"Dortjj Carolina potottful in intellectual, tooral and ptjniral retfouree tbe lanti ot ouc ire ano borne of our aftectlonf.
- u.t
RALEIGH, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30.1050.
' . . . . . ' . . . . "j .
1
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
VrON THK TERRITORUL QUESTION
We lay before our readers, this morning,
a document which, we believe, is, destined
to exert s more' powerful and salutary in
fluence upon the public mind, than any
paper whicjijjas issued from the Executive
office for jnianjjj'y ears. It is the ' message
of PresidefyTAYLOR. in reply to the resolu
tions which 'were offered in the House of
Representatives by Mr. Vknabi-b on the
the 31sf of December, and passed by that
body on the same day.
From the documents accompanying the
message which are very eltiminous, we
are only able to transfer to our columns to
day the instructions of the Secretary of
State to Mr. Kino, a letter from Mr.
Buchanan to Ma. Vorhies, and Mr. Ciay
ton's report to the .President. The re
maining papers relate more to the details
of what was done, than to the policy upon
which tlte Administration adopted to its
measureiinregard to the Territories ac
quired by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
--ThrinessareTtw
plification of the recommendation contained
in the annual messnire in relation to these
nnssessions. and the sutrirestioii of a distinct
and difficult uestwns to whK-h &ey have
. riven rise,
.. .Any comments which .we might, fed
disposed at another time to offer would be
- lost sight -of now4h theeagcr interest with
lwhich the message itself will bq read, if we
h me message wi w , u
mayjuoge 01 w v .. , "-v-,
where from lbs intense sUencc which pre
vailed in the House whilst it was being
read at the Clerk's Table. The subject is
one of the gravest imaginable1 consequence,
and the recommendations of the President
touch the peace and happiness "of a whole
people, We cannot have been mistaken
in the indication of satisfaction and appro
val with which they were received.
We have no doubt tliat every member,
who is not sn agitator trom cl-oice, or
"Bitter Ender" by position, "bresthed free
and deeper" at the prospect of the solution
of difficulties surrounded by dangers.
We shall have abundant occasion to
refer to this message hereafter. It covers
the whole ground. It submits to the safe
and quiet operation of natural causes the
disposition' of questions which convulse
and threaten the Union whenever jhey are
J ference. iirpuotic.
1 1 Washington, Jan. 21, 1850
t Totht Home of Ftprttentd V
Z ' ' of tht U. Sldliii
f I transmit to the House of Represent-1
" "Wvesrih" answer to a. resol
olution of that oody,
passed on the 3 1st of December last, the
accompanying reports of heads of Depart
ments, which contain all the official infor
mation in the possession of die Executive
asked Jor by the resolution.
On cominir into office I found the niilita-
California exercising the functions of civil
governor in that Territory; and left as 1 was
to act under the treaty of Guadalupe Hi
dalgo without the aid of any legislative
provision in establishing a Government in
that Territory, I thought it best not to
disturb that arrangement, made under my
predecessor, until Congress should take some
Action on that subject. I therefore did not
interfere with the powers of the military
commandant who continued to exercise
functions of civil governor as before, but I
made no such appointment, conferred no
such authority, and have allowed no in
creased compensation to the coinmJudant
for his services,
Wiih a view to the faithful execution of
the i treaty L so far ..as lay in the pow er of the
Executive, and to enable Congress to act
at the present session with as full knowl
edge and as little difficulty as possible on
11 matters of interest in these Territories, I
tent the Hon, Thomas Butler King as bear
er of despatches to California snd certain
" officers to California and New Mexico,
whose duties are particularly defined in the
accompanying letters of instruction addres
sed to them severally by the proper depart
ment. ' .
