davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

If IGNORANCE Is Bliss, &C.-The Sacra-
mento Bee relates doleful yarn of citi-
zen of one of our interior towns, who is
rather elderly but wealthy and who recent
of San Francisco, having won her by his
virtuous worth and magnificent presents
the latter probably being the preponderat-
ing influence. Having bestowed upon her
to the altar-persons are very frequently
sacrificed at such altars-and thence to a
charming, costly and luxurious home Not
great while ago, the blooming bride ex-
pressed desire that her indulgent lord
would allow her to take a trip to the States
to see her friends. He reluctantly consent
ed, as 10th to part with the treasure of his
soul, furnished her with several thousand
dollars with which to bear her expenses and
make herself comfortable, saw her on board
the John L Stephens, and babe her an affec-
Tomato farewell. The steamer sailed, but
the lady returned, in company with a young
man, in q boat which was let down from the
side of the steamer. and which furtvely
glded down to Meigg's wharf and landed
The unsuspecting husband grieves for his
absent one, and hopes she may soon return,
but little dreams that she is now in the same
city with himself If he knew it, wouldn't
he open his eyes? SiightudHy, we think.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

SaNsIBLE-The San Francisco Morning
Call takes the following sensible view of the
annoyances now being thrown in the way OF
navigating the upper Feather river:
RrvALRY.-The Oroville Becord says that
the Marysville people threaten any steamer
owners with the entire loss of Marysville
freight patronage if they run boat to Oro-
vile. The people of Marysville should not
show this petty jealousy. If Oroville -four
ishes, it is because it is an important ENTIRE
pot; but, suerely. it cannot stand in Marys-
villes way. However, Oroville is fixed
fact, and narrow minded annoyances like
the above, may arrest its progress for mo-
ment, but. like the impedmect pebble can
offer to the sweeping torrent, the tide of
prosperity will overwhelm it, and Oroville
will flourish, when such rivals will have be-
come Bidwell Bars.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

NAVIGATION The .4Ha thinks the arri-
val of the steamer Gazelle at this place forms
a new era in the history of our town, al
ready one of the most remarkable in the
State for its rapid growth and prosperous
condition, and adds.
1--WE are glad to see these efforts to push
the head of navigation higher up our rivers
IL is matter in which large communities
adjacent are deeply interested, inasmuch as
it reduces freight on all articles imported for
their consumption, and facilitates travel be-
tween the seaboard and the interior. And
what is to be done in these matters should
be done quickly, for in few years we may
expect the locomotive will be sweeping by
those places, which instead of b ing import
ant as the heads of navigation, will then
only be known as way-statons on the rail.
road
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14
J. W. BUFFUM, Chairman
JAMES GREEN, Secretary

DEATH OF NICARAGUAN-The SaI
Joaquin Republican has intelligence Of tbs
death of Col Calvin ONeal, eldest son Of
J. W. 0'Neal, of Stockton. He was mortal
ly wounded in the groin during an attack Oh
ST. Jorge on the 4th of February He lin
gered till the 8th when he died in the arms
of General Walker, at Rivas He was the
youngest officer in the Nicaraguan army.
and by his many feats of daring valor, won
for himself the name of the g bravest of the
brave" He was buried on the 9th, and was
escorted to his long home by the whole
army.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

The HUDsoN's BAY CoMPANY-The Ca
nadians are growing FESTIVE under the re-
strictions imposed by this gigantic monopoly
upon the largest and richest portion of Brit
ish America, and their restiveness is very
natural and proper. The idea of mere
trading company's holding in thrall. for their
own selfish purposes, territory of four mil
slions of square miles in extent and abound
~sg in all the elements of national greatness,
ave only population, which its monopolizers
s-orously exclude, is assuredly gross and
s1snstrous Gbsurdi.y. 1t is a fit subject OF
f1niversal protest. We are gratifed to see
nat the approaching expiration of the COM
pany's lease of portion of this immense
erritory promises to be the occasion of
grous effort on the part of the Canadaf
people to prevent the renewal of the expiria.
lease. and, if possible, to strike off all otl
shackles from the vast and virgin territory
We heartily wish them complete success in
their effort. They have, in some degree,
along with their own interests the general
interests of civilization in charge. The last
charter of this company expires in 1859.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

