Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-19
nd good man as the annals of American glory can


| boast.
The result Of the abos ofthe Convention was submit
ted TO the People of California for their consideration
on the first day OF October lS49 which day the Con-
printed in the English and Spanish language, and ex-
traordlnary efforts made to circulate it in every
portion of the Territory. In order that as full vote as
possible might be had both upon the Constitution and
Tor the election of the officers under it, it deemed abb
souely necessar that the election should be fixed at
tune anterior to the setting in OF the winters rains
he impossible condition OF the roads and rivers du-
ring the winter it was we'll known must inevitably de-
tam large numbers OF voters from the polls if the cleo
ton were too long postponed Beside, it deemed
important that the admission of the State should be Sc
cufed as speedily as possible in order that the Senators
ana Representatives might early take their seats in Con-
gess and devote their energies to the promotion of the
national legislation of which the country was so much
a niea Dcd According 1 the 18Th of November 1912
was liked upon as the day of the election and the 18th
State Legislature.
Ihe anticipaons which had caused the election to
be held at early day. proved not to he untounded -
Inc winter rams commenced several DAYS before the
ioui OF November, and on that day one of the worst
storms ever experienced, ragged throughout the whole
countlyii ne consequence was, Notwithstanding the
personal exerons OF the friends OF the different candid
ates Tor popular iavor that only about fifteen Thousand
votes We're polled OF these IL 06l were for the Const
tutlon, Oil were against it, and from 200 to 500 were
blanks IN consequence of the failure of the printer to
place the words For the Constitution at the head ri
the ballots 1t is believed that there never was an cleo
ton attended with less excitement The sentiment in
favor OF the Constitution was nearly unanimous and was
entirely the result Of the unbiased and deliberate onn
ions OF those who were most interested in it, No al
tempt was made to msead or control public opinion in
relaton 10 inc constitution No candidate sought sue
cess by either an ardent advocacy of its merits or
broad remuneration OF any OF its provisions The three
newspapers pubshedin the Territory did not feel called
upon to aid It, further than to publish with simple re-
cominendatory paragraph, and member of the Con-
Ventlon urged Its adoption with Improper zeal The
truth is, that no political result in the history of any ma
o eom is more surely the honest expression of public
OPINION, founded IN reason, reflection and deliberate
Judgment, than the ratification afforded by the people
OF California to their constitution
The Legislature elected in November assembled at
pan Jose the Capital OF the State, the 18th Decem-
Der last; The Governor elected by the People Pc
ter H. Burnett, Esq, was naugurated according to the
requirements OF the constitutions and on the IOtb oftbe
same month Cen Riley, by Proclamation delivered
the Cvll Government into the hands ofhe duIy-elec-
ted agents OF the newl y-organZed State. That State
Government, complete in all its elemental parts now
exercising the the powers and performing the duties
prescribed by the constitution of the State Of California
The legislation that is likely ensue will be of such
character as is demanded by the public interests,
6ut always in conformity to the Constitution of the |
United States and the laws of Congress- The ntelj-
gence and patriotism ofthose composing the State Gov
eminent, are warranty that conflict Of authority
or interest likely to occur rather from ignorance or
desgn, between the Government OF the United States
and the Government ofthe State of California and while
1t cannot be denied that position of affairs is anoma-
lous 1t is not doubted that the legitimate channels of
Inc two powers are so widely different that running
IN parallel direction, they come into collision
Such IS believed to be the settled opinion of the Peope
oil Gahiomla and OF their Legislative and Executive
authorities.
1t was not from any desire to establish State Go
vernment in opposition TO regardless of the wishes
and rights OF the people OF the United States that the
people OF California pursued this course. No improper
motives, no ambitious impulses, executive influence
prompted their action. They believed that their breth
rem on the Atlantic appreciated their suerings admit
ted their patriotism and would hail their action with 10y
They thought that the Congress of the United States
would instantly open its doors their delegated repre-
sentatves, and that the State would be Immediately and
gladly admitted. To this impression the tone Of the
public press, the dispatches Of executive officers and
the OF distinguished statesmen in Congress had
contributed in very great degreel; and as nothing of
contrary character had reached the Pacific shores
1t is not surprising that the sentiment became gene raj
one, The daily arriving emigration added their corro-
borave evidence to the already general belief and it fl
nay came to be credited that the great public of the
ATLANTIC States were as ardently and unanimously in
favor OF the admission OF California as were her own
citizens They did not anticipate DELAY and conse-
quently could not perceive guard against contingent
cy arising from such state OF things They believed
their acuon to be eminently right and necessary and
sanchonedby the approving voice 1.-THE American peo
Pile.
The population of California on the first day of Janu-
ay $780, supposed to have been about 10Y 900 souls
there are no means Of ascerainng with certainty he
number aad character of the la ge immigration which
has poured into the country sce the discovery of the
gold mines, but the undersigned, having taken much
pains 10 arrive at correct conclusions this subject,
submit the following estimates |
The population of California exclusive of Indians and
Africans is supposed have been on the first day Of
January, lS49, as follows viz
CallornanS. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1900
Allielicals. .'.................... 5000
Total ...............,... ......... $4,000
From that time down the llth day OF April lS49:
the arrivals by sea at the different ports is believed