head as if swinging a sword, exclaimed: 'Gentlemen, this is the happiest day in my life. It makes me glad to hear those cannon; they remind me of the time when I was a soldier. Yes, I am glad to hear them this is a great day for California!' Then recollecting himself he sat down, the tears streaming from his eyes. The members with one accord gave three tumultuous cheers which were heard from one end of the town to the other. As the signing went on gun followed gun from the fort, the echoes reverberating grandly around the bay till finally as the loud ring of the Thirty-first was heard, there was a shout: "That's for California!' and every one joined in giving three times three for the new star added to our Confederation.' * * * "There was one handsome act I must not omit to mention. The Captain of the English bark, 'Volunteer,' of Sydney, Australia, lying in the harbor sent on shore in the morning for an American flag. When the first gun was heard a line of colors ran fluttering up to the spars, the Stars and Stripes Aying triumphantly from the main-top. The compliment was the more marked as some of the American vessels neglected to give anv token of recognition to the events of the dav." "The Constitution having been signed and the Convention dissolved. the members proceeded in a body to the house of General Rilev. The visit was evidently unexpected by the old veteran. When he made his appearance, Captain Sutter stepped forward, and having shaken him by the hand, drew himself into an erect attitude, raised one hand to his breast as if he was making a report to his

commanding officer on the field of battle and addressed. him as follows:

GENERAL: I have been appointed by the delegates elected by the people of California to form a Constitution, to address you in their names and in behalf of the whole people of California, and express the thanks of the Convention for the aid and co-operation they have received from you in the discharge of the responsible duty of creating a state government. And, sir, the Convention as wou will perceive from the official records, duly appreciates the great and important services you have rendered to our common country and especially to the people of California, and entertains the confident belief that you will receive from the whole people of the United States, when you retire from your official duties here, that verdict so grateful to the heart of the patriot: 'well done thou good and faithful servant!'

"General Riley was visibly affected by this mark of respect, no less appropriate than well deserved on his part. The tears in his eyes and the plain blunt sincerity of his voice and manner went to the heart of every one present. 'Gentlemen,' he said, 'I never made a speech in my life. I am a soldier-but I can feel; and I do feel deeply the honor you have this day conferred upon me. Gentlemen, this is a prouder day to me than that on which my soldiers cheered me on the field of Contreras. I thank you all from my heart. I have no fear for California while the people have chosen their representatives so wisely. Gentlemen, I congratulate you upon the successful conclusion of your arduous labors, and I wish you all happiness

and prosperity.'. After three hearty cheers by the members for the gallant soldier, worthy of his country's glory, he concluded in the following words: "I have but one thing to add, gentlemen, and that is, that my success in the affairs of California is mainly owing the efficient aid rendered me by Captain Hallock, '(afterwords during the civil war commander of the western division of the army)' the Secretary of State. He has stood by me in all emergencies. To him I have always appealed when at a loss myself, and he has never failed me.'

"This recognition of Captain Hallock's talents and the signal service he has rendered to the authorities since the conquest was pecularly just and appropriate. It was so felt by the members and they responded by giving three enthusiastic cheers for the Secretary of State." They then took their leave, many of them being anxious to start for their various places of residence. All were in a happy and satisfied mood and none less so than the native members. Pedrorena declared that this was the most fortunate day in the history of California. Even Carillo, in the beginning, one of the most zealous opponents, displayed a genuine zeal for the Constitution which he helped to frame under the laws of our republic.

The elections for the various officers under the new Constitution took place on the 13th of November, 1849. Peter H. Burnett was chosen Governor, and John McDougall, Lieutenant-Governor. George W. Wright and Edward Gilbert were chosen as representatives to Congress. The first State Legislature met at the Capital, the pueblo de San Jose, on the 15th of December,

and elected John C. Fremont and William M. Gwin, Senators to Congress. Every branch of the civil government went at once into operation, and admission into the Union as a state was all that was necessary to complete the settlement of affairs in California. In October, 1851, the state elections were held. John Bigler was elected Governor by thirteen hundred majority over Mr. Reading. On the 2d of November, 1852, the presidential election was held throughout the United States. The Democrats carried California for the electral ticket pledged to vote for Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, for President, and William R. King of Alabama for Vive-President. It also went Democratic in 1856, for James Buchanan of Pennsylvania.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE STATE.

From that period the history, growth and development of California does not properly belong to pioneer days.

The comparative size of California, however, is not generally understood or realized even by a very large number of its own citizens. It has a coast line of about one thousand miles, with an average width of over two hundred miles, and contains an area of 188,921 square miles or 120,947,840 acres. The combined area of the six New England states is but 68,348 square miles, showing that California has an area almost three times as great as this division of that republic. The area of the six middle states-New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia-is 137,464 square miles, showing that the area of California is 51,517 square miles larger than all that section.

The combined area of the twelve states forming the New England and Middle States is 205,812 square miles, showing that California contains an area almost as great as these twelve states. It is 78,135 square