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Defining a New California (continued) Click image to see larger view | ||
 Grand Admission Celebration, Portsmouth Square [October] 29, 1850, letter sheet published by C. J. Pollard, RB 48052, #137
Congress’s acceptance of California’s petition for admission in September 1850 occasioned much celebrating in the Golden State when the news finally reached the West Coast in October. |
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 Honest Voters Trying to Elect Their Officers in Front of the House, letter sheet published by Noisy Carriers, RB 48052 #68
Once California became a state, many residents threw themselves into party politics with great energy, especially those who had been active in politics back in the United States. Widespread allegations of ballot box stuffing and other forms of political corruption, especially in San Francisco, inspired much outraged commentary, such as this 1855 letter sheet. Politicians suspected of such activities were a principal target of the 1856 San Francisco Vigilance Committee. |
 California 150
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