"[Early Original State of California Document - Governor John Bigler]",

This proclamation was signed "John Bigler," the first elected Governor of the State of California, as well as Secretary of State Van Voorhees on January 22, 1852. It declares Clarence G. Mitchell as Commissioner of Deeds for California but residing in New York City. Prior to the wide acceptance of Notaries Public, states appointed Commissioners of Deeds in other states to provide legal acknowledgement for land transfers.

Of particular interest here is that the printed “VALLEJO” has been crossed out in ink and “Sacramento City” has been added in manuscript. Vallejo was the capital for about 8 days at the beginning of 1852. Unhappy with what Vallejo offered as the capital of the nascent state, it moved temporarily to Sacramento, which did not become the permanent capital until 1854. Hence this is likely one of the earliest California state documents signed in Sacramento. Decorated by the United States seal at top with a blind-stamped state seal at lower left.

This item is sold as an authentic California government document from 1852. While the signature of the Governor is similar to those in California state archives (Bigler signatures), we have not been able to determine if “secretarial” signatures were used on any of the Governor’s documents, similar to certain Presidential documents after 1833.

References:

Condition: B+

Light toning along the vertical fold and some edge chips and tears in the right margin that have been closed on verso with old tape. Issued folding.