130 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



country, and especially to the people of California, 

 and entertains the confident belief that you will receive 

 from the whole of the 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 am satisfied now that the people 

 have done right in selecting delegates to frame a Con- 

 stitution. They have chosen a body of men upon 

 whom our country may look with pride; you have 

 framed a Constitution worthy of California. And I 

 have no fear for California while her people choose 

 their representatives so wisely. Gentlemen, I con- 

 gratulate you upon the successful conclusion of your 

 arduous labors ; and I wish you all happiness and 

 prosperity.' 



" The General was here interrupted with three hearty 

 cheers which the members gave him, as Governor of 

 California, followed by three more, ' as a gallant soldier, 

 and worthy of his country's glory.' He then con- 

 cluded 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 to the efficient 

 aid rendered me by Captain Halleck, the Secretary 



