A second story addition enlarged the earlier building, and in September the structure accommodated the deliberations of the historic Constitutional Conventional of 1849. In late May he received news that Congress had adjourned without dealing with the issue of territorial organization for California. Governor Bennet throughout this period of transition between the end of the war and Peter Burnett's election as governor often found himself in compromising situations. He was many times forced to defend his actions and to test the limits of his authority in order to find solutions to problems and keep the territory functioning, as demonstrated by this letter concerning Customs House collections. This proclamation notes Governor Riley's support of the recent ratification of the constitution by the people of California, with an overwhelming affirmative vote of 12,0161 to 811.
History records that clearer heads prevailed in Monterey.
Seven of the representatives were California-born Mexicans, and four ventured to California from outside the United States. Vallejo, who was appointed military commander of California by his nephew, Juan Bautista Alvarado, also served two months in jail at Sutter's Fort at the out-break of the Bear Flag Revolt. Vallejo sensed the changing destiny of California and after release from prison he worked to have California become part of the United States. Vallejo participated in the Constitutional Convention and was also elected to the new state's first Senate, where he sought to make Benicia the capital. During the U.S-Mexican War, Carrillo defeated American troops in their battle to seize Los Angeles, but later he capitulated and signed the Cahuenga Treaty.