Fresno-Tulare-Kern County CA Archives History - Books .....Governmental 1892
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Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of The Counties Of Fresno, Tulare, And Kern, California

GOVERNMENTAL.

  The regulation of the authority and jurisdiction of the American alcaldes, or
mayors, was one of Governor Mason's principal duties. The powers exercised by
them included the right to sell lots within the limit of their town, and they
were also criminal judges up to the point of inflicting the death punishment.
The growth of American law during this transitory period was very slow, but
gradually the common law principles and forms were either amalgamated with or
supplemented the old customs and procedures.

  The first jury in the country was summoned by Walter Cotton, the American
alcalde, or mayor, of Monterey, in July, 1847, and on December 29 of that year
Governor Mason made the great move, ordering all civil cases involving a sum
exceeding $100, and all criminal cases of a grave nature, to be tried before a
jury. After the peace, crimes were of frequent occurrence, and gradually lynch
law became a power in the land. Mason refused to interfere with a course of
popular vengeance that alone held lawlessness to some degree in check, and it
being distasteful to him, he demanded to be recalled. In October, 1848,
Brigadier General Bennett Riley was directed to relieve Colonel Mason as
Governor of California, and the following November, Brigadier General Persifer
F. Smith was appointed to the command of the United States Army on the Pacific
coast. Governor Riley entered upon the discharge of his duties April 12, 1849.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History
OF THE COUNTIES OF
Fresno, Tulare, and Kern, California

Illustrated
Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Prospective Future: with Profuse Illustrations of its Beautiful Scenery,
Full-page Portraits of Some of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of
Many of its Pioneers, and also of Prominent Citizens of to-day.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants." -Macaulay.

CHICAGO:
The Lewis Publishing Company.
Undated, but OCLC lists a publication date of 1892

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