/ 7 
 
SPEECH 
 
 -it 
 HON. JAMES S. WILEY, OF MAINE, 
 
 THE ACQUISITION OF TERRITORY. 
 
 COVERED 
 
 IN THB HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAY 16, 1848. 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 PKINTED AT THE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE OFFICE, 
 
 1848. 
 
ACQUISITION OF TERRITORY. 
 
 The House being in Committee of the Whole 
 on the state of the Union, and having under con- 
 sideration the Navy Pension Dill 
 
 Mr. WILEY said: 
 
 Mr. CHAIRMAN: I embrace this opportunity to 
 express my views in relation to the policy of our 
 Government towards that of Mexico, especially in 
 regard to the indemnity which we demand for the 
 injuries incurred by us prior to and during the 
 prese/U war with that nation. 
 
 On the 13th day of May, 1846, this House, by 
 a vote of 174 to 14, and the Senate by a still more 
 decisive voice, declared, that " by the act of the 
 Republic of Mexico, war existed between that 
 Government and the United States;" and " for the 
 purpose of enabling this Government to prosecute 
 said war to a speedy and successful termination," 
 the President was authorized to employ the naval 
 and military force of the United States, and the 
 sum often millions of dollars was appropriated for 
 the same purpose. 
 
 I shall not at the present time go into a particu- 
 lar consideration of the causes and history of the 
 war, nor attempt a description of the many and 
 brilliant exploits of our gallant army. This task, 
 most grateful to every patriotic heart, has been most 
 ably performed by many members of this and the 
 preceding Congress. 
 
 I believe, sir, that the people are pretty well in- 
 formed on this subject; and whenever the justice 
 or expediency of the war has been brought in ques- 
 tion, they have promptly and emphatically decided 
 in its favor. The American people, generally, are 
 patriotic, and when the question is between our 
 irn and a foreign country, they will say ou?- coun- 
 try. Yes, sir, such is their love of country, and 
 so great their attachment to our institutions, that 
 a (rrcat majority of them will say, " our country, 
 right or tcroiig 1 . " 
 
 But, sir, both Congress and the country have 
 passed upon this question. They have decided 
 that there was just cause for the war, and that it 
 ehould be prosecuted till an honorable peace shall 
 be obtained. I shall not attempt to array all the 
 testimony to prove this position. The act of May, 
 1846, is decisive on the point; to which I might 
 add the further fact, that many members hold scats 
 on thftfloorwho would hardly have obtained them 
 had they been openly opposed to the war, and 
 pledged to vote against the measures necessary 
 to its prosecution. This is also the case in the 
 other branch of Congress. 
 
 ^ Nor shall I go into a lengthy and labored inves- 
 tigation of the manner in which the war has been 
 conducted. The history of the Mexican war is 
 before the world. It is enough to say, that in the 
 
 short time of less than two years, our armies, under 
 the most unfavorable circumstances in a foreign 
 country , possessing, in some regions through which 
 they marched, the most pestilential climate with 
 the most fearful odds against them, achieved a seriea 
 of the most brilliant victories ever recorded on th 
 pages of history. , 
 
 But this war undertaken for the purpose of de- 
 fending our territory and protecting our citizens 
 from the assaults of the invader, and prosecuted 
 with a view to obtain indemnky for a long seriea 
 of injuries and outrages committed upon the prop- 
 erty and lives of our citizens, and security against 
 like injuries and outrages in future is now prob- 
 ably brought to a close. At least, hostilities hav 
 for the present ceased; and the two Governments 
 have lately been considering the grounds on which 
 a final settlement should take place, and the kind 
 and amount of indemnity which we have a right to 
 demand. 
 
 By the treaty lately adopted by the Senate, and 
 sent to Mexico for ratification there, it is stipulated, 
 on the part of that Government, to cede to the 
 United States New Mexico and Upper California; 
 for which we are to pay a certain sum of money, 
 and assume the debts due from Mexico to the citi- 
 zens of the United States. This state of things 
 presents for our consideration the question whether, 
 by this arrangement, we are to receive sufficient 
 indemnity for the debts originally due us, and for 
 the losses sustained in prosecuting the war to tho 
 present time; and whether it is good policy to ex- 
 tend further the area of our Union. Of this issue, 
 I taRe the affirmative. , 
 
 We have seen, sir, that the policy of the Gov- 
 ernment, in this respect, has been most bitterly 
 assailed, both upon this floor and in the Senate. 
 A distinguished Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. . 
 WEBSTER] opposes the policy of acquisition, both 
 on the ground of the alleged unconstitutionality of 
 the measure, and of the worthlessness (as he says) 
 of the territory involved. He remarks: 
 
 " I am against the creation of new States. I am against 
 the acquisition of territory to form new States." 
 
