Correspondence concerning Hartnell's role as State Translator 1851-3
Background to these transcripts
Although William Hartnell was employed by the interim Californian Government from 1847 to 1849 as Translator and Interpreter, when the constitutional government was formed in December 1849 he appears not to have applied for the same position with the new government, perhaps because the job was to be located in an office in the new State Capital of San Jose. His brother-in-law Senator Pablo de la Guerra was the Chairman of the Committee on Translation and on 15 February 1850 he reported to the Senate the results of their efforts to recruit a State Translator. He stated that none of the applicants for the post were considered suitably qualified and recommended that William Lowrie as the best of them be engaged on a daily rate until a State Translator should be legally elected. This finally happened on 17th April 1850 when the Legislature meeting in Convention elected Joseph H. Schull as State Translator from a number of candidates. There were considerable delays in the translation of the Laws and in a report he sent to the governor on 20 December 1850 he stated "the great difficulty, if not the impossibility, of translating the Laws into Spanish rapidly and correctly at one and the same time" but his request for an assistant had been refused by the Assembly on the grounds of cost. He himself suggested that the office of State Translator be abolished and that four temporary translators should be appointed.
On 15 March 1851 the State Legislature passed "An Act to provide for the Translation of the Laws into the Spanish Language" which stated that proposals were to be sought for the translation of the Laws and other documents at a rate for each folio of one hundred words in English of no more than one dollar and fifty cents per folio. A committee which included Hartnell's brother-in-law Pablo de la Guerra was appointed to examine the proposals and it is apparent from the following transcripts that Hartnell was the successful bidder.
Sir
Although William Hartnell was employed by the interim Californian Government from 1847 to 1849 as Translator and Interpreter, when the constitutional government was formed in December 1849 he appears not to have applied for the same position with the new government, perhaps because the job was to be located in an office in the new State Capital of San Jose. His brother-in-law Senator Pablo de la Guerra was the Chairman of the Committee on Translation and on 15 February 1850 he reported to the Senate the results of their efforts to recruit a State Translator. He stated that none of the applicants for the post were considered suitably qualified and recommended that William Lowrie as the best of them be engaged on a daily rate until a State Translator should be legally elected. This finally happened on 17th April 1850 when the Legislature meeting in Convention elected Joseph H. Schull as State Translator from a number of candidates. There were considerable delays in the translation of the Laws and in a report he sent to the governor on 20 December 1850 he stated "the great difficulty, if not the impossibility, of translating the Laws into Spanish rapidly and correctly at one and the same time" but his request for an assistant had been refused by the Assembly on the grounds of cost. He himself suggested that the office of State Translator be abolished and that four temporary translators should be appointed.
On 15 March 1851 the State Legislature passed "An Act to provide for the Translation of the Laws into the Spanish Language" which stated that proposals were to be sought for the translation of the Laws and other documents at a rate for each folio of one hundred words in English of no more than one dollar and fifty cents per folio. A committee which included Hartnell's brother-in-law Pablo de la Guerra was appointed to examine the proposals and it is apparent from the following transcripts that Hartnell was the successful bidder.
Office of Secretary of State
San José, April 11 1851
W.E.P. Hartnell
Sir
I am advised by the Chairman of the Joint Committee appointed by the Senate and Assembly and to whom the duty was assigned of examining the several bidders for the translation of the laws into Spanish, that they “have examined the qualifications of those bidders who have presented themselves for examination” and recommend that the translation be awarded to you as the best qualified of those presented.
This is, therefore, to certify, that in pursuance of the recommendation of the said Joint Committee the translation of the laws, and such other documents as may be ordered by either branch of the Legislature, has been awarded to you.
Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of your office you are required to take and subscribe an oath for the faithful and correct translation of the laws and joint resolutions into the Spanish language, and, also, give bond with sufficient securities to be approved by the Governor, Treasurer and Secretary of State in the sum of thirty thousand dollars conditional for the entire, correct and complete translation of the laws and joint resolutions. The oath and bond are to be returned to and filed in this office.
