“The white man, to whom time is money, and who labors hard all day to create the comforts of life, cannot sit up all night to watch his property; and after being robbed a few times, he becomes desperate, and resolves upon a war of extermination. . . . That a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races, until the Indian race becomes extinct, must be expected. While we cannot anticipate this result but with painful regret, the inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable inevitable which is defined as certain to happen; unavoidable destiny of the race is beyond the power or wisdom of man to avertto stop or prevent avert which is defined as to stop or prevent.”
Source Analysis Questions
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What does Governor Burnett mean by “a war of extermination”?
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Why do you think he says, “the inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable inevitable which is defined as certain to happen; unavoidable destiny of the race is beyond the power or wisdom of man to avertto stop or prevent avert which is defined as to stop or prevent [stop]”? Think about the context of these words. Why is it significant that the governor of California says this in the State of the State addressAn annual speech, given by the governor in front of the state legislature, that addresses concerns and priorities. State of the State address which is defined as An annual speech, given by the governor in front of the state legislature, that addresses concerns and priorities.?
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Governor Burnett refers to a war “waged between the races.” Why do you think he refers to this conflict in California as a race war instead of a war between nations over territory?
The Sacramento Transcript was a daily Sacramento, California newspaper in circulation from June 1, 1850 to June 15, 1851.
