Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-03-24
EROM CALIFORNIA.

We are indebted to a friend for the Star and Cali
fornian, published at San Francisco, Dec 23d. 1t
contains interesting reports OF meetings OF the
people of California for the establishment Of Pro-
visona Government, by a convention OF delegates
regularly constituted. 1t furnishes evidence also of
the actual existence Of a civil government, for the
preservation of society and the punishment OF crimes
recognized by every society.
On the 10th Of December a trial took place in the
village of San Jose, before Judge kimball H. Dim
mick Alcalde Of the District, and jury empanellcd
for the case, OF three men, named Davis Campbell,
and Frecr, for murder. The jury pronounced a YER
dict Of guilty, and they sentenced to be hang
ed. The sentence was carried into execution on the
18th, in presence of a large concourSc OF citizens.
The convcts confessed their guilt, and embraced the
Catholic faith. Three other men were subsequently,
tried for participation in the same crime-Yz: Cot
ton, Woolard and Lee, and the two latter on the
additional charge Of perjury They also were found
guilty, and were sentenced for the first offence to
ccive-C0tton fifteen, and the two others eighteen
lashes, aud the latter on the additional charge forty
lashes each, and months confinement in the
stocks. c. +. Picket, tried at Fort Sacramento, on
a charge Of the murder of MIR. Alderman, was ac-
quilted
public meeting of which DR. John Townsend
was President, and James c. Ward and William :.
Clark, Vice President was held at San Francisco on
the evening of the 2lst, and by adjournment the
23d, for considering the necessity of establishing
Provisional Government. They adopted very well
drawn up preamble and resolutions, stating the ne
cesstes Of the case, and the steps resolved OH for
the cesson Of the territory by Mcxco-thc cessation
of the military government-the great influx Of emf
grants-and the intelligence which afforded little
prospect of an immediate extension them of the
laws Of the United States.
The resolutions declare the right and duty Of the
inhabitants of California TO form such government;
and the Joy with which the intelligence receiv-
cd that their soil 10 be admitted under the flag
of this Union their readiness to accept regular form
Of territorial government, whenever Congress shall
vouchsafe TO them chat mercy and consideration
and their regret that the inactivity of Congress had
forced upon them the necessity Of establishing pro-
visona government for the protection of their fire
sides and lives
They therefore concur in the sentiments and re-
commentator of meeting previously held at Pueblo
and San Jose, recommending to the inhabitants oil
California to hold meetings and elect delegates to re-
present them in a convention to be held at San Jose
the 9TH Of March, lS49, for the purpose OF draft
ing and preparing form of provisional government
q be submitted 10 the people for ratification or re-
lection by vote by ballot.
They resolved that the inhabitants Of the town and
district Of San Francisco should be invited TO hold
meeting at the school house, the 5th Of January
TO make choice of Eve delegates; that three persons