Category:Government officials 1846-1850

The U.S. military government kept the Mexican local offices, but many officials were appointed rather than elected. Some elements of the U.S. judicial system were introduced:

"In Monterey, Walter Colton was elected Alcalde on September 15, 1846. He was designated as the Judge of the First Instance at the capital of California, and, therefore, 
he was the appellate court for decisions made by the Alcalde of Santa Cruz. Colton is credited with the introduction of the jury system, used extensively by
Santa Cruz alcaldes. Colton first used a jury in September 1846. . . . The Santa Cruz County Court of Sessions first met on April 26, 1850, as the governing judicial and administrative authority. 
The judicial authority shifted to County Judges and Justices of the Peace." (Stanley D. Stevens, The Alcaldes of Branciforte-Santa Cruz (1802-1850), SCPL)

Alcalde. Note that appointment of alcaldes ended months before California statehood and official Santa Cruz County establishment.

1846 (until Aug.) José Bolcoff
1846 (from Aug. until June 1847) Joseph Ladd Majors (1st Alcalde)
1846 (from Aug. until June 1847) William Thompson (2nd Alcalde)
1847 (from June 21st until 1849) William Blackburn
1847 (from Sept. 27) Adna Andress Hecox (1st Alcalde)
1847 (from Sept. 27) William Anderson (2nd Alcalde)
1848 Adna Andress Hecox (acting Alcalde: Nov.)
1848-1849 William Anderson (acting Alcalde: Dec.)
1848-Mar. 18 –Oct. 3 William Blackburn.
 Oct. 3 –Nov. 23 William Anderson.
 Nov. 23 –Nov. 27 Adna Andress Hecox
 Nov. 27 –Dec. 17 Dunleavy, James G., acting
1849 -Jan. 1 William Anderson, acting
 Jan. 30 –Apr. 2  William Blackburn.
 Apr. 2 –Jan. 1, 1850 Joseph Ladd Majors
 July William Blackburn.
 Aug. 20-23 - Dec. 25 Adna Andress Hecox, acting.
 Oct. 29 –Dec. 31 John Hames.
1850 -Jan. 1 –Apr. 26 Adna Andress Hecox, 1st; Pinkham, John F., 2nd.
 Jan. 16 –Feb. 2 John F. Pinkham, 1st alcalde, acting