NAVIGATION OF FEATHER R1vER.-The
Nevada Democrat, after noticing the arrival
the steamer Gazelle at Oroville, furnishes
the following concerning the early naviga
ton of Feather river: The first attempt
to navigate Feather, was made by the steam
err Lawrence, under the command, we be-
heve. OF Capt. Chadwick, in the fall of 1S49
which made the trip to Marysville. Having
met with some distractions, the conclusion
was arrived at, that the river was not nayi-
gable above Nicholas, and the captain of the
Lawrence afterward refused to 90 above that
point. A week or two later, however, the
steamer Linda made the trip to Marysville,
and having commenced running regularly
to that place. the Lrawrence was compelled
to follow suit. Several other steamers were
put on the river during the winter of 1849-
80, and since then steamers of light draft
have had but little difficulty in running to
Marysvile at all seasons. In the spring OF
1850 the Linda made one or two trips to the
"paper town" of Yateston, and another
steamer got up as far as Hamilton, some 20
miles above Marysville. As there were no
important lows above Marysviile, however,
there was little object in running boats
above, and at length, people came to the sage
conclusion that Marysville was situated at
the head of steamboat navigation. Oroville
has now become iourishing and important
town, and there is no doubt that steamboats,
will hereafter make regular trips to that
place during the greater portion of the
year"
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

SHoor1NG.-On Saturday night, row &C.
CURED about Senorita at the dance house.
on the Plaza. Thomas Dyons became con-
nected with the affair, and three or four
Mexicans and Peruvians followed Lyons out
of the house, Lyons retreated, telling them
to &c stand off, but after he Lyons had
gone some fifteen or twenty PAGES from the
house, the Peruvans closed in upon him
with drawn knives. Lyons drew his pistol
and fired, at the same time receiving a stab
in the left arm and side. One of the Mexi-
cans was shot through the hips and another
through the left hand-the one shot through
the hips is seriously, though con cred by
by DR.. Vrooman not mortally wounded
On the examination yesterday, it was
shown by the testimony of one witness that
a Peruvian named Frank had committed an
assault and battery whereupon, on motion
of District Attorney Kleine, he was ordered
into custody to await his trial for that Of
Tense to-day. The evidence was not sufi-
GENTLY positive to implicate the others, and
they were discharged.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

In the Senate on the 4th, the Judiciary
Committee reported the following concurrent
resolution concerning the public debt:
Resolved, By the people of the State of
California, represented in the Senate and
Assembly, that the honor and best interests
of the State require that the funded and
other outstanding debts of the same should
be paid in good faith, and immediate provis-
ion for the payment of the same ought to be
made.
The esolution was adopted without dis
senting voice. Mr.. Norman declining to
vote. As showing the feeling of the Senate
upon the subject, the resolution is well
enough, but we hardly see the policy of the
Senate in rejecting an amendment to submit
the debt to the people for their adoption or
rejection, offered by Mr.. Norman. Every
person in the State, who has intelligence
sufficient to comprehend the state of our af
fairs, and honesty enough to entite him to
a respectable position in community, IN
doubtedly agree with the resolution Since
the recent decision of the Supreme Court, it
seems to US that there is but one way for the
Legislature to act, and that is to submit the
question to the people at the next general
election. The financial condition of the
State has been we'll defined. According to
the Supreme Court, the legal Indebtedness
of the State is that created by the first Leg
islature, and three hundred thousand dollars
of the balance, the limit allowed by the Con-
stitution. The remainder of the debt has
been illegally created by the legally consti-
tuted authorities, and must be submitted to
the people before it will be legally consti
tuted debt, and before the Legislature can
| levy tax for the payment of the interest or
principal. The Legislature cannot now even
make appropriations to meet the current ex-
penses of Government, without submitting
such appropriations to the vote of the people,
and the sooner such bill is matured and
passed, and an adjournment effected, the
better will it be for all interests of the State.
1t matters not how long it may take the
Legislature to accomplish this; but if it
should be done, and if the appropriations
exceed the receipts, let them make provision
10 suOHlJ all 1T once TO tne people at tne
next general election. And then let them
60 to work and provide such resources as
will bring the receipts in the Treasury mp
to the figure required for an economical an
ministration of our affairs, eschew all spe-
cial and swind ing acts, and the date of our
prosperity and rapid advancement will be
inaugurated. To continue making ap-
preparations as heretofore, is an exhibition
of recklessness whit the people will not
a second time sanction, and they would not
be bound in law or honor to do so. The bill
recently introduced providing that the Con-
troller should not have the power of draw
ing warrants upon the Treasury, unless
there be at the time money to meet them,
should be passed. The expenses of the gov
eminent should be cut down to the lowest
possible figure, and provision made to pay
cash.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

