PROCEEDINGS OF A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF CALIFORNIA, OPPOSED TO THE ELECTION OF A UNITED STATES SENATOR AT THE PRESENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE, HELD IN THE SENATE CHAMBER AT BENICIA, ON THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2, 1854.
San Francisco: Placer Times and Transcript Office, 1854. 8pp, bound in attractive modern quarter calf and marbled boards, gilt spine lettering. Very Good.
A significant chapter in the epic Gwin-Broderick struggle, which split the California Democratic Party on the Kansas-Nebraska issue and ended only with Broderick's death in a duel with Chief Justice David Terry of the California Supreme Court. At the time of this public meeting, Broderick was President of the California Senate and sought to engineer his own election to the U.S. Senate to replace Senator Gwin, whose term would expire on March 4, 1855. These California Democrats resist the attempt to steamroll Broderick's election, arguing that only "the Legislature next preceding a new senatorial term, has the right to elect."
Discussing this item, Eberstadt says, "The 'public meeting' was held in the Senate Chamber at Benicia and the proceedings give a clear insight into local politics just prior to vigilante days."
Cowan 502. Greenwood 491 [1- CU-B]. 136 Eberstadt 157. Item #33622
Price: $650.00