Ctjaphr Cttmttbtji. 
COMMOTION IN THE POLITICAL ELEMENTS—CALIFORNIA A STATE—SLAVERY PROHIBITED— 
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, AND THE RAINY SEASON—SPEECH OF A WOULD-BE-GOVERNOR— 
ENTHUSIASM AND BRANDY —ELECTION DISTRICTS —BALLOT-BOXES AND UMBRELLAS— 
MINERS IN A TRANSITION STATE—PREPARATIONS FOR THE RAINY SEASON—PRIMITIVE 
HABITATIONS—TRADE IMPROVING—ADVENT OF THE RAINY SEASON—ITS TERRIFIC EF¬ 
FECTS—RAPID RISE OF THE RIVER—MACHINES DESTROYED—ARRIVALS—MY STORE AND 
BED—A BUSINESS SUIT—DISTRESSING GROANS—THE BOTTLE A CONSOLATION—SEVERAL 
STRANGE SPECIMENS OF HUMANITY COOKING BREAKFAST—THE SCURVY—A DEATH. 
We now, for the first time, had a commotion in the political 
elements, which resulted in erecting California into a State and 
placing her, the “bright particular star,” in this glorious con¬ 
stellation. An election was ordered, and delegates selected to 
draft a Constitution for the State. They met at Monterey, and 
after a few days’ deliberation passed upon the Constitution which 
is hereunto annexed, and which was eventually ratified by an 
almost unanimous vote of the people. The greatest unanimity 
prevailed at the Convention, the deliberations conducted with 
the utmost dignity, each seeming desirous to act for the best 
interests of the country. The clause prohibiting slavery, or 
involuntary servitude, passed by a unanimous vote, although 
many of the delegates were interested in slave property in the 
States. The nominations were made for State officers, and, 
although party lines were not strictly drawn, every preparation 
was made for a vigorous campaign. 
The election was to take place on the 15th day of November, 
and by the time the nominees were ready to take the “stump,” 
the rainy season was upon us. Just picture to your imagination 
a would-be-governor, in a slouched India rubber hat, a poncho , 
and high boots, standing near a tent on the side of the moun¬ 
tain holding forth to a highly patriotic audience of six, the rain 
pouring down in torrents. Nothing could dampen the ardor of 
