By 1930, the california constitution had grown to over 65,000 words by comparison, the constitution of the united states has about 4,500 words. Constitution of the state of california 1879 findlaw. In comparison, during the first thirty years after the adoption of the 1879 constitution, eightysix amendments were proposed and fiftytwo were adopted. Uc berkeley, university archives uc history digital archives 1849 california constitution. Constitution 1849 publication date 1849 publisher san francisco. In what manner did the constitution of 1849 arise almost out of the air. The original 1849 california constitution will also be on a rare public display from 9.
Sacramento, ca ahead of constitution day, the california state archives will host a rare public display of both the english and spanish versions of the original 1849 california constitution at the california museum on september 16, 2019. The table of contents includes each article heading and corresponding section numbers. California s original constitution was drafted in both english and spanish by american pioneers, european settlers, and californios hispanics of california and adopted at the 1849 constitutional convention of monterey, following the american conquest of california and the mexicanamerican war and in advance of california s admission to the. The original constitution of california of 1849 california.
California s current constitution was ratified on may 7, 1879 and has been amended over 480 times. He traveled widely in the next two decades before settling down in oakland. But though gold spelled prosperity and power for the white settlers who arrived in california in 1849 and after, it meant disaster for the states. The state of california issued its own bill of rights in 1849. The history and future of the california master plan for. The 1849 constitution thus framed was ratified by the people of california at an election held on november, 1849.
The original california constitution was adopted in november 1849 before california became a state. Constitution of california 1849 defend rural america. In late 1849, california applied to enter the union with a constitution that barred the southern system of racial slavery, provoking a crisis in congress between proponents of slavery and anti. Constitutional revision commission records, 19641972. The constitution of 1849 is rather a compilation of parts of the constitu tions of. The states first constitution was adopted in november 1849 in advance of california attaining u. The united states congress in 1848 failed to set up any government for california either territorial or state, and adjourning early in 1849 without taking any action.
Drafted in just over a month by a diverse group of delegates. The constitutions of california and the united states with. All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable. The california state constitution is grouped into subject matter areas known as articles. Constitutional convention of 1849 california state archives. The original constitution for california was adopted at the california constitutional convention on october 10, 1849, and ratified on november, 1849. Report of the debates in the convention of california, on the. California s original constitution was drafted in both english and spanish by american pioneers, european settlers, and californios hispanics of california and. Constitution california research indepth guides at. The constitution developed at the constitutional convention of 1849 served the state for thirty years, and its bill of rights, in main part, still survives today. The original 1849 constitution is housed at the california state archives.
Article ix including amendments, providing for public school and a state university section 4 of article ix of california s first state constitution provides for the organization of a state university, and authorizes the state to acquire federal lands allocated for such purposes by congress under the northwest. The first constitution of california was ratified on november, 1849. Must do so within 12 days or the bill automatically becomes law. This is findlaws hosted version of the constitution of the state of california 1879. What is the difference between 1879 and 1849 california. It is of the second of these events that i wish to talk about here. Constitutional convention of 1849 california state.
The constitution of california is the primary organizing law for the u. Beneath these stars appears the motto, eureka in greek, i hav e found it. Leaflet available also through the library of congress web site in two forms. Calilfornia state declaration of rights 1849 california.
Colton hall was the site of california s first constitutional convention held in 1849. The bear flag was designated californias state flag by legislative enactment. John ross browne 18171875 of kentucky, the official reporter for the california state constitutional convention of septemberoctober 1849, came to california in 1849 as an employee of the government revenue service. The constitution of california can be amended or revised through. Each article is organized by a heading and section numbers. The california constitutional convention of 1849 southern. Aug 06, 2015 calilfornia state declaration of rights 1849 california constitutional convention audiobook. Media advisory california state archives to host rare display. Section 21, article xi of the 1849 constitution decreed that all laws must be published in spanish and english.
Constitution of the state of california internet archive. Between the first of september and the thirteenth of october, 1849, colton hall was the site of a convention called by governor riley to draft california s first constitution. Report of the debates of the convention of california 1850 comprises the official records of the. Use this page to navigate to all sections within the constitution of the state of california 1879. The first constitution of california was ratified on november, 1849, prior to california s admittance into the union in 1850. Hartnell was the official translator for the 1849 california constitutional convention. Constitution california research indepth guides at georgetown. Proposed amendments to the constitution of the state. The first page of the pdf of this article appears above.
Recipients will receive an email with a link to the original constitution of california of 1849 and will not need an account to access the content. The constitution of 1849 was amended only three times in thirty years in 1856, 1862, and 1871. The united states congress in 1848 failed to set up any government for california either territorial or state, and adjourning early in 1849 without taking any. The working papers of the california constitutional convention of 1878 and 1879 contain the records produced during the convention and include administrative records, minutes, resolutions, and other document types.
The original constitution of the state of california, 1849. Constitution of california 1849 the 1849 state constitution was california s first state constitution. Congressin 1848 did not set up any government for california either territorial or state. Media advisory california secretary of state alex padilla to. Article ix read item on the online archive of california. The constitution of the state of california is the document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of california. Thirtyone stars are displayed, one for each state which comprised the union following the admission of california september 9, 1850. Constitution of california 1849 the 1849 state constitution was californias first state constitution. The state of california is an inseparable part of the united states of america, and the united states constitution is the supreme law of the land. The limitation of the powers of the legislature, contained in article 8th. At the outset we should remember that the treaty of. Article i of the california constitution is entitled the declaration of rights. The constitutions of california and the united states with related. The original version of article i, as approved in the constitution of 1879 and prior to any amendments, had only 24 sections.
The original constitution for california was adopted at the california. Although californias constitution has undergone wholesale revision and amendment since its inception in 1849, the work of the. The original constitution was adopted in november 1849 before california could become a state in 1850. The california constitution is the basic governing document of california. Whereas jefferson did not directly specify property as inalienable since one had the right to puy and sell it and otherwise alienate it, the authors of the california declaration. We, the people of california, grateful to almighty god for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this constitution. The boundaries of the state are those stated in the constitution of 1849 as modified pursuant to statute. The design for the great seal of the state of california was adopted at the constitutional convention in 1849. This constitution served the state both before and after its admission into the union, serving as the basis of government for the state of california until 1879 when a new state constitution was adopted.
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