Calaveras chronicle., 1853-03-19
Correspondence.
On board Steamer California,
ACAPULCO, Feb. %, 1853. !

Il
Nh. EDITOR l presume you re-
ceived the letter wrote you on board
1.-The Stockton steamer. should have
written you from San Francisco, but
the steamboat arrived at 8 O'Clock in
the morning and | was obliged to en-
bark at seven for Panama.
1t is just week since we left San
Francisco. Of what shall write. Of
fine weather, calm seas, and gorgeous
land sights or shall l chronicle those
little incidents that happeAnH ship
board The latter is certainly very in,
teresting to the passenger; Abut if it
would be to your readers, is qusTtion-
able. However, to give VARIETY 1 will
narrate the most interesting of both-and
commence by the former.
The wild and extravagant feature Of
the coast, is casually relieved by an
island whose outward appearance would
perhaps correspond with that Of our
Sierras, but still conveys feeling of
poetry, or romance. You can watch
them and very distinctly perceive the
mountain goat and hear him "bleating
aIoft," and imagine that the hills-Anp1tr
valley that would vie with Campbell's
description of Wyoming. Although
this is principally the effect of mind
predisposed to those scenes of romance
never realized and only found in novels;
still am informed by one of our pas
sengers, a garrulous Frenchman, who
seems to be perfectly "posted" in every
point on this coast, that one of these
islands, called Ceros, or Cedros, is one
of the most fertile and beautiful in the
ocean. From his description, would
compare it to pirate Hassen's descrip-
ton of that spot where he wishes to
convey his s'ladye love-"
can island there is on the face of the deep,
Where the leaves never fade, nor the skies
never weep" &c.
This island, it seems, belongs to
Monsieur YneZ Lemantour, the gen.
tleman who claims San Francisco. By
the way, word in regard to this claim.
The above said Frenchman, is resi-
dent of the city of Mexico, and went to
San Francisco - regard to Lemantour's
claim. asked the reason why he had
not presented it sooner, and he told me
the following: That Lemantour, during
the war, was employed by the Mexican
government to convey provisions and
ammunition to their army. His voya-
ges had been very successful until he
was taken by an American vessel, his
ship and property confscated, and he
made prisoner. He remained prisoner
till near the close of the war, when he
retired to the city Of Mexico. He was
very wealthy man, and had received
this title Gin l84S believe) from Gov
ernor Micheltoreno, for services rem
dered, and while in Mexico this time,
he had the grant confirmed by govern
ment. After remaining there year or
so he heard of the rapid advancement
of San Francisco, and, determined as
soon as he saw any feasible means OF
having his title confirmed, he could
make a trip to that city and do so. He
had heard that board of commissioners
would soon be appointed, and he de-
termined to abide their advent into Of
fee. When this time arrived ne was
not exactly 1prepared to make the con-
temFfafed Hsit but made it pd mt as
son as he was able to do so. e-wTts
4 1too-s1spicious of his fellow creatures to
trust the document out of his own
hands, and therefore would rely upon
no other doing that which he intended
to do himself. The rest we all know.
This is the story given by the French
man. AS much reliance may be placed
in it, as the credulity of the reader will
admit of.
Another, and still more strange title
this same person says he has, which
pretends to embrace eleven-twelfths OF
the Weber claim. His story, in regard
to this is strange, although perfectly
possible. He says that Weber received
with eleven Spanish families, grant
to large tract of land from French
Camp, including Stockton and several
leagues up the Calaveras;-in fact, all
that claimed by Weber himself. Short
ly after this grant had been made these
eleven families moved away, and when
the nucleus of city had been laid on
the site Of Stockton, Weber laid claim
TO the whole of the original grant, sup
posing that the aforesaid families were
so scattered and knew SO little Of the
laws or customs of the persons who al
present were focking into the country,
hat they would not come up to reclaim
heir uronertv How Weber, and the