HISTORY 01 CALIFORNIA. 443 



transmitted to Washington for the action of Con- 

 gress. 



Most of the local and judicial officers named in my 

 proclamation of the 3d of June, have already entered 

 upon their duties, and the interest which was taken 

 by the people in every part of the country in this 

 election, and the zeal manifested by those elected and 

 appointed to office, afford strong hopes that the exist- 

 ing government will be able to preserve order and 

 secure the administration of justice until a new one 

 shall be put into regular and successful operation. 



In my former despatch I mentioned that the civil 

 officers of the existing government would be paid their 

 regular salaries from the "civil funds," which had 

 been formed, under the direction of the governor of 

 California, mainly out of the proceeds of the temporary 

 custom-houses established by my predecessors on this 

 coast. 



It will also be necessary to use a portion of this 

 fund in the immediate construction of jails for the 

 security of civil prisoners. 



The want of such jails has already led to the most 

 serious inconveniencies ; prisoners have so frequently 

 effected their escape, that, on several occasions, the 

 people have risen in masses and executed criminals 

 immediately after trial, and without waiting for the 

 due fulfilment of all the requisitions of the laws. 



In many cases it has been found necessary to confine 

 civil prisoners on board vessels of war, and in the 

 guard-houses of the garrison ; but in towns, at a dis- 

 tance from the coast and the military posts, the diffi- 

 culty of retaining prisoners in custody has led, in some 

 instances, to immediate and summary executions. 

 This evil calls for an immediate remedv, which will 



