ne was accordance Win views III
Issuing that proclamation.
Mr.. CLAYTON. That is what ! have supposed
Mr. GWIN They sent ont special messenger the post
Office agent and that post Office agent who the only
recognised civil officer OF the government there the Secre
ary of Staethe predecessor of the senator from Della
ware in that otiee-addressed an elaborate communica
ton and General Rley-whoi is now in his grave-told
Inc thai that officer conveyed 10 him the information that
the former executive government sanctioned the
which he pursued in that matter.
Mr.. BELL hope this question viii cease here.
The PRESIDING OFFICER The senator from Califor-
mia mr. WnAER1 is entitled to the floor.
Mr.. BELL beg pardon.
the vote the honorable senator from Tennessee but
only desrous Of stating facts connected with the
Mr CLAYTON We shall be happy to hear the senator.
Mr., WELLER was about 10 remark that large por
ton of the people of California disputed the authority OF
General Riley to direct the organization of convention to
form State government ! belonged to that portion of
the citizens who denied the authority Of General Riley al
though we approved his and therefore il
that in the country in which resided, in selecting dele
gates to the State convention neither selected them in
the number the day prescribed but, the con-
rMyi doubled the number and passed resolution de
nying his authority call convention Those delegates
went to the convention, and got their seats
WIS at Monterey during very considerable portion of
the time that the convention in session; and know
of agent Of the federal government there who at
tempting TO dictate the in which thcy should
ganze their government All who knew my opinion on
the subject and every who asked it obtained IT, knew
that il in favor Of territorial government being first
organized, ana thal snouid MteTWMub hsk
sion into the Union State but the majority Of the
convention thought otherwise Ny reason is very OBJ
yious one knew IL would be very expensive govern
ment and desired throw the expense upon the federal
treasury, instead Of imposing taxes upon the people
But Mr. President only for the purpose OF saying
tina, think resemblance between the admission
Of California and the payment Of her senator's and the pro
posed amendment from the Committee on Territories
Why sir the main objection to the admission OF Calfor
MIA was because she had the requisite population
because she entitled TO goycrnmcntnot be-
cause her people were sufficient number under the
regular sy stem authorize her admission-bu because
irregular in which her proceedings had been
conducted Bat everybody knew that there WAS not
Sufficient population in New Mexico TO authorize the
highest grade Of territorial government much lees State
government
Now suppose that the agents who have been referred
to paid in the House because they regarded ne
quasi delegates but cannot recognise this man as
senator If he OF abilityf he able TO dis
would have been utterly impossible to obtain seat on
this floor q from New Mexico with her sparse
population Of Indians, Mexicans, and few scattered
soldiers.
Mr.. BELL do not wish TO discuss this matter any
further on our part ! hope the vote will be taken
II wish merely TO suggest that with the consent of the
Senate will amend the amendment that II shall be
in this form:
For the payment Of Richard H. Weightman for mileage
per diem compensation agent claiming TO be
ator elect from New Mexico s24s0
Mr. BUTLER called for the yeas and nays upon the
amendment and they ordered and being taken, re-
sulted--yeas 90 nays l7-as follows;
YEAS-Messrs. Allen Badger, Bell Brodhead, Chase,
Clayton, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa, Douglas,
Everett Fe"enden, Foot, Geyer, James Jones ..
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