The Shasta courier., 1855-05-05
Division Of the State.

On the 18th ult., after an animated discussion
Of the Bill providing for the division OF Califor-
mia into three States, it was referred to select
committee Of nine, with instructions to prepare
IN address to the people of California. This ad-
dress is now before us. We give that portion
of it which defines the boundaries of the propos-
ed States, and shall publish the remainder next
week. The address says:
Section | alters the boundary line of California
on the east, TO embrace every portion Of
the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada noun
tains which borders the present State ot Calior-
MIA. which can be brought under profitable cul-
tvaton. The line as proposed by this section,
will run through the centre OF the great Ameri-
can Desert.
Section creates new State, TO be called
Colorado, containing the portion of territory now
known as the counties OF San Diego, San Ber-
nardino, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis
Obispo, Monterey, Merced, Tulare, Buena Vista.
and Mariposa, (except narrow strip OF the last,
In the northeastern corner thereby
Section creates new State. called Shasta
composed OF the present counties of Klamath
Siskiyon, Humboldt, Shasta. Trinity aud Pu
mas, all that portion of Butte lying north of The
town of Bidwell, (including that town. the
northern part OF Cousi, (being about half
of that county, and the northern portion of Men
docino, (being about one third Of that county.)
Section declares what portion of the present
State shall remain the State of California; to wit:
the counties OF Santa Cruz, Santa Clara San
Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin.
StanIsaus, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Anador Ell
Dorado, Sacramento, Yolo, Soano, Napa, Sono-
ma, Marin, Placer, Nevada. Sierra, Yuba Sut,er
that part of Butte south of Bdwe the southern
half OF Colusi, the major portion of Mendocino,
and small strip of the northeastern corner of
Mariposa. (The foregoing division and subdi-
vision OF counties is made ON the basis of Eddy's
Map Of the State of Californla.)
Sections 5, 6, T. s, 8 and 10, require com
ment The objects contemplated in these
tions will be apparent on reading the bill, set
forth above, The relative size of the three
States described, is as follows, viz: Colorado
will be the second in its dimensions in the rank
of the States now in the Union, California the
third and Shasta the ninth
The population of California, as now bounded
amounts TO near 100000 souls Ii is impossible
for the Committee to ascertain the exact proper
tions OF this amount, which will be distributed
among the three new States the Committee
are, how ever satisfied that there will be suffi-
clent number OF people in each of the States TO
obtain the admission of each into the Union un-
der existing laws. In fact, there is no provision
of the Constitution of the United States, nor is
there any enactment oil the Federal Legislature,
which requires any fixed number Of inhabitants
to constitute State.
Although at present opposed to the proposed
division, We fully approve of the propriety of
discussing the question in all of its important
bearings. 1t is subject of the utmost moment
to the people of this State, and not fit matter
TO be acted upon with undue haste.
There are certainly mapy reasons to be roed
In faver of division. Owing to the great extent
of our territory, and the consequent diversity
and contrariety Of interests of the people Of diff
ferent sections, it is absolutely impossible to
act laws equitable and beneficial to all alike. 1t
has been truly said by the old man of the hermit
age, the great Jackson that the blessings of Gov
ernment, like the dews from Heaven, should fall
alike upon the heads of all. Now however, the
interests of the northern, the middle and the
southern sections of this State are as widely diff
ferent as are those of Maine, Virginia and Loui-
siana-and hence, laws eminently promotive of
the interests of Northern California, may be OPP
pressive to the citizens of the central and south
ern portions, and rice cersa.
Another reason in behalf Of the measure is
the fact that it will give us four additional u s.
Senators, and about three additional members
in the House of Representatives. This in
creased strength in our national councils could
not fail to result in great good to the interests of
the people of the Pacific coast.
We commend the matter to the dispassionate
consd Grafton of our people.