The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-06-11
Hxoi.s;ssat in sai, Francisco.

tdFy, ana We az fact0 G0rernmfRt.
Since writing the above we have received the
Alta California of March 18th. By this paper We
learn that there had been great excitement in San
Francisco, caused by disagreement between the
civil and military authorities. The following ex-
PLANTATION of the affair we take from the Alta Cali
fornia:
Our town has been convused within the last
week with the intelligence that the military had
arrayed itself against the people, and that the com
manding officer Of the Pacific Division had in effect
pronounced the action of the legislative assembly
for this district null and void.
On the hosting of the American flag in this place
in July, 1916, the American forces found here an
Alcalde, who had power corresponding to that (as
near we have ascertained) of a police magistrate
in the United States, who was authorized TO sell
one town lot of fifty varas square any individual
who would bind himself to fence it and erect
building upon it within one year, who had the con-
troll of public funds, and who collected and expend-
ed the revenue. This state of affairs was conin-
ued by the American authorities until August of
lS47, when Governor Mason authorized the election
of SIX citizens 10 constitute Town Council. The
Alcalde sat with them as president of the board,
and had Ii casting vote. This body continued in
existence until the Slst Of December, 1913, when
it expired by limitation. They passed law autho.
rizng a new election on the 9th of December for
seven members of new council TO succeed them
this election was duly held but a ma iority of the
old council were not satisfied with the result, and
declared the election nucatory, because Fraudulent
votes were poIled thereaf. and ordered a new one
Four-tf,hs of the citizens though that This was an
understandable assrmption of mower on tb, mart of
the old town council. and thew woud NOT attend a
new election. An election was held, however by
the factionsts, and we then had the spectacle Of
three town councils in existence at one and the
same time The old council finally voted itself out
of existence on the 18th of January, lS49, and the
o,Ler two kept up cross fire of counter enactments
for few weeks longer. The minority town coun.
Gil finally thought it necessary correct the abuses
of the Acaldes office but no sooner did they ven
ture on this forbidden ground. than chairman of
one of their committees was arrested by the AL
calde, and would have been imprisoned had not
the citizens interfered and rescued him from The
sheriff. During all this time the office of Al"ade
had been serious evil to the people of this town
and district, by reason of lis assumptions and y-
ranny and fraud, ana WITHIN Inc last ie" months
The Aleaide had been twice invited to resign by the
citizens Despairing OF ever being able TO establish
public justice on proper nasls so long as the peo-
PIE We're a. the mercy 81 IHls oIcer, con ven'ion
Oh me people OF 1his alstrlct was then called, at
oiy VI n.sIeu WV sno S hase power "
provided thew did not conflict with the constitution
of the United States nor the common law thereof
ibis legislative pody was TO exist Tor one year,
unless sooner superseded by competent authority.
90 was ionu,y nopeI oy Inc wen d'sPossa clslzsns
ao;.Is,urs nd ,s sIsc,on of ,hras s,;ess IS ,ha
Us ns aonJ s,s rs,n ;roosns ~ ,Ss ~ .a.u
Of the place, and elevate its character abroad
II was we'll known that The Alcalde, in defiance.
Of law aha justice, had nsen IN the habit OF sell;
Ing town lots, and other property OF lfe town, and
tina. the proeeeds OF such sales had hsen far Ione
80. @ ns",,ntad e., IT, a~.,.,. 80 LIS
uiue uhaecouhteo iof Inc !eshialnfe, dssirois
to secure such properly to the benefit OF the public,
u
position OF public property and making the offence
punishable by hDe and imprisonment II was also
charged, and not doubted, that the public records
were rnutllated, that the public funds were squan.
dersd and not accounted tor, and that the admin.
istraiion of justice was mere moekery, Tor rather
an outrageous wrong, az praciissd by the Alcade,1
and the Legislative body to correct these abuses,
and inasmuch as the people had elected three JUS.
ices Of the peace fixed day upcr which the Office
Of Alealds should cease, and ofdsred him 10 hand
over his books and papers 10 Myron Norton, newly
elected Justice. Upon this Mr. Norton addressed
he AleaIde the following hots.
s.s FRssoisea Nsrch - 1sga
ssr-ay an set OF the Legislative senhy et the nre.
- Ia 49,, ps,.u = - Ia nns sVpy shes
gou are Authorized 10 dsrs 10 me- ali hasLs r.os nau
md documents whssceyer relating 70 your Office, aud be-
ongins 70 ne OWE ana district 81 can FRANCISCO in your
sppopt time and place when and where you wifi be pr
pared to maze such delivery and viii wait upoa you
scs.'s men waud ,fspec'iuH suggest that You name
Very respectfully, your ob't sery't
MYEoS NORTON
o s,s cad p'' n s,
NonI,, 49, 1850
NO lsp'y was returned t!ere,o, ana aiter waning
ouc '' t'oi'oA as"i.' aoofesseu ING Acaiue,
o.. IL.,.,-.SANF FRANCISCO, March 30, 1913.
s. s4a to which have as vet received no reply re.pse
Ieaaet una, you s The either b com
oso Very respectfully, your ob't sely't.
Jusce of thu Peace and PA poics H.
To T. NJ. LeavsnwOrth Esq.
No reply has as Yet been received to either of |
hese notes, but it has transpired that the Alcalde
ent Mr. Norton's first letter to Gen. Smith, and |
sked his advice in the matter, whereupon Gen. |
Smith assures him that he is still the Alcade, not.
the action of the Legislative Assem-
,y-and he recommends this AIcalde tn hold on tn |
s ONCE, ana the DOCKS ana papers thereof, and
t 'ua. VI 'io o'hSai VI wi "iaso.' VINO Is more
cno'sou WIN tiie HattSfs Vi UoNeIn-
1ent dppertanng to this territory, the whole SUBJ
,ct will be laid before him II does not trarsn;re
x.c,Iv on uh,t n,onnJ. - S;.I L., 80
Aoouy vi VIVA. groutias zen: Smtn mas seen
roper 10 base this course of action, he does not