The Shasta courier., 1854-04-01

Shasta Merchants Steamboat As.ociafiOn.
Ye are glad TO the merchants Of Shasta
fully awake TO the importance OF taking some
efectual and prompt action in opposition to the
unwise and oppressive policy alleged to be pnr
sued at present 10y the California Steam Naviga
tion Company. II. as we are assured is tile fact
this association of wealthy steamboat owners
al the very commencement of their enterprise
raise the prices for carrying freight to IN amount
so great as Ia be oppressive, what may not
expect at their hands after awhile 2
We perceive, however, that the burdensone
policy pursued by the combination. in raising
the prices of freight is felt not only by this poi-
ton of the State. The merchants of Stockton
and Sacramento have also given evidence of the
fact that the foot OF the heariless and soulless
monster is crushing them to the earth. Marys
vile, too, will be seen by the letter published
oui first page. feels its oppressive rule, and
her merchants, like our own. have determined
to combine aud resist The extortionists We
trust that those Of Sacramento and Stockton will
follow suit. II they do not and the combination
become convinced that they have the merchants
absolutely in their power. they will rule them
with rod of iron.
II may be stated, as illustrative Of the eff. ct
that the combination has already had upon the
interests Of this place, that of all the merchants
from Yreka who have gone to San Francisco for
goods, during the past month"; but one brought
lis freight through this way, and he did so be-
cause he had contracted with packer to that
effect before leaving home the remainder
shipped i'll sloops and schooners to Crescent
City. This is startling fact, and one that is
well calculated to arouse the attention of our
citizens. We trust, therefore, that the commit
tee appointed in accordance with the fourth res
olution Of the meeting, will see the necessity
of prompt action. 1t is believed that a boat can
be chartered if the northern merchants will but
combine and pledge themselves TO ship their
goods by her, on terms moderate as to secure
the landing of all kinds of freight at Colusa at
figure as low fifteen dollars pc, ton. If the
merchants however determine to purchase
boat--which we think altogether the better
plon-ther freight bills will not reach on an av-
crage the low amount named.
The following are the proceedings Of the
meeting of merchants held in this place on
Wednesday evening last -
At meeting of the merchants and traders
of Shasta. held at the st. Charles Hotel on the
evening Of the 29th of March. Joseph Isaacs was
called to the chair and S. II. Dosh appointed
Secretary.
The chair stated the object Of the meeting,
when A. }. Stevenson. ESQ., spoke at length Of
the unjust action of the California Steam Com
pany in raising the price of freight arguing con-
clusively that the ultimate effect of rersisting
in the policy thus commenced, will prove dis.
astrot.s to the interests of Shasta and the Upper
Sacramento Other gentlemen also gave their
views upon the subject. The following pream-
BILE aud resolutions were then read, and sepa-
rately passed by unanimous vote -
Whereas The owners of steamboats, naviga-
ting the Sacramento River, have united and
formed combination for the purpose of raising
the rates of freight; and srhereas, the rates thus
tiaed are operating very oppressively upon the
interests of the merchants and traders of Shasta
and the neighborhood; and phereas, the evi! eff
fects of this shameful monopoly already be-
giniug to make themselves felt, inasmuch as
the trade and commerce of the whole northern
country is in measure diverted into different
channel; and phereas proof of this it is sub
mitted that the people of Yreka Salmon River
and Shasta Valley have declared that they will
not succumh to this attempted imposition. bu.
will ship their goods by way of Crescent City |
ard chereas, should this threat be carried out il
would resnlt IN great deterioration of the
property and commerce of Shasta and its vicin-
ity; and mhereos, although we consider the mer-
chants and traders of Yreka. etc, perfectly JUS |
tilted in the course they declare themselves |
ready to take. yet the evils thus inflicted on
Shasta etc. would be doubly felt in their griev- |
business, because they. j. e. the Shasta people, |
are. at the present time, raising large subscrip-
tions to improve the Yreka trail, that thus by |
inducing the northern people to turn their COM
merce and travel this way, benefits may accrue, |
not only to Yreka and Shasta, but to this whole
northern region. Be it therefore
Resolred, lst. That we, the merchants of Sbas |
ta consider the policy thus far pursued bv the
California Steam Navigation Company in con-
trolling our commerce, and forcing us 10 paw
prices for freight to certain points on the Sacra
mento river. perfectly inconsistent with the con-
dtion of trade at the present time. as onerous
and oppressive, and destructive OF the best inter-
ests of this community.
Cd. That we will unite together, not in the
spirit of opposition, but TO protect our property
and commerce. and charter or purchase steam
boat to carry our goods from San Francisco to
Colusa, without re-shipping at Sacramento City,
and ship entire merchandise by the boat
winch this association may designate.
3D. That all merchants and traders in this
part OF the country. who ship their goods from
can francisco, be requested to Subscribe their
names to two papers, with the amount OF ton
mage tncy VIII be likely TO ship per month, IN
order 10 make necessary estimate of freight;
and the subscription papers be forwarded one
TO the merchants at Weaveryille, and the other
to those OF Yreka. for their cooperation
4th- That committee of three be appointed
by this meeting to solicit subscribers to the
foregolng resolutions, and to convene said sub
scrIbers at the earliest moment practicable, to
Fake hnal action in relation to this matter