“In these early days there was a contest between Northern and
Southern pioneers whether California should come in the Union a
free or a slave State. Broderick, a Democrat from the city of
New York, represented the Northern sentiment, and was supported
by the Whigs of the State. Common labor at that time was $16 per
day, payable in gold. It was more from pride than from any thing
to do with the moral question of slavery. They did not want to
come in competition with slave labor. The Northern element
predominated, and California came in a free State. Its first
constitution was written by George Washington Sherwood, who was
a Democratic member of the New York Legislature from Washington
county, and copied after the constitution of this State.
“California may be said to be the child of the State of New
York; her citizens may be said to have been pre-eminent in its
development and present greatness. “Abraham Schell was born in
Gallupville, and proposes to be buried in the neighboring
village of Middleburgh, his wi