HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 127 



zation. Mr. Semple was sick, and Mr. Steuart, of 

 San Francisco, therefore called the meeting to order 

 by moving Captain Sutter's appointment in his place. 

 The chair was taken by the old pioneer, and the mem- 

 bers took their seats around the sides of the hall, 

 which still retained the pine-trees and banners, left 

 from last night's decorations. The windows and doors 

 were open, and a delightful breeze came in from the 

 bay, whose blue waters sparkled in the distance. The 

 view from the balcony in front was bright and inspiring. 

 The town below — the shipping in the harbor — the 

 pine-covered hills behind — were mellowed by the blue 

 October haze, but there was no cloud in the sky, and 

 I could plainly see, on the northern horizon, the 

 mountains of Santa Cruz and the Sierra de Gavilan. 



" After the minutes had been read, the Committee 

 appointed to draw up an Address to the people of 

 California, was called upon to report, and Mr. Steuart, 

 Chairman, read the Address. Its tone and sentiment 

 met with universal approval, and it was adopted with* 

 out a dissenting voice. A resolution was then offered 

 to pay Lieutenant Hamilton, who is now engaged in 

 engrossing the Constitution upon parchment, the sum 

 of $500 for his labor. This magnificent price, proba- 

 bly the highest ever paid for a similar service, is on a 

 par with all things else in California. As this was 

 their last session, the members were not disposed to 

 find fault with it, especially when it was stated by one 

 of them that Lieutenant Hamilton had written day 

 and night to have it ready, and was still working 

 upon it, though with a lame and swollen hand. The 

 sheet for the signer's names was ready, and the Con- 

 vention decided to adjourn for half an hour and then 

 meet for the purpose of signing. 



