Dr.Semple was elected president; and Gwin, Sutter, Halleck, Butler King, Sherwood, Gilbert, Shannon, and others, were members.

General Smith took no part in this convention, but sent me down to watch the proceedings, and report to him.

The only subject of interest was the slavery question.

There were no slaves then in California, save a few who had come out as servants, but the Southern people at that time claimed their share of territory, out of that acquired by the common labors of all sections of the Union in the war with Mexico.
Still, in California there was little feeling on the subject.

I never heard General Smith, who was a Louisianian, express any opinion about it.