History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of AmericaFrost, John
History
History of the State of California: From the Period of the Conquest by Spain to Her Occupation by the United States of America
Frost, John
California -- Gold discoveries; California -- History
I would respectfully recommend that at least three sub-Indian agents
be appointed for this country, and stationed in the valleys of the
Sacramento and San Joaquin.
These agents should receive ample pay in order to enable them to
defray the expenses of living in that part of the country, and should
be men of the highest moral character; for otherwise they would not
resist the temptation to engage in illicit trade with the natives, or
to employ them for the individual benefit of the agents in washing for
gold.
The election called by me for the 1st instant was held on that day,
and has been attended with the most happy results.
Every district has elected its local officers, and appointed delegates
to meet in general convention at this place on the 1st proximo, to
form a State Constitution or plan of territorial government, which
will be submitted to the people for their ratification, and
transmitted to Washington for the action of Congress.
Most of the local and judicial officers named in my proclamation of
the 3d of June, have already entered upon their duties, and the
interest which was taken by the people in every part of the country in
this election, and the zeal manifested by those elected and appointed
to office, afford strong hopes that the existing government will be
able to preserve order and secure the administration of justice until
a new one shall be put into regular and successful operation.
In my former despatch I mentioned that the civil officers of the
existing government would be paid their regular salaries from the
"civil funds," which had been formed, under the direction of the
governor of California, mainly out of the proceeds of the temporary
custom-houses established by my predecessors on this coast.
It will also be necessary to use a portion of this fund in the
immediate construction of jails for the security of civil prisoners.
The want of such jails has already led to the most serious
inconveniencies; prisoners have so frequently effected their escape,
that, on several occasions, the people have risen in masses and
executed criminals immediately after trial, and without waiting for
the due fulfilment of all the requisitions of the laws.
In many cases it has been found necessary to confine civil prisoners
on board vessels of war, and in the guard-houses of the garrison; but
in towns, at a distance from the coast and the military posts, the
difficulty of retaining prisoners in custody has led, in some
instances, to immediate and summary executions.
This evil calls for an immediate remedy, which will be afforded, so
far as the means at my disposal will admit.
I beg leave, in this place, to add a few remarks on the use which has
been, and will continue to be, made of this "civil fund."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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