davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Placer herald., 1853-08-06
The Pre-EmptiOn Act.

The Act of Congress, passed at the last
session, authorising the occupation and
holding of the public lands, by actual
settlers. Approved, March 8, 1853.
I'm .Act TO ertend Pre- -Emp'ion Rights
to certain Lands therein mentioned. Be
it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States of
America in Congress assembled: That
the pre-emption laws ofthe United States,
as they now exist, he and they are hereby
extended over the alternate reserved sec
tons of public lands along the lines of all
the railroads in the United States wher
ever public lands have been or may be
granted by acts of Congress-; and that it
shall be the privilege of the persons re-
siding on any of said reserved lands to
pay for the same in soldiers bounty land
warrants, estimated at dollar and twen-
ty-fve cents per acre, or in gold and sill
yer, or both together, in preference to
any other person, and at the same time,
before the same shall be offered tor sale
at auction: Provided, That no person
shall he entitled to the benefit of this act
who has not settled and improved, or shall
not settle and improve, such lands prior
to the final allotment of tie alternate sec
tons 70 such railroad by the General
Land Office: And provided further, hal
the price to be pald shall in all cases be
two dollars and fifty cents per acre, OF
such other minimum price as is now fixed
by law, or may be fixed upon lands here
after granted; and no person shall have
the right of presumption to more than one
hundred and sixty acres. And provided
further, That any settler who has settled
or may hereafter settle on lands hereto
fore reserved OH account Of claims under
French, Spanish, or other grants which
heve been or shall he hereafter declared
by the Supreme Court of the United
States to he invalid, shall be entitled to
all the rights of pre-emption granted by
this act, and the act Of fourth of Septem-
ber, eighteen hundred and forty-one, emit
tied an "Act to appropriate the proceeds
of the public lands, and to grant preemp-
tion fights,' after the lands shall have
been released from reservation, in the
same manner as if 30 reservation existed.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
NUMBER "a.

GEOLOGICAL WoSDERs-Corn For>n
CiTf.-Mr. Samuel c. Harding. late Cons,aiIa
OF the First Township and We'll knew, .;,;
zen' is having well dug in the back yard of hi.
dwelling Rouse, on so vara let No. 23S on Greer
street, between Stocton and Dupont On Tbnrs.
day the men had dug down to a very hard con-
glomeratlon OF sand and clay, about 30 feet frn,,,
surface. They drilled hole in it and blas,eJ !,
About O'Clock in the afternoon. in digsino NJ,
the earth loosened by the blast, MIR. John RAM,
who was IN the well, saw little hmm viii
metallic lustre, and he picked it ou, and nut i
on the top OF the bucket OF dirt, telling Mr'Wm
Harding, who was at the windlass. to see wbnr
IL might be. There was not sufficient Geht IN
the well to see clearly. Mr.. Harding imm. .liate
iy, on seeing the nugget declared it to be gold.
II was worth about three dollars
The discovery created much wonder and li,tlc
excitement, but they continued their labor and
found SIX other nuggets worth about sos. the
heaviest one weighing nearly half an ounce.
lhe gold was not all that was found They
aug out likewise common California spur.
but little rusted and with the little leather sirnn
still IN It, They found beside peice of a
sheep or goats jaw-bone and many colosed
SHE'LL such as the native California is called tt,e
conchd aaacar. The surface of the earth about the
well is perhaps 100 feet above the level of the
sea: The spur and the gold lay very near tie
surface OF the rock, which is the same which un-
derlies the whole city. 1t is technically "lias.n
species of igneous rock, which occurs between
the quartz and chalk formations. 1t is not con-
sldered to belong to the rocks which may be au-
riferous.-AAa California
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
RHODES Il I.CSK's SHASTA
EXPRESS.