I did not hesitate to express to the people
of those Territorie my desire tliat each j protect them against the Indians. It is un
Territory should, if prepared to comply doubtedly true that die property, lives, , lib-
with die requisition of the Constitution of
the United States, form . plan of a State
constitution, and submit die same to Con
gress, with a prayer for admission into the
the Union as a State; but 1 did not anticipate,
uggesl or authorize die establishment of any
such government' without the .assent of
Congress, nor did I authorize any govern
ment agent, or officer to interfere with or
.exercise any influeuce or controrover" the
nection of delegates, or over any convention,
n making or modifying tlieir domestic iu-
atitutions or any of the provisions of their
proposed constitution On the contrary,'
the instructions given by my order were,
fhat all measures .of domestic policy adopt
ed by tlte people of California must oris-
male solely with themselves: that while the
Executive of the United State waa desirous
r -..K .ui..iu.uiioi any gov-1 mass pf the American people. To assert
rnmet republicn m is. character, to U mt that they are a conquered people, and must
the proper time submtttod to CWsjs yet it as a State .ul.mil to the will of their coll
ar to b. disiincdy umlerstood lhaMh pU qu.rorm m Ulig wil mcet with'no
.uca a governmeni must ai me same ume
m i. result oi meirown oeituera: cnoice,
and originate with themselves,' without the
interference of the Executive.
I am unable to give any information as
to laws passed by any supposed govern
ment in California, or of any census taken
in either of the Territories mentioned in the
resolution, "as I have no information on
those subjects.
- As already stated, I have not disturbed the
arrangements which I found had existed
under my predecessor.
In advising nn early application by the
people of these Territories tor admission as
Slates, I was actuatedprincipally by an ear
nest desire to afford to the wisdom and pa
triotism of Congress the opportunity of
avoiding occasions of bitter and angry dis
sensions among the people of the United
States.
Under theonstitution every State has
the right of establishing, and from time to
lime altering, its municipal laws and do
mestic institutions, independently of every
other State.and of the General Government,
subject only to the prohibitions and guaran
tees expressly set forth in the Constitution
of me. Uoittd Biates. -Thtye4 thus left
exclusively to the respective istates were
not designed or expected to become topics of
national wirartoin". ' "Min, as under ine-con-
-0 United States, every new
acqnisitionfTerriiOfy tias ledd discuss-jTng
tons on the question whether the" system
otrrvpluiitary servitude which prevails in
roanyiof thstatc ihotdd or should not be
proWtlited in Territory. The periods
-. f , . eauge whlcn
have
heretofore oct'urred have been sulely pass
ed, but during the interval of whatever
length which may elapse before the admis
sion pf the Territories ceded by Mexico as
States, it appears probable that similar ex
citement will prevail to an undue extent.
Under these circumstances I Uiougnt,
and still think, that it was my duly to en
deavor to put it in the power of Congress,
by the admission of Califoruia and New
Mexico as States, to remove all occasion
for the unnecessary, agitation of the public
mindt
It is underslood that the people if the
western part of California havformed a
plan of a State constitution, and V ill soon
submit the same to the judgment of Con
gress, ami apply lor auiuission as a oiaw.
This course on their part, though in accord-
lance With, was not odojtexrfusi.vy-la
consequence ol, any expression oi my isu
es, inasmuch as measures tending to this
end had been promoted by the officers sent
there by my predecessor, and were already
in active progress of execution before any
communication from me reached California.
1 the p6r-wnstiwtintfiha!t," wttett
submitted to Conrrcss, be found to be in
compliance with the requisitions of the
Constitution of the United States, I earnest
ly recommend that it may receive the sanc
tion of Congress.
The part of California not included in
Urn proposed Stnteof that nam's is believed
to be "uninhabited, except In a settlement of
our countrymen tnthe vicinity ot salt lake.
A claim has been advanced by the State
of Texas to a very large portion of the most
populous district of the Territory common
ly designated by the name of New Mexico.
if the people ot iew Mexico tiad tonneu a
plan of a State government for that Terri
tory as ceded by the, treaty of Gaudalupe
Hidalgo, and had been admitted by Cqu
gress as a State, our Constitution would have
afforded the means of obtaining an adjust
ment of the question of boundary with
Texas : by a judicial decision. At present,
however, no judicial tribunal has the power
of deciding that question, and it remains for
Congress to devise some mode for its ad-
justmetit.
