Letter from James Buchanan to George Guier

Senator James Buchanan writes to George Guier and explains why he cannot help Guier's son secure an appointment as a notary public in California. "The President has no power to appoint a Notary Public in California or to make any other civil appointment in that territory," as Buchanan explains. Buchanan cites "the Wilmot proviso and the free soil agitation" to explain why Congress has not yet established a territorial government in California. Transcript included.