EA LEAVES THE pEfESr q
fKH. Office of Wells Far $3.50 E=se1EsAzSss4a
Ex<z5Ezs go & Co, Sacramento, daily, for
Shasta, Yreka, and all towns aAd points through
out Nol l;hern California, connecting at Sacrament
San Francisco, and by regular Mail Steamer on
the lst 9th, 10th and 2Jti Of each menusi TO tie
Atlantic States aud Europe.
Treasure, letters and other packages conveyed
to and from the poiuts above designated, with
ahe utmost dispatch.
Gold Dust forwarded to the L. s. Mints al
philadelphia and New Orleans under policies
from the most responsible Insurance Companies
in the Eastern Cities
Drafts drawn by John NJ Rhodes, of the
sacramento City Bank, on New York, New
Orleans, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh State Bank
of Ohio
b. Davdson's drafts for sale on Messrs n
M. Rolhschild & Sons, London; Mesfqs De
Rothschild 4 Bros, Paris Messrs NJ. A. Roths-
child & Sons Frankfort; Messrs. l. Behrens &
Sons, Agents, Hamburg; Messrs. Huth, Grun-
ing & Co., Lima and Valparaiso; A Belmont,
Esq, New York.
Collections made and all business appertain-
ing To an Express Company executed promptly
and with especial regard to safety
JAMES NJ. Rhodes,
HIRAM LUSK,
WELLS. FARGO & co.
OFFIcEs.-Shasa, in Post Office Building;
Sacramento, j sucet, between Fsont and Sec
ond streets; San Francisco, ia Montgomery
street: Weavervile Messrs. Church & Mix's
building, Yreka. fre-proof building opposite
} rcka Hotel. sep loft
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

B@A correspondent of the New Haven Pal
fadtum writing from Lancaster, Pa, briefly re-
cords the following singular story of the cause
OF Mr. Buchanan never marrying: "a short
distance from the city is the country residence
OF Hon. James Buchanan, American Ambassa-
dor to the court of st. James. Its general ap-
pearance at once indicates that no fair hand ia
there to train the creeping vines or budding
roses to their befitting place-as you are aware
that the honorable gentleman still remains in
single blessedness! The story is briefly told =
Paying his addresses to young and beautiful
lady OF this city, each became deeply enamored,
and they were engaged On given evening,
she requested his company to a party at a
friends, which he declined on plea of business
engagements. Circumstances rendering it ne
cessary, he, late in the evening, galanted
young lady to her home, and on the way-they
met. Mortified and chagrned at what she
deemed unfathfulness and desertion, and imag-
lining the worst, she left the city early in the
morning, and returned, a corpse. Such is the
sad story of his early love, nor can the high
places of distinction and trust make him forget.
nor the wreaths of honor that encircle his
brows bury the memory Of the early loved and
lost"
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
News from Japan.

BY the recent arrival from Hongkong, we have
the China Maa of Aug. 11th. From this we
learn that the American squadron-consisting o
line steam frigates Susquehanna and Mississippi
and the sloops of war Plymouth and Saratoea
under command of Commodore Perry-sailed
from the harbor of Napakiang, Looclaoo Islands.
July 2d, and on the Sth entered the Bay of Yedo.
and sailing up anchored off the town of Uraga.
Ihe appearance of the steamers-the first ever
seen In Japanese waters-created profound
sensation. Government boats came off as usual
to warn the foreigners away, but not being re-
ceived, and some warlike show of opposition be-
ing made by Com. Perry, they quickly retired
me governor OF Uraga, aud another official
came on, and having asceitained the object of
the VISIT, asked for time to dispatch an express
TO ledo. In the interval, the Mississippi went
up ten miles farther, and found a deep harbor.
landlocked, and studded with large iunks and
smaller craft, none of which, however. made
any opposition. On the 18th, an answer came
from the Emperor, appointing an officer OF the
highest rank to receive the letter of the Presi.
dent of the United States. The interview took
place on the 14th, at the small town of Gori-
hama, three miles below Uraga, the Susquetanna
and Mississippi laying off the town with her
broadsides to the shore. Com. Perry was es-
corted ashore with four hundred officers and
men, the American flag flying, and the bands
playing Hail Columbia" to the house of recep-
ton, Wnefe he was received by Idgu, First
Counsellor OF the Emperor, accompanied by the
Prince OF lrwami. The Japanese force on shore
was estimated at from five to seven thousand.
The letter of the President and the Commodore's
letter OF credence were formally delivered and
an official receipt given by the two Princes,
when the interview terminated as the latter
were not empowered to enter into any negotia-
TONS The Commodore stated, however, that
IN order to give the Japanese Government am
pie time for deliberation, he would depart in
three or four days, and return in few months
to receive the reply.
Alter the interview, the Governor of Uraea
| and attendants went aboard the Susquekanna,
and witnessed, for the first time the steam en-
gine. Presents of lacquered ware and other
articles of Japanese manufacture were made,
and presents in turn received. The squadron
then moved up to where the Mississippi lay, and
Com Perry i'll this steamer proceeded ten miles
farther up. From this point crowd of shipping
was seen seven or eight miles to the northward,
and at the anchorage. as was supposed, in front
OF the capital. Much admiration was expressed
for the beauty of the shores, and the rich cult
vation and luxuriant vegetation everywhere
witnessed. The natives appeared to be friendly
in their intercourse, and the Governor of Uraea
is described gentleman of refinement and
good breeding.
The squadron sailed from the Bay of Yedo on
the 18th of July, and encountering severe gale
on the 21st and 22d, arrived at Loochoo, the
two steam frigates returning to Hongkong on
the 9Th of August.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