 Again: 
 
 I ;iy, sir, if I am asked to-day whether, for the Fake of 
 peace jf will take a treaty which brings two new States i ito 
 this Umon, ou its southern boundary, I say MO distinctly, 
 no. I have said on ; he southern boundary, because there 
 the present proposition takes its locality. I would say the 
 sain.! of the western, the eastern, or any other boundary. I 
 would resist to day, and to the end, here and everywhere, anj 
 proposition to add any foreign territory, on the south or west, 
 north or ei\ t, to the States "of this Union aa they are nov 
 constituted and held together under tin: Constitution. Sir, 
 I hold this q in: -non to he vital, permanent, elementary, in 
 tin; future prospr-nty of this country and the maintenance of 
 the Constitution." 
 
 Here we see that the Senator opposes acquisition 
 
4 
 
 on constitutional grounds. And he considers this 
 " if not the undivided, the preponderating sentiment 
 of the whole North." Besides, sir, the Senator is 
 willing to make this an issue before the people, 
 "from the Gulf to the British provinces, and from 
 the ocean to the Missouri." Now, sir, let me 
 say, that we are willing to go before the people 
 with this issue. Indeed , they have decided already. 
 So far as I have been able to learn the wishes and 
 feelings of the people, they have spoken loudly 
 in favor of the acquisition of Mexican territory 
 more especially since it has become evident that we 
 can obtain indemnity in no other way. Sir, if the 
 question were put to the legal voters to-day, whether 
 they would prefer territory or no indemnity, they 
 would decide, by an overwhelming majority, in 
 favor of acquisition. I go further, sir, and say, 
 that Congress has twice decided this question in 
 the affirmative first in May, 1846, when they 
 placed at the control of the Executive ten millions 
 of dollars and fifty thousand men, for the purpose 
 of prosecuting the war. It was well understood 
 that Mexico had neither money nor credit, and 
 that we must take land or nothing; and I cannot 
 believe that any sane man supposed that we should 
 enter upon such an undertaking with no view of 
 obtaining anything for the wrongs and injuries 
 before sustained, the debts then due, or for the ex- 
 penses to be incurred. 
 
 Again, at rtie last session of Congress, a bill was 
 passed appropriating three millions of dollars, with 
 the express object of acquiring territory from Mex- 
 ico. Thus, sir, the question of territorial indem- 
 nity may be considered as settled not only by the 
 people, but by Congress. And had the President 
 negotiated a treaty by which we were to receive 
 the promises of bankrupt Mexico in payment of 
 the debts previously due, and the expenses incur- 
 red in prosecuting the war, he would have been 
 overwhelmed by the reprobation of an outraged 
 and indignant people. No doubt the Senator is 
 -correct in his opinion, so far as the Federal States 
 of the North are concerned. But, sir, I am confi- 
 dent that such is not the sentiment of New Hamp- 
 shire. No, sir; the recent election there has told 
 the story for the Granite State. And I know, sir, 
 that such is not the sentiment of Maine. 
 
 But, sir, opposition to the measure of acquisition 
 is just what we should expect from Whig States, 
 and Whig Representatives and Senators here. They 
 have always been opposed to the enlargement of 
 our borders. Their policy has rather been to cur- 
 tail and 'contract the area of freedom. Yes, sir, 
 the Senator from Massachusetts is in principle op- 
 posed to the acquisition of any more territory, 
 ex:cept a harbor or two on the coast of California 
 for the accommodation of the commerce of Mas- 
 sachusetts. There are some whalemen from that 
 'State who pursae their occupation in the Pacific; 
 and they must be provided for, of course. B^it no 
 more new States must be added to the Union, be- 
 cause Massachusetts might not, in that case, exert 
 her due weight of influence in the councils of the 
 nation. On the other hand, when you come to the 
 question of ceding aioay selling out territory, in- 
 habitants and all, for a mere nominal equivalent, 
 why, then the Senator is not quite so scrupulous 
 as to the right to do so as the State which I have 
 the honor in part to represent once had the misfor- 
 tune to learn, to her everlasting regret. 
 
 Why, sir, more than* one-half' of bur present 
 area is the result of acquiring large tracts of terri- 
 tory from foreign or neighboring Powers. In 
 1803, the Government of the United States, under 
 Mr. Jefferson, acquired, by treaty with France, 
 that vast country called the Louisiana purchase. 
 This measure met with the most strenuous oppo- 
 sition from the opponents of that Democratic Ad- 
 ministration. A great portion of this extensive 
 and fertile region was considered by the opposers 
 of acquisition as almost entirely worthless fit only 
 for the abode of wild beasts, and savages as wild. 
 They were also horror-struck at the idea of admit- 
 ting the French and Spanish inhabitants then liv- 
 ing on the territory to equal privileges with them- 
 selves. The acquisition was also opposed on 
 constitutional grounds. And it is said that Mr. 
 Jefferson himself doubted the constitutionality of 
 the purchase, and proposed an amendment to meet 
 the caSe. But he considered the necessity of im- 
 mediate action so great, that he did not deem it 
 expedient to await the tardy process of an amend- 
 ment to the Constitution. It is evident, however, 
 that, although he had some scruples against "set- 
 ting an example of broad construction," he never 
 had any objection to the measure from a fear that 
 it would disturb the balance of the Union by throw- 
 ing the preponderance of power into the West. 
 That great, sagacious, and far-seeing statesman 
 was guided by no such narrow views. He looked 
 upon that measure with an eye single to the pres- 
 ent and future welfare of his country. And the 
 result has shown that this was the wisest, the no- 
 blest, of the many wise and noble deeds of that 
 illustrious patriot and sage. 
 
