Browne, J. Ross. Report of the Debates in the Convention of California, on the Formation of the State Constitution, in September and October, 1849.
Washington: John T. Towers, 1850. 479 [1] xlvi [2] pages.
The end of the Mexican War and Sutter's discovery of gold within a few days of each other in early 1848 led to rapid population growth in the American West and put tremendous pressure on Congress to recognize California as a state in record time.
This record of the convention held in Monterey, California, between September 1 and October 13, 1849, is one of the foundation documents for the State of California. It contains a proclamation of General Bennett Riley, the military governor of California recommending the adoption of a state constitution or the formation of a territorial government, the journal of the proceedings of the convention, a list of the delegates, the Constitution of California, a memorial of US senators and representatives elect of California, a digest of Spanish laws, "supposed to be in existence in California at the time of the adoption of the state constitution," and the official correspondence related to statehood.
Zamorano 80 #11, Cowan and Cowan, Bibliography of the History of California p. 79 ("An exhaustive account of the acts and proceedings of this most remarkable assembly. Browne was the only shorthand reporter in California at that time, and for this work he received $10,000.")
A fine, clean copy, with very little foxing, recently rebound in red buckram with gilt spine titles. [10M]. (#S848)
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