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8 HARE'S GUIDE TO inhabitants, except the native born Spanish-speaking population.] On the 11th day of July, 1846, Captain Thomas Fallon, at the head of a company of Ameri can volunteers, took possession of the town in the name of the United States of America, and on the 13th of the same month hoisted the first American flag which floated in the valley. The real history of the present city dates from 1847, when the first survey was made, and the town laid out in streets and blocks under the system now existing. Americans then be gan to fill its offices, conduct it's business and direct its public affairs. It was the first State Capital of California, the first Legislature meeting here in the winter of 1849 and ’50, and subsequently in 1851 and ’52, when an act was passed removing the Capital to Vallejo. From 1847 until the present time, except the reaction which followed the removal of the Cap ital, it has had a steady growth both in popula tion and business prosperity, and stands now the third city in the State. It is the county seat of Santa Clara county, and situated in the center of the richest agri cultural valley in the State. Its altitude is ninety feet above tide water. Its Railroad Connections are by the Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Rail roads on the north, and the Southern Pacific Railroad on the south. In addition to these, are the projected railroads, leading to Alviso, seven miles north, on the
