The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-10

ihey could be induced TO believe (Which is impossible
what the senator says that this bill. il becomes law
will conscae their landed estates. instead OF ing lonous
flying, they would wreak their vengeance upon thos'
who have favored lis passage and myself and those
my colleagues who agree with me in the belief that tins
law ought 10 pass, when return home, will be more
likely to be visited with the stlleo than greeted with
'well done thou good and faithful servants" there
fore, Mr. President have conceived il to be my duty Il
occupy OF the time of the Senate than l
pected that should be required to do uati became an
older member 10 explain the objects OF this bill and tc
that instead Of disturbing, will quiet their titles tc
land that. il they hold them by Spanish valid Mex
can grants they and their descendants will hereaf
ter retain the possession of them in peace The object
OF this bill is to do this speedily and eectually and be
fore tribunals that no man can say will fail to render
them full and ample justice. wi sh the ancient nhabt
ants OF California to know this that they may continue
TO be, as they are now, conented and happy people
Sir the people of California have been praised through
ont the civilized world for the mode and love OF
law and order they have exhibited within The two past
years Neglected by this government. taxed without au.
hority of law and afterwards by law, but deprived OF
representation, they have foborne TO exhibit that spirit
The exultaons and reoicngs of united people, when
they received the OF their admission into the Union
State, show the value they place upon the Union
lis constitution, and its laws
do no, wish this unanmity disturbed by any act of
ours and, if know myself, would not hesitate to
abandon any law that thought could. by possibility. in
the slightest degree prove 10 the interests OF the
people Of California weaken their attachment to this
glorious Union believe that this bill il it passes into
law will be beneficial instead OF injurious to them, and
increase rather than weaken their attachment the
Union, and shall therefore earnestly urge its passage,
unless convinced am in
The large land claims date their orgi from the Mex
lcan and Californian governments. In regard 10 these
claims Captain Haeck, in his report says
"No grants made individuals single families
10 be held as denltvey valid m approved by the terrific
give it, approval. governor to refer The documents
to the supreme government for its action"
80 But the consent Of the supreme executive
on he
coast OF California The islands in the bays however are
no, included in this permiss ion"
"A large number in California are very in
definite with respect to boundaries the grants being Tor
streams. Ac shown by rough sketches attached The
petitions These sketches irequenty contain double the
amour, OF land included in the rants and even now very
few of these grants have been surveyed, their boundaries
dehnely fixed The usual form OF these titles is shown
"Manue Micheorena, brgadier general the Mexican
army, adjutant general of The staff Of the same, governor
connandan and general and inspector OF the department.
Whereas Don -, na,uralized citizen Of Mexico,
has solicited for his personal benefit five os OF large
tie Give square leagues) between thc river Costumes
the north sde tho ranchera the Omuchumnes The strong
hills and the pass which leads TO Mr. Suffers establish
ment, where the measurement, ommence towards
the direction of NN.W., the previous and
having agr reeably the laws and
regulations the subject have, the Mex
lean nation granted TO him the before mentioned land de-
subject TO the appreciation OF the most excellent depart
mental assembly, and to The following conditions:
any other burden
I'D He may enclose it without prejudice to the crossing
highways and privileges, (servdumbes y he shall enjoy
freely and exclusively, desining 10 tho Guilty
which may best suit him but within shall build
house, and it shall be inhabited.
:" 30. He shall solicit the respective magistrate to give
him legal possession in virtue OF this te by whom the
boundaries shalt be traced out in the limit OF which be
shall put beside the landmarks, fruit trees, wild
of some utility.
4h The aad OF which donation is made consists of five
.ito (square lesgues) the respective map explains
The msg who possession shall canse il to be
measured according 10 law and the overplus shall remain
to the nation for the necessary uses.
" 9th. Ii he shall violate these conditions he shall forfeit
his right the land and 1t be denounced by another
" consequently command that these presents being held
firm and VALID record thereof be made IN the respect
i've book aud they be delivered 10 the party Interested Tor
his security and iuItber ends
MANUEL MICHEL foRENA.
EMANUEL GlMENO. Gov. Sec"
" Some of the land tides given by the Caliiorna govern.
contain conditions respecting their sale, &c, which
only the holders, but contrary o. the
spirit laws These conditions should be
removed by act of Congress. number of the grants
of land by the governors Of California have never been
csnhrmsd by the territorial legislature In some cases
body has positively refused It's APPRECIATION; in
other cases it has merely declined to act until furnish
cd with certain information respecting the amount asked
for, its boundaries, &c. in others, again. the petition,
though before the legislature, reached prev
final adjournment in July 1916 and 1t is prob
able tina, of thsse tite., through caele
submitted rba, body for approval Agan it
been alleged, by very respectable authority that
tain iits land given by Governor Poo after the
Uaited States had taken possession OF the county and
made bear dates prior TO the 7th OF July 1886 These
grants have been confirmed by terrific
nal legislature for that body adjourned the S of July
the day after hag was raised at Monterey nor haze
they recorded any book Of records among the
archives although sad they purPort to be 50
recorded In settling land tides Ia this county, broad
distinction sbosd be made between titles OF this kind and
those which given in good faith 10y the California
previous taking oil this county, but
which have failed receive The requisite confirmation Tor
OF action the part OF the territorial Legislature In
Ia nd adopted by tho Mexican government The
description and table translated from the 'Dfdenanzes
de Tierras Aguas,' by Maraus Gavan-editon of lSil
been referred
''I. Thar grants of land made by the governors OF
California after the 2lst o November 1929 valid with
the approval of the territorial legislature, OF the
preme government sf Mexico
I'd That the governor and Legislature OF California
could, without the approval OF the supreme government
grants whatever of land within ten Leagues o the
seacoast within twenty leagues of the boundaries of
any foreign power could they anywhere grant to
person Than eapue square (nna kgtt e,an-
drada) of five thousand of igsble land Q'va dc
rsgdd,o four superficial OF land dependant the
sons (esafro de pofcs dc tmpo,s and six superficial
for rearing ca,tc, (sos de snp,eI de abrenado)
Sd That where made and properly approved
for towns, all municipal lands lying within the limits Of
such grants may be disposed Of by the municipal authorities
in sar building los, 10 conformity to the laws appli.
cable such such lands as may be required
by general governme warehouses
senss other public edfccs the defence security
of the nation.
''4th That all lands in California included within
the limits of ade In conformity law, and prior
July T. 1885, formed psr OF the public domain ofMexico
the moment when the United States took possession OF
this Territory
In the legal condition OF land titles in this county,
The report goes further to refer 10 charges Of fraud
in dsposng OF lands in the towns OF Sonoma aad San
Jose. and adds these general observations:
"It has also been alleged that the local authorities of
other have not only disposed municipal lands in
manner contrary the provisions of the territorial laws
L..., fnuCea ha hayo