An offer of thirty thousand
more for his claim decides him to go to San Francisco. He is fairly
rich. With that fund he can, as soon as titles settle, buy a broad
rancho. His active mind suggests the future values of the building
lots in the growing city.
He completes the rude formalities of his sale, which consist of
signing a bill of sale of his mining claim, and receiving the price
roughly weighed out in gold. He hears that a convention is soon to
organize the State. On September i, 1849, at Monterey, the civil
fabric of government will be planned out.
Before he leaves he is made a delegate. Early July, with its
tropical heat, is at hand. The camp on the American is agitated
by the necessity of some better form of government. Among others,
Philip Hardin of Mississippi, a lawyer once, a rich miner now, is
named as delegate.
At Sacramento a steamer is loaded to the gunwales with departing
voyagers. Maxime meets some of his fellow delegates already named.
Among them is Hardin of Mississippi. Philip Hardin is a cool,
resolute, hard-faced man of forty. A lawyer of ability, he has
forged into prominence by sheer superiority. The young Creole is
glad to meet some one who knows his beloved New Orleans.
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