Calaveras chronicle., 1852-02-14

materials, tnelr SITeetS StIOHS'y COH-
trasting with the noxious filth and mud
which dishgures the northern capital.
Neither is there the shadow of truth in
the assertion thot the great southern
towns are opposed to Mokelumne Hill.
Their almost unanimous support of our
petition disproves the calumny.
We can assure the editor of the SEN
tinel that it is not our intention to occu-
py our space in fruitless endeavors to
convince him of the falsIty Of his posi-
ton. Matters of greater Importance
claim our attention-even were it not
generally known that his ephemeral
sheet was got up for the purpose of
raising false issues, and, if possible, of
misleading public opinion on this subject
CoRREcTIoN.-In our last issue was pub
lished paragraph relative to difficulty
having occurred at Murphy Camp, in which
we stated that the sheriff, Mr.. Marshall,
had shot two Frenchmen, one of whom was
instantly killed. Since then, we have re-
ceived correct statement of the whole af-
fair, which is to the following effect An
Italian had made complaint to magistrate
at Murphy's, that five ''Basques" (French-
men), had jumped his claim on Cayote
Gulch, while he was occupied nursing his
partner, who, at that time, was very sick
Wishing to arrange the dispute with as
little difficulty as possible, the justice ad-
dressed the trespassers a letter, written in
their own language, requesting them to
leave the claim, or come forward and prove
their right to it. The "Basques" having
refused to receive the letter, or pay any at
tention to its acquisitions, summons was
issued and put into the hands Of the sheriff,
who dispatched deputy to serve it 1t was
not until the second day that the party
could be found, when they were informed
through an interpreter of what was wanted
with them. The eldest one of the party was
in favor of having the case tried, but the
others overruled him, and one who appear
ed to have most influence, swore " they did
not care if fifty sheriffs or fifty alcaldes
came, they cared for no law in California"
Upon receipt of this message, the sheriff,
with small posse Of five men proceeded to
the spot, and summoned the g Basques'' to
appear and answer in Court.
Having obtained two hours time to look
up witnesses, the whole party finally start
ed for camp. On the way, however, the
sheriff finding the g Basques' to be all
armed, deemed it prudent to make them
give up their weapons Some of them did
so; but one who had revolver, positively
refused. In attempting to take it from him,
the sheriff was beset by two others of the
party who attempted to wrest his rifle from
him. In the scuff1e which ensued, the piece
was accidentally discharged, the ball tax
ing effect in one of the trespassers, who
died next day of his wound. Finding he
was now obliged to fight, Mr.. Marshall
dubbed his rife to defend himself against
the foremost of his assailants, but not fully
succeeding in beating him off, he eventually
drew his revolver and shot him. The
man is severely, though not dangerously,
wounded The rest Of the g Basques" then
fed. One Of them, the same who expressed
a willingness to obey the summons in the
first place, was subsequently arrested, and
failing to prove their right to the claim,
was discharged upon his pledge to abandon
all pretensions to it. We regret very much
the results of this affair; but we know that
the sheriff did no more than his duty re-
quired under the circumstances, and can
assure him that he still enjoys the conf
dence of the entire community