 But, the measure having been consummated, 
 notwithstanding the strenuous opposition arrayed 
 against it, its great utility and important bearing 
 on the prosperity, not only of the western States, 
 but upon the .whole Union, soon quieted the fears, 
 and silenced the murmurs, of those who had been 
 so unwise and short-sighted as to Qppose it. 
 
 It was feared that the result of this acquisition^ 
 so vast in extent, comprising, as it did, an are 
 nearly equal to the territory of all the origina' 
 States, would be to change the whole balance of 
 power in the Union. But we have yet experienced 
 no such consequences. Three large and flourish- 
 ing States have already been formed out of the 
 Louisiana purchase, and others will probably soon 
 apply for admission into our glorious Confederacy. 
 And, sir, when they are prepared to do so, I say, 
 let them come. Party management, and a jealousy 
 of the prosperity and power of the West, may for 
 a time retard their admission; but they will have 
 a right to a participation in the privileges and bless- 
 ings of the union, and they must be admitted. I do 
 not fear the result. I do not believe that their pa- 
 triotism would permit them, even in accordance 
 with their interest, to abuse the power which they 
 seem likely to obtain. I prefer, rather, in the lan- 
 guage of the immortal Washington, to belief e that 
 the " name of American, which belongs to them 
 ' in their national capacity, must always exalt their 
 'just pride of patriotism, more than any appella- 
 1 tions derived from local discriminations. They 
 ' will not forget, that with slight shades of differ- 
 1 ence, they have the same religion , manners, habits, 
 'and political principles; that they' have, in a 
 ' common cause, fought and triumphed together; 
 
' that the independence and liberty we possess, are 
 1 the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of 
 'common dangers, sufferings, and successes." 
 
 Tliere are but few, probably, of any party at 
 the present day, who will depy the great value and 
 importance of the Louisiana purchase. But was 
 it.s acquisition a constitutional act? I maintain that 
 it was; and in this position I am sustained by the 
 highest authority. Mr. Justice Story, in his Com- 
 mentary on the Constitution, while speaking on 
 this point, says: , 
 
 ;in iiuiilcnt.il power, the constitutional power of the 
 United Siat.'- to acquire territorv would seem so naturally 
 to flow I'IOIM the sovereignty confided to it, as not to admit 
 of very si nous qiie-tion." 
 
 "The Constitution confers on the Government of the 
 United States thf: power of making war, and of making 
 treaties; and it serin-' eonsi qu< ntly to possess the power of 
 acquirin" territory, either Ity conquest or tre'ity. It tlie ces- 
 sion l)n liy treaty, the terms of that treaty DlUSt he ohliiia- 
 tory ; for it is the law of the land. And 'if it stipulates iur 
 the enjoyment hy thn inhabitants, of tlie rights, privileges, 
 and immunities of the citi/.ens of the United States, and for 
 th-ir adm's-i >n into tlie Union as a St~.tr, the.-e stipulations 
 must be equally obligatory. They are within the scope 'of 
 tin- eon.-tituiional authority of the Government, which has 
 the right to acquire territory, to make treaties, and to admit 
 M'sr into t!u- Union."" 
 
 This language, sir, covers the whole ground, 
 both in regard to territory, icith or without inhab- 
 itants, and in regard to States to be received into, 
 or annexed to, the Union. 
 
 Tlie same doctrine is also held by other element- 
 ary writers on constitutional law. And the same 
 point may also be considered as decided by the 
 Supreme Court of the United States, in the case, 
 American Insurance Company vs. Canter, 1 Peters' 
 Sup. C. R. 511, 542. 
 
 Our Government acted upon this ground, when, 
 in 1819, it acquired Florida by treaty with Spain, 
 and that, too, without any considerable opposition. 
 This measure seems to have been generally acqui- 
 esced in by all parties, which may be considered 
 as stamping with the seal of approbation the pre- 
 ceding measure of the like kind. 
 
 The acquisition of Florida took place under the 
 administration of Mr. Munroe, during the period 
 of general amalgamation the " era of good feel- 
 ing;" and this acquiescence for the time, can hard- 
 ly be considered as an exception to the general 
 assertion, that there has always been a party in 
 our country opposed to the enlargement of our 
 boundaries, and to the spread ofour free institutions; 
 for we very well know, that the same determined 
 and violent opposition which had been made to the 
 acquisition of Louisiana, was renewed and arrayed 
 against the annexation of Texas. The history of 
 Texas, her early sufferings, her struggles to be 
 free, her glorious achievements, her ultimate suc- 
 cess in establishing her independence, and her final 
 reception in'o the sisterhood of States all these 
 are matters of history, fresh in the recollection of 
 all. Here, too, the doctrine of acquisition was 
 again triumphant. And it would seem as though 
 we ought to consider ttfe question as res ndjiulicuta, 
 and finally put to rest. Yen, sir; the acquisition 
 of Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, are " foregone 
 conclusions.*' These measures have been " sanc- 
 tioned and sanctified" by the approbation of the 
 American people. In the language of the Senator 
 from Massachusetts, " I consider these transac- 
 lions as passed, fettled, and Ifgaliztd. There they 
 < stand. They are a part of our political history. 
 
