San Andreas independent., 1857-04-04
The Big Tree Route-Jusuoe to Stockton

The Big Tree Route-Jusioe to Stockton
We copy the following remarks and letter
from the Stockton argus, in order to place that
city in its true light before the citizens of this
county. public enterprises of special interest
Stockton has always acted literally, dealing
out her quota with a generous hand. When
the time comes for again to strike, Stockton
will be the Keystone of our strength-furnish-
done. The remarks are in reply to some news
paper articles denying that Stockton had acted
literally The Argus says:
ave publish below, however, the evidence
that the honor of opening this new route be-
| longs in a great measure TO Stockton. This ev-
idence is from highly intelligent and respecta-
BILE gentleman, citizen of Calaveras county,
who nobly steps forward to vindicate the right
and give Stockton the credit which other pa
pers have endeavored to deny her. This gen.
leman remarks that without the aid of Sockton,
this Big Tree Route would not have been opened.
Yet its opponents sneer at the action of the cit
izcns of Stockton. And in place of the oppo-
nent's statement that /" for the road, as it is at
present, we are indebted to the enterprise of the
NiliLCuo vi OdldNtTt equity, Iue ldCJlS. OLOCk-
ton has not only advanced more money for this
purpose than has been furnished by that county,
but it has paid even greater sum than that and
all the other counties combined have raised
1t is necessary to state this fact when our city is
attempted to be decred, and rendered contemp-
tible abroad. But in stating this, we would
not decry the efforts of the people of Calaveras.
That county has done well to forward the OPEN
ing of this route, and the fact of her levying a
special tax to improve that route, proves that
the people there are wide awake to its impor-
tance, and are taking steps to direct immigra-
tion in this direction. 1t is work on which we
should all pull together. We call particular
attention to the letter.
MURPHY's, CALAvERAs County,
March 28th, 1857
Editor Stockton Argus: wish to correct q
statement made in the San Joaquin Republican
of the 26th inst. In speaking of the contribu-
tions for the construction of the road from the
Big Tree to Carson Valley, the writer says the
" citizens of Tuolumne county contributed lib
orally" This is mistake. Tuolumne county
never gave dollar towards the construction of
said road. Judge Shepherd, of this place, who
visited Stockton for the purpose of soliciting
aid to the enterprise, also went over to Columbia
and Sonora for the same object, but returned
without being able to accomplish anything
And | would here remark, that without the
aid of Stockton the road would not have been
opened, as the required amount 5000 could
not possibly have been raised in this county,
and all that subscribed has not yet been
paid.
The Treasurer of the Road has received two
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars from the
city of Stockton, which is more than he has re-
ceived from all other places combined, and al
hough seven months have elapsed since the road
was finished as required by contract, the Con-
tractors have not yet been paid in full for the
work. The citizens of this Camp feel that they
are, in great measure, indebted to Stockton for
the road, although they were the first to move in
the matter, and send out an exploring party.
Calaveras County has taken deep interest
in the road, and has levied special tax of five
cents on every hundred dollars of taxable prop
erty, (which will amount to twelve or fifteen
hundred dollars) for improving that portion of
the road lying within the county.
Fifteen or Twenty Thousand Dollars judic-
iously expended would make the road, a good
stage road, quite as good as the one running
from this place to Stockton. l sp sx..e,.a,,. !.
for have been over the route sevt
am familiar with every foot of it.
"A convention of the counties directly inter-
ested, would think, be good move, and re-
suit in something being done to make it what
it ought to be, good stage road. All the op-
position that can be brought to bear against it
win not prevent people from travelling it, for
they will always take the nearest and best road.
The people of Carson Valley hao,c what the
road is-several of their number having been
! over it already with loaded teams--one four
mule team hauling 2700 lbs. the whole distance
without unloading any part of it.
At some future time may give you minute
description of the route, the scenery of which
is beautiful and would amply repay any one
for making the trip. Respectfully, G.