HISTORY OP CALIFORNIA. 



125 



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 recapitu 

 late its provisions. It combines the best features of the 

 Constitutions of the States east of the Rocky Moun 

 tains, 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 occa 

 sioned 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, 

 :>r the descendants of Indians to the right of suffrage 

 by a two-thirds concurrent vote. Under this provi 

 sion, some of the most wealthy and influential Califor- 

 nians are excluded from voting until permitted by the 

 Legislature. 



The boundary question, which came up towards the 

 11* 



