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 CALIFORNIA 613 ceded to the United States for the sum of $15,- 000,000. At the close of hostilities the white population was estimated at 12,000 to 15,000. In the month of February, 1848, gold was dis- covered on the property of Col. Sutter, near the town of Coloma in El Dorado co. The news spread rapidly, and it was soon found that gold was widely distributed throughout the state. People flocked in from Mexico, from South America, from the Atlantic states, from Europe, and from China. The emigration was altogether unparalleled. In a very short time California contained a mixed population of nearly a quarter of a million of energetic, dariug, reckless, and dangerous people. A substantial government became necessary. Gen. Riley, the military governor of the ter- ritory, called a convention of delegates, to meet at Monterey, Sept. 1, 1849, to frame a state constitution. The convention met, and after about six weeks' consideration agreed on a constitution, which was submitted to the people, by whom it was adopted; and on Sept. 9, 1850, California was admitted into the Union. Gambling became almost a univer- sal passion among the Californians. Whole squares were devoted exclusively to it in San Francisco. Real estate and prices of all kinds rose enormously, and rapid fortunes were made by speculators in houses and lots. Among the emigrants to California were a large number of outlaws from all parts of the world, but mainly from Australia and the United States. In the earlier history of gold digging there were no efficient means for a proper administration of justice. Lynch law was resorted to in many parts of the country, and finally vigilance com- mittees were established in the chief towns, by whom thieves and murderers were arrested, summarily tried, and if convicted, hanged. The first vigilance committee in San Francisco was formed in 1851. That of 1856 had its constitu- tion and an executive committee, to whose su- pervision the general management was intrust- ed, and which performed its functions with the utmost quietness and dignity. One of the pro- visions of the constitution was, that no person brought before the committee should be pun- ished without a fair trial and conviction. The committee provided itself with arms and ammu- nition, drilled its forces, fortified its headquar- ters, and constructed cells for prisoners and apartments for its various necessities. It ar- rested and tried rogues and dangerous men, some of whom were hanged, some transported, and others acquitted. The committee success- fully resisted the efforts of the state authorities for its suppression, and practically held supreme power. After a short reign the committee sur- rendered its power in the latter part of 1856, having during its extraordinary administration of public affairs tried and disposed of some 30 cases brought before them ; four of their prison- ers were executed, one committed suicide while his case was under deliberation, and most of the others were banished from the state. In its earlier history San Francisco was six times nearly destroyed by fire. Sacramento and other large towns have also suffered in the same way. The total loss by fire in San Fran- cisco alone has been estimated at $20,000,000. During the autumn and early winter of 1861 California was visited by a disastrous flood which destroyed property estimated at $10,- 000,000. One of the most violent and destruc- tive earthquakes known in California occurred in the latter part of March, 1872, in Tulare and Inyo counties. The first and most violent shock was felt early on the morning of the 26th, and was followed by numerous minor shocks extending over several days. Large fissures in the ground and upheavals of earth extended for miles, causing great destruction of life and property. About 30 persons were killed and 100 wounded. The line of the shock extended from Red Blufl* in Tehama co. as far S. as Yisalia in Tulare co., where was the centre of the greatest violence. It followed the trend of the Sierra Nevada, reaching an elevation of from 3,000 to 4,000 ft. The area in commotion was about 500 m. long by 100 broad, but the shock was felt in San Francisco and other parts of the state. During the civil war no troops were furnished by California ; this was due to the isolated position of the state, there being at that time no railroad com- munication with the east. See " The Resources of California," by J. S. Hittel (San Francisco, 1863); "Geological Survey of California," by J. D. Whitney (vol. i., 1865); "History of California," by Franklin Tuthill (1866); Gali- fornien: iiber dessen BewlTcerung und gesell- schaftliche Zuatdnde, by K. Ruhl (New York, 1867); "The Natural Wealth of California," by Titus Fey Cronise (San Francisco, 1868); " Progress of the Geological Survey, 1870-'71," by J. D. Whitney; "California: A Book for Travellers and Settlers," by Charles Nordhoff (New York, 1873). CALIFORNIA, Cnlf of (Span. Mar Bermejo, Red sea), a gulf of the Pacific, separating the peninsula of Lower California, on the west, from the Mexican states of Sonora and Cina- loa, on the east. It is about 700 m. long, and from 70 to 150 m. wide. Its coasts are in- dented with many small bays, and numerous islands stud its surface. The Colorado river discharges its waters into the upper extremity of the gulf, and several streams empty into it from the east. The ports of Loreto, La Paz, and Gnaymas are situated on its shores. The N. portion is full of shoals, hidden rocks, and dangerous currents ; the S. portion is safer for navigation. The California coast abounds in pearl oysters, and the fishery, now little pur- sued, was formerly very important. CALIFORNIA, Indians of. The Indians of Lower California, at the time of the discovery of the peninsula, comprised two families, the Waikur on the south and the Cochimi on the north. Those of Upper California were of sev- eral families. In the north were the Makaw,