Lot
828 
(Monterey) "Monterey, Cal., Sept 15. 1849", dateline on folded letter from R.S. Garnett addressed to Captain W.G. Dana, Nepoma, N. Cal., carried by private messenger to San Luis Obispo, some interesting political content concerning the convention, "Dr. Semple of Benecia is the President of the Convention and Capt. Marcy of this place has been elected Secretary. They have acted so far with much harmony and good spirit…I think our friend stands about the best chance for the Governorship if he will accept it. There is much log-rolling for Gov. Senators and Representative in Congress; and there probably be a caucus for the purpose of nominating and settling these offices…I have been unable so far to learn what measures Com. Jones has taken to relieve my friends at the wreck, though I understand an express left this place on the 8th inst. with some communications from him for Capt. McCormick. The Com. will be here himself on Monday (the 17th) in the Savannah…Col. Fremont, who is now here, has been appointed, I understand, Commissioner to run the boundary line between us and Mexico in the place of Col. Weller. I regret this very much. It shows that they are probably not quite as well acquainted at Washington with the unwritten history of his operations out here as those who were here at the time…", the wreck referred to in this letter was the U.S. propeller Edith sent to San Pedro by Halleck to carry the delegates from So. California to the Convention; minor tape stains and address panel soiling, Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
A WONDERFUL LETTER WRITTEN BY A DELEGATE TO THE 1849 CALIFORNIA CONVENTION.
The USS "Edith" was the second steamship to arrive in San Francisco, after the California and her arrival brought with it the news that the Congress had adjourned without organizing a territorial government in California. All that the Congress had done was to pass laws for distributing mail and collecting revenue taxes in California.
With this late but disappointing news, the Army decided on June 3, 1849 to convene a constitutional convention in Monterey for the purpose of forming a government in California. Election of delegates took place on August 1, 1849. Delegates were to assemble at Monterey on September 1, 1849. The Edith was dispatched in mid-August to San Diego to pick up the delegates between there and Monterey. The Fremont reference is in regards to: During the Mexican-American War, Frémont, a major in the U.S. Army, took control of California from the California Republic in 1846. Frémont then proclaimed himself military Governor of California; however, for that he was convicted in court martial for mutiny and insubordination. The writer, Robert S. Garnette designed the Great Seal of the State of California that was accepted at the Convention.
Realized: $1,800