The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-15
Pioneers Who Helped to Frame
the First Constitution Of
California.
STIRRING SCENES AT MONTEREY
General Vallejo and the Bear Flag.
The Slavery Question Nearly
Broke Up the Convention.


California. Pico was the last Governor
under Mexican rule and died at Los An
geles September II, 1894. Burnett was the
first Governor under American civil rule
and died at San Francisco, May II, 1885,
Crosby, who died on August 20, was mem
Der of the first constitutional convention,
held at Monterey in 1S49, and also of the
first Legislature, held at San Jose in
1S49-5O.
Few Of the present generation are IA
miliar with the particular history in
which these men figured. 1t is a history
OF events of great moment and OF tragical
incidents. In result there came into the
American Union a new State that never
passed the term of territorial probation.
1t was State &c facto in Decem Der, 1849,
but not State de jure till September g.,
1850. Its great seal is emblematical of its
origin, for the foreground figure repre-
sents the goddess Minerva, having
sprung full grown from the brain of
Jupiter. She was introduced as q
fitting type of the political birth
of the State. OF Pico and his
troublous administration it is unnecessary
here to speak. He struggled against a
harder and superior race, and gave way
before the Amer lean arms. Following the
occupa ton of the country by the United
States in 1916, though that had been the
settled policy of the authorities at Wash
ington, there had been no definite pro-
vision made for its government, and it re-
manned under American military rule-a
rule not at all suitable to the new condi-
tons or satisfactory to the people. The
primary efforts that were made to estab-
lish civil government were checked by
the military authorities, while Congress
delayed action because of the controversy
over the question of slavery. 1t was not
until June g. 1S49, that General Riley, the
military Governor, called constitutional
convention and set in motion the machin-
cry that led to the organization of civil
government. This convention met in Col
ton Hall, in Monterey, September 1, 1S49
and these were the men of whom it was
composed:
Joseph Aram, then aged 80, native of
Oneida County, n. Y; a farmer, and then
a resident of California for three years. He
is the father of State Senator Eugene
Aram of Woodland, and now lives in San
Jose.
Charles T. Bolts, then aged 40, a native
OF Virginia; then resident here sixteen
months, and lawyer. He was brother
of John Minor Bolts, and was afterward
y q
Printer. Died at San Francisco October 4,
1884.
Elan Brown, then aged 50, native of
Herkimer County, N. Y; then a resident
three years, and farmer. He was after
ward a member of the First and Second
Assemblies, and died in August, 1889, as
we are informed.
a native of California. Died at Santa Bar
bara A Drij Ok 1852
Jose A. Covarrubias, another native, was
then aged 40. He afterward served nine
terms in the Assembly and died at Santa
Barbara April 1, 1871.
Elisha o. Crosby, already spoken of, was
then aged "a, native of Tompkins County,
n. Y, had resided here seven months and
was a lawyer.
Pablo de la Guerra, native of Califor-
mia, was then aged SO. He afterward
served nine terms in the State Senate, was
ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor in 1861,
when John G.. Downey acted as Governor
after the resignation of Milton S. Latham,
and for six years was District Judge at
Santa Barbara. He died there February
5, 1874.
Lewis Dent, then aged 26, was born in
Missouri; had resided here three years and
was lawyer. He was brother-in-law of
General Grant, aud died at Washington
March %, 1874.
Kimball H. Dimmick then aged "a, and
a native of Chenango County, n. Y. He
was lawyer and came out with Steven
sons regiment. Died at Los Angeles Sep
TENDER H. 1861.
Manuel Dominguez, native, then aged
46, and banker.
Alfred ]. Ellis, then aged 33, native of
Oneida County, N. Y. had resided here
two years and a half, and merchant. He
was afterward an Assent lyman, and Ellis
street, in this city, was named after him.
Died in San Francisco July q. 1883.
Stephen c. Foster, then aged %, native
of Maine; a resident for three years and a
farmer. He was afterward Senator from
Los Angeles three terms.
Edward Gilbert, then aged u, native
OF Duchess County, N. Y, and printer.
He came out with the Stevenson regiment
and was proprietor and editor of the
Alta. AT the first State election in 1S49
he was elected to Congress. His death oc-
Cured in a duel with James w. Denver,
then Secretary of State, at Oak Grove, near
Sacramento, on August 2, 1852.
William M. Gwin, then aged "A, native
OF Tennessee, resident for four months
and farmer" The career of DR.. Gwin
is too well known to need more than the
passing mention that he was elected one
OF the United States Senators by the first
Legislature. Died at New York Septem-
Henry Wager Halleck, then aged 80,
native Of Oneida County, New York, a
resident three years, and United States
engineer. He was then the military Secre-
tary of State and afterward commanded
the United States army during part of
the time in the rebellion. Died at Louis
vile, KY, January 9, 1872.
Julian Hanks, then aged SO, a native of
Connecticut, resident for ten years and
farmer.
L. W. Hastings, then aged 30. a native of
Ohio. resident for six years and lawyer.
Died in Arizona.
Henry Hill, then aged SO, native of
Virginia, resident for one year and five
months and in the United States army.
Joseph Hobson, then aged 80, native of
Baltimore, a resident for five months, and
merchant.
John McH. Hollingsworth, then aged 25
native OF Baltimore, resident for three
years. and a lieutenant of volunteers. Died
at WASHINGTON, April 5, 1889.
Jacob d. Hoppe, then aged IS, native of
Maryland, a resident for three years, and
merchant. He was the first Postmaster at
San Jose, and died at San Francisco, April
II, 1853 from injuries received from the ex-
plosion of the boiler of the steamer Jenny
Lind.
John M. Jones, then aged %, native of
Kentucky, resident for about four months,
and LAWYER, Died at San lose Decemb Der