The Placer herald., 1857-10-10
From the Mariposa Democrat.
A Legend of the Monte Real.

In the mining district of Mexico, travel
ers are often entertained with the recital Of
legends which, although differing in every
feature from those wild traditions attached
to the ancient teudal, decaying castles Of
Europe, are nevertheless not devoid of in
terest.
1t is firmly believed by the Mexican miners
that great treasures were hidden during
the invasion of Cortez, and that the secret
of their location, as well as the position
of extensive and rich placers, has been
handed down from generation to genera
ton Of the Indian tribes, and that these Sc
crets are known and kept to the present
day. The following legend will illustrate
these remarks:
Long before the Mexican revolution,
and whilst the Viceroys of the King of Spain
yet sat in security on the vicerega throne,
there dweit in an Indian village near the
Monte Real, n priest whose Kindness Of
heart and strict attention to the duties of
his office endeared him to all ranks and
ages OF his parishioners. Simple in his hab-
its, and removed by his position from
the more onerous conventionalities Of So
ciety, he passed his days in tranquility and
peace.
He was very fond of writing, and the
Indians from time to time supplied him with
a certain shining dust, which he generally
applied to his ink to perform the duty Of
sand. At length happening to write to
an acquaintance in the city of Mexico,
his correspondent, in his answer, congrat-
ulated the padre on his success, since, as
he observed, man could not but be wealthy
,vbn con,1aI h;c u,r;t;pr ,vstI
This revelation startled the priest. Every
means was employed to induce the Indians
to disclose their secret, but all to no effect
One day a deputaton of his parishoners
waited on the priest padre; said they: "Your
children have for some time noticed your
extreme restlessness and anxiety-we love
you've are sorry to sec you so suffer
in mind and body. Our secrets we can
not reveal to you, but for your sake we
are ready to compromise. Blindfolded we
will conduct you to a place where treas
ures are hidden; you shall be allowed to
return with as much as you can possibly
carry, but remember, this is the only time
we will break those solemn engagements
which only our affection for you induced
us to violate for a white man."
The priest consented. Blindfolded and
conveyed on the shoulders of Indians, he
was carried into gorge of the mountain,
and there ushered into a cavern. When
the bandage was removed from his eyes,
he beheld himself surrounded by such count
loss treasures as at once confounded his
senses and dazzled and sickened his i'm
agination. "Now," said his principal con-
ductor, "load yourself with gold and jew
els quickly; we will then re-convey you
to our village, and remember that as this
is the first so it will also be the last tme
we yield to such weakness" On his re-
turn homewards, the Cure contrived to
detach the beads from his rosary and to
drop them occasionally in the road. Judge
of his chagrin, when, on arriving at his
domcil, a young Indian presented to him
nearly all his beads. The youth had pick
ed them up, supposing them to be drop
ped accidentally.
The demon of avalce entered into the
bosom of the priest. He gave information
to the authorities in Mexco-a commission
was sent down-art, menace, the denun-
Citations of religion, the cord, the rack,
burnings, were resorted to-, to induce the
people to reveal their secret, but all to-
no purpose. The village was depopula.ed,
but the Indians kept their faith.
BUTTE COUNTY VALuATIoN.-The COM
plete valuation of real and personal pro.