u Mr.. Louis Kossuth is writing letters to the
New York Times, dated Europe" though all
of them are written from London and its vicin-
ity. In his last, Kossuth concludes with the fol
lowing paragraph:
I" 1t is reported that L. Napoleon, having as
sisted at the manGuvres of the camp of Satory,
was shot at Two soldiers, confessing their de-
termination to kill the Emperor, were executed
instantly but secretly. Well deserved. Bad
marksmen should not play at shooting. May be
it is not true. l give it rumor from a pretty
good source. But so much know, that if L.
Napoleon opens not field of glory(!D 10 his
discontented army, he may, in The best case wan
der from the Tullieries to the-hulks Mind that
word, sir! if he be such fool as to play into
the hands of the Holy Alliance.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

u The Santa Clara Register says We be-
lieve we state but the TRUTH when we say that
the population of Spanish lineage have become
exasperated against the American settlers,
that it is unsafe TO travel in any part of our coun-
ty unprotected. We believe murderous band
is organized, and is now prowling about seek
ing the destruction of ALL not of Spanish origin,
whom they may happen to take at disadvantage
Some of this ignorant race think that by cutting
off unguarded Americans in their travels they
will thin the emigrant population as to ena-
BILE them to obtain the mastery, while others of
this misguided people entertain the silly idea
that the appearance of the late comet was a sure
augury of war, and that Santa Anna s even now
marching to reconquer this country. senti-
ment of patriotism is intermingled with feeling
of private evaporation; and we repeat that no
American is safe who may happen to meet an
overpowering number of the Spanish race
Murders and robberies are daily occurrences
around us, and we feel that the same watchful-
ness is required as if we were an invading
army pitched in an enemy's country.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

PREsENTIMENT OF QUEEN VIcToRlA-Wilmer
& Smiths European Times hints at the proba.
bility of the Queens visiting her West India
colonies. 1t further says: We are panied to
mention a bit of gossip which is floating in high
found its way into print. 1t is so delicate in it's
elf, that should not have referred to it at all.
ifit had not reached us through well informed
and most unexceptionable source. friend of
ours, who was present at the Dublin Exhibition
on the 30th, when the address was presented to
quaintance whose duties bring him into immedi-
ate proximity with the royal family, that he had
never seen her Majesty look SO trite, and that
the expression of her otherwise cheerful and
merry face indicated, he feared, some corroding
sorrow. The answer confirmed the suspicion
She labors at present. was the reply, under
the extraordinary hallucination that she will die
within twelve months, and nothing can remove
the impression from her mind 2"
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

UNCERTAINTY OF THE LAVA laughable illus
tration of the heading of this article occurred in
Illinois lately. as win be seen by the following
from the Peoria News: Mr.. B. was out hunting
with his rifle, and crossing the field of Mr.. G.
Frenchman, Cs largedog attacked him savageiy,
while c. stood looking on, without attempting
to call of his dog. B. getting out of patience,
shot the dog and he fell apparently dead c. in
high dudgeon forthwith got out a warrant, and
had B. arrested for killing bis dog swore to the
killing, and was corroborhted by two of his
nelghbors, who were present at the shooting.
The magistrate fined B. ten dollars, and costs
amounted to about ten MORE B. paid the fine
and costs, and when the parties got home fr,,,n
trial, the dog had come home also, and was not
killed. B. then got warrant against the French
man and his two associates for perjury, in swear
ing B. had killed the dog They were fright
ened, and made peace with B., paid him his
twenty dollars, and ten more for his trouble. and
no trial was had; and when the parties returned
home from the last suit, the dog was dead.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