Mean while i submit to Von-
gress the question, whether it would be exj 'crnmeot to California or New Mexico, to!
. V i . . i H i k i 1 - .1 .
pedient before sucn Boiusimeni io e.iaonn
territorial government, which, by includ
ing the district so claimed, would practical
ly decide the question adversely to the State
of Texas, or, by excluding it, would de
cide it in her favor. In my opinion such
a course would not be expedient, especially
as the people of-this Territory still enjoy
the benefit and protection of their munici
pal laws, originally derived from Mexico,
and have a military force stationed there to
erties, and reliirion of the people of New
3exico, are better protected than they ever
were before the treaty of cession.
Should Congress, when California shall
present herself for incorporation into the
Union, annex a condition to her admission
as a State affecting her domestic institution
contrary to the wishes of' her people, and
even compel her temporarily to comply
with it, yet the State could change her con
stitution at any time after admission., when
to her it should, "seem expedient.':' Any at
tempt to, deny to' the people of the State the
right of self-government in' a matter which
oecul'arlv a fleets themselves will infallibly
be regarded by them a an invasion of their
ru?ht and. nn the principles laid down
. in our nwn In-l'ratinn nf Ini1prwndpn.
they will certainly be sustained by the great
erdial response among American freemen.
Urwl numbers of them are nstiu ciuzens
of the United States, not inferior to the rest
of our countrymen in intelligence and pa
triotism; and no Iartguage of riierrace to re
strain them in the exercise of an undoubted
right, substantially guarantied to them by
the treaty of cession itself, shall ever be ut
tered by me, or encouraged and sustained
by persons acting under my authority. .Iliing 4he last administration, with officers
is to be expected that in the residue of the
territory ceded to ui by Mexico, the pconle
residing there will, at the time of their in
corporation into the Union as a State, set
tle all questions pf domestic policy to. suit
themselves.
No material inconvenience will result
from the want, for a short period, of a gov
ernment established by Congress over that
part of the territory which lies eastward ol
the new State of Califoruia; and the reasons
for my opinion" that New Mexico will at no
very distant period ask for admission into
the Uuion, are founded on unolliciai infor
mation, which I suppose is common "to all
who have cared to make inquiries on that
subject.
Seeine. then, that the question w hich
mow exertcs TOcrrpa.nftrt cnstfonsirrthe
country., will, in the end, certainly be
set-
tied by the silent effect of causes indepen
"(letol of ffiOclioh ol Congress, 1 agaTnsutp
miktovoor wtsdoro thenelierTemmen6
ed iit myatiriuat message of awaiting the:
...... - - titj.-'
salutary operation 01 loose causes, .unm-
lliat we shall thus avoid the creation pf
geographical parties, and seen re the harmo
ny of feeling so necessary to the beneticiat
action of our "political syBtem1?onnectcd
as the Union is with the remembrance of
past happiness, the sense of present bless
ings, and the hope of future peace and pros
perity, every dictate of wisdom, every feel
ing of duly, and every emotion of patriot
ism tend to inspire fidelity and devotion, to
it, and admonish us cautiously to avoid any
unnecessary controversy which can either
endanger it or impair its strength, the chief
element or which is (o be found in uie re
gard and affection of the people for each
other. Z. TAYLOR. -
DuaT1T -M BtaTV
WjktHiKSTOR. 7lh Jsnosry, 1850.
Tit Ikt Prtiidmt mf ike United State
The Secretary, of State, to whom has
been referred a resolution of the House of
Representatives of the 81st ult,, requesting
the President of the United State to com
municate to that body, as early as he con
venicntlyajj.wiuiUier! sjsceJhe lataee
sTon of Gongrese any person! ha been
'him appointed either a civil or military
'governor of California and New Mexico.
'If any mjlitary or civil governor has been
'appointed, their name and their compen-
sation." If a military and civil governor
'has IteeAiHHted Hrne personfwhethereny
'additional compensation ha been given for
said duties, and the same."