 1 They are facts, gainst wtiich it would be idle at 
 ' this day to contend." 
 
 And now, sir, the question is, what shall be the 
 future policy of our Government in regard to the 
 further enlargement ofour borders? By the treaty 
 before referred to, it is proposed to acquire New 
 Mexico and Upper California. This proposition 
 is in accordance with the recommendation of the 
 Executive branch of the Government, and has 
 lately received the constitutional sanction of the 
 Senate. We are aware that there was considerable 
 opposition to the treaty; some Senators, as we are 
 informed, objecting on account of tlie munntr in 
 which it was negotiated, others because it did not 
 offer sufficient indemnity, and others still because 
 they did not want any territory at all. This last 
 position is the one assumed by the Senator from 
 Massachusetts, and to him I will let the Senator 
 from New Jersey [Mr. DAYTON] answer. He 
 says: 
 
 "The Senator from VassachiiPPtts, in the further prose- 
 cution of hi- riniument, t"\\< us that this ireaty ives us the 
 line of the Ilio Grande, IVew Mexico, and Upper California; 
 and, in view of this acqui.-ition of territory, the Senator 
 #oes into a statement showing the iirc.'s-arily sparse char- 
 acter of the population, now and for a loni: time to come; 
 and he then goes on to speak of the number of States which 
 will be formed out of the territory and the Senators who 
 will then take their seats here. In other words, he tells us 
 that fourteen new Senators will take their places here, and, 
 in contemplation or that result, he become-; absolutely struck 
 with horror. FI" den mnees the whole thinu as a 'monstros- 
 ity' a 'rfisfawoffon' au ' enormity' upon the fair framework 
 of our Government." , < ' 
 
 Again, he remarks: D0QC*O 
 
 "The admission of Texas is a foregone conclusion. The 
 number of States that may be carved out of Texas was set- 
 tled in the annexation of that country. Arrange the bound- 
 aries of Texas as you may, it adds 'not to, nor diminishes 
 from, the number of Senators which she may at a future 
 d iv p'ace upon this floor. Let me remark, however, that 
 the i, .11 Senators from Texas, of whom the Senator speaks, 
 will not come liere in your day, nor in mine, nor in >our 
 children's, nor your children's children's day. Be that as it 
 may, however, the Senator relies upon these ten Senators 
 from Texas in order to make out his position. Sir, he nvght 
 wit!) the same propriety have ar.nr-d from the admission of 
 Louisiana and Florida, or any oilier territory acquired since 
 the organization of ear Government. You thus get rid, at 
 once, of ten out of the fourteen JSrnators that have alarmed 
 the ju-L'nvnt of the distintruished Senator. These ' men 
 in buckram' pa<s away. From fourteen they dwindle at 
 once down to four ! Let us prosecute this matter a little 
 further. We shail find, that in re e re rice even to the re- 
 maining four, they become ' small by degrees and beautifully 
 
 The Senator from New Jersey disposes of these 
 four Senators in this manner: He says that Texas 
 has claimed, and will probable continue to claim, 
 all the territory formerly belonging to New Mex- 
 ico which lies east of the Rio Grande. Indeed, 
 this Government is p'ed^ed to guaranty that por- 
 tion to Texns. Now, then, probably one-half of 
 what is called New Mexico belongs to Texas, and 
 no new State can be created out of that portion 
 without her consent. 
 
 In regard to California, the Senator from New 
 Jersey ask's 
 
 " When are th-'s;- two Senators to com from California? 
 fte [the Senator f.-ovi M i-actiu^Us-] speaks of California 
 as a M'-tc, and of New Mexico as a S^ite; but they do not 
 come here as Stales at all; they come Here as territories 
 i mri; mi/, -d i. rriioi .a;or -p-aks of Cal- 
 
 ifornia as a Sfiie ! What ! a Sute ti In; admitted into the 
 Union, embracing tn decrees of latitude on the coast of the 
 Pacific Ocean, and exlendiri" from five hundred to a thou- 
 sand miles into the interior! Before that country can be 
 represented In .re, there must bo a population of suftk-iuut 
 
extent to authorize the crention of a State, nnd that, too, 
 within territorial limits bearing some proportion to the ex- 
 tent of tlie largest States in this Confederacy." 
 
 Thus, sir, this " monstrosity," this " disfigura- 
 tion," this "enormity," which so frightens the 
 vision of^the Senator from Massachuseits, is made 
 to appear a very small and insignificant matter in- 
 deed. 
 
 Having thus disposed of the constitutional ob- 
 jection involved, and the question of the unfavor- 
 able bearing of the proposed acquisition upon the 
 Union, I proceed to consider some reasons directly 
 in favor of the measure. 
 
