The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-14
The Condition or Caiifornia.

AS soon as the gold mines in California were
discovered, It was much feared-and naturally,
too-that the absence Of all government there
would produce a most disastrous state OF society
that the worst passions of mans nature would
be loosed--that every moral feeling would be
smothered IN the thirst for gold when abOunds In
that famous region-ihat murder would be COM
mitled in open day-ihat the weak would be the
victims OF the stronghold the revolver and the
bowie knife would be the sole arbiters between
man al man. Hence arose the importance and
absolute n. cessIty of the Congress of the United
States supply ing that distant territory, at early
a day as possible, with government capable OF
preserving order and maintaining and admins
tering the law The country, throughout its length
and bre adh was alive TO the necessity of adopting
such measure; but, IN consequence of the peculiar
condition Of parties in the United States at the
time, ard the introduction into all bills that were
franco for the purpose OF forming territorial gov
eminent for that distant region, of the Wilmot pro
vso, nothing was done during the last session, fur
ther than the extending OF the revenue laws OF the
county TO that portion Of our domain. In view
the condition of things which would probably take
place there, il California were lett without gov
ernment the defeat of those various bills that
were framed Tor the purpose OF meeting the con-
tingency, was considered public calamity, and
was dc pored by every well meaning man In the
community.
We are rejoiced, however, to perceive that
up to this time, at least, the doleful anticiPa-
tions which were INDUCED IN this respect, were
unfourded, and that there is good reason tor
believing that order and quiet will be maintained;
that the we'll disposed portion OF the citizens of
California are powerful enough to control the rest,
and that murder, robbery, or other crimes, can
not be committed with lmpunity. BY the Star
and C0iffo,nzan-a newspaper published at San
Eranclsco--we learn that several public meetings
have been held In different parts OF the territory,
at which measures for establishing provisional
government were taken, and that Convention of
delegates was to be held on the fourth of the pre-
sent month, San Jose, for the purpose OF draft
ing and preparing torn of provisional govern
menl to be submitted TO the people. In the mean
time, however, and before that measure, which
would ne cessanly be atte ended with much delay.
ould be IN active operation, and an organized
provisional government in being, 1t seems that
the well disposed people were adopt ng measures
to punish crime end defer the vicious from In
du'ging in their propensities. Several murders
knowu they were arrested and tried by jury for
sheIr live. Rude and imperfect as the proceedings
would nc doubt appear, in the estimation Of our
Judges and lawyers In the United States, there is
every reason to believe that justice was
aiily and honestly melted out to the prisoners
Tie result OF the trial was a verdict OF guilty and
sentencc Of DEATH which carried into effect IN
She presence Of alsrge coneourse citizens, the
IStn Of December last. Another trial, on = smar
charge vas held, but the accused party ~ IS found
rot guii,, by the jury who tired him, and La was,
consequently, discharged. These proceed ugs, it
will be rocolected, took place IN the month of
s)ecenbef last, and before any of the emlgrants
rom tie Atlantic States had reached California
These emgrants are composed almost entirely OF
good, moral, peace and order LEVINE citizens, and
they will arrive IN San Francisco in season to
unite with those who have taken toe initiative in
the form alton Of provisional government, and the
combined energies of both will be abundantly capa-
BILE OF preserving ORDER Of UNFOLDING and proe citing
right, and dlscouraiging and Furnishing crime.
There may ne severe struggles between the well
distressed and die vicious portion OF the people OF
CaltornIa Lefor, The latter will be reduced to COM
pete S, bj, cton Tor il must be bcrne in mind that
ahey orc composed ei the worst characters In exist
ence OF deserters from the army of deserters from
whale shire, and OF the die AMI immoral from
every country ir the word yet we think that the
crisis Is passed aud that I've fearful scenes whca
werf likely TO occur IN California, in conseque nee
Of the failure by Tue United states Congress to
pass the territorial bile will be averted by pro-
visiopal Governmen' nj, ionedby the people them.
selves. from the necessity Of the case. II the
movement thus commenced no lavorab,v. be car.
RED cut II will be bleesoeto California. and II
may save the necessity at any Congressional IN.
reference In the mater, until the question Of ex.
t.nsron CO ronextnsIon Of slavery 10 tau region
shall nave been set,led snd de-, dss hy tae peo,le
OF Gait, mia selves, il wal BE-, sooner OF