'Also, that lie be requested to commu
nicate to this House whether any agent or
agents, or other persons, have been ap
'pointed by the President or any of the
'Departments of the Government, and -sent
"io iratilor
'niaed in said territories by this Govern'
'mcnt, authorized to organize the people of
California or rew Mexico into a govern
'mcnt, or to aid or advise them in such or
ganizilion; or whether such agent, civil or
'military governor, was instructed or di-
Or di- j
rccted to aid, preside over, or be present:
at the assembly of a body o! persons called cr nangy the world are distracted by do
a convention in California, to control, aid, mesti"dM.cntions and re involved in a
advise, direct, or participate in any manner gtruggto between the privileges of Uie few
'in the deliberations of that body of per- lnd the rights of -the many, Heavon ha
sons. If sny. the names of such agent or.bipgg,,,! our happy land with agovemmeut
agents, and their compensation. Also, w,ich secures equal rights to all our citi
that the President he requested to inform
'this House whether the Executive, or ei
ther of the Departments, have sent any
!affenloraeenUnahe-Ft
i'iu or auvise uie peopio oi uioso ie mux
n-s u to the lormauon ot a government
for themselves, and il such agent or agents ' free to promote his own prosperity and hap
have been sent, who they are, and their j pines in the manner most in accordance
compensation Also, that tlie President, with his own judi'ine nt.
be respectfully requested to communicate
to tins House all the instructions given to ,
such governor, civil or military, in. Call- j
fornia or New Mexico, or to any. officers
of the army ol the United Slates, or any
other persons, who may nave been sent by ' grecs of latitude slong the coast of the 1'aci
tliis Government teNew Mexico or Cali-j fie, with some of the finest harbors in the
fornia, and the proclamations and commo-j world, the imagination can scarcely fix a
'nications by them made l.i the people of
said Territories, as well as the entire cor-
respondent; of uch agents or governor one or more glorious States of this roufede
'with this Government. And, also, wheth- racy springing into existence in California,
'er any person or persons have been au-
thorized by thi Government, or any of its
department, to appoint and direct the elec
tion, in said Territories, and determine
'the qualifications of the voters at the same;
and whether any law have been created
by tny junposedgovsrnmentOa CaUfor.
nia; and if so, what laws!"
"And thai the President be requested to
communicate to this House all correspon
dence held by this Government with any
person in California and New Mexico
relative to the formation of a Government
'for the said Territories by the inhabitant
thereof; and whether any census of citizens
'of said Territories has been ipade; and that
the same, if made, be communicated to
ttbil House. Also all similar instruction
. . .l-i ... .ii
that were nven to similar ofheers or a-
pciiw uy uja law j.avcuiivc, uu sli fuuhm ' . '
information of which ths Department ofgledln difliculdci ant) d n-ions st the
'State had possession, and similar matter,
'at the expiration of the term of office of
'the late President:;" ... His the honor' to
report to the President the' accompanying
papers on file; in his. Department embraced
by the resolution." Copies of so much of
the correspondence of this Department, dur-
and spent in California, after the Treaty
of Guadalupe, as was deemed proper or
uselul to be communicated to Congress,
will be found among the papers accompa
nying the message of President Polk of
December 8, 1848, from p-ge 45 to page
(59 inclusive... See vol. 1 Executive Doc
uments, 2d session 30th Congress. Prior
to that period T. O. Larken, esquire, was
appointed confidential agent of the Depsit
ment in California, and received for hi
services the rum of t'1,107. The sum
of 1,000 has been paid to Mr. King.
Tbe Secretary of State has the honor to
add, that no official report tua yet been
received at this Department from t .r. King,
who, on the 3d of April last, was appointed
bewoCdejpajcfeaLJW
gent to collect information necessary to the
propor execution of the treaty with Mexico,
as...wdL.MJto.
;uTed infraction, herewith
sent. Private advices from California have
informed us that ho. was confuted by a-
vere illness, not long after hi arrival at
San FrinciscoVbut lhar ho had rccovere
and his arrival in the United Males may,
therefore, soon be expected.""'
A report will then, doubtless, be made
by him in obedience to his instructii ns.
