The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-13
LATEST FROM CALIFORNIA.

following important intelligence from California:
THE CONVENTION.
The most important intelligence is the action OF
the convention assembled at Monterey, pursuant to
the proclamation of General Riley, to frame con-
stituton preparatory to the admission Of California
into the Union as a State.
The convention met at Cotton Hall on the LIST of
September; and on the 3D. the San Francisco dele
CATION, having arrived in the brig Colonel Fremont,
proceeded to business.
The following delegates recognised by a
vote of the convention duly elected, and took
their seats
San Diego-Migucl de Pedrorena, Henry Hill !;
Los Angeles. G. Foster, J. A. Garlic, NJ. Do
mnguez, A. Stearns Santa Barbara--P. La Gu
ezra; San Luis Obispo-Henry A. Theft, j. Nj.
Cobarruva; Monterey-H. w. Halleck, It. o. Lar
kin, C.. T. Bolts, p. Ord, L. S. Dent San Jose--J.
Aram, X. II. Dmmick, J. d. Hoppe, A. M. Pco.
f. Brown San Francisco-E. Gilbert, Nj. Norton,
w. Nj. Gwn, J. Hobson, w. M. Steuart, w. D..
NJ Howard, F. j. LPPitt; A. J. Ellis son9ma-J,
sacramento-J X. Snyder, w. s. Sherwood, L. w.
Hastings, j, S. Fowler, w. h. Shannon, J. A.
Suffer, J. Bdwell, M M. McCarver; San Joa-
quin--J. McH Hollingsworth, &. L. Peck. S. Haley,
B. S. Lippncott Il. l.. Vermuile, M. Fallun, b. F..
Moore, Walter Chapman.
The following were then elected officers:
Presdent-Robert Sempe.
Secretary-W William G. Marcy.
First Assistant Secretary Caleb Lyons.
Second Assistant Sccretary--J b. Field
Translator-W. f. p. Hartnell.
Assistant Observation-Disclosures Henriquez.
Sergeant at arms. S. Houston
Doorkeeper-C Cornelius Sullivan.
Gen. Riley, military governor Of California, who
was present, was invited to a seat within the bar.
The convention was still in session at the latest
date. The deliberations were conducted with dig
nifty and ability. Padre Ramirez and the Rev. s.
Ii. Wiley the chaplains of the body
A summary of the proceedings is contained in
the following article from the Alta CALIFORNIA: The
convention up TO our latest dates, had been in
sion little three weeks. Most of the provi-
sions of the proposed constitution had been acted
and passed upon in committee of the whole, and
that suppose may be taken fair index of
what will be the action of the house.
The Bill of Rights, adopted in committee of
the whole, embraces twenty sections, of the usual
character of such provisions. The only point upon
which 1t was supposed controversy would arise
the question of slavery-passed without debate and
unanimously, utterly prohibiting slavery. Some
few were in favor of submitting the matter to the
people for separate vote but it was not contend
cd for with any show of strenuosity, and voted
down almost unanimously.
The suffrage question was the source Of consider
able debate; but was finally disposed of by admit
ting all male citizens of the United States, six
months resident in California, and twenty one
years of age, Indians Africans, and the descend
ants of Africans excepted) to the privileges of cleo
tors
The Legislature is to consist of two branches-an
,
privileges, and duties usually given to such
bodies. Banking corporations and lotteries are
prohibted and all other corporations, except for
municipal purposes, are to be established under
general laws, the stock holders to be individually
liable for all debts. Some considerable debate
CURED upon provision which allows corporations
to be formed for receiving deposits of gold and sill
yer. 1t urged that, under such provision, an
irresponsible system OF banking might grow up;
but the section finally so amended as to answer
all objections, and in that shape passed.
The members of the assembly are to be elected
nually, and the members of the senate to
hold their offices for two years. One-half of the
senate is to be elected each year. No person can
be member of the Legislature who has not been a
resident of the State one year III addition to other
qualifications.
The number of members of assembly is never to
be less than twenty -four than thirty six,
until the number of inhabitants in this State shall
amount to one hundred thousand, and after that
period at such ratio that the whole number of mem
bers of assembly shall never be less than thirty
more than eighty The Senate is never to consist
of less than third more than one half of the
number of the assembly.
Some division of opinion arose proposition
made by Mr. McCarver to prevent free persons of
color from settling in California, and also to pre-
vent shareholders from bringing slaves into the
State for the purpose of liberating them. 1t finally
passed in committee of the whole; but it has been
looked upon since as jeopardizing the ratification
Of the constitution by Congress, and, this feeling
gaining ground, the house probably will strike
it out.
A governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of
state, comptroller, treasurer, attorney general and
surveyor general, constitute the executive depart
ment They are all to hold their offices for two
years. The governor and lieutenant governor are
TO be elected by general ballot; the secretary of
state is to be appointed by the governor, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate; the
comptroller, and three other state officers are to
be elected by the Legislature in joint ballot for the
first term, and afterwards by the people at the gen.
eral state election An effort made in the
committee of the whole to strike out the Office Of
comptroller, but it failed 1t will, however, be
again pressed in the house, and the office is to-
tally unnecessary, trust the motion will be
cessful. The governor has the usual powers, in
GLIDING the veto, and the privileges and duties of
his office do not vary materially from those of all
other States in the Union. The other State officers
correspond in duties and powers with those gene
rally ascribed them
The article relative to the militia, passed in
committee of the whole, is substantially such is
found in other State constitutions is that also
relative to amendments
The boundary, judicial, and educational ques-
tons not decided upon at last advices but il
was supposed the convention would adjourn in all
the first week in October.
FROM THE PLACERs.