First.  From the best information which I have been able to obtain I do not consider the establishment of a State government at present necessary for the welfare of the people of Colorado.  Under the existing Territorial government all the rights, privileges, and interests of the citizens are protected and secured.  The qualified voters choose their own legislators and their own local officers, and are represented in Congress by a Delegate of their own selection.  They make and execute their own municipal laws, subject only to revision by Congress—­an authority not likely to be exercised unless in extreme or extraordinary cases.  The population is small, some estimating it so low as 25,000, while advocates of the bill reckon the number at from 35,000 to 40,000 souls.  The people are principally recent settlers, many of whom are understood to be ready for removal to other mining districts beyond the limits of the Territory if circumstances shall render them more inviting.  Such a population can not but find relief from excessive taxation if the Territorial system, which devolves the expenses of the executive, legislative, and judicial departments upon the United States, is for the present continued.  They can not but find the security of person and property increased by their reliance upon the national executive power for the maintenance of law and order against the disturbances necessarily incident to all newly organized communities.

Second.  It is not satisfactorily established that a majority of the citizens of Colorado desire or are prepared for an exchange of a Territorial for a State government.  In September, 1864, under the authority of Congress, an election was lawfully appointed and held for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the people upon this particular question.  Six thousand one hundred and ninety-two votes were cast, and of this number a majority of 3,152 was given against the proposed change.  In September, 1865, without any legal authority, the question was again presented to the people of the Territory, with the view of obtaining a reconsideration of the result of the election held in compliance with the act of Congress approved March 21, 1864.  At this second election 5,905 votes were polled, and a majority of 155 was given in favor of a State organization.  It does not seem to me entirely safe to receive this, the last-mentioned, result, so irregularly obtained, as sufficient to outweigh the one which had been legally obtained in the first election.  Regularity and conformity to law are essential to the preservation of order and stable government, and should, as far as practicable, always be observed in the formation of new States.