 We have been told, sir, that this acquisition 
 would not be worth a dollar to the United States. 
 The gentleman from Connecticut, [Mr. SMITH,] 
 in his speech dtlivered in this House a few weeks 
 since, gave us a very dark and revolting picture of 
 the territories in question. He would make us 
 believe that this whole proposed acquisition, far 
 from being of any value, would be a mere curse 
 to our Union; and, consequently, should the treaty 
 be ratified, we should obtain no indemnity what- 
 ever, and that every dollar we pay will be worse 
 than thrown away. 
 
 Now, sir, let us see how this matter really stands. 
 And, first, we will survey New Mexico. 
 
 It is not strange at all, that we should have un- 
 favorable accounts of these countries, even from 
 our own countrymen, prejudiced, as they would 
 naturally be, against a country with which they 
 were at war. In the language of an officer in the 
 American army, written from Santa Fe, New 
 Mexico, January 21, 1848 " Much that has been 
 * written from New Mexico, respecting it, doubt- 
 ' less originated more from dislike of, and a de- 
 ' sire to abuse the country, than ; from a wish to 
 ' impart correct information concerning it." But, 
 sir, men the most prejudiced will sometimes tell 
 the truth, although they may not design to do so. 
 It is so with one of the witnesses whom the gen- 
 tleman from Connecticut calls to the stand. Col. 
 Hardin is made to speak thus : 
 
 "No land is or can he cultivated in Mexico, except by 
 irrigation. The Mexicans evince great ingenuity in the 
 management of water for irrigating purposes; but they are 
 poor farmers. 'Their plough consists of a straight beam with 
 a coulter of wood, which is sometimes covered with iron, 
 about three inches broad. It is the same pattern as the old 
 Roman plough. Oxen are fastened to the beam by strips of 
 raw-hide tied round their horns." 
 
 When we read this description of their plough, 
 we are very ready to believe that the Mexicans 
 are "poor farmers," and are hardly prepared to 
 believe what follows: 
 
 "They raise fine corn at Monclovia and from thence to 
 the Rio (Grande,, and pretty good at Parras and Patos. Wheat 
 is raised i:i the vicinity of Monclova nnd Parras. A large 
 quantity of grapes is raised in Parras, from which is manu- 
 factured excellent wine and brandy. Suaar, cotton, and 
 other southern productions, grow at Monclova most of 
 them luxurinnt.'y. Fine vegetables are raised ; not that they 
 can be cultivated all seasons of the year." 
 
 Another extract runs thus: 
 
 "The mode of cultivation is as rude as jmn&Jc among the 
 prcat mass of the people. The hoe is unknown ; and their 
 ploughs are no better than those the Egyptians used in' patri- 
 archal times. There has been no progress in husbandry for 
 two hundred years; and the whole aspect of the country 
 denotes decav and retrogression." 
 
 These extracts, although they come from the 
 other side, and were intended to make a different 
 impression from what they really do make on my 
 mind, contain much truth. We do not wonder at 
 
 this appearance of "decay," but we do wonder 
 that the soil was not long ago entirely exhausted, 
 as we are informed that no dressing is used on the 
 land, nor has been for ages. ' Sir, we could hardly 
 have stronger evidence of the greatest natural fer- 
 tility. 
 
 1 will here introduce another extract from the 
 letter written in January last from Santa Fe: 
 
 " It is now mid-winter, and yet we are enjoying as fine 
 weather as is known in the States in the plea-ant month of 
 September. For salubrity and geniality, the climate of no 
 country on the habitable globe can surpass that of New 
 Mexico." 
 
 Again: 
 
 " 1 know that writers have generally represented New 
 Mexico as a comparitively valueless district, with but few 
 narrow valleys well adapted to agriculture. They are, how- 
 ever, such persons as Sterne has said, 'can travel from Dan 
 to Beersheba, and cry that a!I is barren.' The valley of the 
 Rio del Norte has a number of more important settlements 
 located in it than this, the capital; and extends from north 
 to south one hundred and fifty miles. Parts of it cannot be 
 matched in beauty; while for productiveness of soil, the best 
 agricultural districts of the United States do not equal it, 
 with all the advantages which that possesses over this in the 
 implements of agriculture and superior cultivation." 
 
 He then speaks of the rude implements of hus- 
 bandry, and the miserable mode of cultivation, and 
 adds: 
 
 ." Yet the soil, thus imperfectly cultivated, yields in wheat 
 fifty bushels to the acre, on an average, throughout the ter- 
 ritory; while in the United States, the average, in the best 
 wheat-growing districts, is but little, if any, more than 
 twenty bu-hels to the acre. The standard weight of wheat 
 south of this, in the Rio Vega country, as it is called, is 
 equal to sixtv pounds to the bushel, and sixty-two pounds 
 north, in El Valley de Taos." 
 
