Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-08-16

August instant, Tor the purpose OF forming tetn-
porary government, and constitution for perma-
nent State government to be submitted to Congress
at the next session. Public meetings have already
been held in pursuance of this recommendation. The
other news is of Importance also. Gold is plenty, but
hard to get at without labor, and goods
cheap as they are in the United States, the market
being glutted with the enormous supply. As but
few of the vessels of the large fleet from the United
States have yet arrived, only eight ten out of
the several hundred started, it may be easily ina
gined what the price will be in short time. Indi-
yiduals unable to work the mines offering them
selves for various situations in California that the
enormous salaries and wages recently received will
soon be down TO the average level. House rents and
lots still continue extravagantly high.
Riley's Proclamation.
To the People of California
Congress having failed its recent session 10 provide
new Government for this country to replace that which
existed the annexation Of California to the United
States the undersigned would call attention to the means
which he deems best calculated to avoid the embarrass
ment Of our present position.
The undersigned in accordance with instructions from
the Secretary Of War; has assumed the administration Of
civil affairs in California, not military Governor but
the executive OF the existing civil government In
the absence of properly appointed civil Governor, the
commanding officer Of the department is by the laws Of
California e offcio civil Governor Of the country, and
visions Of these laws This subject has been misrepre-
sented least msconceived, and currency given To
the impression that the OF the country still
military. Such is not the fact. The military govern
ended with the war, and what remains is the cir
government recognized in the existing laws of Caifor-
MIA.
Although the command of the troops this depart
ment and the of civil affairs in California
are by the existing laws of the country and the nsruc
tons Of the President of the United Sates temporarily
lodged in the hands of the same individual they are Sc
parate and distinct. No military officer other than the
commanding general Of the department exercises any
civil authority by virtue OF bis military commission, and
the powers of the commanding general ofclO Gov
ernor are only such defined and recognized in
the existing laws. The instructions Of the Secretary of
War make il the duty of all military officers to recognize
the existing civil government, and TO aid its officers with
the military force under their control Beyond this any
interference not only uncaled for but strictly forbid
den.
The laws of California not inconsistent with the laws
and treaties of the United States still in
force and must cOnnBe IN fOrce till changed by compe
tent authority Whatever may be thought of the right
of the people temporarily replace the officers of the
existing by others appointed by Prov
Territorial Legislature there be question that the
existing laws of the country must continue in force until
replaced by others made and enacted by competent
That power by treaty of peace as well as from the
of the case, vested in Congress. The situation
of California respect very from that of
Oregon. The latter without laws, while the former
has system OF laws, which, though somewhat detective
and requiring many changes and anne ndmenis, must
tinue in force till repealed by competent legislative
power.
The situation of California is almost identical with that
louisiana and the decisions of the Supreme Court in
recognizing the validity OF the laws which existed IN
that country previous Its annexation TO the United
States where not inconsistent with constitution and
laws OF the United States, repealed by legitimate leg
sIatiye enactments furnish clear and safe guide in
present situation Ii is important that citizens should
understand this fact so as not TO endanger their property
and involve themselves IN useless and expensive litigation
by giving persons claiming authority which
given them by law and putting faith in laws which
never be recognized by legislative courts
-
Government, it becomes imperative duty to take
To provide Tor the existing wants
of the country This, il thought, be best accom-
pIIshed by putting in foil vIgor the administration of the
laws they exist, and completing the organization
of the civil by the election and appointment
of all officers recognized by law while at The same
time a Convention, in which all parts of the Territory
represented, shall meet and frame State Consiu
ton Territorial organization, TO be submitted to the
people for their ratification, and then proposed to Con-
gress for its approval Considerable time will necessari
Iy eapse before any government can be eglmaiey
organized and put in operation In the interim the exist
ing Government, IL its organization be completed, will
be found sufficient for all our temporary wants.
A brief summary OF the organization Of the present
government may not be uninerestng Ii consists first,
Of a Governor, appointed by The Supreme Government
in default Of such appointment the Office is temporarily
vested in the commanding military officer of the depart
ment The powers and duties Of the Governor Of
limited character, but fully defined and pointed out by
also properly defined. Sd. Territorial or Department.
tai Legislature with limited power pass laws Of local
4th Superior Court Tribunal SUPERIOR Of
the Territory, consisting OF four Judges and Fiscal
5th Project and sub Projects for each district, who
charged with the preservation Of public order and the
ecnton of the laws their duties correspond ia great
measure with those of District Marshas and Sherfs
9th Judge of First Instance for each District This
Office a inconsistent with the laws,
ed in the LIST Alcslde Of the District 9TH. Ale tides who
have jurisdiction among themselves in the
district, but subordinate the higher judicial
tribunals 9Th. Local Justices of the Peace. 9Th. Fly
alntamisntos or Town Councils The powers and fuDc-
tons OF officers fully defined in the laws Of
this country and almost identical with those Of the
corresponding officers in the Atlantic and Western
States.
In order 10 complete this organization with the least
possible DELAY, the undersigned, IN virtue OF power IN
him vested does hereby appoint the first OF August next
rs the day holding special election for delegates
general Convention, and Tor filling the Offices Of Judges
or the Superior Court Projects and subPrefects and all
vacancies in the Office of LIST AIcalde, Tor Judge Of first
Instance) AIcaldes. Justices of the Peace and Town
Councils The Judges OF the Superior Court, aud the
Projects sro@by law executive appointments, but being
DESTROYS the wishes of the people should be fully
Consulted the Governor will appoint such persons rs
NAV receive the plurality OF votes IN their respective DIS
cts provided that they competent and eligible io
the Office Each District will therefore elect Project
and two sub Preeeis and GIL the vacancies IN the Office
of LIST Acade Tor Judge Of First Instance) and Of Al
caides
One Judge Of the Supreme Court will be elected in
the districts OF San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Bar
bura; one districts OF San Luis Obispo and Mon
erey one in the districts Of San Jose and Francisco
and one in the districts Of Sonoma Sacramento and San
J0aauim The salaries Of the Judges Of the Superior
Cont the Projects and Judges Of the First Instance
regulated by the Governor hut cannot exceed for the
st a 900 per annum, Tor the second $780, and for
the third 81 500. These salaries will be paid out Of the