Respectfully suhmitKd,
J. M CLAYTON.
Department or State,
Washington, 74hOctober, 1848. $
Wat, V. Vorhies, Esq., Wamlungton Cityj
Sir Previous to your departure for Cal
ifornia, the President has instructed me to
make known, through your agency, to the
citizen of the United States inhabiting that
Territory; hi view respecting tlieir breswit
condition and future prospects. He Ideems
it proper to employ you for this piirpose,
because the Postmaster General ha appom'
ted you an agent under the act "to est- blish
certain post routes," approved August 14th,
188. "to make arrangements lor the es-
mission, receipt .and . conveyance, of. letters
in Oregon and California.
The President congratulates the Citizen
of California on the annexation of their fine
praties to the United States. On the 30th
of May, 1 84 ft the day on which the ratifi-J
cation o ou ktolruaty with Mexieo ser4
exchanged Coliiomta finally became an
integral portion of this great and glorious
republic ; and die act of Congress, to which
I have already referred, in express terms re
cognises it to be "within tho territory of the
United States."
May thi Union be perpetual ! ' J .
firmest conviction that the uovemment and
people of die United States will never a-
j bandon them, or prove' unmindful of their
prosperity. Their fate and their fortunes
are now indissolublv united with that of
their brethren on this side of the Rooky
Mmintninfl. Ilnw nrnmtimil this ftvpnt
K,h fr thm ami fori., t Whilst the nth
zens, and has produced peace Happiness
and contentment throughout our borders.
It has combined liberty with order, and all
ilic cit-
jzens with the strictest observance of law,
. . .. . . .... . ...
satisfied witn the institutions under wnicn
; we live, each individual is, therefore, left
Under such a constitubou and such laws,
the prospect of Caldornia are truly encour-
aging. Blessed with a mild and salubrious
climate, and a fertile soil, rich in mineral
resource, and extending over nearly ten de-
limit to it future wealth and prosperity.
We can behold in the not distant lut ire,
governed by institution similar to our own
and extending the blessings of religion, lib
erty and law over that vast region. Their
free and unrestricted commerce and inter
course with the other State of the Union
will confer mutual benefit and will bind us
all together. by the
cal affection and iutcrest. Their foreign
trade with the west coast of America, with
Asia, and the isles of tlie Pacific, will be
protected by onr common flag, and cannot
fail to bear back to their shores the rich
rewards of enterprise snd industry.
Altar nit. however, the sneedv realization
of these bright prospect . depend much
upon the wise and prudent conduct of the
i-itizena of California in ih nrnsi nt emer -
gency. If they commence their cat ecr under!
ni-r.nr snsnhL thutr adi ancji will h ranid
LhaT Mtrtiln: but shnuM thnv Worn cntan
start, their progress will be greatly retard
ed.
The President deeply regret that Con
gress did not, at tlicirlast session, establish
a territorial government for California. It
would now be vain to enter into the reasons
for this omission. Whatever those may
have been, beu-ia, firmly convinced that
Congress feel a deep interest in the welfare
of California and its people, and will at an
early period of the next session, provide
for them a territorial government suited to
their want. Our laws relating to trade and
intercourse with the Indian will then be
extended over them. Custom-house will
he established for die collection of the rev
enue; and . liberal grant pf j land will be
made to tlioee bold , and patriotic citizens
who, amidst privatiohsand danger have
emigrated or snail emigrate to that territory
from the State on this aide of the Rocky
mountains, t
The President in his- annual messge
the commencement of the' next session, will.
