ical, plodding, and contented ; the Anglo-American is
versatile, venturesome, cmming, dissatisfied, and cap-
tious.
California, naturally, with her sudden and wonder- ful appearing, demanded immediate recognition from the United States government as a full-fledged state. Was it not right and proper that she should be so recognized, and that the mantle of protection and the benefit of law should be extended over her ? And yet, month after month of the year of 1849, she waited, now buoyant with hope, now sunk in despair, wondering if ever the time would come when party bickerings on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains would give place to the inter- ests of the people, A most anomalous position was that in which the inhabitants of California found themselves. They were part of a great nation, and yet were without government ; a country rich in min- eral and agricultural wealth was theirs, but they had only a limited control of it. Regulations for the ex- traction of its treasures were wanting. Titles to ag- ricultural lands, which must be improved at the set- tlers' risk or not at all, were also wanting, and the national congress had failed to provide them.
By transient visitors, and writers on California, much more was said than was ever understood of the peculiarities of Californian society. As a rule phil- osophers and wise men coming hither can learn fully as much as they can teach. Though they can tell us many things we do not know, we can tell them many things we know, as well as many things we do not know, things they never met or are likely to meet elsewhere. The appearance which California pre- sented to them, with frequent exaggerations and epithets denouncing all, was early heralded by hare- brained writers in the various languages, and Califor- nia made to appear in the most diabolical light, giving this as the normal state of American society.
There were always present alarmists and
