The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04

and night" is the title OF OF the best chapters
in the book.
Our author made a foos journey to Monterey
during the sitting of the Convention which form
cd the State Constitution He gives pleasing
account of the refined and polite society Of this
ancient Californian town and makes particular
mention Of Dona Augusta Xmeno, sister Of
one Of the Californian delegates to the Conven-
ton, Don Pablo de la Guerra, as a woman whose
nobility Of character, native vgor and activity Of
intellect, and instructive refinement and winning
grace of manner, would have given her a complete
supremacy in society, had her lot been cast in
Europe CT the United States. Her house was
| the fsvorte resort Of the leading members of the
Convention, American and Californian. She was
thoroughly versed in Spanish literature, and her
remarks on the various authors were just aud
elegant. She was, besides, fine rider, and could
throw the lariat with ssill, and possessed all
those bold and daring qualities which are so fas-
cinating when softened and made graceful by true
feminine delicacy.
| He describes the native Californians as physi-
cally and morally superior to the Mexicans Of
other States. They are, as a class, finely built
with fiesS, clear complexiONs The educated
class very generally are and appear we'll salts
fed with the change Of affairs, but the major
ity still look with jealousy on the new corners,
and are not pleased with the new customs
and new laws. The Californians in the Conven-
ton seemed every way worthy of their posi-
ton General Vallejo is man Of middle
years, tall, and Of commanding presence-with
the grave and dignifed expression of the old
Castilian race. With him were Cavarrubss,
the old Secretary of the Government Pico, Car
vllo, Pedrsrena, La Guerra, and half-blood
many of the most respectable and wealthy citi-
zens of California, is now excluded from voting
by clause of the Constitution which denies that
privilege to Indians and negroes. This unjust
exception---a blot on an otherwise admirable
Constitution-was adopted after warm debate,
and against fierce opposition The attempt TO
prohibit free people of color from inhabiting the
State failed by large majority The clause pro-
h5Rtag slavery pdssed By rore Of e1gSs s%s,oer
he account of the close of the Convention is
sufficiently amusing. The members met and ad-
journed, after brief session, and their hall was
Immediately cleared of forum, seats, and tables,
and decorated with pine boughs and oak gsrlands.
At eight in the evening, il was thrown open for q
ball. Sixty or seventy ladies, and as many gen.
temen, were present Dark-eyed daughters Of
Monterey and Los Angeles and Santa Barbara
with Indian and Spanish compilations, contrasted
with the fairer bloom of bellies from the Atlantic
side Of the Nevada There was as great vari-
ETY. Of costume as of complexion. Several Ameri-
can officers were there in their uniform. In one
group might be seen Captain Suffers soldierly
moustache and clear blue eye; in another, the
erect figure and quiet dignifed bearing of VAL
lejo. Don Pablo de Ia Guerra, with his handsome
sristocratic features, was the floor manager and
calamity discharged his Office Conspicuous
among the native members, were Don Miguel Pc
drorena and Jacinto Rodriguez, both polished and
popular gentlemen Dominguez, the Indian took
no part in the dance, but evidently enjoyed the
scene as much as any one present The most in
teresting figure was that of the Padre Ramirez,
hour. :" II the strongest advocate Of priestly de-
corum had been present" says our author, 81 he
could not have found it in his heart to grudge the
good old padre the pleasure which beamed in his
honest countenance"
The next day the Convention met for the last
time. The parchment sheet, with the engrossed
Constitution, was laid upon the table, and the
members commenced afixing their names Then
the American colors were run up the flagstaff in
front of the Hall, and the guns of the fort re-
spopded to the signal The great work was done
California, 50 far as it depended on herself, was
State Of the great Confederacy All were ex-
cited. Captain Suffer leaped up from his seat
and swung his arm over his head "Gentle-
mem he cried, "this is the happiest hour of my
life. 1t makes me glad to hear the cannon This
is great day for California ~ Recollecting him
self, he sat down, the tears streaming from his
eyes. His brother members cheered As the
signing went on, gun followed gun from the fort
At last the thiny.fra was echoed back from the
hills "That's for California ~ shouted a men,
Der, and three times three cheers were given by
the members. An English vessel caught the en-
thusiasm, and sent to the breeze the American
flag from her mast head. The day was beautiful
all faces looked bright and happy under The go-
rious sunset. "Were | believer in omens,n
writes our tourist on the spot, 81 would augur
from the tranquil beauty of the evenng-from
the clel sky and sunset hues of the bay-more
than all, from the joyous expression of every
face-a glorious and happy career for the estate
OF California;
Our author visited several Of the most import
ant "diggngs," and his account of their location,
productiveness, &C., does not materially differ
from the descriptions which have become familiar
to all our readers. IL is evident from his state
ments, that with good health and perseverance,
any reasonable expectation Of wealth on the part
of the miners may be realized, in few months
or years, according to the richness Of the dig
gings,n or the ease with which they may be work
ed. What, however, has interested us more than
the gold product Of California, is the confirmation
which our traveller gives to the statements Of
Fremont and King, relative to the richness of its
soil, and its great agricultural capacities The
valleys Of the Sacramento and San joaquin alone
are capable Of supporting a population of two
millions, II carefully cultivated. The deep,
black, porous soil produces the important cereal
grains, although on the seaboarj the air is too |
cool for the ripening Of Indian corn. Enormous
crops Of wheat may be obt lined by irrigation,
such as was successfully practiced by the great
Jesuit missions; audi without 1t, from forty to
fifty bushels to the bushel of seed have been |
raised. Oats Of the kind grown on the Atlantic
grow lururiantly and wild, selfsown on all the
hills Of the coast furnishing abundant supplies
for horses Irish potatoes grow to great size,
and all edible roots cultivated in the States are
produced in perfection, without irrigation.
Il. LIZ G. IL