Great care should be taken by the inspectors that vctes are received only from bona fide citizens actually resident in the country. These judges and inspectors previous to entering upon the duties of their office, should take an oath faithfully and truly to perform these duties. The returns should state distinctly the number of votes received for each candidate, be signed by the inspectors, sealed and immediately transmitted to the Secretary of State for file in his office. The following are the limits of the several districts: 1st. The District of San Diego is bounded on the south by Lower California, on the west by the sea, on the north by the parallel of latitude including the mission San Juan Capistrano, and on the east by the Colorado river. 2nd. The District of Los Angeles is bounded on the south by the District of San Diego, on the west by the sea, on the north by the Santa Clara river, and a parallel of latitude running from the headwaters of that river to the Colorado. 3rd. The District of Santa Barbara is bounded on the south by the District of Los Angeles, on the west by the sea, on the north by Santa Inez river and a parallel of latitude existing from the headwaters of that river to the summit of the coast range of mountains. 4th. The District of San Luis Obispo is bounded on the south by the District of Santa Barbara, on the west by the sea, on the north by a parallel of latitude including San Miguel, and on the east by the coast range of mountains. 5th. The District of Monterey is bounded on the south by the District of San Luis, and on the north and east by a line running east from New Year's point to the summit of the Santa Clara range of mountains, thence along the summit of that range to the Arroyo de los Leagas and a parallel of latitude extending to the summit of the coast range and along that range to the District of San Luis. 6th. The District of San José is bounded on the north by the straits of Carquenas, the bay of San Francisco, the Arroyo of San Francisquito and a parallel of latitude to the summit of Santa Clara mountains, on the west and south by the Santa Clara mountains and the District of Monterey, and on the east by the coast range. 7th. The District of San Francisco is bounded on the west by the sea, on the south by the Districts of San José and Monterey, and on the east and north by the bay of San Francisco, including the islands in that bay. 8th. The District of Sonoma includes all the country bounded by the sea, the bays of San Francisco and Suisun, the Sacramento river and Oregon. 9th. The District of Sacramento is bounded on the north and west by the Sacramento river, on the east by the Sierra Nevada, and on the south by the Cosumnes river. 10th. The District of San Joaquin includes all the country south of the Sacramento District, and lying between the coast range and the Sierra Nevada. The method here indicated to attain what is desired by all, viz:a more perfect political organization, is deemed the most direct and safe that can be adopted, and one fully authorized by law. It is the course advised by the President, and by the Secretaries of State and of War of the United States, and is calculated to avoid the innumerable evils which must necessarily result from any attempt at illegal local legislation. It is therefore hoped that it will meet the approbation of the people of California, and that all good citizens will unite in carrying it into execution. Given at Monterey, California, this third day of June, A. D. 1849. Official-H. W. HALLECK, B. RILEY, Brevet Brig.-Gen'l U. S. A., and Governor of California. Bvt. Captain and Secretary of State. To the People of California: It having been ascertained by the official canvass that the Constitution submitted to the people on the 13th day of November was ratified by the almost unanimous vote of the electors of this State; Now THEREFORE I, Bennet Riley, Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. Army, and Governor of California, do hereby proclaim and declare the said Constitution to be ordained and established as the Constitution of the State of California. Given at Monterey, California, this 12th day of December, 1849. B. RILEY, Brevet Brig. Gen'l, U. S. A., and Governor of California. By the Governor: H. W. HALLECK, Bvt. Capt. and Sect'y of State. To the People of California: A new executive having been elected and installed into office, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the State, the undersigned hereby resigns his powers as Governor of Cali fornia. In thus dissolving his official connection with the people of this country he would tender to them his most heartfelt thanks for their many kind attentions, and for the uniform support which they have given to the measures of his administration. The principal object of all his wishes is now accomplished-the people have a government of their own choice; one which, under the favor of Divine Providence, will secure their own prosperity and happiness, and the permanent welfare of the new State. Given at San José, California, this 20th day of December, A. D. 1849. B. RILEY, Brevet Brig.-Gen'l, U. S. A., and Governor of California. By the Governor: H. W. HALLECK, Bvt. Capt. and Sect'y of State. SAN JOSÉ, December 22, 1849. Gentlemen of the Senate and Assembly: I take pleasure in placing before you, the two accompanying Proclamations issued by the late Governor Riley, and respectfully suggest that a convenient number be printed for distribution. It has been my happiness to have long known Governor Riley; and I can say, in all sincerity and candor, that there does not exist, in my opinion, a more ardent and devoted friend of his country, or one who has served her more faithfully; and I desire to put on record this humble testimony to the character and services of one who has done so much for the people of California, and enjoys so fully their confidence and esteem. *PETER H. BURNETT. * Peter H. Burnett was the first Governor of California under State Government. ACT FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA INTO THE UNION. WHEREAS, The people of California have presented a constitution and asked admission into the Union, which constitution was submitted to Congress by the President of the United States, by message dated February thirteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty, and which, on due examination, is found to be republican in its form of government: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the State of California shall be one, and is hereby declared to be one, of the United States of America, and admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever. 2. The said State of California is admitted into the Union upon the express condition that the people of said State, through their Legislature or otherwise, shall never interfere with the primary disposal of the public lands within its limits, and shall pass no law and do no act whereby the title of the United States to, and right to dispose of, the same shall be impaired or questioned; and that they shall never lay any tax, or assessment of any description whatsoever, upon the public domain of the United States; and in no case shall non-resident proprietors, who are citizens of the United States, be taxed higher than residents; and that all the navigable waters within the said State shall be common highways, and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of said State as to the citizens of the United States, without any tax, impost, or duty therefor; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as recognizing or rejecting the propositions tendered by the people of California, as articles of compact in the ordinance adopted by the convention which formed the Constitution of that State. 3. All laws of the United States which are not locally inapplicable shall have the same force and effect within the said State of California as elsewhere within the United States. Approved September 9, 1850. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE CALIFORNIA-1849. The delegates to the first Constitutional Convention met in Colton Hall in the town of Monterey at 12 M. of Saturday, the first day of September, 1849, and the Constitution of the State of California was adopted by the Convention October 10, 1849, ratified by the people November 13, 1849, proclaimed December 20, 1849, and amended in 1856, 1862, and 1871. ABBREVIATIONS. Cal. California Reports. Cal. App. California Appellate Reports. PREAMBLE. Purpose of the Constitution. We, the people of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution. ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. Inalienable rights of men. SECTION 1. All men are by nature free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. 7 Cal. 6, 16; 9 Cal. 504; 18 Cal. 680; 22 Cal. 324; 23 Cal. 464; 32 Cal. 249; 33 Cal. 281; 36 Cal. 671; 38 Cal. 703; 39 Cal. 179; 47 Cal. 233. |