CALIFORNIA VITALITY.-Some months since
we noticed that that many of the redwood posts
on the line from this city to San Jose had
sprouted and promised to grow vigorously. II
we are rightly informed. these trees, generally
twenty-five feet high and eight inches through
at the butt were cut last fall, and not long after
set out. about five feet deep in the ground. The
redwood sticks, especially those whose lot fell
into the moist ground, were not to be cheated
out of freedom SO they took to growing, and
they grow yet, in spite of the lightning, which
streaks it" along the mystic wires at their
tops. Our enterprising land owners, desirons
OF fine red wood trees upon their lands, may
profit by the lesson: hasten to cut down thrifty
redwood trees, set them out in moist ground,
about the commencement of the rainy season,
and within year a beautiful growth of timber
will have taken the place of a lot of bare poles
Alta CAL
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
TOWER HOUSE.

at the junction of Ike Yrckd and JVeaveresle
Roads, IL mites from Shasta
f,,5S4 THE ERSIGNED
~ i@ would announce to the pub IaSS&
- lie, and particularly to per-
sons travelling TO and from Yreka and Weaver
vile, that he is now prepared to entertain them
at this long established stand, formerly known
as the Free Bridge House," in a style not sur
passed by any hotel in Northern California. Hav-
ing completed his new and comnodious build
ing, and furnished it in the best possible manner,
he is enabled TO promise the very best accom-
modations The table, as heretofore, will al
ways be supplied with the best viands the mar
ket furnishes; while from the large garden at
tached to the premises, all the vegetables grown
i'll this part of the State will be furnished ia the
greatest abundance.
He has also Corral connected with
his establishment, always supplied with an abun-
dance of barley and hay.
mar26tf LEVI Fl. TOWER.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

The COMPOSITION OF THE NEXT CONGRESS-
In the approaching session of Congress there
will be-Democrats, 142 Wings, &c; Aboli-
tlonists, 3. In the old Congress they stood 1919
Democrats, 80 wings, and 2 Abolitionists Ma
ryland, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana,
are yet to elect. The aggregate strength of the
wings In the House will not exceed rs men,
bers-or something less than one-third of the
whole number. In the Senate the Democratic
majority will be about large, proportionally
The whole number of Senators is 81, of which
the Wings will have only 81 or %
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
ROsa md the Thrushes.

With beating heart and noiseless tread,
FRED, through the window peepiDg,
Saw Rosa dear, with cheeks so red,
Her little pantry sweeping;
But FREDDY saw another sight,
That wasn't quite so pleasant,
Her mother, just to keep things right,
Was with her daughter present.
Now FRED, though but timid lad,
AS oft revealed his bushes,
A very cunning whistle had,
Clear as singing thrush's;
So in soft and silvery tone,
Che signal clear was sounded,
Which, though by Rosa quickly known,
The mother quite confounded.
And Rosa. in astless Innocence,
Stepped out to fetch some water;
And FRED, for fear of accidents,
Went with the duteous daughter;
The spring was but rod or so,
Just down beside the mountain
Yet quite an hour it took TO 60
And get back from the fountain.
The neither, frightened at the stay,
To seek her just was starting,
AS FRED his prudence did display
By kissing Rosa and parting.
What kept you SO, my darling childi
Why, ma, said she, with bushes,
I've had chase so long and wild
After those pretty thrushesi
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

EXPRESSIVE FIGURE.-An eloquent advocate
IN the Recorders Court, not MANY days ago
while defending his client from the charge of
assault and battery on the person of the COM
Pialnant who alleged that he had been beaten
IN the restaurant Of the former eloope,tlv A.
scrlbed the position of the complainant. who
had called for crabs, as "Reposng in peace
with crabs spread around him, and bottles of
pepper sauce in peaceful array, &C."
The man was simply drunk, and lay with his
head on the table, having called the moment be-
tore Tor shell fish. His honor is often regaled
with eloquent sentiments, similar to the above.
and he generally receives them with a smile
like sunshine on a rock.-Puplic Ledger
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29
HALL d CRANDAT.L.S e. 3. MAIL
LINE FROM SHASTA TO
NIarysYjJIe and Sacramento T,:,x