recommend all these great measures to Con-
c"iJFcuur cunsmicnuy wim uia uuiy, hi
insure their accomplishment. - ;
In ?be nieaa..!iuK! tlte condition-of the
rciuiroun uieir jmn 1110 rxercise oi greai
prudence and discretion." By -the conclu
sion of (he tresly of peace, the military
government wiucn Was established over
oy ,uie pracuce oi au civiiixea nauons, na
ceased -to -derive it ti tlf6 rity TromTliis
source of power. But is there, for this
reason, no government inCaliforniaf Are
life, liberty and property under the protec
tion of no existing authorities? This would
be a singular phenomenon in the face of the
woild, and especially among American citi
zens distinguished as they are above all
other people for their law abiding character
Fortunately they aie not reduced to this
sad condition." Tli9TMniTBa'tf6fi"df''10iti
war left an existing government eovcrn-
mcnt tie facto in full operation; and this
will continue with the presumed consent
of the people tintil Congrci liair"provMe
for them a territorial government. The
great law of necessity justifies this conclu
sion. 1 he consent oi uie people is irresis
tibly inferred from the fact that no civilized
community could possibly desire to abrogate
an existing government, when the altcrna
in a slate ot anarchy beyond (lie protection
of all laws, and reduce them to the unhap
py necessity of submitting to the dominion
of the strongest. :' . ;-
This government rfe fat to will of course,
exorciseno power in consistent with tlie nrovi-
bnaihJtJoniiiuUoafuii.UDted
States, which is the supreme law of the land.
For thi reason, no import duties can be
levied in California on article the growth,
produce, or manufacture of the United
State as no such duties can be imposed in
any other part of our Union on the produc
tions of California. Nor can new duties be
chaTirctl in California upon men fureicn
productions a have 5 already'pnid dutie
n any of our port of entry, for the obvious
reason that California! within the territory of
the United Slates, 1 shall not enlarge upon
this subject however, a the Secretary of
the Treasury will perform that duty.
The President urgently advise the peo
y of California to live peaceably and qui
etly under the existing government. He
believe that thi will promote their lasting
and best interest. If il be not what they
could desire and has a right to expect they
cun console themselves with the reflection.
that it will endure but for a few mouths.
Should tlicy attempt a change or- amend it
during this brief period, they most probably
could not accomplish llieir object before the
government established by Congress would
go into operation. In the mean time, the
country would be agitated, the citizens
would be withdrawn from their usual em
ployment and domestic strife might divide
and exasperate the people against each other
and this all to establish government which,
in no conceivable contingency, could endure
for a sinttle year. During this brief period
it is belter to bear the ills they have, than
to fly to others they know not of.
The permanent prosperity of any new
country i identified with die perfect securi
ty of it land title. Tlie land system of
the General Govermcnt ha been a theme
of admiration throughout the world. The
wisdom of man ha never devised a plan
so well calculated to prevent litigation and
place the right of owner of the soil beyond
dispute. This system ha been one great
csuse of tlie rapid settlement and progress
of our new State and Territorie. Emi
grant have' been attracted there, because j
ever man knew that when lie-bad acquired
land from' the Government he rould sit un-
tree, and there would be no one to make
j him afraid Indeed, there can-be noRra-
ter : drawback to
the prosperity of a
counUy a
several
of th older States
have experienced, tfian disputed land tide.
Prudent men will be deterred from emigra
ting to a State or Territory where they can
! not obtain an iodispuubls title, and must,
consequently, be exposed to ilia danger pf
' strife and litigations in respect to the soil on
which they dwell. An uncertainty respeci
ini the security of land titlos arrests all val-
- fuable improvement, bccauM no prudent
i ... . . i
' maa wdl expend hti means for this purpcea
whilst there is danger that another my
deprive him of the fruit of his labors. Jtb
fortunate, therefore, that Congress alone,
under the Consttution possesses "th power
to dispose of and make all needful rule and
regulation respecting the territory or other
property belonging to the United State,"
In the exercise ti thi power the President
is convinced that emigrant will receive Iis
era! donation of the publi eland.1
Although Congress have not established
a territorial government for the people of
Cal fornia, they have hot been altogether
unmindful of their interest. The benefit
of our post-office laws hi been extended
to them; and yon bear . with yoe author
ity from tlie ' Postmaster General to
provide for the conveyance of public
information and private eorrespondeoxe
among themselves, and between then '
nd the citizen of Oregon and of our
State east of th Rocky mountain. Tbe
monthly steamer on theline from Panama ..
to Astoria have been required "to atop and
deliver and take mail at Saa Diegof Sa
Francisco and Monterr.Thee steamer
connected By tTie Isthmus of Panama witk
wesson uie ute Atlantic bts
York .and Chagre, will keen una reeuli -
.cammMlUoMhCallforui'nd airord"
facilities to all uioswho5)aydeair
emigrate to thai twritorjr.
u" neccasarr tpproprlalioB have al)
teearnada by Congrew to tnianfain troops
California, to Orotect it inhabitant V
gainst all attacks from a civilized or savage '
foe, and it iritt aflbrd th President peculiar
pleasure to perform thi duty prompUy and
effectively. . '
Hut, above all the Conatitinlnn r k.