 This gentleman estimates the white population 
 of New Mexico at 120,000, and remarks: 
 
 "This and the valley of San Miguel, according to the last 
 census taken, contain 30,000; and all the intelligent resi- 
 dents concur in estimating the population' of El Valley de 
 Taos and the Rio Vega, with their dense settlements, at 
 90,000, (which would amount to 150.000.) With a climate 
 eminently favorable to animal and vegetable development, 
 this country, if reclaimed from the possession of the Mex- 
 ican occupants, and dedicated to the profitable purposes for 
 which it was evidently designed by Providence, will prove 
 to be capable of a dense population." 
 
 This account is corroborated by the description 
 given of the same region by the Hon. Willard P. 
 Hall, a Representative from Missouri, (who trav- 
 elled through New Mexico and Upper California 
 about two years a:o,and to who'm 1 am much in- 
 debted for very valuable information in regard to 
 these countries",) except that my friend from Mis- 
 souri estimates the population at a little more than 
 100,000, the census having been taken, as hethinks, 
 in 1843. These settlements are confined to a very 
 small part of the habitable portion of the country; 
 and, as we have seen, the portions of country now 
 occupied have been cultivated in the most mis- 
 erable manner for two hundred years. The gen- 
 tleman before referred to informs me that there is 
 much good land which has never been cultivated 
 at all. And we may safely conclude, that when 
 the Indians shall retire, as they will readily do, 
 before a hardy, industrious, and enterprising pop- 
 ulation, which will doubtless soon flow in from 
 the States; when the rude mode of cultivation 
 now practised shall give way to the superior and 
 still improving modes now in use here; when the 
 rude and miserable crooked beam of the ancient 
 Roman shall yield to the excellent and efficient 
 Yankee plough, New Mexico will as easily sus- 
 
tain 1,500,000 or 2,000,000 of people as itspresent 
 number. 
 
 New Mexico is also rich in mineral productions. 
 I shall quote from a work which the gentleman 
 from Connecticut cites, and which, of course, will 
 be acknowledged as good authority, by him at 
 least: it is Gregg's Commerce of the Prairies, pub- 
 lished in 1844. Mr. Gregg spent a great portion 
 of the time for nine years in New Mexico, and is 
 therefore entitled to speak with authority in regard 
 to matters pertaining to the country. 
 
 Speaking of thefold mine called " El Placer," 
 he remarks: 
 
 " The quantity of fold extracted between the years 1832 
 and ItW/i could not have amounted to Jess than from ;$60,00t) 
 to -80,000 per annum." 
 
 And although there has been considerable fall- 
 ing off since that time, he remarks: 
 
 "The reduction in profit during the List few years has 
 been caused more by a want or' energy and enterprise than 
 by exhaustion of the precious metal, as only a very small 
 portion of the fcoid region ha4 yet beeu dog. * * * * * 
 The du-t and Drains obtained at this mine are virgin gold; 
 and, as before remarked, are of a very fine quality, produ- 
 cing at the United States Mint an average of at least $19 70 
 to the mince troy, after melting, or about .419 iiOgrnss. * * 
 Could any dependence be placed in the integrity of the Gov- 
 ernment, I have no doubt that, with sufficient capital and 
 the aid of machinery, (such as are used in the mines of 
 Georgia and Carolina,) the old mines of the province might 
 be reopened, and a great number of 'placers' very extensively 
 and profitably worked." 
 
 He also speaks of others which were in 1844 
 extensively worked: 
 
 " In truth." says he, "as some of the natives have justly 
 remarked, New Mexico is almost one continued 'placer,' 
 traces of gold being discovered over nearly the whole sur- 
 face of the country." 
 
 The process of extracting the gold from the ore 
 is very rude and simple. And the writer of the let- 
 ter, from which I have before quoted, says: 
 
 " With proper machinery, a single person would be able* 
 to wash more in an hour than twenty Mexicans in a day ? 
 with their hands and little i^cos, or bowls." 
 
 He further says: 
 
 " From several years' experience in mining, I am some- 
 what qualified to judjre of its practical operations; and I am 
 correct in saying, that nothing like mining has ever been 
 done in \ew Mexico." 
 
 Besides go!d, there are mines of zinc, copper, 
 and lead and iron in great abundance. There are 
 also vast quantities of salt one of the salinas being 
 five miles in circumference, and yielding an inex^ 
 haustible supply. 
 
 Nor is there any reason why manufactures should 
 not flourish here. The country is well adapted to 
 the growth of the raw material cotton and wool; 
 and the streams are of such a character as to afford 
 excellent water-power. It is said, 1 know, that 
 these streams fail before they reach the main rivers 
 towards which they flow; but in the hilly portions 
 of the country, nearer their sources, they are kept 
 full by the melting of the large quantities of snow 
 which remain upon the mountains till late in the 
 summer. Besides, we should recollect that there 
 is an abundance of rain from April to October; so 
 that the streams must be supplied with water a 
 large part of the year. 
 
