The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-20
THE GOLDEN TERRITORY.
Our California correspondence.
SAcRAMENro CRY. CAL. June 20, lS5

placers throughout the northern district
From digent Inquiry, and close observation,
may safely state the mining population are average
ing in this district, eight dollars per diem. In
numerous instances, much larger amount ls
realized; but, taking the old and the young, the
novice and the experienced, the smart and the
lazy, all and all, the average is as above stated
The rivers are yet too high to work to advantage,
but now falling rapidly; the "dry diggers" are
fast hurrying To The recedlng banks, anticipating
much better remuneration TOR their toll Ii is gene
rally healthy throughout the mining district.
have but few moments 10 write, previous TO
the closing OF the mail, aud should not have in-
trudsd on your patience and purse, were IL not TO
inform you OF the almost spontaneous and stimuli
taneous gathering, in mass meetings, OF the bone
and muscle OF this. State, 10 express their deep
sense OF gratitude and admiration OF the just, bold
aud independent opinions expressed by the NcW
York Herald, relative 10 the affairs of this State
Copies of date May and ID, on reaching the
mines, produced great sensation, for, you must
know, the sentiments and feelings of the mining
class are hand and glove with the actual settlers
and possessors of The public domain. Copies OF
the Herald, of the above dates in some instances
sold as high as live dollars. One meeting at
tended, where the chief magistrate OF the district
was chairman Resolutions were unanimously
PASSED, expressive OF their admiration of the edi-
iorlals IN The Heraid-that they were on the side OF
right and justice, and that James Gordon Bennett,
In supporting the cause of the working men, the
actual settlers and producers OF California, and
early exposing the yiliany OF the usurpers and land
SPECTATORS here, is entitled TO the thanks of the
meetIng aud a large majority OF the people of the
State. IL was voted that the doings of the above
meeting should be Published in the California
papers, but the press in this country is so jug.
handled that IT will not be done.
The report of William Cary Jones is looked upon
with suspicion. He is brother-iR-law to Colonel
Fremont IL is well understood in this country
now, what course will be pursued by our dele
CATION in Congress, but the independent press of the
State is looked on now as the great preventive to
the trampliDg b0der feet OF the rights of the newly
arrived en6grants The settlers or "squatters," as
some call them, have much to contend with, inclu-
ding the moneyed power, which IL poured out like
water against them they have all the influence
of a hired press, together with the whole csta-
logue of public functlOnaries and packed juries.
But they are borne up by the justice OF their cause,
which, like truth, is mighty and must prevail"
II is the popular opinion that the Mexican claims,
or pretended Spanish grants, will net be recognized
by the government. Such a suicidal policy will
not be entertained Once recognise these peseudo
claims, and you see the Pacific coast from Oregon
to Mexico in a state Of anarchy domestic feuds
and bloodshed for centuries will follow. What
area, think you, the claim of one man covers
The claim of John A. Suffer covers an area of
ninety miles square
crisis is fast approaching in the affairs Of the
squatters and anti-sqaatters, which will result in
the shedding Of much blood, and the home gov
eminent cannot too early give their attention to
the subject / regret that time will not allow me
10 write you better connected letter, and more
fully, on the subject OF titles and the difficulties in
the State, but will cndeavor TO do SO at future
time.
r. She who gets the commission from the
government to come out here to look into and ex-
anime the various claims and titles, will be lucky
man, for the andhoiders can lay before him, his
arrival, million dollars in dust, which will be
missed no more than one drop from the bucket:
n. s. W.
The American Pioneer OF California.
Captain John A: Suffer, the well known pioneer
ofthe California placers, was recently witness in
case Of forcblc entry and unlawful detention,
tre1 before the Justices Court of Sacramento
CITY. His testimony is interesting from its refer
ence TO his early adventures in that part of the
world We take it from the Placer Times, Of the
2S,h Of June
On the part of the plaintiffs, Capt. John A. SUIT
California in July, 1882 landing at San Francisco,
proceeded to Monterey, the then seat Of govern
ment; obtained permission from the Governor to
locate myself IN any nart Of the territory not occu
pied. then returned to San Francisco and dis
charged my vessel, the Clemennne, then took
launch, and was occupied eight days 10 exploring
the bay, in order to find the mouth Of the Sacra-
mento river Alter succeeding in this, with a
launch, pnnace, and the schooner Isabella, we
proceeded up the Sacramento river TO the mouth Of
Feather river. On the refusal of those with me TO
procs ed up Feather river, returned 70 the mouth
of the American river; explored IL about mile and
half or two miles, and landed at the cite of what
is now called The Old Tan Yard, about the 10th OF
August; set up three cannons, and esta blished my
tents. Then the site OF VIVA, has since been called
and road was opened through the bushes 10 the
Sacramento river, terminating at point since
known 40 Suffers Enbarcadero, and just at the
foot of street ferry was afterwards es!ab-
lished by me al this place.
After many difficulties TO contend with from the
Indians, Improvements were progressed with, aud
the foIt was built, one purpose OF which was TO
protect foreigners from the frequent revolutions
among the Caliiornians, recurring rs often as the
grass came up. extended this protection parti-
cularly TO Americans. residence OF one year
was required TO become Mexican citizen. Az
the expiration Ut that period was appointed to the
Office of Military Commandini of the North, and
used the powers Of the Office TO protect American
citizens end other foreigners. Ibsye, since that
time, he'd possession of this section Of country.
/ consider that landed here before any others, and
II squatters have night, am the iirsi squatter. i
have crossed thousands At my ferry for nothing;
Afer the gold discovery, leased IL to McDougai
a Co, who, without my consent, removed II TO
SuuGrille. The embarcadero was for long time
my regular landing lace, and 50 recognized BY all
p.rsons visiting hsving business al the fort. The
Ziac House was built 10y Hensley, Schoolcraft, and
myself occupied room in that house, and had
my library In H. After an arrangement with the
other proprietors, gave this house, with certain
sihers. TO my son. After the discovery Of the god
this landing was much used, and McDouya u Co,
10y consent, occupied IL with others, the whole
space around being generally covered with boxes,
Captain Suffer, on further eximnati on, stated
that he left the United States in The sprag Of 1888
Eighteen months elapsed between his departure
aud his arrival NJ San Francisco lie came through
10 Oregon first, from whence he went TO the sand
wich Islands; remain. I'd there five months. Not
being able TO fad direct communication, he en-
hafk.d in a vessel for the Russian setllements
The King u the Sandwich Islands had offered him
strong Inducements 10 remain, and take command
az his military department; and o. his departure
the hing gave HIM a number Of ksnskas, whose
services he should enjoy for the penod Of three
years. At the Russian settlements he obtained con
trol OF a vessel, and sailed for the SOUTH They got
out Of provisions, and finding Themselves near San
Francisco he urged the captain 20 go into that port
The captain objected, on the ground that that not
heing port Of entry, his vessel would be forfeited
oessisy Of obteinng provisions. Landing at eaa
francisco, he pro ,ceded 10 Monterey, where he
obtained the permission before referred to, TO make
settlement in the territory lie returnes, and
disrhs rred his vessel The following are the names
cfsome Of the person. no sctlet on his grant Jno'