256 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



our information warranted. But in order to give a 

 clear conception of the general character of Califor- 

 nia and her resources and capabilities, and to enable 

 the reader to obtain an idea of the bright future to 

 which she is destined, we have concluded to add 

 another chapter upon the general state of things there 

 at the present time. 



California is now a State — in organization at least, 

 if not in being a member of the Union. The country 

 has become thoroughly American in its government 

 and laws. A Constitution is adopted as a State organi- 

 zation, which bears the impress of enlightened senti- 

 ment and just principles. The most liberal provisions 

 have been made in that instrument for the grand end 

 of public education. The power and capability of the 

 people to rule themselves has been recognized in the 

 matter of electing nearly all the officers of the govern- 

 ment — including the judges of the various courts over 

 which the State has control. The Legislature, in the 

 course of a laborious session, has abolished the old civil 

 law which ruled the country under the Mexican govern- 

 ment, and continued after the acquisition of the terri- 

 tory by the United States, and have substituted the com- 

 mon law of England and many of the States in the 

 Union. In taking this step, they were actuated by 

 sound policy. Few of those who were subjected to be 

 tried, or to have their Suits decided by the rules of 

 this civil code were aware of the nature of these 

 rules ; and from their crude and unintelligible charac- 

 ter, it would have been a long time before they could 

 have been fully or certainly informed. The old com- 

 mon law is that to whose rules they have conformed 

 in the older States, and which is better suited to their 

 habits and principles of action. 