FE1EA MESSRS. HALL & arE-A
@S& Crandall have the
pleasure to announce. that the above line of
stages is again in full and active operation, from
Shasta through Malysville to Sacramento
This line is stocked with American horses.
that cannot be surpassed or equaled in Califor-
mia. and draw the most superb Concord Coaches
to be found on any road in the State
The proprietors of this Line pledge them
selves to the travelling community, that they
will put them through with more expedition.
more ease, cheaper, and in better style, than
any other line on this route. They have the
utussst confidence in offering this pledge from
the fact that the drivers employed on this line
are all experienced in their business, and are.
temperate and responsible men. Passengers
Patronizing this line may rely upon every at
ton being shown them.
The stages, until further arrangements, VIII
leave Shasta every morning at 6 o'clock, and
arrive at Marysville the following morning at
O'Clock; leave 0larysville at o'clock and
arriSe at Sacramento City at II NJ, (the run
ming time % hours) III time to take the steamers
for San Francisco.
This being the d 'ly United States Mail Line,
the stages stop at li-e following intermediate
places:
Lower Springs, Iawson's, Hamilton,
| Canon House, Lawson's Eliza,
| Clear Greek, Oak Grove, Plumas,
Cottonwood, BidwelPs Nicolaus
| Red Bluffs, Meals Ranch, Marysville.
| Tehama, Charley's Ranch
.Y Office at Adams & Co.'S Banking House.
THOMAS J. FLYNN, Agent.
| Shasta, May 7, 1852. my7tf
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

I Dearest" said an ardent and devoted ad.
mirer to a newly formed female acquaintance.
:" you are not for this cold world; you must live
on sunbeam, and be enwrapped at eve in the
gorgeous clouds fringed with gold in which the
day-god sinks to resf'' '''o
The deuce am" responded the object of
MS affections, why, you are full Of book lar.
nm as old Parson Cessions. But you can't come
none of your fine speeches over me; I'm around
sm." N'
1t Is unnecessary to add, that this was the Last
time he paid that young lady visit.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

THE SETTING SUN.-What is more beautiful
than the western ornament on clear summer
eve? 1t looks as though ten thousand dve pots
OF glory had been upset in the chamber OF Heav-
en-, while their gorgeous contents leaked throue III
and stained the feecy clouds beneath 1t is
enough to make one strip off his jacket of NOR
tality and swim the gulf of death for the sake of
reaching the splendifferous splendors which
decorate the opposite shore.-Dosc Jr.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

FLEA BANE.-A married friend requests MS 10
recommend to the bachelor people, to get for
themselves wives, if they would rid themselves
of heas. Before he took to himself rib. he
was awfully tormented, but since that happy
period, he says-and he laughs till his side
aches as he saysit, they feed on her." There's
happy husband for you IS j. Rep.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

DEATH SCENES In CHINA-Itis stated that the
carnage which followed the capture of Nankin
was awful. An account before US states the vic.
tors put to death two imperial governors. seye-
raj generals, large number of mandarins with
their whole households, relatives and followers.
and boast that they slaughtered $4,000 of the
Iartars, without sparingage or sex. They cap
iured at the same time the imperial chest, con-
tanning large amount of money.
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

OFFICIAL DEcApITATIoNs.-There has for a
long time been great number of sinecures at
tached to the various Custom Houses. Secretary
Guthrie has wisely ordered them to be Topped
off. The result in San Francisco is thus humor-
ously described by correspondent of the State
Journal:
Sauntering by the Union and City Hall yes
terday morning, l was struck by the number OF
elongated and anxious faces congregated upon
the walk, and upon enquiring learned that il
was sort of Custom House Change" stocks
in that department having deprecated in con-
sequence of certain game called "40 by
chance then being played by the heads of the
Revenue Department, Messrs. Hammond, Dame
ron and Van VOORHEES,, then in solemn conclave
while the subordinate officers (lambs led to the
sacrIfice,) were endeavoring to appear totally
Indifferent to the result of their death delibe-
rations occasionally fortifying their nerves with
sundry mysterious concoctions, and forcibly re-
pressing, by vigorous tugs at their shirt collars,
the disagreeable sensations experienced just be-
low their ears-the premonitory symptoms OF
deeapitation. As | afterwards learned some
twenty-five were beheaded Gan equal number
follow next month) by that terrible engine of
execution, the 90 Political Guillotine - they died
heroically, and as became Z" free and emil ghtened
Democratic Republicans - blessing the Collector
and the Government.
And in the pious language of the sentencing
Judge, may the Lord have mercy upon their
miserable souls.
g The public debt of Pennsylvania is said
to be Sal ,474.00O. The debt of the U. s. Gov
ernment is but 500, ,434,697 43. Her treasures
now contain more than half this amount living
idle
The Shasta courier., 1853-10-29

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENr.-We see it stated
in some of our exchanges, that the receipts OF
this important department of the Government
are gradually augmenting The deficiency du-
ring the first year after the reduction Of the
postage was about $4,000. During the second
year. ending in April last, only $4,000 was
wanting to make the revenue balance its expen-
diture, and it is thought that in this. the third
year of cheap postage. there will be a surplus