HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



243 



with it, the acid will become turbid, green, and black, 

 discharging bubbles of gas. After the ebullition has 

 ceased, the residue should be washed with water, and 

 acid again poured upon it, when the same effect may 

 be observed, but in a less degree ; and if the experi 

 ment be repeated till all effervescence ceases, it will 

 finally leave the gold dust pure. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



ADDITIONAL RECENT EVENTS. 



THE history of the laws of a State affords the best idea 

 of its social condition present and prospective ; for 

 they are framed from the necessity of circumstances 

 and the demands of the inhabitants. We may, there 

 fore, see the condition and the progress of the Cali- 

 fornians in their legislative transactions. 



The California Legislature adjourned on the 22d 

 April. They have passed a law creating a State 

 assayer, until a mint be established in California. 

 Among the one hundred and forty-three acts and 

 joint resolutions passed, we notice the following : 



To incorporate the cities of Benecia, San Diego, San 

 Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sonoma, and Santa 

 Barbara, and a general act for the incorporation of 

 cities ; concerning the State revenue, etc, and its man 

 agement ; creating loans temporarily, appropriations, 

 and other fiscal acts ; relating to the appointment of 

 pilots, regulating the duties of harbor masters, declar 

 ing certain rivers, etc., navigable, creating health 



