Year: 1861

myself, false to my trust and unworthy the con-
| Glence which the people of California have
reposed in me, If should lose any opportunity
which might fall within the reach of my feeble
abilities TO restore peace to the country, and to
reconcile and reunte our estranged and mad
dened brethren Of the North and South.


1t is my duty-it is the duty of all the Rep
resent natives Of the Pacific coast far removed AS
our people are from the scene of strife and con-
tention now going on-disinterested rs we are IA
this cause of general quarrel occupying stand
point whence we may view calmly, diSpasslon-
ately. aud fratcrnally both the action OF the
North and South, to use our utmost exertions to
prevent disuuion and the disastrous consequences
which must inevitably flow thereirom and may
/ God grant us success in this di charge of duty.


But is it premature in the present condition OF
irs, when this struggle is in It's incipiencys
/ when, perhaps in very sort time, despite oar
earnest aud unceasing eXertions, traternal war
be waged with all that ferocty which character
ICES civil war alone, for us to begin to look TO
our own safety, to draw counsel from the first
law of nations, self preservation" and to
determine whether it is not better for us to
cease our connection with people bent on self
destruction and political annihilation into which
we must be drawn if our present relations con
tinue? 1t is expected, nay, even it Is hoped by
many of all parties and regarded rs u matter OF
caurse by nearly every one, North as well as
South, that California, Oregon, New Mexico,
Washington and Utah, will seek refuge for them
selves from the bghting effects of disunIon and
civil war; by retiring and establishing prosper
ous, happy and q successful Republic on the
/ Pacific SLOPE to which they and our brethren
here, may look for peace and quiet for themselves
and their children, when such blessings are no
LONGER tolerated near the Atlantic, along the
Ohio, nor even in the broad valley OF the
Mississippi


The people of California and her ueighbors
should be of one mind on this subject, and DO
prepared for the emergency and II tue : rates
should force us to this last sad resort let us'
with II disposition to welcome all who come to
us from our " old homes" seeking an asylum,
raise aloft the flag of the +" Bear" surrounded
with the hydra pointed cactus OF the western
wilds aud call upon the enlightened nations of
Garth to acknowledge our Independence, and TO
protect us the only "waf' from the wreck OF
our noble Unon-the youthful but vigorous
CGSariaN Republic of the Pacidc.


1t would be improper here, and ut this tlme,
to point out the advantages which would flow to
us from the establishment of government en-
bracing within its limits that country lying be-
tween the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific
ocean, because we ought not to be, aud am
confident we would not be, actuated by any such
selfish motives. Still it is impossible to withhold
from the speculative miud in viewing this sub
ject, how incomparably superior our condition
would be rs u separate and Independent Govern
ment with no interest that is not common, no
feelings that are not sympathetic, and into which
no Grcbrand could be thrown which would not
expire through mere inattention.


My object in writing this will have been
accomplished if | have succeeded in indicating
il to be my best Judgment, from the facts aud
| lights before me, that the time is near at hand
when an opportunity will be forced upon US to
establish separate government on the Paeinc'
which, proGting by the errors of the past, may
become permanent and everlasting. And further,
that there is an urgent necessity for action on
our part in one direction or another, no matter
with what reluctance, nor however much such
necessary action may initiate with our patrI-
otlsm.


The people of California and her neighbors
are one in interest and feelings their pursuits
and institutions are not Incompatible or incon-
sstent with each other we must, then in order
to preserve these elements Of harmonious action,
unite our fortunes aud If necessity requires 1t,
proclaim for ourselves and those to come after
us, freedom and independence. Any other
course may plunge us into that same vortex
which | fear will soon swallow up the antago-
nistc interests on this side of the continent.


| have the honor to be


Very respectfully your obt serv't,
JOIN q. BURCu.