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
The Convention was to meet on the 1st of September, at Monterey; but
it did not get regularly organized until the 4th of that month, when
Dr. Robert Semple, of the Sonoma district, was chosen president. The
proportion of the native Californian members to the American was about
equal to that of the population. Among the members was Captain John
Sutter, the pioneer settler of California, General Vallejo and
Antonio Pico, who had both been distinguished men in California,
before the conquest. The body, as a whole, commanded respect, as being
dignified and intellectual.
The Declaration of Rights was the first measure adopted by the
Convention. Its sections being general and liberal in their character,
were nearly all adopted by a unanimous vote. The clause prohibiting
the existence of slavery was the unanimous sentiment of the
Convention. The Constitution will be found in another part of this
work, and we will not here recapitulate its provisions. It combines
the best features of the Constitutions of the States east of the Rocky
Mountains, and is in most respects similar to that of the State of New
York.
The most exciting questions discussed were, a clause prohibiting the
entrance of free people of color into the State, the boundary line,
and the great seal of the State. The first, the clause prohibiting the
entrance of free people of color into the State, passed first reading,
but was subsequently rejected by a large majority. The question of
suffrage occasioned some discussion, widely differing opinions being
entertained by the members. An article was adopted by the Convention,
excluding Indians and negroes, with their descendants, from the
privilege of voting; but it was subsequently modified by a proviso,
which gave the Legislature power of admitting Indians, or the
descendants of Indians to the right of suffrage by a two-thirds
concurrent vote. Under this provision, some of the most wealthy and
influential Californians are excluded from voting until permitted by
the Legislature.
The boundary question, which came up towards the close of the
Convention, was the most exciting theme. The point of dispute was the
eastern boundary line. The Pacific formed the natural boundary on the
west; the parallel of 42 degrees, the boundary on the north, and the
Mexican line, run in conformity with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
the boundary on the south. The discussion, reconsideration and voting
upon the various propositions occupied nearly two days. Finally, the
line detailed in the Constitution was adopted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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