Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-13
The Southern Sections Pro-
test Against Statehood.
The Great Fraud Perpetrated
BY Northern CalifOrn ia.
The Los Angeles and San Diego State
Division Conventions.
Now the Protest of Southern California
Was StrangIed I'm Congress-Re-
port of Henry Clay = Eos
ter's Charge Confuted.
[BY A. CECIL sTEPHRNs--ARTICLE VI

In the meantime the Southern Cali
fornians were not idle. Defeated in the
constitutional convention at Monterey
by force of numbers, they determined
to appeal to congress. The story OF
their appeal, and the great fraud that
was perpetrated upon them, forms one
of the most interesting chapters in
California history. believe that this
is the first time that these facts have
ever been 30 grouped, and that in sc
doing the truth is caused to rise again.
THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION.
One of H. H. Bancroft's writers e
Cal. 349) thus notices the southern
movement:
"In February, 1850, the people OF Los
Angeles, alarmed at the action of the
legislature in taxing land, held a mass
meeting to propose some method of es
cape from the impending evil. They
wished not to have to pay the 'enor-
nous expense Of a state government
and complained that the legislature
favored the more thickly pop ulated
north, disregar ding the interests OF the
thinly populated south. This was un-
avoidable, as the public domain could
not be taxed, and the lands covered by
Spanish grants only could. The Los
Angeles people said they feared ruin,
and proposed to petition congress to
form territory to be called Central
California, embracing the counties from
San Luis Ooispo to San Diego. An adj
dress to congress was finally adopted,
declaring that they had not had time to
become acquainted with American insti-
tutions when they joined in forming a
state constitution. They believed a
territorial government the most suit
able. Ruinous taxes would have to be
levied to support the state. 1t was too
large and the interests too diverse.
They would have separate and terri
torial government. 1t was signed by
Manuel Requena, president; Enrique
Dalton and Agustin Olvera, secretaries.
ION the 9th OF May, 1860, Foote pro-
ter addressed to him by Agostin Haraz
thy of San Diego enclosing the address
of the Los Angeles meeting. The Santa
Barbara and San Luis Obispo people
were opposed to the memorial. Foote
moved TO have the documents printed,
but, objections being made, they were
not received"
A close comparison OF the above ac-
count with copy of the original memo
rial does not bear out all the assertions
of Mr.. Bancroft's writer.
The memorial, which is rather long,
was published in full in the HERALD OF
December 8, 1883. 1t was written by
w. w. Stevenson, and was adopted by
9 mass convention OF the citizens OF
Southern California assembled at Los
Angeles in February, 1850. 1t recltes
that the call for constitutional conven-
ton was premature, as well as the en-
tire action of that convention. That the
call was responded to by part OF the
people. That the limits OF the state in
cluded points remote from each other,
and very dissimllar in their interests
and resources. That the binding OF the
entire California coast in one political
compact augmented the resources OF San
Francisco at the expense OF the south.
That the diversity of interests between
Northern and Southern California is
such that they ought not to be united
in the same political compact. That
the area OF the state is too enormous tor
a single state, and that the present con-
diton of society and resources OF that
part of the state south OF 81 degrees ~
minutes is best suited for territorial
form of government.
THE PROTEST sTRANGLED IN CONGRESS.
1t will be of interest to particularly
note the proceedings in congress in re-
gard to the disposition OF this memorial
as reported in the Congressional Globe,
commencing at page 967, as follows:
"Mr. Foote on May 8, 1850, read the
folluwing letter:
"SAN DIEGO, CAL, April 3, 1850.
"DEAR SIR: | take the liberty OF ad
dressing you, and enclosing sundry pa
pers which have been received by the
alcalde of this place, Thomas w. Suth-
erland, ESQ.,, from the people OF Los An
geles, in regard to the form alton OF &
Territorial government for the southern
portion of California.
"The people of this town have held
meeting upon this subject, and are
much. and almost unanimously, In favo
of territorial organization, and ap
pointed committee OF three to draw
up resolutions expressive OF the pubic
sense, and have them forwarded per TIT
steamer, which will leave here tomor
row; but unavoidable business com
polling two OF the committee to leav
for few days, the resolution
intended have not been forwarded
''As the other member OF the com
mittee, feel DESTROYS of notifying yo'
OF the state Of feeling here at as early
date as possible, and enclose you tn
proceedings and other documents tina
have been received, with the reques
that you will furnish them to the cor
sideration of congress.
81 have the honor to be your mos
obedient servant,
'AaosTIN HARAzTHY.
"Hon. H. s. Foote, United States Senat
Washington:
"Mr. Foote further said: In conne'
ton with this matter, have also lie
ter addressed to one OF the senator
from California [Gwin p by gentlema
of high standing, who is, believe, sci
ator from Los Angeles, and president
the senate of California E. K. Chan
- ohort troi