HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 483 



until altered by the newly-created power of the 

 State. 



The treaty is the law of the land, and admits the 

 inhabitants of [California] to the enjoyment of the 

 privileges, rights, and immunities of citizens of the 

 United States. It is unnecessary to inquire whether 

 this is not their condition, independent of stipulation. 

 They do not, however, participate in political power ; 

 they do not share in the government till [California] 

 shall become a State. In the mean time, [California] 

 continues to be a territory of the United States, 

 governed by virtue of that clause of the constitution 

 which empowers Congress to make all needful rules 

 and regulations respecting the territory and other 

 property belonging to the United States. 



When we take into consideration the great mass of 

 floating population of the United States and of other 

 countries — people of all nations, kindreds and tongues 

 — which has been suddenly thrown into this country, 

 it must be acknowledged that every thing has, thus 

 far, remained remarkably quiet, and that the amount 

 of crime has been much less than might, under the 

 circumstances, have reasonably been expected. It is 

 to be feared, however, that during the coming winter, 

 when large numbers of the miners collect in the towns, 

 public order may be occasionally disturbed. But it is 

 believed that in the mean time a more complete organi- 

 zation of the existing government will be effected, so 

 as to enable the authorities to enforce the laws with 

 greater regularity and efficiency. 



Rumors have reached me that there is no very 

 amicable feeling existing between the Americans and 

 foreigners in the gold regions, and that the former 

 are disposed to forcibly expel the latter from the placer 



