Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-02-15

Important Caiifornia--Three Millions I'm Gold.
The steamship Empire City arrived at New York
the 9th instant with news from San Francisco to
the date of the 2lst of December The Empire City
brings about three millions of dollars in gold DUST
and two hundred and ninety Height passengers:
Among the passengers of the Empire City are the
Hon. George w. Wright and Hon Edward Gilbert
Representatives elect from the State of California
Hon. L. Butler King; S. Ward, Esq; E. Harrison,
ex-Collector of the port of San Francisco; w. A.
Bufum, Esq; W. r. Kinder, Esq, bearer of impor-
tant dispatches from the United States boundary
Commissioner to the Secretary of State; Surgeon A.
Bowie, U. S. NJ; Lieut.. Norris bearer of despatch
es from Commodore Jones; and F. w. Rice, ESQ,
of the editors and propretors of the Pacific Cou
rier.
The steamship Oregon, Captain Pearson, arrived
at Panama on the evening of January Goth, with 29S
passengers-90i in the cabin and 208 in the Storage
having left San Francisco on the morning of New
Years day. She brought down the Hon. John c.
Fremont and Hon. VIM. M. Gwin Senators elect,
and the two Representatives from the new State.
The vote for the adoption of the new constitution
was 1206l; against it, S11.
Brigadier General Riley has issued general order
recognizing the supremacy of a State government
under the constitution, and renquishing all the
civil power which he had previously exercised.
LEGISLATIVE PRoCEEDINGs.-The LEGISLATURE met
December 18th, and organized on the 18th, by
the choice of DR.. T. ]. White, of Sacramento, as
Speaker of the Assembly, and E. K Chamberlain, of
San Diego, President pro tenn of the Senate. Gov.
Burnett was inaugurated on the 2Oth Immediately
after which ceremony the Legislature voted vva voce
for United States Senator's Whole number of votes
Unnecessary to choice "a
On the first ballot:
John c. Fremont. 30 T. Butler King ...... 10
VIM. M. Gwin ..22 John w. Geary ...... 5
H. w. Halleck. Ia Robert Semple ....... 3
Thomas J. Henley 80.
ballot:
VIM. NJ Gwin .......24 Thomas J. Henley 80. 3
H. w. Halleck. ......18 John w. Geary .......1
T. B. King 81.
So that John c. Fremont and William M. Gwin
were declared duly elected VIM. V. VOORHEES, of San
Francisco has been appointed Secretary of State
S. Houston, Comptroller Major R. Roman Treasu-
rer; E. J. c. Kewen, Attorney General; Charles ]
Whiting, Surveyor General: S. C. Hastings, Judge
of the Supreme Court
The whole number of votes thrown in the election
for Governor and Representatives to Congress was
only $4,000, although the State can probably poll
10000 votes. There ten candidates in the field
for Congress; the highest ON the list G. w.
Wright formerly of Nantucket, who had 5 451 votes
the next was Edward Gilbert, one of the New York
Volunteers and Of the Editors of the Alto Cali
fornian, who had $500 votes.
THE OFFICERS OF THE New STATE.-The following
is list of the State officers Senators and Repre-
senaves in Congress- elected under the constitution
ratified by the people at the election the 18th No
vember last, viz:
GoUernor--Peter H. Burnett.
Lieut., GoUernor-John McDougal.
United States Senators-John C. Fremont, VIM. M
Gwin.
Representatives in Congress-George w. Wright
Edward Gilbert
Secretary of State-Wm Van VOORHEES,
| Treasurer-Richard Roman.
| Comptroller--J. S. Houston.
attorney General-Edward ]. C. Kewen.
| Surveyor General-Charles j. Whiting.
Chief Justices. G.. Hastings
Associate Jttstices-H A. Lyon, Nathaniel Bennett
Officers Of the Senate-President. Hon. John Me
Dougal, Lieut.. Governor; Secretary, J. F. Howe
Assistant Secretary, NJ Ollos Enrolling Clerk, A
w. Luckett Engrossing Clerk, Bella Dexter; Ser
geant-at-Arms, Thomas J. Austin Doorkeeper, Eu
gene Russell.
Officers Of the Assem6ly-Speaker T. J. White
Clerk, E. H. Tharp; Assistant Clerk, F. H. Sal d
ford Enrolling Clerk, A D. Ohr; Engrossing Clerk
G. Mitchell; Sergeant Arms S. Houston Door
keeper, J. Warrenton.
Resignations-Ho Nathaniel Bennett, Senator
from the District of San Francisco ana William Val
VOORHEES,, Representative, have resigned their seats
in their respective bodies.
GOVERNORS MEssAGE.-The message of Gov. Bur
nett is spoken of business-ike and well-writter
paper. He thinks that the Legislature should a
once proceed to putting the machine of government
into motion, without waiting for the admission of thu
State by Congress. Such course, he thinks, doe
not conflict with the constitution, since it pur
sued both in Missouri and Michigan.
In the adoption of civil and criminal code of Law
for California he advises that the basis of the lega
system of the State be laid by the adoption of:
| l. The definition of crimes and misdemeanors con
| tanned in the Common Law of England.
2. The English Law of Evidence.
| 8. The English Commercial Law.
f. The Civil Code of the State of Louisiana
| S. The Louisiana Code of Practice
The Governor says but little upon the subject o
slavery, which he seems to consider settled by tn
constitution but he argues strongly in favor of pro
hbitng free negroes from coming into or settling
the new State.
For the purpose of maintaining the government
he recommends a general system of direct taxation
in the place of any attempt to negotiate loan.
On the oath of December. San Francisco was Wis
tied by very destructive fire. the loss by which the
Alta Californian estimates at million and half o
dollars. Of course, this estimate is based upon
California valuation Some ten or twelve of the bes
buildings in San Francisco were destroyed Abou
the same time fire occurred at Stockton which de
stroyed $4,000 worth of property.
| MURDER AT SAN FRANCIsCo-An atrocious murder
was committed on the morning of the 10th of De
| cember, at the Bella Union. in San Francisco by
young man, known in fashionable circles in New
York, named Reuben Withers, The deceased wa
a member of band of MINISTRIES, named Arthur
Reynolds. He was sleeping in the back room of tn
Bella Union on the morning in question, whel
Withers in state of intoxication, entered and or
dered him out. Words ensued, when Withers drew
his knife and stabbed Reynolds in the neck, causing
| his instant death The parties had no previous &C
quaintance with each other and the assault wa:
entirely unprovoked. Withers after committin,
the deed, fed and has not been heard from.
/ BUSINESS MArTERs--The prospects for gold hun
tiers for the next considered very hatter
ing 1t was thought that much larger amour
would be taken out than was the past year.
1 Gold digging had been mostly suspended for tn
season, and great many persons were hocking int