The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-11
The Disturbance at the Mines America cans
Murdered.

The Alta California of the l4th January contains
a letter from Stockton, dated December 81, giving
detailed account Of the attack of the Chilians on
the American miners, near the Calayeras river.
1t appears that number Of Americans had, at
the commencement of the rainy season, selected a
certain place the Calaveras river, where they
erected log-cabins and made preparations to win
ter. This was place in which dry blowing
for gold had been carried on last summer by Chilli
ans and other foreigners. Soon after the Ameri-
cans settled, a number of Chlians arrived and
went to work in the neighborhood; and shortly af-
forwards public meeting was held by the Ameri-
cans, and judge and military captain were elect
ed. Notice was then given to all who were not
American citizens to leave within fifteen days. A
body of Chlans still remained at their old place,
about eight miles from the " Iowa Log Cabins, f"
(the American camp,) and abused and drove off
three or four Americans who attempted to dig in
the neghborhood. At the expiration of the time
specified for the Chilians TO leave, they were
brought before the judge (Collier) and fined one
ounce each, and notified to leave by the 25th inst
At this time but few of them remained, and those
were apparently making preparations to move. On
the night of the 9th instant, at about o'clock
descent was made upon the "lowa Log Cabins" by
about eighty armed Chilians, who went from cabin
To cabin, seizing the inmates, most of whom were
in bed, and binding them with ropes, using the
most abusive language, and threatening TO shoot
them if they resisted made the least noise. Il
should be remarked that none of the Chiians spoke
in English nor did they show any authority for the
arrest of the Americans. Having bound the in
mates of the Iowa Log Cabins and tied some OF
them to trees they left them under guard, and pro-
ceeded to some other cabins and tents in the neigh
borhood. In one of those cabins there light,
and some FIVE or six persons playing cards. This
cabin they charged upon. broke open the door, and
attacked the inmates with pistols guns and knives,
killing two Americans, one of their own party, and
wounding four others.
The two men who were killed were aged, one OF
them leaving wife and ten children in the States,
and the other wife and five children. have been
unable TO ascertain their names in full. One OF
them is called Starr, originally from New York,
but lately from Texas. The Chilians then bound
with ropes all Americans in this camp, even those
who were wounded, and hurried them of-some
without blankets or even coats-and joining the
others, whom they had previously taken, marched
the whole, sixteen in number, a distance OF eight
miles the road towards Stanslaus 10 the tent OF
an alcalde named Soullion, who they said, you'd
accompany them 10 Stockton. This alcaldt re-
fused 70 see them, 20 have any thing 10 do with
them and, after delay Of about hour, they
marched back 10 their own camp, distance Of ff-
teen miles. In passing American tent, they
threatened 10 shoot the first man who uttered a
word. About seven or eight O'Clock next morn
side Of the Double SPRING.; they then marched
twelve miles further towards Stockton.
On reaching the vicinity Of stockton, the Chilli
ans became frightened, and agreed TO unbind their
prisoners, provided they would intercede for them
II any Americans should attack them on entering
the city. They had not proceeded much farther be-
fore they approached tent Of Americans, who
soon In arms, and made prisoners Of the Chill
ians, whom they marched into Stockton. II was
there ascertaincd that the judge and alcaldc had
issued writ for the arrest Of certain Americans,
who had warned the Chilisns off from the mines
and robbed and extracted money from them; and
not being able 20 get Americans 10 serve the writ,
had employed this band Of Chilisns 10 execute IL.
They taken back for trial, but their country
men here were reported 10 be collecting in large
bodies, and endeavoring TO induce the Indians "a
al. Al.
latter had determined 10 drive the former out Of the
country.