Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-06-07
Don Andreas Pieo,s Claim.

always heretofore been considered frivolous. /
The Board Of United States Land Commits |
soners, in session at the time in San Fran
cisco, rejected it An appeal was taken to
the United States Dstrist Court, where the
Judgment of the Commissioners has been re-
versed and the claim confirmed. No exact
location has been made as yet, or at least the
boundary lines have not been run. We un-
derstand, however that Picos agent has been
for some little time in Amador county, and
that IL is his purpose TO so run the lines as TO
make tho claim eocer all Of the most raluable
mineral and agricultural lands IN the county. |
Beginning at point in lone valley, zig-zag
lines are to be traced in the direction of and
among the foothills, so that barren noun |
tains and ridges will be avoided, while val
liable ranches, together with quartz leads,
placer and tunnel diggings will be included
within the boundaries of the claim Most
of the important towns-Ione City, Jackson,
Sutter Creek, Volcano &c-would seem
also to have tempted Pico's cupidity, as it is
understood that he intends to have them in
included within his stakes
Now we have not very much to say upon
this matter at present, for the reason that
the facts in the case have not yet fully trans
pired, or at least have not been fully made
known to the public. Rumor and guess-work
have to be measurably depended upon. For
instance. it is not known with certainty, we
believe, that the claim, following the location
that is proposed will reach Volcano
Enough is known, however, to awaken a
deep interest in the community The an
nouncement of the confirmation of large
Spanish grant in mining district is in itself
startling event; and the fact that it is to be
located in Amador county, covering thou
sands of acres of valuable mineral land will
not fail to arouse those whose rights and in
terests are likely to be affected thereby,
to true sense Of the danger that besets
them
Free Mines" is a favorite doctrine in
California; it is a just doctrine, and one that
the whole people, of whatever political party,
cordially approve. The freedom of the
mines to citizens desiring to work them
stands as principle Indeed, the prosperi
ty of California depends upon this right tc
dig for the precious metal wherever it is
found; and all innovations upon this right
all proceedings or events tending TO mon
opoly of mining lands-must subtract just
that much from the general prosperity. The
confirmation of Fremont's claim in MariposG
was the first innovation, and that of Pico'
in Amador is the second. If all the minera
lands in the State were thus appropriated b,
capitalists, what kind of a chance would tn
miners have, and what would be the genera
prosperity Of the State? The good men O
California would leave, for they would no
dig for gold as tenants, nor would they lon
work for wages with task-masters over then
In countries where monarchy exists, the pr
cious metals in the soil belong to the sove
eign; so in this republican country, the gol
and silver in the soil should and does belon
to the sovereigns--the people-and the
should forever be allowed the free right
dig for it wherever they can find it,
Fremont's claim has been passed upon !
the United States Supreme Court and !
has finally received his patent Pico has i
patent yet-cannot receive one for some tin
TO come-and for aught we know it may |
that the decision of the Z. S. District Cou
will be appealed to the U. s. Supreme Cour
Those whose all is threatened by the confirm
alton of the claim, should meet together
once. and take united and determined actiC
in the premises Their cause is commt
one, and they should unite their strength al
energy BY directing all their united eilo
in any one channel that may be determine
upon they will be able to accomplish what
would be futile 10 attempt separately or
individuals.
1t may not be amiss to state to Don A
dreas Pico, in advance, that the work Of d
possessing the quartz and placer miners
Amador will be task requiring all his ski
tact, courage and energy The truths th