The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-08-06
CALIFORNIA

The business excitement which animates the
minds OF the inhabitants OF San Francisco, has
given way partially Tor few days past, 10 the
discussion OF question of more importance even
than dollars and cents and to explain this ques.
ton FULLY, must go back little. In February
last, the inhabitants Of San Francisco met in
Portsmouth square, and determined upon the or
ganization OF government for the district OF San
Francisco, to supersede the government as ad
.mnstered by an Alcalde, whose time had e Apir.
ed, and under Mexican law, deeming themselves
American citizens. A Legislative Assembly was
elected, three Judges of the different Courts, a
Sheriff, Register and Treasurer, and the wheels
of government were put in operation. Among
the first acts Of the Legislative Assembly was
the boIiton of the Office Of Alcade. and the Tor
nation of code OF laws for the good government
OF the district The Police Justice sent a COM
munication to the Alcalde, requesting him to de
liver up the records OF the town. The Alcalde
made no reply TO his communication.
| Alter waiting nearly month"; the Alcalde still
| continuing in the execution OF his office, writ
OF repleviD was issued by the District Attorney.
and served by the Sheriff upon the Alcalde for the
recovery oil the records. The Sheriff, with a
number OF deputies, entered the office, and de-
manded the records by virtue of the writ They
| were refused, when the Sheriff ordered his dep.
uties TO seize them, which was done, and thew
1
protest OF the Alcade. This affair occasioned
some considerable excitement for t few days, the
Alcalde having in the meantime gone to Monte
lrey to lay the affair before Gen. Riley During
his absence the Edith arrived, bringing the as
founding news that Congress had extended over
California the revenue laws OF the United States
without making any provision for a governments
taxed us not only without allowing US a epresen
tation, but leaving us TO find, feed, clothe and
| 1, n
emptied TO support government which yields us
no protection. But one general voice rose from
the people upon the reception OF the news, and
that was one OF surprise and indignation and as
Congress had done nothing for us, general de.
termination began to appear, that we should do
something for ourselves
Such were the affairs at the time. We contin-
ue our extracts:
The Alta Californian of the I4th June con
tains proclamation by Gen. Riley, warning the
settlers not to countenauce =" the Legislative As.
sembly of the District OF San Francisco" either
by paying taxes or supporting or abetting the
officers OF that " illegal and unau hOrized body -
and calls upon all good citizens to assist in re
storing TO their lawful keeper the public rec.
ords of the District Of San Francisco, which were
" forcibly taken" rom the custody OF the First
AlcaIde OF said district The same paper con-
dennis the terms of Gen. Riley's proclamation.
bly, alluded TO.
1 The later body, as the g San francisco Assem-.
bly, have published an address, which covers a
page OF paper, aud calls on the people to act
promptly tor themselves in the organization of a
regular State Government They are now with
out any government, mixed mass OF human be
ings IRON all regions, and OF all tongues and hab.
its, impelled by the same eversh desire OF for
tune making. The United States has assumed
the right to tax them, not only without represen-
tation, but without giving them any government at
all, making them bear the burthens of the Union
without enjoying lis benefits, thus violating in
them the first principles OF freedom. Thereby
Congress has, TO say, abdcated its authority to
control them, and throw them back on their nat
ural rights, especially in the right OF insttuting
government.
can they set up which will be in accordance with
the United States Constitution and violate no duty
10 their beloved couLtry her institution? A
State Government. 1t is not necessary that thew
should pass through territorial administration in
order to become State. Texas did not And
for population they will certainly have enough
before the meeting of Congress. BY organizing
state government they may also settle great
and harrGSSing political question in the Uuited
States,' which must certainly defeat territorial
organization for long time. That question Cal.
DorniG has to settle for herself, and the sooner
the better.
The assembly accordingly recommends Con-
sttution Of twelve delegates from each district,
to be held at San Jose on the third Monday in Au-
gust next, for the purpose of forming State
Constitution and setting it in operation And till
the new government is adopted, The people are
advised to keep their district organization
The legislative address was prepared and adopt
ed before the publication of Cen. Riley's procla-
nation, and therefore has no reference to or nee.
essary connection with that document
! An enthusiastic meeting was heldin San Fran
cisco on the 18th Of June, to consider the propri
ETY. OF sending delegates TO Convention, Sc. at
which the Hon. Thomas Butler King as present.
and addressed the people.
Resolutions to carry the object of the meeting
into effect were presented, when an amendment
hiking the elections upon the day appointed by
General Riley, was opposed by Col. j ID. Ste
yenson, and finally rejec ed Messls Peter H.
Burnett, W. ID. NJ Howard, E. Gould Buffum.
aud Edward Gilbert were appointed a committee
10 make arrangements Tor a convention and the
election OF delegates.
The Alta Californian of the goth June contail |
circular, issued by the above named committee. |
in which, for the sake of secps5ng unanimty
OF action but without Recognizing the least
power, as matter of right, in Brevet Brigadier
General Riley to appoint time and place for tire
election OF delegates, aud the assembling OF the
Convention"-they recommen nd the time for the
elections appointed by that officer. The commit