for the same lands, because we have no direct guarantee from the government to come, and, perhai)s, tomorrow, all those measures may be broken.
"5th. That we do not wish a provisional mode of government, too self in- terested, and full of degrees, useless to our power, and overloading the colony in- stead of improving it ; besides, men of laws and science are too scarce, and have too much to do in such a new country.
"6th. That we wish either the mode of senate or council, to judge the diffi- culties, punish the crimes, (except capital penalties,) and make the regulations suitable for the people.
"7th. That the same council be elected and composed of members from aU parts of the country, and should act in body, on the plan of civilized countries in parliament, or as a .jury, and to be represented, for example, by the president of said council, and another member, as judge of peace, in each county, allowing the principle of recalling to the whole senate.
"8th. That the members should be influenced to interest themselves to their own welfare, and that of the public, by the love of doing good, rather than by the hope of gain, in order to take off from the esteem of the people all suspicions of interest in the persons of their representatives.
"9th. That they must avoid every law loading, and inexpedient to the people, especially to the new arrivals. Unnecessary taxes, and whatever records are of that kind, we do not want them.
"10th. That the militia is useless at present, and rather a danger of bad suspicion to the Indians, and a delay for the necessary labors ; in the same time, it is a load; we do not want it, either, at present.
"11th. That we consider the country free, at present, to all nations, till gov- ernment shall have decided ; open to every individual wishing to settle, without any distinction of origin, and without asking him anything, either to become an English, Spanish, or American citizen.
"12th. So we, English .subjects, proclaim to be free, as well as those who came from France, California, United States, or even natives of this country ; and we desire unison with all the respectable citizens who wish to settle in this country; or, we ask to be i-eeoguized as free amongst ourselves, to make such regulations as appear suitable to our wants, save the general interest of having justice from all strangers who might injure us, and that our reasonable customs and pretensions be respected.
"13th. That we are willing to submit to any lawful government, when it comes.
"14th. That we do not forget that we must make laws only for necessary circumstances. The more laws there are, the more opportunities for roguery, for those who make a practice of it ; and, perhaps the more alterations there will be some day.
' ' ISth. That we do not forget in a trial, that before all fraud on fulfilling of liome points of the law, the ordinary proofs of the certainty of the fact ought to be duly weighed, so that justice may be done, and no shame give for fraud.
"16tli. In a new country, the more men employed and paid by the public the less remains for industry.
"17th. That no one can be more desirous than we are for the prosperity, ameliorations, and general peace of the country, and especially for the guar-