 Let us now, sir, take a glance at California. 
 And here, again, I shall avail myself of the inform- 
 ation derived from my friend from Missouri, 
 [Mr. HALL.] He informs me that the climate is 
 the most salubrious and healthful in the world; 
 and, although he does not think the soil is quite 
 
 so good as that in the valley of the Mississippi, 
 yet that it is superior to that in other portions of 
 the United States. He remarks that the valley of 
 the Sacramento, which is about three hundred and 
 fifty miles in length, and thirty or forty in width, 
 is probably one of the most fertile in the world. 
 There are other valleys equally fertile, though not 
 so extensive. And he fully confirms the state- 
 ment of others, to the effect that it is finely adapted 
 to the raising of grain, and for grazing. Horned 
 cattle, sheep, and horses are raised in great num- 
 bers, and of excellent quality. Wild horses, elk 
 deer, and other game, abound in the uninhabited 
 portions of the country. Those parts of the dis- 
 trict, which are habitable are capable of sustaining 
 as numerous a population as Italy. My friend 
 from Missouri corrects a statement made in a letter 
 written by him from California, soon after his arrival 
 in the country, and before he had seen much of it, 
 in regard to tht necessity of irrigation for all the 
 crops raised. He remarks that wheat, oats, and 
 the grains generally, can be raised ivillwut irriga- 
 tion, but that later crops require this process. 
 Vegetables, of which a large quantity can be raised 
 on a small piece of ground, are produced without 
 much expense, even'at the cost of irrigation. 
 
 The same remarks that were made in relation to 
 the mineral resources of New Mexico, will gener- 
 ally apply here, with the additional remark that 
 there is, near the Bay of San Francisco, one of tho 
 most valuable -mines of quicksilver in the world. 
 Coal also abounds. 
 
 I will here introduce one extract from Waddy 
 Thompson's Mexico: 
 
 "From all the information which I have received and \ 
 have been inquisitive on the subject I am well satisfied 
 that there is not on this continent any country o r the same 
 extent as little desirable as Oregon* nor any in the world which 
 combines as many advantages as California. * * * To 
 siy nothing of any other harbors in California, that of San 
 Francisco is sufficiently capacious for the navies of the 
 world, and its shores are covered with enough timber (a spe- 
 cies of the live-oak) to build those navies. If man were to 
 ask of God a climate, he would ask ju.-t such a one as that 
 of California. There is no portion of the western conti- 
 nent which produces all the grains so well. I have been 
 told by more than one person, on whom I entirely relird, 
 that they had known whole fields to produce a quantity so 
 incredible that I will not state it. The whole face of the 
 country is covered with the finest oats, growing wild ; sugar, 
 rice, and cotton, find their own congenial climate. Besides 
 all these, the richest mines of gold and silver have been dis- 
 covered there; and the pearl fisheries have always been 
 sources of the largest profit; and, more than these, there 
 are the markets of India and China, with nothing inter- 
 vening but the calm and stormless Pacific Ocean. The dis- 
 tance J'roin the head of navigation in the Arkansas and Red 
 rivers to a navigable point of the wat % rs of the Gulf of Cali- 
 fornia is not more than five or six hundred miles: let that 
 distance be overcome by a railroad, and what a vista opens 
 to the prosperity and power of our country !" 
 
 Such being the character of Upper California, 
 why should hot " the hardy, industrious, and en- 
 terprising farmers" from the United States" desert" 
 the comparatively sterile hills and plains of the 
 north, and take up their abode in this paradise of 
 the west? It will be found, sir, by any one who 
 will take the trouble to read Col. J. C. Fremont's 
 Report, that even farmers from the " broad acres" 
 of the fertile valley of the Mississippi do go to Cal- 
 ifornia that their labors are rewarded by boun- 
 tiful harves's', and that they are wiihin reach of the 
 means of carrying their productions to market. 
 
 J cannot forbear giving a short extract: 
 
 "Cap an Sutler emigrated to this country from the west- 
 ern part of Missouri in 1838 or 1859, and formed the fir>t et- 
 
8 
 
 tlement in Ihis valley (the Sacramento) on a large grant of 
 land which he obtained from tin- Mexican Government. He 
 had at fir.-t some troul-le. \virh tlie Indians; but by the occa- 
 sional exercise of well-timed authority, lie lias succeeded in 
 converting thijin into a peaceable and industrious people." 
 
 He then goes on to describe Mr. Sutler's estab- 
 lishment, his employment of the Indians, &c. He 
 then remarks: 
 
 " He had this year sown (and altogether by Indian labor) 
 three hundred fane.zas oY wheat, (the fanega being about 
 two bu.-hels.) The lowest average produce of wheat, as far 
 as we can at present know, is thirty five fanegas for one 
 sown; but, as one instance of its fertility, it may be men- 
 tioned that Ss iiar Vallejo obtained, on a piece of ground 
 where sheep ha.I been pastured, eight hundred fanegas for 
 eight s?o\vn. ? ' " The Sacramento here is a noble river, about 
 three hundred ytlrds broad, deep and tranquil, with several 
 fathoms of water in the channel, and it< bunks continuously 
 timbered. There were two vessels belonging to Captain 
 gutter at anchor near the landing one a large two-masted 
 lighter, and the other a schooner, which was shortly to 
 proceed on a voyage to Fort Vancouver for a cargo of 
 goods." 
 
