Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-07-14
Captain SUtter.

The following graphic sketch of Capt Suite
and Suffers Fort is from an excellent letter from
California, IN the last humber of the Home Jour
nal:
will give, as you have requested the readers
of the Journal sketch Of Captain Suffer, (nro.
nounced by himself Sooter,y his means, the fbr,
bearing his name, and few facts in relation to
the gold region. He is about fifty-two years OF
age, OF mlddling height, straight form, and pos.
sesses that symmetry and snaness of hand foot.
which Lord Byron sets down as a sure evidence
OF gentle blood. In manners and conve rsntion.
the Captain is perfect Chesterfield; he is well
educated: and speaks several different languages
fuentiy; he is native of Switzerland. md vos
one OF the officers of the Swiss guard iu the revo-
luton of July, during the reign of Charles X.
After this revolution, he emigrated TO the United
States, became naturaliZed and resided several
years IN Missouri, thence lin 1887 he came to
California and obtained grant of 80 miles souar re-
of land from The Mexican Authorities; his title is
conditional one, and may hereafter create trouble
for him. In his private character he is kind, hos.
ptable, and generous. In fact his generosity
the idle ard worthless. when asked why lie per-
milled such large demands upon his hospitality
without Il rccompense, he replied "What can
do, sir? They come here, eat, drink, and sleep,
and sometimes without even thanking me- but
what can | do ! cannot turn them out in the
wild forest 90 Surrounded as he was, on his frs;
he has, by kindness and just dealing, attached them
TO his interest, and he now has from 800 70 100
of these Indians devoted 10 him and his. They,
for their food and pay of from 81 to Sc per
month, man his fort, work his farms and mills
and do all the labor generally required in new
settlements. The captain with all his landed and
other property, is subject TO many annoyances.
When the Russians, through necessity, abandoned
their elements at Ross and Bodega he purchased
their stock, cannon, &C., and transported them
with great labor 10 his settlements at New Heve-
tia. This purchase was effected for consdera.
lion Of 900, to be paid IN an annual install
ment Of wheat, deliverable to one of the Russian
Fur Conpany's vessels. The instalrnents, owing
the unfortunate seasons, have laid ever for some
iuncture, his large crop would be swept away al o
mere nominal value. >,
Suffers fort, now called Fort Sacramento, is
situated q short distance from the southern bank
of the American fork, on one of the tributaries Of
the Sacramento, five miles from its mouth, and
l2O from San Francisco. The fort is in the form
Of paralle'ogram, 500 feet in length by $50 in
breadth.
The walls and houses are built of the oft-men.
toned mud brick adobe. Bastions nt the an
giles, with mons mounted. protected all sides,
and numerous guns projected from the mud walls.
On the inner side, facing the court, are numerous
buildings occupied as store-houses, dwellings and
barracks for the garrison. The main store-house
was rented during the fever of gold-diggine at
$4,000 per month. The garrison of the fort De 30
more trusly men, are better fed and clothed thar
the farm Indians.
The crop OF wheat raised by the Captain for the
year ls4S was upwards Of g 900 bushels, whicl
is valued at the round sim of $4,000. This is
the proceed fror. the labor Of l25 rude India ms
lie has also erected mills for grinding wheat ant
saving tin.uer; and it was in the construction o.
dam and race for saw.mill, that one of The
persons in his employ discovered the gold.
| The policy Of the United States.-The N. Yorl
Sun has a naulv but tenper ernte article on the M