The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-15
1881 3S4,72O 66s, AS
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

Lao-1he Klamath Gold Bluffs.
SAN Francisco, Jan. 81, 1851.
Since my last, per Tennessee, 23d inst, nothing
of Importance has occurred here, if we except the
impetus given to squattersm by more recent de-
cision of one of our courts, viz: That colorado
title, accompanied by possession, is better than
the best legal title that can be made, and that the
city grants made by mayors, alcades, councils,
&C., are not worth straws, unless the party ac-
tually occupied the premises. Since the promul-
CATION of these dictons, nearly every vacant lot
in the city has been fenced in or built upon, occa
sionaly by the legitimate owners-persons who
in good faith purchased them from the city or
other public authorities-but more generally by
squatters, who now come in and say that
"You may have bought that land, but the
thorities had no right to sell. will take and keep
! possession
"But, my dear sir, have paid taxes on them
for two three years; my deeds from the city
are recorded and acknowledged both by the city
and State, as they both charge me taxes"
"Phoo, phoo you can't come that over me. If
| you were fool enough to pay taxes, that is not
my fault; the court says that yesterday we stood
on equal terms in regard to this property--to-day
have the advantage of you, am in possession,
and if don't keep IT II be id"
This is about the argument and the general re-
suit though sometimes squatterlsm goes still
further A gentleman built a house on Sacra-
! 'nento street, the end of the planking. 1t
was so high up the hill that he could not get
tenant at his price, so he concluded to let it re-
main vacant until spring, in hopes of an improve
ment in business and advance in rents. Last
Monday, when walking past the building, he was
surprised to Of the windows open and
crossed over to ascertain the cause. He looked
in and saw four hombrss enjoying quiet game of
brag, and having every appearance Of being at
home. As matter Of course, he commenced
making inquiries to how they came there and
l,.bof . eu uyere
Chow we got herei What we doing Why
we got through the back door and are playing
poker; won't you take hand; it's all fair, not
soul of US know how to cheat"
Indgnantly-"No, sir am the owner Of this
house, and want you to clear out"
"Clesr hi; ain we in possession, and accord
ing to the law the ownersi'
"No, sir. have regularly purchased the pro-
pery at one of the public sales, made by authorI-
y of the city, built this house and paid my taxes,
and you must 60"
"You may bet you life we won't. Give us 49,
900 for our right and we will talk to you, other
wise you will pleaseto retire as you interrupt our
game"
''Nonsense why paid the city assessment
for plankng the streets not month ago."
''Did you you re buck, give us your hand
glad of it; we're afraid the plankng was not paid
for vet and to tell you the truth, stranger, we are
little short Of funds; come let take drink
and then go and consult your lawyer"
The gentleman did not take a drink, but he did
consult his lawyer, and received the satisfactory
information that his only chance was to commence
suit to possession, and that under the pres
ent decisions the chances quite as much in
favor of his opponents, the possessors, as of him
self This is an extreme case, but il is one of ac-
,ual occurrence. So you may conceive we are
having nice little excitement, and that real estate
securities are below par. | know Of a lot that is
.~,,, Of 4
was sold within fortnight for $4,000 cash
down.
Mercantile affairs are about the same as they
were reported by last mail. There has been lit
tie change. Flour has fallen to SlIa12 per 300 lbs
SACK and salt provisions have advanced a trife--
some disposition to speculate in the latter being
exhibited. Sales of mess pork and mess beef
equal of each have been made at Sl4 IS per bib;
clear pork at SIS so; sugar cured hams at Is cts,
and lard and butter rather more stiff, but the mark
ct is still well supplied. II is Of no use whatever
for me to annex for you TO publish prices cur |
rent. Many others will go home, and the recipi-
ent Of each will consider 1t the highest authority;
vet no two OF them will agree even in the main |
articles. | annex a list Of actual sales made at
auction From it each reader can Judge for him
self what returns he will be likely to receive for
shipments made to be made. Gold dust Ia still |
very scarce, and is worth fully 1857. The Kln-
math Gold Bluffs has not yet enriched any body
but the owners OF the steamer Chesapeake, who |
sold her, as informed you in my last, at a rous-
ing great price, afer getting most excellent
charter out Of her one trip. Still the believers in
Klamath are many. And if there is gold there,
men and money enough will be found to bring il
away. Several Philadephans have gone up.
The Philadelphia steamer Constitution has Just
returned from trip down to the lower ports on
the California coast. She went for the purpose
Of finding purchaser or purchasers to buy her, |
ard put her on coaster from this place to San |
Diego and intermediate ports. Whether she was
successful not have not heard, but Judge she |
WINS, as she is advertised to go down again on the
4th prow.
The arrivals Of vessels for the last week have
been very light
How do the home shippers stand California re-
turns Here they made enough whilst the sun did |
shine to weather the present storm.
Deaths-27th Mrs. Adams, aged a., Philade-
phia; goth, A. Warner, Pa, aged 40, chronic di-
arrhn.
The following PHILADELPHIA vessels are lying in
port. some Of them as you will notice. have been
here a long time Ships Commerce, Mason, York;
barks Adelaide, Baltic. Harriet Thompson, Mar
garet, Ralph Cross, Sultan, briggs Consort, Ohio
te, Osceola, Tecumseh; schrs Almira. Capacity,
Harp, Laura Bevsn. Naomi and Robert w Pack
fr' The Santa Clara, that came out here as