[CALIFORNIA]. UNITED STATES. PRESIDENT (Taylor). California. Message of the President of the United States, Transmitting an Authenticated Copy of the Constitution of the State of California. February 13, 1850. [Washington, 1850]. [1] 2-17 [1, blank] pp. 8vo (22.5 x 14.5 cm), disbound. Three leaves separated, scattered foxing.

First edition (31st Congress, 1st Session, House Document 39).

Taylor states that he received a copy of the constitution from Bennet Riley, who helped write the document. The constitution was adopted in November, 1849, although California was not admitted as a state until September, 1850. At this point, the Gold Rush was in full swing, and California’s value to the Union was painfully obvious.