Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20
California.
THE CLOSING SCENES or THE CONVENTION
Special Correspondence Of tho New York Tribune.

MONTEREY, Oct. 10, 1Si9.
McsSrs. Grcclcy & McEirdth:
After the stormy debate on the State
Boundary, and the settlement of some other
questions which occasiuned scarcely less
excitement, the Convention yesterday gave
tokens of bringing its labors 10 a close
The morning Session was short and deyo-
ted only to the passing of miscellaneous
provisions, after which an adjournment was
made until this morning, on account of the
Ball given by the convention to the citizens
of Monterey. The members, by a contri-
button of $25 each, raised the sum of 81
100 to provide for the entertainment, which
was got up in return for that given by the
citizens about four weeks since.
The Hall was cleared of the forum and
tables and decorated with young pines from
the forest At each end were the Ameri-
can colors, tastefulIy disposed across the
boughs. Three chandeliers, neither of
bronze nor cut-glass, but neat and brilliant
withal, poured their light on the festivities
At 8 o'clock, the fashionable ball-hour in
Monterey-the guests began to assemble,
and in an hour aiterward the hall was crowd
ed with nearly all the California and Amer
lean residents. There were sixty or seven
ty ladies' present, and an equal number Of
gentlemen, in addition to the members of
the Convention The dark-eyed daughters
of Monterey, Los Angeles, and Santa Bar
ba mingled with pleasing contrast with the
fairer bloom of the trans-Nevadian bellies
The variety of feature and complexion was
; fully cqualIed by the variety OF dress. In
the whirl of the waltz, a plain, dark nun
like robe, would be followed by one Of pink
satin and gauze; next, perhaps, bodice Of
scarlet velvet with gold buttons, and then Il
rich figured brocade, such as one sees on
tho stately danes Of Titan.
The dresses of the gentlemrn showed
1 considerable variety, but were much less
picturesque A complete ball-dress was a
happiness attained only by the fortunate few.
White kids could not be had in Monterey
for love nor money, aud as much as $50
was paid by one gentleman for pair OF pa
tent leather boots. The appearance OF all,
nevertheless, was gcnteel and respectable,
and perhaps the genial nnrestralned social
spirit that possessed them would have been
less had there been more uniformity of cos
tune. Gen. Riley was present in full uni
FORM with the yellow sash he won at Con-
treras; Majors Candy, Hill, and Smith, sta
toned here, accompanying him. In one
group might be seen Capt. Suffers soldierly
moustache and clear blue eye; in another,
the erect figure and quiet, digni6ed bearing
of Gen. Vallejo. Don. Pablo de la Guerra,
with his handsome, aristocratlc features, was
the floor manager, and CALAMITY discharged
his office. Conspicuous among the native
members were Don Miguel de Pedrorena
and Jacinto Rodriguez, both polished gen.
tlemen and deservedly popular Domingu-
ez, the Indian member, took no part in the
dance, but evidently enjoyed the scene as
much as any one present. The most nte-
resting figure to me was that of Padre RAJ
mireZ, Who, in his clerical cassock looked
on until late hour. If the strongest advo-
cate Of prlestly gravity and decorum had
been present, he could not have found in
his heart to grudge the good old padre the
pleasure that beamed upon his honest coun-
tenance.
The band consisted of two violins and
two guitars, whose music made up IN spirit
what it lacked in skill. They played as it
seemed 10 me, but three pieces alternately,
for waltz, contra-dances, and quadrlle.-
The latter dance was evidently an unfamll-
lar one, for once or twice the music ceased
in the middle of figure. Each tune end
ed with funny little squeak, something
like the whistle of the octave flute in Rob-
eri lie DiaJic. The players, however, work.
cd necessarily, and deserged good wages
for their performance.
At IL o'clock supper was announced
The COURTROOM in the lower story had
! been fitted up for this purpose, and, as it
was not large enough to admit all the guests,
the ladies we're conducted thther and wait
ed upon by "A select committee. The re-
lreshments consisted of turkey, roast pig
beet, tongue and pateS, with wines and
liquors Of various sotrs, and coffee. A large
supply had been provided, bat after every
body Was served, there was not much re-
naming. The ladies' began to leave about
= O'clock, but when | came away, an hour
later, the dance was still going on with spir-
1.-THE members met this morning at the
usual hour, to perform the last duty that re-
NAMED TO theIh-that OF signing the Con-
stitution. They were all in the happiest
humor, and Che morning was SO bright and
bamy that no one seemed disposed to call
an organization, Mr.. Semple was sick, and
Mr.. Stcuart, of San Francisco, therefore
called the meeting to order by moving Capt
Suffers appointment in his place. The
Chair was taken by the old pioneer, and the
members took their seats around the sides OF
the hail, which still retained the pine trees
aud banners, left from last nights decora-
tons. The windows and doors were open,
aud deli htul breeze came in from the
Bay, whose blue waters sparkled in the dis
lance. The view iIom the balcony in front
was bright and inspiring. The town below
the shipping in the harbor--the pine-cov-
cred hills behind-were mellowed by the
blue October haze, but there was no cloud
in the sky, and colld plainly see, on the
northern horizon, the mountains of Santa
Cruz, and the Sierra dc Gavian.
| a fer the minutes had been read, the
Committee appointed to draw up an Address
f to the People of California was called upon
) to report, aud Mr. SteUart, Chairman, read
the Address Its tone and sentiment met
with universal approval, and it was adopted
without dissenting voice, A resolution
/ was then offered to pay Lieut.. Hamilton,
: who is now engaged in engrossing the Con-
5 stitution upon parchment, the sum of $500
g for his labor. This magnificent price, prob