niSTORY OF CALIFORNIA, • 243 



with it, the acid will hecomc turbid, green, and black, 

 discliartrin^'- bubbles of ffas. After the ebullition has 

 ceased, the residue should be washed with water, and 

 acid again poured upon it, when the same effect may 

 be observed, but in a less degree ; and if the experi- 

 ment be repeated till all effervescence ceases, it will 

 finally leave the gold dust pure- 



, CHAPTER XIV. 



ALDITIOXAL RECENT EVENTS. 



The history of the laws of a State affords the best idea 

 of its social condition — present and prospective ; for 

 thev are framed from the necessity of circumstances 

 and the demands of the inhabitants. Vs e may, there- 

 fore, see the condition and the progress of the Cali- 

 fornians in their legislative transactions. 



The California Legislature adjourned on the 22d 

 April. They have passed a law creating a State 

 assayer, until a mint be established in California. 

 Amon<^ the one hundred and forty-three acts and 

 joint resolutions passed, we notice the following : 



To incorporate the cities of Bonecia, San Diego, San 

 Jose, Los Au'T^eles, San Francisco, Sonoma, and Santa 

 Barbara, and a general act for the incorporation of 

 cities ; concerning the State revenue, etc, and its man- 

 agement ; creating loans temporarily, appropriations, 

 and other fiscal acts ; relating to the appointment of 

 pilots, regulating the duties of harbor masters, declar- 

 ing^ certain rivers, etc., navigable, creatiug health 