eY FRANK, the Peruvian, who was held
20 answer the charge of Assault and Battery
in the shooting case, on the Plaza, Saturday
night, was yesterday convicted, and fined in
the sum of $50, or in default of payment
thereof, to be confined in the county Jail for
six days. He event up"
We are indebted to District Attorney
Kleine, for the above item, and also for an
other which we have been requested by abe
wife of the defendant, not to publish. With
face bruised by her brute of husband, so
that she dare not unveil, but with the heart
of a woman, she sought the office and made
known her request. This is the second
time she has visited US for q like purpose
If he again forgets the respect due to wo-
man so far as to whip his wife, and appears
before Justice to answer, we will not only
publish his name, but will recommend the
Court to sentence him to be ridden on rail
to the river, and drawn forty times across
the stream by a rope attached to one Of his
legs.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

ST.. PArRIcK's BALL.-This affair prom
Uses to be the most extensive thing oil the
kind that has ever been attempted in the
northern portion of the State. The proprie-
tors Messrs Cushion s. Colahan, have made
the most extensive preparations, being de-
ter mined to accommodate all who may de-
sire to attend, and take part in the festivi-
ties of the occasion. Supper will be provi-
ded for three hundred couples, large
and commodious dining hall is now being
erected, and Musical Hall will be exten led
to about one hundred and twenty feet in
length by fifty in width. The gentlemen who
have volunteered to act as managers OF the
ball, give the best possible assurance that
everything will be conducted in the most
satisfactory manner.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

THE DIFFERENcE.-The State Journal
says, in San Francisco, the prisoners are
starving. the public schools about to be
closed, the policemen unpaid, the District
Attorney can't get money enough to pay for
his breakfast, the fire department is in a
state of dilapidation, gas shut off, the dead
unburied, and nobody will trust the city for
a hod full of coal. In Sacramento, where
the people honor the laws, preserve order,
and act like good citizens and rational per-
sons, matters are quite the reverse. A po-
licemans or school teachers claim could not
be purchased day at five per cent dis
count. The way of the transgressors is
hard
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14
MARYsvrLLE-The Express of Monday

MARYsvILLE.-The Express Of Monday
had an article on the fact that the naviga-
ton of Feather River has been extended to
Oroville, has the ring of the true metal in
it, and is not governed by petty jealousy
unworthy city of the Importance of Marys-
vile. 1t recommends the true policy for
Marysville men to pursue, and that IS. for
them to make it an object for traders to go
to Marysville to purchase their goods, in
stead of going elsewhere. This should be
their object, instead of endeavoring to pre-
vent boats coming above their city by Legis-
lative action. The sound Democracy of the
Express gave US reason to expect such an
article upon the subject, and we have not
been disappointed. 1t is bad policy to force
trade into a channel where it cannot be
brought by competition, and can only be
done by depriving portion of the coramuni-
ty of their rights.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

TEA Chinaman was shot in attempting
to break into Mr. Hansen's jewelry store at
ireka, one night last week. The Chronicle
says the inmates were aroused by the growl-
ing of dog kept in the store, when they
discovered that some one was at work ut the
window. After the robber had made an
opening he was fired upon from the inside,
and hearing no further move, it was sup
posed he had fed. In the morning, how
ever. he was found dead, the shot having
passed through his head. Some one informed
the Chronicle that he was the same China
man who was suspected of having murdered
a man and robbed a Jewelry store in 0ro-
ville-neither of which occurrences ever
took place in Oroville, to our knowledge
The Chronicle says that numerous attempts
have been made to rob houses in that vicin-
ity, and cautions the people to be on their
guard.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

