DON MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO.
This distinguished Californian was born in Monterey, 1817; his father held a military command under the crown of Spain, and subsequently under the Mexican republic; he lived to the advanced age of 95, and saw his children allied in marriage to the most influential families in the province. Don Mariano entered the service of the government as a cadet; rose rapidly to a post of commanding influence, but always evinced a repugnance to Mexican rule. In 1837, assisted by his nephew, Alverado, he succeeded in driving the satellites of that ill-starred republic out of the country, and in the organization of the new government, was honored with the post of commandante-general.
When the United States flag was raised, Gen. Vallejo saw in it the opportunity of securing the permanent tranquillity and prosperity of California: a thousand of his noble horses went under the saddles of our mounted riflemen. The war over, he was first and foremost in measures for a civil organization, and represented the district of Sonoma in the convention for drafting a constitution. His liberal views and sound policy pervade every provision of the instrument. He was subsequently elected a senator to the state legislature, and might have been a successful candidate for any office within the gift of the people. He is a large landed proprietor; his cattle are on a hundred hills, and his horses in as many vales; while a thousand Indians, whom he has won from savage life, cultivate his fields, and garner his grains. His munificent liberality and profound interest in the cause of education, and the claims of humanity, may be gathered from the following statement contained in the report of the committee of the California legislature on public buildings and grounds, in relation to the permanent location of the seat of government. This committee say:
Gen. Vallejo, a native of California, and now a member of the legislature, offers a site lying upon the Straits of Carquinas and Napa river, where he proposes to lay out the capital to be called Eureka, or such other name as the legislature may suggest. He proposes—
1st. That said permanent seat of government may be laid out in such form as five Commissioners may direct, three of whom shall be appointed by the legislature, and two by himself.
2d. That he proposes to grant to the state, for the following purposes, free of cost:
| Acres. | |
|---|---|
| Capitol and grounds | 20 |
| Governor’s house and grounds | 10 |
| Offices of Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, &c. | 5 |
| State Library and Translator’s office | 1 |
| Orphan’s Asylum | 20 |
| Male Charity Hospital | 10 |
| Female Charity Hospital | 10 |
| Asylum for the Blind | 4 |
| Deaf and Dumb Asylum | 4 |
| Lunatic Asylum | 20 |
| Four Common Schools | 8 |
| State University | 20 |
| State Botanical Garden | 4 |
| State Penitentiary | 20 |
Also, your memorialist proposes to donate and pay over to the state, within two years after the acceptance of his propositions, the following sums of money, for the faithful payment of which he proposes to give to the state ample security.
| For building State Capitol | $125,000 |
| Furnishing the same | 10,000 |
| Building Governor’s House | 10,000 |
| Furnishing the same | 5,000 |
| State Library and Translator’s Office | 5,000 |
| State Library. | 5,000 |
| For the building of the Offices of Secretary of State, Comptroller, Attorney-General, Surveyor-General, and Treasurer, should the Commissioners deem it proper to separate them from the State House | 20,000 |
| Building Orphan’s Asylum | 20,000 |
| Building Female Charity Hospital | 20,000 |
| Building Male Charity Hospital | 20,000 |
| Building Asylum for Blind | 20,000 |
| Building Deaf and Dumb Asylum | 20,000 |
| Building State University | 20,000 |
| For University Library | 10,000 |
| Scientific Apparatus therefor | 5,000 |
| Chemical Laboratory therefor | 3,000 |
| Mineral Cabinet therefor | 3,000 |
| Four Common School Edifices | 10,000 |
| Purchasing Books for same | 5,000 |
| For the Building of a Lunatic Asylum | 20,000 |
| For a State Penitentiary | 20,000 |
| For a State Botanical Collection | 3,000 |
In accordance with another proposition of Gen. Vallejo, the committee further report in favor of submitting this offer to the acceptance of the people, at the next general election. The report adds: