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Greetings!
In looking back 175 years ago, not only was the first California public library founded here in Monterey, but the Constitution was debated and adopted. At the request of Brigadier General Riley, 48 delegates from across the country representing ten districts of California met over the course of several weeks to debate the forming of the 31st state.
On September 1st 1849 the debates started, and by October 13th, 1849 the debates concluded. Now, 175 years to that date, on October 13th 2024 we will be hosting two free Constitution Convention reenactments at Colton Hall. Seating is free, but limited and registration is required.
Join us and register here!
For the first 30 years, the California Constitution stated that all laws were to be posted in English and Spanish, we were a bilingual state! The debates were in English and Spanish, and William Hartnell served as the translator.
Many important topics were discussed: including our state borders, slavery, women's rights to property, suffrage, and choosing a state capitol. (Did you know that the capitol of Alta California was Monterey, but the first state capitol was in San Jose?) The submitted constitution also led to the Clay Compromise that accepted California as a state in 1850 and delayed the issues related to slavery and Civil War. Monterey was at the center of California.
Why was the discussion on our Constitution concluded within six weeks of starting? Well, travelling by boat around Cape Horn was challenging and they needed to sent the completed parchment back to Washington D.C. to meet the congressional deadlines! Note that the first Monterey Public Library collection was sent the same route from New York to Monterey around Cape Horn...luckily shipping is a bit easier today!
Warmly~
Brian
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