The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-16


amusing episodes in the life Of a Californian, is
the infinite variety of law which he sees and
hears. The following trial, which l attended
few days since, is fair specimen
The question in dispute was, as usual, n
Jumped claim" Washington, a village
high up on the South Yuba. Court.room---a
"round tent" or gambling shop, owned by the
Alcalde, whom, behold nj monte-table, behind
which he sits in all the dignity of office, wearing
the only coat to be found in the place.
In pleading, the defendant "put himself upon
the miners" instead Of upon the country" ac-
cording to the ueual form, and then remarked
that ''the papers in his hand had been drawn up
with view to test the ability and honesty Of
the Court" This was nail which he clenched
by quietly adding, "who is well known to be in
tile found tent interest" lie then required the
plaintiff TO enter security for cost of suit, and
when the other had done this, demanding the
same of him, he refused, coolly remarking that
he never intended to pay costs or abide the courts
judgment, but should appeal TO the miners in
the suit, avowing his purpose to settle upon the
claim and defend it with his rifle. The defcr-
dant thereupon joined issue---"he would do the
like" and they were about leaving the round
tent, when the Alcalde rose from his monte
table and Indignantly burst forth. His speech
was filled with explosives and left-handcd bles-
sings, to which dare not attempt to do justice.
1t was only of an hours length, but consisted
of Il few topics npon which the changes were
fiercey wrung. lie prefaced all by pulling of
his coat As near as | can recollect, the body
of his speech was this:
"Gentlemen hold on bit till get through,
and then we'll take tod together. | can't help
speaking TO you now, cause that dirty old CO.
vote of defendant has attacked my honor |
meant to keep still till the trial was over, but
now since they've quit that, and are going to
work at the game that " the longest pole knocks
off the persimmon," Pm bound to tel that de-
PENDANT that ] don't know him, don't want to
know him, don't keer for him, don't fear him,
and swear III fog him. Gentlemen this is the
first time my honor was ever attacted since you
elected me Alcalde. If ever try another case,
I'll try it with revolver on the table, and if any
man insults me, he shall receive the contents of Il.
Gentlemen, stand in Californy, on my own
footing as a man, and on the responsibility Of
the miners, as an AIcaldc. come from old
Virginny, poor boy, and went t" Mazoura,
where should have been poor al! my life if
had MT married girl with powerful smart
sprinklin' of money. Then used to lay of in
the shade with my babies, and il maS her hearts
delight 10 SIT and see me do H. | came out to
Californy to replace them dimes, and when n
man assails my reputation, he assails the repu-
tation of a man of family who hev family duties
10 mind left a wife and two Innocent babies
in Mazoura, and it would be mean for me to
come out here and do anything dishonorable
Gentlemen, the defendant hev huv out some in.
| situations against my character Ii he'd done
anything else I wouldn't kcer, but when my
honor is attacted-Td rather die-ot-h.h. (Here
the Alcade had choking spasm Of some length
and then proceeded with cenched fsts.)
Gentlemen, I'm the littlcst man on the river,
but I've got a heart rs big as a round tent !.
That's why they elected me alcalde, BECAUSE ]
was little man and had heart big enough to
do Justice to round tent men and miners both
Since I've been acalde, I've always given em
the right sort of justice, and as long as am al
calde, mean to give em just what sort of JUS
tice suits me best. I'm no lawyer and don't
know any kind of law but common law. And
everybody knows that is nothing but common
sense and justice, as we practyse it in Californy.
Now, gentlemeu, want you to see if don't
give that defendant justice according to the
common law of these diggins (Here the
monte table shook under an emphatic wack of
his fist, and the ink was scattered over the
records of the court) Now the ink and the
pen and the papers and the defendant all 60 to
hell together"
He thereupon leaped upon the defendant, and
proceeded TO administer :" the common law Of
Californy" in most superb style. When this
operation was finished, and the defendant kicked
out Of the seat Of justice-videlicit, the round
tent--the alcalde turned to the crowd and po-
itely remarked:
Gentlemen, allow me to express my obliga-
tons 10 you for your presence and the attention
you have shown me during this trying ceremony.
Toddle up, all Of you, and take tod. Then, ]
can beat any man in the crowd at seven-up with
an ounce for the first Jack"
The Warrenton IN. Co. News, says There