The Shasta courier., 1858-10-16
FOR THE 9 corR1rR y
FOR THE !" COURIER
Lands withdrawn from Sale---Probabl,
Attempt at Swindling.

EDS CouRIER:-While returning from re-
cent trip to San Francisco, made discovery
which may prove to be of considerable import
ance to portion of our farming community. A
certain j. Clark, Esq, who is now, have rea-
son to believe, the owner of the greater portion
of grant which, it is claimed, was originally
made to VIM. Bennitz, for Eve leagues of land,
has at length had the kindness to notify the U.
S. Surveyor General of California, that large
and valuable tract of land, situated on the east
side of the Sacramento river, and generally sup
posed to be public, is not in reality so, but is
covered by the aforesaid grant, in consequence
of which it has been for the present Withdrawn
from sale. The following is copy of letter
in regard to the matter, which obtained at the
Land Office in Maysville
U. s. SURVEYOR GEMS OFFICE
SAN Francisco, CAL, Sept. 6, 1858.
SIR: am in receipt this day of communi-
cation from ]. Clarke, Esq, Attorney, &C., for
the claimants under graft to VIM. Bennitz, for
five leagues of land, Tease No. 626 on the docket
of the U. S. Land Commission,) which grant has
been confirmed by the U. S. District Court for
the Northern District of California, and is now
pending undetermined in the Supreme Court OF
the o. s.
Mr. Clark represents to this Office that the
area embraced in this claim covers all the Sc
tions and fractional sections east of the Sacp
mento river in Township Nos. 20, 80, and 81,
North, Range No. West, Townships No. 80 and
81 North, Range No. West, Mount Diablo Me-
ridian, all of which embraced in the proc
lamation of the President, and are advertised for
10 . ftI, l,., sc E1l~- Il,
claims that the whole of Bloody Island and
Rancheria Island are within the boundaries
claimed by him for said grant.
Very Respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
]. W. VAUDEVILLE,
U. S. Surveyor General,
San Francisco, California.
E. 0. F. HASTINGS, Esq,
Register, &C., Marysville, California
A large section of valuable land is embraced
within the limits of the claim above set forth,
upon which are situated Fort Reading, the
Touring mills of Harrill & Keene, and of Geer
L Smith, a number of ranches, &c. 1t will be
noticed, also, that the boundaries of the claim
are still indefinite Mr.. Clark represents that the
claim includes all the sections &C., above de-
scribed how much more it includes is yet to
be discovered. He now claims all the land east
of the Sacramento river which the President
has as yet advertised for sale, with the exception
of about one and one-half sections. Whether
or not this claim is of gum elastic description,
and Will continue to stretch itself over other
lands as fast as they are brought into market, is
what it seems we must wait in patience to find
out.
Had not this claim been already confirmed by
the Q. s. District Court, through the engineer
ing of ~. Clark, Attorney, &C." and his assist
ants, who probably know what they are about,
it might be regarded as a trifing matter-desti-
tute, as it undoubtedly is, of any foundation in
justice; but as the case now stands, it begins to
assume serious aspect. 1t is possible that Mr..
Clark may be mistaken as to the locality of the
land covered by the Bennitz grant but it is
more probable, however, that the whole thing
is another vile attempt at swindling, concocted
by some Of the floating grant manufacturers of
San Francisco; and it would be well for those
interested to have the matter thoroughly inves-
tgated. Yours, &C.,