A SAD PIcrURE.-The miseries of India
are thus strongly depicted in late number
of the London Times:
The pestilence (cholera) broke out in Aqua
in May last, and in few months slew up
wards of sixteen thousand people At Mean
Nicer, men died two hours after being seized
Estimates give the total loss of life at ninety
thousand persons. The disease seems every
where to have spared the women. and most
certainly did not attack European females--a
singular fact, which suggests the idea that
bad liquor may be the predisposing cause.
The mere cost to the company of the out.
break will exceed g. 900 lingster.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

EXTENT OF PUBLIC LANDs.-An Atlantic
papers sets forth the following rather strik-
ing exhibit of the extent of the public lands
belonging to the United States:
The public lands yet remaining unsold in
the Territories, are equal in extent to the
present thirty one States, or more than all
Europe, except Russia Our sales and grants
of the public domain for 1856, amount to
seventeen millions six hundred thousand
acres, a larger extent of territory than Bel
GUM and Holland united During the past
year, Congress has granted to railroads and
States, outside of the foregoing estimate,
twenty one million acres-making a total of
sales and grants in one year, of thirty-one
million acres This is equal in extent to all
Tennessee, or to one third of Franco
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

A RICH BoULDER.-The Sierra Demo
crat mentions a quartz boulder found at
Minnesota, by the Juniata Company, from
which three thousand dollars has already
yield four thousand more. 1t weighed 1872
pounds, and is probably the richest boulder
ever found in California. Near its centre
was found solid mass of gold weighing
over two pounds, and in numerous places
small disintegrated veins of gold were found
running entirely through it. Its surface
was smoath and oval, bearing evidences Of
having been submerged.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

this claim convinces US if the dirt is of on
ordinary paying character, that the owners
of the claim have an excellent thing. 1t ap-
pears to have all the advantage of a river
claim without the danger of being driven
from their work by high water, except in
rare instances, and then for but day or
two at time. The bar in which the claim
is located. contains about one fourth Of a
section, and will afford employment for this
description of mining for years. We have
no doubt but what the entire valley in which
Oroville is located, would prove profitable if
worked with an engine. The difficulty is in
keeping the bed rock from overlooking with
water.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14

Wholesale BURYING.-On Tuesday, in
the Senate, the matter of the Stockton In
sane ASYLUM was under consideration, when
Mr. Fisk read an affidavit from Frank Will
mesnier, together with the certificates of his
goCd morol character, one from DR.. Langdon
himself The affiant had been in charge of
ne of the wards in the hospital, and while
in charge twelve patients had died in his
ward. He had buried two and three in one
grave. The patients were badly clothed
some of thom-but were ordered to be
dressed and the Asylum prepared for the in
spection of the committee. Previous to the
visit of the committee, the numbers were
ordered to be taken from the graves ana to
be returned after the visit. Affiant was
ordered to keep still and say nothing about
it. What beauties these Know Nothing
officials are, to be sure.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14
Steamhoat Meeting.

