the establishment of a State Government for California began with the issuance of an official proclamation dated June 3, 1849, issued by Bvt. Brigadier-General Bennet Riley, U.S.A., the then Military Governor, which recommended "the formation of a State constitution or a plan for a territorial government.
An excerpt from a book by The Historical Society of Southern California bringing to life the intriguing and colorful environment in which the California Constitutional Convention of 1849 was born and then took place at Colton Hall in Monterey, California.
http://www.militarymuseum.org/ConstConv.pdf A short article about early life in California and the men who became the delegates that shepherded in the 31st state of our United States.
http://www.militarymuseum.org/Constitution.html
Just highlight, copy and paste the 2 links. Very fun and informative bits.
-Renee