I have the honor to be
Yr Obd Servt
W. Van Voorhies
Sec. Of State
To the Secretary of State
San Jose May 3 1851
Sir Enclosed is a list of Laws which have been selected for translation into the Spanish Language, you will perceive that a portion of them are numbered from one to fifteen of which nos four and five are duplicates you are requested to furnish them in this order as numbered to the State Translator so that they may translate as soon as possible.
Most respectfully
Yrs
Stephen C. Foster
Chairman Joint Committee on Translation
P.S. Your Committee would also enjoin that William E.P.Hartnell be required to translate to the amount of 1300 folios by the 1stday of September A.D.1851 and would also request that he be furnished with all the copy he can translate.
Office of Secretary of State
San Jose June 5 1851
W.E.P.Hartnell Esq
State Translator
Dear Sir
Application upon application is being constantly made at this office by the Citizens of the Southern Section of the State particularly to be furnished with the laws in Spanish. Arrangements have been made by me with the Los Angeles Star for their publication and I had hoped to be able, long before this time, to have transmitted and published some of the most important Acts in Spanish, but in consequence of your absence from the seat of Government nothing has been done towards it. The Joint Committee appointed by the Legislature for the purpose have designated a large number of important laws for translation many of which have already been printed in English. The interests of that section of the State referred to, especially require that the translation and publication of the laws in Spanish should not be unnecessarily delayed. ?? of them take effect immediately, and the Spanish portion of our population should not be kept in ignorance of their provisions as they must necessarily be until a translation is had. I hope, therefore, you will cause immediate steps to be taken to prosecute and complete the work of translation as provided for by law.
I have the honor to be
Your obd. Sevt.
William Voorhies
Sec. of State
Office of State Translator
Patrocinio July 10 1851
[Rancho Patrocinio del Alisal]
Hon. W. Van Voorhies
Sec. Of State
Vallejo
Sir
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication date June 19th with accompanying documents (received June 30th) and have now the pleasure to inform you that I have this day forwarded to the “Los Angeles Star” translations of the following acts, viz:
An act to regulate the settlement of the Estates of deceased persons
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folios
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224
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“ prescribing the mode of assessing and collecting public revenue
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folios
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66
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“ concerning county recorders
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folios
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39
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“ concerning District Attorneys
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folios
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10
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“ concerning the Office of Public Administrator etc.
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folios
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7
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“ concerning Divorces
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folios
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6
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“ to amend an act entitled “An Act concerning Notaries Public”
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folios
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5
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357
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I shall as you request use all diligence in preparing translations as quick as possible, and doubt not but I shall be enabled to keep the printers in constant employment.
Very respectfully
Your obd. Humble servt.
WEPH
Govt. Translator
Office Sec. Of State, Cal.
San JoseNov 3 1851
W.E.P.Hartnell Esq
Monterey
Sir
In reply to your requesting to be informed in what manner you are to make out your account for translating the laws, and to whom you are to present it, I would say that you have to make out your account against the State, specifying the number of folios, the Acts translated, and the paper or papers to which transmitted, and send it to the Comptoller of State, whose Office it is to audit all accounts against the State
Very Respectfully
W. Van Voorhies
Sec. Of State
Office of Secretary of State
Sacramento City
May 11 1852
W.E.P.Hartnell
Monterey
Sir
I herewith forward you copies of the Revenue and Census laws to be translated into Spanish. Be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of the same and inform at what point hereafter to send you the laws.
Very Respectfully
Wm.H.R Wood
Deputy Sec. Of State
Office of State Translator
Patrocinio May 16 1852
Hon. Wm.H.R.Wood
Dep. Secretary of State
Sacramento
Sir
Your favr of the 11 Inst enclosing copies of the Revenue and Census Laws came to hand yesterday. You will please to direct all your communications for me to Monterey, and I will thank you to inform me to whom I am to forward my translations.
I have not yet received my appointment nor do I know whether you have received my oath of Office which I forwarded to you from San Francisco by Mr. P.A.?? about the end of last month.
Very respectfully
Your most obd. Servt.
WEP Hartnell
State Translator
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