Pursuant to call, large number of the
citizens of Oroyil,e assembled at the Court
House on Saturday evening. the 9TH inst
The meeting was organized by calling }. W.
Buffum, Esq, to the chair, and appointing
James Green Secretary. The object of the
meeting being stated by the Chairman to be
to instruct our Senator and Representatives
in the Legislature, to urge upon their res
pective bodies the passage of the act now
under reconsideration by the Senate, de-
claring Feather River navigable to Oroville,
on motion, a Committee of five was appoint
ed, consisting of the following gentlemen =
Geo. H Crosette, Seneca Ever, H B. La
throp, Sea-, A. NJ. Zabriskie, and D. D. Har-
ris, to draft resolutions expressing the sense
of the meeting on the above subject. The
Committee retired, and after due considera-
ton, reported the following Preamble and
Resolutions, which were, on motion, unani-
mously adopted
Whereas. We have noticed an effort in
the Senate Of the State of California to de-
feat the billdeclaring Feather River naviga-
BILE to Oroville, and
| Whereas, 1t is an established fact that
the river is navigable to Oroville, as the
California Steam Navigation Company and
others have demonstrated by running boats
to this point, and
| Whereas, Said Company have declared
their intentions to navigate said stream with
steam craft, and
Uhereas, The interest of Butte County,
and the interest of large portion of North
ern California demand that all our naviga-
bic waters be left open and free for transit
purposes, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the duty of the State
Senate to pass the act now under their re-
consideration, and our Senior is hereby re-
quested and instructed to urge the favera-
bic consideration of the bill upon the Senate
by all honorable and Just means.
Resoired, That the navigation of said
river is public franchise, to which the peo-
pie OF Butte county are entitled by the iney-
table laws of nature, and that no men or
body of men have any moral right to de-
prive them Of its enjoyment without their
consent, and especially when such acroHg is
perpetrated for the benefit Of II few interest
ed parties.
Resolrsd That the interests of the whole
/ Otittc tHut tdtueT hlNeT DC uo-
clared a navigable as far up as steamers
have already run.
ResolUed. That this meeting respectfully
request our Representatives in the Legisa-
ture to urge upon the members of that
body the absolute necessity Of declaring
Feather River navigable as far as 0royille
and that it is the sense of this meeting that
the citizens of Butte, Plumas, Colusi, and
other northern counties will be greatly ben
Gifted thereby.
On motion, the Secretary is instructed to
forward to our Senator and Repre- sentatives
and also Mr.. Burnett, of the Senate, copies
of these proceedings, and furnish the Daily
Record and North Californian copies fer pub
LEGATION.
On motion, the meeting adjourned SIM
die.
j. W. BUFFUM, Chairman.
Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1857-03-14
Larkln Grant.

We received visit from this Mr.. Larkin
on Friday last. He is an old settler in the
county, and an extensive landholder. His
claim to FIVE leagues of land, commencing
short distance above Thompson's Flat, and
extending up the Feather river, has been
confirmed by the Commissioners, and is
among those cases which Attorney General
Cushing announces that the government
will not prosecute. Of course his patent for
the same will issue Immediately. From
conversation with him, we infer that settlers
on the claim who desire to purchase the
lands upon which they are located, will not
find Mr. Larkin very hard man to deal
with, but that opportunity will be offered
for them to acquire a title in fee simple,
upon reasonable terms. 1t seems to US that
this can but prove advantageous to the set
tier, whilst, in our opinion, his claim cannot
materially affect the mining interest, MS ut
has been clearly shown that the Supreme
Government of Spain and Mexico reserved
the minerals as the special property of the
Government A common grant of lands to
any individual under the Mexican or Spanish
law, would not convey an exclusive right to
the minerals embraced within the claim and
the United States Government is only bound
by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, to re-
cognize the rights guaranteed by the Mexi-
can Government The character of the
alo +oI
and the very object expressed in the law
permitting such grants to be made, clearly
demonstrate that it was not the intention of
the Mexican Government to deed away any
right to the minerals, but that it was done
for the purpose of inducing settlers to locate
in the territory, encourage agriculture, and
ameliorate and improve the condition of the
Indians nhabiting the same. Indeed, the
laws Of the supreme government of Mexico,
from the middle of the 14th century down
to the time of the acquisition of California
by the United States Government, contain
many express provisions reserving the mines
for its own uses and benefits. In expressing
these opinions, we disclaim any desire to
throw obstacles in the way OF Mr.. Larkin's
enjoyment CT all the rights he has acquired
by the successful prosecution of his claim.
and have no doubt but that those who de-
sire to secure to thems elves a home, and an
Inheritance to their children, within the
boundaries of his claim, will find him dis
posed to deal in manner liberal and just
to the purchaser and himself.
There is but little doubt but grants
embraced in Butte county will soon be def.
initely settled, and while it will enable the
settler to procure homestead, and make
permanent improvements thereon, it will
county.