New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-08
The Foreign Miners and their Tax.


To hs Editor Of tie Stockton Tiness
sIR: As Anticipated the advent OF the Tax
Collector the sigDfo trouble and alarm. Little,
il any excitement was displayed in town until this
morning, when reports reached Us that large bodies
OF Mexicans, ChiliaHs and Frenchmen were Assem-
bled outside the town, holding meetings and con.
sutiDg on means TO evade the pay meDt Of the i'm
position Of $50 per month. No notice was taken
Of these demonstrations, for the citizens of this
place have so uniformly treated foreigners well,
that we could hardly entertain any fears for tho
peace Of the town.
About noon tao deputations came in from the as
sembles to the authorities and ASCERTAIN if any
acton OF the Governor could arrest the consumma
tion Of the contemplated taxation; or at least, 10
have it explained 10 them, and the justice Of il
shown to them They asserted that it was impos
sble that such an amount could be paid that they
would willingly pay four or i've dollars per month.
but that it would be out Of the power Of more than
half OF the miners TO pay the sum contemplated. A
great many diggers hardly getting more gold than
sDBctd Tor mere livelihood.
During the discussion, an American who wished
to get out Of the crowd began ebowiEg his way
from the place where be stood, wien . Mexican
or Gillian in front OF him drew a pistol. In mo
Dent a dozen reyolvers were out, and precip-
itate retreat was made by the foreigners No shot
was fred, but the Mexicans were alarmed, and
the town was cleared 10 FIVE minutes Oar peace
side, and no incoDsderable alarm created in town.
The citizens armed themselves, and expresses
were sent to Mormon Creek and Sullivans Dig.
gings, from which places about 500 well armed
Americans arrived, and m aFched through the
streets with guns ard rifles their shoulders.
The demonstration was sufficient the crowds in
the vicinity soon dispersed and quiet was restored
The only thing to be feared is the misguided zeal
OF our own ciIizens, Who although generally sym
pathiziI with the general discomfort occasioned
by the unjust tax, incensed that the foreigners
should presume to take the law 10 their xn hands,
and may not be willing to allow the affair to rest
where IL is.
A very serious ARRAY took place this afternoon,
In which Mexican was seriOusl y wounded. A
man was noticed parading the street with two or
three pistols and knife in his belt the man was
intoxicated and the Sheriff arrested him. or rather
took bis arms from him. While in the act Mexi
can came up behind and made stab at the officer
with large knife The murderous intent was
frustrated by bystander, who with bowie knife
struck the man, woundiDg him severely. Mr..
Work the sheriff was happily untouched.
sosoRA, Wednesday, May %, 1880
All is quiet large body Of Frenchmen under
arms encamped near the town yesterday and met
in depuIation They had received word from
men badly disposed that the French inhabitants
were in danger Of their lives and they armed
themselves to assist their cOuntymen. Upon dis.
covering the iais!1y Of the report they peaceaby
dispersed.
The same writer gives the following striking par
tculars:
Our foreign working population in this country is
estimated at 10000, and the estimate is, assure
you, from what experience have, not exaggerat-
ed. Supposing $50 per month to be collected from
each one OF these, we have ar income from pablo
lands, placed at the private dis posal of State or
Territory, Of 100000 per month, or nearly e., $780,
600 per annuD from one County alone. Ii is not to
be wondered if Uncle Sam should deem this a lit.
Tie too large bite iofour State TO indulge IN. Again
the Collector, understand, has q commission OF %
on each license. This is monthly income OF
$4,000, or an annual income Of s360,O00 Uncle
Sam might object to the public money being dis
posed Of so very summary. This simple state
nept OF facts is conclusive proof Of the reckessnsss
q our iegnla'ors' and is another Of the many rea'
sons Why we should press al immediate union with
the parent country.