Mariposa Democrat., 1857-10-01

aided through the County of Marposa, that
Col. j. @. Fremont, the long expected, benign
benefactor G) of the people among whom his
vast claim was located, would shortly be in
our midst. The event was looked upon by all
as the harbinger of prosperity to our county,
and it was hoped that happy settlement of
the disputes and difficulties which had for
some time distracted portion of our mining
districts which border upon the present claim,
would soon take place. Rumor, with her
thousand tongues, busted herself in presenting
prospective view of hundreds of thousands
of dollars to be expended in improvements
upon the claim, the greatest and best of which
was to be the supplying of that great desde-
ratum, water for mining purposes. This news
was hailed by the people with feelings of IL
tense satisfaction, as the means by which the
mineral resources would be more fully de-
velopcd not only on the Fremont claim
which, in fact, covers but an inconsderabe
portion of the county-but other mining dis
tricts of great value. But the colossus of
whom so much was expected, after a short
stay among u.s. during which nothing tend.
ing to a realization of these expectations has
been accomplished, is about to return to the
Eastern States. How far he can reconcile this
inactive course with what his conduct should
be where the interests of large number of
his fellow citizens are affected, we leave to his
conscience. Nor do the people ask aught of
Col. Fremont but what, in justice, they should
caim-the privilege Of purchasing lands occu-
pied by them, in good faith, for a long time
previous to his claim being defined-and the
right of way over the claim secured to them,
that capitalists, assured of the security of their
investments, can come forward and cooperate
with our miners in projects of lasting benefit
to this section of the county But, in the
present condition of things, we must endeavor
to perform without the aid of Col. Fremont,
that which we are free to admit his aid would
enhance.
We received, with surprise and regret, the
information that Col. Fremont had unquali-
fiedly refused to grant titles to any person on
his claim. We view it as an ladyised step,
calculated to curb the energies and mar the
prospects of our industrious and we-disposed
mining population, and presenting obstacles to
the advancement of the people, whose interests,
he should esteem his highest duty, in view of
his position among them, to foster and protect
There is not single citizen upon the claim, or
whose interests are in any manner connected
Herewith, who is not now willing to make a
liberal arrangement, allowing fair justice to
Col. Fremont, and expecting nothing more for
HIMSELF what more can be desired by any
person wishing to see right and justice prevailS
A persistence by Col. Fremont in the course
taken by him, will be utter ruin to his pros
poets ia Mariposa County. The vista of futur-
ity presents to us an interminable contest for
supremacy, fatal to the peace and best inter
ests of all, for where the people feel, as in this
case they do, that injustice has been done
them, and when, too, they have made every
effort at conciliation that could be expected of
them, or that their dignity could sanction, they
leei that holn'h5 Iehains ior theh p"' 'ho
maintenance of their rights at all risks.
Col Fremont can, now, by judiclous step,
regain his standing among the people. Let
him meet the people in the same conciatory
spirit in which they are disposed to treat with
him, and he will ever have cause to rejoice at
the issue. But, if he adheres to his apparent
resolve to pursue the contrary course, none can
foretell the result.