following california's admission to the union, californios and pro-slavery southerners in lightly populated, rural southern california attempted three times in the 1850s to achieve a separate statehood or territorial status. the last attempt, the "pico act" of 1859, was passed by the california state legislature. it was signed by the state governor john b. weller and approved overwhelmingly by voters in the proposed "territory of colorado". the proposal was sent to washington, d.c. with a strong advocate in senator milton latham. however the secession crisis following the election of abraham lincoln in 1860 led to the proposal never coming to a vote.