United State, the safeguard r II Alt j4wil
nght, wa extended over California on the
30th May 1848, the day on which our lata
treaty with Mexico, was finally consummar
tod. From that day it Inbabitats became
entitled to all the blessings
resuitlngfroin the Best form of civU govern, "
mcnt ever established amongst men, ? Thai
mcj win prove worthy of this inestimable
boon, no doubt I entertained-
- Whilst the popiilauon of California will
be Composed chiefly ol our own binrfMJ
of a people speaking our owa language and
educated for self go vernment under our nwm --
instituUons, a considerable portion of than,
were Mexican citizen before the late treaty
of peace. Thcae.ur'-new-Tirii,. - .;-ift
and from, the insure sml -
of the American character the. Presioaot a
confident thatUiey be treated with respect
and kindness, and thus be made to feel that
ktf .li.nmn. Tl - .
6-a- ""r, iirKincs . iter hva
become more prosperous and happy. ,
.. JPurs very respectfully-:
(Copy.) .
UXrAITMXKT OF STATB, . V ;r
Wasuinotom. 3d AoriL IS40. C . ''
1
Hot. Thoas Bottle a Kino. ,
AFgtfitiJItni . Ht V. Stain h C.rv
mat Th President, reposing full confi
dence In your Integmr. ibili ties, and pro-,.
dOnce, has appointed you an airent for th
purpose Of Convey U)ff important inatnuttinna
and despatch s to our naval and military
commanders in California. It is his desinr
that you should lose no lime in repairing
thither by the best and most expeditious
route in th prosecution of the duties deol
Ved upon, you, which I shall nrrwmrl in
explain in the following instructions:
siiuBuim oi uie people of California
and New Mexico has, slread, at this early
period of his Aminisrtttion attracted his at
toniioo. By the Uie treaty with Mexico.
Pjovialon was made for the future admissior
of these Territories into the Union as States;
nd in the mean time the Gvernmentof the
U. 8. is bound to protect tlie inhabitants, resid
ing in them in the free and entire enjoyment of
their lives, liberty and property and ia the
exercise of their civil and religious right
Owing to cauewith which you are fully
acquainted, the Congress of ths Uniud
States foiled to assist the Executive by tba
passage of a law establishing a government,
in eidier of the new Territories. , You ara
aware however that sn Mt was pased st the
last sesion to extend the revenue lawsaf
the United State over ths territory and,
water of Upper California This actert
ates a collection district ia California) and
you also know that by another preyious
act certain mail facilities have been exten
ded to the same territory. What evercaa
be done, by the aid of the constitution oi
the Uuited States, tlie treaty with Mexico,,
and the enactments of Congress, to afford'
to the neople of the Territories the benefit
of civil government, and the protection that,
is dud them, will be anxiously considered
and attempted by the Executive. , .t
You have been selected by the President,
to convey to them these assurances; and
PfH'VJlt9 of'ijsfirm detetrmK
nation,' so far ss hi constitutional powen
extends, to omit nothing that may tend to
promote and secure their peace and hsnnii
ness. Yoa are fully possescd of th presi- -dent's
view, and can with propriety mg.
gest to the people of California the adopuos)
oi, incisure oesi caicuiatea to giv toeizt .
effect, These measures must of course.
originate solely with themselves Assura
them or the sincere desire of the Executive
of ths United States to protect and defend
thsni in the formation of any governmeni.
republican in It character, herafter to be
submitted to Congtwe, which shall be On