Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-20


ing.
| amused myself during the interval by
walking about the town. Every body knew
that the Convention was about closing and
it was generally understood that Capt Bur
ton had loaded the guns at the fort, and
would fire salute Of thirty-one guns at the
proper moment The citizens therefore,
as well as the members, were in an excited
mood Monterey never before looked so
bright, so happy, so full of pleasant expec-
tatlon.
About one o'clock the Convention met
again; few of the members, indeed, had left
the hall. Mr.. Sempe, although in feeble
health, called them to order, and, having
voted Gen, Riley a salary Of $4,000, and
Mr.. Haleck, Secretary of State, $4,000 Il
year, from the commencement of their re-
spectlve offices, they proceeded to afiix their
names to the completed Constitution. Al
this moment signal was given; the Amer
lean colors ran up the flag staff in front of
the Government buildings, and streamcd
out on the air A second allerward the
first gun doomed from the fort, and its stir
ring echoes came back from one hill after
an other, till they were lost in the distance
All the native enthusiasm Of Capt. SUIT
ter's Swiss blood was aroused he was the
old soldier again lie sprang from his seat
and waving his hand around his head, as if
swinging a sword, exclaimed: Gentlemen
this is the happiest day Of my life. 1t
makes me glad to hear those cannon; they
remind me of the time when | was a SOL
der. Yes, am glad to hear them-thjs
is II great day for California;" Then rec
olIectlng himself, he sat down, the tears
streaming from his eyes The members
with one accord gave three tumultuous
cheers, which were heard from one end Of
the town to the other. As the signing went
on, gun followed gun from the fort, the ech-
oes reverberating grandy around the bay,
till finally, as the loud ring of the hiriy-
first was heard, there was a shout: "That's
for California;" aud every one joined in
giving three times three for the new and
glorious star added to our Confederation.
There was one handsome act | must not
omit to mention. The Captain of the Eng
lish bark Volunteer, of Sidney, Australia,
living in the harbor, sent on shore in the
morning for an American flag. When the
first gun was heard, a line of colors ran
futtering up to the spars, the stars and
stripes flying trumphantly from the main
top. The compliment was the more mark
ed, since some of the American vessels neg
lected to give any token of recognition to
the event of the day.
The Constitution having been signed and
the Convention dissolved, the members pro-
ceeded in body to the house of Gen. Ri
ley. The visit was evidently unexpected by
the old veteran. When lie made his APP
pearance, Capt. Suffer stepped forward and
having shaken him by the hand, drew him
self into an erect attitude, raised one hand
to his breast as if he were making a report
to his commanding officer on the field of
battle, and addressed him as follows:
GENERAL: have been appointed by
the Delegates, elected by the people of Cal
ifornia to form a Constitution, to address
you in their names and in'behalf of the
whole people of California, and express the
thanks Of the Convention for the aid and
cooperation they have received from you,
in the discharge Of the responsible duty of
creating State Government And, Sir,
the Convention, as you will perceive from
its official records, duly appreciates the great
and important services you have rendered
to our common country, and especially to
the people OF California, and entertains the
confident belief that you will receive from
the whole of the people of the United States
when you retire from your official duties
here, that verdict so grateful to the heart of
the patriot: "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant"
Gen Riley was visibly affected by this
mark of respect, no less appropriate than
well deserved on his part. The tears in his
eyes and the plain, blunt sincerity of his
voice and manner, went to the heart of eve
ry one present.
Gentlemen" he said, 81 never made
IA speech in my life. am soldier--but
canteel; and do feel deeply the honor you
have this day conferred upon me- Gentle
men, this is a prouder day to me than that
on which my soldiers cheered me on the
field of Contreras. | thank you all from my
heart
6 am now satisfied that the people have
done right in selecting Delegates to frame
Constitution They have chosen body
of men upon whom our country may look
with pride you have framed Il Constitution
worthy of California. And have no fear
/ for California while her people choose their
/ bsSpiNSSh'"tNSo ~ WISELY hcy VIII w
| it; this Convention has convinced me thai
the people can and will always act right
Gentlemen, congratulate you upon the sue
cessiul conclusion of your arduous labors,
and wish you all happiness and prosper
ity."
The General was here interrupted with
three hearty cheers which the members gave
! him, as Governor of California, followed by
three more, " as gallant soldier, and wor-
thy of his country's glory" He then con-
cluded in the following words;
g. have but one thing to add, gentlemen,
and that is, that my success in the affairs of
California is mainly owing to the efficient
aid rendered me by Capt. Halleck, the Sec
rotary of State lie has stood by me in all
emergencies. To him have always APP
peaed when at loss myself and he has
never failed me-"
This recognition of Capt Halleck's tai
ents and the signal service he has rendered
to our authorities here, since the conquest,
was peculiarly Just and appropriate. 1t was
so felt by the members, ard they responded
with equal warmth of feeling, by giving
three enthusiastic cheers for the Secretary
of State. They then took their leave, many
Al L. Al.