 I find, by reference to McCulloch's Geographical 
 Dictionary, that the number of white people in this 
 province, in 1831, was 23,000. What the number 
 is at this time I have not been able to learn with 
 accuracy; but it is not, probably, less than 40,000; 
 and the tide of emigration is rapidly flowing in 
 from all parts of the Union, and the fertile valleys 
 of California will soon teem with a million of ac- 
 tive and thriving people. 
 
 But the acquisition of California is of very great 
 importance, in a commercial point of view. 
 
 I have already incidentally spoken of the bay of 
 San Francisco. There* are other harbors on the 
 coast which, though not so safe and capacious, are 
 yet of considerable consequence. But San Fran- 
 cisco, the harbor of harbors on the Pacific coast, 
 can hardly be overestimated in its importance, not 
 only to California itself, but to the commerce of the 
 whole Union. Our commerce in the Pacific Ocean j 
 is now quite extensive, and still increasing. And 
 should the plan of Mr. Aaron H. Palmer, lately rec- ! 
 ommended to this Government, of a ship-canal to 
 unite the Atlantic and Pacific, and for a railroad 
 from some point on the Mississippi to San Fran- ! 
 cisco, or San Diego, in California, be carried into 
 operation, as it doubtless will be before the lapse 
 of many years, its value and importance will be 
 greatly augmented. 
 
 Why, sir, it is estimated that at the present time | 
 " the American whaling vessels alone in the Pa- 
 'cific exceed in number six hundred, and give em- 
 ' ploy ment to upwards of twenty thousand men; and 
 ' that during the year ending the 31st of December, 
 ' 1837, the whole number of our merchant vessels 
 '[which cleared for ports in the Pacific, and to ports 
 'in the East Indies, amounted to one hundred and 
 'eighty-one." The amount of capital employed 
 does not, probably, fall short of eight millions of 
 dollars perhaps it is more. 
 
 Now, sir, shall we trust the protection of this 
 commerce to foreign nations, with whom we are 
 liable at any time to be engaged in war; or shall we 
 adopt the means necessary to protect it ourselves? 
 
 I believe, sir, that we should not hesitate for a sin- 
 gle moment. If we embrace the opportunity now 
 offered to us, we may secure the prize; otherwise, 
 it may be forever too late. Every one at all ac- 
 quainted with the history of California, must be 
 perfectly aware that Great Britain has been, for a 
 number of years past, upon the point of laying her 
 rapacious hand upon it. And she would doubtless 
 have effected her purpose, had not our Government 
 wisely interposed. And I take this occasion to 
 say, that I consider the doc tripe proclaimed by Mr. 
 -Monroe in 1823, and lately reiterated by the Presi- 
 dent in his message on Yucatan, a sound one, and 
 that it should be strictly and constantly enforced 
 by the United States. We ought, indeed, to " con- 
 sider any attempt on the part of Great Britain," or 
 any other European Power, to take possession of 
 California, " as dangerous to our peace and safety." 
 
 Sir, I consider this measure of acquisition as 
 one of great importance in other respects than 
 those I have named. It is not merely a question 
 of to-day. The idea of indemnity involved should 
 not be considered -as a mere matter of pecuniary 
 interest alone. It is not only important to the free 
 people of our own happy country, but to the worn 
 and weary exile from foreign lands. The nations 
 of the Old World are not yet all free, and probably 
 will not be for ages yet to come. I would say to 
 all who are still oppressed by the heavy hand of 
 /despotism, come and make yourselves homes in 
 the fertile valleys and sunny plains of the West. 
 Here your rights shall be respected, and you shall 
 enjoy, equally with us, all the blessings which 
 freedom, equality, and plenty can afford. 
 
 Sir, I deprecate that narrow and selfish policy 
 which would circumscribe our expanding Union, 
 and confine its swelling, bursting tide of freemen 
 within the limits of the original States, hnd whidi 
 would forbid the exile of Europe to set foot upon 
 our happy shores. Sir, let the warm-hearted la- 
 borious son of Erin, the industrious and frugal 
 German, thp generous and patriotic Pole, come 
 among us. I fear no contamination from their 
 presence. If our country is not sufficiently large, 
 let its borders be expanded 4x> receive them all. 
 The policy that would attempt to retard- the free 
 course of liberal principles, or check the flood of 
 emigration that is still rolling onward to the dis- 
 tant West, is as futile as it is unwise. The current 
 is deep and mighty, and cannot be stayed. 
 
 Sir, when I cast a glance upon the past, and be- 
 hold what our country was two hundred years 
 ago a vast wilderness, with a few scattered ham- 
 lets on the Atlantic coast when I look upon it 
 now, with its twenty-five millions of free and 
 happy people, spread over an area vast in extent, 
 yet brought into close proximity by the facilities 
 of intercommunication, which have almost anni- 
 hilated time and space when I witness the mighty 
 events which are now transpiring, and which point 
 to the future, I am overwhelmed in contemplation 
 of the glorious destiny which a,waits our happy 
 Union.